Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Audiobook (abridged)6 hours
Still Summer
Written by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
Back in high school, Tracy, Olivia, and Holly were known as The Godmothers, the girls everyone wanted to be and know. Unlike many friendships, their bond survived the years. But 20 years later, their glamorous leader, Olivia, whose wealthy Italian husband has died, suggests they reunite on her return to the United States with a luxury sailboat crossing in the Caribbean. With Tracy's college-aged daughter and an attentive two-man crew, they sail into paradise. But then, the smallest mistake triggers a series of devastating events. Suddenly in a desperate fight for survival, they battle the elements, dwindling food and water, the threat of modern-day piracy, and their own frailties. STILL SUMMER is at once a breathtaking adventure and a story about the bonds that hold friend to friend and mothers to daughters, and how facing our own mortality tests the truth of everything we think we know.
Unavailable
Author
Jacquelyn Mitchard
New York Times bestseller Jacquelyn Mitchard's novels include The Deep End of the Ocean, Twelve Times Blessed, and The Breakdown Lane. She is also the author of The Rest of Us: Dispatches from the Mother Ship, a collection of her newspaper columns. She lives with her husband and six children in Madison, Wisconsin.
More audiobooks from Jacquelyn Mitchard
The Breakdown Lane Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Theory of Relativity Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Christmas, Present Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Good Son Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Very Inconvenient Scandal: A novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Still Summer
Related audiobooks
Main Street Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In Many Waters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Valley Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Island Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death of a New American: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Forever Girl Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Moon Shell Beach: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5River, Cross My Heart Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Strong Amongst Us Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSea of Love Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5We Didn't Ask for This Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sea Trials Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Clasp: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Fishing for Birds Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pursuit of Love Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Patrick's Destiny: A Selection from The Devaney Brothers: Michael and Patrick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5David Crockett, His Life and Adventures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCruise of Shadows Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSix Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gypsy Moth Summer: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mustique Island: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5If Men, Then: Poems Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Civil War Commando: William Cushing and the Daring Raid to Sink the Ironclad CSS Albemarle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Orphaned Swimming Pool: A Selection from the John Updike Audio Collection Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sanctuary Island Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Smoke, Mirrors, and Murder: And Other True Cases Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
General Fiction For You
Good Omens: A Full Cast Production Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Court of Mist and Fury Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Court of Thorns and Roses Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Man Called Ove: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Court of Wings and Ruin Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Alchemist Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bell Jar Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stardust Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding Me: A Memoir Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5American Gods [TV Tie-In]: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Their Eyes Were Watching God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Court of Frost and Starlight Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5And Then There Were None Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leave the World Behind: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Finn Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Three-Body Problem Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Name of the Wind Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Overstory Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Two Towers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dutch House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Return of the King Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Paris Apartment: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Still Summer
Rating: 3.4181035344827584 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
116 ratings14 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5a real page turner
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I listened to this on audio and while it wasn't the best book I've ever read, nor the worse, it kept my interest. I found myself wondering whether or not the four would be rescued, hoping they would be, and speculating on how they might be found. The scenes with the pirates were very well done, suspenseful, and among the best in the book (I thought the outcome would be different.) Also, I know very little about boats and sailing, but it seemed as if Mitchard either did considerable research into nautical life or has been around boats previously, as these details seemed authentic to me.
