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Long Hot Summer #1
Pool Girl
Every night, I float on the pool.
And every night, he watches me.
The caretaker is scarred. Surly. He walks with a limp and barely speaks. Most residents in our building are afraid of him, but not me.
I want him closer.
Feeling his eyes on me every night at the pool--it brings my body surging to life. He may be older; may be brutish. May pretend he’s not looking at me at all.
But I know better.
The caretaker wants me.
And I’m tired of looking. I want his touch.
Pool Girl is a short and steamy age gap instalove story, starring a grumpy hero and the sweet heroine he can’t resist.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2021
162 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Mint
152 books1,378 followersCassie writes outrageous, OTT insta-love with tons of sugar and steam. She loves cookie dough, summer barbecues, and her gorgeous cat Missy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
July 31, 2021
For my JK fellows… must read.
I was eagerly waiting for the sex scene on the float, but sadly it didn’t happen. Didn’t want you going in with such expectations, but she’s a mermaid, so… worth it. 😂
I was eagerly waiting for the sex scene on the float, but sadly it didn’t happen. Didn’t want you going in with such expectations, but she’s a mermaid, so… worth it. 😂
July 25, 2021
REALLY GOOD.
Highly recommend for my fellow Jessa Kane hoes 😌
Highly recommend for my fellow Jessa Kane hoes 😌
June 28, 2021
3.5-4 stars!
June 20, 2021
I DID NOT EXPECT THIS ONE TO BE SO FREAKING ADORABLE AND CUTE AND A LITTLE BIT TABOO AT THE SAME TIME. I LOVED IT
October 27, 2021
Ariel is that you girl ?
Woah 🤯!!! Why was the so f-bombing good ? I was in here screeching like an animal in heat and my friend asked me if I needed anything. Let’s just say I did and I am recommending this as the cure !! Thank me later I know you’ll love it.
Woah 🤯!!! Why was the so f-bombing good ? I was in here screeching like an animal in heat and my friend asked me if I needed anything. Let’s just say I did and I am recommending this as the cure !! Thank me later I know you’ll love it.
March 8, 2023
**3.5/5 stars**
Yet another Cassie Mint novella to add to my READ list. I think I'm well on my way to read everything from her, I just find her stories so easy to enjoy. They mostly always have the same template but they all feel different somehow.
In this one, we have Elsie, a professional mermaid who works at the aquarium and who absolutely loves her job. She always finds her way to the pool when she comes back home from a long day at work because she loves water that much, but also because the office of the security guard, Tanner who she has a crush on, is just by that pool...She loves to be seen by him, and he loves to watch her.
Elsie was a sweetheart, so jovial and always smiling. I really liked her personality because she was soft and sweet but also had a bit of attitude in her. I wish there'd been more to her character, more background, but overall I don't have much to complain about her. Her crush on Tanner was endearing.
As for Tanner, I loved the way he was described; scarred, gruff and strong, but also blushing, insecure and longing for Elsie. Something else that I appreciated was the fact he had a limp (after having been to war). I don't know why but details like that always melt my heart. I found him to be charming and attractive even though he was very insecure about himself. And yeah, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for tortured/troubled/insecure heroes whom secretly long for the heroine.
Their chemistry was cute but I wanted to know more about how they came to crush on each other, what prompted their feelings in the first place. The intimate scenes were nice, I liked the setting, where and when they happened. I don't think the short separation was necessary but I get that it was directly linked to Tanner's self-doubts and his feelings of being undeserving of Elsie.
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Grumpy H
✔️Sweet/Virgin h/Sunshine
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
✔️Push and pull
✔️Separation
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
Would I recommend this novella? Like most of Cassie Mint's novella, it's safe to read, cute and steamy. Nice little story to read by the pool during summer.
**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**
Yet another Cassie Mint novella to add to my READ list. I think I'm well on my way to read everything from her, I just find her stories so easy to enjoy. They mostly always have the same template but they all feel different somehow.
In this one, we have Elsie, a professional mermaid who works at the aquarium and who absolutely loves her job. She always finds her way to the pool when she comes back home from a long day at work because she loves water that much, but also because the office of the security guard, Tanner who she has a crush on, is just by that pool...She loves to be seen by him, and he loves to watch her.
Elsie was a sweetheart, so jovial and always smiling. I really liked her personality because she was soft and sweet but also had a bit of attitude in her. I wish there'd been more to her character, more background, but overall I don't have much to complain about her. Her crush on Tanner was endearing.
If Elsie’s the fairy princess, I’m the big, scary beast that steals her away to the forest.-Tanner
As for Tanner, I loved the way he was described; scarred, gruff and strong, but also blushing, insecure and longing for Elsie. Something else that I appreciated was the fact he had a limp (after having been to war). I don't know why but details like that always melt my heart. I found him to be charming and attractive even though he was very insecure about himself. And yeah, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for tortured/troubled/insecure heroes whom secretly long for the heroine.
And one day, if I’m really lucky, if all the stars align, Elsie might call me into her apartment and ask me to fix a wobbly drawer. I could be near her. Smell her. See where she lives. That’s all I can ever hope for. That’s how it is.-Tanner
Their chemistry was cute but I wanted to know more about how they came to crush on each other, what prompted their feelings in the first place. The intimate scenes were nice, I liked the setting, where and when they happened. I don't think the short separation was necessary but I get that it was directly linked to Tanner's self-doubts and his feelings of being undeserving of Elsie.
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Grumpy H
✔️Sweet/Virgin h/Sunshine
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
✔️Push and pull
✔️Separation
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
Would I recommend this novella? Like most of Cassie Mint's novella, it's safe to read, cute and steamy. Nice little story to read by the pool during summer.
**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**
Long Hot Summer Series
(Series Rating: ⭐⭐.8 /5)
1. Pool Girl - 2. Beach Baby - 3. Hot Spring Kingpin
- 4. With the Band
May 25, 2022
"Pool Girl" is the story of Elsie and Tanner.
This was so sweet! Our heroine loves to swim and spends her free time in a pool on a float. Our hero is a scarred caretaker. He gets smitten with her and they share some heated moments, after which he tries to hide but the heroine draws him out.
It was a good read!
Safe
3/5
This was so sweet! Our heroine loves to swim and spends her free time in a pool on a float. Our hero is a scarred caretaker. He gets smitten with her and they share some heated moments, after which he tries to hide but the heroine draws him out.
It was a good read!
Safe
3/5
October 21, 2021
This is a 50-page romance novella that was super hot and fun!!
Elsie loves to swim, and every night she floats in the pool that is in her apartment complex. She hopes that the apartment caretaker (whose office looks out at the pool) will finally notice her. Tanner (said caretaker) has definitely noticed Elsie, and he wants nothing more than to keep her.
This was super fun! If you are struggling through a slump or don't know what to read, I always recommend novellas! This one could be one of those novellas! This was great and hot, but I honestly think it could be PERFECT if it was a full-length novel!
TROPES: age gap, alpha hero, brooding hero, grumpy-sunshine, insta lust, kindle unlimited, longing, romance with disability rep (hero walks with a limp), scarred character, novella, summer reads
Elsie loves to swim, and every night she floats in the pool that is in her apartment complex. She hopes that the apartment caretaker (whose office looks out at the pool) will finally notice her. Tanner (said caretaker) has definitely noticed Elsie, and he wants nothing more than to keep her.
This was super fun! If you are struggling through a slump or don't know what to read, I always recommend novellas! This one could be one of those novellas! This was great and hot, but I honestly think it could be PERFECT if it was a full-length novel!
TROPES: age gap, alpha hero, brooding hero, grumpy-sunshine, insta lust, kindle unlimited, longing, romance with disability rep (hero walks with a limp), scarred character, novella, summer reads
August 10, 2022
What did I just read? I found the cover absolutely eye catching and I was lured in by an intriguing summary. I expected a modern Beauty and the Beast in a pool side setting, sweet and, yes, sexy story about an innocent girl and a gruff scarred man with a kind heart. For quite some time in the beginning while Elsie and Tanner were still keeping their distance from each other it seemed like my expectations were correct.
While Tanner's thoughts about Elsie were admittedly horny they seemed sweet and bashful at the same time with Tanner being insecure about his appearance. Tanner's words on the other hand were a complete opposite.
"Because I like watching you. I like your shiny, pretty hair." Something soft drops on a lounger. "I like your big, blue eyes." There's a rustle. The scrape of a fly. "More than anything though, I like watching your juicy tits bounce as you walk."
I mean okay, give the man points for honesty, I guess. But still, I found his words completely jarring and not what I was building Tanner's character to be in my mind. This was partially my fault, without any familiarity with the author's work I had different expectations. Still after Elsie and Tanner's first actual interaction plot derailed in a blink of an eye. They have unprotected sex (the fact that really bothered me considering I was apparently spoiled by all the m/m romance I've read where characters care about things like STDs and the unwanted pregnancy is not even a factor) after which Tanner flips out about giving Elsie a bite on her shoulder and "hurting" her and runs away. Talk about an overreaction, dude...
At that point I was still considering giving a story a 2 star rating but it just kept on going. Tanner completely ghosting/stalking Elsie while she's all I squeeze my thighs together, wincing at the dull ache between my legs. The answering pulse of my core in his presence. And I bow my head, sweep the tiles and say nothing more. and Tanner insisting on being all I'm doing the right thing. I have to be. The first chance I had with Elsie, I hurt her. I knew she was too good for me, and I got greedy anyway. Then I marked her. I hurt my sweet girl. I don't deserve to breathe the same air as her.
I honestly could not stand anymore characters (for the most part Tanner) acting irrationally with every little thing blown out of proportions for the sake of a fabricated conflict. That is not even taking into account about how unhealthy their relationship was; Elsie being completely obsessed with a guy she did not know a thing about, Tanner being possessive ass over her, both of them stalking each other... Well, lesson learned, stay away from this author's body of work in the future.
Themes: dual POV, age difference, insta lust, virginity, possessiveness, stalking
While Tanner's thoughts about Elsie were admittedly horny they seemed sweet and bashful at the same time with Tanner being insecure about his appearance. Tanner's words on the other hand were a complete opposite.
"Because I like watching you. I like your shiny, pretty hair." Something soft drops on a lounger. "I like your big, blue eyes." There's a rustle. The scrape of a fly. "More than anything though, I like watching your juicy tits bounce as you walk."
I mean okay, give the man points for honesty, I guess. But still, I found his words completely jarring and not what I was building Tanner's character to be in my mind. This was partially my fault, without any familiarity with the author's work I had different expectations. Still after Elsie and Tanner's first actual interaction plot derailed in a blink of an eye. They have unprotected sex (the fact that really bothered me considering I was apparently spoiled by all the m/m romance I've read where characters care about things like STDs and the unwanted pregnancy is not even a factor) after which Tanner flips out about giving Elsie a bite on her shoulder and "hurting" her and runs away. Talk about an overreaction, dude...
At that point I was still considering giving a story a 2 star rating but it just kept on going. Tanner completely ghosting/stalking Elsie while she's all I squeeze my thighs together, wincing at the dull ache between my legs. The answering pulse of my core in his presence. And I bow my head, sweep the tiles and say nothing more. and Tanner insisting on being all I'm doing the right thing. I have to be. The first chance I had with Elsie, I hurt her. I knew she was too good for me, and I got greedy anyway. Then I marked her. I hurt my sweet girl. I don't deserve to breathe the same air as her.
I honestly could not stand anymore characters (for the most part Tanner) acting irrationally with every little thing blown out of proportions for the sake of a fabricated conflict. That is not even taking into account about how unhealthy their relationship was; Elsie being completely obsessed with a guy she did not know a thing about, Tanner being possessive ass over her, both of them stalking each other... Well, lesson learned, stay away from this author's body of work in the future.
Themes: dual POV, age difference, insta lust, virginity, possessiveness, stalking
June 15, 2022
This is very much a short, adult fairy-tale. Oh, there's no magic, no beautiful princess or handsome prince. What there is, is a young woman who works as a mermaid at some kind of aquarium. And what there is, is older, rather damaged and scarred caretaker of the apartment building she lives in. She visits the pool in the complex, watching and longing for him while he works inside the building, watching her thinking this beautiful young woman is way to good for him. But it's a fairy-tale so.....
It's very short, it only took a couple of hours to read but it's a very, pleasant appetizer and sometimes an appetizer is enough.
It's very short, it only took a couple of hours to read but it's a very, pleasant appetizer and sometimes an appetizer is enough.
August 10, 2022
A very short novella with lots of steamy, erotic romance. It's nicely written and I liked the characters, but there is no actual in depth character development, as this story is purely written for a quick burst of "entertainment" for lovers of this genre. It was a fun read if you have an hour or so to spare.
August 15, 2022
This is an OTT novella about a girl who likes to be watched and a guy who likes to do the watching. I enjoyed it, four stars!
important bits:
virgin heroine
age gap (21h, 40sH)
exhibitionism
no OM/OW
no cheating
safe
HEA & epilogue ♡
important bits:
virgin heroine
age gap (21h, 40sH)
exhibitionism
no OM/OW
no cheating
safe
HEA & epilogue ♡
July 28, 2023
Tanner and the mermaid.
This was a nice read. I enjoyed the voyeur/stalker aspect of it but it definitely wasn’t one of my favorite Cassie Mint’s.
This was a nice read. I enjoyed the voyeur/stalker aspect of it but it definitely wasn’t one of my favorite Cassie Mint’s.
August 11, 2023
3.5 stars. So good, as usual. Very “my girl is mad at me, I hope I die” energy except she wasn’t even mad lmfao
March 1, 2024
Sweet story. Perfect break between long books. We need moore of this feel good shorts. Good Cassie Mint read time. 💘🩴
August 25, 2021
I guessed I agree with others when I say that this book was just like Jessa Kane classic erotic plot. Plenty smutty and built up (sexual) tension, but few in the plot; though I had to say that the latter was enough not enough as a full-fledge romance plot (not enough back story, developing side characters, etc). So, if you like Jessa's book, then this one is right on your alley.
Virgin h, Celibate H
No condoms
OTT instalove
age gap romance (21 y.o h and over forty y.o H)
Dual PoV, 1st person
No drama/angst
No cheating, No OW/OM
Safe read-ish, HEA, Epilogue
Overall score: 3.5 smutty stars
Virgin h, Celibate H
No condoms
OTT instalove
age gap romance (21 y.o h and over forty y.o H)
Dual PoV, 1st person
No drama/angst
No cheating, No OW/OM
Safe read-ish, HEA, Epilogue
Overall score: 3.5 smutty stars
March 19, 2022
(2'5) I've seen everyone and their mother rave about this novella, so I decided to give it a try. I guess it was okay? Both characters are a bit too creepy (he follows her around and she supposedly "feels" him, also she steals his clothes without permission) and there were also a few werewolf tropes hinted at? For a second I thought he was going to turn under the full moon or something (it didn’t happen sadly).
For an erotic novella, this only had two smut scenes, and they weren’t that detailed imo. Again, I think I'm just used to reading dirty ass fanfics so it’s okay I guess.
For an erotic novella, this only had two smut scenes, and they weren’t that detailed imo. Again, I think I'm just used to reading dirty ass fanfics so it’s okay I guess.
July 25, 2021
Literally the perfect novella of you’re a fan of Jessa Kane like I am. The writing style is similar to hers. Plus, we have a young, virgin, sunshiny heroine and an older, rough looking, obsessive/possessive hero who worships the ground the heroine walks on and feels unworthy of her. I loved the summery vibe this novella has since the story centers around a pool and a heroine who is obsessed with swimming.
September 27, 2021
a hot summer short story
June 22, 2021
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
Elsie lives with her sister and gets to do the one thing she has always loved to do, swim. She works at the local aquarium and dresses as a mermaid to entertain and enthral the local children. Her down time is getting home and going to spend the evening in the pool for as much as she lives the water she has another incentive too. That’s in the form of the super for the complex, Tanner. Not once as he spoken to her but she knows he watched her, she can feel whenever he is near but still he stays away. Will Tanner ever be more than just the man she loves from afar?
Tanner has worked as the super at an apartment complex for years now, he keeps to himself and never dreamed he would have a chance with his own Disney Princess. So he’s watched her through the blinds, keeping away but staying close enough to make sure she is okay. Tanner is ex military and he will never recover from injuries he sustained during his stationing. Left with scars and a limp he has kept to himself and isolated from others he has no idea how to speak to the girl he has become obsessed with. He sees her everyday and the day he talks to her is the day he knows this is not just an obsession but true love, he knows he is too old for her and after they experience being together he knows the only way to let her go is to leave. Is he really prepared to walk away from the person he knows is the only person for him, is his pre conceived ideas about to ruin what he could have or will he realise that what he has with Elsie is everything if he is willing to take it?
Very short but excellent read. Tanner was trying to be Nobel and save this woman from a life of being confined to him, but misunderstandings and lack of communication is the main issue between these two. Really enjoyed this story and as it’s a first for me by this author I shall be checking out more from her in the future. 4* read.
Elsie lives with her sister and gets to do the one thing she has always loved to do, swim. She works at the local aquarium and dresses as a mermaid to entertain and enthral the local children. Her down time is getting home and going to spend the evening in the pool for as much as she lives the water she has another incentive too. That’s in the form of the super for the complex, Tanner. Not once as he spoken to her but she knows he watched her, she can feel whenever he is near but still he stays away. Will Tanner ever be more than just the man she loves from afar?
Tanner has worked as the super at an apartment complex for years now, he keeps to himself and never dreamed he would have a chance with his own Disney Princess. So he’s watched her through the blinds, keeping away but staying close enough to make sure she is okay. Tanner is ex military and he will never recover from injuries he sustained during his stationing. Left with scars and a limp he has kept to himself and isolated from others he has no idea how to speak to the girl he has become obsessed with. He sees her everyday and the day he talks to her is the day he knows this is not just an obsession but true love, he knows he is too old for her and after they experience being together he knows the only way to let her go is to leave. Is he really prepared to walk away from the person he knows is the only person for him, is his pre conceived ideas about to ruin what he could have or will he realise that what he has with Elsie is everything if he is willing to take it?
Very short but excellent read. Tanner was trying to be Nobel and save this woman from a life of being confined to him, but misunderstandings and lack of communication is the main issue between these two. Really enjoyed this story and as it’s a first for me by this author I shall be checking out more from her in the future. 4* read.
July 20, 2024
This short novella was straight to the point which I can always appreciate. I read this during a 24 hour readathon and it helped make me feel productive. I loved how grumpy Tanner was and how Elsie was so sweet to him even if he wasn’t the nicest to her in the beginning. This novella is VERY insta-love and it goes from him barely talking to all of a sudden having such a filthy mouth. Tanner almost gave me whiplash 🤣 I found him to be a little too over the top with his dirty talk at times but let’s be honest that’s what this book is all about, the smut. This novella was fine for what it was.
January 4, 2023
This was cute
Tanner was so fucking adorable
Tanner was so fucking adorable
June 19, 2021
I thought the conflict in the story was silly. Because of that, this was not my favorite of her books.
November 22, 2021
1.5 stars
Sometimes I see booktubers read books and rate them low, and instead of being put off, my little pea brain goes, 'Hey, maybe I should read this too! That totally can't go wrong at all!' Especially if the book in question is available on Kindle Unlimited and therefore not one I'd have to purchase.
I'd kindly like my stupid brain to stop having such idiotic ideas, thank you very much.
There was nothing about this novella that I liked; the only reason it got 1.5 instead of 1 stars was, I think, just because it wasn't quite as bad as all the other books I've rated 1 stars so far this year? Though to be fair, that might also just be because "Pool Girl" only had 40+ pages and hence wasn't something that aggravated me over several hours. Or that I had to force myself through for days on end. It was over quickly, thankfully enough.
The worst thing was definitely the whole relationship between Elsie and Tanner. Or, honestly, the characters themselves too, especially Tanner. I don't think Mint had to make him as creepy and gross as she ended up making him? He gave off 'old creepy janitor in a high school' energy, and I don't even think it necessarily had to do with him being literally twice Elsie's age? This romance could've been written as an age gap romance without making me want to take a shower afterwards. The whole way Tanner liked to watch Elsie in the pool and literally stalked her to her workplace? The way he got possessive over her after they hooked up one (1) time? (Seriously, this was the type of man who wouldn't let his girlfriend so much as smile at another man without getting angry.)
It was also absolutely not believable. I think I would've liked this novella more if Mint hadn't tried to sell it to me as a romance? If she hadn't tried to make me believe that Elsie and Tanner were in love with each other? It would've been much better if it had just been, 'Oh, we hooked up, we like each other, let's see where this is gonna lead us.' Instead, not only were Tanner and Elsie practically obsessed with each other despite pretty much having no real conversation before, they even In a novella with 49 pages, that was just too much and absolutely not necessary. The same goes for the conflict, which was so stupid and unnecessary; I don't understand why it was even in there.
I also really didn't like the writing. It was very repetitive, with Tanner constantly saying how scarred and burly he was and that he acted like an animal and how someone like Elsie, who was half his age, would never be into a guy like him and instead just be afraid of him. And Elsie, inexplicably, not having a problem with anything he did - even the stalking her at work didn't make her go, 'Hmm, maybe this is not something a harmless, good guy would do' - and being obsessed with him for no fucking reason. She also seemed to sense him everywhere? Even when she didn't see him and didn't know for certain that he was actually at the places she thought he was? She had pretty much no personality aside from 'being obsessed with a man who could be her father' and 'loves to swim to the point of being a mermaid for work' and 'kind and genuine' (despite us never actually seeing proof of the last thing).
And the sex scenes honestly just annoyed me, because they always started out in public places (like the pool or Elsie's changing room at work), and I always hate characters who do that, because they just don't have any regards to the people around them. Like, believe it or not, not everyone wants to see a 40+-year-old man slobber all over a 21-year-old girl.
At first, I was thinking of reading the rest of the series just because I assume they're all so short, but they're all age gap romances and seem to picture young, sweet, innocent girls and honestly, I have better things to do with my time. Maybe if I ever run out of good romances or want to torture myself, but until then, nope.
Sometimes I see booktubers read books and rate them low, and instead of being put off, my little pea brain goes, 'Hey, maybe I should read this too! That totally can't go wrong at all!' Especially if the book in question is available on Kindle Unlimited and therefore not one I'd have to purchase.
I'd kindly like my stupid brain to stop having such idiotic ideas, thank you very much.
There was nothing about this novella that I liked; the only reason it got 1.5 instead of 1 stars was, I think, just because it wasn't quite as bad as all the other books I've rated 1 stars so far this year? Though to be fair, that might also just be because "Pool Girl" only had 40+ pages and hence wasn't something that aggravated me over several hours. Or that I had to force myself through for days on end. It was over quickly, thankfully enough.
The worst thing was definitely the whole relationship between Elsie and Tanner. Or, honestly, the characters themselves too, especially Tanner. I don't think Mint had to make him as creepy and gross as she ended up making him? He gave off 'old creepy janitor in a high school' energy, and I don't even think it necessarily had to do with him being literally twice Elsie's age? This romance could've been written as an age gap romance without making me want to take a shower afterwards. The whole way Tanner liked to watch Elsie in the pool and literally stalked her to her workplace? The way he got possessive over her after they hooked up one (1) time? (Seriously, this was the type of man who wouldn't let his girlfriend so much as smile at another man without getting angry.)
It was also absolutely not believable. I think I would've liked this novella more if Mint hadn't tried to sell it to me as a romance? If she hadn't tried to make me believe that Elsie and Tanner were in love with each other? It would've been much better if it had just been, 'Oh, we hooked up, we like each other, let's see where this is gonna lead us.' Instead, not only were Tanner and Elsie practically obsessed with each other despite pretty much having no real conversation before, they even In a novella with 49 pages, that was just too much and absolutely not necessary. The same goes for the conflict, which was so stupid and unnecessary; I don't understand why it was even in there.
I also really didn't like the writing. It was very repetitive, with Tanner constantly saying how scarred and burly he was and that he acted like an animal and how someone like Elsie, who was half his age, would never be into a guy like him and instead just be afraid of him. And Elsie, inexplicably, not having a problem with anything he did - even the stalking her at work didn't make her go, 'Hmm, maybe this is not something a harmless, good guy would do' - and being obsessed with him for no fucking reason. She also seemed to sense him everywhere? Even when she didn't see him and didn't know for certain that he was actually at the places she thought he was? She had pretty much no personality aside from 'being obsessed with a man who could be her father' and 'loves to swim to the point of being a mermaid for work' and 'kind and genuine' (despite us never actually seeing proof of the last thing).
And the sex scenes honestly just annoyed me, because they always started out in public places (like the pool or Elsie's changing room at work), and I always hate characters who do that, because they just don't have any regards to the people around them. Like, believe it or not, not everyone wants to see a 40+-year-old man slobber all over a 21-year-old girl.
At first, I was thinking of reading the rest of the series just because I assume they're all so short, but they're all age gap romances and seem to picture young, sweet, innocent girls and honestly, I have better things to do with my time. Maybe if I ever run out of good romances or want to torture myself, but until then, nope.
August 15, 2022
I wanted to like it.
I mean she's a freaking Mermaid! I love it!
I would have loved if her profession would have played a larger role in this. I would have loved to hear about her day to day, her breath control, her make up - maybe even a dirty scene in the aquarium after everyone has left.
Also communication is not strong in this one, as Tanner just assumes things and then stalks the shit out of Elsie, so much so that she *knows* that he's there, but he never talks to her. Except for the one time when she coaxed him out of the shadows and he makes her cum, without her even looking at him.
I just ... sigh. No.
I mean she's a freaking Mermaid! I love it!
I would have loved if her profession would have played a larger role in this. I would have loved to hear about her day to day, her breath control, her make up - maybe even a dirty scene in the aquarium after everyone has left.
Also communication is not strong in this one, as Tanner just assumes things and then stalks the shit out of Elsie, so much so that she *knows* that he's there, but he never talks to her. Except for the one time when she coaxed him out of the shadows and he makes her cum, without her even looking at him.
I just ... sigh. No.
June 17, 2021
Phew, super steamy age gap story. Elsie seemed like such a gentle, young woman. Tanner was older, scarred and abrupt. He couldn't resist watching her as she came to the pool every night and she was just as intrigued by him. Once the first move was made, the obsession became clear between both of them. I really like these quick read and this author does a fantastic job of writing characters that are interesting to read about. I loved this one, great story with a great HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2021
The conflict dragged on for a little too long, but it wasn't super angsty because it was for no good reason. The characters genuinely liked each other, but they didn't have conversations and lacked communication.
I’m gonna keep you here, all to myself, and fuck you every hour of the day.” “N-need to work,” Elsie hiccups, and I snort. I’m not that bad. I’ll never dictate her days, or tell her what to do. My plan is better than that. I’ll fuck her so good, she’ll never want to leave this room.
Mint, Cassie. Pool Girl (Long Hot Summer) (p. 41). Black Cherry Publishing. Kindle Edition.
I’m gonna keep you here, all to myself, and fuck you every hour of the day.” “N-need to work,” Elsie hiccups, and I snort. I’m not that bad. I’ll never dictate her days, or tell her what to do. My plan is better than that. I’ll fuck her so good, she’ll never want to leave this room.
Mint, Cassie. Pool Girl (Long Hot Summer) (p. 41). Black Cherry Publishing. Kindle Edition.
August 5, 2021
2.5 stars
even though i’m typically not the biggest fan of insta love and age gap romances, i was actually really enjoying this at first! the whole concept of the heroine working as a mermaid actress just sounded so fun to read about and since she was 21+ the age gap didn’t even mind me too much.
unfortunately the ending conflict was just so far fetched and silly that it completely ruined everything for me :/ like the conflict was honestly laughable because of how unrealistic it was 😭
even though i’m typically not the biggest fan of insta love and age gap romances, i was actually really enjoying this at first! the whole concept of the heroine working as a mermaid actress just sounded so fun to read about and since she was 21+ the age gap didn’t even mind me too much.
unfortunately the ending conflict was just so far fetched and silly that it completely ruined everything for me :/ like the conflict was honestly laughable because of how unrealistic it was 😭
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