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The Hottest Summer Ever

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Kush is the very definition of Daddy's little girl. Whatever she wants, she gets. There's no Santa Claus or Tooth Fairy in the hood, just Daddy, her knight in shining armor. But when he was murdered, her life spirals out of control. A child in the hands of a negligent mother, Kush is forced to kill in self defense. Sent to YDC and later orphaned, she meets Redd in the streets of Atlanta. Together they link up with Bear, a mastermind who is seemingly a Jack of all trades. With his help, they put together a crew, and pull a number of capers to raise their status. Suddenly the tables are turned. A member leaves the crew for a shot at legitimacy. Enemies made along the way are plotting to retaliate. Loyalty is tested, and close friends are turning up dead. A target now, Kush must find the enemy, and put an end to the threat. As the pieces come together, she realizes that the forces gathered are more powerful than her own...

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2021

65 people are currently reading
134 people want to read

About the author

Elijah Freeman

3 books80 followers

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5 stars
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21 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Keyona.
314 reviews246 followers
July 23, 2021
I know what you’re thinking….that it sounds like The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah but besides a similar title, and a mother on drugs that’s where the similarities end.

From the beginning when Kush watches her father take his last breath after being shot I could tell this girl was going to have a hard life. Let’s talk about Kush as a character. Even though she’s described as being a feminine lesbian I wasn’t getting that. She was giving me stud vibes the whole time until one point which I won’t spoil.

We got some lesbian sex, seeing how she approached chicks and how dudes responding to her taking their chicks

Kush has definitely been dealt a bad hand in life but she does the best she can to stay afloat.
I liked her as a character because she lived by the street code of no-snitching and when it was time to put in work with her gun she did it without hesitation. I enjoyed seeing how far her and her crew would go to pull off their robberies because each one had higher stakes.

The only thing I think needed some work was the sex scenes for me. They didn’t feel beliveable and they could’ve also been more graphic in my opinion 😉

Other than that, this is definitely a book I would recommend for Summer. Typically in the Summer is when I’m in the mood for a lot of urban fiction and this hit the spot. It’s fast-paced with drama and death around every corner to keep you turning the pages. It’s also fairly short clocking in at 200 pages. I’m ready for book 2!
Profile Image for Ishan Agrawal.
942 reviews48 followers
June 15, 2021
The book is centered on an African American named Kush.Kush is daddy's little girl. But at a very young age, she has to see things that no child of her age should experience. Her daddy is brutally killed.
Kush has a mother, who doesn't care whether she lives or dies. So she learns at a very young age that no one is gonna look after her and she has to take care of herself.

Kush gets stronger as she grows up. She joins streets and runs a business. Later, she becomes friends with Redd in the streets of Atlanta.
The twist comes when Bear makes an entry to the story, challenging the strategies of Kush and threatening her business.

This book is engaging. It's a long one, but I was able to finish it in two sittings. The character building and events building are amazing. The plot is unique and full of thrill. Author's way of writing is comprehensive. Narrative is addictive. I'd recommend it to urban fiction lovers.
Profile Image for MeMe.
284 reviews32 followers
June 25, 2021
The Hottest Summer Ever sure did bring the heat for a summertime read. In the fast-paced street-lit urban fiction, you can't do anything but keep turning the pages. The characters were relatable and the storyline was easy to follow. The main protagonist is a badass female by the name of Kush. When you're a daddy's girl, and your dad's name rings bells, you lose your father to a killing. Where do you go from there, especially if your mother is strung out on drugs? For Kush, it was losing both parents but to different circumstances. Kush harder than most males just by the activities she was engaged in. She lived by a code, and she held her own. Kush reminded me of myself when I was around her age. I found it pretty dope how Kush and her Ride or Die Redd names both rang bells in the streets. They both were about that life in the streets of Atlanta. The author delivered a whole lot of hot and steamy lesbian scenes. Not only did the author provide hot and steamy scenes, the author stuck to the streets and success. One thing I can say about this book is that it's an urban fiction book. But at the same time, this is real life. This shit happens in real life. Most females go through what Kush went through. I had to deliver it that way so it wouldn't contain any spoilers. Kush lived Kush learned Kush went through it and overcame it sometimes; you got to move on the wrong path to move in the right direction. Kush was in love and naive to certain situations. It's always the ones that are closest to you that would snake you. The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. That's real.
76 reviews1 follower
December 1, 2021
Very Different....

This was some writing I was not use to 😬 It was kinda slow coming but around ch 5 things started to pick up. Tho I did not like some of the scenes the adrenaline rush and suspense through out the last half of the book was bomb 😲
Profile Image for Red Ink Book Reviews.
453 reviews15 followers
May 3, 2021
The Hottest Summer Ever – Elijah R. Freeman



I was given a copy of this book by the author in order to provide an honest review.

Elijah R. Freeman is an American author who writes a lot of urban fiction short stories, stories such as “Triggadale: Shots Fired” and “Tales 4rm Da Dale”.



Kush is a young African American woman who has a hard life. She learnt from a very young age that no one would look after her but her. As is typical for most young people growing up in a rough neighbourhood with the type of parents she had and the lifestyle they lead – the trajectory of her life was pre-determined for her.

From a young age she began running the streets and ran with her own crew, doing the business and getting into the thick of it. Before she was betrayed by someone, she loved and wound-up doing time.

But before she knew it, she was back out on the streets and back to what she knew best. With some people she knew from back on the day and some new they were hitting it up and living large. Then came the big score, a chance to really get that money – but with a big score comes big stakes.

Battling past demons, Kush wasn’t ready to deal with the fallout from this score. Will she be too late to protect the ones she loves or will the real enemy get her before she can get them.



“The Hottest Summer Ever” was a thrilling and gritty urban fiction story. I felt sad for Kush and all the horrible things she had to go through at such a tender age. It’s such a heart wrenching story that is sadly reality for too many people in this day and age. Yet I feel the ending the author wrote for Kush was fitting and well deserved. It also highlights a very old saying, one I find sadly relevant to this day even for myself – keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

Profile Image for Melanin Readss.
197 reviews18 followers
June 9, 2021
Ready for more!

Richelle ‘Kush’ Love’s life has never been easy. Between watching her father take his last breath to her mother strung out on drugs, Kush turns to the only life that she was raised to be in. Street life. She’s left to defend herself against her mother’s new boyfriend, and later sent to juvenile detention center. Although, her father taught her most of what she knew, she met a boy by the name Redd and they began to rock hard and soon did everything together. He was in a sense like another mentor of the streets to her and soon mindlessly, she embraced them heavy. Once she’s out of the detention center, Kush quickly becomes addicted to the fast life, Kush had her mind set on one thing and one thing only; getting that bread. But soon after hitting so many dangerous licks, Kush is forced to seek her enemy after a big score that she thought went well. It was nothing but murder, mayhem and straight madness. The author definitely kept me engrossed as the story progressed. This book was fast paced and all I wanted for Kush was to get to a point where she had enough because karma was of course, going to come her way. Overall, I thought the author did a good job at telling Kush’s story. She was tough AF and when she had her mind set on something no one could stop her. I was really rooting for her, and hoped that she didn’t make some of the decisions that she made. Especially when it came to her ex Chelsea. Chile, I saw trouble coming from a mile away with that chick🙄. I’m looking forward to reading part two, as the ending in part one left me knowing that this wasn’t the last time we’d be reading about Kush. I also want to know Redd side of the story because something’s not sitting right in my spirit lol
42 reviews6 followers
June 15, 2021
I've not read any book of the author yet, but when one of my friends recommended it to me, I couldn't say no. Though I wasn't sure how the story was gonna be, but when I read the first chapter, I found the book interesting.
Now taht I've read it, I can say it's one of the finest thrillers that I've read. The plot is different from what I usually read, and that's what I needed- A Unique Book!

This book is a mixed baggage of thrill, adventure, street drama, action and almost all kinds of emotions.
Kush is the main attraction of the story. She was very young when she lost her dearly loved father. After dad's death, Kush's life was never the same. She did unexpected things and was sent to YDC. Later she started a street business and partnered with Redd. Then She made a powerful enemy Bear.

The book is full of twists and turns. When you think that the story can't be any more interesting, it does and it puts you in deep thinking. Hats off to the author for writing this thriller. I really liked the story. The cover is as good as the content of the book. I really look forward to read more books of the author.
Profile Image for Always Forever Reading.
44 reviews5 followers
June 16, 2021
The Hottest Summer Ever is truly about the hottest summer ever, but it has nothing to do with the weather. Set in College Park, Georgia, Freeman introduces his readers to Richelle Kemoni Love aka Kush. Richelle is a daddy’s girl, who never has to worry about a thing. However, the life to which she is accustomed, changes after Richelle’s father is murdered. Living with only her mother, Richelle experiences another event, one that is repulsive, which causes her journey to begin.

When his audience begins reading this novel, they will not want to put it down. As I was reading this novel, I experienced many emotions. In fact, it will be hard not to have feelings, especially with the ups and downs and twists and turns that take place. Furthermore, you will be playing the guessing game of Who Did It? I also love the use of onomatopoeia; using this literary device really makes the action in the novel come to life.

If you are looking for an urban novel that will appeal to your five senses, keep you turning pages, and most of all, will not be disappointing, then, I recommend reading The Hottest Summer Ever.
Profile Image for Gina Malanga.
945 reviews14 followers
July 29, 2021
When I first began teaching 20 years ago my students would always give me books like this to read. They would be for sale on the side of the street from somebody with their own publishing company or selling self published urban books. And I loved all of them, they were great, they were entertaining and my students loved them as well. This is the first one I’ve read in a long time and it took me right back to those days. This book tells the story of Kush, whose dad is killed at the height of his success in the drug trade and from that moment on her fate Is sealed to also run the streets. With her best friend at her side she feels invincible until they mess with the wrong crew and her entire world is put in danger. There’s some definite twist at the end of this book that make it even more enjoyable.
Profile Image for Andeigh.
50 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2021
This was a great read! I felt like I was in the streets with Kush and her crew. I loved her energy and attitude.

This book was action packed, hot and steamy, and captivating. A fast paced read with some unexpected twists. A complete recipe for a must read!

Sometimes months/years passed quickly in the story but there was enough info that kept you on point with what was going on, without dragging it out like some books do. It was never lacking for anything.

The plot was riveting, with a solid wrap up. But, I am hoping to see a sequel for this one because I want more!

I definitely look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Crystal Luckey.
748 reviews31 followers
June 29, 2021
Damn Good!!!

Richelle (Kush)grew up under one of the biggest drug pins in Clayton County, GA, but when he was gunned down, her life went down hill. Her life went from bad to worst at a young age and at defending her mother landed her in juvey. Coming out years later, she ended up in the system and learned how to fend for herself. Becoming fast friends with another child, she learned the street life that finally caught up with her. The things Kush did and went through are only for the strong at heart, but she did it. She was loyal to a fault and loved and protected her circle. She was a true street hood.. the one thing the author did that we don't see to much is the book being about a female who is about that life.When I say this book was good from the beginning, it was good. I couldn't put it down. Im not a huge reader of urban fiction, but this was good. This is the second book by this author and he is becoming one of my favorites!! Go read this book...
Profile Image for Celeste   Johnson .
20 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2022
Kush had been through so much in life. From her father’s death to her mother being on drugs. The only thing she cared about was that paper. She also had this thing for Chelsea. There was no staying away from her. The book started off pretty slow but by the 5th chapter you were hooked. The writer Elijah has this way of keeping your imagination running miles and miles because he’s amazing writer and describes the story with a lot of detail. It looks as if their is going to be a part two this book and I’m here for it.
Profile Image for Val but you can call me Shug.
184 reviews
June 17, 2021
Lush

It took me a moment to connect with this story but make no doubts about it….. once I did it was on go. What I enjoyed most about this story was the fact that the author stuck to the code of the streets and the natural development of success. the cover of this story may give you pause but don’t fret it ain’t nothing like what you think. It was literally bombs over Baghdad the entire time.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
248 reviews
June 26, 2023
The twist and turns!

This book definitely keeps you guessing from beginning to end. Nothing is as it seems. I felt sorry for all the things Kush had to endure at a young age. She surprised me though because I honestly didn’t think she would make it as far as she did. The ending definitely took me by surprise! Talk about a plot twist! I would absolutely welcome a part 2 because what happened to Redd??
Profile Image for Markeya Washington.
253 reviews
February 8, 2024
Page turner

This was so good! I love Kush & how she was so solid and fearless but hated that “it couldn’t happen to me” attitude. She tended to give people the benefit of the doubt when in the world she was living, she definitely couldn’t do. Karma came back terribly and I hate that for her. I think Redd knew about Kush’s pops and I’m curious for them to link to hear his side of the story
Profile Image for Shannon Gee.
758 reviews10 followers
May 2, 2021
Wow

Mannnn listen this book was straight 🔥 🔥 🔥 from beginning to end! Once I started reading I was pulled into the storyline and not once did it let up! This author brought straight pressure with this one! The entire book read as if I was watching a movie! If you’re looking for an action packed jaw dropping read then this the one you most definitely need to grab!
Profile Image for Nai.
10 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2022
Blew My Mind!!!!

I am at a loss for words. Usually I’m prepared for twists and turns but the mysteries uncovered in this book never crossed my mind. The author did an amazing job with character development and keeping on the edge of my seat to the point where I wanted to flip through pages to uncover the secrets. Glad I kept reading tho because wowwww. Well done!!!
Profile Image for LaToya .
636 reviews5 followers
July 27, 2022
The Hottest Summer Ever

This is my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Things were different in this book as far as a female being in charge and she was a bad a** for sure. Definitely will be checking out more of your work. Also Redd has a story to tell and when it comes I’ll be ready for it
Profile Image for Casandra Charles.
Author 20 books53 followers
May 25, 2024
Speechless...

What a storyline. What a book. First time reading this author as this book sat in my Kindle for a while with no real reason why and I'm mad I waited this long to read. Finished it in 1 day. It was an emotional journey and I was here for it. I absolutely loved it and I don't often read nor enjoy books like this.
143 reviews
November 14, 2025
Very gritty. Very raw. Kush was a a troubled child who was in and out of group homes & jail after the untimely demise of her father. She made reckless decisions & trusted the wrong people but still was able to live a somewhat normal life by the end. If you’re looking for something that is purely urban fiction with a cautionary tale, this is it.
1,184 reviews15 followers
May 8, 2021
Latavia Thoughts

All I got to say is your pass Will come back for you if you don't tie up loose ends & sometimes its ok too old relationship in the pass If they never meant you know good!! This was a good story!
402 reviews4 followers
August 7, 2021
The hottest Sumner ever

Must read. I loved the story and how this author entertained the story n dropped the jewels. Some sentences resonate with me n others. Well done. You won’t regret reading!! Great story!!
4 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2021
Devoured this book

This book was amazing from start to finish. Kush had a lot of moving pieces and the author put them together well. The characters and story I was able to get caught up in and relate to. EXCELLENT READ
Profile Image for Tywanda Brown-Johnson.
Author 22 books31 followers
June 5, 2021
Good Read

This was an entertaining book, If you’re looking for a good read this is the book for you!!! A must Read
Profile Image for Shanita Wooten.
2 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2022
I loved the book! It should be a series!

A series should come out this! This was definitely a Banger! Great Book 📖. Great Author and Writer. It was definitely worth the read!
77 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2024
Great Read

This story was filled with twists and turns, especially when you get towards the middle. I did not expect the ending at all and the author kept me on my feet!
985 reviews
November 2, 2024
survivor

Kush was a survivor, her emotions led her a lot and caused her to miss some key things but she survived. Now her and Redd are going to have to see one another!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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