I've read a few different books with a similar premise to this, but I have to say, I think this was my favorite one yet. There was less focus on the show itself, and more focus on the characters, their development, and their relationships. It was so much fun to read, I almost felt like one of the contestants myself. Just like they experience ups and downs in the villa, you'll experience so many ups and downs reading. This book takes you so high, but also so low, and I mean that in the best way possible. If you want a book full of drama, great characters, and a cute sapphic romance, this one is a great choice! 5/5 stars.

if you are looking for a fun, fast paced, sapphic love island vibe of a book, this is absolutely for you. cas and ada are so violently easy to love and make you want to immerse yourself in their relationship. the side characters in the book are also great and add so much soul to the story.

a thing to note is that i usually dislike when books feel too much like real life. i hate reading a romance and the main characters starts posting on instagram and it just feels bleh and too realistic. this book however, given the theme and the plot, you expect all of this and it works. i never found myself uninterested because of the reality of it. it felt extremely well written and i felt like i was watching some reality tv dating show.

i would definitely recommend this read and can’t wait to come back to this book when it releases later this year. thank you netgalley and to the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible story!

“Cas had already known that Ada was beautiful. Could have, if she were a writer, written a thousand very pathetic, very gay poems about it.”

Okay. I'm a Love Island girlie. I’m talking- USA, UK & AUS, so when I heard this was a book for people who love Love Island I was so excited. What I didn’t expect was this to be EXACTLY Love Island. It being so identical I felt was a negative for this book. I needed something more in that aspect.

That being said…. Once I decided to put that aside the book got pretty good. It was fun, cute, and even had a few spicy moments. Overall Hot Summer was a decent summer read.

Teetering between a 3 and a 3.5.

This is going to be the sapphic romance of the summer, I promise you.

Everything about this was a cool, fruity cocktail. Just delicious and something you'd want to drink poolside. I will absolutely being re-reading at a beach.

I had a blast with these characters, Cas and Ada are a fantastic couple. Instant attraction that sizzled from the start for sure, but not a cheap instalove story. Elle Everhart takes her time and lets readers really root for these characters. And honestly, every character is given a similar level of care. The cast of secondary characters felt really real and made it easy to slip into the world of the book. I was rooting for everyone at one point or another.

The spice level was perfect. 3 scenes that were OPEN door and very explicit. Just what I like! My only issue was the avoidable 3rd act drama, but it didn't bother me too much because otherwise its just sexy singles on the gorgeous island of Cyprus just having fun, falling in love, and making out. So a little drama was needed.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A few years ago I loved anoher sapphic book set in a dating reality tv show so I didn’t hesitate to request this one, with the different that the other was YA but this was adult!

Ada and Cas were very soft and cute together. This book is very low on the drama, so you can sit back and enjoy the trip. Ever since their first encounter, they felt a special connection to each other and it developed beautifully during their time together in the tb show villa. The friendships that develop are also so cute! Femi was such a nice friend to Cas, I wanted to see more of him!

The reason why I’m giving this book 3 stars is a very common one for me: Cas hides some vital information from Ada, and it all causes the third act breakup… which is such a big pet peeve for me. I know it’s okay for other people so I’m sure other people won’t mind about this.

Rating: 3/5
Steam level: Open door, 2-3 scenes, high level of detail

ARC provided by Putnam and NetGalley. Opinions are my own!

Such a cute and fun summer romance!

This story takes place at a private villa in Cyprus, where a rotating cast of singles are pairing up for a summer romance. It’s basically bachelor in paradise, without the bachelor precident.

As someone who loves reality TV shows I was immediately engaged, but even for people who don’t, I still think this book will be a hit! It doesn’t have all of the crazy drama you might expect based on the storyline, but manages to keep things interesting and engaging without feeling manufactured.

This is the perfect book to bring to the beach or read poolside! An ideal sapphic summer read.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I wasn't able to fully connect with the main character enough to dive into the narrative. (I'm sure plenty of readers will enjoy this book, and it definitely has an interesting premise. I'll try to give it another read in the future.

If I could give this book a bajillion stars I would. It was sweet, it was sexy, it was everything I needed to it be. I will genuinely be shocked if this is not one of THE romance books of the summer. The cast of characters were amazing and I couldn't help but love each and every one of them, but Cas and Ada were definitely my favorites. The romance was just perfect, it was that perfect hit of instant attraction and slow burn. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends as this really is the perfect pool side read.

