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鬲丕亘爻鬲丕賳 丌賳 爻丕賱
From #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci comes a moving family drama about learning to love again after heartbreak and loss.
ONE SUMMER
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.
ONE SUMMER
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.
415 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2011
2253 people are currently reading
12135 people want to read
About the author
David Baldacci
291听books122k听followersDavid Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she鈥檇 given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.鈥�)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 50 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family鈥檚 . Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 50 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family鈥檚 . Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,460 reviews
September 28, 2011
This is a failure on about every level. There's not one authentic emotion, character, or line of dialogue in the entire book. Thriller writer Baldacci was channeling Nicholas Sparks for this one, there's no other explanation.
Thirty-five year-old Jack, a former 6' 2" pro football player, is dying of a mysterious -- un-named -- terminal illness. Then his wife dies, and he miraculously recovers. He gets his three kids from various relatives and they go to a beach house in the Carolinas they've all just inherited.
What accounts for this "miracle?" Nothing, apparently. He's not spiritual, he learns nothing. Just bam, he's dying and now he's not.
Yes, gee.
Forced melodrama continues with a "rebellious" daughter -- who of course is also a gifted musician -- and by the end of the book she of course aces all her classes, and gets a full ride scholarship to Berkeley. Sure she does. He's got two other kids, but apparently they need no parenting because they're hardly in the book. His mother-in-law decides (for no other reason that the plot neeeded "something else") to suddenly sue him for custody. The judge sides with her because he left the kids alone some nights to work on a lighthouse. On what planet? How? Where? What legal system would allow that? No abuse, no neglect, no nothing? AND THEN she decides she doesn't want them afterall, so he can just have them back. What the hell? I'm pretty sure a judge might have to be involved for that to happen.
I hate this book. I hate every character in it. And I hate myself for continuing to read it hoping it would get better.
Thirty-five year-old Jack, a former 6' 2" pro football player, is dying of a mysterious -- un-named -- terminal illness. Then his wife dies, and he miraculously recovers. He gets his three kids from various relatives and they go to a beach house in the Carolinas they've all just inherited.
What accounts for this "miracle?" Nothing, apparently. He's not spiritual, he learns nothing. Just bam, he's dying and now he's not.
Yes, gee.
Forced melodrama continues with a "rebellious" daughter -- who of course is also a gifted musician -- and by the end of the book she of course aces all her classes, and gets a full ride scholarship to Berkeley. Sure she does. He's got two other kids, but apparently they need no parenting because they're hardly in the book. His mother-in-law decides (for no other reason that the plot neeeded "something else") to suddenly sue him for custody. The judge sides with her because he left the kids alone some nights to work on a lighthouse. On what planet? How? Where? What legal system would allow that? No abuse, no neglect, no nothing? AND THEN she decides she doesn't want them afterall, so he can just have them back. What the hell? I'm pretty sure a judge might have to be involved for that to happen.
I hate this book. I hate every character in it. And I hate myself for continuing to read it hoping it would get better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
鈥淲hen you love someone, you love them forever.鈥�
One of the best tearjerker novels of all time!
There have been many books that made me cry. But none of them could make me sob my heart out almost throughout the entire story like One Summer did.
This was such a heartbreakingly beautiful story with plenty of poignant and heartwarming moments that left me with tears of both sadness and joy streaming down my face.
Reading Jack鈥檚 story tore my heart out. I felt as if I was right there with him, as if his feelings were swirling inside me, as though whatever happened to him actually happened to me too. I could feel his pain, anger, helplessness, despair, loneliness, and grief, and my heart went out to him. The author did a superb job of writing emotion-evoking scenes which had me crying like a baby countless times.
There were times when I had to stop reading because my tears blurred my vision and I felt like I was facing multiple emotions all at once. Why did no one warn me about this!
As a reader, I like to be moved and touched by the story I read. And I got exactly what I want from this book. It really spoke to me and touched my heart in so many ways. Even now, I can鈥檛 talk about this one without breaking down into tears.
鈥淚 always saw Lizzie and me as one person whose halves got separated somehow, but they found each other again. That鈥檚 how lucky I was.鈥�
This was my first time reading this author鈥檚 work and it was an absolute winner. I can honestly say that this is one of the books that I enjoyed every single page of it!
Highly recommended to everyone!
By the way, grab a box of tissues before reading this! You鈥檙e definitely going to need it!
One of the best tearjerker novels of all time!
There have been many books that made me cry. But none of them could make me sob my heart out almost throughout the entire story like One Summer did.
This was such a heartbreakingly beautiful story with plenty of poignant and heartwarming moments that left me with tears of both sadness and joy streaming down my face.
Reading Jack鈥檚 story tore my heart out. I felt as if I was right there with him, as if his feelings were swirling inside me, as though whatever happened to him actually happened to me too. I could feel his pain, anger, helplessness, despair, loneliness, and grief, and my heart went out to him. The author did a superb job of writing emotion-evoking scenes which had me crying like a baby countless times.
There were times when I had to stop reading because my tears blurred my vision and I felt like I was facing multiple emotions all at once. Why did no one warn me about this!
As a reader, I like to be moved and touched by the story I read. And I got exactly what I want from this book. It really spoke to me and touched my heart in so many ways. Even now, I can鈥檛 talk about this one without breaking down into tears.
鈥淚 always saw Lizzie and me as one person whose halves got separated somehow, but they found each other again. That鈥檚 how lucky I was.鈥�
This was my first time reading this author鈥檚 work and it was an absolute winner. I can honestly say that this is one of the books that I enjoyed every single page of it!
Highly recommended to everyone!
By the way, grab a box of tissues before reading this! You鈥檙e definitely going to need it!
September 27, 2011
Here's how I think it happened: Nicholas Sparks and David Baldacci were having lunch at a country club somewhere in the Carolinas. Nicholas said, "You know, Dave, you're a decent lookin' guy with a nice smile, so I'm gonna share my secret with you... With your name alone you can write a best seller using my fool proof formula. You should probably take notes.
