The Summer Bed

By: Ann Brashares

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

"A gorgeously written novel on love, loss, and family", raves Nicola Yoon, the best-selling author of Everything, Everything, about this novel from the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.

Two teenagers share the same room on alternating weeks at a shared summer house, imagining what it would be like to meet in real life. Previously published as The Whole Thing Together.

For Sasha, summer means time at her family's sprawling old house out on Long Island. For Ray, it's the same. Sasha and Ray aren't related - and they've never met - but long ago, before they were born, Sasha's dad and Ray's mom were married. Then came a bitter divorce, remarriages, and a new generation of children. Now, the two families have an arrangement: use the summerhouse at your designated time and never cross paths. Sasha and Ray do connect, though, by email - joking around, confiding in one another, forming a friendship. They've shared so much already . . . what would happen if they met in real life?

"A continuous, consistently engrossing narrative.... Deeply moving." (The Bulletin, starred)

"A gorgeous exploration of family, secrets, and love." (Teen Vogue)

"You absolutely must read it." (PopCrush)

©2017 Ann Brashares (P)2017 Listening Library

Grab the physical book, hard to keep characters straight

Loved the story line, however, it was extremely difficult to keep all of the characters straight in the audio book version. I had to keep going back to the initial chapter on the family trees. It was super distracting.
I still don’t understand how Ray and Sasha were not related, lol.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a hard copy, it will be much more enjoyable.

Beatifully written,

Would you listen to The Whole Thing Together again? Why?

Yes. The author has a way of enveloping you into the story, making you part of the family, laughing at their jokes, feeling the distress when sadness hit.

Any additional comments?

I felt that it was a beautiful story. Yet, the ending left me wanting just a little bit more. Throughout the whole book, the main characters share this out-of-this world connection that has no resolution at the end. If feels as though the author has just let me see a snippet of their lives, leaving me hungry for more

I would've given it 5 stars but..........

.....I was really disappointed in how it ended so apruptly. Would've loved to have more of the story.

Gisel

I loved the book it was beautiful yet sad. I defenetly recommend reading this book

Unforgettable Story, Not to be Missed

What made the experience of listening to The Whole Thing Together the most enjoyable?

This is such an intelligent, heart-filled story, carrying a strong message about the dangers of unforgiveness and resentment without being one bit preachy. I was enthralled by it and will probably listen again.

What did you like best about this story?

Where to start? The characters are well-drawn, the settings are vivid. I fell in love with Ray and Sasha, especially. The reminder of what truly counts in life is one of the most profound I've come across in years and years of voracious reading.

What about Brittany Pressley’s performance did you like?

I greatly enjoyed Ms. Pressley's voice. She speaks pleasantly and clearly, without the cloying, affected inflections which ruin or distract from other stories I've downloaded.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

No idea, but I hope they do make this book into a movie.

Any additional comments?

People of all ages can enjoy this story of two teenagers and their extended families.

WTF

What kind of ending is this!!!! There is no conclusion!!!! The book did not end it just simply stopped!!!!!