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Fade Into You #1
Untouched
He was a gorgeous troublemaker with a cocky attitude.
She was the girl he shouldn't want.
They only had one summer—and a promise to have no regrets.
I wasn’t prepared to meet a girl like Cadence.
She was shy and innocent, and nothing like the girls who usually flocked my doorstep.
But how could I resist her mile-long blond hair and emerald eyes?
I knew I shouldn’t want her.
The rest of my life had already been decided for me.
A summer fling shouldn’t have happened.
But it did.
Now the clock is counting down until I have to return home to hell that awaits me.
As September draws near, I get closer and closer to losing everything I never thought I wanted—her.
From USA Today Bestselling Author Dakota Willink comes the first book in the Fade Into You series, a bad boy romance that will leave you swooning for more!
She was the girl he shouldn't want.
They only had one summer—and a promise to have no regrets.
I wasn’t prepared to meet a girl like Cadence.
She was shy and innocent, and nothing like the girls who usually flocked my doorstep.
But how could I resist her mile-long blond hair and emerald eyes?
I knew I shouldn’t want her.
The rest of my life had already been decided for me.
A summer fling shouldn’t have happened.
But it did.
Now the clock is counting down until I have to return home to hell that awaits me.
As September draws near, I get closer and closer to losing everything I never thought I wanted—her.
From USA Today Bestselling Author Dakota Willink comes the first book in the Fade Into You series, a bad boy romance that will leave you swooning for more!
Unknown Binding
About the author
Dakota Willink
52 books1,590 followersDakota Willink is an Award-Winning USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves writing about damaged heroes who fall in love with sassy and independent females. Her books are character-driven, emotional, and sexy, yet written with a flare that keeps them real. With a wide range of published books, a magazine publication, and the Leave Me Breathless World under her belt, Dakota's imagination is constantly spinning new ideas.
The Stone Series is Dakota's first published book series. It has been recognized for various awards and bestseller lists, including USA Today and the Readers' Favorite 2017 Gold Medal in Romance, and has since been translated into multiple languages internationally. The Fade Into You series (formally known as the Cadence duet) was a finalist in the HEAR Now Festival Independent Audiobook Awards. In addition, Dakota has written under the alternate pen name, Marie Christy. Under this name, she has written and published a children's book for charity titled, And I Smile. Also writing as Marie Christy, she was a contributor to the Blunder Woman Productions project, Nevertheless We Persisted: Me Too, a 2019 Audie Award Finalist and Earphones Awards Winner. This project inspired Dakota to write The Sound of Silence, a dark romantic suspense novel.
Dakota often says she survived her first publishing with coffee and wine. She’s an unabashed Star Wars fanatic and still dreams of getting her letter from Hogwarts one day. Her daily routines usually include rocking Lululemon yoga pants, putting on lipstick, and obsessing over Excel spreadsheets. She enjoys traveling with her husband and debating social and economic issues with her politically savvy Generation Z son and daughter. Two spoiled Cavaliers are her furry writing companions who bring her daily smiles.
Official Website: www.dakotawillink.com
The Stone Series is Dakota's first published book series. It has been recognized for various awards and bestseller lists, including USA Today and the Readers' Favorite 2017 Gold Medal in Romance, and has since been translated into multiple languages internationally. The Fade Into You series (formally known as the Cadence duet) was a finalist in the HEAR Now Festival Independent Audiobook Awards. In addition, Dakota has written under the alternate pen name, Marie Christy. Under this name, she has written and published a children's book for charity titled, And I Smile. Also writing as Marie Christy, she was a contributor to the Blunder Woman Productions project, Nevertheless We Persisted: Me Too, a 2019 Audie Award Finalist and Earphones Awards Winner. This project inspired Dakota to write The Sound of Silence, a dark romantic suspense novel.
Dakota often says she survived her first publishing with coffee and wine. She’s an unabashed Star Wars fanatic and still dreams of getting her letter from Hogwarts one day. Her daily routines usually include rocking Lululemon yoga pants, putting on lipstick, and obsessing over Excel spreadsheets. She enjoys traveling with her husband and debating social and economic issues with her politically savvy Generation Z son and daughter. Two spoiled Cavaliers are her furry writing companions who bring her daily smiles.
Official Website: www.dakotawillink.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
June 15, 2025
I’m surprised I flew through this book as quickly as I did. This was the summer camp/summer vibe I was wanting. Definitely feels very new adult but I defff will be reading the next book to see what happens!!
January 29, 2019
HEADS UP:: Before I jump into my review, I feel like I should issue a PSA that although this book seems to be shelved/categorized as YA, I would probably put it more in the New Adult or just plain old Contemporary genre. The main characters are ages 18 & 22 with one in college and the other having recently graduated. There is definitely some content and overarching themes that I’d consider adult. I’m not sure what the exact genre rules are but it seems to be a trend lately for books to be listed as YA when they’re much more Adult than Young. Nothing in the book was offensive or even uncomfortable for me.... but I’m a married 32 yr old that grew up with 5 brothers and spent nearly a decade doing freelance club/nightlife PR. The mom in me worries that this categorization will have it showing up on shelves and searches and recommendation lists for actual young adults and let’s just say I wouldn’t want my daughter (an actual YA reader) reading it.
Anyway, mistaken genre aside, it was good. I was sent an ARC and didn’t really know what to expect. I wasn’t familiar with the author and the blurb didn’t give much away. The prologue was intense and I admit, it had me worried but I’m glad I pressed on because it ended up being a really sweet, pure, real story even if it was a little heartbreaking at times. On another note, am I the only one that saw “17 years ago” on the first page and was thinking of an 80s setting? Then they mentioned American Pie and I had to stop and actually think that 17 yrs ago was 2001/2 lol. Just me? Oh. Lol.
Anyway, mistaken genre aside, it was good. I was sent an ARC and didn’t really know what to expect. I wasn’t familiar with the author and the blurb didn’t give much away. The prologue was intense and I admit, it had me worried but I’m glad I pressed on because it ended up being a really sweet, pure, real story even if it was a little heartbreaking at times. On another note, am I the only one that saw “17 years ago” on the first page and was thinking of an 80s setting? Then they mentioned American Pie and I had to stop and actually think that 17 yrs ago was 2001/2 lol. Just me? Oh. Lol.
January 31, 2019
*I received a free ARC from Hidden Gems (thanks:) for exchange of an honest review*
It was a short read and I could have finished it a day, actually in less than 3 hours. The thing is I was very bored with the story, which took me THREE DAYS TO READ IT. The main girl, Cadence I found to be annoying. Apparently, she was a very bright young women (18 years old) but was unexperienced and naïve. Her being naïve is what made me roll my eyes a lot. And I knew by the end of he story what was going to happen. Never fails on stories when they have unprotected sex (was that a spoiler? lol #sorrynotsorry).
Fitz, the main guy is a rich "spoiled" man-whore but the moment he seen Cadence his ways had... changed? Yeah, okay. And all summer long they hang out at this lake spot that apparently no one goes to even though its a summer camp and the weather was supposedly HOT. Look, I've been to the lake and I've been to remote areas at the lake but believe me, there is bound to have someone somewhere. Either on the other side, or ways down your left or right. So I thought that was a little odd that at this summer camp no one was at the lake?
Overall, this book was these two meeting up at their "Private lake" every evening. Touching each other (It doesn't have cringe worthy sex scenes), moving fast in love, and the Fitz comes out with heartbreaking news.
There really wasn't much of a story. I don't even think I care to know what happens to the two on the next book.
It was a short read and I could have finished it a day, actually in less than 3 hours. The thing is I was very bored with the story, which took me THREE DAYS TO READ IT. The main girl, Cadence I found to be annoying. Apparently, she was a very bright young women (18 years old) but was unexperienced and naïve. Her being naïve is what made me roll my eyes a lot. And I knew by the end of he story what was going to happen. Never fails on stories when they have unprotected sex (was that a spoiler? lol #sorrynotsorry).
Fitz, the main guy is a rich "spoiled" man-whore but the moment he seen Cadence his ways had... changed? Yeah, okay. And all summer long they hang out at this lake spot that apparently no one goes to even though its a summer camp and the weather was supposedly HOT. Look, I've been to the lake and I've been to remote areas at the lake but believe me, there is bound to have someone somewhere. Either on the other side, or ways down your left or right. So I thought that was a little odd that at this summer camp no one was at the lake?
Overall, this book was these two meeting up at their "Private lake" every evening. Touching each other (It doesn't have cringe worthy sex scenes), moving fast in love, and the Fitz comes out with heartbreaking news.
There really wasn't much of a story. I don't even think I care to know what happens to the two on the next book.
March 2, 2019
I screamed when I finished this book.Cadence and Fritz grabbed my heart.Ready for more
Gimme defined.
Gimme defined.
September 25, 2023
I enjoyed this read overall, but had some issues with it. Cadence, the female main character, is 18 but acts younger than that. She is inexperienced in life and therefore has a very naive outlook on things. Fitz, the male main character, is a wimp. He's a spoiled rich kid who sets his sights on Cadence while knowing full well they have no chance outside of this summer camp. When he does fall for her, he takes the easy way out and tries to break her heart instead of perhaps flighting for her and facing the consequences of his previous mistakes.
January 30, 2024
This book just felt like a waste of time. I liked the context as in the idea of a camp leader, etc, and the lake. But the writing style was so immature and lacking that it made it difficult to read.
Definitely don't waste your time
Definitely don't waste your time
January 29, 2019
Dakota Willink, ‘Cadence Untouched’ , The Dahlia Project.
As a Hidden Gem ARC reader I received this book for free. And promised an honest review. Here it is.
English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.
Rating: 4 stars (of 5).
In general: Nice young adult love story.
Main characters:
- Cadence Riley. Daughter of the owners of Camp Riley, a summer school for talented art students, deep in the countryside of Virginia.
- Fitzgerald Quinn (22 years old). Son of a rich politician. Got himself in problems with the police at the end of his college study. His father prevented a prison sentence by making a deal with the judge. Part of the deal was a community service during the three summer-months. So he went with a friend to Camp Riley.
Cadence helps her parents during summer. She welcomes all the students and tells them wat classes they have and in which of the Camp houses they will live. Fitz and his friend Devon have to help Cadence’s father with the maintenance of the camp and they have a sober sleeping place, in a loft of the barn.
Cadence thinks that Fitz is a spoiled, arrogant kid, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But she has to admit that he’s good looking.
Walking in the woods around the Camp before sleeping, Fitz discovers a nice lake. And meets Cadence playing with her dog Dahlia and taking a swim. Fitz thinks for a moment that she’s drowning and tries to save her. In reality nothing was wrong with Cadence, but she appreciates his rescue attempt. So they start a conversation and discover that they like each other.
The author Dakota Willink describes with a lot of feeling how Cadence, very inexperienced in dating, falls step by step in love with Fitz, who never had problems getting girlfriends.
Actually the whole book is a long flash back in time. It ends with a kind of a cliffhanger and promises that in the sequel book the main characters will meet again after 17 years. Full of anticipation I’m looking forward to this sequel.
R. Huiszoon.
As a Hidden Gem ARC reader I received this book for free. And promised an honest review. Here it is.
English isn’t my first language. Sorry for errors.
Rating: 4 stars (of 5).
In general: Nice young adult love story.
Main characters:
- Cadence Riley. Daughter of the owners of Camp Riley, a summer school for talented art students, deep in the countryside of Virginia.
- Fitzgerald Quinn (22 years old). Son of a rich politician. Got himself in problems with the police at the end of his college study. His father prevented a prison sentence by making a deal with the judge. Part of the deal was a community service during the three summer-months. So he went with a friend to Camp Riley.
Cadence helps her parents during summer. She welcomes all the students and tells them wat classes they have and in which of the Camp houses they will live. Fitz and his friend Devon have to help Cadence’s father with the maintenance of the camp and they have a sober sleeping place, in a loft of the barn.
Cadence thinks that Fitz is a spoiled, arrogant kid, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But she has to admit that he’s good looking.
Walking in the woods around the Camp before sleeping, Fitz discovers a nice lake. And meets Cadence playing with her dog Dahlia and taking a swim. Fitz thinks for a moment that she’s drowning and tries to save her. In reality nothing was wrong with Cadence, but she appreciates his rescue attempt. So they start a conversation and discover that they like each other.
The author Dakota Willink describes with a lot of feeling how Cadence, very inexperienced in dating, falls step by step in love with Fitz, who never had problems getting girlfriends.
Actually the whole book is a long flash back in time. It ends with a kind of a cliffhanger and promises that in the sequel book the main characters will meet again after 17 years. Full of anticipation I’m looking forward to this sequel.
R. Huiszoon.
January 11, 2019
Not in anyway what I expected!!!
It was so much more! The bombs that were dropped in this book came out of no where! I though I knew what was going to happen but my thoughts were squashed into the ground with fury! I was completely blindsided and even though I was a bit "ragey" at the time, I now loved every minute of it. The wait for book 2 is going to kill me but it will all be worth it to find out what happens between Fitz and Cadence!
The narration is amazing! Lacy Laurel and Zachary Webber make a great team!
It was so much more! The bombs that were dropped in this book came out of no where! I though I knew what was going to happen but my thoughts were squashed into the ground with fury! I was completely blindsided and even though I was a bit "ragey" at the time, I now loved every minute of it. The wait for book 2 is going to kill me but it will all be worth it to find out what happens between Fitz and Cadence!
The narration is amazing! Lacy Laurel and Zachary Webber make a great team!
January 30, 2019
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was interesting, but I didn't find myself liking any of the characters. I found Cadence's innocence and nativity to be really annoying. I know this is YA, but it screamed it loudly the whole book. I also found the sex stuff to be out of character for YA. Fitz was equally annoying for someone who had so much life experience. By the ending I was just annoying and thought total cliche from what Fitz told her about his life.
November 13, 2023
Untouched was so beautiful and I feel wrapped up in this story, like I haven’t in a long time.
Fitz, a recent college grad, is forced to spend his summer working at a camp where his attention lands on Cadence, the camp owners daughter. The two start a tumultuous summer fling which is destined to end in heartbreak.
The writing was perfect, the story pulled me in and I fell in love with the characters BUT I so wish I would’ve skipped the prologue. It literally gave everything away… WHY DID THE AUTHOR DO THIS?! I would’ve given this 5 stars, if I didn’t have a constant feeling of angst because it wasn’t hard to guess that Fitz and Cadence would still break up and that Cadence was going to end up pregnant.
It’s obvious this book was written with the knowledge that there would be another book, but I wish it was more of its own thing and less of a preparation for their actual story when they reunite later.
”Sunsets will always belong to you. When it’s dark, I’ll remember you to find the light. You will forever hold my heart. Leaving you will always be my biggest regret.”
I actually cried when it ended because I’m so heartbroken.. but worry not, now that I am done with this review I will spend the $4.99 to lift my spirits and buy the second book.
Fitz, a recent college grad, is forced to spend his summer working at a camp where his attention lands on Cadence, the camp owners daughter. The two start a tumultuous summer fling which is destined to end in heartbreak.
The writing was perfect, the story pulled me in and I fell in love with the characters BUT I so wish I would’ve skipped the prologue. It literally gave everything away… WHY DID THE AUTHOR DO THIS?! I would’ve given this 5 stars, if I didn’t have a constant feeling of angst because it wasn’t hard to guess that Fitz and Cadence would still break up and that Cadence was going to end up pregnant.
It’s obvious this book was written with the knowledge that there would be another book, but I wish it was more of its own thing and less of a preparation for their actual story when they reunite later.
”Sunsets will always belong to you. When it’s dark, I’ll remember you to find the light. You will forever hold my heart. Leaving you will always be my biggest regret.”
I actually cried when it ended because I’m so heartbroken.. but worry not, now that I am done with this review I will spend the $4.99 to lift my spirits and buy the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2019
This was a good read. Cadence and Fitz are two very different people. Yet they can't stay away from each other. They spend the summer together but at the end the truth comes out about what is in store for Fitz. After the ending being the way it was I will be reading the next book to see how their story continues.
March 1, 2026
Não consigo perceber, porque é que uma história tão linda de dois jovens acaba desta forma. Fiquei destroçada.
January 4, 2019
First love, first heartbreak, a love so strong nothing can break it. Or can it? Dakota Willink has taken me back in time to that feeling of finding your soulmate. Cadence never had time for a boyfriend. She is busy getting ready for college and working at Camp Riley with her parents. When Fitz comes to work at the camp from USC (this was funny!), Cadence knew to keep her distance. He is older, rich and definitely a bad boy. But as she gets to know this man, she finds out that things are not always as they seem. Willink captures that innocence of first love in Cadence. She is sweet, trusting and full of emotions, almost starry eyed. She wants to see the best in Fitz and has hopes and dreams of their future. I have to say that I really liked Fitz for most of the book. I thought he turned into a caring and passionate man, with infinite patience and even came through with truth and honesty. But will all these qualities help this couple? There are things that even true love cannot overcome! And these two end up with decisions to make that will effect their individual futures. With those decisions made, I cannot wait to listen to the second book to see where things end up!
Lacy Laurel and Zachary Webber narrate this story with care and emotion. From the start, Laurel gives Cadence just enough innocence to make her believable. She takes you into that time where you can remember all those feelings of love and happiness, right back to those feelings of hurt and despair. Webber gives Fitz that voice where you could feel the warmth and love from your first boyfriend. He makes you trust in what they have and feel his unhappiness life takes it's turns. They dually narrate the story with precision. You know that when the book is over and you still are feeling, that their storytelling was perfect.
Lacy Laurel and Zachary Webber narrate this story with care and emotion. From the start, Laurel gives Cadence just enough innocence to make her believable. She takes you into that time where you can remember all those feelings of love and happiness, right back to those feelings of hurt and despair. Webber gives Fitz that voice where you could feel the warmth and love from your first boyfriend. He makes you trust in what they have and feel his unhappiness life takes it's turns. They dually narrate the story with precision. You know that when the book is over and you still are feeling, that their storytelling was perfect.
January 24, 2019
This is the first book from Dakota Willink that I have and it will not be the last. This book completely held me hooked from the beginning until the end. I will say the ending really left me wanting the next book right now!!!!
This story is about Cadence and Fitz, who come from two different worlds.
Cadence helps at her family's summer camp and is a strong no holds bar girl. She knows what she wants and will do everything she can to achieve it. She is not your typical young adult in many ways but in my opinion that is what makes her so special.
Fitz comes from a very wealthy family. He is at Camp Riley because of something only a few really know about (if you want to know what you will have to read the book). When he arrives he has it set in his mind that these will be the worst 3 months of his life, however he soon finds out that he was so wrong. This has everything to do with the girl he sets his sites on, Cadence Riley.
The two of the together come to realize that things are not always what they seem. However, will secrets not told be the end? Also, what happens when the summer comes to an end, and Fitz has to go back home? Will Cadence and Fitz ever get their happily ever after or will a promise made end it all?
I can't wait to find out the answers and more in Cadence Defined.
This story is about Cadence and Fitz, who come from two different worlds.
Cadence helps at her family's summer camp and is a strong no holds bar girl. She knows what she wants and will do everything she can to achieve it. She is not your typical young adult in many ways but in my opinion that is what makes her so special.
Fitz comes from a very wealthy family. He is at Camp Riley because of something only a few really know about (if you want to know what you will have to read the book). When he arrives he has it set in his mind that these will be the worst 3 months of his life, however he soon finds out that he was so wrong. This has everything to do with the girl he sets his sites on, Cadence Riley.
The two of the together come to realize that things are not always what they seem. However, will secrets not told be the end? Also, what happens when the summer comes to an end, and Fitz has to go back home? Will Cadence and Fitz ever get their happily ever after or will a promise made end it all?
I can't wait to find out the answers and more in Cadence Defined.
December 14, 2019
First, I want to say that this book was well written. It had a plot that was well drafted, there were only a couple of misuses of words, and those were easy to ignore. I enjoyed the character development, although I thought more could have been told earlier on about Devon and Fitz.
Second, and why I deducted two stars. Using a prologue to write the end of the book was just shocking to me. Here I was reading the prologue and I realized that I knew what the ending was. I get that the second book was written first and the author wanted to back-fill the story. And I understand it. What I don't understand is why you would write the ending of the story of Cadence in the prologue. I have no idea how many readers were disappointed in this, and it doesn't matter to me. What matters was that, with that few pages of prologue, the author took every bit of wind out of the sails of this story. I continued to read, and read it all the way through, but I could not help remembering, with every word, and every page, that I already knew the ending. If there had been some surprise in getting there, then it might have lessened the impact of that prologue. But there were really no surprises. This is a story of first loves, teenage love for Cadence, young adult love for Fitz. But there was no suspense and no build-up to it. Overall this first book of this series disappointed me.
Second, and why I deducted two stars. Using a prologue to write the end of the book was just shocking to me. Here I was reading the prologue and I realized that I knew what the ending was. I get that the second book was written first and the author wanted to back-fill the story. And I understand it. What I don't understand is why you would write the ending of the story of Cadence in the prologue. I have no idea how many readers were disappointed in this, and it doesn't matter to me. What matters was that, with that few pages of prologue, the author took every bit of wind out of the sails of this story. I continued to read, and read it all the way through, but I could not help remembering, with every word, and every page, that I already knew the ending. If there had been some surprise in getting there, then it might have lessened the impact of that prologue. But there were really no surprises. This is a story of first loves, teenage love for Cadence, young adult love for Fitz. But there was no suspense and no build-up to it. Overall this first book of this series disappointed me.
January 3, 2021
Cadence Untouched by Dakota Willink tells the story of Cadence, who is spending the summer running her families theater summer camp and Fitz, a bad boy who has been sent to complete some community service at the camp for the summer. Fitz is looking for a summer fling, someone to entertain him in the middle of no where. What he finds is a friendship that turns into more, an emotional connection that he can't have and an a relationship he should avoid. This audiobook is narrated by Lacey Laurel and Zachary Webber. They both brought a lot of emotion and intensity to their performances. The love story between these two is sugary sweet, and I think a lot of people will enjoy their relationship.
I found this story difficult to get into. It is entirely possible that it was my mood, trying to pick the first audiobook of 2021 is stressful, and this one had been sitting on my TBR for a while. But I found parts of the storyline outrageous and a little unbelievable. I rolled my eyes more than once at the predictability of parts of the story line and characters decisions.
I do however need to know how the duet ends and I am hoping that the second book fixes some of the issues I had with the first.
I found this story difficult to get into. It is entirely possible that it was my mood, trying to pick the first audiobook of 2021 is stressful, and this one had been sitting on my TBR for a while. But I found parts of the storyline outrageous and a little unbelievable. I rolled my eyes more than once at the predictability of parts of the story line and characters decisions.
I do however need to know how the duet ends and I am hoping that the second book fixes some of the issues I had with the first.
February 2, 2019
Beautifully Written!
Cadence Untouched was an amazing start for Cadence and Fitz's story! I do have to say it ended and I was heart broken for these two. There was so much going on and when the end came, they both went on with their lives. What am I blabbering about? So many firsts with these two. I wanted a HEA..but that will be seen in the second book.
Cadence Untouched with give you the butterflies! You get to experience first love all over again and will be grinning from ear to ear. I really loved the characters and you will be in for surprise in the end. I was left with wanting and needing more. This book will capture your attention and will have you finish the book in one setting. A great start to an amazing duet!
February 15, 2019
5 star Review Cadence Untouched (Cadence Duet #1) by Dakota Willink
Dakota Willink is a new author to me and although I have listened to narrator Zachary Webber numerous times, Lacey Laurel is relatively new to me. Cadence Untouched was certainly brought to life by the narrators who did a fantastic job.
This book was not like I expected; just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, boom I am thrown totally for a loop.
Despite herself Cadence Riley finds herself falling for bad boy Fitz Quinn and he is equally attracted to her even though they both know that it can only be temporary,
This book was not like I expected; just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, boom I am thrown totally for a loop. I really cannot wait to find out what happens in the second book.
Dakota Willink is a new author to me and although I have listened to narrator Zachary Webber numerous times, Lacey Laurel is relatively new to me. Cadence Untouched was certainly brought to life by the narrators who did a fantastic job.
This book was not like I expected; just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, boom I am thrown totally for a loop.
Despite herself Cadence Riley finds herself falling for bad boy Fitz Quinn and he is equally attracted to her even though they both know that it can only be temporary,
This book was not like I expected; just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, boom I am thrown totally for a loop. I really cannot wait to find out what happens in the second book.
December 27, 2018
4.5 Stars
A YA Novel about a young woman who meets a man at her families music summer camp. Cadence is a strong young woman, who has her whole life in front of her. She is focused and has never had a guy strike her fancy. Fitz is a son of a popular politician, he has a secret and this summer at this camp, forced to do hard labor is like a different life. Fitz never expected to meet someone so sweet and innocent, but the moment he sees Cadence he knows how special she is. He tries to stay away, but fate keeps pushing them together. This story was super emotional for me. My heart hurt for these two. Can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
A YA Novel about a young woman who meets a man at her families music summer camp. Cadence is a strong young woman, who has her whole life in front of her. She is focused and has never had a guy strike her fancy. Fitz is a son of a popular politician, he has a secret and this summer at this camp, forced to do hard labor is like a different life. Fitz never expected to meet someone so sweet and innocent, but the moment he sees Cadence he knows how special she is. He tries to stay away, but fate keeps pushing them together. This story was super emotional for me. My heart hurt for these two. Can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
April 14, 2019
I received this book in return for an honest review.
I must say I was highly disappointed in this book. It is about Cadence and Fitz and their quick love affair.
Cadence is extremely annoying for being 18. I found it odd that she still referred to her parents as Momma and Daddy. She seemed extremely naive for being 18.
Fitz is your typical rich kid who all of a sudden changes when he finds love. Unfortunately, that love can’t last due to a situation at home. Sadly, the situation seemed to be really far-fetched.
I won’t be reading the sequel as I don’t care enough to find out what happens next.
I must say I was highly disappointed in this book. It is about Cadence and Fitz and their quick love affair.
Cadence is extremely annoying for being 18. I found it odd that she still referred to her parents as Momma and Daddy. She seemed extremely naive for being 18.
Fitz is your typical rich kid who all of a sudden changes when he finds love. Unfortunately, that love can’t last due to a situation at home. Sadly, the situation seemed to be really far-fetched.
I won’t be reading the sequel as I don’t care enough to find out what happens next.
January 16, 2019
I have read lot of great books in my life but I have to say this one was truly amazing! So many I would give ten stars to, if possible. This one I would totally give twenty stars! This book blew my mind in an amazing way. I was pulled into this story quickly. I love Cadence and Fitz. They are easy characters to love. First love and real life troubles. I can’t wait to read book two. Hopefully it’s very soon! This is a book that will stick with me for years to come. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
*Magic Beyond The Covers Book Blog*
*Magic Beyond The Covers Book Blog*
March 4, 2019
Fitz and Cadence share a friendship and love that is rare, yet Fitz has a secret. One that just might ruin everything.
Love the story. Recommend to all.
Love the story. Recommend to all.
November 28, 2022
It definitely held up to its title! Such an beautiful and emotional story. Fantastic!
May 10, 2019
Cadence, who's taking on more of a role at her parents’ summer camp, meets Fitz on the first day of camp. He and a friend are there to do some community service. Fitz is a bit of a player and the son of a politician. He's attracted to her when he first sees her and calls dibs on her with his friend. He is soon to find out, though, that she is not that kind of girl. Instead, Fitz and Cadence get to know each other, and a romance slowly develops into what is probably the great love of their lives. Fitz is hiding a secret, though, that changes the possibilities of where their relationship can go.
The author did an outstanding job showing the evolution of Fitz and Cadence’s relationship. Fitz actually did change over the course of the book. He became less of a player as he came to know and care her and was actually quite protective of her (until…). I didn't like that in Fitz’s sections there was a fair amount of profanity. Looking at the book's cover and reading the description, I expected something a little bit more gentle and sweet. I'll admit to being disappointed with two things that happened towards the end of the book.
While I haven't yet read the second book yet, I think the concept of having a duology that shows a couples’ first and second chances at love an interesting and even awesome idea. I enjoyed a second chance at love romances, and we usually just hear about the first round as characters reminisce with others or have memories, or it may be just revealed in a data dump. So it was interesting to read Fitz and Cadence’s first chance at love and how the characters grew and changed during that fateful summer. It will be interesting to see how these characters have turned out in book two.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
The author did an outstanding job showing the evolution of Fitz and Cadence’s relationship. Fitz actually did change over the course of the book. He became less of a player as he came to know and care her and was actually quite protective of her (until…). I didn't like that in Fitz’s sections there was a fair amount of profanity. Looking at the book's cover and reading the description, I expected something a little bit more gentle and sweet. I'll admit to being disappointed with two things that happened towards the end of the book.
While I haven't yet read the second book yet, I think the concept of having a duology that shows a couples’ first and second chances at love an interesting and even awesome idea. I enjoyed a second chance at love romances, and we usually just hear about the first round as characters reminisce with others or have memories, or it may be just revealed in a data dump. So it was interesting to read Fitz and Cadence’s first chance at love and how the characters grew and changed during that fateful summer. It will be interesting to see how these characters have turned out in book two.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
April 15, 2019
Cadence Untouched
What happens when a rich kid meets a sweet, innocent girl at summer camp? In this case FIREWORKS! Fitz and his friend are arriving for the summer at an arts summer camp, Fitz spots Cadence and is instantly drawn to her. Cadence's first impression of Fitz is he's a spoiled rich kid that is trouble. The camp is owned and run by Cadence's family. The first night there, Fitz takes a walk on his own, and stumbles on a trail that leads to a lake. Cadence is there with her dog. She goes swimming, and Fitz thinks she is drowning, so he dives in to save her. This triggers a bad flashback for him. They talk and he insists on walking her home as it is unsafe for her. She finds this sweet. Eventually she allows Fitz to start hanging out with her at the lake, which until now, had been her own personal space. Until Fitz, she was only focused on school and her art, but she was inexplicably drawn to him. Cadence was nothing like who he was normally drawn to, and he wanted to be a better person for her. She brought out a side of him that he didn't often show, and didn't know he had. He had a rough upbringing with a Dad who didn't show him love, and allowed no tears or much of anything. Fitz knows he shouldn't start something with Cadence, and really tries not to, because he knows he has a commitment once he leaves camp. His time with Cadence and falling in love for the first time, he is desperately trying to figure out how to change his future. This is the first of a Duet book, so we will have to read the second to know the final outcome. This book brings back memories of first loves, summer romance, and so many things. The characters are real, and drew me in from the beginning. I can't wait to read the next one to find out how everything turns out for Cadence and Fitz.
What happens when a rich kid meets a sweet, innocent girl at summer camp? In this case FIREWORKS! Fitz and his friend are arriving for the summer at an arts summer camp, Fitz spots Cadence and is instantly drawn to her. Cadence's first impression of Fitz is he's a spoiled rich kid that is trouble. The camp is owned and run by Cadence's family. The first night there, Fitz takes a walk on his own, and stumbles on a trail that leads to a lake. Cadence is there with her dog. She goes swimming, and Fitz thinks she is drowning, so he dives in to save her. This triggers a bad flashback for him. They talk and he insists on walking her home as it is unsafe for her. She finds this sweet. Eventually she allows Fitz to start hanging out with her at the lake, which until now, had been her own personal space. Until Fitz, she was only focused on school and her art, but she was inexplicably drawn to him. Cadence was nothing like who he was normally drawn to, and he wanted to be a better person for her. She brought out a side of him that he didn't often show, and didn't know he had. He had a rough upbringing with a Dad who didn't show him love, and allowed no tears or much of anything. Fitz knows he shouldn't start something with Cadence, and really tries not to, because he knows he has a commitment once he leaves camp. His time with Cadence and falling in love for the first time, he is desperately trying to figure out how to change his future. This is the first of a Duet book, so we will have to read the second to know the final outcome. This book brings back memories of first loves, summer romance, and so many things. The characters are real, and drew me in from the beginning. I can't wait to read the next one to find out how everything turns out for Cadence and Fitz.
August 3, 2019
Pride & Prejudice meets Hopeless in this sweet, it happened one summer romance.
Cadence works her summers at Camp Riley, a camp owned by her parents. The only daughter to two, creative and hard-working people. So, it's no wonder Cadence has positive and healthy morals. And this is will be Fitz Quin's downfall. A young man from USC. University of Spoiled Children.
Fitz was forced to spend his summer at Camp Riley for reasons only he and his father know. Cadence's goals include working hard, preparing for college, and staying away from Fitz. Until that night by the lake. Oooo, that first scene.
"Cadence, can I touch you?" WOWZA. SAVORRRYYYY!!!! The sweetest and sexiest thing I think I have ever read (listened)
..Ah, yeah! You sure can!!! I think this was my favorite scene.
HOT FLASH. Let's move on, shall we?
Cadence loses the battle with her will to stay away and now we get to see the true Fitz. A man who behind that NO moral code has a conscience that even he didn't know he possessed. It must be the gorgeous, heart-shaped lip girl that has stolen his heart.
The two still need to keep their romance under wraps, since technically...she is his boss. Together, they spend many late nights by the lake sharing details of their life. Except one. Fitz is here on false pretenses and a bad secret he harbors will only make this girl run. FAST!!!.
Now to these narrators.
Kudos to Lacy Laurel. CLAP. CLAP. Her voice gave Cadence strength and power without taking away her sweet yet firm character, making her loveable and believable.
Zachary Webber. Ahh, what can I say? Let me wipe my mouth first. (Did I just say that out loud?) Zachary's voice palpably showed the pain that Fitz was harboring in his soul. His flawed and scarred past, yet his desire to change for this woman.
But summer is over, and the secret is now no longer. But are Fitz and Cadence?
Great job, Dakota Willink!!
Cadence works her summers at Camp Riley, a camp owned by her parents. The only daughter to two, creative and hard-working people. So, it's no wonder Cadence has positive and healthy morals. And this is will be Fitz Quin's downfall. A young man from USC. University of Spoiled Children.
Fitz was forced to spend his summer at Camp Riley for reasons only he and his father know. Cadence's goals include working hard, preparing for college, and staying away from Fitz. Until that night by the lake. Oooo, that first scene.
"Cadence, can I touch you?" WOWZA. SAVORRRYYYY!!!! The sweetest and sexiest thing I think I have ever read (listened)
..Ah, yeah! You sure can!!! I think this was my favorite scene.
HOT FLASH. Let's move on, shall we?
Cadence loses the battle with her will to stay away and now we get to see the true Fitz. A man who behind that NO moral code has a conscience that even he didn't know he possessed. It must be the gorgeous, heart-shaped lip girl that has stolen his heart.
The two still need to keep their romance under wraps, since technically...she is his boss. Together, they spend many late nights by the lake sharing details of their life. Except one. Fitz is here on false pretenses and a bad secret he harbors will only make this girl run. FAST!!!.
Now to these narrators.
Kudos to Lacy Laurel. CLAP. CLAP. Her voice gave Cadence strength and power without taking away her sweet yet firm character, making her loveable and believable.
Zachary Webber. Ahh, what can I say? Let me wipe my mouth first. (Did I just say that out loud?) Zachary's voice palpably showed the pain that Fitz was harboring in his soul. His flawed and scarred past, yet his desire to change for this woman.
But summer is over, and the secret is now no longer. But are Fitz and Cadence?
Great job, Dakota Willink!!
February 12, 2019
One summer. One touch....
Cadence Riley didn’t have time for boys - no matter how potent their smiles were. School and working at Camp Riley were her only priorities. She knew better than to fall for someone like Fitz Quinn, the spoiled, bad boy son of a wealthy politician. But the second he spoke to her, she knew she was in over her head. He was a gorgeous trouble maker with a cocky attitude. Her heart warned her, but she didn’t listen. There was something protective and good beneath the bad boy exterior that made her insides flutter. Before she knew it, she fell hard and fast.
Fitz wasn’t prepared to meet a girl like Cadence. She was shy and innocent - and nothing like the girls who usually flocked his doorstep. How could he resist her mile-long blond hair and emerald eyes? He knew he shouldn’t want her. His father already had other plans for him, and a relationship with her could never go beyond the summer. He thought their stolen kisses by the lake were only supposed to be a summer fling. Falling for her shouldn’t have happened. But it did.
Now the clock is counting down until Fitz has to return to the life that awaits him in Washington, DC. As September draws closer, how will they survive the end of everything they’ve come to love?
I really enjoyed following the love story of Cadence and Fitz. This is a beautiful forbidden love story. Dakota Willink did an excellent job of building relatable characters. She also did a great job of pulling you in and leaving you guessing on a few things! I recommend this book to anyone who like a beautiful love story that may or may not have a happy ending you will have to read it to find out, I can't wait to get my hands on Cadence Defined! Zachary Webber and Lacy Laurel did an excellent job of bringing this book to life for me!
Cadence Riley didn’t have time for boys - no matter how potent their smiles were. School and working at Camp Riley were her only priorities. She knew better than to fall for someone like Fitz Quinn, the spoiled, bad boy son of a wealthy politician. But the second he spoke to her, she knew she was in over her head. He was a gorgeous trouble maker with a cocky attitude. Her heart warned her, but she didn’t listen. There was something protective and good beneath the bad boy exterior that made her insides flutter. Before she knew it, she fell hard and fast.
Fitz wasn’t prepared to meet a girl like Cadence. She was shy and innocent - and nothing like the girls who usually flocked his doorstep. How could he resist her mile-long blond hair and emerald eyes? He knew he shouldn’t want her. His father already had other plans for him, and a relationship with her could never go beyond the summer. He thought their stolen kisses by the lake were only supposed to be a summer fling. Falling for her shouldn’t have happened. But it did.
Now the clock is counting down until Fitz has to return to the life that awaits him in Washington, DC. As September draws closer, how will they survive the end of everything they’ve come to love?
I really enjoyed following the love story of Cadence and Fitz. This is a beautiful forbidden love story. Dakota Willink did an excellent job of building relatable characters. She also did a great job of pulling you in and leaving you guessing on a few things! I recommend this book to anyone who like a beautiful love story that may or may not have a happy ending you will have to read it to find out, I can't wait to get my hands on Cadence Defined! Zachary Webber and Lacy Laurel did an excellent job of bringing this book to life for me!
August 3, 2024
'Untouched' didn't give too much away in the synopsis but it ended up being a completely different story to what I was imaging going into it. It starts with a Prologue which totally gives the ending away so for the rest of the book you already know what's coming and therefore spoils it a little.
The character of Cadence I didn't gel with. She was meant to be a camp leader but she was slightly immature and had the whole "im not like other girls" vibe going on which is just an overused cliché especially when it turns out she's exactly like every other girl in existence. Her whole personality is based around her being "Nieve" and "Innocent" which got old pretty quickly, shes also meant to be a bright intelligent student so surely shes had the birds and the bees chat and should know sex without protection likely produces a pregnancy.
Fizz wasn't much better. He had sex on his mind from the second he steps off that camp bus despite knowing full well what was waiting for him when he got home at the end of summer. I thought that as a character he was weak and cruel, keeping his situation a secret from Cadence until she fell for him then breaking her heart and using his upbringing as a way to play victim.
The whole book read like it was set in the 1980s with the summer camp for performing arts, though you didn't even get to read much about that as the book was mostly set at the lake side or in the shop. It got quite cringy too the amount of times Cadence called her mother 'momma' and the story in general got repetitive and boring as you could see exactly what was going to happen.
Overall this book is predicable and it probably would have been a quick read but I had very little motivation to actually pick it up once I started because I didn't really care what was happening in it.
The character of Cadence I didn't gel with. She was meant to be a camp leader but she was slightly immature and had the whole "im not like other girls" vibe going on which is just an overused cliché especially when it turns out she's exactly like every other girl in existence. Her whole personality is based around her being "Nieve" and "Innocent" which got old pretty quickly, shes also meant to be a bright intelligent student so surely shes had the birds and the bees chat and should know sex without protection likely produces a pregnancy.
Fizz wasn't much better. He had sex on his mind from the second he steps off that camp bus despite knowing full well what was waiting for him when he got home at the end of summer. I thought that as a character he was weak and cruel, keeping his situation a secret from Cadence until she fell for him then breaking her heart and using his upbringing as a way to play victim.
The whole book read like it was set in the 1980s with the summer camp for performing arts, though you didn't even get to read much about that as the book was mostly set at the lake side or in the shop. It got quite cringy too the amount of times Cadence called her mother 'momma' and the story in general got repetitive and boring as you could see exactly what was going to happen.
Overall this book is predicable and it probably would have been a quick read but I had very little motivation to actually pick it up once I started because I didn't really care what was happening in it.
November 26, 2023
3.5 ⭐️. This was a super quick and enjoyable read that was sweet and heartbreaking, but it got to be a bit repetitive at times with a similar scene playing out over and over again for a good chunk of the book.
While our main characters became lovers much too quickly for my tastes, I feel like it was an accurate portrayal of what would have happened in this situation. Our FMC, Cadence, is a super sweet and innocent 18 year old who has never experienced any heartbreak or the unfairness of life. So of course she would fall in love quickly and have a blind hope that everything would turn out ok. I enjoyed how she came to terms with Fitz’s situation and promised herself to have no regrets. I thought it showed maturity on her part that I wasn’t expecting.
I wish there would have been more of Devon and Joy in the book. They were entertaining characters and I think it would have benefitted the book for the main characters to lean on their best friends a bit more as they navigated their doomed from the start relationship.
I really liked Fitz’s character and enjoyed getting his perspective throughout the book. He was so sweet even with having such a shitty father and I felt so bad for him when he felt he had to cruelly break things off with Cadence. But I’m glad they had a little moment of understanding at the end.
However, I could have done without the pregnancy at the end. Like, what health class did she go to where having unprotected sex two days after your period ends is safe? And then they continued to have sex for several days after that. What did she think was going to happen?
While our main characters became lovers much too quickly for my tastes, I feel like it was an accurate portrayal of what would have happened in this situation. Our FMC, Cadence, is a super sweet and innocent 18 year old who has never experienced any heartbreak or the unfairness of life. So of course she would fall in love quickly and have a blind hope that everything would turn out ok. I enjoyed how she came to terms with Fitz’s situation and promised herself to have no regrets. I thought it showed maturity on her part that I wasn’t expecting.
I wish there would have been more of Devon and Joy in the book. They were entertaining characters and I think it would have benefitted the book for the main characters to lean on their best friends a bit more as they navigated their doomed from the start relationship.
I really liked Fitz’s character and enjoyed getting his perspective throughout the book. He was so sweet even with having such a shitty father and I felt so bad for him when he felt he had to cruelly break things off with Cadence. But I’m glad they had a little moment of understanding at the end.
However, I could have done without the pregnancy at the end. Like, what health class did she go to where having unprotected sex two days after your period ends is safe? And then they continued to have sex for several days after that. What did she think was going to happen?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
This emotional enemies to lovers start out with so many secrets, drama and lies, but the chemistry between Candence and Fitz is palpable from the beginning. The author did a great job developing the characters and building growth and maturity throughout the book while highlighting and describing the emotions and feelings between Candence and Fitz and their growing attraction to each other. Unfortunately, you need tissues and the book ends on major cliffhanger.
Fritz is a rich cocky spoiled 22-year-old that is at the camp as part of a deal to avoid serious legal trouble, he got himself into. When he meets Cadence, who is helping her parents put at the camp, he knows he needs to avoid her and believes she is bossy and snobby. When they meet at the lake and he mistakenly believe she is drowning and “saves” her they realize they have more in common than they thought and become friends, then lovers until Fitz confesses that he is expected to marry the Judge’s daughter and starts to avoid her and then ends up hurting and insulting her, breaking her heart. Once he leaves and Cadence sees his wedding picture, she knows they won’t see each other again. She lost her soul mate and will become a single mom to their baby.
Great emotional story and I can’t wait to read part two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fritz is a rich cocky spoiled 22-year-old that is at the camp as part of a deal to avoid serious legal trouble, he got himself into. When he meets Cadence, who is helping her parents put at the camp, he knows he needs to avoid her and believes she is bossy and snobby. When they meet at the lake and he mistakenly believe she is drowning and “saves” her they realize they have more in common than they thought and become friends, then lovers until Fitz confesses that he is expected to marry the Judge’s daughter and starts to avoid her and then ends up hurting and insulting her, breaking her heart. Once he leaves and Cadence sees his wedding picture, she knows they won’t see each other again. She lost her soul mate and will become a single mom to their baby.
Great emotional story and I can’t wait to read part two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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