What do you think?
Rate this book
Cruel Summer #1
Summer Heat
Spoiled Princess is what he used to call me.
We were an inferno of hate and passion wound up with a dash of chaos.
For four years I watched him mow my lawn.
For four years I watched my friends make fun of him.
For four years I hated myself for wanting him, but even more for the way I treated him.
And then I had him.
For one night, we put all labels away and I spent the best night of my life in his arms.
Then the next day, with my secret night under lock and key, I looked the other way while my friends shamed him.
But now the jokes on me, because the scrawny lawn boy who I secretly loved from afar is now the director of Hollywoods most exclusive summer camp.
And I'm on his staff.
Now it's his turn to punish me.
His turn to make me pay.
His turn to take his revenge after years of humiliation.
He's no longer a boy you can ridicule.
But a college graduate who can have any woman he wants.
I want him to look at me the way he did that one night we had together, but right now
the look in his eyes tells me he's going to enjoy having me under him for two straight months.
I don't know where his hatred ends, his passion begins.
All I know is he wants revenge.
And I'm his lucky target.
We were an inferno of hate and passion wound up with a dash of chaos.
For four years I watched him mow my lawn.
For four years I watched my friends make fun of him.
For four years I hated myself for wanting him, but even more for the way I treated him.
And then I had him.
For one night, we put all labels away and I spent the best night of my life in his arms.
Then the next day, with my secret night under lock and key, I looked the other way while my friends shamed him.
But now the jokes on me, because the scrawny lawn boy who I secretly loved from afar is now the director of Hollywoods most exclusive summer camp.
And I'm on his staff.
Now it's his turn to punish me.
His turn to make me pay.
His turn to take his revenge after years of humiliation.
He's no longer a boy you can ridicule.
But a college graduate who can have any woman he wants.
I want him to look at me the way he did that one night we had together, but right now
the look in his eyes tells me he's going to enjoy having me under him for two straight months.
I don't know where his hatred ends, his passion begins.
All I know is he wants revenge.
And I'm his lucky target.
122 pages, ebook
First published August 2, 2018
About the author
Rachel Van Dyken
170 books18.2k followersRachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances.
Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...
Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
May 30, 2019
This is the first book in the Cruel Summer series by the lovely Rachel Van Dyken. It’s a quick and easy read, with a trope of enemies to lovers, and second chance for those of you that love these kind. But heads up, There is a cliffhanger, so be ready to dive into the next.
I was hooked from the start of this book, and dang, I can't wait for more!!! The ability this author has to create these characters is amazing!! Marlon & Ray are both wonderful and this story is perfectly played out, I just need the next installment, NOW, on to the next!!
I was hooked from the start of this book, and dang, I can't wait for more!!! The ability this author has to create these characters is amazing!! Marlon & Ray are both wonderful and this story is perfectly played out, I just need the next installment, NOW, on to the next!!
August 1, 2018
SUMMER HEAT: Is the first contemporary novel in Racheal Van Dyken’s ‘Cruel Summer’ series.
My favourite mistakes. Finding myself in his room
Finding myself in his arms
Finding my mouth on his
Skin against skin
Tongue swirling around tongue
It had been the best kiss of my life.
We'd both been wasted.
And I'd ignored him the next day.
Marlon and Ray are your typical enemies which made for a riveting read, saying these two were a hot mess was an understatement, they were all over the place, the Princess and the Pauper, Marlo has a chip on his shoulder a mile wide when it came to Ray, he was a fostered kid who mowed their lawns, the unprivileged boy always looking in from the outside into a gilded cage where the beautiful princess resided, but if he’d looked further he’d see a sad, lonely kid just like him, parents that didn’t give a damn, guys that used her as a trophy just to make them look good.
Marlon was the skinny boy with glasses that was regularly picked on by the bigger kids.
Four years later these two meet up again at an exclusive drama summer camp the last person Ray ever expected to encounter was Marlon. The boy she had a one night stand with, the boy that she ignored the next day. The boy that got thrown into a locker right in front of her eyes and she didn't say anything.
Now the jokes on her, he's no longer that skinny little boy, now he's drop dead gorgeous.
His shirt was so tight I could see his eight pack.
Did the guy even enjoy food anymore or just survive off of air;
protein shakes, and the tears of people who defied him?
But he's still got revenge running thick in his veins.
A super quick, sizzling hot read, the sexual tension between these two dripped off the pages.
February 5, 2020
Very good romance about unrequited love!
I liked this book a lot. Though there was a lot of angst for both the H and the h. It seems they had feelings for each other ever since they were young when Marlon was the foster kid of Ray’s maid. Ray was the popular rich girl with the good looking jerk boyfriend that treated Marlon like crap and Marlon would refer to her as “Spoiled Princess”. Marlon was just the skinny kid who mowed the lawn while Ray would stare out her window at him.
Though there was that one night when they both had too much to drink and spent the night in her room. But the next day she was back to acting like she didn’t know him. She got the Drama scholarship she wanted and he had to work to get to college, he resented her for getting a scholarship, thinking she didn’t really need it like he did.
Fast forward 4 years and Marlon is the director of the hottest summer Drama camp in the country and Ray is working there as well. He is determined to get revenge and make her life miserable. But he starts to see that things may not be exactly as he had always thought. Ray, on the other hand, doesn’t even recognize Marlo at first. He is no longer the lanky kid she remembers but a hot gorgeous guy with killer abs and he can sometimes even be nice when he tries.
Though just when things get really good and you start to wonder what really happened back when they were kids and what will happen next? There is a huge cliffhanger. There are two more books in the series and I gotta find out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
I liked this book a lot. Though there was a lot of angst for both the H and the h. It seems they had feelings for each other ever since they were young when Marlon was the foster kid of Ray’s maid. Ray was the popular rich girl with the good looking jerk boyfriend that treated Marlon like crap and Marlon would refer to her as “Spoiled Princess”. Marlon was just the skinny kid who mowed the lawn while Ray would stare out her window at him.
Though there was that one night when they both had too much to drink and spent the night in her room. But the next day she was back to acting like she didn’t know him. She got the Drama scholarship she wanted and he had to work to get to college, he resented her for getting a scholarship, thinking she didn’t really need it like he did.
Fast forward 4 years and Marlon is the director of the hottest summer Drama camp in the country and Ray is working there as well. He is determined to get revenge and make her life miserable. But he starts to see that things may not be exactly as he had always thought. Ray, on the other hand, doesn’t even recognize Marlo at first. He is no longer the lanky kid she remembers but a hot gorgeous guy with killer abs and he can sometimes even be nice when he tries.
Though just when things get really good and you start to wonder what really happened back when they were kids and what will happen next? There is a huge cliffhanger. There are two more books in the series and I gotta find out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
May 18, 2019
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marlon and Ray have a history: he was a handyman and worked for her parents. Ray was the pampered rich girl who took what she wanted. Ray seduced Marlon one summer, then turned her back on him. Now, she works for him at a summer camp and he is in a position to exact some revenge. There was a lot of love.hate banter and sexual tension between these two characters, and the shower scene in the communal bath hut was "steamy".
This is a part of a 3 part Series (Summer Seduction - # 2 and Summer Nights - # 3), so you will have to purchase the next two installments to find out whether Marlon and Ray can put their past behind them and make something lasting out of their undeniable attraction for one another. (I am so not fond of serials and cliffhangers!) I give this a 3.7 out of 5, rounded up to a four.
Marlon and Ray have a history: he was a handyman and worked for her parents. Ray was the pampered rich girl who took what she wanted. Ray seduced Marlon one summer, then turned her back on him. Now, she works for him at a summer camp and he is in a position to exact some revenge. There was a lot of love.hate banter and sexual tension between these two characters, and the shower scene in the communal bath hut was "steamy".
This is a part of a 3 part Series (Summer Seduction - # 2 and Summer Nights - # 3), so you will have to purchase the next two installments to find out whether Marlon and Ray can put their past behind them and make something lasting out of their undeniable attraction for one another. (I am so not fond of serials and cliffhangers!) I give this a 3.7 out of 5, rounded up to a four.
August 10, 2018
Excited :))
August 2, 2018
With “Summer Heat,” the first of the Cruel Summer trilogy, Rachel Van Dyken delivers on its title, turning up the temperature between two enemies who have so much passion between them they can't hide it and can barely contain it.
While Ray had looks and money, Marlon was the nerd foster kid who mowed her lawn and the popular kids picked on. All through high school she loved him from afar but wanted acceptance even more. She ignored him while others made fun of him, except for the night they had together and then she took the scholarship that would have set him free and moved away until she got a job in the country’s best drama camp where Marlon is now director.
Four years after she left, Marlon is finally at a place where he’s happy. No longer a scrawny nerd, he’s a successful college graduate and the man in charge of helping campers while making Ray’s summer miserable because revenge is a plate best served during summer camp. But after spending time with her and seeing her vulnerability, will he still want payback or just her?
With Ray, RVD has crafted a determined and endearing heroine who wants more affection than what life has given her and her fiery character is matched by a likewise intense hero. As the days go by in camp, the two flash back to their time in high school and fueled by their verbal sparring, the irrefutable attraction between them begins to burn. The romance between Ray and Marlo is a scorcher, but its sparks are repressed by their unresolved past.
I was hooked by the characters and plot in this enemies to lovers story. It was full of passion and heartbreak and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Summer Heat is book #1 of the Cruel Summer trilogy by Rachel Van Dyken. Told from both points of view with a cliffhanger.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Social Butterfly. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Twitter * Pinterest Book Teasers * More reviews
While Ray had looks and money, Marlon was the nerd foster kid who mowed her lawn and the popular kids picked on. All through high school she loved him from afar but wanted acceptance even more. She ignored him while others made fun of him, except for the night they had together and then she took the scholarship that would have set him free and moved away until she got a job in the country’s best drama camp where Marlon is now director.
Four years after she left, Marlon is finally at a place where he’s happy. No longer a scrawny nerd, he’s a successful college graduate and the man in charge of helping campers while making Ray’s summer miserable because revenge is a plate best served during summer camp. But after spending time with her and seeing her vulnerability, will he still want payback or just her?
With Ray, RVD has crafted a determined and endearing heroine who wants more affection than what life has given her and her fiery character is matched by a likewise intense hero. As the days go by in camp, the two flash back to their time in high school and fueled by their verbal sparring, the irrefutable attraction between them begins to burn. The romance between Ray and Marlo is a scorcher, but its sparks are repressed by their unresolved past.
I was hooked by the characters and plot in this enemies to lovers story. It was full of passion and heartbreak and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Summer Heat is book #1 of the Cruel Summer trilogy by Rachel Van Dyken. Told from both points of view with a cliffhanger.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Social Butterfly. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Twitter * Pinterest Book Teasers * More reviews
May 27, 2019
I cannot believe it took me this long to read this book.
Absolutely loved Summer Heat.
Loved the flow of the book. I loved how easy and quick this book was to read. Granted it did end on a rather abrupt cliffhanger which, by the way, I need the second book stat!
Absolutely loved Summer Heat.
Loved the flow of the book. I loved how easy and quick this book was to read. Granted it did end on a rather abrupt cliffhanger which, by the way, I need the second book stat!
December 27, 2020
This review will contain lots of cussing and adult content, so proceed with caution.
This book is a short enemies to lovers book that is addicting yet also cringey at the same time. The writing style is pretty good for a free ebook and the lovers definitely have undeniable chemistry. That's where the things I enjoyed about this book stop though.
This book consists of a ton of horny camp counselors who constantly sexualize everything and want to fuck everyone. I mean, are you serious? I'm asexual, so I guess that could be it, but I'm pretty sure that heterosexuals think about more than just sex on a normal basis. I wish that there would've been more parts in the story that didn't just talk about sex. Maybe some romance that wasn't polluted with horny ass thoughts?
Speaking of sexual things in the book, why was every little thing sexualized?! Here's some of the moments that made me ask "why the fuck am I even reading this book?":
-Ray eating a hot dog was described sexually
-Ray and Marlo did an extremely sexual dance in front of a group of high schoolers. Literally minors. Why are you traumatizing them with things they can never unsee??
-Ray eating a marshmallow was also somewhat sexually described... Why though...
Oh, and one last major complaint that literally only has to do with me: One of my triggers was in this book. It's not a common trigger, but getting a flashback in the middle of reading this book was frustrating.
No hate to the author, but this book just wasn't for me.
This book is a short enemies to lovers book that is addicting yet also cringey at the same time. The writing style is pretty good for a free ebook and the lovers definitely have undeniable chemistry. That's where the things I enjoyed about this book stop though.
This book consists of a ton of horny camp counselors who constantly sexualize everything and want to fuck everyone. I mean, are you serious? I'm asexual, so I guess that could be it, but I'm pretty sure that heterosexuals think about more than just sex on a normal basis. I wish that there would've been more parts in the story that didn't just talk about sex. Maybe some romance that wasn't polluted with horny ass thoughts?
Speaking of sexual things in the book, why was every little thing sexualized?! Here's some of the moments that made me ask "why the fuck am I even reading this book?":
-Ray eating a hot dog was described sexually
-Ray and Marlo did an extremely sexual dance in front of a group of high schoolers. Literally minors. Why are you traumatizing them with things they can never unsee??
-Ray eating a marshmallow was also somewhat sexually described... Why though...
Oh, and one last major complaint that literally only has to do with me: One of my triggers was in this book. It's not a common trigger, but getting a flashback in the middle of reading this book was frustrating.
No hate to the author, but this book just wasn't for me.
May 29, 2019
This is the first book in the Cruel Summer series. It’s a super quick easy read, with an enemies to lovers trope set in the summer camp world. I haven’t read a book set in a summer camp, let alone one that based solely on drama and theatre. There is a cliffhanger, so be prepared.
Marlon and Ray have known each other for a few years. Marlon used to mow Ray’s parent’s lawn. She was always the spoiled princess in his eyes, and he was always the nerd in her eyes. They reunite 4 years later at a summer camp and sparks were flying! He really HATES her for some stuff in the past and now he’s the boss. Marlon is pretty set on revenge. She kind of gives it back to him, mainly to prove herself. They had sexual tension you could cut with a knife. It’s mostly told in the summer camp world, but does give some flashbacks to their past throughout the book. The side characters were all interesting and provided a lot of comic relief to their scenes.
I enjoyed Summer Heat, and look forward to the next books in the series.
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Marlon and Ray have known each other for a few years. Marlon used to mow Ray’s parent’s lawn. She was always the spoiled princess in his eyes, and he was always the nerd in her eyes. They reunite 4 years later at a summer camp and sparks were flying! He really HATES her for some stuff in the past and now he’s the boss. Marlon is pretty set on revenge. She kind of gives it back to him, mainly to prove herself. They had sexual tension you could cut with a knife. It’s mostly told in the summer camp world, but does give some flashbacks to their past throughout the book. The side characters were all interesting and provided a lot of comic relief to their scenes.
I enjoyed Summer Heat, and look forward to the next books in the series.
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
August 8, 2018
3,7. Apesar de gostar bastante desse tipo de livro, não consegui me conectar com a situação. Achei surreal as coisas e sem explicação dos fatos.
August 9, 2018
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Summer Heat by Rachel Van Dyken is your quintessential must read this summer! It’s one of those light easy reads that hooks you right from the start. RVD introduces readers to Marlon and Ray. Ray is your rich privileged girl and Marlon is the skinny foster kid, who mows her lawn. Ray and Marlon shared a moment but the next day, she ignores him. Fast forward four years later, Ray and Marlon meet again but this time around, Marlon isn’t the same skinny boy as she remembered. So what happens when these two are in the same room? Will these two find themselves as enemies or lovers?
As I was saying earlier, this is definitely your sweet, fun, playful and yet riveting summer read. It is one of those stories that grabs your attention as you eagerly await what will become of Marlon and Ray. As always, RVD has written characters that are relatable so readers like myself are invested to these charismatic characters.
Rachel Van Dyken
Summer Heat by Rachel Van Dyken is your quintessential must read this summer! It’s one of those light easy reads that hooks you right from the start. RVD introduces readers to Marlon and Ray. Ray is your rich privileged girl and Marlon is the skinny foster kid, who mows her lawn. Ray and Marlon shared a moment but the next day, she ignores him. Fast forward four years later, Ray and Marlon meet again but this time around, Marlon isn’t the same skinny boy as she remembered. So what happens when these two are in the same room? Will these two find themselves as enemies or lovers?
As I was saying earlier, this is definitely your sweet, fun, playful and yet riveting summer read. It is one of those stories that grabs your attention as you eagerly await what will become of Marlon and Ray. As always, RVD has written characters that are relatable so readers like myself are invested to these charismatic characters.
Rachel Van Dyken
August 6, 2018
Oh my gawd !! RVD comes at ya with a sizzling summer read, full of sexual tension that might just melt your IPad, iPhone whatever device you use to read.
Marlon and Ray are enemies. Ray is the spoiled rich princess and Marlon is the foster kid who mows her lawn and gets picked on at school.
Years later these two meet up again and Marlon isn’t that skinny kid anymore and this time he’s set to make her suffer.
These two are like fire together and there is definitely no love lost whatsoever. That one night years ago forgotten. Oh man this book was so good. I was giddy from the get go and I knew that this was gonna be good. I loved these two and their battles, for me it just added to their insane chemistry and you could feel it dripping off the pages.
All I kept thinking was oh my god what is going to happen next. I couldn’t read fast enough and then well and then I felt like I read too fast. And I’m literally sitting here screaming for more. I need more so badly it’s not even funny. I’m hooked on this story. I’m hooked on the characters.
Rachel Van Dyken gives you a steamy hate filled read that will have you saying more please I’m desperate for more.
Marlon and Ray are enemies. Ray is the spoiled rich princess and Marlon is the foster kid who mows her lawn and gets picked on at school.
Years later these two meet up again and Marlon isn’t that skinny kid anymore and this time he’s set to make her suffer.
These two are like fire together and there is definitely no love lost whatsoever. That one night years ago forgotten. Oh man this book was so good. I was giddy from the get go and I knew that this was gonna be good. I loved these two and their battles, for me it just added to their insane chemistry and you could feel it dripping off the pages.
All I kept thinking was oh my god what is going to happen next. I couldn’t read fast enough and then well and then I felt like I read too fast. And I’m literally sitting here screaming for more. I need more so badly it’s not even funny. I’m hooked on this story. I’m hooked on the characters.
Rachel Van Dyken gives you a steamy hate filled read that will have you saying more please I’m desperate for more.
October 9, 2018
Drama de leve do jeito que eu gosto. A RVD tem uma escrita gostosinha.
Ray é a clássica pobre menina rica negligenciada pelos pais, que não lida bem com o fato de nunca ter se sentido amada. Marlon foi adotado pela empregada da casa da Ray aos 6 anos e eles são amigos até a adolescência.
Plot comum, que se desenvolve de modo bem previsível, mas gostei porque simpatizei com os personagens. Claro, que há partes mais dramáticas e uma leve forçada de barra para a Ray ser tão triste como é. Porém, é um rapidinho de ler e me prendeu. Gostei.
Ray é a clássica pobre menina rica negligenciada pelos pais, que não lida bem com o fato de nunca ter se sentido amada. Marlon foi adotado pela empregada da casa da Ray aos 6 anos e eles são amigos até a adolescência.
Plot comum, que se desenvolve de modo bem previsível, mas gostei porque simpatizei com os personagens. Claro, que há partes mais dramáticas e uma leve forçada de barra para a Ray ser tão triste como é. Porém, é um rapidinho de ler e me prendeu. Gostei.
August 6, 2019
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! Bully, enemies to lover romance. I loved it, he was bullied in high school by her friends and now they are older and he is the camp director in charge. Now it’s her turn to feel how he felt, except it’s more sexual tension kind of fights. Great beginning to this trilogy.
August 6, 2018
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT CLIFFHANGER?
RVD does it again with the first instalment of this series. I was captivated by the characters and their history, and getting to know them in by present. Watching them interact and trying to work out how they felt about each other was awesome.
This is a really fast read and with that ending I CANNOT WAIT for the next instalment to be released.
I really want to dig deeper into the story of Marlo and stay and see where this road will take them both. Things aren’t always as they seem, and I really can’t wait to delve into that some more.
Book two hurry up please!
Review also on my blog - Summer Heat - Rachel Van Dyken
Follow me on:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT CLIFFHANGER?
RVD does it again with the first instalment of this series. I was captivated by the characters and their history, and getting to know them in by present. Watching them interact and trying to work out how they felt about each other was awesome.
This is a really fast read and with that ending I CANNOT WAIT for the next instalment to be released.
I really want to dig deeper into the story of Marlo and stay and see where this road will take them both. Things aren’t always as they seem, and I really can’t wait to delve into that some more.
Book two hurry up please!
Review also on my blog - Summer Heat - Rachel Van Dyken
Follow me on:
August 2, 2018
Ugh, that cliffhanger. I need the next book NOW!! I feel like we haven't even begun to peel back the layers of both Marlo and Ray. We got the general backstory: known each other from childhood, she the popular girl, he the poor adopted son of the housekeeper. One heated night years ago, and the hatred that followed after. Now they're back together at 22, both counseling at a drama camp and none of the spark between them has dimmed in the slightest. He agrees with a fellow counselor that the best way to exact his revenge on her is to sleep with her and leave her like she's nothing, like he believes she did to him. We're left right after things heat up, and the unsavory truth is revealed. I seriously can't wait until the next book. SO much drama, I am living for it.
August 7, 2019
3.5*
Summer Heat was an angsty, but easy, read. It's building to a true frenemies-to-lovers story, but for now we're really just getting to know Marlon and Ray, and their history. Although we do get a bit of a pay-off at the end, we're left hanging just as things are about to get good! Or bad, really bad.
Marlon has such a deep-seated hatred for Ray, it's making me sad for him. But she isn't the spoiled little rich girl he once thought, her life is not all sunshine and rainbows as he's assumed.
Things really aren't what they seem with these two, and I'm very interested in learning more about both of them. I want to know more about them as teens, what happened in the time between them graduating high school, what led them to where they are now. I can't wait to get more answers!
Summer Heat was an angsty, but easy, read. It's building to a true frenemies-to-lovers story, but for now we're really just getting to know Marlon and Ray, and their history. Although we do get a bit of a pay-off at the end, we're left hanging just as things are about to get good! Or bad, really bad.
Marlon has such a deep-seated hatred for Ray, it's making me sad for him. But she isn't the spoiled little rich girl he once thought, her life is not all sunshine and rainbows as he's assumed.
Things really aren't what they seem with these two, and I'm very interested in learning more about both of them. I want to know more about them as teens, what happened in the time between them graduating high school, what led them to where they are now. I can't wait to get more answers!
June 12, 2019
Summer Heat was just that, full of heat! This was such a fun light and short read. I read it while getting some sunshine out on the back deck and it was just what I needed! I loved the characters and the enemies to lovers pure hotness going on in this gem.
Rachel Van Dyken always writes such angsty books and I love it! There was a huge cliff hanger at the end though and I can't wait to read more of Marlon and Ray's story because I was totally invested in their sizzling heat they had going on.
If you are looking for a short, sweet and HOT enemies to lovers romance that's perfect for a day at the beach then Summer Heat is for you and I can't wait to read more about Marlon and Ray in the rest of Cruel Summer's short series :)
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to review.**
Rachel Van Dyken always writes such angsty books and I love it! There was a huge cliff hanger at the end though and I can't wait to read more of Marlon and Ray's story because I was totally invested in their sizzling heat they had going on.
If you are looking for a short, sweet and HOT enemies to lovers romance that's perfect for a day at the beach then Summer Heat is for you and I can't wait to read more about Marlon and Ray in the rest of Cruel Summer's short series :)
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to review.**
June 10, 2019
Received an ARC from Netgalley.
I was in the mood for an enemies to lovers story and was excited to jump into this book. The amount of Angst between Ray and Marlo had me devouring this book in one sitting. Unfortunately this was a short read because the story continues in the next two books. As much as I want to rate it a 5 star I have to give it a 4 since the other books arent available to those who dont have ibooks.
I was in the mood for an enemies to lovers story and was excited to jump into this book. The amount of Angst between Ray and Marlo had me devouring this book in one sitting. Unfortunately this was a short read because the story continues in the next two books. As much as I want to rate it a 5 star I have to give it a 4 since the other books arent available to those who dont have ibooks.
March 27, 2021
Yeah no, the heroine is whiny af. Its about bunch of horny ppl together in a camp.
March 3, 2023
QUE ALGUIEN ME AGARRE QUE ME DA UN PARRAQUE. Menuda historia. No sé ni por dónde empezar. Sé que siempre digo lo mismo, pero es que Rachel Van Dyken no me deja indiferente con sus historias. Aunque no lo aparente, sus personajes tienen una profundidad que no te esperas cuando empiezas a leer, y tal vez sea eso por lo que ninguna historia se parece a otra que haya escrito antes.
La historia comienza con el punto de vista de Marlon, que es el protagonista junto a Ray. De ellos dos solo sabemos el pasado general: se conocían desde la infancia, ella es la chica popular y él el pobre chico adoptado por la ama de llaves. Una simple noche hace años y todo el odio y rencor que vino después. Y ahora, con 22 años, se vuelven a reencontrar, trabajando los dos en un campamento de verano y es cuando se dan cuenta de que la tensión entre ellos dos no ha disminuido un ápice. Un compañero le da la idea a Marlon de que vengarse de ella mediante el sexo para sacársela de su sistema es la mejor idea, ya que así le devuelve lo que ella le hizo años atrás. El libro se acaba justo cuando las cosas están más calientes y se nos deja con una sensación agridulce.
Mientras leáis esta reseña, yo estaré leyendo la segunda parte de esta trilogía, con muchas ganas de saber qué pasa entre ellos dos después de este final tan abrupto.
Tengo que admitir que Marlon se me antojaba un poco gilipollas al principio, por su actitud desde el primer momento con Ray. Después, mientras leía, me iba retractando y mi opinión sobre él cambiaba. De hecho, hay una escena que es mi especialmente favorita porque es cuando más dulce es con Ray (aunque hay varias). Y en el capítulo final, recordé por qué Marlon se me antojaba tan gilipollas al principio. Ahora mismo lo odio muchísimo, pero más que nada porque tiene en su cabeza metida la idea de que Ray es una egoísta que siempre lo ha tenido todo y no empatiza con ella en absoluto.
Hablando de escenas favoritas, tengo muchas en las que sonreía como una boba, otras que releía veinte veces por los momentos de Ray y Marlon que me hacían casi temblar con anticipación y también había escenas en las que sentía que no leía suficientemente rápido por las ganas que tenía de saber qué pasaría a continuación.
La historia comienza con el punto de vista de Marlon, que es el protagonista junto a Ray. De ellos dos solo sabemos el pasado general: se conocían desde la infancia, ella es la chica popular y él el pobre chico adoptado por la ama de llaves. Una simple noche hace años y todo el odio y rencor que vino después. Y ahora, con 22 años, se vuelven a reencontrar, trabajando los dos en un campamento de verano y es cuando se dan cuenta de que la tensión entre ellos dos no ha disminuido un ápice. Un compañero le da la idea a Marlon de que vengarse de ella mediante el sexo para sacársela de su sistema es la mejor idea, ya que así le devuelve lo que ella le hizo años atrás. El libro se acaba justo cuando las cosas están más calientes y se nos deja con una sensación agridulce.
Mientras leáis esta reseña, yo estaré leyendo la segunda parte de esta trilogía, con muchas ganas de saber qué pasa entre ellos dos después de este final tan abrupto.
Tengo que admitir que Marlon se me antojaba un poco gilipollas al principio, por su actitud desde el primer momento con Ray. Después, mientras leía, me iba retractando y mi opinión sobre él cambiaba. De hecho, hay una escena que es mi especialmente favorita porque es cuando más dulce es con Ray (aunque hay varias). Y en el capítulo final, recordé por qué Marlon se me antojaba tan gilipollas al principio. Ahora mismo lo odio muchísimo, pero más que nada porque tiene en su cabeza metida la idea de que Ray es una egoísta que siempre lo ha tenido todo y no empatiza con ella en absoluto.
Hablando de escenas favoritas, tengo muchas en las que sonreía como una boba, otras que releía veinte veces por los momentos de Ray y Marlon que me hacían casi temblar con anticipación y también había escenas en las que sentía que no leía suficientemente rápido por las ganas que tenía de saber qué pasaría a continuación.
August 22, 2018
Ray and Marlon will pull you in all directions. I feel this is RVD's best work to date.
So what happens when the one person from your past, you really wanted to forget about - all of a sudden shows up at the Summer camp you are the director at? Well for Marlon - it brings up a lot of anger and maybe some revenge.
Ray and Marlon had been friends since they were little kids. With his foster mom working for Ray's family, she was always a part of his life. Until High School things changed. Ray was the popular girl. Dating the captain of the football team. The IT girl. While Marlon was the skinny nerdy kid who had a major crush on Ray. One night. He thought everything changed, until the next day... it seemed everything was back the way it was before.
So when Ray shows up as a camp counselor at the theater camp he's the director of years later. All he sees is red. And maybe making her life miserable.
I can't give too much away but know that this book is full of sexual tension and all kinds of yummy angst. Seriously I could not put the book down! It does end on a cliffhanger, so be aware. But luckily for us, we will get the next book fairly quick! Pick up this series! Its a MUST.
So what happens when the one person from your past, you really wanted to forget about - all of a sudden shows up at the Summer camp you are the director at? Well for Marlon - it brings up a lot of anger and maybe some revenge.
Ray and Marlon had been friends since they were little kids. With his foster mom working for Ray's family, she was always a part of his life. Until High School things changed. Ray was the popular girl. Dating the captain of the football team. The IT girl. While Marlon was the skinny nerdy kid who had a major crush on Ray. One night. He thought everything changed, until the next day... it seemed everything was back the way it was before.
So when Ray shows up as a camp counselor at the theater camp he's the director of years later. All he sees is red. And maybe making her life miserable.
I can't give too much away but know that this book is full of sexual tension and all kinds of yummy angst. Seriously I could not put the book down! It does end on a cliffhanger, so be aware. But luckily for us, we will get the next book fairly quick! Pick up this series! Its a MUST.
August 16, 2019
"I had no self-control when it came to him. Maybe I never did. Because even all those years ago. I'd always wanted him to want me."
I fell into the Rachel Van Dyken vortex. I just saw her name on the cover and stopped thinking, started clicking. She never disappoints and I wanted a taste of her word wizardry.
I devoured Summer Heat from start to finish without realizing it was a trilogy. You should have seen my face when I got to the last page and tried to turn it, repeatedly. Yeah, I'm sure it was funny. Dont' get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I loved every word. I could smell the campfire and taste the marshmallow on the end of my stick. I enjoyed the hell out of being at summer camp. I was very entertained by the colorful support characters. I felt the sexual tension between the sworn enemies and couldn't wait for them to give in to their lust.
I can't wait to get my hands on Summer Seduction. The line forms here...
I fell into the Rachel Van Dyken vortex. I just saw her name on the cover and stopped thinking, started clicking. She never disappoints and I wanted a taste of her word wizardry.
I devoured Summer Heat from start to finish without realizing it was a trilogy. You should have seen my face when I got to the last page and tried to turn it, repeatedly. Yeah, I'm sure it was funny. Dont' get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I loved every word. I could smell the campfire and taste the marshmallow on the end of my stick. I enjoyed the hell out of being at summer camp. I was very entertained by the colorful support characters. I felt the sexual tension between the sworn enemies and couldn't wait for them to give in to their lust.
I can't wait to get my hands on Summer Seduction. The line forms here...
May 8, 2019
⭐4 Marlo stars⭐
“I felt her then. Maybe I smelled her first. Like the worst sort of sin I could commit in this lifetime — like both my enemy and my friend.”
I read the blurb and kept obsessing about this series, checking my husband's ipad like a lunatic.
The moment the last book was out I was ecstatic and I felt like I really needed to kiss all the ipad angels for ending my misery.
I should admit that the book didn't stand a chance in front of the blurb or may be the wait was too much. But seriously, the blurb was so strong and interesting it gave me goosebumps.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the story so much, but the hatred and the tension were so much for me to handle.
On to book #2
“I felt her then. Maybe I smelled her first. Like the worst sort of sin I could commit in this lifetime — like both my enemy and my friend.”
I read the blurb and kept obsessing about this series, checking my husband's ipad like a lunatic.
The moment the last book was out I was ecstatic and I felt like I really needed to kiss all the ipad angels for ending my misery.
I should admit that the book didn't stand a chance in front of the blurb or may be the wait was too much. But seriously, the blurb was so strong and interesting it gave me goosebumps.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the story so much, but the hatred and the tension were so much for me to handle.
On to book #2
May 31, 2019
Loved it! The push and pull between Ray and Marlo is sizzling. Crossed signals, fear, immaturity, unrequited love and unacknowledged chemistry...what a delicious combination! This first installment of the Cruel summer series left me wanting more. This series of books are an iBook exclusive and are not out on Kindle yet. I'll be getting the other two to read on my phone because I MUST KNOW THE REST.
June 19, 2020
The first book in hate to love new adult romance series Cruel Summer from Rachel Van Dyken. Hate to love isn't the only trope thrown in here though, there's some second chance romance, unrequited love and bully romance going on as well. Enemies to lovers is definitely the strongest though and I freaking love it!
It's a quick read but so enjoyable and alluring. Normally I don't go for angsty books but in this case it's not too frustrating and actually makes sense. And I LOVE the Dirty Dancing elements.
Be warned, there is a cliffhanger but thankfully the series is completed and available on Kindle Unlimited.
Read more reviews and other bookish content on my blog https://elainehowlin.com
August 1, 2018
Summer Heat by Rachel Van Dyken is book One in the Cruel Summer series. This is the story of Ray and Marlon. Ray is thought of as a 'Princess' and Marlon was the boy that mowed her lawn, a foster kid and one that the other kids picked on. They were never really friends, although both thought the other one was attractive. Ray did go along with the other kids sometimes to stay cool and which did cause Marlon to be hurt. Now years later Marlon is totally different and they find themselves together again. Sparks fly again and love it tempted but something happens pulling them apart due to their past.
I am such a fan of Ms. Van Dyken and this book you won't be able to put down! It takes you through some roller coaster rides of emotions! I cannot wait for the next installment of this story!!
I am such a fan of Ms. Van Dyken and this book you won't be able to put down! It takes you through some roller coaster rides of emotions! I cannot wait for the next installment of this story!!
August 4, 2018
Nooooo! 😭😭 I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW! Omg. Im a sucker for brooding assholes, for enemies to lovers books & for second chances. There is so much depth to this baby, so much heartache, I felt my soul come apart while reading it. It’s such a hot book, because the chemistry between Marlo and Ray is sizzling. This is a book about betrayal, about love & about judging a book by its cover. It’s amazing and the next addition can’t come any faster!
August 1, 2019
Summer Heat gets raving reviews across the internet. So I was really intrigued. Especially because I don’t read a lot of new adult. The main reason why I don’t read the genre that often anymore is because I am pretty disappointed with the storys. Apart from Colleen Hoover there hasn’t been an author who really knew how to captivate my attention for longer than a few pages. I really hoped that Rachel Van Dyken could work her magic on me. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed.
Before diving into all the reasons I didn’t like this book, let’s talk about the fact that this is actually not a book. It is 122 pages, which in my honest opinion is a novella. 122 isn’t a lot of time and space to captivate a reader. It means you have to hit a home run as a reader. Summer Heat is the first instalment in a 3 book series, but they are all the same length. So for me I think they are just one full length novel that for some reason was divided into 3 little novella’s.
Now let’s get into the reasons why this book didn’t do it for me. When you read a book in this genre you are set on getting some tropes. You just know that… but here is was cliché after cliché. Rich, spoiled girl looks down on poor boy. They hate each other apart from that one night they let their true emotions show. Fast forward 4 years later and that poor, geeky boy has transformed in some Greek God Adonis. He has transformed so much that the girl who used to see him every day doesn’t even realise she is talking to him. Really? That’s what you want readers to believe? He has been to the gym! Not had a face transplant. People change, yes definitely. But not completely in four years.
Then there is the whole “enemies to lovers” theme in this book. I normally don’t have a problem with this storyline. But here the hate is real. There is a lot of baggage and both the characters treat each other like garbage. Mix that with a lot of very awkward sexual tension and you get a really weird, uncomfortable story to read. And then I am not even mentioning the sex scenes. Because… well they are awkward and not at all sexy.
I won’t be continuing the story. It ends with a huge cliff-hanger, something that is designed to keep people reading, right? Well, not for me this time. I close the book and though never again.
Before diving into all the reasons I didn’t like this book, let’s talk about the fact that this is actually not a book. It is 122 pages, which in my honest opinion is a novella. 122 isn’t a lot of time and space to captivate a reader. It means you have to hit a home run as a reader. Summer Heat is the first instalment in a 3 book series, but they are all the same length. So for me I think they are just one full length novel that for some reason was divided into 3 little novella’s.
Now let’s get into the reasons why this book didn’t do it for me. When you read a book in this genre you are set on getting some tropes. You just know that… but here is was cliché after cliché. Rich, spoiled girl looks down on poor boy. They hate each other apart from that one night they let their true emotions show. Fast forward 4 years later and that poor, geeky boy has transformed in some Greek God Adonis. He has transformed so much that the girl who used to see him every day doesn’t even realise she is talking to him. Really? That’s what you want readers to believe? He has been to the gym! Not had a face transplant. People change, yes definitely. But not completely in four years.
Then there is the whole “enemies to lovers” theme in this book. I normally don’t have a problem with this storyline. But here the hate is real. There is a lot of baggage and both the characters treat each other like garbage. Mix that with a lot of very awkward sexual tension and you get a really weird, uncomfortable story to read. And then I am not even mentioning the sex scenes. Because… well they are awkward and not at all sexy.
I won’t be continuing the story. It ends with a huge cliff-hanger, something that is designed to keep people reading, right? Well, not for me this time. I close the book and though never again.
September 3, 2018
It was a good story. New adult usually not my genre and I hate many of its books but I liked this book . I liked listening from the rich princess for the first time . This story shows that a person could change and that appearances isn't everything.I wished the more deep meanings took most of the story but I think this genre defines how the story goes.I liked the author writing style,too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews