The High Season

A Novel

By: Judy Blundell

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

“A mesmerizing, head-spinning - and sometimes madcap-hilarious - take of have and have-nots.” (People, Book of the Week)

Named one of the best books of the year by Real Simple and Kirkus Reviews.

“In the smart, breezy, sweet spot between Meg Wolitzer and Elin Hilderbrand.” (Entertainment Weekly)

No matter what the world throws her way, at least Ruthie Beamish has the house. Located by the sea in a quiet Long Island village, the house is her nest egg - the retirement account shared with her ex-husband, Mike, and the college fund for their teenage daughter, Jem. The catch? To afford the house, Ruthie must let it go during the best part of the year.

It’s Memorial Day weekend and the start of what Jem calls “the summer bummer”: the family’s annual exodus to make way for renters. This year, the Hamptons set has arrived.

Adeline Clay is elegant and connected - and will never need to worry about money. Before long, she demonstrates an uncanny ability to help herself to Ruthie’s life. Is Adeline just being her fabulous self, or is she out to take what she wants?

When an eccentric billionaire, his wayward daughter, a coterie of social climbers, and Ruthie’s old flame are thrown into the mix, the entire town finds itself on the verge of tumultuous change. But as Ruthie loses her grasp on her job, her home, and her family, she discovers a new talent for pushing back. By the end of one unhinged, unforgettable summer, nothing will be the same - least of all Ruthie.

Praise for The High Season:

“Blundell knows the territory.... Her account of Ruthie’s coming to grips with a career, a daughter and a community in flux is as touching as it is convincing.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“A huge page-turner...so compelling...a classic beach read, but very smart, very intelligently written.” (Us Weekly, Emily Giffin’s summer reading recommendations)

“An acid-laced domestic drama set during one golden summer on the moneyed, beachy North Fork of Long Island.” (The New York Times)

“Judy Blundell wields words like an oyster knife in this shimmering story of art, money, and celebrity.” (Helen Simonson, New York Times best-selling author of The Summer Before the War)

“A wry, often hilarious story of a woman trying to keep it together when everything is going so, so wrong.” (Real Simple)

©2018 Judy Blundell (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] perfect book for your beach bag - even if you’re not Long Island-bound.” (Vogue)

“The High Season is packed with quirky characters and charm that will last all summer long.” (Hello Giggles)

“The High Season goes beyond light summer fare. It’s a bit like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous but with Jane Austen’s type of biting wit and keen eye toward the human heart as an undercurrent.” (Pulse Magazine)

great summer beach read (listen)

really enjoyed this this book! hope yo listen to more by this author for sure

Elegant writing

Wonderful story with characters you truly care about. I could not stop listening! Judy Blundell’s story of love and change captivated me. Although billed as a “summer read” the story is really about how life changes and learning to let go as well as understanding what to hold close.

Surprisingly Great!

Bought this because Julia Whelan is the narrator and I’d happily listen to her read an algebra textbook and to my delight the book is downright delicious! Judy Blundell turns one heckofa phrase, creates multi dimensional characters and weaves a terrific tale. I wish there was a part 2!! And, of course, Whelan is perfect as always.

fantastic book I loved this book

I loved this book and the narrator just didn't want it to end ! You got
caught up in the story. just loved
you won't go wrong in purchasing
this book.

Great listen

Enjoyed very much but found it a little hard in the beginning to follow characters. Figured it out but tricky at times.

Blundell and Whelan perfectly paired!

Searching for Julia Whelan on Audible, I was thrilled to have found Judy Blundell’s “The High Season.” Both Whelan and Blundell are a solid pair, to be sure. Blundell invites us to a summer community of eccentric and quirky characters; an abundance of subplots make this a #1 hit. Whelan’s creative narrative is exquisitely performed {{{again, thank you, Julia}}}. I don’t know how she does it. Her vocals are precise and a listening pleasure with each and every character. Blundell creates one helluva wild ride and I will be on the lookout for more. “The High Season” is one of the best in my library! So highly recommended, I want to scream from the rooftop, “Epic, I say. Epic! Epic! Epic!

👏✍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍🏻👏

Loved it!

Suspenseful and clever light listen. This one makes excellent reading for the beach in the summer.

Beach read extraordinaire

Binged this audiobook in less than a week. A fun summer beach read that will make you wish your toes were in the sand or Long Island Sound. Especially good narration.

Too disconnected

Hard to follow and not interesting enough to start over. It’s a well put together story in the end but I know I missed some of the connections. Sometimes when listening it’s easy to miss a step or two and I will start over but wasn’t up to it with this one. May just be me, the timing- I might give it another try later.

Easy Beach Listen

This was an easy listen about love, loss, friendships, and lessons learned in a NY beach town.