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Cruel Summer  By  cover art

Cruel Summer

By: Wesley Southard
Narrated by: Sarah Nessel
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Publisher's summary

Melissa Braun is a broken woman. Only wanting what’s best for her family, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to mend her fractured relationship with her abusive boyfriend. In a last ditch effort, she hopes the sun and sand of a much-needed Florida vacation will bring them and her son closer together.

Patrick Braun is a demoralized kid. Quiet and sullen, he only wants his mother to see her boyfriend’s torment as it cripples everything he loves. After years of silence, he refuses to stand by and let the abuse continue to tear them apart.

Hoyt Rainey is a vile man. Unable to keep his hands to himself, he finally takes his anger one step too far. Only this time he finds himself on the receiving end of his own punishment. Down and down he goes, plunging deeper into the dark blue abyss of the sea.

Melissa and Patrick finally believe they are safe, the trouble now behind them for good. They are wrong.

Gods never really stay deadthey only lie in wait. And when a beast as old as time discovers Hoyt…he, too, won’t stay gone for long.

The nights grow darker, the water flows colder, and the cruelty of summer lives on.

©2021 Wesley Southard (P)2021 Fireside Horror

What listeners say about Cruel Summer

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Mythos and Madness

I haven't read much horror involving Greek mythology, but I really enjoyed this story. Great character development and build up of tension.

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Perfect Summer Read

Looking for the perfect summer vacation book? CRUEL SUMMER by Wesley Southard is it. A mother and her boyfriend take her son on a family vacation. The relationship has been struggling recently and this vacation will help mend relationships, that is the plan anyway. Not everything goes as planned but the love between mother and son cannot be defeated. Sarah Nessel gives a fine narration to help make this a top summer horror audiobook that I will revisit in summers to come.

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Amazing story

Great story with a Greek twist. Highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Have fun.

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Recommend

An abusive man who finally got what he deserved but he is still alive. He is waiting to go after them and take his revenge. This is a good book to read but there is very detailed parts of the abuse this man did to the woman and son. The narrator did a great job in feeling how the characters emotions where while listening to it.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Cruel Summer is phenomenal!

I really enjoyed this title! Wesley weaves a fantastic tale that never lets up and Sarah Nessel’s performance is immaculate. She has a crisp and clear voice for each character and you don’t want to stop listening! The characters are vibrant and full of life and Sarah has an excellent ability to make them whole with her voice. Highly recommended I couldn’t stop listening and I’ll listen to it again in the future. Definitely a great summer horror listen.

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The whole ocean is your enemy

Island vacation gone very wrong. Good unique story with some pretty terrifying scenes. If you have a fear of drowning then this one with get under your skin.
I did not connect with the characters so it was hard to be empathetic with them but the story was strong enough to keep it interesting

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