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Main Desire #3
Hard Facts
Summer knows secrets.
Everyone has a secret. Everyone, that is, except Grayson Rowe. With my new tutor, apparently what you see is what you get. Though what I see is fine, I know he’s hiding something behind those dorky glasses and annoyingly endless collection of facts. And it’s not just a superhero set of biceps.
I don’t date nerds. But I need Gray’s help keeping this tutoring thing on the down low. So we strike a deal. Pretend to be my boyfriend, and he gets a spot in my rich daddy’s engineering program. Until then, I’ll ignore that I’ve got the hots for his smug grin and sharp mind―the one that makes me want to spill all my secrets instead. Including that I’m falling for him. Hard.
Grayson just knows everything.
Vinegar and baking soda. Sodium and water. Gunpowder and fire. Summer Prescott and me. Do you know what these things all have in common? Reactive chemistry. All things that, when mixed together, erupt. But as much as I love a good bang, that level of combustion can be…distracting.
I can’t afford distractions. And Summer, with her nosy nature and generous curves and all those secrets I don’t know, is the ultimate distraction. Yet, I need that internship. So I’ll fake-date her, and I’ll ignore that I’d like to know her. In more ways than one. Because if we get together, for real―that’s waiting for an explosion on an entirely catastrophic level. Fact.
Everyone has a secret. Everyone, that is, except Grayson Rowe. With my new tutor, apparently what you see is what you get. Though what I see is fine, I know he’s hiding something behind those dorky glasses and annoyingly endless collection of facts. And it’s not just a superhero set of biceps.
I don’t date nerds. But I need Gray’s help keeping this tutoring thing on the down low. So we strike a deal. Pretend to be my boyfriend, and he gets a spot in my rich daddy’s engineering program. Until then, I’ll ignore that I’ve got the hots for his smug grin and sharp mind―the one that makes me want to spill all my secrets instead. Including that I’m falling for him. Hard.
Grayson just knows everything.
Vinegar and baking soda. Sodium and water. Gunpowder and fire. Summer Prescott and me. Do you know what these things all have in common? Reactive chemistry. All things that, when mixed together, erupt. But as much as I love a good bang, that level of combustion can be…distracting.
I can’t afford distractions. And Summer, with her nosy nature and generous curves and all those secrets I don’t know, is the ultimate distraction. Yet, I need that internship. So I’ll fake-date her, and I’ll ignore that I’d like to know her. In more ways than one. Because if we get together, for real―that’s waiting for an explosion on an entirely catastrophic level. Fact.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2021
79 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
November 13, 2022
3.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise. The side characters making another appearance. The humor.
The Not-So-Good: The lack of closure for certain things. I wanted to know what they ended up doing with their lives. How they moved on once they graduated. How they made things work. I also wanted a little more grovel from Greyson -- I think Summer deserved it!
The Bad: The ending was way too abrupt. I'm a broken record, I know -- but even though they are NA books, I want a good solid ending! A jump ahead glimpse or something!
Overall: This was cute for what it was. I think this felt a little deeper than the previous books in the series. I still wanted more though. Especially with that ending!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Summer and Greyson's story. Summer's famous billionaire father is threatening to take away her position as philanthropic chair at her sorority if she doesn't get good grades in math and chemistry. She knows a lot about everyone on campus, but when her sorority sister tells her she must use Greyson as her tutor, she is stumped because she doesn't know anything about him. Greyson is working hard to beat the statistics of foster kids just returning back to the system and he really needs it when Summer offers him on the side cash for tutoring her while also pretending to be her boyfriend to avoid rumors. They get closer, lines are crossed, and feelings develop...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Summer and Greyson's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Greyson. I liked him. I like smart men, so he was right up my ally!
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Summer. I liked her. I appreciated her confidence, her caring nature, and how she appreciated the H for who he was.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. Kind of a slow burn because
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Not really
Sex scene with OW or OM: Not really
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a pretty good place for the couple, but with what j would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise. The side characters making another appearance. The humor.
The Not-So-Good: The lack of closure for certain things. I wanted to know what they ended up doing with their lives. How they moved on once they graduated. How they made things work. I also wanted a little more grovel from Greyson -- I think Summer deserved it!
The Bad: The ending was way too abrupt. I'm a broken record, I know -- but even though they are NA books, I want a good solid ending! A jump ahead glimpse or something!
Overall: This was cute for what it was. I think this felt a little deeper than the previous books in the series. I still wanted more though. Especially with that ending!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Summer and Greyson's story. Summer's famous billionaire father is threatening to take away her position as philanthropic chair at her sorority if she doesn't get good grades in math and chemistry. She knows a lot about everyone on campus, but when her sorority sister tells her she must use Greyson as her tutor, she is stumped because she doesn't know anything about him. Greyson is working hard to beat the statistics of foster kids just returning back to the system and he really needs it when Summer offers him on the side cash for tutoring her while also pretending to be her boyfriend to avoid rumors. They get closer, lines are crossed, and feelings develop...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Summer and Greyson's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Greyson. I liked him. I like smart men, so he was right up my ally!
h (heroine) rating: 4 stars. Summer. I liked her. I appreciated her confidence, her caring nature, and how she appreciated the H for who he was.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. Kind of a slow burn because
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Not really
Sex scene with OW or OM: Not really
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a pretty good place for the couple, but with what j would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
November 4, 2025
nobody loves this book like i love this book 🥹🐝
September 27, 2024
I actually enjoyed a lot about this. I feel like Grayson was different from a lot of MMCs I read and he and Summer were a really cute match.
Besides the book dragging a bit, I got super annoyed at the ending. Not only did Natalie bug the crap out of me throughout the book, but her remark to Summer about always running away from things was so off the mark. And then Summer takes it to heart and feels bad about walking about from Grayson! Um, hello he betrayed her and then lied to her about it forever while she continually told him she loved him. I hated how quickly she got over it, his grand gesture, and the fact that he lied in the first place.
Besides the book dragging a bit, I got super annoyed at the ending. Not only did Natalie bug the crap out of me throughout the book, but her remark to Summer about always running away from things was so off the mark. And then Summer takes it to heart and feels bad about walking about from Grayson! Um, hello he betrayed her and then lied to her about it forever while she continually told him she loved him. I hated how quickly she got over it, his grand gesture, and the fact that he lied in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
Someone please hit me with car, punch me, run me over, ANYTHING SO I CAN REREAD THIS BOOK AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I lived this so much, don’t want to hear a single slander, if you don’t like this book it’s you, not it.
I lived this so much, don’t want to hear a single slander, if you don’t like this book it’s you, not it.
July 4, 2021
I freaking love this series so much! It reminds me of Off-Campus/Briar U, so if you love those books..you’ve got to read this series! Highly recommend! Summer & Gray adorable. And I love getting to see the others featured so much in this book. (Kennedy & Spencer are my faves!) 10/10 highly recommend!!
November 22, 2025
had all the troupes i liked and was a fun read but personally, if i were aummer i would NOT have forgiven grayson
November 5, 2025
Ugh imo natalie ruined this book for me. She was so UNBEARABLE!! And I’m sorry Summer forgave him too quickly- fuck natalie for making her feel bad for ending things with him when Gray was the one who betrayed HER??? Like what the heck. NO.
October 22, 2025
painful for any engineers to read.
Here’s the thing about engineering: work experience is vital. And I don’t mean unpaid internships; if you SEE an unpaid engineering internship, it’s a straight up scam. Any accredited engineering school should be shoving co-ops down your throat. Because that’s how you get a job as an engineer.
It’s like an internship but with more commitment (sometimes a full year of work, sometimes alternating school and work semesters, RARELY but possibly every summer between sophomore year and graduation). It pays good (I made about $17/hour, with health insurance, vacation, and sick time back in 2017). If you do a decent job as a co-op student, you will get a job offer. I had already signed my offer before Christmas break my senior year.
And EVERY company that has an engineering department is likely to have a co-op program. It’s just… it’s just such a NORMAL and REGULAR part of an accredited engineering program.
And for all his genius and all his concerns over money and stability and a safety net, the MMC has been working minimum wage jobs? He didn’t even bother applying for an INTERNSHIP until right before he graduates?!?!??!?
Sorry, my disbelief cannot be suspended this far.
Unfortunately for me, I was also in a sorority at an SEC school and I just… sure, it was more plausible than the MMC’s whole setup, but I honestly had to skip the entire beginning of this book because none of it felt true. I was going to DNF the book based on the co-op/internship thing alone, but I got curious about the major conflict and ended up reading from about 40% through the end.
It was fine. I agree with other reviews that she forgave him WAY too quickly and it was a HFN not a HEA. The writing itself was good (like it was technically good, from a writing perspective) but the lack of research and the conflict resolution means I would have a REAL hard time recommending this book to anyone.
Here’s the thing about engineering: work experience is vital. And I don’t mean unpaid internships; if you SEE an unpaid engineering internship, it’s a straight up scam. Any accredited engineering school should be shoving co-ops down your throat. Because that’s how you get a job as an engineer.
It’s like an internship but with more commitment (sometimes a full year of work, sometimes alternating school and work semesters, RARELY but possibly every summer between sophomore year and graduation). It pays good (I made about $17/hour, with health insurance, vacation, and sick time back in 2017). If you do a decent job as a co-op student, you will get a job offer. I had already signed my offer before Christmas break my senior year.
And EVERY company that has an engineering department is likely to have a co-op program. It’s just… it’s just such a NORMAL and REGULAR part of an accredited engineering program.
And for all his genius and all his concerns over money and stability and a safety net, the MMC has been working minimum wage jobs? He didn’t even bother applying for an INTERNSHIP until right before he graduates?!?!??!?
Sorry, my disbelief cannot be suspended this far.
Unfortunately for me, I was also in a sorority at an SEC school and I just… sure, it was more plausible than the MMC’s whole setup, but I honestly had to skip the entire beginning of this book because none of it felt true. I was going to DNF the book based on the co-op/internship thing alone, but I got curious about the major conflict and ended up reading from about 40% through the end.
It was fine. I agree with other reviews that she forgave him WAY too quickly and it was a HFN not a HEA. The writing itself was good (like it was technically good, from a writing perspective) but the lack of research and the conflict resolution means I would have a REAL hard time recommending this book to anyone.
July 7, 2021
I was a little vocal about being disappointed we weren't getting a Natalie book yet, but thankfully I was wrong and Penny Clarke was right. My apologies Ms. Clarke.
Now for my 'review' which is mainly just gushing about my love for this series.
Grayson is my absolute favourite Main Desire man, no competition. He is mature, vulnerable, an absolute gentleman while still being sexy, and has his priorities in order. Summer is a good balance for Gray reminding him to live a little too.
Summer was great, honestly anyone would pale in comparison to Gray....except for Natalie, have I mentioned I love Natalie? But not as a partner for Gray so moving on. Summer tries to give back by pouring herself into volunteer work and philanthropy, but I didn't feel that she really grasped how privileged she is - she doesn't seem to try in school until her father forces her to, and for as much as she complains about others bailing on volunteer work, she fails to realize it is easier to volunteer more when your not studying, working, and have a personal maid/chef. All that being said, she's 21 years old, she's still young, she's growing, and this is what makes her for with Gray, he cares about his grades so much she learns to care too. Summers self confidence is what pushes Gray to take risks, while Gray in turn teaches Summer to trust.
Theres also some really hot solo scenes.
Natalie, who is not the main character of this story but I'm going to talk about her anyway. Natalie is such a whole person in a way I rarely see in romance stories. By taking 3 books to get to know her she is so real, flaws, insecurities, hobbies that dont make sense together, and truely just finding her way in university which is not always rainbows and butterflies. She is a character that does not fit a mold and is full of contradictions. She loves girls night and glitter but has a male best friend, she is the welcoming bestie to Kennedy and Rylie but doesn't trust Summer. I am so excited for her book, and if it's 300+ pages of just her and no love interest, I'm still in.
I recieved Penny Clarke's first book, Nude Awakening as an ARC. Here I am a year later on her mailing list, obsessively checking release dates for her next books. Clarke converted me from a reviewer to an uber fan.
Now for my 'review' which is mainly just gushing about my love for this series.
Grayson is my absolute favourite Main Desire man, no competition. He is mature, vulnerable, an absolute gentleman while still being sexy, and has his priorities in order. Summer is a good balance for Gray reminding him to live a little too.
Summer was great, honestly anyone would pale in comparison to Gray....except for Natalie, have I mentioned I love Natalie? But not as a partner for Gray so moving on. Summer tries to give back by pouring herself into volunteer work and philanthropy, but I didn't feel that she really grasped how privileged she is - she doesn't seem to try in school until her father forces her to, and for as much as she complains about others bailing on volunteer work, she fails to realize it is easier to volunteer more when your not studying, working, and have a personal maid/chef. All that being said, she's 21 years old, she's still young, she's growing, and this is what makes her for with Gray, he cares about his grades so much she learns to care too. Summers self confidence is what pushes Gray to take risks, while Gray in turn teaches Summer to trust.
Theres also some really hot solo scenes.
Natalie, who is not the main character of this story but I'm going to talk about her anyway. Natalie is such a whole person in a way I rarely see in romance stories. By taking 3 books to get to know her she is so real, flaws, insecurities, hobbies that dont make sense together, and truely just finding her way in university which is not always rainbows and butterflies. She is a character that does not fit a mold and is full of contradictions. She loves girls night and glitter but has a male best friend, she is the welcoming bestie to Kennedy and Rylie but doesn't trust Summer. I am so excited for her book, and if it's 300+ pages of just her and no love interest, I'm still in.
I recieved Penny Clarke's first book, Nude Awakening as an ARC. Here I am a year later on her mailing list, obsessively checking release dates for her next books. Clarke converted me from a reviewer to an uber fan.
January 19, 2022
I really love this couple. The slow paced love.... its definitely my favorite thing to read, but i feel like, well at least in the two books that i read of this saga (#2 and #3), the heroine always forgives the hero’s fuck ups so fast!!!! In this case i wanted Summer to tell him ‘ok, thanks for everything (spoilers), for the fireworks and shit but what you did ISN’T IT, I CANT TRUST YOU’. I love Gray ok and I understand him, but his actions towards Summer were dumb as fuck for a smart boy. He betrayed her after everything she told him!!! After she told him that Nolan hates her because of her mom’s death, he still went and told him everything she did to not loose her philanthropist chair. God i was so mad. Gray really deserved to grovel but he didnt at all, he told her some nice words and she forgave him sooooo freaking easily. And what bothered me the most was Natalie, sticking her nose where it doesn't concern her (kinda sad because i was expecting her to be my fave for the sole reason that i love morris and he should have the best HEROINE) I was like WTF???? When she told Summer she was a ‘runner’ for ending things with Gray after his awful betrayal!!!! Like WHAT? I know you like Gray but he's the one who did everything wrong... he kept sleeping with her and accepting her love after everything he did to her behind her back.... idk man... she should’ve left him for a while, it would’ve make everything much more.... exquisite to read, you know what I mean? Also i think it was kinda out of Summer’s character for her to forgive him at once, she had trust issues since the start... it would’ve been more credible if she ignored him for a little bit at least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
Those three stars for the FMC and ONLY THE FMC! God, the FMC was way too good for him. He was a such a loser and what he did to her at the end…that was THE most justified third act break up ever. I am so angry that she forgave him (and quite easily, I might add) and they had an HEA. The FMC was way too good for him and what he did was just unforgivable. This guy embarrassed her in front of EVERYONE and literally blew up her life. I feel like the author glossed over this to reach a happy ending. FMC wasn’t mad enough for me (although I did like her crash out).
I should’ve listened to the reviews about this one 😩 While the ride was mostly enjoyable, I really hated seeing the FMC do all the chasing. The premise was so unrealistic. FMC was way too great a person to be putting up with this shit 😤 I didn’t like the MMC but he was valid in his approach to the internship. It WAS important for him and getting good grades should also have been his priority. He didn’t have a safety net unlike other characters so it was weird that they made him feel bad about chasing his dreams. He just didn’t need to crush my girl to get it smh 😤
I should’ve listened to the reviews about this one 😩 While the ride was mostly enjoyable, I really hated seeing the FMC do all the chasing. The premise was so unrealistic. FMC was way too great a person to be putting up with this shit 😤 I didn’t like the MMC but he was valid in his approach to the internship. It WAS important for him and getting good grades should also have been his priority. He didn’t have a safety net unlike other characters so it was weird that they made him feel bad about chasing his dreams. He just didn’t need to crush my girl to get it smh 😤
January 15, 2025
Natalie was the worst and I really hate bfs to lovers bc omg, just say you like each other!
I felt so sad that Grayson did that to Summer at the end, I would’ve been fine with them being broken up after that lol
I wanted to drop the book off so many times but it got good. Summer should not have had to try to have revenge sex, she was portrayed almost like man are in books… overly sexual bc why was it necessary to have her have as a secret she had x with Morris, just UGH
I felt so sad that Grayson did that to Summer at the end, I would’ve been fine with them being broken up after that lol
I wanted to drop the book off so many times but it got good. Summer should not have had to try to have revenge sex, she was portrayed almost like man are in books… overly sexual bc why was it necessary to have her have as a secret she had x with Morris, just UGH
July 5, 2021
While this book could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first 2 books in the series, or at least book 2 since it will give you a much needed inside understanding of who the characters are and how they work. I will also say that I really appreciate that the author explicitly stated a trigger warning and mentioned exactly where they take place. Most authors don't do that so I very much appreciated the thought behind it.
Now for the actual review. This is book number 3 of the Main Desire series and focuses on Gray and Summer. We have seen Gray quite a bit over the last 2 books. He is a literal genius level smart and sometimes doesn't 'people' well but he has a very loyal group of friends who are great. Summer is newer to the series and is known for unearthing everyone's secrets. Her dad, Nolan, is funding an engineering program that Gray really needs to get in to. When Summer has to get tutoring from Gray, she wants to keep it hidden so they strike up a deal. They fake date so it isn't obvious that he's her tutor and she gets him a spot in her dad's program.
I absolutely loved this book! I had been very impatiently waiting on it to come out and I am so glad that it did! I absolutely loved Gray and I love that he found someone who respected and appreciated his nerd-ness. I know in the previous book he had trouble getting girls because of his random facts but I liked seeing him with someone who appreciated it. These 2 were great together! This was definitely a one click purchase for me and I am really looking forward to book number 4! I definitely recommend this book, but I also recommend reading the first 2 in the series before this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Now for the actual review. This is book number 3 of the Main Desire series and focuses on Gray and Summer. We have seen Gray quite a bit over the last 2 books. He is a literal genius level smart and sometimes doesn't 'people' well but he has a very loyal group of friends who are great. Summer is newer to the series and is known for unearthing everyone's secrets. Her dad, Nolan, is funding an engineering program that Gray really needs to get in to. When Summer has to get tutoring from Gray, she wants to keep it hidden so they strike up a deal. They fake date so it isn't obvious that he's her tutor and she gets him a spot in her dad's program.
I absolutely loved this book! I had been very impatiently waiting on it to come out and I am so glad that it did! I absolutely loved Gray and I love that he found someone who respected and appreciated his nerd-ness. I know in the previous book he had trouble getting girls because of his random facts but I liked seeing him with someone who appreciated it. These 2 were great together! This was definitely a one click purchase for me and I am really looking forward to book number 4! I definitely recommend this book, but I also recommend reading the first 2 in the series before this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 16, 2022
Obsessed
This story broke me. If been reluctant to read this one but I think it's been my favourite so far. Such a fantastic story, Summer and Grey are up there with some of my all time favourite characters. This series is one I cannot recommend enough!
This story broke me. If been reluctant to read this one but I think it's been my favourite so far. Such a fantastic story, Summer and Grey are up there with some of my all time favourite characters. This series is one I cannot recommend enough!
July 8, 2021
PENNY CLARKE IF YOU ARE READING IT, KNOW THAT YOU OWE ME AN EXTENDED EPILOGUE, AFTER GRADUATION. We just *need* to know. My boy Grayson James is going places. Love you.
May 11, 2025
Once again I am procrastination reading but part of it was because this book was insanely good. Love a popular girl x nerdy boy book
November 29, 2025
3.5/5 stars
November 5, 2021
Bagus deh... Summer & Gray story, apa yg terlihat belum tentu benar pokoknya... ah gw nungguin Theo - Nath ni, ntah kapan terbit kwkwkwkw
gw gak sempet bikin review XD
gw gak sempet bikin review XD
November 20, 2025
I enjoyed reading the book—like, a lot—up until I reached the 80% mark. Specifically at around 96.7%, the ending felt too rushed. I absolutely hated how Nat accused Summer of being a runner when both she herself and her supposed lover are also runners. She honestly gave me such ‘pick-me’ vibes, it pissed me the fuck off too (though I hope she gets better with whatever shit she was dealing with). That shit really pissed me off.
I also wish Gray had apologized more, grovelled more, and that Summer shouldn’t have forgiven him so easily. Personally, I believe she had every right to act the way she did—from getting rid of all his shit to breaking his birthday gift (that she bought for him). And I respect her for it, because if I were her, I would have taken all his shit to his house, burned it in front of him, and yelled curses the whole time. Some people might argue that’s too much and that I’m overreacting, but I’d counter that with the fact that he went to her, picked her up, asked her about her dead mother, had sex with her right after hearing about the trauma, and then continued living and sleeping with her like he didn’t just tell her father about their arrangement—even though he knows they don’t have the best relationship. That shit really pissed me off.
Now, tying this back to when Nat called her a runner—put yourself in Summer’s shoes and think carefully. Was she actually a runner, or was she used by the guy she thought liked her? And after severing ties with him and him realizing what a dick he’d been, he tried to get her back—even though he was the one who pushed her away. If he was mad about her sleeping with his best friend when they were freshmen, then by that logic, doesn’t she also have the right to run away from him after the shit he did?
I know this might not be the best breakdown of the book, because honestly the only issue I had was the ending. It should’ve been either: they don’t get back together, or he should’ve been grovelling for a whole lot longer. But yeah—that's just my opinion. Read this book at your own risk. The only good thing about the entire book is the FMC and her little sister. Everyone else sucked. Farewell, fellow readers.
I also wish Gray had apologized more, grovelled more, and that Summer shouldn’t have forgiven him so easily. Personally, I believe she had every right to act the way she did—from getting rid of all his shit to breaking his birthday gift (that she bought for him). And I respect her for it, because if I were her, I would have taken all his shit to his house, burned it in front of him, and yelled curses the whole time. Some people might argue that’s too much and that I’m overreacting, but I’d counter that with the fact that he went to her, picked her up, asked her about her dead mother, had sex with her right after hearing about the trauma, and then continued living and sleeping with her like he didn’t just tell her father about their arrangement—even though he knows they don’t have the best relationship. That shit really pissed me off.
Now, tying this back to when Nat called her a runner—put yourself in Summer’s shoes and think carefully. Was she actually a runner, or was she used by the guy she thought liked her? And after severing ties with him and him realizing what a dick he’d been, he tried to get her back—even though he was the one who pushed her away. If he was mad about her sleeping with his best friend when they were freshmen, then by that logic, doesn’t she also have the right to run away from him after the shit he did?
I know this might not be the best breakdown of the book, because honestly the only issue I had was the ending. It should’ve been either: they don’t get back together, or he should’ve been grovelling for a whole lot longer. But yeah—that's just my opinion. Read this book at your own risk. The only good thing about the entire book is the FMC and her little sister. Everyone else sucked. Farewell, fellow readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2021
The Agreement . . .
Summer and Gray’s story was a fun read. Gray is an intelligent, nerdy guy who meets Summer, spoiled girl who is skilled at finding out everyone’s secrets. She surprisingly doesn’t know anything about Gray, other than that she needs him to tutor her but keep it hidden. She makes an agreement with him that they will fake-date each other so no one will figure out he is tutoring her. And in return she will get him the internship in her dad’s engineering program that Gray has been eager to get into. Will their plan be successful?
Grab your copy to see how their bargain turns out and whether each of them gets what they wanted in the end.
Summer and Gray’s story was a fun read. Gray is an intelligent, nerdy guy who meets Summer, spoiled girl who is skilled at finding out everyone’s secrets. She surprisingly doesn’t know anything about Gray, other than that she needs him to tutor her but keep it hidden. She makes an agreement with him that they will fake-date each other so no one will figure out he is tutoring her. And in return she will get him the internship in her dad’s engineering program that Gray has been eager to get into. Will their plan be successful?
Grab your copy to see how their bargain turns out and whether each of them gets what they wanted in the end.
July 4, 2021
I was excitedly looking forward to this one just because Summer and Gray interested me from the previous book. Unfortunately since it was a while since reading the previous book, I found the first few chapters of this very confusing as there are lots of characters and names that are thrown in right at the beginning and they aren't really introduced.
What I liked. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and the conversation s between Gray and his friends were quite funny
Didn't like how "easy" the main character was call me old fashioned but I am not a fan of characters that sleep around and while it's great that it's different from the typical manwhore. The fact that summer has so many partners and the first paragraph talks about her casually sleeping with her sorority sister's bf when drunk is off putting. But if you enjoy forward female leads I am sure this book is for you. Didn't quite manage to finish this one but will wait for Natalie's book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What I liked. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and the conversation s between Gray and his friends were quite funny
Didn't like how "easy" the main character was call me old fashioned but I am not a fan of characters that sleep around and while it's great that it's different from the typical manwhore. The fact that summer has so many partners and the first paragraph talks about her casually sleeping with her sorority sister's bf when drunk is off putting. But if you enjoy forward female leads I am sure this book is for you. Didn't quite manage to finish this one but will wait for Natalie's book
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 28, 2025
i have so much to say…
this book felt like someone went inside my head and wrote a book about it, it was sooooo good until THAT happened
Now personally not only would i never forgive someone for doing something like that but the fact that summer forgave him so easily????? my poor girl definitely deserved better, i hated gray for doing that sooooo much, such a low low low blow
this book felt like someone went inside my head and wrote a book about it, it was sooooo good until THAT happened
Now personally not only would i never forgive someone for doing something like that but the fact that summer forgave him so easily????? my poor girl definitely deserved better, i hated gray for doing that sooooo much, such a low low low blow
September 18, 2025
I honestly wish Summer wasn't so much after Gray. I felt sad for her... Anyway, it's not a bad story, on the contrary, very interesting, although very slow.......About Nat? What a boring and horrible character, I really wish Morris would end up with someone else. 😉
May 18, 2023
Cringefest
May 3, 2025
2.5 stars. mmc felt pretty unlikable at first.
July 3, 2021
em primeiro lugar: é absolutamente inaceitável que os livros da penny clarke sejam incríveis dessa forma e as capas sejam tão feias porque o mundo nunca irá saber o verdadeiro talento dela com as palavras. a mulher é um MONSTRO de escrever, na moral.
segundo: eu queria dar 4,5 estrelas por causa de uma coisa que me incomodou um pouquinho. não posso dizer aqui porque seria spoiler, mas basta afirmar que foi um drama desnecessário envolvendo o melhor amigo do gray e a summer. tipo, qual foi a necessidade? meu filho grayson james certamente não mereceu. mas enfim, como não é possível dar notas quebradas, admito que preferi dar 5.
terceiro: estou extremamente ANSIOSA pra ler a história da natalie (poor thing) e morris (apesar de eu ter ficado PUTA com ele). é muito curioso eu querer ler o livro deles, porque sou hater número 1 de friends to lovers. mas penny clarke nunca falha em entregar preciosidades. espero que a natalie COMA O RABO do morris por ser um idiota.
quarto: LIVRO IMPECÁVEL. PERSONAGENS IMPECÁVEIS. admito que não me identifiquei TANTO com a summer e fiquei catando kennedy e spencer (MY BABIESSSSSS) no livro. E SIM, SPENCER CHAMOU KENNEDY DE KENNEDY FUCKING WALSH NESSE LIVRO TAMBÉM. mas o gray é um personagem INCRÍVEL, muito bem construído mesmo, e a minha parte preferida nos livros da penny é que você consegue distinguir claramente um personagem do outro, porque cada um tem uma personalidade bastante peculiar.
quinto: espero que a penny veja esse review e consiga traduzi-lo no google tradutor e entender. estou passando muito mal pra escrever algo em inglês agora. talvez eu volte aqui futuramente para reescrever. talvez não. mas com certeza voltarei para ler laid bare.
XOXO
segundo: eu queria dar 4,5 estrelas por causa de uma coisa que me incomodou um pouquinho. não posso dizer aqui porque seria spoiler, mas basta afirmar que foi um drama desnecessário envolvendo o melhor amigo do gray e a summer. tipo, qual foi a necessidade? meu filho grayson james certamente não mereceu. mas enfim, como não é possível dar notas quebradas, admito que preferi dar 5.
terceiro: estou extremamente ANSIOSA pra ler a história da natalie (poor thing) e morris (apesar de eu ter ficado PUTA com ele). é muito curioso eu querer ler o livro deles, porque sou hater número 1 de friends to lovers. mas penny clarke nunca falha em entregar preciosidades. espero que a natalie COMA O RABO do morris por ser um idiota.
quarto: LIVRO IMPECÁVEL. PERSONAGENS IMPECÁVEIS. admito que não me identifiquei TANTO com a summer e fiquei catando kennedy e spencer (MY BABIESSSSSS) no livro. E SIM, SPENCER CHAMOU KENNEDY DE KENNEDY FUCKING WALSH NESSE LIVRO TAMBÉM. mas o gray é um personagem INCRÍVEL, muito bem construído mesmo, e a minha parte preferida nos livros da penny é que você consegue distinguir claramente um personagem do outro, porque cada um tem uma personalidade bastante peculiar.
quinto: espero que a penny veja esse review e consiga traduzi-lo no google tradutor e entender. estou passando muito mal pra escrever algo em inglês agora. talvez eu volte aqui futuramente para reescrever. talvez não. mas com certeza voltarei para ler laid bare.
XOXO
July 15, 2023
I read this series out of order but it didn't hamper my enjoyment of it. I recommend this series to any fan of new adult romance. I recommend reading it in order, but I read book two, book one, book four and, now, book three, and I wasn't confused. The books are interconnected, but each reads as a standalone.
This book is amazing. I loved it from beginning to end and wish this author got more recognition. The FMC and MMC are an interesting matchup and I enjoyed every step of their journey. I especially loved how the FMC was turned on by the MMC reciting facts to her. This story flips the script from what is usually seen in romance. The FMC is a social butterfly and is the more sexually experienced one, with random hookups (only talked about, not on page, not after meeting the MMC) and no desire to have a boyfriend. The MMC has limited past sexual experience and is a hot nerd. Fake dating and tutoring commence and sparks start flying. The steamy scenes in this book are HOT.
This book has an EPIC breakup scene. While it was gutwrenching and emotional, it was also true to character and not something I've seen often in romance. Without spoiling it, I'll just say think "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. The MMC doesn't cheat, but the meltdown the FMC experiences after feeling betrayed by the MMC is on par with that song. My thoughts while reading that part were basically, "Oh my. This isn't quiet disappointment, screaming and/or sobbing while sinking to the floor. This is, 'I'm gonna make you feel my rage and heartbreak.' Okay then. I'm here for it." And there is a sweet, touching, incredibly romantic, payoff at the end. Definitely recommend this book.
This book is amazing. I loved it from beginning to end and wish this author got more recognition. The FMC and MMC are an interesting matchup and I enjoyed every step of their journey. I especially loved how the FMC was turned on by the MMC reciting facts to her. This story flips the script from what is usually seen in romance. The FMC is a social butterfly and is the more sexually experienced one, with random hookups (only talked about, not on page, not after meeting the MMC) and no desire to have a boyfriend. The MMC has limited past sexual experience and is a hot nerd. Fake dating and tutoring commence and sparks start flying. The steamy scenes in this book are HOT.
This book has an EPIC breakup scene. While it was gutwrenching and emotional, it was also true to character and not something I've seen often in romance. Without spoiling it, I'll just say think "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. The MMC doesn't cheat, but the meltdown the FMC experiences after feeling betrayed by the MMC is on par with that song. My thoughts while reading that part were basically, "Oh my. This isn't quiet disappointment, screaming and/or sobbing while sinking to the floor. This is, 'I'm gonna make you feel my rage and heartbreak.' Okay then. I'm here for it." And there is a sweet, touching, incredibly romantic, payoff at the end. Definitely recommend this book.
December 1, 2025
Hard Facts (Main Desire #3)
Well, color me pleasantly surprised. I saw an edit on TikTok, shrugged, and said, “Sure, why not?” I went in with zero expectations, and I’m happy to report that I ended up loving this book.
This is one of my favorite tropes ever—because honestly, who doesn’t love a rich girl with a heart of gold and a hot nerd? I need mooooooore of this dynamic in my life.
And let me just say how much I adored the fact that the female lead was the one with experience, the one with the money, the one ready to give this man the world. It was refreshing in the best way.
I loved both leads—like genuinely loved them—and if you know me, you know how special that is.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that the author actually developed their relationship before they had sex? Again… refreshing. Deeply appreciated...............plus it was sooooo hot.
I stayed up until 2 AM reading, and honestly, the only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is the ending. Like… come on. It just ended. We needed more groveling and an epilogue showing us the awesome future.
This is my 1st Penny Clarke book, and I would like to try another one, but I'm not sure if I want to read Natalie and Morris's books since I didn't love them in this one.
Well, color me pleasantly surprised. I saw an edit on TikTok, shrugged, and said, “Sure, why not?” I went in with zero expectations, and I’m happy to report that I ended up loving this book.
This is one of my favorite tropes ever—because honestly, who doesn’t love a rich girl with a heart of gold and a hot nerd? I need mooooooore of this dynamic in my life.
And let me just say how much I adored the fact that the female lead was the one with experience, the one with the money, the one ready to give this man the world. It was refreshing in the best way.
I loved both leads—like genuinely loved them—and if you know me, you know how special that is.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that the author actually developed their relationship before they had sex? Again… refreshing. Deeply appreciated...............plus it was sooooo hot.
I stayed up until 2 AM reading, and honestly, the only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is the ending. Like… come on. It just ended. We needed more groveling and an epilogue showing us the awesome future.
This is my 1st Penny Clarke book, and I would like to try another one, but I'm not sure if I want to read Natalie and Morris's books since I didn't love them in this one.
July 22, 2022
Light
Ok here we go. While this was a perfectly good book it had like only a few light moments. Levi & Rylie's will stay my favorite. Though I still have one more to read & after reading some very troubling things, I'm thinking it's not going to be a fun laughing time like I had originally thought. There's a warning in the beginning about some of those thoughts so if it bothers you please skip it. It doesn't go into too much detail but I would still hate for it to hit someone who couldn't handle it. Now back to this. I loved all the facts & kinda wish there was more. I still wish more would have happened to Meegan. She's not in here but I didn't mention it in the other review hoping something more was in here. So while this book wasn't as pun-ny as the first, I would still recommend. Unless of course if you issues with self harming or overdosing. I do think she should have went off on her father but it's still good. I'm rambling, I know, I'm sorry. In summary yes you should read it, especially if you read the first two, & if you plan on reading the next. On to the next!
Ok here we go. While this was a perfectly good book it had like only a few light moments. Levi & Rylie's will stay my favorite. Though I still have one more to read & after reading some very troubling things, I'm thinking it's not going to be a fun laughing time like I had originally thought. There's a warning in the beginning about some of those thoughts so if it bothers you please skip it. It doesn't go into too much detail but I would still hate for it to hit someone who couldn't handle it. Now back to this. I loved all the facts & kinda wish there was more. I still wish more would have happened to Meegan. She's not in here but I didn't mention it in the other review hoping something more was in here. So while this book wasn't as pun-ny as the first, I would still recommend. Unless of course if you issues with self harming or overdosing. I do think she should have went off on her father but it's still good. I'm rambling, I know, I'm sorry. In summary yes you should read it, especially if you read the first two, & if you plan on reading the next. On to the next!
June 17, 2024
Man.. the amount of times I cried in last 20%.
I was really curious in how their dynamic would even work, but damn it did. The way she writes these characters just as they are through college is entertaining and oh so moving. You really get to see them grow individually and as a couple, but they never lose their personalities along the way. Putting two seemingly different people together to be a more perfect couple. Now, I adore Gray & Summer as much I do Spencer & Kennedy and Levi & Rylie. I can’t wait for Natalie & Theo; the slowness of it be the fourth and last book is killing me.
Trope(s): College, Tutor, Fake Dating
TW: Foster Care, Death of Parent, Neglectful Parent, Mentions of Drug Addiction & Amputation
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Favorite Quote(s): I thought when he kissed me, it shook the world and broke the ground below. But when he channeled all that passion into mine, I think it rattled the entire planet out of orbit and gave way to a billion new stars in the sky. (21)
How could I ever have sustained myself on their brief, fleeting light, when I could have witnessed the absolute spectacle that is Summer coming apart under me? (25)
I was really curious in how their dynamic would even work, but damn it did. The way she writes these characters just as they are through college is entertaining and oh so moving. You really get to see them grow individually and as a couple, but they never lose their personalities along the way. Putting two seemingly different people together to be a more perfect couple. Now, I adore Gray & Summer as much I do Spencer & Kennedy and Levi & Rylie. I can’t wait for Natalie & Theo; the slowness of it be the fourth and last book is killing me.
Trope(s): College, Tutor, Fake Dating
TW: Foster Care, Death of Parent, Neglectful Parent, Mentions of Drug Addiction & Amputation
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Favorite Quote(s): I thought when he kissed me, it shook the world and broke the ground below. But when he channeled all that passion into mine, I think it rattled the entire planet out of orbit and gave way to a billion new stars in the sky. (21)
How could I ever have sustained myself on their brief, fleeting light, when I could have witnessed the absolute spectacle that is Summer coming apart under me? (25)
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