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The Boys of Clermont Bay #3
The Taste of an Enemy
Rich. Vicious. Vengeful. Forbidden. The Boys of Clermont Bay had always been untouchable.
And Carson Hale was the worst of them all.
He was pretentious and a player, and he had hated me for so long I forgot that we were ever anything more than enemies.
Brutally beautiful and savagely heartless, his only plan was to ruin everything I loved.
But dares were made, and even though I had no business saying yes, I found myself in trouble and forced to work with my rival to get us out of it.
He had always been cruel, but something changed.
The lure of him was too much. The way I craved his touch unbearable.
Just as I fell for him, he proved himself to be exactly who he had been all along.
And Carson Hale was the worst of them all.
He was pretentious and a player, and he had hated me for so long I forgot that we were ever anything more than enemies.
Brutally beautiful and savagely heartless, his only plan was to ruin everything I loved.
But dares were made, and even though I had no business saying yes, I found myself in trouble and forced to work with my rival to get us out of it.
He had always been cruel, but something changed.
The lure of him was too much. The way I craved his touch unbearable.
Just as I fell for him, he proved himself to be exactly who he had been all along.
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2024
360 people are currently reading
3463 people want to read
About the author
Holly Renee
28 books7,371 followers✨USA Today Bestselling Author
🤠 Cowboy Casual out October 7th
Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhollyrenee/
Join my Reader Group, Hollywood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollyRenee
🩷🤠COWBOY ROMANCE🤠🩷
Cowboy Casual | Coming October 7th
✨🌙⚔️FANTASY ROMANCE⚔️🌙✨
The Veiled Kingdom Series
The Veiled Kingdom
The Hunted Heir
The Rivaled Crown
The Stars and Shadows Series
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
A Kingdom of Fire and Fate
🖤🫦CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE🫦🖤
The Boys of Clermont Bay Series
The Touch of a Villain
The Fall of a God
The Taste of an Enemy
The Deceit of a Devil
The Seduction of Pretty Lies
The Temptation of Dirty Secrets
The Good Girls Series
Where Good Girls Go to Die
Where Bad Girls Go to Fall
Where Bad Boys are Ruined
The Rock Bottom Series
Trouble with the Guy Next Door
Trouble with the Hotshot Boss}
[book: Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend
The Wrong Prince Charming
The Wrong Prince Charming
🤠 Cowboy Casual out October 7th
Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhollyrenee/
Join my Reader Group, Hollywood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollyRenee
🩷🤠COWBOY ROMANCE🤠🩷
Cowboy Casual | Coming October 7th
✨🌙⚔️FANTASY ROMANCE⚔️🌙✨
The Veiled Kingdom Series
The Veiled Kingdom
The Hunted Heir
The Rivaled Crown
The Stars and Shadows Series
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows
A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal
A Kingdom of Venom and Vows
A Kingdom of Fire and Fate
🖤🫦CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE🫦🖤
The Boys of Clermont Bay Series
The Touch of a Villain
The Fall of a God
The Taste of an Enemy
The Deceit of a Devil
The Seduction of Pretty Lies
The Temptation of Dirty Secrets
The Good Girls Series
Where Good Girls Go to Die
Where Bad Girls Go to Fall
Where Bad Boys are Ruined
The Rock Bottom Series
Trouble with the Guy Next Door
Trouble with the Hotshot Boss}
[book: Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend
The Wrong Prince Charming
The Wrong Prince Charming
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
August 31, 2021
'THE TASTE OF AN ENEMY' Is 'PART #1 in a #2 PART SERIES in Holly Renee's 'THE BOYS OF CLERMONT BAY.' Spoken in 'Dual perspectives.'
This had all the angst, drama and heartache I love to chase in my books, the too and fro banter played ping pong on my battered heart and I was a long for the ride, this enemies to lovers was just what the Doctor ordered!!
“𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲."
It's hard to believe these two used to be friends, to the point they even used to love each other, but that was then and this is now..
She's the girl he supposedly hates, the one girl he puts down, but she's also the one girl he can't get out of his head. If he can't have her nobody can.
He's the boy she despises, the one boy that she knows all his secrets, the one boy she used to love.
Now it's a race against time, he knows of a bet going around, that concerns her and he's got his work cut out for him to make her believe him, but he also took part in that bet just to keep her safe from the wolves that used to be his friends circling her.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
September 5, 2021
2.5 stars rounded down
I expected so much more. It was a plot written many times before:
✔️ Former BFF turned into enemies due to mutual misunderstanding
✔️ Bullying / Enemies to lovers trope - slut shaming and revolting comments by Hero
✔️ Manwhore Hero - scenes with OW in the beginning 🤢 He's been in love with h for years, but screwed almost all girls in town, anyway
✔️ Virgin heroine - who gives up her virginity easily, after years being tormented by the Hero
✔️ Stupid Bet - completely unnecessary for Hero to join the bet, but the author wouldn't have a reason for the big drama otherwise
All wrapped up in a simple writing style, which may not be necessary bad, but it didn't help in this case. It's not a standalone, it's part of a duet (probably), and ends up with a cliffhanger.
For the unoriginality and unlikable Hero, I'm forced to give low rating... Not sure if I want to waste my time and money on the other book.
September 2, 2021
***AVAILABLE NOW***
It is hard to articulate how beautiful Allie and Carson’s romance is, the artful way Holly Renee intertwined this friends to enemies to lovers romance, or the angst and heartbreak she left me in.
From the minute we met Allie and Carson as secondary characters, I was salivating for their romance. Their hate for each other had tension permeating the air, so delicious I could practically taste it and it didn’t disappoint.
What I wasn’t expecting was the tenderness between them? The emotion and care that Carson hid away from Allie, and how Allie was hurt but healing with him.
Being a duet, I knew this cliffhanger would hurt, and it did. Holly filled those final moments with such tenderness and love that when it blew up in their face, my heart shattered with them. The innocence of their younger love, the slow progression to a deeper love, the final moments of where they shared their feelings had my emotions in a tailspin.
This one, Carson and Allie’s love, just about did me in. While Josie and Beck’s story was electric and steamy, this was soul-stirring. The emotion, the heartbreak between them was deep and real. My heart hurts for them, broke with them.
Book 1 of 2.
Beta Read
It is hard to articulate how beautiful Allie and Carson’s romance is, the artful way Holly Renee intertwined this friends to enemies to lovers romance, or the angst and heartbreak she left me in.
From the minute we met Allie and Carson as secondary characters, I was salivating for their romance. Their hate for each other had tension permeating the air, so delicious I could practically taste it and it didn’t disappoint.
What I wasn’t expecting was the tenderness between them? The emotion and care that Carson hid away from Allie, and how Allie was hurt but healing with him.
Being a duet, I knew this cliffhanger would hurt, and it did. Holly filled those final moments with such tenderness and love that when it blew up in their face, my heart shattered with them. The innocence of their younger love, the slow progression to a deeper love, the final moments of where they shared their feelings had my emotions in a tailspin.
This one, Carson and Allie’s love, just about did me in. While Josie and Beck’s story was electric and steamy, this was soul-stirring. The emotion, the heartbreak between them was deep and real. My heart hurts for them, broke with them.
Book 1 of 2.
Beta Read
March 21, 2025
2 STARS
Re-read (2) in 2025: I will never re-read this crap-tastic story again. After several headaches and frustrating "I am going to throw kindle" moments, I agree pretty much with my old review. Only reason that I did a re-read of this story was so I can finally finish this messy couple story.
• • •
This book was like a watered down version of Bully by Penelope Douglas mixed with After series by Anna Todd.
Basically, Holly Renee is a new-to-me author and I tried this at random after seeing it suggested on my Kindle. The Boys of Clermont Bay are inter-connected stories with 1-2 books focused on specific couples. Overall, I was disappointed with this childish mediocre story.
😵 😒 😵
↱STORY PLOT↲
This story contains:
MAIN CHARACTERS
➴ Carson Hale (H)
BIG ISSUE: Man whore + Slut Shaming
➴ Allie Taylor (h)
✨ HOW DID THIS EVEN GET 2 STARS? ✨
⋞1 of the star⋟
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
↬ Carson trying to be a decent person
Before pursuing Allie, he tried to get her to see Eli's ulterior motive. He even tried to have their friends get through to her. Nothing worked and Allie was very naive to see the real Eli. I did like seeing the hope of redemption for Carson when he initially tried to do good by Allie and steer her clear of Eli.
⋞1 of the star⋟
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
↬ The Friend Group
I liked seeing how they interacted with their friends. I feel Olly was there for both Allie and Carson. He tried to keep Carson level headed with trying not to hurt Allie, which I liked. I also was interested to see more of his story! Overall, the secondary character were written well and generally likable.
══════════════════════════════
FINAL VERDICT ON THIS BOOK
══════════════════════════════
Although highly problematic, I do feel that this book should of never been a cliffhanger... I think it would been better if the two books for Carson & Allie story were combined. The book itself is relative short being shy of 170 pages, so they could of been together and just overall written better.
I digress, though.
BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS
* * *
The Boys of Clermont Bay
(1) The Touch of a Villain ⤑ TBR
(2) The Fall of a God ⤑ TBR
(3) The Taste of an Enemy ⤑ 2 stars
(4) The Deceit of a Devil ⤑ TBR
(5) The Seduction of Pretty Lies ⤑ TBR
(6) The Temptation of Dirty Secrets ⤑ TBR
Re-read (2) in 2025: I will never re-read this crap-tastic story again. After several headaches and frustrating "I am going to throw kindle" moments, I agree pretty much with my old review. Only reason that I did a re-read of this story was so I can finally finish this messy couple story.
• • •
This book was like a watered down version of Bully by Penelope Douglas mixed with After series by Anna Todd.
Basically, Holly Renee is a new-to-me author and I tried this at random after seeing it suggested on my Kindle. The Boys of Clermont Bay are inter-connected stories with 1-2 books focused on specific couples. Overall, I was disappointed with this childish mediocre story.
😵 😒 😵
↱STORY PLOT↲
Carson (H) and Allie (h) have known each other for year; however, due to a misunderstanding Carson hates Allies but somewhat tolerates her because they share the same friend group. Carson joins in on this bet the guys from his baseball team are making and the name that he picks to hook up with is Allie. He initially wanted nothing to do with it, until someone else - Eli (OM) - wanted her. Carson and Eli both pursue Allie due to this bet. Carson begins to forget about the stupid bet once he spends time again with Allie and they finally settle their misunderstanding. That is until, the bet is made known to Allie.
This story contains:
⇒ Childhood friends turned into enemies due to mutual misunderstanding
⇒ OTT possessive hero who is stuck in a I-can't-have-you-but no-one-else so I'll bully you to show my love
⇒ Man whore hero who slut shames women...
⇒ Tropes: virgin heroine, enemies-to-lovers, & bet
⇒ ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER: Main heroine finds out about the bet in the end & it is left with her wanting nothing to do with the hero
MAIN CHARACTERS
➴ Carson Hale (H)
Man whore, slut shames women, condescending, not redeemable
BIG ISSUE: Man whore + Slut Shaming
Covers up the fact he still cares for Allie via being a man whore. Bonus point that's right there is more... he degrades the other women.
➟ Chapter One pg. 1-2: Carson was hooking up with another girl within the first 2 pages of the book and calls all the women at the party a slut
Ex. 1 - Carson's take on every girl at the party: “Almost every girl here was dressed sluttier than I had ever seen them.”
Ex. 2 - Carson to Allie at the party: “You look like a slut with a cowboy hat.”
➴ Allie Taylor (h)
timid, sweet, good girl, naive
Allie was very naive as she let Carson back into her life and well into her pants quickly. She ignored every red flag he threw up and even ignored the one's Eli showed. Like girl... you should have done better.
She had literally zero back bone whatsoever when it came to Carson. She agitated me to no end, tbh. Only redeeming quality is she stood her ground at the end with wanting nothing to do with Carson after finding out about the bet.
✨ HOW DID THIS EVEN GET 2 STARS? ✨
⋞1 of the star⋟
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
↬ Carson trying to be a decent person
Before pursuing Allie, he tried to get her to see Eli's ulterior motive. He even tried to have their friends get through to her. Nothing worked and Allie was very naive to see the real Eli. I did like seeing the hope of redemption for Carson when he initially tried to do good by Allie and steer her clear of Eli.
⋞1 of the star⋟
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
↬ The Friend Group
I liked seeing how they interacted with their friends. I feel Olly was there for both Allie and Carson. He tried to keep Carson level headed with trying not to hurt Allie, which I liked. I also was interested to see more of his story! Overall, the secondary character were written well and generally likable.
══════════════════════════════
FINAL VERDICT ON THIS BOOK
══════════════════════════════
Although highly problematic, I do feel that this book should of never been a cliffhanger... I think it would been better if the two books for Carson & Allie story were combined. The book itself is relative short being shy of 170 pages, so they could of been together and just overall written better.
I digress, though.
BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS
⤑ This book may be for you, if you like the virgin heroine who is a bet trope
⤑ Would I recommend? no
⤑ Will I read the conclusion book to Carson and Allie story? If I feel like being a glutton for punishment, so most likely
* * *
The Boys of Clermont Bay
(1) The Touch of a Villain ⤑ TBR
(2) The Fall of a God ⤑ TBR
(3) The Taste of an Enemy ⤑ 2 stars
(4) The Deceit of a Devil ⤑ TBR
(5) The Seduction of Pretty Lies ⤑ TBR
(6) The Temptation of Dirty Secrets ⤑ TBR
July 19, 2022
Uhh, Carson and Allie were the best of friends until they weren't. Despite loathing each other, there is an undeniable thin line of lust that swims around them. Everyone around them can feel the tension and they try to hide it.
Carson has wanted to ruin Allie Taylor since that fateful day. The day that cemented their friendship in hate. If only he talked with her, like he loves to run his mouth about her. So much drama would have been avoided, but for the story it was needed.
Allie has always had a soft spot for Carson. Despite the dislike she'd shed it for just one night with him. They were inseparable until one moment changed it all. I feel like she doesn't hate him as much as he does her. He is out to make her crumble and she wants to mend what's broken. She can't understand while he has such distain for her.
He has a way back into her life and he jumps at the chance. If the truth comes to light, the one who he truly cares for will be crushed. The thing with lies - they always are found out. You can only hide them for so long.
It was good while it lasted, now you'd better grovel and fight.... before it's too late!
Carson has wanted to ruin Allie Taylor since that fateful day. The day that cemented their friendship in hate. If only he talked with her, like he loves to run his mouth about her. So much drama would have been avoided, but for the story it was needed.
Allie has always had a soft spot for Carson. Despite the dislike she'd shed it for just one night with him. They were inseparable until one moment changed it all. I feel like she doesn't hate him as much as he does her. He is out to make her crumble and she wants to mend what's broken. She can't understand while he has such distain for her.
He has a way back into her life and he jumps at the chance. If the truth comes to light, the one who he truly cares for will be crushed. The thing with lies - they always are found out. You can only hide them for so long.
It was good while it lasted, now you'd better grovel and fight.... before it's too late!
September 3, 2021
Ahhh!! I was looking forward to Carson and Allie's book since Beck and Josie's duet. This enemies to lovers/childhood best friends turned enemies story was so delicious. The Taste of an Enemy had chemistry and angst and a whole lot of drama. I enjoyed the push and pull and the crazy tension between Carson and Allie.
I especially loved the tidbits of information Renee provided giving us a glimpse into Allie and Carson's past. Overall, this was a solid read and I look forward to reading the second book in this series after that crazy ending! 4 stars! ~Ratula
I especially loved the tidbits of information Renee provided giving us a glimpse into Allie and Carson's past. Overall, this was a solid read and I look forward to reading the second book in this series after that crazy ending! 4 stars! ~Ratula
September 27, 2021
***5 "CARSON + ALLIE = An explosive combination!!!" stars***
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
"I want you, but I can't have you."
Sorry, Holly, for saying this, but Beck and Josie don't hold a candle to Carson and Allie...
Yes, I loved Beck and Josie's story, but Carson and Allie's story was on another level!!!
I freakin' loved their story... I ached for them, I broke down for them, I smiled for them!!!
Their story was messy, but it was intense and breathtaking!!!
From the first page till the last one, I was full of excitement to see how this story will end up...
I can not wait for the second part... I just need for these two to find their way to each other because they were always meant to be....
"I have lots of rules. Especially rules about boys."
"All boys or just me?"
"Mostly you."
"Good. I look forward to breaking them."
Carson and Allie weren't new to each other, and even though they had stayed away from each other, lately they are forced to run in the same circle because of their best friends....
They have history that is bounding them together and unsolved feelings that are holding them back...
Carson is determined to make Allie's life hell with his cutting words and actions... And Allie just trying to survive him and persuade herself that she hates him...
But the old feelings are always lingering between them and every time that they are close to each other, even when they are spitting fire from their mouths, the intensity and electricity is unable to hide!!!
"Carson had been my enemy for so long, but he had never really been that to me at all. He was the boy who I had once loved, and the boy who had broken my heart almost every day since then."
Because of some circumstances, they are coming closer and some bets and dares are getting them into trouble...
Now they are forced to be together every single day and that's not always a good thing....
The feelings are finding their way to spill between the cracks of this supposed hatred and old memories are coming into the light to remind them what they lost once upon a time...
Are they able to forget and forgive and embrace the love that is still lingering between them???
Or their mistakes are unforgivable and they will become for once again enemies???
"She was heaven and hell. Everything I wanted and everything I was dying to run from."
I really love this couple... I was anticipating their story and with a good reason...
Allie was an amazing and very loveable creature... Her pain was unbearable... Her feelings for Carson were keeping her behind and she deserved something good...
As for Carson??? Bye, bye, Beck!!! Carson had stolen the impressions here and even though he was a nasty son of a bitch in the beginning, when he was slipping to his old self, he was making me fall under his spell!!!
"I'm just not capable of giving you the things that I know you would want, and you're not capable of only having the things I'm willing to give."
I really loved this couple... And I need desperately to see where Holly and this story will lead us!!!
The only sure thing is that you could taste the intensity of these two and you couldn't deny that they were meant for each other...
The only thing that remains is to realize it themselves and pull their heads out of their a$$es and grab what it was always in front of them!!!
"I couldn't survive Carson twice. I was barely still surviving from the first time."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
"I want you, but I can't have you."
Sorry, Holly, for saying this, but Beck and Josie don't hold a candle to Carson and Allie...
Yes, I loved Beck and Josie's story, but Carson and Allie's story was on another level!!!
I freakin' loved their story... I ached for them, I broke down for them, I smiled for them!!!
Their story was messy, but it was intense and breathtaking!!!
From the first page till the last one, I was full of excitement to see how this story will end up...
I can not wait for the second part... I just need for these two to find their way to each other because they were always meant to be....
"I have lots of rules. Especially rules about boys."
"All boys or just me?"
"Mostly you."
"Good. I look forward to breaking them."
Carson and Allie weren't new to each other, and even though they had stayed away from each other, lately they are forced to run in the same circle because of their best friends....
They have history that is bounding them together and unsolved feelings that are holding them back...
Carson is determined to make Allie's life hell with his cutting words and actions... And Allie just trying to survive him and persuade herself that she hates him...
But the old feelings are always lingering between them and every time that they are close to each other, even when they are spitting fire from their mouths, the intensity and electricity is unable to hide!!!
"Carson had been my enemy for so long, but he had never really been that to me at all. He was the boy who I had once loved, and the boy who had broken my heart almost every day since then."
Because of some circumstances, they are coming closer and some bets and dares are getting them into trouble...
Now they are forced to be together every single day and that's not always a good thing....
The feelings are finding their way to spill between the cracks of this supposed hatred and old memories are coming into the light to remind them what they lost once upon a time...
Are they able to forget and forgive and embrace the love that is still lingering between them???
Or their mistakes are unforgivable and they will become for once again enemies???
"She was heaven and hell. Everything I wanted and everything I was dying to run from."
I really love this couple... I was anticipating their story and with a good reason...
Allie was an amazing and very loveable creature... Her pain was unbearable... Her feelings for Carson were keeping her behind and she deserved something good...
As for Carson??? Bye, bye, Beck!!! Carson had stolen the impressions here and even though he was a nasty son of a bitch in the beginning, when he was slipping to his old self, he was making me fall under his spell!!!
"I'm just not capable of giving you the things that I know you would want, and you're not capable of only having the things I'm willing to give."
I really loved this couple... And I need desperately to see where Holly and this story will lead us!!!
The only sure thing is that you could taste the intensity of these two and you couldn't deny that they were meant for each other...
The only thing that remains is to realize it themselves and pull their heads out of their a$$es and grab what it was always in front of them!!!
"I couldn't survive Carson twice. I was barely still surviving from the first time."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
April 20, 2022
This series is my latest obsession 🔥🤤
January 3, 2022
3-3,5 stars ⭐️
This started really well I enjoyed the first 40% too much then I loose a little bit my interest and then the ending left me with a cliffhanger and I need to know what is happening!
This started really well I enjoyed the first 40% too much then I loose a little bit my interest and then the ending left me with a cliffhanger and I need to know what is happening!
September 1, 2021
The Boys of Clermont Bay series just keeps getting better and better! Rife with delicious drama, enchantingly addictive, and exploding with young love heartache and longing, The Taste of the Enemy is angsty second chance perfection. Holly Renee has yet again put us in the throes of the heated chemistry of two friends turned enemies, but Carson and Allie are her most complicated and angsty duo yet. And I can’t get enough of them!
From our first meeting of this mesmerizing duo, I wanted to swim around in the enigmatic tension that seemed to orbit Allie and Carson. But I wasn’t prepared for just how messy their connection would be. A hidden history, a severed bond, broken hearts, betrayals and misunderstandings, these two aren’t just at odds, there is an aching chasm between them. Wounds that have only festered as they’ve matured. Feelings that have grown increasingly conflicted, especially now that their best friends are dating, forcing them to share a physical, and emotional, proximity they’ve both avoided. And now a unique situation draws them even closer- forcing these embittered enemies to confront their long buried feelings- and things get ANGSTY fast.
Allie is hands down my favorite Holly Renee heroine- she’s equal parts sassy spitfire and gentle hearted. There’s a maturity to her, a levelness, that really sets her apart from the Clermont crew- and makes her delightfully relatable. I felt a real connection with her- reveled in her steadiness and her sensitivity, how deeply she feels things. And no one gets to her quite like Carson Hale. The ruthless Clermont king who has stopped at nothing to cut her down. Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could love Carson, if I could see past his bitter vendetta and cruel quips. But Holly surprised me- she let Carson’s immaturity be the catalyst to his redemption. HIs heart is torn between being the kind and empathetic man he could be and the shattered little boy full of heartache that he has nowhere to place- so he placed it on Allie. But we see glimmers of the Carson he can be, his capacity to care and feel. We see him TRY to do the right things- even if he makes mistakes in trying to do them. Holly finds the SWOON in the once cruel Carson.
Their chemistry is SO complicated- that palpable push-pull intensity, a combustible heat, so much love hate-tension, but there is also a heart-hitting intimacy that draws you in. Their shared history is a tether that makes their story special- makes their connection feel more intimate and soulful. It makes for a heady balance of heart and heat, sizzle and swoon. The sweet moments feel all the sweeter, but oh man, the heartbreaking moments cut more deeply. Deftly, Holly finds a narrative approach that really focuses intensely on these two alone, and it makes for some really dynamic character evolution. All while infusing this story with so much contrast- the quiet healing and the heart-smashing mistakes. And the sexual tension?! YOWZERS. I am so enamored with these two together- and so the epically dramatic and heart shattering finale left me in tatters. My heart has not recovered- primarily because I’m not sure these two can recover from this finale. Needless to say, Holly, we need the finale! I’ve never rooted for a Holly couple more.
