ੈ✩‧₊˚ This was a fairly fast read of a summer romance between the two main characters who fall in love after one of them makes a bet with their co-workers to get the other to say “I love you” for a cash prize. Both the protagonists start off getting to know each other based off of little white lies that spiral but struggle with the conflict of coming clean to the other and start a relationship on a foundation of truth instead 💬

ੈ✩‧₊˚ I loved the POC representation in this book so much. I saw so much of myself in John Paul “JP” Reyes and to have my culture be represented through him in this book is so inspiring. The casual mentions of food to culture of karaoke and Original Pilipino music were so nice to read. I almost wish we got more flashbacks of JP and his life when his dad was still alive because JP recounting all his fond memories rooted in Filipino culture and tradition made me feel so at home and like I belonged. He’s a pretty interesting character and I can somewhat understand why he felt the need to lie to Mia about his family. JP having doubts and pressure to carve a successful path out of lie was very relatable and I’m glad it was touched on in here 🇵🇭

ੈ✩‧₊˚ Mia Malik, our Assyrian-Italian FMC, was also interesting to learn about but in a different way. I feel like I had trouble connecting with Mia just because even though she only agreed to the bet to get JP to say she loves her so that she could get financial help to get out of town and choose her own life, it was hard to sympathize with someone who was willing to embarrass and humiliate someone her age for her own reasons. She’s a hardworking and does everything by the book with so much passion, which is very admirable in YA protagonists. I did feel like she was a strong character too who had to wrestle between wanting to be a child and having to grow up early and know that she couldn’t rely on her parents who had her own struggles 📸

ੈ✩‧₊˚ I think JP and Mia’s relationship kicked off too quickly for me? I didn’t feel very invested when they began realizing their feelings for each other and I’m not so sure why. It just seemed like they jumped into it all at once. Maybe it would have felt a bit more natural if they had gotten to know each other more personally versus rushing in with their strong physical attractions to each other setting the rest of the tone of their relationship for the remainder of the book? I also wish there was more insight into JP and Mia’s family dynamics. There was a lot of telling of events to other characters instead of showing it. The ends being tied up with both their families felt a bit rushed towards the end too ⌛️

ੈ✩‧₊˚ The luxury resort setting was very fun to read about and I almost felt like I was there too with Mia and JP. I would give this a read if you want something fast-paced with underlying themes of grief, loss, and being brave enough to tell the truth and find your own path no matter how intimidating life gets ✈️

Thank you to Ellen Hagan and David Flores, Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

What to expect:
- Resort worker FMC x resort guest MMC 🏖️
- POC representation: Filipino MMC x Assyrian-Italian FMC 🇵🇭
- Summer romance ☀️
- Coming-of-age
- Mentions of substance use disorder, loss of a parent

This was a great book. Very cute and I enjoyed reading it! I didn't know initially how much I would love this book but it was such a great and amazing read. I recommend this book to everyone.