The Summer We Fell

The Summer, Book 1

By: Elizabeth O'Roark

Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Teddy Hamilton

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Part coming-of-age and part second chance romance - THE SUMMER WE FELL is an emotional rollercoaster full of sacrifice, love and heartbreak. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Mia Sheridan.

He was my boyfriend's best friend-and the bane of my existence. I wanted to hate Luke Taylor. I did hate him. I just never hated him enough.

Now, a decade later, tragedy has brought us back to the place where it all happened-my best times, and my worst.

Our lives have changed, but that pull between us is just as strong as ever.

Only this time, it's more dangerous too.

©2023 Elizabeth O'Roark (P)2023 Hachette Audio UK

5 Homecoming Stars ⭐

5 Homecoming Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

I knew from the first chapter that I was a goner and would fall for this book, and fall hard. Never mind the fact that the narration and performance by Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton were superb; the entire story just melted my heart in a way that is very difficult to explain.

Juliet... was an utterly broken, poor sweet darling who is so incredibly hard and belittling to herself. She never allowed herself to be truly happy, punishing herself for being "bad." It was agonizing to read how Danny, Donna, and the Pastor seemed to walk over her so easily, and she would remain meek with a smile on her face. This perception caused her to take forever to realize that Luke’s disdain was not a commentary on her worth but on their actions.

I used to think I didn’t have any triggers; I mean, I read some of the darkest and most depraved books out there, with seriously blurred lines of what is acceptable. In many cases, those books often enter into realms of "this is messed up."

BUT, this is the book I battled to complete and then didn't want to finish because then it would be over, and I wouldn't be able to experience it for the first time again. I struggled with this story as I found myself in a constant state of sobbing my heart out. There are so many aspects of Juliet’s story mirrored in my past, and it was not something I was expecting to be faced with. Her self-deprecating, self-degrading, and defeated internal dialogue that I know I can’t judge her for because it sounds exactly like mine at times.

Juliet’s story meant so much to me, and while I might not be special or the only one who feels this way, there is a small aspect of her story we share. Yes, there were slight differences between them, and they might not have happened the same, but the underlying theme and underlying feeling we both felt were the same—the guilt and blame for situations that are not her fault but still carry the burden and blame as if it were. There is just something about a book that can validate and articulate all your insecurities in a way you have never been able to fully articulate yourself.

I love Luke. While he is very much a man of few words, when he does choose to speak, he does so with reason. He spent his life wanting the one thing he couldn't have, but that didn't stop him from fighting for it and standing up for Juliet when no one else would.

Overall, I do see some problems in this that not everyone would appreciate; there are heavy elements of actual and emotional cheating. We don't see much of Luke in the present, and when he does talk, his actions of wanting to be with Juliet and how they just fall into sleeping together didn't line up fully as there wasn't much build-up—he felt a bit distant to me, both as his older self and who he was in the past as they never seem to have a conversation, there is just distant pining.

But that lack of emotion is made up of all the emotions or emptiness that Juliet feels. So yes, I know some things could be better, and I know not everyone will love this. I, however, did because it was just what my heart needed to hear.

▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Boyfriends Best Friend
▶ Forbidden Love
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Celebrity Romance (Surfer and Singer)
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Found Family

The love line is not really developed

I totally didn't get when they fall inlivr, one minute she waits when he will go away, then he beat a few people for her and she kind of I love and than this is love of her life,