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I Hate Summer
Out since he was fourteen, Idrys grew up hating summer, mostly because of Trystan Jackson, the gorgeous eldest son of his parents’ holiday friends. After avoiding the joint holiday for five years, Idrys must now face Trystan again... or risk the wrath of his parents. Like Idrys, Trystan isn’t exactly the guy he was the last time they met, but Idrys has more to worry about than Trystan’s odd sleeping habits. He has to steel his—usually nonexistent—morals against the advances of the cute and innocent Josh, Trystan’s younger brother.It’s only ten days, right? And afterward he doesn’t have to see either of them for another year.If only it was that simple.Two months after the holiday from hell, Trystan gets a last minute placement in the city where Idrys lives, and suddenly both brothers are back in Idrys's life. Idrys is determined to carry on regardless, but sooner or later he might have to face the fact that summer doesn't last forever.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 8, 2016
Lo voy a dejar en tres estrellas y estoy siendo generosa, quizás se merecía las 2 ...
Dos muchachos que se conocen desde la infancia por pasar las vacaciones familiares juntos y que después de unos años se vuelven a encontrar. Idre, gay, con una belleza andrógina y una actitud muy abierta hacia el sexo, y Trys, en su día un abusón y ahora replanteándose todo.
Y..., debe ser que yo no soy un chico de 22 años excepcionalmente guapo, gay, y británico porque no he entendido al personaje de Idre absolutamente nada. Esa negación de una relación no sé muy bien si se debe a traumas relacionados con el sexo o, según él, por los problemas que le acarrea ser too mucha sexy for my shirt. Mmmmm, no le he pillado. Había momentos en que me ha gustado y momentos que han sido un constante WTF.
Por otro lado tenemos a Trys, en su momento un homófobo abusón y ahora aceptando su bisexualidad con los brazos abiertos, sin ningún problema y con una actitud, al menos sorprendente, hacia la posible homosexualidad de su hermano. Y hasta aquí, lo que sé de este personaje porque no le conocemos absolutamente nada.
Además de no entender a sus protagonistas, dos cosas me han chirriado a lo largo de la historia. La primera la utilización de la palabra whore, el protagonista se lo llama a sí mismo, el coprotagonista se lo llama también. No solo el término me resulta terriblemente sexista y desagradable, además no termino de comprender la actitud de Idre, se llama a sí mismo whore ¿por qué? ¿por tener mucho sexo con diferentes personas? ¿y qué? ¿qué tiene de malo? No tiene ninguna relación. No me molestaría si no estuviera utilizado como algo peyorativo, pero así es. La segunda cosa que no me ha gustado es cómo se refleja la relación de un chico de quince años con su hermano en lo relativo al sexo y el amigo/novio de su hermano. Me resulta poco realista, y hasta cierto punto no muy afortunado.
Un libro que prometía mucho y que se ha quedado en poco.
Dos muchachos que se conocen desde la infancia por pasar las vacaciones familiares juntos y que después de unos años se vuelven a encontrar. Idre, gay, con una belleza andrógina y una actitud muy abierta hacia el sexo, y Trys, en su día un abusón y ahora replanteándose todo.
Y..., debe ser que yo no soy un chico de 22 años excepcionalmente guapo, gay, y británico porque no he entendido al personaje de Idre absolutamente nada. Esa negación de una relación no sé muy bien si se debe a traumas relacionados con el sexo o, según él, por los problemas que le acarrea ser too mucha sexy for my shirt. Mmmmm, no le he pillado. Había momentos en que me ha gustado y momentos que han sido un constante WTF.
Por otro lado tenemos a Trys, en su momento un homófobo abusón y ahora aceptando su bisexualidad con los brazos abiertos, sin ningún problema y con una actitud, al menos sorprendente, hacia la posible homosexualidad de su hermano. Y hasta aquí, lo que sé de este personaje porque no le conocemos absolutamente nada.
Además de no entender a sus protagonistas, dos cosas me han chirriado a lo largo de la historia. La primera la utilización de la palabra whore, el protagonista se lo llama a sí mismo, el coprotagonista se lo llama también. No solo el término me resulta terriblemente sexista y desagradable, además no termino de comprender la actitud de Idre, se llama a sí mismo whore ¿por qué? ¿por tener mucho sexo con diferentes personas? ¿y qué? ¿qué tiene de malo? No tiene ninguna relación. No me molestaría si no estuviera utilizado como algo peyorativo, pero así es. La segunda cosa que no me ha gustado es cómo se refleja la relación de un chico de quince años con su hermano en lo relativo al sexo y el amigo/novio de su hermano. Me resulta poco realista, y hasta cierto punto no muy afortunado.
Un libro que prometía mucho y que se ha quedado en poco.
May 20, 2016
He disfrutando poquísimo esta lectura, se tienen tan poco respeto los unos a los otros que ha sido difícil no cerrar el libro, todo el rato con el whore en la boca, por Dios qué agotamiento.
Tampoco ha ayudado el estilo, excesivamente coloquial para mi, necesitaba algo un poco más elaborado en estos momentos, no tanta chorrada junta xD
Aún así, se lee ágil y me ha gustado el ritmo, por eso no lo dejo en una estrella, aunque con ganas me quedo.
Tampoco ha ayudado el estilo, excesivamente coloquial para mi, necesitaba algo un poco más elaborado en estos momentos, no tanta chorrada junta xD
Aún así, se lee ágil y me ha gustado el ritmo, por eso no lo dejo en una estrella, aunque con ganas me quedo.
March 30, 2015
I did enjoy this book, particularly the character of Idrys. He's tall, blond, androgynous and sexy enough to draw a lot of eyes. After tough teen years, he's decided to claim the effect of his own striking looks and sexuality by being unapologetically promiscuous, until he meets the guy who confuses the hell out of his instincts and desires. (And that cover is perfect.)
Idrys's narrative voice and story felt nicely unique and interesting. At the same time, a few details annoyed me. I'm a fan of enemies to lovers, because of the emotional payoff from the drastic change in relationship. It can be intense for two guys to battle between anger and attraction, with lingering pain and past conflict. But this book really short-circuits that process as no big deal, leaving me a bit frustrated by the lost opportunity.
Trystan and Idrys went camping together every summer as kids and teenagers, and Trys made Idrys's summers a misery with his bullying. But after a period when Idrys managed to avoid seeing Trys for years, they are thrown together again. This time Idrys is older, taller and able to hold his own. And Trys's horizons have been expanded.
There is some hot sex, an interesting secondary plot with Trys's younger brother, and the dialect was a plus to me - a point of interest. The writing is good, and I read it in a single sitting. But all of the potentially angsty aspects - were kept minimized, resulting in a lighter but less compelling read than I would have hoped for. I will read more from this author, though, since even with that flaw I was well entertained by the story.
Idrys's narrative voice and story felt nicely unique and interesting. At the same time, a few details annoyed me. I'm a fan of enemies to lovers, because of the emotional payoff from the drastic change in relationship. It can be intense for two guys to battle between anger and attraction, with lingering pain and past conflict. But this book really short-circuits that process as no big deal, leaving me a bit frustrated by the lost opportunity.
Trystan and Idrys went camping together every summer as kids and teenagers, and Trys made Idrys's summers a misery with his bullying. But after a period when Idrys managed to avoid seeing Trys for years, they are thrown together again. This time Idrys is older, taller and able to hold his own. And Trys's horizons have been expanded.
There is some hot sex, an interesting secondary plot with Trys's younger brother, and the dialect was a plus to me - a point of interest. The writing is good, and I read it in a single sitting. But all of the potentially angsty aspects - were kept minimized, resulting in a lighter but less compelling read than I would have hoped for. I will read more from this author, though, since even with that flaw I was well entertained by the story.
July 18, 2016
pre-summer re-read! ADORED it as much as the first time!!
I've first read this book in August 2014 and it's been on my mind ever since.
Fair enough, I guess it's one of those books you either love or hate. There are a lot of nasty words and a ton shit of arrogance thrown around =D But I love both MC and even the secondary characters, which is rare for me.
So, yeah, I guess this is one of those rare forever favorites of mine :)
***
Mhmhm. This tickled a lot of my kink boxes right here! *swoon*
Trys, oh god Trys! I love him. He's probably the cockiest little shit I've ever come across (sadly not in person).
Trys has got attitude and I mean it. Really got attitude. And he's such a tease– such an arrogant fucker you can't help but love.
Ide isn't that bad either ;) They're both pretty much equally messed up, in a good way, because I love my guys on the edge of sanity.
Trys and Ide are fricking entertaining down to the last page, which actually was probably the sweetest scene. And very much anticipated!
This is not exactly your sweet, fluffy and innocent enemies-to-lovers fairytale but a wonderful romance that starts out a little differently, with a lot of tension, insults, hatred, teasing, not-thought-through blow-jobs, longing, sexual frustration... and yup, basically a fine amount of love-hate between two slightly irritating and very arrogant guys. I was in heaven.
Oh, and a lot of yummy yum yum sex!!
No really, they had some of the best, well written, most intense and enjoyable sex I've read in a long long time.
I loved how their "relationship" evolved, the balance of hate and love was pretty good. And yay, no rushed bottoming! =D
Yup. highly recommended
------
Side note: The m/m/m/+ tags irritated me a little before reading. It could be a warning to those who don't like slutty characters in an open relationship with more than one person. I had not seen this coming after reading the blurb...
!From the start of the book Ide was in an open relationship with four men, for over two years, but there is no on the page threesome/foursome scene. There is only one on the page sex scene between Ide and someone other than Trys.
I've first read this book in August 2014 and it's been on my mind ever since.
Fair enough, I guess it's one of those books you either love or hate. There are a lot of nasty words and a ton shit of arrogance thrown around =D But I love both MC and even the secondary characters, which is rare for me.
So, yeah, I guess this is one of those rare forever favorites of mine :)
***
Mhmhm. This tickled a lot of my kink boxes right here! *swoon*
Trys, oh god Trys! I love him. He's probably the cockiest little shit I've ever come across (sadly not in person).
Trys has got attitude and I mean it. Really got attitude. And he's such a tease– such an arrogant fucker you can't help but love.
Ide isn't that bad either ;) They're both pretty much equally messed up, in a good way, because I love my guys on the edge of sanity.
Trys and Ide are fricking entertaining down to the last page, which actually was probably the sweetest scene. And very much anticipated!
This is not exactly your sweet, fluffy and innocent enemies-to-lovers fairytale but a wonderful romance that starts out a little differently, with a lot of tension, insults, hatred, teasing, not-thought-through blow-jobs, longing, sexual frustration... and yup, basically a fine amount of love-hate between two slightly irritating and very arrogant guys. I was in heaven.
Oh, and a lot of yummy yum yum sex!!
No really, they had some of the best, well written, most intense and enjoyable sex I've read in a long long time.
I loved how their "relationship" evolved, the balance of hate and love was pretty good. And yay, no rushed bottoming! =D
Yup. highly recommended
------
Side note: The m/m/m/+ tags irritated me a little before reading. It could be a warning to those who don't like slutty characters in an open relationship with more than one person. I had not seen this coming after reading the blurb...
!From the start of the book Ide was in an open relationship with four men, for over two years, but there is no on the page threesome/foursome scene. There is only one on the page sex scene between Ide and someone other than Trys.
July 18, 2016
3'5 **** sexy estrellas.
Me ha gustado <3
Idrys es un personaje muy peculiar con el que me he reído mucho en este libro.
Idre odia los veranos!! Desde muy pequeño su familia pasa 10 días todos los veranos de camping con los Jackson. Todo va bien hasta que Idre confiesa ser gay.... y los veranos se convierten en un infierno. Trystan el mayor de los tres hijos Jackson se encarga de meterse con el hasta que Idre busca escusas para no ir de veraneo.
Después de 5 años sin ir, ese verano se encuentra sin ninguna escusa para escaquearse.
Idre decide ir, sabiendo que ya no es aquel chico indefenso y bajito. A sus 21 años mide 2 metros, es modelo y orgulloso de ser gay. Se acuesta con quien quiere sin ataduras y disfruta del sexo. Tanto que es un poco promiscuo.
Cual es su sorpresa en la primera noche de camping cuando Trystan, quien le torturó durante tantos veranos, flirtee con él y se acurruca a su lado al compartir tienda de campaña.
Idre piensa que Trys es bi-curioso o esta jugando con el. Trys piensa que Idre es un puton que se tira todo aquel que se le insinúe. Y aún con eso Trys quiere a Idre para el solo.
Malentendidos, sarcasmo, momentos de reír y no parar, confianza, grandes amistades y ante todo sexy, hot sex!!!!!! Las chispas que saltaban entre estos dos, pufffff. Limpiando babas : 3
El personaje de Idre es lo mejor del libro. Ante esa fachada de chico sexy e independiente, existe un chico inseguro que no quiere atarse a nadie por miedo a ser dejado de lado por toda la atención su aspecto y carrera atrae a su persona. Sus dos únicas relaciones series acaban mal por celos y falta de confianza. Idre decide crear una regla de oro: no te acerques o des tu corazón. Cuando vuelve a encontrarse con Trys sus reglas no sirven para mantener a raya al sexy Adonis con la sonrisa socarrona y comentarios sarcásticos. Mas la parte de como va querer a alguien que hizo sus veranos insufribles.
Me ha gustado <3
Idrys es un personaje muy peculiar con el que me he reído mucho en este libro.
Idre odia los veranos!! Desde muy pequeño su familia pasa 10 días todos los veranos de camping con los Jackson. Todo va bien hasta que Idre confiesa ser gay.... y los veranos se convierten en un infierno. Trystan el mayor de los tres hijos Jackson se encarga de meterse con el hasta que Idre busca escusas para no ir de veraneo.
Después de 5 años sin ir, ese verano se encuentra sin ninguna escusa para escaquearse.
Idre decide ir, sabiendo que ya no es aquel chico indefenso y bajito. A sus 21 años mide 2 metros, es modelo y orgulloso de ser gay. Se acuesta con quien quiere sin ataduras y disfruta del sexo. Tanto que es un poco promiscuo.
Cual es su sorpresa en la primera noche de camping cuando Trystan, quien le torturó durante tantos veranos, flirtee con él y se acurruca a su lado al compartir tienda de campaña.
Idre piensa que Trys es bi-curioso o esta jugando con el. Trys piensa que Idre es un puton que se tira todo aquel que se le insinúe. Y aún con eso Trys quiere a Idre para el solo.
Malentendidos, sarcasmo, momentos de reír y no parar, confianza, grandes amistades y ante todo sexy, hot sex!!!!!! Las chispas que saltaban entre estos dos, pufffff. Limpiando babas : 3
El personaje de Idre es lo mejor del libro. Ante esa fachada de chico sexy e independiente, existe un chico inseguro que no quiere atarse a nadie por miedo a ser dejado de lado por toda la atención su aspecto y carrera atrae a su persona. Sus dos únicas relaciones series acaban mal por celos y falta de confianza. Idre decide crear una regla de oro: no te acerques o des tu corazón. Cuando vuelve a encontrarse con Trys sus reglas no sirven para mantener a raya al sexy Adonis con la sonrisa socarrona y comentarios sarcásticos. Mas la parte de como va querer a alguien que hizo sus veranos insufribles.
August 21, 2025
Growing up, Idrys Bjornson's family and the Jackson family went camping together every year. When Idrys came out as a lad, he had to deal with the taunting of the three Jackson boys and even their homophobic father. But Idrys has gone off to college, grown into his exotic, model quality, good looks, and is even a foot taller than the youngster that the Jackson boys used to torment. Idrys has been at pains to cultivate a confident if slutty, party boy persona, a close circle of friends, and even a supportive inner circle of buddies with whom he regularly tricks.
This summer, after a hiatus of four years, Idrys is again going camping with the families, and though things have changed, Idrys is worried that this vacation will just be a return to the purgatory of his earlier years. But Trystan Jackson, the oldest of the brothers and the cockiest, albeit the most strikingly sexy, of his tormentors, seems to have become more accepting and perhaps a bit curious. Also, Josh, the youngest Jackson, is clearly mooning after Idrys in ways that make it clear, to Idrys at least, that the littlest Jackson isn't entirely straight.
If you like the enemies-to-lovers scenario and don't mind a bit of jail-bait making puppy-dog eyes at our MC, this might be the best book of the year. The cocky, possibly bi-curious, older brother with a physique that makes Italian statuary envious, the adorable interactions with the puppy-dog littlest Jackson, even Idrys's relationship with his straight best friend and his mouthy but lovable sister, all add up to a rollicking great read. There are reviewers who had problems with the persona that Idrys projects, but those who can see it as a carefully crafted coping mechanism are gonna love this light-hearted tale of angst, where pretty much everyone is empathetically drawn and a joy to spend time with.
This summer, after a hiatus of four years, Idrys is again going camping with the families, and though things have changed, Idrys is worried that this vacation will just be a return to the purgatory of his earlier years. But Trystan Jackson, the oldest of the brothers and the cockiest, albeit the most strikingly sexy, of his tormentors, seems to have become more accepting and perhaps a bit curious. Also, Josh, the youngest Jackson, is clearly mooning after Idrys in ways that make it clear, to Idrys at least, that the littlest Jackson isn't entirely straight.
If you like the enemies-to-lovers scenario and don't mind a bit of jail-bait making puppy-dog eyes at our MC, this might be the best book of the year. The cocky, possibly bi-curious, older brother with a physique that makes Italian statuary envious, the adorable interactions with the puppy-dog littlest Jackson, even Idrys's relationship with his straight best friend and his mouthy but lovable sister, all add up to a rollicking great read. There are reviewers who had problems with the persona that Idrys projects, but those who can see it as a carefully crafted coping mechanism are gonna love this light-hearted tale of angst, where pretty much everyone is empathetically drawn and a joy to spend time with.
August 19, 2014
Perhaps 2.5 stars?
Obviously I'm the odd man out. The writing was very good, as it got me to finish this book although I really didn't like Idrys. Nope, not really. The start was promising, it was engaging, but then the story progressed to his life in York. And there I really didn't like him very much anymore. Yes, I got it, he looked great, his unusual haircolor and height and everyone was in awe over him. that was mentioned all the time, I got it after the first few. Additionally the written dialect/slang was giving me problems the longer I had to read it. It was ok as an implementation or setting the scene, but at some point it got distracting.
I liked the other characters in this story, the sister and best friend Theo, the parents were only minor characters, also the other roommates were a nice addition.
For long parts the story moved in circles. And suddenly there was a development out of the blue, that was disturbing and also brought light to why Idrys was acting/living they way he did.
I didn't like the use of words like whore or fag, it was totally normal for everyone to call everyone else, well mostly Idrys, like that. Yes, it might be normal for some circles, it might be I'm too sensitive or my English isn't good enough to get the underlying 'deep meaning', perhaps it was used as a stylistic device. Might be, didn't work for me.
Ok, after all this rambling, it was written in an engaging way but it's another one of those book where I didn't like what I was reading. I think I need a new shelf for these books.
Obviously I'm the odd man out. The writing was very good, as it got me to finish this book although I really didn't like Idrys. Nope, not really. The start was promising, it was engaging, but then the story progressed to his life in York. And there I really didn't like him very much anymore. Yes, I got it, he looked great, his unusual haircolor and height and everyone was in awe over him. that was mentioned all the time, I got it after the first few. Additionally the written dialect/slang was giving me problems the longer I had to read it. It was ok as an implementation or setting the scene, but at some point it got distracting.
I liked the other characters in this story, the sister and best friend Theo, the parents were only minor characters, also the other roommates were a nice addition.
For long parts the story moved in circles. And suddenly there was a development out of the blue, that was disturbing and also brought light to why Idrys was acting/living they way he did.
I didn't like the use of words like whore or fag, it was totally normal for everyone to call everyone else, well mostly Idrys, like that. Yes, it might be normal for some circles, it might be I'm too sensitive or my English isn't good enough to get the underlying 'deep meaning', perhaps it was used as a stylistic device. Might be, didn't work for me.
Ok, after all this rambling, it was written in an engaging way but it's another one of those book where I didn't like what I was reading. I think I need a new shelf for these books.
October 2, 2014
Idrys is a model, he’s tall, has strawberry blonde hair, and has androgynous looks that make him the target for haters. His family goes camping every year with another family and that family is full of homophobic jerks. Until one year the oldest brother and one of the younger brothers decides they want to have sex with Idrys. The young one, Josh, admits to being gay, Trystan, the older brother contends he’s straight until pretty much the end of the book.
Idrys is attracted to both brothers but Josh is too young, so he ends up with Trystan, even though Trystan treats him like a whore and calls him a whore and fag the entire time.
It’s supposed to be an enemies to lovers but I didn’t ever see the “love”.
I never liked Idrys. He was a conceited jerk. Sure he had some issues of people “using him” for his looks, but he never seemed to overcome that and become someone we’d like.
Trystan is nothing but a jerk the entire time and I never understood what Idrys saw in him other than he was a tough guy and kind of sexy.
There was a lot of dubious sexual encounters in this book that made me uncomfortable and a lot of name calling. Perhaps it’s a dialect thing – there is a lot of accented dialog and maybe I’m missing a nuance and making more of it than was intended, but constantly calling someone a whore is hard to take as a good thing. To me it was really harsh and never got reconciled in a way that made me feel good about the character or the family or the situation or the relationship.
Maybe the story just isn’t sappy enough for me, but I didn’t like it. It made me uncomfortable that I couldn’t like the MCs and their story left a bad taste in my mouth.
I give it a 2 of 5 hearts because the writing wasn’t bad, I enjoyed the dialect and the characters the author created were unique, just unlikeable in my opinion.
Idrys is attracted to both brothers but Josh is too young, so he ends up with Trystan, even though Trystan treats him like a whore and calls him a whore and fag the entire time.
It’s supposed to be an enemies to lovers but I didn’t ever see the “love”.
I never liked Idrys. He was a conceited jerk. Sure he had some issues of people “using him” for his looks, but he never seemed to overcome that and become someone we’d like.
Trystan is nothing but a jerk the entire time and I never understood what Idrys saw in him other than he was a tough guy and kind of sexy.
There was a lot of dubious sexual encounters in this book that made me uncomfortable and a lot of name calling. Perhaps it’s a dialect thing – there is a lot of accented dialog and maybe I’m missing a nuance and making more of it than was intended, but constantly calling someone a whore is hard to take as a good thing. To me it was really harsh and never got reconciled in a way that made me feel good about the character or the family or the situation or the relationship.
Maybe the story just isn’t sappy enough for me, but I didn’t like it. It made me uncomfortable that I couldn’t like the MCs and their story left a bad taste in my mouth.
I give it a 2 of 5 hearts because the writing wasn’t bad, I enjoyed the dialect and the characters the author created were unique, just unlikeable in my opinion.
April 11, 2015
4.5
Не хватило семейной драмы, на возможность которой намекала гомофобия отца и брата Тристана. Но автор решила эту тему оставить за кадром.
Не хватило семейной драмы, на возможность которой намекала гомофобия отца и брата Тристана. Но автор решила эту тему оставить за кадром.
March 3, 2015
This read was entertaining but disturbing in more ways than one. Most of the reviewers don't like Idrys much, and I didn't like his characterization either, but not for the reasons he's mostly disliked for. I found really disturbing that he got bullied in such a bad way by Trystan and his sibling to eventually fall in love with him. Not only that, even after they interacted again, and Trystan became "open minded" and "tolerant" the derogatory terms were still there, and this behavior was totally justified because Idrys has "non-existent morals". I don't know what happened, but at one point Idrys needed forgiveness for being even when he never lied about it and everybody and their dog knew that was who he was. He might not get awards for his behavior, but at least he was always honest about it and everybody involved with him knew what to expect.
Trystan was just a jerk and a bully. I saw no honest acknowledgement from him or Idrys that what he did was utterly wrong and unjustifiable, and that disturbed me the most. And seriously, he didn't need to justify anything because he was such a hunk that who cares how he treats people.
Another thing was the issue with the 15-almost-16 year old Josh, but I won't get too much into it because I guess it's more a cultural thing for me, and I know that for some cultures a 16 year old is considered mature enough to .
In essence I was very conflicted about how the issues were developed and solved because the climate I perceived in this story was about . But that's my perception and it's pretty unpopular if we go by the ratings. The story itself was engaging and entertained me until the end.
Trystan was just a jerk and a bully. I saw no honest acknowledgement from him or Idrys that what he did was utterly wrong and unjustifiable, and that disturbed me the most. And seriously, he didn't need to justify anything because he was such a hunk that who cares how he treats people.
Another thing was the issue with the 15-almost-16 year old Josh, but I won't get too much into it because I guess it's more a cultural thing for me, and I know that for some cultures a 16 year old is considered mature enough to .
In essence I was very conflicted about how the issues were developed and solved because the climate I perceived in this story was about . But that's my perception and it's pretty unpopular if we go by the ratings. The story itself was engaging and entertained me until the end.
November 12, 2014
Yay!!! I liked it, I really really liked it. Even if I got thoroughly pissed off at a couple of characters in the beginning, it all worked out in the end, and Ide got his wonderfully happy ending. I loved his snarkiness, his humor, his honesty...all of it. He totally came alive on the pages.
And Trystan, well, he grew on me. By the end, I couldn't imagine anyone else being able to handle all of the amazingness that was Ide.
This was so fun. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
And Trystan, well, he grew on me. By the end, I couldn't imagine anyone else being able to handle all of the amazingness that was Ide.
This was so fun. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
October 10, 2016
o_o ….
This book is totally out of my comfort zone. Both main characters are horrible and their way of relating and verbal aggression was breaking my heart.
Yes, they finally have their beautiful hea and definitely are perfect for each other.
I don´t want anyone else to have to put up with any of these two.
September 10, 2021
3.5 for now. RTC
September 22, 2014
I found the labelling of this book really misleading by Dreamspinner. If I hadn't read some reviews I would have bypassed this book. The publisher has labelled this as being M/M/M and More. Why? Well the MC's aren't a couple just yet and they sleep around with other people. I'm not sure why that would be considered in that category because this isn't a poly or threesome book.
I teetered on 3/4 starring and to be honest I have a feeling that some of my fellow GR friends may not like this. I don't know, but I tend to like books that are a little more gritty and unapologetic.
First thing about this book is that Ide is Scottish. I'm Scottish and even I was going WTF with the dialect here. Trying to get an accent across in a book never works imo. That's why I prefer authors who use slang to get the difference across. The funny thing is when Ide is speaking he's mincing his words but when he's thinking to himself he's speaking standard English. Personally you can't do that, the editor should have told the author to pick one or the other. It brought me out the story because it felt like two different people.
Ide is also SO hot, and SO wanted and such a slut and blah freakin' blah. I understand where the author was coming from. Ide is incredibly good looking thus he got the attention. However, a lot of authors tend to fail in this area because they make their characters very self-centred and boo is me which makes a lot of readers dislike your MC in 2 seconds flat. I personally wasn't too offended to be fair, but I can totally see readers disliking him.
Ide is a little bit complex, he goes through something very traumatic, where he ends up on a certain cycle because he assumes that it is what is expected of him. It is a shame the author didn't develop that more.
Then we have Trystan who is a "Southerner" of what I have no idea. Warning the guy is a dick, and he throws around a lot of homophobic slurs in a "friendly" way towards Ide. So I am pretty sure many readers will end up hating him. It is very jarring to read those slurs, but also realistic to how some men will speak to other gay men. Trystan is on the precipice of realising he's bisexual but he's always picked on Ide so he thinks in his own way he's being friendly. He also shames Ide quite a bit i.e. calling him a whore etc. So yeah he's going to be hard to like for many. What I liked about Trystan was he was quick to grow up, he didn't moan about things and he knew what he wanted.
Josh is Trystan's brother and he's 15 at the start of the book. He takes a fancy to Ide (but of course). It's very weird and uncomfortable at the beginning of the book. And I honestly thought this was going somewhere else, but it works out in the end.
In the end I liked this book, it kept me reading, the characters emotions can become repetitive and there are definitely technical issues where the writing is concerned; but I think it was a solid effort for the author's début novel.
I hope we see a sequel and Josh's story as well.
I teetered on 3/4 starring and to be honest I have a feeling that some of my fellow GR friends may not like this. I don't know, but I tend to like books that are a little more gritty and unapologetic.
First thing about this book is that Ide is Scottish. I'm Scottish and even I was going WTF with the dialect here. Trying to get an accent across in a book never works imo. That's why I prefer authors who use slang to get the difference across. The funny thing is when Ide is speaking he's mincing his words but when he's thinking to himself he's speaking standard English. Personally you can't do that, the editor should have told the author to pick one or the other. It brought me out the story because it felt like two different people.
Ide is also SO hot, and SO wanted and such a slut and blah freakin' blah. I understand where the author was coming from. Ide is incredibly good looking thus he got the attention. However, a lot of authors tend to fail in this area because they make their characters very self-centred and boo is me which makes a lot of readers dislike your MC in 2 seconds flat. I personally wasn't too offended to be fair, but I can totally see readers disliking him.
Ide is a little bit complex, he goes through something very traumatic, where he ends up on a certain cycle because he assumes that it is what is expected of him. It is a shame the author didn't develop that more.
Then we have Trystan who is a "Southerner" of what I have no idea. Warning the guy is a dick, and he throws around a lot of homophobic slurs in a "friendly" way towards Ide. So I am pretty sure many readers will end up hating him. It is very jarring to read those slurs, but also realistic to how some men will speak to other gay men. Trystan is on the precipice of realising he's bisexual but he's always picked on Ide so he thinks in his own way he's being friendly. He also shames Ide quite a bit i.e. calling him a whore etc. So yeah he's going to be hard to like for many. What I liked about Trystan was he was quick to grow up, he didn't moan about things and he knew what he wanted.
Josh is Trystan's brother and he's 15 at the start of the book. He takes a fancy to Ide (but of course). It's very weird and uncomfortable at the beginning of the book. And I honestly thought this was going somewhere else, but it works out in the end.
In the end I liked this book, it kept me reading, the characters emotions can become repetitive and there are definitely technical issues where the writing is concerned; but I think it was a solid effort for the author's début novel.
I hope we see a sequel and Josh's story as well.
October 7, 2014
To start, I would love to see the creation that is Idrys in the flesh. He sounds like an amalgamation of features that should not work, yet do to create an ethereally beautiful androgynous man. And my response is exactly the kind of attention that Ide has dealt with most of his life – excessive attention, both good and bad, because of the way he looks. We are well into the book before he shares this information and by the point it occurs you know that this is not a matter of Ide being conceited or arrogant, but rather a fact. It’s one for which I couldn’t help but feel badly for him because as his story unfolds we learn that it has caused him pain in the past and is preventing him from finding happiness.
Even though Ide can be an arse and an all-around P.I.T.A., he’s a rather endearing character and I found myself sucked right into his story, hoping he got his happy ending. Surprisingly, it is Trystan, his childhood nemesis, who gradually works himself into the position to be the one to provide that happy ending. I was quite relieved that Trystan ended up being someone who didn’t scare off easily and cared for the person that Ide was and not the persona his looks often led him to be. While I pick up a romance with expectations regarding it ending in a certain way (i.e., happily), it is the journey to get there that makes the story worth reading. I Hate Summer has plenty of drama, sex, insecurities, “coming outs,” and love – it even included several laugh-out-loud moments – and it all combined perfectly for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Ms. Pantu has penned a well-crafted novel that ended up being a much more emotional read than I anticipated and a lovely one at that. I absolutely loved Idrys – flaws and all – and loved watching the way his relationship with Trystan evolved. I also found the way he took Josh under his wing (so to speak) quite sweet. The author has created a wonderful cast of characters and, oddly enough, I would have liked to see more of Echo because the brief appearance he made in the book left a rather striking impression. I Hate Summer has made it onto my reread list and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Pantu’s work.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
Even though Ide can be an arse and an all-around P.I.T.A., he’s a rather endearing character and I found myself sucked right into his story, hoping he got his happy ending. Surprisingly, it is Trystan, his childhood nemesis, who gradually works himself into the position to be the one to provide that happy ending. I was quite relieved that Trystan ended up being someone who didn’t scare off easily and cared for the person that Ide was and not the persona his looks often led him to be. While I pick up a romance with expectations regarding it ending in a certain way (i.e., happily), it is the journey to get there that makes the story worth reading. I Hate Summer has plenty of drama, sex, insecurities, “coming outs,” and love – it even included several laugh-out-loud moments – and it all combined perfectly for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Ms. Pantu has penned a well-crafted novel that ended up being a much more emotional read than I anticipated and a lovely one at that. I absolutely loved Idrys – flaws and all – and loved watching the way his relationship with Trystan evolved. I also found the way he took Josh under his wing (so to speak) quite sweet. The author has created a wonderful cast of characters and, oddly enough, I would have liked to see more of Echo because the brief appearance he made in the book left a rather striking impression. I Hate Summer has made it onto my reread list and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Pantu’s work.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
June 28, 2016
First read on September 21, 2014.
Re-read on June 22, 2016.
Everyone wants Idrys. That was a bit hard to get used to, even though the author reminded about it every couple of pages. And the accent was off-putting, too...I just couldn't reconcile the gorgeous model looks and that accent.
And the whole attraction to a 15-year old was creepy.
But, Idrys & Trystan together were so hawt. I love enemies-to-lovers theme, and these two delivered enmity in spades.
And BTW, there is NO menage here..I don't get why people tag it as one.
Re-read on June 22, 2016.
Everyone wants Idrys. That was a bit hard to get used to, even though the author reminded about it every couple of pages. And the accent was off-putting, too...I just couldn't reconcile the gorgeous model looks and that accent.
And the whole attraction to a 15-year old was creepy.
But, Idrys & Trystan together were so hawt. I love enemies-to-lovers theme, and these two delivered enmity in spades.
And BTW, there is NO menage here..I don't get why people tag it as one.
September 9, 2021
I loved this...perfect amount of angst, drama and reactions were realistic...excellent!
There was some fiery banter between these two with some lovely moments of tenderness thrown in as well.
So good...
There was some fiery banter between these two with some lovely moments of tenderness thrown in as well.
So good...
January 3, 2015
It wasn't the book for me.
I didn't like the fact that the couple wasn't clear from the beginning. I think that, that was the reason I couldn't get into the story...
I didn't like the fact that the couple wasn't clear from the beginning. I think that, that was the reason I couldn't get into the story...
July 29, 2015
LOVE IDRYS!!! He was snarky and emotional all while trying to be hardcore. I loved how him and Trystan evolved their relationship! It was a greeat read!!!
June 1, 2020
I enjoyed the development of Idrys and Trystan’s relationship from enemies to lovers despite many flaws to the story. I almost stopped reading 10 pages in when I thought it was poorly written and too unfocused. I pushed on 20 more and it smoothed out. There’s a lot of steamy scenes that become porn letters to the editor fantasy.
Idrys is a beautiful model, tall and pale, androgynous, and full of attitude. He is also emotionally distant. To me he was well defined in that main character who is unbalanced and emotionally turbulent, but has reasons for it. His growth from victim to love is choppy, full of drama, and read my spoiler to see why it is also sad. I guess everyone loves a bad boy.
Tristan grew. He became a patient lover and an unabashed hero at one point. He made changes. He did. I wanted more to redeem him and we didn’t really get that.
Idrys has a sordid history of abandon and hedonism. It reads clinically probable, and may lead some readers to conclude people with multiple partners have this kind of baggage. Maybe. It was freeing but atypical so it can go either way to the reader. The way it played out in bar scenes makes it sound very strange, how people stared, wanted in, thought Idrys lesser or more desirable because of it. It was uneven writing.
The younger brother scenes, Trystan pushing Idrys toward Josh, then growing jealous, then combative about it, then protective, was uneven. That needed work although I liked Josh and his story of coming out was needed to show Idrys in a new light. Idrys went from potential abuser to fairy godmother and that broke him out of the negative mold.
The others; sister, other lovers, parents, best friend, all great characters with real reactions. I liked them. They added to the drama well. I am left hoping Trystan finds a way to be open or he will lose everything he fought for with Idrys.
That’s a lot of stuff for an enemies to lovers story full of sex scenes. I wish it could have been more focused.
Idrys is a beautiful model, tall and pale, androgynous, and full of attitude. He is also emotionally distant. To me he was well defined in that main character who is unbalanced and emotionally turbulent, but has reasons for it. His growth from victim to love is choppy, full of drama, and read my spoiler to see why it is also sad. I guess everyone loves a bad boy.
Tristan grew. He became a patient lover and an unabashed hero at one point. He made changes. He did. I wanted more to redeem him and we didn’t really get that.
Idrys has a sordid history of abandon and hedonism. It reads clinically probable, and may lead some readers to conclude people with multiple partners have this kind of baggage. Maybe. It was freeing but atypical so it can go either way to the reader. The way it played out in bar scenes makes it sound very strange, how people stared, wanted in, thought Idrys lesser or more desirable because of it. It was uneven writing.
The younger brother scenes, Trystan pushing Idrys toward Josh, then growing jealous, then combative about it, then protective, was uneven. That needed work although I liked Josh and his story of coming out was needed to show Idrys in a new light. Idrys went from potential abuser to fairy godmother and that broke him out of the negative mold.
The others; sister, other lovers, parents, best friend, all great characters with real reactions. I liked them. They added to the drama well. I am left hoping Trystan finds a way to be open or he will lose everything he fought for with Idrys.
That’s a lot of stuff for an enemies to lovers story full of sex scenes. I wish it could have been more focused.
March 24, 2015
This is a very low three star for me. I was actually enjoying it a lot, until about the last 30% maybe. Before that point I was able to ignore the homophobia, misogyny, and slut shaming. But after this point, which is when the MCs actually become a couple? The slut shaming and biphobia got out of control. EVERY PAGE nearly had someone calling Idrys a whore or a slut or a cheater (despite his never having been in a real relationship or cheating on a partner) because he was single and wasn't a monk(Also he was reacting to a trauma...you don't get to degrade someone for how they cope and heal themselves). I HATED how every one of his friends and sister apparently think he's scum and have no respect for him at all. HATED how Trystan was only called out on his bullying and homophobia a couple of times that seemed to have no lasting impact really. He's never made to apologize or accept responsibility. And he has the nerve to act smug and arrogant when people who had to hold his victim together and build him back up call him out on his shitty behavior. By the end of the book I was wishing that Idrys would tell everyone to fuck off and then run off with Dan. If I would've had a physical copy of this book it would've been introduced to the wall....repeatedly.
July 19, 2016
I really liked this book even though it had several aspects that kinda bothered me. Ide was bully and tormented as a kid by Trystan but now he's more open and tolerant but still a snarky a** but Ide falls for him. It's kinda head shaker for me on how it played out but overall a good read. I will check out my titles from this author.
August 18, 2014
Loved this. Perfect amount of tension. Fantastic read! Recommended.
March 15, 2017
There are just so many things I should hate about this book.
Ide, the 1st person narrator, is a self-absorbed arse. He's also an unreliable narrator which makes it really hard to be able to assess the other MC, Trys, and his intentions.
There is on page sex with someone other than the love interest.
The ending is abrupt and barely a HFN.
The MCS don't get along for much of the book, let alone get together.
But...
When they do finally get together it starts to become apparent how much Trys cares and how patient he has been. And because Trys cares, I care.
And the HFN fits this story perfectly. Ide is still self-centred and insecure but I have every faith the Trys will steer them through the pitfalls.
I'd love to see a sequel from Trys' POV dealing with the reveal of their relationship to his parents.
Ide, the 1st person narrator, is a self-absorbed arse. He's also an unreliable narrator which makes it really hard to be able to assess the other MC, Trys, and his intentions.
There is on page sex with someone other than the love interest.
The ending is abrupt and barely a HFN.
The MCS don't get along for much of the book, let alone get together.
But...
When they do finally get together it starts to become apparent how much Trys cares and how patient he has been. And because Trys cares, I care.
And the HFN fits this story perfectly. Ide is still self-centred and insecure but I have every faith the Trys will steer them through the pitfalls.
