TAYLOR JONES SAYS: In Dreamer 3 by Becca Johnson, we are reunited with Rory and her friends as they try to solve another mystery presented to them by Rory’s prophetic dreams. This time, she has confusing dreams about her relationship with Bryce, as well as about someone who is going to be seriously injured, but she doesn’t know who. Can she figure it out in time to save whoever it is? Johnson tells a fun tale with serious undertones as Rory and her friends struggle to figure out the mystery.

A story of friendship, loyalty, and the trials of growing up, this is an excellent addition to the series, another star in the crown of this talented author.

REGAN MURPHY SAYS: Dreamer 3 by Becca Johnson is the third (obviously) book in this series about a young high school girl who has prophetic dreams. While her dreams often give our heroine, Rory Adair, a heads up and time to prepare for things that are going to happen in her life, they also give her clues about bad things that are going to happen as well. Only, Rory doesn’t always dream as herself, so she doesn’t know if the bad things will happen to her or to someone she loves. Rory has a close-knit group of friends who know about the dreams and try to help her solve the mystery, but they are as confused as she is. Meanwhile Rory is also dealing with other problems in her life—working at summer camp, her confusing and tumultuous relationship with the Wyatt twins, and now, her boyfriend, Bryce Wyatt, is not going to be around this summer to help her solve this new mystery. Heartbroken and bewildered, Rory feels very much alone and helpless.

Johnson’s experience as a high school teacher has clearly given her a wealth of understanding about how young minds work, and she has crafted characters that are both realistic and well developed as well as endearing. You can’t help but root for Rory as she struggles through the pangs of growing up, while trying to solve a mystery and keep someone she loves from getting hurt. A delightful read.

Chapter 1

Don’t even think about it Ryder Wyatt.” Backing away from him as he raised the bucket up, I turned to run. “Ahh,” I screamed as the freezing cold water ran down my head and back.

I pushed the hair out of my eyes and continued running to the back of the house. I picked up the garden hose and unwound it. I waited around the corner for Ryder to come find me. I was breathing heavy and trying hard not to laugh.

“Hey, Rory.”

I jumped out, held down the handle, and aimed at his face. I stopped as soon as I realized it was Bryce and not Ryder, but it was too late. I sprayed him good. “I’m sorry, Bryce. I thought you were Ryder. I was going to pay him back.”

Just then Ryder walked around the house and saw the hose in my hand and Bryce wiping his face dry with his shirt. Ryder started to laugh and I aimed the hose up. “You’re pretty brave from all the way over there,” I called out to him.

Bryce took a step toward me. I lowered the hose down. “I’m sorry I got you in the face.” I couldn’t help the smile that was spread across my face as I looked at his wet hair.

“I can tell you seem really sorry about it.”

Bryce had a gleam in his eye, so I went to raise the hose back up and spray him again as his arms wound around me and he picked me up off my feet. My hands were around the nozzle handle and I pushed down—and ended up soaking myself along with Bryce.

We were both laughing. My face was just inches from his. I dropped the hose. He picked me up off my feet and put his arm under my legs to carry me. I wrapped my arms round his neck and looked up into his bright blue eyes—

***

Beep—beep—beep—

I hurried to turn off my alarm. Then I stretched out my arms above my head and got out my journal.

Friday June 12th ~ last day of school water fight.

“I have to rethink my outfit now.” I sat up in bed and turned on the light on my bed stand. I was going to wear one of my new cute summer dresses. “Whose house were we at?” I thought out loud. It wasn’t my house, it didn’t look like the Wyatts’ either. I wasn’t sure where we were. I also wasn’t paying attention to where I was. I only noticed who I was with. “Maybe this isn’t going to happen today.” I brought my legs up underneath me and I sat staring into my closet deep in thought. I didn’t hear mom open the door to my room.

“Earth to Rory. I thought you had an easy day today. You seem to be concentrating really hard. Are you worried about your last finals today?”

Mom’s voice brought me back to the present. “No, we have a short questionnaire to fill out in English and, for art, the final is helping to clean up and organize the art room. It’ll be an easy day.”

“Are you coming home after school or going out?”

“We’re going out, I don’t know where.”

“Text me after school to let me know.” Mom blew me a kiss and then walked away.

***

I waited, looking out the front door for the Wyatts to pull into the driveway. Since the seniors finished up two weeks ago, Bryce and Ryder had been giving me a ride to and from school. It was a nice way to start off my morning, with a double dose of hot guys. I smirked, thinking about the two of them.

Right on time, their car pulled into the driveway. “Bye, Mom, they’re here,” I called out to her. I hurried out the door and down the front steps. “Good morning,” I said, greeting them.

Blue green eyes met mine in the rearview mirror and then I quickly held eye contact with Bryce and his piercing blue eyes.

Bryce winked at me. “Happy last day of school.”

“What is the game plan after school?” I asked.

“Not sure. We should all do something to celebrate the beginning of summer,” Bryce commented.

“I agree, we gotta do it up big all summer with Tyler and Connor before they go off to college and are too cool to talk to the high school kids anymore,” Ryder added.

I rolled my eyes. “I see Tyler and Connor all the time. Since the seniors last day Connor practically lives at my house.”

“Lucky him,” Ryder said under his breath.

Bryce reached over and slugged his brother in the arm.

“Ouch, man, what was that for? I’d kill for Mrs. Adair’s baking all day.”

“I’m sure that’s what you meant.” Bryce’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.

I couldn’t help but look at Ryder in the rearview mirror. His gaze met mine momentarily before he looked back at the road. I couldn’t see his lips but I would bet that he was smiling right now at aggravating his brother.

***

I looked at the clock. There were ten more minutes before school was out for the summer. I was going to be a junior in high school.

Bryce came up next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. “What’re you thinking about?”

“I was thinking that this has been quite an exciting school year.”

Bryce laughed. “It sure has been. I can’t believe that I only just met you in January.”

I looked up into his eyes. “I met you before January.”

“Your dreams don’t count.” Bryce placed a quick kiss on my cheek and squeezed my shoulder against his side. “If that’s the case, I met you in, I think November was the first time I drew a picture of you.”

“After school, Stacey invited us all over to her house. She’s leaving on Sunday for the summer,” I said, changing the subject.

Bryce took his arms from around me. “Oh that’s right.”

I wished he wouldn’t have. I liked his arms securely around me. He seemed distracted. “What is it, Bryce?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You seemed troubled when I mentioned Stacey.”

“It just made me think back to our adventures, and I hope that we have a calm summer. I hope we don’t have any more mysteries to solve.”

I had one mystery that I wanted to solve. It was a dream that was going to come true this summer that involved Ryder and me not Bryce and me.

“Have a great summer,” Mrs. McD called out, bringing me back to the present. “I hope to see some of you in the art classes again next year.”

Bryce took hold of my hand as the bell rang signaling the end of the school year. We walked hand in hand out to the parking lot where we were meeting up with the rest of the group.

The sun was shining bright when we got outside. I shielded my eyes to see as I heard my name being yelled.

Bryce pointed off to the right. Fiona was standing up in Skylar’s Jeep without the top on. She was waving at me. I waved back and we walked toward them. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She had on short jean shorts and a tight fitting tank top. I could tell she had her bathing suit top underneath.

Skylar stuck his tongue out at me. “We were out yesterday.”

I returned the immature gesture.

Fiona jumped down from the Jeep and gave me a hug. “Anymore mysteries we can help you solve, cuz?”

I looked around worried someone would overhear her. “Nope.”

“What’re you two doing today?” Bryce asked.

“Fiona, Skylar.” Stacey joined us and embraced Fiona and then got in the backseat of Skylar’s Jeep. “To my house, everyone’s coming. We’ll meet you all there.”

Fiona got back in the Jeep and they drove off.

Bryce grabbed hold of my hand again to go to his car. “I wonder what we’ll be doing at Stacey’s house.”

I looked up at him as we walked. “We’re going to have a water fight there.”

Bryce smirked. “Thanks for the heads up. Too bad you aren’t wearing a cute white T-shirt.”

I reached over with my free hand and hit his arm. I couldn’t help but smile back at him though. “You’re terrible. What cute white T-shirt?”

“I was just imagining that you would look really hot in a tight white T-shirt, all wet.”

I reached out and hit him in the arm again. But I couldn’t help the laugh that came out too.

Ryder and Josh were leaning against the car for us when we got to it. Ryder threw Bryce the keys to the car. “I’m going to ride with Josh and we’re going to swing by your house to get Tyler and Conner. We’ll meet you at Stacey’s house.”

I waved at Josh and Ryder. “See you soon.”

Ryder looked at me a moment longer, making eye contact with me before turning and walking away with Josh.

It made my breath catch. I felt heat creep up my neck and I felt a little dizzy. I was glad that Bryce couldn’t read my mind. Ryder still had an effect on me, with the way that he looked at me.

Bryce opened the passenger door for me and I got in. He started the car and then turned to face me. He leaned in toward me and I closed my eyes awaiting his kiss.

After a quick make-out session we started to drive to Stacey’s house.

***

Bryce took hold of my hand as we walked up Stacey’s driveway. He slowed and pulled my hand for me to face him. He looked into my eyes and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in tight against him.

I reached up on my tip toes and closed my eyes.

“Ow—” I howled as I lost my balance and felt water dripping down my back.

I turned to see Fiona and Skylar with their arms raised with a water balloon ready to strike. Stacey had her arms on her hips laughing. She had thrown the balloon that hit me square in the back.

