A Summer of Surprises

By: Judith Keim

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Jill Conroy is tricked by her sister into becoming the housekeeper and cook for the summer at Seashell Cottage where Greg Campbell and his nephew, Brody, have been hired to do maintenance projects on the house. Annoyed at first, Jill soon realizes how wonderful it is to be away from her home in New York and the memories of her deceased, emotionally abusive husband. Soon the magic of the beach heals Jill enough for her to decide to move to Florida permanently to make a new life for herself. Her part-time work at a summer camp and the promise of a new job as a third-grade teacher in the fall make it seem as if her future is set. But a visit from her sister, followed by her mother, reveals secrets that surprise them all. Jill learns to accept the idea of love not only from Brody but from his daughter, Kacy, as the summer brings even more surprises.

©2020 Judith Keim (P)2020 Judith Keim

A story of awakening

Jill's sister has offered Jill a summer of relaxation - house sitting a beach house in Florida. Jill is distrustful but eventually decides it's an offer she can't refuse, since she is a teacher and has the summer off. When she gets there, she finds out that she is expected to cook and clean for an older handyman, along with his helper nephew and a spoiled 8 year old girl, all of whom are also living at the house.

This is a story about Jill re-evaluating her life and her relationships. Jill isn't close to her controlling mother and sister. She finds herself attracted to Brody, the nephew, but she is hesitant after an abusive marriage. She decides to move to Florida and is eager to explore new opportunities for her life, including exploring friendships with more than one man and new working relationships and friendships with women.

This book is an interesting story of awakening and standing up for ones self. I enjoyed it. I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator was very good, including use of different voices for each character.

Wonderful story

I started listening to this book and then stopped. The narration was difficult to listen to with a depressing sound. It was almost as if Eyore was reading to me, then I felt as if words were being "punched" at the end of sentences. I'm glad that I went back to it because I liked the story, but many times I wished I were reading, rather than listening.

Great book!

this book is all about fresh starts and learning to care for yourself and getting your life in order. takes place in Florida at a seaside cottage and it's a very good and easy read. I know you would love this book. Judith Keim books are different in that especially if you're listening to the audiobook you feel that you are part of the story not that somebody is reading the story. She is such an excellent author and the narrator is fantastic too

Captivating contemporary romance

A Summer of Surprises is a captivating contemporary romance by Judith Keim. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'll be looking for more of her work to read...I enjoyed the book. The characters are likable and relatable. I liked how Jill met head on the surprises she encountered as she left the comfort of the usual and agreed to help her sister out. Lots of relationships are explored in the story, mothers and daughters, sisters, friends--male and female, child and adult. I like how the author portrayed each of these and made them realistic--camaraderie, struggles, healing and restoration. A Summer of Surprises is a great story of growth, of realizing second chances are just around the corner waiting to be taken hold of. And of course, what would a story of relationships be without a romance. and I'd like to see more of Jill and Brody. Angela Dawe does a great job narrating the story which made for an enjoyable listening experience.
I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

A beautiful and engaging story!

The storyline was engaging and the characters were relatable. The dynamics between the characters were real too. So many of the scenes of the story brought tears to my eyes while others made me smile, inside and out! I really enjoy the quality narration. I will whole-heartedly recommend this book to family and friends!

SUCH A JOY TO READ

A SUMMER OF SURPRISES is the third book in the Seashell Cottage series. Each is a stand-alone sweet romance that takes place at the Seashell Cottage on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast.

The oldest child sets the example, is the peacemaker, and is bookish. The baby of the family is cute, flighty, and coddled. This develops sibling rivalry in their younger years and if not addressed it can stunt their adult relationships with one another and with their parents… Oh, boy do I relate with this! I am the oldest of three. I’m just glad I made friends with my siblings before they earned their wings.

This story was such a joy to read as Jill gained the confidence she needed to be able to tell people about the past she had lived and the future she wanted. She became the person that made her happy so that she could make others happy.

In the beginning her sister is shown as manipulative, but even she grows by the end of the book; I’m glad of that. Perhaps a future book will show more of her journey. The seeds have been planted, and it could be a good harvest.

Narration: Angela Dawe has a sweet voice. Though her voice does not reflect the New York accent that Jill would have, and in fact sound like upper New England, I could listen to it at any time. She has beautiful enunciation, pronunciation, and diction. She would be a reason to pick up an audiobook.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: A SUMMER OF SURPRISES
Series: Seashell Cottage #3
Category /Genre: Clean Romance
Recommended for: 16+
Listenability: OK for most ears
Received from: Judith Keim (as an Audible gifted copy)