I want to start off by saying that I am not a fan of reality television or dating shows - it’s never been something that I’ve been interested in for entertainment.

BUT, that being said, I started and finished this book in less than twelve hours because I couldn’t put it down. Cas, the FMC, is a pretty stereotypical “they can’t hurt me if I don’t let them get to know me” type but she’s still likable and seems willing to grow.

The pacing is nice, that’s usually something that’ll make or break a book for me but I felt like the author does a good job at keeping things moving even if the plot requires the “same” scene to be done again.

I will say, I did have a bit of a hard time keeping some of the side characters straight in my head. I feel like we randomly got info about them and then the info just didn’t matter? They were just there to fill the house so I didn’t get to truly care a whole lot about them as individuals. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but they just kind of felt blah to me and side characters are usually my favorites.

Overall, it was a really cute book and while I don’t understand the draw to reality shows in real life I still really enjoyed this!


MINOR TROPE SPOILERS BELOW!
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So while there was technically a third act breakup (I know that’s a hot button trope for some) I felt like it was really well done. The author doesn’t lean super heavy into miscommunication and allows these ADULTS to talk to one another as such. It was honestly refreshing to read.

I gave this a chance again, and it was actually a cute story.. it gave me love island reality show vibe, and I loved that!

This was such a fun read! I've never seen Love Island but I have watched a few similar shows so the premise hooked me. It was entertaining, funny, steamy, sweet- I had a lot of fun reading it. Cas and Ada were wonderful and I really enjoyed the side characters too- Femi, Sienna, and Freddie especially! Am I off to watch Love Island? ......Maybe.

Cas Morgan has spent years of her life watching Hot Summer, the hit reality dating show that pairs together a bunch of sexy singles in an exotic island location. Like the rest of the TV-watching UK public, she’s captivated by the hot contestants, outrageous fights, and hilarious banter. But she never quite thought she’d be a part of it, until her company secures a partnership with the production team behind the show, and Cas is handpicked as a contestant. She won’t get any extra help making it through the eight weeks in the hot Cypriot sun, but if she does well and makes it to the finals, her long-awaited promotion will be secured.

Cas is ready to spend the summer trying to make herself more likeable to win over the voting public—and, if not likeable, then at least iconic. But just as she steps into the villa, her entire plan goes off course. She’s instantly smitten with fellow contestant, Ada, who shockingly appears to be on the show to find a genuine relationship, one Cas can't give. Ada is gorgeous and charming, and seems to like Cas exactly as she is, sharp-edges and all. Cas isn't used to the side of herself Ada brings out, and when their connection becomes undeniable—and Cas's own standing in the villa precarious—she's torn between listening to her heart or sticking to her strategy.

Super summer read! I love the premise of this, a dating show on an exotic island. Full of a wonderful cast of characters, Cas and Ada stand out as their friendship and relationship grows. I'm not normally a superfan of slow-burn romances, but this worked in the context of the story. This is a must-read this summer if you are looking for some sapphic sunshine!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Hot Summer is a fun sapphic romance that takes place on a Love Island-type show. The plot relies very heavily on all things Love Island, and that took away from the story a little for me. If you've seen Love Island, you know there are a lot of people at the villa. This book introduced a good deal of characters that were briefly mentioned, then forgotten about. It was a little difficult to keep up with all the "lovers" and the side stories.

Overall, I think the romance was good, if a little lacking. I didn't feel a whole lot of chemistry between or connection to the characters. The romance was very, very slow burn, and I would have liked more development happening with their relationship. However, the spice was very good! There were only a couple spicy scenes, but I feel like it really paid off.

I would recommend this book if you enjoy watching Love Island and reading sapphic romance with spice.

This was alot like a queer Love Island/reality show and i really enjoyed it! The slow burn was done well and this would be a great beach or pool read for anyone! The characters, side ones included, were really fun and I could see myself being friends with them as well. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.

I am a sucker for queer reality TV books, and I’m happy to say this one did not disappoint! If you’ve ever watched Love Island UK and wished for a queer twist, this book is for you.

Cas has been hurt by love before, and
When her boss promised her the promotion she’s been waiting for if she goes on the reality show Hot Summer, the last thing she expects is to actually find love. Too bad the first girl she sees is exactly her type…

It could have used some extra editing here and there, but I whipped through this. Hot Summer was a damn good time.

I loved this. It incorporates all of the drama and fun of Love Island/reality dating shows and has a great cast of characters. The slow-burn romance between Cas and Ada is well-developed and makes it hard to put this book down.

While it took me a bit to get into the book, and while I don't know anything about astrology, I enjoyed this book. The way the various dates were weaved in was fun, I loved the MCs friends, and I was truly emotionally invested. Recommend!

This book is a lot of fun. I'll forever read anything with a dating show where the girls fall for each other.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Very similar to a season of Love Island which was fun to read. I loved Femi possibly more than either of the main characters but I still liked Cas and Ava. My only critique really is that the drama with Cas's reason for going on the show felt a bit forced/excessive.

This book took me by surprise in the best way possible. I was expecting a light-hearted, cute romcom but found myself completely invested in the MCs and even some of the side characters. The humor, the feelings, the steam, it was perfection. Truly loved the story too with the reality show, and the writing made you feel like you’re actually watching it, the details are so good. Highly recommend this and already know it will be one of the top 2024 sapphic summer reads.

For those who adore reality TV, this book is a gem! “Love Island-inspired queer romance” immediately caught my attention, and I’m thrilled to say it lived up to the hype.

This is my first novel by Elle Everhart, and her storytelling had me hooked right from the start. The narrative, from Cas’s perspective, offers a refreshing take on love, especially as she enters the show with ambitions beyond just finding romance.

As Cas navigates the game, she unexpectedly finds herself drawn to another contestant, Ada, leading to a delightful romantic tension.

The cast of characters adds to the enjoyment, with their vibrant and supportive interactions. Cas and Ada’s chemistry is palpable, making it impossible not to cheer for them throughout the book.
Overall a very delightful read.

Hot Summer will be released June 27th 2024

Many thanks to Netgally and @penguinusa for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review. #netgalley #hotsummer

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a wonderful, fun book. I enjoyed it a lot!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun, reality TV sapphic rom com with all the summer vibes. You can definitely see that it is inspired by Love Island. I loved all the behind-the-scenes details. I enjoyed Cas and Ada’s story of falling for each other. There were a lot of characters in the story, but I felt like the author did a great job giving them all their own voice. Overall, this was a fun, lighthearted read.
This is the perfect book to take to the pool or beach this summer!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced readers copy and opportunity to review. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this book so much! I love reality tv especially the love ones. It was such a fun rom com! This one exceeded my expectations. I hope to read more by the author in the future!!

I absolutely, unexpectedly, loved Elle Everhart's Wanderlust and was honestly just waiting for her sophomore novel. And when I found out this one was like Love Island but more diverse/inclusive, boy I was sold. I dug this book so darn much and just wanted to keep reading and reading and reading. Like, I was just dying to figure out what would happen next. Everhart brings her now-signature witty language and banter-filled style to Hot Summer. And my gosh, it was so cute yet realistic. It is mostly a slow burn, friends to lovers but there are a couple spicy AF scenes. Plus, that HEA! Yes, it was cute and all but I liked it more than others because it was a realistic time frame that's not, like, skipping 12 steps ahead just to be at the endgame. It was just right and the right time given the book's space in time.

I definitely enjoyed this book, but I did expect to like it more. I am an avid reality TV fan, so I was super excited to read this one. The story is fun and cute, but the main 2 characters lack development. They seemed exactly the same and sometimes I had trouble remembering who was who. I think my biggest qualm was that I saw the third act breakup from miles away, and I felt like there was not much closure to the conflict.
However, it is a fun read and made me really crave summer lol.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a fun ride! I don’t watch Love Island, and I stopped watching the Bachelor and such a while ago - but it’s still so fun to read about! Cas and Ada were great, and I loved rooting them on from the sidelines! Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced readers copy and opportunity to review. All opinions are my own.

Cas Morgan loves watching Hot Summer, the dating show that pairs a bunch of singles together in paradise. When her company seeks a partnership with the show, she is handpicked as a contestant. To secure her job promotion, she must make it to the Hot Summer finals. Cas is determined to spend the summer winning over the public. But, once she enters the villa and meets Ada, a fellow contestant, her plan disappears. Ada is gorgeous and charming, and Cas is developing real feelings for her. Will Cas follow her heart or stick to her strategy?

I really liked this book, and I loved the similarities to Love Island. I would rate it 4 stars. Elle Everhart's writing was fun, and the book was nicely paced. It was a fun, summery read, with characters and couples you wanted to root for.

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart is out on June 25.