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The Boys of Summer
She's older. He's obsessed. Vroom.
Too Fast, Too Furious meets Top Gun in this FAKE DATING stand-alone romance.
When a younger man from a NASCAR pit crew approaches me with a mutually beneficial proposition, I wonder if his skills go beyond engines.
Keylie James
Key Largo is everything - the beach, the sun, and the life my dad made for us on the island. But business is super slow. If things don’t get better quick, we might have to sell the Karaoke bar to the local casino that won’t leave us alone. I’m totally against it because my ex’s dad owns it, and he’s involved with some shady characters in Miami, if you know what I mean.
So, when a mysterious stranger walks in and offers a trade, I consider it.
Locke says he’ll help get people in the bar and pretend to date me to get my ex off my back. All I have to do is give him the spare room and home-cooked meals.
Sounds easy, right? Wrong.
Bow Lockeland
I’ve hiked dangerous mountains, jumped out of planes, and even swam with sharks for the past three years, but I still feel nothing. No matter how much danger I put myself in, it won’t undo what happened that day at the race. I blame myself the most and it really messed me up.
But I’m starting to miss the world. I miss my family. I miss not feeling numb every single day.
So now I’m in Florida to see my little brother, who is training to be a fighter pilot in the Navy. The plan was simple—get in and get out, apologize, have some drinks and exit.
But the moment I got off the ferry in Key Largo, all those old demons came rushing back when I saw her. A woman so gorgeous and intriguing that I’d do just about anything to spend time with her.
Luckily, she needs some help.
Unfortunately, I’m nothing but trouble.
This book is told from two POVs.
TROPES YOU
Fake Dating
Crime Family
He Falls First
Age Gap
Race Car Drivers
Street Racing Romance
Golden retriever in the streets, pit bull in the sheets
Trigger Warnings are listed inside the book
Too Fast, Too Furious meets Top Gun in this FAKE DATING stand-alone romance.
When a younger man from a NASCAR pit crew approaches me with a mutually beneficial proposition, I wonder if his skills go beyond engines.
Keylie James
Key Largo is everything - the beach, the sun, and the life my dad made for us on the island. But business is super slow. If things don’t get better quick, we might have to sell the Karaoke bar to the local casino that won’t leave us alone. I’m totally against it because my ex’s dad owns it, and he’s involved with some shady characters in Miami, if you know what I mean.
So, when a mysterious stranger walks in and offers a trade, I consider it.
Locke says he’ll help get people in the bar and pretend to date me to get my ex off my back. All I have to do is give him the spare room and home-cooked meals.
Sounds easy, right? Wrong.
Bow Lockeland
I’ve hiked dangerous mountains, jumped out of planes, and even swam with sharks for the past three years, but I still feel nothing. No matter how much danger I put myself in, it won’t undo what happened that day at the race. I blame myself the most and it really messed me up.
But I’m starting to miss the world. I miss my family. I miss not feeling numb every single day.
So now I’m in Florida to see my little brother, who is training to be a fighter pilot in the Navy. The plan was simple—get in and get out, apologize, have some drinks and exit.
But the moment I got off the ferry in Key Largo, all those old demons came rushing back when I saw her. A woman so gorgeous and intriguing that I’d do just about anything to spend time with her.
Luckily, she needs some help.
Unfortunately, I’m nothing but trouble.
This book is told from two POVs.
TROPES YOU
Fake Dating
Crime Family
He Falls First
Age Gap
Race Car Drivers
Street Racing Romance
Golden retriever in the streets, pit bull in the sheets
Trigger Warnings are listed inside the book
306 pages, Paperback
Published August 14, 2024
16 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Rue Volley
114 books768 followersRue Volley, who also writes as Elle Lee Hicks, lives in the Midwest in an old Victorian house with her husband and a spoiled Pug, crafting immersive, character-driven stories. She loves curling up in her favorite hoodie on rainy days with a great whodunit and collecting book trophies. Rue is a dedicated mood reader and never leaves the house without her Kindle Oasis, an iced coffee, and a list of books to buy.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 23, 2024
Awesome Read!!
Do you believe in fake dating? Would you ever fake date?
Bow Lockeland lost his dad when he crashed during a Nascar race. Bow then decided to go to Key Largo, Florida to visit with his brother. He meets Keylie James... Kellie James ex boyfriend Jessie Russo is a abusive man, his father runs the casino... Bow makes a proption to Keylie for them to fake date so Jessie would leave her alone. Well it worked until Bow decides he wants to race in The Cutter.
You have to read it...
Do you believe in fake dating? Would you ever fake date?
Bow Lockeland lost his dad when he crashed during a Nascar race. Bow then decided to go to Key Largo, Florida to visit with his brother. He meets Keylie James... Kellie James ex boyfriend Jessie Russo is a abusive man, his father runs the casino... Bow makes a proption to Keylie for them to fake date so Jessie would leave her alone. Well it worked until Bow decides he wants to race in The Cutter.
You have to read it...
October 29, 2025
Amazing! It has been too long since I read something by Rue.
Boys of Summer runs the gamut of emotions. Locke is fighting demons and has set out to put some of them to rest. When he meets Key, his world spins. Older than Locke, Key fights the attraction.
Such exciting reading.
Boys of Summer runs the gamut of emotions. Locke is fighting demons and has set out to put some of them to rest. When he meets Key, his world spins. Older than Locke, Key fights the attraction.
Such exciting reading.
August 24, 2024
I dove into this book and didn't want to come back for air. Key seems to have had a good life, a little messy in the relationship department, but let's be real, who isn't at one point in time. When Locke runs head-on into her life she is torn. I love her back in forth with herself over their ages. We women seem to see it differently when we are the older ones. LOL.
Locke has his issues but seems like the pretty 'key' to his heart wants to make him walk the straight and narrow, only to result in rash and dumb things. If adulting wasn't a thing, I could have easily finished this read in a day. That's how great and easy of a read this amazing story is. A little spice, lots of cars, and burning rubber. This is a must-read! Grab your copy now!
Locke has his issues but seems like the pretty 'key' to his heart wants to make him walk the straight and narrow, only to result in rash and dumb things. If adulting wasn't a thing, I could have easily finished this read in a day. That's how great and easy of a read this amazing story is. A little spice, lots of cars, and burning rubber. This is a must-read! Grab your copy now!
August 24, 2024
I could not put this book down. She is older (Key) and he is a golden retriever but pitbull in the bedroom (Locke). Locke and Key fall hard and fast and I couldn’t get over their story. Some characters you love some you hate and I really wanted to be part of Key and Lockes circle of friends. Rue really does great with the love story aspect and including street racing and NASCAR! absolutely must read
August 23, 2024
*Too Fast, Too Furious meets Top Gun in this FAKE DATING stand-alone romance.* Perfect way to describe this story!!
This book completely wrecked me, but I loved every minute of it!!
The characters were amazing!! OMG, I loved both Key and Locke. They were both strong individuals and hard headed and they just made me love them so much. They both loved hard and fiercely for the people in their lives which made me love them even more.
The storyline was magnificent!! OMG, I was drawn into this story from page one. So many feelers went through my mind as I read this book. Volley outdid herself again with this book of love, tears and race cars and its got some twists that I didn't see coming but I did wind up smiling in the end. This is a phenomenal book that will keep you turning pages just to see what would happen next. This book has made it to my top five favorite reads of 2024!! I highly recommend this story!! You for sure won't be disappointed!!
This book completely wrecked me, but I loved every minute of it!!
The characters were amazing!! OMG, I loved both Key and Locke. They were both strong individuals and hard headed and they just made me love them so much. They both loved hard and fiercely for the people in their lives which made me love them even more.
The storyline was magnificent!! OMG, I was drawn into this story from page one. So many feelers went through my mind as I read this book. Volley outdid herself again with this book of love, tears and race cars and its got some twists that I didn't see coming but I did wind up smiling in the end. This is a phenomenal book that will keep you turning pages just to see what would happen next. This book has made it to my top five favorite reads of 2024!! I highly recommend this story!! You for sure won't be disappointed!!
August 23, 2024
This book is action packed!! I started it Saturday morning by Saturday night it was completed. The characters are amazing. Some you love some you hate some you even wish were apart of your friends circle. Rue Volley has made a fantastic story about Nascar and the mob and made me feel all kinds of emotions.
August 23, 2024
This book was perfect! It has amazing characters that I loved and one I dispised. Locke and Keylie have amazing chemistry and fall hard for each other. I'm a big fan of this author, and books like this is the reason I keep coming back for more!
August 24, 2024
Fake dating turned to love, Locke and Key are characters you couldn't help but fall in love with. This book was difficult for me to put down, and I was devastated when I reached the end. This was another fantastic story written by Rue.
September 5, 2024
wow
Boys of the Summer is a fast paced book full of boys and cars and unrelenting love. If you’re looking for a quick intense read I suggest you pick this up. It’s not YA it is definitely full of steamy scenes.
Boys of the Summer is a fast paced book full of boys and cars and unrelenting love. If you’re looking for a quick intense read I suggest you pick this up. It’s not YA it is definitely full of steamy scenes.
July 14, 2025
The Boys of Summer by Rue Volley | This book would make the perfect quick beach, lake or poolside read. The book, while not terribly long, is set in Key Largo, is a quick burn romance and *bonus points*, has NASCAR and street racing! After a mind boggling romantacy book like the on I just finished, this book makes the perfect *chefs kiss* palate cleanser to continue on with my summer reading list.
Beach Bar Romance
Quick Burn
Rough Open Door Spice
NASCAR & Street Racing
Heart Wrenching
Dual POV
Beach Bar Romance
Quick Burn
Rough Open Door Spice
NASCAR & Street Racing
Heart Wrenching
Dual POV
August 12, 2025
I loved this book! It was Grease, meets Mama Mia. Meets NASCAR, with a little mob boss twist.
September 13, 2024
This book is a thrilling mix of high-speed action, romance, and just the right amount of spice! The story had me hooked from the start, especially with its unique twist on an older woman falling for a younger man. Key and Locke were both strong, determined characters, and their chemistry was undeniable. I loved how their dynamic kept things interesting throughout.
The plot was well-crafted, with unexpected twists that kept me engaged. While I wanted a bit more substance in the ending, I understood why the author chose to wrap things up the way she did. This was my first Rue Volley book, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her work. She has definitely made a fan out of me!
Even though it wasn’t a perfect 5star read for me, it was still a compelling story that I couldn’t put down. If you're into a mix of adrenaline-pumping action, romance, and some steamy moments, this book is definitely worth checking out!
The plot was well-crafted, with unexpected twists that kept me engaged. While I wanted a bit more substance in the ending, I understood why the author chose to wrap things up the way she did. This was my first Rue Volley book, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her work. She has definitely made a fan out of me!
Even though it wasn’t a perfect 5star read for me, it was still a compelling story that I couldn’t put down. If you're into a mix of adrenaline-pumping action, romance, and some steamy moments, this book is definitely worth checking out!
May 20, 2025
This book is the perfect mix of romance, angst, emotion, spice and heart pounding action!! It was literally like watching a movie in my head!! And that ending!! It's one of those stories you'll be thinking about long after you finish it!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews