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The Boys of Summer #2
Hot July Moons
Six years ago, I disappeared, running to escape the torture I faced at the hands of my father. Then, a year ago, desperation led me back to Camp Agonde, the summer camp that filled my childhood with joy and where I first met the boys who changed my life. Cole Michaels, Brennon Grace and Xavier Rothberg.
At fifteen, they were my everything, but last summer they showed me just how much things had changed. The boys I remembered were long gone, and in their place were three men willing to do anything to get rid of me. A horrible accident started to change that, and slowly their hatred was replaced with passion. Mostly. There were searing kisses and nights that burned their way into my soul.
Until my Father found me and dragged me away all over again, ruining everything. Now, I’m headed back to Agonde a second time, and the longer I’m in these woods, the more I realize nothing is as it seems. I’m Antoinette Barrett, Toni to everyone I care about, and you have no idea what can happen under hot July moons.
At fifteen, they were my everything, but last summer they showed me just how much things had changed. The boys I remembered were long gone, and in their place were three men willing to do anything to get rid of me. A horrible accident started to change that, and slowly their hatred was replaced with passion. Mostly. There were searing kisses and nights that burned their way into my soul.
Until my Father found me and dragged me away all over again, ruining everything. Now, I’m headed back to Agonde a second time, and the longer I’m in these woods, the more I realize nothing is as it seems. I’m Antoinette Barrett, Toni to everyone I care about, and you have no idea what can happen under hot July moons.
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2025
8 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 15, 2025
This is the second in the series and it’s just as wonderful as the first. Although I didn’t cry this time, this book still packs an emotional punch. There are many dark themes in here, the FMC has a very rough family life and has many secrets. We get to see more of the boys’ secrets in this one as well.
It’s not an easy, happy read. It takes out your heart, breaks it, and puts some of it back together. I suspect I will need book 3 in order to be whole again.
It’s not an easy, happy read. It takes out your heart, breaks it, and puts some of it back together. I suspect I will need book 3 in order to be whole again.
March 22, 2025
This story follows Toni, a young woman with a rough history, as she finds herself coming back to the summer camp that she spent every summer at as a counselor. Memories hide in every corner of Camp Agonde, and the ghosts are haunting her. The three boys who became her best friends and lifelines are counselors too, but something changed since Toni's been gone, and Xavier, Brennon, and Cole are no longer friends with her or each other. As their paths unite throughout the summer, it becomes obvious that no one knows the full truth of Camp Agonde's secrets.
Things have gotten deeper since the previous year, except now Xavi and Toni are together. Brennon quickly inserts himself into the dynamic, but Cole is still struggling with his actions and behaviors. The plot thickens as camp kids keep disappearing, and when the truths come to light, prepare for the worst. I did really enjoy the found family aspect, but that cliffhanger! When does three come out?!
Things have gotten deeper since the previous year, except now Xavi and Toni are together. Brennon quickly inserts himself into the dynamic, but Cole is still struggling with his actions and behaviors. The plot thickens as camp kids keep disappearing, and when the truths come to light, prepare for the worst. I did really enjoy the found family aspect, but that cliffhanger! When does three come out?!
March 18, 2025
Toni and her crew are unraveling all the secrets.
The secrets mostly being that everyone is the absolute worst and the webs that have been weaved are intricate AF.
I’m not even sure what to say without spoiling things.
I want more.
I want vengeance.
I wish Michele all the damn love in the world, she’s truly been an angel and I want that to never stop and I will fight this author if anything happens to make her sad. That’s a promise.
But most importantly I hope the final moments for Toni and her boys is glorious.
I wait on bated breath for the next instalment!!!!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this novel!
March 25, 2025
The Storm Has Hit… and I’m Not Okay
So… Hot July Moons literally picked up the baton from book one and sprinted. We dive straight into the tension and heartbreak, and from the prologue alone I knew—this was going to be intense. And I was so right. My emotions were doing cartwheels.
What I Loved About This Book
Character Growth – They’re Blooming (and Bleeding)
Watching Cole go through his own self Loathing , seeing Xavi open up, and even Michele’s as a side character go through her own discovery… it was just chef’s kiss. There’s redemption and vulnerability, and it’s done in a way that doesn’t feel forced. You believe it. You root for them, even when they make mistakes.
A Plot That Won’t Let You Breathe
I swear every chapter ended with me holding my breath. Between the romance, the tension, the heartbreak, the bigger story unfolding behind everything—it’s a rollercoaster. But like, a really pretty, painful, poetic one.
The Real-World Thread – Powerful & Devastating
The exploration of trafficking, the broken system, and what’s happening outside the camp…. It’s raw and real and woven so carefully into the fictional pain of our characters. It gives the book this depth that I wasn’t expecting—and it’s beautiful and terrible at the same time.
What to expect:
It is very detailed, so if you’re not into slow-burning suspense, it might feel like a lot. I wanted to devour it in one go, but it forced me to feel each moment, which is both a blessing and a curse (in the best way).
The Tropes:
• Why choose
• Friends-to-Enemies-to-Redemption
• Found Family
• Some Dom/Sub dynamics
• Past Trauma
• Bi-awakening
This book shattered me in the most beautiful way. It’s about healing, truth, and the hard path back to love—and it’s never simple. The emotional journey, the suspense, the bigger picture of what’s happening behind the scenes… it all left me breathless. And THAT cliffhanger? I’m not okay, and I need book three.
So… Hot July Moons literally picked up the baton from book one and sprinted. We dive straight into the tension and heartbreak, and from the prologue alone I knew—this was going to be intense. And I was so right. My emotions were doing cartwheels.
What I Loved About This Book
Character Growth – They’re Blooming (and Bleeding)
Watching Cole go through his own self Loathing , seeing Xavi open up, and even Michele’s as a side character go through her own discovery… it was just chef’s kiss. There’s redemption and vulnerability, and it’s done in a way that doesn’t feel forced. You believe it. You root for them, even when they make mistakes.
A Plot That Won’t Let You Breathe
I swear every chapter ended with me holding my breath. Between the romance, the tension, the heartbreak, the bigger story unfolding behind everything—it’s a rollercoaster. But like, a really pretty, painful, poetic one.
The Real-World Thread – Powerful & Devastating
The exploration of trafficking, the broken system, and what’s happening outside the camp…. It’s raw and real and woven so carefully into the fictional pain of our characters. It gives the book this depth that I wasn’t expecting—and it’s beautiful and terrible at the same time.
What to expect:
It is very detailed, so if you’re not into slow-burning suspense, it might feel like a lot. I wanted to devour it in one go, but it forced me to feel each moment, which is both a blessing and a curse (in the best way).
The Tropes:
• Why choose
• Friends-to-Enemies-to-Redemption
• Found Family
• Some Dom/Sub dynamics
• Past Trauma
• Bi-awakening
This book shattered me in the most beautiful way. It’s about healing, truth, and the hard path back to love—and it’s never simple. The emotional journey, the suspense, the bigger picture of what’s happening behind the scenes… it all left me breathless. And THAT cliffhanger? I’m not okay, and I need book three.
March 13, 2025
First, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the author for once again granting me an ARC for this series. I was absolutely in love with the first book and practically begged for this copy—so thank you, girl!!
Before diving into my thoughts, I want to add a quick disclaimer. If you're considering reading this series, I encourage you to check the trigger warnings. This is a dark romance that delves into heavy, emotionally intense topics.
I absolutely loved how this book picked up from where the last one left off. Rather than a direct continuation, we get news articles covering events from the fall, winter, and spring before our female lead—Toni is able to return to camp. Each of these articles plays a significant role in shaping the story, adding depth and tension that made it impossible to put down.
This book focuses heavily on world-building, and you can feel all the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together. It’s both thrilling and unsettling to watch everything unfold—especially with that cliffhanger ending!
Cole, Xavi, and Brennon each bring incredible depth to the story. Robbins expertly guides us through their perspectives, allowing us to understand not just how events unfold, but why. Their distinct personalities, interactions, and individual arcs add rich layers of complexity, making the story even more compelling and immersive.
The writing was absolutely phenomenal. The author has such a vivid, immersive style that makes every scene hit hard. Whether it was the tension-filled moments, the emotional gut punches, or the slow unraveling of secrets, everything was written with so much intention and impact.
Overall, this book was fantastic, and I am dying for the next one. That ending?? I need answers ASAP. If you haven’t started this series yet, now is the time. Just be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster!
Before diving into my thoughts, I want to add a quick disclaimer. If you're considering reading this series, I encourage you to check the trigger warnings. This is a dark romance that delves into heavy, emotionally intense topics.
I absolutely loved how this book picked up from where the last one left off. Rather than a direct continuation, we get news articles covering events from the fall, winter, and spring before our female lead—Toni is able to return to camp. Each of these articles plays a significant role in shaping the story, adding depth and tension that made it impossible to put down.
This book focuses heavily on world-building, and you can feel all the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together. It’s both thrilling and unsettling to watch everything unfold—especially with that cliffhanger ending!
Cole, Xavi, and Brennon each bring incredible depth to the story. Robbins expertly guides us through their perspectives, allowing us to understand not just how events unfold, but why. Their distinct personalities, interactions, and individual arcs add rich layers of complexity, making the story even more compelling and immersive.
The writing was absolutely phenomenal. The author has such a vivid, immersive style that makes every scene hit hard. Whether it was the tension-filled moments, the emotional gut punches, or the slow unraveling of secrets, everything was written with so much intention and impact.
Overall, this book was fantastic, and I am dying for the next one. That ending?? I need answers ASAP. If you haven’t started this series yet, now is the time. Just be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster!
March 26, 2025
This is the second book in the boys of summer series and boy is it just as good as the first!
⚠️ Please check trigger warnings before reading as there are some dark, and heavy topics throughout.
This story picks up where June Fires Burn ended. I loved the news reports elements at the beginning of this story of how Toni is “reunited” with her father and brother, the two people who have tortured her for years. We get to see glimpses of what her life was like for those 8 months before she returns to Camp Agonde and it isn’t pretty to say the least.
Toni is back at camp - but it’s not the escape she was hoping for when her brother is also there.
Cole, Brennan and Xavier are also back at camp and while the formers are unhappy, Xavier is happy to have his “wild girl” back, even if they have to sneak around until secrets are revealed and the group come together and try to help her break free from her past and untangle the mysteries of their families and the goings on at camp.
Every moment shared with these characters was heartbreaking but so sincere you can’t help but root for them all. The moments shared between Toni, Xavier and Brennan were just heartwarming. Cole is still angry but we get to see glimpses of the boy they all love.
Did I expect the cliffhanger? Absolutely! And the run up to the ending. Boy was that intense! Again we see Toni is a less than ideal situation. It has me nervous but also excited for what’s to come in book 3. I just want them all the get that HEA.
⚠️ Please check trigger warnings before reading as there are some dark, and heavy topics throughout.
This story picks up where June Fires Burn ended. I loved the news reports elements at the beginning of this story of how Toni is “reunited” with her father and brother, the two people who have tortured her for years. We get to see glimpses of what her life was like for those 8 months before she returns to Camp Agonde and it isn’t pretty to say the least.
Toni is back at camp - but it’s not the escape she was hoping for when her brother is also there.
Cole, Brennan and Xavier are also back at camp and while the formers are unhappy, Xavier is happy to have his “wild girl” back, even if they have to sneak around until secrets are revealed and the group come together and try to help her break free from her past and untangle the mysteries of their families and the goings on at camp.
Every moment shared with these characters was heartbreaking but so sincere you can’t help but root for them all. The moments shared between Toni, Xavier and Brennan were just heartwarming. Cole is still angry but we get to see glimpses of the boy they all love.
Did I expect the cliffhanger? Absolutely! And the run up to the ending. Boy was that intense! Again we see Toni is a less than ideal situation. It has me nervous but also excited for what’s to come in book 3. I just want them all the get that HEA.
March 19, 2025
Before I express my thoughts, as others have mentioned, this book is DARK. I would argue it is darker than the first as topics have more development time than the first book. Please check your trigger warnings before venturing into Toni, Xavier, Brennon & Cole’s world.
This book continues right where we left off and into summer camp. With the additional details of the life Toni has been surviving across the 8 months between camps covered using tabloid article. This and Robbins writing style really showcases her skill in world building, and allows you to fall right back in to pace like no time had passed at all.
I was gripped watching our main characters piece together what had and was happening. If you thought book 1s plot kept you guessing, wait for this!
The spice level also goes up a notch so be warned 👀
I can’t wait for book 3 and finally get the answers I’ve been looking for!
Huge thank you to Robbins & the Naughty Nook PR team for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this!
This book continues right where we left off and into summer camp. With the additional details of the life Toni has been surviving across the 8 months between camps covered using tabloid article. This and Robbins writing style really showcases her skill in world building, and allows you to fall right back in to pace like no time had passed at all.
I was gripped watching our main characters piece together what had and was happening. If you thought book 1s plot kept you guessing, wait for this!
The spice level also goes up a notch so be warned 👀
I can’t wait for book 3 and finally get the answers I’ve been looking for!
Huge thank you to Robbins & the Naughty Nook PR team for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this!
March 25, 2025
The continuation of Toni, Xavier, Brennon, Cole and Camp Agonde’s story as secrets become unraveled and dynamics once again shift.
Toni has spent the last year as a prisoner of her father and her twin brother’s and is relieved to be returning to Camp Agonde- only to be joined by her brother. Sneaking around with Xavier is the only reprieve she’s allowed until secrets come to light and soon the whole gang has to help her escape her past and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding their favorite summer camp.
Ends on a cliffhanger once again. I was counting down my time left to read with what was happening and I just knew in my bones I’d be left hanging but I still wasn’t ready. We gained a lot of clarity behind the moving pieces we weren’t aware of previously but my poor girl Toni is once again in a less than ideal situation and I am STRESSED.
I was given a free copy. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Toni has spent the last year as a prisoner of her father and her twin brother’s and is relieved to be returning to Camp Agonde- only to be joined by her brother. Sneaking around with Xavier is the only reprieve she’s allowed until secrets come to light and soon the whole gang has to help her escape her past and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding their favorite summer camp.
Ends on a cliffhanger once again. I was counting down my time left to read with what was happening and I just knew in my bones I’d be left hanging but I still wasn’t ready. We gained a lot of clarity behind the moving pieces we weren’t aware of previously but my poor girl Toni is once again in a less than ideal situation and I am STRESSED.
I was given a free copy. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
April 15, 2025
Let me tell you… this was a RIDE. Book 1 was intense, and this book only made things 100 times more insane. Toni’s father- insane. Toni’s brother- insane. Everyone else’s fathers? ALSO INSANE. This series is definitely on the dark romance spectrum so if you pick it up, make sure you research your triggers. It is also SPICY. These little guys are just so h**ny and stressed and scared. The cliffhanger at the end also helped NOTHING because now I’m desperate for book three. What’s going to happen with Cole? What’s going to happen with Toni? How are Brennan and Xavier going to handle everything? AND THE LITTLE GIRLS. Yo, this series is so wild and I am so glad that I picked it up when I did. Y’all should do it too.
April 2, 2025
*Hot July Moons* picks up where the first book left off, with Toni returning to Camp Agonde to face her haunting past. The three boys who once meant everything to her—Xavi, Brennon, and Cole—are now strangers, and the camp’s dark secrets are slowly unraveling. Toni and Xavi are together, but things get complicated when Brennon reappears and Cole struggles with his demons. As kids begin to disappear, the truth comes out, and it’s more devastating than expected. The tension, romance, and that cliffhanger will leave you counting the days until book three!
March 25, 2025
I thought the first book was bad but this was pitch black dark. Although it was dark the plot was captivating. We got like a huge punch in the face at the end of book 1 so I was so excited to read this one. It was definitely intense and dark. I liked the use of dramatic irony. We got lots of povs from different people so we knew a lot of things some characters didn’t. Like the child trafficking rings for example. It was amusing watching the main characters run around finding answers while the readers already knew them. But it got old later in the book. Its like we knew enough but there was still more to know to keep us interested. My biggest issue was the amount of red flags the mmcs had. I actually only liked Xavier, the rest of guys are not hitting right. The only thing I liked about Brennan is his guitar and blue hair. For Cole he was just too annoying and stuck in his ways, like he was so stubborn and refused to listen to other people. A lot of the book was them getting over their issues, and fucking in the middle. I’ll be honest I got tired of watching them heal and then break again and then break again. But the ending really piqued my interest, I did not expect what happened. I was stunned into shock, like the ending alone is like 5/5. However there were just some things I couldn’t get into so I give this a ⅗.
March 25, 2025
Book 2 in the series and I couldn’t put it down!
These characters have stolen parts of my heart. The story Robbins has given us is fantastic. With everyone back at camp, secrets are being revealed and things are going to change. What will happen this summer under Hot July Moons?
This book ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared for that. I cannot wait for the next installment!
I would very much recommend this book, please check your triggers before reading because parts are da.rk.
These characters have stolen parts of my heart. The story Robbins has given us is fantastic. With everyone back at camp, secrets are being revealed and things are going to change. What will happen this summer under Hot July Moons?
This book ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared for that. I cannot wait for the next installment!
I would very much recommend this book, please check your triggers before reading because parts are da.rk.
March 20, 2025
Oh my goodness.
March 26, 2025
This book was amazing from the start to finished this book man the charters were to die for they and the emotions were perfect this was a fun read
June 9, 2025
6 stars this book was beautiful emotional and very well and beautifully written
Spice 4/5
Spice 4/5
April 8, 2025
After the ending in book one, June fires burn, Toni is back with her father and brother—the very monsters who have tormented her for years. While she initially gets a brief escape to Camp Agoda, it’s clear that this supposed freedom may not be what she hoped for.
This book is absolutely phenomenal. I devoured the first and second books in under 24 hours—there was no way I could put them down. The writing is superb; it's detailed and vivid, with characters that come alive on the page. I felt every heartbreak, every trauma, and every sincere moment shared among them. Each character has faced so much, and I found myself rooting for Xavier, Brennan, and Toni, eager for them to finally discover some peace. As for Cole? He was incredibly frustrating—a truly angry character.
The secrets, the angst, the unexpected twists—this story grips you from the very first word. I am completely invested, and that ending? Wow. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!
This book is absolutely phenomenal. I devoured the first and second books in under 24 hours—there was no way I could put them down. The writing is superb; it's detailed and vivid, with characters that come alive on the page. I felt every heartbreak, every trauma, and every sincere moment shared among them. Each character has faced so much, and I found myself rooting for Xavier, Brennan, and Toni, eager for them to finally discover some peace. As for Cole? He was incredibly frustrating—a truly angry character.
The secrets, the angst, the unexpected twists—this story grips you from the very first word. I am completely invested, and that ending? Wow. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!
July 7, 2025
Thank you for my ARC version!
This is the second in the series that follows Toni and the gang back at Agonde. The first novel ended with some dark innuendos but book two slaps you in the face with them. Be sure to check the trigger warnings again. My perfect world of Agonde was crushed by the very real, very unfortunate things that happen to good people. Another book that I couldn't put down.
This is the second in the series that follows Toni and the gang back at Agonde. The first novel ended with some dark innuendos but book two slaps you in the face with them. Be sure to check the trigger warnings again. My perfect world of Agonde was crushed by the very real, very unfortunate things that happen to good people. Another book that I couldn't put down.
December 5, 2025
While I didn't cry in this book, I still felt absolutely heartbroken and emotionally drained by the end of it.
Be warned: This is not a happy story. This is not a HEA or HFN story. This will destroy you. It's intense and raw, and the pain is just bleeding across the pages. It's not for the faint of heart, and it has some really traumatic themes.
In saying that, this book showcased more of the boys relationships and pasts and that was such a wonderful experience for me.
I love L. A Robbins writing, and this, Book 2 in the Boys of Summer series did NOT disappoint. I cannot WAIT for book 3, because this has just taken me completely in it's clutches!
(This book ends on a cliffhanger!)
Be warned: This is not a happy story. This is not a HEA or HFN story. This will destroy you. It's intense and raw, and the pain is just bleeding across the pages. It's not for the faint of heart, and it has some really traumatic themes.
In saying that, this book showcased more of the boys relationships and pasts and that was such a wonderful experience for me.
I love L. A Robbins writing, and this, Book 2 in the Boys of Summer series did NOT disappoint. I cannot WAIT for book 3, because this has just taken me completely in it's clutches!
(This book ends on a cliffhanger!)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews