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The Summer #4
The Summer I Destroyed You
"Destroying other people isn't going to make you feel any better."
"That suggests you've never destroyed an enemy before. It's actually quite fulfilling."
EMMY
Elliott Springs has small-town values, cobblestone streets, perfect scenery. These are things I don't care about. What I do care about is . . . Revenge. And no matter how compelling I find Liam Doherty -the guy focused on saving Elliott Springs- I'm going to get it.
LIAM
What do you call a woman who wants to destroy everything you love, yet the sight of her sets you on fire? Nemesis or future wife . . . and since she can't wait to leave California, I guess I know which one she is. Emerson Hughes wants to be the villain in our town's history, and the more I learn about her past here, the more I understand it. I wanted to save Elliott Springs. I think I want to save her even more.
"That suggests you've never destroyed an enemy before. It's actually quite fulfilling."
EMMY
Elliott Springs has small-town values, cobblestone streets, perfect scenery. These are things I don't care about. What I do care about is . . . Revenge. And no matter how compelling I find Liam Doherty -the guy focused on saving Elliott Springs- I'm going to get it.
LIAM
What do you call a woman who wants to destroy everything you love, yet the sight of her sets you on fire? Nemesis or future wife . . . and since she can't wait to leave California, I guess I know which one she is. Emerson Hughes wants to be the villain in our town's history, and the more I learn about her past here, the more I understand it. I wanted to save Elliott Springs. I think I want to save her even more.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2024
952 people are currently reading
6786 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth O'Roark
31 books7,532 followersElizabeth O’Roark lives in Washington, DC with her 3 children. After many years spent writing scintillating brochures about amniocentesis and heart surgery, she is thrilled to have found a job that allows her to just make s*** up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 841 reviews
May 19, 2024
UGH THIS WAS SO GOOD. and i loved the summer you found me but it was ANGSTYYYYY and this was the perfect drama but not break your heart angst like that one.
emerson left her small town, with all of its cruel bullying and trauma, behind years ago but she’s now incredibly successful and has the revenge opportunity of a lifetime - destroying the town that tried to break her and all of her bullies with it. except things get a little complicated when she has to stay in town to take care of her (awful) mother and finds that her contractor who she’s been texting nonstop for months has rival plans to preserve the town’s history instead.
if you’ve struggled with your weight, disordered eating, bullying around your body, etc. this might be a tough read but her story touched home for me and i just loved it. emerson really went through it and has a disordered attitude towards food and exercise because of it. the people in her town and her FUCKING MOMMMMM are the worst but she finally found someone who would stick up for her in liam and god, i just loved them.
emerson really built a shell around her heart and was distrusting and uncaring towards everyone until she met liam who showed her time and time again that he’d be there for her at every turn. emerson and liam had the wittiest back and forth, the most fiery tension and passion, and the deepest understanding and love for each other.
for my girls who love an ice queen, grumpy girl and the stories about why they became that way, you will love this and so appreciate liam’s funny attitude and unwavering support for her. i loved every second of this from start to finish. 10/10!!!
emerson left her small town, with all of its cruel bullying and trauma, behind years ago but she’s now incredibly successful and has the revenge opportunity of a lifetime - destroying the town that tried to break her and all of her bullies with it. except things get a little complicated when she has to stay in town to take care of her (awful) mother and finds that her contractor who she’s been texting nonstop for months has rival plans to preserve the town’s history instead.
if you’ve struggled with your weight, disordered eating, bullying around your body, etc. this might be a tough read but her story touched home for me and i just loved it. emerson really went through it and has a disordered attitude towards food and exercise because of it. the people in her town and her FUCKING MOMMMMM are the worst but she finally found someone who would stick up for her in liam and god, i just loved them.
emerson really built a shell around her heart and was distrusting and uncaring towards everyone until she met liam who showed her time and time again that he’d be there for her at every turn. emerson and liam had the wittiest back and forth, the most fiery tension and passion, and the deepest understanding and love for each other.
for my girls who love an ice queen, grumpy girl and the stories about why they became that way, you will love this and so appreciate liam’s funny attitude and unwavering support for her. i loved every second of this from start to finish. 10/10!!!
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May 25, 2024Available now!
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Grab your copy today! Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JaBJ6s
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/TSIDY
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3VL3N81
March 6, 2025
When former resident Emerson Hughes returns to Elliott Springs, she is hell bent on destroying the town she grew up in. Liam Doherty, determined to quit playing the field and finally settle down, decides to focus solely on his construction business. When Emmy hires Liam to renovate one of her companies properties, things go from flirty to flammable.
Oh yard boy…be still my heart. I had the pleasure of beta reading this one a few months back and of rereading via audio more recently, and in both cases, I came away absolutely adoring Liam.
TSIDY is yet another fantastic installment in the Summer series. While it still includes heavier themes such as abuse and abandonment, this book feels lighter and more playful in tone than the previous three books. We all know I love O’Roark’s writing, the feistier the better, and she absolutely delivered with the fiery text banter between Liam and Emmy. While slow burn enough to help us understand these characters both on their own and in their interactions with each other, once the spice got spicing, it was full steam ahead.
Emmy is one of the more interesting characters of the series. I cannot decide if I love her or love to hate her. She is a powerhouse figure - tough as nails and take no prisoners. But underneath her icy exterior, Emmy is about as relatable as they come, simply seeking to be wanted and loved like most of us do. The dichotomy between her rough outer layer and her vulnerable inner one, is really the heart of the story.
Spoiler alert - I have already read and reviewed the book that follows this one, and you are not going to want to miss it. We are treated to a bit of a sneak peek in this story so make sure you pay attention to a couple of side characters that will end up being the focus of book five.
Read if you like:
• small town
• workplace romance
• forced proximity
• enemies to lovers vibes
• witty banter
• insane chemistry
• the best spice
‼️ CW: Please DM me for more info if you are sensitive to triggers.
Thank you Elizabeth O'Roark for the opportunity to beta read this fabulous book and for the finished copy. Thank you also to Valentine PR for the gifted ebook.
Oh yard boy…be still my heart. I had the pleasure of beta reading this one a few months back and of rereading via audio more recently, and in both cases, I came away absolutely adoring Liam.
TSIDY is yet another fantastic installment in the Summer series. While it still includes heavier themes such as abuse and abandonment, this book feels lighter and more playful in tone than the previous three books. We all know I love O’Roark’s writing, the feistier the better, and she absolutely delivered with the fiery text banter between Liam and Emmy. While slow burn enough to help us understand these characters both on their own and in their interactions with each other, once the spice got spicing, it was full steam ahead.
Emmy is one of the more interesting characters of the series. I cannot decide if I love her or love to hate her. She is a powerhouse figure - tough as nails and take no prisoners. But underneath her icy exterior, Emmy is about as relatable as they come, simply seeking to be wanted and loved like most of us do. The dichotomy between her rough outer layer and her vulnerable inner one, is really the heart of the story.
