He called me mediocre. Now he’s the one chasing me. Literally.
Everything about Zach Fitzgerald should make me want to run.
He deals in million-dollar art and ruthless opinions. I run a small-town bookshop, a growing gallery, and a life I rebuilt from nothing. We were never supposed to collide.
Unfortunately, now I’m stuck working with him.
When a huge summer event throws us together, he challenges everything I do. Questions every choice. Doubts my every instinct. And I refuse to back down.
So he changes tactics.
He watches me. He studies me. And then he starts to figure me out in ways no one ever has.
Including the one thing I’ve never said out loud. My biggest, darkest desire.
And instead of walking away, he uses it.
Now he’s set on making every one of my fantasies real, even if it wrecks me.
Because Zach Fitzgerald doesn’t play fair.
And once he decides he wants something?
He doesn’t stop until it’s his.
If you love enemies-to-lovers tension, small town drama, forced proximity, and a hero who gives you exactly what you want… even when he shouldn’t, you won’t want to miss this addictive, steamy standalone romance.
Carrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:
💥 Dislike-to-Lovers 🌿 Small Town Romance 🔥 Primal Play 🌴 Forced Proximity (hello, island life) 🫶 Found Family 🕯️ A touch of suspense 🏠 Starting over / Coming home
This series started with a cozy, close-knit family vibe in book one, and somehow each sibling’s story has raised the stakes in the best way. Every installment gets a little more suspenseful, a little swoonier, and a little spicier. This might be my favorite Carrie Elks book yet. And with only one Fitzgerald brother left, I genuinely don’t know how she plans to top Zach.
Zach had me from the start. The secret he’s carrying and the quiet devastation he’s living with (especially given the job he loves) makes his story feel almost unbearably heavy at times. It’s the kind of burden that reshapes everything around it.
Sadie, meanwhile, is rebuilding after the worst mistake of her life. She’s finally finding her footing again, and her journey felt incredibly grounded and relatable. I connected deeply with her hesitations, her doubt, and the way she’s trying to become herself again.
Their start is anything but smooth, but that’s part of the appeal. The tension, the banter, the push-and-pull...it all crackles. Sadie doesn’t back down, and Zach can’t stop circling her in his mind.
The primal play dynamic between them? Still not over it. Zach isn’t a golden retriever or an alphahole, he’s something softer and more controlled, but still undeniably intense. Watching him step into that chase/hunt dynamic to give Sadie something she’s quietly craved was unexpectedly intoxicating. I think I'm still blushing.
I’m already thinking I need a reread because this one just hit. And while I’m excited for the final Fitzpatrick brother’s book, I’m absolutely not ready to let this family go. I loved every glimpse of the previous couples and seeing how far they’ve all come.
I will forever recommend this series.
And thank you to Carrie Elks for the ARC and for graciously enduring my very excited DM spiral over how good this was.
I’ve enjoyed all the Fitzgerald's stories, and this one was absolutely fabulous. Ms Elks always writes in an easy-to-read style, and this moves along at a cracking pace. Overall, the tone is light-hearted rom-com with many very funny moments, even though both our main characters have difficult issues that they are dealing with. For Zach there is the life-altering health issue he is keeping secret from everyone and the reason he initially holds Sadie at an arm's length. For Sadie, she’s dealing with her newly released from prison ex and his visit to the island which brings violence and a kidnapping drama. These two have a great meet-cute - being called mediocre. Was it her, or the art, or her taste in art? Either way these two start off as enemies but certainly don't finish that way. Sadie's bestie and fellow bookstore worker Romy is a hoot! There are many laugh-out-loud moments involving her but very applicable to a plot point is her YouTube channel and her discussions of exploring kinks. A book she recommends Sadie read has Sadie's imagination running and Zack helps her play that out. I think this is one of the hottest scenes I have ever read from Ms Elks and it was so perfect for Zach and Sadie as a couple and it fit so brilliantly into the story. I loved Zach and Sadie as a couple and their story is now my favorite in this very entertaining series.
The Fitzgeralds have been my favorite series of Carrie’s to date and each couple gets better and better. Zach Fitzgerald, resident world traveler and art dealer, heads home to Liberty Island when a medical scare rocks his world. Sadie Delaney, resident book shop and art shop owner, came to Liberty Island to escape past decisions that she was ashamed of. The two clash from the moment they meet.
Until they don’t.
Zach pushes Sadie to take back her own control, by giving him control. And it stays all fun and games until Sadie is threatened and real feelings get involved. Do they have what it takes to confide their secrets in each other and come out the other side together? Or will Sadie’s past and Zach’s future dissolve what they’ve been building together? You have to read You Make me Feel to find out.
Zach (mid- thirties) & Sadie (late twenties). He returns to the small island due to personal reasons and runs into the bookshop/gallery owner.
The beginning is interesting and I enjoyed their banter and his @$$h0le attitude.
I was a bit confused when they first got into the conversation about the possible exploration and the nature of their relationship.
But I liked both of them a lot, I could connect with them, and of course the family dynamics. I really enjoyed the way their relationship progressed and I look forward to reading the rest in the series.
It’s a well written book and you’ll have a great time reading it.
-Dual 1st person POV -Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an Adv. Readers version of this book and I have given this honest and voluntary review.
I didn't really enjoy this and I'm not going to search my feelings for any real explanation, but it was corny, and made me cringe. I hated the "primal play". Not every book is for everyone.
Wow! This story was a delightful surprise. The author decided to add a bit more spice to the story and the result was an emotional and steamy romance story. I liked it! The story had a good balance between both things.
It was wonderful to be back on Liberty Island and see how the Fitzgerald family, their loved ones and their friends were doing. This is already the fourth book in the series, and with each book it feels more and more like visiting old friends. The two youngest brothers Zach and Wyatt (the latter best known for his ‘thumbs up’ emoji) remain something of a mystery to me. We didn’t see much of them in the precious stories. So I was looking forward to getting to know Zach better. Sadie, the owner of the bookshop ‘Books by the sea’ and the art gallery ‘Arts by the sea’, had been a secondary character in the other books. She’s close friends with the women of the Fitzgerald family. In this story, we learn more about her past and the reason she moved to Liberty Island.
Zach is an art dealer specializing in tracking down stolen art and sourcing specific pieces for art collectors, this means that he travels a lot. But now he’s back on Liberty Island for medical reasons, reasons that he’s keeping secret from his family. They are very happy that Zach’s spending time with them and while staying there he meets Sadie, their first encounter is far from friendly but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Living on a small island means that it’s difficult to avoid someone, especially when your older sister is organizing a big event and wants your help. Soon Zach and Sadie are forced to work together. Things don’t go well in the beginning, but when Zach discovers a steamy novel that Sadie is reading, things between them gets hotter. Soon fantasies turn into reality. But both are keeping secrets from each other. Sadie’s past catches up with her when her ex-boyfriend is released from prison, while Zach hides a genetic eye condition from everyone. Can Zach keep Sadie safe from her ex and can Sadie convince Zach that his illness isn’t a problem for her?
I really enjoyed this story. It was great getting to know Zach better and learning more about his job and his character. He’s a great guy, intelligent and passionate about art. He might seem arrogant but he has a good heart. I can totally understand that he found it hard to tell his family the truth. The consequences could change many lives. I was very happy that the author gave us an epilogue where we not only saw how Sadie and Zach were doing but also learned more about the results of the tests. it was fun seeing the family dynamic when the siblings were all together, they cared about each other but they also loved teasing each other. Especially the group chat made me laugh at times.
Sadie and Zach were great together, he was dominant in the bedroom (and out of it, wink wink) and she loved it. He gave her exactly what she needed. Sadie was a strong women, a good boss and businesswoman and a loyal friend. Yes, she made mistakes in the past but she was young and alone.
Romy, who helped out at the book shop, was a spirited character, she was protective of Sadie and a great help and friend. She was also an influencer and the book-related content that she created was fascinating and a bit cheeky. I liked her very much.
I look forward to the next story, which is about the youngest Fitzgerald, Wyatt.