I'd love to see a sequel from Trys' POV dealing with the reveal of their relationship to his parents.
July 30, 2023
This is absolutely a hidden gem.
I've only ever seen it recommended once, and I can't fathom why.
The only thing I can think of is that since the story is set in the UK, and is written by a British author, the language could possibly be perceived as a bit offensive by American standards? (I'm talking about slurs and derogatory language in particular). But whatever the case, this is a brilliant story.
And in my opinion, this read has a much more complex and realistic storyline than your average mm romance, and I'm pretty much in awe of how the author managed it.
In retrospect, what strikes me most is that the storyline was the opposite of straight. And what I mean by that is that the MC, Idrys, in fact doesn't act based on the premise that he'll end up with the de facto love interest, Trystan. It might seem like a small and obvious detail, but in my experience it's not. Generally, no matter the hardships the future lovebirds are facing along the way, everything always has that end goal - their HEA - in mind. And whatever happens is merely there as a means to highlight the existence of the protagonists.
In I Hate Summer, Idrys has an actual life. The supporting characters are so well fleshed out it's a delight to read. They're more than props in this story and it makes all the difference.
Another thing that makes this story and world-building feeling so genuine is the fact that Idrys isn't actually celibate while pining away for Trystan. There are two other people that can be perceived as competitors for Idrys' affection and still, this isn't a love triangle. It's simply a believable story where the MC doesn't act like he knows what'll happen in the end.
That being said, I adored this book. And reading about Idrys' journey to love and self acceptance was a pure delight.
If I should harp on one thing though, it would be that Idrys' parents who are portrayed as loving and supporting of their son, still maintained a friendly and close relationship with Trystan's very bigoted family. It doesn't gel, while that long-term friendship is the basis for Idrys and Trystan's "forced proximity". So it doesn't really add up there.
Anyway. Awesome read. Loved it. 5 stars. Highly recommend!
I've only ever seen it recommended once, and I can't fathom why.
The only thing I can think of is that since the story is set in the UK, and is written by a British author, the language could possibly be perceived as a bit offensive by American standards? (I'm talking about slurs and derogatory language in particular). But whatever the case, this is a brilliant story.
And in my opinion, this read has a much more complex and realistic storyline than your average mm romance, and I'm pretty much in awe of how the author managed it.
In retrospect, what strikes me most is that the storyline was the opposite of straight. And what I mean by that is that the MC, Idrys, in fact doesn't act based on the premise that he'll end up with the de facto love interest, Trystan. It might seem like a small and obvious detail, but in my experience it's not. Generally, no matter the hardships the future lovebirds are facing along the way, everything always has that end goal - their HEA - in mind. And whatever happens is merely there as a means to highlight the existence of the protagonists.
In I Hate Summer, Idrys has an actual life. The supporting characters are so well fleshed out it's a delight to read. They're more than props in this story and it makes all the difference.
Another thing that makes this story and world-building feeling so genuine is the fact that Idrys isn't actually celibate while pining away for Trystan. There are two other people that can be perceived as competitors for Idrys' affection and still, this isn't a love triangle. It's simply a believable story where the MC doesn't act like he knows what'll happen in the end.
That being said, I adored this book. And reading about Idrys' journey to love and self acceptance was a pure delight.
If I should harp on one thing though, it would be that Idrys' parents who are portrayed as loving and supporting of their son, still maintained a friendly and close relationship with Trystan's very bigoted family. It doesn't gel, while that long-term friendship is the basis for Idrys and Trystan's "forced proximity". So it doesn't really add up there.
Anyway. Awesome read. Loved it. 5 stars. Highly recommend!
August 20, 2014
I think this author has a lot of promise. I can't wait to see what she does next. Was this a good sometimes great book? Was it better than 90% of M/M out there? Yes. I loves me some yaoi pretty boys. Hence 4 stars. What's the problem, you say? Why knock off one star? Well, just little niggles. I didn't expect this to be Mary Calmes because there was a smug alpha character and a damaged beautiful boy who was all misunderstood. But I did. But I didn't. It's all so confusing. The rest of this review might give away a few plot points so I'm going to hide it.
March 31, 2015
I think I can unequivocally say that I enjoyed this book. It had fantastic characterizations, a beguiling plot and just this simmering hostility and sexual tension that leaped from the page. It was hot, ok. Which is not to say I didn't have some serious reservations, there's a lot of content that was utterly offensive. There was just so much homophobic, misogynistic language, a smattering of slut-shaming comments and this weird, bordering on sexual dalliance with a minor that had me physically recoiling in disgust. But somehow, it totally fit the story. I mean, they're all unrepentant assholes and if the explicit epithets are directed to someone who owned it and was sort empowered by it, it kind of lost some of its sting, I guess. Still, it detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Also, I'm just a little cynical about Ide's unearthly beauty and his ability to attract man, woman and beast alike. It's a bit much. I'm trying to picture him in my head and coming up empty.
Also, I'm just a little cynical about Ide's unearthly beauty and his ability to attract man, woman and beast alike. It's a bit much. I'm trying to picture him in my head and coming up empty.
July 22, 2016
4.25
Oh Yeah , Tent
This was quite interesting . I like Idrys , he's so cute and hot .
Idrys (gay , model , tall , Long Blonde Hair )
Trys (homophobic (at first) , handsome)
Oh Yeah , Tent
This was quite interesting . I like Idrys , he's so cute and hot .
Idrys (gay , model , tall , Long Blonde Hair )
Trys (homophobic (at first) , handsome)
March 8, 2016
I was wondering why and how I'm liking the storytelling, flow and the overall concept too much and I think it's safe to say that the author is also a manga-lover and that's pretty cool because the writing style doesn't say 'yaoi' but it captures that giddy-ooh-ahh feeling yaoi gives off to the readers.
The flow was really natural which was refreshing. No dull sentences or page! Recommended read!
The flow was really natural which was refreshing. No dull sentences or page! Recommended read!
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