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Perks & Benefits #2
Our Scorching Summer
Nico Navarro and I are friends.
His signature grin and playfulness are charming, except when you’re on the receiving end of his self-absorbed personality. For years, I’ve dealt with Nico’s incessant flirting by keeping my occasional fantasies about him strictly between me, my keyboard, and my vibrator.
We’re both players and not interested in settling down. He’s never been in love, and I refuse to commit to someone again. Besides, Nico is my best friend’s brother-in-law, so he’s strictly off-limits.
Just. Friends.
But when I suddenly lose my job, fail a class, and a man faints inside me—yes, inside me—all rationality falls by the wayside.
One out-of-character decision later, I find myself on an international adventure with the irresponsible playboy. Our spontaneous vacation is filled with interrogations, a steamy arrangement, and the uncovering of my decade-old secret. The rules I have to protect my heart quickly crumble between Nico’s relentless obsession with me and our lavish travel destinations.
Can I let myself love again or will our summer fling end up in flames?
His signature grin and playfulness are charming, except when you’re on the receiving end of his self-absorbed personality. For years, I’ve dealt with Nico’s incessant flirting by keeping my occasional fantasies about him strictly between me, my keyboard, and my vibrator.
We’re both players and not interested in settling down. He’s never been in love, and I refuse to commit to someone again. Besides, Nico is my best friend’s brother-in-law, so he’s strictly off-limits.
Just. Friends.
But when I suddenly lose my job, fail a class, and a man faints inside me—yes, inside me—all rationality falls by the wayside.
One out-of-character decision later, I find myself on an international adventure with the irresponsible playboy. Our spontaneous vacation is filled with interrogations, a steamy arrangement, and the uncovering of my decade-old secret. The rules I have to protect my heart quickly crumble between Nico’s relentless obsession with me and our lavish travel destinations.
Can I let myself love again or will our summer fling end up in flames?
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2023
426 people are currently reading
11501 people want to read
About the author
Kels Stone
12 books735 followersImpactful Love Stories
Kels & Denise are authors, best friends, and the definition of the found family trope. The pair bonded over their love for romance and turned all their late-night chats into writing together. Their enjoyment for storytelling morphed into writing impactful love stories.
@authorkelsdenisestone
kelsdenisestone.com/kdstone
For exclusive bonus content: www.patreon.com/authorkelsdenisestone
Kels & Denise are authors, best friends, and the definition of the found family trope. The pair bonded over their love for romance and turned all their late-night chats into writing together. Their enjoyment for storytelling morphed into writing impactful love stories.
@authorkelsdenisestone
kelsdenisestone.com/kdstone
For exclusive bonus content: www.patreon.com/authorkelsdenisestone
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,022 reviews
April 30, 2023
This was a very cute AND A VERY FREAKING FUN READ. This is perfect for summer. I am lily. Lily is me. If you hate lily, you hate me so watch yourself 😔 (but in all honestly why did I relate to lily so much on an emotional level. Maybe it’s just because she’s a Leo)
May 6, 2023
Now that the book is out, this is my review with SPOILERS
⚠️⚠️⚠️SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS BELOW: ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Our scorching summer review 3 de mayo estreno
I think that the first thing that I have to say it’s that I ADORED “water under the bridge”. I rated it 5 stars and it was one of my favorite books that year. I also have listed to the authors’ podcast “between the sheets” multiple times and follow them on IG. So, IMO I can be considered a big fan of them. I am. Because of all this, this book was one of my most anticipated reads. But I was a bit shocked and sad when I read the blurb and I realize that they are both with others after meeting. I’m a safe reader and even tho I can read and enjoy books that are not safe. They tend not to be my favorite. If both of them will have been celibate after meeting this book will have been a 5 stars read, not questions asked. But sadly it isn’t and it my opinion at the beginning we have too many details about their past with others after the meeting (for people that are not safety readers you might don’t care about that or think that there are not too many details, but for me there were)
There are some ow/om drama. Not a lot. Just a tiny bit. But nothing happens with others once the book starts. But they pushed my enjoyment a bit back. Even tho I loved seeing Nico jealous.
I don’t want to spoil anything so I will keep the spoilers for once the book is out. For my safety readers, once the book starts there is some ow/OM drama but nothing happens but there are mentions and jokes of them with others after meeting.
My thoughts and feelings were over the place when I finished this book (honestly they started when I was almost in the middle) The beginning was a bit rough for me because of the mentions of past hookups and some stuff that Nico did that I wanted to smash him. But he changes during the book and I really liked seeing that.
Something that I have to give them props for is that you can clearly see the differences between their heroines and their heroes. What I mean is Nico and Luca have pretty much completely different personalities. As Lily and Avery. It’s not like in other sagas where they seem to always have the same personalities and form of talking and all that.
I adored seeing Avery and Luca!
The places that they visits are just to die for and I could have read more about the places that they visit. I think this is the perfect book for summer because it’s fun and hot but also has some deep themes behind. We have some tiny sprinkles about the third book.
Good things:
- [ ] The places they travel. But I wish more info about them.
- [ ] Both not celibate after meeting. Not only him.
- [ ] The sex scenes were hot.
- [ ] Luca and Nico are completely opposite.
- [ ] Nico was JEALOUS. Just wish he was too after meeting. Instead he watched h with OM and don’t mind that much before the books starts
- [ ] I did like that Lily didn’t know what to do with her life. As her, I am studying business in college but wish I was writing…
- [ ] Lily is described as a goddess. Good for her.
- I did LOVE the end of this book. The last third was AMAZING. And I kinda save the beginning for me.
Not so good things:
- [ ] Not celibate after meeting.
- [ ] I didn’t like Nico at the beginning. He did some stuff that I wanted to smash him. Not in a ow drama sense. But he was a bit careless toward everything and everyone (including h)
- [ ] He brought a date to his brother’s wedding. After the book starts
- [ ] Lily thought of having a ons with his surf instructor. After the book starts
- [ ] Too much info about past after meeting.
- [ ] Both attracted to each other but decides to sleep with others bc they CANNOT have s e x with each other.
- [ ] Some sex scenes happens behind doors.
- Third break act. I know some of u hate it, I don’t mind them.
I have receive a comment talking about me contributing to purity culture and not being sex positive. Here’s the thing I have never EVER said anything about anyone in real life about their sex lives. Anyone can do whatever they want (obviously with consent and preferably being safe) but as someone that is a virgin at 23 (because I want, in fact almost everyone around me is pushing me to lose it, I don’t consider myself religious but the first time that I lose my virginity I will prefer that it is with someone that treats me good and loves me) Anyway, I have a sex toy and I’m content with how I am rn. I know most people are not like me and have ons and enjoy casual sex and all that, good for them! My problem is not that these characters are players. I liked that for once she was a player too. But in my romance I prefer when after meeting they have a connection and they decide to stop being with others bc they like/love/lust after each other. This might be my insecurities talking. In this case they did feel the connection and decides to not act on it bc they didn’t want to risk their “friendship” so I didn’t really get they why now they decide to risk their “friendship” when the situations where the same. They could have avoid the year or two where they sleep with everything that moves. I don’t know for me it kinda cheapens the romance but obv this is MY opinion.
25/04/23 review:
I think that the first thing that I have to say it’s that I was so thankful and exited when I revived an email telling me that I was going to receive an e-ARC. I want to thank the authors for giving me one.
I ADORED “water under the bridge”. I rated it 5 stars and it was one of my favorite books last year. I also have listed to the authors’ podcast “between the sheets” multiple times (I have laughed a lot and also learn from them) and I follow them on IG. So, IMO I can be considered a big fan of them. I am. Because of all this, this book was one of my most anticipated reads but I was a bit shocked and sad when I read the blurb and I realize that they are both with others after meeting. I’m a safe reader and even tho I can read and enjoy books that are not safe. They tend not to be my favorite.
If both of them will have been celibate after meeting this book will have been a 5 stars read, not questions asked. But sadly it isn’t and it my opinion at the beginning we have too many details about their past with others after the meeting (for people that are not safety readers you might don’t care about that or think that there are not too many details, but for me there were)
There are some ow/om drama. Not a lot. Just a tiny bit. But nothing happens with others once the book starts. But they pushed my enjoyment a bit back. Even tho I loved seeing Nico jealous.
I don’t want to spoil anything so I will keep the spoilers for once the book is out. For my safety readers, once the book starts there is some ow/OM drama but nothing happens but there are mentions and jokes of them with others after meeting.
My thoughts and feelings were over the place when I finished this book. The beginning was a bit rough for me because of the mentions of past hookups and some stuff that Nico did that I wanted to smash him. But he changes during the book and I really liked seeing that.
Something that I have to give them props for is that you can clearly see the differences between their heroines and their heroes. What I mean is Nico and Luca have pretty much completely different personalities. As Lily and Avery. It’s not like in other sagas where they seem to always have the same personalities and form of talking and all that.
I adored seeing Avery and Luca!
The book is HOT and SPICY. Like omg… I have pretty vivid dreams and have to use my toy in more than one occasion.
Also, the places that they visits are just to die for and I could have read more about the places that they visit. I think this is the perfect book for summer because it’s fun and hot but also has some deep themes behind.
We have some tiny sprinkles about the third book.
I’m between a 4 and a 5. Think I’m going to give it a 5 and if I change my mind I will change the rating. A 3’5-4 🌶️
Past comments below:
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
I have receive an ARC of this book. I’m excited. I will start it when I finish my exam this Friday
Haven’t read yet but for the blurb THEY ARE NOT CELIBATE AFTER MEETING!! It was in my top 3 of most anticipated reads. I’m still going to read it but 🥺🥺🥺 I’m so sad.
The authors told me that once the book starts there are not others and that they don’t do cheating
⚠️⚠️⚠️SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS BELOW: ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Our scorching summer review 3 de mayo estreno
I think that the first thing that I have to say it’s that I ADORED “water under the bridge”. I rated it 5 stars and it was one of my favorite books that year. I also have listed to the authors’ podcast “between the sheets” multiple times and follow them on IG. So, IMO I can be considered a big fan of them. I am. Because of all this, this book was one of my most anticipated reads. But I was a bit shocked and sad when I read the blurb and I realize that they are both with others after meeting. I’m a safe reader and even tho I can read and enjoy books that are not safe. They tend not to be my favorite. If both of them will have been celibate after meeting this book will have been a 5 stars read, not questions asked. But sadly it isn’t and it my opinion at the beginning we have too many details about their past with others after the meeting (for people that are not safety readers you might don’t care about that or think that there are not too many details, but for me there were)
There are some ow/om drama. Not a lot. Just a tiny bit. But nothing happens with others once the book starts. But they pushed my enjoyment a bit back. Even tho I loved seeing Nico jealous.
I don’t want to spoil anything so I will keep the spoilers for once the book is out. For my safety readers, once the book starts there is some ow/OM drama but nothing happens but there are mentions and jokes of them with others after meeting.
My thoughts and feelings were over the place when I finished this book (honestly they started when I was almost in the middle) The beginning was a bit rough for me because of the mentions of past hookups and some stuff that Nico did that I wanted to smash him. But he changes during the book and I really liked seeing that.
Something that I have to give them props for is that you can clearly see the differences between their heroines and their heroes. What I mean is Nico and Luca have pretty much completely different personalities. As Lily and Avery. It’s not like in other sagas where they seem to always have the same personalities and form of talking and all that.
I adored seeing Avery and Luca!
The places that they visits are just to die for and I could have read more about the places that they visit. I think this is the perfect book for summer because it’s fun and hot but also has some deep themes behind. We have some tiny sprinkles about the third book.
Good things:
- [ ] The places they travel. But I wish more info about them.
- [ ] Both not celibate after meeting. Not only him.
- [ ] The sex scenes were hot.
- [ ] Luca and Nico are completely opposite.
- [ ] Nico was JEALOUS. Just wish he was too after meeting. Instead he watched h with OM and don’t mind that much before the books starts
- [ ] I did like that Lily didn’t know what to do with her life. As her, I am studying business in college but wish I was writing…
- [ ] Lily is described as a goddess. Good for her.
- I did LOVE the end of this book. The last third was AMAZING. And I kinda save the beginning for me.
Not so good things:
- [ ] Not celibate after meeting.
- [ ] I didn’t like Nico at the beginning. He did some stuff that I wanted to smash him. Not in a ow drama sense. But he was a bit careless toward everything and everyone (including h)
- [ ] He brought a date to his brother’s wedding. After the book starts
- [ ] Lily thought of having a ons with his surf instructor. After the book starts
- [ ] Too much info about past after meeting.
- [ ] Both attracted to each other but decides to sleep with others bc they CANNOT have s e x with each other.
- [ ] Some sex scenes happens behind doors.
- Third break act. I know some of u hate it, I don’t mind them.
I have receive a comment talking about me contributing to purity culture and not being sex positive. Here’s the thing I have never EVER said anything about anyone in real life about their sex lives. Anyone can do whatever they want (obviously with consent and preferably being safe) but as someone that is a virgin at 23 (because I want, in fact almost everyone around me is pushing me to lose it, I don’t consider myself religious but the first time that I lose my virginity I will prefer that it is with someone that treats me good and loves me) Anyway, I have a sex toy and I’m content with how I am rn. I know most people are not like me and have ons and enjoy casual sex and all that, good for them! My problem is not that these characters are players. I liked that for once she was a player too. But in my romance I prefer when after meeting they have a connection and they decide to stop being with others bc they like/love/lust after each other. This might be my insecurities talking. In this case they did feel the connection and decides to not act on it bc they didn’t want to risk their “friendship” so I didn’t really get they why now they decide to risk their “friendship” when the situations where the same. They could have avoid the year or two where they sleep with everything that moves. I don’t know for me it kinda cheapens the romance but obv this is MY opinion.
25/04/23 review:
I think that the first thing that I have to say it’s that I was so thankful and exited when I revived an email telling me that I was going to receive an e-ARC. I want to thank the authors for giving me one.
I ADORED “water under the bridge”. I rated it 5 stars and it was one of my favorite books last year. I also have listed to the authors’ podcast “between the sheets” multiple times (I have laughed a lot and also learn from them) and I follow them on IG. So, IMO I can be considered a big fan of them. I am. Because of all this, this book was one of my most anticipated reads but I was a bit shocked and sad when I read the blurb and I realize that they are both with others after meeting. I’m a safe reader and even tho I can read and enjoy books that are not safe. They tend not to be my favorite.
If both of them will have been celibate after meeting this book will have been a 5 stars read, not questions asked. But sadly it isn’t and it my opinion at the beginning we have too many details about their past with others after the meeting (for people that are not safety readers you might don’t care about that or think that there are not too many details, but for me there were)
There are some ow/om drama. Not a lot. Just a tiny bit. But nothing happens with others once the book starts. But they pushed my enjoyment a bit back. Even tho I loved seeing Nico jealous.
I don’t want to spoil anything so I will keep the spoilers for once the book is out. For my safety readers, once the book starts there is some ow/OM drama but nothing happens but there are mentions and jokes of them with others after meeting.
My thoughts and feelings were over the place when I finished this book. The beginning was a bit rough for me because of the mentions of past hookups and some stuff that Nico did that I wanted to smash him. But he changes during the book and I really liked seeing that.
Something that I have to give them props for is that you can clearly see the differences between their heroines and their heroes. What I mean is Nico and Luca have pretty much completely different personalities. As Lily and Avery. It’s not like in other sagas where they seem to always have the same personalities and form of talking and all that.
I adored seeing Avery and Luca!
The book is HOT and SPICY. Like omg… I have pretty vivid dreams and have to use my toy in more than one occasion.
Also, the places that they visits are just to die for and I could have read more about the places that they visit. I think this is the perfect book for summer because it’s fun and hot but also has some deep themes behind.
We have some tiny sprinkles about the third book.
I’m between a 4 and a 5. Think I’m going to give it a 5 and if I change my mind I will change the rating. A 3’5-4 🌶️
Past comments below:
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
I have receive an ARC of this book. I’m excited. I will start it when I finish my exam this Friday
Haven’t read yet but for the blurb THEY ARE NOT CELIBATE AFTER MEETING!! It was in my top 3 of most anticipated reads. I’m still going to read it but 🥺🥺🥺 I’m so sad.
The authors told me that once the book starts there are not others and that they don’t do cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2023
4.5 stars
this is such a perfect summer-y read. nico is so hot and so obsessed 🥵
princesa is now my new favorite book pet name.
nico is lily’s best friend’s brother-in-law and when she tells him the bar she worked at is closing and she’s unemployed with no plans for the summer, he promptly exchanges his first class ticket to travel to brazil for two coach tickets without telling her in case she wants to go with him. after much convincing and a cancelled flight home, she agrees to go. what do we want to guess happens when two hot people who don’t do relationships are spending an entire summer abroad together?
the chemistry was burning hottttt. i loved them together so much and nico just really stole the show for me. he was goofy but also supported and believed in lily 100%. it was so cute reading about him learning to be a boyfriend.
now i need to go book a vacation.
this is such a perfect summer-y read. nico is so hot and so obsessed 🥵
princesa is now my new favorite book pet name.
nico is lily’s best friend’s brother-in-law and when she tells him the bar she worked at is closing and she’s unemployed with no plans for the summer, he promptly exchanges his first class ticket to travel to brazil for two coach tickets without telling her in case she wants to go with him. after much convincing and a cancelled flight home, she agrees to go. what do we want to guess happens when two hot people who don’t do relationships are spending an entire summer abroad together?
the chemistry was burning hottttt. i loved them together so much and nico just really stole the show for me. he was goofy but also supported and believed in lily 100%. it was so cute reading about him learning to be a boyfriend.
now i need to go book a vacation.
May 16, 2023
4.5⭐️ 3🌶
Okay I actually loved this book so much!! It was seriously the perfect steamy summer read with laugh out loud moments, SPICE and super sweet moments that have you saying “aweee”
Nico and Lily undeniably are attracted to each other so what better way to solve this attraction than to be friends with benefits for a summer while travelling together, I mean what could go wrong 😉
Y’ALL NICO?!!!! NICOOO!!!!! He had a dirty mouth and I freaking loved it!!! I was rendered speechless on many occasions by this man and I would have had it no other way! Like the praise and degradation, HOLY EF !!!! Lily was seriously freaking hilarious and if I wasn’t a conceal don’t feel kind gal, I would been slapping my knee cackling. Also her whole personality was the VIBE! Love me some black cat energy 🤭
But seriously this whole book is just full of juicy moments!
Please add this read to you TBR and your summer read list especially if you love FWB and the whole black cat/ golden retriever vibe!!!
Okay I actually loved this book so much!! It was seriously the perfect steamy summer read with laugh out loud moments, SPICE and super sweet moments that have you saying “aweee”
Nico and Lily undeniably are attracted to each other so what better way to solve this attraction than to be friends with benefits for a summer while travelling together, I mean what could go wrong 😉
Y’ALL NICO?!!!! NICOOO!!!!! He had a dirty mouth and I freaking loved it!!! I was rendered speechless on many occasions by this man and I would have had it no other way! Like the praise and degradation, HOLY EF !!!! Lily was seriously freaking hilarious and if I wasn’t a conceal don’t feel kind gal, I would been slapping my knee cackling. Also her whole personality was the VIBE! Love me some black cat energy 🤭
But seriously this whole book is just full of juicy moments!
Please add this read to you TBR and your summer read list especially if you love FWB and the whole black cat/ golden retriever vibe!!!
Want to read
October 5, 2022edit: IT IS THEIR BOOK AND THIS IS MY JOKER
AHHHHHHHHHHH THIS BETTER BE NICO AND LILY'S BOOK I SWEAR.
AHHHHHHHHHHH THIS BETTER BE NICO AND LILY'S BOOK I SWEAR.
May 4, 2023
4.5 ★
this should absolutely be on your summer tbr! such a fun and flirty friends with benefits vacation fling romance with a side of self discovery and going after what you truly want. lily is feeling a little lost in life when she has the opportunity to hop on a plane and spend the summer traveling with nico, her best friend’s brother in law. nico is the ultimate playboy, spontaneous, avoids commitment, just wanting to have fun. the two have always had undeniable chemistry but never acted on it for the sake of the friend group…. until suddenly they’re spending the entire summer together, just the two of them. a no strings attached, friends with benefits situation seems like the perfect solution, right!?
i really enjoyed this one, the vacation setting made me want to immediately hop on a plane (but only if i have a hot, rich travel companion). lily learns to relinquish some control and go with the flow while nico learns to find some structure, i love how well they balanced each other out. and their chemistry was so h o t, the hammock, the balcony!? bye. a very fun read with lots of sweet moments, witty banter, and the perfect summery atmosphere!
this should absolutely be on your summer tbr! such a fun and flirty friends with benefits vacation fling romance with a side of self discovery and going after what you truly want. lily is feeling a little lost in life when she has the opportunity to hop on a plane and spend the summer traveling with nico, her best friend’s brother in law. nico is the ultimate playboy, spontaneous, avoids commitment, just wanting to have fun. the two have always had undeniable chemistry but never acted on it for the sake of the friend group…. until suddenly they’re spending the entire summer together, just the two of them. a no strings attached, friends with benefits situation seems like the perfect solution, right!?
i really enjoyed this one, the vacation setting made me want to immediately hop on a plane (but only if i have a hot, rich travel companion). lily learns to relinquish some control and go with the flow while nico learns to find some structure, i love how well they balanced each other out. and their chemistry was so h o t, the hammock, the balcony!? bye. a very fun read with lots of sweet moments, witty banter, and the perfect summery atmosphere!
May 3, 2023
My favourite author duo has done it again!!
This book!!! WOW! I have so much to say but I’m utterly speechless!!!
Our Scorching Summer is the second book in the Perks & Benefits series, which is a series of interconnected standalones. It’s a Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Reformed Playboy and Playgirl, Boy Obsessed Romance, and I couldn’t get enough!!!
I absolutely loved the traveling aspect within this book. I felt like I was right there with Nico and Lily as they travelled all around the world.
Our Scorching Summer is the perfect summer read, I 100% recommend!!
Thank you so much to my favourite author duo, Kels & Denise Stone, for providing me with an ARC of Our Scorching Summer, I had the best time reading and I cannot wait for what’s to come!!
This book!!! WOW! I have so much to say but I’m utterly speechless!!!
Our Scorching Summer is the second book in the Perks & Benefits series, which is a series of interconnected standalones. It’s a Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Reformed Playboy and Playgirl, Boy Obsessed Romance, and I couldn’t get enough!!!
I absolutely loved the traveling aspect within this book. I felt like I was right there with Nico and Lily as they travelled all around the world.
Our Scorching Summer is the perfect summer read, I 100% recommend!!
Thank you so much to my favourite author duo, Kels & Denise Stone, for providing me with an ARC of Our Scorching Summer, I had the best time reading and I cannot wait for what’s to come!!
May 6, 2023
I WILL READ EVERYTHING THIS DUO WRITES
February 24, 2024
eh. felt like it needed a little bit pzazz, you know? something to make it stand out. it's just there
November 8, 2023
“For you, princesa, I'd be on my knees, eternally at your service.”
NOW WHERE DO I START. NICO & LILY HAVE MY HEART.
♡ read if you like:
– friends with benefits to lovers
– they travel around the world together
– golden retriever mmc x black cat fmc
– beach / summer vibes
– dual pov
– banter
– smut
– cute romcom with smut
– millionaire, with tattoos
– author fmc x software developer mmc
I loved every single moment Nico & Lily shared. Their chemistry is unmatched. The sexual tension was perfect. The longing stares, the quick touches, the almost kisses– I LOVED IT. ALL OF IT.
One of my favorite things about this book was Nico's POV. He is such a simp for Lily. And it made me so happy whenever he talked about Lily like she was a goddess and he wanted to serve her all his life. Also, the efforts Nico took & the little things he did to make Lily happy is awe-inspiring. He is perfect. They are perfect.
Their relationship was everything. They started with absolutely nothing but little crumbs of each other. But as they slowly started traveling together & grew closer, they started to explore their attraction for each other. It was very well written, I could not stop reading.
Even as an individual, both Nico & Lily had a story to tell about their struggle, and we could see the personal growth by the end of the book. I am so glad that Lily took her time to heal and Nico gave her space. And when they finally reunited, I was at peace.
The notes Nico left in Lily's journal had me tearing up. Get yourself a man like Nico.
I absolutely 1000% recommend this book. Especially for the romcom lovers who also love smut. GO READ IT.
NOW WHERE DO I START. NICO & LILY HAVE MY HEART.
♡ read if you like:
– friends with benefits to lovers
– they travel around the world together
– golden retriever mmc x black cat fmc
– beach / summer vibes
– dual pov
– banter
– smut
– cute romcom with smut
– millionaire, with tattoos
– author fmc x software developer mmc
I loved every single moment Nico & Lily shared. Their chemistry is unmatched. The sexual tension was perfect. The longing stares, the quick touches, the almost kisses– I LOVED IT. ALL OF IT.
One of my favorite things about this book was Nico's POV. He is such a simp for Lily. And it made me so happy whenever he talked about Lily like she was a goddess and he wanted to serve her all his life. Also, the efforts Nico took & the little things he did to make Lily happy is awe-inspiring. He is perfect. They are perfect.
Their relationship was everything. They started with absolutely nothing but little crumbs of each other. But as they slowly started traveling together & grew closer, they started to explore their attraction for each other. It was very well written, I could not stop reading.
Even as an individual, both Nico & Lily had a story to tell about their struggle, and we could see the personal growth by the end of the book. I am so glad that Lily took her time to heal and Nico gave her space. And when they finally reunited, I was at peace.
The notes Nico left in Lily's journal had me tearing up. Get yourself a man like Nico.
I absolutely 1000% recommend this book. Especially for the romcom lovers who also love smut. GO READ IT.
December 7, 2023
Ok my favorite part about this book is that Lily & Nico BOTH sleep around a lot and they BOTH have commitment issues. I ate that up. Nico falls first, but he isn’t perfect, and his character growth is impeccable. Lily also secretly writes romance novellas on the side and it’s SO FUN.
Nico’s nickname for her is princessa AND I GIGGLED EVERY TIME. This was honestly such a fun, spicy read with impeccable summer vibes. I wish I could have read it at the beach haha.
Also, duh it’s spicy. There may or may not be a scene involving a belt & a balcony railing
Nico’s nickname for her is princessa AND I GIGGLED EVERY TIME. This was honestly such a fun, spicy read with impeccable summer vibes. I wish I could have read it at the beach haha.
Also, duh it’s spicy. There may or may not be a scene involving a belt & a balcony railing
May 12, 2023
It truly makes me sad that I just didn’t enjoy this book. It really had the potential it was just very long for a romance book and hard to keep my attention.
I’m not saying don’t try it!! I just don’t think it’s for me.
give it a try if you like:
friends with benefits
a summer read where they travel
she writes spicy novellas
he’s a billionaire
slow burn
I’m not saying don’t try it!! I just don’t think it’s for me.
give it a try if you like:
friends with benefits
a summer read where they travel
she writes spicy novellas
he’s a billionaire
slow burn
May 22, 2023
we watch each other, peering through a silent stretch as if we’re both looking for something. something we can’t have.
while the premise of this was light and exciting, the wanderlust of a summer-long trip between two friends that are bound to be more, I just never connected to the characters. there were so many elements of this story that I hoped to love but was left feeling underwhelmed overall.
while the premise of this was light and exciting, the wanderlust of a summer-long trip between two friends that are bound to be more, I just never connected to the characters. there were so many elements of this story that I hoped to love but was left feeling underwhelmed overall.
July 8, 2024
3.5 💫
This was a very sweet friends to lovers romance mixed with very obvious sexual tension between the two main characters. Nico and Lily were so much fun to follow along but I specially adored seeing their character growth during the course of this novel. When Nico and Lily can't avoid their feelings for each other any longer, they decide to engage in a friends to lovers situation but at the end, there are way too deep into their feelings for each other. It was beautiful to see Nico putting Lily's needs before his own and how down bad he was for her.
Even though the pacing felt a little off for me in some occasions I did enjoyed this and I am looking forward to read the rest of the books in this series.
This was a very sweet friends to lovers romance mixed with very obvious sexual tension between the two main characters. Nico and Lily were so much fun to follow along but I specially adored seeing their character growth during the course of this novel. When Nico and Lily can't avoid their feelings for each other any longer, they decide to engage in a friends to lovers situation but at the end, there are way too deep into their feelings for each other. It was beautiful to see Nico putting Lily's needs before his own and how down bad he was for her.
Even though the pacing felt a little off for me in some occasions I did enjoyed this and I am looking forward to read the rest of the books in this series.
May 16, 2023
4.5 ☆
this was exactly what i needed - a fluffy, feel-good romcom. i adored this! feeling a bit lost and contemplating her next move, lily decides to take nico's offer and spend her summer traveling. the only catch? having to resist her incredibly attractive best friend's brother.
nico and lily had me kicking my feet and smiling throughout the whole book. i really enjoyed that their friendship developed in tandem with their relationship as they began a friends with benefits type of arrangement. seeing lily lower her guard and open up and nico work at becoming a better partner was the cherry on top. the perfect summer romance!
this was exactly what i needed - a fluffy, feel-good romcom. i adored this! feeling a bit lost and contemplating her next move, lily decides to take nico's offer and spend her summer traveling. the only catch? having to resist her incredibly attractive best friend's brother.
nico and lily had me kicking my feet and smiling throughout the whole book. i really enjoyed that their friendship developed in tandem with their relationship as they began a friends with benefits type of arrangement. seeing lily lower her guard and open up and nico work at becoming a better partner was the cherry on top. the perfect summer romance!
July 9, 2023
4.5⭐️
A great beach read that will make you want to travel, have a good cocktail and make you feel loved.
Kels and Denise killed the friends to friends with benefits to lovers.
Nico and Lily are completely opposite and somehow super relatable.
I would say in the middle it felt a little dragging but overall I loved it and it was such a good feel romance.
A great beach read that will make you want to travel, have a good cocktail and make you feel loved.
Kels and Denise killed the friends to friends with benefits to lovers.
Nico and Lily are completely opposite and somehow super relatable.
I would say in the middle it felt a little dragging but overall I loved it and it was such a good feel romance.
March 9, 2025
4.8⭐️ omg idk what it was about this book but it really did it for me!! There is something about a book with a girl who thinks she’s hard to love and a boy that loves her as easy as breathing that will do it for me every time 🥹😭I loved Nico and all his pet names had me immediately folding. The summer vibes of this book was also the perfect form of escapism from my winter depression
August 21, 2023
Thank you to Kels & Denise Stone for the ARC I’m exchange for an honest review.
☀️ forced proximity
☀️ ‘we’re JUST friends 😏’
☀️ friends with benefits
☀️ black cat / golden retriever
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
This is a fun, spicy, at times laugh out loud, romance that’s the perfect summer feel good book.
I’m excited to watch this authors writing develop because I absolutely loveeeee the characters. I thought the plot could use a bit more development and the pacing could increase a little. Other than that, it’s such a cute read.
☀️ forced proximity
☀️ ‘we’re JUST friends 😏’
☀️ friends with benefits
☀️ black cat / golden retriever
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
This is a fun, spicy, at times laugh out loud, romance that’s the perfect summer feel good book.
I’m excited to watch this authors writing develop because I absolutely loveeeee the characters. I thought the plot could use a bit more development and the pacing could increase a little. Other than that, it’s such a cute read.
May 11, 2023
I hate to be a hater but I simply have no idea why this book has such a high rating. Maybe it's just my preferences on the trope and writing style but it was just not my cup of tea. Although it was like a FWB to lovers kind of trope, there was waaaaaay too much gaslighting throughout that in my personal opinion were crossing Lily's boundaries. IDK, Nico was a huge ick for me and he just seemed so pushy all the time. Every page had me either rolling my eyes or wanting to pull them out of the sockets...
June 19, 2023
I loved the vibes at the beginning TRULY
I fell in love with Nico ofc
BUT Lily…
I have some serious issues with her.
I just finished the book and I’m sooooo mad I can’t even think.
She fucked my brain up SO MUCH that I was hoping Nico came to his senses and ditch her.
Also I think the book was waaaaaay too long for all that. It was the same issues for her again and again. I was sick of it!
I fell in love with Nico ofc
BUT Lily…
I have some serious issues with her.
I just finished the book and I’m sooooo mad I can’t even think.
She fucked my brain up SO MUCH that I was hoping Nico came to his senses and ditch her.
Also I think the book was waaaaaay too long for all that. It was the same issues for her again and again. I was sick of it!
May 5, 2023
Loved it
Bingeable in the best of ways, I absolutely DEVOURED this fling to more, black cat/golden retriever romance. The constant forced proximity and crackling chemistry made it such an engaging read, and I loved the contrasts between the scorching sexual tension and the undercurrent of emotion that runs throughout the whole story. These two are both commitment-phobic players who have their own reasons for running scared, and that made them understand each other on a level that no one else would. As much as I was initially disappointed that they had continued being players for two years after meeting each other, that also meant that they'd come to know each other on a deeper level before actually forming more than a surface level connection. They hadn't exactly been friends during that time, and they'd also never spent time alone together before embarking on this adventure. Once they did, it became clear that this sweetheart of a hero never stood a chance. He was ALL IN, and watching him figure out how to keep his girl was so fulfilling. It's super sexy one minute, then angsty and emotional the next. The whole thing was electric, and I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. An EASY 5-star rating for me - I loved it.
The story follows Lily, a 27-year-old whose life isn't going the way she'd hoped. She's still struggling to finish her undergraduate degree, she just lost her job, and steering clear of anything even remotely like love has left her feeling a little isolated. So when she runs into her best friend's new brother-in-law, it's a breath of fresh air. An incorrigible flirt and the kind of guy who is always looking for his next adventure, Nico has been attracted to Lily since they met... even though he's aware that they should never cross that line. A hookup between two players might be fun in the moment, but neither one is looking for more, and they're going to be in each other's lives forever. But Nico can see that Lily is in need of a break, and he finds himself extending an offer to join him on an international adventure for the summer. Away from the real world and the responsibilities that come with it, it's easy to give in to the connection. But what starts as lust soon simmers into something deeper, and neither one is sure what to do about that.
After reading this writing duo's debut, Water Under the Bridge, I could see the potential in their work, so I was excited to check out the sequel. Friends with benefits romances and friends to lovers situations involving players are not usually favorites of mine, but I adore road trip and adventure romances, so I was cautiously optimistic about this one. It only took a few pages to win me over, and I was surprisingly okay with the dynamic. Nico and Lily have literally never spent time alone together and they've both got some personal growth to do, so it was easy to understand why they'd previously continued living their lives while acknowledging the attraction. It took no time at all for them to realize that keeping things platonic on the trip would be next to impossible, and that creates a ton of sexual tension. But I loved that this could (technically) be considered a hot slow burn; by drawing some lines in the sand, there was still that moment of finally giving in to the feeling. And I loved how nearly every scene featured the two of them together, especially since both characters were so compelling. Nico stole my heart in a big way, and I loved how rock solid he was in his feelings once he gave in. It's spicy and lighthearted on the surface, with plenty of depth buried within the pages. A fantastic sophomore effort, and a book that kept me (happily) reading way too late into the night.
Bingeable in the best of ways, I absolutely DEVOURED this fling to more, black cat/golden retriever romance. The constant forced proximity and crackling chemistry made it such an engaging read, and I loved the contrasts between the scorching sexual tension and the undercurrent of emotion that runs throughout the whole story. These two are both commitment-phobic players who have their own reasons for running scared, and that made them understand each other on a level that no one else would. As much as I was initially disappointed that they had continued being players for two years after meeting each other, that also meant that they'd come to know each other on a deeper level before actually forming more than a surface level connection. They hadn't exactly been friends during that time, and they'd also never spent time alone together before embarking on this adventure. Once they did, it became clear that this sweetheart of a hero never stood a chance. He was ALL IN, and watching him figure out how to keep his girl was so fulfilling. It's super sexy one minute, then angsty and emotional the next. The whole thing was electric, and I couldn't wait to see how it all played out. An EASY 5-star rating for me - I loved it.
The story follows Lily, a 27-year-old whose life isn't going the way she'd hoped. She's still struggling to finish her undergraduate degree, she just lost her job, and steering clear of anything even remotely like love has left her feeling a little isolated. So when she runs into her best friend's new brother-in-law, it's a breath of fresh air. An incorrigible flirt and the kind of guy who is always looking for his next adventure, Nico has been attracted to Lily since they met... even though he's aware that they should never cross that line. A hookup between two players might be fun in the moment, but neither one is looking for more, and they're going to be in each other's lives forever. But Nico can see that Lily is in need of a break, and he finds himself extending an offer to join him on an international adventure for the summer. Away from the real world and the responsibilities that come with it, it's easy to give in to the connection. But what starts as lust soon simmers into something deeper, and neither one is sure what to do about that.
After reading this writing duo's debut, Water Under the Bridge, I could see the potential in their work, so I was excited to check out the sequel. Friends with benefits romances and friends to lovers situations involving players are not usually favorites of mine, but I adore road trip and adventure romances, so I was cautiously optimistic about this one. It only took a few pages to win me over, and I was surprisingly okay with the dynamic. Nico and Lily have literally never spent time alone together and they've both got some personal growth to do, so it was easy to understand why they'd previously continued living their lives while acknowledging the attraction. It took no time at all for them to realize that keeping things platonic on the trip would be next to impossible, and that creates a ton of sexual tension. But I loved that this could (technically) be considered a hot slow burn; by drawing some lines in the sand, there was still that moment of finally giving in to the feeling. And I loved how nearly every scene featured the two of them together, especially since both characters were so compelling. Nico stole my heart in a big way, and I loved how rock solid he was in his feelings once he gave in. It's spicy and lighthearted on the surface, with plenty of depth buried within the pages. A fantastic sophomore effort, and a book that kept me (happily) reading way too late into the night.
Read
May 9, 2023dnf at 25%
i tried but the whole book was pointless to me. i didn’t understand why the main characters - consenting adults - couldn’t hook up. the narrative about it ruining the whole family relationship was stupid. and the way luca - mmc’s brother and fmc’s best friend’s husband - inserted himself in this situation was excessive and unnecessary. also fmc denied everything between them too much and had a lot of control issues.
i didn’t like lily’s boss evelyn. notifying about the workplace closing in a week was a shitty move. wtf.
not the ad for another book with an actual link to amazon. 😭😭😭
i got an ick from nico’s pov. he sounded immature and arrogant, i hoped he would grow and get some redemption. he brought a random chick to his brother’s wedding.
i didn’t appreciate luca playing some wise older brother figure. what right did he have to speak to lily like that? he’s just her best friend’s new husband.
i didn’t see what was wrong with lily and nico hooking up. if it ended up horribly so what? everyone was an adult and could be mature at family gatherings.
also didn’t understand why she kept her alter-ego a secret from her close friends. was she embarrassed? like being an author was cringe but submitting a smutty novella for her exam wasn’t?
was her entire personality having an excessive skincare? at 13% it was mentioned 3 times.
but how she just published a book then?
why was lily whining so much when nico overslept? what was the big deal?
i didn’t appreciate the diego-lily situation when she tried idk what. to get over nico?
i hated how she one moment went for it with nico and the next backtracked. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM SLEEPING TOGETHER????????
i tried but the whole book was pointless to me. i didn’t understand why the main characters - consenting adults - couldn’t hook up. the narrative about it ruining the whole family relationship was stupid. and the way luca - mmc’s brother and fmc’s best friend’s husband - inserted himself in this situation was excessive and unnecessary. also fmc denied everything between them too much and had a lot of control issues.
i didn’t like lily’s boss evelyn. notifying about the workplace closing in a week was a shitty move. wtf.
“You thought telling me this now was an appropriate amount of notice?”
“Oh, Lily, one day you’ll learn the heart wants what it wants.” Evelyn reaches her hand to my heated cheek, pinching the skin roughly until it prickles with stinging pain.”
not the ad for another book with an actual link to amazon. 😭😭😭
“Congratulations. Your novella “ Coastal Fling: Summer Novella” is now live and available for distribution.”
i got an ick from nico’s pov. he sounded immature and arrogant, i hoped he would grow and get some redemption. he brought a random chick to his brother’s wedding.
“I brought a date. Big deal. If anything, I did them a favor by bringing Renée and not wasting a two-hundred-fifty-dollar plate.”
i didn’t appreciate luca playing some wise older brother figure. what right did he have to speak to lily like that? he’s just her best friend’s new husband.
“He glares at me, sucks in a deep calming breath, and faces Lily. “From him, I’d have expected this, but from you, Lily? This is disappoin—”
i didn’t see what was wrong with lily and nico hooking up. if it ended up horribly so what? everyone was an adult and could be mature at family gatherings.
also didn’t understand why she kept her alter-ego a secret from her close friends. was she embarrassed? like being an author was cringe but submitting a smutty novella for her exam wasn’t?
was her entire personality having an excessive skincare? at 13% it was mentioned 3 times.
but how she just published a book then?
“Maybe I can spend my mornings writing. I haven’t done that in almost ten years.”
why was lily whining so much when nico overslept? what was the big deal?
“Nico, you said we were going to leave two hours ago. I checked online, and the market you mentioned is already closed.”
“I’m starving. Can you hurry up, and we’ll just grab something downstairs?”
i didn’t appreciate the diego-lily situation when she tried idk what. to get over nico?
i hated how she one moment went for it with nico and the next backtracked. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM SLEEPING TOGETHER????????
November 9, 2024
“I don't want to lose you either, but summer flings aren't permanent.
You were never a summer fling.”
I remember enjoying Kels and Denise Stone's debut novel, Water Under The Bridge, and I was very excited for the rest of the series. Our Scorching Summer is such a cute and fun book and the perfect read for the summer!
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and Lily and Nico served it so well. From the very first pages, you could feel the attraction and tension between them. Their banter was also very funny, and I loved all the moments they shared throughout their summer together, especially the matching tattoo one. Lily and Nico are endearing characters, and their individual development is amazing to follow! Nico loves to travel the world and doesn't want to settle down. But he is going to fall hard for Lily and could do anything for her. He is also so patient and caring with her. The perfect book boyfriend!! As for Lily, she struggles to find her place in life and secretly writes under a pen name. During her summer with Nico, she gained confidence and faced her fears and insecurities from a previous relationship.
Lily and Nico are soulmates, and I loved their book so much 🫶🫶 They were also a lot of cute AveryLuca crumbs, which reminded me how much I enjoyed their book too. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next in this series, especially with what was teased in the epilogue 👀
*ARC kindly provided by the authors and Between The Sheets Publishing in exchange for an honest review
September 7, 2023
4.5 stars!
[ friends w/ benefits to lovers | reformed playboy x playgirl | summer romance | he falls first & harder | multimillionaire | lots of traveling ]
This was the PERFECT summer romance that I needed in my life! As a self-certified black cat x golden retriever + guy falls first + summer romance enthusiast, I very much enjoyed this book 🧡
Lily & Nico’s summer travel romance was everything I wanted and more! And Lily was truly living THE DREAM because who else doesn’t want a hot, obsessed-with-you, multimillionaire travel companion who spoils the heck out of you?! 😭 Nico really had me swooning so hard throughout the whole book.
Something I loved so much about this book was how real and vulnerable it was. Lily & Nico felt like real characters with flaws working through relatable struggles — seriously, it’ll hurt if I try to explain how much I related to Lily 😅 But what’s even better is that they acknowledge their issues and learn from their mistakes. The growth and communication I saw between Lily & Nico took their romance and this book to another level. It was beautiful to watch them overcome their fears together and work towards something lasting beyond the summer 🫶
All-in-all, this book was an incredibly fun summer rom-com with healthy communication and hot spice! Basically, everything you could ever want in a summer romance. I highly recommend Lily & Nico’s story if you’re ever craving a summer read 💛
[ friends w/ benefits to lovers | reformed playboy x playgirl | summer romance | he falls first & harder | multimillionaire | lots of traveling ]
This was the PERFECT summer romance that I needed in my life! As a self-certified black cat x golden retriever + guy falls first + summer romance enthusiast, I very much enjoyed this book 🧡
Lily & Nico’s summer travel romance was everything I wanted and more! And Lily was truly living THE DREAM because who else doesn’t want a hot, obsessed-with-you, multimillionaire travel companion who spoils the heck out of you?! 😭 Nico really had me swooning so hard throughout the whole book.
Something I loved so much about this book was how real and vulnerable it was. Lily & Nico felt like real characters with flaws working through relatable struggles — seriously, it’ll hurt if I try to explain how much I related to Lily 😅 But what’s even better is that they acknowledge their issues and learn from their mistakes. The growth and communication I saw between Lily & Nico took their romance and this book to another level. It was beautiful to watch them overcome their fears together and work towards something lasting beyond the summer 🫶
All-in-all, this book was an incredibly fun summer rom-com with healthy communication and hot spice! Basically, everything you could ever want in a summer romance. I highly recommend Lily & Nico’s story if you’re ever craving a summer read 💛
May 11, 2023
"you're the most important thing to ever happen to me, princesa"
I was very excited for this book since reading WUTB because it was an amazing debut last year. Nico and Lily had been one of my most anticipated reads. Let me tell you, it was the perfect read in preparation for the summer. Nico & Lily's story is full of warmth, summer feels, friendship bracelets, lots of swoon worthy moments, and princesa moments. Read it, this book sets the mood for a perfect summer this year.
Nico has been my man since day one. I loved his easy going aura since he first made his appearance in WUTB. He's just perfect in my opinion. Not only does he use one of my favorite nicknames (princesa is just unmatched), but he's also every girls dream. However, dont be fool with his easy going persona, because there's so much more to him and I loved him. Nico just know what he wants and goes for it without asking for permission--as he should. Lily lily lily!!! I liked Lily's character a lot. She's relatable in so many ways, and in this adventure you'll see why. Lily's doubts and fears are honestly so understandable and seeing her come to terms with this by the end of the book was the journey. Together, Nico & Lily are perfect! I just loved how their friendship develops. Kels & Denise did a good job taking us on this adventure and journey.
I was very excited for this book since reading WUTB because it was an amazing debut last year. Nico and Lily had been one of my most anticipated reads. Let me tell you, it was the perfect read in preparation for the summer. Nico & Lily's story is full of warmth, summer feels, friendship bracelets, lots of swoon worthy moments, and princesa moments. Read it, this book sets the mood for a perfect summer this year.
Nico has been my man since day one. I loved his easy going aura since he first made his appearance in WUTB. He's just perfect in my opinion. Not only does he use one of my favorite nicknames (princesa is just unmatched), but he's also every girls dream. However, dont be fool with his easy going persona, because there's so much more to him and I loved him. Nico just know what he wants and goes for it without asking for permission--as he should. Lily lily lily!!! I liked Lily's character a lot. She's relatable in so many ways, and in this adventure you'll see why. Lily's doubts and fears are honestly so understandable and seeing her come to terms with this by the end of the book was the journey. Together, Nico & Lily are perfect! I just loved how their friendship develops. Kels & Denise did a good job taking us on this adventure and journey.
November 24, 2023
This was such a fun, feel-good romance.
I adored the characters especially Nico.
Nico and Lily's conversations brought a smile to my face.
My only complaint is that the third act breakup was unnecessary and I felt annoyed with Lily for pushing Nico away. This book also could've been a little bit shorter. The conflict felt a little dragged out. But other than that I enjoyed the book so much!
I adored the characters especially Nico.
Nico and Lily's conversations brought a smile to my face.
My only complaint is that the third act breakup was unnecessary and I felt annoyed with Lily for pushing Nico away. This book also could've been a little bit shorter. The conflict felt a little dragged out. But other than that I enjoyed the book so much!
October 19, 2023
wow!! i’m so in love with this book, i haven’t stopped smiling!! i was non stop kicking my feet and giggling while reading. it was such a perfect book to help me get out of my *little* reading slump!
lily and nico were such fun characters!! i love their dynamic so much but omg the spice !!! it was SO good 🤭🤭🤭
lily and nico were such fun characters!! i love their dynamic so much but omg the spice !!! it was SO good 🤭🤭🤭
July 25, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you so much Kels and Denise for sending me an ARC of Our Scorching Summer in exchange for an honest review.
Ok what DOESN’T this book have?
Two players fighting to keep their hands off one another? Check.
Funny bits that had me CHORTLING at how funny they were? Check.
Spicy spicy SPICY scenes? CHECK!
Idk how they do it, but this series gets better with each book! I can’t wait for book 3!
Thank you so much Kels and Denise for sending me an ARC of Our Scorching Summer in exchange for an honest review.
Ok what DOESN’T this book have?
Two players fighting to keep their hands off one another? Check.
Funny bits that had me CHORTLING at how funny they were? Check.
Spicy spicy SPICY scenes? CHECK!
Idk how they do it, but this series gets better with each book! I can’t wait for book 3!
April 20, 2023
(ARC REVIEW)
i firmly believe that kels & denise can do no wrong. i was fortunate enough to receive an arc copy of our scorching summer & BOY OH BOY did they deliver. i am water under the bridge’s #1 fan, i absolutely ADORED luca and avery, so being able to read lily and nico’s story before it’s released is the best thing ever :,)
i loved this. LOVED IT. K&D do an incredible job at creating extremely relatable, realistic, & charming characters.
first, lily rodin. i loved the bits of her we got in WUTB, but i absolutely adore her even more now. she is extremely real, so authentic & genuine. she’s headstrong, anxious, confident but insecure in her own ways. she has trust issues, she’s witty & sarcastic, she’s smart, loving, and fearless but fearful as well. i saw a lot of myself in lily, it made me feel safe and seen.
second, nico navarro. oh my swoony. be still my beating heart. i LOVED nico, absolutely adored him. he, just like lily, is extremely authentic & genuine. he’s carefree (to a fault sometimes) , generous, witty, smart, unbelievably charming. he lives in the moment, it’s a sentiment that his character pushes throughout the book & i loved having that lil reminder to enjoy the moment i’m in, worry about the future later. he’s fun, loving, and he adds this layer of sunshine to the story. i also saw a lot of myself in nico, specifically his carefree nature, his time blindness lmao, & his passion to do something he loves.
i absolutely LOVED lico’s story. it’s a friends with benefits, forced proximity, guy falls first, travel romance. their chemistry was palpable, the smut was SO good. it was only elevated by the overwhelmingly charming & charismatic personality that lily & nico have. the end was so lovely, i adored the way it turned out for both of them individually & together. it made me happy to see the changes both these characters made for themselves, to then be better for each other. it was so fun getting to be on this adventure with both of them & to witness lico come to life 🩷
thank you again to kels and denise for giving me the opportunity to read this, it was so lovely & i will be talking about it forever. 5 stars isn’t enough!!!
i firmly believe that kels & denise can do no wrong. i was fortunate enough to receive an arc copy of our scorching summer & BOY OH BOY did they deliver. i am water under the bridge’s #1 fan, i absolutely ADORED luca and avery, so being able to read lily and nico’s story before it’s released is the best thing ever :,)
i loved this. LOVED IT. K&D do an incredible job at creating extremely relatable, realistic, & charming characters.
first, lily rodin. i loved the bits of her we got in WUTB, but i absolutely adore her even more now. she is extremely real, so authentic & genuine. she’s headstrong, anxious, confident but insecure in her own ways. she has trust issues, she’s witty & sarcastic, she’s smart, loving, and fearless but fearful as well. i saw a lot of myself in lily, it made me feel safe and seen.
second, nico navarro. oh my swoony. be still my beating heart. i LOVED nico, absolutely adored him. he, just like lily, is extremely authentic & genuine. he’s carefree (to a fault sometimes) , generous, witty, smart, unbelievably charming. he lives in the moment, it’s a sentiment that his character pushes throughout the book & i loved having that lil reminder to enjoy the moment i’m in, worry about the future later. he’s fun, loving, and he adds this layer of sunshine to the story. i also saw a lot of myself in nico, specifically his carefree nature, his time blindness lmao, & his passion to do something he loves.
i absolutely LOVED lico’s story. it’s a friends with benefits, forced proximity, guy falls first, travel romance. their chemistry was palpable, the smut was SO good. it was only elevated by the overwhelmingly charming & charismatic personality that lily & nico have. the end was so lovely, i adored the way it turned out for both of them individually & together. it made me happy to see the changes both these characters made for themselves, to then be better for each other. it was so fun getting to be on this adventure with both of them & to witness lico come to life 🩷
thank you again to kels and denise for giving me the opportunity to read this, it was so lovely & i will be talking about it forever. 5 stars isn’t enough!!!
June 20, 2023
''𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦''.
5/5⭐️
RELEASE DATE MAY 3RD🧡
It’s official. I’m in love with both of the Navarro brothers😩😩😩
This book was SO. GOOD!! I mean like it had everything - summer vibes, travelling, tension, great banter, adventures, spice & amazing characters.
After I read Water Under The Bridge, I immediately was looking forward to reading the second book, which is about Nico & Lily. Honestly the vibes in this book are immaculate. The relationship between Nico & Lily is everything. They’re obviously friends, but you can smell the sexual tension from miles away. Also I was eating up the banter. They complimented each other so well.
Of course, I loved Nico. He just gives such golden retriever vibes, he’s so cheeky, funny and adventurous. And Lily’s such a badass, strong & confident woman. She has tough exterior, but on the inside she’s just a girl that wants to love and be loved. And I loved seeing how Nico slowly broke through her walls, and made Lily believe in love again.
And I mean it is called our scorching summer so it was very hot🥵. Definitely a lot more than the first book. All I’m gonna say that the railing scene lives in my head rent free…
So if you’re looking for a book to add to your summer tbr, then this is definitely it.
5/5⭐️
RELEASE DATE MAY 3RD🧡
It’s official. I’m in love with both of the Navarro brothers😩😩😩
This book was SO. GOOD!! I mean like it had everything - summer vibes, travelling, tension, great banter, adventures, spice & amazing characters.
After I read Water Under The Bridge, I immediately was looking forward to reading the second book, which is about Nico & Lily. Honestly the vibes in this book are immaculate. The relationship between Nico & Lily is everything. They’re obviously friends, but you can smell the sexual tension from miles away. Also I was eating up the banter. They complimented each other so well.
Of course, I loved Nico. He just gives such golden retriever vibes, he’s so cheeky, funny and adventurous. And Lily’s such a badass, strong & confident woman. She has tough exterior, but on the inside she’s just a girl that wants to love and be loved. And I loved seeing how Nico slowly broke through her walls, and made Lily believe in love again.
And I mean it is called our scorching summer so it was very hot🥵. Definitely a lot more than the first book. All I’m gonna say that the railing scene lives in my head rent free…
So if you’re looking for a book to add to your summer tbr, then this is definitely it.
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