The Heat of Summer

by Melissa Tereze

With her grandparent’s inheritance in her bank account and a taste for change growing by the day, twenty-six-year-old Summer Hastings boards a flight to Tías, Spain. Women were the last thing on her mind—her desire to focus on creating a life she loves coming before all else. Checking into a boutique hotel was easy…keeping her eyes off the astonishing woman on the balcony wasn’t.

Businesswoman Prue Michaels has spent the last twenty years of her life improving it. Having survived a murky and painful past, she is quite satisfied putting her everything into her career. After all, it is what she does best. Now forty-seven, Prue is growing tired of the same old thing, day in and day out. When a new guest checks into her hotel, everything changes. For the first time in ten years, Prue believes she could be ready to love again.

Both women must navigate life with one another around, but the pull is too hard to deny. Will insecurities cripple their prospects of a life together? Or will love ultimately prevail?

Sexual tension. Sexual experience. Undeniable chemistry.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2019

About the author

Melissa Tereze is a best-selling author living in Liverpool, UK, with her fiancée and Golden Retriever. She holds a degree in Sports Development, and when she’s not writing, she can be found at a local bar singing one of her favourite tracks.

You can contact Melissa through her social media and her website.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I can't remember the last time I didn't finish a book.
The description of this book was right up my alley. An age gap romance in Spain, but it was a complete miss for me.
The instalove felt so artificial. I had to put it down.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star rating
This is an age gap romance that had a very short unromantic state and a large proportion romantic.
I liked the whole 'checking out from afar' attraction and the show of vulnerabilities. Normally this story might have bored me with the little angst in play but it didn't. In fact, I read this at a stretch wanting to be sure I wasn't awake next day wondering how their story will end.

[Barbro-Katrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t like how aggressive Prue was towards Summer in the beginning. Feels forced and weird. Her behavior is almost stalker like. She’s already checked Summer in the hotels system, she knows Jade left and that Summer is checked in for 2 more weeks. She debates checking out Summer’s birthdate and if she’s left the hotel. It’s weird. I just can get over how stalker-y it feels. Even the random side character Summer was out partying with commented on how it sounded stalker’y and called Prue a creep.

I made it 1/3 into it and then I just had to give up

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I read community reviews after reading this book. they seem to split into 2 categories (omg/ love it or DNF/ hated it). I forced myself to finish this book, so I'm falling into the latter category. This is an age gap romance with a semi ice queen character named Prue. She's a business professional who runs a hotel in Spain. Then there's Summer a photographer from England who's moving to Spain, 20+ years her junior. They stalk each other at the hotel. It begins as instant lust relationship moving to instant love. Although I didn't feel the chemistry at all between them. They would constantly talk at each other, & then jump off the handle about what they heard or how they feel. This constant push/pull becomes tedious at best, & is a repetitive thread even with minor characters. It's like no one knows how to listen & or behave. The story jumbles along into a HEA.

I realize that this is the second book I've read by this author, & the first one I liked less than this. So with that being said, it's probably personal pet peeves & style that clash for me. Therefore, do take what I've mentioned with a grain of salt.

We all have different tastes, this is not my cup of tea. I'll know to pass on her next time.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was so bad I had a hard time getting through this book. When I picked it up, I wanted to enjoy a good F/F romance but when I saw it wasn't going to be great, I still wanted to enjoy the story.

However, the story and dialogues were awkward. I don't know how to explain it but it was like the main characters were changing their minds every couple sentences.



It was as if they didn't know what they wanted and misunderstood what the other woman wanted. And even though the author tried to give them reasons for not trying to be together at first, they were badly executed. Overall, it was a mess. I usually love age-gaps romances but this one didn't really do it for me. Also, I didn't appreciate the older woman being with someone else.

It could have been good but just wasn't. I'm glad I got it read because I always want to read more F/F but I'm scared of picking another book by this author...

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this one, but barely. I liked the theme of this one but did not connect at all. I found it to be slow and not interesting. The love connection was forced and that was a disappointment especially since both characters seems attractive and interesting. I give this one 2.5 stars.

[Jennabeebs79 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. It didn’t have much substance between the two characters. The continuous push/pull between Prue and Summer got to be a little too much. Summer spent two weeks watching Prue at the hotel and when Prue finally approached her, Summer played games. It was no wonder Prue turned to someone else. Not sure why Summer stayed at the villa that night and listened to Prue with another woman either. There were a couple of times I almost abandoned the book but I like the author so I wanted to finish it. The added drama with Jade on her visit was unnecessary, in my opinion. I found the last 10% of the book to be the best part. I’m not saying this is a bad book, but there just wasn’t that much there.

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Gentle
What a lovely book! Summer has moved to Tias Spain to start life anew. She brings her best friend along for a vacation. While at the hotel, Summer notices the beautiful Prue, who notices her back. It doesn’t take long until they are drawn to each other and their desire grows. However, both women are very insecure in all things relationships and things will not be easy for the couple. I really enjoyed this book. It was gentle, laid back and easy to read. I was drawn in by these lovely women and couldn’t help but pull for them from word one. There was laughter, tears, pain and joy and I loved it all! It truly could not have been more perfect!

[Rae Storey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak.

Bunches of folks adored this book, but I didn't. I found the characters flat with only the tiniest bit of growth. The best friend ultimately had the greatest arc, and I hated her.

I know next to nothing about these characters. I read reviews mention the angst, and the chemistry. I didn't feel angst, because I didn't care enough. I was annoyed and frustrated. The whole book was a pendulum of telling each other how beautiful they are to ridiculous misunderstandings to insecure avoidance and back again.

And Prue as an Ice Queen? Hardly.

I also found the story telling monochromatic. I have no sensory impression of anything. Not even the villa left any true impression.

[Abiesha Abiola Budiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prue and Summer’s story was etched against the backdrop of beautiful sunsets and waves lapping the horizon and their toes. Barring Summer’s experience of having to witness Prue with another woman, I enjoyed the novel and five stars are ensued due to the seamless way through which conflict was navigated and ultimately resolved. Live and living will not always be a bed of roses and rosy moments but finding someone with whom to share the good, the bad, and the ugly will more than suffice. This novel portrayed such with Prue and Summer being able to find their forever in today.

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew that was hot

Another great story. I appreciate the larger age gap in this book. Love knows no age limit. Can't wait for more from Melissa.

[Cari Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author gives me a headache and the MCs are always so insufferable! I will keep reading though! xoxox maybe I'll stop reviewing. Also another Summer Hastings? woah

[Mandy 'Hammie' · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, This book was amazing. I just couldn't put it down. Twist and turns, up and down, god. I was on the edge of my seat, will they won't they. Very well done you had me rooting for them the whole way through. I would highly recommend this book and author.

[Sue Micallef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!! What can I say about this gem of a book!!! It’s simply breathtaking, full on chemistry & fear of falling in love & literary blow my mind away. A must read for lesfic lovers. Best storyline & book I’ve read in a few years. Love it.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

[Pinkdturtle tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s like a car stalling. DNF.

[Deidre R Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

It was a wonderful experience reading this book. I look forward to reading more from you. Truly amazing. Thank you for writing this.

[Irene Timoleon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prue is rich and guarded because she has been hurt in the past. Summer is looking for a new beginning but she finds a lot more than that when she moves to Spain in this age gap romance.

This book had a good premise. I did feel the chemistry between Prue and Summer and at first I was really excited by how things were developing between them.
Summer though started becoming really annoying to me when all these misunderstandings started happening for everything and anything which in my opinion were creating drama without reason.
I get that the author wanted to show us they are different and miscommunications do happen but they happened so often and for many little things that it actually made me feel very frustrated.

[Kathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these two. The story was all about finding your passion and finding the courage and support to achieve it. Grammar was professional, I don't recall spelling or synonym errors, so there must not have been any, or very few. Interesting, so much lying and jealousy. Not that it's not true. Summer's telling off Jade and defending Prue was heartwarming. THAT doesn't happen all the time. Thanks, Melissa, for another masterful (should I say "mistressful"?) storytelling experience. I always look for your books.

[monica.b.czuba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awersome story

This is a story about age difference , between a business woman Pure who falls in love the minute she sees them. A couple of Brits Jade a party girl and best friend Summer a photographer whose grand parents had both passed on.Summer intended to lives in Tias Spain.?
Another well written story by Melissa Teresa which chose that love can happen at any age difference.
Recommend Definitely worth a read. 5 *****STARS.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the life of me I can NOT understand others rating on this book. I finished it in a bout a day because I had to see what happened next for Summer and Prue, they may not be your typical couple, but who is nowadays? I loved the twists and turns and the real life drama that sometimes occurs with friends and family when you start a relationship. Then throw in the backdrop of Spain and real life goals, who doesn't want to get lost in this book.

Love it.

[Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy, sweet, and swoon worthy

I absolutely adore this book. As much as I love age gaps, it was so refreshing to see the older woman chasing. Melissa did not disappoint.

There are some parts that seem a little drawn out with the back and forth with Summer’s indecisiveness. But holy shit, it was worth it. I love both Prue and Summer and for the story to be wrapped up in a nice little bow of an epilogue *chefs kiss* I highly recommend giving this one a shot.

[Jen Bedlington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have just finished the Mrs Middleton series and wanted to keep reading Melissa Trezze. I do read a lot of age gap romances, but this is the first time I felt there was one. I liked Prue strong independent business woman, but Summer I just couldn’t connect with, and don’t get me started on Jade! All in all I enjoyed and I’m going to be making my way through Trezze verse 😊 K A Walsh as a narrator… I love!

[Margaritas Cherena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age is just a number?

A smooth reading with well rounded characters, good rhythm and with believable situations. Especially, Jade would represent those who think that twenty two years difference is a lot.

[Miss S · Rating 2 out of 5]

No heat

I had to stop reading this and couldn't get to the end. I was getting frustrated as it was all talk about things which seemed trivial. There was a lot of talking and a lack of steamy tension. Shame as I really enjoyed Mrs Middleton

[jella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start but when it got going... I love Summer's openness and honesty. Pure is loveable, kind and honest. Oh their just perfect together and the sex is just mmmmmm. I loved their story 10 out of 10

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heat of Summer

Melissa Tereze is amazing. Her chemistry, steamy scenes and character development is outstanding. I will continue to follow her and look forward to more books from her.

[Case Base Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sappy lesbian love story you won’t be able to put down :) finished it in 2 days

[Emme Bayliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE !!!!!
Summer and Prue are one hell of a couple 😍♥️

[M Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice age gap romance in Spain with a will they won’t they plot. I like the way Melissa is able to make the characters come alive you can actually see them!