The Summer Hideaway

By: Jenny Hale

Narrated by: Helene Maksoud

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Alice Emerson and best friend Sasha Miller have made a pact. They’ve decided to swap city living for the beautiful white beaches of the Outer Banks and pour everything they have into launching an ice cream shop in the little house by the sea where Alice spent blissful childhood holidays with her grandfather. As Alice and Sasha add color to the walls of the beach house and tempt the locals with their delicious recipes, their fresh new life begins to take shape. 

Swept away by her plans, love is the last thing on Alice’s mind. But she keeps running into mysterious doctor Jack Murphy, and finds herself falling for his golden charm and warm smile. As they laugh through sunshine-filled days and long romantic evenings, Alice tries hard not to think he could be the one for her - Jack is only here for the season, and Alice has had her fair share of heartbreak. 

Just when Alice’s summer couldn’t be more perfect, she discovers an old letter tucked away in the beach house. It contains a family secret that turns Alice’s world upside down and threatens the future of the ice cream shop. And then Jack reveals a secret of his own....

Will Alice have her dreams shattered and her heart broken, or can she find true happiness this summer? 

From the best-selling author of The Summer House, an utterly stunning, uplifting summer romance, about the power of friendship, discovering family secrets, and the beauty of falling in love by the sea.

©2018 Jenny Hale (P)2018 Bookouture

unrealistic at times.

Hard to believe that a parent would allow a 5 yr old go surfing in the ocean while she watched from the porch of her home. He could disappear in a heartbeat. Negligent behavior--call child protective services.
Alice and Jack had spent time together at 15 but they did not recognize each other at 24--unbelievable.
Jack was a pediatric neurology surgeon at 24.--he would just barely be through medical school.
Millie and Jack gave up nursing and doctor careers to do seasonal restaurant work-unbelievable.
Did not see what was so wonderful about Alice that everyone would give up their usual lives to be near her. She seemed very selfish. Got tired of her telling Jack to stay away.
It was frustrating for Alice to have so many internal conversations when she was supposed to be interacting with other people.

Math Errors, Plot Holes, and Beans for Days

I don’t usually write reviews unless I love it and want people to know how amazing it is, or I am annoyed it and I want to warn others about it. Let’s just say I’m not here to tell everyone how amazing this book is.

I think this is a case of someone writing a book and not bothering to utilize an editor to shake out the details that don’t add up....literally. I won’t say too much, because I don’t want to ruin anything for potential readers. However, I’ll say that I know the exact moment my mom passed away over 3 years ago. I certainly know how old my child was when she lost her gram. I wouldn’t tell people that my mom died when I was a teenager before she could ever meet my child and then say what a help my mom was with raising my baby in our next conversation. That’s why editors exist. If you can’t manage an editor, at least have a friend read your book before sending it to print.

The narrator pronounces been as bean. I have been asking around to find out what area this accent could possibly be from, as I waitressed and bartended in the airport for 10 years. I’ve heard a lot of accents, but never this one. There were other words as well that were pronounced strangely, and I’m fairly certain they were misread. If I’m wrong, I apologize, but it was all so distracting.

It’s a shame, because I feel like the story had so much potential to be a sweet beach read, but I found it hard to enjoy.

Lots of drama...

First, I generally very much enjoy Jenny Hale books. This one though was a bit overcrowded with drama. Still, the basic storyline held my interest. Also, I only listen to books based on narrators that I enjoy, so Helen Maksoud made this more enjoyable and palatable. She is a favorite of mine. I wish she narrated more books in this genre. Though her pronunciations of “been and bean” were used interchangeably in this book.

Great Summer Romance

Great feel good romance. A story about following your dreams and the ones you love no matter what.

Loved this!

A very pleasant, satisfying story!
I’m very happy with the narrator! Helen Maksoud. She’s so good!
Please have her for all your books. I haven’t been able to listen to some as can’t listen to the narrators. Several hrs of listening has to be pleasant! Your writing and Helens voice make it great.

Nice story

This was a nice story, but a little unbelievable at times. I love Jenny Hale, but of the books I've listened to so far, the others have been better, more realistic. I had the ending figured out, but wasn't sure how Jenny Hale was going to get there. The narrator did a nice job telling the story. Looking forward to my next book by Jenny Hale!

Slow start

I had to try 3-4 times to get started with this book. A bit confusing and not easy to follow. I almost gave up but even after listening again, I was backing up to find out what did I miss?
Story was ok. Character stories were believable, not far fetched.
I can’t recommend this to my friends, it just takes too long to get the start told.

Unrealistic story line

I did not finish this book. I was getting so frustrated with the premise of this book that I just couldn't finish it. Alice, the main character, wanted everybody to love her and change her life for her including a man she supposedly loved who was the head of neurosurgery had a big hospital in Chicago. why would she ask him to do that? No woman in their right mind would ask a man to do this especially if she loved him.

Beautiful Story

Beautifully written and narrated. I feel in love with the characters and the setting. Can’t wait for more books written by her.

far fetched story

Sweet love story with happy ending. Found the main character to be whiny. Based in a small town yet sister didnt know what happened to the man that owned the bike shop.....?? do you go all that way and not ask? Would the world class doctor really walk away??