Perfect Summer

By: Katie Graykowski

Narrated by: Pam Dougherty

High school teacher Summer Ames is trapped in the nightmare morning from hell. Her alarm clock didn't go off, she accidentally backed over the rosebush her grandfather gave her grandmother right before he accepted defeat against prostate cancer, she's wearing clothes she picked up off the floor, and when she opens the door to her classroom, the lights from the TV cameras nearly blind her. She's won Teacher of the Year, but unlike the past winners, she doesn't get a new car or a Hawaiian vacation or even new school supplies, she wins an over privileged quarterback with a bright smile and questionable intentions.

Clint Grayson is an NFL quarterback in need of a reputation makeover. If he has any hope of landing a hundred million dollar endorsement deal, it will take some pretty impressive PR for the public to forget the photos of his battered and bruised ex-girlfriend. In an attempt to polish his tarnished reputation, Clint agrees to be a high school class mentor.

When these two get together all hell breaks loose.

©2013 Katie Graykowski (P)2014 Katie Graykowski

Fun and flirty

It is a fun summer story with some funny moments, easy listening and a cool hero

A Sweet Fun listen..

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. For all of my friends who appreciate a fun romantic romp, this would be a good recommendation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lilly. I enjoyed the conflicts of this "woman of a certain age". I liked the alternate dramas of this mother and daughter as a sideline to the main romance between Summer and Clint. It gave the story more depth and a few more surprises.

What about Pam Dougherty’s performance did you like?

Her lilting southern drawl throughout is very easy to listen to and she adjusts well to the emotional stakes of each character.I did want her to vary her tempo a bit but over all she was a good choice for the story and I enjoyed her narration.

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

Perfect Romance...

Great Series!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this audiobook to a friend, as well as Katie Graykowski's other books. They are wonderful, humorous, and have a great story line. I loved the narrator Pam Dougherty, she is perfect for this book with her southern charm. I have listened to other books that were narrated by Pam and I just love her.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really loved all of the characters, but I have say that my favorite was Summer's mother and her main/friend. They were fantastic and I loved them.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the whole book, but my favorite scene was when Summer's mom brought her maid/friend to the party and she was fussing about how itchy the dress was and cussing, i loved when Summer's mom made her pay money for saying a cuss word, and she then gave her some money and told her to hold onto it because she would be cussing a lot more before the night was over.

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

Non-stop laughter

Any additional comments?

I loved the book!

Sweet Romantic Comedy

Would you recommend Perfect Summer to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book, and any book by Katie Graykowski or Narrated by Pam Dougherty. I loved the story line with the kids, just made my heart melt! And the Narration was just filled with southern charm.

Which character – as performed by Pam Dougherty – was your favorite?

I would have to say Summer was my favorite, but i did like them all.

Who was the most memorable character of Perfect Summer and why?

I would also have to say Summer, she was very funny with her quick wit and her one liners, she just had me in tears at times.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a funny romantic book, this book is for you.

More than just 'chick lit' ...

Would you listen to Perfect Summer again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to Perfect Summer again. Ms. Dougherty is the perfect narrator for books that take place in the South. She brings warmth to each of the characters in the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Perfect Summer?

When Clint made an honest from the heart gift of goodwill to one of Summer's students.

Which character – as performed by Pam Dougherty – was your favorite?

I loved Summer. I connected with the character immediately. I feel/felt the same way she did growing up and with her relationship with her mother. I understood where she was coming from. Many moments felt like they were out of my own childhood/young adulthood. She really touched me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

At 11+ hours, listening to this book in one sitting maybe difficult unless you are on a long, long car ride. I broke it up into 2 1/2 days.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed Perfect Summer. I felt that Ms. Graykowski wrote an honest fictional story about body image and how it affects people. I've been thru many of the same situations that Summer had been in and I felt a connection with her. I would love to read more about Summer and Clint. A second book is needed!

A bit too much for my taste.

When I first started this book I was pretty excited. Here was a heroine that was not rail thin. Summer is plus-sized, tall, intelligent, and funny. Finally, a heroine I could relate to! But then it all went downhill. She's disgusted with her body (I could relate), but within a few days she has turned it all around and her confidence is through the roof. No, I'm sorry, but the level of disgust she has with her own body would not be resolved in a few days (I should know). And the really weird subplot involving Summer's mother. I felt tricked having to read that. No where in the description is her relationship mentioned, and I really didn't care. It didn't add much to the main romance and would have been better suited to a spin-off book.

I feel like Pam Dougherty was one of the better parts of the book. She really brought a sense of humor to the book, along with more personality than was written. She was clear and her pacing was great.

A bit too much for my taste.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Perfect Summer - A FUN Read Through & Through!

Would you consider the audio edition of Perfect Summer to be better than the print version?

I absolutely loved the audio edition of Perfect Summer! It held my interest from the very first few minutes to the end of the book. I laughed out loud too many times to even count! This is a delightful audiobook that was brought to life by a wonderful narrator, Pam Dougherty.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Perfect Summer?

There wasn't one part in particular that I would label as THE most memorable because there were SO many funny parts to this audiobook! It would be too difficult to name just one part of the story as the best. Summer is a delightful character who unknowlingly captures the heart of a man she never thought would give her a second look! All of their interactions are so real and witty. I must admit I also loved the scene when Summer's cougar Mom came to spend the weekend with her younger boyfriend - donning her red sexy lingerie and all - only to meet his Mother and the church Pastor through an unfortunate hysterical situation! You'll have to listen to the book to hear what took place and get ready to have a good laugh-out-loud (even if you're alone!) Delightful is the word I would use to describe this entire book. ( I listened to several chapters of the book while on a 3 hour airplane flight and I'm sure my laughing intrigued the other passengers who were also seated in my cabin!)

What about Pam Dougherty’s performance did you like?

Pam Dougherty is a pro in her delivery of this story! She made the characters come alive and her comedic timing was superb in the way she voiced the story. Her pacing and delivery were excellent from start to finish! Great performance, Pam! I will definitely be interested in listening to more books performed by Pam Dougherty and written by Katie Graykowski! Hats off to both of them! Don't miss this wonderful audiobook!

A fun read

Where does Perfect Summer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I don't listen to a lot of romance on audiobook, but this was fun. Like so many genre novels you often have to suspend disbelief a bit, but that didn't stop it from being enjoyable.

What does Pam Dougherty bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved her voice - I think she brought a lot of heart to characters I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I liked that she brought real emotion to the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the bits with Lily (the mom)

Fantastic Story!

Would you listen to Perfect Summer again? Why?

YES! OMG, I loved this story! It was perfect & romantic & witty & funny!

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator's voice! Her voice made this story so much better! It was very entertaining!

Have you listened to any of Pam Dougherty’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I have, this story here is by far the best & will be hard to beat!

Who was the most memorable character of Perfect Summer and why?

I love Summer! She is kind & wonderful & thinks of everyone but herself.

Any additional comments?

The narrator did a fantastic job!!! I loved the laughter & the moans. The voices were incredible. I felt them down to my bones. There is so much emotion in this story!

humorous dialogue, pleasant narration

This was an enjoyable read. Relaxing getaway with funny dialogue. I love the banter between the two couples. Not much plot but the narrator makes up for it with interesting voices.