OMG! 5 star without a doubt! Hot and steamy! That cliffhanger is torture! I can’t not buy the rest of the series! Wasnt expecting to like a new adult book as much as I did. Would definitely recommend-but make sure to get all 3 books at the same time.

Hmmm, I am not quite sure about this one. It is a sort of enemies to lovers story, but ends in a cliffhanger so not a whole lot really happens overall. This book enlightens the reader as to why the main characters are in fact enemies and then introduces some drama when they begin working together years later. Unfortunately for me I couldn't really connect with either of these characters, and although I enjoy a good enemies to lovers story line, this one fell kind of flat and I found myself skimming a lot instead of being fully invested in the story.

Oh my! Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. This story goes to show you that things are not always how they seem from outside appearances. At times this was a bit heartbreaking. Feelings of all kinds run rampant between these two. Ray and Marlon seem to always take one step forward and two steps back when they are together. By the end of the book I was dyeing for more of these two, and can't wait for the next book.

Wonderful Storyline about the angst of teenage years bullying and how they turned out as adults. Sometimes it's not what it seems.
Marlon was the maid's Foster son he was ridiculed and bullied all through high school and the one person he looked to, to offer a hand didn't say a word. So hate blossomed. Ray grew up feeling alone and unloved but the one person who made her feel is the person who hates her the most.
As adults can they both wonder if they can get past what happened in youth, it seems that both totally misunderstood the other.
I can't wait to read the next book in this Series.

Summer Heat by Rachel Van Dyken a five-star read that will have you on the edge of your seat. This is the first novel in the Cruel Summer series and wow, I am so excited for number two!! What an ending on this story, I can’t wait. Never have I wanted to go to summer camp so much, my heart broke at times for Ray but then it also broke a little for Marlon it was such a compelling story. This is one of those stories that you would be sad to miss, and an author I am fast falling for.

Rachel Van Dyken brings us the first book in the Cruel Summer series. We are introduced to spoiled princess Ray and Marlon, the boy everyone picked on at school. After one night together, she rejects him which sets the tone for the rest of their high school years. Years later, the roles are reversed where Marlon is the successful director of a camp and Ray works for him.

Rachel gives us two characters who seem to be what they are on the surface, but then they start showing that things are not always the way it looks from the outside. Working together at the camp, they start to show parts of themselves they have kept hidden while they ignore the attraction and try to hold on to the hate. Since this is only the first installment, it has laid out the foundation of their initial relationship and how it has affected them when they meet again four years later. It will be interesting to see if they can get past the hurt and humiliations of the past to be able to forge a future together.

I enjoyed meeting Marlon and Ray and look forward to seeing where their story takes them. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Social Butterfly PR for this privilege.

Even though I generally read my books through the Kindle apps on my iPad, I often forget that I have actual iBooks to read too. This was one of those stories that I was quick to purchase but forgot I owned because I was waiting for all the stories to come out and that this was exclusive to iBooks. I have just now finally sat down to read them all after getting an ARC from NetGalley and then realizing that I already owned the series.

I am a little disappointed in myself because this was a very cute story. This first part was filled with all the angst of Ray and Marlon hating each other because of the past even though they really loved each other. two former high school kids who were definitely opposite in every way. My heart hurt for them both.

This book ended on a cliffhanger. Talk about ending at the climax (pun intended). I was missing some of the usual humor that RVD is known for because the friendships that were forming were very reminiscent of the Consequences series which is one of my favorites of this author. Looking forward to how this continues in the next book.

I'm such a huge fan of Rachel and I'm so glad I got to read this. It was a really good book. I loved the writing and the characters. I wish it wasn't a cliffhanger though cause I really needed the next book. But it's definitely worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good enemies to lovers story. But it does end on a cliffhanger, so if those aren’t for you, you have been warned. I truly loved the story, and need the second book ASAP!

I love Rachel’s writing! She can make you fall in love with her characters so easily and always leaves you wanting more. This was a great start to another awesome series! Can’t wait to see where this world goes.

Ray's life always looked perfect from the outside, rich parents, big house, lots of friends, but appearances can be deceiving. Marlo's life definitely didn't look perfect, living with his foster mom, working for Ray's family, and being bullied at school. After a night together Marlo thinks things may have changed between them, but Ray proves him wrong the next day. Fast forward 4 years and they meet again, only this time, Ray's working for Marlo.

This book, I love the chemistry between the characters, the angst, the push and pull, it's so fantastic. My heart hurts for them both because of the past and the present. And that cliffhanger, I can't stop thinking about it. It's also nostalgic in a way, reminding me of my days at summer camp, I can smell the woods. I definitely will be purchasing the remaining 2 books, I need to see how this plays out.

Enemies to Lovers. High school is a brutal time for teens, the cliques the rumors the drama. Four years of wishing for a different life.

Well you have a spoiled princess who lives with controlling unloving parents, all she wants it to be free of them, go to college and start a new life, one that includes are moving to LA and acting some day.

Then you have the lawn boy who everyone makes fun of and ignores the rest of the time. He was there for the princess when she needed him most for one night they were more than their labels. They let down their barriors and just felt loved. Theight following day, she acted like he didn't insist and kept their secret night to herself.

HIs only hope was to become an actor, he was applying for colleges.. She took his acting scholarship, he was furious becuase that was his way to get out and ahead, she didn't need it or the money. But she did, her parents refused to pay for college if she went into acting. He went to another school and did amazingly, so much so he was the Director and her boss at the leading acting camp for Hollywood scouts. Now he was her boss and had all the power. Then passion and hate combined and they didn't know what to do with their chemistry and hate but give in.

Ends on Cliffhanger, must read next 2 Cruel Summer Series book to see how it all turns out.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Great summer/beach read! The author has written characters that are easy to like and a story that is fun to follow. Can’t wait to read more!

This book was very good!! I love reading Rachel Van Dyken’s books they are so good !! Thank you so much Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange of my honest review of this book!

This is a great haters to lovers story. :) I enjoy it a lot. The characters had great chemistry together as with all Rachel Van Dyken's books. The only bad part is that it ends on a cliff hanger... so we have to wait to find out what happens...

4 1/2 stars

I loved this book beginning to end! I was hooked from page one! I love the whole enemies to lovers trope with second chance and this book certainly did not disappoint!! Rachel Van Dyken is one amazing author who always has her readers coming back for more and this book is one of those reasons they do. Happy reading!!

I chose this book based on the plot line and it was true to type in that poor boy yearns for rich girl, gets her and then gets thrown away because of rich girl's pride and peer pressure.Now the tables have turned, and rich girl is at not so poor boy's mercy and so begins the spate of vengeful,cat and mouse behaviors ,interspersed with moments of weakness that populate the book, culminating in a shocking cliffhanger. The book had intensity,amusement,hatred and flashbacks of happier times woven into the story to keep you engaged until suddenly ,wait ,what,cliffhanger ? Surprisingly I was not aware that this was the first installment in a continuing series.Interesting start to a series that begs the question of how the author plans to ensure this plot remains relevant and non-formulaic in the upcoming books.

A quick, fun read filled with angst and ending with a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next with this tortured couple.

Ok, to be fair. I went into this book not seeing that it is a series.
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I loved the story. I loved the characters. It wasn't too steamy....until the very last few pages. The problem for me. The story stops. When I say it stops I mean S.T.O.P.S. If you want to continue the story, you have to read the next...I hesitate to say the word book....novella...short story?!? I needed more. I need it to be wrapped up before continuing the next book. Having said that, it was an enjoyable read. If you are ok with immediately reading book 2 and 3 to literally find out what becomes of these characters....you will enjoy it. I do not enjoy that.
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I'm ending with 2 1/2 stars. Again, I enjoyed the story, I really enjoyed the characters. I think they had great chemistry. I was very disappointed with how it "wrapped" up.