I really liked the premise of this book and zoomed right through it. Amity is charming, though Cooper is admittedly less so. I found their chemistry a little forced and rushed, but enjoyed so many other pieces of the story. One of the best ARCs I’ve read in a long time, especially considering I chose it randomly just based on the cover.

Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

think of “the bachelorette” crossed over with “the hunger games” or “the selection” book series! as a fan of both of those books, i knew i’d be a fan of “crush in the cascades”… and it did not disappoint! this novel is full of friendships, love, adventure, and fun! having so many competitors in the competition, i thought i’d have a hard time putting names to faces. but this was not the case! maybe everyone’s assigned athletic-wear color helped but the descriptions of their personalities and quirks definitely contributed to connected to each of them!

from the start, i was on team amity! she’s definitely the underdog but showed off some serious girl power! i love how she didn’t let any of the guys hold her back! i instantly fell for her banter with easton, which is what i look for in any good enemies-to-lovers trope. i thought the pacing of this novel was *chef’s kiss*. sometimes i feel that after the couple has a big fight, one of the characters are quick to forgive and forget. but here, i thought that everything was spaced out perfectly without anything feels rushed or prolonged. i absolutely loved the set-up of this plot so i’m looking forward to learning about easton’s sister in the sequel!

I’m gonna be honest here: I picked up this book because of the cover. I didn’t know what it was about, and I really should have done my research first. No offense to the author: reality TV is really not my thing. I never could get into it. I thought it could be different in a book, but no. I still kept on reading, thinking I would get attached to the characters eventually. Alas, Easton was unlikable. The occasional misogyny and what he gave off rubbed me the wrong way. As for Amity, I’m sorry but I couldn’t bring myself to care about her. I skimmed through the book because I knew if I didn’t, I wouldn’t finish it. I got through it quicker than I should have, but that’s not the point. The point is, I’m convinced that these two don’t make it past the epilogue. They’re not that kind of couple. The basis for the relationship is not strong, too unstable for my tastes, and the emotional connection was lacking. Crush in the Cascades just isn’t for me.

This book is so adorable. Set up like a Survivor/Amazing Race hybrid game show. Both MCs are looking for money not love. But like an actual reality TV a showmance is born. I enjoyed the writing and the dual POV. Can’t wait to see what happens on the next “season”.

I had to DNF this story at 31%. This was labeled as enemies to lovers and forced proximity and I don't think either of those tropes matched this story. I'm not sure exactly what trope this would fall under in all honesty.

At 31% I couldn't see that Amity had any interest in Easton and the interest that Easton had in Amity was vague. He might have thought she was cute but that seemed to be the depths of his feelings for her. Oh, and she could run trails so that made him interested in her. I don't know about anyone else but I need a romance based off of something more than one's ability to run trails or chop wood.

I think the premise of the story has potential but something was lost in the execution. Perhaps as the story unfolded so did their budding romance but I wasn't invested enough in the story to find out.

a book about a romance set on a reality romcom tv show. it's an enimies to lovers, could've used more bantering and then it later turns to cute love.

this book is set in the Oregon Cascade mountains., an adventure reality show getwaway. there are two main characters, Easton Cooper who is there to win the money and Amity Rose who is there for the experience and adventure.

Two people who are really put off by one another but end up falling for each other, classic romrom.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

This is my first time reading something by Ms. Gayle and I found it to be quite entertaining. The story caught my attention from the beginning and held it all the way through. This was a fast-paced and easy read, just the thing if you're looking for a nice little pick-me-up . Amity and Easton are contestants on a dating reality show that is set in the outdoors, both competing for a chance at a million dollars. It definitely wasn't love at first sight for them, but sparks certainly did ignite and fly between these two. I had a lot of fun reading this book. It definitely left me with a smile on my face and a happy feeling afterwards.
The characters were interesting and I enjoyed their interactions and seeing them together. Both were complete opposites which made the story a lot of fun. The story was delightfully cute and a great escape. If you're looking for a fun, quick and light read, then you definitely will want to pick this one up.

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I absolutely loved the trope with enemies trapped together in a reality show. Sadly I could not connect to the characters at all. They seemed bland and their banter was fun until they got together and it just got boring. Easton especially was difficult to read about. He is flat out offensive and judgemental. So that is a hard pass from my end.

Honestly I enjoyed the setting and the plot but I wish the characters were written differently.

This one was just not for me. I’ve read a lot of “reality competition” based books in the past and have enjoyed almost every one of them and the concept of this book seemed right up my alley despite my lack of enjoyment of reality TV. Unfortunately for me, this book was all of the things I hate about reality TV and none of the things I usually like about such romances.

I dislike the characters. Even for enemies to lovers, they were terrible to each other and I couldn’t accept their beginning stages of attraction, let alone the developing feelings. I actually had to set my e-reader down lest I throw it at one point from the sheer rage I felt about these characters. But, just like with the plot, the characters perfectly fit what you would expect from a reality TV star.

The writing itself was really good and I won’t hesitate to pick up another book by this author. I found her voice and style enjoyable and wish I could have gotten past my dislike for the plot enough to enjoy it. If you’re a reality TV fan, pick this one up but if you’re like me and find the whole idea a little ridiculous I’d give this one a pass.

A fast paced read that will keep you interested. It's a case of opposites attract and enemies to lovers in a reality show in the great outdoors.

Laugh out loud funny and swoon worthy, you will enjoy this book


I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a cute romcom that follows a guy and girl through a competition for a million dollars (and a swoon-worthy romance). At first, they think they are the exact opposites--Amity thinks Easton is a stupid jock and Easton thinks Amity is the senseless model. Through each competition, they grow closer and realize they have more in common than they thought.

Fans of MTVs The Challenge and Survivor WILL LOVE THIS BOOK! I couldn’t put the book down after starting it !! It’s fast paced and doesn’t get boring a truly entertaining read plus spice

First of all, I have to confess that enemies for lovers is my favorite trope. This book won me over only after reading the description!

The book follows Amity and Easton on a reality show called “The Race for Riches or Romance” where the winning team will win $2 million.

Amity is ready for the adventure and excitement she would love to share with her beloved father, while Easton is ready to win this contest to save the lives of his best friends.

The idea is very good and in addition to romance, teamwork is addressed, which is very important.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy of Crush in the Cascades! I really enjoyed the adventure!

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review! ARC provided by BooksGoSocial We follow a group of contestants who are on a wilderness reality show - will they choose romance or riches?

Easton is willing to do whatever it takes to win the money! With a reason no one would have guessed.
Que Amity “Hollywood” who shows up in her high heels, not at all dressed for the affair.

In a enemies to lovers story, we get to follow the two characters through a journey neither of them expected.

Don’t always believe the “appearance” of someone or a situation! You never know what someone is truly dealing with, and their motives couldn’t be more different then the other assumes.

A really good read, with I think the intention to show thats things are not always what they seem, and that we can sometimes find love in the most unexpected places.

3.5 Stars

I’ve never read a book where the couple has to compete in a reality tv show but I can say I really enjoyed it. This is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity book.

The story follows a group of contestants in “The Race for Riches or Romance”. The winning team would win $2m. The concept of the outdoor challenges that take place in the woods were entertaining and I found myself routing for my favorites just like I would watching a show on tv.

In the beginning, I wasn’t sure how I felt about either main character but as the story unfolds, I found myself routing for Amity. Her characters was relatable and I was really hoping she’d have her time(s) to shine in the Race and prove the other contestants wrong about her. Cooper had some questionable moments- he’s not my favorite male lead but he had some redeeming qualities towards the end.

I was so excited to see there will be a second book that follows Cooper’s sister, Hannah. I can’t wait to see what romance (and hopefully riches) come her her story.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of Crush in the Cascades. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Unfortunately, this wasn't really it for me. The concept was so funny and I really enjoyed the idea of it, but I wasn't able to connect with the characters or the way the story unfolded.
The male MC, Easton, felt very icky to me. From the get go, he was stereotyping everyone and despite constantly talking about his fierce sister, it felt a bit misogynistic. He didn't trust Amity or any of the other girls to do anything right and his constant staring at her felt a little predatory. However, in all fairness, Amity was not better, what with her staring at him and enjoying that he was uncomfortable under her gaze.
It just all wasn't for me but I am sure that a lot of readers will enjoy the instant connection and the start of the relationship within this setting.

This one is basically your typical rom com, that I personally think would be better as a movie and I don't say that often, than it is as a book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Crush in the Cascades
by Lisa S. Gayle
Pub Date: 02 May 2022

Crush in the Cascades had an intriguing premise. A reality TV show dealing with outdoor adventures....and maybe love along the way. If you don't mind a book filled with wrong assumptions, miscommunication, and a pretty quick falling in love situation then check this book out. It also had some sweet & steam, and a happily ever after ending. Cute, quick, summer read!

3 stars

This romcom is enemies to lovers! Aminity and Cooper are on a reality TV show called The Races for Riches or Romance. Aminity signed up for the show for adventure and Cooper signed up for the money. By the title instantly thought the ending would result in the winner having to pick between winning one million dollars or love and I am so glad the ending was way better! I will definitely read the sequel. Special thanks to NetGalley and
publisher for a copy of the E-book in exchange my pure honest review.