It involves a family in crisis, promises made, sentimental letters written, a surprise tragedy, an angry teenage girl, meddling relatives, a move to a big house right on the beach in South Carolina, a divorced lady lawyer, the sullen daughter has something in common with lawyer's son making small town life more bearable, mean adolescent pranks, reluctant friendship develops between father and lawyer turned owner of hip restaurant, father's focus is on repairing a long broken lighthouse rather than fixing his obviously hurting family, more meddling from bitter mother-in-law, furious daugther runs off and gets swept away in ocean during worst storm in ages, desperate search ensues, father sees daughter surrounded by light after he miraculously figures out how to get lighthouse to work, a dangerous, near impossible swim out to daughter in storm tossed waves, he nearly gives up when at last minute angel of dead wife provides him with super human strength (whew!), daughter is okay, meddling relatives see error of their ways, daughter and lawyer's son settle for being best of friends while father and lawyer move in together and have many moonlit walks on the beach."
"Really?" David asks.
"It works every time," Nicholas replies with a smile. "Please pass the ketchup."
It involves a family in crisis, promises made, sentimental letters written, a surprise tragedy, an angry teenage girl, meddling relatives, a move to a big house right on the beach in South Carolina, a divorced lady lawyer, the sullen daughter has something in common with lawyer's son making small town life more bearable, mean adolescent pranks, reluctant friendship develops between father and lawyer turned owner of hip restaurant, father's focus is on repairing a long broken lighthouse rather than fixing his obviously hurting family, more meddling from bitter mother-in-law, furious daugther runs off and gets swept away in ocean during worst storm in ages, desperate search ensues, father sees daughter surrounded by light after he miraculously figures out how to get lighthouse to work, a dangerous, near impossible swim out to daughter in storm tossed waves, he nearly gives up when at last minute angel of dead wife provides him with super human strength (whew!), daughter is okay, meddling relatives see error of their ways, daughter and lawyer's son settle for being best of friends while father and lawyer move in together and have many moonlit walks on the beach."
"Really?" David asks.
"It works every time," Nicholas replies with a smile. "Please pass the ketchup."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2011
Looking for a "read" the other day I noticed this book on the rack. A fan of Baldacci's for years, of his Camel Club Series and other titles, this book looked like a fun departure from what I've come to expect of him. Let me say this here: I'm pretty sure anything DB writes would sell well, even his grocery list, and this one should do well too.
"One Summer" is a heartfelt story of a guy, a decorated war vet, family man and all around decent guy - Jack Armstrong - who finds himself dying from a mysterious disease. Family members, including his darling wife and 3 kids, prepare for his departure from their lives and this world. He accepts his fate and makes his peace, though he doesn't want to go. What happens next could only be written this well by a writer of Baldacci's skill level. Written in 3rd POV with a direct plot, Baldacci spins a tale I'm sure he's been wanting to publish for a long time.
I'm maybe 200 or so pages in and though this type fiction is definitely a departure from what I normally read I'm VERY happy to have grabbed this book. For me, even as a writer, the hallmark of a great book, whatever the genre, is the effect it has on me as a person, not just a writer or reader. This book stays with me, the effect that is, even after I put it down. I'm thinking about things I never would have thought about, like Jack is forced to. Trust me, YOU WILL TOO...
Powerfully written, I can recommend "One Summer" to you without hesitation. I'm not sure when this book was written but DB had the goods from day one and this novel delivers. I won't give away any more than I already have but I will say this: Family drama, living on without loved ones, troubled kids and personal loss are dramas in life some of us, most of us, will go through. This book is just such a story told with compassion and great skill.Hopefully DB will give us more of this type fiction in the future.
"One Summer" is a heartfelt story of a guy, a decorated war vet, family man and all around decent guy - Jack Armstrong - who finds himself dying from a mysterious disease. Family members, including his darling wife and 3 kids, prepare for his departure from their lives and this world. He accepts his fate and makes his peace, though he doesn't want to go. What happens next could only be written this well by a writer of Baldacci's skill level. Written in 3rd POV with a direct plot, Baldacci spins a tale I'm sure he's been wanting to publish for a long time.
I'm maybe 200 or so pages in and though this type fiction is definitely a departure from what I normally read I'm VERY happy to have grabbed this book. For me, even as a writer, the hallmark of a great book, whatever the genre, is the effect it has on me as a person, not just a writer or reader. This book stays with me, the effect that is, even after I put it down. I'm thinking about things I never would have thought about, like Jack is forced to. Trust me, YOU WILL TOO...
Powerfully written, I can recommend "One Summer" to you without hesitation. I'm not sure when this book was written but DB had the goods from day one and this novel delivers. I won't give away any more than I already have but I will say this: Family drama, living on without loved ones, troubled kids and personal loss are dramas in life some of us, most of us, will go through. This book is just such a story told with compassion and great skill.Hopefully DB will give us more of this type fiction in the future.
August 23, 2011
I thought this book had a very interesting synopsis and therefore decided to listen to the audiobook. To start, I did not enjoy the fact that the audiobook uses different voices for the women vs the men (in terms of every single thing they say). I think it's a bit distracting and would much rather listen to one person who can "do" different voices depending on the characters.
As for the book itself, I was very disappointed. I felt the dad's illness was actually a bit pointless in terms of the story overall. Also, although I thought Mickey was a very realistic character at the beginning of the book, she changed way too fast and therefore became very unrealistic to me. I also thought it was strange that the first part is all from the dad's point of the view and then randomly, we start seeing things from Mickey's point of view. The switch was too abrupt and did not seem to flow very well.
This went from 3 stars to 2 stars for me because of the epilogue. If Baldacci had just ended the book without an epilogue, I would have said it was pretty good. Not great, but a decent read. However, I felt the epilogue tried too hard to give everyone a happy ending.
I would not recommend this book. I think there are much better books in the same genre.
As for the book itself, I was very disappointed. I felt the dad's illness was actually a bit pointless in terms of the story overall. Also, although I thought Mickey was a very realistic character at the beginning of the book, she changed way too fast and therefore became very unrealistic to me. I also thought it was strange that the first part is all from the dad's point of the view and then randomly, we start seeing things from Mickey's point of view. The switch was too abrupt and did not seem to flow very well.