I absolutely loved You make me feel ~ This is Carrie Elks at her absolute best
You make me feel is book 4 of 5 in the interconnected Fitzgerald series. How do I review this amazing book without giving spoilers…….. All I can say is Carrie Elks never seems to disappoint, this series just keeps evolving & getting better & better with every book released
Zach Fitzgerald is moody, intense& carrying a secret, he doesn’t know what his future holds. He returns to Liberty Island to visit his family, only to find his extended Family growing, time passing by at an alarming rate & he’s been watching it all from a distance. He starts to look at his own life, he reevaluate’s life decisions & what he wants for his future.
Sadie, owner of books by the sea (my ultimate dream) and its twin art gallery, selling local art to tourists. The aim is to host a gala night, therefore attracting more art enthusiasts to Liberty.
She is a fiery as her auburn hair, she’s strong, confident. Shes also keeping secrets of her own. Arriving on Liberty to escape from her past & make a fresh start.
So when Sadie overhears Zach referring to her art installation as 'mediocre' she immediately calls him out & gives him a peace of her mind. She tries to avoid him at all costs, But the Island of Liberty might not be big enough for the both of them to stay away from each other ~ Avoiding each other isn't working, especially when Zach is appointed as part of the gala organisers
When Zach spy’s what book Sadie is currently reading, she’s initially very hurt,angry & embarrassed.
They devise a hunting game. A game of chase (quite literally) ~ Every moment they spend together, every text they share the sparks get hotter, the flames grow brighter, and the tension borders on unbearable. Until they both reach their breaking point & their fiery relationship explodes.
From the moment he meets Sadie, there's an undeniable spark between them. Zach is so intrigued by her that he can’t wait to uncover her secrets. I loved watching her effortlessly disarm him. Used to being in control, he finds himself drawn to Sadie’s warmth, authenticity & confidence. She definitely gives as good as she gets. Their chemistry felt natural from the start, and I couldn't help but smile every time they were together.
The connection & chemistry between them was scorching hot. The grumpy-sunshine tension? Immediate. The chemistry? Crackling. What starts as a game, a form of escapism turns into something neither of them is ready to let go of.
I adore this series & Fitzgerald family. They appear throughout the book with their usual teasing of each other but look out for one another, it’s truly beautiful to read.
I don’t want to give anything else away, only to add that Carrie has entwined emotion with the right amount of spice seamlessly. I genuinely can’t recommend this book enough.
You Make Me Feel is the fourth (#4) and penultimate book in THE FITZGERALDS series.
Arriving home on Liberty Island, Art Dealer Zach Fitzgerald is hiding a big secret, one that is poised to tear his family apart.
Sadie owns the only book store on the island and it’s twin art gallery, selling beautiful local scenes to tourists. When Sadie overhears Zach referring to her art installation as ‘mediocre’ her hackles immediately rise and she vows to avoid him at all costs.
Zach can’t help but be intrigued by the red headed beauty with the fiery temper and when the pair are charged with overseeing a local event together, Zach determines to use the opportunity to learn more about Sadie….
———————————
MY, OH MY, OH MY !! This book!! How do I describe this book without spoilers 🤔. For me it is undoubtedly, easily Carrie’s best book yet!
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had my pulse pounding and my heart racing so fast! I don’t know how Carrie wrote this without combusting. My fan is broken from overuse 🪭🪭
The chemistry between the MCs is ELECTRIC, and whilst there is a fair whack of open door spicy scenes, personally I think this book is all about the anticipation, the excitement, the build up, the promise - exquisite scenes that Carrie has written perfectly.
Following a disastrous relationship Sadie has spent some years keeping herself locked away emotionally, but now she’s turned her life around, owns a book store and art gallery and she wants excitement in her life.
Zach spends most of the year travelling, searching for art, and most definitely avoiding Liberty Island, but when his life is upended he returns home to his family. Now is definitely not the time for a relationship but the minute he spots the fiery redhead he is lost.
The extended Fitzgerald family appear throughout the book with their usual acts of nosiness, support, mischief, and love, with Autumn being particularly obnoxiously interfering.
This story is a delicious amalgamation of a steamy love story with a thread of heartbreaking tragedy and a soupçon of spine tingling threat.
Whilst this book is the fourth in the series ( and I’d highly recommend reading the previous books to get a more rounded picture of the Fitzgeralds), it can be read as a standalone.
I read an ebook version of this delicious book, with just over 380 pages, a bright, beautiful cover that gives off Art Deco vibes and great editing. This book is released on July 26th.
With thanks to Carrie Elks for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
🖼️ Enemies To Lovers 🖼️ Spicy 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🖼️ Small Town Romance 🖼️ Forced Proximity
I dont normally write reviews. But this one got to me.
There is a lot of talk about people seeing themselves in books. Inclusiveness for all situations. And ive read i think 3 books that mention RP. The other 2 got it all wrong. And while there are parts that were not like my mom and my brother there are parts that ring so damn true. So thank you for putting in the effort to get it right or really damn close to right.
I love that you touched on the genetics. In my family it has passed from father to daughter and mother to son. Its extremely rare genetic disorder where your vision dies slowly tunneling.
My mom said it was like looking through a straw that got smaller and smaller and darker and darker. This happened slowly over 50 years until she was finally completely blind at 77. For perspective, she was legally blind in her 30s.
Yes the sensitivity to light is real. My mom and brother both had floaters. It wasnt something that came and went but I can imagine every case being a little different. They never had blinding headaches but I could also see that being stress induced in the situations he had them in this book. More like migraines caused by the stess of RP.
The worry of passing it on to kids is real. I had boys and got them tested early. Just an eye appointment and they could tell there was no decay. But genetics does factor in. The chances my husband, who has no family history of RP, having a repressed marker are so slim im hopeful this has ended a long run in my family.
That being said. Thanks for the representation and doing it beautifully. Id also love to see zach start early with help from non profits like lighthouse for the blind. Learning how to live with failing vision is just as important to do BEFORE its gone. My mom learned that the hard way. But she came from the generation of people that treated disabilities as failures and thought it was better to hide it than to embrace it.
Also.... I cant wait for Wyatts story. Huge thumbs up for that. I have a feeling its going to be emotional in a way we dont expect.
This was a very unique romance book for me, and I absolutely loved it. Sadie and Zach definitely started off on the wrong foot…multiple wrong feet, if we’re being honest. But when these two finally fell into sync, it was everything!
I loved the premise of this book. Sadie was definitely unsure after a previous relationship went really bad. And while Zach went about things in the very wrong way in the beginning, he made up for it in all the best ways. He created a very safe space for Sadie, and you could tell he cared about her very early on, whether he would admit it or not.
Bringing her unorthodox book fantasies to life was such a unique plotline. She got everything she thought she wanted, but in the safest, most protected ways. I mean, it was obvious she was going to fall hard for him after he kept doing all of these things specifically for her.
Zach was dealing with a lot of his own high-stress emotions. His medical diagnosis was eventually going to drastically affect his future, so it was no wonder he was hesitant and nervous about forming any kind of relationship with anyone. But his draw to Sadie was unavoidable. He was protective of her and so sensitive to all of her insecurities and worries.
Their romance was honestly just a joy to watch unfold. There’s definitely a lot of uncertainty in their future, but I don’t doubt these two are in it for the long haul.
🌶️ - sex is definitely part of the plot line for this book, ringing some very specific book fantasies to life as well as regular romance intimacy. There are multiple open door scenes with explicit details.
🤬 - they're swearing throughout the book including the use of multiple F words
I have been blissfully enjoying all of the books in the Fitzgerald family series, and this instalment delivered just as beautifully as all the others.
When one of the usually absent Fitzgerald brothers, Zach arrives back on Liberty Island, he brings with him an attitude, a smoldering aloofness that borders on snobbery, and a secret. Throw in the shockingly bad first impression he makes on Sadie, and he’s all set to drop his secret and make a hasty retreat.
But life on Liberty is never that simple, and in the tradition of the Fitzgeralds making their returns to the island, he finds that life will always have a way giving you what you need instead of what you think you want.
I loved Sadie’s feistiness, but also the vulnerability that she’s hidden from everyone and learned to come back from. Zach is very similar to her in that respect. Things he’s keeping hidden from his family, vulnerability that he wasn’t ready to share, and somehow, between them, the chemistry that feeds their feud ultimately brings them together (with some cheeky invasion of privacy from Zach helping that along!)
Loved the book from start to finish and as always with one of Carrie’s books I enjoyed it so much I read it all in one weekend! It was a delicious twist on an enemies to lovers that I’ve not seen before, with a heat level that had me needing to cool off.
I would highly recommend this book, and can’t wait to see what happens with Wyatt next.
I love Carrie Elks! And her Fitzgeralds series has been one of my favorite series. You Make Me Feel is book four in the Fitzgeralds series. In this book we meet Zach and Sadie. And trust me, this book is good!
Zach and Sadie start on the wrong foot the moment they meet. Zach calls her art mediocre. And Sadie thinks Zach is nothing more than an arrogant rich guy. But from the moment they meet it’s clear that there is a lot of chemistry between these two. They try to stay away from each other. But they literally bump into each other everywhere. And when they start to talk more, it’s clear that there is more between them than they first expected.
I loved reading Zach and Sadie’s story. The chemistry between them was amazing. I loved how there characters bumped heads at first. Their banters made me laugh a lot. And I honestly didn’t want to stop reading this book. There is a lot about these characters I loved. For example Sadie owns a bookstore. How could I not love here? But I also loved how strong and feisty she was.
The romance between Zach and Sadie was definitely swoon-worthy. There where some very steamy, different moments.. Not my favorite, but it worked for this story. And I also loved the bit of suspense we got at the end.
You Make Me Feel was definitely a very good read. This series is so good! But even if you haven’t read the first three books, you’ll love this book.
I’ve absolutely loved reading Sadie and Zack’s story in You Make Me Feel. Even though this is the fourth book in the Fitzgerald’s series it can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read the others. They’re just so good. As always with Carrie’s books it’s beautifully written and fastly paced. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down and absolutely flew through reading it.
Zach and Sadie are just perfect for each other even though they totally get off on the wrong foot when they first meet thanks to Zach calling her ‘mediocre’. Even though he comes across as arrogant, moody and intense, he’s actually a good guy with a heart of gold underneath it all. Sadie is a feisty, strong woman despite what she’s been through. The chemistry and banter between them is just ‘chef’s kiss’. The spicy scenes are just spicing especially the chase scenes. I honestly feel that this is Carrie’s spiciest book to date.
I love the Fitzgerald family dynamics and constantly laugh at the family group chat, especially Wyatt with his 👍. On a side note, A standout character for me (besides Zach and Sadie) was Romy. I adored her and loved how protective she was is of Sadie. I loved that we finally get to meet the elusive Wyatt Fitzgerald. I can’t wait to read his story and I’m really hoping that Romy is going to be his girl.
Overall an emotional and steamy small town read that I highly recommend.
Woah! I did not expect Zack Fitzgerald. Book 4 in The Fitzgeralds series, following the sibling gang, and we've been accustomed to the Fitzgerald men to be grumpy and a tiny bit of an alphahole and while is Zack is both those, he has a few other sides to him that not many see - I dare you not to a) have your heart cracked after just a few chapters by him and b) fall in love with him before you're even at halfway point! So his first little meet cute with Sadie doesn't go all that well and very quickly, they both learn the buttons to press to irritate each other just for the fun of it. The banter is not only hilarious but ridiculously hot - Are Zack and Sadie the hottest couple yet? might well be - The kinks!!!! you'll be needing those cool drinks and fans to calm yourselves after reading this one! There's a fair bit of suspense when Sadie's past catches up with her and how she copes with that trauma and Zack's vulnerabilities at the same time is AMAZING - I agree with Zack, Sadie is amazing! Being back in the Fitzgerald fold is brilliant, they're loud, they're proud and it is an absolute chaos of love. I'm off to find the next ferry time to Liberty!
I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own
ARC Reader Review. Thank Carrie for the opportunity.
You Make Me Feel is Zach and Sadie’s story, book 4 in the Fitzgerald series, I have enjoyed the series so far and I do think this is my favourite, the series just gets better with each book.
Carrie has a way with her writing that even though you have read other series and books in between waiting for a new release, when you start reading the next book in the series you are transported straight back to Liberty has if you haven’t left!
