I received this digital ARC from NetGalley for free for an honest review.

Sometimes Elle Kennedy is good for a quick, satisfying, steamy read. This book didn’t quite do it for me. It just seemed a bit juvenile, and although the characters are young, they also just read as a bit silly and superficial. There is a beach town, so if you’re looking for a summer beach vibe, this might work for you. Just know that the main love interest is constantly talking about the girl’s “rack.” I wanted to like this book more than I ended up liking it.

The Summer Girl

Elle Kennedy

The Summer Girl is Cassie who spends the summer in Avalon Bay. This is the perfect Elle Kennedy book for the summer. It has everything you need: family, good hometown beach, a summer fling, friendship, and a bit of smut.

Thank you Netgally for your he ARC copy! This book will releases in a few weeks! July 18th!!

✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ / 5

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Every time we head back to Avalon Bay, I get happy. This also includes a quick Easter Egg for her Briar U series as Cassie's alma mater, but I digress.

Tate, our ultimate fuckboy, finally meets his match and it's amazing. Cassie wants a summer fling with no strings while she's in town for The Beacon's grand opening - and to lose her virginity. Avalon Bay has no shortage of activities, though my favorite was the Beach Games. There's so much family drama in this installment, to the point where we have more of it than actual romance. And honestly? I didn't mind that in the least!

I feel like this series could continue for awhile, be it if Joy, Wyatt, or Alana finally find love. Maybe even the super stoic Heidi? Who knows?? Either way, I'm here for it.

*Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

“You have no idea what you do to me.”
“Show me.”

I loved this book with my whole heart! The banter, the friendship, the chemistry! It was all absolutely perfect!! Back in her hometown of Avalon Bay for the summer, Cassie was looking for a summer fling, to finally experience that summer romance full of passion and fun that she had always envied her friends for. She met Tate, golden boy of Avalon Bay, and they quickly became friends in a very amusing meet cute. Tate was the king of hookups and gorgeous too so he seemed like the perfect guy for a fling.

Where were guys like Tate during my own college summer breaks?! Tate was just book boyfriend perfect! Everyone who met him loved him. He may have slept with a lot of different girls, avoiding relationships and commitment, but he never acted like a player. He was caring and sweet with a heart of gold and I couldn't help but swoon!

I could completely identify with Cassie, her insecurities and vulnerability, her need to belong. She was so unsure of herself, so awkwardly adorable, and I found her so endearing. I loved how far her character came in this story, learning how to vocalize her feelings and needs. Her friendship with Tate was so easy and natural, bringing a smile to my face every time they were together.

The steamy scenes were so much fun, my favorite being the window time they shared as neighbors. And I loved the wingman practice sessions. The connection between Cassie and Tate was so compelling I couldn't imagine them not getting together. The virgin heroine trope is difficult to portray convincingly but here it worked so incredibly well. The shift in the friendship from friends to being unable to deny their attraction was perfectly paced and kept me engaged the entire time.

There were so many great threads throughout this story. Forming genuine connections and finding your place amongst friends, family dynamics and relationships all intertwined through the plot, each character contributing something special to the story. Cassie and Tate's friends were all well written and developed and now I want to go back and read the first two books in the series. Breaking free of toxic relationships and nurturing those who feed your soul were integral to the plot and there were so many heartfelt moments. I especially loved Cassie's grandmother, Lydia. She was the type of woman any girl would love to have in her life.

“And as I think about all the ways she and I just fit, that question once again surfaces to the forefront of my mind. Why does it have to end?”

What happens when a summer fling leads to more, when you unexpectedly catch feelings and hope for a future? Can that possibly work? Everything in me wanted to say yes.

This is the first book I've read by Elle Kennedy and I already know I'll read anything she writes. I had so much fun with this book and I was happy to become lost in its world. This is the perfect book for a summer beach read and it completely surpassed my expectations!

** Special thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available July 18, 2023. **

I really enjoy Elle Kennedy’s writing. Reading the Summer Girl was like visiting friends. I loved Tate & Cassie’s story. Watching their friendship unfold was probably my favorite part of the book. I felt like there was a lot going on in the middle of the book that made it drag. I love how it ended. I can’t wait to return to the bay next summer.

I think this series is so cute. I love reading about beach romances! I also liked how the characters weren't wanting to be in a relationship right away. Because friends w/ benefits that leads to more is such a good trope. I can't wait for the next one!

I read this so fast and loved it. It is a lovely beach read with fun characters, and I loved spending some time in Avalon Bay. Will read more by this author. Thank you #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a perfect summer read! I enjoyed this read and will go back to more by this author. A quick, happy read, perfect for the beach.

The first 10% of this novel dragged for me. It felt like a lot of telling not showing. Scenes kept being interrupted to lay down background and it was just hard to read. The rest of the book was fantastic by far my favorite in the series. Both characters show a lot of character growth, the love story was super believable, the plot was great. I otherwise loved this book. I did think Cassie referenced her insecurity about her boobs a bit too much but to each their own. I loved tate, I loved that he had to confront his parents not being the perfect couple he had them made out to be. It was really well done.

After reading the first book of this series a few months ago, I didn’t want to continue because the second book’s description didn’t hook me, especially with how much I adored Cooper and Mac, but I’m so glad I continued this series for this book specifically. Tate and Cassie’s story blew the other two out of the water, I adored their story. The way they were built up, Cassie’s rambling, Tate’s under adoration of Cassie and so much more made me love this book.

There was a decent amount of laughs, shocks, and so much more that kept the story fast paced! Even if you haven’t read the first two, I’d recommend this book in a heartbeat.

I love Elle Kennedy’s books!! I got this one just in time; I’m on vacation and it accidentally turned into an Elle Kennedy book binge fest! Finished her off campus and briar u series when I got the notification for The Summer Girl!
Another great read by Kennedy!!

Having read other books by the author I knew what I was getting into. The Summer Girl delivers a fun and sexy beach read with plenty of family drama and angst. Set in a beach town in South Carolina, Cassie comes to stay with her grandmother for the summer and is looking to have a summer fling so she can lose her virginity before her senior year of college (she goes to Briar, a nod to Kennedy's other series') she meets Tate, a local guy who only does casual but of course it becomes more. Add in a lot of family drama and you have a very fun and fast read. I did find some of the backstory to be unnecessary and found myself skipping a lot of paragraphs during those scenes.

I love all the seasons, but I’m a summer baby and live for those lazy summer days. The sun melts you to your bones, no more suffocation by all the clothes.
It’s just one big exhale—full relaxation, and then it’s passed.

“Summer Girl”, the third book in Elle Kennedys’ Avalon Bay series you get that throwback summer feeling. Elle has really brought the heaviness with this series. Each book doesn’t shy away from the familial and personal dramas, and you might find yourself laughing one minute and tearing up the next.

Cassie is back home for the summer, and wanting to find passion and a path for her future. Tate is working two jobs and trying to find his path as well while balancing his wants with family expectations. One night of accidental eavesdropping finds them in an unlikely friendship. Cassie just wants a fling and Tate vows to be her wingman. Let the fun begin!

My first book by Elle Kennedy and surely not my last. The author has a captivating way of balancing the fine line between breezy banter and deep conversations.

I'll be the first to admit that the first few chapters felt mindless while we get acquainted with the main characters, especially Cassie, who tends to float in the air with plenty of internal dialogue. My first impression of Cassie was that of a bratty teenager who wants it all her way, and her only agenda for her vacations is to have a summer fling and lose her virginity. But her portrayal evolves as we get to know her better with a beautiful character arc.

Tate didn't feel as much the MC as Cassie, but I instantly adored him, despite his image as a playboy or what was later referred to as a f*ckboi. I see him as a thoughtful, sensitive young man, someone desirable and a big green flag. His chemistry with Cassie was solid, and his caring interactions with her gave great insights into his personality.

No story is complete without excellent supporting characters, and Kennedy nailed that too! With quirky characters like Cassie's twin half-sisters and plunging into the depths of the bond with her stepmother, I was hooked on the story.

This brings me to a problem- the given ages of the characters didn't match my perception of them. In my mind's eye, I see both MCs as much younger, vulnerable teenagers, still exploring lust and attraction.

I hope I convinced you to read this novel because you don't want to skip this beauty. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it too! Feel free to comment or get in touch @_bookguru on Instagram.

Many thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sweet and spicy new adult romance from Elle Kennedy! Super cute, some witty banter, and identifiable traits of yourself as a young-twenty-something.
Overall worth the read/listen, but some themes were juvenile and the ending was rushed. Maybe a little too much gratuitous profanity to be realistic.

This is definitely my favorite book I have read from this author so far. It’s fun seeing the characters from previous books have their moments but developing Cass and Tate was a special treat. They were sweet, they were sensitive, they were passionate, they were truthful, they were special to me.

Usually romance books don’t tug at my heart strings but this one succeeded. I definitely didn’t see the third act plot device coming but when it did it felt generic and honest. It wasn’t them hiding their feelings or having a miscommunication that could have been easily avoided. I loved how straightforward they were with each other and how down to earth they both felt. I truly loved them as a couple and I loved their resolution.

I would love to see more from Avalon Bay and see how this author continues to impresses and really craft her art. Each book gets a little better than the last and I love seeing these characters and I’m excited to see what is next for these bunch of hot, sun kissed hooligans.

YES. I cannot wait to read the perfect summer book and this summer season I'm off to a great start because this book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I really enjoyed this! I adored Tate and Cassie. They have great chemistry together. Can I live in Avalon Bay please?

I love that I started off my summer vacation with this fun read!

Cassie is originally from Avalon Bay, but when her parents divorced she moved away. She is back in the Bay for the summer, staying with her grandmother, and on the hunt for a summer fling🔥
Cassie and Tate meet on the beach early on, have some chemistry and then find out that they are neighbors. Unfortunately, Tate immediately friend-zones Cassie. Not to let it ruin her summer, Cassie continues the hunt for her fling with Tate as her wingman.

Full disclosure: I didn’t read the first two in this series, but I feel that this can be read as a stand alone. There were a few characters that had backstories from the previous novels, but nothing went over my head and I think this is worth picking up even if you haven’t read the first two.

Read if you love
💕💙 Dual POV
💔Friends to lovers
🌶 Fun spice
💪Strong female character

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another flirty summer romance! I would say the spice level was a bit classic buffalo wing over habernaro but, still a fan!

I loved the addition of some family dynamics into the summer romance. If you have visited Avalon Bay before, this is just another delightful trip!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!!!

Cassie is a college senior who just wants a summer fling like everyone else around her. Ever since her parents went through a messy divorce, she has not spent much time in Avalon Bay but now she is spending the summer with her grandmother who sold the family business. On her first night in town, Cassie attends a party where she mets the perfect guy for her summer fling, Tate but he friend zones her after realizing he might break her heart. These two walk a fine line between friend and something more intimate.

This story is cute. I enjoyed Cassie’s quirkiness and her ramblings. The situations where they ruin into each other at the most obscene times is hilarious. The poor girl can’t help being caught in the middle of saying something ridiculous when Tate manages to pop up. This book gives all the cute summer vibes. I absolutely hated the toxicity of Cassie’s mom and the insecurities it gave Cassie. I love the friendship the two built and the romance between them did not seem forced. It was a good read and a perfect summer book.