It's Time, Ana

Summer Crush by Six de los Reyes, Tara Frejas, and Jay E. Tria
Publish Date: April 9, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads | Paperback (PH Only)

When life, love, and rock and roll come together on the sandy beaches of La Union for music festival Summer Crush, expect nothing less than the crashing of lips, bodies, and waves against the shore, against each other, and against your soul.

Allow these three tales of love to take you away for an unforgettable weekend.

Ana’s life as a corporate warrior, graduate student, and girlfriend to indie rock band boy Miki starts to spin out of control, and she wonders if it is love that has to give. (You Only Need Reminding, Jay E. Tria)

Newly reinstated EG Project roadie Filipina Legaspi flies with her band back to the Philippines for Summer Crush, unaware of the emotional waves that engulf her when she sets foot in the beaches of San Juan, La Union. (Almost There, Tara Frejas)

Rhys has three problems: Arabella, the theme song with the Trainguy, and singing live for the first time—and now also on that list is Isaiah, sea-sweet Mango Rum kisses, and long overdue decisions she’s intent on avoiding. (Ocean Eyes, Six de los Reyes)

I was literally standing around Six, Jay, and Tara when they first talked about collaborating for a book, and I think I was pretty much around them every time it’s brought up. They are three authors I really admire, so I really wished that their plans would come to fruition. I mean, a book with bands and music by the beach? It’s perfection.

La Union is one of my happy places. Granted, I haven’t been there for a while nor do I go there as often as some friends, but I’ve always associated the place with happy beach memories with friends, trying to ride the waves, s’mores dip, and just having a good time by the water (while ignoring the fact that I will be in pain the next day after a surf session). Summer Crush is set by the shores of San Juan, La Union, where three stories intersect: Jay’s Ana and Miki from Trainman in You Only Need Reminding; Tara’s Fi, Gabe and East Genesis Project in Almost There; and Six’s Rhys, Isaiah, Nico, and Arabella in Ocean Eyes. Six, Jay, and Tara captured the heat and the sand and the water with their words, and it was as if I was really there as I read it. I could already imagine where the festival was happening, where the parties were happening, and the food that they ate. I wouldn’t be surprised if an events group picked this up and then called their music festival by the beach by the same name.

The stories displayed each of their rich writing, and if you’ve read their other works, you’d recognize who wrote what without looking at the titles. And still, the stories flowed smoothly and really read as if they belonged to each other. But it’s not just fun and games and raves and parties — each of the story poked at a specific facet of love: one that almost wants to give up because life, one that tries to move on from a heartbreak that he didn’t expect, and one that was in denial of a love that was right in front of her. And don’t forget the Holy Trinity of Abs. And pislabrakenrol!

One more thing I like in my books: cameos! And this had all of them! I smiled and giggled every time a character appears in another author’s story, and how they were consistent and connected, tied neatly at the final story. The (new) friendship between the characters across the different universe reflected the kind of friendship that the authors have for each other.

Summer Crush is a book that had love and friendship woven in between all the words, and it is a perfect summer read that you shouldn’t miss. Reading beside the ocean is optional, but trust me: you’d want to pack your bags and catch the next bus to La Union (or the nearest beach, if you’re not in Luzon) the moment you’re done reading. 🙂

About the Authors

Jay E. Tria is inspired by daydreams, celebrity crushes, a childhood fascination of Japanese drama and manga, and an incessant itch to travel. She writes contemporary young adult and new adult romance. Sometimes, paranormal fantasy too.

Visit her website http://jayetria.com.

You may connect with her through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Wattpad.

More books by Jay

[ The Playlist Series ] Songs of Our Breakup | Songs to Get Over You |Songs to Make You Stay

Blossom Among Flowers | Majesty

[ Anthologies ] Make My Wish Come True (a #romanceclass Christmas anthology) | Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories

Tara Frejas is a cloud-walker who needs caffeine to fuel her travels. When she’s not on work mode, she keeps herself busy by weaving her daydreams into stories.

Aside from her obvious love affair with words and persistent muses, Tara is very passionate about being caffeinated, musical theatre, certain genres of music, dancing, dogs, good food, and romancing Norae, her ukelele. She owns a male bunny named Max who sometimes tries to nibble on her writing notes.

Fun fact: She’s a Piscean. Go figure.

You may connect with her through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or visit her website, tarafrejas.com.

More books by Tara

Paper Planes Back Home | The “Forget You” Brew | Scandalized | Settle the Score / Hustle Play |Waiting in the Wings

[ Anthologies ] Make My Wish Come True (a #romanceclass Christmas anthology)

Six de los Reyes has been reading and making up stories for as far as she can remember. In fifth grade, she learned to write about the stories she wanted to read. As a pretend grownup, she writes contemporary romance novels. Her day job doing science has something to do with being a part-time mermaid and a part-time labrat. She currently lives next to the sea.

You may connect with her through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

More books by Six

Just for the Record: Or Justifying Betrayal in Three Acts

[ Talking Nerdy ] Beginner’s Guide: Love and Other Chemical Reactions

[ Summer Storm ] Sounds Like Summer | Feels Like Summer

[ Anthologies ] Taking Chances (BuqoYA 1) | Make My Wish Come True (a #romanceclass Christmas anthology)