What do you think?
Rate this book
Summer Secrets #1
Falling for the Bad Boy
Jenna has only one goal this summer—to lose her V card. Cam, the newest bad boy, lifeguard on the Cape, seems to fit the bill. Too bad his goal is very different than hers. He’s looking for revenge.
Jenna Hutchins’ life has been easy breezy. Except, going to an all girls’ high school has prevented her from meeting a guy she’d like to lose her virginity to. And who wants to go to college a virgin? Certainly not her. That’s why Jenna’s mission this summer is to have sex. And not just with any guy. No. She wants a bad boy.
Cam Larsen’s family used to have money and affluence. When his father died suddenly, his business partner, Jason Hutchins, screwed his family over. They lost everything. Now Cam’s only goal is to make Jason pay. When Jenna, Jason’s daughter, shows interest in Cam, he doesn’t want to get close. He doesn’t want to hurt her because her father is a greedy, malicious bastard, but he will if he has to.
Not only are the days heating up, but so are things between Jenna and Cam. Will they both get what they want this summer, or will the price of revenge be so high that they both will have to pay? The cost, their hearts.
Jenna Hutchins’ life has been easy breezy. Except, going to an all girls’ high school has prevented her from meeting a guy she’d like to lose her virginity to. And who wants to go to college a virgin? Certainly not her. That’s why Jenna’s mission this summer is to have sex. And not just with any guy. No. She wants a bad boy.
Cam Larsen’s family used to have money and affluence. When his father died suddenly, his business partner, Jason Hutchins, screwed his family over. They lost everything. Now Cam’s only goal is to make Jason pay. When Jenna, Jason’s daughter, shows interest in Cam, he doesn’t want to get close. He doesn’t want to hurt her because her father is a greedy, malicious bastard, but he will if he has to.
Not only are the days heating up, but so are things between Jenna and Cam. Will they both get what they want this summer, or will the price of revenge be so high that they both will have to pay? The cost, their hearts.
Unknown Binding
Published March 18, 2020
85 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Emma Tharp
38 books222 followersEmma Tharp is the USA Today Bestselling Author of The Bluff Harbor Series, Keeping It Casual, Drawn to Dark, and the McLoughlin Brother Series. She was raised in upstate New York. Being an only child, she spent a great deal of time alone, dreaming up characters who would keep her company on long family road trips. Putting her writing on the back burner, she went to college and became a chiropractor. After spending twelve years healing patients, Emma decided—with the help of her amazingly supportive husband—to use the creative side of her brain and let her characters come to the page.
If she’s not writing, Emma can be found at the gym, one of her kids sporting events, Starbucks, or a live music event.
A perfect day for Emma would be spent at her lake house with her husband, two ginger-haired children, and Vizsla, reading a book and drinking a large cup of coffee (or wine) with music playing in the background.
If she’s not writing, Emma can be found at the gym, one of her kids sporting events, Starbucks, or a live music event.
A perfect day for Emma would be spent at her lake house with her husband, two ginger-haired children, and Vizsla, reading a book and drinking a large cup of coffee (or wine) with music playing in the background.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
added-it
April 20, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/20/2021)! 🎁
May 15, 2021
Cam is out for revenge after his deceased father’s old boss screws over the family. Jenna is the sweet, good girl. She follows all the rules and knows where she’s going in life. The summer before college, she intends to “become” a woman, and she has her sights set on the bad boy.
June 24, 2020
Someone said this would be a easy read. They were right. Too right. It is basically a romantic movie. You can read it under an hour if you skip the all the “thinking” parts.
June 7, 2020
One eventful summer on Cape Cod
Falling for the Bad Boy is exactly what Jenna does in this lovely, angsty, sweet and well written story. Jenna Hutchins and her twin sister Hannah, her story is in the next book, is eighteen years old and just graduated from her all-girls private high school. For the summer her family is doing exactly what they have always done, summered in Cape Cod. But this summer Jenna is in a mission to lose her V-card before she goes to college. She has always been the good girl, the daughter that followed the ruled, studied hard and did not mess around with boys. Meanwhile her sister is much more of a free spirited rebel who has a habit of getting into minor trouble.
Cam Larsen has returned to the Cape for the first time in five years. He is on a mission also this summer which involves some revenge besides working as a lifeguard. Cam's family had come to the Cape every summer also until something happened and then three years ago his father died when he was fifteen years old. That is when the Cam, his mother and his older brother lives changed drastically as they lost all of their money. It seems that Cam's father and Jenna's father were business partners but when his dad died Mr. Hutchins made some decisions that had a devastating effect on the remaining Larsen family. Cam spiraled and things went from him being a swimmer on his way to the Junior Olympics and living a privileged life to going to public school, living in a apartment and running with the wrong crowd.