From our first meeting of this mesmerizing duo, I wanted to swim around in the enigmatic tension that seemed to orbit Allie and Carson. But I wasn’t prepared for just how messy their connection would be. A hidden history, a severed bond, broken hearts, betrayals and misunderstandings, these two aren’t just at odds, there is an aching chasm between them. Wounds that have only festered as they’ve matured. Feelings that have grown increasingly conflicted, especially now that their best friends are dating, forcing them to share a physical, and emotional, proximity they’ve both avoided. And now a unique situation draws them even closer- forcing these embittered enemies to confront their long buried feelings- and things get ANGSTY fast.
Allie is hands down my favorite Holly Renee heroine- she’s equal parts sassy spitfire and gentle hearted. There’s a maturity to her, a levelness, that really sets her apart from the Clermont crew- and makes her delightfully relatable. I felt a real connection with her- reveled in her steadiness and her sensitivity, how deeply she feels things. And no one gets to her quite like Carson Hale. The ruthless Clermont king who has stopped at nothing to cut her down. Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could love Carson, if I could see past his bitter vendetta and cruel quips. But Holly surprised me- she let Carson’s immaturity be the catalyst to his redemption. HIs heart is torn between being the kind and empathetic man he could be and the shattered little boy full of heartache that he has nowhere to place- so he placed it on Allie. But we see glimmers of the Carson he can be, his capacity to care and feel. We see him TRY to do the right things- even if he makes mistakes in trying to do them. Holly finds the SWOON in the once cruel Carson.
Their chemistry is SO complicated- that palpable push-pull intensity, a combustible heat, so much love hate-tension, but there is also a heart-hitting intimacy that draws you in. Their shared history is a tether that makes their story special- makes their connection feel more intimate and soulful. It makes for a heady balance of heart and heat, sizzle and swoon. The sweet moments feel all the sweeter, but oh man, the heartbreaking moments cut more deeply. Deftly, Holly finds a narrative approach that really focuses intensely on these two alone, and it makes for some really dynamic character evolution. All while infusing this story with so much contrast- the quiet healing and the heart-smashing mistakes. And the sexual tension?! YOWZERS. I am so enamored with these two together- and so the epically dramatic and heart shattering finale left me in tatters. My heart has not recovered- primarily because I’m not sure these two can recover from this finale. Needless to say, Holly, we need the finale! I’ve never rooted for a Holly couple more.
September 2, 2021
“I want you, but I can’t have you.”
Oh. My. Beating. Heart! Holly Renee slays again with her heart-pounding prose! Sinfully delicious and soulfully rich, Taste of an Enemy is an emotional explosion that will blow you away from beginning to end … it’s EVERYTHING!!! I. Can’t. Stop. Feeling. This. Romance.
A heart-pounding young adult saga of soulmates and second chances at love and life, the third installment of the Boys of Clermont Bay is simply bewitching. Carson and Allie are full of fire and desire, and you can’t help but feel the burn and bleeding angst these soulmates bring. The push and the pull had me on edge and—oh my—I had to fan myself from the all alpha Carson’s fiery mouth. Allie and Carson pulled me into their story where I had no choice but to listen as I fell for them both.
This is a YA romance for anyone who knows what it’s like to experience the mind-bending, heart-pounding heights of first love. Holly Renee weaves an unforgettably heart-hitting and tension-yielding tale about first love and the forever imprint it leaves on the heart and soul. I was wholeheartedly consumed with Carson and Allie’s love story that’s so heady and heartfelt, the kind I want to shout out to the world, the kind I want every romance reader to meet.
With magical writing full of tantalizing teenage angst and raging emotion, strong and compelling soulmates with an explosive history, a beautiful beach setting, and a second chance storyline, I was a goner for this bully romance … a book that burns in the best way. I can’t wait to feel that fire again. The Boys of Clermont Bay is, hands-down, one of the best young adult romance series I’ve ever read, and these books only keep getting better.
💋💋💋💋💋💋 but worth all the explosive kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/3kILAUh
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Oh. My. Beating. Heart! Holly Renee slays again with her heart-pounding prose! Sinfully delicious and soulfully rich, Taste of an Enemy is an emotional explosion that will blow you away from beginning to end … it’s EVERYTHING!!! I. Can’t. Stop. Feeling. This. Romance.
A heart-pounding young adult saga of soulmates and second chances at love and life, the third installment of the Boys of Clermont Bay is simply bewitching. Carson and Allie are full of fire and desire, and you can’t help but feel the burn and bleeding angst these soulmates bring. The push and the pull had me on edge and—oh my—I had to fan myself from the all alpha Carson’s fiery mouth. Allie and Carson pulled me into their story where I had no choice but to listen as I fell for them both.
This is a YA romance for anyone who knows what it’s like to experience the mind-bending, heart-pounding heights of first love. Holly Renee weaves an unforgettably heart-hitting and tension-yielding tale about first love and the forever imprint it leaves on the heart and soul. I was wholeheartedly consumed with Carson and Allie’s love story that’s so heady and heartfelt, the kind I want to shout out to the world, the kind I want every romance reader to meet.
With magical writing full of tantalizing teenage angst and raging emotion, strong and compelling soulmates with an explosive history, a beautiful beach setting, and a second chance storyline, I was a goner for this bully romance … a book that burns in the best way. I can’t wait to feel that fire again. The Boys of Clermont Bay is, hands-down, one of the best young adult romance series I’ve ever read, and these books only keep getting better.
💋💋💋💋💋💋 but worth all the explosive kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/3kILAUh
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
September 4, 2021
𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊: THE TASTE OF AN ENEMY.
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE.
𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄: SECOND CHANCE, EX BESTFRIENDS, BULLY.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄:BOOK #3 THE BOYS OF CLERMONT BAY.
(BOOK #1 FOR CARSON'S STORY)
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: HOLLY RENEE.
𝐏𝐎𝐕: FIRST-PERSON: DUAL PERSPECTIVE.
𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓:🤠🤠🤠🤠
𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆:🌏🌏🌏🌏
𝐄𝐘𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑:🦋🦋🦋🦋
𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄:
If bullying is this hot, then who is complaining?!
My God! This book was everything....from angst to deliciously hot chemistry, Carson and Allie have won my heart over.
Author Renee really has a unique way with her characters, they seem so real that I couldn't help but emphasize with them for their pain and heartbreak.
Now onto Carson and Allie, after seeing the animosity between them who would have thought of these two ever been Bestfriends. And their to and fro banter, so entertaining. I kind of guessed what twist is coming but it didn't deter the pleasure of the journey. Albeit the ending was truly heartbreaking.
I was always a bug fan of Beck and Josie, the bullying element in that duet was more intense than this one. But don't underestimate Carson, he will slay us all when triggered.
I am understanting this when I say I am so excited for Book #2 OF Carson and Allie story.
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE.
𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄: SECOND CHANCE, EX BESTFRIENDS, BULLY.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄:BOOK #3 THE BOYS OF CLERMONT BAY.
(BOOK #1 FOR CARSON'S STORY)
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: HOLLY RENEE.
𝐏𝐎𝐕: FIRST-PERSON: DUAL PERSPECTIVE.
𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓:🤠🤠🤠🤠
𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆:🌏🌏🌏🌏
𝐄𝐘𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑:🦋🦋🦋🦋
𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄:
If bullying is this hot, then who is complaining?!
My God! This book was everything....from angst to deliciously hot chemistry, Carson and Allie have won my heart over.
Author Renee really has a unique way with her characters, they seem so real that I couldn't help but emphasize with them for their pain and heartbreak.
