Flirting With The Enemy

Boys of Summer

by Sally Siles

When he walked through the door…
They had an instant connection.
Jade was ready to call this sun-tanned hottie hers for the summer, or however long he was vacationing in her small beach town. That was before she realized he was the same scrawny ex-friend that ruined her life.
How dare Griffan come back after all these years with his muscles and looking all tall, dark, and handsome?
All Jade knows is that she needed to stay far, far away from him because her heart was better off frozen.
So why can’t she stop flirting with the enemy?
You’ll love this sweet, enemies-to-lovers young adult romance because everyone needs a little saltwater getaway.
This is a novella in the Boys of Summer series, a collaboration between several YA authors. They are all standalone stories that take place in the same fictional town. Escape to Sterling Beach today.

127 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2019

About the author

Meet Sally, the architect behind heart-fluttering tales of first love in small-town settings within the world of teen and young adult contemporary romance. With nostalgia as her ink and dreams as her compass, she crafts stories sparkling with innocence and the timeless journey of coming of age.
When not lost in the characters of her next binge-worthy story or cherishing moments with loved ones, Sally can be found immersed in the romantic beauty of books, sunrises, or the night sky.
Raised amidst the rural Midwest's sprawling landscapes, she learned the power of boredom and imagination, infusing her storytelling with a delightful charm. Dive into her books and discover a world where the familiar meets the reimagined, each page offering a taste of sweet and delectable fiction.
Rediscover the thrill of first love in a small town through her enchanting More Than Best Friends series and other standalone treasures.

Reviews

[Melissa Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read about two teens struggling with family issues and being able to reconnect after years apart. I liked watching both these characters try to cope with their home lives and finding comfort in each other. The ending was great - it was the resolution I was hoping for. Yay!

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flirting with the Enemy by Sally Henson is the second book I've read in the Boys of Summer series. I liked it very much. The story is sweet and very good. I really liked Griffan and Jaden.

[Lindsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving these books in the Boys of Summer series. They are all based in the same place but completely different stories.
I thought this one started out pretty interesting because you have no idea who the characters are and what is going on between them. I love that Jaden is super sassy and things are happening that you don't understand until later on. I like stories that are written like this because you learn what's going on with the characters as you read instead of finding everything out right at the beginning.
I really liked the characters in this story and how they grew up together. I thought it was interesting though that their mothers were so close that the main characters had to have the same first name, just spelled differently. That was a little weird to me. I also thought the it was interesting that she considered Griffan the enemy even though he didn't have any control over what was going on with his family or hers.
I loved the family closeness in this story though between Jaden and her brothers and Griffan with his family. I felt that this story was a little rushed though because they seemed to fall back into how things used to be even though they hadn't seen each other for a while. I loved the chemistry between the MC's though and that they could soften around each other and forget about all their problems while together. I thought the ending was a little predictable with Griffan's choice but I still really enjoyed it.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet summer romance book and a great vacation read!! I instantly fell in love with the characters and was hooked from page one. I laughed and cried right along with them throughout the story. Now that I've been introduced to this author i will definitely be reading more of her works. I could see this story as the next Hallmark movie...one I'd watch with enthusiasm!!

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler (Griffan) was half-way Tylar (Jaden) enemy if you look at it...

https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...

*•*•*•* Busting through with a few or a lot of spoilers in this review*•^•*•^


It's a possibility that this review is going to be short. Considering I don't have much to say... but it's good that her (Jaden) mom finally considered getting the locks changed so that their dad could stay out of their home. All he did was ruin things for their mom and the kids. I understood why Jaden told him off often when parents are f*uk-ups; it takes the kids to tell them how it is and what they actually end to know about themselves. Especially when it comes to a drunk (alcoholics) think they know everything and want those around them to fill bad about a lot of things just because their lives are going horrible. & that was Jaden father.

It's also good that Griffan mom found a home back into their home town in Virginia since Florida wasn't a good place for them to go back to especially when it came to her husband her kid's father doing fraudulent things and messing things up for people that were in Florida. Those kids would've been a bully like no other when they would've gone back to school. At least in Virginia they would've started over... not only that Jaden father was also horrible by telling the media that Griffan and his family was backed in Sterling Beach., he clearly wanted to see his daughter hurt by spreading lies in her ear knowing that it'll hurt her again when Griffan leave again... though he had no choice either way when they left as a kid it's much you could do when you young; at least Jaden learn that in the end..


But I was confused a bit until I learn that their parent both name them the same name... I see why they go by their middle name since Jaden real name is Tylar and Griffan real name Tyler. But I do wonder if his name pronounce as 'Griffin" though it spelled with "A" not an "I"... also it's good to know that Griffan even cared enough to talk to his mom about going back to Sterling Beach and making things work out with Jaden because they both were hurt especially when Jaden pushed him away just so they didn't get hurt... at least Dev and Luci was good friends to help Griffan get Jaden back, and he got to stay in Virginia and go to the same school with Jaden .... I did hope that Griffan ends up going to Virginia State University with that lacrosse scholarship because VSU is the ishhhh...

After writing this, I realize that this review wasn't short... but at least I had more to say once I started writing! This book was actually good. I am still hurt about what happened to Hayes, and hopefully there will be a book about him and his recovery and him being able to walk again because he didn't deserve what happened to him though he's best friend didn't mean that to happen either... this book is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ thought!!

[Candice Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed the stories in the boys of summer collection, each has taken a different look at family life, real struggles and challenges and blended it with a sweet romance. In this story, we get to see how love and forgiveness can open a person back up to happiness. Jaden, aka jaded has been a loner ever since her friend left her and her family years ago while her family was falling apart due to divorce and her dad becoming an alcoholic and always destroying things. She is working two jobs to try and help out and keeps a tough shell to protect herself. Then the summer boys show up including Mr Ray-Ban as she dubbed him... At least until she realizes who he is and slaps him at her job at the pizzeria, almost losing her job as a result. There starts their frenemy status until their moms force them together and Jaden finds out what's been happening with his life. His dad is in prison for running a scheme and losing lots of money from people's investments so they have been stuck in a media storm and came for the summer to get away while also helping his grandma who is losing her memory. The trials and troubles these teens face are heartbreakingly real. The author is very good with emotional descriptions. I would have liked a little more physical descriptions for the characters, I still can't picture these two after finishing the story... But perhaps that is intentional so you can put yourself in the story... Overall I really enjoyed this story and liked how it ended. Definitely worth the read.

[Cait Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review.*

This was a very cute story. The book is well written and easy to read, I really enjoyed it. While it’s a light, summer YA contemporary, there are still very deep struggles for the characters. From feelings of abandonment to family troubles, both Jade and Griffan have a realness to their lives that is sometimes absent in this genre. There was a certain heartbreak in seeing them deal with their fathers. They’re both a mess, and their working together makes them that much more loveable.

Jade is somewhat bitter, but she has justifiable reasons. Griffan is more relaxed and entertaining. I love how caring he is not only to Jade but both of their younger siblings. His interactions with her brothers made me so happy. There’s a seen where she catches all three of them dancing in the living room and she just watches from the doorway, and it melted my heart. Seeing her walls breakdown bit-by-bit as she grew closer to Griffan was wonderful. I’m impressed with Henson’s ability to give such life to these characters in this limited space, as the book isn’t very long.

It was a fun, summer read, which is exactly what I was hoping for when I started the book. I would definitely recommend it if you like YA contemporary. It’s adorable, and I’m absolutely going to look up more of Henson’s books, as well as the rest of the Boys of Summer series.

*Original, full review on Functionally Fictional.*

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of young love. Jaden (Jaded) has had to deal with a lot in her young life. The boy she had feelings for up and left one year. Her parents are divorced and her alcoholic father keeps coming around and taking their things...Her brothers are adorable and Jaden loves her surf time. While at the beach with her friend she sees this hunky guy. She sees him again at the Pizza place she works at and realizes he is none other that Griff (Tyler) the boy who up and left her. Now he is buff and instead of talking to him she slaps him...She deals with the consequences and now both their moms (who were besties) are back to hanging out.
Tyler is trying to keep a low profile since the truth has come out about his dad. He stole a lot of people's savings and now Tyler's family has lost everything. They are living with his gramma who has Alzheimer's disease and is their help. This story is sweet about rekindling a friendship that never really left either one. This story has a lot going on with Single mom's and their struggle, divorce, betrayal, alcoholism and Alzheimers. The story was too short for so much going on but you could really feel the character's struggles. I felt frustrated along with Jade when dear ole dad showed up. The mom's trying to keep it together with the kids sometimes made we want to pull my hair out. SO a lot going on in a short story!!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Griffan Stonebridge was an expert at leaving and breaking my heart in the process.”

I’m really enjoying this Boys of Summer series. They are fun, quick reads that you can read in one sitting and keep you entertained.

Flirting with the Enemy includes one of my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers! Jaden hated Griffan with a burning passion and when he walks back into her life she tries hard to keep away, but the summer has other plans for these two.

I really liked how these two characters connected by finding that they were more alike than they actually thought. Jaden was a bit of a “tough girl” or at least that was the mask that she had put on for years. Griffan, on the other hand, was more of a softy. Their interactions were cute and fun and I enjoyed how this novella dealt with some serious topics without it feeling too rushed.

If you enjoy reading about summer romance, check out the Boys of Summer series.

*A huge thanks to the author for sending me an eARC for review. All thoughts are my own.*

[Brianna Belbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an great installment to the Boys of Summer series! Jaden is jaded from Griffan leaving her all those years ago when she needed him most and when he washes back up in Sterling Beach she can’t help but hold on to that grudge. Their mothers reconnect and for the sake of them, they decide to try to get along to make them happy. I loved that this book dealt with real life issues such as alcoholic parents, poverty, divorce, Alzheimer’s disease and embezzlement and that we get to see it from teenagers POVs of how it impacts their lives. Jaden and Griffan’s characters, along with their family members, were written realistically with how they acted in every situation throughout the story. I enjoyed watching this story unfold and their relationship come together where they could trust each other to be who the really are. This book is an enemies to lovers short read that’s perfect for summer and ends with a HEA and wanting more!
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review

[Lenni Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, that was incredibly cringe. I can’t believe what I just read. There was barely any enemies to lovers - if that’s what you’ve come for, let me tell you it’s not worth it. The pace was waaay to fast; I know it’s difficult to pace a short story, but it’s still possible. Also, the author needs to learn where to put her apostrophes.

There were also quite a few things I found to be a bit problematic, which I highlighted in Kindle and wrote notes for, if you’re interested in reading those.

I really don’t recommend this book, and after hating two books from this series, I’m not sure I can keep going.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. Both Jade and Grif have been through a lot and are having to deal with more than they should. They were best friends when younger but then things went all bad and they haven’t seen each other in years. Now they have to clear the air and figure out what they have between them and if they can sustain it. This is a clean romance with some kissing and I really enjoyed it!

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story had a good premise but just didn't hit the mark. Jade and Griffan's characters weren't developed. Story flow was too fast and seemed like the story wasn't written completely. Relationship wasn't developed and I didn't connect to them at all as a couple or individually. Book needs a little work to smooth it out.

[Brandi Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read about Griffan and Jaden, old friends who may or may not start a summer romance. The interaction between the characters is intense as each deals with hurt feelings from the past.

The story is presented in novella form, so parts of it felt rushed and underdeveloped. I would have liked to have had a bit more background information and more resolution at the conclusion of the story. A bit more editing could help address a few issues with the story.

[Regina]

This is the first of the Boys of Summer novellas I did not finish.
I really wanted to like this story, but I gave up at around 6% or so because I couldn't connect to the main characters and the story started out rather bleak and depressing (this might hopefully get better later in the book, but for now, it was just too much for me).

[Vibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) - a sweet diversion

This was an enjoyable, quick read. The big plot complication was a little odd when the solution was so obvious, and Jaded was a bit over the top drama queen-ish, but it was entertaining enough

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses

[Stephanie Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun summer read.

[Kelsie Stelting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. Jade was perfect with all her hard edges that hid the strongest, kindest soul! Some of Sally's very best work, for sure!

[Teya Teya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute, fast-paced, and a sweet romance. I quick and fun summer read.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute and sweet short book. I would have liked to see Jaden going after Griffan instead of the other way around though

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and cute second chance YA story.

I did enjoy the book, but teenage drama can get a bit too much for me.

I would check out other books from this author.