Summer Heat: A reality show, romantic comedy with spice

by Brooke Straiton

seduce the target. fall for the wrong guy.

"This was a perfect summer read. It was fast-paced, full of banter and chemistry, and packed with more emotions than you would expect." — Amazon reader

"I feel like I'm watching a reality TV show while reading! Most of all, I couldn't put the book down!" — Amazon reader

"WOW. The SPICE. I loved the spice. It felt very Love Island-like, but in a fun and exciting way." — Goodreads review

***A hot reality dating show. A rich playboy with ties to crime. A sexy ex-NFL player. A mission that could ruin everything.

Sienna James is here to find a criminal. Not a soulmate.

Her contestant on the hottest new reality show, Summer Heat. Her get close to Dominic Hale, the golden boy whose father may be running one of the largest trafficking rings in the country.

But nothing about this mission is easy. Not the challenges. Not the cameras. And definitely not Beck Wilder, the cocky former football star with a dirty mouth and a soft side he doesn't show anyone else.

He wasn't part of the assignment. He's the risk she never saw coming.

With secrets stacking up and sparks flying fast, Sienna will have to the mission that could finally bring justice, or the man who was never supposed to matter.

The villa has rules. Sienna's already breaking all of them.

Tropes & What to ✓ Undercover mission with a morally questionable objective ✓ Love triangle with actual stakes ✓ Grumpy x sunshine ✓ Multiple POVs ✓ Plot twists and emotional gut-punches ✓ Two extremely shirtless men ✓ Action-packed challenges that may involve whipped cream ✓ Unauthorized use of fruit (apologies to the bananas) ✓ Spice somewhere between "oops" and "ma'am, this is a Kindle Unlimited book" ✓ HEA guaranteed, but not before things go completely off the rails

Perfect for fans of Love Island, Too Hot to Handle, and romance that refuses to play it safe. Summer Heat is Book 1 in the Summer Series and stands completely on its own.

Genres: Romance, Summer

614 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m Brooke Straiton—rom-com author, chaos wrangler, and the woman most likely to cry over a reality dating show like it’s high art. I write spicy, hilarious, and emotionally unhinged contemporary romance with heart, heat, and an occasional butt plug joke (you’ve been warned).

My debut series, Summer Heat, takes place on a fictional reality show and includes undercover missions, ex-NFL players, and more sexual tension than a shared shower scene. Book 2, Summer Hustle, turns up the heat in a gritty South Philly gym. It has enemies-to-lovers, gym sex, and a girl who thinks she’s there to save the business—but he’s the reason it’s falling apart. Book 3, Summer Heartbreak, is coming soon and yes, there’s an ex, an ex’s brother, and a bad decision in a barn.

Unfortunately I also find the need to address the use of AI in my books. I have been very transparent about my usage of AI for organizational and editing purposes. However, at no point do I use GENERATIVE or unethical AI which is the source of all the controversy and outrage. My words, characters, plots, and ideas all come from my own brain. Hopefully that clears it up.

When I’m not writing, I run a photography studio in Bucks County, PA, blast 90s hip-hop while editing videos, and bribe my husband to appear in TikToks he didn’t agree to be in.

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Reviews

[Shannon ♡ The Shann Theory · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

Actual Rating: 4.5

The Important Highlights
This is the first book in a series of summer themed standalones. It is available on Kindle Unlimited. The author has sign ups posted for book 2, Summer Hustle, on her IG.

My Unhinged and Messy Thoughts
Y’all the way I ATE THIS SHIT UP 🤯 I had a really hard time putting it down because it was like watching those binge worthy reality shows. The author did a fantastic job putting that vibe on paper without it just being a script. Seriously, so good. I loved the concept of the “show” but also the premise of why Sienna was on it. It was a great book!

In Conclusion
If you love trashy reality TV like Love Island or those old Tila Tequila shows, then this is absolutely for you!

[Athena 💗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a fun, spicy summer read! This is everything I want in a summertime romance. Summer Heat was just what it promises. It was fast paced, steamy, great chemistry, interesting characters that pop of the page, not shy on the drama to keep you turning the pages with a fun beachy setting. I love when an author’s writing is so natural it makes me forget I am reading. At first I was intimidated by its 615 pages but I flew through this so fast, I devoured it within 48 hours.
Brooke Straiton, you are officially on my radar. Keep these coming!

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Heat turned out to be so much more than I expected. I went into it anticipating a fun, dramatic reality TV romance packed with flirting and chaos, but I ended up getting an entertaining mix of suspense, humor, romance, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. 🌴🔥📺

At the center of the story is Sienna James, who immediately won me over. She's clever, determined, and quick on her feet, even when she's thrown into situations far outside her comfort zone. Watching her navigate a dating competition while secretly pursuing a much bigger objective added an extra layer of tension that kept me hooked. Every episode-style challenge and interaction felt like it could either help her mission or completely derail it. 🎭✨

And then there's Beck Wilder. 😍 From the moment he appeared on the page, it was obvious he was going to be trouble—in the best possible way. Beneath the confident, athletic exterior is a genuinely caring person, and I loved seeing those layers revealed over time. His connection with Sienna felt effortless. Their conversations sparkled with humor, sarcasm, and undeniable attraction, making them a couple I couldn't help but root for. ❤️🔥

One of my favorite aspects was how the romance complemented the larger storyline rather than overshadowing it. The growing feelings between Sienna and Beck only made the stakes feel higher, especially as secrets started coming to light and the danger surrounding Dominic Hale and his family became more apparent. The balance between romance and suspense was handled really well. 🕵️‍♀️💫

The reality show setting brought plenty of entertainment, giving off the kind of addictive dating-show energy that keeps you turning pages. There were moments that had me laughing out loud, others that made me swoon, and a few twists that genuinely caught me off guard. While the large cast occasionally made it challenging to keep track of everyone, the main characters stood out strongly enough that it never took away from my enjoyment. 🎬🍿

The chemistry throughout this book is fantastic, and the romantic tension is built beautifully. Combined with the fast-moving plot and witty dialogue, it made for a story that was incredibly easy to binge in just a few sittings. 📚✨

I also really enjoyed the author's writing style. The pacing rarely slows down, the emotional moments hit when they need to, and the ending leaves readers satisfied while still delivering plenty of excitement. 🌟

If you enjoy romantic suspense, reality TV drama, lovable characters, high-stakes secrets, and a romance packed with sparks, Summer Heat is definitely worth adding to your reading list. It was fun, addictive, and far more emotionally engaging than I expected. ☀️💕🔥

[Leslie Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to prepare for reading her third book that will be coming out shortly. Let me just say that I absolutely enjoyed the storytelling of this book. For me it was a solid 4.5 ⭐️ read with a 🌶️ level of 2.

This book gave me Miss Congenitally, The Bachelor and big brother vibes. I devoured this book completely. The absolutely mayhem of the book was giving. The characters of the book were on point. At one point I didn’t know who to root for. The yearning was amazing. This book is a must read for the summer. I will be reading more of this authors work.

[KGillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It gave me Miss Congeniality movie vibe which was great. I liked the different point of views and I liked how the book was written. Some parts were written like it was a tv show. I like the build up of the characters and how the main character changed over time. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend this book if you enjoyed Miss Congeniality movie.

I received a copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only

[Candy Galindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. it was exactly what I needed after some angsty reads. an undercover cop goes on a reality dating show and catches real feelings while doing her job. funny , snarky and very entertaining

[Linda Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Heat

This was such a fun book to read. The chemistry was hot, the romance kept.you reading to see who was manipulating who but the ending was unexpected and delightful. I feel anyone who likes romance with action & comedy will love this book.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives Ms. congeniality vibes. Easy ready- humor,romance,twists and all with an FBI agent.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read that is unlike any other story I have read, It was interesting to watch the characters develop. Might be interesting to pull some excerpts as examples when discussing the topic of psychology, especially media psychology, for college-level courses. There were a couple of typos here and there, but I found the book to be well-written overall. Would love to see where this author goes with future books. Definitely enjoyed reading this and will recommend it to my friends who are into this genre.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and steamy read! Summer Heat had me hooked from the start with its hilarious reality show setting, lovable characters, and just the right amount of spice. It’s the perfect mix of romance and comedy, with plenty of drama to keep things interesting. If you enjoy light-hearted love stories with a bit of heat, this one’s for you!

[Amanda Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this on KU and devoured it. I’m not even a reality-TV person, but the cast felt fun, not overwhelming, and the FMC/MMC were magnetic from page one. Enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers with delicious forced proximity, sharp banter, and swoony payoff. I genuinely wished I could read it again for the first time. Rating: 5/5 ⭐ | 4/5 🌶️

[Maggie Boudrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the funniest book I've read all year! This author manages to make sarcasm and catty competition seem fun while letting us fall in love with all the characters.
Absolutely a recommended read.

[Zinnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Heat by Brook Straiton is a fun, fast-paced romance that blends reality TV drama with suspense and sizzling chemistry. The love triangle, witty banter, and unexpected twists kept me hooked from start to finish. A steamy, entertaining read that delivers both heat and heart.

[MaLeaya Taboada · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Title: Summer Heat
✍️ Author: Brooke Straiton
🗓️ Release Date: May 28, 2025
📘 Format: Ebook (ARC) — provided by BooksGoSocial, NetGalley, and Brooke Straiton in exchange for an honest review.

⸻

🌟 Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

📝 Vibe Summary:
Think Love Island meets undercover suspense — packed with drama, heat, chemistry, and a high-stakes mission disguised as a reality dating show. Summer Heat brings the spice, the scandal, and the slow unraveling of something real beneath the sun-drenched chaos.

⸻

📖 Story Review:

Initial Impressions:
The cover of Summer Heat is subtle, not giving much away — but the blurb? Instant hook. A “hot reality dating show” setting plus an undercover cop storyline? Yes, please. For lovers of binge-worthy tropes and guilty-pleasure drama, this premise was irresistible.

Plot & Characters:
Sienna, an undercover officer embedded in the show to investigate a human trafficking ring, finds herself dangerously close to Dominic Hale — son of the empire’s suspected leader — and even closer to falling for him. The setup is clever, and the balance of tension, romance, and mystery had me turning pages at warp speed.

Sienna was a complex character — tough, smart, and understandably torn. Her decisions sometimes made me want to yell at my Kindle (in the best way), but that emotional pull kept me invested. Dom wasn’t quite the broody billionaire I expected — more approachable, sincere, and surprisingly grounded, which worked beautifully against the heat of the storyline.

And then there’s Beck. Sweet, loyal, patient Beck. The man deserved the world and yet kept getting sidelined. His emotional arc was one of my favorites — and the entire Logan situation? UNEXPECTEDLY ICONIC. Closet drama? Say less.

Spice Level:
This isn’t your “open-door every chapter” kind of smut, but don’t let that fool you — the spice is intentional. It reads exactly like you’re watching a steamy scene unfold on-screen, except you get full access to the characters’ thoughts. It adds a depth and emotional weight often missing in visual media. And yes… Chapter 72 will live rent-free in my head forever. I laughed, I reread it, I almost missed my son’s baseball game over it. No regrets.

Also — someone please explain the that one-night switch?? Still not over it. The mystery lives on. WHO DID IT?!?!

Favorite Quote:

“And then— I move.”
— Chapter 96 Wrecked

⸻

✅ Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. If you’re a fan of Love Island, Temptation Island, or any “can’t-look-away” dating show chaos — this book is for you. It’s got reality TV drama, layered suspense, complex emotional stakes, and enough steam to fog up your Kindle.

Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey’s spicy romcoms or Meghan Quinn’s high-drama romances with heart.

⸻

📝 Final Thoughts:
Summer Heat was a wild ride that I devoured in record time. It’s got everything — undercover missions, magnetic attraction, emotional conflict, and scenes that leave you cackling out loud. I’ve already pre-ordered the physical copy for my personal bookshelf — because this book earned it.

⸻

📣 Disclaimers & Tags:
• This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
• Content Warnings: human trafficking (non-graphic), sexual content, strong language, manipulation, jealousy, minor physical violence.

[Leslie Felger · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a fast paced, flirty read with some real emotional depth tucked under the surface, Summer Heat delivers on all fronts. I picked this up expecting a steamy, over the top reality show romp, but I was pleasantly surprised by how layered and engaging the plot turned out to be.

Sienna James is the perfect lead tough, smart, and completely out of her comfort zone as she fakes her way through a reality dating show to get close to Dominic Hale, the charming son of a potentially dangerous man. The stakes are high from the beginning, and I loved how the story balanced the glitzy world of reality TV with the darker, more suspenseful undertones of Sienna’s mission.

But let’s talk about Beck Wilder. Whew. He’s got that classic “arrogant jock with a secret heart of gold” thing going on, and somehow it never felt cliché. The banter between him and Sienna is electric, and their chemistry is off the charts. What I appreciated most was how the romance didn’t derail the mission plot it actually raised the stakes emotionally.

The twists were satisfying, the dialogue snappy, and the ending struck just the right balance of closure and heat. Definitely a spicy, entertaining read with a surprising emotional core. I’d recommend it to fans of romantic suspense who also love a bit of scandal, sexiness, and undercover intrigue.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a ridiculously fun read. I didn't have high hopes going into this but ended up reading it in one sitting.

It helped that the so-called villain wasn't terrible, in fact Dom was fairly sweet, the women were mostly supportive of each other and funny and the twist of having the undercover cop Sienna coming to terms with finding her inner hottie was also amusing. And the award for the best from left field character/character arc goes to Logan!!

I'm not a fan of the Bachelor series or it's spin off Bachelor in Paradise (which I guess is the sort of show that Summer Heat is spoofing) but have always enjoyed shows about the behind the scenes aspects of tv, like Unreal, so those glimpses into cranky producers, or silent meals were interesting to me. The amount of manipulation of the 'cast' was heartbreaking as we got to know and like them more. (Though I didn't understand why a scene between the crew getting goo-goo eyed over Sienna and Beck only to have it followed by the evening playing clips of everyone from the hidden cameras).

A perfect summer beach read.

[Flor Arasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible! Such a rush to read, I kept wanting to know what happened next while not wanting it to end. The first few pages I was afraid it was gonna put women against women or have pick me energy, given the nature of the show, but it was very well done, the girls had bonding moments as well as drama, the men were competing and simping over their women so hard, it was FUN to read.

I felt everything so intense, and my hopes were all over the place. I rooted for a character or couple and then they did something dumb or cruel and I was shook. It was really like watching a reality! Don’t want to spoil anything, but I’m so excited that I’ll have to read it twice before sending the review. Just know that every character was lovable even though they were all HOT MESSES (true on both accounts). We had love, chemistry, heartbreak, frenemies, and a wholesome subplot.

I received this ARC through NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’ll definitely be awaiting this author’s next book, her writing style is as addictive as Lola’s drinks!

[☾⋆⁺yuli₊˚⊹♡ R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review. Well, here it is:

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning. It was like I was watching a real show. The characters were very likable and had their own funny, unique personalities. Beck was my favorite from the start and really deserves love which he will get from Sienna. I just wish we would've seen what happened with Lauren and Cam. Cam was so funny, I loved his character. And Logan too he was the best. The whole cast was just perfect and the fact that Dom was willing to help Sienna with her mission was amazing. And the way Logan jumped in with no hesitation was perfect. And Derek being Beck's hype man was the best.

I loved when Beck and Sienna reunited, it was just what they needed. They really are endgame. And im so glad Rosie got to make an appearance, that was nice. Everything about this book was funny, sweet, and intriguing. I loved it!!

[Stephanie Routhier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 5/5


WOW.

Honestly i don’t have many words for this story. There were a LOT of characters, and i found myself drowning a bit to remember who each person was, but the SPICE. I loved the spice. It felt very jab like to Love Island, but in a fun and exciting way.

I LOVED Sienna as well. Very fun and witty, and she and Beck felt like a perfect match right from the very beginning!

I didn’t love the “normal selection behavior” wording. I’m aware that most reality tv shows are scripted to a point, but this kinda ruined some of the “reality tv show” setting we were supposed to be in.

Overall a great story, and i found myself giggling a lot, and definitely enjoyed the author’s style and hope to read some more!

Thanks to NetGalley for access to the ARC in exchange for this honest review!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the detailed introductions to the characters. Gives a clearer picture in my head of what they look like. Big Brother vibes. You can feel the tension. Beck is charming. Feels really drawn out. Logan definitely gives off Gold Retriever vibes. Lola terrifies him which is kind of endearing. Nina and Lauren are tough shells to crack but seem like they are waiting for someone to care enough to crack them. It was pretty comical everyone thinking they got drugged. Fairly certain it was Lola's fault. I feel bad for Beck being caught in Sienna's undercover web when she has to distance herself post-Heat Suites. I knew the Lola and Bailey drama would come to a head eventually. I guess I didn't expect them to get kicked off the show. I like how Sienna was honest with Dom and he and Logan helped her complete her mission.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Rounded Up

When I first got this from NetGalley (thank youuuu) I didn't realize it was previously a weekly chapter drop on Substack over the past year or so. It read perfectly fine but finding that out it did make more sense with the format.

I'm not a reality tv girly (besides the og Bachelor) but this plot was so much fun. I could actually picture everyone in this villa surrounded by camera's just trying to get by. The opening scenes very much gave Miss Congeniality which immediately hooked me. My only complaint is it wrapped up SO quickly. It was like the author ran out of time to release chapters and had to shove everything into just a couple.

A super fun, entertaining, page turner for summer!

[Pà · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really fun time. I liked the energy between the characters a lot. Sienna and Beck had great chemistry and made me smile more than once. Their banter felt natural and fresh. The writing was easy to read and I finished it super fast. The only thing that made me a little bit confused was that there were maybe too many characters, and with who was who. But nothing that ruined the experience. Overall, it kept my attention. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, like 20 pages in. I just can't. I'm convinced that if there was a way you could watch your brain cells, I would've seen mine all die while I was reading this book. And like fine, I shouldn't have expected too much from the actual content cause it literally says it's inspired by love island, which isn't exactly the most intellectually stimulating piece of media in the world, but the juvenile, 14-year-old-written-one-direction-fanfiction-esque writing really didn't help either. I'm not going to torture myself finishing this book, I have wayyyyy too many tbrs.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy Do · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

SPOILERS!!

I had so much fun reading this. I was reading this for the last month as I wait for actual episodes of Love Island came out and it got me through Wednesdays as they dragged on. (Give me more Love Island please! It’s an addiction)

The characters were fun but I couldn’t fully immerse myself into it. I wish we got more of the investigation itself and I thought the romance between Sienna and Beck was dragging. It felt too Insta love in my opinion. There was only tension because we were told there was tension. I found myself rooting for Dom the entire time, even when I knew she was going to pick Beck in the end.

[Aish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially with the new season of Love Island streaming right now, this was the perfect book to read right now - it felt exactly like watching a reality TV show. The confessionals, side conversations, texts and more heightened the reading experience. I could have done without Sienna's mission/backstory, it just felt like an afterthought. The romance between Beck and Sienna was the primary focus and I couldn't put this book down - 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Brooke Straiton, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.

#SummerHeatArealityshowromanticcomedywithspice #NetGalley

[Kelsey Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ✨ That was truly, utterly, hilariously unhinged. You can imagine how giddy my millennial ass was when I found out the plot was Miss Congeniality meets Bachelor in Paradise. The first 200 pages had me elated, but then the plot straight-up left the chat.
Mission—what? Missing girls—who?
Between the strip teases, makeout sessions, and a slutty Titanic moment, all semblance of a storyline yeeted itself off the page. I finished the book, and I won’t lie—I was entertained. But I won’t be seeking out more books in this series.
✨ Thanks to NetGalley and Brooke Straiton for the E-ARC! ✨

[pagesofzai · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was nothing like I’ve ever read before, the premise of the book is completely different to anything else and intrigued me. it was such a unique story and very entertaining, I liked a lot of the book, the aspects of confessionals and viewers reacting. Beck and Sienna had an undeniable connection, they were attracted from the moment they laid eyes on each other, they saw each other fully, and that was sweet to see. have to say i was rooting for Dom quite a bit but I do like Beck and Sienna together. it was an entertaining story and funny.
3.75/4⭐

[dainisecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reality romance with thrill and spice

Its different from things I have read in a good way. Its about a dating reality show on a tropical island. I dont watch the popular show out now. But after reading this book I want to!
Chapter 5 micro is so me... something i would say.
Its long.... not sure that's a good thing. But it keeps you entertained! Like binge watching a season.
I dont like they were drugged.
Takes too long to get to the spice. The spice is good. But I would like more.
Interested in season.... i mean book 2 lol

[the_99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I basically devoured this book. It had me hooked from the first page. It was smoking’ hot and all those other “hot” words. I could feel the chemistry between Sienna & Beck and I was rooting for them from start to finish. The only thing I disliked about this (hence the 4 stars) was “Public Viewers React”, I lost the story after that. I get why it was part of the story, but I don’t think it was necessary.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your ARC team for this story!

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I liked the premise: a spicy TV show mixed with an undercover mission and a love triangle.

The writing is very good! The author seems talented, but in my opinion, there were too many characters (and new ones being introduced all the time), very frequent POV changes, and very little plot. I have a feeling that I‘m not the ideal reader for this book, as I enjoy a typical romance with its usual structure and story beats, and max. two POVs.