Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Waiting for Summer's Return  By  cover art

Waiting for Summer's Return

By: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Narrated by: Barbara Caruso
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Suddenly all alone in 1894 Kansas, Summer Steadman can't find the employment she needs to settle near the fresh graves of her husband and four children. Bitter against the Lord and refusing to eat, she collapses in despair. Remembering his own painful loss, godly widower Peter Ollenbuger offers her food and shelter for tutoring his 10-year-old son.

Kim Vogel Sawyer has penned an inspiring debut novel whose unforgettable characters resonate with emotional intensity and compelling authenticity.

©2006 Kim Vogel Sawyer (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"Fans of historical prairie stories will feel at home with Sawyer's warm and tender voice." (Romantic Times)
"This outstanding inspirational story reveals true faith and love that transcend grief and prejudice." (Historical Novels Review)

What listeners say about Waiting for Summer's Return

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    430
  • 4 Stars
    127
  • 3 Stars
    40
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    10
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    382
  • 4 Stars
    69
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    6
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    349
  • 4 Stars
    83
  • 3 Stars
    26
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

AWSOME!!

I FOUND THIS BOOK SO HEART WARMING AND TENDER. A ROMANCE WITHOUT ALL THE CRUDE DISCRIPTIONS OF SEX, THAT SO MANY AUTHORS FEEL THEY HAVE TO WRITE IN THEIR STORY IN ORDER TO SELL. THIS STORY TAKES YOU TO A DIFFERENT TIME AND PLACE. I HATED TO SEE IT END. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A CLEAN WHOLESOME CHRISTIAN LOVE STORY, THIS IS IT. I WANT TO READ ALL OF KIM VOGEL SAWYER'S BOOKS IF THIS IS THE WONDERFUL RESULT TO EXPECT.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

This is the author's debut novel? This is a very well written and thought provoking inspirational piece. Very impressive. It is food for the heart and the soul. Of course, the narration by Barbara Caruso absolutely makes this a must-read novel. Her narration is a large part of why this novel is so much better for me as an audiobook, than it would have been on paper. Kudos, to author and narrator for a wonderful read. I can't wait for your next novel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Waiting for Summer's Return

I can recommend this book as worth the listen. I cried and laughed. I really like the characters and I loved the narration. Good job to the Author and Narrator. For a first book, excellent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Must Listen

This was a such a great story. The story line was very well written, and the narrator did a outstanding job sounding out the different characters. Even my husband enjoyed listening to the story. We were on a road trip and I asked him if he wanted to listen to the story. To humor me he did and ended up liking the story. This isn't my husbands type of book, but he thought the characters were interesting. If you like Historical Romance you'll love this one!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Very Nice CHRISTIAN Romance Novel

I agree with the majority of comments on this book. I usually don't read/listen to romance novels - I find them too "syrupy" and juvenile, and prefer, instead, mysteries. However, I liked this book. While not using adjectives such as "Awesome" or "Fantastic", I would say it was "Pleasant" or "Heartwarming", and I would consider listening to more of this author's books. No explicit sex or profanity. For those who are offended by Scripture or Christian themes, you will do better to look elsewhere. I am a Christian, however, so I enjoyed it. Barbara Caruso's narration was top-notch - her German dialect was perfect. I would be surprised if told that she does not speak fluent German. Do not let that put you off, though. Only a few words in German, and when one of the characters speaks German, (there is a grandmother who speaks no English) the German is translated. I disagree with those who say that the book ended abruptly. The author's "Where the Heart Leads" is the sequel to this book, but I'm sad to see that one reviewer has said that it is not as good as this book. I might try "My Heart Remembers" next.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Would Highly Recommend

I really enjoyed every part of this book. The story line, the characters and the narrator. She did a wonderful job of keeping the characters separated and her voice was pleasant with minimal swallowing sounds. One of the best I have listened to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Buy A Newer Kim Story Instead

This is apparently Kim Vogel Sawyer's debut novel and it shows. This was published 7 years ago before CBA market underwent some big changes. I listened because I liked previous books by this author and this was available on audio. I didn't check the year. But as soon as I started listening I knew something was off--I wasn't even sure it was a KVS book. Slow, cumbersome, self-absorbed and with so little tension I fell asleep while listening to it. I do not ordinarily post less than a 4 Star review but I felt compelled to write this up because audiobooks are expensive and time consuming. If you are desperate for a sweet and very slow CBA historical fiction this is the ticket. I also wondered if this was aimed at the YA market--it reminds me of some books I read as an older child. A good book but lacking in the elements that are critical in today's market. However, with almost 500 reviews on Amazon, there are obviously many people who very much enjoy this type of read/listen. There is nothing in here to offend anyone, which is a huge plus.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

a full story of conflict fun and unexpected love duty and Godly decisions till it hurts i cried, laughed, and even got angry Barbara Caruso was exceptional and i was caught up in the scenes as they were skillfully played out

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming!

Loved the characters, the accents, the story was grand! Great narration! Kind of a slow mover, but enjoyed the entertainment!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Waiting for Summers Return

I just finished listening to this book today and I did not want it to end. Kim Vogel Sawyer never disappoints me. Good job. Very easy to listen to and I can't wait to listen to the next one. Thanks Kim.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful