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  • A Summer at Sea

  • By: Katie Fforde
  • Narrated by: Jilly Bond
  • Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (346 ratings)
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A Summer at Sea cover art

A Summer at Sea

By: Katie Fforde
Narrated by: Jilly Bond
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Summary

Emily is happy with her life just as it is. She has a career as a midwife that she loves . She enjoys living on her own as a single woman. But she also feels it's time for a change and a spot of some sea air. So when her best friend, Rebecca, asks whether she'd like to spend the summer cooking on a 'puffer' boat just off the Scottish coast, she jumps at the chance. But she barely has time to get to grips with the galley before she finds herself with a lot on her plate.

Rebecca is heavily pregnant and is thrilled to have her friend onboard doing most of the work. Then there's Emily's competitive and jealous kitchen assistant, who thinks she should be head cook, not Emily. And there's Alasdair, the handsome local doctor whom Emily is desperately trying not to notice.

Because if she falls in love with him, as he appears to be falling for her, will she ever want her old life back again?

©2016 Katie Fforde Ltd (P)2016 Random House AudioBooks
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

What listeners say about A Summer at Sea

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    210
  • 4 Stars
    86
  • 3 Stars
    31
  • 2 Stars
    11
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Performance
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  • 4 Stars
    75
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    87
  • 3 Stars
    30
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    9

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Struggling

What did you like best about A Summer at Sea? What did you like least?

It held a lot of promise, but it's boring, nothing ever happens, and the constant 'go get yourself a man and start breeding' is incredibly irritating. In 2016 surely it can be recognised that a single woman can indeed have a rich and fulfilling life.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The boat and the islands were interesting, along with the politics and conflicts surrounding the practice of midwifery. Hard to say which was least interesting as there wasn't much that grabbed me at all.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jilly Bond’s performances?

Yes, I've always liked her. In this instance, she was great with all her accents and characters - with the exception of Maisie, which was so piercing I couldn't listen to it.

Do you think A Summer at Sea needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

God no. Not people you want to meet again.

Any additional comments?

I love Katie Fforde's books and usually fly through them, but this one is a total disappointment. I could not stick with it to the end, despite trying, as I couldn't engage with any aspect of it. This makes me sad as I was so looking forward to it.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

You would think it was written in the early 80's.

I never normally write reviews but this was probably the worse book I have ever listened to.
* Emily acts like she is in her 70's not 35!
*No real story - could have ended in two chapters.
*Really irritating accents.
*Story jumps around.
*Details of irrelevant things.
*Felt like writer was struggling to fill the book.
*Hardly any mention of the modern world - when there's a 'crisis' at home Emily needs to fly back - when it could have been sorted with a phone call.

Don't waste your time .

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Katie Fforde does not disappoint

I enjoyed the narration of this new book (well done Jilly Bond). The leading man was obvious to me from his first appearance and, this being Katie Fforde, we know that it will in due course end happily (and that Emily's midwifery skills will be put to good use at some stage in the book). At 35, Emily is a little older than some of the heroines of earlier novels and the issue of single parents remarrying is addressed. I wondered if the demographic of Katie's readers is getting older too!

Katie's books give much enjoyment (though I enjoy some more than others). Summer at Sea gave me a good deal of pleasure.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed

Listened as my downtime from studying and it was delightful. Would definitely recommend as good escapism

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Perfect easy listening.

I love a happy ending.
Although the heroine always gets her man in Fforde books, there is something endearing about a saccharine story line.
It's easy to get enthralled in the fantasy that is not real life but should be!!
I like the intimations in Jilly Bonds voice.
A perfect easy listening combo!!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I love Jilly Bond's narrations normally, but her Scottish accents are ghastly (from the point of view of a Scot!)

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Summer at Sea?

I know the puffer in the book, but had no idea that this book was going to be about it and the lovely area on the Argyll coast, so for me that, was the most memorable part.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

Great listen , great story, well read,laughter,sadness, tears
intresting, funny, love this book so much

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it Katie fforde never disappoints

Loved it Katie fforde never disappoints!!!!!! Great story, makes you want to up sticks to Scotland!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring, old fashioned, waste of money!

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I really don't know, I think it's an insult to recommend this to anyone. The main character is dull and everyone around her brow beats her to find a husband and have babies, which in the end *spoiler alert* she does! It seems impossible for the author/characters to believe that a midwife can do a good job if she doesn't have her own children. If you are alive in 2016 and have any leaning towards feminism, stay away from this!

What will your next listen be?

I am a regular 'chick-lit' reader/listener as I like an easy listen on my commute. So something similar but hopefully much better.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jilly Bond’s performances?

Yes, I like her voice. She was the liveliest thing about this story.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Meh

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good story

Story is great but I found the narration over exagerated. Would prefer more gentler delivery

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1 person found this helpful