Zach and Sadie’s story I felt was different to what I have previously read of Carries, the spice has definitely gone up a level and I loved it! Zach pulled at my heartstrings with what he is having to deal with and Sadie has a past that she is trying to move on from.
This book isn’t your typical boy meets girl and they live HEA, they do, and let’s face it all everyone deserves their HEA but there will be challenges along the way and I think it’s refreshing to read!
The Fitzgerald group chat - brilliant 👍
Towards the end of the book you get a glimpse of this leading into the final book of the series and I think everyone can’t wait to learn more about the man behind his infamous emoji!
I highly recommend the reading this series, I cannot actually believe it’s almost complete!!
Jumping into the world of the Fitzgeralds at book 4 was a little disorienting. I usually read my Carrie Elks series in order so this was a new experience for me. I quickly started to feel as at home on Liberty Island as I do in Winterville and Hartson Creek. It's a cozy little town I wish I could visit, with a Main St I want to stroll down to get a coffee and peek into the shops.
Zach and Sadie start off on the wrong foot. Her loathing of Zach starts based on an overheard comment. Considering how close she us with his family, it seems odd how quickly and strongly she dislikes him based on an opinion. An opinion that he is professionally qualified to have. But, he soon gives her more reason to dislike him...along with a reason to be interested.
Next was a primer on kinks, and some funny moments at Bro's book club that I think I'll need to re-read after I read catch up on the earlier books.
Loathing quickly turns into something much, much hotter for Zach and Sadie. You'll get no spoilers here from me.
You'll love how Zach and Sadie's relationship develops while her past collides with her present to provide some heart racing moments.
🛑 STOP SROLLING, ROMANCE LOVERS! 🛑 "He called me mediocre. Now he’s the one chasing me. Literally." 🫠 If you’re looking for your next unputdownable, high-tension obsession, You Make Me Feel by Carrie Elks is officially OUT TODAY and it is everything you need in your life! 📚✨ Imagine a ruthless, million-dollar art dealer who thinks he knows everything, forced to work with a fierce small-town bookshop and gallery owner who refuses to take his BS. 🎨🤫 Zach and Clara are pure fire. The enemies-to-lovers tension is absolutely lethal. When he realizes he can't break her spirit, he changes tactics—and starts figuring out her deepest, darkest desires. And trust me... he doesn't play fair. 🔥😮💨 🎭 Why You Need This On Your Kindle STAT: * Enemies-to-Lovers (The banter? Impeccable.) * Small Town Drama 🏡 * Forced Proximity (There's only one summer event, and they're stuck in it together!) * A Hero Who Knows Exactly What You Want 🤫🔥 * Pure Steamy, Addictive Goodness "Once Zach Fitzgerald decides he wants something? He doesn’t stop until it’s his." Carrie Elks has delivered a masterclass in tension, passion, and a hero you will love to hate until you just downright love him. Run, don't walk, to grab your copy today! 🏃♀️💨 🔗 #RomanceBooks #SteamyReads #MustRead #BookReview #BillionaireRomance
You Make Me Feel (The Fitzgerald book 4) does not disappoint; it’s a great ride. What happens when the hot man who runs into you at the most important event to celebrate how far you have come happens to be your friend's brother who you were looking forward to meeting until you hear that the Art you have chosen to decorate the lobby is mediocre, well it’s the perfect storm for misunderstandings and let the games begin. To say Sadie doesn’t like Zach Fitzgerald is an understatement but at the same time he consumes her thoughts & that makes her dislike him more. Zach is having fun pushing Sadie’s buttons and when she thinks it couldn’t get worse he takes the book from her desk and things really begin to heat up. Sadie has gotten under Zach’s skin and it makes him grumpy. Find out if these two enemies to lovers can make it work, especially after Zach reveals his secret that only his brother Wyatt knows to the rest of the family. You will laugh at the family chats, yes they are alive and well. Get prepared for the heat has been turned up to 10 and Carrie Elks has tastefully hit it out of the park. You Make Me Feel has twists and turns, great banter between Sadie & Zach that will cause you sleepless nights because you won’t want to put the book down or close your kindle. Thank you Carrier for another great story.
