The Summer We Fell (The Summer Series Book 1)

4.4 | 13,025 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 09-06-2024

About this item

An Angsty, Second-Chance Forbidden Romance
Amazon Top 20 Bestseller
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.
TW: assault (off page)

I wanted to hate Luke Taylor. I did hate him. I just never hated him enough.

boyfriend's best friend, angst, second chance, boy obsessed, forced proximity

Top reviews from the United States

Amber K

Heart wrenching but amazing

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024

The Summer I Fell is a beautiful and heart wrenching story about two people who are truly meant to be with one another. Juliet and Luke true soulmates are were meant to be together but they met under difficult circumstances and had to fight and be patient until the time was right for their love to prosper. Juliet and Luke meet during the summer when Luke came to stay at his bed friends, Danny’s house. Danny is Juliet’s boyfriend and his parents have allowed Juliet to live in their house and be a part of their family after she experienced an extremely difficult home life. Juliet really likes Danny but is also afraid to ever break up with him in fear of his family kicking her out. Juliet and Danny’s mom have a strong bond that helps her through a lot of tough times but his mom still takes advantage of Juliet without ever realizing it. Juliet and Luke have instant chemistry and are both very curious of the other. Obviously, they can’t act on any of their feelings because neither of them would want to hurt Danny. But overtime, they realize where there true feelings lie and that they can’t live without one another.
This story is tough to read and many times and the sweet book you’ll ever read at other others. Seeing Juliet and Luke having to wait to be with one another when it’s blatantly obvious they are meant to be is tough but man their love story is something else.

FranJessca @ A Book Lovin Mama's Blog

3.5-stars: 'The Summer We Fell' by Elizabeth O'Roark

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024

The Summer We Fell is the first book in Elizabeth O’Roark’s The Summer series and the very first book I’ve read from this author. I’ve been meaning to read Elizabeth O’Roark’s books for a while, especially after seeing how much my IG friends loved them.

When I first heard about this book, I was a tad hesitant due to the tropes listed for it. One, in particular, was the Boyfriend’s Best Friend trope, which could hint at a forbidden storyline and possible cheating between the characters. However, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a chance, and I’m thrilled that I did. This was a heart wrenching story between two people who were actually meant to be together. Now, seven years later, they are back thanks to the foster mother who needs their help, and they are forced together. Hopefully, this time, things will work out between them.

I enjoyed the present and past time jumps that were told solely in Juliet’s POV and what happened between her and Luke. It explained so much about what happened between her and Luke and why Juliet was hesitant to come home after so long being away. Luke was her boyfriend’s best friend, and she always thought he hated her back then, but really, Luke was the only one who stood up for her when she was with her boyfriend, Danny, and his family, who took her in when her own family didn’t want her.

Juliet had a hard life back then, and she was thankful for Danny’s family, but it was apparent she didn’t fit in with them. I felt for her character, but there were times I found her annoying. It was the whole story of why she stuck with Danny and his family instead of finding her own happiness.

I loved Luke, even if he was described as a player, but here was a guy who stood up for Juliet at every turn, while her boyfriend didn’t. I was rooting for him and Juliet to be together. Yes, Juliet was with Danny in the past, and once you read the book, you’ll understand why she was always meant to be with Luke instead of Danny. I couldn’t stand Danny the whole time Juliet was with him. Luke is the reason I kept reading; otherwise there were times I was going to throw the book down.

This book does put you through an emotional rollercoaster, and Elizabeth definitely had me frustrated at times, but overall, this was a good book, and I give it 3.5 stars. I would have given it more, but I wasn’t a fan of Juliet most of the book. She made some decisions that just didn’t make sense at times, even in the present timeframes. Luke was the reason I enjoyed the book, and I’ll never forget his character.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series, and I’m glad I finally made time to read my first Elizabeth O’Roark book.

Audiobook Recommendation: If you enjoy listening to your books, then I highly recommend getting the audiobook of The Summer We Fell. The narrators, Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job bringing the characters and story to life. Samantha did most of the narration since it was told in Juliet’s POV, and Teddy narrated all the dialogue for the male characters (primary and secondary).

Elizabeth Christianson

There's heartache, there's angst and there's so much intensity!

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024

This was my first Elizabeth O'Roark book and I was so drawn into Luke's and Juliet's story that I just couldn't put this book down!!! There's heartache, there's angst and there's so much intensity between these characters that my heart broke right along with them. The dynamic between these two is powerful. I really enjoyed watching them stick up for each other as they learn how to care about one another. The whole "he's the one person that get's me and is on my side" vibe is strong in this book and really hit home for me.

This is a slow burn with a HEA although at times I was really wondering if it would be or not. Elizabeth's writing style is 10/10 and it's such a breath of fresh air these days to read a book by a really good author that can paint a story you don't want to put down. It's not a quick smutty read, but a really great story that will leave you thinking about the characters for years to come.

Kari

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024

3.5⭐️ // 1????️
•Boyfriend’s Best friend
•Second Chance
•Boy Obsessed
•Forced Proximity

Juliet is taken in by her boyfriend, Danny’s family. Danny is a pastors son, Juliet comes from a broken childhood. Juliet is living a comfortable life with Danny and his family until Danny’s friend, Luke, comes to stay with them for the summer and everything changes.

I am super torn on this one. It was good, but also made me mad that I had to wait until 80% for it to get to the “twist”. Which is why I gave it 3.5 stars. This book has a dual timeline which I enjoyed. The protection and love Luke has for Juliet while she continues to date Danny is remarkable. Danny is the good boy, pastors son, stays out of trouble and Luke would go to any length to protect Juliet. All in all this was a great story with angst and mystery. I was hooked after the first page and the short chapters helped make this a quick read. I would highly recommend!

Tori B.

Absolutely READ THIS BOOK!

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024

I’ve never fallen for a book so hard! It has me crying, laughing, and lusting for more. It is so well written and the plot is just amazing. For something that can be sad turn so blissfully beautiful at the same time is such a game changer for me. I don’t know how I ever get past this book not pining for more like it. It is definitely my number one favorite book!
I definitely recommend reading this and tell your friends to read it too!

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