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kaydanielsromance's review
5.0
The Taste of an Enemy delivered pure energy that leapt off the page in smoldering flames. Holly Renee consistently writes characters that I feel deep in my soul every single time.
Everyone in Clermont Bay knew that Carson and Allie were atomic bombs just waiting to explode, everyone but the two of them. Deny, deny, deny is the motto they both lived by...for years.
Carson's pent up rage and Allie's dismissive attitude made this couple's chemistry light up and too good to miss. Grab the popcorn and buckle up for the showdown. Enemies to lovers, especially when wrongdoing and past history is involved....YES, I was so there for that!
I will tell you that Holly gave these this couple the perfect recipe for their story. Whether you are familiar with Clermont Bay or not if enemies to lovers is your jam than The Taste of an Enemy was perfect.
Allie and Carson were friends, actually best friends once upon a time. Now Carson pretty much makes Allie's life miserable. However, when a dare goes too far and Carson and Allie end up spending time together, old feelings resurface, their friendship and memories shining through. Could it lead to more or will it end up hurting the bridge they've seem to built, burning everything to the ground?
The Taste of an Enemy is juicy with the perfect amount of angst and I can't wait to see what happens in the next part of the duet!!
Everyone in Clermont Bay knew that Carson and Allie were atomic bombs just waiting to explode, everyone but the two of them. Deny, deny, deny is the motto they both lived by...for years.
Carson's pent up rage and Allie's dismissive attitude made this couple's chemistry light up and too good to miss. Grab the popcorn and buckle up for the showdown. Enemies to lovers, especially when wrongdoing and past history is involved....YES, I was so there for that!
I will tell you that Holly gave these this couple the perfect recipe for their story. Whether you are familiar with Clermont Bay or not if enemies to lovers is your jam than The Taste of an Enemy was perfect.
Allie and Carson were friends, actually best friends once upon a time. Now Carson pretty much makes Allie's life miserable. However, when a dare goes too far and Carson and Allie end up spending time together, old feelings resurface, their friendship and memories shining through. Could it lead to more or will it end up hurting the bridge they've seem to built, burning everything to the ground?
The Taste of an Enemy is juicy with the perfect amount of angst and I can't wait to see what happens in the next part of the duet!!
karly_rose_reads's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Holly Renee really said IT IS CARSON AND ALLIE'S TURN in this duet, and I ate it up. In the first two books of this series, you get to know these 'side characters' who move front and center for The Taste of an Enemy. Like books 1 & 2, this is told in 1st person, dual POV with POV from Carson (MMC) and Allie (FMC).
What I enjoyed:
👉 Dynamic between Carson & Allie
👉 Tropes: friends-enemies-lovers, childhood crush/best friends,
👉 Character development of Carson and Allie
👉 These characters felt very different from Josie and Beck
👉 Cliffhanger
Where things could have been better / what other readers may struggle with:
👉 I wish there was a stronger reasoning for them falling apart wasn't just miscommunication
👉 The 'bet' felt a little lackluster as a plot driver
👉 Lack of content warnings — mention of alcoholism of a parent
What I enjoyed:
👉 Dynamic between Carson & Allie
👉 Tropes: friends-enemies-lovers, childhood crush/best friends,
👉 Character development of Carson and Allie
👉 These characters felt very different from Josie and Beck
👉 Cliffhanger
Where things could have been better / what other readers may struggle with:
👉 I wish there was a stronger reasoning for them falling apart wasn't just miscommunication
👉 The 'bet' felt a little lackluster as a plot driver
👉 Lack of content warnings — mention of alcoholism of a parent
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, and Sexual assault
tj_darkreads's review
5.0
Oh man this book will have you laughing one minute and the next pulling your hair out ugh teenage emotions I'd forgotten the drama they thrive in haha. When I started reading this I absolutely couldn't put it down.
Ever since I read this arthur's 1st two book's in this series I was hooked and now a lil obsessed with these character's I can't get enough of them. Her writing is so amazing the way she makes you feel what her character's are going through on every page it's why I love her book's.
This is Carson and Allie's story from The Boy's of Clermont Bay series I just knew this story was going to be an emotional upheaval and boy did I call that right ugh. I wanted to yell and smack Carson to stop being an a$$ and just tell Allie how he felt and nope he has to make it a secret and poor Allie you can't help but want to hug her as she and Carson were best friends and she loved him up until one night when thing's changed between them and now they hate each other.
That ending though...I just knew it was going to happen and you couldn't do anything to stop the trainwreck that was about to take place, but watch it happen. Come on Sept I need that 2nd book like yesterday. This is a must read, one you don't want to miss.
Ever since I read this arthur's 1st two book's in this series I was hooked and now a lil obsessed with these character's I can't get enough of them. Her writing is so amazing the way she makes you feel what her character's are going through on every page it's why I love her book's.
This is Carson and Allie's story from The Boy's of Clermont Bay series I just knew this story was going to be an emotional upheaval and boy did I call that right ugh. I wanted to yell and smack Carson to stop being an a$$ and just tell Allie how he felt and nope he has to make it a secret and poor Allie you can't help but want to hug her as she and Carson were best friends and she loved him up until one night when thing's changed between them and now they hate each other.
That ending though...I just knew it was going to happen and you couldn't do anything to stop the trainwreck that was about to take place, but watch it happen. Come on Sept I need that 2nd book like yesterday. This is a must read, one you don't want to miss.
clarax2006's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caseroo7's review
4.0
I have seen Holly Renee's books, especially this series, around for a bit and can't believe I am just now giving them a shot! I really enjoyed this first book in Carson and Allie's story! They definitely need to learn to talk to each other more, but their chemistry and connection is undeniable. I love their history and seeing how they have each grown and changed, but also how they are each vulnerable in a way that they don't let others see. I can't wait to get more of them and see how things turn out! I also am excited to go back and read the first couple of books in this series!
bookboyfriendandhusbandmake3's review
5.0
Yet again, Holly Renee has taken my ability to speak English, along with bits of my soul with The Taste of an Enemy, this was EVERYTHING!
I became enamored when my heart was touched by a villain, but that was minor in comparison, one small taste of an enemy, and I was wholly and irrecoverably addicted to the depths of my soul.
GAHHHH, Holly Renee weaves an angsty, twisty tale like no one else, heart palpitations were a side effect of the story, from the way the angst hurt my heart to the tension between Allie and Carson, they were everything.
Allie was fairly quiet, wanting to go unnoticed by Carson because he used his words towards her like bullets, landing heavily, and leaving painful and leaving scars that may not be visible on the surface but they were there just the same.
Carson was a cocky jerk, an alpha-hole to the nth degree, he aimed most of his alpha-holeness towards Allie, and while others may not have known the reason, he and Allie certainly did. The number of times I wished it were possible to punch a fictional character is absurd, but I did, I still do, and I want to hug him, and lick him, because I wouldn’t mind a taste of this enemy. I loved him, I hated him, it was an emotional ride.
Carson and Allie had a tsunami like chemistry, it was full of passion and destruction, coming in waves of intoxicating bliss and heartbreaking devastation. It was painful to watch, my heart ached, tears trailed down my cheek. They were perfect for one another, and yet it wasn’t enough to allow them an easy path to happily ever after.
The banter between them was entertaining, in their lighter moments when you could feel what should have been, it was effortless between them. I adored them in the light moments, and wanted to cause physical pain to a fictional character in the dark moments, but whether in the light of their story or the dark, I was fully consumed by this world.
Holly Renee has outdone herself yet again, every book she writes is more mesmerizing than the last.
The Taste of an Enemy had me ensnared in the first pages, a spellbinding blend of vehement chemistry, a possessive alpha-hole, a sweet yet sassy heroine, tidal waves of emotion, thoughts of throat punching a fictional character, mumbling “stfu”....”"istg", I’m not going to survive them, seriously, “ffs”, tension for DAYS, and in the end you will be reluctant to rejoin reality, a piece of you will remain in the pages with Allie and Carson.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
I became enamored when my heart was touched by a villain, but that was minor in comparison, one small taste of an enemy, and I was wholly and irrecoverably addicted to the depths of my soul.
GAHHHH, Holly Renee weaves an angsty, twisty tale like no one else, heart palpitations were a side effect of the story, from the way the angst hurt my heart to the tension between Allie and Carson, they were everything.
Allie was fairly quiet, wanting to go unnoticed by Carson because he used his words towards her like bullets, landing heavily, and leaving painful and leaving scars that may not be visible on the surface but they were there just the same.
Carson was a cocky jerk, an alpha-hole to the nth degree, he aimed most of his alpha-holeness towards Allie, and while others may not have known the reason, he and Allie certainly did. The number of times I wished it were possible to punch a fictional character is absurd, but I did, I still do, and I want to hug him, and lick him, because I wouldn’t mind a taste of this enemy. I loved him, I hated him, it was an emotional ride.
Carson and Allie had a tsunami like chemistry, it was full of passion and destruction, coming in waves of intoxicating bliss and heartbreaking devastation. It was painful to watch, my heart ached, tears trailed down my cheek. They were perfect for one another, and yet it wasn’t enough to allow them an easy path to happily ever after.
The banter between them was entertaining, in their lighter moments when you could feel what should have been, it was effortless between them. I adored them in the light moments, and wanted to cause physical pain to a fictional character in the dark moments, but whether in the light of their story or the dark, I was fully consumed by this world.
Holly Renee has outdone herself yet again, every book she writes is more mesmerizing than the last.
The Taste of an Enemy had me ensnared in the first pages, a spellbinding blend of vehement chemistry, a possessive alpha-hole, a sweet yet sassy heroine, tidal waves of emotion, thoughts of throat punching a fictional character, mumbling “stfu”....”"istg", I’m not going to survive them, seriously, “ffs”, tension for DAYS, and in the end you will be reluctant to rejoin reality, a piece of you will remain in the pages with Allie and Carson.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
elena_lex's review
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gecagayo's review
4.0
This book has so much angst!
Meet the second boy in the Clermonts Bay series, Carson Hale, one of Beck Clermont’s best friends. If you’ve read Josie’s and Beck’s duet, you would have met Allie too, Josie’s closest friend, and noticed a love-hate vibe between her and Carson. And that’s because they do have history. It’s a best friends to enemies to lovers story and there’s just so much tension.
Allie is different because she’s not part of the upper elite. But she’s an awesome person which earned her close friendship with Josie and Frankie. I love that she’s a gentle soul, a bit innocent but she’s also quite mature, already handling so many responsibilities for someone her age. However, this girl has a weak spot for Carson Hale.
I was not a fan of Carson at the start. He was just cruel to Allie. But as the story progresses, you realize that he’s the way he is because of his painful past.
I like that the plot still surprised me. I enjoyed reading the unique situation that resulted to forced proximity which rekindled their relationship. I lived for the small intimate scenes throughout the book brought about by their shared history.
That ending though, I was already expecting it, but it still broke my heart. Can’t wait to read the next book to know how our main characters coped.
Meet the second boy in the Clermonts Bay series, Carson Hale, one of Beck Clermont’s best friends. If you’ve read Josie’s and Beck’s duet, you would have met Allie too, Josie’s closest friend, and noticed a love-hate vibe between her and Carson. And that’s because they do have history. It’s a best friends to enemies to lovers story and there’s just so much tension.
Allie is different because she’s not part of the upper elite. But she’s an awesome person which earned her close friendship with Josie and Frankie. I love that she’s a gentle soul, a bit innocent but she’s also quite mature, already handling so many responsibilities for someone her age. However, this girl has a weak spot for Carson Hale.
I was not a fan of Carson at the start. He was just cruel to Allie. But as the story progresses, you realize that he’s the way he is because of his painful past.
I like that the plot still surprised me. I enjoyed reading the unique situation that resulted to forced proximity which rekindled their relationship. I lived for the small intimate scenes throughout the book brought about by their shared history.
That ending though, I was already expecting it, but it still broke my heart. Can’t wait to read the next book to know how our main characters coped.
jennyluvlitbooks's review
4.0
The Taste of an Enemy is a part of the series book features different couple. In this third book, we have the story of Carson and Allie. This is childhood bestfriends/ bully/ enemies to lovers romance. The push and pull, tension, angst and drama will have you sucked in to the story from the first page. At times, I feel like smacking the lights out of Carson because he is such a complete prick to Allie, but then he will show his vulnerable, hurting side and I'm a goner. Can't wait for the next book!
rinasreadsnz's review
5.0
Despite knowing how nasty Carson was to Allie, I just KNEW there was more to them than what we had been given.
But I didn't expect it to hurt so much.
The pain of the past, the pain of betrayal... it all culminated and exploded in such a brutal way.
Poor Allie.
Carson has some grovelling to do.
And I, for one, am here for it all!
*smiles wide and throws popcorn on to cook*
But I didn't expect it to hurt so much.
The pain of the past, the pain of betrayal... it all culminated and exploded in such a brutal way.
Poor Allie.
Carson has some grovelling to do.
And I, for one, am here for it all!
*smiles wide and throws popcorn on to cook*