This went from 3 stars to 2 stars for me because of the epilogue. If Baldacci had just ended the book without an epilogue, I would have said it was pretty good. Not great, but a decent read. However, I felt the epilogue tried too hard to give everyone a happy ending.
I would not recommend this book. I think there are much better books in the same genre.
September 6, 2021
Jack ist unheilbar krank und versucht sich auf sein Ende vor zu bereiten,doch dann passiert das Wunder, es geht ihm von Tag zu Tag besser bis die 脛rzte ihn als gesund bezeichnen. Das n盲chste Ungl眉ck l盲sst aber nicht auf sich warten und Jack muss um seine Familie k盲mpfen.
Eine dramatisch erz盲hlte Geschichte, mit vielen tollen Herzens-S盲tzen aber auch einigen Augen Roll Momenten. Ich finde es immer schwierig,wenn man eine unheilbare Krankheit erw盲hnt und dann nicht n盲her darauf eingeht,was da genau los ist. Ich brauche da immer Details, wahrscheinlich Berufskrankheit馃槈 und sonst war vieles vorhersehbar und auch teilweise unrealistisch. Daher gibt es wohlgemeinte 3猸�,denn die Dialoge und Charaktere waren toll gezeichnet.
Eine dramatisch erz盲hlte Geschichte, mit vielen tollen Herzens-S盲tzen aber auch einigen Augen Roll Momenten. Ich finde es immer schwierig,wenn man eine unheilbare Krankheit erw盲hnt und dann nicht n盲her darauf eingeht,was da genau los ist. Ich brauche da immer Details, wahrscheinlich Berufskrankheit馃槈 und sonst war vieles vorhersehbar und auch teilweise unrealistisch. Daher gibt es wohlgemeinte 3猸�,denn die Dialoge und Charaktere waren toll gezeichnet.
July 31, 2019
Just a syrupy sentimental mess of a story, full of cliched situations and stock characters. When the miracle that occurs in this book is the most believable part of the story, you know that something is very wrong with a novel.
Recommended only for Nicholas Sparks fans.
Recommended only for Nicholas Sparks fans.
July 11, 2016
I had a major sense of d茅j脿 vu while reading this book but it was making me feel all kinds of feels so I kept with it. I'm really glad I did because despite having felt like I've read this before, it was an absolutely beautiful story. I felt so many emotions while reading this, I even shed a few tears. Okay okay, more than just a few tears. xD The story was truly moving and I feel like I grew along with the characters throughout. And the ending was just so perfect and touching! I'm still positive I've read it before but it was definitely worth a reread!
July 9, 2011
I kept asking myself throughout this entire book why I was still reading it. I don't like Baldacci's thrillers, not because they aren't well written but rather because they became too violent for me, personally. I have truly enjoyed his other departures from the genre but if this is the direction in which he is going, I'll just wave good-bye from here. I thought the premise was promising - a man dying and leaving his young family to cope, miraculously recovers and ends up being the one left behind to deal with a tragedy no one (except the reader) saw coming. I usually like the Carolinas as a setting, small town life, family stories. "How could I lose with this one?" I thought. Ugh. Just under-developed everything, trite, and predictable. There are way better ways to spend your summer reading time.
January 4, 2023
The book made me smile, laugh and cry. My heart ached for the family as they went through life struggles. It鈥檚 a heart touching book about love, loss, family, friendship and forgiveness.
"When you love someone, you love them forever." (51)
"It's not so much that time heals all wounds, honey, as it is that the passage of the years lets us make peace with our grief in our own way." (102)
"It's action, not words, that really counts. That's what it really means to love someone." (216)
"It's sad when you realize the most important things in life too late to do anything about them." (250)
"This will sound really corny, but sometimes when a person opens their eyes, they can actually see." (254)
"No matter what you do, no matter how hard you fight, life sometimes just doesn't make sense." (294)
"Sometimes people can't see what's right in front of them, Jack. It's strange how that works. How often it happens. And how often it hurts people we're supposed to love." (313)
"Lizzie and Jack had been meant to be together forever if ever two people were. Only sometimes life doesn't match what should be. It just is. And people have to accept it, no matter how hard it may be." (319)
"When you love someone, you love them forever." (51)
"It's not so much that time heals all wounds, honey, as it is that the passage of the years lets us make peace with our grief in our own way." (102)
"It's action, not words, that really counts. That's what it really means to love someone." (216)
"It's sad when you realize the most important things in life too late to do anything about them." (250)
"This will sound really corny, but sometimes when a person opens their eyes, they can actually see." (254)
"No matter what you do, no matter how hard you fight, life sometimes just doesn't make sense." (294)
"Sometimes people can't see what's right in front of them, Jack. It's strange how that works. How often it happens. And how often it hurts people we're supposed to love." (313)
"Lizzie and Jack had been meant to be together forever if ever two people were. Only sometimes life doesn't match what should be. It just is. And people have to accept it, no matter how hard it may be." (319)
December 15, 2011
If you ever find yourself driving on I-95 from North to South Carolina, you encounter garish billboards announcing the approach of one the kitschiest, tackiest, most embarrassingly banal totems to Americana ever conceived: "South of the Border". You can see the garish 100-ft neon'd sombrero'd "Juan" from several miles away from the N-S Carolina border, beckoning weary road travelers to its promise of, in full Las Vegas splendor, a slice of Mexican Nirvana in Nowheresville, SC.You pull off the interstate and discover what appears on the surface a Fantasyland: huge amusement park, several themed restaurants, hotels, souvenir emporia, etc. You take a walk through the amusement park and discover that despite its blazing neon, all of the rides (with the exception of the ginormous Ferris wheel, affording panoramic views of...absolutely nothing) are cast-off rejects from the touring carnival that comes through your hometown every year...the "magnificent 72-hole mini-golf course!" advertised on every billboard is nothing more than a brightly lit converted gas station repair bay with rickety 2 x 4s painted in Day-Glo and vaguely resembling something golf-like (if you have the imagination of, say, a really travel-weary 4-year-old entranced by the last 100 miles of billboards); the souvenir mall replete with Juan keychains, postcards, vuvuzelas, maracas, typical crap with a Mexicano flair. You choose the "world famous!" Mexican restaurant, with billboard-promised prandial delights like "World's Largest Burrito" and "World's Best Margarita", wait an hour for a gum-chomping, disaffected Nadine or Jolene or Peggy Sue to take your order for said burrito and maggie, dig in and slurp and experience the worst food you've ever deigned to shovel down your gullet, Mexican or otherwise. By the time you feel realize you've been completely taken for a fool, you've spent entirely too much time and money on what amounts to cleverly marketed roadside garbage.
Oh yeah...book review..."One Summer". David Baldacci's departure from the "legal thriller" genre, is his latest attempt at serious drama. This is, quite honestly, the worst book I've read in the last five years. With about as much subtlety as a root canal without anesthesia, Baldacci beats his readers over the head with faux tearjerkiness, slathers on heaping dollops of marmalade-soaked feel-good hoo-ha, strives to serve up a Paula Deen pecan-encrusted Blueberry-Bourbon Cobbler, and in fact delivers the literary equivalent of South of the Border's "World's Greatest Burrito": heartburn-and-headache-inducing pre-digested empty-caloried pablum, allowing him (like, no doubt, South of the Border's owners) to laugh all the way to the bank.
***shudder alert***
(gulp) The plot: Jack Armstrong (Iraq and Afghanistan vet, thrice Purple Heart/Bronze Star-decorated), a building contractor in Cleveland with a loving wife and three kids, is on his death bed with some mystery disease (never revealed...nice way to do your homework, DB); as Christmas approaches, Jack tries to reconcile his life and steel himself for the great beyond. To try to inspire Jack to keep on living his wife Lizzie tells him that he wants them all to take a Summer vacation to her childhood home on the beach in...ahem...South Carolina. Then, on Christmas Eve (this isn't a spoiler, mind you...this is all provided helpfully on the jacket blurb) Lizzie rushes out to get Jack pain meds...and *gasp* dies in a car crash. Then, miraculously, Jack recovers from his mystery disease, and takes his surly teenage daughter Mikki, tween son Cory, two-y.o. Jack Jr., and 60+ y.o. Vet friend Sammy down to SC to rebuild "The Palace" (Lizzie's childhood beachfront home, replete with lighthouse, as advertised on the book's billboar...er...cover) and, in effect rebuild his life, his relationship with his kids, and be closer to the memory of Lizzie. (ahhhh...the stuff made-for-Lifetime Channel-movies are made of) (blecch)
The manuscript for this fluffy goo, without Baldacci's lawyerly fiction cachet, wouldn't so much as take up space in a third-rate publishing house's rejection pile. Evidently, Baldacci's trying to expand his horizons (like fellow lawyer-cum-novelists Grisham and Turow) but his effort drowns its unsuspecting victims in a vat of "World's Greatest Margarita" festooned with floating detritus and Mexican tchotchkes at a glorified South Carolina rest area. Simply gawdawful.
Oh yeah...book review..."One Summer". David Baldacci's departure from the "legal thriller" genre, is his latest attempt at serious drama. This is, quite honestly, the worst book I've read in the last five years. With about as much subtlety as a root canal without anesthesia, Baldacci beats his readers over the head with faux tearjerkiness, slathers on heaping dollops of marmalade-soaked feel-good hoo-ha, strives to serve up a Paula Deen pecan-encrusted Blueberry-Bourbon Cobbler, and in fact delivers the literary equivalent of South of the Border's "World's Greatest Burrito": heartburn-and-headache-inducing pre-digested empty-caloried pablum, allowing him (like, no doubt, South of the Border's owners) to laugh all the way to the bank.
***shudder alert***
(gulp) The plot: Jack Armstrong (Iraq and Afghanistan vet, thrice Purple Heart/Bronze Star-decorated), a building contractor in Cleveland with a loving wife and three kids, is on his death bed with some mystery disease (never revealed...nice way to do your homework, DB); as Christmas approaches, Jack tries to reconcile his life and steel himself for the great beyond. To try to inspire Jack to keep on living his wife Lizzie tells him that he wants them all to take a Summer vacation to her childhood home on the beach in...ahem...South Carolina. Then, on Christmas Eve (this isn't a spoiler, mind you...this is all provided helpfully on the jacket blurb) Lizzie rushes out to get Jack pain meds...and *gasp* dies in a car crash. Then, miraculously, Jack recovers from his mystery disease, and takes his surly teenage daughter Mikki, tween son Cory, two-y.o. Jack Jr., and 60+ y.o. Vet friend Sammy down to SC to rebuild "The Palace" (Lizzie's childhood beachfront home, replete with lighthouse, as advertised on the book's billboar...er...cover) and, in effect rebuild his life, his relationship with his kids, and be closer to the memory of Lizzie. (ahhhh...the stuff made-for-Lifetime Channel-movies are made of) (blecch)
The manuscript for this fluffy goo, without Baldacci's lawyerly fiction cachet, wouldn't so much as take up space in a third-rate publishing house's rejection pile. Evidently, Baldacci's trying to expand his horizons (like fellow lawyer-cum-novelists Grisham and Turow) but his effort drowns its unsuspecting victims in a vat of "World's Greatest Margarita" festooned with floating detritus and Mexican tchotchkes at a glorified South Carolina rest area. Simply gawdawful.
August 16, 2011
Have the tissues nearby. I think I went through two boxes by chapter twelve. It's a different book for fans, but a good book on grief and family .
October 21, 2011
I have been a fan of David Baldacci since I happened to pick up TOTAL CONTROL in an airport right before moving to Charlottesville, VA, where the book essentially takes place. Baldacci had me hooked, and I've been a fan ever since. I've met him at several of his book signings, and he's an incredibly likeable guy and an engaging speaker.
As an author in the women's lit genre, I was really happy to see Baldacci expose his softer side with ONE SUMMER - the side I knew was there from having met him all those times.
Jack Armstrong is on his deathbed doing the unthinkable - saying goodbye to his family as he counts his last breaths. Jack's goodbyes are in the form of the love letters he writes to his wife, Lizzie, handling the emotional turbulence of each of his three children who run the gamete of too young, still innocent, and hardened teenager, and coping with in-laws whom you want to hate, but you almost can't.
The tragic event of Lizzie's sudden death shocks them to the core and the unexpected recovery of Jack creates a new reality for the Armstrong family beyond the realm of what any of them could have expected. I found Jack to be much like Baldacci himself - a likeable guy whom you want only the best for. As Jack rebuilds his life from his deathbed to now raising three children as a widower, they uproot and move to South Carolina to begin anew. The relationship with his daughter, Mikki, becomes the foundation of the story. Yet, each side story - Jack's new and tentative love interest and Mikki's adaptation to southern living - weave back and forth, while stitching their own relationship back together. The in-laws remain a force throughout the book, and the mother-in-law is someone you want to hate, but just can't. There are several characters, including Jack's best friend and the new friends of Mikki, who add depth to their characters by virtue of their interactions. Young adults would enjoy this book just as much as adults due to the many high school characters that come into play.
I very much enjoyed ONE SUMMER and hope that Baldacci continues to write in this genre. I think a lot of the feedback I've seen for this book stems more from people not being used to him writing in this genre than it does from a fair criticism of the book itself.
Full review:
As an author in the women's lit genre, I was really happy to see Baldacci expose his softer side with ONE SUMMER - the side I knew was there from having met him all those times.
Jack Armstrong is on his deathbed doing the unthinkable - saying goodbye to his family as he counts his last breaths. Jack's goodbyes are in the form of the love letters he writes to his wife, Lizzie, handling the emotional turbulence of each of his three children who run the gamete of too young, still innocent, and hardened teenager, and coping with in-laws whom you want to hate, but you almost can't.
The tragic event of Lizzie's sudden death shocks them to the core and the unexpected recovery of Jack creates a new reality for the Armstrong family beyond the realm of what any of them could have expected. I found Jack to be much like Baldacci himself - a likeable guy whom you want only the best for. As Jack rebuilds his life from his deathbed to now raising three children as a widower, they uproot and move to South Carolina to begin anew. The relationship with his daughter, Mikki, becomes the foundation of the story. Yet, each side story - Jack's new and tentative love interest and Mikki's adaptation to southern living - weave back and forth, while stitching their own relationship back together. The in-laws remain a force throughout the book, and the mother-in-law is someone you want to hate, but just can't. There are several characters, including Jack's best friend and the new friends of Mikki, who add depth to their characters by virtue of their interactions. Young adults would enjoy this book just as much as adults due to the many high school characters that come into play.
I very much enjoyed ONE SUMMER and hope that Baldacci continues to write in this genre. I think a lot of the feedback I've seen for this book stems more from people not being used to him writing in this genre than it does from a fair criticism of the book itself.
Full review:
June 10, 2011
Honestly, if I wasn鈥檛 so cold-hearted that it takes a volcano to melt the ice in my veins, I would have been bawling through more than 50% of this book. There is tragedy from beginning to end! There are happy parts in the middle, of course, but there are such dark travesties in the first and last chapters that I wondered if I would ever see the light. Was it worth the heart-ache? In a way, I did appreciate having my heart ripped out and then flung back in my chest again, but not masochistically speaking.
Despite the tear-drenched pages that readers will end up with, there are sweet lessons exhibited and ideas to ponder once readers can see through their blurry tear-vision. Appreciating life, spending time with family, accepting things you can鈥檛 change, fighting for what you love 鈥� these all seem like our typical life lessons that are all somehow balled into one story. Death, whether pending or definite, has a way of making people study life differently, which is exactly what Jack and children go through.
Sorry for the philosophical tone, but reading 鈥淥ne Summer鈥� can rub off on a person. The book didn鈥檛 just show how Jack struggles to reconnect with his children or deal with mourning his wife; it gave perspective to a lot of issues that so many of us struggle with, like forgiveness and acceptance.
Admittedly, it could have been interpreted as slightly didactic to some readers, but I appreciated the sentiments and words of wisdom between fictional characters. No, the story does not drip with preachiness. I call it, good old advice and perspective.
So yes, have your heart smashed to pieces and then glued back together again with this book. It may be a rough ride, but sometimes the scariest roller coasters are the most fun.
- EZ Read Staffer, Amelia
Note: watch Amelia discuss the book online at
Despite the tear-drenched pages that readers will end up with, there are sweet lessons exhibited and ideas to ponder once readers can see through their blurry tear-vision. Appreciating life, spending time with family, accepting things you can鈥檛 change, fighting for what you love 鈥� these all seem like our typical life lessons that are all somehow balled into one story. Death, whether pending or definite, has a way of making people study life differently, which is exactly what Jack and children go through.
Sorry for the philosophical tone, but reading 鈥淥ne Summer鈥� can rub off on a person. The book didn鈥檛 just show how Jack struggles to reconnect with his children or deal with mourning his wife; it gave perspective to a lot of issues that so many of us struggle with, like forgiveness and acceptance.
Admittedly, it could have been interpreted as slightly didactic to some readers, but I appreciated the sentiments and words of wisdom between fictional characters. No, the story does not drip with preachiness. I call it, good old advice and perspective.
So yes, have your heart smashed to pieces and then glued back together again with this book. It may be a rough ride, but sometimes the scariest roller coasters are the most fun.
- EZ Read Staffer, Amelia
Note: watch Amelia discuss the book online at
July 9, 2011
Baldacci should stick to what he writes really well ... the thriller. I know authors like to change up their genres, but this book was a mess. It's a hash of emotional drivel. It tries to evoke the emotion of Patterson's Letters to Jennifer and Sparks' Last Song, but fails. Sparks' writes this type of genre very well. Even Patterson does a decent job with Letters, but Baldacci's attempt is stiff and awkward at best ... and annoying ... really, can anyone write a realistic teenager?!
