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Our Darkest Summer
A cold case is what brought Thomas Rhodes back to the lakeside town. His mother’s case, to be certain.
It had been almost twelve years since Elizabeth Rhodes disappeared, and Thomas was finally back to prove the police wrong.
There was just one error in his plan: he didn’t arrive alone.
Kinsley Green was coaxed into going to the lake house for the summer, but she still had some doubts. Doubts because of a certain dark-haired boy she was supposed to hate. However, as soon as she got a glimpse of the sunny lake town, the doubts faded into the back of her mind…until that night in the woods.
Was this vacation really about partying and relaxing, like she had been promised, or was there something more going on here? Something dark?
One thing was clear: Thomas and Kinsley had to put aside their history and work together if Thomas had any hope of finally getting to the bottom of his mother’s disappearance. But as they dig deeper, it’s not just their relationship changing but the case around them too.
The question is, will they solve it before they become the next case to be solved?
It had been almost twelve years since Elizabeth Rhodes disappeared, and Thomas was finally back to prove the police wrong.
There was just one error in his plan: he didn’t arrive alone.
Kinsley Green was coaxed into going to the lake house for the summer, but she still had some doubts. Doubts because of a certain dark-haired boy she was supposed to hate. However, as soon as she got a glimpse of the sunny lake town, the doubts faded into the back of her mind…until that night in the woods.
Was this vacation really about partying and relaxing, like she had been promised, or was there something more going on here? Something dark?
One thing was clear: Thomas and Kinsley had to put aside their history and work together if Thomas had any hope of finally getting to the bottom of his mother’s disappearance. But as they dig deeper, it’s not just their relationship changing but the case around them too.
The question is, will they solve it before they become the next case to be solved?
396 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2024
100 people are currently reading
6860 people want to read
About the author
Hanga E. Pavel
4 books145 followersHi! Thank you for stopping by. I'm mostly active on Instagram where you can find me under @authorhangaepavel. Feel free to dm me. I love crushing on morally grey characters with my fellow readers and share sneak peeks from my upcoming novels.
Hanga E. Pavel is a self-published author from a small country in the middle of Europe. She started writing stories for her younger cousins when she was around seven years old. She always dreamt of getting her stories out into the big world. Her debut novel, Our Darkest Summer, is a new adult, mystery-romance set in a small town in Maine. In the future, you can expect to read mysteries, fantasies, and romance novels from her.
When she isn’t working on her next story, she spends quality time with her partner, wanders in nature, plays chess or board games with her mom, or hangs out with her bunnies.
Hanga E. Pavel is a self-published author from a small country in the middle of Europe. She started writing stories for her younger cousins when she was around seven years old. She always dreamt of getting her stories out into the big world. Her debut novel, Our Darkest Summer, is a new adult, mystery-romance set in a small town in Maine. In the future, you can expect to read mysteries, fantasies, and romance novels from her.
When she isn’t working on her next story, she spends quality time with her partner, wanders in nature, plays chess or board games with her mom, or hangs out with her bunnies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
December 8, 2024
This is the author's debut novel, and I have to give her major credit because it was well done. The plot was solid, and the characters were well-written. I really think she did a great job balancing the mystery and romance elements. The twists genuinely caught me off guard—I thought I had it all figured out, but she surprised me!
September 4, 2024
࣪⊹.🐚☀️·
this book is described as a romance x mystery, which it technically is, but practically not.
what bothered me the most is the writing, it lacks emotion and description and even though the story itself has good elements, the writing made those stand back. for example I did like the female protagonist kinsley a lot and other characters as well but the closed-off writing didn’t make me feel like I was actually inside the story with the characters. this also goes for the romance, because technically it has swoon worthy elements, but there is no burn, no built-up, no substance. the male protagonist and her don’t even seem to be working on the case together, cause all he does is trying to protect her from it but pleaseee I need a pipravi kinda teamwork. and then their love confessions just felt out of the blue. the reveal was actually so messy and way too smooth, it had potential but fell flat sadly.
I think overall this author had really fun and sweet ideas so I wish this wouldn’t have been the final version and went through more editing.
this book is described as a romance x mystery, which it technically is, but practically not.
what bothered me the most is the writing, it lacks emotion and description and even though the story itself has good elements, the writing made those stand back. for example I did like the female protagonist kinsley a lot and other characters as well but the closed-off writing didn’t make me feel like I was actually inside the story with the characters. this also goes for the romance, because technically it has swoon worthy elements, but there is no burn, no built-up, no substance. the male protagonist and her don’t even seem to be working on the case together, cause all he does is trying to protect her from it but pleaseee I need a pipravi kinda teamwork. and then their love confessions just felt out of the blue. the reveal was actually so messy and way too smooth, it had potential but fell flat sadly.
I think overall this author had really fun and sweet ideas so I wish this wouldn’t have been the final version and went through more editing.
June 25, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 3-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
📜┆ ARC ⤿ Hanga E. Pavel
✒️┆ Author ⤿ Hanga E. Pavel
💌┆ Re-Pub Date ⤿ 06/28/25
One forest cabin. Twelve years of an unsolved cold case. And a summer filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
After twelve long years, Thomas, Kinsley, and Connor return to Coldwater, Maine, only to be pulled into a chilling mystery that has haunted their town for over a decade. What was once a cold case is finally being uncovered, but as they slowly unravel the truth, ominous warnings and threats begin to surface, urging them to stop digging into a past that was meant to stay buried. This is a summer that will change everything and one they will never forget.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Kinsley - She’s a crime journalism student working on her internship paper for the dream opportunity she’s been chasing. Growing up, she was drawn to the thrill of mysteries and the unanswered questions that linger in the shadows but now, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind them, no matter what it takes.
⟡ Thomas - is a law student driven by a deeply personal mission to uncover the truth behind his mother’s disappearance. Though twelve years have passed, he remains determined to reopen the case and give her the proper investigation she was denied.
⟡ Connor - is Thomas’s younger brother who will happily scream and sing to his Taylor Swift playlist. Though time has blurred his memories of their mother, the weight of her absence lingers in him as heavily as it does in his brother.
⟡ Kevin - is the grandson of Mr. Miller, the very detective responsible for Mrs. Rhodes’ mysterious case. He has also been a close friend to the Rhodes boys since childhood.
⟡ Braxton - is the tech-savvy and effortlessly charming party boy known for throwing unforgettable summer parties and making the most of every visit. He's also a long-time childhood friend of the Rhodes brothers.
⟡ Aaliyah - is the free-spirited girl with a heart as warm as the cookies she always brings. Her family owns Sunnyside Café, one of the town’s oldest and most beloved spots.
⟡ Cora - is Aaliyah’s girlfriend and often helps her mother at the town library. Even with Aaliyah working at the café, Cora holds her own when it comes to making mouthwatering snacks and pastries.
⟡ Samantha - is Braxton’s longtime crush. She is one of the more reserved members of their group, preferring quiet moments over the spotlight.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
A cold case, a gang to solve it with, cute page additions, and a summer to remember. Our Darkest Summer was indeed an easy and quick summer read! Enough with the beachy and sandy setting (nothing against this), and more of the forest set ones!
Our Darkest Summer leans into that of a teen mystery vibe with a mix of spice into its story. It has a steady pace, likable characters, and just enough lingering questions to keep things interesting. It was easy to follow, light but still packed with tension.
My only real surprise was the bit of spice. Given the teen mystery vibe, I wasn’t ready for that moment (I know this was labeled with it, but I was not anticipating it for the vibe that the story was giving lol). It wasn’t a dealbreaker, just more than I anticipated! There was also a part of me wishing for more depth and development in the side characters of the mystery crew, as they had a lot of potential, and I would’ve loved to see more of their personalities shine through. Did I want more mystery? More twists? For sure. But there’s something refreshing about a story that doesn’t try to overcomplicate itself. This book keeps things simple in a way that works. It knows what it is and leans into that, which gives it its own charm. While it may not be the most intense or mind-bending mystery out there, it has its voice, and sometimes, a story that knows what it is and sticks to it can be just as rewarding.
彡🔖 Also made a review post on booksta! You can check it out ⤳ here!
➳ Huge thanks to the author—Hanga E. Pavel—for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Go pre-order your copy now ♡.ᐟ
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
The book heavens must’ve seen all the fantasy reads, because they’ve blessed me with an ARC to cleanse my palate! Summer reads are in, but no beachy vibes here. Just a summer spent in a mysterious forest cabin, surrounded by secrets and a sprinkle of romance!🌤️
📜┆ ARC ⤿ Hanga E. Pavel
✒️┆ Author ⤿ Hanga E. Pavel
💌┆ Re-Pub Date ⤿ 06/28/25
❝ A life-or-death game. And I had no idea who else was playing, or who was controlling the pieces. ❞
One forest cabin. Twelve years of an unsolved cold case. And a summer filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
After twelve long years, Thomas, Kinsley, and Connor return to Coldwater, Maine, only to be pulled into a chilling mystery that has haunted their town for over a decade. What was once a cold case is finally being uncovered, but as they slowly unravel the truth, ominous warnings and threats begin to surface, urging them to stop digging into a past that was meant to stay buried. This is a summer that will change everything and one they will never forget.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Kinsley - She’s a crime journalism student working on her internship paper for the dream opportunity she’s been chasing. Growing up, she was drawn to the thrill of mysteries and the unanswered questions that linger in the shadows but now, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind them, no matter what it takes.
⟡ Thomas - is a law student driven by a deeply personal mission to uncover the truth behind his mother’s disappearance. Though twelve years have passed, he remains determined to reopen the case and give her the proper investigation she was denied.
⟡ Connor - is Thomas’s younger brother who will happily scream and sing to his Taylor Swift playlist. Though time has blurred his memories of their mother, the weight of her absence lingers in him as heavily as it does in his brother.
⟡ Kevin - is the grandson of Mr. Miller, the very detective responsible for Mrs. Rhodes’ mysterious case. He has also been a close friend to the Rhodes boys since childhood.
⟡ Braxton - is the tech-savvy and effortlessly charming party boy known for throwing unforgettable summer parties and making the most of every visit. He's also a long-time childhood friend of the Rhodes brothers.
⟡ Aaliyah - is the free-spirited girl with a heart as warm as the cookies she always brings. Her family owns Sunnyside Café, one of the town’s oldest and most beloved spots.
⟡ Cora - is Aaliyah’s girlfriend and often helps her mother at the town library. Even with Aaliyah working at the café, Cora holds her own when it comes to making mouthwatering snacks and pastries.
⟡ Samantha - is Braxton’s longtime crush. She is one of the more reserved members of their group, preferring quiet moments over the spotlight.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
❝ One day, when he was no longer a child, when they had no choice but to give him real answers, he would come back to this town, to this house. And he would unfold the past himself. ❞
A cold case, a gang to solve it with, cute page additions, and a summer to remember. Our Darkest Summer was indeed an easy and quick summer read! Enough with the beachy and sandy setting (nothing against this), and more of the forest set ones!
Our Darkest Summer leans into that of a teen mystery vibe with a mix of spice into its story. It has a steady pace, likable characters, and just enough lingering questions to keep things interesting. It was easy to follow, light but still packed with tension.
My only real surprise was the bit of spice. Given the teen mystery vibe, I wasn’t ready for that moment (I know this was labeled with it, but I was not anticipating it for the vibe that the story was giving lol). It wasn’t a dealbreaker, just more than I anticipated! There was also a part of me wishing for more depth and development in the side characters of the mystery crew, as they had a lot of potential, and I would’ve loved to see more of their personalities shine through. Did I want more mystery? More twists? For sure. But there’s something refreshing about a story that doesn’t try to overcomplicate itself. This book keeps things simple in a way that works. It knows what it is and leans into that, which gives it its own charm. While it may not be the most intense or mind-bending mystery out there, it has its voice, and sometimes, a story that knows what it is and sticks to it can be just as rewarding.
❝ I took another sip of my drink, letting the sun warm my skin, as the laughter and chaos of my friends wrapped around me like a second skin. A memory I already knew I’d hold onto. And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right. ❞
彡🔖 Also made a review post on booksta! You can check it out ⤳ here!
➳ Huge thanks to the author—Hanga E. Pavel—for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Go pre-order your copy now ♡.ᐟ
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
The book heavens must’ve seen all the fantasy reads, because they’ve blessed me with an ARC to cleanse my palate! Summer reads are in, but no beachy vibes here. Just a summer spent in a mysterious forest cabin, surrounded by secrets and a sprinkle of romance!🌤️
June 13, 2024
12 years ago Elizabeth Rhodes went missing & the case went cold with the entire town of Coldwater, Maine, concluding that she abandoned her family & ran away. Now her sons Thomas & Connor, along with their friend Kinsley, are returning to Coldwater to try to solve the case themselves.
This was such a great debut novel! I don’t really read any genres other than strictly romance, but I’m so glad I gave this arc a chance because I loved it! It had everything you could want: summer vibes; a fun & diverse friendship group; mystery; suspense; crime; a thrilling storyline; twists; humour; romance & spice. I’m quite good at guessing plots & twists but I genuinely had no guesses whilst reading this book, so the end was totally shocking🫣 also the use of multimedia throughout the book was SO unique & amazing👏🏼
Kinsley is smart & quick-witted, & Thomas is a quiet & reserved grump with a surprisingly dirty mouth🫢 Kinsley tried to stay away from Thomas’ charm, but the chemistry & pull between them was undeniable. The tension was amazing at the beginning but I wish it lasted longer, & that we got to see a bit more of an emotional connection. Regardless, these two were so cute & hot together🤭
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: morally grey mmc, rivals to friends to strangers to lovers, summer/lake setting, found family, cold case
Thank you to Hanga for the arc in exchange for my honest review💜
This was such a great debut novel! I don’t really read any genres other than strictly romance, but I’m so glad I gave this arc a chance because I loved it! It had everything you could want: summer vibes; a fun & diverse friendship group; mystery; suspense; crime; a thrilling storyline; twists; humour; romance & spice. I’m quite good at guessing plots & twists but I genuinely had no guesses whilst reading this book, so the end was totally shocking🫣 also the use of multimedia throughout the book was SO unique & amazing👏🏼
Kinsley is smart & quick-witted, & Thomas is a quiet & reserved grump with a surprisingly dirty mouth🫢 Kinsley tried to stay away from Thomas’ charm, but the chemistry & pull between them was undeniable. The tension was amazing at the beginning but I wish it lasted longer, & that we got to see a bit more of an emotional connection. Regardless, these two were so cute & hot together🤭
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: morally grey mmc, rivals to friends to strangers to lovers, summer/lake setting, found family, cold case
Thank you to Hanga for the arc in exchange for my honest review💜
August 20, 2024
DNF, sloppy writing, no romantic tension, no mystery whatsoever. there’s no build up or tension or suspense. So upset because this was a highly anticipated read for me. FMC came off as annoying and juvenile and mmc was creepy (think toxic masculine macho man vibes)
October 14, 2024
2.5
there's potential but i think it lacks depth. too many topics and none of them was elaborated enough.
i'd also go for less smut/relationship focus and more about actual researches!
there's potential but i think it lacks depth. too many topics and none of them was elaborated enough.
i'd also go for less smut/relationship focus and more about actual researches!
July 9, 2025
Our Darkest Summer (Special Edition) by Hanga E. Pavel — available NOW!
my rating: ★★★★.5
aesthetic: ☕️👩🏼💻🚗🌊🌲🏡🗺️🌸🔎📝
I’m not usually someone who rereads books—but Our Darkest Summer by Hanga E. Pavel was not only just as good as the first time I read it… it was better.
Even knowing how it all ends didn’t take away from the emotional impact—if anything, it made the journey feel even more profound. I found myself picking up on little details and character moments I missed the first time around, and they added so much more depth and meaning to the story. The writing is raw, intimate, and beautifully layered, and experiencing it again with fresh eyes only made me love it more.
And let’s talk about the bonus chapters—they were everything. Heart-wrenching, healing, and filled with the kind of closure and connection that makes a special edition feel truly special. They added such richness to the characters and their arc, giving fans exactly what we didn’t even realize we needed.
If you’ve read Our Darkest Summer before, this edition is absolutely worth revisiting. And if you haven’t? There’s never been a better time to dive into this emotionally stunning story. A 4.5🌟 reread that reminded me why this book holds such a lasting place in my heart
**Thankyou so much Hanga E. Pavel for sending me an advanced copy of the second edition of your debut novel - it was extraordinary and mysterious in the best possible ways!
my rating: ★★★★.5
aesthetic: ☕️👩🏼💻🚗🌊🌲🏡🗺️🌸🔎📝
I’m not usually someone who rereads books—but Our Darkest Summer by Hanga E. Pavel was not only just as good as the first time I read it… it was better.
Even knowing how it all ends didn’t take away from the emotional impact—if anything, it made the journey feel even more profound. I found myself picking up on little details and character moments I missed the first time around, and they added so much more depth and meaning to the story. The writing is raw, intimate, and beautifully layered, and experiencing it again with fresh eyes only made me love it more.
And let’s talk about the bonus chapters—they were everything. Heart-wrenching, healing, and filled with the kind of closure and connection that makes a special edition feel truly special. They added such richness to the characters and their arc, giving fans exactly what we didn’t even realize we needed.
If you’ve read Our Darkest Summer before, this edition is absolutely worth revisiting. And if you haven’t? There’s never been a better time to dive into this emotionally stunning story. A 4.5🌟 reread that reminded me why this book holds such a lasting place in my heart
**Thankyou so much Hanga E. Pavel for sending me an advanced copy of the second edition of your debut novel - it was extraordinary and mysterious in the best possible ways!
July 30, 2024
ok i’m not one to write reviews for books but literally what was this?? everything was so cliche, so formal, and i felt like i couldn’t relate to LITERALLY ANYTHING. i assumed it was sam the whole time cause she was given ZERO personality and seriously? blackmailing cora?? ALSO THE COOKIE DOUGH. HOW would the cookie dough STILL BE ON THE RING, DAYSSSSS later. like kinsley found the ring showed it to thomas and neither one noticed the cookie dough? the reason i bought it was everything on social media was saying “ohh its just like agggtm, you’ll love it”. IT WAS LIKE THE SAME THING!!! the same notes and newspaper clippings, ALMOST THE SAME NAME. every single time i read sage i read sarge in my head and it was AWFUL. i feel like the author got wayyyy too much inspiration and basically stole the character but like couldn’t figure out how to write them well. also all of the twists were so sudden i was so lost. everything would be chill then BOOM the birds MURDERED IN HER BED like HELLO???? and why not turn on the lights if you can’t see anything like at that point it’s your own fault. idk its the authors first book so maybe she’ll get better but i genuinely did not like this book at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2024
ARC / BETA READER REVIEW !
Our Darkest Summer combines my two favorite genres, crime fiction and romance with the atmosphere of a light summer book, creating a perfect balance. I'll be honest, this concept was strange to me at first, considering that for me, these romantic, cute summer reads are not compatible with the mysterious, creepy atmosphere of crime fiction. However, I surprisingly found that these two really fit together.
The story is about a two brothers, Thomas and Connor Rhodes, and a friend of the family, Kinsley, who travel to a small lake town in the state of Maine to relax, at least in theory, because it soon becomes clear that it is more than just an average vacation.
I couldn't criticize the story much, other than that I think the romance developed a bit quickly, it is understandable that this is the effect of their past going back several years, but it seems fast compared to the speed of the story.
I think the mystery itself is on very good footing, however, there were a few parts that seemed a little too easily solved, for example: how did people remember what happened 12 years ago so precisely? But other than that, i liked it!!
I thought it was very cute that the cover itself is the same color as Lizzie's diary, and that the first chapter of the book takes place on the day it is published.🥹
Regardless, ODS is a great debut book, with all its minor flaws I can recommend it to those who liked the following books: Every Summer After, The Summer I Turned Pretty, A Good Girls Guide To Murder.
Thank you Hanga for the ARC copy <33
Our Darkest Summer combines my two favorite genres, crime fiction and romance with the atmosphere of a light summer book, creating a perfect balance. I'll be honest, this concept was strange to me at first, considering that for me, these romantic, cute summer reads are not compatible with the mysterious, creepy atmosphere of crime fiction. However, I surprisingly found that these two really fit together.
The story is about a two brothers, Thomas and Connor Rhodes, and a friend of the family, Kinsley, who travel to a small lake town in the state of Maine to relax, at least in theory, because it soon becomes clear that it is more than just an average vacation.
I couldn't criticize the story much, other than that I think the romance developed a bit quickly, it is understandable that this is the effect of their past going back several years, but it seems fast compared to the speed of the story.
I think the mystery itself is on very good footing, however, there were a few parts that seemed a little too easily solved, for example: how did people remember what happened 12 years ago so precisely? But other than that, i liked it!!
I thought it was very cute that the cover itself is the same color as Lizzie's diary, and that the first chapter of the book takes place on the day it is published.🥹
Regardless, ODS is a great debut book, with all its minor flaws I can recommend it to those who liked the following books: Every Summer After, The Summer I Turned Pretty, A Good Girls Guide To Murder.
Thank you Hanga for the ARC copy <33
July 3, 2024
Thank you to the author for reaching out to me and sending an ARC.
I've always seen so many recommendations for mystery novels set in the fall. I can't tell you how glad I was to finally find a romantic mystery set in summer.
There's a good balance between the romance and mystery aspects, which I can appreciate. All of the characters were so likable. I'm a sucker for the found family/ fun friend group trope. Thomas could have chemistry with a lamp, and I think Connor is my favorite. I have to say I couldn't fully connect with Kinsley because we never dived into her past, which I would've liked.
I LOVED the small details like maps and newspapers, it made me feel like I was part of it.
Congratulations to the author because this was a fun, easy-to-read, and exciting story.
I've always seen so many recommendations for mystery novels set in the fall. I can't tell you how glad I was to finally find a romantic mystery set in summer.
There's a good balance between the romance and mystery aspects, which I can appreciate. All of the characters were so likable. I'm a sucker for the found family/ fun friend group trope. Thomas could have chemistry with a lamp, and I think Connor is my favorite. I have to say I couldn't fully connect with Kinsley because we never dived into her past, which I would've liked.
I LOVED the small details like maps and newspapers, it made me feel like I was part of it.
Congratulations to the author because this was a fun, easy-to-read, and exciting story.
June 17, 2024
literally just finished this book and OH MY GOSH. to say i loved this book is an understatement!! i have never been one to read mystery/thriller books, you actually have to pry my romance/dark romance books out of my hands to get me to actually read anything else. but THIS… the author reached out to me a week ago asking for me to ARC read her debut novel and i couldn’t say no.
i instantly fell in love with Kinsley and Thomas’s relationship, couldn’t get enough of them. their chemistry was everything, i was in awe of how beautifully he talked about Kins. THOMAS the man you are omg i loved him sm his way with words had my jaw on the FLOOR and don’t even get me started on their smut OOOUUU GIRLLL i ate that shit up and went back for the crumbs!! 🤭
i also LOVED Connor and Braxton. Connor was everything, everything about his character was lovable. no one could ever make me hate him. and Braxton? omgosh he had me laughing my ass off with his comments, stupid jokes, and sarcasm. the way he was so deeply convinced he was the funny friend in the group had me dead 💀
i loved the overall setting of the book; i loved the mystery aspect, the plot, the case, etc. i do love a good mystery when i decide to pick one up and this absolutely delivered. everything about this book had me wanting more & more. once i started reading, it was so hard to stop. and the dedication to adding images into the book along the way made me even more in awe and obsessed with this book!! i seriously wish i could read it for the first time again!! and i loveddd the ending to this book even though i was not expecting for it to be who it was… i had my suspicions towards this family and most of them were right but some things just utterly surprised me 😭
Hanga Pavel the woman you are, you deserve all the support and love with this beautiful book! i recommend this book to everyone and their mothers and their mothers mother!!!!! 🩷
i instantly fell in love with Kinsley and Thomas’s relationship, couldn’t get enough of them. their chemistry was everything, i was in awe of how beautifully he talked about Kins. THOMAS the man you are omg i loved him sm his way with words had my jaw on the FLOOR and don’t even get me started on their smut OOOUUU GIRLLL i ate that shit up and went back for the crumbs!! 🤭
i also LOVED Connor and Braxton. Connor was everything, everything about his character was lovable. no one could ever make me hate him. and Braxton? omgosh he had me laughing my ass off with his comments, stupid jokes, and sarcasm. the way he was so deeply convinced he was the funny friend in the group had me dead 💀
i loved the overall setting of the book; i loved the mystery aspect, the plot, the case, etc. i do love a good mystery when i decide to pick one up and this absolutely delivered. everything about this book had me wanting more & more. once i started reading, it was so hard to stop. and the dedication to adding images into the book along the way made me even more in awe and obsessed with this book!! i seriously wish i could read it for the first time again!! and i loveddd the ending to this book even though i was not expecting for it to be who it was… i had my suspicions towards this family and most of them were right but some things just utterly surprised me 😭
Hanga Pavel the woman you are, you deserve all the support and love with this beautiful book! i recommend this book to everyone and their mothers and their mothers mother!!!!! 🩷
September 8, 2024
I don't usually leave reviews on books, however this one warranted one. Yes, it was THAT bad.
.....I'm sorry, NEVER has sucking a lollipop made my tongue feel like I had an orgasm. Like??? Also this book is supposed to be a murder mystery, is it not? What's with all the smut?? And it's not even GOOD.
I feel like the author was trying too hard to make the mmc all stoical and 'morally grey' and whatever. The smirking and 'dark gaze' got annoying reaaalll quick. And honestly his brother was just kind of...useless. and annoying.
The big plot twist didn't even feel like a plot twist, it was just so obvious to me.
Also why couldn't the characters ever use contractions?? Even when they were being informal or casual, they always said "I will", full form. Excuse me, but I thought they were college friends, not business partners.
And did no one find it weird that the mmc/love interest was the fmc's moms boyfriend's son? No? Just me? Okay.
Overall the premise was promising, but the writing style and ending just didn't hit. It was just disappointing, especially because I kept thinking of DNFing but kept giving it the benefit of doubt.
I pulled out the lollipop I still had in my pocket and tore off the wrapping paper before sucking on it. The sweet and sour cherry taste melted in my mouth, making me feel like my tongue just experienced an orgasm."
.....I'm sorry, NEVER has sucking a lollipop made my tongue feel like I had an orgasm. Like??? Also this book is supposed to be a murder mystery, is it not? What's with all the smut?? And it's not even GOOD.
I feel like the author was trying too hard to make the mmc all stoical and 'morally grey' and whatever. The smirking and 'dark gaze' got annoying reaaalll quick. And honestly his brother was just kind of...useless. and annoying.
The big plot twist didn't even feel like a plot twist, it was just so obvious to me.
Also why couldn't the characters ever use contractions?? Even when they were being informal or casual, they always said "I will", full form. Excuse me, but I thought they were college friends, not business partners.
And did no one find it weird that the mmc/love interest was the fmc's moms boyfriend's son? No? Just me? Okay.
Overall the premise was promising, but the writing style and ending just didn't hit. It was just disappointing, especially because I kept thinking of DNFing but kept giving it the benefit of doubt.
August 24, 2024
God the last sentence made me cringe. „I love you too, Sage,” I answer, before I thrust my hips forward. REALLY?! This felt like reading a slightly better wattpad story. The characters are underdeveloped and so is the mystery - they spend more time talking about solving it than actually solving it. My other issue was that we knew basically nothing about the mother other than she went missing. I think Thomas sharing some sweet memories of her and who she was as a person would make the whole search and it’s resolution much more impactful. Instead he kept thinking about f-cking Kinsley in the most random scenarios.
I also felt like the author just wanted to write AGGGTM knock off with smut. Sage? Get a grip.
I also felt like the author just wanted to write AGGGTM knock off with smut. Sage? Get a grip.
June 12, 2024
Im a sucker for a mystery book but a mystery with romance??? IM ALL IN!!!!
✨ small town
✨ found family
✨ dual POVs
✨ spicy chapters 🥵
✨ pictures of maps, texts, letters/notes
Thank you Hanga for sending me an ARC of this debut! It definitely reeled me in and i couldn’t get enough of Kinsley and Thomas!
I grew up watching all sorts of cold cases on tv and reading this book had me questioning everything, trying to solve the case like the characters. The turn of events at the end of the book had me on the edge of my seat!!! I definitely enjoyed reading this so much 🫶
✨ small town
✨ found family
✨ dual POVs
✨ spicy chapters 🥵
✨ pictures of maps, texts, letters/notes
Thank you Hanga for sending me an ARC of this debut! It definitely reeled me in and i couldn’t get enough of Kinsley and Thomas!
I grew up watching all sorts of cold cases on tv and reading this book had me questioning everything, trying to solve the case like the characters. The turn of events at the end of the book had me on the edge of my seat!!! I definitely enjoyed reading this so much 🫶
June 27, 2025
˗ˏˋ 5 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
imagine AGGGTM but with spice and a freaking hot mmc, this book is it. i genuinely could not stop reading once i started this and ended up finishing at 2am...
the murder mystery aspect was done so well. it was twist after twist after twist, and kept me flipping through the pages rather quickly. i loved how the author included pics of the notes, newspaper articles, clues and text messages. it felt like you were alongside the characters solving the mystery together. also the dicktionary in the beginning made me laugh lol. haha
and the romance part!? *chefs kiss* i loved how thomas and kinsley knew each other so well, like they could read each other's mind and body language. also the crossword banter *screams* (also, not me solving every single of them lol) i also loved the tension and chemistry between the two. especially thomas' pov, it has me giggling and kicking my feet.
as for the mystery crew (credits to braxton), i loved the found family between the 8 friends. connor was such a sweet little thing, pls protect him at all cost. he and kevin had the cutest relationship together. i loved how cora and aaliyah instantly became friends with kinsley, cuz who doesn't want to be bffs with her!? and samantha, she was such a sweet little angel and she made me kinda liked her. last but not least, shoutout to braxton lee, you were a funny chaotic one. i loved his energy.
also the different extra POVs by the end, it felt really cool and i loved reading about the different perspectives on the situation. overall, a phenomenal debut novel.
⤷ thank you to the author — hanga e pavel — for providing me an ARC of the second edition of her debut novel in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
26/06/2025 — it's 2am and i just finished the book. cant form coherent sentences rn but main point is that i loved it. rtc.
25/06/2025 — so i have this arc to finish, then two more by the end of june. hoping this mysterious forest cabin filled with secrets in the summer with a dash of romance is good because the edits on insta and pinterest are absolutely gorgeous. fingers crossed it delivers
tropes:
🏡 rivals to friends to strangers to lovers
🗃️ law major (hockey player) x crime journalist
🔍 morally grey mmc
🏡 small town
🗃️ found family
🔍 summer setting
🏡 second chance
🗃️ romantic murder mystery
imagine AGGGTM but with spice and a freaking hot mmc, this book is it. i genuinely could not stop reading once i started this and ended up finishing at 2am...
the murder mystery aspect was done so well. it was twist after twist after twist, and kept me flipping through the pages rather quickly. i loved how the author included pics of the notes, newspaper articles, clues and text messages. it felt like you were alongside the characters solving the mystery together. also the dicktionary in the beginning made me laugh lol. haha
and the romance part!? *chefs kiss* i loved how thomas and kinsley knew each other so well, like they could read each other's mind and body language. also the crossword banter *screams* (also, not me solving every single of them lol) i also loved the tension and chemistry between the two. especially thomas' pov, it has me giggling and kicking my feet.
as for the mystery crew (credits to braxton), i loved the found family between the 8 friends. connor was such a sweet little thing, pls protect him at all cost. he and kevin had the cutest relationship together. i loved how cora and aaliyah instantly became friends with kinsley, cuz who doesn't want to be bffs with her!? and samantha, she was such a sweet little angel and she made me kinda liked her. last but not least, shoutout to braxton lee, you were a funny chaotic one. i loved his energy.
also the different extra POVs by the end, it felt really cool and i loved reading about the different perspectives on the situation. overall, a phenomenal debut novel.
⤷ thank you to the author — hanga e pavel — for providing me an ARC of the second edition of her debut novel in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
26/06/2025 — it's 2am and i just finished the book. cant form coherent sentences rn but main point is that i loved it. rtc.
25/06/2025 — so i have this arc to finish, then two more by the end of june. hoping this mysterious forest cabin filled with secrets in the summer with a dash of romance is good because the edits on insta and pinterest are absolutely gorgeous. fingers crossed it delivers
tropes:
🏡 rivals to friends to strangers to lovers
🗃️ law major (hockey player) x crime journalist
🔍 morally grey mmc
🏡 small town
🗃️ found family
🔍 summer setting
🏡 second chance
🗃️ romantic murder mystery
June 28, 2024
This book was incredibly enjoyable and had me hooked from start to finish! I loved both the main characters—their chemistry, tension, and banter were top tier. The setting, plot, friendships, mystery, romance and spice were all so amazingly done.
I love a mystery book that also includes romance; it feels like getting the best of both worlds. This was such a great debut novel, and I'm recommending this book to everyone.
And can we talk about how the book includes clues, letters, maps, etc.? How fun is that?!
Mystery & romance
Found family
Family secrets
Plot twists
Small lake town
Thank you, Hanga, for the ARC! I'm so proud of you! I can't wait to read everything else you write. 🤍
I love a mystery book that also includes romance; it feels like getting the best of both worlds. This was such a great debut novel, and I'm recommending this book to everyone.
And can we talk about how the book includes clues, letters, maps, etc.? How fun is that?!
Mystery & romance
Found family
Family secrets
Plot twists
Small lake town
Thank you, Hanga, for the ARC! I'm so proud of you! I can't wait to read everything else you write. 🤍
June 28, 2024
4⭐️
i just wanted to to start by saying thank you Hanga E. Pavel for sending me this arc of your debut novel!!
this book was so fun i honestly found myself trying to put clues together to try and solve the case as if i was in the fbi or something. i loved how the romance and mystery aspect of the book tied seamlessly together and i think that made me love the book even more. the murder mystery had me at the edge of my seat the whole time and i was second guessing everything and in the end all my guesses were wrong😭.
i honestly liked both characters so much, the way they had that push and pull dynamic going on was chefs kiss, the teasing, chemistry and banter had me giggling and kicking my feet so much. i also lovedddd the fact that there was no miscommunication and no unnecessary third act breakup so that was definitely a BIG plus in my books, AND the smut was a 10/10 🤭
i could really see how well written both main characters were and how they both had so much depth to them
kinsley was such a likeable fmc i loved how she was a criminal journalist and was helping thomas solve the case of his missing mother, the way she used her knowledge to connect with and solve the case was such a interesting plot line in my opinion. she was also so sweet and relatable so i saw myself connecting with her a lot.
thomas was everythingggg. i’ll always love the quiet, broody, mmc and he did not disappoint. he had so much inner turmoil that he was dealing with and i just wanted to give him a hug the whole time. the way he was so upfront about his feelings for kinsley was so cute and how protective he was of her was perfect. don’t even get me started on the “good girl” i was literally giggling and kicking my feet everytime he said it.
i absolutely adored the found family aspect in this book as well, the bond these characters made was so wholesome and it was definitely one of my fav parts of the book!!
all in all i had so much fun reading this book and i highly recommend it for all romance lovers and mystery/thriller lovers!!
i just wanted to to start by saying thank you Hanga E. Pavel for sending me this arc of your debut novel!!
this book was so fun i honestly found myself trying to put clues together to try and solve the case as if i was in the fbi or something. i loved how the romance and mystery aspect of the book tied seamlessly together and i think that made me love the book even more. the murder mystery had me at the edge of my seat the whole time and i was second guessing everything and in the end all my guesses were wrong😭.
i honestly liked both characters so much, the way they had that push and pull dynamic going on was chefs kiss, the teasing, chemistry and banter had me giggling and kicking my feet so much. i also lovedddd the fact that there was no miscommunication and no unnecessary third act breakup so that was definitely a BIG plus in my books, AND the smut was a 10/10 🤭
i could really see how well written both main characters were and how they both had so much depth to them
kinsley was such a likeable fmc i loved how she was a criminal journalist and was helping thomas solve the case of his missing mother, the way she used her knowledge to connect with and solve the case was such a interesting plot line in my opinion. she was also so sweet and relatable so i saw myself connecting with her a lot.
thomas was everythingggg. i’ll always love the quiet, broody, mmc and he did not disappoint. he had so much inner turmoil that he was dealing with and i just wanted to give him a hug the whole time. the way he was so upfront about his feelings for kinsley was so cute and how protective he was of her was perfect. don’t even get me started on the “good girl” i was literally giggling and kicking my feet everytime he said it.
i absolutely adored the found family aspect in this book as well, the bond these characters made was so wholesome and it was definitely one of my fav parts of the book!!
all in all i had so much fun reading this book and i highly recommend it for all romance lovers and mystery/thriller lovers!!
May 18, 2024
Gosh, I needed this amazing romantic mystery! This book just proved my point: everything is better with a touch of romance, and THIS book had plenty. I loved the chemistry, the friendships, the teamwork, and the S.P.I.C.E. ❤️🔥 I want more! Period.
![Profile Image for Rikke [norwegian_bookshelf].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1693089480i%2F131196146._UX200_CR0%2C77%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 15, 2024
thank you to Hanga for sending me an arc of this! I had the best time
if you’re like me and don’t read the standard romantic summer books, this is for you!
Read if you like:
🔍 small town
🔍 found family
🔍 spice 🌶️
🔍 dual POV
🔍 summer setting
🔍 cold case
Our Darkest Summer takes place in a small lakeside town during summer 2021. Kinsley and the Rhodes brothers, Thomas and Connor, are visiting the boys’ lake house for the summer. It seems to Kinsley like the perfect summer getaway, except Thomas has other things in mind. 12 years ago Thomas and Connor’s mother went missing, now Thomas wants answers, and he’ll stop at nothing to find them.
the characters are very well written and I immediately had my eyes on Thomas Rhodes👀 He reminded me so much of my dear Conrad Fisher with his grumpy demeanor! He and Kinsley, the crime journalism student, was the perfect pair to solve this cold case, and their TENSION? Connor, the third wheel brother, was such a cinnamon roll and I loved his relationship with Kinsley!
Other than that I loved the references to Scooby Doo and the mystery inc gang. The friendship group had such a fun and playful dynamic.
This was a really good debut novel and I am excited to see what’s to come!
Our Darkest Summer releases on 28th June
if you’re like me and don’t read the standard romantic summer books, this is for you!
Read if you like:
🔍 small town
🔍 found family
🔍 spice 🌶️
🔍 dual POV
🔍 summer setting
🔍 cold case
Our Darkest Summer takes place in a small lakeside town during summer 2021. Kinsley and the Rhodes brothers, Thomas and Connor, are visiting the boys’ lake house for the summer. It seems to Kinsley like the perfect summer getaway, except Thomas has other things in mind. 12 years ago Thomas and Connor’s mother went missing, now Thomas wants answers, and he’ll stop at nothing to find them.
the characters are very well written and I immediately had my eyes on Thomas Rhodes👀 He reminded me so much of my dear Conrad Fisher with his grumpy demeanor! He and Kinsley, the crime journalism student, was the perfect pair to solve this cold case, and their TENSION? Connor, the third wheel brother, was such a cinnamon roll and I loved his relationship with Kinsley!
Other than that I loved the references to Scooby Doo and the mystery inc gang. The friendship group had such a fun and playful dynamic.
This was a really good debut novel and I am excited to see what’s to come!
Our Darkest Summer releases on 28th June
Read
August 30, 2024you like these books?
- a good girls’ guide to murder
- the summer i turned pretty
- we were liars
you like these shows?
- pretty little liars
- criminal minds
- one of us is lying
you like these tropes?
- rivals to lovers
- dual POV
- found family
✋🏼 THEN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! 🤚🏼 4🌟
- a good girls’ guide to murder
- the summer i turned pretty
- we were liars
you like these shows?
- pretty little liars
- criminal minds
- one of us is lying
you like these tropes?
- rivals to lovers
- dual POV
- found family
✋🏼 THEN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! 🤚🏼 4🌟
July 8, 2025
It was ok but it really could’ve been better. The smutty scenes where such a jump-scare to me. They really made me feel disturbed.😭
June 10, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
tropes:
→ small town romance
→ caso da risolvere
→ found family
→ rivals to lovers
→ new adult
An unsolved case is what brought Thomas Rhodes back to the lakeside town where he lived with his family as a child. The case of his mother, who disappeared and was never seen again.
It's been almost twelve years since Elizabeth Rhodes went missing and Thomas is back to prove the police wrong.
There's only one detail he hadn't considered in his plan: Kinsley.
Kinsley Green has always been Thomas' rival, and spending time with him wasn't on his summer plans.
One thing is clear: Thomas and Kinsley must put their history aside and work together to uncover what lies behind her mother's disappearance.
But as the research continues, not only their relationship changes, but also the case.
Will they be able to solve it before being the protagonists of a new one?
The tension and heartiness will keep you glued to the pages, it will be impossible to tear yourself away before finding out how it ends!
I sincerely thank Hanga E. Pavel for let me read her novel and for having trusted me!
I hope your debut goes well and I look forward to reading more written by you!!
recensione italiana ↓
Un caso irrisolto è ciò che ha riportato Thomas Rhodes nella cittadina sul lago dove viveva con la sua famiglia da piccolo. Il caso di sua madre, scomparsa e mai più rivista.
Sono passati quasi dodici anni da quando si sono perse le tracce di Elizabeth Rhodes e Thomas è tornato per dimostrare che la polizia si sbagliava.
C’è solo un dettaglio che non aveva considerato nel suo piano: Kinsley.
Kinsley Green è sempre stata la rivale di Thomas, e passare del tempo insieme a lui non era il programma per la sua estate.
Una cosa è chiara: Thomas e Kinsley devono mettere da parte la loro storia e lavorare insieme per scoprire cosa si nasconde dietro la scomparsa di sua madre.
Ma mentre le ricerche vanno avanti, non cambia solo la loro relazione, ma anche il caso.
Riusciranno a risolverlo prima di essere i protagonisti di uno nuovo?
La tensione e la cuorisità vi terranno incollati alle pagine, sarà impossibile staccarsi prima di aver scoperto come va a finire!
Ringrazio di cuore Hanga E. Pavel per aver potuto leggere il suo romanzo in anteprima e per aver avuto fiducia in me!
Ti auguro che il tuo esordio vada al meglio e aspetto di leggere altro scritto da te
tropes:
→ small town romance
→ caso da risolvere
→ found family
→ rivals to lovers
→ new adult
An unsolved case is what brought Thomas Rhodes back to the lakeside town where he lived with his family as a child. The case of his mother, who disappeared and was never seen again.
It's been almost twelve years since Elizabeth Rhodes went missing and Thomas is back to prove the police wrong.
There's only one detail he hadn't considered in his plan: Kinsley.
Kinsley Green has always been Thomas' rival, and spending time with him wasn't on his summer plans.
One thing is clear: Thomas and Kinsley must put their history aside and work together to uncover what lies behind her mother's disappearance.
But as the research continues, not only their relationship changes, but also the case.
Will they be able to solve it before being the protagonists of a new one?
The tension and heartiness will keep you glued to the pages, it will be impossible to tear yourself away before finding out how it ends!
I sincerely thank Hanga E. Pavel for let me read her novel and for having trusted me!
I hope your debut goes well and I look forward to reading more written by you!!
recensione italiana ↓
Un caso irrisolto è ciò che ha riportato Thomas Rhodes nella cittadina sul lago dove viveva con la sua famiglia da piccolo. Il caso di sua madre, scomparsa e mai più rivista.
Sono passati quasi dodici anni da quando si sono perse le tracce di Elizabeth Rhodes e Thomas è tornato per dimostrare che la polizia si sbagliava.
C’è solo un dettaglio che non aveva considerato nel suo piano: Kinsley.
Kinsley Green è sempre stata la rivale di Thomas, e passare del tempo insieme a lui non era il programma per la sua estate.
Una cosa è chiara: Thomas e Kinsley devono mettere da parte la loro storia e lavorare insieme per scoprire cosa si nasconde dietro la scomparsa di sua madre.
Ma mentre le ricerche vanno avanti, non cambia solo la loro relazione, ma anche il caso.
Riusciranno a risolverlo prima di essere i protagonisti di uno nuovo?
La tensione e la cuorisità vi terranno incollati alle pagine, sarà impossibile staccarsi prima di aver scoperto come va a finire!
Ringrazio di cuore Hanga E. Pavel per aver potuto leggere il suo romanzo in anteprima e per aver avuto fiducia in me!
Ti auguro che il tuo esordio vada al meglio e aspetto di leggere altro scritto da te
June 6, 2024
If your looking for an mystery romance novel, this is it. Stop looking!! This book is perfect for the summer! If you like:
* spicy mystery
* small town
* summer setting
* dual pov
than this is a perfect book for you!! 🌶️🔍🥹
Our Darkest Summer takes place in a small lakeside town. Kinsley and the Rhodes brothers go here to spend their holiday in the Rhodes family lake house. Kinsley thought they came here to party and enjoy themselves, but Thomas Rhodes has other plans. One thing was clear: Thomas Rhodes and Kinsley had to put aside their history and work together if Thomas Rhodes had any hope of finally getting to the bottom of his mother’s disappearence. His mother went missing 12 years ago. He want answers, and he’ll stop at nothing to find them.
I've always been looking for a book with the same vibe as a good girls guide to murder and I finally found it! If you liked a good girls guide to murder then you should read this book!! Hanga really did a great job of drawing you into the characters and getting to know them better. This made it difficult to guess who was involved in the disappearance.
I also really loved that there were photo’s of newspapers, articales and text messaged! This brings you completely into the story and make you feel like your apart of it :)
You won’t be able to stop reading while you start this book! I highly recommend reading it!! 🕵️💜
* spicy mystery
* small town
* summer setting
* dual pov
than this is a perfect book for you!! 🌶️🔍🥹
Our Darkest Summer takes place in a small lakeside town. Kinsley and the Rhodes brothers go here to spend their holiday in the Rhodes family lake house. Kinsley thought they came here to party and enjoy themselves, but Thomas Rhodes has other plans. One thing was clear: Thomas Rhodes and Kinsley had to put aside their history and work together if Thomas Rhodes had any hope of finally getting to the bottom of his mother’s disappearence. His mother went missing 12 years ago. He want answers, and he’ll stop at nothing to find them.
I've always been looking for a book with the same vibe as a good girls guide to murder and I finally found it! If you liked a good girls guide to murder then you should read this book!! Hanga really did a great job of drawing you into the characters and getting to know them better. This made it difficult to guess who was involved in the disappearance.
I also really loved that there were photo’s of newspapers, articales and text messaged! This brings you completely into the story and make you feel like your apart of it :)
You won’t be able to stop reading while you start this book! I highly recommend reading it!! 🕵️💜
June 4, 2024
4⭐️
What an incredible debut novel!! If you’re looking for a mystery novel that will have you on the edge of your seat, this is your book. Plus, it has a phenomenal side plot of romance between the two main characters. What more could you ask for?
The setting of this book was perfect for the summer if you’re wanting something that feels summery but still has that thrilling aspect to it. “Our Darkest Summer” takes place in a lakeside town where Kinsley and the Rhodes brothers are visiting the boys’ family lake house for the summer. Although it seems that they may have just been coming for a summer getaway, Thomas Rhodes has further intentions for this visit. His mother went missing 12 years ago. He wants answers, and he’ll stop at nothing to find them. It’s giving A Good Girls Guide to Murder which I have been striving for a book that would give me that feeling again since I read it back in 2022. 😌 Hanga gave me everything I could have hoped for and more. The friendships were also a prominent part of this book. While I enjoyed each of the side characters, I couldn’t help but question whether they were actually trustworthy. Hanga did an incredible job at making you love yet second guess each of the characters. This made it very difficult to guess what would happen next which had me on the edge of my seat.
p.s. This book is highly bingeable and you won’t be able to put it down once you start it. I highly recommend reading it when you have lots of time on your hands to binge it all at once!! 🤭
I can’t wait to read more of Hanga’s writing in the future! 😌
What an incredible debut novel!! If you’re looking for a mystery novel that will have you on the edge of your seat, this is your book. Plus, it has a phenomenal side plot of romance between the two main characters. What more could you ask for?
The setting of this book was perfect for the summer if you’re wanting something that feels summery but still has that thrilling aspect to it. “Our Darkest Summer” takes place in a lakeside town where Kinsley and the Rhodes brothers are visiting the boys’ family lake house for the summer. Although it seems that they may have just been coming for a summer getaway, Thomas Rhodes has further intentions for this visit. His mother went missing 12 years ago. He wants answers, and he’ll stop at nothing to find them. It’s giving A Good Girls Guide to Murder which I have been striving for a book that would give me that feeling again since I read it back in 2022. 😌 Hanga gave me everything I could have hoped for and more. The friendships were also a prominent part of this book. While I enjoyed each of the side characters, I couldn’t help but question whether they were actually trustworthy. Hanga did an incredible job at making you love yet second guess each of the characters. This made it very difficult to guess what would happen next which had me on the edge of my seat.
p.s. This book is highly bingeable and you won’t be able to put it down once you start it. I highly recommend reading it when you have lots of time on your hands to binge it all at once!! 🤭
I can’t wait to read more of Hanga’s writing in the future! 😌
June 16, 2025
5★
this was genuinely so much fun. second chance, ex-rivals, AND murder mystery x romance??? i think mystery-romances tend to be very hit or miss but oh my god i couldn’t put this down.
first of all, the romance was super well done. i will always love a ‘he hates that he wants her’ 😌🤌🏼 he’s also a hockey player???? that has absolutely nothing to do with the story, but it’s very important that i emphasize that he’s a hockey player…
the mystery aspect was also super good! i was genuinely intrigued by it the entire time and i legit had to put my feet under the blanket because i got freaked out. i also was totally wrong about the answer but that’s not surprising at all.
i highly recommend picking this up. it’s one you can speed through and it’ll certainly keep your attention during the entire story.
thank you to hanga e pavel for seconding me an arc of the second edition of your debut novel! i had such a fun time reading it and will most definitely be picking a physical copy for my shelf 🤍
this was genuinely so much fun. second chance, ex-rivals, AND murder mystery x romance??? i think mystery-romances tend to be very hit or miss but oh my god i couldn’t put this down.
first of all, the romance was super well done. i will always love a ‘he hates that he wants her’ 😌🤌🏼 he’s also a hockey player???? that has absolutely nothing to do with the story, but it’s very important that i emphasize that he’s a hockey player…
the mystery aspect was also super good! i was genuinely intrigued by it the entire time and i legit had to put my feet under the blanket because i got freaked out. i also was totally wrong about the answer but that’s not surprising at all.
i highly recommend picking this up. it’s one you can speed through and it’ll certainly keep your attention during the entire story.
thank you to hanga e pavel for seconding me an arc of the second edition of your debut novel! i had such a fun time reading it and will most definitely be picking a physical copy for my shelf 🤍
June 28, 2024
if you’re looking for a mystery romance that gives a good girl’s guide to murder vibes, this one is perfect for you!
our darkest summer takes place in a small town called “coldwater”. kinsley joins the rhodes brothers (thomas and conner) on their getaway to the rhodes family lake house. little did kinsley know that instead of partying and having fun, thomas had other plans. plans that included thomas figuring out the truth of his mother’s disappearance. to get to the bottom of this mystery, kinsley and thomas have to put their history behind in order for thomas to get answers and nothing will stop him from getting them, not even mysterious threats.
this easily became my favorite mystery romance! the way that hanga wrote the characters and the stories so well to the point where she gave enough to keep you wondering while also not giving away too much was PERFECT! you can tell the plot was really thought out because it made it difficult to guess who was involved in the mystery of the disappearance. i loved how hanga included photos of articles, newspapers, clues and along with text messages. those made it feel like i was somehow involved in the investigation process if that makes sense.
i feel like this is the perfect novel to get into mystery if you are a romance reader so i highly recommend!!!
thank you so much hanga for sending me an ARC and congratulations on your debut! i can’t wait to see what comes next🫶🏼
our darkest summer takes place in a small town called “coldwater”. kinsley joins the rhodes brothers (thomas and conner) on their getaway to the rhodes family lake house. little did kinsley know that instead of partying and having fun, thomas had other plans. plans that included thomas figuring out the truth of his mother’s disappearance. to get to the bottom of this mystery, kinsley and thomas have to put their history behind in order for thomas to get answers and nothing will stop him from getting them, not even mysterious threats.
this easily became my favorite mystery romance! the way that hanga wrote the characters and the stories so well to the point where she gave enough to keep you wondering while also not giving away too much was PERFECT! you can tell the plot was really thought out because it made it difficult to guess who was involved in the mystery of the disappearance. i loved how hanga included photos of articles, newspapers, clues and along with text messages. those made it feel like i was somehow involved in the investigation process if that makes sense.
i feel like this is the perfect novel to get into mystery if you are a romance reader so i highly recommend!!!
thank you so much hanga for sending me an ARC and congratulations on your debut! i can’t wait to see what comes next🫶🏼
June 26, 2024
release date: june 28th✨️
rating: 4.5☆
first of all, thank you so much for author hanga e. pavel for sending me an e-arc of this book!!
when i tell you this book had me screaming, giggling, and blushing like crazy🙈
i finished reading this book pretty fast, seeing as i barely have time to read lately, and oh my god, it was so good!!
this book felt like a mix of agggtm (the mystery) & the summer i turned pretty (the setting), and it has found family!!🤭
the characters were so interesting, and i absolutely loved the way they all just became their own little family, it was so heartwarming.
anyways, if you enjoy small town romances with some mystery to spice things up and the found family trope, i highly recommend you read it :)
rating: 4.5☆
first of all, thank you so much for author hanga e. pavel for sending me an e-arc of this book!!
when i tell you this book had me screaming, giggling, and blushing like crazy🙈
i finished reading this book pretty fast, seeing as i barely have time to read lately, and oh my god, it was so good!!
this book felt like a mix of agggtm (the mystery) & the summer i turned pretty (the setting), and it has found family!!🤭
the characters were so interesting, and i absolutely loved the way they all just became their own little family, it was so heartwarming.
anyways, if you enjoy small town romances with some mystery to spice things up and the found family trope, i highly recommend you read it :)
August 29, 2024
3,5*
Firstly, I'd like to thank Hanga for sending me the ARC of ODS! I'm so glad I could read it before its release, so let's see my thoughts about it! <3
Our Darkest Summer is a mystery novel set in a small town called Coldwater. Thomas Rhodes, his brother Connor, and their friend, Kinsley, went on a summer holiday to the Rhodeses' old summer house, but Thomas had other reasons to return to Coldwater. He wanted to solve a cold case about his mother, who had disappeared twelve years ago.
That was my first romance mystery book, but I've learned these two genres aren't working for me together. The plot was rushed for me despite the more important things were at the end. I would have loved to read more about how they solved the case and how Kinsley and Thomas fell in love with each other. I know they have a past, but I would have liked to read more about their relationship in the present and how they find their way back to each other. But! The plot twist at the end very surprised me! I tried to guess who might be involved in the case, but I could only predict one person with the help of the clues in the book.
I loved the variety of the characters. Connor and Braxton were my two favorites (and I hope Braxton is a swiftie and Connor's favorite movie is Tangled for real). But Thomas was a "too perfect to be real" kind of guy for me, and I couldn't relate to him because of that.
Overall, I liked this book. It was a great debut novel, and I hope to read more from Hanga soon! If you love TSITP, We Were Liars, and overall mystery books, Our Darkest Summer will be a good choice for you this summer <3
Firstly, I'd like to thank Hanga for sending me the ARC of ODS! I'm so glad I could read it before its release, so let's see my thoughts about it! <3
Our Darkest Summer is a mystery novel set in a small town called Coldwater. Thomas Rhodes, his brother Connor, and their friend, Kinsley, went on a summer holiday to the Rhodeses' old summer house, but Thomas had other reasons to return to Coldwater. He wanted to solve a cold case about his mother, who had disappeared twelve years ago.
That was my first romance mystery book, but I've learned these two genres aren't working for me together. The plot was rushed for me despite the more important things were at the end. I would have loved to read more about how they solved the case and how Kinsley and Thomas fell in love with each other. I know they have a past, but I would have liked to read more about their relationship in the present and how they find their way back to each other. But! The plot twist at the end very surprised me! I tried to guess who might be involved in the case, but I could only predict one person with the help of the clues in the book.
I loved the variety of the characters. Connor and Braxton were my two favorites (and I hope Braxton is a swiftie and Connor's favorite movie is Tangled for real). But Thomas was a "too perfect to be real" kind of guy for me, and I couldn't relate to him because of that.
Overall, I liked this book. It was a great debut novel, and I hope to read more from Hanga soon! If you love TSITP, We Were Liars, and overall mystery books, Our Darkest Summer will be a good choice for you this summer <3
September 28, 2024
debating 1,5 stars tbh
with the utmost respect for you for writing and publishing a book, girl, throughout the entire book i could hear you thinking out the sentences in hungarian and translating it to english, your writing would improve tons if you wrote in your native language and had someone whose mother tongue is english translate for you.
very unbalanced story, the mystery is lacking, no theories to be made, nothing to speculate about, no red herrings, no connections, no dark secrets to uncover, just a premise and a quick solution at the end ooh ahh crazy woman with no backstory or motivation,, i- (i mean i wasn't expecting lots but maybe a bit more than this ngl)
honestly had to skim all "found family scenes", nothing about them was gripping, to be honest maybe the romance/smut scenes were the highlight of the book despite them being pretty rushed in the beginning and quite same-y after a while. i also think the atmosphere of the quiet lakeside town was well conveyed, i felt immersed in the setting.
wouldn't quite recommend, i think it needed a lot more work especially with sentence structure and finding an authentic american sound.
with the utmost respect for you for writing and publishing a book, girl, throughout the entire book i could hear you thinking out the sentences in hungarian and translating it to english, your writing would improve tons if you wrote in your native language and had someone whose mother tongue is english translate for you.
very unbalanced story, the mystery is lacking, no theories to be made, nothing to speculate about, no red herrings, no connections, no dark secrets to uncover, just a premise and a quick solution at the end ooh ahh crazy woman with no backstory or motivation,, i- (i mean i wasn't expecting lots but maybe a bit more than this ngl)
honestly had to skim all "found family scenes", nothing about them was gripping, to be honest maybe the romance/smut scenes were the highlight of the book despite them being pretty rushed in the beginning and quite same-y after a while. i also think the atmosphere of the quiet lakeside town was well conveyed, i felt immersed in the setting.
wouldn't quite recommend, i think it needed a lot more work especially with sentence structure and finding an authentic american sound.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
*reread: 4/5 ✰ i definitely enjoyed this more the second time around w/ the revised version! i LOVE a mystery romance esp with text messages and clues! the bonus chapters were also sm fun to read. i wish we got more towards the ending!! highly recommed for a quick summer read! ALSO THE NEW COVER IS THE CUTEST THING EVERRR i cant wait to have it on my shelf hehe
* first read (arc review): 3.5/5 ✰ i read this book so quickly like the authors writing is SO good and fast paced especially for a debut novel. i liked the mystery aspect of this & the plot but i wish we got more background info about the mom and their family relationship and finding things out in the end😭 the friend group is so cute and i loved the text messages like braxton is such a cutie ahaha there were some spice scenes thrown in! yeah i would def recommend!!!
* first read (arc review): 3.5/5 ✰ i read this book so quickly like the authors writing is SO good and fast paced especially for a debut novel. i liked the mystery aspect of this & the plot but i wish we got more background info about the mom and their family relationship and finding things out in the end😭 the friend group is so cute and i loved the text messages like braxton is such a cutie ahaha there were some spice scenes thrown in! yeah i would def recommend!!!
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