I loved “You Make Me Feel” in the Fitzgerald series!! Carrie always spends the time to build such layers into the characters and Zach and Sadie are no exception! This couple is a great pairing. Both are strong, independent people and there is some initial ‘clashing with the enemy’ vibes vs grumpy/sunshine but Zach is too good of a person deep down to chance causing too much hurt! I loved the heat and spice in this one: the chemistry between the couple, those notes in Sadie’s book and those chase scenes wow! So hot but yet the tenderness is evident too as Zach takes such good care of her. There’s some ‘I’m not good enough for her’ vibes from Zach as well as some suspense in this book. And along with those themes and A LOT of spice, there’s the humor - which is always one of my favorite elements of Carrie Elk’s books. The bro’s book club is hilarious, the conversations with the sibling couples and those personalities of the Liberty Island residents that we have gotten to know so well already - are so entertaining! There are so many laugh out loud moments. There’s so many layers - this book has everything - i couldn’t put it down! I loved Zach and Sadie’s story. I couldn’t ask for more except a longer book as I never want Carrie’s books to end!
Another fabulous addition to a great series. I absolutely love how this author integrates the family characters into every book, it’s such a talent as I feel I could just pop over to the island and know everybody. I want to be in the Fitzgerald family lol. Seriously they look out for each other they are super close and are ride or die with each other. Zach and Sadie met with him kind of insulting her taste in art putting her back up, I n his defence tho he was coming to terms with a tough diagnosis and was more ribbing his sister. Zach needs to tell the family his diagnosis but puts it off not wanting to be treated differently which I totally relate to, no one wants to see sympathy they want to be seen to be the strong person they’ve always been. Ultimately it was his curiosity over what book she was reading that actually brought them together after he stole her book, she felt anger betrayal but embarrassed until he offered her the experience she craved. What I loved the most was Zack’s ease of loving Sadie before they realised they loved each other it shone with their interactions, Zach seemed to sense Sadie’s needs, she loved to be chased and he loved the chase.
Love Changes Everything - Sadie and Zach had their own reasons for not wanting to be in a permanent relationship and therefore agreed to have a one night stand, but the morning after changed everything. Sadie and Zach soon realised they both wanted more and embarked on a semblance of a relationship, but he was still hesitating as he was keeping a secret from everyone.
Unfortunately, not long after Sadie and Zach settled into their budding romance, her ex-boyfriend arrived to wreak havoc on their lives and put both of them in danger. Luckily, Sadie and Zach were able to get her ex-boyfriend out of their lives permanently, with the help of his family, so they could get back on track towards the life they wanted to build together.
This captivating story may have begun with dramatic moments, but it eventually blossomed into something genuine, where the characters were a vibrant mix of fun-loving, wonderfully sassy and fundamentally sweet individuals. You will definitely enjoy reading this book just as much as I did and be happy to recommend it to your friends.
I received an advanced review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I LOVE The Fitzgeralds !! Carrie Elks never fails to completely reel me into her stories and I love reading about this family,this series has been one of my favourites by her. Carries writing just gets better and more enthralling and her books have become comfort reads for me,as I just love the worlds she creates. Zach and Sadie are adorable. Zach is retrurning to liberty to talk to his family about something that could effect them,he is really reluctant to have to tell them. Then he meets Sadie and everything changes..they get off to a bad start,but soon begin a steamy relationship as the attraction between them is undeniable...she is the perfect distraction for him. Sadie also has secrets and between them they sort of create a support system for one another. I loved watching them fall in love and their banter is brilliant. I adore the Fitzgerald family and the way they interact and treat eachother..I always have a cosy feeling when reading these books and You Make Me Feel is no exception. This story was such a pleasure to read and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Excellent. 5 Stars.
The man thinks gray sweats are formal wear. I swear he’s one hoodie away from forming a boy band.
You know I live on oxygen and gossip.
“I’m going to need a moment,” Romy says, fanning her face as she looks out of the window at Asher’s security team pacing the sidewalk. “This is like every fantasy I’ve ever had come true, all at once. Protective heroes, security team, maybe a dash of why choose?” She sighs, turning to look at me. “You think we can persuade Asher to leave his team here permanently just for my entertainment?”
“He looks like a Bond villain,” she mutters, then sighs again. “But, like, in a way where you’d let him tie you to a chair and hope your ransom is never paid.”
He looks too big for his tuxedo. Not in a bad way at all. More like his muscles and the fabric decided to have a fight and his muscles won.
My Review:
I always look forward to reading Carrie Elks’ books. Her characters are unfailingly endearing, her humor is witty, and her stories are well-paced, amusing, immersive, and entertaining. What more could I possibly ask for, except for more of the same? I wouldn’t mind this series being continued into perpetuity, as their community is curiously quirky.
Enemies to Lovers is my all-time favorite trope and Carrie Elks did an absolutely incredible job of making me love it even more! Zach and Sadie's story brings so much to the table from the characters to the setting, and everything in-between, it's like seeing an incredible sunset for the first time all over again.
Zach's demeanor is heavy and you can feel the weight of it as you get to know him. Without a clear future, he is pushed into the expanding life of his brothers and family, which makes him question what he wants his own future to look like.
Sadie is one of my new favorite FMCs! She's confident, fun, and full of spark! But like Zach, she carries a secret of her own. But when Zach calls her art installation "mediocre", oh, the audacity!
An island is only so big with so many places and these two can't seem to stop being drawn to each other. These two are impeccably matched, bringing the heat to a kitchen I didn't want to get out of. The anticipation of these two finally coming together was perfection!
I love getting to see other couples still growing and adding to each book. It makes me feel like I'm a part of the family and friends!
What do you get when you combine art with a very specific romance kink? Well, basically... this book.
Sadie Delaney owns the local book store and art gallery, and has befriended some of the Fitzgerald siblings, who make it a point to include local businesses in their ventures. So when Zach Fitzgerald, elusive art dealer, is critical of her taste in art, to say Sadie is miffed would be an understatement.
However, Sadie is not one to be thrown by one man's opinion of her, and she is determined to just ignore him. Unfortunately, Zach has agreed to extend his stay on the island and is roped into helping organise a big charity event alongside Sadie.
Meanwhile, Sadie's employee and friend Romy has her reading a romance novel featuring a very specific kink, and Sadie cannot help but be intrigued by this. So much so, that it impacts her reactions to Zach...
What follows is a slow, but very satisfying burn that will have you fanning yourself even without a heatwave. Add to that Zach's mysterious health issues and Sadie's shady ex, and you've got yourself a heady mix that will keep you entertained during those sweltering summer nights.
🖼Zach & Sadie? Seeing is believing👁 4-4.5🌟 stars I thought the whole subplot about Zach's secret medical condition added a lot to the story. It's so sad to think about how it will affect his work and family even with the coping mechanisms he has access to as a wealthy Fitzgerald. As for his romance with bookstore and art gallery owner Sadie? The author gives it lots of heat and even brings in some imaginatively arranged danger play and eventual actual danger from an ex-con. Thrills, lots of Fitzgerald family playfulness and together time, and a good, steamy bit of romancing with the protective Fitzgerald clan to butt in and circle the wagons when needed. Those Fitzgerald men are so protective and know how to maximize use of their resources when they or their loved ones are threatened. I really enjoyed it and I loved the laconic Wyatt Fitzgerald and the way he barely connects with most of the family except through emojis.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the novel; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
This is a beautiful story of not giving up. Book four in The Fitzgerald series and it is everything I wanted and more. Sadie loves living on Liberty island. She has her own book store and has opened an art gallery. She is fully ingrained into the island and has made some good friends. Romy her best friend has got her reading some pretty intense romance and now she is starting to fantasise. Zach is coming back to the island to his family to break some terrible news. But before he gets a chance he gets roped into his sisters art trail and offends one of her friends Sadie. Zack is intreaqued by Sadie and plans to make amends. Through a bit of troublemaker he finds his way of making it up to her and giving her everything she now whats. The scene is set and hotness ensues. I love these characters. The Fitzgerald family is loud, messy and wonderful. The book is beautifully written with strong emotion and intense scenes. I love it and highly recommend the book, series and author.