Now onto Carson and Allie, after seeing the animosity between them who would have thought of these two ever been Bestfriends. And their to and fro banter, so entertaining. I kind of guessed what twist is coming but it didn't deter the pleasure of the journey. Albeit the ending was truly heartbreaking.
I was always a bug fan of Beck and Josie, the bullying element in that duet was more intense than this one. But don't underestimate Carson, he will slay us all when triggered.
I am understanting this when I say I am so excited for Book #2 OF Carson and Allie story.
August 31, 2021
Carson can bully me anytime!!!
Loved this story! They were friends until they weren’t. This enemies-to-lovers, bully romance is smokin’ HOT!!!
One decision and Carson decided they were done. No longer friends, he’d torment her instead. He went from being her best friend to being the bully she tried to avoid.
Allie’s a good girl. She just wants to be with her friends, have some fun and maybe find herself a boyfriend. When a popular jock shows her some interest, she’s ready to soak it up. However, Carson is suddenly interested in making sure her date knows that Allie belongs to him.
Bring on the scorching hot sexual tension. Innocent Allie is about to be corrupted. She went from no boyfriend, to two guys fighting for her attention. It’s going to get heated. The only problem is both guys have a secret and once the truth comes out, they both may be left empty-handed.
This story sucked me right in. I was consumed by the push and pull between Allie and Carson. He’s a mess. He’s lugging around so much baggage from his dysfunctionsl family life. She can’t stop her feelings even when he’s cruel. He just needs someone who is willing to push past his walls. She just might be the one to do it.
Carson can be cruel but he is a dirty talking savant, which makes up for his short comings. You will enjoy him even though at times you may want to smack him. A great escape. All I can say is…GIVE ME BOOK TWO!!!
Loved this story! They were friends until they weren’t. This enemies-to-lovers, bully romance is smokin’ HOT!!!
One decision and Carson decided they were done. No longer friends, he’d torment her instead. He went from being her best friend to being the bully she tried to avoid.
Allie’s a good girl. She just wants to be with her friends, have some fun and maybe find herself a boyfriend. When a popular jock shows her some interest, she’s ready to soak it up. However, Carson is suddenly interested in making sure her date knows that Allie belongs to him.
Bring on the scorching hot sexual tension. Innocent Allie is about to be corrupted. She went from no boyfriend, to two guys fighting for her attention. It’s going to get heated. The only problem is both guys have a secret and once the truth comes out, they both may be left empty-handed.
This story sucked me right in. I was consumed by the push and pull between Allie and Carson. He’s a mess. He’s lugging around so much baggage from his dysfunctionsl family life. She can’t stop her feelings even when he’s cruel. He just needs someone who is willing to push past his walls. She just might be the one to do it.
Carson can be cruel but he is a dirty talking savant, which makes up for his short comings. You will enjoy him even though at times you may want to smack him. A great escape. All I can say is…GIVE ME BOOK TWO!!!
October 14, 2023
this was exactly what i wanted!
friends to enemies to something! this was angsty, it was steamy... i have no words i was just feeling all the feels
friends to enemies to something! this was angsty, it was steamy... i have no words i was just feeling all the feels
August 29, 2021
“She was the thing I wanted most in this world, but she was also the one thing I couldn’t have."
Once again this series has blown my mind completely. I thought that Beck was it, but then Carson came along and now I want them all!
This story is fire!
It’s better than what I ever imagined for Carson and Allie’s story.
They just made sense together . But their journey surely wasn’t an easy one, not at all.
And we’re just at the beginning!
Carson and Allie story’s started a long time ago, they have a past as best friends who one day turned into an enemies relationships.
There are some unresolved issues and a pretty strong chemistry between them. And they can’t help but rotate around each other , with hated words and angst.
And when there’s also a bet involved , everything is gonna get spicy and so much more complicated.
“I pushed you away because I was so damn in love with you that I couldn’t see anything else.”
This book will catch your attention since the first chapter, and you won’t be able to function again until you’ll finish it. Trust me, I tried not to.
The chemistry and the feelings coming from these pages are too strong and to powerful , you’ll simply love it and it won’t be enough.
This is just the first book in this duet and I’m already impatiently waiting for the next one.
yes, obviously this one ends with a cliffhanger , so buckle up and get ready for a crazy ride on the waves of Clermont Bay!
I gave it 5 stars!
my Blog
I hope you’ll enjoy it like I did!
*ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
Once again this series has blown my mind completely. I thought that Beck was it, but then Carson came along and now I want them all!
This story is fire!
It’s better than what I ever imagined for Carson and Allie’s story.
They just made sense together . But their journey surely wasn’t an easy one, not at all.
And we’re just at the beginning!
Carson and Allie story’s started a long time ago, they have a past as best friends who one day turned into an enemies relationships.
There are some unresolved issues and a pretty strong chemistry between them. And they can’t help but rotate around each other , with hated words and angst.
And when there’s also a bet involved , everything is gonna get spicy and so much more complicated.
“I pushed you away because I was so damn in love with you that I couldn’t see anything else.”
This book will catch your attention since the first chapter, and you won’t be able to function again until you’ll finish it. Trust me, I tried not to.
The chemistry and the feelings coming from these pages are too strong and to powerful , you’ll simply love it and it won’t be enough.
This is just the first book in this duet and I’m already impatiently waiting for the next one.
yes, obviously this one ends with a cliffhanger , so buckle up and get ready for a crazy ride on the waves of Clermont Bay!
I gave it 5 stars!
my Blog
I hope you’ll enjoy it like I did!
*ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
August 21, 2021
*ARC provided for an honest review*
The Taste of an Enemy is a second chance, childhood friends, hate to love story between Allie and Carson and I really enjoyed it! These two characters have so much chemistry between them that was enjoyable to read.
Allie and Carson both have a past together in which they were best friends but things happens that had them drift apart. Now in present time it’s push and pull between them. The moments in which you see Carson’s perspective on why he’s a certain way towards her were interesting and had me wanting to know more. Allie is really sweet and I liked the way she stands up for her happiness even when Carson is the worst towards her. Allie and Carson have a connection that not many people around them will understand but them.
Second chance romances are my absolute favorite so I’m intrigued with how Allie and Carson’s relationship will keep developing. I can’t wait for the second book, especially after the ending that left Allie heartbroken.
The Taste of an Enemy is a second chance, childhood friends, hate to love story between Allie and Carson and I really enjoyed it! These two characters have so much chemistry between them that was enjoyable to read.
Allie and Carson both have a past together in which they were best friends but things happens that had them drift apart. Now in present time it’s push and pull between them. The moments in which you see Carson’s perspective on why he’s a certain way towards her were interesting and had me wanting to know more. Allie is really sweet and I liked the way she stands up for her happiness even when Carson is the worst towards her. Allie and Carson have a connection that not many people around them will understand but them.
Second chance romances are my absolute favorite so I’m intrigued with how Allie and Carson’s relationship will keep developing. I can’t wait for the second book, especially after the ending that left Allie heartbroken.
September 6, 2021
Oh, Carson! He hated her, he wanted her, he didn’t want her, he didn’t want anyone else to have her.
"She was heaven and hell. Everything I wanted and everything I was dying to run from."
Carson Hale and Allie Taylor were once BFFs but, when they were 15, there was an incident that broke their friendship. Over the years, he’s never failed to show her how much he despised her, but Allie gave as good as she got, all the while disguising her hurt from him. Carson might not want to be friends with Allie but he finds it impossible to ignore her. When a dumb bet is made, he sets out to save her from humiliation by trying to win her over. However, things become far too complicated and he might end up breaking them forever.
”She kissed me like she was dying inside just like I was, and this kiss…felt like a lifeline.”
I loved this story! There was so much tension, angst and chemistry between Carson and Allie. It was so clear that they harboured deep feelings for one another and, as often with these enemies-to-lovers tropes, if they’d had the courage to sit and talk about the past and their feelings, so much would have been resolved. However, I totally loved the drama, all the sexiness, and the push-and-pull whiplash between them. This author does NA well and delving into the deep-seated fears of a couple of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood. Can’t wait for the concluding book!
Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2Y73DJ...
"She was heaven and hell. Everything I wanted and everything I was dying to run from."
Carson Hale and Allie Taylor were once BFFs but, when they were 15, there was an incident that broke their friendship. Over the years, he’s never failed to show her how much he despised her, but Allie gave as good as she got, all the while disguising her hurt from him. Carson might not want to be friends with Allie but he finds it impossible to ignore her. When a dumb bet is made, he sets out to save her from humiliation by trying to win her over. However, things become far too complicated and he might end up breaking them forever.
”She kissed me like she was dying inside just like I was, and this kiss…felt like a lifeline.”
I loved this story! There was so much tension, angst and chemistry between Carson and Allie. It was so clear that they harboured deep feelings for one another and, as often with these enemies-to-lovers tropes, if they’d had the courage to sit and talk about the past and their feelings, so much would have been resolved. However, I totally loved the drama, all the sexiness, and the push-and-pull whiplash between them. This author does NA well and delving into the deep-seated fears of a couple of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood. Can’t wait for the concluding book!
Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2Y73DJ...
September 8, 2021
I love the Clermont Bay world, we're back with a new duet in the series and this time it's Carson and Allie's story. After being introduced to them in Beck and Josie's duet I couldn't wait to get their story. These pair were once friends but now are enemies, they pretty much hate each other. I was completely consumed by them and fell even more in love with Carson, I can't wait to read the next book....
April 19, 2022
טעמו של אויב|הונאתו של השטן| הולי רנה
ספר שלישי ורביעי בסדרת הבנים של קלמורנט ביי
הוצאת: טורקיז
חיכיתי לספרים של קרסון ואלי מאז מגעו של נבל.
ואני אגיד לכן שאפילו אהבתי אותם יותר מהספרים הראשונים בסדרה.
ספר חברי ילדות> לשונאים> לנאהבים
וזה היה פשוט כל מה שרציתי.
תיכון, בריונות, מסיבות ושני אנשים ששונאים אחד את השני אבל בלב שלהם זה ההיפך משנאה והתשוקה והאהבה אחד לשני מרגיזה את שניהם.
קרסון ואלי היו החברים הכי טובים מילדות עד שלילה אחד אלי לא הייתה שם בשבילו כשהיה צריך אותה, הוא לא סלח לה על זה והתנתק ממנה.
הוא הפך להיות מרושע, שחצן, מטיח בה עלבונות בכל הזדמנות ואלי תמיד מנסה להישאר זקופה ולא לתת לו את הסיפוק שיבין כמה הוא פגע בה וכמה היא מתגעגעת אליו.
ערב אחד הוא מתפרץ לדייט שלה עם מישהו אחר והם מוצאים את עצמם בדייט שמסתבך ואחריו הם נאלצים לבלות זמן ביחד על מנת לשלם על הנזקים.
וכל זמן שהם ביחד שאלות מהעבר צפות והתשוקה משתוללת והם לא מצליחים לעצור את זה!
וקרסון…אלוהים, קרסון! אוהבת גברים שלא רואים ממטר ושבורים כל כך מבפנים שאם את מסתכלת פנימה את מבינה שהם רק רוצים שמישהו יאהב אותם.
הסיבה שהוא מוציא את הזעם שלו על אלי היא כי הוא זקוק לתגובה שלה.
לא משנה איזו תגובה הוא יקבל.
זו הייתה הדרך לא לשחרר אותה אחרי כל מה שקרה בינהם.
ופשוט התאהבתי בהם!
ספר תיכון שונאים לנאהבים מלא בתשוקה ואהבה ואלי פשוט עמדה מול הדברים שקרסון אומר ועושה ולא ויתרה לרגע.
היא גרמה לו להילחם עליה!
למרות שהיו לה מעידות איתו והיא נמשכת אליו היא מעולם לא ויתרה על עצמה למרות כל מה שהעניקה לקרסון. אפילו שלא הגיע לו.
קרסון עובר תהליך על מנת להיות ראוי לאלי וזה עשה את הספר.
בנוסף, הספר לוהט כאילו ממש לוהט
אני לא חושבת שהדגשתי כמה הספר לוהט🔥🔥🔥
לוהט ברמת ״צריכה להדליק מזגן שאני קוראת״ לוהט🔥🔥🔥
ספר תיכון שונאים לנאהבים מושלם!
אתן חייבות להכיר את קרסון!!!
ספר שלישי ורביעי בסדרת הבנים של קלמורנט ביי
הוצאת: טורקיז
חיכיתי לספרים של קרסון ואלי מאז מגעו של נבל.
ואני אגיד לכן שאפילו אהבתי אותם יותר מהספרים הראשונים בסדרה.
ספר חברי ילדות> לשונאים> לנאהבים
וזה היה פשוט כל מה שרציתי.
תיכון, בריונות, מסיבות ושני אנשים ששונאים אחד את השני אבל בלב שלהם זה ההיפך משנאה והתשוקה והאהבה אחד לשני מרגיזה את שניהם.
קרסון ואלי היו החברים הכי טובים מילדות עד שלילה אחד אלי לא הייתה שם בשבילו כשהיה צריך אותה, הוא לא סלח לה על זה והתנתק ממנה.
הוא הפך להיות מרושע, שחצן, מטיח בה עלבונות בכל הזדמנות ואלי תמיד מנסה להישאר זקופה ולא לתת לו את הסיפוק שיבין כמה הוא פגע בה וכמה היא מתגעגעת אליו.
ערב אחד הוא מתפרץ לדייט שלה עם מישהו אחר והם מוצאים את עצמם בדייט שמסתבך ואחריו הם נאלצים לבלות זמן ביחד על מנת לשלם על הנזקים.
וכל זמן שהם ביחד שאלות מהעבר צפות והתשוקה משתוללת והם לא מצליחים לעצור את זה!
וקרסון…אלוהים, קרסון! אוהבת גברים שלא רואים ממטר ושבורים כל כך מבפנים שאם את מסתכלת פנימה את מבינה שהם רק רוצים שמישהו יאהב אותם.
הסיבה שהוא מוציא את הזעם שלו על אלי היא כי הוא זקוק לתגובה שלה.
לא משנה איזו תגובה הוא יקבל.
זו הייתה הדרך לא לשחרר אותה אחרי כל מה שקרה בינהם.
ופשוט התאהבתי בהם!
ספר תיכון שונאים לנאהבים מלא בתשוקה ואהבה ואלי פשוט עמדה מול הדברים שקרסון אומר ועושה ולא ויתרה לרגע.
היא גרמה לו להילחם עליה!
למרות שהיו לה מעידות איתו והיא נמשכת אליו היא מעולם לא ויתרה על עצמה למרות כל מה שהעניקה לקרסון. אפילו שלא הגיע לו.
קרסון עובר תהליך על מנת להיות ראוי לאלי וזה עשה את הספר.
בנוסף, הספר לוהט כאילו ממש לוהט
אני לא חושבת שהדגשתי כמה הספר לוהט🔥🔥🔥
לוהט ברמת ״צריכה להדליק מזגן שאני קוראת״ לוהט🔥🔥🔥
ספר תיכון שונאים לנאהבים מושלם!
אתן חייבות להכיר את קרסון!!!
September 6, 2021
Feels 3
Steam 2
Storyline 3.5
Overall Rating 3.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Stephanie
We’re back in Clermont Bay with tons of drama, angst and an enemies to lovers second chance romance. I was dying to see where the author would take Carson and Allie’s story after we met them earlier in the series. You could tell right away there was something going on with these two, but I wasn’t sure what it was. Apparently once upon a time….a long time ago they were best friends, they were each other’s everything until one day they weren’t. That was then and this is now and the now comes with a ton of shit to unpack from their past.
