Summer With The Enemy

by Emily Camp

Summer is finally here, and this is the one Mara has been waiting for. Her fourth year as a lifeguard. She’s excited to be head lifeguard this year. The only thing is, she has to share that title with Clay. The best friend of her best friend’s toxic boyfriend.
Not only does she have to spend time with him at work this summer, but for some reason he seems to want to hang out with her outside of work.
However, the more time she spends around him, she may see a different side. As Mara’s feelings begin to stir, she wonders if he is the nice guy he’s been this summer or if it is all an act.

134 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2026

About the author

Emily is the author of several young adult, new adult, mystery and romance novels. She lives in a small town in Ohio similar to the towns in her stories. Her favorite place to read is in her pool.

Reviews

[Brittany Trynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a nice novella. clay and Mara are a adorable couple and I hate Jackson for being a jerky player but it was a cute novella none the less

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

This was the perfect, fast paced read that didn’t miss a beat. Emily was able to include everything within this novella. Sometimes short stories or novellas lack that or it’s too instant love and that definitely wasn’t the case for Summer with My Enemy!

This follows Mara who is a lifeguard and as fate would have it she gets stuck with her enemy Clay for the summer! She can’t stand Clay. But is it because of something he’s done or he’s just guilty by association? Because Clay is best friends with Jackson who is Aubree’s ex boyfriend on and off. You see Mara who truly stands up for Aubree and can’t stand Jackson. While, Clay is more laid back until he isn’t and starts to voice his opinion about the situation. Aubree finds herself leaning on not only Mara but Clay as well and Mara isn’t a fan of that idea at all.

You watch the summer play out as they work their summer job and are there for Aubree during her breakdowns. While Clay being there does bother Mara she doesn’t mention it to Aubree. But amongst being there for Aubree there are times Clay and Mara finds themselves alone. While Mara has been burned in past relationships you learn why her walls are up. You see Mara’s walls break down a little bit as she begins to question her feelings towards Clay.

This isn’t instant love at all. I would describe this as the main FMC definitely hates the MMC but it isn’t drawn out at all. Emily showed their dynamic, it was a slow burn and it was filled with banter that made you fall in love with these characters and root for them!

[Shay loves books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Emily Camp. I loved the banter and friendship in this one. It’s an enemies to lovers that I cldnt put down.

I absolutely love Emily’s books. They just hit all the right buttons for me, esp when I’ve read something dark and heavy, I can pick up one of her books and it just lifts my spirits!

The Banter between Mara and Clay is so funny! So many times I busted out laughing. She absolutely cld not stand Clay and he has had a crush on her for a long time, she just wld never give him the time of day because she had it in her head he was a player, but turns out he’s a sweetheart and a softy. Poor Aubree just cldnt catch a break with her on again off again cheating boyfriend, but she had Mara and Clay who was always in her corner and there for her!

Emily’s books are always such a good pallet cleanser for me and I love them so much!

[Bre Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my 1st ARC & 1st YA Romance. This book was good but I don't think romance is my favorite type of book.
I'm 13.

[Kim Finazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute YA story. I am a 50+ Y/O and I have to say I love reading Emily Camps book. I have read quite and few of them and looking forward to reading the rest. I have asked her just today how many book she wrote and she said 23. I have in total 11 of her books so far. I know over time I will be buying the last 12 + books. Also go check out her audio books. I have also listened to a few of them asl well.

[Brandi Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great read by Emily Camp! It's a fun, short, enemies to dating romance. It's YA with a lot of banter. This book follows Mara summer before she goes to college. She works as a lifeguard at a community pool, this summer Clay is also working there. She doesn't like Clay because he is best friends with harvest friends on again off again boyfriend. She thinks because they're friends they're one in the same. When they end up spending time together, she finds out that she likes him. The problem, she keeps seeing him with other girls and refuses to be played, so she keeps her feelings to herself. Things come to a head when Clay punches her ex at a party and finds out the fight was about her. Can she finally see lay for who he is and give him a chance?

[Sarah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC. I love everything this author writes. YA summer love story brought me back my youth. I even was able to relate the town pool to the one I frequented as a youth. Miscommunication between young lifeguards, best friend who makes bad decisions, inviting family and one summer to figure it all out. Quick, fun, young summer love!

[Vanessa Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

Summer with the Enemy is a great YA enemies-to-lovers romance. The banter and the growing chemistry between the characters had me completely hooked.
I loved the summer vibe and all the tension, and character growth throughout the story.
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers romances and fun summer vibes, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Lynzie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Novella- but SO MUCH is packed in this little book! Another heartwarming, emotional, FUNNY read! This is a great quick read- pallet cleanser if you're in between books! Emily does so well with her writing! I haven't read a book of hers i haven't LOVED!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope and this one was great! Pulled me in right from the start and kept me interested the whole time. I've never read an Emily Camp book that I didn't like. Keep them coming!!

[Amy Lismore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely quick summer YA romance. I really connect with the characters—he's amazing, and Mara is wonderful. I haven’t read a lifeguard romance before, but I truly love the story; it's incredible.

[Selena Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but so good! It made me nostalgic for summer days as a teenager. It was fun, sweet, and entertaining! A great palate cleanser between books. Definitely check it out!

[Kearstyn Kutik · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book had all the Banter. I've been needing. another great book!!!

[Sara Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good enemies to lovers read. This book had me sucked in from the beginning. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I was rooting for Clay from the beginning. Such a cute story.

[Tiffany Locklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good book and loved the storey line. I flew through the book and was thinking about it when I wasn't reading

[Autumn Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a cute, well written, YA book. Its well written and brings you back to the simplicity of young love/life. Definitely a quick enjoyable read!

[Heather Mylek · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! Like always this book is AMAZING!!!!! Once I started this book I couldn’t put down not put down!! Mara and Clay are amazing!! I love enemies to lovers tropes. This was perfect!! If I could rate higher than 5 stars I would!! Amazing read and highly recommend!!!