Wild Summer

Love Story Universe

by Suki Fleet

Sequel to This is Not a Love StoryThis is Crash's Story.At fifteen, Christopher falls in love with a boy whose life he saves. But things go wrong and four years later, he wishes he'd acted differently. His conscience begins to haunt him and he knows he must find Summer again.At seventeen, Summer pushes away the boy who saved him. Four years later, he is stuck in an abusive, damaging relationship. When he sees Christopher again, it's a sign he can't go on living like he is, but he can't begin to see a way out.For either boy to stand a chance at happiness, they must find each other and obliterate the wrongs of their shared past.

Genres: M M Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Disability, New Adult

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2014

About the author

About the author:
Suki Fleet is an award winning author, a prolific Reader (though less prolific than they'd like), and a lover of angst, romance and unexpected love stories.
They write lyrical stories about memorable characters and believe everyone should have a chance at a happy ending.
Their first novel This is Not a Love Story won Best Gay Debut in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Awards. Their novel Foxes won Best Gay Young Adult in the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

If you’d like to offer your support and buy Suki Fleet a coffee you can do that here: https://ko-fi.com/sukifleet

If you would like info on upcoming releases and the occasional free story, please sign up to Suki’s newsletter: https://sukifleet.wordpress.com/newsl...

If you’re interested in reading first drafts of Suki’s new stories, or reading stories that are no longer available or cuts that can’t be published on Amazon, and other extras, please consider signing up to Suki’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sukifleet

Reviews

[Rosalinda *KRASNORADA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suki does not disappoint!

I started this one because Crash was one of my fave characters when I read This is Not a Love Story and I wanted to read his story.

I swear I had no idea that the first 38% of the story was like reading an extended epilogue of book 1. What a great surprise!!

Crash's story is not as heartbreaking or as special as Romeo's story but I really enjoyed the ride, I wish it was longer because I didn't really feel a huge connection to Summer and I guess this had to do with the fact that this was a novella but the good thing is the writing was still superb.

3.5 stars rounded up because I have a 'crash' on this author

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always adore Suki's stories.
This is spin-off from This Is Not A Love Story and although you don't have to read it prior, I would highly suggest it.
It was lovely getting to know Crash before.
The chapters flip back and forth from the past to the present.
The way Crash and Summer came together had my heart racing in my chest.
And honestly, it never slowed down.
Regret holds Crash prisoner and he'll do anything to find his second chance with Summer and hold on tight. Eek!
Love Suki's writing.
Love these amazing young guys.
Love their well deserved happy happy happy!

*4 stars*

[Elsa Bravante · Rating 5 out of 5]

A estas alturas ya no sé muy bien qué decir sobre Suki Fleet y sus libros. Es mi autora favorita, sin duda alguna, en el género, por las emociones, la esperanza y la ternura que me despiertan sus personajes. No hay autor que me haga más feliz.
Wild Summer es la continuación de TINALS, no creo realmente que se pueda leer en solitario, y mientras su predecesor, aunque bello, es complicado de leer por su carga de angst, este se siente con epílogo largo que te permite ver a los queridos Romeo y Julian asentados mientras eres testigo de la historia de amor de Crash.
Muy bello, como siempre. Realmente no hay otra forma de describir cómo escribe Suki.

[Izengabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Así sí. Cuánto consigue transmitir esta autora, sin afectaciones ni perifollos. Quedamos todos tan fascinados por Summer como Crash.
Muy diferente a TINALS a pesar de ser del mismo universo.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why the fuck was love so complicated?

Okay, I am officially a fan girl of Ms. Suki Fleet. Talk about talented. I knew this would be good, I just had to give my heart some space after reading This is Not a Love Story to make sure there was still substance inside my chest willing to be shredded. Ugh.

Meeting Crash and knowing a bit of the story and the boy he lost, I was ready. Ready to meet the boy who was Christopher and how he came to be Crash but meeting Summer? Summer the golden boy with the blue hair who is so the soft sands of the beach, the crisp clear blue sky and the warm waters of the ocean... gah! I fell so hard for these boys and my heart ached for them with every word read.

Wild Summer is not as angsty and heart breaking as Romeo and Julian's story but it had it's moments that left me wanting to curl up and cry. Who the hell am I kidding, I cried and crying when you have allergies running amok is not pretty. It's uglier than an ugly cry.

Speaking of Romeo and his Julian, it was lovely to see them again and the mention of Pasha, who I hope is doing well as he should be after his friends helped him find a safe home.

You never felt that connection with someone, something you can't quite explain, but that's like finding the truth.

That quote ^^^ right there ^^^ is how I would describe Ms. Fleet's work. You get this instant connection to her stories and yeah, great characters and great writing are evident, but there is this magical element to her words. A mystical quality that spins tales of boys lives that twine around your heart and squeeze it until you are breathless and wanting.

Yeah, this was good. The Wild Summer Crashed into me and I am done, my heart is a mess and I am so happy with that fact.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars ...

I read very few short stories or novellas. They are typically lightweight with thin plots. But then, there's Suki Fleet. They never disappoint and they didn't here, either. If you're a fan of their work and if you've read 'This Is Not a Love Story', then Crash's story is an absolute must-read. ❤️🥰❤️

"He thought I belonged to him, but I don’t, I never did. But I want to belong to you. If… if you want me?”

If Crash wanted him? How could Summer think Crash didn’t want him? He was all Crash had ever wanted, but…. “You don’t belong to anyone. No one should belong to anyone else,” he said gently, placing his hand over Summer’s, linking their fingers. "I want you to be free. I want you to choose to be with me because that’s what you want, and no other reason.”

Summer closed his eyes, squeezed Crash’s hand. “I’m scared.”

[☆ Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second book in the "Love Story Universe" series was fine, but I felt like Christopher (aka 'Crash') and Summer really needed to spend more than just over 24 hours together, then spending 4 full years apart, to sell me on the true feelings behind this particular plot line.

The book didn't meander along, with overly-long descriptions, as time shifted between the present and 4 years prior, but I still felt like I was missing a lot of backstory on both MC's. Those fleshed-out details are the meat and potatoes in books for me.

I did find the story interesting; however, I didn't find myself on the edge of my seat, dying to see what would happen next. Not in the same way that I did when reading book 1, "This is Not a Love Story."

Overall, I'd rate it around 3.5 stars.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful addition to the story and characters created by Suki Fleet in her first wonderful novel, This is Not a Love Story.

I usually don't write reviews for novellas but I'd like to make a short exception for this one. It was really nice to see some glimpses of Remee (never Romeo for me!) and Julian's life in Cornwall and get a more structured story for Crash and his mysterious lost love, the 'wild' Summer of the title.

The story is so nicely written, full of warmth and delicacy, despite the harsh secrets in Summer's life, that it left me smiling and contented.

I've decided to settle for a 4-star rating but that's just because I was left wanting for more! All these characters are so wonderfully alive and compelling and feel so dear and close to my heart now, that I could go on and on reading about them.

[wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved Crash ever since I met him in This is Not a Love Story. I had admired his quiet confidence and fortitude and thought of him as a formidable secondary character back then. In Wild Summer however, we get to see his vulnerable side as he tries to fight for the boy he has loved for four painful years.

I was really excited when I found out that Crash gets to have his own story as part of the Love Story Universe series. And the first book has been one of the most beautiful and evocative books I've read so far. However, whereas the first book had been vivid yet painful and full of angst, I found the second book more subdued and linear in terms of story direction. Although the writing was still commendable (as always expected of Suki Fleet's work), this had very predictable and less-complicated turnarounds. Summer is introduced as this larger-than-life character, and while the chemistry between him and Crash was palpable, I thought that it will never hold a candle to Remee and Julian's in This is Not a Love Story.

[Amber’s reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this immediately after finishing This Is Not A Love Story. I needed Crash and Summer’s story and more Romeo and Julian. Suki did not disappoint. It was wonderful to see Romeo and Julian a year or so later. They will always hold a special place in my heart! Their story is one of my favorite survival stories. And even though we got more Romeo and Julian, this story is really about Crash and Summer. I love Crash and it was wonderful to see how things went for him. Of course I wanted more, but I’m still happy.

[Mónica BQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not even close to angsty as it's predecessor, but still an incredibly good story. Of course, having read this immediately after TINALS, this felt almost as fluffy as bunnies. Though of course, it isn't.

Suki Fleet is quickly becoming a favourite. She takes desperate people in the most desperate of circumstances and paints you the most beautiful story about love.

Only complaint? A bit insta-lovey, but Fleet totally makes it work.

[QuietlyKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something really amazing about the way Suki Fleet writes and the way her writing resonates with me. No matter what the subject or how light or heavy the story is, I become completely mesmerized by her words, they sing to my soul. Even when elements of her stories aren't working for me, I'm still completely captivated and enchanted.

I'm not really a fan of insta-love and I will super side eye a couple that knows each other for just a couple days before deciding they'll do just about anything for each other, but Suki Fleet makes it work here. Moreover, she makes it work so well that even though I'm thinking, "Woah, no, seriously!?" I'm also like, *sigh* "My heart!" *swoon* and am totally able to accept and embrace Crash and Summer's romance.

I fell in love with Crash in This is Not a Love Story and that love carried over to Wild Summer. He's an extremely likable character and I was thrilled to discover he got his own book. Summer is a beautiful mess! I fell in love with him and his sister too. NGL, getting more of Romeo and Julian was a great bonus but it was Crash and Summer's story that captured my heart.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spin-off from This is Not a Love Story, this is Crash’s story. I loved seeing him again and getting to know him better. His story is told in present tense with flashbacks to 4 years ago when he first met Summer. I liked Summer right away. His life is a mess and he’s gotten himself into a bad situation he can’t see a way out of. But Crash can’t forget him and walk away a second time. I loved them together. And I loved seeing Julian and Romeo again, even if it was just a brief visit :)

[Suki Fleet]

21/10/2019 This story is 0.99 on Amazon for the next few days^^

Wild Summer (sequel to This is Not a Love Story-this is Crash's story) has now been re released and is available on Amazon^^

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

It is no secret that This IS Not a Love Story by Suki Fleet is one of my favourite 2014 reads, so when the chance to read and review Wild Summer came in I jumped at the chance. A stand alone spin off from TINALS I was really excited about reading it...until nerves set in. What if it wasn't as good as the first book? What if I didn't like it....would that ruin my love for Julian and Romeo's story? I, of course, need not have feared. I LOVED it.

This book, though it has some very sad aspects to it, is not as harrowing as TINALS. Shorter and more compact than the first book, Suki writes a back and forth time-line that works really well. If you've read TINALS, this is Crash's story (if you haven't it doesn't matter this will in no way impair this story for you). We meet a younger Crash, before he's settled into life with his foster/adoptive family, we meet him when he falls in love. Of course it is not a simple, happy-ever-after love, not yet, and we follow Crash both in the present and in the past unravelling the story and finding out what happened before to him and what is happening now to him. It is a great way to read I always find, heightening the mystery, putting clues together.

Though this story does not have the earth moving shattering impact of TINALS, I feel it is worth every one of those five stars. Suki (like all my favourite writers) has wonderful characters in her books, characters to fall in love with. The story is interesting, the writing kept me hooked. Scenes are vividly sketched, each word needed and meaningful - IMO anyway. We see the troubled youngsters that are the stars of the story, but we also see the carefree boys they could be, if only life had dealt them a better hand.

Summer especially has to make some downright difficult decisions - and the more life kicks him in the balls the stronger he stands. Until he can't any more. Until his strength wanes and his heart, his purpose, is taken away. I loved the way Crash becomes the unlikely saviour. I mean, we know from TINALS what he can do, but here we see him from a different perspective, we've seen some of the hardship he has faced himself and everything that he fights to retain some of himself and not give in to the hurt and pain.

It's a great story, one YA lovers should most definitely read. I've said it before and I'll say it again - this is an author to watch for. There's magic in them there words she writes and I can't wait to read more from her.

[Dawn Sister · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Suki has written yet another beautiful story, full of colour and life and just a pleasure to read. When she first told me that she was writing Crash's (Christopher's)story I was thrilled because if any of her secondary characters from This Is Not a Love Story deserved their own tale then it was this one.

She hasn't disappointed, and Wild Summer not only gives us more of Crash, and how he became the person he is, but also gives us another wonderfully colourful (and I mean colourful!) character in Summer. What an amazing name to begin with, you just know this young man is going to be very interesting and he is: interesting, complicated, mysterious and beautiful.

This story is well worth reading. It stands alone since it is a spin off from Suki's first novel, but reading this and "This is Not a Love Story" would be a fantastic way to lose a weekend. In fact, that is what I am going to do right now since I would read this story over and over I love it so much.

[Laura V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

No leí This is not a love story, y tendría que haberlo hecho. Romeo y Julian están muy presentes en este libro, y Romeo es el mejor amigo de Crash (hay una historia detrás de esa amistad) lo que lo vuelve una lectura importante. Y lo mejor de lo mejor: Romeo y Julian me llegan mucho más que Summer y Crash/Christopher.

Es que es todo muy rápido, demasiado en el aire. No entiendo cómo Christopher está tan obsesionado con Summer si solo se vieron un día y no es que hicieran gran cosa para justificar el amor instantáneo. Y ya en el desarrollo, la perspectiva que falta -que es la de Summer- debe de ser más interesante en cuanto al desarrollo del personaje. Christopher no hace gran cosa. Solo está ahí. You know, respirando.

Me costó más leer este. ¿Será porque es inglés de UK?

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Crash/Christopher story with a boy named Summer.
I'm glad I can finally knowing Crash's story. I can feel the silence ...how can Ms.Fleet makes this possible? I felt like I'm Crash, can't hear anything living in a world of silence.
And it's such a huge happiness 'seeing' my boys Romeo and Julian after four years and getting stronger.

I'm sad for Summer, but also glad he can finally have a courage to stand for himself, to be with Crash.
This one is not too heavy , phew ! Thank God.

I don't think I need the sequel for this story. Let's just be happy that the boys are finally got their HEA.

Recommended.

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little story featuring Christopher (Crash) from This Is Not a Love Story and Summer, the guy he fell head over heels for when he was a young man aged 15, and who was actually the person who named Christopher 'Crash'. Needless to say, Summer has a story of his own to tell, and it was great to catch up with Remee and Julian living an idyllic life in Cornwall.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars


Crash and Summer met four years ago. They spent a whirl wind day and night together, but when they get into an altercation, Summer tells Crash to leave and that he never wants to see him again. Crash has never forgotten the boy with the blue hair that he had an instant connection with, but four years later can Crash capture a second chance at happiness?

After reading Suki Fleet's fabulous story, This Is Not A Love Story, I immediately checked to see if there were any other books related to it, and I found Wild Summer. There were some interesting characters in the story that I wanted to get to know better. I fell in love with Crash while reading Romeo and Julian's story and I'm really glad Ms. Fleet gave him a story. It served two purposes really, it wraps up Romeo and Julian's story more tightly and also gives Crash the happy ending he deserves.

It's not often I believe in love at first site, but the love that Crash and Summer share, even if only for a few short hours, transcends the pages of the story. They have amazing chemistry and the connection between them is electric. The story is well-written and the author takes us back and forth between their short time spent together four years ago and the present. It was a quick and easy read and the story flows well. I loved getting to know Crash better and meeting Summer, the boy who stole his heart. They are both lovely young men and you can't help but root for them to get their happy ending. I adored getting to revisit Romeo and Julian and see that they are happy and still so in love.

This was a fabulous addition to the series, and I really hope some of the other boys will get their stories told as well. I love the authors writing style and I'll definitely be checking out more of her books in the future! Very recommendable!

*copy purchased by reviewer*

[UltraMeital · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book though it felt very different from the previous one. For once I wished this story would have been a little bit MORE, mostly more of Christopher (Crash) and Summer as they first met. I wished they had more time together, it would have been easier for me to understand the hold they had on each other for the 4 years they were apart.

We've met Crash in the previous installment and when we start this one it's already about a year (I would guess) after Romeo and Julian found their place in Cornwall. Though Romeo chose to have a different life than Crash did when arriving at the same foster home, they become fast friends and now Crash is spending the time with both of them trying to deal with what seeing Summer again, 4 years after their downfall, have done to him.

He knew what he needed to do. He needed to find him again and offer him the friendship and even the protection he promised back them, when he was almost 16 years old, without a roof over his head. The short time Summer and Crash spent together offered both something they didn't have before, it was more than the acceptance and tenderness they were so willing to offer one another, it was an ease of friendship which crumbled to the ground FAR too soon when Summer's life situation was revealed to Crash in a very crud way. Choosing the wrong thing to do and say they fall out never to meet again until a week before when Crash spots Summer on the Tube.

Though life have been great for Crash, finding a loving home and great friends, he was missing Summer endlessly. Yet going back never felt right somehow. I think he needed to grow up and FEEL grown up enough to deal with what he couldn't back then. Now was the time for him to FIGHT for Summer, yet Summer needed to confront himself first and realize what he truly wants, and what the right decision is for him. He stayed with his horrible boyfriend - Ren - for reasons he could explain to himself, yet when the situation changes and Ren shows just how much he doesn't care about anything but himself Summer finally finds his voice and pleads for help from the one person who is willing to grant it unconditionally.

I enjoyed this short novella though I truly wish we got a more substantial story of Crash and Summer. I would have felt more realistic to me. It almost felt like an "insta-love" truth been told.. yet I can't fault this book that much for it because the story and the way everything progressed was simply BEAUTIFUL. I also really liked the epilogue with such a great closure to the story, with another glimpse of Romeo and Julian which was such a joy to read. I also applaud Suki for the way she handled Crash (and Romeo) disability - as Crash is deaf (though he can talk) and Romeo is mute. The conversation, the way they communicate with eye contact and through sign language felt so accurate and on point, it made the connection between both couples (in this book and the previous one) feel somehow enhanced if it makes any sense. I was as though their communication made them far more aware of one another. It was so special!

Sadly, this one as well isn't available anymore! Suki have been re-releasing all of her books so though she almost finished re-releasing all of them, this series isn't back yet. Add it to your list for the meanwhile, I'm sure it's won't take long..

More Reviews HERE

[Riina Y.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this quite a lot I felt like there was something missing…

Both, Crash and Summer, are super lovable boys! I liked them from the get go. Also, the writing is pretty beautiful, flows easily and creates lovely images. But I felt that the real emotions and feelings somehow weren't as evident, or at least I wasn't all that touched and by the end I felt not fully satisfied :(

It might be a lot because of the story structure. More than half of the book is told in bits and pieces– now and then (4 years ago). We jump around every other seven pages or so, which I sadly found a bit too much. I really like flashbacks but here it interrupted the story flow (in my opinion), because two days are cut into so many pieces that you don't really know what actually happened back then, but you see Crash moping around 4 years later.

Of course you find out as you continue, which does provide a certain suspense I guess. I can see why the author chose to tell it like that, even if I preferred she hadn't cut it into so many pieces.

I was a little disappointment by the lack of Summer.

Sure he was there, in a way, but I wanted more, wanted him to get under my skin because he's just awww!

He's such an interesting character.

I'm really sad we didn't really get to see much of him.

100% of the story is told in Crash's POV.

[Karen Wellsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the blurb says that this is a standalone, I would say I've read it twice - once before I read This is Not a Love Story and once after.
It was better after reading TINALS, as I got to see Romeo and Julian .
However this is Crash and Summers story told in then and now , not quite as heart breaking but beautiful and uplifting.

Suki Fleet writes so beautifully, and with such hope for her characters.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Really liked this story by Suki Fleet. This is shorter than This Is Not a Love Story. But is just as nicely written with great characters. It may seem a bit of insta-love but I didn't think it really was. I liked the journey Summer goes thru to come on his own. There was no love cures all or knight in shining armor solution for him and that was great.

[Nash Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suki Fleet writes the way my favorite vocalist sings, or my favorite artist paints.

Beautiful, deep characters who were slightly easier on my heart than their predecessors. No less lovely overall, just different.

A wonderful story that I will likely read again. (And again.)

[Ofelia Gränd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved both Crash and Summer, and let’s not forget Sky. Beautiful story!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Janeylou · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ive · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to know Crash’s story (side character of the book „this is not a love story“ which I loved) Nothing wrong with it but for me it was too short to get emotionally involved.