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Faking Summer: An Enemies to Lovers Romance
Reese Carrington, Bayside’s golden boy, has the town wrapped around his finger—rich, smooth-talking, and the star pitcher everyone is obsessed with. But Caroline Matthews? She’s immune. Too focused, too smart, and too guarded to get caught up in his orbit.
That is, until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what’s real and what’s just part of the game.
His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her.
Her icy defenses shouldn’t intrigue him.
And falling for the guy she swore she couldn’t stand? Absolutely off-limits.
But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don’t always go according to plan.
That is, until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what’s real and what’s just part of the game.
His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her.
Her icy defenses shouldn’t intrigue him.
And falling for the guy she swore she couldn’t stand? Absolutely off-limits.
But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don’t always go according to plan.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2025
9 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Jess Bryson
4 books86 followersWith a passion for storytelling, it has been my lifelong dream to pursue it and let my imagination run wild. I aspire to dominate literature with enticing contemporary romance novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 19, 2025
pretty enjoyable, not exactly 'enemies to lovers' more like i hate him but he just loves riling me up 😭 anywho it was not bad
rtc
pre read ౨ৎ
this releases tomorrow.... what?!! going to try binging this!! 😭
rtc
pre read ౨ৎ
this releases tomorrow.... what?!! going to try binging this!! 😭
May 12, 2025
Honestly wow! Faking Summer was just perfection and I think it might be my favourite book in this series and yes I adored both the first two books. I love Reese but after reading this one I love him more and Caroline was a joy to read. This book is definitely her redemption story. This enemies to lovers fake dating romance was so beautifully written I adore everything Jess writes. One of my favourite reads for the year so far! I received a complementary copy from Luna Literary.
May 19, 2025
This is hard to rate, but I have so many thoughts on this book and its characters. The book is 306 pages long, and while I think the overall plot was delivered correctly, there are so many scenes that I was left craving. I could have easily accepted an additional 50-60+ pages if those key moments had been addressed, and I really hope that Jess offers bonus content (deleted scenes) to her followers.
Okay, first, this is the third, and I think final book from the Bayside Lake Series, however, if you read the previous books, you know that there is a couple that could be a spin-off and potential for other stories or couples to get the spotlight because they were always background couples in this series. I'm crossing my fingers that we get those books (Sam and Crew, Papi Likes Butts and Bakergirl, Willow and Parker).
With this said, I also want to say that I don't think this book can be read as a standalone. I know some books are better consumed when you read the entire series, but they can be fully understood if you read them as a standalone. This book, for me, must be read in order. There are so many details in the previous two books that are not left said in this book and, without that back-up information, you will be confused while reading Faking Summer.
This book also takes place at the same time that Rival Summer does, however, the timeline goes further in Faking Summer: An Enemies to Lovers Romance than it did in the previous. While Rival Summer ends after the Gala (excluding the epilogue), that event hits at the halfway point of this book. While we do see some scenes from Rival Summer referenced again in this book (although from the POV of now Reese or Caroline), we don't get too many repeats, and I'm torn on whether I like this or not. Here is why:
First, I am going to leave a disclaimer: If you did not read the previous books, I strongly recommend that you do so before continuing because there will be some spoilers, although I will try to limit them as much as possible.
1. There were three scenes in particular from Rival Summer that were told from the PoV of Chandler. They involved inappropriate comments from Caroline regarding the fling that had gone on the summer prior between Chandler and Reese. One of those scenes is repeated in Faking Summer (Truth or Dare), but from Reese's POV, however, there was no interaction with Chandler. We saw his interaction with Caroline regarding her comments, but I wish that we had received more from this scene. As for the second scene (scavenger hunt), it wasn't even mentioned in this book, and the third scene (gala) picked up after the critical moment. I think that one was more impactful than the one that was offered. Why?
A: We know from Stealing Summer that Reese and Chandler had a budding relationship, but for certain reasons, Reese had to remove himself from that situation. When we saw Reese and Chandler in Rival Summer, you could tell that there were still some remnants of feelings; however, they eventually moved into an understanding and ended the book on the start of a friendship. I felt that there was some sense of closure on the romantic relationship that they were starting. I was hoping to get Reese's perspective on this closure and his feelings. While we did see at the beginning that he still looked at Chandler in a longing way and that there was a little bit of hope still in him, we didn't get to see how he came to terms with putting his feelings aside. I wanted the closure for both characters, both Chandler and Reese, and I didn't feel that I got it from Reese.
B: While Reese and Chandler were getting close in Stealing Summer, Boston and Caroline were starting something. In Rival Summer, Boston made it sound as if his summer with Caroline was a little more than a few hook-ups. However, at the beginning of Faking Summer, we now see it from Caroline's PoV and I get the sensation that Boston was more to her than something casual. I think she was possibly falling for him, or at least let herself be vulnerable with him, and now she felt completely rejected. Her rude comments weren't from a place of jealousy but from hurt. I wish there had been some scene between Caroline and Boston where they talk, clear the air, and allow Caroline to move on from what had happened the summer before. It could have helped with her feelings of always being the last choice or never being good enough.
I think the closure on both of these potential relationships is just what our MC needs to move on together and grow individually as characters.
2. I was really hoping for more scenes with Boston and Reese. I know they are working towards building a sibling relationship, but I felt that there was more of an effort in Rival Summer than in Faking Summer. And with this being said, I wanted to see more of the effort that Cindee was making with Reese. There were plenty of comments in Rival Summer saying that she was reaching out to Reese almost weekly to have coffee, but it was only mentioned a few times by Reese. This is odd because he is the child who is most affected. I wish we could have seen some of the text exchanges between him and Cindee, or how he would see her in the crowd at the games. Something that would have indicated just how hard a time he was having with accepting his biological mother in his life.
3. More of a confrontation between Reese and his father. We got two scenes with Reese and his father, and only one of them really let us see the lengths that his father took to keep Cindee from his life. I wanted a blow-out between father and son. I wanted his father to confess why he did what he did to Cindee. I wanted to know what he really felt for Cindee when they were young and in love.
Now my individual thoughts on the characters:
Caroline: Dang it. We met her in Stealing Summer, and I didn't have much of an opinion on Caroline. She was a stuck-up cheerleader who had Boston's attention but didn't think much of her. In Rival Summer...raise your hand if you are with me in hating Caroline. Why did she have to be so nasty? The girl was a B-I-T-C-H. I didn't like her, and truthfully, I didn't want to like her. Then Jess had to give Caroline a backstory, and now I sympathize with her and, man, she has been redeemed. Caroline has a nasty family with a mother and sister who criticise and minimize her hobbies, her personality, and everything about her. Of course, Caroline is going to come out fighting everyone, trying to protect her heart. Yes, I really enjoyed Caroline's character arc. She grew so much, and I love how she defended herself and how Reese had her back.
Reese...I mean, we all knew he was a good guy deep down. He had a hard exterior in Stealing Summer, but he let Chandler and us know that he was just misunderstood and that everyone had a certain perception of him that he liked to play into, but that wasn't him. While I don't think his character grew from the first book to this one, it did cement that he was always a good guy. A sheep in wolf's clothing. I just love him.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Jess Bryson for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
Okay, first, this is the third, and I think final book from the Bayside Lake Series, however, if you read the previous books, you know that there is a couple that could be a spin-off and potential for other stories or couples to get the spotlight because they were always background couples in this series. I'm crossing my fingers that we get those books (Sam and Crew, Papi Likes Butts and Bakergirl, Willow and Parker).
With this said, I also want to say that I don't think this book can be read as a standalone. I know some books are better consumed when you read the entire series, but they can be fully understood if you read them as a standalone. This book, for me, must be read in order. There are so many details in the previous two books that are not left said in this book and, without that back-up information, you will be confused while reading Faking Summer.
This book also takes place at the same time that Rival Summer does, however, the timeline goes further in Faking Summer: An Enemies to Lovers Romance than it did in the previous. While Rival Summer ends after the Gala (excluding the epilogue), that event hits at the halfway point of this book. While we do see some scenes from Rival Summer referenced again in this book (although from the POV of now Reese or Caroline), we don't get too many repeats, and I'm torn on whether I like this or not. Here is why:
First, I am going to leave a disclaimer: If you did not read the previous books, I strongly recommend that you do so before continuing because there will be some spoilers, although I will try to limit them as much as possible.
1. There were three scenes in particular from Rival Summer that were told from the PoV of Chandler. They involved inappropriate comments from Caroline regarding the fling that had gone on the summer prior between Chandler and Reese. One of those scenes is repeated in Faking Summer (Truth or Dare), but from Reese's POV, however, there was no interaction with Chandler. We saw his interaction with Caroline regarding her comments, but I wish that we had received more from this scene. As for the second scene (scavenger hunt), it wasn't even mentioned in this book, and the third scene (gala) picked up after the critical moment. I think that one was more impactful than the one that was offered. Why?
