College senior Cassie Soul came to Avalon Bay for the first time in years. She's here for the summer in hopes to spend time with her grandmother and hopefully find a perfect 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 reluctantly he friend-zones her…only to realize his mistake. Soon, his attraction to Cassie becomes impossible to ignore. Soon he's willing to give her the fling 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.

It took me a little bit to get into this book. I don't know why I thought the characters in this series were a bit older, so when I saw Cassie is this goodie two shoes 20 year old I was a little thrown off. Honestly, when will Elle Kennedy start writing older character?! Overall I really enjoyed this story. I really related to Cassie and her need to people please and putting peoples needs above her own. And I loved how Tate helped her balance that nagging voice out. I loved the family drama within Cassie's family and the foreshadowing in Tate's family dynamic. The spice was classic Elle Kennedy heat. It's always well done. I loved how she toed the line between friends to lovers, and that will they wont they aspect. We get a bonus by seeing our favorite characters from the past books in the series. Overall this is a fun light summer romance for all your beach vacations.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 7/18

I read this book in two sittings which is actually really impressive for me, so that has to say something about this book! To be honest, it took me a while to get into. I loved the settings and most of the characters, and honestly really related to the MC in many ways. However, something was missing for me in the story and I'm not quite sure what it was. I like the chemistry between the two MC's but the spicy was just a tas too spicy for me (minority opinion I'm sure).
The end was perfect in every way, the epilogue was done so well and I really really enjoyed the character development. This also made me want to stay in someone's small-town, beach house for the summer and get to know the locals. it was a really good summer read and enjoyed it a lot.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to review this book.

Thank you st. Martin's press, Netgalley and Elle Kennedy for the arc!

3 stars

Cassie us spending her summer in Avalon Bay and helping her grandmother pack up her house. She meets Tate Bartlett, a guy who knows how to have a good time. Cassie is looking for a summer fling and he seems like the perfect guy for the job. Tate is a local who isn't looking for a relationship but could be down for a friends with benefits situation. As they get to know each other more, they just might be what the other needs.

• slowburn
• small town/beach town
• girl next door

The chemistry between the characters was good and I enjoyed the banter. This book has some steam which I also enjoyed! The setting made me wish I could visit a fun beach town like this. I liked how Cassie really grew throughout the book and how the dynamic with her family changed.

This book took me a while to get into. I kept putting it down because it felt slow and it took a while for things to finally start happening. The Summer Girl felt like a ya book which also aren't typically what I like to read.

Overall, this was a nice beach read but something I wouldn't reread.

The Summer Girl was a tough one to rate because I did really enjoy reading it, and it was well written with some great smutty scenes too! This is my first book I’ve read in this series as they are all standalone, so I don’t have another introduction to the Avalon Bay world.

Tate is sweet and likeable, and Cassie is mostly likeable as well, but I’m not a fan of the virgin-hero trope so that was a tough hill for me to get over. They joke in the book about girls objectifying guys being a double standard (much more allowed than guys objectifying girls?!), but I had to agree sometimes and didn’t love some of those elements. I think if you love the virgin-hero trope you will eat this book up!!

There were a couple of twists, but one in particular that threw me for a loop that I really didn’t like. I think the author was trying to add a bit more drama to the story and not make it just like every other book I’ve read, which she succeeded in, this just isn’t the one I would have wanted personally.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Kennedy, and St Martin’s Press for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for the advanced reader copy! This book was a lot of fun- I read it in a day because I couldn’t put it down!

This book is a perfect beach read for the summer- the characters are well developed and I loved the whole community of Avalon Bay. Like I know I couldn’t afford it and it’s not actually real, but I want to stay at the Beacon hotel.

This book has the perfect amount of spice for me- and there is one scene that is chef’s kiss! I’m not going to spoil it because I’m not an actual jerk.

I could have done without the “twist” near the end. I didn’t think it was necessary and kind of threw me off. That being said- it didn’t ruin the whole book for me and I’d definitely still recommend it to anyone who loves steamy beach reads!

I love Elle Kennedy, and this book is another win for sure! As always, this book pulled me in from the start and is the perfect summer read. Definitely recommend for everyone this summer!

4.5 stars thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-Book. I really enjoyed this book the sexual tension btw Cassie and Tate was fire!!! and I was here for all of it. It also got deep with her relationship with her parents and my heart broke and then got put together again. I think this was the best story out of all 3 books.

This summer romance belongs on your summer reading shortlist!

Five-Star Book Review: THE SUMMER GIRL by Elle Kennedy

🌊 Book Synopsis: College senior Cassie Soul is in Avalon Bay for the summer and on the lookout for a summer fling. She may be in town to help her grandmother pack up her home and spend time with her dad and his new family, but she’s also looking for some fun before leaving Avalon Bay, likely for good. The first guy she meets and clicks with is Tate Bartlett, a fun-loving golden boy who promptly puts her in the friend zone. But they might just be perfect for each other.

⛵️ My Take: This book is the perfect summer read! It’s steamy, but it also has strong character development and depth. Both characters are trying their best to do the right thing in a variety of hard situations with each other, friends, and family. Especially family. I really liked how they both grew throughout the book and that this novel included both the importance of and the need to set limits with family. This was easily my favorite of the three-book Avalon’s Bay series. And it can definitely be read as a standalone. Highly recommend this as part of your summer reading lineup!

Read THE SUMMER GIRL for
- Dual POV slow-burn romance
- Summer beach town vibes
- Body positivity

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

THE SUMMER GIRL comes out July 18

😘 Thank you to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for the eARC of THE SUMMER GIRL and introducing me to a new author!

I swear every Elle Kennedy book I read is better than the last.! This absolutely captivating tale reeled me in. I finished the entire book in one sitting because I had to know more. I needed it like I needed to breathe. I laughed, I cringed, I cheered, and I cried! This is the absolute most perfect summer book! Enjoy the ride my friends!

Happy to be back in Avalon Bay. This book was fantastic.. Adorable, sexy, sweet, all the feels and of course a HEA.

Cassie has been going to Avalon Bay every summer since she was a baby. This summer she is turning 21 and has to say goodbye to her family-owned hotel.

She is staying with her grandma over the summer while they pack the house and stay for a grand opening of the hotel.

I did find it to be a bit slow at times with not much happening.

The ending was shocking but I was happy to see Cassie find love, a career path, and a family that loves her.

The story had a dual POV between Cassie and Tate which I thought was great. It helped us see how they really felt about each other.

This is the third installment of the Avalon Bay series. However, this can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the first two books yet and didn’t feel lost or confused.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Elle Kennedy novel, and it won’t be my last!! I wasn’t aware that this was the third in a series, but I appreciated that it could be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. I enjoyed both Cassie and Tate as main characters and their banter and chemistry was fun. The side characters were great as well, especially Cassie’s grandmother. If you’re looking for a fun beach read, look no further - this definitely fit the bill!

I love Elle Kennedy! This book was a summer girl romance and was perfect for a beach read. I think I would prefer it as a real book and not an audiobook but overall it was easy to get through. It was not a 5 star read but I loved the characters. It was an entertaining read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

There is no doubt that The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy is a fantastic novel. Kennedy is a well-rounded writer who possesses a great voice for young adults.

Elle Kennedy has truly outdone herself with this book. I really liked the first two books in the series, but the dynamic between Cassie and Tate was really something charming. I was nervous at first because I wasn’t sure how it was going to be connected to the first two books or if it was going to be a completely separate story in the same town. I’m so glad that all of the books intertwined so well. All of the characters (new and old) played their own part in making this book extra special. I really connected with this book because it deals with hard some hard issues that the female main character has to overcome. It is very hard to deal with a narcissist, especially when it is someone you feel obligated to love. I was cheering for Cassie when she stood her ground and made choices for herself instead of letting things just happen to her. Also, I’m going to be daydreaming about that boat scene for quite a while (IYKYK). I hope we get more trips to Avalon Bay in the future! In the mean time in dyeing my hair ginger-er, copper, and booking my stay at the Beacon Hotel.

I was lucky enough to get to read the ebook and listen to the audiobook for The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy! This is the 3rd instalment in the Avalon Bay series - Though the first book in the series is my favourite, I did love Cassie and Tate's slow burn summer romance! I also love hearing how characters from the first 2 books are doing :) This is a must read spicy rom com for your summer TBR!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC/ALC!

Cassie wants a summer fling. Tate loves to hook up. And they are neighbors for the summer. Sounds like a perfect set up, right? I loved learning about these two characters, all their family drama, and watching their connection grow beyond a fling. I enjoyed this one enough to read the book AND listen to the audiobook. Perfect summer read!

**Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

oh this was cute. I love the Briar U/Avalon Bay crossover. The story was cute. I LOVE Tate. Love love love

I enjoyed the dynamic between the two characters.

Thank you Netgalley for the EARC of The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy.
This is a 4 stars book.
I love the story of Cassie and Tate. I love the Character development of Cassie.
The story is light and fun to read and I love how it dealt with other issues.

Overall I will recommend the book for a good summer read.

I really liked so many parts about this book. Tate was just perfection. The banter was fun and so was the steam. While the ending was dramatic, I was not expecting THAT type drama, so I actually really liked the ending. Overall, it just seemed to have a lot going… between all the parents and their drama from the start… it was a lot!