The Summer's End

Lowcountry Summer Trilogy, Book 3

By: Mary Alice Monroe

Narrated by: Mary Alice Monroe

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the powerful and heartwarming conclusion to her best-selling Lowcountry Summer trilogy, New York Times best-selling author Mary Alice Monroe brings her listeners back to the charm and sultry beauty of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, to reveal how the pull of family bonds and true love is as strong and steady as the tides.

It is summer's end, and Sea Breeze, the family's beloved estate on Sullivan's Island, must be sold. It is an emotional time of transition as Mamaw and the three sisters each must face loss and find a new place in the world.

Harper, the youngest sister, arrives at Sea Breeze intending to stay only a weekend. But a rift with her wealthy, influential mother leaves her without direction or a home. During this remarkable summer, free from her mother's tyranny and with the help of her half sisters, Harper discovers her talents and independent spirit. But summer is ending, and the fate of Sea Breeze hinges on her courage to decide the course of her own life. To do so she must release her insecurities and recognize her newfound strengths. Harper must accept love fully into her life - the love of Mamaw, Carson, and Dora, the love of Sea Breeze and the lowcountry, and most of all the love of a wounded warrior who has claimed her heart.

©2015 Mary Alice Monroe, Ltd. (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

But Wait - There's More

The third book of a summer with a Grandmother and her three grand-daughters, all half sisters. They have shared the same father (Mamaw's son) but have different mothers. They are all quite different, have bonds that draw them together although at times there are tensions between them.

This book is essentially Harper's one. However each of these books build on one another as the three girls develop and grow as people. It is definitely a series that needs to be read in order as the struggles and challenges go from one book to the next.

Harper has come from a wealthier background compared to the other two girls, yet she has an ice queen for a mother. One who tries to control her and is unable to let her go. Just as well Mamaw is such a warm mothering character or where would Harper be.

In this book the reality of needing to sell Sea Breeze the home that they all love bites in. Each one as well must take the next step in their journey. And that's where The Summer's End brings this phase of their lives to a close, so that they can open on to a new one.

Again I enjoyed the author's narration. While she didn't always have a distinctive voice for each character, her phrasing and understanding of the characters shone through.

I believe there is at least one more in this series, titled Low Country Wedding due to publish May 2016. I wonder whose wedding it will be!

Good summer listening

I enjoyed this whole series and I’m pretty picky. Easy to listen to and like hanging out with friends.

Refreshing

I’ve just completed this series of books. What a relief to find something that was interesting, kept my attention, and did not have the intimate details of sexual encounters that I fast forwarded through. Romance, yes, but not intimate details. I don’t want to read or listen to sexual encounters described in detail. Thank you for writing these books!

Heartwarming Series

I really loved this series written by Mary Alice Monroe!! And I cannot imagine anyone else narrating it better. She brought the characters to life through her writing and through her perfect vocal differentiation between them. I honestly laughed and cried. I spoke out loud to the characters as if they were real and could hear me. I had hopes for them in the wonderful story line. If you want a story that’s heartwarming about family and the wisdom of those who have lived a long life before us, then this series will not disappoint.

Another Sweet Chicklite by MAM

A nice easy summer book. Especially for Charleston lovers. I enjoy the story of the southern grandmother and her three granddaughters - all well developed characters. My one complaint is that Ms Monroe gets lost in a character's accent. Especially the British grandmother's. Her British accent is as good as my own which isn't close. But I enjoy most of Her narration.

Mary Alice Monroe is a new favorite

I am really loving this series. I sometimes get so lost in a book that I can't put it down. This series is one of those. Great book, great narrating and great storyline. Can't wait for the next. I'm going to start it now.

Another winner-

I fell in love with the characters in the first book so really enjoyed them in this second in the series. Mary Alice Monroe is a wonderful story teller. I especially enjoy a book read by the author. The only constructive criticism I have is that the grandmothers seemed to blend together occasionally. I'm sure it's very difficult to switch back and forth between dialects though. Overall, I loved this book and can't wait for the next!

Very predictable but satisfying read

Before you head to your vacation spot grab the entire trilogy it will provide hours of easy going, pleasant entertainment.

Why did the author narrate this book??

I really enjoyed the story line and the series, but I had to put the book down / stop listening because of the narrator. I found her painful to listen to and felt it was a disservice to the book!!

I want my money back!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Why did the author feel compelled to read the book? I can't even listen to it its so horrible!

What did you like best about this story?

Like,this series, just wish I was reading it

What didn’t you like about Mary Alice Monroe’s performance?

Hum, everything! She's not an actress and her voice inflections,are just weird. Trying to listen to her be a 20something woman is painful.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Zero

Any additional comments?

Read IT

Delightful

I really enjoyed this trilogy. It’s very sweet - maybe a bit too sweet for some but not for me. I totally escaped into its beautiful charms. It’s read with such flare and I found myself so relaxed listening to it….. thank you Mary Alice Monroe.

A breath of fresh air

The series was beautiful and left me wanting more. The descriptions made me want to go to the Low country and I enjoyed the stories of each character. The only qualm was the terrible British accent! But otherwise fantastic and I really enjoyed it.

Another fabulous book

A lovely conclusion to the end of these heartwarming stories. Made me think about life.

Awesome read

Loved all three book but am really disappointed that I can’t read the last 2 as they are not available in the uk.

Final book of three

Thoroughly enjoyed all three books to the end. Lazily enjoying the pictures created by the author immersed in the surroundings, characters and storyline delivered in her easy manner. Happy to recommend.

Life enriching. Love affirming.

A sublime escape to another world where, in some ways, life has stood still yet carries on in the generations that follow. Diverse and disparate characters that capture your heart, if not immediately, then certainly, as their stories unfold, they lay themselves bare, and finally come together as complete individuals. All thanks to the honesty, support and love of their equally flawed relatives. A truly beautiful experience that will remain with me for a long time to come. I’m already looking for my next Mary Alice Monroe experience.
Give this trilogy a go, and I would be extremely surprised if you are not equally inspired by the lowlands of “The Deep South”, it’s characters, landscapes, and it’s wildlife. All absolutely life enhancing and love affirming. Oh the power of family support, love and acceptance to set us on the right path if we are open to such a journey.

Perfect for Summer

Perfect Summer books 🥰🥰🥰 I loved the stories of this family those Summer girls are just adorable

The end of the summer

I enjoyed this. Not surprisingly, lots of loose ends were tied up (although not all!).
The characters’ lives developed. New characters were introduced. There were ups and downs. Nice atmosphere.
Not a lot of Nate who was so prominent in the first book. Did she forget about him?
Satisfying conclusion but rather drawn out ending.
I’d listen to another of her stories, but perhaps not until I’d had a break. I feel like I’ve eaten a box of chocolate all to myself!

Brilliant

What a lovely end to the trilogy- I loved it 🥰 didn’t want it to end

all 3 are excellent

such a great story. Listen to all 3 on the trot and could not stop. thank you for a great listen