Spoiler alert - I have already read and reviewed the book that follows this one, and you are not going to want to miss it. We are treated to a bit of a sneak peek in this story so make sure you pay attention to a couple of side characters that will end up being the focus of book five.
Read if you like:
• small town
• workplace romance
• forced proximity
• enemies to lovers vibes
• witty banter
• insane chemistry
• the best spice
‼️ CW: Please DM me for more info if you are sensitive to triggers.
Thank you Elizabeth O'Roark for the opportunity to beta read this fabulous book and for the finished copy. Thank you also to Valentine PR for the gifted ebook.
May 28, 2024
4.5 ★
June 10, 2024
-ˋˏ 4 stars!!
I wasn't expecting the last 20% to be so heavy... damn that was sad lol
This was refreshing to read, because the heroine was on a warpath, ready to get her revenge on all the people from her small town who wronged her. Man was that SATISFYING. She was a petty little bitch and she knew it, embraced it, and to top it all off, our hero loved her for it. He knew her reason and didn't try to stop her, he just loved her the way she was meant to be loved all along and trusted that she would do the right thing for herself because he trusted her no matter what.
The end was perfect romcom-wise, but I am also a petty little bitch and was hoping to see the whole town and everyone in it burn.
This wasn't as angsty as I thought it would be when it comes to the romance, but everything else was heavy af to read. Emmy, the heroine, didn't have the easiest childhood and unfortunately I could relate to her a little bit so the reading experience was a bit hard but also cathartic. The hero, Liam, was the man of everyone's dreams. Loved him.
I suggest checking trigger warnings first before going into this even though I'd categorize this as a funny romcom. Some characters say the most ridiculous shit and could trigger extreme anger so beware lol
“He laughs. I’ve found the one man alive who will laugh when I threaten to kill him. How have I gotten so lucky?”
I wasn't expecting the last 20% to be so heavy... damn that was sad lol
This was refreshing to read, because the heroine was on a warpath, ready to get her revenge on all the people from her small town who wronged her. Man was that SATISFYING. She was a petty little bitch and she knew it, embraced it, and to top it all off, our hero loved her for it. He knew her reason and didn't try to stop her, he just loved her the way she was meant to be loved all along and trusted that she would do the right thing for herself because he trusted her no matter what.
The end was perfect romcom-wise, but I am also a petty little bitch and was hoping to see the whole town and everyone in it burn.
This wasn't as angsty as I thought it would be when it comes to the romance, but everything else was heavy af to read. Emmy, the heroine, didn't have the easiest childhood and unfortunately I could relate to her a little bit so the reading experience was a bit hard but also cathartic. The hero, Liam, was the man of everyone's dreams. Loved him.
I suggest checking trigger warnings first before going into this even though I'd categorize this as a funny romcom. Some characters say the most ridiculous shit and could trigger extreme anger so beware lol
May 22, 2024
The Summer I Destroyed You by Elizabeth O'Roark
4.5/5 stars
The Summer I Destroyed You is my first but definitely not last book by Elizabeth O'Roark. It's such an easy read and I adore her writing style. It instantly sucks you into the story and I love the entire journey the characters went on.
The book starts with Emmy and Liam texting each other. She works for a company that bought property in Elliot Springs and she oversees the renovations. Liam is the contractor and that is the reason why they are in contact with one another. Emmy is harsh and doesn't take shit from anyone. Even while texting she shows her bitchiness. Liam completely falls for her and they text a lot. He sees that she is more than the facade she is showing everyone.
But then the day comes where they meet face to face. Emmy comes home to take care of her mother who just had an operation. And Liam realizes Emmy truly is a bitch. He wonders why he ever fell for her.
Emmy struggles a lot with her weight. She was bigger in her teenage years and got bullied intensively by her mother, former best friend and the kids at school. Emmy's goal is to destroy Elliot Springs and everyone who lives there.
While Liam wants to restore the heart of the town.
My heart broke for Emmy and how her mother treats her. I honestly want to slap her mother so hard. What a cruel, horrifying woman she is.
And when Liam overhears people still bullying and laughing at Emmy things change and he starts to see the woman again he texted with. And that is what this story is about. It's about the pain Emmy carries. It's about finding out why her mother is so horrible. It's about why her father left her. And why she suddenly became a target at school. It made her hard and unwilling. And the book is about Liam showing Emmy she is worthy, beautiful and deserves to be loved.
The character growth is immensely in this book and I loved that so much. This book is a beautiful and heartfelt story and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
4.5 big stars from me for this beauty!
4.5/5 stars
The Summer I Destroyed You is my first but definitely not last book by Elizabeth O'Roark. It's such an easy read and I adore her writing style. It instantly sucks you into the story and I love the entire journey the characters went on.
The book starts with Emmy and Liam texting each other. She works for a company that bought property in Elliot Springs and she oversees the renovations. Liam is the contractor and that is the reason why they are in contact with one another. Emmy is harsh and doesn't take shit from anyone. Even while texting she shows her bitchiness. Liam completely falls for her and they text a lot. He sees that she is more than the facade she is showing everyone.
But then the day comes where they meet face to face. Emmy comes home to take care of her mother who just had an operation. And Liam realizes Emmy truly is a bitch. He wonders why he ever fell for her.
Emmy struggles a lot with her weight. She was bigger in her teenage years and got bullied intensively by her mother, former best friend and the kids at school. Emmy's goal is to destroy Elliot Springs and everyone who lives there.
While Liam wants to restore the heart of the town.
My heart broke for Emmy and how her mother treats her. I honestly want to slap her mother so hard. What a cruel, horrifying woman she is.
And when Liam overhears people still bullying and laughing at Emmy things change and he starts to see the woman again he texted with. And that is what this story is about. It's about the pain Emmy carries. It's about finding out why her mother is so horrible. It's about why her father left her. And why she suddenly became a target at school. It made her hard and unwilling. And the book is about Liam showing Emmy she is worthy, beautiful and deserves to be loved.
The character growth is immensely in this book and I loved that so much. This book is a beautiful and heartfelt story and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
4.5 big stars from me for this beauty!
July 3, 2024
My first book by Elizabeth O'Roark and it was a complete disaster. There were some things I enjoyed, but mostly this book was boring and frustrating. I should've started her books with 'The Devils' series but my mood reading habits are a curse so what else can I do.
I was promised an angsty summer read and I hoped to atleast like the story but the majority of this book was nothing. The pacing was off and the slow-burn build up was tedious and left me feeling nothing. Liam and Emerson had chemistry but mostly it was because of how much they did not liked it each other and it was getting repitive.
Emerson wanted revenge from the small town she lived in, Elliot Springs, so she tried to buy everything in that town to change it's history or something. I don't remember much but it was something like that. She wanted revenge because she was bullied in high-school by everyone in that town as she was a plus size girl and everyone around her made fun of her for it, even her mother bullied her. I really felt bad for her but that doesn't justify the decisions she made in this book. She was frustrating me with how much she let others have control of her emotions. I get she felt like her revenge plan was the only thing that would make her feel better but what after that?
Liam was fine. He wanted to save the town he grew up in but also couldn't decide if he wanted to Emerson first. He did some good things in this book but I still don't like him that much.
The reveal in the ending was out of nowhere. It wasn't even that shocking honestly. There was no development in Emerson's character and she was still the same girl she was in the starting of this book except the revenge part. I can only hope for the previous books to be better.
I was promised an angsty summer read and I hoped to atleast like the story but the majority of this book was nothing. The pacing was off and the slow-burn build up was tedious and left me feeling nothing. Liam and Emerson had chemistry but mostly it was because of how much they did not liked it each other and it was getting repitive.
Emerson wanted revenge from the small town she lived in, Elliot Springs, so she tried to buy everything in that town to change it's history or something. I don't remember much but it was something like that. She wanted revenge because she was bullied in high-school by everyone in that town as she was a plus size girl and everyone around her made fun of her for it, even her mother bullied her. I really felt bad for her but that doesn't justify the decisions she made in this book. She was frustrating me with how much she let others have control of her emotions. I get she felt like her revenge plan was the only thing that would make her feel better but what after that?
Liam was fine. He wanted to save the town he grew up in but also couldn't decide if he wanted to Emerson first. He did some good things in this book but I still don't like him that much.
The reveal in the ending was out of nowhere. It wasn't even that shocking honestly. There was no development in Emerson's character and she was still the same girl she was in the starting of this book except the revenge part. I can only hope for the previous books to be better.
July 12, 2024
This was such a fun dynamic in a romance! The heroine was overweight growing up and ridiculed by people at school and her own mother. Now, she is much thinner and very successful. She's coming back to her small town to take care of her mother while rebuilding new businesses in the town. The hero is working on a project next to her mom's house and is also one of the companies she hired for her projects. They flirt and banter on the phone before she visits and have a really fun romance. She's such a hardened and stoic heroine because of her past, but the hero is just so nice and caring and I really liked their dynamic! This one definitely had small town vibes and I enjoyed the heroine's growth and how she was understanding what was really driving her decisions. The hero was the perfect person to crack her hard shell!
May 26, 2024
4.25 Stars ⭐️
July 13, 2024
I’ll read anything she writes!!! ALSO BLACK CAT FMC gets me every damn time!! I LOVED THIS!!
June 6, 2024
3.5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
As always, I love Elizabeth’s writing and this series as a whole is so so good! However, this book wasn’t my favorite. While I enjoyed the romance aspect of this book and the story itself, the FMC bothered me to no end. As someone who has struggled with weight her whole life herself, even I was annoyed with the FMC’s constant talk about her weight and how she assumed other people saw her.
Tropes:
- Small Town
- Workplace Romance
- Boss x Employee
- Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
- He Falls First
- Traumatic Past
- Lots of Banter
2/5🌶️
As always, I love Elizabeth’s writing and this series as a whole is so so good! However, this book wasn’t my favorite. While I enjoyed the romance aspect of this book and the story itself, the FMC bothered me to no end. As someone who has struggled with weight her whole life herself, even I was annoyed with the FMC’s constant talk about her weight and how she assumed other people saw her.
Tropes:
- Small Town
- Workplace Romance
- Boss x Employee
- Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
- He Falls First
- Traumatic Past
- Lots of Banter
May 22, 2024
Two books in a row that O’Roark tries to get us to love an unlikeable heroine, and succeeds. You can always count on her for complex characters that make you think. Honestly, though, I actually found Emmy totally relatable and likable, despite her tough outer shell. I was all-in for her petty vendetta. Not only that, I felt sorry for her. I can’t even imagine being raised by a mother like that or being treated like that in high school. Talk about trauma.
Emmy and Liam had the best sarcastic and flirty banter. I loved how earnest he was and how he stood up for her time and time again. Emmy deserved someone who put her first and he totally did, until she wouldn’t let him. Emmy showed that love makes you break all the rules and I loved her even more for it.
Liam was so adept at easing Emmy into the idea of a date and then … more. These two had ferocious chemistry and I could not have been happier than when Emmy finally admitted to “feelings” for Liam. They totally deserved their happy ending.
Loved this one so much!
Emmy and Liam had the best sarcastic and flirty banter. I loved how earnest he was and how he stood up for her time and time again. Emmy deserved someone who put her first and he totally did, until she wouldn’t let him. Emmy showed that love makes you break all the rules and I loved her even more for it.
Liam was so adept at easing Emmy into the idea of a date and then … more. These two had ferocious chemistry and I could not have been happier than when Emmy finally admitted to “feelings” for Liam. They totally deserved their happy ending.
Loved this one so much!
July 26, 2024
The heroine was insufferable. I could not like her at all! And I tried!
June 12, 2024
"I'm not giving the milk away for free anymore. You've missed all of me, whether you want to admit it or not, and we aren't sleeping together until we go on a date."
"That's ridiculous," she says. "I'm calling Troy."
"No, you're not. Get ready for a dinner by candlelight."
"Get ready to jerk off in the shower alone."
these two reminded me a lot of gemma and ben. i loved it.
"That's ridiculous," she says. "I'm calling Troy."
"No, you're not. Get ready for a dinner by candlelight."
"Get ready to jerk off in the shower alone."
these two reminded me a lot of gemma and ben. i loved it.
September 3, 2024
Beta read
RTC. But this one’s for those of us that don’t just like unlikable heroines, but are fiends for an unapologetic female villain
***
Now that it’s release month, Imma drop this here and dip.
This might be a bit repetitive if you’ve read my other reviews of this series, but I want to emphasize how impressive the range of heroines the author writes is always, but especially in this series. From TSFW to now TSDY, these are women that aren’t all virtuous and pure, they make mistakes and are prickly and ambitious and unapologetically sexual. And I want to protect them at all costs. Did I call Kate savage in the previous book? My bad. Emmy is the champion savage of this series so far. She is cruel and ruthless and a self admitted villain. She’s like a literal female millionaire (presumably) alphahole, allergic to relationships and soft feelings. What they call a ball buster, and I call a boss ass bitch. And I beg you to give her a chance, same as you would to any morally grey fictional man who does the things she does.
Obviously she has a traumatic origin story that made her this way, but she’ll be the first to admit she’s always been a little bit of a jerk. Add a traümatic childhood (her mother is absolutely vile) and you have a damaged creature of epic proportions. But it’s also made her strong as vibranium and seemingly invincible. She’s like a literal cactus who’ll hurt you before you dare hurt her. The poor bb is so broken and intensely insecure her trust issues have trust issues, and she’s been dressing for revenge all her life. In fact this is a story of villains, all of whom do terrible things at various points. Em can be awful, but there’s a gooey center hidden underneath. Deep deep inside. Look, some things she says are outrageous but Imma be honest they made me laugh bcs she’s saying what a lot of us are thinking and I love her for it.
Enter Liam, who’s the only cinnamon roll in this story, basically screaming “stop being so mean to me, or I’ll fall in love with you” to our skittish, feral girl. He’s patient and kind and so sweet, slowly but surely healing the broken insecure little girl inside of Emmy. Doesn’t mean he’ll take shit from her, but he’s her safe landing space. Their dynamic is very Nessian-esque, and we know I’m a sucker for that. 🥹 It’s like a hallmark movie combined with a gender flipped Two Weeks Notice (Emmy is literally the Hugh Grant of the story but like not charming, and gleefully evil, or so she thinks). This is not a redemption story in that Emmy doesn’t need to be redeemed, but she does learn to let the soft feelings in and find what’s most important to her and that’s the best thing. The banter is as always top notch, if a lil mean at times, but their text exchanges and phone calls is where the book shines, no notes.
This series is bittersweet in terms of the dynamic of the guys’ friend group, with them all slowly drifting apart as they go their separate ways in life. Sounds real, doesn’t it? Like Friends when the show ended with everyone branching off there with own little families. They’re still there for each other when it counts, but as a millennial of a certain age, it hits where it hurts. Bittersweet as it is, Harrison’s book promises to be a lil forbidden and a lot dramatic and I’m so excited for the last hurrah (presumably).
RTC. But this one’s for those of us that don’t just like unlikable heroines, but are fiends for an unapologetic female villain
***
Now that it’s release month, Imma drop this here and dip.
This might be a bit repetitive if you’ve read my other reviews of this series, but I want to emphasize how impressive the range of heroines the author writes is always, but especially in this series. From TSFW to now TSDY, these are women that aren’t all virtuous and pure, they make mistakes and are prickly and ambitious and unapologetically sexual. And I want to protect them at all costs. Did I call Kate savage in the previous book? My bad. Emmy is the champion savage of this series so far. She is cruel and ruthless and a self admitted villain. She’s like a literal female millionaire (presumably) alphahole, allergic to relationships and soft feelings. What they call a ball buster, and I call a boss ass bitch. And I beg you to give her a chance, same as you would to any morally grey fictional man who does the things she does.
Obviously she has a traumatic origin story that made her this way, but she’ll be the first to admit she’s always been a little bit of a jerk. Add a traümatic childhood (her mother is absolutely vile) and you have a damaged creature of epic proportions. But it’s also made her strong as vibranium and seemingly invincible. She’s like a literal cactus who’ll hurt you before you dare hurt her. The poor bb is so broken and intensely insecure her trust issues have trust issues, and she’s been dressing for revenge all her life. In fact this is a story of villains, all of whom do terrible things at various points. Em can be awful, but there’s a gooey center hidden underneath. Deep deep inside. Look, some things she says are outrageous but Imma be honest they made me laugh bcs she’s saying what a lot of us are thinking and I love her for it.
Enter Liam, who’s the only cinnamon roll in this story, basically screaming “stop being so mean to me, or I’ll fall in love with you” to our skittish, feral girl. He’s patient and kind and so sweet, slowly but surely healing the broken insecure little girl inside of Emmy. Doesn’t mean he’ll take shit from her, but he’s her safe landing space. Their dynamic is very Nessian-esque, and we know I’m a sucker for that. 🥹 It’s like a hallmark movie combined with a gender flipped Two Weeks Notice (Emmy is literally the Hugh Grant of the story but like not charming, and gleefully evil, or so she thinks). This is not a redemption story in that Emmy doesn’t need to be redeemed, but she does learn to let the soft feelings in and find what’s most important to her and that’s the best thing. The banter is as always top notch, if a lil mean at times, but their text exchanges and phone calls is where the book shines, no notes.
This series is bittersweet in terms of the dynamic of the guys’ friend group, with them all slowly drifting apart as they go their separate ways in life. Sounds real, doesn’t it? Like Friends when the show ended with everyone branching off there with own little families. They’re still there for each other when it counts, but as a millennial of a certain age, it hits where it hurts. Bittersweet as it is, Harrison’s book promises to be a lil forbidden and a lot dramatic and I’m so excited for the last hurrah (presumably).
May 17, 2024
I LOVE everything Elizabeth writes!! This was so freakin good! Emmy left her hometown after being bullied her whole childhood and being emotionally abused by her mother. Emmy is a very successful business woman and returns back to destroy her little hometown. Liam is doing some contractor work for her and the chemistry these two have is so good. He is so overprotective of her.
Tropes:
💕 enemies to lovers
💕 feisty FMC
💕 he falls first
💕 overprotective MMC
💕 slow burn
💕 grumpy/sunshine (she’s the grump)
The audio was so good, Samantha Brentmoor and JF Harding were so amazing. I loved the audio so much and highly recommend listening.
Tropes:
💕 enemies to lovers
💕 feisty FMC
💕 he falls first
💕 overprotective MMC
💕 slow burn
💕 grumpy/sunshine (she’s the grump)
The audio was so good, Samantha Brentmoor and JF Harding were so amazing. I loved the audio so much and highly recommend listening.
May 14, 2024
OMG, I love, love, love this book! I always jump right in when it comes to Elizabeth O’Roark’s creations. She is an auto-buy author to me and her works just click with my taste in romance novels. The Summer I Destroyed You was no exception, I simply adored every second of this story! Sexy and smart with sensational banter, fantastic chemistry and a gorgeously emotional love story, this enemies to lovers romance absolutely blew me away and I loved every moment of the ride and couldn’t put it down.
After years away, Emmy comes back to Elliott Springs planning to destroy the whole town. Carrying years of trauma associated with high school, she has only one goal in mind: revenge. Enter Liam, the only person who can derail her plans.
On the surface, Emmy is cold and heartless, yet feisty when she needs to be, and not particularly likeable. But there’s something about her that intrigued me. And now? She has my whole heart. There is so much more to this woman than meets the eye. She's such a complex and yet endearing character. There is so much hurt she's been through and as you peel back each layer of what made her into the woman she is today, the more you fall for her. Her complete opposite, Liam is a charmingly irresistible player. He’s open, funny, sweet and flirtatious. The way he works to earn Emmy’s trust is what book boyfriend dreams are made of! Antagonistic and adversarial with an edge of attraction, their chemistry sizzled off the page. Every encounter between them seemed to bump up the heat beneath the pot of their simmering lust. When they weren’t throwing barbs and bantering back-and-forth, they were practically scalding each other with the heat burning between them. Their relationship was an intense, a raging storm of emotion and passion, and I simply couldn’t get enough. These two were absolutely everything. I couldn't get enough of them together. I loved their journey almost as much as I loved their banter. Liam is the calm to Emmy’s storm and I loved how they balanced each other.
This couple had their work cut out for them to get to their happily ever after. They had big obstacles in their path, and they had to sift through some heavy baggage to get there. Elizabeth takes us along for the ride with an emotional and hard-fought romance that was as hot as it was emotional. I was positively enthralled by this love story, and I devoured this book with heart-racing anticipation in a day.
After years away, Emmy comes back to Elliott Springs planning to destroy the whole town. Carrying years of trauma associated with high school, she has only one goal in mind: revenge. Enter Liam, the only person who can derail her plans.
On the surface, Emmy is cold and heartless, yet feisty when she needs to be, and not particularly likeable. But there’s something about her that intrigued me. And now? She has my whole heart. There is so much more to this woman than meets the eye. She's such a complex and yet endearing character. There is so much hurt she's been through and as you peel back each layer of what made her into the woman she is today, the more you fall for her. Her complete opposite, Liam is a charmingly irresistible player. He’s open, funny, sweet and flirtatious. The way he works to earn Emmy’s trust is what book boyfriend dreams are made of! Antagonistic and adversarial with an edge of attraction, their chemistry sizzled off the page. Every encounter between them seemed to bump up the heat beneath the pot of their simmering lust. When they weren’t throwing barbs and bantering back-and-forth, they were practically scalding each other with the heat burning between them. Their relationship was an intense, a raging storm of emotion and passion, and I simply couldn’t get enough. These two were absolutely everything. I couldn't get enough of them together. I loved their journey almost as much as I loved their banter. Liam is the calm to Emmy’s storm and I loved how they balanced each other.
This couple had their work cut out for them to get to their happily ever after. They had big obstacles in their path, and they had to sift through some heavy baggage to get there. Elizabeth takes us along for the ride with an emotional and hard-fought romance that was as hot as it was emotional. I was positively enthralled by this love story, and I devoured this book with heart-racing anticipation in a day.
May 28, 2024
3.5 ☆
June 3, 2024
I’m an Elizabeth Oroake fan for life but Emmy was so unlikeable. The whole bully turned bully just wasn’t for me. Liam was great and there was some good banter and spice but some of the more series issues took away from the romance for me. Would def recommend reading the other books in serious though.
May 24, 2024
DNF @ 27%. The main female character was incredibly unlikeable and rude. I get the author was going for the grumpy/sunshine but this was overboard!!
May 27, 2024
5🌟 1.5🌶️
Bowing down to the queen of angst 🧎🏻♀️
“What word would you use for a woman who’s awful and trying to destroy everything you care about, but who you also are more than a little obsessed with?”
“Nemesis or future wife, it could go either way.”
I have not found one book by Elizabeth that I have not loved. The newest book in the Summer series is no exception. This series is amazing and one of my favorites. I personally feel like everyone should read this series. Elizabeth writes angst in a way that’s entirely consuming. It’s in a league of its own. It’s unmatched. I fall in love every. single. time. Without a doubt. Her writing is just so beautiful and everything you read is so visual, like a movie playing out your head. It’s magical. I love this coastal town. I love these characters and I’m always so happy to come back every time with a new story.
Liam has that quiet and sexy confidence in himself, and in his body. I find that unbelievably attractive in a man. He has the patience of a saint and gives Emmy her space while also demanding she be honest with her true feelings. He defends her when anyone says things about her, physically and verbally, he’s not shy about. He’s disgusted with how she was treated in her past and wishes he could’ve been there to defend her. I loved Liam so much. 🥰
“She’s right, you know, my mom? You like me the way I am now. You wouldn’t look at me twice if I gained all that weight back?”
“Try me, Emmy. Regain every pound. Because there’s a long list of things about you I adore, and your weight has never, ever been on there. I was crazy about you before I’d ever even seen your face.”
Emmy is extremely closed off and refuses to let anyone in. Has built a suit of armor around herself from her past. Has an AWFUL mother and brother who make her feel like the dirt on their shoe. Liam starts breaking down her walls with his persistence, and she blossoms into someone she never expected to be or like.
“I’ve accidentally fallen for a guy who can’t stand to see me hurt, who wants to erase every ache and pain.”
I resonated with Emmy as a woman who has always struggled with their weight and image and how others see me. I grew up getting similar insults in school about my weight, was bullied for wearing glasses on top of that. I never ever had confidence in that and my mother never inspired me to love myself or my body. Reading those moments was difficult for me, but it also made me see things from a different perspective and I truly appreciated that.
The narration for this series is always so good, Samantha Brentmoor and JF Harding narrated this in duet, and they both brought so much to this story with their voices and their portrayal of their characters. It’s just so good and I will forever recommend the audio’s for this series. 🫶🏼
I really do highly recommend this series. It’s a favorite of mine. Can’t wait for Harrison’s book next. 🤭
Bowing down to the queen of angst 🧎🏻♀️
“What word would you use for a woman who’s awful and trying to destroy everything you care about, but who you also are more than a little obsessed with?”
“Nemesis or future wife, it could go either way.”
I have not found one book by Elizabeth that I have not loved. The newest book in the Summer series is no exception. This series is amazing and one of my favorites. I personally feel like everyone should read this series. Elizabeth writes angst in a way that’s entirely consuming. It’s in a league of its own. It’s unmatched. I fall in love every. single. time. Without a doubt. Her writing is just so beautiful and everything you read is so visual, like a movie playing out your head. It’s magical. I love this coastal town. I love these characters and I’m always so happy to come back every time with a new story.
Liam has that quiet and sexy confidence in himself, and in his body. I find that unbelievably attractive in a man. He has the patience of a saint and gives Emmy her space while also demanding she be honest with her true feelings. He defends her when anyone says things about her, physically and verbally, he’s not shy about. He’s disgusted with how she was treated in her past and wishes he could’ve been there to defend her. I loved Liam so much. 🥰
“She’s right, you know, my mom? You like me the way I am now. You wouldn’t look at me twice if I gained all that weight back?”
“Try me, Emmy. Regain every pound. Because there’s a long list of things about you I adore, and your weight has never, ever been on there. I was crazy about you before I’d ever even seen your face.”
Emmy is extremely closed off and refuses to let anyone in. Has built a suit of armor around herself from her past. Has an AWFUL mother and brother who make her feel like the dirt on their shoe. Liam starts breaking down her walls with his persistence, and she blossoms into someone she never expected to be or like.
“I’ve accidentally fallen for a guy who can’t stand to see me hurt, who wants to erase every ache and pain.”
I resonated with Emmy as a woman who has always struggled with their weight and image and how others see me. I grew up getting similar insults in school about my weight, was bullied for wearing glasses on top of that. I never ever had confidence in that and my mother never inspired me to love myself or my body. Reading those moments was difficult for me, but it also made me see things from a different perspective and I truly appreciated that.
The narration for this series is always so good, Samantha Brentmoor and JF Harding narrated this in duet, and they both brought so much to this story with their voices and their portrayal of their characters. It’s just so good and I will forever recommend the audio’s for this series. 🫶🏼
I really do highly recommend this series. It’s a favorite of mine. Can’t wait for Harrison’s book next. 🤭
June 7, 2024
Ahem...
well, to be honest, this book made me sad, bitter then angry and frustrated...and all through the well spoken/written words about the culprit of the background story - the consequences of bullying
there's no real answer on how to deal with this issue...everybody has their own take on the matter
As do I...
I was never bullied though out my childhood/high school years BUT I can't say there weren't any situations/words spoken to me that were hurtful at the time AND now that I think about it, those moments DO NOT hold any place in my hear, mind or soul as I was able to quickly discart them as irrelevant and I wouldn't have been able to do that if I hadn't come from a tight loving family whose support and love made me grow out to be as affirmative in attitude as I am now
those are the people that really matter, the only people's opinions and words of advice that ACTUALLY MATTER....and that's the essence of surviving these emotionally sensitive teen years...you actually have the POWER to choose whose words you'll take as important and significant...and I can't tell you how proud I am now, as a mother when my own daughter took my words and made them count... and I pray to God that everyone has that kind of family support
cause this book's heroine did not...she didn't have that and she was torn to pieces by her own mother, belittled and put down like trash...it just broke my heart and I couldn't find any resentment to the motivation that drove the heroine to act in revenge towards her former bullies...
honestly, there will always be assholes (those who are aware that they are assholes and those who are just stupid or insecure enough to follow the assholery way of conduct) BUT keep in mind that there's like 90% chance you will NEVER, EVER see the people from high school in your grown years so why give them/bullies the power of importance when they are not...at all
they are small and lame and if you give them the attention they'll feed of it and they will think they matter, that they are important...so don't let them
of course, there are situations you can't control and the gravity of bullying should be taken into the account and you should never ever keep quiet and just take it....
urgh, I think that this book had a thought provoking theme that was gradually presented and explained and it worked well in the story...sometimes it doesn't end well in real life and that's the biggest tragedy, there was no one to listen, there was no one to take away and sooth the pain of growing up....*sigh*
I could lament and dwell on this and that...there's so much one can say on the topic BUT there isn't enough space for me to do that...LOL, I feel strongly about this topic and while I didn't give this book 5 stars (cause I really wanted for the heroine to fight back more, LOL) it is a story worth getting yourself into and well...gnawing on the bone some more...
well, to be honest, this book made me sad, bitter then angry and frustrated...and all through the well spoken/written words about the culprit of the background story - the consequences of bullying
there's no real answer on how to deal with this issue...everybody has their own take on the matter
As do I...
I was never bullied though out my childhood/high school years BUT I can't say there weren't any situations/words spoken to me that were hurtful at the time AND now that I think about it, those moments DO NOT hold any place in my hear, mind or soul as I was able to quickly discart them as irrelevant and I wouldn't have been able to do that if I hadn't come from a tight loving family whose support and love made me grow out to be as affirmative in attitude as I am now
those are the people that really matter, the only people's opinions and words of advice that ACTUALLY MATTER....and that's the essence of surviving these emotionally sensitive teen years...you actually have the POWER to choose whose words you'll take as important and significant...and I can't tell you how proud I am now, as a mother when my own daughter took my words and made them count... and I pray to God that everyone has that kind of family support
cause this book's heroine did not...she didn't have that and she was torn to pieces by her own mother, belittled and put down like trash...it just broke my heart and I couldn't find any resentment to the motivation that drove the heroine to act in revenge towards her former bullies...
honestly, there will always be assholes (those who are aware that they are assholes and those who are just stupid or insecure enough to follow the assholery way of conduct) BUT keep in mind that there's like 90% chance you will NEVER, EVER see the people from high school in your grown years so why give them/bullies the power of importance when they are not...at all
they are small and lame and if you give them the attention they'll feed of it and they will think they matter, that they are important...so don't let them
of course, there are situations you can't control and the gravity of bullying should be taken into the account and you should never ever keep quiet and just take it....
urgh, I think that this book had a thought provoking theme that was gradually presented and explained and it worked well in the story...sometimes it doesn't end well in real life and that's the biggest tragedy, there was no one to listen, there was no one to take away and sooth the pain of growing up....*sigh*
I could lament and dwell on this and that...there's so much one can say on the topic BUT there isn't enough space for me to do that...LOL, I feel strongly about this topic and while I didn't give this book 5 stars (cause I really wanted for the heroine to fight back more, LOL) it is a story worth getting yourself into and well...gnawing on the bone some more...
June 2, 2024
Headlines:
Ripples of hurt
Bad parents
Reluctant relationships
This fourth installment in the Summer series switched up the character types yet again in this intereconnected stories. No-one could ever say this series is 'same-y'. Liam was a cinnamon roll hero and Emmy was the prickliest cactus character there ever was. She had her reasons and her return to Elliot Springs was an intended revenge tale that turned out quite differently.
Emmy was hard to like and that was just how she wanted it. She was fierce but deep underneath was someone who wanted to be loved and appreciated for who she was. Even so, her actions, her attitude towards Liam was so 'mean girl' that I did feel irritated for the first half of the book. It was a good job we had Liam and his decent ways and how he handled Emmy was pretty funny. Snowflake the dog also was a soothing side character.
Emmy's mother, the ex-best friend, her brother and all the men she did business with were everything unpleasant. The mother especially was vile and I wanted to leap through the pages and tug her by the scruff to shut tf up.
I loved the way Emmy couldn't stop the eventual runaway train in her feelings. These two had something worth the investment, it was fun reading.
I look forward to book 5 as this series is all easy but satisfying reading.
Thank you to Piatkus for the review copy.
**content warnings for disordered eating**
Ripples of hurt
Bad parents
Reluctant relationships
This fourth installment in the Summer series switched up the character types yet again in this intereconnected stories. No-one could ever say this series is 'same-y'. Liam was a cinnamon roll hero and Emmy was the prickliest cactus character there ever was. She had her reasons and her return to Elliot Springs was an intended revenge tale that turned out quite differently.
Emmy was hard to like and that was just how she wanted it. She was fierce but deep underneath was someone who wanted to be loved and appreciated for who she was. Even so, her actions, her attitude towards Liam was so 'mean girl' that I did feel irritated for the first half of the book. It was a good job we had Liam and his decent ways and how he handled Emmy was pretty funny. Snowflake the dog also was a soothing side character.
Emmy's mother, the ex-best friend, her brother and all the men she did business with were everything unpleasant. The mother especially was vile and I wanted to leap through the pages and tug her by the scruff to shut tf up.
I loved the way Emmy couldn't stop the eventual runaway train in her feelings. These two had something worth the investment, it was fun reading.
