I love Elle Kennedy! Her books are just so readable. Avalon Bay isn't my favorite series of hers, but this was still a great read within that world.

I’ve been a little critical of this series; even though I adore Elle’s writing and can usually count on a great read no matter what she puts out, I did not love the first book in this series, and I gave the second book only one star. This book finally reminded me of why I adore Elle so much. Avalon Bay is a great little town she’s crafted, and we finally got a great heroine in Cassie, and a delicious hero in Tate, along with tie-ins to previous characters in the series. I’m a sucker for the slow building friends to lover’s trope, and this one pulled me right in and I was happy to be along for the ride.
Looking forward to more books like <i>this</i> one from Elle in the future!

Another great addition to the series. I always love her writing style. She always hooks me from the first page. The book was quirky and sexy and had me hoping for the couple. I love the banter between the characters and chemistry is great as usual. I’d high recommend and hope to read more from her in the future

Ever get “friend-zoned” right away by a potential crush? Well unfortunately, returning to the family inn and seaside town of Avalon Bay, has Cassie suffering from this unfortunate embarrassment. Tate Bartlett, adorably hot golden boy, thinks better of his initial attraction to Cassie, opting to be her friend and wing man in finding a more suitable summer fling.

Despite this master plan, will they be able to stay away from each other? Of course not! What fun would that be…

This summer plan is further complicated by Cassie’s horrible mother, and some long lurking family secrets. Steamy romance, summer love, and twisty situations…what’s not to love?

How in the world did I not know this was a series?!
Definitely going back to read the rest!

Big thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for you honest review.

“You should never stop telling people how they make you feel.”

I loved Tate and Cassie, but what I loved most was the underlying themes of family and parent relationships and how complicated they can be. Sometimes trying to understand our parents we have to remember how much life they lived before they had us and how it shaped them.

Don’t get me wrong this was also a fun steamy summer read, with characters from the first two books in the series and some lighthearted fun. I just loved that is also felt like more than that!

Read if you like:

☀️ Small town beach romance
☀️ Dual POV
☀️ Complicated family relationships
☀️ Cinnamon roll hero

My favorite of the series! I was even a little emotional at the ending. Finally a book from the series where I liked both characters; Cassie’s backstory was especially relatable personally and tugged at my heartstrings. And that curveball reveal/twist towards the end of the book?! My jaw was on the floor. Overall, a super enjoyable steamy, small town, summer read! Glad I read them in order but definitely can be read on their own or out of order. I listened to the audiobook and thought both narrators did a great job!

For me, Elle Kennedy doesn't miss! This is a great addition to a fun but angsty series. The summer vibes in this book are so perfect, and Kennedy’s storytelling puts you right in Avalon Bay. I’ve been waiting for Tate’s story for so long!

This is easily my favorite of the Avalon Bay series. I loved the friends to lovers trope and the golden boy / awkward girl dynamic.

My main issues were that once Cassie and Tate got together she suddenly stopped being awkward and rambly which was a huge bit that was played up the first half of the book. Also, the third act family drama was a bit much especially since the resolution to that bit was so rushed but overall I loved this book.

So dang cute. I loved the first book, the second fell flat for me, but loved this one. Tate is the swooniest book boyfriend. I could have done without the mention of Cassie’s chest a million times but otherwise, great story. Really sad no one punched Cassie’s mom by the end.

I have read all of the other books in this series, and this one is BY FAR the best! The characters are relatable and seem reasonable, they have a great inner voice! The spicy scenes are among the best of any summer romance I read this year! Super spicy, but not at all cheesy or cringey! We follow a 21 year old who is getting ready to start her senior year of college, but takes a summer in the town where her Dad lives to spend some time with him. She has big plans to have a summer fling, but ends up befriending a local guy. After spending time in the friend zone and counseling her through a few encounters, OF COURSE, he turns to more than friends. But unlike other books where that's the end, we get to follow their early romance and watch them navigate the twists and turns of a few family secrets. I loved the addition of a plot that was more than just the two of them getting together. Highly recommend!

This is my first book by Elle Kennedy, but it won't be my last. I loved Cassie's internal monologue as she progressed from awkward and unsure to being a confident young woman. Tate was a little bit cocky but also sweet and I loved his relationship with his parents. The story contains plenty of family drama on all sides, sentimentality, and the romance between Tate & Cassie is both steamy and sweet. I'll definitely be reading the rest in this series, and look for this author in the future.

🌟New ARC Book Review🌟

Title: The Summer Girl
Author: Elle Kennedy
Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: What do you remember fondly about your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Where are they now?
My first boyfriend was the nicest guy, he’s been married twice and has 2 kids.

I really enjoyed this summer beach read. Cassie is a college student who is visiting her grandmother in Avalon Bay. Her grandmother recently sold the family hotel and it’s now being renovated in advance of the Grand Opening.

Cassie is a virgin, she’s never found a guy she wants to be with. She decides that she’s going to have a summer fling, and she meets the perfect candidate right after she arrives.

His name is Tate, and he’s a nice, extremely good looking local who teaches sailing at the country club, and can sail just about anything. He’s also house sitting at the house next to Cassie’s grandmother.

Cassie proposes her fling idea to him, and she’s shocked when he turns her down, saying he’ll be her friend and her wingman. They start spending time together, and do a little flirting through windows that face each other.

I love their chemistry, and they seemed to belong together no matter what happens around them. I’m impressed with how well the author handled Cassie’s first sexual experience. I recommend this one, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the evolution of the characters relationships! I like having the side characters be past book characters so you can see how past couples are thriving - but these two are my favorite Avalon Bay couple!

As always, Elle Kennedy puts out a winner. I will say I didn't love this one as much as Bad Girl Reputation but Cassie is a welcome addition to the Avalon Bay crew and it's a fun and light read for the summer. Not surprising though as Elle is a consistent pre-order for me.

im an autumn/winter person to my core, but this book is desperately making me pretend i could be a summer person. its a great beach read. i just need to find me a sailor. doesnt matter that i get sea sick. if hes anything like tate, im on that boat. lol.

and i think its that lighthearted, whimsical fun that comes from summer flings that i enjoyed the most about this story. its balanced well with moments of sincerity and depth, but also entertaining in the process.

because of its atmosphere and sweetness, this a great book if you want something where you can sit back, relax, turn off your brain, and just enjoy some adorable characters trying their best to navigate friendship and feelings.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Cassie and Tate. Cassie is a senior in college. Tate works at the family boat store. They meet on the beach. There is an instant attraction. Cassie is staying at her grandmother house. They start hanging out together. There are issues but together they work through them and fall in love.

A sizzler of a romance. Some raw language, but a good quick beach read. Fun characters and setting.

Thank you so much to St Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an arc of The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy.

I loved this book! After finishing this arc I purchased a physical copy to have on my shelf. I just love Elle Kennedy’s writing so much. It’s so easy to become immersed in her writing and characters. I am now going to immediately pick up the rest of this series!

I highly recommend this one!

Book Review: The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
This review may contain minor spoilers.

The Summer Girl is the third book in Elle Kennedy's Avalon Bay series and follows Cassie (said summer girl) and Tate. The two embark on a summer fling before moving on to the next chapter in their lives. This book also includes insta-love, adventure, and strangers to almost lovers to friends to lovers.

I enjoyed both Cassie and Tate's characters, individually and as a couple. They were fun to follow and watch grow. The relationship between each of them and their parents was extremely relatable - from experiencing parts in life or idolizing others' connection.

One weakness to the story was Tate's argument for why he couldn't fling with Cassie. It felt flimsy at best and they very quickly threw it aside when presented with opportunities to be together. I wish there was another reason to add to the "will they, won't they" tension.

Overall I enjoyed this book as much as the first in the series. Loved getting to see the other couples and seeing a new side of the Bay.

I received an eARC from NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for my honest review.

Elle Kennedy is a master of the new adult fiction. I was enthralled by the the Avalon Bay series - who doesn't love books set on the shore in the summer? And this one was no exception. Great read.