This book is a cute romcom that follows a guy and girl through a competition for a million dollars (and a swoon-worthy romance). At first, they think they are the exact opposites--Amity thinks Easton is a stupid jock and Easton thinks Amity is the senseless model. Through each competition, they grow closer and realize they have more in common than they thought.

Fans of MTVs The Challenge and Survivor WILL LOVE THIS BOOK! I couldn’t put the book down after starting it !! It’s fast paced and doesn’t get boring a truly entertaining read plus spice

First of all, I have to confess that enemies for lovers is my favorite trope. This book won me over only after reading the description!

The book follows Amity and Easton on a reality show called “The Race for Riches or Romance” where the winning team will win $2 million.

Amity is ready for the adventure and excitement she would love to share with her beloved father, while Easton is ready to win this contest to save the lives of his best friends.

The idea is very good and in addition to romance, teamwork is addressed, which is very important.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy of Crush in the Cascades! I really enjoyed the adventure!

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review! ARC provided by BooksGoSocial We follow a group of contestants who are on a wilderness reality show - will they choose romance or riches?

Easton is willing to do whatever it takes to win the money! With a reason no one would have guessed.
Que Amity “Hollywood” who shows up in her high heels, not at all dressed for the affair.

In a enemies to lovers story, we get to follow the two characters through a journey neither of them expected.

Don’t always believe the “appearance” of someone or a situation! You never know what someone is truly dealing with, and their motives couldn’t be more different then the other assumes.

A really good read, with I think the intention to show thats things are not always what they seem, and that we can sometimes find love in the most unexpected places.

3.5 Stars

I’ve never read a book where the couple has to compete in a reality tv show but I can say I really enjoyed it. This is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity book.

The story follows a group of contestants in “The Race for Riches or Romance”. The winning team would win $2m. The concept of the outdoor challenges that take place in the woods were entertaining and I found myself routing for my favorites just like I would watching a show on tv.

In the beginning, I wasn’t sure how I felt about either main character but as the story unfolds, I found myself routing for Amity. Her characters was relatable and I was really hoping she’d have her time(s) to shine in the Race and prove the other contestants wrong about her. Cooper had some questionable moments- he’s not my favorite male lead but he had some redeeming qualities towards the end.

I was so excited to see there will be a second book that follows Cooper’s sister, Hannah. I can’t wait to see what romance (and hopefully riches) come her her story.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of Crush in the Cascades. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Unfortunately, this wasn't really it for me. The concept was so funny and I really enjoyed the idea of it, but I wasn't able to connect with the characters or the way the story unfolded.
The male MC, Easton, felt very icky to me. From the get go, he was stereotyping everyone and despite constantly talking about his fierce sister, it felt a bit misogynistic. He didn't trust Amity or any of the other girls to do anything right and his constant staring at her felt a little predatory. However, in all fairness, Amity was not better, what with her staring at him and enjoying that he was uncomfortable under her gaze.
It just all wasn't for me but I am sure that a lot of readers will enjoy the instant connection and the start of the relationship within this setting.

This one is basically your typical rom com, that I personally think would be better as a movie and I don't say that often, than it is as a book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Crush in the Cascades
by Lisa S. Gayle
Pub Date: 02 May 2022

Crush in the Cascades had an intriguing premise. A reality TV show dealing with outdoor adventures....and maybe love along the way. If you don't mind a book filled with wrong assumptions, miscommunication, and a pretty quick falling in love situation then check this book out. It also had some sweet & steam, and a happily ever after ending. Cute, quick, summer read!

3 stars

This romcom is enemies to lovers! Aminity and Cooper are on a reality TV show called The Races for Riches or Romance. Aminity signed up for the show for adventure and Cooper signed up for the money. By the title instantly thought the ending would result in the winner having to pick between winning one million dollars or love and I am so glad the ending was way better! I will definitely read the sequel. Special thanks to NetGalley and
publisher for a copy of the E-book in exchange my pure honest review.

This book was a cute, behind-the-scenes, reality tv show that centres on the outdoors but aims to cultivate romance.

The storyline was something that I’ve never read before and it was interesting to see how relationships might develop off-camera. Amity was a sweet girl but I think she was downplayed too much. I would have rather she wasn’t presented as a ditzy, attention-seeking blonde but I understand how it’s relevant to the story. Cooper was a little too judgemental and abrupt at times and that meant I didn’t necessarily root for their relationship, especially in the beginning..

However, that being said, I did enjoy reading the story overall and I hope that the next book continues to touch in on Cooper and Amity. I also loved the character of Bria, she is a strong, confident woman and I hope that she can have her own romance.

I love a good enemies to lovers romance & Crush in the Cascades by Lisa S. Gayle for sure had the right idea!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a concept quite like this where the main characters are forced to go through a survival type reality show wherein they must race the other contestants to win two million dollars. These characters are forced to go through one survival game after another with a couple trivial challenges mixed in.

The main characters Easton Cooper & Amity Rose are begrudgingly paired together in the first challenge & after assuming things about one another.. these two have a rocky start. As the game goes on and feelings arise for one another.. both Easton & Amity are faced to deal with the truth about their actual reasons for entering into this contest.

While I wasn’t a big fan of Easton and his horrid attitude towards Amity at multiple instances, it was for sure an entertaining read!

“Crush in the Crusades” is an enemies to lovers, fast paced, reality tv rom com set in the Oregon Mountains.

So many things….*spoilers ahead*
Was this book super predictable? Yes.
Was Easton, “Cooper”, an arrogant and judgmental jerk that I couldn’t see turning into the ruggedly sweet, star crossed lover at the end? Yes.
Was Amity utterly annoying me that she couldn’t just tell Easton the TRUTH about her life so the conflict wasn’t a conflict at all? Yes.
Were characters names inserted without the reader being introduced to them? Yes.
But did I love every minute of it?!? YES!!

From the scenery, to the epic adventure (that I hope actually turns in to a reality tv show), I was hooked and completely enthralled in this story. I read it in a day!

Some books you read and you want a surprise ending…and others you just want to see the story unfold into what you’ll know it’ll be, grab your drink or snuggle up in bed, and just sit back to be transported into the book…and I didn’t want to leave!

I absolutely loved it! 5/5

What an adventure! I don't care to watch reality TV, but I could read it through Gayle's writing any day. I stayed up way too late (early?) to finish the book because I had to know what the next challenge would be and/or who was going to get kicked off the show next.

I really liked Amity's character in the beginning. But I was peeved by the last few chapters. It's like she's waiting for Easton so say the magic words and then *POOF* all is forgiven. Easton, on the other hand, bugged me in the beginning (if I were to follow our author's alliteration, I'd call him a major masochist), but he grew on me.

One other thing I just have to mention--it's a small thing, but a BIG annoyance:
Some of the characters refer to other characters as "that [name] girl" or "that [name] guy." Why is that so weird and buggy to me?! I don't know. But I started marking each occurrence in the book, and it's frequent. And it's used by multiple characters (so it's not just a quirky phrase used by Amity). I mean, I might refer to the guy in the food truck as "The Taco Truck Guy" if I don't know his actual name. But I definitely don't refer to friends or acquaintances that way. Is it just me?!

I digress. What you really need to know is that Gayle has written an addicting action-packed enemies-to-lovers romance. If you pick it up, you won't put it down until it's finished!

{Heads up! Two spicy scenes.}

This seems to be the year of travel romances. With so many of us being on lockdown or the threat of lockdown looming, this is the perfect escape. In the age of reality TV this was refreshing. I really enjoyed our main characters and the grumpy/sunshine vibes. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book. I love a good romcom and this definitely kept me wanting more. I was not a huge fan of the back and forth names for one character. I would have liked more if they just stuck with one name for him. -At least the same in the chapter.
If enjoy romcoms then add this book to your TBR!
Rating 3.5/5

Cooper thought he signed up for Survivor but got stuck on the Oregon Trail dating show from Hell instead.

Amity and Cooper are opposites! He's all ready for this big adventure and really needs to win the money and he sees her over there walking like a duck in the mud in stilletos. He can't deny she's attractive but he's got to keep his head in the game.

They didn't know exactly what they signed up for. If you watch much reality TV, you know they basically sign their lives away for a bit to be portrayed however the producers want and surprised however often they so choose.

They so chose to surprise them and merge a dating show and an active/outdoor competition show. As time goes on, Cooper softens and finds himself looking for Amity. Does he have crush in the Cascades?! Can they get Amity some decent shoes??

This was a cute, fun read overall. Cooper was a little judgy for my taste but I guess the enemies to lovers trope doesn't work without a little smack talk.

Thanks you NetGalley and the publisher! Interested in seeing more from this author for sure.

Perfect for romance lovers who are also obsessed with reality TV shows like The Challenge or Survivor. I really enjoyed the concept of the MCs going on a TV show and not knowing at all what it would be except for it being about wilderness. I liked the chemistry between Cooper and Amity and they really had that enemies to lovers instant chemistry that I feel like always shows up on The Challenge. Gotta have that camera ready drama!

I do feel like their communication skills were SORELY lacking and the ending buttoned it up a little too nicely but overall I really enjoyed and would read more books from this author!

Overall, this is a quick, entertaining romcom with a unique “action adventure game show” storyline. I liked the premise, but it fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t connect with the characters. They felt shallow and immature, and their constant flip flopping grew tiresome. This book wants to be enemies to lovers, but it’s definitely instalove. The switch is a blink and you’ll miss it kind of love, and while I was rooting for them, I didn’t ever feel their connection. Also, the miscommunication trope (my least favorite) plays a major role throughout this story, and much of the drama is manufactured. But I still found myself wanting to pick up the book and keep reading to see things play out.

Ok I am a sucker for reality tv and gameshows which drew me into this book. The author knocked it out of the park. It was a sweet and easy read centered around enemies to lovers whic is my fav trope. Will definitely be recommending

✨ ARC Review ✨
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Thank you to Netgalley and Lisa S. Gayle for the ARC to review.
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Y'all, this was such a cute and fun read. Crush in the Cascades was amazing. It had drama, romance, action, and opposites attract tropes. I loved the writing and the characters were amazing. Cooper was perfect and his chemistry with Amity was off the charts. Amity was fierce, strong, and smart. I loved her character and the way she did not let others take control of her story. The setting was perfect and I could easily see the backdrop of the story. Lisa S. Gayle had me smiling, laughing, and getting all the feels.
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