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Danger City #1
Summers Power
Danger City has been ruled by the bloody iron fists of the Winters crime family for decades.
When the Summers family waged war on the Winters in an attempt to take their power, violence reigned, taking no mercy on both sides of the conflict. The Summers were eventually defeated and as a result Max Summers lost everything.
Flash forward sixteen years, Max is a new man, no longer a gangster, but a simple primary school teacher still grieving the loss of his first love and trying his best to raise his children as a single father.
Cue his old rival Sam Winters re-entering his life when their oldest sons meet at school and become best friends.
During their time apart, Sam continued on the path laid out for him, climbing the organisation's ranks right to the top. He has become every inch the mighty and lethal crime boss he was born to be.
After their unplanned reunification, both men are forced to confront the nightmares of their joint past and the burgeoning desire developing between them.
Can Max allow himself to fall in love with anyone again, let alone the man who was once his greatest enemy?
When the Summers family waged war on the Winters in an attempt to take their power, violence reigned, taking no mercy on both sides of the conflict. The Summers were eventually defeated and as a result Max Summers lost everything.
Flash forward sixteen years, Max is a new man, no longer a gangster, but a simple primary school teacher still grieving the loss of his first love and trying his best to raise his children as a single father.
Cue his old rival Sam Winters re-entering his life when their oldest sons meet at school and become best friends.
During their time apart, Sam continued on the path laid out for him, climbing the organisation's ranks right to the top. He has become every inch the mighty and lethal crime boss he was born to be.
After their unplanned reunification, both men are forced to confront the nightmares of their joint past and the burgeoning desire developing between them.
Can Max allow himself to fall in love with anyone again, let alone the man who was once his greatest enemy?
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Published November 5, 2024
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October 5, 2023
Oh boy, this was so bad …
Let me make you a summary : bla bla my kids bla bla bla bla bla “You’re stupid” bla bla bla bla “ No,YOU’re stupid!” Bla bla bla bla “I hate you” bla bla my kids your kids bla bla “I hate you MORE” bla bla your kids my kids bla bla kiss,the end “
This is a book about NOTHING. The setting? Something similar to Batman’s city only the superhero here is called Polaris (well, he’s kind of useless because apparently Sam’s infamous mafia family rules the city) . Also , the city is called Danger city 🤣🤣 I snorted every time I read it because the book is comedic ,almost parodic but never dangerous. I can’t for the life of me understand this book’s ratings because the only characters I liked in this book were Penny and Natalie (Max’s DEAD wife) , go figure. But I really did, I loved Natalie so so much .
So we have two 35 years old guys,(with anger management issues) widowers , with kids and who hate each other since childhood, both raised to be cartel heirs or whatever. One of them is currently living a clean life even though they’re both morally grey characters (wannabe) but I just found them childish and stupid. Their interactions are those of two 10 years old boys on the playground- kicking each other’s shins and making “Your mamma’s” jokes.
The book is dual POV but we have Max’s POV a lot more and boy, being in his head is so freaking boring. All the bla bla bla of inane things, details I didn’t give a fuck about.. I couldn’t finish this book , the MC’s were 2 morons who couldn’t even have a normal conversation without turning into 2 prepubescent boys. Their kids were everywhere and they had way too much page time, the friends were obnoxious and I didn’t care about them (Zara was so OTT vulgar and crass) , there is no mafia action, no angst, no plot . And the romance? Well, there isn’t one because when the guys don’t tend to their kids they have stupid,short,inane conversations and stiff interactions. Then, towards the end they kiss, Max clutches his pearls and then they kiss some more. The end. Also, the writing and punctuation is atrocious and I really should give 1 star but I’ll go with 2 because it takes imagination to write something that’s both boring and wacky at the same time .
Let me make you a summary : bla bla my kids bla bla bla bla bla “You’re stupid” bla bla bla bla “ No,YOU’re stupid!” Bla bla bla bla “I hate you” bla bla my kids your kids bla bla “I hate you MORE” bla bla your kids my kids bla bla kiss,the end “
This is a book about NOTHING. The setting? Something similar to Batman’s city only the superhero here is called Polaris (well, he’s kind of useless because apparently Sam’s infamous mafia family rules the city) . Also , the city is called Danger city 🤣🤣 I snorted every time I read it because the book is comedic ,almost parodic but never dangerous. I can’t for the life of me understand this book’s ratings because the only characters I liked in this book were Penny and Natalie (Max’s DEAD wife) , go figure. But I really did, I loved Natalie so so much .
So we have two 35 years old guys,(with anger management issues) widowers , with kids and who hate each other since childhood, both raised to be cartel heirs or whatever. One of them is currently living a clean life even though they’re both morally grey characters (wannabe) but I just found them childish and stupid. Their interactions are those of two 10 years old boys on the playground- kicking each other’s shins and making “Your mamma’s” jokes.
The book is dual POV but we have Max’s POV a lot more and boy, being in his head is so freaking boring. All the bla bla bla of inane things, details I didn’t give a fuck about.. I couldn’t finish this book , the MC’s were 2 morons who couldn’t even have a normal conversation without turning into 2 prepubescent boys. Their kids were everywhere and they had way too much page time, the friends were obnoxious and I didn’t care about them (Zara was so OTT vulgar and crass) , there is no mafia action, no angst, no plot . And the romance? Well, there isn’t one because when the guys don’t tend to their kids they have stupid,short,inane conversations and stiff interactions. Then, towards the end they kiss, Max clutches his pearls and then they kiss some more. The end. Also, the writing and punctuation is atrocious and I really should give 1 star but I’ll go with 2 because it takes imagination to write something that’s both boring and wacky at the same time .
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March 26, 2023
Summers Power is the story of Max Summers and Sam Winters, the Winter family Crime Syndicate heir. The Summers family attempted to overthrow the Winters, whom they worked as enforcers for. This led to a war in which Max lost everything. His home, his family, and the future he was raised for. He was made an example with no mercy and forced to live on the streets until a kind stranger and her daughter took him in. Years later, he's now a single father working as a primary school teacher, but now because his son is best friends with the son of Sam Winters, their lives cross again.
I really liked Max and Sam. When we see them reunited as adults, both are now fathers who lost their wives and dealing with grief and the responsibility of parenthood. Sam is also trying to navigate being in the underworld as the next heir while wanting to also stay in the light as he raises his children. While Max left behind that world when his family was destroyed, there is a part of him that is still drawn to it.
These two are childhood arch-enemies who fought one another viciously, to the point of near death for one of them. However, as adults, they slowly reconnect not as friends initially but as people who have a shared history. As they spend more time together, thanks to their children, they forge a sort of friendship that becomes more. I loved the snark, jabs, insults and banter between the two. Despite being adults in their 30s, they still have that same wildfire in them from their teenage years. This story is a slow slow burn but I enjoyed it. For people with such a history and past between them, it's definitely needed to make their relationship feel real.
I enjoyed the side characters and the children as well. They were all adorable, and reading their banter and antics was fun. These two are, despite everything, two fathers who want better for their kids. I'm excited to see what is next to come in Winter's Reign.
The negatives would be that it's a slow slow burn and that there is a lot of long internal monologues by Max.
Overall it was a good slow burn story with a real enemies to lovers vibe. B.L.Jones is a new to me author and I look forward to the second book in this series!
I really liked Max and Sam. When we see them reunited as adults, both are now fathers who lost their wives and dealing with grief and the responsibility of parenthood. Sam is also trying to navigate being in the underworld as the next heir while wanting to also stay in the light as he raises his children. While Max left behind that world when his family was destroyed, there is a part of him that is still drawn to it.
These two are childhood arch-enemies who fought one another viciously, to the point of near death for one of them. However, as adults, they slowly reconnect not as friends initially but as people who have a shared history. As they spend more time together, thanks to their children, they forge a sort of friendship that becomes more. I loved the snark, jabs, insults and banter between the two. Despite being adults in their 30s, they still have that same wildfire in them from their teenage years. This story is a slow slow burn but I enjoyed it. For people with such a history and past between them, it's definitely needed to make their relationship feel real.
I enjoyed the side characters and the children as well. They were all adorable, and reading their banter and antics was fun. These two are, despite everything, two fathers who want better for their kids. I'm excited to see what is next to come in Winter's Reign.
The negatives would be that it's a slow slow burn and that there is a lot of long internal monologues by Max.
Overall it was a good slow burn story with a real enemies to lovers vibe. B.L.Jones is a new to me author and I look forward to the second book in this series!
March 7, 2023
4.5
Absolutely, freaking delicious.
I'm OBSESSED with this story. Completely, utterly obsessed and I'd also cheerfully sell some non-vital organs to have the second book in my grabby hands right now.
Max and Sam STOLE my heart. Their story is bonkers and utterly thrilling: it's dark, it's unabashedly humorous, it's violent and deliciously amoral; it's also sweetly soft, ridiculously lovely and decidedly sexy.
I can't believe how freaking great "Summers Powers" was: an unexpected gem! I feel like I need to devour all of BL Jones backlist now because whew, this was brilliant.
This book (and this series) is set in a fascinating, strange world where superheros, villains and master crime lords live side by side, wreaking havoc on society. The society BL Jones depicts is decidedly ruthless, and I found it so refreshing: in Danger City good and evil have very, very flexible boundaries and the MCs mirror that aspect precisely.
Both of them (even unwittingly "reformed" ex gangster, Max Summers) are dangerous, explosive and ruthless men; and both of them (even Sam Winters, heir to a crime family and prone to furious, vengeful rage) are loving fathers and grieving widows, lovable and fun and hilariously snarky men, with soft sides and vulnerable hearts.
Both of them are HUGELY endearing and I loved their dynamic to absolute BITS. Childhood arch-nemesis (ft. "oops, I didn't know I had a crush on you when I repeatedly tried to maim you") to reluctant friends, and then also, maybe, something more? Inject it into my veins.
This book is what true enemies to lovers is supposed to be! Slow-burn, with enough chemistry and hidden tension to light a whole city on fire. Their whole dynamic is explosive, volatile and sharp-edged: utterly delicious stuff.
I also absolutely adored all side characters: all the children were little menaces, like their respective fathers, and Penny, Effia, Jade and Zara could step on me and I'd thank them.
The only reason I'm not giving this a full five star rating is because some of Max's inner monologues could have easily been cut short: he goes on and on at times, and it really slowed down the pacing. But that is the only reason! Everything else was absolutely fantastic.
The writing was lovely and deep and interesting, and the story was beyond fascinating and I'm both terrified and excited to see what will happen next. This first book ends on a solid HFN, but I have the feeling that the next book will be packed with enough drama and angst that I can already feel my heart preemptively shattering.
I can't wait.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely, freaking delicious.
I'm OBSESSED with this story. Completely, utterly obsessed and I'd also cheerfully sell some non-vital organs to have the second book in my grabby hands right now.
Max and Sam STOLE my heart. Their story is bonkers and utterly thrilling: it's dark, it's unabashedly humorous, it's violent and deliciously amoral; it's also sweetly soft, ridiculously lovely and decidedly sexy.
I can't believe how freaking great "Summers Powers" was: an unexpected gem! I feel like I need to devour all of BL Jones backlist now because whew, this was brilliant.
This book (and this series) is set in a fascinating, strange world where superheros, villains and master crime lords live side by side, wreaking havoc on society. The society BL Jones depicts is decidedly ruthless, and I found it so refreshing: in Danger City good and evil have very, very flexible boundaries and the MCs mirror that aspect precisely.
Both of them (even unwittingly "reformed" ex gangster, Max Summers) are dangerous, explosive and ruthless men; and both of them (even Sam Winters, heir to a crime family and prone to furious, vengeful rage) are loving fathers and grieving widows, lovable and fun and hilariously snarky men, with soft sides and vulnerable hearts.
Both of them are HUGELY endearing and I loved their dynamic to absolute BITS. Childhood arch-nemesis (ft. "oops, I didn't know I had a crush on you when I repeatedly tried to maim you") to reluctant friends, and then also, maybe, something more? Inject it into my veins.
This book is what true enemies to lovers is supposed to be! Slow-burn, with enough chemistry and hidden tension to light a whole city on fire. Their whole dynamic is explosive, volatile and sharp-edged: utterly delicious stuff.
I also absolutely adored all side characters: all the children were little menaces, like their respective fathers, and Penny, Effia, Jade and Zara could step on me and I'd thank them.
The only reason I'm not giving this a full five star rating is because some of Max's inner monologues could have easily been cut short: he goes on and on at times, and it really slowed down the pacing. But that is the only reason! Everything else was absolutely fantastic.
The writing was lovely and deep and interesting, and the story was beyond fascinating and I'm both terrified and excited to see what will happen next. This first book ends on a solid HFN, but I have the feeling that the next book will be packed with enough drama and angst that I can already feel my heart preemptively shattering.
I can't wait.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
Read
April 5, 2023I'm not going to give this a star rating, in part because I see that all the other reviews are strongly favorable, so maybe my reaction is a me problem. I found the contrast between the Batman-ish background ("Danger City") and the day-to-day life of single parents (scions of rival organized-crime lords) just too jarring; every time the name "Danger City" appeared, I was thrown out of the story.
Also, as is typical of independently published books, Summers Power suffers from grammar and punctuation problems. I was even more frustrated by these than usual, because the single most frequent mistake was in punctuating dialogue, like so: "I hate you." John said. Self-published authors may not have money to pay developmental editors or copy editors or even proofreaders, but Googling "how to punctuate dialogue" will lead to any amount of clear, correct advice, absolutely free. The same goes for word usage -- we can argue all day about prescriptivism, but the basics exist in the service of clarity, which for a writer of fiction means telling a story in a way that doesn't confuse people and put them off. And a number of good dictionaries and usage guides are free online. (Merriam-Webster!)
/end rant
Thanks to GRR for the ARC.
Also, as is typical of independently published books, Summers Power suffers from grammar and punctuation problems. I was even more frustrated by these than usual, because the single most frequent mistake was in punctuating dialogue, like so: "I hate you." John said. Self-published authors may not have money to pay developmental editors or copy editors or even proofreaders, but Googling "how to punctuate dialogue" will lead to any amount of clear, correct advice, absolutely free. The same goes for word usage -- we can argue all day about prescriptivism, but the basics exist in the service of clarity, which for a writer of fiction means telling a story in a way that doesn't confuse people and put them off. And a number of good dictionaries and usage guides are free online. (Merriam-Webster!)
/end rant
Thanks to GRR for the ARC.
April 27, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
I found this a strange book and it’s one that’s left me with mixed feelings.Taking place in the same universe as the author’s Liquid Onyx series, this book — the first in the Danger City series — is an enemies-to-lovers romance between two men who have both lost their wives. There are lots of eloquent and well-written passages about grief and loss as Max (and even Sam) has to deal with the reality of living beyond the person he loved most in the world, of having to raise their children without her, and of falling in love with someone else.
There is also a very large emphasis on the kids. This story is very much a slow burn, for all that the characters are reunited within the first two chapters, and the gay chicken almost-flirting they get into ghosts around the edge of the story. Even so, the majority of the book is either an exploration of the depth of Max’s thoughts or cute family moments with children.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
I found this a strange book and it’s one that’s left me with mixed feelings.Taking place in the same universe as the author’s Liquid Onyx series, this book — the first in the Danger City series — is an enemies-to-lovers romance between two men who have both lost their wives. There are lots of eloquent and well-written passages about grief and loss as Max (and even Sam) has to deal with the reality of living beyond the person he loved most in the world, of having to raise their children without her, and of falling in love with someone else.
There is also a very large emphasis on the kids. This story is very much a slow burn, for all that the characters are reunited within the first two chapters, and the gay chicken almost-flirting they get into ghosts around the edge of the story. Even so, the majority of the book is either an exploration of the depth of Max’s thoughts or cute family moments with children.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
April 2, 2023
I will write a longer review but I haven't got the patience for it right now, I'm still floating in a state of love for Summers Power. 😍 I expected to enjoy this but I love it. It sits on that perfect knife's edge of violence. It uses a name as power, Max urging Sam to be a Winter with all that means is one of the most powerful moments.
There are some small issues in the editing department but nothing horrendous. Some people may be put off by the way relationships and some information is relayed to the reader. It is a more natural as required style but early on in particular it can be confusing. These issues are trivial compared to the representation provided by Max 🎉 a demisexual 🎉. Written with pure respect and just a drive towards feeling and doing what feels right rather than labels.
The plot is a coming together, coming to terms. Allies/Enemies-to-Lovers, because yes you can be someone's greatest ally and their worst enemy at the same time, or at least Sam and Max can. Contextually it does make sense, trust me. There isn't as much violence as I suspected there might be, it is there but not the focus. The focus is Max and Sam and their personal drama. It is mostly told from Max's perspective with 3 interludes that provide a look into Sam's world, setting up Winters Reign (bk 2).
The support cast is likable. Full of very strong women, there almost seems to be a message of the importance of dual power to create balance. Jade is great she made me smile a lot, she feels like she is cut from a Luna Lovegood cloth. It is a bizarre thing to have in this world. Effia is the best friend Sam and Max could ask for. She balances them perfectly the just dominates the room. If Sam is going to make some kind of play for the throne or more accurately with it Effia is going to have a role. I appreciate the presence of deceased wives Ashley and Natalie, they are not ignored Sam and Max talk about them and as lovers, people, not just the mothers of their respective children. The kids are just fun. All have their own personalities that are used to effect. Ejijah and Rory start this mess but it is Aiden who intensifies it, shy and reluctant Aiden who opens up to Max and speaks to him with ease in a way he does no one else (subtext is no even Sam). 3 year old Isabella is used to comedic effect.
There are some small issues in the editing department but nothing horrendous. Some people may be put off by the way relationships and some information is relayed to the reader. It is a more natural as required style but early on in particular it can be confusing. These issues are trivial compared to the representation provided by Max 🎉 a demisexual 🎉. Written with pure respect and just a drive towards feeling and doing what feels right rather than labels.
The plot is a coming together, coming to terms. Allies/Enemies-to-Lovers, because yes you can be someone's greatest ally and their worst enemy at the same time, or at least Sam and Max can. Contextually it does make sense, trust me. There isn't as much violence as I suspected there might be, it is there but not the focus. The focus is Max and Sam and their personal drama. It is mostly told from Max's perspective with 3 interludes that provide a look into Sam's world, setting up Winters Reign (bk 2).
The support cast is likable. Full of very strong women, there almost seems to be a message of the importance of dual power to create balance. Jade is great she made me smile a lot, she feels like she is cut from a Luna Lovegood cloth. It is a bizarre thing to have in this world. Effia is the best friend Sam and Max could ask for. She balances them perfectly the just dominates the room. If Sam is going to make some kind of play for the throne or more accurately with it Effia is going to have a role. I appreciate the presence of deceased wives Ashley and Natalie, they are not ignored Sam and Max talk about them and as lovers, people, not just the mothers of their respective children. The kids are just fun. All have their own personalities that are used to effect. Ejijah and Rory start this mess but it is Aiden who intensifies it, shy and reluctant Aiden who opens up to Max and speaks to him with ease in a way he does no one else (subtext is no even Sam). 3 year old Isabella is used to comedic effect.
November 8, 2024
Max and Sam are both widowers with children. They're from opposite mafia families, the Summers and Winters. They hate each other so naturally their children become besties. Max was hilarious. I love the dark sarcasm with the deadpan delivery. Sam just made me feel sorry for him. The two could have been friends when they were kids if the adults around them would have gotten over themselves. Sam's family is the reason Max's mother is dead and some of the reason his father is in prison, although Sam's grandfather is by no means innocent. He runs Danger City and wants to pass the torch to Sam. Sam doesn't want it.
It's a slow burn. They don't even kiss until about 60% in. They both have this bi-awakening with so much tension throughout you could cut it with a knife. I love the very British dark humor. I wish Max's head would have been a little quieter. All the inner monologue detracted from the pace of the book and slowed things down even further. I wish I'd gotten into Sam's head more. I want to know if Sam's grandfather tries to go after him for refusing to lead the family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It's a slow burn. They don't even kiss until about 60% in. They both have this bi-awakening with so much tension throughout you could cut it with a knife. I love the very British dark humor. I wish Max's head would have been a little quieter. All the inner monologue detracted from the pace of the book and slowed things down even further. I wish I'd gotten into Sam's head more. I want to know if Sam's grandfather tries to go after him for refusing to lead the family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2025
Horrible. Littered with typos, plot fell flat and the characters were borderline childish..
October 18, 2024
Summers Power by BL Jones is a dark mafia romance set in Danger City, somewhere in the UK. Attempting to combine many tropes: mafia family, enemies to lovers, oblivious but obsessed main characters, single (widowed) dads, bi-awakening, and maybe a bit of superhero action as the cherry on top (but superheroes were only mentioned in the first book, they were never seen on page), seems a lofty feat. But BL Jones does a good job of weaving together the increasingly complex plots into a cohesive, exciting, and endearing story. Summers Power is the first book in the Danger City series, with the next installment, Winters Reign, coming out sometime in the future. Another note is that this book takes place within the same universe as another series by BL Jones, one in which superheroes and villains are also present, which makes it more understandable why superheroes are casually mixed in with a mafia story.
Max Summers
Max grows up being groomed to be the second to the ruling mafia's family ruler. He has a horrible childhood devoid of love. It's stark. His father works for the crime boss, and his mom wants Max to emulate everything possible to be a little child crime boss, for some reason. No shielding her child from the horrors of criminal Mafioso dealings. Still, quiet, seen and not heard to the greatest degree possible. How he grows up and is somehow okay without massive amounts of therapy is anyone's guess. His rival growing up is Sam Winters, the heir apparent for the Winter legacy, ie the criminal organization their family is the head of.
Max loses everything when his family tries to usurp the ruling mafia family, the Winters. Yes, the summer/winter metaphor is played pretty bluntly here. Max's family is totally destroyed. His father, in prison. His mother, dead, violently killed by someone in the Winter's clan. Max is stripped of his money, his home, and cast out, shunned from the network he was raised in and expected to live his whole life in.
Somehow, a homeless Max is taken in by good people. Nathalie and Penny, the owners of the family-run Starr Café, rescue Max from the streets and give him a stable home and job. While I love Penny and Nathalie's characters, I found this plot element one of the most improbable parts of the whole story. Only in a fantasy world would a single mother insist that the homeless teen they just accidentally hit with their car come live with them permanently and work in their café.
But that's what Max does. He goes mainstream, marries Nathalie, has children, forgets his mafia upbringing, and becomes a 1st grade teacher of all things. Most importantly, his childhood rival Sam Winters no longer plays any part in his life.
Nathalie
Eventually, Max and Nathalie get married and have children, living an idyllic life together. Their life together is a perfection that Max thinks will never be replicated once Nathalie tragically dies. Nathalie, even though she is already dead when the story starts and whose entire page-time consists of flashbacks, is still a main character in this story, because Max thinks that he'll never have anything good happen to him again once Nathalie is gone. She is, admittedly, a wonderful mother and wife, written in a way that's nearly perfect in every way. Almost Mary Sue-like, dare I say, her characterization is almost too good. No one is that good. That sounds pessimistic, sorry.
Sam Winters
Sam Winters is, by comparison, a nightmare of a person, a description that is used more than once and one that fits Sam's personalization perfectly. Sam has anger issues, can be a massive prat, and is strangely intense. He's been raised from childhood with the understanding he'd take over the family once his grandfather retires. But adulthood mellowed Sam too. He got married, had children, and started more upstanding businesses that aren't money-laundering fronts. And he's chafing at the impending promotion to leader of the family. He feels as if he will never be free if he takes over the family, he'll be forced to fit the mold of an unfeeling, murdering villain if he steps into power. His children are cute, and in a completely different manner seem to be shielded from the reality of their family's criminality. That speaks to me; did Sam see how he and Max were completely fucked by their upbringing and vow to break the cycle and be better? Did that foreshadow his desire to break free from the expectations he's burdened with and step away from the family business?
Strengths
Main Character Chemistry
The childhood rivals, enemies to lovers progression is hot, and one of my favorite things to read. It's done well in Summers Power. Max seems swept along by the tide of their wildfire chemistry, and it's hot. I enjoyed the way they tiptoe around one another until they inevitably bring up things that would better be left in the past, but they can't help but share with each other. Their conversations are tense, and I just wanted to yell at them to kiss already! It also seems like several of their friends had been wanting to do that for years, as well. When they finally get together, the wildfire combusts in a very satisfying manner.
Sets Up Book Two Well
A LOT needs to happen, so I am looking forward to book two a lot, and wonder if it will be a trilogy? It seems like a lot of plot developments need to play out so maybe it will be a three-book series. There's a lot going on, by the end of book one.
Maybe Too Much
A LOT is going on, trope-wise in Summers Power. Let's see if I can summarize it. Deep breath. Single widowed dads with kids who are school friends but who were also once violent childhood rivals in their Mafia family, one shunned and the other groomed for succession. When they reconnect they experience their bisexual awakening for one another. There are also superheroes in this universe but we never see them, only hear about them.
Off Page Action
A lot, if not most, of the action in Summers Power takes place off-page, and mostly in flashback. We learn about the violent childhoods Max and Sam live through by means of flashbacks and snippets of memories, a lot of times when Max is lost in his thoughts. Side note: Seriously, Max needs to work through his trauma in therapy. That or he's super neurodivergent and has never been diagnosed. I wish more things happened in the now, in Summers Power. None of the mafia stuff happens present day, except for a meeting. You only hear about the family business in a distanced way that makes it seem like it happened a while ago, but in theory, it's still going on. An heir apparent would be heavily involved in current criminality, and all the mafia-related things should not be flashbacks.
Readers also learn about Max's whole relationship with Nathalie through flashbacks and memories, which is to be expected, but we don't get to learn about Sam's marriage with Ashley at all, just that she's not alive anymore. I wanted a bit of balance there.
Lots of Side Characters
There are a lot of side characters to wrangle and keep straight. I liked all of them, especially Vic, Penny's beau. But there were a lot of them, and also the kids have a lot of on-page time when the balance between mafia enemies to lovers dark romance and cute single dad romance would have been better achieved with more on-page mafia shit and less page time for side characters and playdates with the kids. Choose who you want to be, and be that story. But trying to do it all spread things a bit thin, I'm afraid.
Ends Very Abruptly
The story ends like RIGHT after a scene that I expected to be just the first of many relationship-developing scenes. It was a good scene, I liked it a lot, and I checked the progress on my Kindle and legit did a doubletake when I saw I was at 97%. Wait, what? I just expected the story to keep going, and it seemed like an abrupt place to draw the line for the first book.
Overall
Summers Power was a compelling read. I picked it up with a smile each time I had a few minutes to read and read it quickly even with a busier than normal week. I wait for the next book impatiently. Despite the inconsistencies I already touched on, this story is exciting and the characters are interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who likes any of the tropes this book ticks off. Because even though there are a lot of tropes, Summers Power manages to cram them all in pretty well!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Max Summers
Max grows up being groomed to be the second to the ruling mafia's family ruler. He has a horrible childhood devoid of love. It's stark. His father works for the crime boss, and his mom wants Max to emulate everything possible to be a little child crime boss, for some reason. No shielding her child from the horrors of criminal Mafioso dealings. Still, quiet, seen and not heard to the greatest degree possible. How he grows up and is somehow okay without massive amounts of therapy is anyone's guess. His rival growing up is Sam Winters, the heir apparent for the Winter legacy, ie the criminal organization their family is the head of.
Max loses everything when his family tries to usurp the ruling mafia family, the Winters. Yes, the summer/winter metaphor is played pretty bluntly here. Max's family is totally destroyed. His father, in prison. His mother, dead, violently killed by someone in the Winter's clan. Max is stripped of his money, his home, and cast out, shunned from the network he was raised in and expected to live his whole life in.
Somehow, a homeless Max is taken in by good people. Nathalie and Penny, the owners of the family-run Starr Café, rescue Max from the streets and give him a stable home and job. While I love Penny and Nathalie's characters, I found this plot element one of the most improbable parts of the whole story. Only in a fantasy world would a single mother insist that the homeless teen they just accidentally hit with their car come live with them permanently and work in their café.
But that's what Max does. He goes mainstream, marries Nathalie, has children, forgets his mafia upbringing, and becomes a 1st grade teacher of all things. Most importantly, his childhood rival Sam Winters no longer plays any part in his life.
Nathalie
Eventually, Max and Nathalie get married and have children, living an idyllic life together. Their life together is a perfection that Max thinks will never be replicated once Nathalie tragically dies. Nathalie, even though she is already dead when the story starts and whose entire page-time consists of flashbacks, is still a main character in this story, because Max thinks that he'll never have anything good happen to him again once Nathalie is gone. She is, admittedly, a wonderful mother and wife, written in a way that's nearly perfect in every way. Almost Mary Sue-like, dare I say, her characterization is almost too good. No one is that good. That sounds pessimistic, sorry.
Sam Winters
Sam Winters is, by comparison, a nightmare of a person, a description that is used more than once and one that fits Sam's personalization perfectly. Sam has anger issues, can be a massive prat, and is strangely intense. He's been raised from childhood with the understanding he'd take over the family once his grandfather retires. But adulthood mellowed Sam too. He got married, had children, and started more upstanding businesses that aren't money-laundering fronts. And he's chafing at the impending promotion to leader of the family. He feels as if he will never be free if he takes over the family, he'll be forced to fit the mold of an unfeeling, murdering villain if he steps into power. His children are cute, and in a completely different manner seem to be shielded from the reality of their family's criminality. That speaks to me; did Sam see how he and Max were completely fucked by their upbringing and vow to break the cycle and be better? Did that foreshadow his desire to break free from the expectations he's burdened with and step away from the family business?
Strengths
Main Character Chemistry
The childhood rivals, enemies to lovers progression is hot, and one of my favorite things to read. It's done well in Summers Power. Max seems swept along by the tide of their wildfire chemistry, and it's hot. I enjoyed the way they tiptoe around one another until they inevitably bring up things that would better be left in the past, but they can't help but share with each other. Their conversations are tense, and I just wanted to yell at them to kiss already! It also seems like several of their friends had been wanting to do that for years, as well. When they finally get together, the wildfire combusts in a very satisfying manner.
Sets Up Book Two Well
A LOT needs to happen, so I am looking forward to book two a lot, and wonder if it will be a trilogy? It seems like a lot of plot developments need to play out so maybe it will be a three-book series. There's a lot going on, by the end of book one.
Maybe Too Much
A LOT is going on, trope-wise in Summers Power. Let's see if I can summarize it. Deep breath. Single widowed dads with kids who are school friends but who were also once violent childhood rivals in their Mafia family, one shunned and the other groomed for succession. When they reconnect they experience their bisexual awakening for one another. There are also superheroes in this universe but we never see them, only hear about them.
Off Page Action
A lot, if not most, of the action in Summers Power takes place off-page, and mostly in flashback. We learn about the violent childhoods Max and Sam live through by means of flashbacks and snippets of memories, a lot of times when Max is lost in his thoughts. Side note: Seriously, Max needs to work through his trauma in therapy. That or he's super neurodivergent and has never been diagnosed. I wish more things happened in the now, in Summers Power. None of the mafia stuff happens present day, except for a meeting. You only hear about the family business in a distanced way that makes it seem like it happened a while ago, but in theory, it's still going on. An heir apparent would be heavily involved in current criminality, and all the mafia-related things should not be flashbacks.
Readers also learn about Max's whole relationship with Nathalie through flashbacks and memories, which is to be expected, but we don't get to learn about Sam's marriage with Ashley at all, just that she's not alive anymore. I wanted a bit of balance there.
Lots of Side Characters
There are a lot of side characters to wrangle and keep straight. I liked all of them, especially Vic, Penny's beau. But there were a lot of them, and also the kids have a lot of on-page time when the balance between mafia enemies to lovers dark romance and cute single dad romance would have been better achieved with more on-page mafia shit and less page time for side characters and playdates with the kids. Choose who you want to be, and be that story. But trying to do it all spread things a bit thin, I'm afraid.
Ends Very Abruptly
The story ends like RIGHT after a scene that I expected to be just the first of many relationship-developing scenes. It was a good scene, I liked it a lot, and I checked the progress on my Kindle and legit did a doubletake when I saw I was at 97%. Wait, what? I just expected the story to keep going, and it seemed like an abrupt place to draw the line for the first book.
Overall
Summers Power was a compelling read. I picked it up with a smile each time I had a few minutes to read and read it quickly even with a busier than normal week. I wait for the next book impatiently. Despite the inconsistencies I already touched on, this story is exciting and the characters are interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who likes any of the tropes this book ticks off. Because even though there are a lot of tropes, Summers Power manages to cram them all in pretty well!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2023
Anti-Hero and Banished Knight
‘Every time I look away from him, I think about all the many reasons why this is a terrible idea. Every time I look at him, all those reasons turn to ash in my head. I'm seriously losing it here.’
B.L. Jones has created a series that has the gritty under belly of crime, happening in Danger City, twisted with the emotional upheaval of two men who have already lived through tragedy and terror.
Max and Sam were meant to work together to continue the Winters crime family success, but plans put in place when their families were young, change swiftly when loyalty is broken. Death and destruction are daily occurrences, yet changes happens after each of these thirty somethings are once again put in each others’ paths, with their sons’ friendship.
Creative, and crawling with emotional trauma, the relationship between Sam and Max is drawn out in verbal sparring like no other. Jones takes the roughness and hatred between these two men and clearly shows just how fine a line it is between love and hate.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
‘Every time I look away from him, I think about all the many reasons why this is a terrible idea. Every time I look at him, all those reasons turn to ash in my head. I'm seriously losing it here.’
B.L. Jones has created a series that has the gritty under belly of crime, happening in Danger City, twisted with the emotional upheaval of two men who have already lived through tragedy and terror.
Max and Sam were meant to work together to continue the Winters crime family success, but plans put in place when their families were young, change swiftly when loyalty is broken. Death and destruction are daily occurrences, yet changes happens after each of these thirty somethings are once again put in each others’ paths, with their sons’ friendship.
Creative, and crawling with emotional trauma, the relationship between Sam and Max is drawn out in verbal sparring like no other. Jones takes the roughness and hatred between these two men and clearly shows just how fine a line it is between love and hate.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
June 22, 2025
This one is so good and full of so many unexpected twists, I am thrilled to see it is just book one of Danger City. I have been to visit before in BL JOnes' other series, her superheroes like to frequent Danger City, to rid it of the enemy of course and one of those enemies is the half the subject of this book. One of those enemies is the Winters family.
Sam Winters is heir to the family businesses, legitimate and otherwise. When he was a teenager, sixteen years ago, the Summers family, who worked for Sam's father, staged a coup. They lost. Mr Summers is still in jail and unlikely to ever come out. Sam's family was killed. Max Summers was the only son of the family and when his family lost he lost everything, found himself on the streets and in an accident which changed his life. He is now a widower with three children, working as a primary school teacher and helping his mother-in-law at her cafe.
Sam is an above board business man, for most of the time. He too is a widower and has two children. The chances that his eldest son and Max's have become best friends surprises both men but the boys are the catalyst for the reunion about to happen. Not that they realise the history their fathers share, not that their fathers really want them to know the whole truth of that history either. It seems that as much as Max is a reformed man, no longer a gangster, Sam would like to move in a similar direction. Could their reunion bring about changes that neither of them ever expected? Yes is the answer. Not only will there be truths neither ever expected to share there are some surprising moments ahead for them both, for their families too.
I was completely hooked on this story. Both characters are so incredibly strong, so well portrayed. Enough background is given throughout the story that we feel we know and even understand them a little but there is only a slight overlap with the superhero stories which I really like. This series is going to stand alone and it promises a lot. I can't wait to read the next book and discover where it is going to take us!.
Sam Winters is heir to the family businesses, legitimate and otherwise. When he was a teenager, sixteen years ago, the Summers family, who worked for Sam's father, staged a coup. They lost. Mr Summers is still in jail and unlikely to ever come out. Sam's family was killed. Max Summers was the only son of the family and when his family lost he lost everything, found himself on the streets and in an accident which changed his life. He is now a widower with three children, working as a primary school teacher and helping his mother-in-law at her cafe.
Sam is an above board business man, for most of the time. He too is a widower and has two children. The chances that his eldest son and Max's have become best friends surprises both men but the boys are the catalyst for the reunion about to happen. Not that they realise the history their fathers share, not that their fathers really want them to know the whole truth of that history either. It seems that as much as Max is a reformed man, no longer a gangster, Sam would like to move in a similar direction. Could their reunion bring about changes that neither of them ever expected? Yes is the answer. Not only will there be truths neither ever expected to share there are some surprising moments ahead for them both, for their families too.
I was completely hooked on this story. Both characters are so incredibly strong, so well portrayed. Enough background is given throughout the story that we feel we know and even understand them a little but there is only a slight overlap with the superhero stories which I really like. This series is going to stand alone and it promises a lot. I can't wait to read the next book and discover where it is going to take us!.
November 14, 2024
The Winters and the Summers were once part of the same mafia family, until Max Summer's father attempted to orchestrate a coup.The failed coup left Max feeling like a complete outsider in the familiar world he once inhabited. Max Summers has experienced profound loss, particularly the love of his life. It takes several years for a home to recover and restart. After sixteen years, Max has become a widow, a father, and a dedicated primary school teacher. Sam Winters has risen to the top and is finally living the life he's always dreamed of. The two men reunite when their sons, who go to the same school, form a close friendship. Despite their shared upbringing, adult Sam and Max are fundamentally incompatible.
The connection between these two characters is quite minimal until the latter part of the story. This book perfectly exemplifies the concept of a slow burn. Given their backgrounds and roles within the organization, an instant romantic connection would lack credibility. Their struggles with anger are quite pronounced. Their aggression is palpable, both in their professional lives and in their intimate encounters, which lack any semblance of tenderness or romance. However, they are indeed good fathers. The contrast between their harsh, ruthless work ethic and their parenting methods reveals several intricate layers.
• Exceptional prose
• Well-developed characters (both primary and secondary
• Impressive world creation.
The characters are richly crafted, and the narrative unfolds at a satisfying rhythm. The writer has crafted an intriguing narrative that captivates us, ensuring our continued engagement and anticipation for what’s to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The connection between these two characters is quite minimal until the latter part of the story. This book perfectly exemplifies the concept of a slow burn. Given their backgrounds and roles within the organization, an instant romantic connection would lack credibility. Their struggles with anger are quite pronounced. Their aggression is palpable, both in their professional lives and in their intimate encounters, which lack any semblance of tenderness or romance. However, they are indeed good fathers. The contrast between their harsh, ruthless work ethic and their parenting methods reveals several intricate layers.
• Exceptional prose
• Well-developed characters (both primary and secondary
• Impressive world creation.
The characters are richly crafted, and the narrative unfolds at a satisfying rhythm. The writer has crafted an intriguing narrative that captivates us, ensuring our continued engagement and anticipation for what’s to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 1, 2023
Max and Sam’s relationship trajectory combines elements of slow burn (very slow) and enemies-to-lovers (like…real enemies, with more baggage and history than you can shake a stick at). They’re both deeply interesting characters, the products of the crime families that shaped their childhoods, but when reunited as adults, they have also the shared experience of being parents, of grieving lost spouses, and of connecting in ways they weren’t necessarily expecting to. It all makes for a fascinating set up, and for me it was helped by the tonal range of the book: the world they inhabit is dark and bizarre and compelling, with moments, for contrast, of sweetness and humor that shouldn’t fit so well but somehow do. Max and Sam fit their environment perfectly: they have, in spite of their softer sides, more than a little darkness/danger within themselves. Their interactions tend toward the sharp and pointed and combustible, and that…suits them, their vibe, and the world they inhabit. I liked the pacing and the character development as well, although maybe a touch fewer internal monologues from Max would not have been the worst thing in the world. Overall, hugely interesting world building, compelling characters, and an immersive writing style were all huge selling points for me here: I’ll definitely be looking for more books in this series.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
April 3, 2023
Summers Power is the first book in the Danger City series, but the authors note states it is set within the Liquid Onyx universe which has superheroes, supervillains, and more. I haven’t read the Liquid Onyx series, but I didn’t feel lost or like I was missing anything when reading Summers Power. The author clearly explains all the worldbuilding and I found it really enjoyable.
Wow, Summers Power was a fun and unexpected book. I was thinking it was going to be similar to most of the enemies-to-lovers books I’ve read out there, but nope, not this one. The two main characters come from crime families, but in an awful series of events, Max’s father betrayed the Winter family and thus lead to the Summer family destruction. Max has rebuilt his life, but he still has that edge of violence that makes him so fascinating. I love the tension that exists between Max and Sam, although this slow burn left me wanting more. Both men love their children ferociously and it was wonderful to see all their different sides. The book doesn’t quite end on a cliffhanger but there are still a lot of loose ends and questions that I hope get answered in the second book soon. I found both Sam and Max to be really fascinating and I want to see more of their relationship (and banter). Like a few of the other reviews said, there are some internal monologues that can feel a bit tedious, but I was able to skim them. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and had a fun time reading it.
Wow, Summers Power was a fun and unexpected book. I was thinking it was going to be similar to most of the enemies-to-lovers books I’ve read out there, but nope, not this one. The two main characters come from crime families, but in an awful series of events, Max’s father betrayed the Winter family and thus lead to the Summer family destruction. Max has rebuilt his life, but he still has that edge of violence that makes him so fascinating. I love the tension that exists between Max and Sam, although this slow burn left me wanting more. Both men love their children ferociously and it was wonderful to see all their different sides. The book doesn’t quite end on a cliffhanger but there are still a lot of loose ends and questions that I hope get answered in the second book soon. I found both Sam and Max to be really fascinating and I want to see more of their relationship (and banter). Like a few of the other reviews said, there are some internal monologues that can feel a bit tedious, but I was able to skim them. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and had a fun time reading it.
April 3, 2023
This is a new to me author and from the first chapter, I was hooked. There was so much of Max packed into that first chapter that I was so intrigued by his character. The majority of the book told from his POV so you get this dry, sarcastic wit that seems like it’s trying the absolute best to be a good father and a better person despite this hurt that remains from his past.
The chapters (interludes) of Sam’s POV are great and although I really enjoy Max as a narrator, I was seriously hoping to hear a bit of the story through Sam’s viewpoint. The dynamic they have is interesting-Max is entirely too much in his head while Sam gets so wound up and it feels like they both seem to recognize these things in each other and help pull out each other.
This is a slow burn story that does a wonderful job of developing the characters and giving a well rounded view of who they are and the past they have emerged from. There is so much angst between these two former rivals and the tension keeps building until a breaking point.
The story seems to end on a HFN-I am beyond curious as to where the story goes from here. There are so many directions that I feel like this could go and so many possibilities that I am excited for the next book. I plan on reading the companion series to learn more about this universe they exist in. I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
The chapters (interludes) of Sam’s POV are great and although I really enjoy Max as a narrator, I was seriously hoping to hear a bit of the story through Sam’s viewpoint. The dynamic they have is interesting-Max is entirely too much in his head while Sam gets so wound up and it feels like they both seem to recognize these things in each other and help pull out each other.
This is a slow burn story that does a wonderful job of developing the characters and giving a well rounded view of who they are and the past they have emerged from. There is so much angst between these two former rivals and the tension keeps building until a breaking point.
The story seems to end on a HFN-I am beyond curious as to where the story goes from here. There are so many directions that I feel like this could go and so many possibilities that I am excited for the next book. I plan on reading the companion series to learn more about this universe they exist in. I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
April 4, 2023
The development of Max and Sam's romance has characteristics of both a gradual burn and an enemies-to-lovers plot. They're both complex people, shaped by the criminal families that raised them, but when they're reunited as adults, they find they have more in common than they might have thought. They're parents, they've both lost wives, and they've found unexpected ways to bond over their shared experiences. All of this makes for an intriguing setup, which was aided for me by the book's varied tones: the world they live in is dark and bizarre and compelling, but there are also times of sweetness and humor that, on the surface, don't seem to belong, but somehow do. Max and Sam are a perfect match for their setting because they harbor considerable darkness and danger despite their more tender personalities. Their conversations are often acerbic and explosive, but that suits them, their vibe, and the society they live in. Additionally, I appreciated the story's pacing and character growth, although I could have done without as many of Max's inner dialogues. In general, I was drawn in by the fascinating setting, fascinating people, and engaging narrative: More books in this series are something I'll be searching for.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
April 9, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
3.5 stars
I will say I didn't dislike this book, I just didn't really get into it until the very end. There is a lot of build-up and backstory. The relationship is so slow-burn (with some weird chemistry) it dragged for me. Sam and Max certainly have a lot of baggage from their past that plays a part in the story, but I felt like it was so much backstory that the current story was secondary. There are a lot of secondary characters that just didn't seem more than window dressing to the story. Also the time-line in the story was hard to follow at times. I'm still not sure how much time has really passed from the start to the end.
I won't say Max and Sam stopped fighting the connection between them (I'm not sure they know how to stop fighting), but once they reach a level of acceptance I started enjoying the story. The story is kind of a HFN/to be continued ending, so I'll be interested to see how things progress for them. Hopefully since we got most of the backstory out of the way in this book, the next one will pickup the pace a bit more.
*This book is set in the Liquid Onyx universe, but it reads very differently. Other than the occasional superhero reference, there really isn't much crossover (yet). You don't need to read the other series if you're reading this book (same on the reverse).
3.5 stars
I will say I didn't dislike this book, I just didn't really get into it until the very end. There is a lot of build-up and backstory. The relationship is so slow-burn (with some weird chemistry) it dragged for me. Sam and Max certainly have a lot of baggage from their past that plays a part in the story, but I felt like it was so much backstory that the current story was secondary. There are a lot of secondary characters that just didn't seem more than window dressing to the story. Also the time-line in the story was hard to follow at times. I'm still not sure how much time has really passed from the start to the end.
I won't say Max and Sam stopped fighting the connection between them (I'm not sure they know how to stop fighting), but once they reach a level of acceptance I started enjoying the story. The story is kind of a HFN/to be continued ending, so I'll be interested to see how things progress for them. Hopefully since we got most of the backstory out of the way in this book, the next one will pickup the pace a bit more.
*This book is set in the Liquid Onyx universe, but it reads very differently. Other than the occasional superhero reference, there really isn't much crossover (yet). You don't need to read the other series if you're reading this book (same on the reverse).
March 20, 2023
Sam Winters is the heir to the most infamous crime family in Danger City. His arch nemesis, Max Summers wants nothing more than to destroy Sam. They do their best but can’t quite manage to destroy each other as young men. Now that they are adults, facing a possible new future, the urge to eviscerate has gone. Leaving room for something new.
I really enjoyed Max and Sam. Their snark was excellent, which is a good thing because there was a lot of it. The author filled in their backstory with memories and current conversations. I can take or leave children in stories so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked their offspring. They inherited their snarkyness from their fathers. Their friends were entertaining and important to their story. Max’s family was sparse but figured strongly into the book. Sam’s family was just unlikeable, almost nightmarish.
It seemed (at times) heavy on the angst. Both men losing their wives ran through the whole storyline. I liked that neither discounted the love that they felt (and still feel) for their wives. The only real complaint is that the inner dialogue sometimes stretched out to much. It ended on a HFN.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads
I really enjoyed Max and Sam. Their snark was excellent, which is a good thing because there was a lot of it. The author filled in their backstory with memories and current conversations. I can take or leave children in stories so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked their offspring. They inherited their snarkyness from their fathers. Their friends were entertaining and important to their story. Max’s family was sparse but figured strongly into the book. Sam’s family was just unlikeable, almost nightmarish.
It seemed (at times) heavy on the angst. Both men losing their wives ran through the whole storyline. I liked that neither discounted the love that they felt (and still feel) for their wives. The only real complaint is that the inner dialogue sometimes stretched out to much. It ended on a HFN.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads
April 3, 2023
Wow...Just WOW...Since I never before read anything from this author and I'm use to reading mafia romances...I went into this thinking its gonna be real mafia like...a lot of mayhem and violence with some scorching sexy times. Welllll...boy was I was wrong...This enemies to lovers tale had me in stitches from all the laughing/giggling I was doing. Being an American and reading British is always a hoot for me...the humor...the slang is awesome and I love it. The animosity that Max and Sam had with each other really jump out on the pages and you feel their emotions...very volatile and you just know whenever they make their innermost feelings out (which it did eventually) that it will be most explosive. I REALLY hated that it ended how it did...I was conflicted on giving this a 4.5 or a 5 star rating because I wanted MORE...give me MORE...LOL...since it appears this will be a series, I can only hope that we see more of Max and Sam because it looks like this is a HFN and that there is unfinished business with Sam and his family.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
November 9, 2024
Exciting, nice series beginning! The Winters crime family, were the top dogs. The Summers family tried to take over and failed. Max Summers, lost everything especially the love of his life. It take awhile to regroup, recover and restart. Sixteen years later, Max is out of the business. He's a primary school teacher still grieving. Sam Winters, is now the top dog and living his dream. Both men meet up again when their sons who attend the same school become best friends. The vibes have totally changed. World views are different and Sam and Max have grown up.They get to know each other while facing new commands. Good characters, great supporting characters. Great worldbuilding. Sam and Max are unexpectedly nice men considering their start. The author has created a great storyline that pulls us in and will keep us engaged and interested expecting the best. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 26, 2025
There’s just something about two rugged men who even as boys don’t want to give in, in any way. On opposite sides of a mafia war started by Max’s father. Max finds himself without parents (one died one in prison) No home or money , Max gets hit by a car driven by his future mother in law and meets his destiny. Natalie. Eventually they marry have two children and Max is as far away from Mafia life as he could get. But when Max’s son befriends Sam’s son, these two old adversaries are brought back together.
Max has always been a smart mouth, sarcastic and can throw a punch when provoked.
Sam has got so much pressure on him. His grandfather wants him to take over the Winters Organization. But as his feelings for Max get stronger he doesn’t want that kind of life.
This book ends with lots of heat but it’s uncertain about their future.
I’m ready to read the next book in the Danger City Series!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Max has always been a smart mouth, sarcastic and can throw a punch when provoked.
Sam has got so much pressure on him. His grandfather wants him to take over the Winters Organization. But as his feelings for Max get stronger he doesn’t want that kind of life.
This book ends with lots of heat but it’s uncertain about their future.
I’m ready to read the next book in the Danger City Series!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2023
3.5 stars, I would have given it 4 but oh my gosh, the slowest of burns!
I internally screamed for them to kiss so many times.
Summer Powers is about an ex-gang member Max and his all-time rival, Sam, who is very much still part of the rival gang. Two men part of rivaling families who reunite years down the line. Both single fathers, and very messed up.
Both men are suffering from the loss of their wives, trauma inflicted on them by the antics of their families and now their confusing feelings towards one another. The two come to realise their feelings for each other maybe 10 billion years after everyone else seems to have worked it out!
It did feel a bit too long, though I do understand why it did take longer to get to the action. You really get was a sense of what Max is feeling and the novel is mainly told from his perspective, but we do get the odd chapter from Sam's which is refreshing. The difficulty is, from time to time, it felt like a stream of consciousness that was never-ending. The dialogue between Max and Sam was so much more fun to read. Their banter is *chefs kiss*.
Despite this, I did enjoy the novel and I am really looking forward to book 2. Hoping the action kicks in sooner now that the setting has been written in this one.
I internally screamed for them to kiss so many times.
Summer Powers is about an ex-gang member Max and his all-time rival, Sam, who is very much still part of the rival gang. Two men part of rivaling families who reunite years down the line. Both single fathers, and very messed up.
Both men are suffering from the loss of their wives, trauma inflicted on them by the antics of their families and now their confusing feelings towards one another. The two come to realise their feelings for each other maybe 10 billion years after everyone else seems to have worked it out!
It did feel a bit too long, though I do understand why it did take longer to get to the action. You really get was a sense of what Max is feeling and the novel is mainly told from his perspective, but we do get the odd chapter from Sam's which is refreshing. The difficulty is, from time to time, it felt like a stream of consciousness that was never-ending. The dialogue between Max and Sam was so much more fun to read. Their banter is *chefs kiss*.
Despite this, I did enjoy the novel and I am really looking forward to book 2. Hoping the action kicks in sooner now that the setting has been written in this one.
April 15, 2023
"Equal footing. Fury or lust, opponent or ally, enemies or, I don't know, lovers, boyfriends. Whatever. It doesn't matter. The choice is simple. Either we stand side by side, or I knock him the fuck down."
I loved this so so much! 🤍
The writing style is very special, I think it's not for everyone, but for me the moments of introspection were a delight - felt like a comforting blanket, to be honest.
I'm usually not a fan of books that don't have much action, but this book was like a gift that keeps on giving through the beautifully described inner dialogues, so I didn't mind the lack of action at all. I think I have never underlined so many paragraphs in a book 😅
It's a special gem, 5 stars for sure and I can't wait for the next part! I will definitely return to re-read this book in the meantime.
I loved this so so much! 🤍
The writing style is very special, I think it's not for everyone, but for me the moments of introspection were a delight - felt like a comforting blanket, to be honest.
I'm usually not a fan of books that don't have much action, but this book was like a gift that keeps on giving through the beautifully described inner dialogues, so I didn't mind the lack of action at all. I think I have never underlined so many paragraphs in a book 😅
It's a special gem, 5 stars for sure and I can't wait for the next part! I will definitely return to re-read this book in the meantime.
March 31, 2023
This books was so good, and so strange. It’s written in first person pov, and has a lot of introspection. I wondered if I’d missed something, going into the story, but the more I read the more it made sense and the more I understood the characters and their backgrounds.
Summers and Winters, opposites and antagonists. One is the heir to a mafia family, the other the son of a traitor. They have a history of violence, with each other and due to the nature of their upbringing. This is true enemies to lovers territory.
I really liked the style of storytelling, and the characters - even the ones we don’t ever meet. The kids are absolutely gorgeous, and I want a Penny in my life… and there are superheroes? For some reason?
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.
Summers and Winters, opposites and antagonists. One is the heir to a mafia family, the other the son of a traitor. They have a history of violence, with each other and due to the nature of their upbringing. This is true enemies to lovers territory.
I really liked the style of storytelling, and the characters - even the ones we don’t ever meet. The kids are absolutely gorgeous, and I want a Penny in my life… and there are superheroes? For some reason?
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.
April 8, 2023
This is the first book in the series. I found it funny how the author pitted
Summer and Winter against each other, at least in the beginning.
This story held my attention from the beginning. Two kids growing up with a need to compete against each other even violently. Both families try to mold each guy into who the families want them to be while maintaining a public front. Yet, this isn’t what really shapes them. Life events do and make their future. While they are separated for over fifteen years, life events again enter what they are in the present. When they interact again as fathers, widows, friends and career men they find both have changed. I love this story and can’t wait for the next in the series. I hope the author carries it way past where this left off.
Summer and Winter against each other, at least in the beginning.
This story held my attention from the beginning. Two kids growing up with a need to compete against each other even violently. Both families try to mold each guy into who the families want them to be while maintaining a public front. Yet, this isn’t what really shapes them. Life events do and make their future. While they are separated for over fifteen years, life events again enter what they are in the present. When they interact again as fathers, widows, friends and career men they find both have changed. I love this story and can’t wait for the next in the series. I hope the author carries it way past where this left off.
April 24, 2023
I really wanted to like this but I was let down by several issues.
1. Not enough backstory/world building. We're immediately thrown into the story between the summers and winters families but we don't see the action that led up to their split. It's told to us after the fact.
2. Grammar/punctual errors.
3. Inner monologues that last for pages. I'd say about 35-40% is all inner monologues and not enough actual dialogue between characters. I started to skip them because I kept envisioning the world paused while the main character was monologuing.
4. I felt that the story ended far too soon. I don't think it struck the balance of giving a satisfactory ending for now while setting up sequels.
1. Not enough backstory/world building. We're immediately thrown into the story between the summers and winters families but we don't see the action that led up to their split. It's told to us after the fact.
2. Grammar/punctual errors.
3. Inner monologues that last for pages. I'd say about 35-40% is all inner monologues and not enough actual dialogue between characters. I started to skip them because I kept envisioning the world paused while the main character was monologuing.
4. I felt that the story ended far too soon. I don't think it struck the balance of giving a satisfactory ending for now while setting up sequels.
July 18, 2023
Surprising and lovely
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
Not a lot of action happens on page - almost all of the conflict is based on shared history - and it is very slow burn, which I typically avoid like the plague, but this book was lovely (and the single sex scene, when they finally got there, was hot).
The writing was simple and understated but the characters - both MCs as well as their children and other supporting cast - were three dimensional. I cared about them all.
The only thing I have any issue with is that, based on the ending, I'm not sure if this is a standalone. If it is, it really could have used an epilogue. If not, the author should make that clear.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
Not a lot of action happens on page - almost all of the conflict is based on shared history - and it is very slow burn, which I typically avoid like the plague, but this book was lovely (and the single sex scene, when they finally got there, was hot).
The writing was simple and understated but the characters - both MCs as well as their children and other supporting cast - were three dimensional. I cared about them all.
The only thing I have any issue with is that, based on the ending, I'm not sure if this is a standalone. If it is, it really could have used an epilogue. If not, the author should make that clear.
April 2, 2023
Max and Sam have turbulent and emotional pasts. Max's father tried to dethrone the Winters but ends up in prison and his family lost everything. Max winds up being a school teacher and left his former life behind. He's a single father, and a school teacher and his son is best friends with Sam's son. They both are grieving after losing their wives and through their kids, they reconnected first as friends and then something more. Sam wants what Max has, his freedom to live his life as he wants to. The book is slow-burn, with some angst, funny, sweet, and romantic, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
April 4, 2023
Something I don't normally do is pick a book from the cover, but this one I did because I found the cover so mysterious and I deliberately didn't read the blurb, just jumped right in. That cover could have indicated so many things from horror to English aristocracy. Who knew it would be an enemies to lovers story between sons of two crime families. One has left the "business" and become a primary teacher with children of his own. The other has excelled in the business and climbed the ladder of darkness and destruction. When their sons become best friends at school, these two are reintroduced and sparks fly. Best bet I've made on a cover in ages.
November 3, 2024
I liked this story and the ending was good as it was about time something happened. The build up in Max and Sam’s relationship was okay but I wish we had it a bit faster. This book is definitely mainly in Max’s perspective/ inner dialogue. So I do with we had more from Sam’s mind. All the mafia and drama is in the past so nothing dramatic and current which I wish we had some of that action. An epilogue would have been nice to get how it all worked out because I felt things were left kind of in the air with Sam’s family or how the relationship went. Over good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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