He swore to never come back. She promised to hold him to his word.After years of living the life his oppressive parents wanted for him, Cameron Blake is ready to pursue his dreams of being a reclusive artist. Pleasing the faithful baseball fans of the New York Emperors has been rewarding, but now all he wants is peace and quiet. That and an irreversible vasectomy. Because there’s no way he’s … way he’s passing on the heavy burden of the Blake genes to an innocent child. But Cameron never gets what he wants. Ever.
The last thing Adrianna Arenas needs is for her ex to slide back into her life. Not when she can throw a nine-year-old curve ball that will change his game. Not when his father could tear her world apart with a simple phone call. Especially not when, despite everything that stands between them, her insides go wild when Cameron walks into a room. But Adri never gets to keep things the way she needs them. Ever.
After ten years, fate brings Cameron face-to-face with Adrianna, the woman he never forgot, and the little girl that ties them forever.
It all goes back to the secrets, jealousy, and heartache that destroyed the magical summer when they loved each other madly, broke each other’s hearts, and changed each other’s lives.
Read this second chance romance and find out if Adri and Cam’s story goes on the win column for love.
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“The Summer I Loved You” is a very emotional, angsty, second chance romance between two characters, Adriana and Cameron that have been through, what I consider “hell”, both together when they were younger and then separate as a decade passes by and then when they reconnect, that’s a whole other drama because it’s not just about them but about the safety, both mental and emotional of their daughter, Bron, who Cameron had no idea existed and he was always adamant of never having kids… as you read this story, you’ll be able to somewhat understand Cameron’s reasons as to why he never wanted kids…
This was one of the best reads I’ve read this entire month, no joke and it’s actually my first time reading this author’s work, and I have to give the author props because it was well written, you could feel every single emotion that not only the main characters, Adriana aka Adri and Cameron were feeling but also the secondary characters as well. This story was so profound in its plot, that the story-line easily flowed and continued to captivate my attention and I just couldn’t pull away from my kindle ever since it appeared in it.
There are so many obstacles to overcome, so many feelings left unsaid, so many emotions running high, that of course, there will be some misunderstandings, miscommunications, some bad people plotting against our beloved hero and heroine and their family but in this story, the hero, and the heroine are both strong, so strong; you’ll see the truth to my words when you read this story.
While I was reading towards the ending, there were some heart-stopping as well as heart-breaking scenes that made me cry and scream in frustration but at the end, everything worked out how it should be and somehow it was bittersweet to me because it means that its the end but at the same I’m so happy for Adriana and her Cameron along with their adorable but very intelligent and inquisitive daughter, Bron and most importantly, their family is FINALLY together after so many years apart; They didn’t let all the malicious obstacles/people that were in their way win and Cameron with his Adri by his side, along with their sassy daughter reached with wide, open arms their well deserved happily ever after
Such a great story. Beautifully written. Would tell anyone to read the book that loves a good romance.
The Summer I Loved You. J.L Lora
“ ’ ℎ . .“
This was the first book I’ve read from this author and I was 100% drawn in by the cover and the blurb (yes, I’m that kind of a reader- sometimes).
There was so much going on in this book and I found myself so captivated but the plot. It’s written in the 3rd person and I struggled at times to focus on the story itself, but that’s on me- I personally prefer a dual first person POV.
This is a second chance romance, spanning 10 years to the summer it all began until Cam and Adri are reunited by an unexpected encounter (and their common bond)- their 9 year old daughter who has her mothers sassiness and father’s artistic flair. At times I felt like Cam and Adri gave me whiplash with their quick tempers and impulsive behaviours, but they were able to get past this.
I loved the secondary characters- Bron, Chase, Lux, and Lo. They really added so much fun and spark to the story.
Overall this is a well written story with a very engaging plot, I wasn’t emotional moved as I would have hoped but there was a some angsty parts that got me in all the feels!
I felt like the story was left unfinished and would have loved an epilogue. Like what happened to Diego and Frida and what was that about Elias? … I’m left curious with the books to follow and will certainly read from this author again.
ℎ .
4 Summer Filled Passionate Stars.
They should have been together, but allowed others to tear them apart. When a chance presents itself, can they right the wrongs of the past so they’ll have a chance at a future? To do so each will have to face painful truths, survive heartbreaking secrets and get through the ultimate betrayal. The Summer I Loved You gives young love a new beginning. Will they stay the course? Or will pride get in the way? Cam and Adri were too young to know better, now they are too old to forget, but can they forgive? Lora has a stranglehold on the heart that will break, inspire and entrance, even as it leaves you craving more. What an introduction to a talented author. (4.5 stars)
In a bit of a departure from her darker “The Trinity” series, JL Lora knocks it out of the park with her latest, a steamy first-in-series contemporary romance about a retired baseball player, the woman he’s never forgotten, and the child that binds them. After a successful career in the big leagues, sexy Cam exchanged his glove for a paint brush. Now a celebrated artist, he has almost everything he wants. Until his life is upended when a precocious little girl shows up at one of his art shows, setting into motion a series of events that brings his one true love back into his life. It could be another chance for them, but the secrets Adriana is keeping threaten more than just their second chance — they could destroy their entire world.
Like the mob boss heroines of The Trinity, Adri is a strong, complex character with a steel shell hiding a soft and generous heart. I love that she owns her own business and doesn’t actually need Cam for anything. He doesn’t need to “save” her, though they do eventually rescue each other. I have a huge crush on Cam. He’s just so yummy! But it’s the little girl who steals the plot. She reminds me of my own wiser-than-her-years daughter. It’s a great summer read, with a bit of a dark twist to keep it from becoming too sentimental. Definitely pack this for your next trip.
This book would be better without explicite sex. Not necessary for story.
After reading JL Lora’s Trinity Series, I knew I was in for a story that draws me in with well-developed characters I’d love and lots of emotion. “The Summer I Loved You” was all of that.
I’m a sucker for second-chance romance and strong heroines who don’t “need” a man but Adri and Cam, sigh–you just know they are meant to be together and pull for them to battle through their hell, holding your breath waiting for their HEA.
Great book about first loves
He has incredibly horrible parents. What they have done to his life … and hers … mindboggling. How it all sorts out to the happily ever after is a really good read.
Spiced up action and romance. Great characters, even the father who made a pretty decent antagonist. Side characters were interesting too. I immediately searched for the brother’s romance only to find it’s not yet been released.
Great characters, entertaining story line with a few twists and turns along the way!
Hot hot hot
Good story line.
True love endures against interfering parents.
Grabbed me from the word go. Could relate to the characters and loved the different personalities. Every twist and turn was so unexpectetant but worthwhile reading to the end. Top of my reading list.
Good read
I really liked the book, Adrianna got on my nerves with all the back and forth but she came to her senses.Overall I really enjoyed the book and I’m looking forward to reading the others.
This was the 1st book I’ve read from J.L. Lora ,,,,,
Adriana Hayes is a single mother to Bronwyn Alyxandra Arenas, (Arenas being her mother’s maiden name)born April 7, 2008 ,,,, Bron is a very talented young lady who loves to paint with a canvas and an easel ,,,, she also helps her mom Ari with the Bistro usually on the weekends , they come from Acacia Falls, MD,,,, Bron did the flower arrangements, the menus and place cards and other things that she knows how or is allowed to do,,,, some of the customers loved having Bron doing their placemats etc around the Bistro that Adriana named”Mi Tesoro” (my treasure) named after her greatest treasure, Bronwyn,,,, Adri’s best friend is Lauren and has been for quite some time now and since the baby daddy walked away from Adriana b4 he knew she was pregnant and Lauren has been with Adriana thru thick and thin, childbirth, sleepless nights from baby crying to whatever you can add ,,,, Lauren and Adri have been friends forever ,,, she is also Ariana’s 2nd in command in the bistro,,, she can do everything for Adriana, except the book work and Ledgers that Adriana can do remotely from anywhere ,,, So when Bron’s principal Ms Loraine Walker from La Salle Academy called and tells her Bron has ditched school ,,,, she really cannot believe where she was ,,,,, and whom she was with,,,,,
Cameron Blake is one of three children in his family,,,, his sister Luciana or her nickname Lux and his brother Chase ,,,,, along with his mother, Marilyn and father Walter whom live in New York ,,, the kids basically don’t have too much to do with their parents and Cam has actually scheduled a vasectomy for himself a day after he comes back from his trip ,,,, Cam is a retired MLB pitcher who has done well for himself,,,, he gives his parents both an allowance to leave him alone,,, But now, he is painting whenever he likes,,,, and now he is going to Goupil, one of the most prestigious gallery in North America, they are small but exclusive, when, in walks this 41/2 foot girl crowned by a mane of lovely honey brown curls with sharp green eyes and wore a long sleeved shirt that has an image of Frida Kahlo’s painting of “The Two Fridas”,,,,, her name is Bronwyn Alyxandra, her last name is Arenas,,,, this little girl looks just like his family and Arenas is his ex high school girlfriend, Adriana Hayes,,,, Cam is going to take her back where she belongs and have very lengthy chat with his mother ,,,,,
I really enjoyed walking in J.L. Lora’s world ,,,, I enjoyed the writing and it was an enjoyable story ,,,,, I would so totally recommend this book to anyone,,,, There was some action, adventure and some hot scenes in between the pages ,,,,I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
A fantastic second at love story. Cam and Adri were teenage lovers who were separated by a manipulative parent. When they meet ten years later there are a myriad of surprises to uncover. The author captures the essence of a love filled with plenty of angst as they sort through their mess. The characters are full bodied and interesting. Their daughter is a mischievous child who will capture your heart. They deal with lots of family drama and you also see what it is like to ha e siblings and friends you can count on. It is totally a book you could enjoy reading more than once.
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I received an Advanced Reader Copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. This book will have readers “all in” at the very beginning. It has it all – a torrid, secret love affair between to young people that by society’s standards should not be together. Unfortunately both have really bad tempers which turns out to be their downfall. Cameron Blake, a pro baseball player turned artist vowed to never step foot anywhere near his hometown but the promise of a gallery showing in one the most prestigious galleries in the world is the only thing that can lure him back.
He runs into a little girl that will change his life and send him on the greatest adventure of his life. Adrianna is a happy mother and the owner of a restaurant. She has done well for herself and takes the care of her daughter as her utmost priority. Can Cam and Adri see eye to eye long enough to make a happy home for Bron? Can they wade through the secrets to get to the love that has never diminished?
This book has a lot of twists and unexpected turns that makes is quite enjoyable. This author can make you become vested in her characters. I truly enjoyed this book. On to Book 2. I can’t wait.