Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas is a well-crafted tale that will keep you reading as you need to know the outcome. This story aptly epitomize the saying by Confucius, โโbefore you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two gravesโโ.An interesting cast of characters that helped to drive the plot. It was fun getting to know each of them. Their thoughts and the events that drove their actions stood out making it easy to connect to them. Cheating in no form is justifiable, but I understood why Kim ended up in Derekโs arms. I sympathized with her, even though I kept wondering why she stayed with a man who treated her with such contempt. Love between a man and a woman will burn hot, but if they do not nurture it would fizzle out. This was Kimโs experience.
Ben is manipulative and devious. He accuses Kim of cheating. His friends fed into his paranoia. It didnโt help that he was twenty-nine years older than her.
Derek a former soldier turned landscaper. He wants nothing to do with women, as he believes they are not worth the trouble, but Kim was a completely different ball game. One look, one taste and he was a goner. He could not get enough of her. It is true when they say forbidden fruit is rather tasty. However, tasting of the forbidden fruit may just prove fatal.
Daring Summer was an interesting and riveting read. I enjoyed the courtroom drama and loved how the events in that regard unfolded. It did not take long for me to figure out what Ben was planning for his wife and who assisted him. What had me on edge was learning if would get away with his diabolical plan.
The story delivered a perfect blend of romance and suspense. The story had depth and was well developed. I have to say though sometimes Derek and Kim were reckless in their meetings after they discovered what Ben had been planning. Why give the man more ammunition to work against them? SMH
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed this book. This is my first foray with the author and I had a good time
About Elyse Douglas
Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature. ย She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress, and a speech-language pathologist. ย She and her husband, Douglas Pennington, have completed numerous novels includingย The Other Side of Summer,ย The Summer Letters,ย The Christmas Eve Letter, Time Change, The Summer Diary, and The Christmas Diary.
โDouglas grew up in a family where music and astrology were second and third languages.ย He has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager, and an equities trader.ย He attended the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. Elyse and Douglas live in New York City.
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Great review and interview!
This sounds like a suspense filled courtroom drama! I like that you get to know the characters thoughts and what drove their actions. Ben sounds like a scary character!
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
Oh, I do love when books have court room drama scenes and it sounds like an interesting complicated romance, too.
Fun getting the author’s extra thoughts.
Great review!
Nice interview and book looks really good.
I always wonder how authors pick names for the characters in their books.
I’m intrigued thanks Nadene
yay that you had a good time with this one ans thanks for the interview!
I’ve not read this author – thanx for sharing this
Thanks for hosting Elyse Douglas! I am so glad you enjoyed ‘Daring Summer’!
Great review and interview this book looks and sounds really fantastic, I am glad you fully enjoyed the book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post and for putting this book on my radar.
Glad you enjoyed this read.
Terrific review! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks