Kindle Price: $3.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Babette James
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Summertime Dream (The River Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Babette James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
See all formats and editions
The Fourth of July is over, but for these summer lovers the fireworks have just begun.

An unexpected inheritance brings business consultant Christopher Gordon from Los Angeles to quaint Falk's Bend. He's carved time from his demanding schedule to dispose of his great-grandparents' home and explore his roots. However, disturbing family secrets and the sweet temptation of writer Margie Olsson derail his plans, challenging him to seize the elusive dream missing from his hectic life--love.

A recent brush with death shook Margie's life, but not her dreams, and she's ready to move forward. Only, standing up to her loving, over-protective family isn't easy. Helping Christopher explore the derelict mansion and unravel his grandmother's mysterious past allows a fun taste of independence. But when her experimental summer fling ignites into unexpected love, can her small town dreams work with his big city life?
Previous page
  1. Print length
    340 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    December 24, 2013
  5. File size
    717 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Summertime Dream is a perfect glass of Lemonade on a hot day. Simple, elegant and beautifully written. I enjoyed each scene. Loved the chemistry between the characters and the house. Great story!" ~ Deborah Diez

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00HJDS3E6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Wild Rose Press (December 24, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 24, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 717 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Babette James

Babette James

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

To get a free novelette, sign up for Babette's New Book Alert at: http://bit.ly/2Am77ue

Rone Award winner BABETTE JAMES writes sweetly scorching contemporary romance and loves reading nail-biting tales with a satisfying happily ever after. When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints. A teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it's time for their spelling test! She lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and extremely spoiled cats.

For more information about Babette and her books, visit: http://babettejames.com/

Follow Babette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/babette.james. She loves to chat with readers.

Follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BabetteJames

What others are saying about Babette's books:

"Babette gives you a story that will have you wanting to turn the page..." -Urban Girl Reader

"I think Ms. James gave us a deep and profound plot line. Her characters were phenomenally well written and I was incredibly impressed with the quality of this book. 5 stars for an fantastic book!" -Sirena, Swoonworthy Books

"Babette James is the creator of sweet contemporary romances. She gives the reader just what they are looking for. A story of life, love, and heartache." Mary-Nancy Smith, InD'Tale Magazine

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
70 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Roben
5.0 out of 5 stars A Sweet and Sensitive Story!
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this touching story. It was a leisurely read, and I felt I'd been transported back to the summer and small town American life. The pacing allows the reader to sink into the story world and to care about the main characters. The house and it's restoration enables the hero and heroine to work together, to learn quickly about each other, to bond, and all the while exploring clues to a decades old mystery. I fell as much in love with the house, as the characters. Also, the secondary characters were all well drawn, necessary to the unfolding story, and all helped in exploring what relationships, love, and family is all about. I would definitely read this author again.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
lilymay22
4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet, leisurely paced romance
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed the author's Clear as Day, and looked forward to reading about the other characters we met in that book. While the first book got sexy very quickly, this one takes its time before anyone gets physical. But that suits the characters. Chris and Margie meet at a Fourth of July picnic. She's a hometown girl and he's just stopping through to take care of a house that's been left to him by his great-grandmother. Margie's survived a serious health crisis and is coddled by her family. Though she loves them, she feels a bit stifled. Chris is a quiet man, but he and Margie hit it off. As she assists him with cleaning out his property, they stumble upon some tantalizing clues regarding a family mystery. They also fall in love. But Margie's surgical scars make her afraid of rejection and Chris fears he's too old for her. On top of that, his life is in the city while she's a country mouse.

The characters were likable and their problems were realistic. I liked the way Margie finally broke free of being everyone's "little sweetie." I especially enjoyed it when she told off her bossy older brother (really, I wanted her to cuss him out). Reading this book is like sitting on a porch swing with a cool glass of lemonade on a summer's day. I look forward to future books from this author.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
kc
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet love story + a little mystery = a must read for all love story addicts!
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
I fell in love with these characters right away. Intrigued by the summertime setting and mystery in this small town, I couldn't put the story down. I especially love the naturalness, and innocence these characters possess. A sweet love story that will take you back to when you first looked in your special someone's eyes!! If you want to see more of this incredibly sweet couple, follow up with Ms. James' "Clear as Day". They are not the main characters, but you can see a little more of their love story.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
LJ Vickery
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful hometown story of love and family.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was one of the sweetest, most charming books I've read in a long time. A beautiful and subtly built relationship between hero and heroine blossomed into steamy passion, while the back stories of family led to compelling intrigue and mystery. Masterfully written! Do not hesitate to pick up this book!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ashantay
5.0 out of 5 stars Dream of a read
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Small town magic in the summer - how cold I resist this book? Short answer- I didn't. A poignant read filled with characters who aren't afraid to love, though some take a bit longer to figure that out. Lovely writing.
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Entertained
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
this a lite ,pretty good read.would have been better with a more in-depth story.just happy I didn't spend money on it
Helpful
 Report
Katie O'Sullivan
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, small town romance makes for a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
Loved this sweet and sexy small town romance! Totally Recommend and Will Definitely look for more stories from Babette James!

Falk's Bend, Missouri is your typical small town where everyone knows everyone and their family history, and nothing exciting ever seems to happen. At least, that's the way Margie Olsson's life has been up until recently.

Then things started to shift. She got sick, her brother's wife suddenly left town, and Margie didn't marry her high school sweetheart. When a complete stranger shows up at the towns annual Fourth of July picnic extravaganza, she impulsively kisses him, changing everything she thinks she knows about life, love, and what a kiss should really be. And she wants more.

Christopher Gordon and his sparkling green eyes makes for one sexy hero! The scenes between Christopher and Margie range from sweet to steamy, and the secondary characters all add so much to the story. A little bit of house remodeling, a little bit of mystery and a whole lot of fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. A quick, fun read, I would recommend this as a great "beach read" to anyone who needs a little escape from their own everyday life (even if you don't have time to sit on the beach to read it!)
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Piper Forrest
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
I loved the characters, they were so real. The author made me care for them, cheer for their relationship.
The romance slowly began to simmer and when it finally came to a rolling boil, it was difficult for this reader to breathe,
I'd highly recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report