Trust Issues

Invincible Summer #2

by Carina Gaskell

Two paths, one summer—what would you give up for forever?

Faced with incompatible circumstances, two young lovers must choose between the commitment of a lifetime or going their separate ways in the second book of the Invincible Summer series by Carina Gaskell.

After two weeks of a whirlwind summer love, Narra Fàbregas thought she could check her first relationship off her bucket list. But Théo Gallagher is back, and this time he intends to stay.

When he proposes the most ludicrous of ideas, one which will be needing an answer by the end of the summer or else it’s goodbye forever, Narra envisions two paths branching out before her: one in which she spends the rest of her life with Théo, and the other without.

The answer should be obvious, but with meddling relatives and the weight of familial expectations, Narra and Théo must consider everything they’ll have to give up in exchange for what they stand to gain, and whether the price is too steep to pay.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Paperback

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Stories with everything you love about your favorite romance books, but make it Filipino. 🇵🇭

Carina Gaskell writes romance novels for Filipino readers who believe that romance can be whip-smart and sexy. Kilig guaranteed!

Over a thousand readers from all over the world have fallen in love between the pages of her books—regardless of age, nationality, and gender. This speaks to the universal themes present in her works, and how she masterfully writes stories that anyone can relate to.

When she's not writing, Carina is either playing with her three cats, hanging out with her artist best friend, eating good food with her partner, or advocating for Filipino romance books.

Reviews

[‧₊˚ ellie ♡ (إيلي) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just headed back to the sunny island of Dalisay for Theo and Narra’s novella! I genuinely wish that this was longer, with the plot more drawn out because I can see how much potential this could have as a full-length book. This was cliché, but sweet and very tasteful, every single moment between them so intimate it felt like I was genuinely intruding (it’s like they found a bestfriend and a partner in each other). These types of tropes scare me because falling in love that quickly is simply not statistically possible, but what is life without risk?

This book subtly references white savior complex (not between the characters) and racism against Filipinos. Please be informed.

Thanks to Carina Gaskell for the ARC! Out on Valentine’s Day 2025! (02/14) If you’re single then pick this up because in the clerb we all fam <3

(I’m also a little desperate for Layla’s novella Carina if you see this I’m actually demanding a Layla book :DD)

[tine ♡︎࿐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*STREET TEAM REVIEW*

nothing feels more at home than reading a summer book set in the philippines by carina gaskell♡

narra oh my sweet lover girl… she is a carefree soul, always daydreaming especially about the books she reads ˚｡⋆｡ at first, she convinces herself that what she and théo had over the summer was just a fling, not believing that his love is right before her eyes despite her feelings ᝰ i love how she grew to trust her heart and chase who she loves, aka théo :)

théo is the definition of “i want it and i will get it”. even after leaving dalisay, he still yearned for narra, to the point of returning to see her again :”) with narra, he felt liberated from the pressures back at home with his family. though they were against his wishes, he found his home with narra & her family. he was the most loving man, always making narra feel the love that she deserves! .𖥔˚

one thing i wish that would’ve happened is seeing a more concrete resolution with théo and his parents, but i still had the time of my life reading narra and theo’s story >ᴗ< i smiled lots, and finished with a fuller heart! carina you outdid yourself once again with this one, thank you again for the arc˖𓍢ִִ໋𓇼⋆

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whirlwind romances aren’t usually my favorite, but for some reason, I always eat it up with the Invincible Summer series. In its second novella, Trust Issues, Narra and Theo are very much obviously in love with each other, but it’s a question of *will they or won’t they*, coupled with a marriage of convenience. I enjoyed this; the characters were so fun and, of course, the romance is indeed fluffy and swoony (and steamy). I did wish, however, for a more concrete resolution of Theo’s relationship with his parents, but I do spy a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. I’m definitely tuning in to the next book of this series!

Narra’s better than me tho because if Theo told me his situation and proposed to me, I would’ve said yes in the first chapter and the story would be over right then and there. 😂

[Erika-Anne Corbita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I like this sub-genre of romance novels: the “TRUE GREAT LOVE” kind (yes, it needed to be in all caps). I’ve liked it since Bella said she was unconditionally, irrevocably in love with Edward. Carina Gaskell writes these very well.

Anyway, just like in the first book in the series, the chemistry between our two main characters, Narra and Théo, can only be described as white-hot.

Narra is a fiery personality who is firm in her principles and Théo’s own principles are put to the test when faced with the decision to leave the life he knows for his GREAT LOVE. He proposes (wink) a way to meet these challenges and Narra is faced with a huge decision of her own.

The writing is spectacular and you, as a reader, are taken along for a ride of emotions that feel as real as though they are your own.

You get several layers of conflict that were not quite present in the first book: Théo versus his mom/family, Narra versus the world (essentially), and, as always, Layla versus Lucky (LOL). Midway through the book I was genuinely wondering how these conflicts would get resolved. I was pleasantly surprised at how.

The spice rating is a decent 4/5 - well-written and perfectly placed. Nothing too wild.

The only thing I might have an issue with is how rushed the ending was. Because there were conflicts building, I was expecting more work to get to the end but because of how it ended, it kind of made sense but I crave more.

Good thing this is a series. Bring on book 3!

[&#x1d4d4;&#x1d4f5;&#x1d4f5;&#x1d4ee; ᥫ᭡. · Rating 3 out of 5]

❝𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮.❞

╰┈➤ 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙
Started: June 26, 2025

The last book’s ending made me want to pick up the next one knowing it’s going to dive deeper into Narra and Theo. They just remind me so much of my high school self. LOL.

✧.* 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 ᯓ★

I’m a reader who is not really into whirlwind romance, so this book wasn’t really right in my alley. Although, I do want to give the author her flowers for writing beautifully—𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺.

I like Narra and Theo more in book one that’s why I got a little excited when I jumped into book two. Unfortunately, their book is a bit disappointing. Narra was so unlikeable here for being a brat and I definitely felt so uncomfortable with Theo’s mother and how she talked shit about the Philippines. I understand that it’s her character but I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about it like that? I also expected more yearning and making Theo shake in his boots for a little longer. The steamy scenes weren’t my cup of tea. The moment I read “𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺” while they were doing the thing…I just completely lost it (in a bad way.)

Despite all that, there are still some points I got to like about this book and it’s mainly how Theo is head over heels for Narra. It’s honestly so cute. He’s like a puppy waiting for his owner to come and claim him.

[Laura¡! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Carina Gaskell for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Trust Issues is a cute and fluffy romance about Narra and Theo. The book was easy to read and it has the perfect summer vibes, but I gotta say that I'm not a fan of whirlwind romances. I already said this in my previous review of True North, but I don't like when romance books are written in 3rd person because I think we cannot understand the character's feelings at its best. I know it's a novella, but I think that the conflict with Theo's parents was not explained enough and I would have liked to see more of that problem and how would they live from that point on. Finally, I wanna say that the ending was so abrupt in my opinion and I think an epilogue would have worked to let us now what they will do the rest of their lives.

It's clear that it's gonna be another book, following Layla and Lucky's story, and I'm sure it's gonna be great!

[romi · Rating 4 out of 5]

and we are back again to the cutest small coastal town of Dalisay!

We met Narra and Théo in the first novella of this series… they were supposed to be just a summer fling enjoying every moment together until Théo leaves …but now he is back and determined to to be with Narra for life ⭐️

Narra and Théo are young and everyone thinks they are being reckless and that they don’t know what they really want but they are just so in love they want to prove everyone they are wrong

Théo only had one summer to prove her they were perfect for each other, he wanted to be her and make her see she was his home 😭 Narra just needed to believe they were going to make and she finally did <3

I honestly enjoyed the dynamic between them, perfect if you want to read a cute, short and sweet novella this Valentine’s Day!!

Thank you Carina Gaskell for the e-arc in exchange of an honest review!

[Claire Elmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! I absolutely adore the characters in this series and was so excited to read them again. Narra and Theo are two hopeless romantics who know one thing for sure, they are meant for eachother. Read this in one sitting and smiled the whole way through. This is the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump or for a summer read. It makes you feel warm inside and is just 1000/10 perfect!

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trust Issues in the second in the series of novellas by Carina Gaskell. It follows the story of Narra and Theo. I'm still not one that enjoys instalove, which I think is hard to avoid when writing a novella. I love Narra and Theo, and I honestly think that this story would be amazing if it was longer and we can actually see the progression in their relationship and growth as people at a normal pacing. I appreciate that the author pulls in a lot of the Filipino culture, even the not so great ones - the family thinking that they know best without having any discussion to try to understand.

[Judee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the second Invincible Summer book and honestly, my heart is still all over the place. Narra and Théo return, but this time their love is tested in ways that feel so much heavier. It is not just about distance anymore, but about family drama, endless expectations, and that terrifying choice of whether to take the leap or walk away for good.

From the very beginning, I was completely drawn in. Their relationship carried so much weight, yet it still felt like them. Narra just wanted to be trusted to make her own choices, while Théo struggled against the life his family had already mapped out for him. Add the difference in their social standing, and suddenly every scene between them had this quiet but constant tension that made it impossible to look away.

Even so, I could not help but feel uneasy with how quickly everything escalated. Part of me wanted to grab them both and say, “Please, take your time.” The last few chapters especially made me restless because so many of their plans felt uncertain. Where to live, where Théo would study, how they would build a life together—it was a lot of “we will figure it out later,” and it honestly made me anxious.

Still, there were moments that made my heart soften completely. Irene’s conversation with Narra about intimacy felt so awkward in a very Filipino way, but it was also necessary and filled with care. And when the vows finally came, I was a mess of tears.

If I could change one thing, I would have loved to see more of Théo’s family’s reaction after the wedding. It felt like that thread was tied up too quickly, and I kept hoping for either a deeper clash or at least a glimpse of eventual acceptance.

As for the spice, the book is marked high, but I felt it leaned more on the emotional than the physical. It never felt performative, and instead grew naturally from their bond, which I actually appreciated.

Overall, this installment was tender, complicated, and a little overwhelming, but in a way that made me want to keep turning the pages. It left me both satisfied and unsettled, which is why I am so eager for the next book. And on a lighter note, Lucky and Layla? They might just steal my heart next.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

in this novella, we follow along two young lovers that face a life-altering choice: commit to a future together or part ways forever. in the second book of the invincible summer series by carina gaskell, narra fàbregas and théo gallagher must navigate meddling relatives, familial expectations, and the weight of sacrifice as they decide whether their love is worth the cost.

what would you choose: a love that demands everything or a life without it?

🌻 as for my review—FIRST OF!! OMG FROZEN 1 REFERENCE???? "u can't marry a man u just met 🤨" anw, it was a short read, i really enjoyed it all the way through. every chapter kept me thinking, and i loved how narra and théo stuck by each other, giving themselves time and chances despite dealing with separation, relationship issues, and family problems. the story also points out how théo is extremely wealthy and expected to marry someone from the same social class, while narra lives a simple, normal life, which adds to the challenges they face.

the book was so good but i think here's what to improve more: ‼️ please reconsider reading as the following contains spoilers :)

- théo's family's reaction to him not marrying someone of their wealth level wasn’t explored enough, even though it’s a big reason behind his proposal and narra needing time

- the ending felt a bit rushed—for me, théo came across as a bit of a "semi bad boy" who goes against his family’s expectations. while he constantly emphasized his love for narra, the urgency of the marriage made it seem like he was more driven by other motives

- it would’ve been nice to see more of théo’s family after he marries narra, maybe even a moment that highlights their eventual acceptance of his choice

--
overall, i loved the book and can't wait for the next as we follow the girls to live out the best of their lives 🏖️❤️‍🩹

thank you once again, ms. @carinagaskellwrites for inviting me to read the ARC of the upcoming second book of invicible summer—trust issues 🌻🏖️

[Clar | readsbyclar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trust Issues by Carina Gaskell is a captivating read that manages to be both concise and deeply reflective. The book deftly explores themes of marriage and feminism, weaving them into the narrative in a manner that invites contemplation.

While the plot may come across as common and somewhat predictable—reminiscent of popular K-dramas—it remains engaging. For avid fans of the genre, the story's predictability doesn't detract from its enjoyment. Instead, it provides a sense of satisfaction in anticipating the next move and being proven right.

The protagonist, Narra, is a character who initially comes off as annoying and immature. However, this portrayal is realistic and relatable, especially considering her age of 21. Many readers may see a reflection of their younger selves in Narra, grappling with complex issues such as love and marriage. Her character arc is particularly gratifying as she evolves and matures throughout the story.

The book touches upon significant themes, including feminism and arranged marriage. Although these topics are explored briefly, they add depth to the narrative and prompt readers to reflect on these important issues.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read. Despite the occasional frustration with Narra's character, her development and the story's engaging nature make it a worthwhile experience. The anticipation for the next book in the series, particularly the story of Lucky and Layla, is exciting.

In conclusion, the book is short but thought-provoking novella that offers a blend of predictable plotlines and meaningful reflections. It is a book that resonates, especially with those who can see a bit of themselves in Narra's journey. 🥹💞✨️

Rating: ★★★.5/5

[abbyreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗹
☀️👙⛱️🕶️💗 (Book # 2: Invincible Summer Series)

𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦𝘴 is the second book in Carina Gaskell’s 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 summer series, following Narra as she navigates the aftermath of her whirlwind two-week summer romance with Theo. While the book is a fast-paced and engaging read, it has its fair share of highs and lows.

Narra, as a protagonist, can be a bit frustrating—she’s impulsive and often reckless—but her actions make sense for someone who is only 21 and still figuring life out. While I personally don’t enjoy insta-love tropes, I understand Narra’s perspective as she tries to process her emotions. However, the book felt rushed at times, likely due to its short length. One aspect that could have been explored further is the conflict within Theo’s family, which was only briefly touched upon.

One of the highlights of 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦𝘴 was the dynamic between Sophie and Layla. As an Ate, I found their frustration with Narra’s decisions completely relatable—especially Sophie’s protectiveness. Their presence added depth to the story and balanced out Narra’s impulsive nature.

Despite its brevity, the book is packed with meaningful themes, including an insightful discussion on feminism. While 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦𝘴 isn’t my favorite read, I still appreciate its message and would recommend it to anyone looking for a short yet engaging book.

I’m also excited to read Layla and Lucky’s story! 🤩

A huge thank you to Carina Gaskell (@carinagaskellwrites) for the ARC—I’m honored to be part of your street team!

[Sheilu · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Trust Issues fares a lot better than True North in terms of writing style, but the characterization could have also been better if only this was drawn out a little longer.

Here in the second installment of the whirlwind romance series Invincible Summer, the story focuses more on the relationship between Narra and Theo — two strangers who met by chance and then developing deeper feelings for one another the longer the days go by. However, their commitment becomes tested when Theo leaves the island of Dalisay and Narra isn't at all ecstatic with the idea of being part of a long distance setup. To prove his genuine love for Narra and his willingness to stay in her life, Theo proposes and tries hard to win Narra's most desirable decision.

There's a lot of potential for their romantic arc, but everything happens all too quickly that there's not enough substance, other than the goal of ticking off their first relationship and finally satisfying their desires. Whirlwind romances are sometimes okay, however in this case, I wished their differences in culture was also taken into consideration, and the conflicts given better resolution.

[Kay Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narra and Theo are so young and in love.

They have grand ideas and a support system that does their best to ground those ideas into reality, with middling results.

On Theo's side... There was some serious side-eye going on with his family. Yikes. I hate them??? I'm also so happy that he's able to see his future beyond his love for Narra and understands that he can choose happiness and walk away. He's so caring, and all I want is for him to not have to deal with such toxic people in his life.

As far as Narra's family, they're a lot more balanced in how they handle all the news they're getting. Yes, they are very overprotective and maybe don't react super positively at first. Narra's defensiveness comes from such an emotional place that she gets a little bit of a pass here, but that was a tough fight to watch. I'm so glad they all took the time to process and figure out what's the best way to move forward together, because Narra will end up doing whatever she wants anyway. She just needs to be given advice and then the space to process that information before making her own decisions.

The pacing felt a little off with this one. It packed a punch up front and then fizzled out a bit by the end. The final scene felt like such an abrupt stop to the story, too. I wish we had one or two more scenes to wrap it up a little neater.

Sophie and Archer are still my favorites, and it's lovely to see their relationship with each other and the rest of the family evolve over time.

Thanks to Carina Gaskell for the copy!

[Odelia Lilith✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

❝She was the Icarus of love, and Théo her sun. She got too close; there was no way she would have never fallen.❞

┊┊❁ཻུ۪۪♡ ͎. ｡˚ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 °

💍: Summer Romance
💕: Second Chance Romance
💍: First Love
💕: Billionaire MMC
💍: Short & Sweet
💕: Spontaneous proposals

┊┊❁ཻུ۪۪♡ ͎. ｡˚ 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 °

This would definitely be a 5-star read if only it were longer! Omg, cause it was so good! It was fast-paced, but it tackled love in every uniqueness it has. It was such a cute novella. The writing can easily capture you, like you’re in Dalisay with the characters. It’s the kind of love a girl expects to happen during the summer; it’s all we could hope and dream about. It may be insta-love, but it was written so well that I didn’t mind it, and I read this book expecting it to be insta-love because it is a novella. But don’t be dismayed, it’s delightful, especially if you’re trying to get out of a book slump like me!

Theo and Narra’s love story is heart-warming. I really felt their bond and connection and how well-suited they are together. Their chemistry was absolutely perfect, even if their love story was quick! A love that’s light and sweet, and honestly, the vows were swoon worthy. I was a jealous girl indeed. BUT, I definitely would have enjoyed this more if their love story was in-depth, a whole expansion novel worthy romance. Something that I could savor even more because how Carina wrote Theo and Narra’s dynamic was adorable, I really would have loved to read a longer version.🥹

[Renee Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before anything else, I want to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this book. With that said, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own, and my review remains unbiased. Receiving an ARC has not influenced my perspective, and my goal is to provide an honest evaluation of the book's strengths and weaknesses.

I like a good summer romance and the premise of this book has potential. It's a story about a Filipina who had a summer fling with a foreigner who was vacationing at her place. They fell in love and spent a few weeks having fun with each other. When the time came for the guy (Theo) to leave, Narra was heartbroken. Until Theo came back a few days later and proposed for marriage because he fell hard for Narra and so that he could take control of his trust fund, thus the title Trust Issues.

I like how the title had a double meaning, but when I first dove into the book without reading the synopsis, I had a different expectation.

I like reading romances, but this book isn't for me. I despise insta-love with a passion, and this book fell into that trope, giving me the ick. The only character I liked was Layla because I feel like she's the only realistic one from all of them. I think the book was too short, and it could have been better if the story was developed more to really grow the reader's attachment to each character's arc.

There are certain parts of the book that were enjoyable to read, and so I rated it 3 stars.

Also, this book needs more editing since there are still some typos and grammatical/punctuation mistakes in it. I know it's still an ARC, but I just had to say it. :)

If you like summer romances, insta-love, love at first sight, first love-last love type of stories, I think you'll enjoy this one. It's a short read but a sweet one.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of this title to read and review. I was very happy to jump right back into this fun family's life in Dalisay. I will note that Narra was my least favorite character that was introduced in the first part of the series, and the love at first sight trope is so not for me. This installment of the series centers around an insta-marriage, where wonder if this duo of Narra and Theo we met as a summer fling will get engaged to continue their relationship, or part ways. I'm definitely no fan of an insta-marriage, especially for very young characters (I think they're both supposed to be 21?) but they sure do consider jumping right in after their initial meeting. My grumpiness is that if you have to tell your partner your full name while they're maybe proposing to you, you don't know each other well enough to get married! BUT I think this story does a great job at establishing that all of this is unhinged, like no one is pretending it's conventional. So that's a great backdrop for some good conversations and reflections about what the characters want (in life and from each other.) Narra was super bratty for a lot of this story, which didn't have me vouching for her maturity levels. I knowwww that I'm going to love Layla's story next, because she has consistently been my favorite character. Onward in my reading!!

[Din · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one hit close to home in more ways than I expected. It’s not just about young love—it’s about pressure, expectations, growing up, and trying to figure out what you actually want when everyone else thinks they already know what’s best for you.

Narra’s frustration felt incredibly real. She’s constantly treated like she’s too young to make her own decisions, and honestly, I get it. That tug-of-war between wanting to be taken seriously and wanting your family’s support is such a familiar feeling. I loved how her growth arc played out, and how her family actually listened when she finally stood her ground.

Theo’s side of things? Just as relatable. That pressure to be someone you’re not just to keep the peace or to “make your family proud”... oof. Been there.

Also, Irene talking to Narra about sex and setting up that OB visit? So good. It was awkward in all the ways Filipino conversations about sex usually are, but it was also honest, intentional, and important.

And finally: those vows. That whole moment. I teared up, no shame.

Spice-wise, it’s tagged as high but for me personally it didn’t feel that intense (maybe I’ve just read hotter books lol)—still, it was definitely there and didn’t feel performative. It came from something deeper, and that made it better.

A solid second installment, and the ending set up Book 3 perfectly. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[Rielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a crazy plot 😵‍💫

It’s probably more complete in terms of plot and development than the first book just because we already got a glimpse of Narra and Theo’s story in the previous book. But, like the first book and probably the next book, this also felt pretty rushed because of how short it is. Although, I think because we already got a bit of a background on their relationship, I can forgive the lack of development. It was also nice that there weren’t much reiterations of what we already knew from the first book, and that there wasn’t any unnecessary fillers that would waste the word count.

I liked the realism of the characters in this - and I’d like to emphasize that I’m talking about the characters and not the situation they’re in because getting married to someone you don’t really know and immediately think is the love of your life is insane for me 😬I personally think that the characters were written well and were acting their age, especially Narra with her impulsiveness and outbursts. I also think that the writing improved more on this second book - still straightforward and simple, but with an added depth 🩷

Thank you to Carina for allowing me to share my honest review of her entire Invincible Summer series 🥰 I’m so excited to read and review the next book which is yet to be released on July 8!

[Kisha Quiñones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started this right after reading True North, and oh my goodness—the writing style and the plot here? Honestly, better. I was hooked by the world-building, Narra’s internal monologues, and most importantly, how the conflict was actually fleshed out. This wasn’t just ✨aesthetic✨, it had real emotional meat.

A lot of people say this should’ve been longer, and while I totally get that (my heart wanted more), I also appreciate how cleanly it worked as a novella. No plot holes, no awkward pacing—just a tight, beautifully executed story. The romance is insta-love like in the first book, but this one really sold the idea that when you meet your One True Love, it’s game over. Like, really game over. I adored that they gave each other room to breathe, to make decisions, to defend one another, and to distinguish love from lust. Meeting each other, losing each other, finding their way back—all of that layered into a single novella? Chef’s kiss.

I flew through all 111 pages in one afternoon—it’s fun, sweet, and hopelessly romantic. The family-centered conflicts added so much emotional weight and made their relationship feel earned. That balance of passion + internal struggle gave it that extra sparkle. Ah, young love.

And now, I am soooo ready for Book 3: All’s Fair for my girl Layla!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Hallel (storytimewithalice) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I was excited when I found out about the ARC application for this second novella of the series, so I immediately applied. I was curious what's in store for Narra and Theo after that ending in the first book (which I loved btw).

So, reading this one, I was kind of hoping for more in a sense that there were questions lingering for me at the end. I was hoping for a glimpse of Theo's family in the dynamics of their relationship - it's as if that chapter in Theo's life is closed, so I'm kind of left hanging there.

Second, the whirlwind romance-turned-marriage wasn't my cup of tea, although I did like how persistent Theo was, just to prove his love for Narra. Maybe, I'm just wishing for a longer time to really see the growth of their relationship, but hey who am I to decide for them, right? Haha!

But I what like the most is even though it's a whirlwind romance, you can still see the distinct characters of Theo and Narra highlighted in their circumstances. Even if others may see it as marriage of convenience, they both had that combination of innocence and boldness to be real about their feelings for one another. It still gave me that "hopelessly romantic" vibe I dig for, which kind of served its purpose well.

Thank you for the ARC!

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my arc in exchange for an honest review. ☺️

Ah, the joys of young love💜 Again, we get a dual POV story (love that by the way, it will always be one of my faves) of Narra and Theo, which gives us great insight into what the characters are really feeling about each other.  At first I thought the characters were really too young to be contemplating settling down but then I realized that I read a lot of romantasies too, and those characters are even younger😅 As I said, Narra is my favorite person in this series, as she is everything I wanted past me to be: a go-getter.  She knows what she wants, and is not afraid to speak her mind and take risks for things she believes in.  I especially love the opinions on feminism shared in this book, and how racial discrimination was also tackled☺️ Ooh and the spice🤭 Also, we finally get to see the famous Ninang!

I was expecting conflict at the end with Theo's family though, but there wasn't any😅 I kinda wished we had a showdown of some sort. Also, the dirty talk was not for me, especially the "daddy" part.  I have a kid ok, and calling my husband daddy in the bedroom just seems weird to me🫣

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼⋆
𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 by @carinagaskellwrites

2. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀
The second book focuses on Narra, a girl in her early 20s, who went to Dalisay and found the perfect fling...but ended up falling deeply in love.

Théo is a trust fund baby who wants to get out of the clutches of his toxic upper-class family. He needs to get married to access his trust fund and his freedom.

Together they explore and fight for their young love.

𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

Quick Review:
-This is a great read if you want something light and quick.
-The novellas are written in 3rd person POV, which personally isn't my favorite, but that's just my preference.
-Dalisay is a great setting for this story, and if ever you've been to Boracay, you'll be able to relate.
-If I were to rank, it would be 𝗔𝗹𝗹'𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 > 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 > 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀. I feel like All's Fair had more depth and almost made me tear up. I also love a good "he fell harder" seemingly-enemies-to-lovers trope. As for True North, it had a good premise, and the characters were more mature. For Trust Issues, I'm just not a fan of insta-love. And also not a huge fan of "Daddy" as a pet name/term of endearment.

P.S. Thanks to the author for my first ARC ever! Looking forward to more novellas/novels in the future!

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But it was the same thing, wasn't it? To be foolish, to be in love."

Oh the sweet innocence of young love!

This short book was a breath of fresh air. The author tells a story of two young characters falling in love and deciding to stick together against all odds. It was almost sickeningly adorable, and Gaskell managed to create such a heartfelt story in only a small amount of pages. Narra and Théo are young and head over heels for each other, but they're not blind to the problems surrounding their relationship. Both of them still have depth, their own fears and hopes for the future. I loved how they dealt with everything, and how their innocence wasn't diminished but rather used as a building point for their future. You can really feel how the author grows more and more into her style with each new book, and I'm really excited to read the next book in this series of novellas!

Highly recommend any book by this author, but especially this one to all of the hopeless romantics out there who want something short and sweet that won't cause any heartbreaks.

"How lovely, she thinks, to be standing at the start of forever and know it."

A huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book!

[Cherry Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo Gallagher, I need one chance with you (I’m joking, Nar). 😁 Okay, this has to be one of the cutest and realest novellas that I’ve read, because I deeply feel for both Narra and Theo, and it scares me—I know exactly how they felt and probably still feel about figuring it out, but what matters is that they have each other through it all. I need my Theo now, please. 😭
‎
‎This series is becoming one of my favorites now, and I am so not complaining! I love how the story unfolds, and I love that even if it is within ten chapters, Ms. Carina makes sure that we get to see a lot from it, including all the cameos of the characters that I love. They are all so perfectly fit together as a family and I am so happy that they are getting what they all deserve. Enjoyed it so much that I am happy like I’m part of their family. 😆 Thank you for the ARC, Ms. Carina! Love, love you and your novellas! Excited to proceed to All’s Fair and, of course, read more of you!!! 💐

[Ruby Dalegendaryreader]

Oh wow, I don’t think I am the intended audience of this book.

We follow Narra and Theo, the 1st book’s FMC little sister and her boyfriend. They agreed to date in two weeks. However, they both fell in love but time’s running as they both need to make a decision to break up or be together forever.

I was really hesitant with Narra when she was introduced and shown in the first book. I resonate more with Sophie, so I know Narra’s not gonna be a personal favorite.

Unfortunately, this book is not for me. I didn’t like the tropes and I didn’t relate to the main characters. I was putting my Kindle down every after chapter because I need to chill out because I was getting frustrated.
Overall, It’s really a quick read and just great summer vibes. A nice palate cleanser!

I will read book 3 because I think I’m gonna love it more.

[Ranne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set to release on February 14, 2025, Trust Issues is the second installment in Carina Gaskell's Invincible Summer series. This novella follows Narra Fàbregas and Théo Gallagher as they grapple with the challenges of their whirlwind summer romance, confronting family expectations and personal obstacles while determining if their love can endure.

While this is a cute and light read, I still preferred the first book. Since Théo comes from a billionaire family, I expected the familial conflict to be more prominent, similar to typical K-drama scenes. We got a glimpse of Théo's mother's racism toward Narra, as she comes from a third-world country, and I wished this aspect had been explored further. Some parts felt rushed to me, which is understandable given that this is a novella. However, I see great potential for this story to be expanded into a full-length novel. I would love to dive deeper into Théo and Narra's love story in the future.

What I really liked was Narra’s determination to stand up for what she wanted, without being influenced by others. She also wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, giving off a "my life, my rules" energy. However, there were moments when she was frustratingly unreasonable—but there was noticeable character development in that area.

Overall, Trust Issues is a delightful read, ideal for those looking for a short yet romantic escape.
Let me know if you'd like any further refinements!

Thank you so much Ms. Catina Gaskell for the ARC and for the opportunity to be part of Trust Issues' book tour

[elli · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt exactly like listening to a juicy summer chismis straight from the source: it is dramatic, fast-paced, and over the top in the best way.

The romance is impulsive, wild, and emotionally charged, but the stakes feel true to the characters’ age and mindset. The portrayal of being young and in love really shines (full of messy decisions, big feelings, and romantic ideals). The setting adds to the summer fling atmosphere, and the pacing keeps things moving without ever dragging.

It’s definitely a whirlwind romance—not exactly my usual taste, but I can see the appeal. If you enjoy high-stakes decisions made under the sun, instant chemistry, and a short, steamy read, you’ll probably like this one too. Perfect if you're craving something messy, fast, and unapologetically romantic.

Thank you so much to Carina Gaskell for giving me the ARC of Trust Issues when I signed up for All’s Fair! I’m excited to dive into that one next.

[yanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest, I really wish they never got married. When I read books I really treat them like they are real people so in my mind I'm just worried that they'll realize after 10 years that they made a very rash decision and decide they don't want to be with each other anymore.

And the last few chapters made me anxious so much because i really hate not being ready and not having a solid plan, so when they were talking about where they would stay, where Theo would study medicine, and they kept saying "i don't know" my anxiety was going 📈📈📈

Anyway, I feel like in the 3rd book we'll know more about the trust and get an update about Theo and Narra so I'll probably feel at peace by then 😌🙏🏻

Lucky and Layla is lowkey cute together tho looking forward to them 👀🫶🏻