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Summer Girl, Winter Boy
Jai Winter is trying to do the right thing, even though he knows it’s wrong. Forced to participate in kinky sex games, the renowned model spends his spare moments creating an impressive list of suicide options. Until a snowy day provides a bit of Summer…a pink-haired burst of sunshine with a ready smile. What begins as the hottest sex of his life turns into a ray of hope.
Summer Dey has baggage of her own—literally. Having spent eighteen months in South America trying to escape a shocking accident, Summer finds an illegal nightmare hidden in her suitcase. She doesn’t want to put Jai in danger, but his gorgeous face and killer bod prove hard to resist.
Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, and everything would be perfect if it wasn’t for blackmail, drug dealers and tragic events in both their pasts. Staying together could be their salvation—or their ultimate undoing.
Inside This book contains a forced-sex scene that includes M/M.
A Romantica® erotic romantic suspense from Ellora’s Cave
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2014
4 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Elsborg
100 books1,677 followersBarbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 18, 2014
4.5--Best Male Butt--Stars!
A new Barbara Elsborg book...
Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my go-to authors. Her books are unique, the writing is excellent and her stories contain the perfect mix of banter, steam, angst and suspense.
Summer Girl, Winter Boy was no exception.
Note: For those that have also read Strangers, Jai Winter happens to be the twin brother of Richard who left Kate at the "alter", leading her to Charlie.
Jai Winter literally sold himself to the devil when he was seventeen years old. He's been blackmailed for the last ten years by his agent Saul and his wife Marta. He's essentially their sex slave, required to be at their beck and call and at others as well.
Saul and Marta were seriously VILE people.
After a tragic accident, Summer Dey has spent the last eighteen months in South America studying meteorological patterns.
And they did...on her way home from SA....of the illegal variety...hidden in her suitcase.
Her family blames her for the accident. And speaking of her family...with the exception of Summer's dad...
Jai and Summer are both supposed to be on the same flight back to London, but they both miss the flight and are left stranded in the airport where they proceed to spend a SMOKING HOT night together. But they both have a mountain of problems...
Jai has to figure out a way to not be chained to the demands of Saul and Marta and Summer has to figure out a way to solve her drug mule problems. What ensues is a suspenseful, yet entertaining journey.
Despite the situations Jai and Summer found themselves in, their banter amongst each other had me laughing out loud. And there was definitely no shortage of steam.
The story had me intrigued....I mean how exactly does one end up blackmailed in to being a sex slave??
I had to remind myself that Jai was only 17 at the time.
The ending was a bit on the cheesy side, but at the same time it was kind of fitting for Summer and Jai.
A new Barbara Elsborg book...
Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my go-to authors. Her books are unique, the writing is excellent and her stories contain the perfect mix of banter, steam, angst and suspense.
Summer Girl, Winter Boy was no exception.
Note: For those that have also read Strangers, Jai Winter happens to be the twin brother of Richard who left Kate at the "alter", leading her to Charlie.
Jai Winter literally sold himself to the devil when he was seventeen years old. He's been blackmailed for the last ten years by his agent Saul and his wife Marta. He's essentially their sex slave, required to be at their beck and call and at others as well.
Saul and Marta were seriously VILE people.
After a tragic accident, Summer Dey has spent the last eighteen months in South America studying meteorological patterns.
And they did...on her way home from SA....of the illegal variety...hidden in her suitcase.
Her family blames her for the accident. And speaking of her family...with the exception of Summer's dad...
Jai and Summer are both supposed to be on the same flight back to London, but they both miss the flight and are left stranded in the airport where they proceed to spend a SMOKING HOT night together. But they both have a mountain of problems...
Jai has to figure out a way to not be chained to the demands of Saul and Marta and Summer has to figure out a way to solve her drug mule problems. What ensues is a suspenseful, yet entertaining journey.
Despite the situations Jai and Summer found themselves in, their banter amongst each other had me laughing out loud. And there was definitely no shortage of steam.
The story had me intrigued....I mean how exactly does one end up blackmailed in to being a sex slave??
I had to remind myself that Jai was only 17 at the time.
The ending was a bit on the cheesy side, but at the same time it was kind of fitting for Summer and Jai.
February 27, 2014
4.5 Stars
Whenever I'm in a book slump, picking up a Barbara Elsborg book is a no brainer for me. I have yet to find a book by her that I did't love. It's always this perfect combination of angst, scorching hot sex, broken yet endearingly quirky characters, scorching hot sex, and some more angst. It's my favorite book recipe. Seriously. DELICIOUS
Jai Winter is famous model that is stuck in his own living hell. Blackmailed into being pretty much a sex slave, he doesn't see any other way out but one.
He hates himself, he hates his situation, and more than that he hates the 2 people that are forcing him to do this for the last 10 years. Protecting a secret that he believes would destroy his family, Jai is forced to go along with whatever kinky and filthy thing may be demanded of him. The only thing that makes it bearable, is losing himself in a haze of drugs and alcohol.
But then one chance meeting in an airport changes everything...
Summer Dey is a meteorologist coming back from an 18 month researching trip to South America, where she ran to escape a tragic accident. When she arrives at the airport, she's shocked to discovered that someone has placed illegal drugs in her suitcase. She's terrified of the repercussions that are sure to follow. Does she get rid of them and chance whoever wants them coming after them? Or does she take them with and chance being arrested? And then she meets Jai...
I don't want to give anything away, and saying much more would definitely be a spoiler. This is one of those books you simply have to read to find out on your own.
What I've come to love in Barbara Elsborg's books, is this trademark quirky humor that all her characters seem to have.
Both Jai and Summer are broken characters, but they're each dealing with a different darkness. Jai from his present, and Summer from her past.
I adored Summer and at the same time my heart broke for her and what she's been through. Her own family treats her like a social leper for something that wasn't her fault. There were times I wanted to reach through my kindle and throttle her mother and sister.
Jai's situation was absolutely gut wrenching. The things that he's forced to do, and the way that he attempts to deal with it was incredibly difficult to read. He's basically a puppet on the strings of 2 evil and immoral puppeteers. I have never wished for 2 characters to be killed off more that these two.
But the way that Jai and Summer help each other heal was lovely.
I'm not typically of insta-love, insta-lust, or insta anything. And while it may not have been insta-love here, it was pretty close. But in the case of this book, it just worked. You can completely understand how these 2 characters are drawn to one another and need each other. The connections between them was beautiful. I loved how each helped mend a painful emotional hole in the other.
At the end of everything, this was about a beautiful love story between two broken people in the midst of impossible circumstances.
If you've read Strangers, both Kate and Charlie make an appearance in this book. I loved catching up with them and seeing where they are a few years after. I liked how Miss Elsborg managed to fit them into the story.
For more reviews visit
I know that this is just one day. A day when winter and summer collide. I know I won't see you again. We go our seperate ways. But we have this now, let's not waste it."
Whenever I'm in a book slump, picking up a Barbara Elsborg book is a no brainer for me. I have yet to find a book by her that I did't love. It's always this perfect combination of angst, scorching hot sex, broken yet endearingly quirky characters, scorching hot sex, and some more angst. It's my favorite book recipe. Seriously. DELICIOUS
Jai Winter is famous model that is stuck in his own living hell. Blackmailed into being pretty much a sex slave, he doesn't see any other way out but one.
He hates himself, he hates his situation, and more than that he hates the 2 people that are forcing him to do this for the last 10 years. Protecting a secret that he believes would destroy his family, Jai is forced to go along with whatever kinky and filthy thing may be demanded of him. The only thing that makes it bearable, is losing himself in a haze of drugs and alcohol.
But then one chance meeting in an airport changes everything...
Summer Dey is a meteorologist coming back from an 18 month researching trip to South America, where she ran to escape a tragic accident. When she arrives at the airport, she's shocked to discovered that someone has placed illegal drugs in her suitcase. She's terrified of the repercussions that are sure to follow. Does she get rid of them and chance whoever wants them coming after them? Or does she take them with and chance being arrested? And then she meets Jai...
I don't want to give anything away, and saying much more would definitely be a spoiler. This is one of those books you simply have to read to find out on your own.
What I've come to love in Barbara Elsborg's books, is this trademark quirky humor that all her characters seem to have.
"I can fight my own battles."
"I want to fight alongside you."
"Will you show me your sword?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Later."
"I hear it's a big one."
"Nothing you can't handle."
Both Jai and Summer are broken characters, but they're each dealing with a different darkness. Jai from his present, and Summer from her past.
I adored Summer and at the same time my heart broke for her and what she's been through. Her own family treats her like a social leper for something that wasn't her fault. There were times I wanted to reach through my kindle and throttle her mother and sister.
Jai's situation was absolutely gut wrenching. The things that he's forced to do, and the way that he attempts to deal with it was incredibly difficult to read. He's basically a puppet on the strings of 2 evil and immoral puppeteers. I have never wished for 2 characters to be killed off more that these two.
But the way that Jai and Summer help each other heal was lovely.
I'm not typically of insta-love, insta-lust, or insta anything. And while it may not have been insta-love here, it was pretty close. But in the case of this book, it just worked. You can completely understand how these 2 characters are drawn to one another and need each other. The connections between them was beautiful. I loved how each helped mend a painful emotional hole in the other.
At the end of everything, this was about a beautiful love story between two broken people in the midst of impossible circumstances.
"I am lovely," she whispered.
"Yeah, you are. You're my light, my warmth, the summer in my life, the sun in my world. You helped me see possibilities when everything seemed black and hopeless. You brought my heart back to life."
If you've read Strangers, both Kate and Charlie make an appearance in this book. I loved catching up with them and seeing where they are a few years after. I liked how Miss Elsborg managed to fit them into the story.
For more reviews visit
July 20, 2014
Pssst.....it's me Snoop Dogg!!
Now, you know if my girl Lis pull's this gif out...it's coz she's partying hard with me, coz she just enjoyed this shit!!
Trust me if she say's it's good....IT'S GOOD!!
So this is what my girl Lis tell's me this crazy shit is about...
Jai Winter ~ a sweet and charming, famous model. Whom to the outside world looks like he has everything he could possibly want.
Nothing could be further from the truth, at 17 he unwittingly is done over by his controlling nasty agent and his wife. Forcing him to do things completely unthinkable, a modern day sex slave at their beck and call.... this goes on for many years, Jai's life is spiralling out of control.......
Until a snowy day provides a bit of Summer…a pink-haired burst of sunshine with a ready smile.
Summer a meteorologist has been studying in South America for 18 months and is returning home to attend her sister's wedding when her path collides with Jai at the airport and what begins as the hottest sex of Jai's life turns into a ray of hope.
Jai is adorable, witty and of course HOT. The lovely Summer is confident, sassy and cute.
Barbara Elsborg's is rocking, her characters are easy to connect to.
They jump off the page, as if they are real, living, breathing people.
Summer Girl, Winter Boy has EVERYTHING I love in a book ~sprinkling of action, lot's of witty banter, smoking hot sex scenes, great plot, loveable characters.
What more could you ask for....Oh Yeah....more SNOOP dancing!!
Laters guys me and MY GIRL are still rocking!!
Now, you know if my girl Lis pull's this gif out...it's coz she's partying hard with me, coz she just enjoyed this shit!!
Trust me if she say's it's good....IT'S GOOD!!
So this is what my girl Lis tell's me this crazy shit is about...
Jai Winter ~ a sweet and charming, famous model. Whom to the outside world looks like he has everything he could possibly want.
Nothing could be further from the truth, at 17 he unwittingly is done over by his controlling nasty agent and his wife. Forcing him to do things completely unthinkable, a modern day sex slave at their beck and call.... this goes on for many years, Jai's life is spiralling out of control.......
Until a snowy day provides a bit of Summer…a pink-haired burst of sunshine with a ready smile.
Summer a meteorologist has been studying in South America for 18 months and is returning home to attend her sister's wedding when her path collides with Jai at the airport and what begins as the hottest sex of Jai's life turns into a ray of hope.
Jai is adorable, witty and of course HOT. The lovely Summer is confident, sassy and cute.
Barbara Elsborg's is rocking, her characters are easy to connect to.
They jump off the page, as if they are real, living, breathing people.
Summer Girl, Winter Boy has EVERYTHING I love in a book ~sprinkling of action, lot's of witty banter, smoking hot sex scenes, great plot, loveable characters.
What more could you ask for....Oh Yeah....more SNOOP dancing!!
Laters guys me and MY GIRL are still rocking!!
July 31, 2014
Summer Girl Winter Boy is a fantastic blend of humor, romance, suspense, and steam. I really enjoyed it.
Summer is returning from meteorological research in South America. When she's stranded in Philly airport, she's fortunately stranded with one exceptionally hot guy. Things are looking up. (Cute scene when their belts 'get together' on the security scanner). Being away for 18 months, she has no idea he's one of the most well known models of late. They decide to hang out while waiting for the airport to reopen after a snowstorm.
This is where I loved the book most. They just clicked. Their banter was laugh-out-loud funny. It's like they'd known each other for years and they just kept slinging stuff back and forth...and we as readers got to sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
Jai is simply relieved Summer doesn't recognize him. For once, a woman wants to get to know HIM and not the famous model they see all over the billboards. Jai is painfully depressed, being blackmailed with sex by his agent, and is borderline suicidal. With Summer, he feels free...and happy. If she only knew the REAL Jai, she'd be disgusted and move on. But they'll enjoy this time until they part in London.
This is where the suspense begins! Summer's bags were laced with illegal drugs to traffic across to London. Surely the "rightful owners" will want it back. Together, can Jai help Summer avoid backlash from the infamous drug cartels in South America? Can Summer help Jai finally break free from the painful, abusive clutches of his agent?
Barbara Elsborg can write a book the reader just loses themselves within. The characters not perfect but perfectly endearing. With just the right balance of everything, she's an easy go-to when I'm in a book slump. She didn't let me down here.
And I thank you!
Summer is returning from meteorological research in South America. When she's stranded in Philly airport, she's fortunately stranded with one exceptionally hot guy. Things are looking up. (Cute scene when their belts 'get together' on the security scanner). Being away for 18 months, she has no idea he's one of the most well known models of late. They decide to hang out while waiting for the airport to reopen after a snowstorm.
This is where I loved the book most. They just clicked. Their banter was laugh-out-loud funny. It's like they'd known each other for years and they just kept slinging stuff back and forth...and we as readers got to sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
Jai is simply relieved Summer doesn't recognize him. For once, a woman wants to get to know HIM and not the famous model they see all over the billboards. Jai is painfully depressed, being blackmailed with sex by his agent, and is borderline suicidal. With Summer, he feels free...and happy. If she only knew the REAL Jai, she'd be disgusted and move on. But they'll enjoy this time until they part in London.
This is where the suspense begins! Summer's bags were laced with illegal drugs to traffic across to London. Surely the "rightful owners" will want it back. Together, can Jai help Summer avoid backlash from the infamous drug cartels in South America? Can Summer help Jai finally break free from the painful, abusive clutches of his agent?
Barbara Elsborg can write a book the reader just loses themselves within. The characters not perfect but perfectly endearing. With just the right balance of everything, she's an easy go-to when I'm in a book slump. She didn't let me down here.
And I thank you!
May 3, 2015
4.5 Stars
How can a book filled with deviant fuckery, horrid family drama, blackmail and drug smuggling be one of the most original and heartwarming romances - setting my lady bits on fire & my heart into palpitations?
Summer Dey is a pink haired, quick witted, meteorological wiz. She's been studying clouds in South America for 18 months and is (begrudgingly) returning home for her sister's wedding.
Jai Winter is a famous model and secret sex slave. He's returning to work and home, thankful to leave his unwanted life of debauchery for a while and contemplating ways to die.
When their paths cross and the pair end up stranded together, sleeping on the airport floor ... something magical is conceived.
I won't give away any major plot points or story details ... but I will say that what ensues is full of heart-stopping, life altering and death-defying moments. There is a lot of tension. There is a lot of dramatic action. There is a lot of panty-melting sex. And a whole lot of endearing romance.
Why not 5 stars? At some points there was almost too much going on. It became slightly unbelievable because of the number of high-scale dramatic moments in this book. It was such a well crafted love story ... I didn't need to have a million other things going on ... one or two would have been sufficient.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. I loved the characters and the writing style. There was some humor mixed in with all the heartache and drama. But the clincher for me was the ending ... so perfect! Loved my Summer girl and my Winter boy ... they will be in my heart for quite a while.
How can a book filled with deviant fuckery, horrid family drama, blackmail and drug smuggling be one of the most original and heartwarming romances - setting my lady bits on fire & my heart into palpitations?
Summer Dey is a pink haired, quick witted, meteorological wiz. She's been studying clouds in South America for 18 months and is (begrudgingly) returning home for her sister's wedding.
Jai Winter is a famous model and secret sex slave. He's returning to work and home, thankful to leave his unwanted life of debauchery for a while and contemplating ways to die.
When their paths cross and the pair end up stranded together, sleeping on the airport floor ... something magical is conceived.
"Summer." He eased back and whispered her name as if it was a prayer and the sound of his voice made her melt against him.
I won't give away any major plot points or story details ... but I will say that what ensues is full of heart-stopping, life altering and death-defying moments. There is a lot of tension. There is a lot of dramatic action. There is a lot of panty-melting sex. And a whole lot of endearing romance.
"You're my light, my warmth, the summer in my life, the sun in my world."
Why not 5 stars? At some points there was almost too much going on. It became slightly unbelievable because of the number of high-scale dramatic moments in this book. It was such a well crafted love story ... I didn't need to have a million other things going on ... one or two would have been sufficient.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. I loved the characters and the writing style. There was some humor mixed in with all the heartache and drama. But the clincher for me was the ending ... so perfect! Loved my Summer girl and my Winter boy ... they will be in my heart for quite a while.
May 31, 2022
Barbara Elsborg has written absolutely the cutest meet cute in the history of romances ever.
With tensions high over missing flights, plus the strain of what both MCs have recently been through, they're held up while their belts tangle and fight for dominance in the airport security bin.
Such wonderful chemistry between these two, and they literally save each other. Which is my favorite part of the plot in a Barbara Elsborg romance. (In addition to the spectacular lovin', of course!)
There's terrific family drama, and a nice little thriller as well. Summer Girl, Winter Boy is a very creative, unique, and thoroughly enjoyable romance novel.
With tensions high over missing flights, plus the strain of what both MCs have recently been through, they're held up while their belts tangle and fight for dominance in the airport security bin.
Such wonderful chemistry between these two, and they literally save each other. Which is my favorite part of the plot in a Barbara Elsborg romance. (In addition to the spectacular lovin', of course!)
There's terrific family drama, and a nice little thriller as well. Summer Girl, Winter Boy is a very creative, unique, and thoroughly enjoyable romance novel.
April 3, 2014
5 Fabulous Stars
Absolutely loved this.....
Jai Winter is a designer model, he has everything, women falling over themselves at him, money....but he is being blackmailed into being a sex plaything for his agents and their friends. Feeling he has no way out suicide seems the only solution...that is until he meets Summer Dey..
Summer has just spent 18 months in South America. On her way home to attend her sister's wedding.... she realises that someone has tampered with her bag and it now contains drugs..
Panicking she leaves everything behind and while she waits for her flight to the UK she meets Jai...
I love Barbara Elsborg dry British humour. It has everything I look for in a story.
With blackmail, drug dealers and fabulous hot sex and the chemistry between these two wow..its a hit!!
Jai is very protective of Summer . Her family are cold and uncaring except for her father.. but with Jai by her side he stands up for her.
He tries to keep her safe, he wants her..
Summer has her own secrets, can she be strong enough to tell Jai and can Jai tell her his...
Loved seeing Charlie Storm from Strangers included in this story..all in all a 5 Star read for me...Brilliant!!!
Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my favorite authors...
Absolutely loved this.....
Jai Winter is a designer model, he has everything, women falling over themselves at him, money....but he is being blackmailed into being a sex plaything for his agents and their friends. Feeling he has no way out suicide seems the only solution...that is until he meets Summer Dey..
Summer has just spent 18 months in South America. On her way home to attend her sister's wedding.... she realises that someone has tampered with her bag and it now contains drugs..
Panicking she leaves everything behind and while she waits for her flight to the UK she meets Jai...
I love Barbara Elsborg dry British humour. It has everything I look for in a story.
With blackmail, drug dealers and fabulous hot sex and the chemistry between these two wow..its a hit!!
Jai is very protective of Summer . Her family are cold and uncaring except for her father.. but with Jai by her side he stands up for her.
He tries to keep her safe, he wants her..
Summer has her own secrets, can she be strong enough to tell Jai and can Jai tell her his...
Loved seeing Charlie Storm from Strangers included in this story..all in all a 5 Star read for me...Brilliant!!!
Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my favorite authors...
February 14, 2014
Jenny: Well, how much did we devour this one G? I fell completely in love with the tortured, enigmatic and sexy Jai and the damaged, beautiful and engaging Summer. What an absolutely magic couple they were. Despite their torrid pasts and tragic presents, they were an absolute delight to read. That sounds a bit like a contradiction, but Barbara Elsborg does have that unique knack of introducing witty banter in her writing, yet she manages to never detract the reader from the emotional, the dramatic or the grittiness of the scene. At times I’m sure I read this with a big dopey grin on my face from giggling or swooning and the rest of the time wiping tears from my eyes from the pain and torment Jai and Summer experienced.
“Do you think you could love me?” – Summer
“Yes.”…..”Yes, I could love you.” -Jai
Summer Girl, Winter Boy was an absolute winner for me and had me burning the midnight (or should I say wee small hours of the morning) candle. I couldn’t stop reading no matter what. I loved with them, I cried with them, I swooned with them, I felt every ounce of their pain and suffering and I laughed with them …in fact, I felt so much a part of “them” – as if I was participating in their story, not merely reading it.
‘She was thinking of him and not herself. When had any other woman done that? Summer was a risk. Was he strong enough to take it?’ – Jai
Barbara Elsborg had me eagerly turning the pages from the first chapter, I was hooked and there was no turning back. The opening scenes brought me to my knees, I was horrified at Jai’s situation and could feel Jai’s despondency right off the pages. Just when I thought I could relax, something else would be thrown at me and I had to keep reading!
Gitte: I really think this story is Barbara Elsborg at her very best and I LOVED every word of it. Summer Girl, Winter Boy is superb and Barbara has this flawless addictive writing that exudes confidence in her ability to inject just the right amount of drama, humour and passion.
Her characters have such depth and come across so very real. There’s no question when you’re reading that they’re people you could meet down the pub on a Friday night. They are affable, down to earth, easy to connect to and extremely lovable. I fell in love, I fell in lust, I cried, I laughed and I melted into a puddle. How is that not perfection?!
‘One press of her lips and he fell. It was as though whatever had been damaged inside him for so long was coming back to life. For years, he hadn’t allowed himself to feel, because that way he kept himself safe, but Summer was making him feel. And as much as he loved it, it scared him because she couldn’t be part of his fucked-up life. He didn’t want to hurt her.’ – Jai
The story of Summer and Jai is all encompassing; it’s romantic, emotional and thrilling. It’s everything a passionate reader would look for in a story. Barbara captures you from page one and doesn’t let go of you until you’ve turned that last page. It was a journey of sublime excellence and I really think Barbara’s style of writing is faultless and extremely.
Jenny: I think I fell in love with Summer from the first page. I was drawn to her and intrigued by her. What made her live a more or less secluded life in South America for 18 months? What made her gun shy of men and relationships and why was she dreading her move back to the UK? What happened in her past that made her so unhappy and unresponsive to opening her heart until Jai came along?
“I have a feeling you didn’t find what you came here for.” – Jai
“I found peace.”….”But not happiness.” – Summer
Her story was indeed sad and as the story of this selfless woman, who had endured years of suffering a guilt that wasn’t hers to bear, came to light, my heart broke. A set of unfortunate incidences had seen her hold so much pain inside. An outcast from her family, made to feel like nothing more than an inconvenience, this beautiful, warm and caring woman stole my heart right along with Jai’s.
“Are you feeling okay?” – Summer
“I haven’t for a long time, but now I am.”- Jai
Her chance meeting with Jai ignited a fire in Summer, he kick started her heart and she in turn made this self loathing man feel whole, feel needed and feel loved, Summer made him feel as if his life was worth living. She was the summer to his winter. And Jai…oh Gitte…Jai…what a guy..selfless to a fault!
Gitte: Yeah Jai was an amazing hero. A true, tragic and real hero. A man who’s suffered and carries a burden no one should have to carry. You can appear confident, suave and in control, however, behind the façade and the image who knows what horrors lurk!?!
‘He’d forgotten who he was. He had a face to fit all occasions but it was never his own.’
Jai is a sought after male model who seems to have it all yet behind closed doors he carries a dark and sordid secret. A secret forced upon him of which he has no control or choice. Jai personifies hopelessness and self-loathing; the consequences of actions which are necessary to protect the people he loves. Wow, I cried so many times and my heart broke for this brave, funny and beautiful man. The situations Jai gets placed in made me shiver, feel angry and wanting to climb into my kindle with a giant weapon of mass bad people destruction. Self-worth when beaten out of you is very hard to retrieve so thank God for Summer, who I loved, not only because of who this awesome girl is but also for how she saved Jai! He didn’t think he deserved her, but he truly did just as she deserved a man like Jai. Not only did Summer save Jai but Jai did the same for her. Seriously LOVE this man!
‘I like her and I want to keep her and I can’t. Fuck it.’
Jai had me crying one minute and laughing and swooning the next. He is perfect!!!! He just didn’t see this himself though and it took the beautiful Summer for him to realise!
“Everything you do winds me tighter. Everything you do makes me burn hotter, faster, brighter. I ought to be pushing you away from me as hard as I can because I can only bring you trouble, but I can’t let you go. I need you. You make me strong.” – Jai
J&G: Barbara Elsborg gripped us from the outset with a very disturbing first chapter that created a feeling of unease in the pit of our stomachs dreading what was to come with some nervous anticipation.
We wondered where this story was going to go and although the first chapter was a little reminiscent of another book we had read, by the second chapter it was clearly evident this was indeed its own book and it stood out for being quite different to a lot of what we’ve read lately….another reason it was a winner for us.
Jai and Summer’s painful story is so beautifully told and we were captivated us from start to finish with the right blend of everything we love in an adult romance story.
“I’m desperate to kiss you.” – Jai
“How desperate?” – Summer
“Deeply, madly, desperately desperate.” – Jai
Summer Girl, Winter Boy had it all. It was chock full of warm and relatable characters, some evil characters we’d love to strangle; it was at times a gritty and raw read, and it brought drama and angst in the right doses and let’s not forget the steam factor…wow!!! It was as witty as it was sad, as sexy as it was sweet and packed with emotion and passion. There were times we were on the edge of our seats, times we felt anger over Jai and Summers predicaments, and other times we were swooning and grinning like fools over the sexy and humorous banter between Summer and Jai.
“……but oh my god, that is one beautiful….thing…penis…cock…dick…tinkle, you have there. Shut me up now before I say something stupid.” Summer
Yep….a definite winner! Oh…and not to mention we got to catch up with Charlie and Kate from Strangers….we may have got a tad overly excited when that scene came about. We definitely recommend adding this standalone to your TBR’s. We LOVED it!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
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May 23, 2014Great dialogue, great heroine and one of the best first kisses I've ever read.
An original slave fic premise for our hero but one that some readers might find difficult to accept. Blackmailed into being a sex slave over a period of ten years may seem excessive, but I was okay with it. We all get stuck in a habit forming rut and accept the things we cannot change, and for Jai this is what it was. A dark place without any hope of escape until he meets his Summer girl.
Elsborg transforms a dark and horrible beginning into something worth rooting for. I loved the transformation and the reward. Niggles? Yes, I have them but nothing to deter my overall enjoyment of this story. I read it in one sitting - such was the compulsion to see it to the end. Enjoyable romantic and erotic fiction with just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages.
An original slave fic premise for our hero but one that some readers might find difficult to accept. Blackmailed into being a sex slave over a period of ten years may seem excessive, but I was okay with it. We all get stuck in a habit forming rut and accept the things we cannot change, and for Jai this is what it was. A dark place without any hope of escape until he meets his Summer girl.
Elsborg transforms a dark and horrible beginning into something worth rooting for. I loved the transformation and the reward. Niggles? Yes, I have them but nothing to deter my overall enjoyment of this story. I read it in one sitting - such was the compulsion to see it to the end. Enjoyable romantic and erotic fiction with just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages.
April 11, 2014
I have so many DNFs this week and finally this book brought me back on track.
Jai Winter - a sweet and charming, famous model and an unwilling modern sex slave who was blackmailed by his agent. He endured a decade of tortured to protect the people he loves. He considered ending his life in so many ways.
Summer Dey - a funny and carefree young meteorologist and someone who was misunderstood by her family for causing an awful tragedy. She was running away from the stress of the family by travelling around South America for 18 months. Then she found out she was a victim of drug trafficking.
They both met when they were stranded in the Philadelphia airport and spent an unforgettable night together. What was supposed to be a one night stand turned into something sweet and lovely when they both want to make it work upon arriving back at their home-turf, London.
I found the relationship that Jai and Summer built together was really sweet and endearing. Is the kind that make you swoon instead of feeling frustrated. They were so silly and happy together. Despite the dark cloud that surrounded them constantly, it never felt depressed or heavy. Before you think Jai must had some serious issue due to his predicament, he was actually really sweet-natured.
Jai wanted to look for a way out of his fucked up lives and wanted a future with Summer. He was hoping she could accept him when she found out the truth. Summer wanted to get her family forgiveness, while dealing with some drug dealers breathing down her neck. And Jai just seemed too perfect for a boyfriend, she can't help looking out for his flaws.
Will they survive it and came out unscathed? Of course they do. They were so supportive of each other and never judge the other of what happened in the past. They were both so genuine and giving and I had a huge smile on my face when reading this.
Love this simply, fun and loving standalone. Charlie and Kate, the couple from Strangers make a brief appearance and they were too adorable. I think I might head over and read their story.
Jai Winter - a sweet and charming, famous model and an unwilling modern sex slave who was blackmailed by his agent. He endured a decade of tortured to protect the people he loves. He considered ending his life in so many ways.
Summer Dey - a funny and carefree young meteorologist and someone who was misunderstood by her family for causing an awful tragedy. She was running away from the stress of the family by travelling around South America for 18 months. Then she found out she was a victim of drug trafficking.
They both met when they were stranded in the Philadelphia airport and spent an unforgettable night together. What was supposed to be a one night stand turned into something sweet and lovely when they both want to make it work upon arriving back at their home-turf, London.
I found the relationship that Jai and Summer built together was really sweet and endearing. Is the kind that make you swoon instead of feeling frustrated. They were so silly and happy together. Despite the dark cloud that surrounded them constantly, it never felt depressed or heavy. Before you think Jai must had some serious issue due to his predicament, he was actually really sweet-natured.
Jai wanted to look for a way out of his fucked up lives and wanted a future with Summer. He was hoping she could accept him when she found out the truth. Summer wanted to get her family forgiveness, while dealing with some drug dealers breathing down her neck. And Jai just seemed too perfect for a boyfriend, she can't help looking out for his flaws.
Will they survive it and came out unscathed? Of course they do. They were so supportive of each other and never judge the other of what happened in the past. They were both so genuine and giving and I had a huge smile on my face when reading this.
Love this simply, fun and loving standalone. Charlie and Kate, the couple from Strangers make a brief appearance and they were too adorable. I think I might head over and read their story.
February 17, 2014
Jai a famous male model is being blackmailed. He complies with his blackmailers demands, because if the secret about his family member was to be made public it would destroy his family. So for ten long years Jai allows this couple to sexually abuse him, often allowing their friends to participate. The fact that the couple were his agent and his wife, people who were supposed to have his best interests at heart made the whole thing more horrific.
Then he meets Summer, she's like a breath of fresh air. Summer is not without her own drama. But these two hit it off. Summer tries to support Jai but he's on a downward spiral. Eventually things come to a head, it's make or break time.
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book at all. The scenes of Jai's abuse were unpleasant and seemed there just for effect. The fact that Jai was allowing himself to be blackmailed to protect a close family member with whom he had never confronted or attempted to discuss wether the accusations were true I found totally incredulous and unbelievable. Especially as the abuse has been going on for a decade! The plot had more holes than a string vest.
His light and fluffy relationship with Summer felt all wrong and out of place in this. The baddies were ridiculously OTT. This is not sweet or romantic, in fact for those of you concerned by explicit content and graphic scenes including rape, you might want to avoid this.
Then he meets Summer, she's like a breath of fresh air. Summer is not without her own drama. But these two hit it off. Summer tries to support Jai but he's on a downward spiral. Eventually things come to a head, it's make or break time.
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book at all. The scenes of Jai's abuse were unpleasant and seemed there just for effect. The fact that Jai was allowing himself to be blackmailed to protect a close family member with whom he had never confronted or attempted to discuss wether the accusations were true I found totally incredulous and unbelievable. Especially as the abuse has been going on for a decade! The plot had more holes than a string vest.
His light and fluffy relationship with Summer felt all wrong and out of place in this. The baddies were ridiculously OTT. This is not sweet or romantic, in fact for those of you concerned by explicit content and graphic scenes including rape, you might want to avoid this.
February 15, 2014
Jenny: Well, how much did we devour this one G? I fell completely in love with the tortured, enigmatic and sexy Jai and the damaged, beautiful and engaging Summer. What an absolutely magic couple they were. Despite their torrid pasts and tragic presents, they were an absolute delight to read. That sounds a bit like a contradiction, but Barbara Elsborg does have that unique knack of introducing witty banter in her writing, yet she manages to never detract the reader from the emotional, the dramatic or the grittiness of the scene. At times I’m sure I read this with a big dopey grin on my face from giggling or swooning and the rest of the time wiping tears from my eyes from the pain and torment Jai and Summer experienced.
“Do you think you could love me?” – Summer
“Yes.”…..”Yes, I could love you.” -Jai
Summer Girl, Winter Boy was an absolute winner for me and had me burning the midnight (or should I say wee small hours of the morning) candle. I couldn’t stop reading no matter what. I loved with them, I cried with them, I swooned with them, I felt every ounce of their pain and suffering and I laughed with them …in fact, I felt so much a part of “them” – as if I was participating in their story, not merely reading it.
‘She was thinking of him and not herself. When had any other woman done that? Summer was a risk. Was he strong enough to take it?’ – Jai
Barbara Elsborg had me eagerly turning the pages from the first chapter, I was hooked and there was no turning back. The opening scenes brought me to my knees, I was horrified at Jai’s situation and could feel Jai’s despondency right off the pages. Just when I thought I could relax, something else would be thrown at me and I had to keep reading!
Gitte: I really think this story is Barbara Elsborg at her very best and I LOVED every word of it. Summer Girl, Winter Boy is superb and Barbara has this flawless addictive writing that exudes confidence in her ability to inject just the right amount of drama, humour and passion.
Her characters have such depth and come across so very real. There’s no question when you’re reading that they’re people you could meet down the pub on a Friday night. They are affable, down to earth, easy to connect to and extremely lovable. I fell in love, I fell in lust, I cried, I laughed and I melted into a puddle. How is that not perfection?!
‘One press of her lips and he fell. It was as though whatever had been damaged inside him for so long was coming back to life. For years, he hadn’t allowed himself to feel, because that way he kept himself safe, but Summer was making him feel. And as much as he loved it, it scared him because she couldn’t be part of his fucked-up life. He didn’t want to hurt her.’ – Jai
The story of Summer and Jai is all encompassing; it’s romantic, emotional and thrilling. It’s everything a passionate reader would look for in a story. Barbara captures you from page one and doesn’t let go of you until you’ve turned that last page. It was a journey of sublime excellence and I really think Barbara’s style of writing is faultless and extremely.
Jenny: I think I fell in love with Summer from the first page. I was drawn to her and intrigued by her. What made her live a more or less secluded life in South America for 18 months? What made her gun shy of men and relationships and why was she dreading her move back to the UK? What happened in her past that made her so unhappy and unresponsive to opening her heart until Jai came along?
“I have a feeling you didn’t find what you came here for.” – Jai
“I found peace.”….”But not happiness.” – Summer
Her story was indeed sad and as the story of this selfless woman, who had endured years of suffering a guilt that wasn’t hers to bear, came to light, my heart broke. A set of unfortunate incidences had seen her hold so much pain inside. An outcast from her family, made to feel like nothing more than an inconvenience, this beautiful, warm and caring woman stole my heart right along with Jai’s.
“Are you feeling okay?” – Summer
“I haven’t for a long time, but now I am.”- Jai
Her chance meeting with Jai ignited a fire in Summer, he kick started her heart and she in turn made this self loathing man feel whole, feel needed and feel loved, Summer made him feel as if his life was worth living. She was the summer to his winter. And Jai…oh Gitte…Jai…what a guy..selfless to a fault!
Gitte: Yeah Jai was an amazing hero. A true, tragic and real hero. A man who’s suffered and carries a burden no one should have to carry. You can appear confident, suave and in control, however, behind the façade and the image who knows what horrors lurk!?!
‘He’d forgotten who he was. He had a face to fit all occasions but it was never his own.’
Jai is a sought after male model who seems to have it all yet behind closed doors he carries a dark and sordid secret. A secret forced upon him of which he has no control or choice. Jai personifies hopelessness and self-loathing; the consequences of actions which are necessary to protect the people he loves. Wow, I cried so many times and my heart broke for this brave, funny and beautiful man. The situations Jai gets placed in made me shiver, feel angry and wanting to climb into my kindle with a giant weapon of mass bad people destruction. Self-worth when beaten out of you is very hard to retrieve so thank God for Summer, who I loved, not only because of who this awesome girl is but also for how she saved Jai! He didn’t think he deserved her, but he truly did just as she deserved a man like Jai. Not only did Summer save Jai but Jai did the same for her. Seriously LOVE this man!
‘I like her and I want to keep her and I can’t. Fuck it.’
Jai had me crying one minute and laughing and swooning the next. He is perfect!!!! He just didn’t see this himself though and it took the beautiful Summer for him to realise!
“Everything you do winds me tighter. Everything you do makes me burn hotter, faster, brighter. I ought to be pushing you away from me as hard as I can because I can only bring you trouble, but I can’t let you go. I need you. You make me strong.” – Jai
J&G: Barbara Elsborg gripped us from the outset with a very disturbing first chapter that created a feeling of unease in the pit of our stomachs dreading what was to come with some nervous anticipation.
We wondered where this story was going to go and although the first chapter was a little reminiscent of another book we had read, by the second chapter it was clearly evident this was indeed its own book and it stood out for being quite different to a lot of what we’ve read lately….another reason it was a winner for us.
Jai and Summer’s painful story is so beautifully told and we were captivated us from start to finish with the right blend of everything we love in an adult romance story.
“I’m desperate to kiss you.” – Jai
“How desperate?” – Summer
“Deeply, madly, desperately desperate.” – Jai
Summer Girl, Winter Boy had it all. It was chock full of warm and relatable characters, some evil characters we’d love to strangle; it was at times a gritty and raw read, and it brought drama and angst in the right doses and let’s not forget the steam factor…wow!!! It was as witty as it was sad, as sexy as it was sweet and packed with emotion and passion. There were times we were on the edge of our seats, times we felt anger over Jai and Summers predicaments, and other times we were swooning and grinning like fools over the sexy and humorous banter between Summer and Jai.
“……but oh my god, that is one beautiful….thing…penis…cock…dick…tinkle, you have there. Shut me up now before I say something stupid.” Summer
Yep….a definite winner! Oh…and not to mention we got to catch up with Charlie and Kate from Strangers….we may have got a tad overly excited when that scene came about. We definitely recommend adding this standalone to your TBR’s. We LOVED it!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
February 26, 2014
3 solid stars because I like the way BE writes and I am always amazed over the exquisite sexual prowess of her characters.
I thought the storyline was too unbelievable, but I enjoyed it enough.
I thought the storyline was too unbelievable, but I enjoyed it enough.
February 25, 2014
4.5 Stars.
I have to confess that I am very careful when choosing to read a Barbara Elsborg book because some of the blurbs are just not to my taste. Maybe one day I will step outside my comfort zone but I also know what I like. At its heart I want the boy meets girl, they fall in love and ultimately live happily ever after. What I love about Barbara Elsborg is that while the destination may be the same, she definitely takes the road less travelled to get there.
This book contrasts dark, being Jai caught up in a horrible situation, with light and tender moments. Add to that the suspense of Summer's situation, some beautifully funny/clever dialogue, and top it all off with some super steamy scenes. Yep, I loved it.
Jai and Summer were really interesting characters who rarely acted as I expected. I also appreciated that the story did not get bogged down in angst. It amazes me that I was able to forgive these characters for their flaws, but I so wanted Jai and Summer to save each other. Yep, I am a hopeless romantic.
If you love stories with less than perfect heros/heroines, and can handle some darker themes, then definitely give this one a try.
I have to confess that I am very careful when choosing to read a Barbara Elsborg book because some of the blurbs are just not to my taste. Maybe one day I will step outside my comfort zone but I also know what I like. At its heart I want the boy meets girl, they fall in love and ultimately live happily ever after. What I love about Barbara Elsborg is that while the destination may be the same, she definitely takes the road less travelled to get there.
This book contrasts dark, being Jai caught up in a horrible situation, with light and tender moments. Add to that the suspense of Summer's situation, some beautifully funny/clever dialogue, and top it all off with some super steamy scenes. Yep, I loved it.
Jai and Summer were really interesting characters who rarely acted as I expected. I also appreciated that the story did not get bogged down in angst. It amazes me that I was able to forgive these characters for their flaws, but I so wanted Jai and Summer to save each other. Yep, I am a hopeless romantic.
If you love stories with less than perfect heros/heroines, and can handle some darker themes, then definitely give this one a try.
April 29, 2014
Loved it....
Flawed characters, witty dialogue and off the charts chemistry. Absolutely perfect for me!!!
Flawed characters, witty dialogue and off the charts chemistry. Absolutely perfect for me!!!
February 22, 2014
So one of the first books I I read after FSOG was Barbara Elsborg's Strangers, which I LOVED. If you have read Strangers, Jai is the twin brother of Richard, who played a pivotal role in Kate meeting rock star Charlie. (And we get to visit with Kate and Charlie again in Summer Girl!) I fell in love with the author's writing in Strangers so I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Summer Girl, Winter Boy. And what a delicious, steamy, addictive read it is!
Jai is a famous model who has been blackmailed for years by his agent and his wife. Jai endures humiliation and degradation, in a very misguided attempt to protect his family from scandal. He meets Summer, who is hiding her own dangerous secrets but who is literally a breath of fresh air in Jai's tortured life. Summer is funny, smart and a little bit of an oddball.
Summer has no idea who Jai is and so she is unfazed by his celebrity status. I loved how they met and their dialogue is sharp and funny. And the sex scenes? To say they are steamy is an understatement! The story is totally gripping and the characters are vulnerable, real and insecure. I fell in love with Jai and I literally could not put this book down until he got his HEA. There was something about his character that really pulled at my emotions.
There is plenty of really funny dialogue to balance out the emotional roller coaster of this book. It is sexy, funny, sad and filled with unforgettable characters. This story is perfectly written and I highly recommend it!
(ARC kindly provided by the author.)
Jai is a famous model who has been blackmailed for years by his agent and his wife. Jai endures humiliation and degradation, in a very misguided attempt to protect his family from scandal. He meets Summer, who is hiding her own dangerous secrets but who is literally a breath of fresh air in Jai's tortured life. Summer is funny, smart and a little bit of an oddball.
Summer has no idea who Jai is and so she is unfazed by his celebrity status. I loved how they met and their dialogue is sharp and funny. And the sex scenes? To say they are steamy is an understatement! The story is totally gripping and the characters are vulnerable, real and insecure. I fell in love with Jai and I literally could not put this book down until he got his HEA. There was something about his character that really pulled at my emotions.
There is plenty of really funny dialogue to balance out the emotional roller coaster of this book. It is sexy, funny, sad and filled with unforgettable characters. This story is perfectly written and I highly recommend it!
(ARC kindly provided by the author.)
January 24, 2015
Barbara Elsborg doesn't fail to deliver with Summer Girl Winter Boy. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down, it was a great mix of emotion and humor that pulled me right in. In typical Elsborg fashion she takes two very broken characters and makes them shine.
Model Jai Winter is a great tortured hero. Beneath his good looks and popularity is a man who suffers a terrible burden. As he makes a list of possible ways to commit suicide while drowning his sorrow in pills and liquor your heart breaks for him. He wants to protect his family and thus is forced into doing things against his will.
Summer Dey bas spent eighteen months in South America doing meteorological research, as well as running from her past. But a chance meeting in an airport places these two broken people into each other's paths, and gives them each hope that they can heal.
The dialog between the characters is witty and fun, yet doesn't take away from the emotional aspects of the story. And as always, Elsborg delivers on the passion. For an added bonus, we get to see Charlie and Kate from Strangers, whom I also loved. Definitely a keeper!
Model Jai Winter is a great tortured hero. Beneath his good looks and popularity is a man who suffers a terrible burden. As he makes a list of possible ways to commit suicide while drowning his sorrow in pills and liquor your heart breaks for him. He wants to protect his family and thus is forced into doing things against his will.
Summer Dey bas spent eighteen months in South America doing meteorological research, as well as running from her past. But a chance meeting in an airport places these two broken people into each other's paths, and gives them each hope that they can heal.
The dialog between the characters is witty and fun, yet doesn't take away from the emotional aspects of the story. And as always, Elsborg delivers on the passion. For an added bonus, we get to see Charlie and Kate from Strangers, whom I also loved. Definitely a keeper!
October 1, 2016
Really a 4.5 read. Very entertaining, superbly written (wonderful English humor), steamy and kinky in places (especially in the beginning when you really wonder what's going on) and even some Bondian type hijinks. The story is about a male model who literally sold his soul at 17 to be represented by a nefarious agent in the modeling world. Ten years later he is recognized around the world but is still being blackmailed by his agent because of his earlier mistakes.
The model meets a pink haired girl at the Philadelphia airport when they are both snowed in and can't get another flight until the next day. She has been traveling around South America for a year or so trying to recover from a tragedy at home that it takes her awhile to tell the model about. She also discovers that people she thought of as friends during her South American travels had packed her suitcases and other packages she had shipped home ahead of her with drugs. Fortunately she finds the drugs in her suitcase before she goes through security but doesn't realize there is also cocaine in her shipped home packages until later.
Each of them have really created some messes in their lives, but they form a deep bond and eventually save each other. A great read that I really enjoyed.
The model meets a pink haired girl at the Philadelphia airport when they are both snowed in and can't get another flight until the next day. She has been traveling around South America for a year or so trying to recover from a tragedy at home that it takes her awhile to tell the model about. She also discovers that people she thought of as friends during her South American travels had packed her suitcases and other packages she had shipped home ahead of her with drugs. Fortunately she finds the drugs in her suitcase before she goes through security but doesn't realize there is also cocaine in her shipped home packages until later.
Each of them have really created some messes in their lives, but they form a deep bond and eventually save each other. A great read that I really enjoyed.
March 5, 2014
4.5 stars
Barbara Elsborg...need I say more
Great well developed characters, and a fun and imaginative dialogue that had me laughing out loud. The plot as usual from Barbara Elsborg was strong and I must say I thought I had a good idea where the storyline was going but I was wrong...wrong...wrong.
Summer and Jai...what an emotionally damaged pair these two were but they just kept trolling on, and what a magic couple. Summer could so easily have turned into a blubbery, annoying 'feel sorry for me' girl but thankfully she picked herself up, shook herself down and battled on to find the answers to overcome the many obstacles that threw themselves at her.
This tale contains it all...drugs, sexual slavery, blackmail, suspense, high dramas and emotions, all tied together with humorous banter. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars are purely that I felt Jai's agent Saul and his wife Marta did not suffer enough for what they did to Jai. This is where I had made up some huge nasty plot of revenge in my head that did not happen.
A highly enjoyable read with an unforgettable cast of characters x
Barbara Elsborg...need I say more
Great well developed characters, and a fun and imaginative dialogue that had me laughing out loud. The plot as usual from Barbara Elsborg was strong and I must say I thought I had a good idea where the storyline was going but I was wrong...wrong...wrong.
Summer and Jai...what an emotionally damaged pair these two were but they just kept trolling on, and what a magic couple. Summer could so easily have turned into a blubbery, annoying 'feel sorry for me' girl but thankfully she picked herself up, shook herself down and battled on to find the answers to overcome the many obstacles that threw themselves at her.
This tale contains it all...drugs, sexual slavery, blackmail, suspense, high dramas and emotions, all tied together with humorous banter. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars are purely that I felt Jai's agent Saul and his wife Marta did not suffer enough for what they did to Jai. This is where I had made up some huge nasty plot of revenge in my head that did not happen.
A highly enjoyable read with an unforgettable cast of characters x
February 15, 2014
I hesitated to buy this book since I had never read this author before and this book costs $7.99; more than I would usually EVER pay for an author unknown to me (and even rarely for one I do know)! In any case, the ladies at Totally Booked blog spoke so very highly of it so I put on my big girl panties and 1-clicked it and hunkered down to see what all the fuss was about. I am very, very glad that I did! It was a 5+++ star read for me too; absolutely brilliant!! The characters all have such character, there are twists and turns (plus it's freaky and heart-warming and adventurous and so much more). If I were to absolutely recommend a new book for this year so far it would be Summer Girl, Winter Boy! Truly moved up into one of my favorite books of all times. I cannot say enough about how much I loved this book!!!
April 14, 2014
5 perfect stars! Sassy, sarcastic and funny heroine ? Hot, sweet and courageous hero ? Original, touching and captivating story ? YES PLEASE !
November 23, 2014
LOVED IT .this book is sexy, funny as hell, sad, beautifully written,and filled with unforgettable characters.
A perfect romance novel ;-)
A perfect romance novel ;-)
November 17, 2014
Why 5 stars you ask??
Why the HELL not I say!!! Kick ass, grab-the-bull-by-its-horns main characters. Intriguing, nail-bitting, panty-wetting, stomach-fluttering, heart-warming plot!!!
Why the HELL not I say!!! Kick ass, grab-the-bull-by-its-horns main characters. Intriguing, nail-bitting, panty-wetting, stomach-fluttering, heart-warming plot!!!
April 3, 2014
4.5 AMAZING STARS
“You’re my light, my warmth, the summer in my life, the sun in my world. You helped me see possibilities when everything seemed black and hopeless.”
LOVED every minute of this story and just love Barbara Elsborg. Her stories are so well written with witty, real dialogue and her characters are always so rich in layers, so real with flaws and all.
I always find it so easy to connect with and like her main characters. Jai Winter and Summer Dey were just fantastic and I absolutely loved everything about them.
“You smell like sunshine.” “Oh.” She gulped. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“My kiss is going to knock your socks off.”
“Not wearing any.”
“See?”
This story was fast paced, entertaining with the perfect touch of humour, angst, suspense and romance.I also loved that Kate and Charlie from Elsborg’s Strangers made an appearance. It was wonderful to see how they were doing and their part in this story just made sense. Really nice touch!
“You’re my light, my warmth, the summer in my life, the sun in my world. You helped me see possibilities when everything seemed black and hopeless.”
LOVED every minute of this story and just love Barbara Elsborg. Her stories are so well written with witty, real dialogue and her characters are always so rich in layers, so real with flaws and all.
I always find it so easy to connect with and like her main characters. Jai Winter and Summer Dey were just fantastic and I absolutely loved everything about them.
“You smell like sunshine.” “Oh.” She gulped. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“My kiss is going to knock your socks off.”
“Not wearing any.”
“See?”
This story was fast paced, entertaining with the perfect touch of humour, angst, suspense and romance.I also loved that Kate and Charlie from Elsborg’s Strangers made an appearance. It was wonderful to see how they were doing and their part in this story just made sense. Really nice touch!
September 12, 2014
4.4 stars!
Ohmygerd! I loved it. I devoured it. I want more! This book had a dark aspect, had humor, intense chemistry, it was awesome!
Jai is a well known model, that at a young age was tied into an arrangement with his agent and wife....a sexual one that he can't get out of. After ten years of this, Jai wants out. He has depression, and overall, really hates his life. Then at an airport, he meets Summer, and everythings changes. He has some hope.
The humor is what really made this book. The banter between Summer and Jai made them instantly really intimate, made me crave for more moments of them together. The chemistry between the two gave me instant butterflies, the way Summer and Jai are together is what I believe everyone wishes to find: someone you instantly click with, that you can laugh with, someone who can instantly turn your mood around without much effort, by just being themselves.
Honestly, I couldn't put this book down. I shouldn't be surprised since I was the same way with reading Strangers(we get a glimpse of Charlie Storm in this book too!)
Go read this! Now! You'll not regret it.
Ohmygerd! I loved it. I devoured it. I want more! This book had a dark aspect, had humor, intense chemistry, it was awesome!
Jai is a well known model, that at a young age was tied into an arrangement with his agent and wife....a sexual one that he can't get out of. After ten years of this, Jai wants out. He has depression, and overall, really hates his life. Then at an airport, he meets Summer, and everythings changes. He has some hope.
The humor is what really made this book. The banter between Summer and Jai made them instantly really intimate, made me crave for more moments of them together. The chemistry between the two gave me instant butterflies, the way Summer and Jai are together is what I believe everyone wishes to find: someone you instantly click with, that you can laugh with, someone who can instantly turn your mood around without much effort, by just being themselves.
Honestly, I couldn't put this book down. I shouldn't be surprised since I was the same way with reading Strangers(we get a glimpse of Charlie Storm in this book too!)
Go read this! Now! You'll not regret it.
September 3, 2014
I don't read much of romance novels with a lot of angst since I have this habit (not yet sure of it's a good thing or a bad thing) of losing myself in a story. I soon learned that Summer Girl, Winter Boy was more than an angst-filled story. It also gave way to humor and I really loved getting to know about Jai and Summer.
Jai Winter, a renowned model, is being blackmailed since he was seventeen years old. He has lost control of his life, turning to drugs and alcohol to endure and oftentimes thought about suicide. When he met Summer Dey, he felt he now had something to live for but she also has baggage of her own - literally. When she gets home after several months of studying clouds in South America, she realizes that she had been used in a drug dealing business. Not only that, she also has a hidden past.
I have originally given this 5 stars but I thought it over and gave it 4 stars instead. It can become too much at some points but all in all, I was really hooked.
Also we get to meet Charley and Kate from Strangers which I haven't read yet so I'm going to add that RIGHT NOW to my to-read list ;)
http://kaleidoscopeheartreviews.tumbl...
Jai Winter, a renowned model, is being blackmailed since he was seventeen years old. He has lost control of his life, turning to drugs and alcohol to endure and oftentimes thought about suicide. When he met Summer Dey, he felt he now had something to live for but she also has baggage of her own - literally. When she gets home after several months of studying clouds in South America, she realizes that she had been used in a drug dealing business. Not only that, she also has a hidden past.
I have originally given this 5 stars but I thought it over and gave it 4 stars instead. It can become too much at some points but all in all, I was really hooked.
Also we get to meet Charley and Kate from Strangers which I haven't read yet so I'm going to add that RIGHT NOW to my to-read list ;)
http://kaleidoscopeheartreviews.tumbl...
February 17, 2014
Ms. Elsborg does great characters. Ms. Elsborg does really great broken characters who find their perfect, other, broken half. And great, witty dialogue. Angst, but not as much as other stories of hers I've read. And a great HEA.
I loved that we got to see that the actions of Dick -- uh, Richard -- from Strangers were no reflection on his family. He's just a dick and his family is great. And it was great to see Charlie and Kate from Strangers again.
I loved how Jai and Summer met. I always love it when a celebrity can find someone who truly isn't after them for their celebrity. And I felt horrible for Jai from the beginning. What a demeaning, horrible existence. And what truly horrible, despicable people! And then I felt bad for Summer and all she'd been through with her family. I was glad when Jai threw back at them what they'd been doing to her for so long. And I was glad Summer could help Jai out of his situation. Poor kid... he was so young when it started.
Very enjoyable, and I thank the author for giving me a heads up that it had come out.
I loved that we got to see that the actions of Dick -- uh, Richard -- from Strangers were no reflection on his family. He's just a dick and his family is great. And it was great to see Charlie and Kate from Strangers again.
I loved how Jai and Summer met. I always love it when a celebrity can find someone who truly isn't after them for their celebrity. And I felt horrible for Jai from the beginning. What a demeaning, horrible existence. And what truly horrible, despicable people! And then I felt bad for Summer and all she'd been through with her family. I was glad when Jai threw back at them what they'd been doing to her for so long. And I was glad Summer could help Jai out of his situation. Poor kid... he was so young when it started.
Very enjoyable, and I thank the author for giving me a heads up that it had come out.
August 13, 2016
A beautiful story..Summer has her calamities as well does Jai, the ever popular
male model who is a sex slave to his agent..how does he get out of that?
how does he tell Summer? Summer tells her secrets before he does.
they meet in an airport and its kismet..love happens like that right?
what an adventure these 2 have..loved every minute of this book!!!
male model who is a sex slave to his agent..how does he get out of that?
how does he tell Summer? Summer tells her secrets before he does.
they meet in an airport and its kismet..love happens like that right?
what an adventure these 2 have..loved every minute of this book!!!
February 25, 2014
Damn you Ms. Elsborg - My 5 day "holiday" to Mexico was high-jacked by my obsession with this book! I loved the characters, and especially loved the inclusion of my favorite Barbara Elsborg characters from the past - well done my dear. If you have a few hours to completely tune out the rest of the world to read this book- I highly recommend it. Hell, I highly recommend it period.
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