July 19, 2019
鬲丕亘爻鬲丕賳 丌賳 爻丕賱貙 蹖讴 丿乇丕賲 禺丕賳賵丕丿诏蹖 爻鬲 亘丿賵賳 賴蹖趩 夭丕蹖丿賴 丕蹖. 賯氐賴 丕蹖 卮爻鬲賴 賵 乇賮鬲賴 賵 爻乇卮丕乇 丕夭 毓賵丕胤賮 賵 乇賵丕亘胤 丕賳爻丕賳蹖. 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴 亘丕 鬲亘丨乇 賵 趩蹖乇诏蹖 賯丕亘賱 鬲丨爻蹖賳蹖貙 亘乇 爻丕禺鬲丕乇 丿丕爻鬲丕賳 賲爻賱胤 丕爻鬲 賵 丕孬乇蹖 禺賱賯 讴乇丿賴 讴賴 噩賴卮 賯丕亘賱 鬲賵噩賴蹖 賳爻亘鬲 亘賴 丕丿亘蹖丕鬲 毓丕賲賴 倬爻賳丿 丿丕乇丿.
鬲丕亘爻鬲丕賳 丌賳 爻丕賱 賰鬲丕亘賷 丕爻鬲 賰賴 鬲丕 爻丕賱賷丕賳 爻丕賱 丿乇 匕賴賳 賲賷賲丕賳丿 賵 亘爻賷丕乇 亘丕 乇賵丨 賵 乇賵丕賳 亘丕夭賷 賲賷賰賳丿 賲禺氐賵氐丕 丿乇 氐丿 氐賮丨賴 丕賷 丕賵賱 .
馃挴鉁�
鬲丕亘爻鬲丕賳 丌賳 爻丕賱 賰鬲丕亘賷 丕爻鬲 賰賴 鬲丕 爻丕賱賷丕賳 爻丕賱 丿乇 匕賴賳 賲賷賲丕賳丿 賵 亘爻賷丕乇 亘丕 乇賵丨 賵 乇賵丕賳 亘丕夭賷 賲賷賰賳丿 賲禺氐賵氐丕 丿乇 氐丿 氐賮丨賴 丕賷 丕賵賱 .
馃挴鉁�
August 23, 2016
Este livro descreve as dificuldade de um pai solteiro para sustentar e manter a sua fam铆lia junta.
Ap贸s a morte inesperada da mulher, Jack, v锚-se envolvido numa luta com a fam铆lia de Lizzie para n茫o perder a cust贸dia dos filhos.
Esta 茅 a hist贸ria de uma fam铆lia que tenta se reerguer depois de uma trag茅dia. Uma hist贸ria de听supera莽茫o, de听milagres听que s贸 o amor de um pai pelos seus filhos 茅 capaz de fazer.
Ap贸s a morte inesperada da mulher, Jack, v锚-se envolvido numa luta com a fam铆lia de Lizzie para n茫o perder a cust贸dia dos filhos.
Esta 茅 a hist贸ria de uma fam铆lia que tenta se reerguer depois de uma trag茅dia. Uma hist贸ria de听supera莽茫o, de听milagres听que s贸 o amor de um pai pelos seus filhos 茅 capaz de fazer.
July 10, 2011
Nothing beats the feeling of reading the right book at the right times. It's a feeling this book made me live. One Summer is certainly one of those books that make difference.
In short, the story of One Summer revolves around Jack Armstrong. He is an ex-military who served in Afghanistan and ME and received many medals during his service. He's also a loving husband of Lizzie O'Toole and the father of three kids. Jack is diagnosed with a terminal illness that absolutely no one recovered from, so the expectations of his recovery are non-existent. Soon, everyone starts to accept that. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Lizzie died in a car accident. And soon afterward, Jack miraculously is healed. One Summer is how long it takes for the family to get over their tragic past and appreciate life as it is.
Since I started the first page, I can say I was glued to it. I think it has something to do with the style of writing that made the story float so smoothly and very lightly. But after few chapters I've come to related to every character. They were real and vivid in my imagination. And not even once I had the desire to put the book down. Emotionally, I couldn't have read this book in a better time than this. It was somehow therapeutic and kind of reassuring in its own way. I stopped at some lines and reflected some of what I read on my own life and got new insights.
One Summer is a story to celebrate new beginnings and new chances. Frankly, who wouldn't like to celebrate both.
In short, the story of One Summer revolves around Jack Armstrong. He is an ex-military who served in Afghanistan and ME and received many medals during his service. He's also a loving husband of Lizzie O'Toole and the father of three kids. Jack is diagnosed with a terminal illness that absolutely no one recovered from, so the expectations of his recovery are non-existent. Soon, everyone starts to accept that. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Lizzie died in a car accident. And soon afterward, Jack miraculously is healed. One Summer is how long it takes for the family to get over their tragic past and appreciate life as it is.
Since I started the first page, I can say I was glued to it. I think it has something to do with the style of writing that made the story float so smoothly and very lightly. But after few chapters I've come to related to every character. They were real and vivid in my imagination. And not even once I had the desire to put the book down. Emotionally, I couldn't have read this book in a better time than this. It was somehow therapeutic and kind of reassuring in its own way. I stopped at some lines and reflected some of what I read on my own life and got new insights.
One Summer is a story to celebrate new beginnings and new chances. Frankly, who wouldn't like to celebrate both.
February 25, 2016
Link:
Depois de ler "Os inocentes" do David Baldacci, fiquei f茫 deste autor, bastante bom em thrillers.
Apesar de este livro, escrito pelo mesmo autor, ser romance, suscitou-me curiosidade. E n茫o me deixou desiludido, muito pelo contr谩rio, fui surpreendido!
Trata-se de uma leitura bastante leve com cap铆tulos relativamente curtos que nos leva a devorar num 谩pice, mas a simplicidade das descri莽玫es e dos di谩logos carrega sentimentos intensos capazes de nos deitar l谩grimas.
O Jack encontra-se numa fase terminal, pr贸ximo da morte devido a uma doen莽a rara que n茫o tem cura, e prepara-se para a despedida da sua mulher Lizzie e dos seus tr锚s filhos que se encontram na faixa et谩ria dos 3 aos 14 anos. No entanto, o destino d谩 uma reviravolta e 茅 a mulher que morre num acidente de via莽茫o...
O que ir谩 ent茫o o Jack fazer? E os tr锚s filhos, prestes a ficarem 贸rf茫os, para onde v茫o?
Gostei bastante do desenrolar da hist贸ria que me manteve agarrado e absolutamente cativado com os personagens. H谩 surpresas comoventes ao longo do enredo. O farol da Lizzie 茅 a verdadeira luz do livro, um ponto fulcral para todos, esta ilumina莽茫o que ir谩 dar nova esperan莽a e for莽a 脿 uni茫o familiar.
O amor pode realmente fazer milagres.
Depois de ler "Os inocentes" do David Baldacci, fiquei f茫 deste autor, bastante bom em thrillers.
Apesar de este livro, escrito pelo mesmo autor, ser romance, suscitou-me curiosidade. E n茫o me deixou desiludido, muito pelo contr谩rio, fui surpreendido!
Trata-se de uma leitura bastante leve com cap铆tulos relativamente curtos que nos leva a devorar num 谩pice, mas a simplicidade das descri莽玫es e dos di谩logos carrega sentimentos intensos capazes de nos deitar l谩grimas.
O Jack encontra-se numa fase terminal, pr贸ximo da morte devido a uma doen莽a rara que n茫o tem cura, e prepara-se para a despedida da sua mulher Lizzie e dos seus tr锚s filhos que se encontram na faixa et谩ria dos 3 aos 14 anos. No entanto, o destino d谩 uma reviravolta e 茅 a mulher que morre num acidente de via莽茫o...
O que ir谩 ent茫o o Jack fazer? E os tr锚s filhos, prestes a ficarem 贸rf茫os, para onde v茫o?
Gostei bastante do desenrolar da hist贸ria que me manteve agarrado e absolutamente cativado com os personagens. H谩 surpresas comoventes ao longo do enredo. O farol da Lizzie 茅 a verdadeira luz do livro, um ponto fulcral para todos, esta ilumina莽茫o que ir谩 dar nova esperan莽a e for莽a 脿 uni茫o familiar.
O amor pode realmente fazer milagres.
February 26, 2012
"One Summer" by David Baldacci is a novel that I was totally gripped from the first page. I couldn't put it down.This is a story of a guy, a decorated war vet, family man and all around decent guy - Jack Armstrong - who finds himself dying from a mysterious disease. Family members, including his darling wife and 3 kids, prepare for his departure from their lives and this world. He accepts his fate and makes his peace, though he doesn't want to go.
For me, the hallmark of a great book, whatever the genre, is the effect it has on me as a person, not just a writer or reader. This book stays with me, the effect that is, even after I put it down. I'm thinking about things I never would have thought about, like Jack is forced to.
Powerfully written, I can recommend "One Summer" to you without hesitation. I'm not sure when this book was written but David Baldacci had the goods from day one and this novel delivers. I won't give away any more than I already have but I will say this: Family drama, living on without loved ones, troubled kids and personal loss are dramas in life some of us, most of us, will go through. This book is just such a story told with compassion and great skill.Well worth the read.
For me, the hallmark of a great book, whatever the genre, is the effect it has on me as a person, not just a writer or reader. This book stays with me, the effect that is, even after I put it down. I'm thinking about things I never would have thought about, like Jack is forced to.
Powerfully written, I can recommend "One Summer" to you without hesitation. I'm not sure when this book was written but David Baldacci had the goods from day one and this novel delivers. I won't give away any more than I already have but I will say this: Family drama, living on without loved ones, troubled kids and personal loss are dramas in life some of us, most of us, will go through. This book is just such a story told with compassion and great skill.Well worth the read.
August 17, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up. This story was a little melodramatic and far-fetched at times, but a real good pick for a fast summer weekend read. It had some real touching moments with the letters and chats and profound statements on life when Jack thought, 鈥淚鈥檓 done running鈥� away from fears/truth/duties as father, etc. I enjoyed the character development of both the dad (Jack) and his daughter (Mikki) and the suspenseful ending with some surprises, too. This was my first 鈥渂uddy read鈥� with my friend Tamara (not on 欧宝娱乐).
May 28, 2020
趩賴 夭賵丿 亘夭乇诏 賲蹖卮賵賳丿 -
亘賱賴 賴賲蹖賳 胤賵乇 丕爻鬲. 賵賱蹖 亘夭乇诏 卮丿賳 讴賴 丕卮讴丕賱蹖 賳丿丕乇丿貨 趩蹖夭蹖 讴賴 賲丕 賳賲蹖禺賵丕賴蹖賲 丕蹖賳 丕爻鬲 讴賴 賴賲丕賳 賯丿乇 讴賴 亘夭乇诏 賲蹖 卮賵賳丿貙 丕夭 賲丕 丿賵乇 卮賵賳丿 -
鬲丕亘爻鬲丕賳 丌賳 爻丕賱貙 丿蹖賵蹖丿 亘丕賱丿丕趩蹖
亘賱賴 賴賲蹖賳 胤賵乇 丕爻鬲. 賵賱蹖 亘夭乇诏 卮丿賳 讴賴 丕卮讴丕賱蹖 賳丿丕乇丿貨 趩蹖夭蹖 讴賴 賲丕 賳賲蹖禺賵丕賴蹖賲 丕蹖賳 丕爻鬲 讴賴 賴賲丕賳 賯丿乇 讴賴 亘夭乇诏 賲蹖 卮賵賳丿貙 丕夭 賲丕 丿賵乇 卮賵賳丿 -
鬲丕亘爻鬲丕賳 丌賳 爻丕賱貙 丿蹖賵蹖丿 亘丕賱丿丕趩蹖
April 8, 2022
The first 12-20% of the book is a big downer. But if you hang in there are keep going, the story becomes much more upbeat and is well worth the time
June 24, 2023
Well, this was a tear jerker. Forumla, but enjoyable.
