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Davis Landing #1
Butterfly Summer
The Gossip Guru has some shocking news: devout Wallace Hamilton, head of rival newspaper the Davis Landing Dispatch, is not Jeremy Hamilton's father! Word is, his wife was already pregnant when they wed and now that Jeremy has learned the truth, he's quit. Who'll run the company while Wallace is in the hospital?
In more Hamilton news, quiet Heather has had a makeover — who knew she was so stunning? Maybe photographer Ethan Danes, who seems to have taken an interest in Heather now that she's started this butterfly summer.…
In more Hamilton news, quiet Heather has had a makeover — who knew she was so stunning? Maybe photographer Ethan Danes, who seems to have taken an interest in Heather now that she's started this butterfly summer.…
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2006
19 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Arlene James
205 books87 followersArlene James has written romance for four decades, and has published 100+ novels. A mother of sons and now a happy grandmother to the brightest, most talented, and lovely of all granddaughters, she is finding her sixth decade to be great fun.
She and her very supportive husband of 45 years (whom she agreed to marry on their first date!) enjoy a busy social life and have visited much of the world. After calling Texas home for three decades, they now live in beautiful NW Arkansas.
Arlene grew up on a ranch in south central Oklahoma and still maintains strong ties in that area. She firmly believes that writing has afforded her the best of all possible means of earning a living, and credits a junior high school English teacher with proving to her that her dream of being an author was entirely achievable.
After 4 decades of deadlines and multiple-book contracts (for which she is deeply grateful), she is enjoying the ability to write exactly what she feels led to write on her own schedule.
She and her very supportive husband of 45 years (whom she agreed to marry on their first date!) enjoy a busy social life and have visited much of the world. After calling Texas home for three decades, they now live in beautiful NW Arkansas.
Arlene grew up on a ranch in south central Oklahoma and still maintains strong ties in that area. She firmly believes that writing has afforded her the best of all possible means of earning a living, and credits a junior high school English teacher with proving to her that her dream of being an author was entirely achievable.
After 4 decades of deadlines and multiple-book contracts (for which she is deeply grateful), she is enjoying the ability to write exactly what she feels led to write on her own schedule.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this start to the 'Davis Landing' series. I appreciated the bits of 'backstory' we got with regards to patriarch Wallace Hamilton's health, and why things were so topsy-turvey for the Hamilton clan.
I absolutely adored Heather. I really identified with her thoughts that she didn't want to compete with her sisters, and how that might have kept her from being who God created her to be. I loved her faith . . . how she knew God was trustworthy, even in horrible, no good, very bad situations.
I also really enjoyed Ethan. He had wanted to get to know Heather for a while, but when circumstances 'threw them together', he finally got the opportunity to not only get to know her, but ultimately, to be needed by her. His moment of clarity towards the end was just lovely to read about as well.
I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the series. (Also, I think this may be the first time I've ever rated a Love Inspired book 4.5 stars!)
I absolutely adored Heather. I really identified with her thoughts that she didn't want to compete with her sisters, and how that might have kept her from being who God created her to be. I loved her faith . . . how she knew God was trustworthy, even in horrible, no good, very bad situations.
I also really enjoyed Ethan. He had wanted to get to know Heather for a while, but when circumstances 'threw them together', he finally got the opportunity to not only get to know her, but ultimately, to be needed by her. His moment of clarity towards the end was just lovely to read about as well.
I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the series. (Also, I think this may be the first time I've ever rated a Love Inspired book 4.5 stars!)
September 14, 2013
It's been a long time since I read the books in the Davis Landing Series. In fact, I'm pretty sure I gave them all away. Anyway, I was looking for a cover with a butterfly on it for Bingo, and this one fit, so I reread it.
It was an easy read. I didn't love love love it, after all I'd given away my copies. But I didn't hate it either. Since it had been so long since I read this book, I'd forgotten most of what happened in the story. The Hamilton siblings are fiercely loyal and the strong personalities of three of them really over shadow Heather's gentle spirit. I did love Ethan and how he brought out Heather's personality and helped her to shine on her own instead of in the shadow of her siblings. Overall, it was an ok read. Took me about 2 hours to read it.
I'd like to reread the rest of the series, but only if I can rent them or find them cheaply.
It was an easy read. I didn't love love love it, after all I'd given away my copies. But I didn't hate it either. Since it had been so long since I read this book, I'd forgotten most of what happened in the story. The Hamilton siblings are fiercely loyal and the strong personalities of three of them really over shadow Heather's gentle spirit. I did love Ethan and how he brought out Heather's personality and helped her to shine on her own instead of in the shadow of her siblings. Overall, it was an ok read. Took me about 2 hours to read it.
I'd like to reread the rest of the series, but only if I can rent them or find them cheaply.
December 2, 2020
A cute story with great introduction to living out Christianity. Touching on theologically accurate topics of prayer, dating equally yoked, coming to Christ and relying on His leadership was very refreshing.
As a series, the family dynamics are fairly complex mixed with the town's reactions to the various plot twists. This introduction included some integral information not as clearly presented in other installments which brought enlightenment but did not actually enrich the ties of the series, which is written by multiple authors.
Aside from the spiritual aspect, the romance was light and cozy and a bit too perfect although both parties demonstrated realistic fears about the relationship.
As a series, the family dynamics are fairly complex mixed with the town's reactions to the various plot twists. This introduction included some integral information not as clearly presented in other installments which brought enlightenment but did not actually enrich the ties of the series, which is written by multiple authors.
Aside from the spiritual aspect, the romance was light and cozy and a bit too perfect although both parties demonstrated realistic fears about the relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2017
My grandfather liked to read contemporary Christian romances and when he passed away my grandmother gave me a box filled with these little romance novels. This isn't my usual genre, but I did enjoy the light-hearted tone to this novel. Heather Hamilton was a very relatable character and I enjoyed watching her develop from a "plain jane" to a gorgeous and confident character. As far as cheesy romances go, this would have 5 stars but since it's a very simple storyline and predictable, I'd give it a 3.5.
July 8, 2019
I liked the story. So far so good. I'm just not into bible verses and it took me by surprise that the Hamiltons were not the usual rich family I read and watch. I like how Ethan's character really developed in the story. From the "temporary" guy that he was to the "permanent" guy for Heather.
Can't wait to get my hands on the other books.
Can't wait to get my hands on the other books.
July 14, 2025
When I got reading this book, I felt I had read some of this content previously but (Heather and Ethan's story) new to me. Since this a series written by different authors who take on a different sibling story, my recall is not happening.
Strong family connections with choices along the way affecting circumstances in their lives.
Strong family connections with choices along the way affecting circumstances in their lives.
October 1, 2024
Tame. It was ok.
June 22, 2016
Butterfly Summer by Arlene James is a sweet contemporary Christian romance. It's the first book in the Davis Landing series, a six-book, multi-author series. It's stand-alone if you don't mind that there will be loose ends for the secondary characters at the conclusion.
Heather is the middle daughter of a well-to-do close-knit Christian family that owns and runs a publishing company just outside of Nashville. Heather is the features editor of the magazine, and firmly rooted in her hometown.
Ethan is a top-notch photographer for the magazine, but doesn't stay anywhere for long. He's long admired Heather from afar because of her beautiful character. He isn't a Christian, though.
What I liked :
*I enjoyed seeing the progression from acquaintance to friendship to romance. Well done!
*Heather and Ethan are both very likable! Ethan is extremely sweet. Heather is a great peacemaker.
What I didn't like:
*I was so excited about trying more of Arlene James that I was disappointed to learn the following books in the series are written by other authors.
*The background plot seems slightly soap opera-ish to me. Not enough to make me dislike it, but enough that I didn't want to give it 5 stars.
I'd recommend this book to fans of extremely clean contemporary Christian romance.
I plan to try more Arlene James books and will be trying the second in the series, By Her Side by Kathryn Springer.
Heather is the middle daughter of a well-to-do close-knit Christian family that owns and runs a publishing company just outside of Nashville. Heather is the features editor of the magazine, and firmly rooted in her hometown.
Ethan is a top-notch photographer for the magazine, but doesn't stay anywhere for long. He's long admired Heather from afar because of her beautiful character. He isn't a Christian, though.
What I liked :
*I enjoyed seeing the progression from acquaintance to friendship to romance. Well done!
*Heather and Ethan are both very likable! Ethan is extremely sweet. Heather is a great peacemaker.
What I didn't like:
*I was so excited about trying more of Arlene James that I was disappointed to learn the following books in the series are written by other authors.
*The background plot seems slightly soap opera-ish to me. Not enough to make me dislike it, but enough that I didn't want to give it 5 stars.
I'd recommend this book to fans of extremely clean contemporary Christian romance.
I plan to try more Arlene James books and will be trying the second in the series, By Her Side by Kathryn Springer.
November 2, 2014
This is the first story in the Hamilton series each written by other authors. I love a good makeover story and this one did not disappoint. Heather, thinking she is the ugly duckling was made over in an emergency-last minute save at her job when the candidate did not show. Ethan, the company photographer has admired and cared for Heather as she was when he first started with the Hamilton's paper and magazine.
Their story enfolds as Heather thinks she's not pretty enough for Ethan and his wanderlust ways and Ethan thinking he's not good enough for a "Hamilton" girl. The story has a few twists which are always good in a story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the children in the series.
Their story enfolds as Heather thinks she's not pretty enough for Ethan and his wanderlust ways and Ethan thinking he's not good enough for a "Hamilton" girl. The story has a few twists which are always good in a story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the children in the series.
August 6, 2012
I admit I picked this book to read because it was summer and I liked the title, but the book turned out pretty good. Sad though, that it is the beginning of the series and I'm not sure I want to commit myself to the rest but then how can I not know what happens next. Oh well, maybe when I get caught up with the rest of my reads I will head back here.
July 26, 2011
This book was a cute little romance, a little too much religion for my tastes, but not so much that I couldn't get through the book. There is a series about this family, but I think the Christian angle was enough that I won't read anymore.....
April 17, 2014
I really liked this book, and did anticipate reading book 2 to find out answers. But book 2 did not answer my questions about book 1. Book 2 was not as good as 1. I guess because I was wondering what happened with 2 or 3 of the people in it, but never found out.
May 4, 2008
Wow. I didn't expect this book to be so good! It's a sweet love story but it's more than that, too. It has such a strong emphasis on faith, on trust, and on being who God meant us to be.
October 3, 2010
Excellent story.
1st in a series of 6 books called Davis Landing.
The books are the stories of the 6 Hamilton children.
This was about Heather Hamilton and Ethan Danes.
1st in a series of 6 books called Davis Landing.
The books are the stories of the 6 Hamilton children.
This was about Heather Hamilton and Ethan Danes.
October 18, 2009
I loved the entire series and couldn't put it down.
July 3, 2011
It was a cute love inspired book. Since it was part of a series the author left some unfinished business in the end making you want to read the others.
January 23, 2013
Other than being a little wordy, this was a really good book.
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May 6, 2018it is great
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews