Phoenix Park is the man I fantasize about…hitting with my car, that is.

He’s rich. He’s sexy. He’s the absolute worst. But after I fall prey to an internet scam and lose every last penny in my account (please don’t ask), it’s Phoenix who swoops in with an offer I can’t refuse. I’ll marry him for the summer so he can inherit the family company from his dying grandmother, and in return, he’ll drop a hefty sum of money into my bank account.

Buy me a pair of sweatpants with GOLD DIGGER across the butt, because I’m just desperate enough to agree.

Our arrangement is only supposed to be for a few months, until Phoenix’s poor grandmother passes. I can pretend for that long. I can stop insulting him long enough to force a few smiles and some lovey-dovey glances. But with every touch we share, with every kiss we fake, I find the walls around my heart beginning to crack—letting in feelings I’m not prepared for.

And when Phoenix’s grandmother makes a miraculous recovery, leaving us stuck indefinitely in this charade of holy matrimony? That’s when I know I’m really in trouble.

This author is an instant yes for me. She has yet to disappoint, and every book I have read from her has landed firmly in four or five-star territory. This summer romcom absolutely lived up to that streak. I also really appreciate that her stories are clean and closed-door, with no spice and no language, while still delivering swoon and chemistry.

Phoenix and Holland come with plenty of shared history. There is a strong pull for Phoenix to protect her, even while they completely get under each other’s skin. Cue the pranks. I am usually not a prank person in romance, but these were written in such a playful and genuinely funny way that they never felt childish. Instead, they highlighted how much these two actually care beneath all the teasing.

The marriage-of-convenience trope was handled in a fun, creative way, and the characters were incredibly easy to root for as they worked very hard not to fall in love. Phoenix is refreshingly grounded and straightforward, the kind of masculine lead who feels realistic and solid. At the start, he and Holland truly cannot stand each other, but watching that tension shift into undeniable chemistry was such a treat. Their nicknames, teasing, and escalating pranks were downright adorable.

What really stood out to me was the quality of the writing. It was witty and light, but also intentional. The story unfolded at a steady pace, with each scene contributing meaningfully to both the plot and the characters’ growth. It balanced silliness with substance in a way that kept me fully engaged.

There is also a surprising emotional layer here. Grief plays an important role in both Phoenix’s and Holland’s journeys, and it was handled with care and depth. Those moments grounded the story and made their connection feel even more earned.

The banter between these two was easily one of my favorite parts. Their back and forth was sharp and playful without ever crossing into mean-spirited territory. They challenged each other, matched each other’s energy, and leaned into that teasing tension that says, I know you want me, I just want you to admit it first. Watching them slowly fall for each other was so satisfying, and honestly, this ended up being one of the cutest romcoms I have read in a long time.

If you love marriage of convenience, brother’s best friend, slight enemies-to-lovers, childhood friends, and wealthy family dynamics, this book is a must-read. I cannot recommend this summer series enough.

While this book is part of the Falling for Summer series, it works perfectly as a standalone. That said, reading the earlier books makes everything even more enjoyable since the stories are interconnected and follow the same overall timeline.