Book Review: Strictly The Worst

Romantic comedy meets emotional depth in “Strictly the Worst,” the fifth book in Carrie Elks’ Salinger Brothers series. If you’ve followed the brothers this far, you already know that Elks doesn’t just deliver swoony love stories; she creates emotionally layered characters that feel real. This installment dives into the irresistible tension of enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, and a tropical setting that’s equal parts sun-drenched and emotionally stormy. What starts off as corporate rivalry quickly evolves into something warmer, spicier, and heartbreakingly tender.

As a fan of this series, I went in with expectations and “Strictly the Worst” did not disappoint. With a headstrong single mom, a charmingly mysterious hero, and a setup that screams “only one bed,” it brings both heat and heart in equal measure.

Author:- Carrie Elks
Series:- The Salinger Brothers (Book 5)
Pages:- 330 Pages
Genre:- Rom-Com, Workplace, Enemies to Lovers, Single Mother, Forced Proximity, Reverse Age Gap.
My Rating:- 4.75 Stars
Goodreads:- 4.19 Stars

About the Strictly The Worst Carrie Elks Book

Linc Salinger is a smooth-talking, emotionally reserved PR executive. Tessa is his disciplined, practical office rival who never mixes pleasure with business. Sparks fly—not the romantic kind, at least not at first—when Linc swoops in and takes over a high-stakes project Tessa’s been crafting for months. But when push comes to shove, they’re both sent to a tropical island to co-present to the client, and neither of them is thrilled.

Enter: one cozy beach cottage, one bed, and zero privacy.

As they navigate client presentations, island cocktails, and accidental intimacy, something unexpected begins to bloom. Beneath the sharp banter and workplace tension lies a magnetic pull neither of them can resist. Add in Tessa’s life back in New York, her crumbling house and her teenage daughter, and the stakes climb even higher.

She tells herself it’s just a few nights in paradise. Just a fling. Just a fantasy. But Linc? He seems to have other plans, ones that don’t involve walking away when the island trip is over.

Strictly The Worst Review: The Salinger Series Keeps Getting Better

As the fifth book in the Salinger Brothers series, “Strictly the Worst Book” seamlessly blends into the universe Carrie Elks has created, while still standing strong on its own. Familiar readers will appreciate the return of that irresistible Salinger charm, layered with confidence, mischief, and surprising emotional depth.

Linc, though mysterious at first glance, is far from the shallow office flirt Tessa assumes him to be. His transformation—from aloof rival to emotionally open partner—is one of the most satisfying parts of this book. Tessa, as a single mom juggling a demanding job and a crumbling home life, brings a level of maturity and grounding that balances their romance beautifully.

Slow-Burn + Emotional Depth = Perfection

The romance burns wonderfully slow: the sizzling glances, tension that lingers, and the mouth-watering build-up —it’s all there. It definitely feels exciting, but it never diminishes the emotional storytelling. Every kiss, hand touch, and every heart-to-heart, feels, and is, so worth it.

The chemistry between Linc and Tessa goes beyond just being physical; it is deeply emotional. Their bond goes past mere attraction. It is about deep respect, being able to be vulnerable, and allowing someone inside, even when it is perilously scary.

Tropical settings in romance novels often walk a fine line between escapism and cliché. Thankfully, Elks uses the island not just as a pretty backdrop but as a catalyst for transformation. The environment strips Linc and Tessa of their professional armor. In the absence of New York’s hustle and their usual tension, they’re forced to confront who they really are and who they could be together.

Strictly The Worst: A Single Mom Love Story Done Right

Tessa being a single mother isn’t just a character detail, it’s integral to the emotional arc of the story. Her daughter is not a background prop but a real presence in her life and decisions. When Linc steps in to help with their home remodeling, it’s not about playing the hero, it’s about showing up in meaningful ways. That moment? Absolutely heart-melting.

Their dynamic is written with authenticity. Every struggle feels real; there is goodness and love that manages to shine through in the most challenging of times. This is not only a love story. It is a family-building tale that paints together a wonderful picture, even when the circumstances are tough.

The real surprise is in the depth of emotion packed into what could have been just a fun island fling. Elks goes deeper, giving both characters space to grieve past wounds, heal, and grow together.

Final Thoughts

Strictly the Worst Carrie Elks is everything I want in a romance: swoon-worthy chemistry, well-drawn characters, emotional stakes, and just the right amount of spice. Carrie Elks knows how to deliver a story that feels both fantastical and grounded. Tessa and Linc are opposites in so many ways, but their journey to love is believable, heartfelt, and endlessly satisfying.

This is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys slow-burn, single-parent, enemies-to-lovers stories set against a tropical backdrop. Fans of Emily Henry, Sally Thorne or Abby Jimenez will feel at home in this book.

What did you think of Linc and Tessa’s story? Let us know in the comments below!