A: We know from Stealing Summer that Reese and Chandler had a budding relationship, but for certain reasons, Reese had to remove himself from that situation. When we saw Reese and Chandler in Rival Summer, you could tell that there were still some remnants of feelings; however, they eventually moved into an understanding and ended the book on the start of a friendship. I felt that there was some sense of closure on the romantic relationship that they were starting. I was hoping to get Reese's perspective on this closure and his feelings. While we did see at the beginning that he still looked at Chandler in a longing way and that there was a little bit of hope still in him, we didn't get to see how he came to terms with putting his feelings aside. I wanted the closure for both characters, both Chandler and Reese, and I didn't feel that I got it from Reese.
B: While Reese and Chandler were getting close in Stealing Summer, Boston and Caroline were starting something. In Rival Summer, Boston made it sound as if his summer with Caroline was a little more than a few hook-ups. However, at the beginning of Faking Summer, we now see it from Caroline's PoV and I get the sensation that Boston was more to her than something casual. I think she was possibly falling for him, or at least let herself be vulnerable with him, and now she felt completely rejected. Her rude comments weren't from a place of jealousy but from hurt. I wish there had been some scene between Caroline and Boston where they talk, clear the air, and allow Caroline to move on from what had happened the summer before. It could have helped with her feelings of always being the last choice or never being good enough.
I think the closure on both of these potential relationships is just what our MC needs to move on together and grow individually as characters.
2. I was really hoping for more scenes with Boston and Reese. I know they are working towards building a sibling relationship, but I felt that there was more of an effort in Rival Summer than in Faking Summer. And with this being said, I wanted to see more of the effort that Cindee was making with Reese. There were plenty of comments in Rival Summer saying that she was reaching out to Reese almost weekly to have coffee, but it was only mentioned a few times by Reese. This is odd because he is the child who is most affected. I wish we could have seen some of the text exchanges between him and Cindee, or how he would see her in the crowd at the games. Something that would have indicated just how hard a time he was having with accepting his biological mother in his life.
3. More of a confrontation between Reese and his father. We got two scenes with Reese and his father, and only one of them really let us see the lengths that his father took to keep Cindee from his life. I wanted a blow-out between father and son. I wanted his father to confess why he did what he did to Cindee. I wanted to know what he really felt for Cindee when they were young and in love.
Now my individual thoughts on the characters:
Caroline: Dang it. We met her in Stealing Summer, and I didn't have much of an opinion on Caroline. She was a stuck-up cheerleader who had Boston's attention but didn't think much of her. In Rival Summer...raise your hand if you are with me in hating Caroline. Why did she have to be so nasty? The girl was a B-I-T-C-H. I didn't like her, and truthfully, I didn't want to like her. Then Jess had to give Caroline a backstory, and now I sympathize with her and, man, she has been redeemed. Caroline has a nasty family with a mother and sister who criticise and minimize her hobbies, her personality, and everything about her. Of course, Caroline is going to come out fighting everyone, trying to protect her heart. Yes, I really enjoyed Caroline's character arc. She grew so much, and I love how she defended herself and how Reese had her back.
Reese...I mean, we all knew he was a good guy deep down. He had a hard exterior in Stealing Summer, but he let Chandler and us know that he was just misunderstood and that everyone had a certain perception of him that he liked to play into, but that wasn't him. While I don't think his character grew from the first book to this one, it did cement that he was always a good guy. A sheep in wolf's clothing. I just love him.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Jess Bryson for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
May 22, 2025
I've loved Reese since the very first book, so I was beyond excited to finally dive into his story. He and Caroline have never seen eye to eye, it’s been years of tension between them. But when Reese offers to fake date Caroline for her sister’s wedding in exchange for her help, everything starts to shift. Despite her family's constant criticism, Reese is the one who stands by her, showing her kindness and support she’s not used to receiving. Caroline struggles to believe his feelings are real, but Reese keeps showing up and proving her wrong. As their chemistry turns into something deeper, they’re faced with the challenge of what comes next, especially with Reese preparing to leave. If you're a fan of witty banter and the enemies to lovers trope, this book is an absolute must read!
Thank you, Jess Bryson and Luna Literary for the ARC.
Thank you, Jess Bryson and Luna Literary for the ARC.
May 23, 2025
My favorite book of the series !! Oh my heart . Reese is .. oh boy. He’s just amazing. This story is the one I’ve been waiting for and it did not disappoint in the slightest . The amount of quotes i saved from this book is ridiculous , but I just loved it so much .
From start to finish this book is absolute perfection and i cannot recommend it enough !
Jess, beyond proud of you for this series . You’re amazing!
Fav quote : i bet he smells like a hotel lobby.
From start to finish this book is absolute perfection and i cannot recommend it enough !
Jess, beyond proud of you for this series . You’re amazing!
Fav quote : i bet he smells like a hotel lobby.
May 24, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I was a little skeptical about one character after the end of Book 2, but I was completely wrong and fell in love with both characters.
Reese is the hot pitcher with green eyes and a dimple that just makes most melt for him. For everyone except Caroline.
Caroline is cold and bossy and people tend to try to avoid her. She has her reasons for the way she is.
I enjoyed watching these two bicker with each other and also how they are when they start spending more time together. Both have some family troubles and have vulnerability.
I don’t want to give anything away and spoil anything, but believe me, should definitely read this book and see if the enemies become lovers.
Reese is the hot pitcher with green eyes and a dimple that just makes most melt for him. For everyone except Caroline.
Caroline is cold and bossy and people tend to try to avoid her. She has her reasons for the way she is.
I enjoyed watching these two bicker with each other and also how they are when they start spending more time together. Both have some family troubles and have vulnerability.
I don’t want to give anything away and spoil anything, but believe me, should definitely read this book and see if the enemies become lovers.
April 11, 2025
The way I have been DYING to get more Reese from book 1 of this series! I'm addicted to this man! Needless to say, I'm obsessed with this book, and Reese is a fave book boyfriend for sure!
Let me leave this quote here to start out this book with a vibe of Reese perfection: "You're not the kinds of beautiful that turns heads. You're the kind that lingers-the kind that gets under my skin, stays in my thoughts, and makes forgetting it impossible." Mic drop, have I convinced you yet to read this one?
This enemies to lovers book will have you binging it in less than a day. Caroline has never really been loved, not even by her own family. That ice queen persona she gives off to the world is her armor. When Caroline gets pranked in the 6th grade thinking Reese deliberately humiliated her, she makes it her mission to be as rude and cruel to Reese as payback. Little does she know Reese never had any clue that this prank was played on Caroline to begin with.
Enter their fake dating agreement! Even though they are enemies, Caroline needs perfect Reese with his perfect family to fake date her so her family will finally back off and maybe even accept her as not a complete failure like they think. Reese wants his little sister to get help from Caroline to ensure she makes the cheerleading team. The more they spend time together the more they both realize there's so much more that meets the eye.
You will love how their story/relationship develops and be rooting for the best! The easiest 5 star rating!
Let me leave this quote here to start out this book with a vibe of Reese perfection: "You're not the kinds of beautiful that turns heads. You're the kind that lingers-the kind that gets under my skin, stays in my thoughts, and makes forgetting it impossible." Mic drop, have I convinced you yet to read this one?
This enemies to lovers book will have you binging it in less than a day. Caroline has never really been loved, not even by her own family. That ice queen persona she gives off to the world is her armor. When Caroline gets pranked in the 6th grade thinking Reese deliberately humiliated her, she makes it her mission to be as rude and cruel to Reese as payback. Little does she know Reese never had any clue that this prank was played on Caroline to begin with.
Enter their fake dating agreement! Even though they are enemies, Caroline needs perfect Reese with his perfect family to fake date her so her family will finally back off and maybe even accept her as not a complete failure like they think. Reese wants his little sister to get help from Caroline to ensure she makes the cheerleading team. The more they spend time together the more they both realize there's so much more that meets the eye.
You will love how their story/relationship develops and be rooting for the best! The easiest 5 star rating!
March 31, 2025
Faking Summer Review
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
I'm so honoured to be a part of Jess's Beta Team, I've followed this lovely indie author since her first book, and I'm so very grateful to share this journey with you.
First off, this book was amazing. I loved every minute of this book. I have literally waited so patiently to read faking summer, and it truly wrapped up this series perfectly.
This book had me hooked straight away when you're literally up till 8am in the morning and know you should get to bed but didn't want to stop 😂.
This book was filled with so many swoon-worthy moments, banter, and heartfelt moments throughout.
Here are some quotes in the book that I absolutely loved 😍
1️⃣ There you are baby. You look beautiful
2️⃣ I don't think we've formally met, I'm Reese
3️⃣ My sister's jaw hit the floor, her tispy haze vanishing in an instant as she gawked at the man next to me.
4️⃣ My heart skipped a beat, not from the proximity of him but from the unexpected protectiveness in his words.
5️⃣ She was one hell of a firecracker, and i so badly wanted to unravel her. Not because I couldn't resist a challenge, but because for the first time, I couldn't resist her. And she had no clue.
6️⃣ “Chaos,” he rumbled. His warm breath fanned across my ear as we swayed, and I had never liked hearing that nickname more than the way he’d just said it “You in this dress… it's going to bring me to my knees.”
7️⃣ "Forever and always, Chaos," I whispered into her ear, a vow that transcended time. I knew then, as her eyes locked with mine, that every tomorrow would be better with her by my side. My wife, my heart, my anchor in a sea of always shifting sands-I would hold onto her tight tonight and every night, for the rest of my life.
Number 7 is my absolute favourite from this book 😍.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
I'm so honoured to be a part of Jess's Beta Team, I've followed this lovely indie author since her first book, and I'm so very grateful to share this journey with you.
First off, this book was amazing. I loved every minute of this book. I have literally waited so patiently to read faking summer, and it truly wrapped up this series perfectly.
This book had me hooked straight away when you're literally up till 8am in the morning and know you should get to bed but didn't want to stop 😂.
This book was filled with so many swoon-worthy moments, banter, and heartfelt moments throughout.
Here are some quotes in the book that I absolutely loved 😍
1️⃣ There you are baby. You look beautiful
2️⃣ I don't think we've formally met, I'm Reese
3️⃣ My sister's jaw hit the floor, her tispy haze vanishing in an instant as she gawked at the man next to me.
4️⃣ My heart skipped a beat, not from the proximity of him but from the unexpected protectiveness in his words.
5️⃣ She was one hell of a firecracker, and i so badly wanted to unravel her. Not because I couldn't resist a challenge, but because for the first time, I couldn't resist her. And she had no clue.
6️⃣ “Chaos,” he rumbled. His warm breath fanned across my ear as we swayed, and I had never liked hearing that nickname more than the way he’d just said it “You in this dress… it's going to bring me to my knees.”
7️⃣ "Forever and always, Chaos," I whispered into her ear, a vow that transcended time. I knew then, as her eyes locked with mine, that every tomorrow would be better with her by my side. My wife, my heart, my anchor in a sea of always shifting sands-I would hold onto her tight tonight and every night, for the rest of my life.
Number 7 is my absolute favourite from this book 😍.
May 28, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Faking Summer! This is Book 3 in the series! Listen I absolutely adore this book! The banter between these two characters! The way they stand up for each other! Chef's kiss! 💋💋 4 ⭐s. I can't wait to read anything you write! I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve! Thank you so much!
May 26, 2025
This is the epitome of what you see from people is not the whole story. I never really liked Caroline and Reese was so so for me. But wow did this story change all of that for me. This is my favorite of the whole series and I seriously love these two.
Thank you Jess for an ARC!
Thank you Jess for an ARC!
May 30, 2025
This was such a fun read -
It did take a good minute for Caroline to grow on me, but through her eyes I was able to understand and sympathize with her character. She truly was a product of her environment and I think that Reese's personality was the perfect match for her!
Our charming, confident MMC that I was absolutely swooning for: Reese Carrington *cue round of applause* Men written by women are truly chef's kiss. Reese is HOT. He is charming. He's protective and possessive. He is confident and snarky, and everything I was needing in a MMC at the moment.
The tension was built at such an outstanding pace, I never felt that it was rushed or prolonged. Truly, I was most impressed to see the tropes enemies to lovers AND fake dating paired together with such a well-paced storyline.
The POOL!!! YOU GUYS... the pool scene literally ripped my jaw off of its hinges. And the locker room? This book wasn't loaded with spice, but let me assure you what is there, is phenomenal *another round of applause please*
It did take a good minute for Caroline to grow on me, but through her eyes I was able to understand and sympathize with her character. She truly was a product of her environment and I think that Reese's personality was the perfect match for her!
Our charming, confident MMC that I was absolutely swooning for: Reese Carrington *cue round of applause* Men written by women are truly chef's kiss. Reese is HOT. He is charming. He's protective and possessive. He is confident and snarky, and everything I was needing in a MMC at the moment.
The tension was built at such an outstanding pace, I never felt that it was rushed or prolonged. Truly, I was most impressed to see the tropes enemies to lovers AND fake dating paired together with such a well-paced storyline.
The POOL!!! YOU GUYS... the pool scene literally ripped my jaw off of its hinges. And the locker room? This book wasn't loaded with spice, but let me assure you what is there, is phenomenal *another round of applause please*
May 25, 2025
“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧…𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐦 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.”
A true enemies to lovers with all the angst, tension and spicy banter to go along with it. This book was devoured in less than 12 hours. Once I read chapter 1 I was SAT! Dare I say, the best book in the series? Gobbled it up. Left no crumbs. Now…it is part of an interconnected series. I’ve seen people say you can read it as a standalone…some say you should read the others first…here’s my take. READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS FIRST. There’s a good amount of back story on the characters in the previous books, and it’s not really gone into in this book. And it’s CRUCIAL to the plot line and character development. PLUS…the books are just really good. So just read it and get sucked in 🙃
Caroline has hated Reese since 6the grade. Playground hurt feelings can last a lifetime…and this is no exception. She’s known as the ice queen…and I’ll be honest. In the previous books…Caroline was a c u next Tuesday. No sugar coating it. I hated her and I was POSITIVE there was no redeeming this pain in the a**. Imagine the annoying blonde self absorbed cheerleader mean girl? That’s Caroline. Or so we think. This book flipped the script and shows you EXACTLY why she is the way she is. The heartbreak and pain she’s endured her entire life has caused her to be guarded, stand offish , using an icy and mean demeanour as a form of self protection. But underneath it all is a little girl who truly has no idea what it is to be loved and accepted for who she is.
Reese….this man 😮💨 Reese in the man you love to hate. And you only hate him because he’s infuriatingly hot and stupidly charming and you would really appreciate if your thighs would stop clenching everytime he smiles at you 😩 everyone in town loves him. He’s the golden boy and every mom’s dream for their daughter. All the girls adore him. All but Caroline…who would probably rather light herself on fire than turn into one of his fans. Reese really is at a loss for why she hates him. The incident back in 6th grade leaves him confused and unsure. But he’s still got a soft spot for his favorite ice queen.
Things take a turn when Reese offers her an opportunity that involves them fake dating and she reluctantly agrees. Seeing that it could actually benefit her. Even if it requires her spending time with her mortal enemy (dramatic I know. Shhhh!) we know what happens next. Fake turns real the more time they spend together. Honestly I feel like, anytime these arrangements come into play, one person in the arrangement is already fully in and this is just a trap to get the other person on board lol sneaky. I like it 😂
Anyway…what follows is heartbreaking yet beautiful. Reese is there for Caroline in a way no one ever has been before…including her family. She learns to let her guard down and embrace the love and care that Reese has to give her. He listens…he learns and understands why she is the way she is. And shows her that she doesn’t have to shut the world out. She’s worthy of love and kindness. And Caroline defends Reese when he least expects it and he realises that it’s something he not only appreciates but that he needs and wants in his life.
These two get a much deserved happy ending and I think it was the perfect way to wrap up the series. Though I am secretly hoping we get a spin off 🤭
Thank you so much to Jess Bryson and Luna Literary for the opportunity to ARC read this incredible book 🩷
⚾️Sports Romance
📣Enemies to Lovers
⚾️Reformed Playboy MMC
📣Ice Queen FMC
⚾️Fake Dating
📣Small Town
⚾️Baseball Player MMC
📣Cheerleader FMC
⚾️Trauma Healing
📣Banter/Tension
⚾️College Romance
📣Step-Brother’s Ex
⚾️Summer Romance
📣Protective MMC
⚾️”Use Me”
📣Dual POV
⚾️HEA
A true enemies to lovers with all the angst, tension and spicy banter to go along with it. This book was devoured in less than 12 hours. Once I read chapter 1 I was SAT! Dare I say, the best book in the series? Gobbled it up. Left no crumbs. Now…it is part of an interconnected series. I’ve seen people say you can read it as a standalone…some say you should read the others first…here’s my take. READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS FIRST. There’s a good amount of back story on the characters in the previous books, and it’s not really gone into in this book. And it’s CRUCIAL to the plot line and character development. PLUS…the books are just really good. So just read it and get sucked in 🙃
Caroline has hated Reese since 6the grade. Playground hurt feelings can last a lifetime…and this is no exception. She’s known as the ice queen…and I’ll be honest. In the previous books…Caroline was a c u next Tuesday. No sugar coating it. I hated her and I was POSITIVE there was no redeeming this pain in the a**. Imagine the annoying blonde self absorbed cheerleader mean girl? That’s Caroline. Or so we think. This book flipped the script and shows you EXACTLY why she is the way she is. The heartbreak and pain she’s endured her entire life has caused her to be guarded, stand offish , using an icy and mean demeanour as a form of self protection. But underneath it all is a little girl who truly has no idea what it is to be loved and accepted for who she is.
Reese….this man 😮💨 Reese in the man you love to hate. And you only hate him because he’s infuriatingly hot and stupidly charming and you would really appreciate if your thighs would stop clenching everytime he smiles at you 😩 everyone in town loves him. He’s the golden boy and every mom’s dream for their daughter. All the girls adore him. All but Caroline…who would probably rather light herself on fire than turn into one of his fans. Reese really is at a loss for why she hates him. The incident back in 6th grade leaves him confused and unsure. But he’s still got a soft spot for his favorite ice queen.
Things take a turn when Reese offers her an opportunity that involves them fake dating and she reluctantly agrees. Seeing that it could actually benefit her. Even if it requires her spending time with her mortal enemy (dramatic I know. Shhhh!) we know what happens next. Fake turns real the more time they spend together. Honestly I feel like, anytime these arrangements come into play, one person in the arrangement is already fully in and this is just a trap to get the other person on board lol sneaky. I like it 😂
Anyway…what follows is heartbreaking yet beautiful. Reese is there for Caroline in a way no one ever has been before…including her family. She learns to let her guard down and embrace the love and care that Reese has to give her. He listens…he learns and understands why she is the way she is. And shows her that she doesn’t have to shut the world out. She’s worthy of love and kindness. And Caroline defends Reese when he least expects it and he realises that it’s something he not only appreciates but that he needs and wants in his life.
These two get a much deserved happy ending and I think it was the perfect way to wrap up the series. Though I am secretly hoping we get a spin off 🤭
Thank you so much to Jess Bryson and Luna Literary for the opportunity to ARC read this incredible book 🩷
⚾️Sports Romance
📣Enemies to Lovers
⚾️Reformed Playboy MMC
📣Ice Queen FMC
⚾️Fake Dating
📣Small Town
⚾️Baseball Player MMC
📣Cheerleader FMC
⚾️Trauma Healing
📣Banter/Tension
⚾️College Romance
📣Step-Brother’s Ex
⚾️Summer Romance
📣Protective MMC
⚾️”Use Me”
📣Dual POV
⚾️HEA
May 16, 2025
Enemies to fake dating to lovers- ugh I love this troupe! Add in good multi dimensional characters and some steamy scenes and you get a good story and even better romance!
Caroline and Reese have always butted heads but when she needs a date to her sister's wedding and he needs to find someone to help his sister make the cheer squad they decide to call a mini truce. He will be her date and she will help his sister. What starts as fake dating turns to more quickly and feelings get involved. But what happens when summer is over? Will they be able to break through the obstacles or will they just be faking it for the summer?
This is the third book in the series and while you don't need to read the first two, it will definitely help you understand the characters more. This series is a little more than interconnected standalones as the backstories interweave between the books. Plus there were some overlapping time frames between book 2 and 3 that made for a fun read since you get to see the timeline play out from another POV.
Caroline is described as an ice queen. She is neurotic and wants things to be perfect. We learn this is to try to get noticed and feel like she belongs in her family, who btw are awful people. She constantly feels like she is invisible and when she is seen by her family, it is usually with them critiquing her and putting her down. So while she was cold hearted and mean in the first two books, Stealing Summer and Rival Summer, you really find out who she really is in this book and I thought it was set up really well.
Reese is the bad boy pitcher who was caught in a love triangle in the first two books but you can see that while he has some regret he knew deep down Chandler was never his. He has always enjoyed bantering and egging on Caroline and we learn it is because he really likes her and is attracted to her. Everyone else falls at his feet and she's the only one who puts him in his place and is not interested in him and that intrigues him.
The banter between these two was great and really made the characters feel real and like there was true animosity between them and then you got to see the ice queen melt and it was very satisfying as a reader to see how she opens up to him.
I liked how the story wrapped up and glad they got their HEA. A perfect summer beach read!
Huge thanks to Luna Literacy Management for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
Caroline and Reese have always butted heads but when she needs a date to her sister's wedding and he needs to find someone to help his sister make the cheer squad they decide to call a mini truce. He will be her date and she will help his sister. What starts as fake dating turns to more quickly and feelings get involved. But what happens when summer is over? Will they be able to break through the obstacles or will they just be faking it for the summer?
This is the third book in the series and while you don't need to read the first two, it will definitely help you understand the characters more. This series is a little more than interconnected standalones as the backstories interweave between the books. Plus there were some overlapping time frames between book 2 and 3 that made for a fun read since you get to see the timeline play out from another POV.
Caroline is described as an ice queen. She is neurotic and wants things to be perfect. We learn this is to try to get noticed and feel like she belongs in her family, who btw are awful people. She constantly feels like she is invisible and when she is seen by her family, it is usually with them critiquing her and putting her down. So while she was cold hearted and mean in the first two books, Stealing Summer and Rival Summer, you really find out who she really is in this book and I thought it was set up really well.
Reese is the bad boy pitcher who was caught in a love triangle in the first two books but you can see that while he has some regret he knew deep down Chandler was never his. He has always enjoyed bantering and egging on Caroline and we learn it is because he really likes her and is attracted to her. Everyone else falls at his feet and she's the only one who puts him in his place and is not interested in him and that intrigues him.
The banter between these two was great and really made the characters feel real and like there was true animosity between them and then you got to see the ice queen melt and it was very satisfying as a reader to see how she opens up to him.
I liked how the story wrapped up and glad they got their HEA. A perfect summer beach read!
Huge thanks to Luna Literacy Management for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Jess Bryson can write college romance in a way that pulls me in, puts me in a hold, and continues to squeeze til the very end. Her books captivate me and I fully need to know what happens, therefore unable to put the book down until the last page has been read. I do want to note that while you can read Faking Summer as a standalone, reading books one and two in Jess’ Bayside Lake series is highly recommended. There is crucial character development that takes place in these first two books to better understand our MCs in book three.
Reese has held my heart since book one! The teams bad boy, he and Chandler were the couple for me. Faking Summer overlaps the timeline in book two and bring some much needed clarification to certain situations. However, Reese has deserved a happy ending and finally gets it in this book. He has come a long way since book one and the growth that he has gone through is spectacular. Not only as a person, but a brother, friend, and now boyfriend. He is so good to Caroline and when he finally realizes she is the one for him, he is not giving up easily.
Caroline definitely receives a redemption arc through this story. Although a side character in books one and two, I didn’t really like her. But Faking Summer has provided so much more insight to her complex character and why she is the way she is. Learning about her, my heart broke over how her family treats her and even made me gawk at myself for judging a fictional character without knowing everything. Jess writes Caroline as the statement “everyone is going through their own battles” personified. The way she opened up with Reese and allowed herself to become better was inspiring.
This book is an excellent addition to the Bayside Lake series and while it may be the last one, provides wonderful possibilities for spin off series for other side characters. Jess’ ability to see exactly where she wanted these two to end up is amazing. A true testament to her talent as a writer. Reese and Caroline are perfect for each other and they bring out the best in one another. With summer right around the corner, this is a great series to kick off your season.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
⚾Enemies to Lovers
📣Flirty Banter
⚾Reformed Bad Boy
📣Fake Dating
⚾Small Town Romance
📣Trauma Healing
⚾Baseball Romance
Jess Bryson can write college romance in a way that pulls me in, puts me in a hold, and continues to squeeze til the very end. Her books captivate me and I fully need to know what happens, therefore unable to put the book down until the last page has been read. I do want to note that while you can read Faking Summer as a standalone, reading books one and two in Jess’ Bayside Lake series is highly recommended. There is crucial character development that takes place in these first two books to better understand our MCs in book three.
Reese has held my heart since book one! The teams bad boy, he and Chandler were the couple for me. Faking Summer overlaps the timeline in book two and bring some much needed clarification to certain situations. However, Reese has deserved a happy ending and finally gets it in this book. He has come a long way since book one and the growth that he has gone through is spectacular. Not only as a person, but a brother, friend, and now boyfriend. He is so good to Caroline and when he finally realizes she is the one for him, he is not giving up easily.
Caroline definitely receives a redemption arc through this story. Although a side character in books one and two, I didn’t really like her. But Faking Summer has provided so much more insight to her complex character and why she is the way she is. Learning about her, my heart broke over how her family treats her and even made me gawk at myself for judging a fictional character without knowing everything. Jess writes Caroline as the statement “everyone is going through their own battles” personified. The way she opened up with Reese and allowed herself to become better was inspiring.
