One Summer

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

David Baldacci delivers a moving, family drama about learning to love again after terrible heartbreak and loss in this classic New York Times bestseller—soon to be a Hallmark original movie.

It's almost Christmas, but there is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time left to live, he spends his last days preparing to say goodbye to his devoted wife, Lizzie, and their three children. Then, unthinkably, tragedy strikes again: Lizzie is killed in a car accident. With no one able to care for them, the children are separated from each other and sent to live with family members around the country.

Just when all seems lost, Jack begins to recover in a miraculous turn of events. He rises from what should have been his deathbed, determined to bring his fractured family back together. Struggling to rebuild their lives after Lizzie's death, he reunites everyone at Lizzie's childhood home on the oceanfront in South Carolina. And there, over one unforgettable summer, Jack will begin to learn to love again, and he and his children will learn how to become a family once more.

Critic reviews

"If you know David Baldacci only as a thriller writer, you need to read more of David Baldacci. In One Summer, he writes as beautifully and insightfully about the pathways of the human heart as he does about the corridors of power. The twists and turns in this hugely emotional and unforgettable novel come from the resilience of one father's spirit and the revelation of the love that binds a family, in this world and even beyond. If you read one book this summer, make it One Summer."—Lisa Scottoline, author of Save Me

"Just when you think David Baldacci has a permanent bird's eye view of the Pentagon from Air Force One, he surprises us all with a beautifully told story of the fate of a family devastated by loss and healed by love. One Summer has it all, humor, grace and redemption, delivered with humanity and wisdom in the capable and sure hands of America's great storyteller."—Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Very Valentine and Lucia, Lucia

"One Summer is a beautifully written story about family, redemption and hope. Baldacci demonstrates why, regardless of genre, he's one of the world's foremost storytellers."—Richard Paul Evans, #1 bestselling author of The Walk and The Christmas Box

"[A] touching family story."—USA Today

"[Fans] will find in these pages a good message and a big heart."—Washington Post

"Readers better have their hankies ready."—RT Book Reviews

nice beach read

This is my first Baldacci and my first audio book experience. I think the book was well written and a nice, light summer read. I think the bad reviews may be because people want a more traditional "Baldacci" book. I think its great that the can step outside of the box and dabble in a different genre. I wasn't a huge fan of the Narration, but that may be because Im used to hearing my own voices as I read. If your looking for a quick, beach/pool read, this is your book.

Awesome!

This is my first review. From the very beginning I felt that I personally knew Jack and Lizzy. I cried through most of the book. This is my favorite book, a must read.

I was grabbed

This book is so different the all the other Baldacci books I've listened to. There were tears in my eyes through most of the book. So powerful particularly to someone who married his High School sweetheart so so many years ago. I'm an old man now and this book was so touching. Thank you!

Exceptional

Outstanding novel, love, anger, feelings of complete helpless, courage personal belief. A family struggling with illness then loss, so many emotions and brilliantly performed by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy. Beautifully written by David Baldacci ❤️❤️

A stretch from...

I was so touched by this book, One Summer, by David Balducci. I have only read/listen to his other style of books, who dun-it, cop genre, etc. Mr. Balducci can write sensitive, illness, long-love, loss stories as well. I really enjoyed the old beach home needing to be fixed and the walks on the sand, the coming of age and the knowing yourself of a teen girl and boy. Of single-parenting and new love.
This book is worth a read/listen this summer.