I look forward to book 5 as this series is all easy but satisfying reading.
Thank you to Piatkus for the review copy.
**content warnings for disordered eating**
June 1, 2024
Elizabeth - you did it again 😭💗 how do you do it every single time?! I fell in love with these two and they’re absolutely perfect.
If you’re looking for a grittier summer romance… something that might make you tear up but still has small town vibes and he’s a part time surfer, grab this book. You will not regret it.
The next book is gonna do me in, I just know it. 🥲
✨Small beach town
✨Banter
✨Enemies to lovers
✨He fell first
✨She’s out for revenge
✨Reverse grumpy x sunshine
If you’re looking for a grittier summer romance… something that might make you tear up but still has small town vibes and he’s a part time surfer, grab this book. You will not regret it.
The next book is gonna do me in, I just know it. 🥲
✨Small beach town
✨Banter
✨Enemies to lovers
✨He fell first
✨She’s out for revenge
✨Reverse grumpy x sunshine
August 16, 2025
4 ⭐️'s
Liam and Emmy were really fun to read about for the most part. I think towards the end, all the sarcasm was getting to me. Thankfully, that’s when things started changing.
There were some interesting tidbits about Daisy and Harrison. I’m looking forward to their book.
Liam and Emmy were really fun to read about for the most part. I think towards the end, all the sarcasm was getting to me. Thankfully, that’s when things started changing.
There were some interesting tidbits about Daisy and Harrison. I’m looking forward to their book.
May 24, 2024
I've looked forward to the release of each book in this series and I'm so sad that I just... did not like this one.
At first, I had a ton of empathy for Emmy - her mom was the literal scum of the earth and I was disgusted with the way she spoke to Emmy about her weight and just in general. Add that to the years she was tormented by her peers growing up PLUS how they still threw nasty comments at her once she was back in town and sheesh, I was all in on her plan for vengeance.
However, while I never lost my empathy for her, I grew tired of her plot for revenge. For a 28 year old woman, her immaturity frustrated the fuck out of me. Specifically regarding the way she tried to get back at her mom and Bradley. Even if she didn't go through with everything, it still seemed needlessly childish.
I am all for a possessive mmc, but sometimes the way Liam spoke to Emmy just rubbed me the wrong way. Like, you know it's bad if not even a fictional man can get away with it lmao. When he wasn't being an overbearing, overly possessive dick, he was actually very sweet and it was clear that he had a good heart. I loved how protective he was over Emmy and the way that he defended her.
I'll admit that some of the banter between them made me laugh and I kind of loved how mean they were to each other and were sweet in their own ways. Their dynamic was uniquely theirs and they were exactly what the other person needed.
I almost gave this 2 stars, but I loved the way the last 30% played out and the fact that there was no third act break up when I was so certain there was going to be one so I'm bumping it up a star. Plus there were some twists at the end that I wasn't expecting and I thought it was a really good ending. And the sneak-peak for the next book??? Actually cannot wait for that one.
There is a lot of fat shaming and fatphobic characters in this, plus a lot of talk alluding to an eating disorder, so definitely something to note if you do wanna pick this up as it could potentially be triggering. There is a small author's note at the beginning, but I think maybe it should have explained more regarding triggering content.
Also... it's 2024. Why are we still perpetuating racist stereotypes like "I bet there's at least one undocumented worker back in that kitchen"?? I get that the comment was made by a character we're supposed to hate but come on. I'm tired.
At first, I had a ton of empathy for Emmy - her mom was the literal scum of the earth and I was disgusted with the way she spoke to Emmy about her weight and just in general. Add that to the years she was tormented by her peers growing up PLUS how they still threw nasty comments at her once she was back in town and sheesh, I was all in on her plan for vengeance.
However, while I never lost my empathy for her, I grew tired of her plot for revenge. For a 28 year old woman, her immaturity frustrated the fuck out of me. Specifically regarding the way she tried to get back at her mom and Bradley. Even if she didn't go through with everything, it still seemed needlessly childish.
I am all for a possessive mmc, but sometimes the way Liam spoke to Emmy just rubbed me the wrong way. Like, you know it's bad if not even a fictional man can get away with it lmao. When he wasn't being an overbearing, overly possessive dick, he was actually very sweet and it was clear that he had a good heart. I loved how protective he was over Emmy and the way that he defended her.
I'll admit that some of the banter between them made me laugh and I kind of loved how mean they were to each other and were sweet in their own ways. Their dynamic was uniquely theirs and they were exactly what the other person needed.
I almost gave this 2 stars, but I loved the way the last 30% played out and the fact that there was no third act break up when I was so certain there was going to be one so I'm bumping it up a star. Plus there were some twists at the end that I wasn't expecting and I thought it was a really good ending. And the sneak-peak for the next book??? Actually cannot wait for that one.
There is a lot of fat shaming and fatphobic characters in this, plus a lot of talk alluding to an eating disorder, so definitely something to note if you do wanna pick this up as it could potentially be triggering. There is a small author's note at the beginning, but I think maybe it should have explained more regarding triggering content.
Also... it's 2024. Why are we still perpetuating racist stereotypes like "I bet there's at least one undocumented worker back in that kitchen"?? I get that the comment was made by a character we're supposed to hate but come on. I'm tired.
May 12, 2024
Thank you Valentine PR & Elizabeth O’Roark for the ARC! 🩷
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Days Read: 3
Emmy returns to her hometown with one goal in mind: destroy all of those who made her life a living hell. No longer sweet young Emmy, she becomes ruthless & merciless. After leaving town, she goes to an ivy league college and graduates, becoming a successful business woman. She ends up working for a company who sees her “vision” of making Elliot Springs the next tourist spot, while she has her secret plan of avenging and taking everything away from the people of the town.
Liam, ends up being contracted to help with renovations in place, however he has the opposite goal of Emmy, to save, restore and preserve Elliot Spring’s history. Before seeing each-other, they develop a sort of friendship over text messages while they discuss the work that’s assigned to him.
When Emmy finally comes back to town to personally check progress and they met each-other, they end up crashing heads, while being unable to deny her attraction to each-other. As Emmy shows her ruthless side, Liam ends up discovering the reasons for her behavior and makes it his personal goal to not only save the town, but also save her.
I absolutely LOVED the relationship between them. Liam knew Emmy was wounded, and despite her nastiness, he never took shit from her but he was SO patient with her. He knew how much Emmy was worth, and just wanted to show her what he saw in her. My poor Emmy, my sweet girl who was bullied so hard she had to build a shell to protect herself. It was hard reading what she went through.
TROPES ⭐️
- Golden-Retriever MMC
- Badass FMC
- Shut up & Bend Over
- SO.MUCH.BANTER!!!!
- Mental Health Rep.
- Enemies to Lovers
Please, read the Triggers!
I cannot wait to go back & actually meet Luke, Caleb & Beck! ALSO, THE PREVIEW WE GOT FOR HARRISON!? 🫣🩷 IM GOING TO PASS OUT!!
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Days Read: 3
Emmy returns to her hometown with one goal in mind: destroy all of those who made her life a living hell. No longer sweet young Emmy, she becomes ruthless & merciless. After leaving town, she goes to an ivy league college and graduates, becoming a successful business woman. She ends up working for a company who sees her “vision” of making Elliot Springs the next tourist spot, while she has her secret plan of avenging and taking everything away from the people of the town.
Liam, ends up being contracted to help with renovations in place, however he has the opposite goal of Emmy, to save, restore and preserve Elliot Spring’s history. Before seeing each-other, they develop a sort of friendship over text messages while they discuss the work that’s assigned to him.
When Emmy finally comes back to town to personally check progress and they met each-other, they end up crashing heads, while being unable to deny her attraction to each-other. As Emmy shows her ruthless side, Liam ends up discovering the reasons for her behavior and makes it his personal goal to not only save the town, but also save her.
I absolutely LOVED the relationship between them. Liam knew Emmy was wounded, and despite her nastiness, he never took shit from her but he was SO patient with her. He knew how much Emmy was worth, and just wanted to show her what he saw in her. My poor Emmy, my sweet girl who was bullied so hard she had to build a shell to protect herself. It was hard reading what she went through.
TROPES ⭐️
- Golden-Retriever MMC
- Badass FMC
- Shut up & Bend Over
- SO.MUCH.BANTER!!!!
- Mental Health Rep.
- Enemies to Lovers
Please, read the Triggers!
I cannot wait to go back & actually meet Luke, Caleb & Beck! ALSO, THE PREVIEW WE GOT FOR HARRISON!? 🫣🩷 IM GOING TO PASS OUT!!
March 9, 2025
4 Stars
I loved this book because the lead two characters were utterly brilliant.
Emmy is utterly hilarious, no nonsense and despite having a rock solid exterior, she is secretly really vulnerable and fragile underneath. She has a nasty Mother who grew up verbally and physically abusing her because as a child she was overweight. As an adult she is size 2 USA (Size 5 UK) and yet still hears her Mother's voice telling her not to eat and that she's ugly. She is incredibly successful and lives in New York but because her Mother needs care after surgery and her Brother (the angel child) can't be bothered to help, she goes home to look after her. Emmy was bullied badly for her weight in school (although from what we are told weight wise that she lost, I don't understand why as the numbers don't add up to her being big at all - one of the things that confused me in this book!). So she is also back in her home town for revenge.
Our lead Male Liam is a contractor that has been texting with Emmy for months and he can't wait to meet the intelligent woman behind the texts that make him laugh. But Liam wants the opposite to Emmy's plans - to SAVE his town. However the chemistry between them is not easy to ignore.
Liam is an absolute DREAM book boyfriend. A hard worker, kind, loving, loyal and HOT. I adored him and the banter between him and Emmy. Their relationship was a rollercoaster ride but a brilliant one with chemistry for days.
The romance was so well done and the smut was hot. Plus there was no third act break up which I appreciated.
Overall, a brilliant addition to the series and I look forward to the final book!
I loved this book because the lead two characters were utterly brilliant.
Emmy is utterly hilarious, no nonsense and despite having a rock solid exterior, she is secretly really vulnerable and fragile underneath. She has a nasty Mother who grew up verbally and physically abusing her because as a child she was overweight. As an adult she is size 2 USA (Size 5 UK) and yet still hears her Mother's voice telling her not to eat and that she's ugly. She is incredibly successful and lives in New York but because her Mother needs care after surgery and her Brother (the angel child) can't be bothered to help, she goes home to look after her. Emmy was bullied badly for her weight in school (although from what we are told weight wise that she lost, I don't understand why as the numbers don't add up to her being big at all - one of the things that confused me in this book!). So she is also back in her home town for revenge.
Our lead Male Liam is a contractor that has been texting with Emmy for months and he can't wait to meet the intelligent woman behind the texts that make him laugh. But Liam wants the opposite to Emmy's plans - to SAVE his town. However the chemistry between them is not easy to ignore.
Liam is an absolute DREAM book boyfriend. A hard worker, kind, loving, loyal and HOT. I adored him and the banter between him and Emmy. Their relationship was a rollercoaster ride but a brilliant one with chemistry for days.
The romance was so well done and the smut was hot. Plus there was no third act break up which I appreciated.
Overall, a brilliant addition to the series and I look forward to the final book!
May 28, 2024
"I just want you to stop giving away something we both know ought to be mine."
I always look forward to an Elizabeth O'Roark release, and this one was no exception. But it didn't quite hit the mark like I hoped it would. This story just felt so heavy. I had empathy for Emmy, I did. But gosh she was kind of immature and snobbish. The bullied, turning into a bully... it didn't work for me. For the most part I really did like Liam. But all the heaviness of bullying, revenge, fat shaming/abuse, hints of an eating disorder, jealously, her father (etc.), it really got in the way of the romance for me. I also would have liked to see the word accessible used instead of handicap, as well as omitting the 'undocumented'.
That all said, there is some good banter, some tension in the slow burn to steam... and I really enjoyed the last 4th of this book, how it all wrapped up. Also, the part about being told to smile-YES. SO MUCH YES!! My gosh, that is certainly something that I could agree with Emmy about. Overall though, not my favorite from this author unfortunately. But I recommend reading any of her others or trying it for yourself if this sounds like your jam!
I always look forward to an Elizabeth O'Roark release, and this one was no exception. But it didn't quite hit the mark like I hoped it would. This story just felt so heavy. I had empathy for Emmy, I did. But gosh she was kind of immature and snobbish. The bullied, turning into a bully... it didn't work for me. For the most part I really did like Liam. But all the heaviness of bullying, revenge, fat shaming/abuse, hints of an eating disorder, jealously, her father (etc.), it really got in the way of the romance for me. I also would have liked to see the word accessible used instead of handicap, as well as omitting the 'undocumented'.
That all said, there is some good banter, some tension in the slow burn to steam... and I really enjoyed the last 4th of this book, how it all wrapped up. Also, the part about being told to smile-YES. SO MUCH YES!! My gosh, that is certainly something that I could agree with Emmy about. Overall though, not my favorite from this author unfortunately. But I recommend reading any of her others or trying it for yourself if this sounds like your jam!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this. We're supposed to hate Emmy because she's so mean and revenge driven but you can't help but feel bad for her because she's built up all these walls from the way shes been treated and still continues to be treated. I don't fault her for being so cold and I loved that Liam was so perfect for her. He didn't take her shit and their back and forth banter was perfect. He took control when he needed to with her. I loved that she didn't let her job and plans for the town ruin their relationship and still helped the people in the end. No unnecessary breakup or drama, loved that part. Great character development for Emmy
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