SUMMIT One of them is hiding billions. The other is hiding bruises. But on the summit, it's hard to hide for long.
The Boss Christian T. Devereaux is tired of being seen as a bank account instead of a man. When his family buys a Montana ski resort, he’s happy to be the boots on the ground and take a break from his fast-paced New York City lifestyle. Only, instead of arriving in a suit, spouting orders, he arrives as "Talon," a seasonal worker looking for a fresh start. He wants a true picture of his investment—but he never expected the most valuable thing on the mountain to be the host with the haunted eyes.
The Host For twenty-two-year-old Zeke, every day is a performance. He’s the smiling face of the resort’s top restaurant, but behind the scenes, he’s just trying to survive. Trapped in a toxic relationship and living paycheck to paycheck, Zeke doesn’t have room for a distraction—especially not a sexy, kind-hearted newcomer who treats him like he matters.
The Risk Talon has the power to fix all of Zeke's problems with a single wire transfer. But Zeke doesn’t want charity, and he definitely doesn't want pity. He wants to be seen for who he is, not what he lacks. As the Montana winter grows colder and darker, the tension between them reaches a breaking point, and it’s a race to see whose truth will be revealed first. How do you save someone who refuses to be a victim? And how can Zeke trust a man who’s done nothing but lie since the day they met?
Cross-Class Romance Hurt/Comfort Boss x Employee Secret Identity
Summit is a steamy, slow-burn MM billionaire romance featuring a secret identity, a heart-of-gold hero, and a healing journey that proves love conquers all. Set against the snowy peaks of a Montana winter, it does end with an HEA.
TRIGGER WARNING: This book features on-page domestic violence (not between the MCs). If this is a triggering topic for you, please consider skipping this book.
Jillian lives in North Carolina with her incredibly supportive husband and three awesome stepkids. After over ten years in the healthcare industry, it was time to pursue a new passion. An avid reader her whole life, she sat down one night and let the words begin to flow. Four hours and ten thousand words later, a love of writing was discovered. She writes spicy, bingeable reads that encourage self-discovery and come with all the angst and excitement of a new relationship. When she isn’t reading or writing, you can either find her in her vegetable garden, at CrossFit™, or on a plane headed toward her next adventure.
what a disappointment 😩😩😩 i’m so so disappointed the third one was so good but just what was this no heart no plot no character development no good spice need i say more????? the only one i would read in this series is the third one and maaybeeee the second one skip the first and this one
I was gifted an ARC copy of this book, and overall, I really enjoyed it. It’s always difficult reading about a character trapped in an abusive relationship, and this story definitely hit hard at times. Zeke felt completely stuck in his toxic relationship with Derek, and it was equal parts heartbreaking and frustrating watching so many people try to help while he continued pushing them away. Derek was absolutely awful, and the way he manipulated, controlled, and abused Zeke made me so angry on Zeke’s behalf.
When Tal arrives at Summit Restaurant working undercover, he’s immediately drawn to Zeke, even while still thinking he’s straight. I really loved the way Tal cared for him from the very beginning. The small gestures — bringing him coffee and hot chocolate, checking in on him, quietly making sure he was okay — were honestly some of my favorite parts of the book. Even when Zeke struggled to accept help, Tal never stopped showing up for him, and it was really sweet to watch their connection slowly grow. They truly saw each other beyond all the pain and chaos surrounding Zeke’s relationship, even before Zeke knew the truth about Tal’s wealth and identity.
I was definitely relieved when Tal stepped in once everything finally came to a head with Derek and Zeke, though I do think the pacing made parts of the second half of the book feel a little rushed for me. The first half was such a strong slow burn filled with tension and suspense, especially surrounding what was going to happen with Derek, that I wanted a little more time spent unpacking some of the bigger conflicts later on. Conflicts like the power imbalance between Zeke/Tal, and the media/Derek, and the family pushback all seemed to appear and then be wrapped up so quickly. I also would have loved more development with Tal’s family, particularly the storyline involving Lukas.
That said, I really loved how certain Tal was about Zeke. Their chemistry was fantastic, the spice was swoony, and I loved watching Zeke slowly realize he deserved safety, love, and happiness. Eloise was another standout for me because of how genuinely caring and supportive she was toward Zeke. And as someone who loves a good happy ending, the final chapters and epilogue absolutely made me smile.
At its core, this was a really sweet and emotional love story about healing, learning to trust, and finding people who truly care about you. Zeke went through so much, and by the end I just wanted to give him the biggest hug.
If you love friends-to-lovers vibes, secret identity, age gap romance, bi awakening, protective MC's, and a beautiful HEA, you’ll definitely want to check this one out.
Fair warning because this book does get pretty graphic with the physical and emotional abuse.
Zeke seriously has not had an easy life. At 18, his mother leaves him to fend for himself, and he ends up living on the streets. That’s where Derek finds him and takes advantage of just how vulnerable he is. Zeke endures Derek’s abuse for four years, and even though his coworkers try to help him escape, he genuinely can’t see a way out.
Then Talon comes into his life, basically the complete opposite. Billionaire, loving family, supportive siblings (his sister Eloise was honestly the MVP of this book), but because of his money, Talon’s never really had someone love him for who he is. This man was an absolute green flag.
