Big Summer

A Novel

By: Jennifer Weiner

Narrated by: Danielle Macdonald

A deliciously funny, remarkably poignant “beach read to end all beach reads” (Entertainment Weekly) about the power of friendship, the lure of frenemies, and the importance of making peace with yourself through all of life’s ups and downs—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Good in Bed and Best Friends Forever.

Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.

Drue was always the one who had everything—except the ability to hold onto friends. Meanwhile, Daphne’s no longer the same self-effacing sidekick she was back in high school. She’s built a life that she loves, including a growing career as a plus-size Instagram influencer. Letting glamorous, seductive Drue back into her life is risky, but it comes with an invitation to spend a weekend in a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. When Drue begs and pleads and dangles the prospect of cute single guys, Daphne finds herself powerless as ever to resist her friend’s siren song.

A sparkling, “insightful page-turner” (Real Simple) about the complexities of female relationships, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart, Big Summer is a witty, moving story about family, friendship, and figuring out what matters most.

Critic reviews

"Danielle McDonald's narration keeps listeners' anticipation high for much of this novel. The plot weaves details of Daphne and Drue's tumultuous friendship from the early 2000s through the present day. After meeting in middle school, they remain close through college until an unforgivable act of betrayal pulls them apart. McDonald captures their vulnerability, as well as Daphne's angst and Drue's superiority, with nuanced tones unique to each character. When Drue re-enters Daphne's life a few years later, each has changed, and it is up to the listener to decide if sincerity and forgiveness go hand in hand. A mystery halfway through the audiobook adds another dimension to the story, keeping listeners riveted to the end."

Narrator distracting

I would have to think that choosing a narrator for a book is something that is researched and tested. Danielle Macdonald has a sweet voice but her inability to pronounce double t's is distracting and imposes on the book's narrating voice a characteristic that likely was not intentional. I would assume that two parents who were teachers likely would have spent many an hour working with their daughter to help her annunciate properly, or the author would have replaced the double t's with d's in print to work it into the story. It may seem like a small thing, but it was surprisingly distracting and took away from the overall appreciation for the book.

Just OK

I just thought this book was ok. It seemed like a high schooler or a college student wrote it. Not advanced or sophisticated.

Other reviews mentioned the narrator, I didn't find her too be too terrible (like others had). It didn't deter from the book for me. It was the writing that was the mediocre.

The narrator...

I love Jennifer Weiner’s books. This one was a bit of a surprise for me, I thought I was listening it one kind of book and then we switched into unexpected territory.
I’m almost sorry that I listened to it on here. The narrators lack of voice deviation between characters and the unwillingness to pronounce the “t” sound really kept me from being fully immersed in the story.
You can hear it in the sample. I didn’t think it would other me, but it did.

Pleasant surprise

Excellent story plus narration. I felt myself drawn in and my heart was tugged at their strings listening to the differences between the two girls; both envying the other but with different consequences. Great narrator; very pleasant to listen to. Thoroughly enjoyed the book as with most of her books.

Worst narration ever.

I read the reviews and bought this anyway- what a disappointment. IThe story was good, but the narration was so distracting at times I found it made me angry at the mispronunciations- example almonds- just ruined the story for me.