The book opens with the main character, Jacques O’Larrity, a fifteen year old boy with unruly black hair, fussing about having to rise before dawn on the first morning of summer vacation to open his mother’s coffee shop. His mother, a single mom since Jacques was three, thinks Jacques is old enough to start taking on more responsibility. The Parisian Bean is located on the sound side of Buzby Island in the town of Buzby Beach. In the first chapter we meet several Buzby Island residents, long-term and newcomers, from the bakery delivery truck driver who actually owns the bakery to the daughter of the couple that bought the bar next door to the coffee shop and turned it into an ice cream shop.

Jacques goes through a short-lived crush on Ginger Mumples, the girl from the ice cream shop next door, before he meets and falls for Scarlett, a girl from the western part of the state visiting her sister in Wilmington. Scarlett is mildly disfigured from a car accident, but Jacques doesn’t notice Scarlett’s scars. He’s captivated by her eyes and good humor. Scarlett’s father, who objects to her seeing a local beach bum, comes and takes her home, leaving Jacques broken hearted.

Meanwhile, Jacques childhood summer friend, Cienna, the granddaughter of the owners of the bookstore across the street from the coffee shop, arrives on the island for her extended summer visit. While the two have known each other for years, they’ve never seen each other as anything but friends during her previous summers on the island. When she arrives and finds Jacques in puppy love with Scarlett, Cienna’s hopes for a summer of romance with Jacques appear dashed until Scarlett is removed from the picture.

While his love life is in turmoil, Jacques hears from his estranged father, Sean O’Larrity, absent these twelve years. Sean – grown up, sober, and somewhat successful as a motivational speaker – wants to reconnect with his son. Jacques has to decide whether to see his father and if he does, whether to let Sean back in his life.

Sean presses the issue by showing up at the coffee shop, leading to a tense confrontation between Sean on one side, and Jacques, Scout–a quiet Afghan War vet who watches over Jacques and Marie, and Joe Bagley–the bakery truck driver on the other. Sean backs down and leaves after telling Jacques to think about coming to see him.

With Scarlett gone and his dad in town, Jacques finds Cienna a comforting presence and the two of them grow closer as friends. On the day Jacques decides to go face Sean, they share their first kiss.

As the book concludes, an uneasy truce is achieved between Jacques’s mother and father.... 

... A stiff sea breeze ruffled Jacques’ shaggy black hair as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes and tried to focus on getting the key into the lock on the front door of his mother’s coffee shop.

“Stupid lock,” he muttered to himself. “Stupid street light. Why don’t it light up the door better?”

So far, the first day of summer vacation wasn’t much of one. His alarm went off at four in the morning so he could drag his butt out of bed and open the coffee shop for his mother. Since he’d turned fifteen two weeks before school let out, his mother decided Jacques could be responsible for opening the shop.

The Parisian Bean, referred to as The Bean by its regulars, opened for business at six in the morning, six days a week. Jacques’ mom, Marie Babineaux O’Larrity, was usually in the cafe by five. The bakery that provided most of her pastries and bread dropped off every morning at five-thirty. Some specialty confections Marie baked herself. Jacques even baked a popular selection of spritz cookies. Marie let him keep the profit from those.

“Finally,” Jacques said when the key slipped into the lock. He had to twist the key a little, jiggle the knob a couple of times, and twist the key the rest of the way before the door opened.

“I wish Mom would get this stupid lock fixed.” Jacques pushed the door open, pushed his glasses up his nose, breathed deep of the scent of roast coffee permeating the cafe, and stepped inside.

His hand absently searched for the light switch next to the door. The bright light coming from the chandelier that his mother had put over the sitting area caused him to squint against the glare.

“Ouch, that’s bright.  Stupid light.”

Once his eyes adjusted to the light, Jacques turned, locked the door, and made sure the shade was pulled down. Then he rolled his eyes, pulled back the shade, and made sure the “CLOSED” sign was turned out toward the street.

“Stupid sign.” 

Growing up the son of a coffee shop proprietor, Jacques was never himself until he’d had his first cup of coffee. He didn’t know for sure, but Jacques suspected his mother had filled his baby bottles with café latte.

Assured the “CLOSED” sign was indeed visible to any early risers, Jacques made a bee line for the espresso machine. With an expert touch born of years of experience, he’d been making espresso since he could reach the counter, Jacques made himself a Buzby Bucket sized caramel macchiato. The Parisian Bean was the only place in town where a person could get a 32 ounce cup of coffee. It wasn’t cheap, but it was one of their best sellers during the summer tourist season.

“Mmm,” Jacques moaned as the first warm, smooth, taste of the macchiato coated his throat and his body reacted to the promise of caffeine. As his mind reacted to the stimulant, the world didn’t seem so stupid anymore.

'River Dream', by Douglas Davis is YA story appropriate for ages 13-17. This story follows a financially secure young adult as he negotiates the complexities of youthful relationships to come of age as a young man. And although following the social events of school-age kids may at times seem tedious, I paused to recall the irony ... Youth all was not always new and exciting. And though there was a certain tedium, I must add that the Author maintained the fine balance in this Young Adult read that should be appreciated and... I do appreciate his effort. Therefore, I am recommending this read to Young Adult because of the insight it provides, rather than the typical effort to 'market to and appeal' to the prurient and sensational interest of the targeted Young Adult reader. This work has value that a Young Adult can learn from... I am giving this work Five-Stars. There are many instances a YA reader may learn from and that go to managing complex relationships ... to the benefit of the reader, if interested. G Mitchell Baker, Author, "Lethal Believers: The Innocents' (2012); "Lethal Believers: DVM' (2013) and 'Soccer Tommies Baseball Mommies (2014).

Linda Bolton, Author

  “Go”, “Two minutes”, was hollered out. Alex felt nervous even though most of the men at the speed-dating meeting didn’t appear her type. The fact that they wouldn’t find her their type bothered her most. 
  “Hi, my name is Rick. I work at a comic book store” was all Alex heard. He had shoulder length hair, a beard and his shirt was wrinkled.  “Your turn”.
  “Hi, I’m Alex. A widow. Customer service rep. My daughter just got married.”  She was on auto-pilot. She repeated the same thing with every guy. “Tell me more about yourself,” was her next line so she wouldn’t have to really participate. And they did.
  Why did she agree to do this? Kathleen was crazy. She actually looked like she was having fun.
  Go! Two minutes.”
  And it repeated, this time with a manager of Burger King. Ugh! These men were so boring. It’s no wonder they couldn’t find dates. “I love reading and watching science fiction. I have the complete set of Star Wars collectibles.”
  This was pure torture. Kathleen owed her. Having her eyebrows waxed was better than this. 
  “Go! Two minutes”.
  This one had a real job. “I work at a bank.”
  “Oh, what do you do?” Alex was a bit intrigued.
  “Oh, I meant to say I worked a bank. Until I went to jail for embezzling. I have served my time and am looking for work right now. I’m on probation for five years,” Mitchell said with a smile.
  “Isn’t that a felony?” Alex couldn’t believe she was having this conversation.
  “Yeah, I’ll get a job soon. I’m staying with my mom right now. She has plenty of room and doesn’t mind if I bring the ladies by,” he managed with a wink.
  “Go! Two minutes”.
  Thank God it was almost over! Alex was never going to repeat this experience. As her last speed-date babbled on about his inability to wear corrective shoes, Alex watched Kathleen laugh and chat away with hers. Kathleen looked like she really enjoyed doing this. Alex was in awe--and misery.
  When it was finally over Alex and Kathleen headed to the bar for a drink to compare notes.
  “This was too much fun! These guys are a riot! I think I may meet the ex-con for drinks later!” Kathleen giggled at the thought of her possible date.
  “Are you insane?” Alex couldn’t believe her ears.
  “Did you not have fun Alex?” Kathleen looked genuinely surprised.
  “Kathleen, I realize your fun and my fun are two totally different things. You know I would do anything for you but NEVER ask me to do this again! It was pure torture!” Alex didn’t mean to come across so agitated but she just couldn’t help it.
  Kathleen looked a bit hurt but after her first margarita she was understanding and agreed to take her sister next time. Alex couldn’t wait to get home, take a long shower and crawl into bed. Suddenly, being alone sounded wonderful.

Linda Bolton, Author