I looked between Fiona and Skylar. “This hardly seems fair.”

“I know, it’s awesome. We weren’t sure if we’d be able to catch you off guard. Luckily, Mr. Dreamy Twin was here to distract you.” Skylar let his balloon soar, I ducked out of the way and it hit Bryce in the chest.

I started to giggle as the water soaked the front of his T-shirt.

“Too bad you aren’t wearing a white shirt.” I whispered. Then I took off for the far side of the house to get out of the way of Fiona’s balloon as she sent it flying toward me.

I heard more cars pull up followed by more screeching and laughing.

Where do they have their stash of water balloons? I had to find them. I ran around the back of Stacey’s house. I glanced around and spotted the hose. I knew that was going to come in handy later. Then I stopped. There was a small sand box pail. I turned on the water and filled up the pail with water.

“Ouch.” I was pegged in the back again with a water balloon. I turned around quickly. It was Skylar. Then a water balloon smashed the back of his head spraying water on me as well. Ryder was racing around the house.

He gave me a bow. “At your service, madame.”

Skylar made eye contact with me. “You’ve got your hands full,” he commented before he ran off.

Ryder came toward me. I felt like he was a cat stalking me. My heart rate picked up. When he was right in front of me, I made a quick grab for my little pail and threw the water in his face.

I didn’t wait for a reaction but dropped the pail and took off running.

I made it to the front of the house where the chaos was in full swing. A balloon whizzed by my head and Tyler swore. I laughed and went for the laundry basket on the porch filled with balloons. I managed to dodge one more balloon.

I hurried and made a grab for a balloon for each hand. When I looked back up I was being cornered on the porch. Stacey and Heather were both walking toward me with a balloon in their hand.

I took a step backward. “Ladies, we have to stick together.”

Stacey and Heather looked at one another. “We agree.” And then they both threw a balloon at me.

I screeched as one hit me in the stomach and broke and the other hit my shoulder.

I ran at them and threw my balloons. I jumped in triumph as the one I threw at Stacey hit her and splattered on her back.

“What are you laughing at?” Ryder came walking toward me with a bucket hoisted up.

“I got you with a little pail of water.” I backed away. This was my dream coming true. “Don’t even think about it, Ryder Wyatt.” I backed away from him as he raised the bucket up. I turned to run. “Ahh,” I screamed as the freezing cold water ran down my face and back.

I pushed the hair out of my eyes and continued running to the back of the house to the hose. I knew that Bryce would be the one coming to get me and not Ryder this time. “Hey, Rory.”

I jumped out and sprayed him in the face with the hose. In my dream, I stopped as soon as I realized it was Bryce. I didn’t let go as quick this time. I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t help it. The giggles won out.

Just then Ryder walked around the house and saw the hose in my hard and Bryce wiping his face dry with his shirt. Ryder started to laugh.

“You got bested by a little girl,” Ryder mocked.

I aimed the hose up. “You’re pretty brave from all the way over there,” I called out to him. I dropped the hose so that I didn’t spray myself like in my dream. “Truce?” I held out my hand for Bryce to shake.

Bryce took a step toward me. He had a grin on his face. My face was just inches from his. He picked me up off my feet and put his arm under my legs to carry me. I wrapped my arms round his neck and looked up into his bright blue eyes.

Just like in my dream. I felt my heart start to race being in his arms. “This isn’t a handshake,” I commented.

He had a devilish look on his face. “I’m not agreeing to a truce.”

I squirmed, when I realized what he was doing. Stacey had an in ground pool. “Bryce Wyatt, you wouldn’t dare.” I gripped his neck tighter.

“Ryder would you mind getting the gate for me?” Bryce didn’t take his eyes from mine as he addressed Ryder.

Ryder laughed as I gave him a dirty look over Bryce’s shoulder.

“I’m not letting go of your neck, so you’ll have to go in with me.” I tried to tighten my grip, but my hands were wet and starting to slip.

“I’ll help you out with that.” Ryder gave Bryce a push and we both went crashing into the pool.

I was spitting and coughing out water when my head resurfaced. Everyone was standing at the end of the pool laughing at us.

“Bathing suits are optional.” Skylar took off his shirt and did a cannon ball in the pool.

Bryce wrapped his arms around me from behind as we watched our friends one by one all jump in the pool to join us.

© 2017 by Becca Johnson

Tracy Bilen:

“Romance, friendship, and a twist of mystery-a perfect beach read!” ~ Tracy Bilen, author of What She Left Behind (Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, 2012)

Kristin Bartley Lenz:

“Dreamer 3 continues with sweet romance, mystery, and surprise twists to satisfy fans of this series.” ~ Kristin Bartley Lenz author of The Art of Holding On and Letting Go (Sept. 2016)