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rachel_jones03's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
abidavisf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
If I thought that The Summer I Saved You was emotional, I had no idea what was coming. The Summer You Found Me ripped my heart out. Part of me regrets reading it, purely because of the intense surge of emotions I am feeling right now, but I know that, in the long term, this book wasn’t just heartbreaking and raw, it was healing.
Kate is the bravest character I may have ever read. Her perseverance in the face of such tragedy is unbelievable. I spent so much of the last two days reading this book sobbing, with grief but also with frustration that she was met, at times, with such misunderstanding and, frankly, disrespect. It was, of course, obvious that she and Beck were meant to be together and that he understood her better than anyone, but even he was so blind to her sometimes. Case in point:when Kate didn’t want to visit baby Jane. Of course she didn’t. To tell her she was being ridiculous and rude was disgraceful, and I won’t forgive it.
I can’t pretend to fully empathise with Kate. Our similarities are minimal. My experiences do not touch what Kate’s character went through. However, to have a character who is able to name the feelings that I struggle with was therapeutic. It made me feel seen. I’m grateful, even if my heart aches.
As with the other Summer books, I wish that we’d had a bit more of a look into the male main character’s life before the story begins. In some ways, I feel like I knew everything I needed to know about Beck from The Summer I Saved You. His epilogue gave me a look into his heart that his chapters struggled to, and I wish he’d been more open and dug down a bit more deeply to reveal some more of himself throughout the book.
I’ve mentioned it a bunch, but my heart really does hurt after reading this book. I think I’ll take a break before diving into the next book in the series but, regardless, I truly loved this story. Seeing Kate finally receive the love she deserves was so satisfying, and I hope we get glimpses of her happy and free as the series develops.
A downside of note is that, in The Summer I Saved You, Caleb took us to Hannah’s grave, where we found out her middle name is “Jane” and she was born on October 24th. That detail is different in this book (no middle name, and a different date). There were a few continuity errors that I noticed in this book, mostly with timelines, but this was the most noticeable for me. Perhaps this is only obvious to me because I finished Caleb’s book yesterday, but facts about someone as vital to the story as Hannah deserve to flow accurately from one book to the other.
If child loss is triggering for you, please approach this book with caution. I surprised myself with how much my heart hurts right now.
Kate is the bravest character I may have ever read. Her perseverance in the face of such tragedy is unbelievable. I spent so much of the last two days reading this book sobbing, with grief but also with frustration that she was met, at times, with such misunderstanding and, frankly, disrespect. It was, of course, obvious that she and Beck were meant to be together and that he understood her better than anyone, but even he was so blind to her sometimes. Case in point:
I can’t pretend to fully empathise with Kate. Our similarities are minimal. My experiences do not touch what Kate’s character went through. However, to have a character who is able to name the feelings that I struggle with was therapeutic. It made me feel seen. I’m grateful, even if my heart aches.
As with the other Summer books, I wish that we’d had a bit more of a look into the male main character’s life before the story begins. In some ways, I feel like I knew everything I needed to know about Beck from The Summer I Saved You. His epilogue gave me a look into his heart that his chapters struggled to, and I wish he’d been more open and dug down a bit more deeply to reveal some more of himself throughout the book.
I’ve mentioned it a bunch, but my heart really does hurt after reading this book. I think I’ll take a break before diving into the next book in the series but, regardless, I truly loved this story. Seeing Kate finally receive the love she deserves was so satisfying, and I hope we get glimpses of her happy and free as the series develops.
A downside of note is that, in The Summer I Saved You, Caleb took us to Hannah’s grave, where we found out her middle name is “Jane” and she was born on October 24th. That detail is different in this book (no middle name, and a different date). There were a few continuity errors that I noticed in this book, mostly with timelines, but this was the most noticeable for me. Perhaps this is only obvious to me because I finished Caleb’s book yesterday, but facts about someone as vital to the story as Hannah deserve to flow accurately from one book to the other.
If child loss is triggering for you, please approach this book with caution. I surprised myself with how much my heart hurts right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, and Classism
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is one of those books that will simultaneously give you tummy ache but have you compulsively turning the page. Your heart will ache for Kate and Beck and you will equally be shouting dear god get out of your own way. Kate and Beck are good for each other they give each other softness and tough love when they need it most. I really enjoyed watching them heal and find themselves on top of their love story. This book will put you through it but I recommend it for fans of an angsty vibe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Pregnancy
lalaexni's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
laurencarolyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was very well written (as are all of Elizabeth O’Roarke’s books). I enjoyed it, but it was heavy. I am glad the FMC had the MMC, but there were times it was hard to root for the FMC and many times I felt she didn’t deserve him. She was dark and twisty in a way I can sadly relate to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, and Death of parent
koistyfishy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 Evil Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I've been contemplating how to review this book for a few days now, and ultimately, I believe the issue lies with me. I know that sounds cliché, very much like the classic "It's not you, it's me," but for once I am not being flippant and I genuinely mean it.
Let me elaborate... This book follows Kate and Beck. While technically it could be considered a standalone, I wouldn't advise doing so without reading book 2, as that one is HIGHLY connected to this in terms of plot, characters, and the foundation for what happens in "The Summer You Found Me." Basically, Kate has just come back to town after a year MIA, where she spent some of that time in rehab twice after she fell off the rails when she lost her baby girl. Her only mission is to get her husband back (CALEB - WHO GOT HIS HEA IN BOOK 2 with a NEW FMC). Finding herself with very few friends, she moves in with Beck - her ex-husband's best friend, who has also been secretly pining after Kate for years. It's only a secret for them and Caleb, as everyone else in the small town thinks they are a couple or should be.
Now, my main issue is that I don't like Kate. Her motivations are wrong, and she has a weak character (not in that she was weakly written - the opposite in fact) but in the way that she has no problem doing something she knows is problematic or bad, making an excuse that her actions are justified or validated by the end goal. While she recognizes this trait in herself, she doesn't do much to change it, and even though she goes through a redemption arc, it almost feels like it was done reluctantly or against her will as she realizes her goal for her actions is not something she actually wants.
This is where I find it difficult to judge the book because I ACTUALLY APPLAUD Elizabeth O'Roark, who made such a well-characterized character that made me hate her and her actions so much. It takes someone really talented to be able to do this, and I am still thinking about Kate, her actions, and how she made me feel. The thing is she was dealt an awful hand in life, and like many people who experience such trauma, she is not able to handle her grief with an appropriate coping mechanism so makes bad choices. She is extremely real and human and has so many faults. I wanted to help her; I wanted to climb in the book and slap some sense into her as she needed it, but I also don't think I would have been able to see myself as her friend - especially since she spends such a long time trying not to help herself on her quest for vengeance to win her husband back.
Beck - He was ok, I guess - most of the book is in Kate's POV, so we don't have too many scenes of him, and I almost wish there were more, as his love for her only felt impactful because we were told of their history and his actions for what he did before Kate lost the baby. I almost wished this had the dual timeline as "The Summer We Fell" so we would be able to actually see how these two had always loved each other but it was the wrong time and not just been told about it.
Overall, the writing is excellent and engaging, and the problem is entirely mine for not enjoying it, as I just had a problem with who Kate was - but I can't fault the book for that - I judge books based on my enjoyment, and because I didn't like Kate - in fact, might still hate her - I didn't enjoy this book as much as I think I would have if I just felt more connected to her.
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ It's always been you
▶ Ex's Best Friend
▶ Forbidden Love
▶ Roommates to Lovers
▶ Angsty and Emotional
▶ Forced Proximity
All in all, I definitely still recommend this book and series - it is an emotional ride with angst and pining and beautifully captures the flaws we have as humans.
Thank you Valentine PR and Elizabeth O'Roark for my ARC gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I've been contemplating how to review this book for a few days now, and ultimately, I believe the issue lies with me. I know that sounds cliché, very much like the classic "It's not you, it's me," but for once I am not being flippant and I genuinely mean it.
Let me elaborate... This book follows Kate and Beck. While technically it could be considered a standalone, I wouldn't advise doing so without reading book 2, as that one is HIGHLY connected to this in terms of plot, characters, and the foundation for what happens in "The Summer You Found Me." Basically, Kate has just come back to town after a year MIA, where she spent some of that time in rehab twice after she fell off the rails when she lost her baby girl. Her only mission is to get her husband back (CALEB - WHO GOT HIS HEA IN BOOK 2 with a NEW FMC). Finding herself with very few friends, she moves in with Beck - her ex-husband's best friend, who has also been secretly pining after Kate for years. It's only a secret for them and Caleb, as everyone else in the small town thinks they are a couple or should be.
Now, my main issue is that I don't like Kate. Her motivations are wrong, and she has a weak character (not in that she was weakly written - the opposite in fact) but in the way that she has no problem doing something she knows is problematic or bad, making an excuse that her actions are justified or validated by the end goal. While she recognizes this trait in herself, she doesn't do much to change it, and even though she goes through a redemption arc, it almost feels like it was done reluctantly or against her will as she realizes her goal for her actions is not something she actually wants.
This is where I find it difficult to judge the book because I ACTUALLY APPLAUD Elizabeth O'Roark, who made such a well-characterized character that made me hate her and her actions so much. It takes someone really talented to be able to do this, and I am still thinking about Kate, her actions, and how she made me feel. The thing is she was dealt an awful hand in life, and like many people who experience such trauma, she is not able to handle her grief with an appropriate coping mechanism so makes bad choices. She is extremely real and human and has so many faults. I wanted to help her; I wanted to climb in the book and slap some sense into her as she needed it, but I also don't think I would have been able to see myself as her friend - especially since she spends such a long time trying not to help herself on her quest for vengeance to win her husband back.
Beck - He was ok, I guess - most of the book is in Kate's POV, so we don't have too many scenes of him, and I almost wish there were more, as his love for her only felt impactful because we were told of their history and his actions for what he did before Kate lost the baby. I almost wished this had the dual timeline as "The Summer We Fell" so we would be able to actually see how these two had always loved each other but it was the wrong time and not just been told about it.
Overall, the writing is excellent and engaging, and the problem is entirely mine for not enjoying it, as I just had a problem with who Kate was - but I can't fault the book for that - I judge books based on my enjoyment, and because I didn't like Kate - in fact, might still hate her - I didn't enjoy this book as much as I think I would have if I just felt more connected to her.
Trope Summary:
▶ Dual POV
▶ It's always been you
▶ Ex's Best Friend
▶ Forbidden Love
▶ Roommates to Lovers
▶ Angsty and Emotional
▶ Forced Proximity
All in all, I definitely still recommend this book and series - it is an emotional ride with angst and pining and beautifully captures the flaws we have as humans.
Thank you Valentine PR and Elizabeth O'Roark for my ARC gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
erinrachelreads's review against another edition
4.5
Oooof another excellent but heavy and angsty romance from Elizabeth. This had me sobbing on numerous occasions and I would advise everyone to take note of the content warnings.
At its core this one is about healing after loss and though it’s difficult at times I loved seeing that journey for Kate and Beck.
At its core this one is about healing after loss and though it’s difficult at times I loved seeing that journey for Kate and Beck.
After Caleb’s story, I knew it might be difficult to root for Kate as she tries to get her husband back but though I wasn’t rooting for her to succeed with her plan, I was rooting for her happiness as she overcomes and learns to live with her grief.
I loved seeing Kate find someone who loves her for who she is, not someone trying to tamp down who she is at her core. I loved Beck being that support for Kate that she needed but that she was also that support for him – seeing what makes him happy and finding solutions and possibilities for him.
I also loved that Kate found true friendships in this, something she had been sorely lacking in her life and she deserved to have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual harassment