Given that Hot Summer takes place in the midst of a steamy reality TV show, I was expecting a whole lot of drama, but what I got instead was more human and so much sweeter.

Cas, constantly overlooked at her job working for a dating app jumps at the opportunity to go on Hot Summer and secure the promotion she's more than earned. But when she arrives and meets Ada, suddenly her job commitments and her previous heartbreak battle it out with as she falls head over heels.

I would have loved to see more character development and fewer discussions about how bangin' everyone's bods are--Cas is really the only one who grows/who we know basically anything about.

If you're looking for a sweet, sapphic, and sexy romp through a Cypriot summer, with a dash of drama and lots of found family, this is for you.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for my honest review!

This book is perfect for fans of reality tv - this is Love Island but Sapphic! Our main character is sent on assignment for the company that she works at - to be a contestant on the reality dating show "Hot Summer"!

Dating is a subject that is more interesting if done on an island. for the people who watch, love, and enjoy reality shows especially the one about dating. You will be surprised by the writing style and the author. Thank you, for the Arc NetGalley.

this book was cute, flirty, and fun! I have a basic knowledge of Love Island (the TV show "Hot Summer" is based on), and I think having that fine line of understanding the key concepts of the show without knowing too much of how it operates was perfect for being able to enjoy the fiction without being too caught up in the reality TV premise. I would be curious how die hard Love Island fans feel about the book, as well as those with no knowledge of it!

This was a perfect summer read - a good balance of being frustrated at the character(s) choices while also understanding why they behaved a certain way. Highly recommend this to those looking for a queer summer romance that it truly just *fun*!

*book was provided as an ARC through netgalley - thank you!

Warning: Hot Summer is seriously addictive. Be prepared to be unable to put it down. I was turning pages just as fast as I could, eager for more of Cas's story and her romance with Ada. Hot Summer has all the fun and drama of a reality dating show with internal emotional turmoil that can only come from a romance novel. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because we need more sapphic romances like this one.

Cas has been passed over for one too many promotions at work, so when she's offered the new head of marketing position, she doesn't think twice about jumping through hoops to get it. Even when those hoops mean she needs to go on a dating show. All she needs to do it make it to the final episode. But things immediately get complicated when she meets Ada. The two become friendly on the show, and while Cas tries to convince herself that friendship is all she needs to survive Hot Summer, is friendship all she really wants?

This book was so good. Cas' journey from thinking she was done with love to finding something unexcepted in Ada. The way she went from calculating contestant to feeling free to be herself. The absolutely delicious slow burn romance. And that's just Cas and Ada. The remaining cast of characters in the house were so fun! Sienna, Femi, and Freddie rounded out Cas' circle of friends and they brought so much depth to the story.

I highly recommend Hot Summer for anyone who loves Bachelor in Paradise, or is just looking for a fun summer escape.

Do not stop, do not pass go, drop everything and read this book immediately! This is the Queer summer romance novel you deserve!

An incredible fun and sexy romance based loosely on Love Island - Cas is living in London working for a dating app when she gets selected by her boss to be a contestant on a dating game show. She has a lot on the line, as her long awaited promotion out of an events planning job she’s begun to dislike is tied to winning the game show.

She has big plans to win it all but things go off the rails when she meets Ada, a gorgeous, and earnest fellow contestant.

Sparks start flying, with Cas immediately gravitating toward the beautiful red head, all the while calculating how to increase her chances of winning by putting on an agreeable act. Cas is just trying to get through the competition unscathed but Ada disarms and charms her as they spend more time together. Their relationship is the star of the show (literally) - their chemistry sizzles of the page. Ada brings out the more vulnerable side of Cas, getting her to open up about past heartbreak and begin to accept that she may be able to love again after all.

I won’t spoil it, but there is a particularly excellent sexy dance scene. This is one I think I will be reading again by the pool with a drink in hand. Elle Everhart should be proud to add this book to the growing pantheon of Queer Romance Lit - I know I’ll be recommending it all summer long!

Thanks to Penguin group and Net Galley for the ARC.

I adored Elle Everhart’s debut novel, Wanderlust, so was thrilled to be offered an ARC of her next book, Hot Summer. While her first book was for travel-lovers, this one is for reality TV lovers.

Cas is stuck in a dead-end job in marketing when she’s offered a way out: take part in the reality show Hot Summer, make it to the finals, and she’ll be promoted to management. Cas isn’t looking for romance on this Love Island-inspired fictional show, but she’s drawn to Ada from the moment they meet. So she may just find love along the way, as long as her secrets don’t catch up to her.

I will admit that I haven’t actually watched Love Island, and I think I might have enjoyed the book a bit more if I had. But what I did enjoy is Cas’ character growth as she goes from being closed off and afraid to trust to slowly opening up to the relationships around her. This book celebrates friendship as well as romantic love, with Cas learning and growing through both kinds of relationships that she forms while on the show.

While I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as Wanderlust because of the setting, I do recommend Hot Summer to readers looking for a queer spicy love story full of endearing characters and the right amount of tension/angst.

There is no world in which I can personally relate to a personality that would ever be on a show like this, but I absolutely loved seeing their story unfold. It was highly entertaining.
The pacing worked well for me. There were a few overused phrases but overall the writing was well done.
The chemistry between our mains was off the charts. I thoroughly enjoyed the spicy bits as well. I have never read a story about contestants on a reality show, so it was a new idea for me, and I liked learning a little about the behind-the-scenes planning.
Bi/pan rep and bonus points for a ginger MC.
There was a third-act breakup and a HEA.
Hot Summer was a fun and unique read. I recommend!

This was SUCH an escapist, warm, refreshing take on a dating show! I loved that the central romance was between two bi women, and the twists kept me turning pages, cheering on my favorite contestants. A perfect summer read!

This book captured the love island inspiration amazingly. Theres a part of me that would've loved to read more on the relationships between Cas and the other house members. But the story was still very fulfilling, reading the walls of Cas' heart break down for Ada, and seeing Cas figuring out her worth was all chefs kiss. Not to mention Ada, her character just can't help but make your heart feel light, in the best way possible. The chemistry between them, sexually, emotionally and physically was hot, magical, and heartwarming. I will definitely be adding the physical copy to my collection once its released.

4.5 ⭐️

“getting to know you has been the highlight of my time here. it was unexpected, for sure, but in you, i feel like i’ve found someone that i can be myself with. you make me want to be brave, make it okay for me to be vulnerable. we walked in together, and now, i’m really hoping that, in a few weeks’ time, we’ll be able to walk out together.”

the one thing cas morgan really wants is a job promotion. she works at friday, a dating app, where she’s an event planner but she wants more from her job. then one day cas is told that her job is working with ‘hot summer’, a tv show very similar to love island and if cas makes it to the finale she will get the promotion she’s been yearning for.

but despite working for a dating app cas isn’t interested in a long term relationship or any sort of commitment. then walks in ada hall.

and cas’ plan on just getting by until the finale is thrown for a loop.

—

i was obsessed while reading this book. it truly felt like i was watching an episode of love island and i was on the edge of my seat waiting for the ranking reveals and the coupling ceremonies.

cas and ada had so much chemistry with each other and the wait for them to get together was entirely worth it. and their first kiss? it happened in such an unexpected way but i loved that scene so much.

the supporting characters are just as lovable as cas and ada and i loved seeing them thrive throughout the book. well, besides brad lol.

i’m such a femi and sienna supporter!!

if you’re a fan of alexandria bellefleur, meryl wilsner, or ashley herring blake you are to going to love this book and it’s writing style!

it was so easy to get into it and i read it just in a couple days, so if you’re looking for a quick read this summer and a sapphic love story with a little bit of spice this book is one you should definitely read :)

huge thanks to penguin group putnam and netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you're looking for a fun, flirty read about finding love unexpectedly while on a reality TV dating game show, this is the book for you! Everhart infuses great humor and Cas' character has a great back story that drives that plot. In the book, Cas goes on a dating show that she's been obsessed with. If she makes it to the final round, her boss is offering her a promotion. She has no intentions, however, of actually finding anyone she likes while on the show. That changes when she meets Ada. They fall in love, and the sweet and slow way they come to that is really cozy. There's there perfect amount of spice, too. I was a little concerned while reading that the game show was too heterosexually framed to a lot for those bisexual on the show to choose the same sex. As the book went on, the author slowly adjusted the framework so there was more freedom with choice, which I was happy about!

Great, fast read. Good character development and Everhart does a nice job of wrapping up the conflict at the end!