The ending (August) was a disappointment, as it seemed incredibly contrived and too "neat." Some of the plot was predictable (the storyline with Olivia/Tracy/Cammie) and Cammie's beauty and youthfulness was described in excess, but this was a good "don't-need-to-think-too-hard" type of read. Kiersten Potter, the narrator of the audiobook, was wonderful. There are quite a few characters introduced early on in this book and Potter did an excellent job with various voices which helps greatly with the listener's ability to keep them all straight. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When I listen to an audiobook, I have found that I really need all elements to work together in harmony for me to stay focused on the story. Still Summer fit the bill perfectly for me as it had elements of romance, action, and an emotional storyline that had my eyes tearing up at the end. The story begins as four friends plan on renting a yacht for a tropical vacation, with the most strenuous work planned being to put a lawn chair away at the end of the day if necessary. Olivia, Tracy, Holly, and Janice were friends since high school and are in need of a relaxing vacation. When Janice's husband suddenly is struck with a medical emergency, she finds that she can't go along on the trip, so Tracy's daughter Cammie is lucky enough to be able to take her place. Tracy and Cammie's relationship has been a bit strained lately, so Tracy thinks this may be an opportunity for them to grow closer. Cammie recently broke up with her boyfriend and thinks the trip will be a good way to put him out of her mind. When a new romance is introduced upon arriving at her destination she has no problem pushing that ex-boyfriend to the far recesses of her mind! In the beginning of this book I found that I really didn't like Cammie, as she acted like a self-absorbed college student whom really didn't consider anyone's feelings but her own. I enjoyed watching Cammie's character develop into a responsible young woman as the novel went on.Olivia was another character that wasn't very likeable, as she is a recent widow that married her husband for money and not love. She is a very selfish individual in this story, and when the ladies find themselves having to depend on one another, they find that Olivia will only take care of herself. Even when it comes to the point of fatal consequences she only looks out for her own well-being and does not even consider what she can do to improve the chance of survival for her friends.Holly is the character that everyone loves. She is a loveable mom with twin boys and a husband at home, and your everyday gal, as she has a regular job and does not seem to have a perfect body. Early on in the story Holly gets injured, but since she is a nurse she is able to take care of herself and not worry her friends with her own problems. Holly steps up to the plate when danger is imminent and she will do whatever is necessary to protect her friends. This is one gal that you would be proud to have in your corner!Tracy is the strong a steadfast character that we all want to try to strive to be. She is a great mom and will do whatever is necessary in the face of adversity. When events start to go terribly wrong on the yacht, Tracy struggles with feelings of guilt since this vacation was her idea. She feels that she has no choice but to risk her own life to save the lives of her daughter and her friends. You can really feel the love that is contained in this woman's heart throughout the book.As this book started I couldn't help but think that this would be the ultimate vacation with some of your closest friends. But what started out as a relaxing tropical vacation, quickly turns into a life-threatening nightmare. As they watch their food and water supply dwindle they must do what is necessary to survive, and in their greatest hour of need secrets are revealed that will change lives forever.Many times I find myself saying that I wish I would have read this book rather than listening to it, but not so with this one. It was a great audiobook and I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much had a read it. I highly recommend this audiobook, especially if you enjoy listening to books that have a little bit of everything in them.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Different strokes for different folks. To begin with, I'm a chick who isn't much into chick lit. However, I appreciate a little escape lit every once in a while. This one, not so much. I'm like another reviewer, the references to stereotypes (not only Hispanic but gays) put me off. And it was just too much estrogen driven drama for me. Definitely Lifetime material, if that's your thing. :-(
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I've loved everything I've read by Mitchard till now. Modern-day pirates attack the most unlucky ship of bffs ( one sulky daughter). Maybe the adventure on the high seas is just too removed from the family trauma novels Mitchard has always written so artfully.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Old High School friends go on a sailing cruise and find out who they are. Much of it a typical high sea sailing adventure, but has unique twists and turns.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great Summer beach read - full of suspense and adventure that keeps you turning the pages. But what really makes the books worth reading is the realistic way 4 old friends relate to one another. No one is perfect - but the bonds they share and the bonds they break with eachother are authentic. Cammie the young college co-ed is genuinually protrayed as niave, selfish, loving and kind at different times in the story. Her broken heart and new romance ring heart wrenchingly true. The adventure story gathers speed in the second half of the book and you willl not put it down.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This book was hard to put down. I admit it, but I found it ultimately unsatisfying. The story of four women in an unlikely situation was well drawn and I felt for them even if I didn't buy a lot of it. I also felt like it was slightly, subtly racist. The Latino pirates are continually pointed up as not even being human, and the things they do are beyond the pale of horrific, while the poor blonde boy is doing his best to trying to save all of their victims. As a student of the Holocaust, I get nervous when people are equated with animals. This was no exception.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I have read all of Mitchard's books. I read a books in most every genre, as I am an avid reader with a wide array of interests, yet I am rather choosy. There are so many good books to be read, I do not want to waste time ( or money) on badly written books.I no longer bother to read the book description, or review of a book by Mitchard. They can never do her justice in any case. Somehow they all come out making the story sound less than it is.The characters in Still Summer ( as in all of Mitchard's novels) are so rich, the story captivating, that you will find it hard to put this book down. A cruise that is meant to be a little bit of paradise for the four women in the story ends up being anything but.The storm at sea, and the personal storms within the lives of these women combine to make a story that is compelling and extraordinary.read it.Then pick up another of her books and read it too!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jacquelyn Mitchard has an enviable ability with a pen; she draws characters that you feel you know or maybe could be. Still Summer chronicles four ordinary women under not so ordinary circumstances. On the other hand extraordinary events take place in all our lives. We hold our friends close, expend energy keeping our daughters safe, understand the failing of husbands, believe we are important to our families while dealing with all that life offers. In this story, life is challenging beyond what is usually encountered, nightmares begin, suffering occurs, tragedy is dealt with, and what is important rises to the top and becomes clearly defined under new parameters. Another fine read by Mitchard
