Review ~ Sinfully Summer - Aimee Duffy

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 20th June 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins UK (HarperImpulse)

Description:

SUN, SEA AND SCANDAL

Notorious heiress Alexa Green has certainly been enjoying her most recent girls-holiday in Marbella. Just as we thought, she’s been knocking back the cocktails and showing off her fabulous bikini body on the beach… but rumour has it she’s also been spotted sneaking out of Enrique Castillo’s penthouse in the early hours of this morning – in nothing but her underwear! Our question is, doesn’t this fiercely private billionaire know what he’s letting himself in for?

He’s got the millions… and she knows how to spend them! So lie back on your sun lounger and get comfortable, because this summer fling is going to be a sizzler!

My Opinion

A great summer read! This book was fun, engaging and full of emotion. It took me on an emotional roller-coaster where parts had me laughing and others sympathising for the characters. I spent the whole day reading this in the sun and it held my interest the whole way through.

The reader gets thrown straight into the all girls holiday Alexa is on and picks up when they are daring each other to do wild things. I must admit I was slightly confused due to the rapid start as we didn't get any introductions but the action put a smile on my face so that I brushed over that fact until it became clear. I loved how the girls were carefree and fun loving, they were likable, relatable and easy to connect with because of this. I especially loved it when Ric was introduced, I just couldn't stop smiling while reading it due to the awkward situation. It was believable and the action was described brilliantly so the reader could visualise and relate to it.

Alexa was a great female lead, she was strong, carefree and stubborn yet she had a vulnerable side due to the problems in her family which made her easy to like and connect with. Her wild streak always got her caught in the press and instead of living off her family's money she wanted to get rid of her trust fund. If anything it was her father's values that made her rebel and pull away, which was a nice change from snobby, rich kids. 

Throughout the book she developed really well. I think my favourite part was at the water park as both her and Ric were so relaxed. It was the section that made me laugh most. As well as this, her witty, stubborn reaction to Ric as he becomes more demanding after the initial ultimatum were entertaining.

The connection between Alexa and Ric was great too. I enjoyed the teasing and could relate to it well, it was just sweet and engaging. It made you fall in love with Ric when he was open and like Alexa, his development was nice to follow. The conflict between the two was interesting and I liked how although there was instant attraction, Duffy didn't have them jumping straight at each other in a whirlwind romance. It wasn't a prolonged romance but I liked how the suspense of when they were actually going to get together was extended. It kept me turning pages and hoping for the best.

One thing I wasn't so keen on was the 3rd person narrative. I enjoyed hearing both points of view, especially when they weren't together or something dramatic had happened but personally the transition between the two were a bit abrupt and didn't flow as well as I would have liked. Sometimes it felt a bit stop and start and I would have preferred a line break in between each to visually show the separation. As well as this the only other thing was Ric. He did become slightly repetitive with his excuses for not being with Alexa and after a while it did become slightly irritating due to the amount of times it was repeated.

However, overall Sinfully Summer was a quick, feel good read that keeps you hooked all the way through with its drama, passion and sweet romance. There are some sensitive issues which are dealt with sensitively and brilliantly and it added realism to a believable and engaging book. I would strongly recommend this book either to chill out with or take on holiday - you will not be disappointed!

4.5