I don't want to write an online review of this book as it is not on Amazon where I do my reviews. I did enjoy the story for the most part, but I haven't yet found myself invested in the characters. Yes, this is book 1, but it didn't really compel me to read part 2 or 3 because in book 1. I don't really like the characters, they seem more like high school age than college graduates. I don't like books about high school age people for the most part and so these characters acting like teenagers just doesn't work for me.

I will say that the writing is very good. I am a HUGE fan of RVD and have over 20 of her books on my Kindle. I prefer The Bet, The Wager etc. 3.75 stars for writing alone.

This story takes the reader on an adventure. It’s emotional and an addictive ride. This is the heart breaking and heart mending story of Ray and Marlon. They are enemies, plain and simple.

Marlon has had a difficult childhood, but he is making his way through, only he has some issues that need to be addressed that they come out when Ray is involved. He is a foster child how mows lawns (including Ray’s families). He feels like he is an outsider (and maybe he his) always looking at something he can’t have, will never have. Ray might live in her “perfect world” but she is just as lost, just as shattered as Marlon. While Marlon didn’t think that Ray is within his reach, she is thinking something complete different. One night together and all these feelings change, just not their situation.

Years later these two meet again as a summer camp and the tension and heat is palpable. Marlon is there, different and yet still the mystery that Ray wants to get caught up in. Ray is determined to get the love she was missing from life from Marlon I just don’t think she quite knows it yet. I enjoyed the sparks between these two in their banter, it is where the heat lies; and I loved the passion these two had for each other’ whether it was “hate” or lust these two sure know how to catch fire. The dynamics of this story are what make it both a romantic second chance story and a must read. I loved that Marlon and Ray has to work at their relationship. That even though there was insta lust the still needed to develop trust and empathy.

This story does on a cliffhanger as it is part one of a three part series, but it was well worth the ending to get this extraordinary enemy to lovers’ story! Filled with tension, passion, heat and lust I would recommend this story to all! I received an ARC via NetGallery and I am leaving my honest review. #NetGallery #SummerHeat

The premise for this book was so promising but unfortunately, I just couldn't come to terms with Ray. She was constantly crying which got on my nerves over time and her self-pity didn't really help in this case. She was too weak for my liking. BUT Marlon and Ray had insane sexual chemistry together which was a huge plus point for me. Also, Van Dyken's writing was, as always, top notch!

Rachel keep writing masterpieces. I wait for this story to be available, now I can't wait for the next parts. The first book keep you at a cliffhanger ant tnis make me crazy. Love Marlo and Ray story. Nya is correct they will find each other hearts. I hope!

actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
Yes, it was predictable but in the very best way. The villain was clear from the outset and, although there was mention of previous heroines, it didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books in the series.
I did call the majority of the "big reveals" before they happened but it didn't take away my enjoyment and I still couldn't put it down.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So I foresee book 2 in my future ASAP! Rachel doesn’t know how to write a bad story. Absolutely loved it! I didn’t want to put it down. The story flowed well and was so intriguing from page one to the very end. Loved it!

Ray is a rich, beautiful woman. She is in the popular crowd. Her parents just up and leave her to go do whatever and she feels like she has nobody.

Marlo is a sexy man. He had it rough growing up. He was an orphaned at a very young age. He would cut Ray's family lawn. He was not in the popular crowd, he was bullied in high school and did not have many friends. He just wanted somebody to stand up for him.

It is not easy for either one of them. This book is amazing and you just have to read it to get their story. I didn't want it to end. I want to know what happens between them.

Highly recommend reading it. Love it.

While working a summer camp for Drama students, Ray thinks it will be an easy time filled with acting, singing and choreography. What she did not expect was for the man in charge to be the same boy she had a hot moment with in high school but shunned after it was over. Can Marlon forgive her teenage antics or will he plot revenge on his adult nemesis? With enjoyable characters and a storyline that had me quickly turning pages this was a great read. I cannot wait to see what comes next.

I generally love RVD novels as they are concise, have fun moments, and are able to tackle tough subjects. Summer Heat was a good example of that.

This is a story about Marlon and Ray. Marlon was a foster child and bullied quite a bit when he was a lanky foster child of manual laborers. Ray is the child of wealthy yet uncaring parents who are more concerned with appearance than anything else. Growing up, Marlin and Ray shared one drunken night together. Marlon thought that would change things and Ray would feel something for him. Ray however continued with her lack of caring and complete disregard for him.

Summer Heat picks up when Marlon has grown into his body and is the director of a drama camp. Ray discovers she is now a member of his staff. Tensions flare between the two. It is a tango of hate and passion. Then it ends...in a big old cliffhanger. This is a duet and I can't wait to find out what happens.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks NetGalley!

God, I love Rachel Van Dyken's work. If you do too then obviously you'll love this book just as much as I did.

This is the first book in the Cruel Summer series. It does leave off in a cliff hanger. The story is about a spoiled, rich girl, Ray who when she was in high school was in the cool crowd that bullied Marlon, the poor, nerdy boy. Now Marlon is a hunk and the two of them have to work together at the same summer camp. My only complaint is that I didn’t love that this takes place at a summer camp it seems very juvenile and makes it hard to believe that the characters are in their early 20s trying to become famous.

SUMMER HEAT (Cruel Summer 1)
Rachel Van Dyken @

#SummerHeat #NetGalley #enemies #NA #cliffhanger #contemporaryromance #quickread

Even though this series was exclusive to iBooks last year. It's now coming to the rest of the platforms this summer!

POV:Dual
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gaahh!! Cliffhanger!! But still loved it!
If you're used to Rachel playing with your emotions you know what I'm taking about.
This was a quick wee read. 100 or so pages.

Marlon was the gangly, lanky nerd, who you'd copy off in class, pick on, push into lockers. He just wanted someone to step in and stop the bullying.
His foster mum is Ray's nanny and he mows the law.
He's watched the spoiled princess Ray from afar. Until one drunken night they spend together. Then she dismisses him as if it never happened. Then she gets the drama scholarship he wanted. Then hate and rage built up. He now despises her with the passion.

Ray has it all, money, parents, friends. But that's what it looks like from the outside. Inside she's lonely, lost, craving unrequited love.
Her parents refuse to pay for drama school, she got the scholarship that Marlon wanted. After the night they spent together, Ray felt treasured, until her friends dismissed him when they saw him. She just watched as this happen. She's secretly loved Marlon from afar.

Four years later Marlon got his drama/dance degree and is now director of the summer drama camp. He's also not the same gangly, lanky nerd he once was.
Ray needs an agent, so she's standing in at the drama camp she unknowingly knows is the same camp that Marlon's at.
Sparks fly when she realises that it's Marlon. He's out for for revenge, and is about to give her a taste of her own medicine.

"My best bet was to use her as a human shield while simultaneously getting my revenge. Maybe it would make the pain go away. The pain of rejection, of never being enough, to trying with everything in you, holding hope to your chest, and then getting it ripped from you by the very person who gave it to you in the first place." ~ Marlon

Ray's still lonely, still craving that unrequited love. She's trying to avoid Marlon's transformation from the boy she knew to the man standing in front of her.

"Just because we were never friends didn't mean I never paid attention." ~ Ray

" I only trust myself because nobody else in my life had ever been reliable." ~ Ray

Can't wait for what's next.

*I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

*Phew!* That last scene....you know the one...the cliffhanger....it was also a smoking hot scene! I'm dying here! I'll have to rush and grab books 2 and 3 because I HAVE to know what happens to Ray and Marlon ("Marlo").

Ray and Marlo have a history. She was the spoiled rich girl and he mowed her lawn. They went to high school together and she ran with the popular crowd and he was viewed as a nerd. Even I think he believes her life was better than it truly was. I think she lived a life which lacked love and happiness but he only saw the shiny exterior and thought she had it all. All of this has left Marlo to fester in bitterness. Now, they meet up four years later working for the same summer camp and he's still angry and carrying a grudge. Ray seems broken, hurt and a little lost. Marlo is the head of the camp and is making her life challenging but Ray keeps trying. Marlo has had four years to develop and is a very attractive and confident man now. Their attraction has definitely reignited and everyone has noticed it.

I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers vibe going on as it is one of my favorite tropes. I think there is a lot more for us to discover about Ray's background that Marlo is unaware of. Hopefully that will come out in the next book. Of course, Marlo has some explaining to do to Ray as of the end of book one. I look forward to continuing the series. I think it has great potential!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Ms. Van Dyken for the opportunity to read Summer Heat in exchange for an honest review.

#SummerHeat #NetGalley

I'm so torn. I couldn't put this down, but it's one of a trilogy which means I need to get the other books to find out what happens. I'd rather read an extra thigh book, I'm super impatient when it comes to book conclusions.

Ray and Marlo have history, and not pleasant history.
Ray grew up in a semblance of luxury while Marlo worked for her family with his foster mother.
One drunken night in their teens sets the tone for the future of their friendship.
Marlo harbours a lot of resentment toward Ray because she essentially abandoned him to his bullies.
Marlo is still angry four years later.

Ray is not what she seems. Behind the facade of "little rich girl" is a very lonely, scared young woman.
When she turns up to work at a drama camp, the last person she expects to see is a still angry Marlo.

Try as they might, they are moths to the proverbial flame.

I enjoyed this. Marlo and Ray are good characters you can't help but empathise with. Their back story is solid and the dialogue between all the characters flows smoothly. I'm looking forward to what comes next.
The dirty dancing scene betwnne Marlo and Ray was good at extending the sexual tension and the shower scene that ended on a cliffhanger was great at setting up the reader to look for the next book.

3.8/5 STARS!

Holy angst, Batman.

This book was filled with all things I love- love/hate relationship, angst, nerd to hot, angst, funny, Dirty Dancing, and did I mention ANGST?

The characters were great, I loved Marlon and Ray. My favorite, however, was Jackson. I knew if he was in the scene I would laugh. Not to say the other characters didn't.

Rachel is one of the authors I can pick a book from and know that I'll like it or love it. At least, all that I've read so far.

One of the things I will say, and I don't know if this was because I was in a funk at first that Rachel brought me out of, or if it may have been the book itself, but the first few pages didn't grab me. However, I kept going because I trusted the author and I'm so glad I did!

This is the PERFECT quick summer read!

Now excuse me while I go get book #2 because I am not OK. (Don't worry, not in a bad way...)

4 Marlon & Ray stars!

God how I waited for this book to come. When Rachel Van Dyken announced that she was going to publish it exclusively on itunes, I kept checking my husband's ipad like a lunatic.

The blurb was so strong that I thought the story would be explosive. Don't get me wrong, Marlon and Ray were the perfect enemies to lovers couple but the hatred was so strong for me to handle.
The whole series though was a joy to read .

In high school, Ray and Marlon ran in different circles. She was the pretty, rich, popular girl who had everything; and he was the skinny, nerdy, foster kid who, along with his foster mom, worked for her family. They spent one drunken night together which Ray refused to acknowledge. The next day Marlon was still not worth her time.
Four years later and they’ve found themselves together once again but this time the tables have turned. Marlon is the hot guy that every girl wants, he’s also the guy in charge and he’s determined to show Ray exactly how it feels to be the one on the outside.
Super short, fun read about two high school enemies who are secretly attracted to each other. During the course of the first few weeks of this summer drama camp the two fumble their way around each other; Marlon trying to exact his revenge and Ray trying her best but failing miserably to stay out of Marlon’s way. Because the two still seem to be attracted too each other it makes it hard for either of them to hold onto their animosity. Confirmed uploaded budget is aligned with the budget template in grant. There’s also the fact that Marlon starts to see that maybe everything was so perfect in Ray’s perfect life.
What made this not a 5-star read for me? It’s a cliffhanger…. Sigh, I’m so not a fan of cliffhangers. I did my research and there are of course two additional books for this series (Summer Seduction and Summer Nights). The saving grace with this cliffhanger? The series was published in 2018 so you can read them all in one shot and not have to wait. However, you will not find them on Amazon, this appears to be an iBooks exclusive.

Marlo and Ray's story was a tough one to read. It broke my heart. They had history growing up and now are enemies who end up at the same place to work. My heart broke for both of them- Marlo's circumstances of life and Ray's upbringing. You can tell there is history and emotion there. Then the ending it killed me!! I need the next one now!!!!

I loved Summer Heat! I was a little bummed it ended so soon, but I picked up the other book on iBooks and cannot wait to dig in. The story was so great, so hot, so much angst! I love a good enemies to lovers romance and this was one of the best!

Whoa boy. Where to begin with this one? Two things to know before you read this book: this is essentially novella #1 out of 3 in a series that ends in a complete cliffhanger, and it is non-stop angst and tension. If you’re cool with that, it’s a sexy and gripping read that draws you in from the very beginning and never lets go. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review and getting me caught up in this series. I love Rachel Van Dyken’s books because they are so different from the norm - the relationships are usually more complex, tension is high and the chemistry is palpable but there are obstacles in the couple’s path to happiness. I can’t read her books as often as I would like because my blood pressure usually increases while reading and I need to take a break from all that perfectly delivered angst.

Summer Heat tells the story of Ray and Marlo, two young adults who grew up together - her as the daughter of a wealthy family, and he as the foster son of Ray’s nanny. They were drawn to each other but the differences in their social status caused Marlo to resent Ray and his hatred towards her to build. When they are reunited while working together at a drama camp, time has passed and the dynamics of their relationship have changed. Marlo is seeking revenge for the way Ray treated him, thinking that using her and then casting her aside will make him feel better. But his feelings towards Ray are more complicated than that, and he’s not sure what to do with that information. Just as things are starting to come to a head, the book ends. The only thing that keeps this from being a 5-star book for me is that I would much rather have read this as one long, complete book. I think the build-up of all that angst didn’t pay off, because we don’t get to experience the softer side of the relationship - that must come in the sequels. So for me, this is the start of a great story but it doesn’t work unless you plan to complete the series (preferably immediately after reading this first installment).