The Summer I Destroyed You: The Summer Series, Book 4 (Unabridged‪)‬

TSIDY is the 4th book in The Summer Series, but can be read as a stand alone. Wow, what did I just read? I have loved this series but this story right here might have been the best one yet. It sucked me in from the beginning. We have a sassy and super successful heroine, Emmy, who is going back home but with other motives. And, we have Liam a contractor, who is trying to save the town he lives in. From the start the push, pull, the banter, the sass and sexiness, the angst, and the roller coaster ride of emotions was just so well written. The story does carry some heavier themes such as abuse, bullies, and abandonment. My heart broke for Emmy as she endures some of these issues. But, I loved how slowly but surely Liam showed her things could be different. He was supportive and protective of her. You see the slow burn, but then the heat that comes from it. Wowzers, I loved these two. They were the perfect storm. The complexity of these characters just had me flipping the pages. They had a lot of hurdles to cross, but I love that they crossed them together. Great Read.

Emmy did nottt have it easy as a kid, and we can see how it has affected her mindset as an adult. I really liked seeing Liam work her out of these negative mindsets (to the best of his ability of course). These two together had me smiling, even when I wanted to tear up, and I was rooting for them every step of the way! And the flashbacks…. UGH… the worst 🥲

The Summer I Destroyed You’s audiobook was absolutely elite. Samantha Brentmoor and JF Harding in duet style was simply magic to my ears. I have no notes, this was perfection. Highly recommend it if you’re looking to read this story!

5🌟 1.5🌶️

“What word would you use for a woman who’s awful and trying to destroy everything you care about, but who you also are more than a little obsessed with?”

“Nemesis or future wife, it could go either way.”

I have not found one book by Elizabeth that I have not loved. The newest book in the Summer series is no exception. This series is amazing and one of my favorites. I personally feel like everyone should read this series. Elizabeth writes angst in a way that’s entirely consuming. It’s in a league of its own. It’s unmatched. I fall in love every. single. time. Without a doubt. Her writing is just so beautiful and everything you read is so visual, like a movie playing out your head. It’s magical. I love this coastal town. I love these characters and I’m always so happy to come back every time with a new story.

Liam has that quiet and sexy confidence in himself, and in his body. I find that unbelievably attractive in a man. He has the patience of a saint and gives Emmy her space while also demanding she be honest with her true feelings. He defends her when anyone says things about her, physically and verbally, he’s not shy about. He’s disgusted with how she was treated in her past and wishes he could’ve been there to defend her. I loved Liam so much. 🥰

“She’s right, you know, my mom? You like me the way I am now. You wouldn’t look at me twice if I gained all that weight back?”

“Try me, Emmy. Regain every pound. Because there’s a long list of things about you I adore, and your weight has never, ever been on there. I was crazy about you before I’d ever even seen your face.”

Emmy is extremely closed off and refuses to let anyone in. Has built a suit of armor around herself from her past. Has an AWFUL mother and brother who make her feel like the dirt on their shoe. Liam starts breaking down her walls with his persistence, and she blossoms into someone she never expected to be or like.

“I’ve accidentally fallen for a guy who can’t stand to see me hurt, who wants to erase every ache and pain.”

I resonated with Emmy as a woman who has always struggled with their weight and image and how others see me. I grew up getting similar insults in school about my weight, was bullied for wearing glasses on top of that. I never ever had confidence in that and my mother never inspired me to love myself or my body. Reading those moments was difficult for me, but it also made me see things from a different perspective and I truly appreciated that.

The narration for this series is always so good, Samantha Brentmoor and JF Harding narrated this in duet, and they both brought so much to this story with their voices and their portrayal of their characters. It’s just so good and I will forever recommend the audio’s for this series. 🫶🏼

I really do highly recommend this series. It’s a favorite of mine. Can’t wait for Harrison’s book next. 🤭