“Because we were friends once upon a time, whether he wants to remember it that way or not, and he was the one who decided that what we were was over.”
As much as Allie would love to avoid Carson it’s nearly impossible. They have all the same friends and go the same school. Now she must constantly brace herself for the snide comments and hateful things that her former bestie says to her. It’s like he never misses the opportunity to bully her, and it always hits where it hurts the most. I really like Allie. For as much as Carson pushed and tried to make her feel like shit, she wasn’t afraid to push back. You could just feel right away that she still cared for him. She would try to catch glimpses of the Carson she knew and loved even when he was being the biggest asshole. But when someone else shows interest in her and she starts to move on things quickly change.
“He was like the warmest of memories mixed with the harshest of reality.”
Carson loved to hate Allie and relished the chance to never make her forget that. He was the bully, asshole and former best friend. But he was also the boy who felt broken and tried desperately to hide it behind his popular playboy persona. He may have come off like he hated her, but his eyes tracked her everywhere she went. You knew that his heart belonged to the girl who was part of so many of his good memories. A bet was made, a dare of sorts, and Carson will do whatever it takes to win...but at what cost?
“I had no choice but to make Allie fall for me even though I had been convincing her to hate me for years.”
This book had a ton of angst and a constant push and pull between Allie and Carson. I love a good second chance romance with the whole enemies to lovers twist, and I did really enjoy this book. It just wasn’t my favorite of the series. The pace for me was a little off and went from I hate you to let’s turn these tables quickly. Those parts were a little all over the place for me. I loved that Allie had no problem sticking up for herself. She was a great mix of a good heart with a side of sass and kick ass. I really loved Carson once we got to know him a little more. I get that he was hurt by Allie but hating her all those years was a lot. I was pulling for them to make it but then that ending?! That cliffhanger killed me and I need to know what happens next!
“I’m just not capable of giving you the things that I know you would want, and you’re not capable of only having the things I’m willing to give.”
Steam 2
Storyline 3.5
Overall Rating 3.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Stephanie
We’re back in Clermont Bay with tons of drama, angst and an enemies to lovers second chance romance. I was dying to see where the author would take Carson and Allie’s story after we met them earlier in the series. You could tell right away there was something going on with these two, but I wasn’t sure what it was. Apparently once upon a time….a long time ago they were best friends, they were each other’s everything until one day they weren’t. That was then and this is now and the now comes with a ton of shit to unpack from their past.
“Because we were friends once upon a time, whether he wants to remember it that way or not, and he was the one who decided that what we were was over.”
As much as Allie would love to avoid Carson it’s nearly impossible. They have all the same friends and go the same school. Now she must constantly brace herself for the snide comments and hateful things that her former bestie says to her. It’s like he never misses the opportunity to bully her, and it always hits where it hurts the most. I really like Allie. For as much as Carson pushed and tried to make her feel like shit, she wasn’t afraid to push back. You could just feel right away that she still cared for him. She would try to catch glimpses of the Carson she knew and loved even when he was being the biggest asshole. But when someone else shows interest in her and she starts to move on things quickly change.
“He was like the warmest of memories mixed with the harshest of reality.”
Carson loved to hate Allie and relished the chance to never make her forget that. He was the bully, asshole and former best friend. But he was also the boy who felt broken and tried desperately to hide it behind his popular playboy persona. He may have come off like he hated her, but his eyes tracked her everywhere she went. You knew that his heart belonged to the girl who was part of so many of his good memories. A bet was made, a dare of sorts, and Carson will do whatever it takes to win...but at what cost?
“I had no choice but to make Allie fall for me even though I had been convincing her to hate me for years.”
This book had a ton of angst and a constant push and pull between Allie and Carson. I love a good second chance romance with the whole enemies to lovers twist, and I did really enjoy this book. It just wasn’t my favorite of the series. The pace for me was a little off and went from I hate you to let’s turn these tables quickly. Those parts were a little all over the place for me. I loved that Allie had no problem sticking up for herself. She was a great mix of a good heart with a side of sass and kick ass. I really loved Carson once we got to know him a little more. I get that he was hurt by Allie but hating her all those years was a lot. I was pulling for them to make it but then that ending?! That cliffhanger killed me and I need to know what happens next!
“I’m just not capable of giving you the things that I know you would want, and you’re not capable of only having the things I’m willing to give.”
September 11, 2021
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Review :
I have been waiting for so long for Carson and Allie because I knew they would be the angstiest couple ever! There is nothing I love more than good childhood friends to enemies romance. I knew Holly would deliver the best and so she did.
Allie and Carson used to be friends until one day everything changed. The boy Allie loved changed to someone who loved to torment her and taunt her. His constant presence was a heartache itself and he never left her alone. Carson knew that Allie would never be his but he'd be damned if he let someone else have her. So he made a bet to destroy her. But the only thing he did was to destroy them both in a way that can never be recovered.
I loved this book so mujc! The ending had me in tears and I can't wait for everyone to read this one. The cliffhanger is a killer one so please keep that in mind. The author has done an amazing job of making us feel every emotion the characters felt and I love her for that. Definitely recommending this one to all the high school bully romance loving people!
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May 25, 2025
3.5* nothing out of the ordinary, but still very entertaining! It was quite short so I don’t think we got any character development but that will come in the next book. I still loved and enjoyed this but it was predictable because it’s the plot of any high school movie ever (nothing wrong with that, I love those movies)
Compared to the first two books I didn’t feel that umph in this one but that’s okay. I love Holly Renee’s writing and these characters have grown on me
Compared to the first two books I didn’t feel that umph in this one but that’s okay. I love Holly Renee’s writing and these characters have grown on me
September 5, 2021
Oh my the angst is real in this one ! Carson and Allie’s chemistry is so explosive their love hate relationship is so intense these two are just burning up the pages with chemistry! This book just might be my favorite of Holly Renes’s yet and that ending oh man I need the next book ASAP!
July 2, 2022
ספר משעשע עם אחד הזוגות היותר חמודים שיצא לי לקרוא עליהם.
Read
August 23, 20213.5 ⭐
3.5 🌶
i'm going to rip my hair out in frustration from these two, i swear.
the heartache, the angst, the tension, the push and pull between these two is amazing. i dislike high school romances, but i have to hand it to holly that she has a way with words that keep me reading along.
allie and carson, childhood best friends who drifted apart over ONE night of immaturity. they were kids, i'll give them that. but that doesn't mean i don't want to slap them silly. the way their relationship progressed here was like one step forward and twenty steps back, which i both loved and hated because hello, you guys need to get over yourselves and i also love the angst.
carson's parents and mine are so damn similiar so reading about them, ir brought on an uncomfortable onslaught of emotions but weirdly, i also felt happy to know i wasn't alone in this world. because of this, i understood his complex character despite his a-holeness.
allie needs a good damn slap in the face, i swear. if she only listened to him in the beginning, all would've been avoided in the end. she jumps to conclusions quick which made me want to smack her silly.
overall, i enjoyed this one. it was a book you could read in one sitting but not a cute or sweet read, haha. this one keeps you on your toes.
*𝙖𝙧𝙘 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬*
3.5 🌶
i'm going to rip my hair out in frustration from these two, i swear.
the heartache, the angst, the tension, the push and pull between these two is amazing. i dislike high school romances, but i have to hand it to holly that she has a way with words that keep me reading along.
allie and carson, childhood best friends who drifted apart over ONE night of immaturity. they were kids, i'll give them that. but that doesn't mean i don't want to slap them silly. the way their relationship progressed here was like one step forward and twenty steps back, which i both loved and hated because hello, you guys need to get over yourselves and i also love the angst.
carson's parents and mine are so damn similiar so reading about them, ir brought on an uncomfortable onslaught of emotions but weirdly, i also felt happy to know i wasn't alone in this world. because of this, i understood his complex character despite his a-holeness.
allie needs a good damn slap in the face, i swear. if she only listened to him in the beginning, all would've been avoided in the end. she jumps to conclusions quick which made me want to smack her silly.
overall, i enjoyed this one. it was a book you could read in one sitting but not a cute or sweet read, haha. this one keeps you on your toes.
*𝙖𝙧𝙘 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬*
September 2, 2021
Review – The Taste of an Enemy (The Boys of Clermont Bay #3) by Holly Renee
“𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙮.”
Holly’s writing is EVERYTHING. I love and adore this woman immensely! There is nothing she writes that I won’t fall in love with! Carson & Allie were absolute FIRE together. I knew going in this was a enemies – lovers stemmed from being past childhood friends with a fall out, but Holly has completely undone herself in regards to this favourited trope.🔥
Carson & Allie have years of history between them and now that both their best friends are dating each other they have to be around each other once again and in which stirs up tons of old feelings that were never properly handled. The tension, jealousy and connection between Carson & Allie is palpable as hell y’all I was sweating. Carson has a way with his words.🥵
Allie was amazing! I loved her strength, bravery, and courage. She handled all the shit Carson through at her with grace and beauty - she was his ultimate match. Carson was our beautiful, tortured, bully. He couldn’t stand being in the same room as Allie or seeing her face but that was only because he needed to make himself stop wanting her so badly and the best way to do that was to not be around her and throw around insults.
Seeing these two finally come to terms with their feelings is explosive, angsty and steamy as hell! Get ready for a wild ride! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝟮!
⭐️5 Enemy Stars⭐️
𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗲 𝗢𝗻:
Instagram ♡
“𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙮.”
Holly’s writing is EVERYTHING. I love and adore this woman immensely! There is nothing she writes that I won’t fall in love with! Carson & Allie were absolute FIRE together. I knew going in this was a enemies – lovers stemmed from being past childhood friends with a fall out, but Holly has completely undone herself in regards to this favourited trope.🔥
Carson & Allie have years of history between them and now that both their best friends are dating each other they have to be around each other once again and in which stirs up tons of old feelings that were never properly handled. The tension, jealousy and connection between Carson & Allie is palpable as hell y’all I was sweating. Carson has a way with his words.🥵
Allie was amazing! I loved her strength, bravery, and courage. She handled all the shit Carson through at her with grace and beauty - she was his ultimate match. Carson was our beautiful, tortured, bully. He couldn’t stand being in the same room as Allie or seeing her face but that was only because he needed to make himself stop wanting her so badly and the best way to do that was to not be around her and throw around insults.
Seeing these two finally come to terms with their feelings is explosive, angsty and steamy as hell! Get ready for a wild ride! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝟮!
⭐️5 Enemy Stars⭐️
𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗲 𝗢𝗻:
Instagram ♡
August 30, 2021
So I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I finished Josie & Beck’s duet and it did disappoint. I loved the love/hate dynamic of this book and all the back and forth between the 2 main characters.
Allie & Carson were best friends once upon a time until it all changed one evening and Carson cut Allie out of his life. He’s spent the following years being a dick to her as a defence mechanism for how she hurt him. They both harboured secret feelings towards each other but neither did anything about it until it was too late.
I really liked Allie. I felt that there were times that maybe she let Carson in too easily but that was just because she was so desperate for him to be the boy she remembered and when it really counted to she stood up for herself and didn’t let him walk all over her. It broke my heart how vulnerable she felt around him at times and I just wanted to give her a cuddle!
And Carson.. he comes across so arrogant and can say such hurtful things to Allie but again, it’s to hide his feelings of betrayal. He has never got over Allie but he’s so scared of not being good enough for her that he pushes her away at every opportunity.
I really enjoyed this, the moments where they both let down their defences and let the other one in where so sweet and I loved reading them. I can’t wait for the second part of this duet 💖
Allie & Carson were best friends once upon a time until it all changed one evening and Carson cut Allie out of his life. He’s spent the following years being a dick to her as a defence mechanism for how she hurt him. They both harboured secret feelings towards each other but neither did anything about it until it was too late.
I really liked Allie. I felt that there were times that maybe she let Carson in too easily but that was just because she was so desperate for him to be the boy she remembered and when it really counted to she stood up for herself and didn’t let him walk all over her. It broke my heart how vulnerable she felt around him at times and I just wanted to give her a cuddle!
And Carson.. he comes across so arrogant and can say such hurtful things to Allie but again, it’s to hide his feelings of betrayal. He has never got over Allie but he’s so scared of not being good enough for her that he pushes her away at every opportunity.
I really enjoyed this, the moments where they both let down their defences and let the other one in where so sweet and I loved reading them. I can’t wait for the second part of this duet 💖
September 10, 2021
Wow. This book was a wild rollercoaster of emotions. This is my first time reading from this author and I loved it. I would absolutely read any of her books. I enjoyed her writing style, the flow, and the characters.
Carson is exactly how you suspect he would be. Vicious, gorgeous and clearly (after reading the first paragraph of the book) in denial. Which is always the most entertaining to read about. I will say that although I like Carson, I'm VERY much looking forward to the next book in this duet. I can't wait to read it. There were plenty of times during this book that I wanted to reach into the book and shake him. But even though it was torture that I couldn't, I always love it because that means the author truly has me.
Allie is sweet. I'll start this off by saying, I don't not like her. I feel like I'll like her more in the next book because at times I found myself saying to her "oh sweetie" and I just wished for a bit more of a backbone when it came to certain things. I don't blame her for any of it because sometimes it's just those types of circumstances that we bend to. But I do like my heroines with a bit more sass and bite (so this is just my opinion, you might have a completely different response to her.) As I said before, I do think she'll grow a lot and I can't wait to see that growth in the next book.
I really don't want to give too much away but I enjoyed this book and would recommend to others!
Carson is exactly how you suspect he would be. Vicious, gorgeous and clearly (after reading the first paragraph of the book) in denial. Which is always the most entertaining to read about. I will say that although I like Carson, I'm VERY much looking forward to the next book in this duet. I can't wait to read it. There were plenty of times during this book that I wanted to reach into the book and shake him. But even though it was torture that I couldn't, I always love it because that means the author truly has me.
Allie is sweet. I'll start this off by saying, I don't not like her. I feel like I'll like her more in the next book because at times I found myself saying to her "oh sweetie" and I just wished for a bit more of a backbone when it came to certain things. I don't blame her for any of it because sometimes it's just those types of circumstances that we bend to. But I do like my heroines with a bit more sass and bite (so this is just my opinion, you might have a completely different response to her.) As I said before, I do think she'll grow a lot and I can't wait to see that growth in the next book.
I really don't want to give too much away but I enjoyed this book and would recommend to others!
September 1, 2021
"She was heaven and hell. Everything I wanted and everything I was dying to run from."
What a great start to Allie and Carson's duet. These two were childhood best friends until a turning point in Carson's life turned them into enemies. They always had crushes on each other but danced around their feelings. When the boys make a bet on who Allie will fall for, it allows Carson to re-enter her life. Carson was definitely a complicated male lead- he had a softness for Allie but also let his temper flare and was definitely a bit of anti hero at times. Allie was on the sweeter side but she just couldn't let go of her old feelings for Carson. And there was a slight amount of a love triangle as well. I enjoyed these two the most when they actually let down their fighting stance and remembered why they cared about each other so much in the first place. And that cliffhanger! Can't wait for the conclusion to their story!
What a great start to Allie and Carson's duet. These two were childhood best friends until a turning point in Carson's life turned them into enemies. They always had crushes on each other but danced around their feelings. When the boys make a bet on who Allie will fall for, it allows Carson to re-enter her life. Carson was definitely a complicated male lead- he had a softness for Allie but also let his temper flare and was definitely a bit of anti hero at times. Allie was on the sweeter side but she just couldn't let go of her old feelings for Carson. And there was a slight amount of a love triangle as well. I enjoyed these two the most when they actually let down their fighting stance and remembered why they cared about each other so much in the first place. And that cliffhanger! Can't wait for the conclusion to their story!
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