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Couldn't put it down. A tweet asking to describe the book you are reading in 3 words had me pondering what to say as I had just started this book... I wrote: "Babes in Boats" "Lost in Paradise" and "Beware of Pirates" ALL of them were RIGHT! I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. GOOD ONE!!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/51.5 stars – FlawedI probably shouldn’t have made Still Summer my first book by Jacquelyn Mitchard because it sure didn’t make me want to run out and acquire any more of her work. I could never figure out what the story was supposed to be. Is it a thriller? If it is, it isn’t very thrilling. The plot meanders along for the entire first half of the book, setting up for a “terrifying storm” and its aftermath. But the storm never felt threatening and instead of feeling for the characters and wondering how they would get out of it, I was wondering why every single character in the story was as dumb as a box of rocks. Nobody seemed capable of doing anything without breaking down – even the drug smugglers who had no basis for doing what they did at all. Suspension of disbelief is one thing. Suspension of motive is something else entirely. Is it a tale of friendship reunited twenty years after high school? Probably not since all of these women basically hated each other. I have no idea why they would ever want to go out to dinner together, much less on a vacation together.Is it a tale of love? Not unless you count the unfeeling Olivia sleeping with one of the crew and then rubbing it in the nose of a teenage girl who then gets a crush on him. Does that last sentence not make a bit of sense? Now you know how I felt reading it in the book.So I’m left wondering what the point of the story was. Frankly, I have no idea. The plot wandered aimlessly from start to finish, the setup took far too long before anything actually happened. None of the characters were at all sympathetic. And the writing was as choppy as Morse Code, filled with clichés and poor grammar.I really can’t find any reason to recommend this book. There are a lot of better options in the genre.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I picked this book up on a whim – there was a long waiting list for it, and one copy came through to be mended. (That’s how I get the popular books...if it’s going to be mended, I feel okay taking it home for a night or so and reading it before sending it to be fixed. Shhh!) I hope that next time I pick up a better one.I barely have anything to say about it. There are only five main female characters, and I kept getting two of them mixed up. These women are supposed to be friends – but the way they treat each other…it isn’t unbelievable in its cattiness, it’s just not believable at all. There’s supposed to be a "big secret" that is revealed at the end of the book…I guessed what it was in the third chapter. And I’m not one of those people that TRIES to solve the mystery, to figure it out before the characters. It was just so flippin’ obvious.I seriously put the book down and watched a bug crawl across the wall for entertainment reading this book. It was pretty brain-numbing.Anyway, I took a shot at a new author and I failed. Oh, well. Millions more out there.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Still Summer…it’s hard to believe that it’s only August when it felt like a whole lifetime had just passed by. In June, it was so exciting when Olivia, Holly and Tracy set out on a cruise to celebrate Olivia’s return to the United States after many years away. Originally, the trip was to also include Janis. They had been the four “godmothers” in high school – inseparable and always in a little bit of trouble. Olivia had met and married an Italian count and moved to Italy. After his recent death, she had decided to return to her hometown near Chicago. When Janis’ husband became seriously ill, she had to pass on the cruise and Tracy’s college-age daughter, Cammie, went in her place.The four women and a two man cruise set off on their 2 week cruise to paradise. Lenny and Michel were slowly building up their tourist boat business. Lenny was married with a child and another one on the way. His years of experience made him one of the best and most reliable captains in the business. Michel was young, single and devilishly handsome. He was the “front man” in the partnership; the one who charmed the passengers.Michel and Cammie immediately developed an attraction. Their youth and beauty made it inevitable. Not everyone was happy about it. Even though Olivia was older than Michel, her first priority had always been herself, including her appearance of youth. She would have liked a little fling with a handsome young man. A wedge of jealousy is driven between Cammie and Olivia.As the days pass, seemingly small occurrences eventually add up to catastrophe for the four women and their crew. A bad storm which wasn’t forecast; a tryst that lasted a little too long; a jellyfish bite and an unfortunate encounter with modern-day pirates lead the women to test every bit of courage and skill they possess. Their life-long friendship, Cammie and Tracy’s mother-daughter bond and their very lives will be on the line.Mitchard is known for writing stories about ordinary people experiencing extraordinary situations. Still Summer explores the nature of friendship and parenthood, testing the strength of these ties in life-threatening circumstances. Do we really know our friends? Our spouses? Is the bond of parenthood as strong when a child is adopted as it is between a parent and a biological child? These are just a few questions raised in this novel and most readers will be able to relate to the characters in one way or another. When you add in the terror and suspense of the story, you have a book that is impossible to put down until the very end and one that is hard to stop thinking about afterwards.