August 20, 2014
Jack is terminally ill with three children that need parental guidance at home. Knowing his time on earth is limited, he agrees with his mother-in-law as he watches his children being separated to live with various family members, while he lies alone in a hospice center just waiting to take his last breath. He ends up spending a lot of time in the hospice center when he not only lives longer than expected, but suddenly seems to recover. When he is finally given a clean bill of health months after his admittance, the doctors are amazed at the miracle that Jack seems to have spun.
At the hesitance of his family members, Jack is able to get his kids back together again and living with him. Not long after their reunion, when life seems to be getting back to some form of normalcy, the kids maternal great-grandmother passes away and leave a South Carolina beach home to Jack and his family. Jack is surprised that he was chosen to inherit this piece of property, but as a carpenter she figured that Jack is the one who would give the home the care that it needed.
So Jack, his kids, and his best friend Sammy, pack up all of their belongings to go investigate the beach property, that the family has always called 'The Castle'. When they arrive at the castle they are astonished to find The Castle is basically a dilapidated beach house, but the kids have hope that this will not be their permanent residence. Although things look rough on the surface, Jack sees the beautiful home that this could be once again.
A lot happens to Jack and his family during that summer at The Castle. For a bit Jack seems to lose himself in the construction projects, while his kids drift further away from him. When he finally realizes that his priorities are out of whack they all make some changes that bring them back to a family level. The only problem is that it may be too late for these changes.
This was a great audiobook, one that I think I enjoyed more than if I had actually read it. With themes of love, miracles, and family obligations, you will want to hear every word that is spoken. I do not hesitate in recommending this selection in the audioversion.
At the hesitance of his family members, Jack is able to get his kids back together again and living with him. Not long after their reunion, when life seems to be getting back to some form of normalcy, the kids maternal great-grandmother passes away and leave a South Carolina beach home to Jack and his family. Jack is surprised that he was chosen to inherit this piece of property, but as a carpenter she figured that Jack is the one who would give the home the care that it needed.
So Jack, his kids, and his best friend Sammy, pack up all of their belongings to go investigate the beach property, that the family has always called 'The Castle'. When they arrive at the castle they are astonished to find The Castle is basically a dilapidated beach house, but the kids have hope that this will not be their permanent residence. Although things look rough on the surface, Jack sees the beautiful home that this could be once again.
A lot happens to Jack and his family during that summer at The Castle. For a bit Jack seems to lose himself in the construction projects, while his kids drift further away from him. When he finally realizes that his priorities are out of whack they all make some changes that bring them back to a family level. The only problem is that it may be too late for these changes.
This was a great audiobook, one that I think I enjoyed more than if I had actually read it. With themes of love, miracles, and family obligations, you will want to hear every word that is spoken. I do not hesitate in recommending this selection in the audioversion.
July 28, 2011
A complete 180 from Baldacci's regular thrillers, ONE SUMMER takes a sentimental look at the trying times that some families face.
The Armstrongs are about to celebrate the last Christmas together as father Jack is terminally ill. He puts on a brave face and tries his best to tie up all the loose ends.When a tragedy strikes the family, Jack must face that, along with his impending illness.
After a miraculous recovery, Jack must bring his family together, moving them out of their comfy Ohio home to the beaches of South Carolina. Baldacci takes his characters through many a trial and tribulation in a story that parallels James Patterson's LETTERS TO JENNIFER.
If you want Baldacci's Camerl Club or Maxwell and King series...this is not for you. If you like sentimentality, go pick this one up.
The Armstrongs are about to celebrate the last Christmas together as father Jack is terminally ill. He puts on a brave face and tries his best to tie up all the loose ends.When a tragedy strikes the family, Jack must face that, along with his impending illness.
After a miraculous recovery, Jack must bring his family together, moving them out of their comfy Ohio home to the beaches of South Carolina. Baldacci takes his characters through many a trial and tribulation in a story that parallels James Patterson's LETTERS TO JENNIFER.
If you want Baldacci's Camerl Club or Maxwell and King series...this is not for you. If you like sentimentality, go pick this one up.
November 8, 2021
I give this one a strong 4 stars.
This story has been made by Hallmark into a film, so naturally I needed to read it first, which I did. I was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Do I believe in miracles? I sure do!! I am grateful to have seen the commercial advertising this book/film, I needed to read this one, it has lifted my spirits at a time I didn't know I needed lifting, until I started and finished it. I find myself at a "peaceful" stage. The messages in this story will stay with me for quite a while. I hope the Hallmark movie is just as good as the book.
This story has been made by Hallmark into a film, so naturally I needed to read it first, which I did. I was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Do I believe in miracles? I sure do!! I am grateful to have seen the commercial advertising this book/film, I needed to read this one, it has lifted my spirits at a time I didn't know I needed lifting, until I started and finished it. I find myself at a "peaceful" stage. The messages in this story will stay with me for quite a while. I hope the Hallmark movie is just as good as the book.
March 30, 2015
A good, but different,book for Baldacci. Jack recovers from a thought to be terminal illness, but only after his wife dies in an accident. He gathers his children and goes back to her hometown to bring them back together. There he begins a new life and must fight his ex-mother-in-law to keep the children. Well done and unusual for Baldacci. Recommended.
June 9, 2020
Textbook 'written for TV-movie' type family drama, as one amazing lone parent strives to bring up three kids by themselves despite facing many hurdles. David Baldacci proves he can create just as compelling work way outside of his usual genres. 5 out of 12.
July 15, 2011
Are you sure this was written by David Baldacci? It has Nicholas Sparks written all over it. Sicky sweet and SO very predictable. Hated it and am disappointed in myself for not stopping after the first couple of chapters and picking out something else to read. BLAH ....
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