This book is an excellent addition to the Bayside Lake series and while it may be the last one, provides wonderful possibilities for spin off series for other side characters. Jess’ ability to see exactly where she wanted these two to end up is amazing. A true testament to her talent as a writer. Reese and Caroline are perfect for each other and they bring out the best in one another. With summer right around the corner, this is a great series to kick off your season.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
⚾Enemies to Lovers
📣Flirty Banter
⚾Reformed Bad Boy
📣Fake Dating
⚾Small Town Romance
📣Trauma Healing
⚾Baseball Romance
June 6, 2025
Thank you so much Author Jess Bryson for giving me the amazing opportunity to read another ARC of your new upcoming Sports Romance Novel🩷⚾️💋✨
“Faking Summer”
The 3rd Installment In The-
“Bayside Lake Book Series”
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Read!! OBSESSED!!! I read this entire book in one sitting, utterly swept away from cover to cover🤩
This was a truly mesmerizing tale, full of vivid descriptions, genuine romance, and emotionally moments that linger even after the book is done! Every page is a testament to the author's skill, with a loving fake dating, bittersweet moments, stunning storyline, and poignant interactions between the main characters that I don’t think I can ever get enough of🩷And I seriously need-
(Reese Carrington in real life please💋✨) Plus this being the 3rd book in the series my love and admiration for the books has grown even more and I'm looking forward to reading more of Jess Bryson's upcoming works🩷✨
“Faking Summer,” Stars two lovable main characters-
(✨Reese Carrington & Caroline Matthews✨)
Jess Bryson begins their journey when-
Blurb: Reese Carrington, Bayside's golden boy, has the town wrapped around his finger-rich, smooth-talking, and the star pitcher everyone is obsessed with. But Caroline Matthews? She's immune. Too focused, too smart, and too guarded to get caught up in his orbit. That is, until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what's real and what's just part of the game. His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her. Her icy defenses shouldn't intrigue him. And falling for the guy she swore she couldn't stand? Absolutely off-limits. But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don't always go according to plan.
And not only does the Author write amazing plot but she does even more for my favorite main characters-
Reese my lover💋✨ is a talented professional baseball player⚾️🩷With a heart full of love and laughter for all and despite the emotional obstacles in his path, he pushes forward with determination and triumphs over them. And doing it all while loving his everything & more🥹✨
Coraline holds a special place in his heart, and he's always prioritizing her happiness, providing love and care around the clock. His affection for her is undeniable, and he morphs into such a loyal golden retriever whenever she's near, yearning for her presence and seeking innovative ways to foster a deeper bond-for always and forever🥹🩷✨
“Faking Summer”
The 3rd Installment In The-
“Bayside Lake Book Series”
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Read!! OBSESSED!!! I read this entire book in one sitting, utterly swept away from cover to cover🤩
This was a truly mesmerizing tale, full of vivid descriptions, genuine romance, and emotionally moments that linger even after the book is done! Every page is a testament to the author's skill, with a loving fake dating, bittersweet moments, stunning storyline, and poignant interactions between the main characters that I don’t think I can ever get enough of🩷And I seriously need-
(Reese Carrington in real life please💋✨) Plus this being the 3rd book in the series my love and admiration for the books has grown even more and I'm looking forward to reading more of Jess Bryson's upcoming works🩷✨
“Faking Summer,” Stars two lovable main characters-
(✨Reese Carrington & Caroline Matthews✨)
Jess Bryson begins their journey when-
Blurb: Reese Carrington, Bayside's golden boy, has the town wrapped around his finger-rich, smooth-talking, and the star pitcher everyone is obsessed with. But Caroline Matthews? She's immune. Too focused, too smart, and too guarded to get caught up in his orbit. That is, until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what's real and what's just part of the game. His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her. Her icy defenses shouldn't intrigue him. And falling for the guy she swore she couldn't stand? Absolutely off-limits. But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don't always go according to plan.
And not only does the Author write amazing plot but she does even more for my favorite main characters-
Reese my lover💋✨ is a talented professional baseball player⚾️🩷With a heart full of love and laughter for all and despite the emotional obstacles in his path, he pushes forward with determination and triumphs over them. And doing it all while loving his everything & more🥹✨
Coraline holds a special place in his heart, and he's always prioritizing her happiness, providing love and care around the clock. His affection for her is undeniable, and he morphs into such a loyal golden retriever whenever she's near, yearning for her presence and seeking innovative ways to foster a deeper bond-for always and forever🥹🩷✨
May 23, 2025
Fake It ’Til You Feel It—And Then Fall Hard
Caroline (FMC): Cheer Coach • Ice Queen Reputation • Snarky & Sassy •
Reese (MMC): College Baseball Pitcher • Protective • Reformed Playboy • Town Golden Boy •
Tropes:
⚾️ Baseball Pitcher x Cheerleading Coach
📣 Enemies to Lovers
⚾️ Fake Dating
📣 Slow Burn
⚾️ Text Conversations
📣 Small Town
⚾️ Summer Love
📣 College Baseball Romance
⚾️ Nicknames
📣 Found Family
Rating: ☀️☀️☀️(3⭐️)
Spice: 🌶️.🫑🫑🫑(dirty talk, praise, “good boy”, 👅, hand necklaces)
T/W: attempted SA (on page), violence (on page), use of pejorative terms for women (on page), toxic family dynamics (on page), hateful negative talk by family (on page)
If you’re a sucker for fake dating, slow-burn tension, and bad boys who become golden retrievers in love, Faking Summer is your perfect summer fling. This book starts off like a slow jog around the bases but eventually builds into a home run by the halfway mark.
Caroline, our ice queen FMC with a frosty exterior and a deeply justified chip on her shoulder, agrees to fake date reformed bad boy pitcher Reese. In exchange, she’ll coach his sister in cheer, and he’ll play the role of her wedding date to survive her nightmare of an older sister’s big day. Emotional baggage? They’re both carrying matching sets. But watching them unpack that trauma together? Surprisingly heartwarming.
Reese, my MVP since book one, finally gets his time to shine. He’s patient, loyal, and gives major book boyfriend energy. Caroline took longer to warm up to (pun intended), but by the end, I was cheering for her just as much.
The plot overlaps with earlier books in the series, so I’d recommend reading in order for max impact. I do wish we got more closure in a few spots, but this was still a fun ride.
Bottom line: Faking Summer is like a glass of lemonade on a hot day—tart, sweet, and just what you need. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find a baseball player to fake date for the summer.
Swoony Line:
“You’re everything I never knew I needed,”
I received an ARC copy and wanted to leave an honest review.
Caroline (FMC): Cheer Coach • Ice Queen Reputation • Snarky & Sassy •
Reese (MMC): College Baseball Pitcher • Protective • Reformed Playboy • Town Golden Boy •
Tropes:
⚾️ Baseball Pitcher x Cheerleading Coach
📣 Enemies to Lovers
⚾️ Fake Dating
📣 Slow Burn
⚾️ Text Conversations
📣 Small Town
⚾️ Summer Love
📣 College Baseball Romance
⚾️ Nicknames
📣 Found Family
Rating: ☀️☀️☀️(3⭐️)
Spice: 🌶️.🫑🫑🫑(dirty talk, praise, “good boy”, 👅, hand necklaces)
T/W: attempted SA (on page), violence (on page), use of pejorative terms for women (on page), toxic family dynamics (on page), hateful negative talk by family (on page)
If you’re a sucker for fake dating, slow-burn tension, and bad boys who become golden retrievers in love, Faking Summer is your perfect summer fling. This book starts off like a slow jog around the bases but eventually builds into a home run by the halfway mark.
Caroline, our ice queen FMC with a frosty exterior and a deeply justified chip on her shoulder, agrees to fake date reformed bad boy pitcher Reese. In exchange, she’ll coach his sister in cheer, and he’ll play the role of her wedding date to survive her nightmare of an older sister’s big day. Emotional baggage? They’re both carrying matching sets. But watching them unpack that trauma together? Surprisingly heartwarming.
Reese, my MVP since book one, finally gets his time to shine. He’s patient, loyal, and gives major book boyfriend energy. Caroline took longer to warm up to (pun intended), but by the end, I was cheering for her just as much.
The plot overlaps with earlier books in the series, so I’d recommend reading in order for max impact. I do wish we got more closure in a few spots, but this was still a fun ride.
Bottom line: Faking Summer is like a glass of lemonade on a hot day—tart, sweet, and just what you need. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find a baseball player to fake date for the summer.
Swoony Line:
“You’re everything I never knew I needed,”
I received an ARC copy and wanted to leave an honest review.
October 25, 2025
Dnf at 29%
I tried this book because, although the first book was very juvenile and the second one was down right bad, the one compelling aspect in both of them a male character that was the male lead in this one.
I should have paid more attention to who the female lead was.
Spoiled, privileged twenty-something, university-graduate, who was still living at home in her family's mansion sponging off her parents, spends pages whining about her family's expectation that she either uses the advantages they have provided her with to become their idea of successful, both professionally and personally, or become self-supporting and make her own way in the world when she feels they should just continue to support her in the privileged style she has become accustom to while showering her with attention and praise for doing the bare minimum in life, working fluff jobs like teaching cheerleading and being an amateur baseball team's committee president, instead of living up to the potential, all made possible by her parents, of her level of education, work experience, volunteer experience and extracurricular experience. Talk about a parasite.
But the crown on the cake was when her sister, in order to have the venue she wants, needs to pull a wedding together in four weeks and, instead of sympathizing and strategizing with her sibling, she makes it all about her and creates some big tragedy in her mind over having to find a date on such short notice. Like that is so much more significant, complicated and time consuming than planning a whole freakin' wedding!
I didn't think anyone could be more self-involved than the male lead in the last book but this girl managed to match him while also lacking in any ambition and it killed any interest in reading this story since I find no appeal in reading about an engaging male character getting together with such a self-absorbed useless twit.
Do not recommend.
I tried this book because, although the first book was very juvenile and the second one was down right bad, the one compelling aspect in both of them a male character that was the male lead in this one.
I should have paid more attention to who the female lead was.
Spoiled, privileged twenty-something, university-graduate, who was still living at home in her family's mansion sponging off her parents, spends pages whining about her family's expectation that she either uses the advantages they have provided her with to become their idea of successful, both professionally and personally, or become self-supporting and make her own way in the world when she feels they should just continue to support her in the privileged style she has become accustom to while showering her with attention and praise for doing the bare minimum in life, working fluff jobs like teaching cheerleading and being an amateur baseball team's committee president, instead of living up to the potential, all made possible by her parents, of her level of education, work experience, volunteer experience and extracurricular experience. Talk about a parasite.
But the crown on the cake was when her sister, in order to have the venue she wants, needs to pull a wedding together in four weeks and, instead of sympathizing and strategizing with her sibling, she makes it all about her and creates some big tragedy in her mind over having to find a date on such short notice. Like that is so much more significant, complicated and time consuming than planning a whole freakin' wedding!
I didn't think anyone could be more self-involved than the male lead in the last book but this girl managed to match him while also lacking in any ambition and it killed any interest in reading this story since I find no appeal in reading about an engaging male character getting together with such a self-absorbed useless twit.
Do not recommend.
May 24, 2025
Enemies, to fake dating to lovers is one of my favorites! Overall this was a really good read. I haven't read the previous books - but while I don't think you necessarily need to - I think in this series it helps provide ever more background that would make the story better for you as a reader (yes I'm def going back!). MMC Reese - handsome, rich, bad boy pitcher, misunderstood... YUMMY! FMC Caroline - generally known as the "ice queen" - but strong, willing to be her own person against all her crappy family goes against her, a bit neurotic but really enjoyed her. I did struggle about the first 100 pages with the part that made them enemies. I had a hard time getting into something that happened in 6th grade being "the" moment - that is still hanging around at age 21. That's probably more a me thing than anything (and not the reason for my 4 star review). 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt that the author had several other plot lines that she could have given us more on. We got a little bit of Reese's backstory with his birth mother - a smidge of a blow up/reconciliation with his dad - but it was a bit rushed. On the other hand, Caroline's mom and sister specifically (but also her father who really just took up random space in the book frankly) were right nasty to Caroline. And boy I could have used a good blow up that either ended in a reconciliation with them OR showing us Caroline setting boundaries. The lack of either just left me wanting. And the end felt rushed. There was a cute 5 year later epilogue and for those of you who prefer kid free - this hit perfectly for me.
June 2, 2025
“You’re not just the kind of beautiful that turns heads. You’re the kind that lingers—the kind that gets under my skin, stays in my thoughts, and makes forgetting it impossible.”
- Reese Carrington
I thought this would be a cute typical fake dating romance, but it was more than that. It’s part of a series, but can be read as a standalone without any confusion. I loved Caroline and Reese in this book. They both had their own things to work through, but I was definitely hoping for them to end up together.
Reese, the rich, handsome, soon to be famous major league baseball player would never fall for someone like Caroline, the icy cheerleader that keeps to herself, won’t let anyone in, and seems to hate Reese. As much as Caroline drives him crazy and pushes him away, Reese can’t help but be drawn to her.
Caroline made it clear that didn’t need saving, but Reese was there for her even when she didn’t think she needed it. He wanted to be there for her, wanted to be the one person she could depend on, and wouldn’t stop until she understood that. He helped her to get through difficult situations with her awful family, and even got through some difficult situations of his own. As Reese and Caroline continue their fake relationship, Reese begins to realize that he doesn’t want their relationship to be fake anymore. Caroline is insisting on sticking to the plan and breaking up after her brother’s wedding. If only Reese could figure out what Caroline is hiding and why she keeps putting her guard up when they are finally starting to get close.
Thank you Jess Bryson and Luna Literacy for this ARC. I absolutely loved this book!
May 18, 2025
The Bayside Lake Series #3
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
Plot: 5/5
Primary Genre: Sports Romance
Blurb: Reese Carrington, Bayside’s golden boy, has the town wrapped around his finger—rich, smooth-talking, and the star pitcher everyone is obsessed with. But Caroline Matthews? She’s immune. Too focused, too smart, and too guarded to get caught up in his orbit. This is until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what’s real and what’s just part of the game. His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her. Her icy defenses shouldn’t intrigue him. And falling for the guy she swore she couldn’t stand? Absolutely off-limits. But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don’t always go according to plan.
My Thoughts:
I’m going to level with you, I read this book in about 24 hours. The first chapter sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down. Reese is the perfect overly confident alpha male that we’ve all hated having a crush on. Annoyingly cocky but he’s also super hot. Admit it, we’ve all been there. Caroline is an ice queen, as we learned in the last book. In Faking Summer, we dig deeper into her life and gain an understanding of why she is so cold and... ouch. I wanted to punch people for her a couple of times, poor girl. I love a fake dating trope and if that’s your thing too, you’re going to love this one. We see the resolution to the storylines from book two and even find out what happened with Boston and Chandler. Reese and Caroline are my absolute favorite couple in this series. I can see Jess’s writing evolve in this series and let me say, she hit it out of the park with book 3. Do not miss this one!
Read more book reviews on my website:
www.introvertsbookclub.com
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
Plot: 5/5
Primary Genre: Sports Romance
Blurb: Reese Carrington, Bayside’s golden boy, has the town wrapped around his finger—rich, smooth-talking, and the star pitcher everyone is obsessed with. But Caroline Matthews? She’s immune. Too focused, too smart, and too guarded to get caught up in his orbit. This is until Reese makes her an offer. Fake dating the town heartthrob might be her ticket to getting exactly what she wants. The only problem? Reese always plays to win. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell what’s real and what’s just part of the game. His casual smirk and effortless charm has no business unsettling her. Her icy defenses shouldn’t intrigue him. And falling for the guy she swore she couldn’t stand? Absolutely off-limits. But in a town like Bayside, even the best plays don’t always go according to plan.
My Thoughts:
I’m going to level with you, I read this book in about 24 hours. The first chapter sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down. Reese is the perfect overly confident alpha male that we’ve all hated having a crush on. Annoyingly cocky but he’s also super hot. Admit it, we’ve all been there. Caroline is an ice queen, as we learned in the last book. In Faking Summer, we dig deeper into her life and gain an understanding of why she is so cold and... ouch. I wanted to punch people for her a couple of times, poor girl. I love a fake dating trope and if that’s your thing too, you’re going to love this one. We see the resolution to the storylines from book two and even find out what happened with Boston and Chandler. Reese and Caroline are my absolute favorite couple in this series. I can see Jess’s writing evolve in this series and let me say, she hit it out of the park with book 3. Do not miss this one!
Read more book reviews on my website:
www.introvertsbookclub.com
May 21, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
I enjoyed this book so much!
Let me start off by saying that I have NOT read the first two books but this book was written so well that I was able to understand things that didn’t have a lot a detail or explanation. Now on to the review!
Caroline was often described as evil, cold - an ice queen if you will - but really? She had been burned by her crush back at a school dance when she was 12 and to make this worse, her family constantly pressured and criticized her about her choices and lack of a boyfriend.
Reese was handsome, athletic, flirty, charming, and a playboy with the whole town wrapped around his finger, but he had his own things to deal with behind the scenes - his mom was reaching out. Plus he figured he might as well live the reputation the town gave him.
The chemistry between these two was soooo good! Literal perfection. I loved how Reese was so intrigued by Caroline. She was the one person who didn’t fawn all over him and his interest in her increased when she let vulnerable information or moments slip between them.
Also I would like to discuss how Reece “wear whatever you want baby, I can fight” Carrington is now my new fave book boyfriend. Like where do I get one? He’s protective, loyal, caring and, I’ll be honest, just flat out hot. Some pass me a fan 🥵
If you have read book one and two, don’t hesitate to dive into this one. And even if you haven’t read them, like me, dive in anyways! It’s fun, flirty, sexy, there’s banter and sooo much more. Perfect for fans of fake dating, enemies to lovers, “use me”, small town, flirty banter and a reformed bad boy this is the book for you! Also the spice is spicy 🌶️ 😉
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
I enjoyed this book so much!
Let me start off by saying that I have NOT read the first two books but this book was written so well that I was able to understand things that didn’t have a lot a detail or explanation. Now on to the review!
Caroline was often described as evil, cold - an ice queen if you will - but really? She had been burned by her crush back at a school dance when she was 12 and to make this worse, her family constantly pressured and criticized her about her choices and lack of a boyfriend.
Reese was handsome, athletic, flirty, charming, and a playboy with the whole town wrapped around his finger, but he had his own things to deal with behind the scenes - his mom was reaching out. Plus he figured he might as well live the reputation the town gave him.
The chemistry between these two was soooo good! Literal perfection. I loved how Reese was so intrigued by Caroline. She was the one person who didn’t fawn all over him and his interest in her increased when she let vulnerable information or moments slip between them.
Also I would like to discuss how Reece “wear whatever you want baby, I can fight” Carrington is now my new fave book boyfriend. Like where do I get one? He’s protective, loyal, caring and, I’ll be honest, just flat out hot. Some pass me a fan 🥵
If you have read book one and two, don’t hesitate to dive into this one. And even if you haven’t read them, like me, dive in anyways! It’s fun, flirty, sexy, there’s banter and sooo much more. Perfect for fans of fake dating, enemies to lovers, “use me”, small town, flirty banter and a reformed bad boy this is the book for you! Also the spice is spicy 🌶️ 😉
May 13, 2025
This book was such a heartfelt, emotional read, and I seriously loved it. The characters felt so real—relatable, flawed, and beautifully written.
Caroline, our FMC, is strong, independent, and often seen as an “ice queen”—but beneath that exterior is someone who’s deeply wounded and guarded. Her pain felt incredibly real, and I connected with her so much. Her journey hit me hard because I understood exactly what she was going through. I adored her strength, even when she was hurting.
Then there’s Reese—swoon. He’s hot, charming, stubborn, and completely obsessed with cracking through Caroline’s icy walls. He’s the kind of MMC who doesn’t give up when things get hard, and I absolutely loved that about him. He had his own emotional depth too, and watching both of them grow—and heal—was so satisfying.
The story spans several years, and that added a whole other layer of emotional weight to the plot. You feel the passage of time, the history, the missed chances, the longing... the angst. So much angst, and I was here for all of it. When they finally got their happy ending? My heart was full.
Thank you so much, Jess Bryson, for this amazing ARC. I can’t wait to read more of your books—this one was emotional, layered, and beautifully written.
Caroline, our FMC, is strong, independent, and often seen as an “ice queen”—but beneath that exterior is someone who’s deeply wounded and guarded. Her pain felt incredibly real, and I connected with her so much. Her journey hit me hard because I understood exactly what she was going through. I adored her strength, even when she was hurting.
Then there’s Reese—swoon. He’s hot, charming, stubborn, and completely obsessed with cracking through Caroline’s icy walls. He’s the kind of MMC who doesn’t give up when things get hard, and I absolutely loved that about him. He had his own emotional depth too, and watching both of them grow—and heal—was so satisfying.
The story spans several years, and that added a whole other layer of emotional weight to the plot. You feel the passage of time, the history, the missed chances, the longing... the angst. So much angst, and I was here for all of it. When they finally got their happy ending? My heart was full.
Thank you so much, Jess Bryson, for this amazing ARC. I can’t wait to read more of your books—this one was emotional, layered, and beautifully written.
June 6, 2025
After reading Stealing Summer and Rival Summer, I was so excited for Faking Summer and to see Reese’s story play out! It was such a delight to see Reese and Caroline grow into a serious relationship. I really felt like both Reese and Caroline were able to open up and become softer with each other, and that was so beautiful to see.
Both these characters come from complex familial situations that make them both appear different to the world than they really are. One of the most telling parts of Reese and Caroline falling in love was when they stood up for one another with their respective families. Having a partner show up for each of them was so meaningful and a beautiful representation of true partnership.
I won’t spoil anything, but the epilogue to this book felt like the most perfect conclusion to all of these stories! I was so happy to follow the thread of all the Bayside Lake characters and their happily ever afters. This whole series is easy to read and enjoyable from start to finish!
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Both these characters come from complex familial situations that make them both appear different to the world than they really are. One of the most telling parts of Reese and Caroline falling in love was when they stood up for one another with their respective families. Having a partner show up for each of them was so meaningful and a beautiful representation of true partnership.
I won’t spoil anything, but the epilogue to this book felt like the most perfect conclusion to all of these stories! I was so happy to follow the thread of all the Bayside Lake characters and their happily ever afters. This whole series is easy to read and enjoyable from start to finish!
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 8, 2025
🄰 🅁 🄲 🅁 🄴 🅅 🄸 🄴 🅆
📚Faking Summer by Jess Bryson📚
Book 3 of Bayside Lake Series
Dual POV
🌶️🌶️
📝Synopsis📝
Reese Carrington has always had it easy; he’s rich, charismatic, and everyone adores him. But Caroline Matthews isn’t impressed. In a tight spot, Caroline agrees to fake date Reese, but will she be able to resist his charms when continually in his orbit?
💬Quotes💬
“You’re not just the kind of beautiful that turns heads. You’re the kind that lingers — the kind that gets under my skin, stays in my thoughts, and makes forgetting it impossible.”
“This man had me in a chokehold. He was always in my head, wrapped around every thought I tried to suppress. No matter how hard I fought it, I was his.”
💭My Thoughts💭
Faking Summer spans the same time frame as Rival Summer – book two in The Bayside Lake Series. It can be read as a standalone, but I truly think you’ll appreciate the story more if you have read books one and two. I rooted for Reese in both previous books so I was so excited to see he got his happy ending. Caroline and Reese complimented each other perfectly and their banter was superb. I couldn’t put this book down and cannot wait for Jess’ next book. If you’re a sports romance fan don’t wait to pick this series up and dive in!
📚Faking Summer by Jess Bryson📚
Book 3 of Bayside Lake Series
Dual POV
🌶️🌶️
📝Synopsis📝
Reese Carrington has always had it easy; he’s rich, charismatic, and everyone adores him. But Caroline Matthews isn’t impressed. In a tight spot, Caroline agrees to fake date Reese, but will she be able to resist his charms when continually in his orbit?
💬Quotes💬
“You’re not just the kind of beautiful that turns heads. You’re the kind that lingers — the kind that gets under my skin, stays in my thoughts, and makes forgetting it impossible.”
“This man had me in a chokehold. He was always in my head, wrapped around every thought I tried to suppress. No matter how hard I fought it, I was his.”
💭My Thoughts💭
Faking Summer spans the same time frame as Rival Summer – book two in The Bayside Lake Series. It can be read as a standalone, but I truly think you’ll appreciate the story more if you have read books one and two. I rooted for Reese in both previous books so I was so excited to see he got his happy ending. Caroline and Reese complimented each other perfectly and their banter was superb. I couldn’t put this book down and cannot wait for Jess’ next book. If you’re a sports romance fan don’t wait to pick this series up and dive in!
May 16, 2025
⚾️Tension
📣Fake Dating
⚾️Banter
📣Reformed Playboy
⚾️Spice
📣Baseball
⚾️Enemies to Lovers
📣 Step-brothers Ex
⚾️Use me
📣Dirty talk
⚾️Good Girl/Good Boy
I have read both Stealing Summer and Rival Summer. This might just be my favorite book in the Bayside Lake Series! The romance, plot, and spice are all the perfect amount, and not too much of one thing or the other. This book didn’t feel like it was repetitive or lacking anything. Even if you haven’t read the first two books you can read this no problem. Jess’s writing skills speaks for itself with how fast she gets you hooked into the storyline!
The banter between Reese and Caroline had me kicking my feet, and the spice had me blushing. Knowing that Jess wrote this, I was already excited to jump back into Bayside Lake. I went into this with high hopes, and she did not let me down. I can’t wait to see her future books not only in this series, but in what she continues to create.
One of my many Favorite Quotes:
"And after hearing what you said to her, it's going to be so much more satisfying when I beat your ass again... with the same hand that made her come last night."
📣Fake Dating
⚾️Banter
📣Reformed Playboy
⚾️Spice
📣Baseball
⚾️Enemies to Lovers
📣 Step-brothers Ex
⚾️Use me
📣Dirty talk
⚾️Good Girl/Good Boy
I have read both Stealing Summer and Rival Summer. This might just be my favorite book in the Bayside Lake Series! The romance, plot, and spice are all the perfect amount, and not too much of one thing or the other. This book didn’t feel like it was repetitive or lacking anything. Even if you haven’t read the first two books you can read this no problem. Jess’s writing skills speaks for itself with how fast she gets you hooked into the storyline!
The banter between Reese and Caroline had me kicking my feet, and the spice had me blushing. Knowing that Jess wrote this, I was already excited to jump back into Bayside Lake. I went into this with high hopes, and she did not let me down. I can’t wait to see her future books not only in this series, but in what she continues to create.
One of my many Favorite Quotes:
"And after hearing what you said to her, it's going to be so much more satisfying when I beat your ass again... with the same hand that made her come last night."
May 21, 2025
4.5 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴⭐️
Well I finished this in one sitting. I couldn’t stop!
"𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴—𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦."
This is such a fun enemies - fake dating - to lovers book. It’s emotional, angsty and explosive. The chemistry between the two main characters is next level.
Caroline is such a complex girlie, she’s an ice queen to everyone but once you break through those walls she’s such a sweetheart. Her family though, I wanted to throw my kindle whenever her mum or Charlotte spoke.
Reese is a cocky, arrogant baseball player. He’s the big shot in town but behind the cocky mask be wears he’s got his own demons to deal with. I was not prepared for the mouth on this man!
These two really can’t stand each other at the start. But little by little the walls come down and they become the cutest duo. I loved every second and the amount of growth they both went through.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really loved it. It kept me hooked and I will definitely be rereading.
Well I finished this in one sitting. I couldn’t stop!
"𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴—𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦."
This is such a fun enemies - fake dating - to lovers book. It’s emotional, angsty and explosive. The chemistry between the two main characters is next level.
Caroline is such a complex girlie, she’s an ice queen to everyone but once you break through those walls she’s such a sweetheart. Her family though, I wanted to throw my kindle whenever her mum or Charlotte spoke.
Reese is a cocky, arrogant baseball player. He’s the big shot in town but behind the cocky mask be wears he’s got his own demons to deal with. I was not prepared for the mouth on this man!
These two really can’t stand each other at the start. But little by little the walls come down and they become the cutest duo. I loved every second and the amount of growth they both went through.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really loved it. It kept me hooked and I will definitely be rereading.
May 24, 2025
It’s an enemies to lovers romance with amazing banter and honestly, Caroline & Reese delivered everything I love—fiery back-and-forth, emotional depth, and just the right amount of steam to make it sizzle.
Caroline’s been labeled the cold queen her whole life, but the truth? She’s just been surviving. Unloved, overlooked, and constantly torn down by her own family. And when she thought Reese was behind that humiliating prank in 6th grade, she built her walls even higher—cold, sharp, untouchable.
But Reese? He had no idea about the prank. All he knew was that Caroline was the one girl who never fell for his charm—and that made her unforgettable. When she needed a date for her sister’s wedding. Their fake dating pact sets the stage, but the way their relationship slowly shifts from enemies to something real?? Ugh. So good.
I loved how you get to understand Caroline better in this book. She’s so much more than the ice queen we saw in the earlier books. And Reese… total golden boy with that soft spot energy that hits so hard.
This book had me smiling, swooning, and totally invested in them getting their HEA.
Caroline’s been labeled the cold queen her whole life, but the truth? She’s just been surviving. Unloved, overlooked, and constantly torn down by her own family. And when she thought Reese was behind that humiliating prank in 6th grade, she built her walls even higher—cold, sharp, untouchable.
But Reese? He had no idea about the prank. All he knew was that Caroline was the one girl who never fell for his charm—and that made her unforgettable. When she needed a date for her sister’s wedding. Their fake dating pact sets the stage, but the way their relationship slowly shifts from enemies to something real?? Ugh. So good.
I loved how you get to understand Caroline better in this book. She’s so much more than the ice queen we saw in the earlier books. And Reese… total golden boy with that soft spot energy that hits so hard.
This book had me smiling, swooning, and totally invested in them getting their HEA.
May 25, 2025
Caroline & Reese have known each other pretty much their entire lives.
Reese is from a wealthy family and everyone in town knows who he is and where he is headed once school is over. He is going to be drafted to the MLB. Reese is an excellent pitcher with a cool calm swagger to boot. All the ladies love him, except for maybe one... Caroline.
Caroline is from a family that often gives her an over abundance of negative comments & don't really support her career aspirations. She teaches cheerleading and is great at it. This is her passion.
This fake dating, enemies to lovers story encapsulates the idea of when you don't have the full story. For years Caroline has spit venom at Reece because he embarrassed her all those years ago at the 6th grade dance. Thing is.. we all know what happens when we assume things..
This story kept me on my toes from beginning to end. Their evolution of being snarky to one another to Reece standing up for Caroline on many occasions to the men in her life and to her family shows maybe it wasn't all fake all the time for Reese.
This story ends on a HEA and there isn't a 3rd act break up. Super easy read and a cute ending.
Reese is from a wealthy family and everyone in town knows who he is and where he is headed once school is over. He is going to be drafted to the MLB. Reese is an excellent pitcher with a cool calm swagger to boot. All the ladies love him, except for maybe one... Caroline.
Caroline is from a family that often gives her an over abundance of negative comments & don't really support her career aspirations. She teaches cheerleading and is great at it. This is her passion.
This fake dating, enemies to lovers story encapsulates the idea of when you don't have the full story. For years Caroline has spit venom at Reece because he embarrassed her all those years ago at the 6th grade dance. Thing is.. we all know what happens when we assume things..
This story kept me on my toes from beginning to end. Their evolution of being snarky to one another to Reece standing up for Caroline on many occasions to the men in her life and to her family shows maybe it wasn't all fake all the time for Reese.
This story ends on a HEA and there isn't a 3rd act break up. Super easy read and a cute ending.
May 25, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin because Faking Summer was everything I didn’t know I needed and more. I was hooked from the very first chapter and inhaled the book in a single sitting.
Caroline completely took me by surprise. At first, she comes off as cold and guarded, but once you learn why, it hits hard. Her journey of finally feeling seen and supported, especially by someone like Reese, was so satisfying. And Reese? Literal book boyfriend material. Charming, patient, loyal—he never once gave up on her, even when she pushed him away. He sees her. He shows up for her in a way that makes my heart ache. And the way she opens up to him—even when it terrifies her—was so beautifully done. The growth, the healing, the slow burn tension that explodes into something swoony and spicy? Literal perfection.
Jess Bryson nailed the “enemies to lovers” vibe here. Every moment felt earned. Every glance, every argument, every stolen touch—it all built to a romance that felt layered and deeply satisfying. If you love found family, fake dating, or characters with emotional depth and sharp wit, this is your sign to pick up Faking Summer.
Caroline completely took me by surprise. At first, she comes off as cold and guarded, but once you learn why, it hits hard. Her journey of finally feeling seen and supported, especially by someone like Reese, was so satisfying. And Reese? Literal book boyfriend material. Charming, patient, loyal—he never once gave up on her, even when she pushed him away. He sees her. He shows up for her in a way that makes my heart ache. And the way she opens up to him—even when it terrifies her—was so beautifully done. The growth, the healing, the slow burn tension that explodes into something swoony and spicy? Literal perfection.
Jess Bryson nailed the “enemies to lovers” vibe here. Every moment felt earned. Every glance, every argument, every stolen touch—it all built to a romance that felt layered and deeply satisfying. If you love found family, fake dating, or characters with emotional depth and sharp wit, this is your sign to pick up Faking Summer.
May 27, 2025
Thank you Jess for an ARC!Jess Bryson
enemies to lovers
Dual POV
fake dating
fierce and feisty FMC
Protective MMC
Family struggles
Sports romance
Small town romance
i have not read any of Jess Bryson’s books before, so i have no background information on any of the characters and instantly fell in love with Reese and Caroline.
The chemistry between the Main characters was so good!
Caroline is a feisty woman who behind the walls she puts up is very vulnerable, Reese is the star pitcher who is gonna leave right after summer. They hate each other, because of something that happened long ago, and now they are forced to spend time together while pretending to be a couple. I love how we see their banter, but also what they really feel and think.
It is a lovely story, perfect for summer! Caroline finally found someone she could feel safe with, and Reese finally found the one!
i highly recommend this book if you’re interested in a small town romance with great Main characters, baseball, spice and romance.
enemies to lovers
Dual POV
fake dating
fierce and feisty FMC
Protective MMC
Family struggles
Sports romance
Small town romance
i have not read any of Jess Bryson’s books before, so i have no background information on any of the characters and instantly fell in love with Reese and Caroline.
The chemistry between the Main characters was so good!
Caroline is a feisty woman who behind the walls she puts up is very vulnerable, Reese is the star pitcher who is gonna leave right after summer. They hate each other, because of something that happened long ago, and now they are forced to spend time together while pretending to be a couple. I love how we see their banter, but also what they really feel and think.
It is a lovely story, perfect for summer! Caroline finally found someone she could feel safe with, and Reese finally found the one!
i highly recommend this book if you’re interested in a small town romance with great Main characters, baseball, spice and romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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