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.

An enemies to lovers book? Check!
Characters to love/hate? Check!
Hot chemistry? Double check!

This is a book by my favorite author and I enjoyed reading it. Going to start reading book two next, as this one ends in a cliffhanger!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I did not get the chance to finish reading this title but I wanted to give my thoughts. I loved what I had read and when I get the time I will finish reading it. Such an enjoyable read and the characters worked so well together. Overall I would recommend.

I have always loved this author, she is witty, smart and writes some very hot scenes! When I see that she has published a new book, I know its going on to my TBR list and its going to the top, and I am never disappointed. This book is a must read! And while you are at it, read all of hers!

I love the enemies to lovers trope in romance. It's one of my favorite type of stories to read about. And Summer Heat definitely has that going for it.

Our two main characters knew each other in high school and that's where the enemies part of the story starts. We do get a few flash backs to some scenes from that time, but not full chapters or anything. I do wish we got a little bit more from that time period. It would have made connecting with the characters a little bit easier, I think.

"For minutes, I felt like a princess. And my knight in shining armor had ridden in to rescue me from the demons that haunted me."

They meet up years later and wind up having to work with each other, and that definitely causes some major tension. The tension and angst between these two is very easily felt. I liked both of the main characters. This book is duel point of view and I liked getting to see both Ray and Marlo's perspective.

I would consider the romance in this first book to be a slow burn, lots of tension to keep you hooked to the pages though.
It definitely has that first book feel to it, you can tell that it's setting up for the events and things to happen in the future books. And by the ending, this is definitely just the beginning to Ray and Marlo's story together. It does end on a cliff hanger, so if you don't like those, I would definitely have book two handy.

"Music set souls free. It didn't trap them."

Overall I thought it was a good slow burn romance. It's a great start to the series. The tension, and back and forth between Marlo and Ray keeps it interesting. It is a really short book, so it's a very quick read.

I think if you're looking for a lighter, quick enemies to lovers read then you will very much enjoy Summer Heat. It was a quick, enjoyable read for me.

Great read! I just loved how this book was written. I really enjoyed it. It kept me engage dtil the end.

Summer Heat is book one in the Cruel Summer series. The series has three books. It ends with a cliffhanger and you'll want to grab the next boo right away. I was so glad that I could get book two right after finishing this one because that cliffy left me wanting more. This series was so addictive that I read all three back to back. Marlon and Ray knew each other as kids. Ray is the spoiled rich kid while Marlon is the help's kid. Years later, Ray is camp counselor at the theater camp and Marlon is the director of years later. Marlon wants revenge. They have a connection and chemistry. I thought maybe they could get over their angry at each other and be so much more than friends but then the ending came that had me guessing what comes next.

Loved this super hot summer romance which is full of love and hate. The chemistry between them is scorching hot like the summer sun. Who knew enemies could be so hot together.

3.5 stars for hate to love. I read this not realizing it wasn’t a stand alone. I don’t read much NA but am a suck for hate to love stories. This was a well done NA with some back story and lots of steam.

This book sounds amazing, but at this time it just isn’t for me. I think it will be great when I am ready to come back to it!

Another great book!!! I love anything Rachel Van Dyken writes! She never disappoints me. Her storytelling astounds me!! Can't wait for her next book!!

I LOVED THIS. That cliffhanger nearly made me lose my mind. Rachel Van Dyken did it again! https://tinta-oculta.blogspot.com/2019/10/resena-summer-heat-cruel-summer-1-de.html

Whose the bully now!?!

Ahhhhhh!

Rachel Van Dyken has set out to taunt us with this trilogy. Quick hits and cliffhangers....ahhhhhhh!

I know I'm needy. I just want all the answers now. With he twisted bomb drop ending, my mind, heart, and body are swirling in a fit of rage, heartache, anger, and even self righteousness. Clearly, my heart and head are not aligned. This is going to be a doozy.

A great romance that will “dirty dance” into your heart…

Rachel Van Dyken’s Cruel Summer Series, a light and entertaining read, is the perfect companion to have with you as you go about your day. This may sound quirky but I actually tend to classify my reading needs not by genre, but more like my workouts; light and heavy. Light books are those that you can read in small blocks, in other words, they are easy to fit into the busyness of life because you can pick them up and put them down easily in a day. Heavy books are those that once you open them they want to take over your existence; like read-through-the-night-even-though-you-have-work-to-do-the-next-day type of book. I love to constantly be reading so having light books intermixed between heavy books helps me remain a functioning member of my household!

Rachel consistently writes light stories with the perfect mix of heat and fun as seen in Summer Heat, the first book in a new contemporary NA series. Set at a summer camp for performers, we are introduced to Marlon and Ray, counselors with very different upbringings and a tumultuous history together. Their unexpected reunion as camp staff starts tearing away at the boxes they have both stuffed lingering hurt, insecurities, and feelings from a time when their youthful friendship was subjected to the harsh cruelties of high school and social disparities. It becomes evident that there are no walls strong enough to subdue the smoldering connection they have tried for years to ignore, especially when Dirty Dancing is chosen as the camper’s summer ending production.

Summer Seduction is the second installment of Marlon and Ray’s love/hate relationship that plays out through their preparation as director and instructor for the performance camp’s final production that will see industry agents in attendance. Future careers can be made or broken for both campers and staff based on their performance, but it’s even more important for Ray as she tries to shed the guilt and unworthiness she carries from when she was young. Marlon pushes her to tap into the bottled emotions she has never released in her performances to restore her own self-esteem as well as their relationship. But, those emotions become a two-edged sword when it seems that the only one to truly see her heart is ripped away.

Summer Nights is Marlon and Ray’s big finale. When even fate can’t seem to keep them away their budding passion is transposed into their performance of Baby and Johnny, roles they are forced by sickness to assume. Ray’s parents and past threaten to derail all that they have been working to rebuild if not for Marlon’s “nobody puts Baby in a corner” moment.

The Cruel Summer Series will leave you looking for the air conditioner to cool down from the heat and elated that the power of love can heal and restore even the worst heartaches. Rachel’s skillful intertwining of the classic movie Dirty Dancing with the genuine characters and steamy attraction between Marlon and Ray produces a great NA summer series!

Standing true to the title, this romance is very fast paced. The narration switches from the heroine and hero. A very good read if you like love stories with revenge in the backdrop.

The love/hate relationship in this book between Ray and Marlon was so steamy. They definitely have intense feelings for each other but the way this book ended was so frustrating in a good way. I need to know what is going to happen asap.

Highly recommended

I loved this book and devoured it in no time!

It starts off with an acting camp. The guy in charge and the new instructor have a past that they do not diverge to anyone at first. Ray is at the camp to better her resume since she has been struggling in the acting world. Her parents who are loaded, do not support her passion and she has to do this on her own. Marlon is in charge. Him and his mom grew up struggling and his passion has always been acting. His mother used to work for Ray's family and they went to the same high school. Ray was the popular rich girl and Marlon was the quiet one.

Marlon holds a grudge against what happened between him and Ray and now wants to make her life hell at the camp. As he tries to destroy her reputation, the sparks do keep flying between them that neither can deny.

The way this book ends... i could not believe it. ugh it was such a frustrating end but now I need to read the next of the series!!

Rachel you did it again!!!

Cliffhanger ending...But oh so good

Marlon and Ray have a past together. He sees her as the spoiled princess who had and has it all. The snooty rich mean girl. And he was the poor loser who hates and wanted her. Rey is much more than the rich mean girl. We see the cracks in her glossy exterior. And together they ignite! I now must read the next book. That cliffhanger leaves me wanting more!!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Ray & Marlon had known each other since high school. A rich girl and a boy from the wrong side of the track sort of (he mows the lawn at her family home). Ray and Marlon were mostly ignoring each other until one encounter that changed everything afterward. Ray turned her back on him after that summer. Fast forward, Ray applied for a summer camp counselor job and guess who is the camp director? Yep! The grown-up gorgeous version of Marlon is irresistible. Marlon is determined to make her life hell. Pay back is a b***ch and all that 😊 I like the angst filled romance. Then sexual tension and the banters. Quick sexy enemy-to-lover/second chance romance. However, their love story hasn’t ended. Summer Heat is book 1 of 3. Summer Seduction and Summer Nights coming next.

3.5 stars

I want more of this story! I didn't realise it would end like that. I can't wait to read the second book. I love Marlo and Ray. I'm curious about her past. I hope the second book will give me more answers.