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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Holly Renee has done it again.
We are back with The Boys of Clermont Bay.
Carson did not come to play except with Allie. Something happened, and Carson is taking it out on Allie and what happens is an escalating of childhood friends gone wrong.
Wounds are struct, and in the end both are left reeling.
Can't wait to see how this plays out!
We are back with The Boys of Clermont Bay.
Carson did not come to play except with Allie. Something happened, and Carson is taking it out on Allie and what happens is an escalating of childhood friends gone wrong.
Wounds are struct, and in the end both are left reeling.
Can't wait to see how this plays out!
The Boys of Clermont Bay series just keeps getting better and better! Rife with delicious drama, enchantingly addictive, and exploding with young love heartache and longing, The Taste of the Enemy is angsty second chance perfection. Holly Renee has yet again put us in the throes of the heated chemistry of two friends turned enemies, but Carson and Allie are her most complicated and angsty duo yet. And I can’t get enough of them!
From our first meeting of this mesmerizing duo, I wanted to swim around in the enigmatic tension that seemed to orbit Allie and Carson. But I wasn’t prepared for just how messy their connection would be. A hidden history, a severed bond, broken hearts, betrayals and misunderstandings, these two aren’t just at odds, there is an aching chasm between them. Wounds that have only festered as they’ve matured. Feelings that have grown increasingly conflicted, especially now that their best friends are dating, forcing them to share a physical, and emotional, proximity they’ve both avoided. And now a unique situation draws them even closer- forcing these embittered enemies to confront their long buried feelings- and things get ANGSTY fast.
Allie is hands down my favorite Holly Renee heroine- she’s equal parts sassy spitfire and gentle hearted. There’s a maturity to her, a levelness, that really sets her apart from the Clermont crew- and makes her delightfully relatable. I felt a real connection with her- reveled in her steadiness and her sensitivity, how deeply she feels things. And no one gets to her quite like Carson Hale. The ruthless Clermont king who has stopped at nothing to cut her down. Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could love Carson, if I could see past his bitter vendetta and cruel quips. But Holly surprised me- she let Carson’s immaturity be the catalyst to his redemption. HIs heart is torn between being the kind and empathetic man he could be and the shattered little boy full of heartache that he has nowhere to place- so he placed it on Allie. But we see glimmers of the Carson he can be, his capacity to care and feel. We see him TRY to do the right things- even if he makes mistakes in trying to do them. Holly finds the SWOON in the once cruel Carson.
Their chemistry is SO complicated- that palpable push-pull intensity, a combustible heat, so much love hate-tension, but there is also a heart-hitting intimacy that draws you in. Their shared history is a tether that makes their story special- makes their connection feel more intimate and soulful. It makes for a heady balance of heart and heat, sizzle and swoon. The sweet moments feel all the sweeter, but oh man, the heartbreaking moments cut more deeply. Deftly, Holly finds a narrative approach that really focuses intensely on these two alone, and it makes for some really dynamic character evolution. All while infusing this story with so much contrast- the quiet healing and the heart-smashing mistakes. And the sexual tension?! YOWZERS. I am so enamored with these two together- and so the epically dramatic and heart shattering finale left me in tatters. My heart has not recovered- primarily because I’m not sure these two can recover from this finale. Needless to say, Holly, we need the finale! I’ve never rooted for a Holly couple more.
From our first meeting of this mesmerizing duo, I wanted to swim around in the enigmatic tension that seemed to orbit Allie and Carson. But I wasn’t prepared for just how messy their connection would be. A hidden history, a severed bond, broken hearts, betrayals and misunderstandings, these two aren’t just at odds, there is an aching chasm between them. Wounds that have only festered as they’ve matured. Feelings that have grown increasingly conflicted, especially now that their best friends are dating, forcing them to share a physical, and emotional, proximity they’ve both avoided. And now a unique situation draws them even closer- forcing these embittered enemies to confront their long buried feelings- and things get ANGSTY fast.
Allie is hands down my favorite Holly Renee heroine- she’s equal parts sassy spitfire and gentle hearted. There’s a maturity to her, a levelness, that really sets her apart from the Clermont crew- and makes her delightfully relatable. I felt a real connection with her- reveled in her steadiness and her sensitivity, how deeply she feels things. And no one gets to her quite like Carson Hale. The ruthless Clermont king who has stopped at nothing to cut her down. Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could love Carson, if I could see past his bitter vendetta and cruel quips. But Holly surprised me- she let Carson’s immaturity be the catalyst to his redemption. HIs heart is torn between being the kind and empathetic man he could be and the shattered little boy full of heartache that he has nowhere to place- so he placed it on Allie. But we see glimmers of the Carson he can be, his capacity to care and feel. We see him TRY to do the right things- even if he makes mistakes in trying to do them. Holly finds the SWOON in the once cruel Carson.
Their chemistry is SO complicated- that palpable push-pull intensity, a combustible heat, so much love hate-tension, but there is also a heart-hitting intimacy that draws you in. Their shared history is a tether that makes their story special- makes their connection feel more intimate and soulful. It makes for a heady balance of heart and heat, sizzle and swoon. The sweet moments feel all the sweeter, but oh man, the heartbreaking moments cut more deeply. Deftly, Holly finds a narrative approach that really focuses intensely on these two alone, and it makes for some really dynamic character evolution. All while infusing this story with so much contrast- the quiet healing and the heart-smashing mistakes. And the sexual tension?! YOWZERS. I am so enamored with these two together- and so the epically dramatic and heart shattering finale left me in tatters. My heart has not recovered- primarily because I’m not sure these two can recover from this finale. Needless to say, Holly, we need the finale! I’ve never rooted for a Holly couple more.
Holly Killed it with Carter and Allie's story. OMG Hands down Carter is my favorite. I loved Beck but Carter hot damn he is perfectly imperfect. I could not put this book down... This is story is everything i could have hoped for, i can not wait until the next one. I NEED more of Carter and Allie! The detailed writing in this story makes you feel like this is really your life and not that of someone else.
Lots of Angst.
I love this author and these characters are great, but I did feel like there was a bit too much back-and-forth and the story could’ve been just a bit shorter and more concise within the development of the angsty storyline. However, it was a great read.
I love this author and these characters are great, but I did feel like there was a bit too much back-and-forth and the story could’ve been just a bit shorter and more concise within the development of the angsty storyline. However, it was a great read.
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
I've been waiting for this book since I read Allie & Carson's first interactions in The Touch of a Villain, and although I didn't know what to expect from these two, Holly Renee gave me everything I needed: unconditional friendship, secret love, family and teenager drama, manipulation, secrets, lies and an unexpected side in each of the main characters.
Allie stole my heart from the first time she spokes to Josie so I was just hoping to find out more about her. I really liked knowing her most vulnerable and insecure side, reading her being an excellent friend once again, a girl who cares about her future and is responsible, dedicated and hard-working, but who also goes out to party, has fun and wants to feel loved. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most about his story was reading her it making bad decisions and mistakes, since that makes the story much more interesting.
Carson is your typical popular boy, womanizer and who takes advantage of his good looks, with a horrible family life and a vulnerable side that he hides so as not to be hurt, he behaves like an idiot on different times, especially with Allie, but I think Holly Renee did an excellent job explaining his personal history and behavior, to the point that I couldn't hate him and my heart broke with his life and the decisions he makes. Definitely one of the things I loved the most was reading his friendship and behavior with Frankie, as it shows a completely different and adorable side.
The outcome of Allie & Carson’s love story so far can be predictable given the initial events, however, that is not a negative thing, because for me, the most important part of this book is to know what happened their lives so that they went from being best friends to hating each other completely and the situations that happen until the end of this first part. I loved reading a little the feelings and desires of both being young, as both were the refuge of the other and how lost Carson is when everything was ruined, Allie’s guilt and the incapacity of both to communicate to the other what they really feel, and as when they finally achieve everything, it begins to settle a little for both, until their past actions return to complicate everything even more.
Obviously being a duet there are still things to discover and fix, but from now on I can say that Allie & Carson are absolutely adorable, they have an undeniable chemistry and I think they are for each other. In addition to the fact that his story lets us explore a little more in the life of Beck & Josie, and in the feelings of and complications of the possible history between Frankie & Olly, he that makes this series continue to be as much or more interesting than in his first books and totally recommendable.
I've been waiting for this book since I read Allie & Carson's first interactions in The Touch of a Villain, and although I didn't know what to expect from these two, Holly Renee gave me everything I needed: unconditional friendship, secret love, family and teenager drama, manipulation, secrets, lies and an unexpected side in each of the main characters.
Allie stole my heart from the first time she spokes to Josie so I was just hoping to find out more about her. I really liked knowing her most vulnerable and insecure side, reading her being an excellent friend once again, a girl who cares about her future and is responsible, dedicated and hard-working, but who also goes out to party, has fun and wants to feel loved. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most about his story was reading her it making bad decisions and mistakes, since that makes the story much more interesting.
Carson is your typical popular boy, womanizer and who takes advantage of his good looks, with a horrible family life and a vulnerable side that he hides so as not to be hurt, he behaves like an idiot on different times, especially with Allie, but I think Holly Renee did an excellent job explaining his personal history and behavior, to the point that I couldn't hate him and my heart broke with his life and the decisions he makes. Definitely one of the things I loved the most was reading his friendship and behavior with Frankie, as it shows a completely different and adorable side.
The outcome of Allie & Carson’s love story so far can be predictable given the initial events, however, that is not a negative thing, because for me, the most important part of this book is to know what happened their lives so that they went from being best friends to hating each other completely and the situations that happen until the end of this first part. I loved reading a little the feelings and desires of both being young, as both were the refuge of the other and how lost Carson is when everything was ruined, Allie’s guilt and the incapacity of both to communicate to the other what they really feel, and as when they finally achieve everything, it begins to settle a little for both, until their past actions return to complicate everything even more.
Obviously being a duet there are still things to discover and fix, but from now on I can say that Allie & Carson are absolutely adorable, they have an undeniable chemistry and I think they are for each other. In addition to the fact that his story lets us explore a little more in the life of Beck & Josie, and in the feelings of and complications of the possible history between Frankie & Olly, he that makes this series continue to be as much or more interesting than in his first books and totally recommendable.
Taste of An Enemy by Holly Renee is the first book that I've read by her and while I enjoyed reading the book I just felt that it fell a little flat. The entire book centers around Carson Hale and Allie Taylor. While they were once best friends with one another one day that changed, and Carson started to ignore Allie. And ever since he has either ignored her, been mean to her, or scared off any guy that has shown an ounce of interest in her, and he intends to keep it that way... Until Eli asks Allie out and Carson decides to do something about how he feels about her, by challenging her to a series of dares...
Allie doesn't know what's going on with Carter or really why they stopped being friends, but now he's her mortal enemy and she cannot wait to go to college and get away from him. But when he dares her to say yes to 10 things he challenges her to she can't help but say yes to him. But after they get caught trespassing and have to complete community service together Allie really doesn't know what's going on with Carter, does he like her, hate her? She doesn't know what he's thinking...
Allie doesn't know what's going on with Carter or really why they stopped being friends, but now he's her mortal enemy and she cannot wait to go to college and get away from him. But when he dares her to say yes to 10 things he challenges her to she can't help but say yes to him. But after they get caught trespassing and have to complete community service together Allie really doesn't know what's going on with Carter, does he like her, hate her? She doesn't know what he's thinking...
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!!
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
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, Bullying, Sexual assault, Alcohol
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.