Jenna decides she wants a bad boy for her first time and when she sees Cam she knows it is him..........tattoos, tousled hair and easy bad boy attitude. Cam is about to get much more than he bargained for as he and Jenna grow closer together even as he tries to keep her away from him. But Jenna sees that boy she used to know deep down in Cam and she sees the good in him, along with having faith in him and his dreams. Cam realizes that sometimes revenge is not all that it is cracked up to be as he has to decide if he wants it or Jenna in the end. But it is Hannah that sheds some light on things for Jenna so that she can start to see her father more clearly. When the truth of what happened regarding Cam's father and his family finally comes to light it will take the three women in Mr. Hutchins's life to band together and force him to make it right.
Emma Tharp is an eloquent writer who has woven a story and characters together that is a great read. It is the tale of two people on the cusp of adulthood who both have certain beliefs which will be tested and blown apart by each other as their relationship grows. Sometimes it takes falling of the bad boy to help you become who you were meant to be in the best of ways.
Falling for the Bad Boy is exactly what Jenna does in this lovely, angsty, sweet and well written story. Jenna Hutchins and her twin sister Hannah, her story is in the next book, is eighteen years old and just graduated from her all-girls private high school. For the summer her family is doing exactly what they have always done, summered in Cape Cod. But this summer Jenna is in a mission to lose her V-card before she goes to college. She has always been the good girl, the daughter that followed the ruled, studied hard and did not mess around with boys. Meanwhile her sister is much more of a free spirited rebel who has a habit of getting into minor trouble.
Cam Larsen has returned to the Cape for the first time in five years. He is on a mission also this summer which involves some revenge besides working as a lifeguard. Cam's family had come to the Cape every summer also until something happened and then three years ago his father died when he was fifteen years old. That is when the Cam, his mother and his older brother lives changed drastically as they lost all of their money. It seems that Cam's father and Jenna's father were business partners but when his dad died Mr. Hutchins made some decisions that had a devastating effect on the remaining Larsen family. Cam spiraled and things went from him being a swimmer on his way to the Junior Olympics and living a privileged life to going to public school, living in a apartment and running with the wrong crowd.
Jenna decides she wants a bad boy for her first time and when she sees Cam she knows it is him..........tattoos, tousled hair and easy bad boy attitude. Cam is about to get much more than he bargained for as he and Jenna grow closer together even as he tries to keep her away from him. But Jenna sees that boy she used to know deep down in Cam and she sees the good in him, along with having faith in him and his dreams. Cam realizes that sometimes revenge is not all that it is cracked up to be as he has to decide if he wants it or Jenna in the end. But it is Hannah that sheds some light on things for Jenna so that she can start to see her father more clearly. When the truth of what happened regarding Cam's father and his family finally comes to light it will take the three women in Mr. Hutchins's life to band together and force him to make it right.
Emma Tharp is an eloquent writer who has woven a story and characters together that is a great read. It is the tale of two people on the cusp of adulthood who both have certain beliefs which will be tested and blown apart by each other as their relationship grows. Sometimes it takes falling of the bad boy to help you become who you were meant to be in the best of ways.
June 12, 2020
What a sensational new book from Emma Tharp filled with drama, secrets, witty banter, passion, revenge, a bad boy lifeguard, a sweet girl next door, and unexpected love. Jenna is the daughter of a wealthy and affluent family and hasn't had the opportunity to experience life the way a regular teenage girl has. Cam had it all once, before a tragedy rocked his family and a man financially ruined them further. When Jenna meets Cam she sees the bad boy she has been looking for to take her innocence before college. Cam sees the perfect way to exact his revenge against his father's business partner. Unbeknownst to the other, they use each other for their own gain until true feelings begin to form between them and a summer fling could become something more if secrets don't come between them. Falling For the Bad Boy is a captivating and emotional story about second chances, how every action has consequences especially life altering ones, and how that one special person has the ability to help bring you out of darkness and into the light filled with love and acceptance. Readers will fall in love with this story and the characters. I can't wait for the release of Hannah's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2021
Falling for the Bad Boy is about Jenna and Cam. They’re both from wealthy families who would spend their summers on Cape Cod. It’s the summer before her freshman year at Boston College and Jenna, the classic good girl, wants to lose her virginity before heading to school in the fall. She sets her sights on the new bad boy lifeguard at the pool. Come to find it’s Cam, someone she hasn’t seen for years. Cam’s father was Jenna’s business partner. His family’s life changed when his father passed away and decisions made by Jenna’s father left him, his mom and brother without the means to maintain their lifestyle. He’s returned to the Cape a changed person. Gone is the golden boy swimmer on his way to the Olympics. In his place is a tattooed young man out for revenge. What a perfect way to get back at Jenna’s dad by getting together with her? As the summer moves along, their plans don’t play out as expected. Cam’s bad boy exterior only masks the boy she remembers and Cam realizes what he truly wants and it’s not revenge.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It had a pretty formulaic storyline, the characters experienced growth throughout, and had enough drama to keep it interesting. I felt this was a solid 3.5 star read.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It had a pretty formulaic storyline, the characters experienced growth throughout, and had enough drama to keep it interesting. I felt this was a solid 3.5 star read.
May 7, 2020
Jenna intends to lose her v-card before she heads to college in the fall. Her family is spending the summer at the Cape, and she's got lots of time to find the right guy. Cam is back in the Cape for the first time in years. His father died without a will, and his business partner screwed his family. He has a job and a place to stay, and he's out for revenge. This is short first-time love story, and a nice afternoon read. Jenna has always been the good girl, but she does some serious growing up this summer, and I like who she becomes - stronger, not afraid to challenge authority. Cam is a good boy gone bad with a tough situation, but the right girl makes him rethink his priorities. The only character I really didn't like is Jenna's father, although he redeems himself somewhat in the end. I'm looking forward to Hannah's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2020
Sweet short romance. Read the book description for the storyline. It would have been interesting to learn more about what happened with Cam's father before he died, to better understand the whole revenge angle. The history of the two fathers as business partners is a tad murky, however it didn't detract too much from the story.
Call me cynical but I did have a wee problem with the main characters being so young -18 - and completely and utterly being in real love like they've never previously experienced. I also find it hard to believe that an 18 year old male would have the sensitivity, maturity and experience to make Jenna's first experience of sex so amazing.
Having said that, it is a work of fiction that was easy to read, the storyline flowed well and the main characters likeable.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Call me cynical but I did have a wee problem with the main characters being so young -18 - and completely and utterly being in real love like they've never previously experienced. I also find it hard to believe that an 18 year old male would have the sensitivity, maturity and experience to make Jenna's first experience of sex so amazing.
Having said that, it is a work of fiction that was easy to read, the storyline flowed well and the main characters likeable.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 25, 2020
Jenna is just out of high school and her family is going to the Cape for the summer. She has plans to lose her virginity before she goes to college. Cam is back in town after being gone for awhile. He and Jenna run into each other and start dating. Cam is upset with how things went between their fathers and is plotting revenge. With his dad gone Cam feels its his place to deal with Jenna's father. However the more he is with her the more real his feelings become. What will happen if she learns of his plans? Can they find a way to be together?
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2021
Cam returns to Cape Cod after 5 years. When his father dies, his life changes for the worse both financially and personally. After going through a rebellious time full of tattoos and bad company and decisions, he returns hoping to get revenge on the man who did so much damage to his family.
Jenna is determined to lose her virginity this summer, since she doesn’t want to go to college as a virgin. That’s why she starts looking for the perfect candidate and she finds him on Cam.
Both of them already knew each other since their fathers were business partners, but time has changed them and they are both very attracted to each other, but Cam has doubts if he will be able to go ahead with his revenge plan since he doesn’t want to hurt Jenna.
It’s a good story, ❤️the first love but I would have liked it more if it had been longer.
Jenna is determined to lose her virginity this summer, since she doesn’t want to go to college as a virgin. That’s why she starts looking for the perfect candidate and she finds him on Cam.
Both of them already knew each other since their fathers were business partners, but time has changed them and they are both very attracted to each other, but Cam has doubts if he will be able to go ahead with his revenge plan since he doesn’t want to hurt Jenna.
It’s a good story, ❤️the first love but I would have liked it more if it had been longer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2020
Jenna and Cam used to vacation in the same area when they were younger. Things changed between them after Jason's dad died. Jenna and Cam see each other again after 5 years and lets just say things are tense between them. Jenna is looking to lose her v-card before she heads off to college and she is looking for a bad boy. Cam is struggling with his fathers sudden death and how things quickly have changed from having everything to now having nothing. Cam wan'ts his dads business partner Jason to pay for screwing his family over and nothing says revenge like taking his daughters v-card. The chemistry between Jenna and Cam are hot, intense and steamy. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 11, 2020
First, let me start by saying that I love to follow Emma Tharp and her books.
Some are more developed then others, some are quick easy reads and some have more substance. This book was a fast easy read. I enjoyed the story and the characters, and theres always something about a bad boy! It wasnt as intensely erotic as soon are, but thats ok! In all thats going on in our world right now, it gave me an hour or two to escape reality and remember the warmth of a summer beach!
I wish the characters were a little more developed. The ending was too quick and unbelievable in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Some are more developed then others, some are quick easy reads and some have more substance. This book was a fast easy read. I enjoyed the story and the characters, and theres always something about a bad boy! It wasnt as intensely erotic as soon are, but thats ok! In all thats going on in our world right now, it gave me an hour or two to escape reality and remember the warmth of a summer beach!
I wish the characters were a little more developed. The ending was too quick and unbelievable in my opinion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2020
This was a quick but enjoyable read. Jenna is 18 and wants to lose her v-card before she starts college. Her family is spending the summer in Cape Cod and she runs into a guy who used to do the same with his family before his dad died. She and Cam start spending time together and begin dating. Of course, there is a bit of angst as his dad used to be partners with her father and he felt betrayed when his dad died and they business didn't help his family at all. In the end we get a HFN (but since they are 18, not sure I would believe a HEA at that age). Very good book and I enjoy the author.
I received an ARC of this book through prolificworks in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this book through prolificworks in exchange for my honest review.
May 9, 2020
A quick interesting read. I have never read Emma Tharp before so this was a good introduction for me.
Cam is grieving the loss of his dad and the way his family was treated by his dad's business partner. He decides to return to an aspect of his former to earn some money, in the Cape Cods.
Jenna plans to go college when summer is over but she has a short term goal before that...lose her V-card.
These two meet and develop feelings for each other, but can they really fall in love? Jenna's dad is the person Cam blames for his family's financial ruin.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Funny, Page-turner, Wonderful characters
Cam is grieving the loss of his dad and the way his family was treated by his dad's business partner. He decides to return to an aspect of his former to earn some money, in the Cape Cods.
Jenna plans to go college when summer is over but she has a short term goal before that...lose her V-card.
These two meet and develop feelings for each other, but can they really fall in love? Jenna's dad is the person Cam blames for his family's financial ruin.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Funny, Page-turner, Wonderful characters
May 20, 2021
Jenna is intent on "becoming a woman" before she goes to college, but she doesn't want a good guy. Her mind is set on a bad boy, and the one she settles on is the new lifeguard, Cam. Cam and Jenna have a past. Their fathers were business partners but, after his father passed away, Jenna's father basically ruined them because of some poor business decisions. Cam decides to seek revenge on the daughter of the man who destroyed his family's way of life, but things don't always work out the way you plan them. It's a second chance love story that takes its time in resolving, especially with Cam's indecision about her. He comes to his senses and they have a sweet HEA.
April 14, 2020
Jenna just graduated high school and is ready to go college in the fall but she wants to lose her virginity before she goes. Cam is in Cape Cod to get revenge for the treatment his family received after his dad’s death. What neither of them planned on was finding and falling for the other. It was well written with great character development. Scenes were described really well. My only draw back was the ending seemed a little rushed but still a HEA. Reading Hannah’s book next
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2020
Ahhh, Summer Love
Cam and Jenna have one of those great passionate, super-steamy kind of attractions. Those always make good reads for me. This is no exception, because these two are like high-tension power lines on a hot summer day, just humming with the amount of energy coursing through them. This story might be a bit predictable, but that's okay. Some things just work anyway...and baby, Cam and Jenna really work as a couple.
This is a great escapist beach-type read, full of passion, heat, and joy.
Cam and Jenna have one of those great passionate, super-steamy kind of attractions. Those always make good reads for me. This is no exception, because these two are like high-tension power lines on a hot summer day, just humming with the amount of energy coursing through them. This story might be a bit predictable, but that's okay. Some things just work anyway...and baby, Cam and Jenna really work as a couple.
This is a great escapist beach-type read, full of passion, heat, and joy.
Read
May 8, 2020Loved reading this book. It had a wonderful story to the book and just shows how life can treat you at times.
The characters really worked well in the book and I found I could really connect to them as well.
I never found any spelling mistakes or any holes in the plot of this story.
I will be reading more books from this author in the future.
This was a first for me.
A great book for people over the age of 18+
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters really worked well in the book and I found I could really connect to them as well.
I never found any spelling mistakes or any holes in the plot of this story.
I will be reading more books from this author in the future.
This was a first for me.
A great book for people over the age of 18+
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2021
Falling For The Bad Boy! This book by Emma Tharp was honestly a good read. You got to know the characters Cam and Jenna and got a little peek into what goes on in their lives and what their goals for the future were. As for the actual falling for a bad boy I don’t think Cam was bad. He was goal oriented and I just think he was hurt and upset about the things that have happened in his life. He hasn’t done anything horrible to the point you’d consider him bad. But other than that. He’s great. And the book overall is worth the read!!
August 28, 2021
Falling For The Bad Boy was easy to read. I did expect a lot more from the title alone. It's a coming of age book where Jenna had a mission for her summer break. And Cam was labeled a bad boy because he has tattoos, other than that he doesn't really fit the bad boy stereotype. In my opinion, this book could use a little more. It did seem to just all move way quicker than what I expected. Other than these few things, the book was good and very easy to read. If you are looking for something to read that won't tie you down very long this one is perfect for that.
May 5, 2020
Great summer romance story! This is a story about Cam who is out for revenge. Then he sees Jenna and is not sure what he wants to do. Jenna is out to find someone to take her V card before going to college. They are young 18 year olds so their characters show them being back n forth (wishy washy). I hope in further books their characters are developed more as we only got a glimpse.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2020
When I started the story about Cam and Jenna I really hoped that he wouldn't go through with his plan. It was hard to see the 2 of them stumble through the days together and know that some how it was going to backfire. Cam is a good guy deep down. You want him to win in life and maybe Jenna can help. I love the ending!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 6, 2020
This is a quick, easy YA summer romance. It's a bit superficial and the characters don't have much depth, Jenna is the good girl and Cam is the "bad boy", only because he has tattoos and rides a motorcycle. It's a bit cliched. It's well written and has a little bit of steam, appropriate for the YA genre. Good book for the beach.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 9, 2020
This is book one in the Summer Secrets series. Jenna's summer goal is to lose her virginity. Cam, the new lifeguard is the guy she has her eye on to do it. Cam has his own agenda....revenge. What a great story, I love this author's stories and this is another hit. A well written, action packed story that challenges our characters more than what they bargained for. This is no simple summer. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2021
I received a free ARC from Goodreads New Adult Book Club for the promise of an honest review.
It was okay. It was sweet without lot of drama. I felt like the ending came quickly without a lot of substance to the story. Cam and Jenna meet. They start a friendship which leads to relationship. Cam's revenge never really takes flight. I wanted to see him as more of antagonist that caused more drama. He isn't really a "bad boy" except he has tattoos and rides a motorcycle.
It was okay. It was sweet without lot of drama. I felt like the ending came quickly without a lot of substance to the story. Cam and Jenna meet. They start a friendship which leads to relationship. Cam's revenge never really takes flight. I wanted to see him as more of antagonist that caused more drama. He isn't really a "bad boy" except he has tattoos and rides a motorcycle.
February 19, 2021
The characters lacked depth for me. Cam and Jenna's relationship was not developed and went to "love" quickly. Jenna seemed a lot younger than her 18 years and was a lot more naive than her sister, Hannah. Her changing her looks and the way she dressed to attract Cam and then for her to say it was for her felt really wrong. The conflict with the father and Cam was too easily resolved and also felt fake. Overall the book had potential but needs some work.
April 6, 2020
Absolutely Awesome Read, well written, great characters, Awesome story line, easy read to hold you on their journey, this genre might not be for everyone but its a really wonderful story cannot wait for more from this Author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2020
Once I started reading today I couldn’t put this book down. The story of Cam wanting revenge, Jenna trying to accomplish her summer goal, and the amazing electricity they have together made this a great book. I can’t wait to read Hannah’s story in the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 12, 2020
This is the first book that I’ve read by Emma Tharp. She is an amazing author and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book . The story is well written and holds your interest so you can’t put it down. If you like a book filled with drama and chemistry then you will enjoy reading Jenna and Cam’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2020
If you like Steamy, and Hot, this book is for you. Emma Tharp knows how to write them...Things are tenuous at best between Cam and Jenna, revenge is a dangerous thing. The route to the end is filled with Heat and Sparks as well as anger. The story keeps moving and keeps you wanting to turn the next page. Thank you Emma
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews