Scan barcode
A review by sarahbeth_reads
The Summer You Found Me by Elizabeth O'Roark
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
I wasnโt sure which direction Elizabeth was going to go with this story after meeting Kate in the previous book and the fallout that happened between those characters. But she did such a phenomenal job with Kateโs story and how she made awful coping mechanisms to handle her grief, which ultimately destroyed her marriage. Elizabeth had me captivated in a way where I couldnโt put this book down.
While these books are an interconnected standalone series, I HIGHLY recommend reading ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ท๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ first in order to understand the characters, the plot, and the intricacies of these relationships. Elizabeth handled tough topics such as grief, addiction, and abandonment with such grace that it left me raw and emotional for everyone involved.
Kate has returned back home after getting out of rehab to win her ex-husband back. When she realizes she may be too late, and with nowhere to go, she winds up staying with her ex-husbandโs best friend, Beck, (who has secretly been in love with her since the first day he saw her) for a chance to get her life back in order. What she never could have anticipated was the more she leaned on Beck the more their connection grew and their relationship blossomed.
This book is narrated in duet by the effervescent Samantha Brentmoor and the powerhouse we know as Connor Crais. These two breathed life into this story and these characters in such a way that it left me experiencing all the emotions. I was laughing through the banter, crying through the hardships, and smiling through the sweet moments. This goes to show how extremely talented these narrators are to pull these visceral feelings from me just from their performance.
Samantha emanated Kateโs grief, heartbreak, addiction, and vulnerabilities in such a compassionate way that was heart-rendering. But Samantha also radiated in Kateโs healing, growth, and resilience too. The way Samantha showcased Kate by pulling back her layers one by one and facing her struggles head-on and working to overcome them and rise to the top was remarkable.
Connorโs deep, baritone voice was PERFECT for Beck. Iโve said it before, and Iโll say it again, but listening to Connorโs voice feels like being enveloped in a warm hug. You just want to snuggle in and relax into the storytelling. Connor exhibited Beckโs strength, dedication, and tough love when it came to Kate and the angst, and the passion that was delivered was impactful. I could not get enough of the little laughs Connor provided during his performance. Every time I heard them, I giggled, too. And that epilogue rocked me to my core.
๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
I wasnโt sure which direction Elizabeth was going to go with this story after meeting Kate in the previous book and the fallout that happened between those characters. But she did such a phenomenal job with Kateโs story and how she made awful coping mechanisms to handle her grief, which ultimately destroyed her marriage. Elizabeth had me captivated in a way where I couldnโt put this book down.
While these books are an interconnected standalone series, I HIGHLY recommend reading ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ท๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ first in order to understand the characters, the plot, and the intricacies of these relationships. Elizabeth handled tough topics such as grief, addiction, and abandonment with such grace that it left me raw and emotional for everyone involved.
Kate has returned back home after getting out of rehab to win her ex-husband back. When she realizes she may be too late, and with nowhere to go, she winds up staying with her ex-husbandโs best friend, Beck, (who has secretly been in love with her since the first day he saw her) for a chance to get her life back in order. What she never could have anticipated was the more she leaned on Beck the more their connection grew and their relationship blossomed.
This book is narrated in duet by the effervescent Samantha Brentmoor and the powerhouse we know as Connor Crais. These two breathed life into this story and these characters in such a way that it left me experiencing all the emotions. I was laughing through the banter, crying through the hardships, and smiling through the sweet moments. This goes to show how extremely talented these narrators are to pull these visceral feelings from me just from their performance.
Samantha emanated Kateโs grief, heartbreak, addiction, and vulnerabilities in such a compassionate way that was heart-rendering. But Samantha also radiated in Kateโs healing, growth, and resilience too. The way Samantha showcased Kate by pulling back her layers one by one and facing her struggles head-on and working to overcome them and rise to the top was remarkable.
Connorโs deep, baritone voice was PERFECT for Beck. Iโve said it before, and Iโll say it again, but listening to Connorโs voice feels like being enveloped in a warm hug. You just want to snuggle in and relax into the storytelling. Connor exhibited Beckโs strength, dedication, and tough love when it came to Kate and the angst, and the passion that was delivered was impactful. I could not get enough of the little laughs Connor provided during his performance. Every time I heard them, I giggled, too. And that epilogue rocked me to my core.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Child death and Infertility