Elle Kennedy is one of my favorites - she always provides fun, spicy reads that have plenty of depth. And I appreciate that. I was beyond excited when I got The Summer Girl because I adored Good Girl Complex. Don’t ask me which was better because that’s just impossible.

The fact that Cassie had deep seated issues that stemmed from her parents and had some serious issues she needed to work through made this read even more likable. And Tate cautiously helping her through them? My heart is so full.

I struggled their push and pull, it was either to the extreme or too chill, and for some reason that really bothered me. But when it was good, it was great!

This is an easy, sweet summer read that is MOSTLY lighthearted.

This book has everything you want. Family drama. Fun friendships. Great banter. A hot summer fling. And so, so much more. You won’t regret reading Cassie and Tate’s story.

A return to Avalon Bay and boy is it good to be back!

I LOVEEE summery books and this one has it all! The beach setting, lighthearted romance and sweet banter and chemistry.

This may be my favorite of the series so far, especially because I loved the secondary family drama plot! But the romance is A+ as well!

Can be read as a standalone, but some characters from the previous books in the series make an appearance so I’d recommend reading the previous 2 books! (and they’re also great!)

The Summer Girl is, as the name may suggest, a great summer read. I continue to be entertained by this Avalon Bay friend group and their dynamic. The late-night bonfires, bar hopping, and banter are just so very fun and summery, it's absolutely perfect! I also loved seeing how the couples from the first two books have grown together as we get snippets of them throughout this book, as well as how their professional endeavors have progressed.

Cassie was a fun main character. I loved her energy- from her silver lining outlook to the more vulnerable parts of her relationships that forced her to see the silver lining in the first place. She was such a relatable character to me, or at the very least she felt real and like someone I'd be friends with for sure. She and Tate really complemented each other, from when they were "just friends" to when their relationship developed into something more. They legit had me smiling almost the entire time I was reading. I loved getting into Tate's head in this book. I was growing more and more curious about him throughout the first two books, so it was great to finally learn more about him. He's such a sweetie and was so fun to read.

The families in this book are definitely complex. Cassie's mom's behavior had me dropping my jaw every time she was on the page. That woman is a real piece of work, and Kennedy did a great job of making me simultaneously hate and pity her, painting her as a real, flawed person. Still hate her, though, make no mistake. It was so lovely to see Cassie's relationship with her dad and stepmom develop throughout the book. I absolutely loved those vulnerable moments and seeing her free herself of the weight of her buried feelings. Tate's relationship with his family was also interesting to see change. I wasn't expecting that side plot, and though it felt like it was wrapped up fairly quickly, I didn't hate it.

Kinda spoilery here: this book contains a third act breakup. Normally I absolutely hate these, but with the side plot mentioned above, it actually kind of makes sense for once. Normally these breakups are caused by the main characters not voicing their feelings or a simple miscommunication, but that was not the case here. It was actually kind of cool to see how these characters wanted to do as they perceived was right, and also to see how they developed while they were apart. Still not my favorite writing device, but it actually felt like it fit in and wasn't used just for the sake of causing conflict.

I will continue reading the Avalon Bay series and anything else Elle Kennedy writes, as well as recommending her books to anyone who will listen. That's it, the end.

Steamy, sassy, and tender!

The Summer Girl is a cute, sweet, delightfully charming rom-com featuring the kind, dependable Cassie Soul, who, after returning to Avalon Bay for the summer to celebrate her twenty-first birthday, spend some time with her maternal grandmother, visit with her father, and perhaps have a little fling, quickly discovers that as time goes on, and secrets are uncovered she may have more than just a passing fancy for life on the island and local boy Tate Bartlett.

The writing is witty and smooth. The characters are easygoing, supportive, and dependable. And the plot is an enchanting mix of life, friendship, tension, chemistry, self-discovery, emotion, familial drama, special moments, summer fun, happiness, taking chances, and unconditional love.

Overall, The Summer Girl is an amusing, lighthearted, perfect summer read by Kennedy that can definitely be picked up as a standalone novel, but as someone who absolutely adores this Avalon Bay series, I highly recommend you read them all.

Calling anyone and everyone who's in their small town, boy next door, or friends to lovers era!! This is a MUST read for summer. I am an Elle Kennedy lover but this is in my top 5 favourites from her and the best in the Avalon Bay series. Cassie and Tate have an effortless banter and such a natural relationship development. This beach town is the perfect small town back drop that highlights the need for community, loyalty, and friendship.

This story follows Cassie coming into her own and realizing that she doesn't have to please everyone or let them dictate her life. After her parents messy divorce, Cassie has become a people pleaser trying to avoid any conflicts and always looking for the silver lining. Even with some of the really horrific comments she gets from her mum, this girl is trying to be optimistic. The dynamic between Cassie and Tate is so complimentary and really allows to show both of their growth. Content warnings for verbal abuse, parental bullying, miscarriage (mentioned briefly), and abortion (mentioned briefly).

Cassie is headed back to Avalon Bay to spend the summer with her grandma as the family hotel, the Beacon, has transferred hands to Mac Talbot and will be reopening at the end of the summer. Cassie is looking for a fling to help her get over her lack of experience in the romance world and meets Tate, Avalon Bay's play boy. Tate however, isn't the typical playboy. He just hasn't had that spark with anyone yet.

I feel like Elle Kennedy always manages to get you with the fluffy feels! This one was by far my favorite out of the Avalon Bay books and I think it's because it was just so adorable. I'm a huge fan of friends to lovers and even though this was rejected fling-to friends-to lovers, it was done in such a fun way! Elle Kennedy is a favorite, for sure!

We return to Avalon Bay where the locals are smokin hot and the clones are rich. Third in the series and this is my favorite so far! Cassie returns to Avalon Bay for the summer with plans to lay low and hang with her grandmother and find a fling that’s willing to take her v-card. NBD nothing to see here. Enter Tate, her smoking hot local neighbor that’s too hot for words causing Cassie to babble nervously around him constantly. Don’t worry her awkwardness only adds to her ginger charm. After a lust filled kiss when she first arrives in town, Tate gets the vibe that’s she’s a relationship type of girl and friend zones her because he’s a fling only type of guy. But the more time they spend together he’s convinced that maybe they can fling. Especially after the window scene. 🥵
When they fling progresses and they both start to catch feelings a blast from their famililies’ past explodes and threaten any chance for a future together.
Tate is the epitome of a summer guy. He’s blonde, tanned, and gorgeous while also hilariously charming and sexy af. He further won me over with all of the lessons in sharing feelings and standing up for herself that he taught Cassie. Definite cinnamon roll material. I loved the chemistry between him and Cassie especially as she babbles her face red frequently around them.
This is definite summer read material and if you’ve read the other AB books then you’ll definitely enjoy this one. This is my favorite of the series!

College student Cassie summers in Avalon Bay, spending time with her grandmother and hoping for a summer fling. She meets Tate, sailing instructor and good-time boy. He's strongly attracted to Cassie but senses her innocence. He friend-zones her at first, but can't resist their growing attraction. Then, family secrets arise that test their relationship.

Cassie is adorable, and Tate is swoony. Together, the chemistry between them is explosive. Cassie is dealing with a lot, given her often absent father and her narcissistic mother. Tate helps her learn to stand up for what she needs. I love how smart, fun, and emotional this book is.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I've enjoyed all the Avalon Bay books and this one was no different. Cassie and Tate's story was both sweet and spicy. Cassie had always been the good girl - - the one that colored in the lines so to speak. But this summer, she wanted the full summer experience - - all the way down to having her own summer fling. And she set her sights on Tate because he seemed to be the perfect no strings attached local guy with a heart of gold and the body of a Greek god. But the best of plans don't always work out and her plans for Tate go awry.

The way this book was written, I felt like I was squeezing my own toes in sand and smelling the salt air. It was a wonderful tribute to summer and everything it meant to be young and in love.

AUDIOBOOK: The narration was fairly good for the most part. I will say that when it came time for the narrators to do the opposite sex voices, they weren't the best at that, but it still wasn't bad. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for both early copies of the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to review both of them and the opinions contained within are my own.

4.5 stars

I knew by the first chapter of this audiobook that I was going to enjoy the narration. Caitlin Elizabeth is a new to me narrator and she portrayed 20-year-old Cassie perfectly. Even her male voices were great. Teddy Hamilton is always good, but he could work on his female voices.

Cassie Soul is back in Avalon Bay for the summer to spend time with her grandmother and father. Her other goal for the summer is to find a summer fling. She finds the perfect guy on her first night in town--Tate Bartlett.

This is just the perfect summer read. Tate is adorable. He and Cassie have great chemistry and banter-especially when he is trying (at first) to help her find someone else to be her summer fling. That doesn't work for long as they discover that their attraction is too strong.

There is some family drama included as Cassie's mother is just a horrible person and mother.

This is my favorite of the Avalon Bay series and it's the spiciest. It is book three but can be read fine as a standalone.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ALC and ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tate and Cassie meet when she is visiting her grandma for summer vacation. The first two books in this series were so good so I knew this would be too, this one ended up my favorite of the series! I loved Fate and Cassie's chemistry through the book and their tension was so good. This is a perfect summertime strangers to friends to lovers read.
Elle Kennedy always writes some of my favorites!
This book is part 3 of the Avalon Bay series, but can be read as an interconnected standalone.
Thank you to Elle Kennedy and NetGally for providing this e-arc in exchange for a review

Loved Tate and Cassie! Avalon Bay sounds like the perfect place to spend the summer. This is a great summer read!

Oh my gosh I LOVED this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Cassie comes to Avalon Bay for the summer, visiting her grandmother (and father and his family) who still live there. She’s looking for a fling before heading back to college in the Fall.
Her first night in town she meets the incredibly gorgeous, funny and sweet Tate, and thinks she’s found the perfect hookup guy.

They get along so well that they decide to just stay friends - or rather Tate puts Cassie in the friend zone, not wanting to risk breaking her heart. Their attraction to one another can’t be denied, and soon they can’t ignore it anymore.

Honestly both main characters were so easy to fall in love with, it was no surprise they did with each other! Cassie is this adorable rambler, and Tate is considered a f*ck boy who everyone still loves, since he treats them all with respect and honesty.

The tension in this book is yummy, and that window scene 🥵

I totally didn’t expect to be in tears with this one, but I was! There was also a twist I didn’t see coming, which I love.

I tandem read this book - ebook and audio - and Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job on the audio!

This is the 3rd book in the Avalon Bay series, but can be read as a standalone. Good Girl Complex (the 1st book) does set up some things that happen in this one though.

What you’ll find in the Summer Girl:
⭐️ Friends to friends with benefits to more
⭐️ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐️ Neighbors
⭐️ Virgin FMC
⭐️ Lovable MCs
⭐️ Beachside town
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was hands down my favorite of the Avalon Bay Series books. Elle Kennedy took me on a wold ride of summer love, family drama, and self exploration. Tate and Cassie's story was so much fun to read. I also loved how the past characters had their own plots in the story as well. I definitely recommend all the Avalon Bay books, but especially this one

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Kennedy and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to this book based on the cover and it felt like the perfect read during July. I didn't realize this was part of a broader series of books set in Avalon Bay. I didn't feel like you needed to have read the others in the series to understand what was happening in the story. There were some steamy scenes and plenty of family drama, but I felt like it was probably 100 pages too long.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy Netgalley & St. Martin's Griffin!

The Summer Girl is my favorite in the Avalon Bay series. Cassie is returning to Avalon Bay after some years away to spend the summer with her grandmother. Her dad, his wife and her half sisters live in Avalon Bay, but she doesn't see them a lot. I thought this aspect of the The Summer Girl was really well done, watching Cassie navigate these relationships and find her footing in asking for what she needs and wants. Everything about this tugged at my heartstrings.

Tate is a local boy who is always in for a good time. Despite some initial reservations they end up getting together and I enjoyed every minute. Tate certainly wasn't perfect, but he pushed Cassie in all the right ways, including showing her that it's ok to ask for what you want and need (re: her family).

Cassie's mom is a narcissistic bitch and you could see her scheming a mile and a half away. This caused some issues that did result in a 3rd act breakup, but not in a traditional way.

Despite the heaviness it was a great summery read!

Cassie and Tate just may be my favorite Avalon Bay couple! They seem the most down to earth of all the characters so far. Cassie grew up in the bay. She only moved away when her parents divorced. She’s back for the summer and wants a summer fling. That’s the last thing Tate wants. The more he resisted, the less willpower he had around Cassie. I loved how this summer was also a time for Cassie to connect with her father, stepmother, and twin sisters. Her mother’s indiscretions coming out into the open caused great repercussions for Cass and Tate. I felt that was a pivotal point in the story for them. All was not lost though. Some time away from each other and a conversation between Cassie and Tate’s mom steers Cassie in the right direction with blessings.

Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton lent their talents to voice the characters so wonderfully. Their personalities came to life!

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

There’s something about an early 20’s summer romance set in a small coastal town that just gives me all the feels. Definitely some nostalgia for me, having grown up a beach kid. Anyway, this book was the ultimate summer fling turned full blown romance!

Right from the start, Cassie & Tate have this irresistible magnetic chemistry. It just seems like they gravitate towards each other, despite trying to resist their mutual attraction. There’s also some pretty intense drama that threatens the potential for them to eventually have a real relationship.

I loved being back in Avalon Bay, getting snippets of Mackenzie & Cooper and Gen & Evan, the Beacon, the bonfires, all the fun in their friend group. I do think this is the spiciest book in the series so far. That window scene?! 🥵 But it might be the most emotional too. The depth of the characters allowed me to really connect to them & feel for them on another level.

Overall I thought this book was very well-written, with the perfect amount of humor & spice to uplift some of the heavier topics discussed.

3.75🌟 Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc of Elle Kennedy’s third book in the Avalon Bay series, The Summer Girl, in exchange for my honest review.

This was a quick, fun summer romcom with a sweet couple and fun banted.

Tropes: summer fling, friends to lovers, next door neighbor love, virgin character, mild spice.

Plot:
Cassie hasn’t spent a summer in Avalon Bay since her parents divorce. Now she is spending her summer break with her grandmother, visiting her father and celebrating her 21st birthday. Her goal for the summer- have a fling (loose her virginity) and gain experience. And who better to proposition a fling with than the gorgeous man housesitting next door.

Enter: Tate.
Tate is the golden retriever playboy and is known for his casual friends with benefits. When Tate meets Cassie, it seems like a no brainer to accept Cassie’s fling proposal. However, he soon realizes she isn’t the type for casual…and friend zones her. Mistake? Definitely.

These two had such cute chemistry and witty banter. I loved that Tate showed his emotional side to Cassie & I think their friendship was a great foundation.

Trigger warnings: bodyshaming, manipulation, emotional abuse, side character infidelity, discussions of abortion and toxic parent.