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The Favorites #1
My Favorite Bad Decision
Climbing Kilimanjaro? No thank you.
Climbing it with Miller West? Absolutely f***ing not.
A full week without showers, a real bed, or Internet was bad enough. Spending it with my family’s sworn enemy—the unbearably smug, indecently handsome Miller West—is a bridge too far.
I’m determined to remain enemies, even if sparring with him is my favorite thing in the world. Even if he’s hell-bent on protecting me, whether I need it or not, and surprisingly kind, no matter how awful I am to him.
But eight days is a long time to hate someone you’re sleeping next to.
Especially when you suspect you never hated him at all.
And what happens on Kilimanjaro stays on Kilimanjaro...right?
Climbing it with Miller West? Absolutely f***ing not.
A full week without showers, a real bed, or Internet was bad enough. Spending it with my family’s sworn enemy—the unbearably smug, indecently handsome Miller West—is a bridge too far.
I’m determined to remain enemies, even if sparring with him is my favorite thing in the world. Even if he’s hell-bent on protecting me, whether I need it or not, and surprisingly kind, no matter how awful I am to him.
But eight days is a long time to hate someone you’re sleeping next to.
Especially when you suspect you never hated him at all.
And what happens on Kilimanjaro stays on Kilimanjaro...right?
Audible Audio
First published May 15, 2025
3217 people are currently reading
17122 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth O'Roark
31 books7,694 followersElizabeth O’Roark lives in Washington, DC with her 3 children. After many years spent writing scintillating brochures about amniocentesis and heart surgery, she is thrilled to have found a job that allows her to just make s*** up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,773 reviews
June 13, 2025
When Kit finds out her group climb of Mount Kilimanjaro will now also include her sister’s ex-boyfriend and Kit’s longtime enemy, Miller West, she is beyond horrified. But how long can she hate the man who works tirelessly to ensure her safety, even as she works to push him away at every turn?
Well, friends, I enjoyed this book so much that I read it twice within a couple of weeks. Oops! This was exactly the type of swoony, bantery, feel-good book I needed, and one of the reasons I love Elizabeth O'Roark's writing so much. If Happiness for Beginners (one of my all-time favorite books) had a baby with the Devil's series, it would be this book, and I loved every single minute of it.
We all know by now that Elizabeth O’Roark is an auto-buy author for me, so it doesn’t come as a shock to me that I would enjoy this, her newest release. That said, I did not expect to love it so much that I could turn around and read it all over again. I’m still laughing at myself, though in my defense, I read it with my ears the second time around.
Why do I love this book as much as I do? Three reasons. First and foremost, O’Roark’s writing is pitch-perfect; the characters are incredibly well-developed and multi-faceted, her pacing consistently even, and her romances are spectacular. Second, the banter between our MC’s was beyond fantastic. While not quite the same, the banter here is very reminiscent of her Devil’s series, particularly A Deal with the Devil (my favorite of the group). And lastly, I am such a fan of the forbidden love/age gap trope combo, and O’Roark always does a masterful job of turning potentially taboo tropes into stories that are more accessible to the majority of us. There is an age gap, but it is minor. And the forbidden love trope, while still forbidden, isn’t risqué in any way.
Have I mentioned yet that this story takes place in large part in Tanzania as these characters set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? The parallel of the character-building nature of that type of intense hike to the relationship-building between Kit and Miller made for a truly fascinating and engaging first half. And then comes the angst, my favorite part, as these characters must face life back on the ground with these newly awakened (or perhaps reawakened) feelings.
🎧 As someone who generally prefers books with spice as physical reads (reading with my eyes versus my ears), I think I preferred this one just slightly more as an eyeball read. That said, the audiobook is absolutely fantastic as well, featuring duet narration from Rose Dioro and Grayson Evans, neither of whom I’ve heard narrate before. Honestly, you cannot go wrong no matter the format you choose to read this one in.
Read if you like:
▪️billionaire romance
▪️ enemies to lovers
▪️ age gap (5 years)
▪️ sister’s ex-boyfriend
▪️ forbidden love
▪️ forced proximity
▪️ one tent
▪️ happiness for beginners
Check out my IG post here!
Thank you Elizabeth O’Roark and Valentine PR for the gifted copies.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING ✍🏼
100% - Audio reread done!!
80% in to audio reread and it’s also terrific. I think I enjoyed the eyeball read a smidge more but have really enjoyed these narrators and honestly, you cannot go wrong with either format. Promise to post a full review tomorrow!
100% - This was exactly the type of swoony, bantery, feel good book I needed, and one of the reason's I love Elizabeth O'Roark's writing so much. If Happiness for Beginners (one of my all time favorite books) had a baby with the Devil's series, it would be this book and I loved every. single. minute of it. Is it too soon to turn around a do an audio reread of it? I mean, it's duet narration after all. I'll take this as a no... 😂 Full review to come (and I'll include audio 😉).
70% - I’m so mad that I have to put this book down. This was just the easy breezy, fun, swoony book I was hoping for after so many emotionally heavy (ie depressing) reads.
40% - I am so into this book. And Miller might be my new book boyfriend.
10% - THERE’S A MAREN IN THIS BOOK! That almost never happens. So far so good. Good banter, fantastic setting. Looking forward to making a huge dent this evening.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much of an Elizabeth O’Roark super fan I am. I’ve been lucky enough to beta read a number of books for her, and have therefore seen just how amazing her books are from the go. I cannot wait to dive into this one!!
Well, friends, I enjoyed this book so much that I read it twice within a couple of weeks. Oops! This was exactly the type of swoony, bantery, feel-good book I needed, and one of the reasons I love Elizabeth O'Roark's writing so much. If Happiness for Beginners (one of my all-time favorite books) had a baby with the Devil's series, it would be this book, and I loved every single minute of it.
We all know by now that Elizabeth O’Roark is an auto-buy author for me, so it doesn’t come as a shock to me that I would enjoy this, her newest release. That said, I did not expect to love it so much that I could turn around and read it all over again. I’m still laughing at myself, though in my defense, I read it with my ears the second time around.
Why do I love this book as much as I do? Three reasons. First and foremost, O’Roark’s writing is pitch-perfect; the characters are incredibly well-developed and multi-faceted, her pacing consistently even, and her romances are spectacular. Second, the banter between our MC’s was beyond fantastic. While not quite the same, the banter here is very reminiscent of her Devil’s series, particularly A Deal with the Devil (my favorite of the group). And lastly, I am such a fan of the forbidden love/age gap trope combo, and O’Roark always does a masterful job of turning potentially taboo tropes into stories that are more accessible to the majority of us. There is an age gap, but it is minor. And the forbidden love trope, while still forbidden, isn’t risqué in any way.
Have I mentioned yet that this story takes place in large part in Tanzania as these characters set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? The parallel of the character-building nature of that type of intense hike to the relationship-building between Kit and Miller made for a truly fascinating and engaging first half. And then comes the angst, my favorite part, as these characters must face life back on the ground with these newly awakened (or perhaps reawakened) feelings.
🎧 As someone who generally prefers books with spice as physical reads (reading with my eyes versus my ears), I think I preferred this one just slightly more as an eyeball read. That said, the audiobook is absolutely fantastic as well, featuring duet narration from Rose Dioro and Grayson Evans, neither of whom I’ve heard narrate before. Honestly, you cannot go wrong no matter the format you choose to read this one in.
Read if you like:
▪️billionaire romance
▪️ enemies to lovers
▪️ age gap (5 years)
▪️ sister’s ex-boyfriend
▪️ forbidden love
▪️ forced proximity
▪️ one tent
▪️ happiness for beginners
Check out my IG post here!
Thank you Elizabeth O’Roark and Valentine PR for the gifted copies.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING ✍🏼
100% - Audio reread done!!
80% in to audio reread and it’s also terrific. I think I enjoyed the eyeball read a smidge more but have really enjoyed these narrators and honestly, you cannot go wrong with either format. Promise to post a full review tomorrow!
100% - This was exactly the type of swoony, bantery, feel good book I needed, and one of the reason's I love Elizabeth O'Roark's writing so much. If Happiness for Beginners (one of my all time favorite books) had a baby with the Devil's series, it would be this book and I loved every. single. minute of it. Is it too soon to turn around a do an audio reread of it? I mean, it's duet narration after all. I'll take this as a no... 😂 Full review to come (and I'll include audio 😉).
70% - I’m so mad that I have to put this book down. This was just the easy breezy, fun, swoony book I was hoping for after so many emotionally heavy (ie depressing) reads.
40% - I am so into this book. And Miller might be my new book boyfriend.
10% - THERE’S A MAREN IN THIS BOOK! That almost never happens. So far so good. Good banter, fantastic setting. Looking forward to making a huge dent this evening.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much of an Elizabeth O’Roark super fan I am. I’ve been lucky enough to beta read a number of books for her, and have therefore seen just how amazing her books are from the go. I cannot wait to dive into this one!!
May 20, 2025
I’ve loved this author’s books before, especially her take on the enemies-to-lovers trope...it’s usually chef’s kiss. So going into this one, I was ready to fall in love again.
But nope. I had to stop.
Nowhere in the blurb did it mention that the hero is the sister’s ex-boyfriend. And not just an ex—her sister is still pining over him. GIRL. NO. I hate the “sharing between family” dynamic, and this crossed a hard line for me.
It’s not even about the writing...I know the author is talented. But this plot twist?
It’s just a no from me.
But nope. I had to stop.
Nowhere in the blurb did it mention that the hero is the sister’s ex-boyfriend. And not just an ex—her sister is still pining over him. GIRL. NO. I hate the “sharing between family” dynamic, and this crossed a hard line for me.
It’s not even about the writing...I know the author is talented. But this plot twist?
It’s just a no from me.
September 19, 2025
Closer to a 3.5
This started off so strong, I thought it would be a new favorite. I loved the hiking scenes and them being forced to share a tent. I did NOT love the “kitten” nickname, I know her name is Kit, so it’s not as bad but still, ugh the kitten nickname gives me the ick. I was loving the banter in the first half, they were so cute and I was so giddy. Then in the second half, the story changes and it’s a bit more serious and not as fun.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the smutty scenes in this book either. It was kind of disappointing because the tension was so cute between them at the start, but then it was like Miller’s character became a completely different person in the smutty scenes in a way that gave me the ick and made me cringe a little lol. It wasn’t as fun anymore after they started hooking up 😅 I also felt like Millers POV was so sporadic and just kind of unnecessary, it didn’t add much to the story for me.
I also didn’t realize when I started this book that the love interest Miller used to date Kit’s sister 10 years ago, and it got a little messy at times because Kit knows her sister still wants him even all these years later after she’s married to someone else. That particular storyline wasn’t my favorite, it was a little awkward and I feel like Kit was crossing a line sometimes. And that drama also didn’t end up going anywhere interesting either.
This was my first book from this author, but I’ll definitely read more from this author in the future!
This started off so strong, I thought it would be a new favorite. I loved the hiking scenes and them being forced to share a tent. I did NOT love the “kitten” nickname, I know her name is Kit, so it’s not as bad but still, ugh the kitten nickname gives me the ick. I was loving the banter in the first half, they were so cute and I was so giddy. Then in the second half, the story changes and it’s a bit more serious and not as fun.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the smutty scenes in this book either. It was kind of disappointing because the tension was so cute between them at the start, but then it was like Miller’s character became a completely different person in the smutty scenes in a way that gave me the ick and made me cringe a little lol. It wasn’t as fun anymore after they started hooking up 😅 I also felt like Millers POV was so sporadic and just kind of unnecessary, it didn’t add much to the story for me.
I also didn’t realize when I started this book that the love interest Miller used to date Kit’s sister 10 years ago, and it got a little messy at times because Kit knows her sister still wants him even all these years later after she’s married to someone else. That particular storyline wasn’t my favorite, it was a little awkward and I feel like Kit was crossing a line sometimes. And that drama also didn’t end up going anywhere interesting either.
This was my first book from this author, but I’ll definitely read more from this author in the future!
May 10, 2025
My Favorite Bad Decision by Elizabeth O'Roark
4/5 stars
My Favorite Bad Decision is another amazing, addictive and wonderful book by Elizabeth O'Roark. Elizabeth has the talent to instantly draw you in and keep you tethered to the book, the story and the characters all the way through. And I love it when an author has the ability to do that.
In this story we follow Kit and Miller. Kit arrives at the bottom of the Kilimanjaro mountain and is ready to climb it. But the first person she sees is f***ing Miller West. The ex-boyfriend of her sister Maren. She feels partially responsible for them breaking up and thinks she hates his guts. Kit and Miller's love language is banter, taunting and pushing each other's buttons from sunrise to sundown. And that is what this delicious book is about.
They constantly argue and bicker. But they are also hyper aware of the other person. And quickly Kit realizes that Miller is truly taking care of her. And always has. Even when she was 17, he constantly looked out for her.
But Kit also carries a deep sadness with her. She lost someone close to her and she is still dealing with the loss and struggling to give it a place in her heart.
I just love that the base of their relationship is trust and taking care of each other. They constantly put the other's needs above their own. And I love how strong and tightly together they become during this book.
I absolutely loved Kit's father as well. I love how strong he is, and how he sees his daughter for who she is. I loved when her father said this. Emphasizing how proud he is of his strong daughter. And I could picture his grin so vividly with that last sentence.
"Your sister is a lovely girl, but there are men in the world who prefer a woman with a little spine. Or in your case, a lot of spine. An unreasonable amount of spine, some might say--"
Kit truly has 2 strong men in her corner. And even though she sometimes deals with her insecurities.
"I am not the easiest person to love under even the best of circumstances."
Miller always has her back. And that strength between the two of them is the power and backbone of this book.
4 huge stars from me for this amazing book!
4/5 stars
My Favorite Bad Decision is another amazing, addictive and wonderful book by Elizabeth O'Roark. Elizabeth has the talent to instantly draw you in and keep you tethered to the book, the story and the characters all the way through. And I love it when an author has the ability to do that.
In this story we follow Kit and Miller. Kit arrives at the bottom of the Kilimanjaro mountain and is ready to climb it. But the first person she sees is f***ing Miller West. The ex-boyfriend of her sister Maren. She feels partially responsible for them breaking up and thinks she hates his guts. Kit and Miller's love language is banter, taunting and pushing each other's buttons from sunrise to sundown. And that is what this delicious book is about.
They constantly argue and bicker. But they are also hyper aware of the other person. And quickly Kit realizes that Miller is truly taking care of her. And always has. Even when she was 17, he constantly looked out for her.
But Kit also carries a deep sadness with her. She lost someone close to her and she is still dealing with the loss and struggling to give it a place in her heart.
I just love that the base of their relationship is trust and taking care of each other. They constantly put the other's needs above their own. And I love how strong and tightly together they become during this book.
I absolutely loved Kit's father as well. I love how strong he is, and how he sees his daughter for who she is. I loved when her father said this. Emphasizing how proud he is of his strong daughter. And I could picture his grin so vividly with that last sentence.
"Your sister is a lovely girl, but there are men in the world who prefer a woman with a little spine. Or in your case, a lot of spine. An unreasonable amount of spine, some might say--"
Kit truly has 2 strong men in her corner. And even though she sometimes deals with her insecurities.
"I am not the easiest person to love under even the best of circumstances."
Miller always has her back. And that strength between the two of them is the power and backbone of this book.
4 huge stars from me for this amazing book!
May 19, 2025
Who wrote this book??? Because if you say Elizabeth O’Roark, I will demand time stamped video proof. I have read 11 of this aunty’s books over the last 2 years, and on multiple occasions, I had to check the cover to make sure that the author was actually EOR. I very nearly DNF’d this book at least a dozen times, but I was fueled by my anger and pettiness.
I would give you my list of pros and cons, but truthfully, they’re all cons. Brace yourself …
1. The dialogue was so cringey it gave me acid reflux.
2. The ENTIRE first half of this book is set in Mount Kilimanjaro. If you’re playing a drinking game, take a shot each time they annoyingly refer to it as Kili and pray to all of the goddesses that you don’t die of alcohol poisoning. There are underpaid guides, called porters, that risk their lives catering to these rich spoiled a-hole nepo-babies and thanklessly lugging their rich a-hole belongings up and down this mountain. On so many occasions, the FMC refers to them so disrespectfully that I forgot it was a book and wanted to push her into a volcano. They are actual people, Richie Rich. (Lowkey, eat the rich ✌️😜)
3. Thennnn we find out that the MMC is the ex boyfriend of the FMC’s sister, who is described as being super nice, very close to the FMC, and still currently pining for him. Like stop right there ho - that is your sister. Gross.
4. It gets better. He’s wanted her ever since he was 23 and dating her sister while she was A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD INFANT CHILD. She was just so sassy and he got a boner watching her eat a cherry popsicle in a bikini … true love, whatchagonnado amirite? (Cough … put him on a registry … cough)
5. You cannot convince me that these 2 idiots were/are in love. Elizabeth, if somebody blackmailed you into publishing their book under your name, blink literally any amount of times.
6. The conflict is dumb/nonexistent and will offer you absolutely no reward for pushing through to the end. In case you, too, are contemplating DNFing, know that it doesn’t get any better.
2 very disappointed ⭐️
I would give you my list of pros and cons, but truthfully, they’re all cons. Brace yourself …
1. The dialogue was so cringey it gave me acid reflux.
2. The ENTIRE first half of this book is set in Mount Kilimanjaro. If you’re playing a drinking game, take a shot each time they annoyingly refer to it as Kili and pray to all of the goddesses that you don’t die of alcohol poisoning. There are underpaid guides, called porters, that risk their lives catering to these rich spoiled a-hole nepo-babies and thanklessly lugging their rich a-hole belongings up and down this mountain. On so many occasions, the FMC refers to them so disrespectfully that I forgot it was a book and wanted to push her into a volcano. They are actual people, Richie Rich. (Lowkey, eat the rich ✌️😜)
3. Thennnn we find out that the MMC is the ex boyfriend of the FMC’s sister, who is described as being super nice, very close to the FMC, and still currently pining for him. Like stop right there ho - that is your sister. Gross.
4. It gets better. He’s wanted her ever since he was 23 and dating her sister while she was A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD INFANT CHILD. She was just so sassy and he got a boner watching her eat a cherry popsicle in a bikini … true love, whatchagonnado amirite? (Cough … put him on a registry … cough)
5. You cannot convince me that these 2 idiots were/are in love. Elizabeth, if somebody blackmailed you into publishing their book under your name, blink literally any amount of times.
6. The conflict is dumb/nonexistent and will offer you absolutely no reward for pushing through to the end. In case you, too, are contemplating DNFing, know that it doesn’t get any better.
2 very disappointed ⭐️
June 10, 2025
SO MUCH ANGST AND PINING!! And while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? I love climbing/adventure romances, so this had me written all over it. Add the fact that this is a sister's ex's romance and her sister was still secretly pining for her ex? That made this so forbidden and the pining and angst hit even harder for me. There was so much forced proximity in here, so even though the heroine claimed to hate the hero for breaking her sister's heart ten years ago, she was FOR SURE falling for him as they spent more time together climbing. I literally could not put this down and listened to the entire audiobook in one night. A new favorite from Elizabeth for me!!
May 21, 2025
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'𝙼𝚈 𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙱𝙰𝙳 𝙳𝙴𝙲𝙸𝚂𝙸𝙾𝙽' Is the first full length romance in (THE FAVORITES) series by author Elizabeth O'Roark. Miller & Kit
I'd seen this pop up on my newsfeed numerous times, gave into temptation and grabbed it, and didn’t look back, a slow burn where hatred turns into love which is my kryptonite, I love that achy slowburn that gets its claws into you. And these two were such a perfect match for that, the too and fro flirting set the perfect ignition.
▪️billionaire romance
▪️ enemies to lovers
▪️ age gap (5 years)
▪️ sister’s ex-boyfriend
▪️ forbidden love
▪️ forced proximity
▪️ one tent
With a meddling father Kit embarks on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, so the very last person in the world she ever expected to see was Miller, her sisters ex boyfriend, the man who broke up with said sister over text making Kit hate him fiercely for hurting her sister. Even a decade later Kit still feels partially responsible for their breakup.
Kit was a high maintenance kind of gal, so I was keen to see how she'd fair not living in luxury for a week and having to live it rough, her inner musings wrung out the odd giggle and she surprised me how quickly she adapted to the life of a hiker even if it was for only a week.
Miller, was one very sneaky bastard, and once you read this you'll understand the meaning of forced proximity, he came up with a plan, set it in motion and then had to share Kit's tent throughout the hike, very cunning indeed.
Their love language was arguing and bickering which subsequently brought them closer together.
Currently reading
May 15, 2025Available now!
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://bit.ly/43jSxmH
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/MyFavBadDecision
Audible: https://bit.ly/3Yyzouf
Narrated by: Rose Dioro & Grayson Owens
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4hX2ivE
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://bit.ly/43jSxmH
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/MyFavBadDecision
Audible: https://bit.ly/3Yyzouf
Narrated by: Rose Dioro & Grayson Owens
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4hX2ivE
June 23, 2025
Really liked this one, specifically for the pure abundance of adventurous descriptions about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro!!
My husband and I are avid adventurers and hikers whenever we have time. It's nice to read about characters who also love it when I rarely find people as adventurous as we are.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 - As soon as the smut started, it didn't stop. This is the only reason I took away one star, because it felt a little unbalanced. I think I could've done with a LITTLE fade to black and more of the ending storyline, which I did predict and was enjoying. Just had to keep flipping past the smutty scenes.
**Available on Kindle Unlimited!
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!
My husband and I are avid adventurers and hikers whenever we have time. It's nice to read about characters who also love it when I rarely find people as adventurous as we are.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 - As soon as the smut started, it didn't stop. This is the only reason I took away one star, because it felt a little unbalanced. I think I could've done with a LITTLE fade to black and more of the ending storyline, which I did predict and was enjoying. Just had to keep flipping past the smutty scenes.
**Available on Kindle Unlimited!
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!
October 21, 2025
4 stars
This one was a little messy due to the hero dating the heroine’s sister when they were much younger, but I adored the hero and had a good time listening to it!
This one was a little messy due to the hero dating the heroine’s sister when they were much younger, but I adored the hero and had a good time listening to it!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Rose Dioro & Grayson Owens
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 8h 46m
May 19, 2025
This book gave me the ick on so many levels. Both the author’s and her characters’ humor are soaked in racism, sexism, misogyny, chauvinism, and creepy pervert vibes. The hero made me want to puke, and throughout the book, the heroine was wishy-washy, desperate, and an attention-starved loser. If blowing up on TikTok means this for your writing, I’m officially done with this author’s “evolution.”
May 20, 2025
I love this feeling reading a book. This story is so romantic with great characters.
It’s worth reading.
It’s worth reading.
May 30, 2025
3.5 stars
he’s her older sister’s ex… and everyone in the family is convinced she was the reason he left their vacation home ten years ago without a word. just a few apologies after.
well, they were right—but not for the reasons they think. And definitely not because she scared him off with her sharp tongue.
ten years later, they meet again while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. and somewhere between the altitude and the tension, it becomes clear that their animosity was always hiding something else. but they can’t be together—because even though her sister is married now, she’s still convinced he was her one true love.
this was an Elizabeth O’Roark romance through and through: the forbidden angle, the emotional messiness, the impossible-to-ignore chemistry. I devoured it in one sitting.
many thanks to Valentine PR and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
”as long as she lets me grow old with her, she can say any damn thing she wants.”
he’s her older sister’s ex… and everyone in the family is convinced she was the reason he left their vacation home ten years ago without a word. just a few apologies after.
well, they were right—but not for the reasons they think. And definitely not because she scared him off with her sharp tongue.
ten years later, they meet again while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. and somewhere between the altitude and the tension, it becomes clear that their animosity was always hiding something else. but they can’t be together—because even though her sister is married now, she’s still convinced he was her one true love.
this was an Elizabeth O’Roark romance through and through: the forbidden angle, the emotional messiness, the impossible-to-ignore chemistry. I devoured it in one sitting.
many thanks to Valentine PR and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 23, 2025
i’ve never met at elizabeth o’roark book i didn’t love!! the tension and banter slayed as always, the forbidden aspect of him being her sister’s ex combined w forced proximity - superb. soo good on audio. two hot people + one tent!!!!
June 30, 2025
3.75⭐️
📣 My new book boyfriend is Miller West. 😍
Quibble
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was an interesting hook that captured my attention. While the author didn’t skimp on describing the sweat that went into the trek, she didn’t capture any of the majestic scenery.
From Wikipedia:
The Lemosho route starts on the western side of Kilimanjaro at Lemosho Gate (2,100 m). You climb through rainforest, then moorland, then alpine desert, then the arctic summit. You descend along the Mweka route, which runs down the southeastern slope.
The above is nearly a spoiler. Don’t expect more. 😂
Looking forward to the second book in the series.
🌹My thanks to Paige for bringing this to my attention.🌹
📣 My new book boyfriend is Miller West. 😍
Quibble
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was an interesting hook that captured my attention. While the author didn’t skimp on describing the sweat that went into the trek, she didn’t capture any of the majestic scenery.
From Wikipedia:
The Lemosho route starts on the western side of Kilimanjaro at Lemosho Gate (2,100 m). You climb through rainforest, then moorland, then alpine desert, then the arctic summit. You descend along the Mweka route, which runs down the southeastern slope.
The above is nearly a spoiler. Don’t expect more. 😂
Looking forward to the second book in the series.
🌹My thanks to Paige for bringing this to my attention.🌹
December 10, 2025
My Favorite Bad Decision is fun. Although I am not an outdoor type of person, I still enjoy the banter. The enemy vibe at the beginning. It has been a while since I picked up Miss O'Roark'books.
And I am quite happy with it.
4 stars
And I am quite happy with it.
4 stars
May 19, 2025
puhhh honestly I was so so so excited for this book but it was not at all what I imagined. Spoilers ahead: I can‘t, with good conscious, believe that they were supposedly in love for A DECADE?? every storyline was just touched upon for a second like the traumatic death of her boyfriend or how she was no longer going to med school or how she didnt even LIKE her boyfriend who was a total douchebag btw?? and the maren storyline was just weak like wdymmmmmmm. and who the fuck is charlie?? i was so confused by his appearance and had to go back to search for his name (he was BRIEFLY in PASSING mentioned in one random sentence). Usually I am a big fan of Elizabeth O‘Roark‘s book and they are always fleshed out, angsty, humorous and just a great read overall. Not sure what happened here 🥲
dnf
June 24, 2025DNF at 60%. I usually love this author’s work but this was just so boring and I didn’t like the fmc. She came off as a spoiled princess. I also didn’t care for the mmc either.
September 5, 2025
Hello, 911? Yes, I'd like to call for a wellness check on one Miss Elizabeth O'Roark. I have reason to believe she's been forced under extreme duress to write something godawful and heinous on so many levels it's criminal. Please would you send someone to check in with her right away?
I cannot believe this book is written by the same woman who wrote the Parallel series and The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I refuse to believe it!
This book gave me the ick so bad, in CHAPTER 1, no less. That stomaching the rest of it just... I don't know how I didn't put this book down.
Let me explain. [SPOILERS BELOW]
1. The MMC in this story is the ex-boyfriend of the FMC's older sister.
This is bad, but - fine. If the situation is arranged in a certain way, I'm open to seeing where this goes.
But then we're told by Kit that Miller is her sister Maren's "the one that got away". That homegirl is STILL pining over this dude a whole decade later.
Immediately, no.
We're THEN told that Maren's in, basically, a loveless, terrible marriage. And that if she found out that Kit ran into Miller she'd be asking all of these questions about how he is and if he's with anybody etc.
Girl. Whatever happened to "Sisters before Misters"? Where's the family loyalty? I don't wanna be reading about your tingling lady parts every time Miller looks at you, you disloyal hussy.
[Now, obligatory acknowldgement - It's been a fucking DECADE. If Maren can't get over this guy, even though she's married to some other dude, she needs therapy. Especially consdering that apparently the relationship she had with Miller wasn't serious and only lasted a couple months.]
2. In chapter 2, from Miller's point of view, we learn that not only is Kit ornery in the present, but that she's been ornery her WHOLE life. He describes her personality as that of "a war veteran who's seen some shit".
Why is this attractive? To anybody?
Also WHY is she behaving this way? Who pissed in her cheerios?
3. But wait! It gets better!
Little miss sourpuss is privileged beyond BELIEF. She's the pampered princess daughter of a BILLIONAIRE. What does she have to be mad at the world about? Give me a break.
In chapter 3, in Kit's POV, she's informed that she'll be staying in a *gasp of shock and horror* TENT.
Oh NOOOOooooo....
This tent has a fully functional bathroom, mind you.
But see, she's a creature of HABIT! And she's used to her Egyptian cotton insane thread count sheets! Thousand dollar face creams and tinctures, servants! She's used to being a spoiled brat, damnit!
Gross.
So she texts daddy in a snit and do you know what he tells her?
"You and your sister (who's not even fucking THERE) could stand to learn a bit about how the other half lives."
EXCUSE ME?!
You mean to tell me you sent this rich little white girl to AFRICA, and now I have to read about how horrible it is and how this is how the OTHER HALF lives?
We are living in 2025. This is not acceptable.
3.5 And if you think this display of elitism (and lowkey racism) gets better over the course of the book, you'd be wrong.
See we're forced to witness how these rich, white, classist assholes treat underpaid guides (who are mostly if not entirely? people of color) like servants who are beneath them - like they're ANIMALS who are given the PRIVELEGE of lugging their heavy expensive shit up the side of a mountain. RISKING THEIR LIVES in the process. The way the FMC discusses and dismisses them throughout the ENTIRE first half of the book made my blood boil.
It was in Chapter 3 where this book became a hate-read for me.
Miller was smarmy and gross, I absolutely HATED Kit, this book wasn't going anywhere good - but I was committed at that point. At that point, I knew I was reading this for YOU. Not for me. If I could warn just ONE person away from this book, my suffering would be worth it.
4. We learn that Miller has had a hard-on (literally) for Kit since she was SEVENTEEN and he was dating (though if you listen to him, he wasn't invested in the relationship at all) her older sister.
Great. Now we're bringing MINORS into it. Super well done, O'Roark.
We learn that according to Miller, he was forced to attend some family gathering with Maren - who was decidedly more invested in the relationship than he was. He insinuates that what they had was essentially a summer fling and that Maren must be OBSESSED with him.
The reason he broke things off with Maren after only a couple of meetings with her family is because he saw her baby sister sucking on a popsicle and it was literally too much for him.
We have to read about the encounters he had with this MINOR CHILD that made him hard through the course of this story - mind you, none of them are that deep. They're never alone, never romantic. But let's just say I'm never going to look at cherry popsicles the same way, ever again.
5. Oh! And did I forget to mention that Kit is "almost engaged" to another dude who she doesn't even really like?
At least, she's with this guy for TWO YEARS, before he dies. And we find out that she's on this whole journey to mourn him and get over him.
Except that he was a royal douchebag.
So I guess the irreverent way Kit and Miller discuss dead dude was appropriate and totally not gross.
Except that Kit's been hauling this dead guy around in her purse because she's SOOOooOOOOooo broken up about his passing. 🙄😒
Really? Cause she doesn't sound like it. And she doesn't seem to mind getting hot and heavy with Miller, either.
So which is it? Is she mourning this guy she spent 2 years with? Is she so hung up on him she's carting his ashes around in her purse? Or was he just a royal asshole who she didn't love? A man who doesn't matter so much that she's hopping into the sack with another with zero hesitation?
Make it make sense.
6. The plot - What plot? Oh, right, the plot where Dollar Tree Paris Hilton is sent on a hiking expedition up one of the world's most CHALLENGING MOUNTAINS because her father "made" her.
Kit's not at all prepared, knows NOTHING about the hike, hasn't trained (but she ran a marathon once, so I guess that's all one really needs, right?) and is reliant ENTIRELY on the porters she's constantly demeaning and ignoring and the MMC who, for some ungodly reason, finds her complete ineptitude sexy.
It's like sending the cast of Love Island on a trek to the peak of Mt. Everest. Except that'd actually be hilarious. And this wasn't, at all.
7. The romance. Uehg. WHAT ROMANCE?! I'm supposed to believe that these two people have been IN LOVE with one another for a whole DECADE?! After only spending ONE SUMMER with her WHOLE FAMILY in each others periphery? Because let's face it, they were never alone in the past. Never had any deep connections. Never even FLIRTED. And yet, they've been PINING for each other for a whole decade?
Be so fucking for real right now.
What happened to the longing, the PINING that O'Roark is KNOWN for?! Kit goes from loathing this man to being OBSESSED with boning him in less than 48 hours. And from that point forward, every time they speak, all each of them is thinking about is screwing the other senseless. They maybe have ... two? And I'm being GENEROUS here, two real actual heartfelt conversations while they're together. We go from hate to humping at warp speed.
And let's not forget the sister aspect. You know, the sister who's supposedly still pining over Big Dick McGee who didn't ever even take her seriously? Yeah, that sister. The sister Kit's SOOOOO close to, whom she loves SOOOOO much. When she begins a relationship with Miller, what does she do? Does she call her sister and explain things? Does she ask if it's okay? Does she check in AT ALL with said pining heartbroken sister even ONCE?!
Nope. Of course not. She just starts a relationship with this sister's ex and keeps it a big ol' fat secret.
HUH?!
If you're gonna give me family drama, if you're going to make this whole book gross and nasty because homegirl's boinking her older sister's EX, I expect capital D drama. I expect whole families to fall out.
Don't just give me the sister's just okay with it and everything's FINE. That's lame and boring.
8. And while we're talking about family drama. Let's just mention how creepy and weird the dad is for essentially setting his younger daughter up with the dude his older daughter dated. Yeah. That actually is what happens.
--
Y'all I'm sorry. I can't with this book. Or with this author, anymore. I am so, so beyond disappointed. I never, ever thought I'd read such utter hot garbage from O'Roark. I'm actually baffled.
I cannot believe this book is written by the same woman who wrote the Parallel series and The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I refuse to believe it!
This book gave me the ick so bad, in CHAPTER 1, no less. That stomaching the rest of it just... I don't know how I didn't put this book down.
Let me explain. [SPOILERS BELOW]
1. The MMC in this story is the ex-boyfriend of the FMC's older sister.
This is bad, but - fine. If the situation is arranged in a certain way, I'm open to seeing where this goes.
But then we're told by Kit that Miller is her sister Maren's "the one that got away". That homegirl is STILL pining over this dude a whole decade later.
Immediately, no.
We're THEN told that Maren's in, basically, a loveless, terrible marriage. And that if she found out that Kit ran into Miller she'd be asking all of these questions about how he is and if he's with anybody etc.
Girl. Whatever happened to "Sisters before Misters"? Where's the family loyalty? I don't wanna be reading about your tingling lady parts every time Miller looks at you, you disloyal hussy.
[Now, obligatory acknowldgement - It's been a fucking DECADE. If Maren can't get over this guy, even though she's married to some other dude, she needs therapy. Especially consdering that apparently the relationship she had with Miller wasn't serious and only lasted a couple months.]
2. In chapter 2, from Miller's point of view, we learn that not only is Kit ornery in the present, but that she's been ornery her WHOLE life. He describes her personality as that of "a war veteran who's seen some shit".
Why is this attractive? To anybody?
Also WHY is she behaving this way? Who pissed in her cheerios?
3. But wait! It gets better!
Little miss sourpuss is privileged beyond BELIEF. She's the pampered princess daughter of a BILLIONAIRE. What does she have to be mad at the world about? Give me a break.
In chapter 3, in Kit's POV, she's informed that she'll be staying in a *gasp of shock and horror* TENT.
Oh NOOOOooooo....
This tent has a fully functional bathroom, mind you.
But see, she's a creature of HABIT! And she's used to her Egyptian cotton insane thread count sheets! Thousand dollar face creams and tinctures, servants! She's used to being a spoiled brat, damnit!
Gross.
So she texts daddy in a snit and do you know what he tells her?
"You and your sister (who's not even fucking THERE) could stand to learn a bit about how the other half lives."
EXCUSE ME?!
You mean to tell me you sent this rich little white girl to AFRICA, and now I have to read about how horrible it is and how this is how the OTHER HALF lives?
We are living in 2025. This is not acceptable.
3.5 And if you think this display of elitism (and lowkey racism) gets better over the course of the book, you'd be wrong.
See we're forced to witness how these rich, white, classist assholes treat underpaid guides (who are mostly if not entirely? people of color) like servants who are beneath them - like they're ANIMALS who are given the PRIVELEGE of lugging their heavy expensive shit up the side of a mountain. RISKING THEIR LIVES in the process. The way the FMC discusses and dismisses them throughout the ENTIRE first half of the book made my blood boil.
It was in Chapter 3 where this book became a hate-read for me.
Miller was smarmy and gross, I absolutely HATED Kit, this book wasn't going anywhere good - but I was committed at that point. At that point, I knew I was reading this for YOU. Not for me. If I could warn just ONE person away from this book, my suffering would be worth it.
4. We learn that Miller has had a hard-on (literally) for Kit since she was SEVENTEEN and he was dating (though if you listen to him, he wasn't invested in the relationship at all) her older sister.
Great. Now we're bringing MINORS into it. Super well done, O'Roark.
We learn that according to Miller, he was forced to attend some family gathering with Maren - who was decidedly more invested in the relationship than he was. He insinuates that what they had was essentially a summer fling and that Maren must be OBSESSED with him.
The reason he broke things off with Maren after only a couple of meetings with her family is because he saw her baby sister sucking on a popsicle and it was literally too much for him.
We have to read about the encounters he had with this MINOR CHILD that made him hard through the course of this story - mind you, none of them are that deep. They're never alone, never romantic. But let's just say I'm never going to look at cherry popsicles the same way, ever again.
5. Oh! And did I forget to mention that Kit is "almost engaged" to another dude who she doesn't even really like?
At least, she's with this guy for TWO YEARS, before he dies. And we find out that she's on this whole journey to mourn him and get over him.
Except that he was a royal douchebag.
So I guess the irreverent way Kit and Miller discuss dead dude was appropriate and totally not gross.
Except that Kit's been hauling this dead guy around in her purse because she's SOOOooOOOOooo broken up about his passing. 🙄😒
Really? Cause she doesn't sound like it. And she doesn't seem to mind getting hot and heavy with Miller, either.
So which is it? Is she mourning this guy she spent 2 years with? Is she so hung up on him she's carting his ashes around in her purse? Or was he just a royal asshole who she didn't love? A man who doesn't matter so much that she's hopping into the sack with another with zero hesitation?
Make it make sense.
6. The plot - What plot? Oh, right, the plot where Dollar Tree Paris Hilton is sent on a hiking expedition up one of the world's most CHALLENGING MOUNTAINS because her father "made" her.
Kit's not at all prepared, knows NOTHING about the hike, hasn't trained (but she ran a marathon once, so I guess that's all one really needs, right?) and is reliant ENTIRELY on the porters she's constantly demeaning and ignoring and the MMC who, for some ungodly reason, finds her complete ineptitude sexy.
It's like sending the cast of Love Island on a trek to the peak of Mt. Everest. Except that'd actually be hilarious. And this wasn't, at all.
7. The romance. Uehg. WHAT ROMANCE?! I'm supposed to believe that these two people have been IN LOVE with one another for a whole DECADE?! After only spending ONE SUMMER with her WHOLE FAMILY in each others periphery? Because let's face it, they were never alone in the past. Never had any deep connections. Never even FLIRTED. And yet, they've been PINING for each other for a whole decade?
Be so fucking for real right now.
What happened to the longing, the PINING that O'Roark is KNOWN for?! Kit goes from loathing this man to being OBSESSED with boning him in less than 48 hours. And from that point forward, every time they speak, all each of them is thinking about is screwing the other senseless. They maybe have ... two? And I'm being GENEROUS here, two real actual heartfelt conversations while they're together. We go from hate to humping at warp speed.
And let's not forget the sister aspect. You know, the sister who's supposedly still pining over Big Dick McGee who didn't ever even take her seriously? Yeah, that sister. The sister Kit's SOOOOO close to, whom she loves SOOOOO much. When she begins a relationship with Miller, what does she do? Does she call her sister and explain things? Does she ask if it's okay? Does she check in AT ALL with said pining heartbroken sister even ONCE?!
Nope. Of course not. She just starts a relationship with this sister's ex and keeps it a big ol' fat secret.
HUH?!
If you're gonna give me family drama, if you're going to make this whole book gross and nasty because homegirl's boinking her older sister's EX, I expect capital D drama. I expect whole families to fall out.
Don't just give me the sister's just okay with it and everything's FINE. That's lame and boring.
8. And while we're talking about family drama. Let's just mention how creepy and weird the dad is for essentially setting his younger daughter up with the dude his older daughter dated. Yeah. That actually is what happens.
--
Y'all I'm sorry. I can't with this book. Or with this author, anymore. I am so, so beyond disappointed. I never, ever thought I'd read such utter hot garbage from O'Roark. I'm actually baffled.
May 22, 2025
This is my second book by Elizabeth, and I really enjoyed it! I have NEVER read a book with this setting, and I feel like it added a lot to the shift in the FMC. I liked the adventure aspect of it. These two were like oil and water but it was truly one sided. I enjoyed watching Miller and Kit spar. There is something so captivating about a woman who has her claws out with a man who doesn't mind being scratched. Especially when said woman realizes this and continues to scratch while also maybe rub on a little to stake her claim on the man. That was Kit and Miller. The thing that really added to this story though was the tabooness of it. Miller dated Kit's sister like 10 years ago. I loved learning about their history and watching them navigate their newfound feelings for each other while Kit could not move on from this aspect *understandably. Miller was absolutely adorable in his attempt to spar with Kit while also making sure she stayed safe on this hike of a lifetime. It was clear from the beginning that his feelings for Kit did not mirror hers. The way that this man put himself out there after the hike to HELP Kit was soooo swoon worthy. The way that he gave her a safe place to recharge and get her head cleared. The way that he pushed her enough to ask the right questions about what she has chosen to do with her life and then supported her through her changes. I so appreciated and enjoyed watching Kit come into her own and realize that yes loving someone is terrifying because you COULD get hurt but that doesn't mean you don't deserve it.
Kit has somehow found herself on a plane flying across the world to prove a point to her dad. That she can do anything he tasks her with. No matter how much she will not enjoy it, she will go along for the ride. What she does however have a problem with is her camp mate- Miller West. The man she has been hating from a far for the past decade because of how he ended things with her sister. The longer that her and Miller are together though the more Kit starts to realize these feelings have been directed incorrectly. She starts to realize she enjoyed Miller's sparing with her all those years ago and was just as said as her sister was when he left abruptly. Now she realizes he is helping he question things in the best way. Why is she working at a company that gives her no joy? Why is she with a man that she doesn't feel the need to call or really think about? Why isn't she putting herself out there to be able to enjoy this life that she is living? And now she thinks could she maybe do that with him? But of course not- what would everyone think. It is best to just walk away. But when Miller changes his plans drastically and comes to the rescue she can't hide from this thing between them anymore. She wants to explore it. She wants to revel in it. She wants to FEEL again. When reality kicks in, she has to ask herself if it is worth hurting someone in the short term for her to be happy in the long term. Because she realizes she hasn't been happy for a long time...until Miller.
Miller can't believe this is happening. What are the chances that Kit, his ex girlfriend's sister, and major crush back in the day is on the climb with him to Kilimanjaro? How does she look better than she did all those years ago? How can he enjoy the sparing with her as much? How has this crush not gone away? The key is to act indifferent. He can tease her from afar. But the more he is around her the more he starts to think she might have a crush on him too. The more he realizes how much his life has not been the same without her in it. The more he realizes he WANTS MORE for her. So he pushes her. He questions her with the best intentions. He tries to help her realize how much she deserves. He flies across the country to help give her that headspace. The space to help SHOW her what he can offer he. Which is what he does. And how could this thing between them be THIS good. It is unlike anything he has experienced. He knows she is scared, and he is trying to go slow. But it just feels so RIGHT. He knows in his heart of hearts that he has to be steady for her while she navigates what this looks like. He just hopes she decides to take the leap because he will be there with open arms when she is ready.
This was such a fun and easy read. The sparring was top notch. Though Kit was borderline too mean in my opinion in the beginning. But as she was unpacking all of her feelings it started to make sense. The solid rock that Miller was UGH- I REALLY liked him. Such a gentleman but also not easily scared. I liked how he clapped back at Kit in a playful way but also to push her. Ultimately, I loved that they brought out the best version of themselves together. I definitely recommend this one if you are looking for a fun steamy romance with a splash of taboo. Also I am hoping that we get Charlie and maybe Maren in a future book- there were some breadcrumbs...I think!!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Elizabeth for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Kit has somehow found herself on a plane flying across the world to prove a point to her dad. That she can do anything he tasks her with. No matter how much she will not enjoy it, she will go along for the ride. What she does however have a problem with is her camp mate- Miller West. The man she has been hating from a far for the past decade because of how he ended things with her sister. The longer that her and Miller are together though the more Kit starts to realize these feelings have been directed incorrectly. She starts to realize she enjoyed Miller's sparing with her all those years ago and was just as said as her sister was when he left abruptly. Now she realizes he is helping he question things in the best way. Why is she working at a company that gives her no joy? Why is she with a man that she doesn't feel the need to call or really think about? Why isn't she putting herself out there to be able to enjoy this life that she is living? And now she thinks could she maybe do that with him? But of course not- what would everyone think. It is best to just walk away. But when Miller changes his plans drastically and comes to the rescue she can't hide from this thing between them anymore. She wants to explore it. She wants to revel in it. She wants to FEEL again. When reality kicks in, she has to ask herself if it is worth hurting someone in the short term for her to be happy in the long term. Because she realizes she hasn't been happy for a long time...until Miller.
Miller can't believe this is happening. What are the chances that Kit, his ex girlfriend's sister, and major crush back in the day is on the climb with him to Kilimanjaro? How does she look better than she did all those years ago? How can he enjoy the sparing with her as much? How has this crush not gone away? The key is to act indifferent. He can tease her from afar. But the more he is around her the more he starts to think she might have a crush on him too. The more he realizes how much his life has not been the same without her in it. The more he realizes he WANTS MORE for her. So he pushes her. He questions her with the best intentions. He tries to help her realize how much she deserves. He flies across the country to help give her that headspace. The space to help SHOW her what he can offer he. Which is what he does. And how could this thing between them be THIS good. It is unlike anything he has experienced. He knows she is scared, and he is trying to go slow. But it just feels so RIGHT. He knows in his heart of hearts that he has to be steady for her while she navigates what this looks like. He just hopes she decides to take the leap because he will be there with open arms when she is ready.
This was such a fun and easy read. The sparring was top notch. Though Kit was borderline too mean in my opinion in the beginning. But as she was unpacking all of her feelings it started to make sense. The solid rock that Miller was UGH- I REALLY liked him. Such a gentleman but also not easily scared. I liked how he clapped back at Kit in a playful way but also to push her. Ultimately, I loved that they brought out the best version of themselves together. I definitely recommend this one if you are looking for a fun steamy romance with a splash of taboo. Also I am hoping that we get Charlie and maybe Maren in a future book- there were some breadcrumbs...I think!!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Elizabeth for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 2, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up!
cuteeee older sister’s ex + her childhood crush romance
this book was so addicting that I barely put it down. Miller (MMC) in this book is swoony.
Things to know:
- Older sister’s ex
- Forced proximity
- She had a crush on him in highschool
- Only one tent
- they’re hiking a mountain together
- Dual POV
cuteeee older sister’s ex + her childhood crush romance
this book was so addicting that I barely put it down. Miller (MMC) in this book is swoony.
Things to know:
- Older sister’s ex
- Forced proximity
- She had a crush on him in highschool
- Only one tent
- they’re hiking a mountain together
- Dual POV
September 19, 2025
3.4 stars- this was cute! the details of the hiking experience got boring (i'm not a hiker, so i don't particularly care about the intricacies of hiking). I skimmed a bit of the beginning b/c of all of the hiking details and random fluff.
However, the romance was so fun and cute!!! it was a good time.
However, the romance was so fun and cute!!! it was a good time.
May 22, 2025
Kit’s Challenge
Kit Fischer is planning to climb Kilimanjaro to prove to her father that she could do hard and scary things. Unfortunately, a problem from her past, actually from her sister’s past, is with the same expedition.
Miller West once broke the heart of Kit’s sister Maren with a text, and yet her sister still mourns him as the one that got away. Kit has hated him on behalf of her sister ever since. Yet Miller keeps being kind to Kit, watching out for her on their trek as if she wasn’t being rude to him at every turn.
What if Kit is falling for Miller? No, that can never be, because it would break Maren’s heart all over again. It wouldn’t be fair to Maren if anything happened with Miller. Is it fair that he is the only person to make Kit happy in years and she has to put her sister first?
This was a saucy, and clever romance with just enough of the spicy stuff. Five star fun.
Kit Fischer is planning to climb Kilimanjaro to prove to her father that she could do hard and scary things. Unfortunately, a problem from her past, actually from her sister’s past, is with the same expedition.
Miller West once broke the heart of Kit’s sister Maren with a text, and yet her sister still mourns him as the one that got away. Kit has hated him on behalf of her sister ever since. Yet Miller keeps being kind to Kit, watching out for her on their trek as if she wasn’t being rude to him at every turn.
What if Kit is falling for Miller? No, that can never be, because it would break Maren’s heart all over again. It wouldn’t be fair to Maren if anything happened with Miller. Is it fair that he is the only person to make Kit happy in years and she has to put her sister first?
This was a saucy, and clever romance with just enough of the spicy stuff. Five star fun.
May 22, 2025
4,5 stars rounded up: what a fun time this was! 🙌🏼✨🎉
Fair WARNING: the hero is an ex-boyfriend of the heroine's sister. This wasn't any problem for me at all, but if you're hesitant about that fact, yet still curious about the book, let me convince you.
- the hero and h's sister dated for a couple of weeks in summer 10 YEARS AGO 🆘🧐
- the hero was upfront with the sister about the relationship not being serious and not having a future. she was the one who tried to make it more serious every step of the way, but it didn't work.
- the hero was the one to break up with the sister as soon as he understood he got feelings for the heroine.
- he had no contact with neither the sister nor the heroine for 10 YEARS.
To me, the relationship between the hero and the heroine was so good: romantic, banter-filled, emotional, hot 🔥🥰
The hero was swoon worthy to the max. the things he did for her 😱😱😱🆘🆘🆘🆘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
All in all, great time!
Fair WARNING: the hero is an ex-boyfriend of the heroine's sister. This wasn't any problem for me at all, but if you're hesitant about that fact, yet still curious about the book, let me convince you.
- the hero and h's sister dated for a couple of weeks in summer 10 YEARS AGO 🆘🧐
- the hero was upfront with the sister about the relationship not being serious and not having a future. she was the one who tried to make it more serious every step of the way, but it didn't work.
- the hero was the one to break up with the sister as soon as he understood he got feelings for the heroine.
- he had no contact with neither the sister nor the heroine for 10 YEARS.
To me, the relationship between the hero and the heroine was so good: romantic, banter-filled, emotional, hot 🔥🥰
The hero was swoon worthy to the max. the things he did for her 😱😱😱🆘🆘🆘🆘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
All in all, great time!
September 15, 2025
3.5 stars ⭐️
The banter in the first half (my fave section) was soooo good! I was smiling and chuckling so much with these two. I just wish that there was more romantic development between the characters.
The banter in the first half (my fave section) was soooo good! I was smiling and chuckling so much with these two. I just wish that there was more romantic development between the characters.
February 7, 2026
4 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the settings, and the banter.
The Not-So-Good: I wanted more of Miller's POV! I think it could've made the book so much better.
The Bad: Probably the ending if I had to say something. Not the last chapter, because that was super cute! I just wish there was an epilogue after that chapter to give some good closure.
Overall: This was a fun surprise! I loved the uniqueness of the storyline with the climbing Kilimanjaro. There's something about the adventure/danger aspect that really humbles the characters and makes them see what is really important, and I like that. I do feel like it was a little too steamy for the last quarter-ish, but maybe it was just because of the slow build up until that. I also know I might be alone in feeling that way. The ending could've been much better too. I would've loved to see a father glimpse into their future with their made family and her family to show that everything was truly happily ever after.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Kit and Miller's story. Kit is sent by her father to do a story on climbing Kilimanjaro and is surprised to see Miller, who dated her sister briefly and broke it off by text when she was 17. She holds it against him because her sister is in an unhappy marriage and still thinks of Miller as the one that got away ten years later. They butt heads at first, but then through the journey they end up forming a friendship. Kit is in a funk with both her professional and personal life, and she comes to realize that on her journey with Miller's help. There are some big life changes, some secrets revealed, and some family drama...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Kit (mostly) and (a few parts of) Miller's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but some residual feelings are already there from ~10 years prior.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Miller. I liked him. I wish we got more of his POV but I felt like he was in a hard situation that he navigated it pretty well.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Kit. I liked her strength and loyalty, but I also wanted her to realize her true feelings earlier.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This has a super cute ending but I wanted much more to call it a HEA. I would call this a HFN ending , but I'm sure others would be just fine with calling it a HEA.
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the settings, and the banter.
The Not-So-Good: I wanted more of Miller's POV! I think it could've made the book so much better.
The Bad: Probably the ending if I had to say something. Not the last chapter, because that was super cute! I just wish there was an epilogue after that chapter to give some good closure.
Overall: This was a fun surprise! I loved the uniqueness of the storyline with the climbing Kilimanjaro. There's something about the adventure/danger aspect that really humbles the characters and makes them see what is really important, and I like that. I do feel like it was a little too steamy for the last quarter-ish, but maybe it was just because of the slow build up until that. I also know I might be alone in feeling that way. The ending could've been much better too. I would've loved to see a father glimpse into their future with their made family and her family to show that everything was truly happily ever after.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Kit and Miller's story. Kit is sent by her father to do a story on climbing Kilimanjaro and is surprised to see Miller, who dated her sister briefly and broke it off by text when she was 17. She holds it against him because her sister is in an unhappy marriage and still thinks of Miller as the one that got away ten years later. They butt heads at first, but then through the journey they end up forming a friendship. Kit is in a funk with both her professional and personal life, and she comes to realize that on her journey with Miller's help. There are some big life changes, some secrets revealed, and some family drama...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Kit (mostly) and (a few parts of) Miller's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but some residual feelings are already there from ~10 years prior.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Miller. I liked him. I wish we got more of his POV but I felt like he was in a hard situation that he navigated it pretty well.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Kit. I liked her strength and loyalty, but I also wanted her to realize her true feelings earlier.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This has a super cute ending but I wanted much more to call it a HEA. I would call this a HFN ending , but I'm sure others would be just fine with calling it a HEA.
Safety: This one should be either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
May 19, 2025
My Favorite Bad Decision by Elizabeth O'roark
4/5⭐
2,5/5🌶️
I've always wanted to dive into this author's books, and I finally got to read one! I enjoyed it— it was sweet, fun, swoony, and emotional. The character development was fantastic, especially with Kit. The writing style is simple and easy to follow. I loved how Kit and Miller's relationship developed throughout the story. On her father's suggestion, Kit goes on an adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. While there, she runs into Miller, her sister’s ex. At first, Kit isn’t thrilled about him because of what happened between him and her sister years ago, but there's an undeniable attraction. Spending more time together over the week brings back some old feelings for her.
Kit is sassy, fiery, and never backs down from a challenge. She's fiercely loyal and protective of her loved ones, but you can also see the weight of her past traumas. It’s been so long since she’s felt genuine happiness. She’s stuck in a job she hates and is dating someone she doesn’t truly love, settling for what’s easy instead of going after what she loves.
Miller dated Kit's sister over a decade ago and suddenly left and dumped her via text. He loves to tease Kit and admires her fierce spirit. Their banter throughout the book is entertaining to read. You can also feel how protective Miller is of Kit. He always knows what she needs and has taken care of her all this time. When we finally learn why he left all those years ago, I honestly understood his decision and appreciated it.
The chemistry between Miller and Kit is undeniable! I loved their playful back-and-forth, the tension, and how they push each other’s buttons. Most importantly, Miller encourages Kit to seek her happiness and pursue what she truly loves. He gives her space but also reassures her that he’ll always be there for her. I also loved Kit's dad. He knows his daughter well and tries to guide her toward a happier path. Overall, this book was a wonderful read! It’s sweet, emotional, and spicy, with great character development.
4/5⭐
2,5/5🌶️
I've always wanted to dive into this author's books, and I finally got to read one! I enjoyed it— it was sweet, fun, swoony, and emotional. The character development was fantastic, especially with Kit. The writing style is simple and easy to follow. I loved how Kit and Miller's relationship developed throughout the story. On her father's suggestion, Kit goes on an adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. While there, she runs into Miller, her sister’s ex. At first, Kit isn’t thrilled about him because of what happened between him and her sister years ago, but there's an undeniable attraction. Spending more time together over the week brings back some old feelings for her.
Kit is sassy, fiery, and never backs down from a challenge. She's fiercely loyal and protective of her loved ones, but you can also see the weight of her past traumas. It’s been so long since she’s felt genuine happiness. She’s stuck in a job she hates and is dating someone she doesn’t truly love, settling for what’s easy instead of going after what she loves.
Miller dated Kit's sister over a decade ago and suddenly left and dumped her via text. He loves to tease Kit and admires her fierce spirit. Their banter throughout the book is entertaining to read. You can also feel how protective Miller is of Kit. He always knows what she needs and has taken care of her all this time. When we finally learn why he left all those years ago, I honestly understood his decision and appreciated it.
The chemistry between Miller and Kit is undeniable! I loved their playful back-and-forth, the tension, and how they push each other’s buttons. Most importantly, Miller encourages Kit to seek her happiness and pursue what she truly loves. He gives her space but also reassures her that he’ll always be there for her. I also loved Kit's dad. He knows his daughter well and tries to guide her toward a happier path. Overall, this book was a wonderful read! It’s sweet, emotional, and spicy, with great character development.
May 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ (arc)
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
say hi to Miller & Kit – enemies to lovers or rather two people who have always had feelings for each other but never truly showed them.
ten years ago Miller ended his relationship with Kit’s older sister via text message & never looked back. not very mindful, not very demure, to say the least. but all is forgiven once you find out the reason behind it. now a decade later both Miller & Kit end up on the same climbing trip to mountain Kilimanjaro & are forced to be in each others faces for eight days straight. what happens during that trip & afterwards? well, that’s for me to know & for you to find out. 🤭👀
i’m a sucker for a good banter, chemistry & tension & let me tell you, Elizabeth O’Roark definitely delivered it with this one.
“𝙄𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤, 𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥.”
Miller & Kit really knew how to get under each other’s skin in the most fun ways which had me giggling more times than i could count honestly. the tension between them was consuming & their chemistry? undeniable.
but what i loved even more, were the quiet & soft moments between them. the way Miller always & i repeat, ALWAYS cared about Kit. the way he didn’t hesitate to have her back. the way he saw so much more in her than she herself ever could.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩.”
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧?”
𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
when it comes to Kit, she might appear as a spoiled brat with a filthy mouth at first but there’s so much more that hides under that exterior. there’s a certain tragic event in her past that leaves her heartbroken & having so many doubts in herself. but she also has a huge & loving heart, which made it so easy to fall in love with her character.
having read Elizabeth O’Roark’s books before i just knew i’d love this one too & i was right. 🙂↕️
𝘔𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 was everything i expected it to be. it had me giggling & kicking my feet. tearing up too. i was quick to fall in love with Miller & Kit. safe to say, they’re one of my fav Elizabeth couples now.
i loved the side characters as well. whether it was people from their climbing trip or certain family members, i feel like like they brought so much fun to the story & made it heartwarming as well. can’t wait for certain someone’s book next!
also, not to spoil anything but there’s another climb to the mount Everest towards the end of the book. this time Miller is the only one of the two who’s climbing. but the view at the top? absolutely worth staying with this book till the end. 🥹🥹🥹
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: billionaire romance, sister’s ex boyfriend, age gap, forced proximity.
thank you Valentine PR & the author for providing me with an ARC!
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
say hi to Miller & Kit – enemies to lovers or rather two people who have always had feelings for each other but never truly showed them.
ten years ago Miller ended his relationship with Kit’s older sister via text message & never looked back. not very mindful, not very demure, to say the least. but all is forgiven once you find out the reason behind it. now a decade later both Miller & Kit end up on the same climbing trip to mountain Kilimanjaro & are forced to be in each others faces for eight days straight. what happens during that trip & afterwards? well, that’s for me to know & for you to find out. 🤭👀
i’m a sucker for a good banter, chemistry & tension & let me tell you, Elizabeth O’Roark definitely delivered it with this one.
“𝙄𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤, 𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥.”
Miller & Kit really knew how to get under each other’s skin in the most fun ways which had me giggling more times than i could count honestly. the tension between them was consuming & their chemistry? undeniable.
but what i loved even more, were the quiet & soft moments between them. the way Miller always & i repeat, ALWAYS cared about Kit. the way he didn’t hesitate to have her back. the way he saw so much more in her than she herself ever could.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩.”
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧?”
𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
when it comes to Kit, she might appear as a spoiled brat with a filthy mouth at first but there’s so much more that hides under that exterior. there’s a certain tragic event in her past that leaves her heartbroken & having so many doubts in herself. but she also has a huge & loving heart, which made it so easy to fall in love with her character.
having read Elizabeth O’Roark’s books before i just knew i’d love this one too & i was right. 🙂↕️
𝘔𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 was everything i expected it to be. it had me giggling & kicking my feet. tearing up too. i was quick to fall in love with Miller & Kit. safe to say, they’re one of my fav Elizabeth couples now.
i loved the side characters as well. whether it was people from their climbing trip or certain family members, i feel like like they brought so much fun to the story & made it heartwarming as well. can’t wait for certain someone’s book next!
also, not to spoil anything but there’s another climb to the mount Everest towards the end of the book. this time Miller is the only one of the two who’s climbing. but the view at the top? absolutely worth staying with this book till the end. 🥹🥹🥹
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: billionaire romance, sister’s ex boyfriend, age gap, forced proximity.
thank you Valentine PR & the author for providing me with an ARC!
June 2, 2025
My goodness, what a delight! FMC accidentally ends up having to climb a mountain with her sister's ex-boyfriend, and it gets hot. Very summery and adventurey and fun.
Elizabeth O'Roarke should teach master classes in how to write conflict in contemporary romances. And dialogue. And miscommunication. And third act breakups. And secondary characters. And the list goes on.
Also, GASPING at the synopsis of the sequel coming in August. My body is ready.
Elizabeth O'Roarke should teach master classes in how to write conflict in contemporary romances. And dialogue. And miscommunication. And third act breakups. And secondary characters. And the list goes on.
Also, GASPING at the synopsis of the sequel coming in August. My body is ready.
June 5, 2025
3.5 stars! My Favorite Bad Decision is a forbidden-ish (sister’s ex), billionaire, enemies to lovers, only one tent (climbing Mount Kilimanjaro), banter and bickering-filled forced proximity romance!
Kit is forced to go climb Mount Kilimanjaro (for work by her father) and she happens to be stuck on the adventure with Miller, her sister’s ex. He was dating her sister for a few months a decade ago and then ghosted her with a breakup text. Kit hates him and thus begins their climbing adventure and lots of bickering and sharing of only one tent!
This was an easy listen, I did the audiobook and finished it in a day. I’ve read majority of this author’s books and this one was fine, not a favorite from her for me, but solid. There is the drama around him being her sister’s ex, even though the hero says they barely dated a decade ago, her sister (even though she’s married now) has lowkey been pining for him since and always feels like he was the one who got away (still brings him up, compares men to him, thinks she should leave her husband once she sees the hero again, etc). Which wasn’t really my fav plot wise.
Kit is forced to go climb Mount Kilimanjaro (for work by her father) and she happens to be stuck on the adventure with Miller, her sister’s ex. He was dating her sister for a few months a decade ago and then ghosted her with a breakup text. Kit hates him and thus begins their climbing adventure and lots of bickering and sharing of only one tent!
This was an easy listen, I did the audiobook and finished it in a day. I’ve read majority of this author’s books and this one was fine, not a favorite from her for me, but solid. There is the drama around him being her sister’s ex, even though the hero says they barely dated a decade ago, her sister (even though she’s married now) has lowkey been pining for him since and always feels like he was the one who got away (still brings him up, compares men to him, thinks she should leave her husband once she sees the hero again, etc). Which wasn’t really my fav plot wise.
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