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Beyond Summer Dreams
At age twenty-three, Taylor Jordan is ready to head to San Francisco to begin a prestigious job with a promising firm. The last thing she wants to do is spend the summer in a sleepy, little town watching over her 78-year-old grandmother, Lily.
Upon arrival, Taylor quickly discovers that her grandmother isn't in as bad a shape as Taylor was led to believe. She also finds that her grandmother has rented out part of her house as office space to Clay Curtis, a young, dashing veterinarian. Taylor and Clay's introduction is less than cordial, and they both end up irritated with each other. Taylor thinks that Clay is just using her grandmother; and Clay thinks that while Taylor is one of the most attractive women he has ever met, she is a snob and a fake just like Clay s ex-fiancée.
When the home and office are burglarized, Taylor and Clay are thrown together in an effort to find the people responsible and keep their loved ones safe. But they soon learn that Clay has some powerful enemies, who will stop at nothing to get what he has.
Upon arrival, Taylor quickly discovers that her grandmother isn't in as bad a shape as Taylor was led to believe. She also finds that her grandmother has rented out part of her house as office space to Clay Curtis, a young, dashing veterinarian. Taylor and Clay's introduction is less than cordial, and they both end up irritated with each other. Taylor thinks that Clay is just using her grandmother; and Clay thinks that while Taylor is one of the most attractive women he has ever met, she is a snob and a fake just like Clay s ex-fiancée.
When the home and office are burglarized, Taylor and Clay are thrown together in an effort to find the people responsible and keep their loved ones safe. But they soon learn that Clay has some powerful enemies, who will stop at nothing to get what he has.
282 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 17, 2013
Beyond Summer Dreams is a tender romance filled with suspense and mystery. It is a charming story.
Taylor Jordan and Clay Curtis' meeting is less than ideal. They started off on the wrong foot, both getting the wrong impression of the other.
It's fun to read the story from both of their perspectives and see all of the misunderstandings and miscommunications for what they are.
Clay comes from the big city and is ready to settle down with a wife and kids in a small rural community. Taylor on the other hand has had life long dreams of a prestigious business carrier in a big city high rise.
But after a summer in Fairfield, ID they see that their dreams aren't really all that different.
It was fun to read about Pocatello, ID (where I have lived for nearly 20 years of my life)I liked reading about places and things that were familiar and easy to relate to.
I figure that anytime you read LDS fiction you can assume that there will be an undercurrent of preaching. However, I felt that this book took it a bit too far on occasion. Although I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I felt that segments of the book went too in depth on some gospel principals for a work of fiction. I would have liked to see the preaching toned down a bit.
The beginning of the book I found far too predictable and even found myself rolling my eyes at how long it took the characters to come to conclusions that to me, as the reader, seemed like common sense. The story did get better and eventually there were some turns I didn't see coming.
Over all I thought this book was a quick, easy read. A just for fun, not too much thought involved - great way to spend a Saturday kind of book.
Taylor Jordan and Clay Curtis' meeting is less than ideal. They started off on the wrong foot, both getting the wrong impression of the other.
It's fun to read the story from both of their perspectives and see all of the misunderstandings and miscommunications for what they are.
Clay comes from the big city and is ready to settle down with a wife and kids in a small rural community. Taylor on the other hand has had life long dreams of a prestigious business carrier in a big city high rise.
But after a summer in Fairfield, ID they see that their dreams aren't really all that different.
It was fun to read about Pocatello, ID (where I have lived for nearly 20 years of my life)I liked reading about places and things that were familiar and easy to relate to.
I figure that anytime you read LDS fiction you can assume that there will be an undercurrent of preaching. However, I felt that this book took it a bit too far on occasion. Although I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I felt that segments of the book went too in depth on some gospel principals for a work of fiction. I would have liked to see the preaching toned down a bit.
The beginning of the book I found far too predictable and even found myself rolling my eyes at how long it took the characters to come to conclusions that to me, as the reader, seemed like common sense. The story did get better and eventually there were some turns I didn't see coming.
Over all I thought this book was a quick, easy read. A just for fun, not too much thought involved - great way to spend a Saturday kind of book.
February 6, 2012
This was an interesting book with enough mystery to hold your attention. Its about a girl that spends the summer with her 78 year old grandmother who does not need anyone watching over her. The girl does not want to be there, but her father insisted she go, so at 23 years old she just wants the summer to be over so she can get on with her own life. Of course there is a guy involved as he has rented part of the grandmothers house as office space for his veterinary business. When their home & his office is burglarized they are thrown together trying to find out why.......Not all of it was realistic, but enjoyable reading.
April 4, 2012
Cute story!! Taylor goes to visit her grandmother, to try and convince her that she would be better in a retirement place. Taylor's grandma naturally does not want to go. Clay, a veterinarian is renting space from grandma, and Taylor and Clay inadvertantly fall in love. It is not until both of their lives are jeopardized that they start to acknowledge their feelings for each other. Now, Taylor must realize the power of free agency, stand up to her dad, make some hard decisions about her own future, and stay alive all at the same time.
November 24, 2009
I love Jennie Hansen's writing because I think she does a great job with the romance in a story, but also is great at adding the suspense to keep it interesting. I think this is one of my favorite books of hers. Cute romance(s) and lots of suspense from different sources all through it, enough that I think even my husband would like it. She better get writing - I think I've read almost all of her books now!
January 11, 2011
Taylor Jordan wants to be off to a big city to realize her business dreams, but is instead "forced" to go spend the summer in small-town Idaho with her grandma. Little does she know, but her grandma is boarding e new vet in town until his practice can be built. Right off, Taylor and Clay are at odds with each other.
This story had a little bit of everything--humorous moments, mystery, romance, and religion. I especially enjoyed Wendy (the "secretary") and the parts about the bird.
This story had a little bit of everything--humorous moments, mystery, romance, and religion. I especially enjoyed Wendy (the "secretary") and the parts about the bird.
May 24, 2011
What an excellent, quick read. I've always been amazed by the journey of a heroine to reach her level of self-actualization. This story didn't disappoint. I loved the heroine's realization that in order to be happy, she must allow herself to love and to be loved. A great story of confidence building and of using that new found confidence to bless your life that that of others around you. Definitely a good read, written by an amazing and inspired author: Jennie Hansen! :)
September 13, 2011
I loved the story! It took a little while to get into the book but once I was there I was enjoying all the turns and twists. Jennie is a great author and I have many of her books. In this book there are a few too many big words which I hadn't ever heard in a conversation ever. I think in a country setting with people who are "real" those words wouldn't be used by those people. Just my opinion. I loved the book though and will keep following Jennie in her other books.
December 9, 2008
Taylor's father convinces her that instead of starting a job in California, she needs to spend the summer with her Grandmother to watch over her and persuade her to move from her small town home into a retirement apartment near the father. This summer she learns much about what she, Taylor, really wants and which dreams are important. A little slow and a bit fractured but I enjoyed it.
April 2, 2009
I thought this book was ok. It definitely was not a favorite of mine and it was a little too overly descriptive and dramatic. I did like the story line however, I just thought everything could have been solved about 50 pages earlier than it was. But it was a cute, clean LDS suspense/love story.
May 19, 2011
This was a fun book...I read it today and then realized I had read it before. Oh, well, I liked how she showed courage and character saving a little girl in the car that went in the river....it was a fun story.
August 18, 2008
Jennis Hansen is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she has the girls point of view as well as the boys instead of just saying what they think the other person thought.
August 14, 2008
This one is kind of a fun read. Very cute.
October 17, 2008
Lots of suspense, twists, and romance. Really good enjoyable book!
September 27, 2008
Good LDS romance. A little too descriptive, though. You can basically guess the ending, but can't forsee the twists.
January 15, 2009
Own: Book
January 15, 2011
Clean and fun. The mystery was a little silly, but interesting. I did like the characters - especially grandma.
January 27, 2017
I enjoyed rereading this book. I like the characters, the story, and the character growth.
content: clean- a little violence
content: clean- a little violence
June 14, 2010
The suspenseful parts took a turn towards cheesy sometimes, but I still enjoyed the book.
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September 10, 2010cutwe
June 14, 2011
The characters were spunky and fun, but the plot seemed to be lacking something. Overall, a good read.
June 9, 2011
grooooooooaaaaaaaaan. SO cheesy. A good story, but poorly written. Very cliche. If you're looking for a cavity... this is your book.
August 3, 2011
I thought it was a sweet little love story
May 8, 2012
This book was really good. It kept my attention the whole time and was interesting. I thought that the end could have been a bit better, but over all I thought it was good and entertaining.
May 26, 2012
Great combination of suspense and romance.
December 8, 2012
This is my favorite Jennie Hansen book. It isn't her best written but I loved the characters.
September 6, 2013
Cute love story, LDS based.
January 8, 2014
Rating 3.5
I am not sure what the book title has to do with the story, come to think of it. Anyway, I liked this story. It pleasantly exceeded my not-so-high expectations.
I am not sure what the book title has to do with the story, come to think of it. Anyway, I liked this story. It pleasantly exceeded my not-so-high expectations.
January 16, 2014
Another great book by Jenny Hansen.
August 8, 2021
this book is ok. Not a lot of action for most of it.
July 3, 2010
I liked this book a lot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews