The Summer Girl
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Elle Kennedy

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: College student Cassie Soul hasn’t spent an entire summer in Avalon Bay in years, not since her parents divorced and her mother spitefully whisked her away to Boston. Now that her grandmother is selling the boardwalk hotel that’s been in their family for five decades, Cassie returns to the quaint beach town to spend time with family, ring in her twenty-first birthday…and maybe find herself a summer fling. On her first night in town, she finds the perfect candidate: Tate Bartlett, Avalon Bay’s fun-loving golden boy. Tate, sailing instructor and lovable player, is no stranger to flings. In fact, he’s always down for a good time. But the moment he meets Cassie, he knows she’s not the girl you play games with. Cassie is gorgeous, hilarious, and, frankly, the coolest person he’s ever met. The last thing he wants to do is risk breaking her heart, and so he reluctantly puts her in the friend-zone…only to realize he made a huge mistake. Soon, his attraction to Cassie becomes impossible to ignore. He wants that fling now. Big-time. And maybe even something more. As Cassie and Tate walk the line between friends and lovers, they’re about to discover that their situation is the least complicated part of this equation. Because Avalon Bay is full of secrets—and their relationship might not survive when those secrets come to light.

My Thoughts: This is book no. three in the Avalon Bay series. While this can be read as a standalone book, you will get a better sense of the supporting characters and small town by reading the previous two novels. Cassie is home for the summer and returns to Boston it the fall for her last year at college. Her grandmother sold the family hotel and is selling the family house at the end of the summer. She meets Tate, known playboy. A friendship sparks and they both want more on the cusp of some Avalon Bay secrets. This follows the tropes of friends to lovers and summer fling. Content warnings of supporting character infidelity and emotional abuse, and toxic parent.

The story is narrated by Cassie and Tate in this dual narration. Cassie is insecure, caring, avoids confrontation, even at her expense, and is sometimes afraid to stand in her truth. Tate is a bit of a playboy, charming, cares about others, and is loyal to a fault. While third act break ups are common in this type of novel, I was taken back by it and started yelling at the book. I won’t say more to not spoil for other readers. The message of the story really is hope, hope that we can stand in our truth at all times, hope for love, and hope for found family. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, compassion, and intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, thought-provoking, endearing, and engaging.

I had the opportunity to have the digital and audiobook for this novel. This was a lighthearted, endearing, sweet read. My only con is that the ending felt rushed and left me wanting a little more. However, I love Kennedy’s writing style and did throughly enjoy this book, mostly. I would absolutely recommend this one and all from this series to other readers.

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy
Status: Available Now, Not KU
Reading Method: eARC from @netgalley & Libby audio

📖 🎧 Writing &/or Audio Style : Writing style was pretty decent, some parts felt a little juvenile but the characters were all college aged and made me feel old. Overall the audio was pretty good. I don’t love Teddy Hamilton’s female voices and wish it had been recorded duet, but it was tolerable.

👥 Characters & Relationships: The characters and their relationships were well done. I loved both Tate & Cassie.

⁉️Plot, Intrigue & Logic: As far as Virgin Heroine tropes go, I thought this was well done as it wasn’t really fetishized. Overall the plot was enjoyable.

🏞️Atmosphere & Setting: Gave me Sweet Magnolia vibes. That’s probably not even accurate but it worked for me 😂

🥰Enjoyment: So this was the second novel I have tried from this author. The first one (in a different series) was practically an immediate DNF. Because of that I was a bit nervous to start this one but I was pleasantly surprised. That said, I’m still old and reading about a bunch of college kids just might not be for me anymore.

🚨 For Reader Awareness: Narcissistic relationship and consequences

📣Recommended for fans of: Spicy college aged romances

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin, for the ARC of The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy. This novel is the third installment in the Avalon Bay series. I did not read the previous two, and I wasn't confused - this can absolutely be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this new adult romance. Cassie and Tate were likable characters, and there was plenty of drama to keep the pages turning. This is a lighthearted, fun read just made for summer.
Grab an ice cold beverage, head into the sunshine, and enjoy The Summer Girl!

I love Elle Kennedy's work, and this is just adding to my love. It is a great continuation of the Avalon Bay crew. I think Cassie and Tate are the cutest, and they deserve the world.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book.

This is part three of a series by Elle Kennedy and many have raved about the first two books, but I didn’t read them.

I have to admit that within the first few chapters I almost quit reading this book as it seemed a bit too adolescent and unrealistic in how Cassie going about her a summer fling. However, I’m not a quitter and I continued to read. The secrets and drama kept me engaged enough to the finish the book. I always up for a romance but this one didn’t catch me like others.

Thank you, NetGalley for this advanced copy of The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy. I absolutely LOVE this series. Elle Kennedy does it again with another great book. Summer flings, family drama, and fresh starts.

This book was cute! It felt like YA to me, except that it was much spicier than I’d expect from a YA book! It looks like this is part of a series and I’d be curious to read more of the books.

4.5 Stars: The Summer Girl is the third book in the Avalon Bay series and although it can be read as a standalone story, I enjoyed catching up with the main characters from previous books in the series. Cassie Soul used to live in Avalon Bay, until her parents divorced and her mother got custody of her and they moved to Boston. Her grandparents owned the Boardwalk Hotel, but with his death, she is no longer able to run and maintain it. None of her children want to operate it, so she sold it and it is being reopened. Cassie returns to Avalon Bay to spend one last summer with her grandmother before she moves to live closer to her grandchildren. There will be grand opening gala that all her family will be attending as well as birthday celebration as she is turning 21. Her friends are hoping that Cassie will find someone and have a summer fling. There is a lot to look forward to this summer, especially spending time with her father, 2 half-sisters and step-mom.

I really enjoyed this story. Cassie and Tate narrated the story giving us both of their POVs which worked well, with a bit of overlap. Cassie has a lot of baggage from the divorce, being raised by a narcissist and not being liked by her step-mom. She is also sad that this will be her last chance to spend time in Avalon Bay with her grandma. She meets a handsome young man the first night there, but he is a local and just recently broke up with his girlfriend, but there is something that pulls them to each other. I loved both Cassie and Tate. Tate has been in previous books, so I knew a little about him, but this story showed us a lot more and made me appreciate this man, who may have been a "player" but was not a cad and never jumped around. Their romance was a slow build, with friendship first. The setting of Avalon Bay is a great one and having Tate and Cassie living next to each other added to the tension. Cassie's mother makes an appearance and is she ever a piece of work. I won't say more about her, but I'm surprised Cassie was as kind and level headed as she was. I enjoyed seeing Cassied grow, develop and realize that all was not the way she perceived. There is some angst and drama that has to be worked through before a happy ever after, but it was well done! There is some open door romance, but I skimmed those parts and still enjoyed this story.

What a sweet yet interesting story. Tate and Cassie are so likable. There's back and forth and the "summer fling" between them. Tate may act the playboy but he's so likable and honorable. Cassie is just the nicest, most likable which is amazing given her parental situation. Her mother, the narcissist. Her father, the distracted with his new family. Whereas Tate's Homelife is idyllic. Or so it seems. First there's Tate's rejection of Cassie because he doesn't want to break her heart. Then there's the far deeper feelings on both their parts. Than the family drama's. There's plenty here to keep the reader involved.

The Summer Girl is the epitome of a good summer read. I had not read books one and two and it didn't bagger at all. This book works very well as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this review opportunity.

This was such a good book in the Avalon Bay series! It was a friends-to-lovers story well done... I thought both Cassie and Tate were very likable. Loved the magnetic pull they had on each other.

The Summer Girl' is the third book in the Avalon Bay series but it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed the book and can be read fast.

This was my favorite of the Avalon Bay series so far!
Cassie and Tate were such great characters!
I loved how fast paced this book felt.
the banter and connection the characters had was A+.
and oooh did i love the slow burn(Which is one of my least favorite tropes)
But it was so wonderfully executed in this book!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this review opportunity.

My favorite of the Avalon Bay books!!

I greatly enjoyed the pace of the relationship development from friends to more between Cassie and Tate. I also LOVE the dual POV. I think that getting both sides thoughts throughout the story really added a lot to my enjoyment.

Cassie was a really sweet main character and I enjoyed that while Tate may have been with a lot of girls, he wasn't a jerk about it. The connection to the Beacon Hotel was really cool and I enjoyed being able to see the progress that Gen and Mac were making on that front.

I also have to say that I squealed when Cassie said she went to Briar! What a fun cross over moment to the Off-Campus series.

Definitely recommend the whole series and this book especially.

This was such a good book in the Avalon Bay series! I loved the banter and the chemistry between the characters.. I thought both Cassie and Tate were very likeable. It was such a good slow burn with them being neighbors all summer. So good!

Ok, I know this book, to most people, is a fun summery read but hot damn it hit me in all the feels! Yeah, the romance was cute, Avalon Bay sounds fun, and the girl gang is top notch, but the deeper aspect of Cassie and Victoria’s relationship was what did it for me. Their relationship was almost exactly mine and my mother’s. Down to the Gilmore Girls references and betrayal feeling after divorce. I have 23 highlights and 21 of those are things I highlighted because I knew EXACTLY how Cassie felt or what she was describing. Narcissistic mothers are no joke and I love how Cassie walked away in the end with no turning back because “that’s what you do” or “she’s her mother”.

Good job, Elle Kennedy, at perfectly writing what so many of us go through but can’t easily articulate because of the manipulation and masks the narcissists in our lives put on.

Thank you to @netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my favorite of the Avalon Bay series! I loved the characters. Loved the banter and magnetic draw they had to each other. I thought both Cassie and Tate were very likeable and the close proximity tension of being neighbors all summer was such a good slow burn. 🌶️

Really liked it!!

Elle Kennedy’s new adult, friends-to-lovers romance The Summer Girl, Avalon Bay #3, explores small-town secrets and a summer fling that unexpectedly develops into first love for college student Cassie Soul and sailing instructor Tate Bartlett. Kennedy’s vibrant description and snarky, humorous, and sharp dialogue and banter, and relatable, complex, likable, and well-developed characters drew me in from the first scene, investing me in the story and characters’ lives. The novel’s best part is Cassie and Tate’s interactions with each other and the other characters, especially their parents, that contribute to their development and help the story naturally progress. Kennedy wonderfully shows you Tate and Cassie’s personalities (as well as secondary characters) and the type of people they are instead of just telling you, which is essential since Tate is built up to be such a nice guy despite being a player who’s dated most of the girls in town but is not into love or monogamy. It also helps you understand Cassise’s feelings about where she fits into her family.

Cassie returns to Avalon Bay to visit her grandmother for her first summer since her parents’ divorce. After five decades of ownership, her grandmother plans to sell their family’s boardwalk hotel. Cassie’s turning twenty-one and hoping to experience a summer fling. She thinks she’s found the perfect candidate when she meets Tate Bartlett on her first night in town. A surprisingly sweet player, Tate isn’t a stranger to flings. He may be Avalon Bay’s fun-loving golden boy, but he’s not a heartbreaker. Because he knows right away that Cassie isn’t a girl you can have a casual fling with and walk away from without someone getting hurt, he puts her in the friend zone. But the more time he spends with Cassie, the harder it is for him to deny and fight his attraction to her. He realizes almost immediately that friend-zoning Cassie is a monumental mistake. Soon, all Tate can think about is how much he wants more than anything to have a fling with Cassie this summer.

Despite agreeing to be friends, they become intimate because of their intense attraction, stretching the boundaries of friendship. After surrendering to their feelings for each other, Cassie and Tate agree to keep their fling a secret, not realizing that far more dangerous secrets than theirs are at stake. Avalon Bay is like many small towns with secrets—once revealed, they can destroy everything in their wake. Will Tate and Cassie’s relationship survive Avalon Bay’s secrets?

Kennedy develops Cassie and Tate’s relationship through humorous, sexy, and sweet banter and interactions and sweet, steamy, intimate, and sexy love scenes that also contribute to their development and evolution and the story’s progression. Cassie’s down-to-earth, sweet, funny, relentlessly optimistic, and girlfriend material—the most extraordinary person Tate’s ever met. Kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and a good friend, Tate’s a good guy who genuinely respects women. I love how being friends first, then lovers, helps Cassie and Tate grow and encourage each other to face their fears, follow their dreams, and be honest with their parents about what they want from their lives and how their parents treat them.

Kennedy skillfully writes a multifaceted story that, at first glance, is simply a fun, lighthearted, steamy friends-to-lovers, summer fling that becomes something infinitely more profound and more vital to Tate and Cassie but is unexpectedly threatened by small-town secrets. Sweet, funny, sexy, emotional, steamy, angsty, and romantic, The Summer Girl explores themes of first love, falling in love, taking risks, small-town and family secrets, self-esteem, toxic parents, second chances, self-confidence, belonging, and following your dreams. I highly recommend the book to fans of steamy new adult romances focused on friends-to-lovers, summer flings, and timed relationship tropes.

Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin’s Griffin via Netgalley for review.

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy is book 3 of the Avalon Bay series. First and foremost, I will read anything this author puts out as I LOVE everything she writes. She could write a new phonebook and I'd read every word. This book is the perfect summer read that’s fun and filled with awesome, easy to love characters! Just an enjoyable young romance with a little drama, a little humor, and a little smut. SIGN ME UP!!

**I received Summer Girl as an arc through Net Galley**
I've read the Avalon Bay series book 1 & 2 and was excited for book 3, Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy. I think Summer Girl has been my favorite of the series so far! I was instantly hooked and gravitated towards the main characters, Tate and Cassie. I loved Tate's sweet player vibe and Cassie's urgent need for a summer fling! There were a few OMG moments that I did not see coming but that were sooo good (slow clap for Elle). The dual POV was well written and I enjoyed both Cassie's and Tate's chapters. If you have read any books within the Avalon Bay series, I highly recommend you continuing to Summer Girl! The only thing I would want to see more of are spicy scenes- I thought there were moments where Elle could have added a scene instead of a more fade to black scene ( but that's because I love smut and spicy scenes in general & always want more lol). This book does have some good hot and heavy scenes, I just wanted 1 or 2 more!! Other than that, I thought Summer Girl was very well written and had a good plot behind the book!

Overall rating: 8.5/10
Spice Rating: 3.5 / 5

Another book knocked out of the park by Elle Kennedy! I simply can't get enough of Elle Kennedy's romance novels. Avalon Bay has held my heart since the first book in this series came out and I was so excited to get my hands on this book. Tate & Cassie stole my heart and this was the perfect friends to lovers/summer fling to lovers beach read for me! Elle Kennedy gets me every time with the out of towner meets local and falls in love storyline. Talk about all the hallmark vibes.

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book is out now & available for purchase!

If it’s Elle Kennedy, I’m gonna read it. And I’m gonna love it and swoon over it.

📖 The Details:
The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy

⏱️Quick Summary:
The 3rd book in the series (who does series better than EK?!) follows Cassie as she visits her grandmother for the summer in Avalon Bay, where she meets Tate (the cute and sweet we’ve met before).

💁🏻‍♀️My Take:
This was exactly the read I needed this summer - sweet and fun, but also honest and at times emotional. It has a pretty intense plot line about parents and even a few twists! Cassie and Tate are both easy to love and root for. I always love EK’s writing and flow of her stories (I know some don’t love the 3rd act breakup, but actually I’m a fan because I love the drama 😅).

👍 Recommend!!