Ruined by the narrator

What did you like best about Sommersgate House? What did you like least?

I've always had a fondness for the story. It's not a work of fine literature, but it's a darn fun read. So I looked forward to the Audible version, as I have a long daily commute, and am always looking for good books to listen to during my drive. However, the narrator ruined this book for me. Why, oh why, when most of the characters in the book are English, would you have an American narrator who can't do a decent accent to save her life??? And when she has to voice the English hero....words cannot describe how bad it is! I'm so disappointed I could just weep.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Douglas is quite a dashing Bond-type figure.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

English accents, as mentioned above, are terrible. Her "voice" for the hero....unspeakably bad.

Could you see Sommersgate House being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I can't even begin to think about this until I mourn this audio for a few days.

Any additional comments?

Please don't let all of the books in this series be narrated by the same person, as Ms. Ashley has done before. I can't even bear to think about it, as this series is a regular re-read for me.

13 people found this helpful

A disappointment, unfortunately

Dang it, I hate to have to give KA a less than stellar review but, unfortunately, the shoe fits. This ghost series just wasn't her forte. Both the first two stories could have been told just as easily w/o the ghosts, at all. As a matter of fact, I think trying to fit the ghosts into the story took away from the rest of the story. These stories are so shallow compared to her other series that, for the first time ever, I'm not going to download one of her books. I have been having KA withdrawals and I hope a new book on another of her series is released soon.

As for the narration, Ms Craden has no gift with accents but if you ignore the fact that most of the characters are supposed to be born and raised English, you can make it through the story.
-V from Kansas

5 people found this helpful

Please choose a new narrator

What did you love best about Sommersgate House?

This story is more about broken people getting put back together and becoming a family, which adds a certain amount of sweetness to it. Of course there's romance, but that's not all there is, and I like that.

What didn’t you like about Abby Craden’s performance?

She can do a passable heroine voice and that's it. What she can't do is accents or male characters. It just irritates me to no end that I'll have to suffer through her narration every time I want to listen to these books.

5 people found this helpful

One of my new favorite books!

So good I couldn't put it down but didn't want to finish! As in all Ms. Ashley's books, I loved all the characters. I also enjoyed the new setting, England, in this book.

3 people found this helpful

LOVE this series

I love this book! Although to be fair I love everything Kristen Ashley! the narrator did such a wonderful job with the male voice, that I don't think I've heard a better performance. It made everything even better than it would have already been I can't wait to listen to the next book

6 people found this helpful

Love the story... Narration left a lot to be desired

Loved the story as I always do with KA's books. It amazes me how KA brings her stories to life and you never feel like you are reading the same story with different characters. Each series that she writes is different than the next. Love KA books.

Narration was bad for Douglas. I almost stopped listening so many times. The narrator did well with other female voices bringing in differences from one to another but I had a real challenge with listening to Douglas alone and then in hearing a difference from one male to another. I was hoping it would not be the same narrator for the entire series but it is. May not be listening to the other books in the series as a result of this..... I am not sure if I can take her tone as a male with another book.

5 people found this helpful

Sommersgate House Stars

Ok so I liked book one but I enjoyed book two just a little bit more.
The dynamic in which these characters come together is sad and heartbreaking. But also so very needed for all of them to heal.

The children needed a home, and the house needed a family. Douglas needed love and family who cared. And Julia needed to heal.

I didn't not like Douglas, in the beginning, I would call it cautious. I wondered why he was so standoffish and you learn why that is and your heart goes out to him.

I think I felt most for Julia just because she cared her grief on the outside and it was hard for her to be brave. Plus her past is kind of sad but for the most part, she doesn't or I should say tries really hard to put it in the past but sometimes the past is just so painful it stays with you for a lot longer than you wish it would.

I love the interaction between the staff and the children, just all of it is refreshing, I have read a lot of books with kids but I like when they are so intertwined in the story that you couldn't imagine it without them.

Last but not least having a glimpse into Douglas and Julia falling in love was precious and I am so glad I listened to this audio, Abby Craden does a great job with this narration. I enjoyed all her character voice. Worth the credit for sure.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

22 people found this helpful

Wow. What a Terri love story.

Even the ghosts were lo Bing and beautiful. I really loved this book and will be reading the rest of the series.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful Story!

Loved the story line, I felt it was very fulfilling. The story kept me guessing what the different outcomes comes could be. I sped the narration up to 1.25 and the narration worked for me. Thus far I have not been disappointed in the KA books that I have read. On to the next!

1 person found this helpful

Initially

At first I had a difficult time getting into this book... it may have been for reason not at all involving the read but, once I really gave it a chance... I absolutely couldn't put it down... it was beautifully written and wonderfully told.

1 person found this helpful