❤️ What I liked

• Exceptional chemistry: Skye and Dominic’s attraction is intense, but their connection also develops outside the bedroom.
• The forbidden setup works: The best friend’s dad trope creates genuine emotional stakes rather than being just a gimmick.
• Strong character growth: Skye becomes more confident in both her identity and her sexuality, while Dominic has to confront his need for control.
• Good balance of plot and spice: Several readers specifically praised the fact that there is more to the book than its steamy scenes.
• Fun supporting cast: Skye and Harper’s friendship adds another emotional layer to the story.

😕 What didn’t work

• The plot can feel rushed in places.
• Some scenes and attraction beats become repetitive.
• The final section doesn’t always give major emotional developments enough room to breathe.
• If you’re a plot-first reader, the heavy emphasis on romance and spice may feel uneven.

One reader’s main criticism was exactly this combination of a rushed plot and repetition, while another enjoyed the book overall but felt the ending lacked emotional payoff.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Characters

Skye — ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
She’s young but surprisingly mature, with substantial family responsibilities. Her journey toward confidence, artistic identity, and sexual autonomy gives her more depth than the premise might suggest.

Dominic — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A commanding, wealthy, possessive older hero who is very much a Dom. His softer side emerges as his feelings for Skye deepen, creating a nice contrast between his controlling nature and genuine emotional vulnerability.

Harper & the supporting cast — ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Harper isn’t simply a plot obstacle. Her friendship with Skye makes the forbidden relationship considerably more complicated and emotionally meaningful.

🔥 Romance & Chemistry Analysis

Chemistry: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the book’s strongest element.

Skye and Dominic have immediate attraction, but the tension comes from their attempts to resist it because of Harper. Their relationship gradually develops from physical attraction into something emotionally significant.

The power dynamic is also central: Dominic is naturally dominant, while Skye discovers that she enjoys a submissive role. Importantly, readers noted that Dominic doesn’t simply rush her into things; their dynamic develops as Skye explores her own boundaries.

Best part: their compatibility isn’t portrayed as purely sexual—they also discover shared interests and an emotional connection.

🔥 Tropes

• Best friend’s dad
• Age gap
• Forbidden romance
• Forced proximity
• Possessive hero
• Dominant MMC
• Dom/sub
• Virgin heroine
• Sexual awakening
• Secret relationship
• Older man/younger woman
• Summer romance
• Forbidden attraction

The book is particularly trope-heavy if you’re a fan of taboo/forbidden age-gap romance.

🌶️ Spice & Content Guide

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is high-spice romance.

Expect:

• Explicit sexual content
• BDSM/Dom-sub dynamics
• Commands and power exchange
• Possessive/controlling behavior
• Virginity/first-time themes
• Sexual exploration
• Secret encounters
• Strong sexual tension

The premise itself involves Skye auctioning her virginity to help her family financially, so sexual themes are deeply integrated into the story.

Content considerations: family financial hardship, parental abandonment, financial desperation, sexual themes, and significant age/power differences.

⏱️ Pacing & Writing

Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s an easy, bingeable read. The forbidden attraction keeps the story moving, and the chemistry makes it difficult to put down.

However, the book occasionally prioritizes romantic momentum over slower plot development. The ending in particular moves quickly.

Writing: accessible, dialogue-driven, emotional, and heavily focused on romantic tension.

Overall: fast and addictive, but occasionally rushed.

🔚 Ending — Spoiler-Free

⭐ 4/5

The ending is satisfying overall, but it isn’t quite as emotionally developed as the rest of the book.

The main issue is that some events are compressed through time jumps, meaning certain developments happen without as much emotional payoff as readers might want.

The upside is that the book is positioned as the beginning of an interconnected series, and the supporting characters leave plenty of room for future stories.

💕 Who should read it?

Pick this up if you love:

• 🔥 High-spice romance
• 🚩 Possessive/dominant heroes
• 💋 Best friend’s dad
• ❤️ Age-gap romance
• 😈 Forbidden relationships
• 🏠 Forced proximity
• BDSM/Dom-sub dynamics
• Emotional connection alongside spice
• Fast, addictive romances
• Strong couple chemistry

Especially recommended if you enjoy Nicole Fox-style possessive romance but want a somewhat more contemporary/romantic feel.

🚫 Who might not enjoy it?

It may not work for you if you dislike:

• Large age gaps
• Best-friend’s-parent romances
• BDSM or submission
• Possessive/controlling heroes
• Virgin heroine tropes
• Very explicit romance
• Financial desperation as a plot device
• Relatively fast romantic development
• Rushed endings

📚 Books Similar to It

Birthday Girl — Penelope Douglas

Best friend’s dad + age gap + forbidden attraction. Closest match for the forbidden setup, although it’s more slow-burn.

Praise — Sara Cate

Age gap, taboo dynamics, dominant energy, and very high spice.

The Doctor — Nikki Sloane

Forbidden age-gap romance with a much heavier emphasis on erotic tension.

Credence — Penelope Douglas

Much darker and more taboo. Check content warnings first.

Your Dad Will Do — Katee Robert

Extremely explicit and much more erotica-forward, with the best-friend’s-dad fantasy taken to an extreme.

❓ FAQ

Is it dark romance?
Not exactly. It’s better categorized as spicy contemporary/forbidden romance with taboo and possessive elements.

Is Dominic possessive?
Yes. His dominant and possessive personality is a major part of the romance.

Is it slow burn?
It has substantial tension and resistance, but it’s not an extremely slow-burn romance.

Is it very spicy?
Yes. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Is there an emotional romance beyond the spice?
Yes. Readers repeatedly praised the emotional connection between Skye and Dominic and the character development.

How long is it?
The paperback is listed at 436 pages, while the digital edition is listed at 352 pages.

Is it part of a series?
It’s presented as the first book in an interconnected series.

🏆 Final Verdict

Final rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

The Summer We Lie is at its best when it’s focusing on Skye and Dominic—their forbidden attraction, emotional connection, and intense power dynamic. The plot isn’t quite as strong as the romance, and the ending could use more breathing room, but the chemistry makes the book highly addictive.

If your ideal romance is: best friend’s dad + huge age gap + possessive Dom + forbidden relationship + forced proximity + 5/5 spice — this is absolutely worth adding to your TBR. 🔥📖