[Book] Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
Book & Audiobook Review
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
Book & Audiobook Review:
Andrew is ready to reunite with his best friend, only to receive the devastating news of Eddie’s apparent suicide. Now, everything Eddie owned has passed to Andrew, except for the truth about what really happened. Andrew, who knew Eddie better than anyone else, is convinced that his friend would never have taken his own life.
It took me a while to get into this story, especially in the audiobook format. The pacing is slow at the start, but the narration does an excellent job of conveying the depth of Andrew's grief, which hit me right from the beginning. Listening to the audiobook, I felt the raw emotion in Andrew's voice as he struggled to come to terms with Eddie’s death and settled into what was now his house. The loss felt palpable in each chapter, making it hard not to get wrapped up in Andrew’s journey.
I found myself initially indifferent to Eddie’s friends and especially to Riley, Andrew’s new roommate. However, as the story progressed, the audiobook's subtle performances brought out complexities in these characters that slowly drew me in. By the time I realized I was angry with Eddie for betraying Andrew’s sense of privacy, I was already deeply invested in Andrew’s search for answers.
The story also carries a supernatural element, though in the audiobook version, this felt like a background note compared to the powerful exploration of Andrew’s grief and his repressed sexuality. The narration brought these emotional struggles to the forefront, creating a haunting atmosphere that lingers throughout the listening experience.
If you enjoy a slow-burn horror that dives into raw emotions and deep personal relationships, this audiobook is for you. The steady build-up pays off in ways that are both unsettling and profound, especially through the voice performance that keeps you hooked until the final reveal.
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