When his family buys Ricochet Ridge, Talon goes there anonymously and immediately becomes completely charmed by Zeke’s gorgeous cheekbones and slutty little glasses… while not fully putting 1 and 1 together right away 😉
Talon’s never been interested in men before, but after Zeke ends up in the hospital, he realizes very quickly that his feelings go way deeper than he expected.
One thing I really loved was how patient Talon was with Zeke. He never pushed him, always respected his boundaries, and genuinely just wanted him to heal and feel safe.
Zeke also never cared about Talon’s money, which made their relationship feel so genuine.
I also loved that Zeke still got to chase his theatre dreams and move to New York instead of giving everything up for the relationship. Talon wanted to give him the world while still letting him stay independent and become his own person.
3.75 ⭐️ I thought this was really good! The story kept a great pace, the blossoming love between the mmcs was so refreshing and sweet and realistic and I freaking loved how the author has depicted a victim being a survivor, because we don’t see that much. I will say the actual ending to the book was incredibly abrupt and not very good at allllllll, however, the extra bonus chapters wrapped it up quite nicely. It was a good mix of spice and plot too!!
This was a nice money/lack of romance. I use to watch undercover boss and this was everything I needed in a romance version. I loved the hurt comfort and actually wanting to do work. I loved the the protection. But also the sweetness. This a knew to me author but I would love to read more.
In the know: Dual POV No cheating No sharing No om/ow Needs diversity
1. Rip out your heart 2. Put it in a blender 3. Add lots of tears, a little cum and your favorite Harvard hoodie 4. Blend it up real good 5. Dump it all over your kindle
Maybe you can use some tape or something to put everything back together… idk. Or just read the epilogue like 17 times (that’s what did. It helped).
I think this is the book that finally broke me. And I’m COMPLETELY OBSESSED. I love the Ricochet Ridge series with my entire being. I have given all previous books 5-6 star masterpiece ratings… that being said, Summit has completely blown every other book out of the water. It’s by far my favorite (which is INSANE because they’re all so fucking amazing). I’m almost speechless. Maybe I’m just too overwhelmed by emotions to focus enough to write a review.
First, I wanna say, Summit was hard to read… I loved Zeke’s small moments in the other books and I was SO looking forward to his book. And now that I know what he was going through that whole time, I’m heartbroken and kind of sick. I just want him to have every single good thing from now until the end of time… In walks Talon, like, “hold my hot chocolate, I got this”. Everything about their relationship, from the very first meeting, was packed with emotion and depth and so much freaking love and caring and protectiveness. I was literally melting by the time Talon realized he had “more than friend” feelings for Zeke. All their little touches and hand holding was seriously better than sex, I could feel their emotion in my bones! THE CONSENT WAS EVERYTHING. The safety they experienced and the trust they had with each other was on another level (and that was before Zeke even knew who Talon really was!!) Talon was everything I could have ever hoped for Zeke to have. I could go on and on about the understanding and vulnerability and intensity between them.
I keep talking about Zeke and how he broke my heart, but Talons story was a sad one too. Never being able to have a REAL connection with someone because of who you are and what you have is devastating and so incredibly lonely. This entire book could have taken place with them just hugging and I would have been A-OK with it.
The age gap (22-32) was *chefs kiss*. The undercover (billionaire) boss x abused baby boy employee trope was TOP TIER. The bi awakening was EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE EVER HOPED FOR. And while the little touches were my bread and butter… the sexy times were SO GODDAMN SEXY.
I cried through most of this book… you probably will too. Just know, all the tears and pain are worth it to reach the ending.
“I fell in love with Talon long before I knew who he was, and I'm sure it's hard to believe, but I'd love him just the same if his net worth was as low as mine. People see him for his wallet, but I see his heart, and I'm not willing to walk away from that unless he tells me to go. So, with all due respect, you can keep your money, because the way I feel about Talon is worth more than your entire empire."
All of the books in the Ricochet Ridge series are so good, but this is the heaviest book by far. The other have dealt with some serious topics but this was the hardest emotionally to read. Zeke we have met in the previous books so we know that something is up with him and it is all reveled in this book he feels like he is trapped in an abusive relationship with his boyfriend. He had a super challenging childhood and did not have a lot of options on where to live so he just stayed. Plus there is a lot of manipulation and controlling. I feel that this is so well written because even though it is hard to read and you feel all of the emotion it is sort of like a fade to black for the really horrible parts. I would caution people to read trigger warning but there is such a good payoff at the other end of the book.
Talon arrives in Ricochet Ridge (which his family now owns) like a Boss undercover. He meets Zeke and is just drawn to him. At first he doesn't really know why he is straight and on paper they don't have that much in common, but he is. Tal is constantly trying to feed, provide and protect Zeke all while finding excuses to spend time with him.
I loved how their relationship evolved and how Talon realized that he was attracted to Zeke. But the best part is how Zeke blossomed with Talon's care and love. They had some hurdles to overcome mostly emotional but the communication in this book is so sexy - yes sexy.
Jillian will be an auto read author for me from now on.
Wow..we've reached the end of the Ricochet Ridge series and what a finale it was. I will say check the TW for this one because its an emotional and triggering one. This one plays on your heart strings; it made me want to cry, scream and jump in the book to protect Zeke from the awful situation he found himself in. But I didn't have to because Talon had it under control from day one! Both of these guys have their own trama to work through; one wanting to be loved and wanted for more then his name and money and the other just wants to survive and achieve his dreams without owing anyone his body (mentally/physically). I loved how Talon stepped in from day one to protect Zeke, even though Zeke fought him on it in the beginning, Talon never gave up on him though. And through all of their struggles they fought together for thier happy ending. This was a great ending to this series and I can't wait to see what @jillianwray has in store for us next!
What a finale! I'm sad we're leaving Ricochet Ridge, but excited for what's next! I just fell in love with Talon & Zeke in this one. It was definitely more emotional than the previous installments and a lot lighter on the angst. This one was slow-burn and sweet. I loved how patient and protective Talon was and how Zeke was so fiercely independent. I felt so bad for him and loved that he got the chance to heal. Both boys had a bit of trauma to work through, but I loved how they did it together. It was great how Talon allowed Zeke to be independent, while still helping him achieve his dreams - it was the perfect mix. There wasn't as much Ricochet Ridge in this one, but it worked. I know who's coming up next and I'm so excited to get to Boston. :)
I am officially obsessed with this series. Summit is easily one of my new favorites, and I couldn't put it down. If you’re looking for a book that balances a fun and unique atmosphere with amazing character development, this is it. The setting is one of my favorites, I absolutely loved that the story takes place at a resort tucked away on a mountain. The backstories for both MMCs were so well-crafted. I felt equally invested in Zekes past and trauma, and how Talon took care of and protected him. Watching their romance blossom against a dramatic plot and, snowy backdrop was perfection. I also loved the parts set in New York City. The transition between the fast paced, high pressure energy of the city and the serene, atmospheric mountain resort created an amazing dichotomy. It really highlighted how much these characters were evolving throughout the journey. If you haven’t started this series yet, consider this your sign to pick it up. It’s amazing, free great spice, emotional, and everything I want in a contemporary romance. Highly recommend!
Thank you for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion.
4 stars. This was really good. I love a rich-poor dynamic between main characters. The class imbalance can be hard to navigate, but it was well-executed here. I love how protective Talon was over Zeke, and how much he loved him. Even when it was platonic at first, you could tell he cared deeply. This had just enough angst to balance out the fluff. I skipped the 3rd book because I wasn’t interested in the tropes, but this was better than books 1 and 2.
I loved the first half of this book. The character setup was great, and I was really invested in Zeke’s story and everything he’d been through.
But after the attack, the pacing completely lost me.
Zeke spent years being controlled and manipulated by his ex. He was physically assaulted, hospitalized, and required surgery. Yet almost immediately afterward, he jumps into a relationship with Talon with very little hesitation, no therapy, no victim support, and seemingly no concern about how all that trauma might affect him.
What gave me whiplash was how quickly some of his core struggles seemed to disappear. One minute he won’t even let someone buy him a coffee because he’s so fiercely independent, and the next he’s comfortable accepting significant help. He goes from years of sexual manipulation to having sex with very little internal conflict, fear, or trust-building process. After everything he’d experienced, I expected more barriers, more PTSD symptoms, and more exploration of what recovery actually looks like.
The only area where we really see lasting hesitation is his fear of getting back on stage, which made perfect sense. But considering he’d spent four years living under abuse and control, it felt strange that rebuilding trust and entering a new relationship seemed comparatively easy.
And look, I completely understand the appeal of a man in grey sweatpants and a black Henley with the sleeves pushed up, but I don’t think that’s enough to undo years of trauma in a week.
I still enjoyed the book and loved the other books in the series, but the way Zeke’s recovery was handled felt rushed and took me out of the story
This has absolutely no business making me cry the way that it did, omgg, I just wanted to give Zeke the biggest hug, and I'm so, so glad he found his person in Christian/Talon. In fact, they both did because Talon, who is from a wealthy background hasn't found someone who is genuinely interested in him, and not his wealth or status, and Zeke care about none of that.
I absolutely loved the secret identity/bi-awakening that this had, because it felt so natural and wasn't forced either. Talon and Zeke's connection was instantaneous and electric; I ate up all their tender moments together.
This was quite heavy, as Zeke is in an abusive relationship and a domestic abuse survivor also, and he hasn't had the easiest starts in life, to which how his abusive relationship came to be.
This was also my first book by Jillian Wray, and I had such a great time with Summit, and I'll be checking out the rest of her books, too.
Thank you to the Author Agency for the review copy of Summit, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I received this E-book ARC edition of the novel from The Author Agency at the instruction of the author’s request in exchange for an honest review. It is Available NOW on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. https://www.amazon.com/B0GDJDTR3B
This is a 310-page Fast Paced Class Difference, Hurt/Comfort, Secret Identity, WorkPlace MM Romance. This is the fourth book in the Ricochet Ridge series and can be read as a Standalone. Please see Content Warnings before starting if you are sensitive to DV, and Grape.
Written in alternating chapters dual first person POV, this was by far my favorite book of the four-book series. We met Zeke in the first three books when he pops up for a split second here or there. We got some details about him from other characters’ knowledge, but it’s not until now that we learn HOW BAD it truly is. Zeke has been working as a Host at Summit for a while, the high-end restaurant at the top of the mountain at Ricochet Ridge Resort. Everyone that works there knows him, and most or protective of him because they know some details about what is happening to him or they get the sense something is up. Talon, the new owner appears as a “NEW” employee undercover, to get to know everyone, and get their thoughts on how everything has been running with the company so if changes can be made, they will be done.
Talons’ first stop is Summit where he meets Zeke and there is this instant connection, which confuses Talon because he is straight and it scares Zeke because he is in a relationship with another guy who is jealous to the bones, and abusive in all areas. Talon can sense something with Zeke and gets a good read on him and takes it upon himself to care and support him if and when he can. When the real issue comes out, Talon’s heckles flare. From there, their trajectory is all about healing, and how the right support from the right person when given is stronger than any abuse that someone may have gone through.
This story was a real gut punch. I will start with that. I knew going into it that it could be graphic, and it was. It is not often authors take the chance to show domestic abuse on page, as it’s a risky and taboo move that readers tend to shy away from either because of their own past or because readers want a fluffier plot. I fully respect Jillian D. Wray’s writing in Summit. She used so much care in writing Zeke’s life and all he went through and authentically showed want actually does happen to some of us when we are desperate to survive.
The spice had to get creative. I didn’t even know if we were going to get any to be honest. If we hadn’t gotten any, I would have been completely fine with that as healing from a physically traumatic past can take a lot of time! But the one thing that was made clear from the very beginning is that Zeke is strong beyond what anyone would ever expect him to be, and Talon’s care and support fueled his strength. Zeke’s realistic hesitation with intimacy was always going to be a given, and Jillian wrote it so well!
The ensemble! We get to see some of the Summit’s employees from other books that were there in passing. There was only one little peek at past characters crossing over into this book, practically a blink and you miss it moment. We see Zeke’s homelife and his abuser, their ‘relationship’ and I use that word very loosely. We see Talon and his very close relationship with his family, and how different they are compared to Zeke and his background. Talon’s family has a got section in there that added some needed interaction with other characters as this story is very MC centric. They are so important to Talon and vis-versa so being there for the climax of their story was essential to their trajectory.
This is my favorite out of all four Ricochet Ridge novels by far, not saying the others weren’t awesome, but this story really hit the mark for me. The feelings, emotions and trauma can be felt in your fingertips while holding the book. Obviously, please care for yourself and check the content warnings, as this does get a little graphic. I can’t wait to see where Jillian takes us next with the spin-off series she has planned!
At this point, everyone knows how I feel about Jillian Wray. Hands down, she will always be one of my auto buy authors. If she writes it, I'm buying it.
Summit is the fourth book in the Ricochet Ridge series, and this one absolutely blew the rest out of the water. Period. Full stop.
This book feels different from many of her previous stories. It explores much darker themes, and the way those themes were handled was exceptional. You could feel the care, respect, and thoughtfulness Jillian put into every aspect of the story. The situations portrayed were intense, but they were approached with such sensitivity and authenticity from both main characters' perspectives.
Zeke has held a special place in my heart since the very beginning. He's been part of this series since book one, but we've only ever gotten pieces of him, small glimpses behind the walls he's built around himself. Finally getting his story was everything I hoped for and more. Watching him work through his trauma was powerful, but what made it even more impactful was seeing him choose healing. He fought for himself, did the hard work, and found the courage to believe he deserved more from life. Seeing that growth in a character you've followed for multiple books was incredibly rewarding.
And then there's Talon.
Before he even fully understood why he felt so compelled to protect Zeke, he was already showing exactly who he was at his core, a genuinely good man. His kindness, patience, and protective nature radiated off the pages. What I loved most was how his protectiveness never crossed into unhealthy territory. In romance, possessiveness can often be portrayed as a red flag, but Talon's devotion came from a place of love, respect, and genuine care. It was refreshing and beautiful to see that kind of dynamic portrayed in such a healthy way.
Watching these two find their happily ever after was one of the most fulfilling reading experiences I've had in a long time. Zeke deserves the entire world, and all Talon wants is to give him exactly that while still respecting his boundaries and supporting his healing journey. Their relationship is built on communication, trust, patience, and mutual respect, and that foundation shines throughout the entire book.
I truly cannot say enough amazing things about this story.
Jillian Wray has an incredible ability to fully embody her characters and pull readers directly into their experiences. You don't just read about what these characters are going through—you feel it alongside them. The way she handled domestic violence in this book was particularly impactful. She showed both the internal and external realities of abuse with honesty and care. The story never shied away from the damage that abuse causes, but it also didn't rely on graphic depictions to convey its seriousness. Instead, it focused on the emotional reality, the healing process, and the lasting impact trauma can have on someone's life.
What made this book stand out even more was its emphasis on healing. Therapy, healthy communication, boundaries, respect, and supportive relationships were all woven naturally into the story. It demonstrated what recovery can look like while still delivering an emotional, engaging romance. That balance is incredibly difficult to achieve, and Jillian executed it beautifully. This book was stunning, emotional, and unforgettable.
I cannot wait to see what's next from this author. And when I got to the end and saw the preorder link for her next book? You better believe I clicked that button immediately.
This book absolutely shattered my heart and then stitched it back together so gently that I’m still emotional about it. ❤️🩹🏔️
Summit is one of those stories that feels heavy and healing at the exact same time. It deals with extremely difficult topics; abusive relationships, domestic violence, manipulation, sexual assault, trauma recovery; and it handles them with so much care, honesty, and compassion. Please check trigger warnings before reading because this book does not shy away from how devastating abuse can be. 🥺
But underneath all of that pain is such a beautiful story about safety, trust, healing, and learning that you deserve to be loved gently. 🤍
Zeke absolutely broke me.
He’s the kind of character who keeps smiling through unimaginable pain because survival has taught him that falling apart isn’t an option. Watching him navigate an abusive relationship while trying to convince himself everything was “fine” was heartbreaking in such a real way. The way abuse isolates him, exhausts him, and slowly chips away at his sense of self was written SO well. 💔
And Talon?? Oh my god. The GREENEST flag. 💚😭
I loved that Tal wasn’t written as some overbearing savior character. He doesn’t try to “fix” Zeke. He just shows up for him over and over again in small, gentle, consistent ways.
The coffee. The hot chocolate. Checking in quietly. Giving Zeke space while still making sure he knows someone cares. 🥺
Those moments honestly hit me harder than the big dramatic scenes sometimes.
Their relationship develops so naturally too. This isn’t insta-love or over-the-top drama. It’s two people slowly learning how to trust each other while carrying completely different kinds of emotional baggage.
And the COMMUNICATION?? 😭👏🏼 Actual mature conversations. Immediate honesty. Respect for boundaries. Consent. Patience. Understanding.
It was honestly refreshing.
Talon’s patience with Zeke, especially considering everything Zeke had been through, was handled beautifully. He never pressures him, never makes him feel broken, and never punishes him for struggling. He just keeps reminding Zeke that he deserves safety and softness and love. 🫠❤️🩹
I also really appreciated that the story acknowledged the complicated realities of abusive relationships instead of simplifying them. Abuse isn’t easy to leave. Trauma changes the way people think, survive, and cope, and I thought the book portrayed that really thoughtfully.
And once Zeke finally starts allowing himself to believe he deserves happiness?? Yeah. Emotional damage. 😭
I also loved Tal’s family and the overall warmth surrounding the second half of the book. After so much darkness, seeing Zeke slowly surrounded by people who genuinely care about him felt incredibly healing.
This book gave me: ❤️🩹 healing after abuse 🏔️ emotional slow burn 💚 green flag MMC 🤍 hurt/comfort ☕ quiet acts of love 😭 emotional healing & recovery ✨ healthy communication 🫶 found family vibes
It hurt. A LOT. But it was also incredibly comforting in a way I wasn’t expecting.
If you want a deeply emotional romance that balances heartbreak with genuine healing and softness, this one is absolutely worth reading. 🤍
Tropes: ❄️MM Romance ❄️Age Gap (32-22) ❄️Bi-Awakening ❄️Small Town ❄️Boss x Employee ❄️Rich x Poor ❄️Hurt/Comfort ❄️Healing for both
Talon Devereaux is the new owner of the Ricochet Ridge ski resort. Coming from NYC and being a billionaire, he feels lonely and didn't even realize it because he was surrounded by people who paid attention to him for his money. Zeke Hastings is one of the hosts of Summit, the elite restaurant at the top of the mountain. He was homeless at 18 and accepted an unhealthy situation with a man to be able to pay the bills. Four years later, he’s still in that abusive relationship and quietly suffering from domestic violence.
When Talon's parents buy the resort, he moves there to help with the transition and make the necessary changes. What he wasn't expecting was to meet Zeke, a young man who rocked his world being quiet, reserved, and visibly unhappy, and mostly isn’t interested in Talon's money.
And then Zeke is violently attacked by his boyfriend (please check your TW), and it’s Talon who stays by his side day and night. And there and then a love emerges from an unexpected connection.
But it is NYC, the city that is like a dream to Zeke (who aspires to be a Broadway actor), that welcomes them with open arms to another step towards their earned HEA.
This is the final book in this series dedicated to a cold mountain that welcomes warm and hot love. And the final book is about the power of healing, learning to trust, and finding people who truly love you for you.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for this ARC.
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some of my favorite quotes: ❄️ Talon is like the sun, and even looking at him increases my internal temperature. ❄️ "You're from New York? Like the city?" "Like the city." "God, that's my dream. I've never been outside of Montana, but I swear I'll get there one day." ❄️ I don't really know what I want other than a partner who loves me for me. ❄️ There's so much he says without words, and so much I think he wishes he had words for. ❄️ "Oh, please. You getting me liquored up and trying to take advantage of me would be the highlight of my year." ❄️ "I just know the price I'll pay for the so-called help I need. I figure why trade one devil for another, you know?" ❄️ I'm one of the wealthiest bachelors in New York. There are societal expectations of me, as well as familial obligations, and the feelings I have for Zeke don't fit either of those things. ❄️ "Because I see you, and you're the first person I've met who sees me," I whisper. ❄️ "And it would be great if maybe you could make me not like you so much." ❄️ "Maybe I'm not as straight as I once thought," he says quietly. ❄️ " I can no longer pretend that everything I feel for you is platonic." ❄️ "You deserve the world, Zeke. And I want to give it to you." ❄️
“Because I see you, and you’re the first person I’ve met who sees me.”
Zeke's got a hard life and stuck in a toxic and abusive relationship. He met newbie, Tal, and worked alongside him but what he didn't know is that Tal's the new owner of Ricochet Ridge. As they formed friendship and more, they need to learn if their connection is worth it.
I did not know that this is the last book in the series! I'm gonna miss this place.
First off, I know this book gonna make me feel things. I met Zeke in the second book (because I didn't read book 1 lol), and it was hinted that he's in an abusive relationship, and I am looking forward to him getting his own happy ever after. It was def worth the wait.
I love Zeke, he's done things he's not proud of to survive but that's the thing, he's a survivor. He's resilient, he's a good person that dealt with a shtty situation which made my heart broke for him. Tal, on the otherhand, lived a life of priviledge which he did acknowledged and I appreciate that. He got lucky with a supportive support system with loving parents and caring siblings, and on top of that, they are rich rich. With that comes the battle of people getting to know him knowing his net worth so he didn't really maintain genuine connection which he want.
“Ten minutes ago, I was ready to burn the world down to protect you. One minute ago, you reminded me that as long as we’re together, the world can burn eternally. And now I want to be yours again in that way we discovered last night.”
Let me preface, I wished I could go inside the book and just kick the heck out of the abusive bf because he's a scum of this planet. Now I got that out of the way, the main characters' friendship turned out to be rocky and tentative right from the start considering Zeke had this abusive boyfriend. He's this constant storm cloud looming over them but that doesn't stop them from showing up for each other with little things.
They were put in this situation that made their relationship felt rushed. I did appreciate that they communicate, they were adults about the whole situation and knows the difference power dynamics and class difference they had. I appreciate the author taking care of how the entire situation was handled. It was with caution and grace. I'm gonna miss them.
I wished we had some kind of a reunion where characters from the previous book showed up, but alas. I'm gonna miss them.
I will be keeping an eye out for the next Jillian D. Wray book!
I almost didn't finish this because of the BOREDOM!!!
Main issue: I do not expect a romance book to have on screen graphic domestic abuse. I know it's technically in the warnings, but ive never read a scene this graphic in a book like this lol. But that's my fault.
Boring characters, plot, setting, romance. I wouldve liked talon if his name wasn't talon (like???????) (he was genuinely a sweet guy, though a bit too much book-fantasy perfect).
Overall, I don't think this is like, super bad. I didn't like the writing, but it wasnt particularly bad (except the dialoges; they were ridiculous). Overall it wasn't bad, just boring.
Some line-specific thoughts/notes: Ch18: why would he not have his car?? Just replace those tires and it's still fine. Steal the carkeys or whatever. Ch21: I have quote this directly because this is insane. ".... Michelle has this whole plan to drug herself, blame me and take my family to court, knowing we'd most likely want to settle before word got to the press." Surely there's a better way to show how he's been used for money than to make up a story about false accusations????? Knowing how rare they are and how every victim of a famous person is accused of falsely accusing him???? Bro whatt Ch22: yeah the guy who just got out of a four year abusive relationship is thinking "talon has the power to fire me [...]. But I also know that he would never use his power against me like that,[...]" The DA is mor graphic than I expected, but it still feels like it's consequences on the Human mind are overlooked in this. I'm glad this is not a whump, I don't want to read that, I'm trying to read romance, but if you're not going to actually show the consequences of DA beyond the physical (and some things he explicitly says) I think you should just. Not include it at all. Or make it a thing of a more distant past. Ch31: >"And you don't think that maybe this gu, who has nothing, is trying to get close to one of the richest men in the country for something other than love?" "I have never thought my own brother would say I'm not worthy of being loved beyond my money." (This is fine; I thought talon is joking around in response to lukes more serious question) "That's not what I said." "It's what you implied."< THATS NOT WHAT HE IMPLIED AT ALL these dialogues are so bad Ch37: I would low-key leave my boyfriend of two weeks for two million dollars lmao Also if I was Lukas I'd take that to the graveee why is everyone making stupid decisions But at least dahlia is not the big bad villain
Summit is, without a doubt, my favourite book in the series—and honestly one of my favourite MM romances I’ve ever read. It’s a rare 6/5 for me.
What made this book stand out wasn’t huge twists or endless drama, but the relationship itself. Zeke’s character development was beautifully written. Watching him slowly confront and overcome the trauma that had shaped so much of his life felt incredibly authentic. His healing wasn’t rushed or magically fixed by love; it happened gradually, with setbacks, small victories, and the support of someone who never made him feel like he had to earn affection.
Talon completely stole my heart. From the very beginning, there was never any doubt about how he felt about Zeke. He loved him wholeheartedly, without games, mixed signals or unnecessary angst. So many romances rely on miscommunication or one character constantly questioning the other’s feelings, but Summit never needed that. Talon showed his love through countless little actions as much as his words, and those quiet moments often meant more than the big romantic gestures.
The chemistry between them was incredible, but it was the emotional intimacy that really made this book special. Their relationship felt like a genuine partnership where they protected each other, supported each other and allowed one another to be vulnerable. Seeing Zeke gradually realise he deserved that kind of unconditional love made every chapter rewarding.
One of my favourite things about the book was that the conflict came from real life and past trauma rather than the relationship itself. Talon and Zeke were always on the same team, facing problems together instead of constantly fighting each other. That made the romance feel comforting without ever becoming boring.
Jillian D. Wray also created a cast of characters and a setting that felt like coming home. Returning to the mountain resort and seeing familiar faces again only added to the experience, making the world feel lived in and connected.
I genuinely finished this book wishing I could erase my memory just so I could experience it for the first time all over again. I started this series convinced nothing could ever top Meltdown, yet somehow Summit managed to do exactly that. It gave me everything I love in a romance: emotional growth, unwavering devotion, believable healing, incredible chemistry, and two characters I couldn’t stop rooting for. It’s the kind of book that reminds me exactly why I love reading MM romance in the first place
I am actually obsessed with Talon and Zeke. ❄️🏔️ This book wrapped me up in a giant snowy blanket of hurt/comfort, longing, healing, and soft devastating love and I never wanted to leave that mountain.
Summit was the kind of slow burn that HURTS in the best possible way. Every glance, every tiny act of kindness, every moment Talon looked at Zeke like he was something precious instead of broken had my chest tightening. Their chemistry wasn’t just hot, it was emotional. The yearning in this book could probably power the entire ski resort.
Zeke absolutely shattered me. Behind all the smiles and perfect host energy was someone barely holding himself together and my heart broke for him over and over again. You could feel how exhausted he was from surviving all the time. And then Talon comes in with his giant heart, quiet patience, and “I see you” energy and suddenly I was crying at 2am over fictional men again. Fantastic.
And TALON??? Christian “Talon” Devereaux was everything. Billionaire romance heroes can sometimes feel cold or over the top, but he felt genuinely kind. Protective without being controlling, rich without acting untouchable, and completely gone for Zeke from the start. The secret identity trope was SO good here because you could feel the tension building every second he kept the truth hidden. I was simultaneously screaming “tell him!!” and “wait no I need more tension first!!”
The Montana winter setting was perfection too. Snowstorms, cozy resort vibes, late night conversations, stolen moments, emotional vulnerability simmering under layers of ice and flannel… this book felt cinematic in the best way. Like a warm drink in freezing weather except the drink is filled with emotional damage. ☕❄️
What I loved most was how carefully this story handled healing. Zeke never felt reduced to what happened to him. His strength felt raw and real, and Talon never tried to “save” him in a cheesy way. He just stood beside him, loved him, and gave him space to choose himself. It made the romance feel so much deeper.
I devoured this book. Stayed up way too late. Cried multiple times. Smiled like an idiot constantly. Talon and Zeke own a permanent ski lodge-shaped corner of my heart now. Five massive stars. 💙🏔️✨
Intro: This book is an MM romance between Talon, the secret new co-owner of Ricochet Ridge and Zeke, an employee at Summit stuck in an abusive relationship
Tropes/Highlights: -Dual POV -MM -Open Door -Age Gap -Different Tax Brackets -Hurt/Comfort -Boss/Employee -Secret Identity -Sexual Awakening -HEA
Likes: -Consent kings -Talon's heart -Mature communication without being over communicative -Check-ins -Consideration of trauma -Character development -Quiet acts of love -Supportive sibling -Playful banter -Daily drink deliveries
Quotes: -"It hurts like hell that the one person I want to give the world to is the only person who refuses to take it" -"I don't want to save everyone, I want to save him" -"He just needs one fucking person in his corner...and I want to be that person" -"Because I see you, and you're the first person I've met who sees me" -"I swear the man is going to kill me with his adorable, incessant need to feed me" -"Every time I don't go after what I want because I fear the reaction, whether it be mine or someone else's, I add another bar to my jail cell" -"I'd take a bullet for my brother, but I'd pull the trigger for Zeke"
This is the fourth and final book in the Ricochet Ridge series and I love it just like the others. Summit has darker themes than the first three books, but it is so heartfelt and is a bittersweet ending to such an amazing series. I love Talon's heart of gold, his compassion and the care he showers Zeke with, he makes sure Zeke wants for nothing and that includes love. Zeke has so much trauma to work through and it was heartbreaking to see what he went through, just trying to survive. Zeke is strong, he's brave and once he starts to put everything behind him and move forward, it's the sweetest thing. Summit is a story about savoring the highest highs and overcoming the lowest lows. I recommend this book if you are looking for two sweet characters who bring their own sets of baggage, but who are willing to push past everything to be together, reputations be damned. Please read the trigger warnings if you have triggers and have a tissue box close by.
“Because I see you, and you’re the first person I’ve met who sees me,”
Oh, I don’t even know where to start with this one, definitely my so very favourite in the series 🥹 It’s been a while since I’ve literally inhaled a book, and I mean, I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t expect to be so emotional, in the best way.
It handles some really heavy topics: abusive relationship, domestic violence, sexual assault. So please be careful with this and also, because I’ve seen some comments about how Zeke should have walked away from the abusive relationship - please, don’t do victim blaming 🙏🏻
I loved both Zeke and Talon so much 🤍 Zeke is such a strong, sweet and pure person, which really is amazing considering the life he had. My heart was breaking for him the entire time 💔 And Talon, the greenest of all green flags 💚 Which is also a pleasant surprise, considering his background. And I know we all love our fictional men morally grey, but this is a different kind of story, and I wouldn’t change a thing about both of them.
“You give me more credit than I deserve, Talon,” he whispers. “You deserve the world, Zeke. And I want to give it to you.”
It is such a beautiful story of healing. Like picture-perfect scenario of recovering from the abusive relationship and trauma. Communication was simply chef’s kiss! 🤌 Both Zeke and Talon addressed all of their concerns instantly, their honesty, consideration and acceptance were like a balm to the heart. Total consent, Talon’s incredible patience and Zeke’s will to heal and move on were so beautifully done 🤍
We have a beautiful slowish burn here, and considering all heavy topics, the chemistry between Zeke and Talon was off the charts. Their relationship grew so naturally, there was no unnecessary drama and all the actions made sense. I also loved the support of Talon’s family and by the way, the female representation here is really good!
Loved it, zero complaints, heavy, but so very soothing and healing at the same time ❤️🩹 Thank you so much to TAA and Jillian Wray for this ARC ❣️
I’m truly so sad about this. I was looking forward to the last book from this series because I’ve loved the other books so much I had high hopes for this one.
I couldn’t stand Zeke, he has such a bad life and circumstances but still his reasons for staying were idiotic and suicidal. Maybe I lack empathy for him and that’s my issue, but you mean to tell me you’re being abused, given a “free” out and still decide to stay with said abuser? And even after almost getting killed, you don’t want to press charges?! Be for real. Also, his whole attitude thing was meh, he’s cold and rude sometimes and then asks Eloise, a virtual stranger to help him dress at the hospital…not the guy who you’ve known for months?
And said guy, Talon…my guy what the fuck? His intro to the reader was already awful, he’s thirty but acts sixteen. His “heart of gold” shows up buy knowing the employee’s names and little things about them, and his instant fixation on Zeke was so random. Also, his approach to his sexuality was so centered on what Zeke wanted it felt removed from Talon’s actual wants and self discovery.
The pacing was wild, their romance moved at hyper speed and the chemistry for the spice was just not there. I’m shocked because Jillian gives is layered characters that connect with one another both emotionally and physically, but it didn’t work on this book.
Oh and what really ticked me? The fucking conclusion to the brother debacle…you mean to tell me he gets by with a “yeah, so I was being mean on purpose but it’s not my fault” bullshit apology? Nah. Both Talon and Zeke, not to mention Talon’s family should have said or done something to hit home how fucked up what the brother did was. IF he had a redemption arc, he didn’t deserve an easy and fast one.
This being said, I want to reiterate that I loved this series…one, two and three lol. And I’m excited learning that we are getting a Logan x Chase spin off and hopefully more in Boston Med!!
Omg. Talon is such a green flag! And my baby Zeke…..he deserves the world. These two together are what happens when you see someone for who they are on the inside, and realize what they need.
One of them is hiding billions. The other is hiding bruises. But on the summit, it's hard to hide for long.
The Boss Christian T. Devereaux is tired of being seen as a bank account instead of a man. When his family buys a Montana ski resort, he’s happy to be the boots on the ground and take a break from his fast-paced New York City lifestyle. Only, instead of arriving in a suit, spouting orders, he arrives as "Talon," a seasonal worker looking for a fresh start. He wants a true picture of his investment—but he never expected the most valuable thing on the mountain to be the host with the haunted eyes.
The Host For twenty-two-year-old Zeke, every day is a performance. He’s the smiling face of the resort’s top restaurant, but behind the scenes, he’s just trying to survive. Trapped in a toxic relationship and living paycheck to paycheck, Zeke doesn’t have room for a distraction—especially not a sexy, kind-hearted newcomer who treats him like he matters.
The Risk Talon has the power to fix all of Zeke's problems with a single wire transfer. But Zeke doesn’t want charity, and he definitely doesn't want pity. He wants to be seen for who he is, not what he lacks. As the Montana winter grows colder and darker, the tension between them reaches a breaking point, and it’s a race to see whose truth will be revealed first. How do you save someone who refuses to be a victim? And how can Zeke trust a man who’s done nothing but lie since the day they met? Summit is a steamy, slow-burn MM billionaire romance featuring a secret identity, a heart-of- gold hero, and a healing journey that proves love conquers all. Set against the snowy peaks of a Montana winter, it does end with an HEA.
TRIGGER WARNING: This book features on-page domestic violence (not between the MCs). If this is a triggering topic for you, please consider skipping this book.
I fell in love with this series from the very first book, and with every new release, Jillian continues to deliver another unforgettable story.🩵
What I love most about the Ricochet Ridge series is that every book works perfectly as a standalone. Each story features different characters, different tropes, and different journeys, and they are all written with so much heart and emotion.
Zeke works at Summit, the high end restaurant at the top of the Ricochet Ridge ski resort. He comes from nothing, and at his lowest point, he met Derek ,a man who promised him a roof over his head and love, but only under certain conditions. Zeke isn’t happy. He’s controlled, manipulated, and treated terribly, yet he feels trapped and unable to leave.
Talon, on the other hand, has more money than he could ever spend. His family owns a successful property business and has recently purchased Ricochet Ridge. To truly understand the resort and how it operates, Talon decides to work there undercover. He doesn’t want anyone treating him differently because of his wealth.
And then he meets Zeke.🩵
Skinny, broken, and emotionally drained, Zeke immediately catches Talon’s attention. Talon can see that something is wrong, no matter how hard Zeke tries to hide it behind a smile.
As their friendship grows, Talon realizes he wants to protect and help Zeke. At the same time, he begins developing feelings he never expected to have, after always believing he wasn’t attracted to men.🥹
But nothing is ever that simple.
Zeke already has a boyfriend. And Talon is hiding a major secret of his own.
This story was so beautiful. I loved the way Talon helped Zeke see that he wasn’t broken, weak, or a victim of his past. He showed him that he was strong, worthy of love, and capable of finding happiness again.🩷
this book is about healing after pain, learning to trust again, and discovering that your past does not define you. The romance is emotional, tender, and the spice is both passionate and beautifully intimate.🥵🩵