Title: Scorched
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: college romance
Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- Protective, Consistent Hero
- forced proximity
- Issues-Filled Heroine, Healing Arc
- slow burn
- College Setting
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Andrea and Tanner have always had a… complicated relationship. They bicker, tease, and get under each other’s skin like pros. But when their mutual friends drag them along on a summer cabin getaway, all that playful tension turns into something much harder to ignore.
Andrea is the life of the party on the outside—fun, flirty, and always up for a good time—but inside, she’s quietly battling anxiety, panic attacks, and a growing dependence on alcohol. Tanner, on the other hand, sees past the surface. He’s not just the cocky guy she can’t stand—he’s also patient, kind, and maybe the only one who really gets her.
Forced into close proximity, they’re faced with the truth they’ve both been avoiding: sometimes the person who challenges you the most is also the one who could help you heal.
Scorched is an emotional, slow-burn college romance filled with banter, vulnerability, and second chances. If you love enemies-to-lovers with real emotional depth, this one will hit you in the heart.
I recently finished Scorched by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and while I usually enjoy emotional, character-driven romances, this one unfortunately didn’t leave a lasting impression on me.
I gave it 3 stars—not because it was bad, but because it just didn’t fully connect. A few weeks after reading, I find I can’t remember much about the plot or the characters, which is always a sign that something didn’t quite land for me.
I love when a book makes me feel something—when I can connect emotionally with the characters, root for them, cry with them, or feel their tension in my chest. Sadly, I didn’t quite get that here. The setup had all the right elements: a summer cabin getaway, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a heroine struggling with real, relatable issues like anxiety and self-worth. But despite the potential, I just didn’t find myself invested.
That said, I know reading is incredibly subjective. Just because this one didn’t click for me doesn’t mean it won’t resonate with someone else. If you enjoy slow-burn college romances with a focus on personal growth, or if you're looking for a book that explores mental health in a realistic way, this may still be worth a try.
I’m still a big fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s writing overall and will definitely continue reading more from her. Not every book will be a favourite—and that’s okay.
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