Summer Nights

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—*another* married-man affair story? But *Summer Nights* surprised me by refusing to romanticize the mess. Adrian isn’t a lovelorn victim; he’s complicit, and Neth writes him with a sharp self-awareness that keeps the story from tipping into melodrama. The real standout, though, is how the audiobook *sounds*. Adam Riley doesn’t just narrate; he *inhabits* Adrian, especially in the scenes where the character’s bravado cracks. There’s a moment midway through—when Adrian laughs off Malcolm’s excuses—where Riley’s voice drops into this hollow, almost bitter chuckle. It’s devastating, and it’s the kind of nuance that makes audiobooks worth the listen. That said, the brevity works against it in spots. The secondary characters (like Adrian’s bartender friend) feel sketchy, their dialogue sometimes veering into *afterschool-special* territory to hammer home the ‘you deserve better’ theme. And the ending—while realistic—might frustrate listeners craving catharsis over ambiguity. But the trade-off is a lean, atmospheric listen that respects your time. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t have, or just crave a romance that’s more *Whiskey Sour* than *Piña Colada*, this one’s worth the credits. Just don’t expect a neat bow—like a good night out, it’s the hangover that stays with you.