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Flabbergasted #2
A Delirious Summer
To Neil Rucker, seven months, one week, and a day is too long to wait in between dates. But life as a Spanish language teacher to missionaries in Ecuador affords little opportunity for romance. When his worst student, Jay Jarvis, suggests a respite in Greenville, South Carolina, so begins Neil's delirious summer. Neil sees his chance to meet a sweet succession of southern women, but little does he know that the girls of Greenville are now more elusive than a snowflake in the Ecuadorian jungle. As they church-hop in search of the perfect man, Neil tries to find the perfect girl among the Neapolitan a demanding redhead, a joy-riding blonde, and a very tardy but intriguing girl with raven hair and a pierced eyebrow. Who knew relational gumbo would look like this?
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
14 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 15, 2020
What?! It can’t be over!! Ray Blackston, you can’t end a book that way and then begin the next as though you didn’t just give us major cliffhangers! Who threw that tangelo?!?!
*deep breaths* Ok, I’m calm!
A Delirious Summer perfectly personifies what it’s like to attend multiple church denominations. I haven’t been to church in years because I got fed up with all the rules and beliefs; however, reading this book made me laugh and remember the good ol days of going to a different church each week (though, not in search of a husband).
It was refreshing to have a book that also made God a center focus, though I would’ve liked for the characters to learn more about not being so obsessive or desperate! I love what Alexis said in her last email and definitely shouted, “Amen,” for all those sitting in the back.
This was a great summer book that has made me want to go on an adventure in the jungle, walking towards Peru with a group of friends I just met! 😝 Anyone want to come with?
*deep breaths* Ok, I’m calm!
A Delirious Summer perfectly personifies what it’s like to attend multiple church denominations. I haven’t been to church in years because I got fed up with all the rules and beliefs; however, reading this book made me laugh and remember the good ol days of going to a different church each week (though, not in search of a husband).
It was refreshing to have a book that also made God a center focus, though I would’ve liked for the characters to learn more about not being so obsessive or desperate! I love what Alexis said in her last email and definitely shouted, “Amen,” for all those sitting in the back.
This was a great summer book that has made me want to go on an adventure in the jungle, walking towards Peru with a group of friends I just met! 😝 Anyone want to come with?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Ray Blackston is back with another laid back, quick witted novel of the troubles of dating.
Our story picks up where Flabbergasted left off but this time we follow a different narrator.
Neil is a Spanish teacher in Ecuador with Jay Jarvis as a student. Furlough, the equivalent of summer vacation for Neil, is coming up and he doesn’t know where he wants to go. Possibly to Montana to stay with a cousin? Jay convinces him that Montana is a terrible idea and he has friends in South Carolina who Neil could go visit, especially if he is looking for a date. I mean, it worked for Jay, right?
Full review over at: https://jaystareads.wordpress.com/201...
Ray Blackston is back with another laid back, quick witted novel of the troubles of dating.
Our story picks up where Flabbergasted left off but this time we follow a different narrator.
Neil is a Spanish teacher in Ecuador with Jay Jarvis as a student. Furlough, the equivalent of summer vacation for Neil, is coming up and he doesn’t know where he wants to go. Possibly to Montana to stay with a cousin? Jay convinces him that Montana is a terrible idea and he has friends in South Carolina who Neil could go visit, especially if he is looking for a date. I mean, it worked for Jay, right?
Full review over at: https://jaystareads.wordpress.com/201...
April 9, 2023
A really cheesy, early 2000s rom-com that was just what I needed heading into summer. It's the sequel to one of my favs, and set in one of my fav places. If you're craving a light-hearted, funny, Christian rom-com, I'd definitely check this one out!
November 30, 2025
I enjoyed A Delirious Summer every bit as much as I enjoyed the first book.
I also listened to this one with my husband and son, and we all enjoyed it and shared many laughs. While it could be read as a stand-alone novel, I recommend going back and reading Flabbergasted first.
With a hug, a kiss, and a Spanish thesaurus, Allie sends me off on a sunny August morning, which is wintertime here in the rainforest.
While Jay is not the narrator of this story, it was fun catching up with him and Allie and meeting his new friend, Neil. When Jay finishes language school, he advises his teacher, Neil, to go on his vacation to Greenville, South Carolina.
Neil's big mistake began when he befriended one of his students. Namely me.
While Neil is not sure he wants to spend his summer in South Carolina, he can't think of anything better to do, so off to South Carolina he goes. This sets off a series of events that not even Jay could have predicted.
We spend vast amounts of time and energy crafting a thesis in our heads of how life should play out. Then Almighty God spends an incredibly brief amount of time blowing our thesis to bits.
With all the quirky characters we loved from the first story, plus Neil and a few new characters, this witty, humorous story is sure to be an enjoyable read. While at first, it seems like nothing more than fluff, there is a lot of depth to this story. Toward the end, I was deeply touched by some of what was said and how the storyline was written.
I would highly recommend you listen to the audiobook as opposed to reading the book. The reviews for the book are not always great, but it is a great book to listen to and enjoy. Just as a warning, the end leaves on a cliff-hanger, but no worries, as book 3 Lost in Rooville is already out!
I also listened to this one with my husband and son, and we all enjoyed it and shared many laughs. While it could be read as a stand-alone novel, I recommend going back and reading Flabbergasted first.
With a hug, a kiss, and a Spanish thesaurus, Allie sends me off on a sunny August morning, which is wintertime here in the rainforest.
While Jay is not the narrator of this story, it was fun catching up with him and Allie and meeting his new friend, Neil. When Jay finishes language school, he advises his teacher, Neil, to go on his vacation to Greenville, South Carolina.
Neil's big mistake began when he befriended one of his students. Namely me.
While Neil is not sure he wants to spend his summer in South Carolina, he can't think of anything better to do, so off to South Carolina he goes. This sets off a series of events that not even Jay could have predicted.
We spend vast amounts of time and energy crafting a thesis in our heads of how life should play out. Then Almighty God spends an incredibly brief amount of time blowing our thesis to bits.
With all the quirky characters we loved from the first story, plus Neil and a few new characters, this witty, humorous story is sure to be an enjoyable read. While at first, it seems like nothing more than fluff, there is a lot of depth to this story. Toward the end, I was deeply touched by some of what was said and how the storyline was written.
I would highly recommend you listen to the audiobook as opposed to reading the book. The reviews for the book are not always great, but it is a great book to listen to and enjoy. Just as a warning, the end leaves on a cliff-hanger, but no worries, as book 3 Lost in Rooville is already out!
July 19, 2010
This book is for Christian single twenty-somethings. It is written from a male perspective but I can't imagine any young single adult male choosing this for their summer reading. It very well sets forth the problems of young Christians as they are navigating the waters of relationships in a day of rampant promiscuity. I think regular romance readers will find Ray Blackston's plot too bland. I can't even call the story sweet because of the masculine view point. The ending is left open, probably to leave room for a sequel, and was not satisfying for me. I did come away with a brief look at the Equadorian rain forest and the reading was light enough not to feel cheated about the two days I actually invested reading. As long as you like light romance and you don't want to think about what you are reading this could be a pleasant little diversion from your life.
October 8, 2020
I haven't read the first book in the series, but this one stood alone very well. At first, the unlikely situations and quirky characters were a bit too obvious and too cartoony, but by the end this book had really grown on me. I'm looking forward to reading the next one to find out what happens in the lives of the cast. I don't often read fiction told solely from the male perspective, but I appreciated the viewpoint in this one.
August 24, 2025
Found a mention of this in a journal from 2005!
February 17, 2019
Witty and fun read!
November 12, 2021
Listened to the audiobook. Laugh out loud funny.
October 11, 2019
Second book by Ray Blackston. Some really great twists in the relationships and how different couples break up or others who work out. Read this sometime in Summer 2019. Just went with date I'm putting in Goodreads.
May 19, 2020
Ray Blackston's "A Delirious Summer" was a joy to listen to. Andrew Peterson's matter-of-fact delivery adds just the right touch to the story. Full of giggles, snickers, and outright laughs, this was a great follow-up to "Flabbergasted". I highly recommend!
August 2, 2020
I only finished this book because I cannot put away a book without completing it. I had no idea it was Christian romance when I picked it up at a thrift store; the dialogue and storyline are so squeaky clean that it was like reading an after-school special.
June 16, 2022
My favorite summer book! I read it each year. Just fun!!
August 12, 2023
This book was very interesting, in a good way! Had me on the edge of the chair waiting to see what happens in the next chapter!
September 17, 2024
Loved this book! Like Flabbergasted it almost amounts to an obsession!😅 Ray is an amazing author!
December 9, 2024
Enjoyable rom-com with a missionary and a beach trip.
June 16, 2025
A Christian rom-com. A cute lighthearted book.
November 23, 2022
Light-hearted and funny.
November 4, 2022
Neil Rucker has spent the past several years teaching Spanish to missionaries in Quito, Ecuador. He has an eight week furlough coming, but with no family to speak of except for one cousin in Montana, he has no idea where to go. Enter Jay Jarvis.
Jay is, in Neil's estimation, the worst student Neil has ever taught. After (barely) passing his final, Jay recommends that Neil spend his furlough in Greenville, NC. Before Neil can blink, Jay has arranged for Neil to rent a room from Steve Cole and to use Jay's car, sitting under a tarp at Steve's house since Jay joined his now girlfriend Allie on the mission field in Ecuador. Single Neil is looking to date, and Jay fills him in on Lydia (short, redheaded, lots of rules), Darcy (tall, likes lime green, drives too fast, Steve's ex) and Alexis (raven hair, pierced eyebrow, should be avoided).
Like Jay before him, Neil immerses himself in the North Presbyterian singles crowd and finds himself in a whirlwind of crazy. He meets all three of the women Jay told him of and ignores his advice to avoid Alexis. His furlough quickly involves learning Alexis' quirks, an invitation to a beach trip, two part time jobs involving the great outdoors and an unexpected opportunity to experience the mission field firsthand instead of just preparing others for service.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending more time with the North Hills Presbyterian extended family, and Neil is a welcome addition to the crew.
Jay is, in Neil's estimation, the worst student Neil has ever taught. After (barely) passing his final, Jay recommends that Neil spend his furlough in Greenville, NC. Before Neil can blink, Jay has arranged for Neil to rent a room from Steve Cole and to use Jay's car, sitting under a tarp at Steve's house since Jay joined his now girlfriend Allie on the mission field in Ecuador. Single Neil is looking to date, and Jay fills him in on Lydia (short, redheaded, lots of rules), Darcy (tall, likes lime green, drives too fast, Steve's ex) and Alexis (raven hair, pierced eyebrow, should be avoided).
Like Jay before him, Neil immerses himself in the North Presbyterian singles crowd and finds himself in a whirlwind of crazy. He meets all three of the women Jay told him of and ignores his advice to avoid Alexis. His furlough quickly involves learning Alexis' quirks, an invitation to a beach trip, two part time jobs involving the great outdoors and an unexpected opportunity to experience the mission field firsthand instead of just preparing others for service.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending more time with the North Hills Presbyterian extended family, and Neil is a welcome addition to the crew.
September 15, 2016
Well written!!!! The metaphors are outstanding throughout! Such a good book. I loved it. And the audiobook is so well narrated!!! (Andrew Peterson was amazing with all the voices maile and female!!)
When I picked up the audiobook I didn't know what to expect. I didn't even read a synopsis. The book title in my church library caught my attention so I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised when the opening scene takes place in Quito, Ecuador, a place I have actually visited on a short term mission trip.
The main character, Neil, is a young single guy who teaches Spanish in Ecuador to missionaries who need to learn the language. He takes an 8-week furlough to Greenville, South Carolina, where He hopes to find some young Christian women to date.
Just when you think the plot is only going to be about dating, it takes a surprising turn and you are whisked off the the rainforest Equadorian jungle.
The characters are so colorful and bring such variety and spice to the book. It is very entertaining and I'm looking forward to reading Ray's other books.
When I picked up the audiobook I didn't know what to expect. I didn't even read a synopsis. The book title in my church library caught my attention so I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised when the opening scene takes place in Quito, Ecuador, a place I have actually visited on a short term mission trip.
The main character, Neil, is a young single guy who teaches Spanish in Ecuador to missionaries who need to learn the language. He takes an 8-week furlough to Greenville, South Carolina, where He hopes to find some young Christian women to date.
Just when you think the plot is only going to be about dating, it takes a surprising turn and you are whisked off the the rainforest Equadorian jungle.
The characters are so colorful and bring such variety and spice to the book. It is very entertaining and I'm looking forward to reading Ray's other books.
February 23, 2014
I am usually hesitant to read books by men. Especially romance books, but this book intrigued me from the moment I found it at half price books and read its synopsis. I really enjoyed this book. I would highly recommend it to single friends because the author has nailed down the problem of being single in churches today in a humorous approach. (I have seen us being treated as stale oyster crackers while everything focuses on relationships and family at my church. Both are important, but we are too.). The author had me laughing at his quirky humor and plays on words. His randomness. It is one random adventurous romp of a book for sure. You will encounter all sorts of different people in all different walks of life. I loved the fact that we got to see the gang go on a mismatched mission trip At the end of the book. If we are willing to be used, God will use us. We don't have to be the best or the most perfect. Just willing.
April 20, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. The writer has a great writing style, and it was pretty funny in my opinion. He reminds me of Carl Haissan's writing style.
I also liked this book because the author is from Greenville, SC, and that's where the book took place. Greenville, next to my college town of Clemson, is a very familiar place to me, and as he describes the characters all over the city, I can totally envision it.
The book centers around women who church hop looking for Mr. Right. The main character is a missionary visiting for the summer, and he's awe-struck by the church hop group. What's funny is that in ways, this is true in parts of the South. Great humor, and a great read!
I also liked this book because the author is from Greenville, SC, and that's where the book took place. Greenville, next to my college town of Clemson, is a very familiar place to me, and as he describes the characters all over the city, I can totally envision it.
The book centers around women who church hop looking for Mr. Right. The main character is a missionary visiting for the summer, and he's awe-struck by the church hop group. What's funny is that in ways, this is true in parts of the South. Great humor, and a great read!
July 2, 2007
The first 3/4s of this book was a slow read. However after that a little mishap takes the characters on an adventure that I enjoyed reading about.
It's a mediocre follow up from A Delirious Summer. More storyline about dating in a Christian community and finding love in unexpected places while also keeping up a relationship with God.
Asbury and Maurice are great characters. The main characters Neil and Alexis don't stray too far from Jay and Allie in the first book.
Overall - slow but semi interesting story line with a solid ending.
Tangelos and rooftop prayers...
It's a mediocre follow up from A Delirious Summer. More storyline about dating in a Christian community and finding love in unexpected places while also keeping up a relationship with God.
Asbury and Maurice are great characters. The main characters Neil and Alexis don't stray too far from Jay and Allie in the first book.
Overall - slow but semi interesting story line with a solid ending.
Tangelos and rooftop prayers...
September 11, 2025
September 2025: Revisiting this audiobook with my husband! It's his first time. Looking forward to seeing how my impressions of the story hold up.
I love the way Ray Blackston's books refuse to let you get lost in the humor and fruity characters. Oh, you will laugh out loud... but you will be left with some serious stirring in your spirit. Life as a child of God is about so much more than we can ever imagine. As we open our hearts to our Creator we begin to see that His vision is so much more colorful and in panoramic view. To be in tune with Him is when our hearts truly sing.
I love the way Ray Blackston's books refuse to let you get lost in the humor and fruity characters. Oh, you will laugh out loud... but you will be left with some serious stirring in your spirit. Life as a child of God is about so much more than we can ever imagine. As we open our hearts to our Creator we begin to see that His vision is so much more colorful and in panoramic view. To be in tune with Him is when our hearts truly sing.
November 22, 2010
I have to say that I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one. Probably because I was already familier with the characters. Anyway the plot line is very similar to "Flabbergasted" in which a single man arrives in Greenville SC and begins the confounding task of looking for a mate. Only instead of chasing his chosen to the Jungles of South America Neil is just returning from South America. Neil should have known betterthan to ask fellow missionary Jay Jarvis where the best place to meet girls was.
July 8, 2012
Neil was a missionary from Ecuador who was on furlough and went to South Carolina to meet girls. People from all denominations were always hopscotching from Presbyterians to Lutherans and so on just to meet that someone special. An unlikely team dubbed the Looney Tunes came together to help rebuild huts in a small remote village in Ecuador. Neil was without a family for a long time but now he thinks of his friends as a wacky but true family. This book was a good summer read to add to my shelf.
March 15, 2016
A Delirous Summer was a delightful sequel to Flabbergasted. Blackston continues to outline the idiosyncracies of the Christian singles culture, this time, by highlighting characters that demonstrate spiritual maturity while seeking to live abundantly in Christ. From the high speed thrills to the rooftop prayers, Blackston keeps the book lighthearted while protraying some of the struggles of being single and seeking Christ. He also doesn't shy away from making a pointed jab at guys who fail to take the initiative. It was fun, touching, and inspiring book. Another great fun read.
April 19, 2010
Fun read - I enjoyed the characters of Maurice and Asbury the most with Jose not far behind. I kept thinking that 25 shouldn't be the age where someone could possibly be so much of an air-head - but I guess there are lots of (us) airheads who got to be old. When Alexis asked if Neil thought they were nuts - his response was quite good - "mixed and heavily salted" - as were all the characters in this fun book.
September 18, 2010
This is an interesting book about Christian singles from a man's point of view. Single women of varying ages from their twenties to their eighties are hopping between churches in order to meet men and especially one that would marry them. Neil is a missionary on furlough in Greenville, SC who is looking for a date after a long dating dry spell. He gets more than what he bargains for in the women of Greenville.
May 13, 2011
Just like the first one Flabbergasted, I loved this book. I was happy to see Jay and Allie again but Neil and Lex grew on me to where I actually liked them better. I thought Neil and his views on dating, courting and girls was welcome change from the girls point of view and also gave us girls some pointers on what the guys are thinking. Again, loved Asbury and Maurice and Bea is a hoot! Excited to see there is another in this great series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews