3.5⭐️

Cassandra “Cas” Morgan has been feeling stuck at her job, and in comes an opportunity for a promotion in the least normal way. Cas works at a dating app company, who is trying to partner up with her favorite dating reality show Hot Summer. She has to do well in the competition in order to land the promotion. With her own knowledge of the show, Cas hopes to breeze through to the finale unscathed but in comes fellow contestant Ada to shake things up for Cas.

This story had a fun premise and it was executed quite well. I enjoyed Cas, I feel like I understood her struggles she went through in the show. Most of our main supporting characters are very easy to root for as well, Femi is easily a standout.

For me, I have a hard time following a story when it has so many characters to follow. Of course that is the main premise of the story, having so many people on the show, but some of the characters that were added I feel like we did not have any description of them. It was just along the lines of “this character felt bad”, but I couldn’t recall hearing of them up until that point.

Overall I did enjoy this book. The connection Cas and Ada had was so sweet.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Group for the ARC!!

I loved Cas and loved her place of work, how fun! I am not normally a fan of Hollywood or reality show type stories, but this one was done really well and was so fun. Ada was also so fun and their chemistry was on FIRE. The epilogue was very sweet and I loved this couple so much!

I ate this book up! The slow burn romance between Cas and Ada had me not wanting to put the book down! I throughly enjoyed, My only complaint would be I felt the end was very rushed but it didn’t ruin the book for me in anyway! I would have just liked to read more of the how everything got resolved or had it resolved a different way where we got additional details.

I do want to note I received a free advance copy of this book in return for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher!

I think my absolute favorite subgenre of romcoms is anything based on an existing reality tv show- and Hot Summer is the PERFECT version of this trope. The vibes were immaculate, and you can tell how much this author knows and loves Love Island (a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine as well).

Cas Morgan is tired of running speed dating events for a major dating app organization, and is offered a spot to go on Hot Summer (Love Island) as a brand crossover- with the catch that no one is allowed to know of her real career- in exchange for a chance to head up broadcast partnerships upon her return. Cas has lived her life in fleeting situationships, keeping her walls up after a failed engagement, so the last thing she is looking for this summer is love. Enter Ada, stationery magician and exactly what Cas doesn't realize she needs. Cas has to figure out what matters the most to her, and if love is really worth it as she tries to have a hot girl summer.

Not only were the settings and the activities spot on for a Love Island story (coming from someone who livestreams the episodes daily), but the characters were so delightfully matched onto who we would typically be seeing in the villa year after year (I mean a Northern electrician?? You'd think all of Mancunians were blue-collar workers if you watched this show). I loved watching Cas and Ada realize and develop their feelings for one another, but I also adored our group of side characters- especially supportive best friend Femi and girl's girl Sienna!!

Thank you SO much to Elle Everhart, the Putnam Group at Penguin, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. Check this book out when it comes out in summer 2024 (June 25)!!

What a sweet love story! When I think about reality TV, and romances written about reality TV, I always imagine them to be so cutthroat, everyone acting constantly suspicious and selfish — but there were so many lovable, earnest, kind and generous characters in Elle Everhart's second bisexual rom-com. I was not expecting so many found family feelings! I was also really impressed with the reality TV world-building here, super easy to imagine this as a real long-running series. Mostly, though, what worked about Hot Summer was Cas and Ada's chemistry and gentle relationship.

Cas is not looking for love; she's just looking for a way out of a dead-end department at her job, and the way she gets manipulated into goin onto reality TV for it is grossly believable. Not only does Cas find herself opening up for the first time since her major heartbreak, she also finds new confidence in her abilities and a deeper well of self-worth, from the relationships she forms on Hot Summer. It was almost as rewarding watching her quit as it was watching her and Ada finally confess their feelings for each other. Ada is 100% looking for love, though her characterization is a bit more opaque, which I suppose does make sense because we got to know her through Cas in front of millions of TV viewers.

I read Hot Summer in single day during this long winter, and it was just the vacation I needed.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

Thank you for the chance to read the e-arc for Love Summer. I'm a reader coming from the perspective of auDHD with selective mutism. There were a few comments in the book that I would like to point out and hope that the publisher and author would consider removing or rewording them. I don't think that any of these comments were intentional of the author to be ableist, but rather that society teaches ableism that everyone internalises. Language is changing and unintentional ableism is being pointed out more and more, which is good for more change and acceptance to happen. So please know that I'm pointing these out with genuiness.

Loc 633 "Cas felt like she was going to have a cognitive-overload-induced aneurysm." This thought from the MC, who is referencing Lexi whose description would align with ADHD. Regardless of if Lexi has ADHD or not, this thought isn't okay and is ableist.

Loc 728 "Ada nodded mutely, and Brad's smile widened." The term mutely shouldn't be used in this way because mute is for the community it applies to.

Loc 1466 "Cass nodded mutely" again, the word mute shouldn't be used by someone who isn't mute.

Thank you for taking the time to consider how important it is to use care with words that impact a marginalised community. Especially with insectionality of queer and disabled people. Do feel free to reach out with any questions.

I was more into this book at the beginning and then towards the end, I was starting to get a little bored. The “drama” felt unnecessary. I guess I should admit I am not a huge fan of reality shows and reality dating shows, so maybe that colored my opinion. The challenges and other drama between cast mates did not catch my attention super well and I wish more time had been spent developing the story and chemistry between the two main characters. The spicy little final scene did help make the ending a little better in my opinion! In agreement with another reviewer that the way the author wrote the sex scenes between two women was actually refreshingly realistic and that was a nice touch!

Rating: 3.75 Thank you SO much to NetGalley, Putnam Publishing & Elle Everhart for an ARC of this book!

Synposis: Hot Summer was the first novel I've read by Elle Everhart, and it didn't disappoint. This novel follows FMC Cas, who currently works for a dating app company, where she hosts multiple events to gain publicity for the team. Despite her current success, she is desperate for a promotion to the corporate side of the company, in order to live a more stable life. When her team presents her the opportunity to join the Hot Summer cast (almost identical to the Love Island series), in order to gain publicity, she takes the opportunity as they guaranteed her a promotion after. Despite going on the show for work, Cas quickly finds herself falling for Ada. Throughout the novel, Cas struggles with her feelings for Ada, and her requirement to act a certain way for her job.

Review: This was a super quick read for me (took me two days), and I found it to be generally light-hearted, fun and hilarious, while also having great romance. The LGBTQ+ representation was great. There are two spice scenes (so keep in mind for younger readers). As a longtime fan of the Love Island series, I absolutely loved to basically read through a fictional season! They incorporated all of the typical aspects of dating shows such as games/competitions, dates and more. The whole book felt like I was watching a brand new TV series. Overall, I gave this a 3.75 and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, summer romance!

*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and Putnam Publishing in exchange for an honest review!

Wow, Hot Summer by Elle Everhart completely blew me away! You never know what you’re going to get with an author you haven’t read before but this book thoroughly impressed me, both in the quality of the writing and the palpable feelings and chemistry between the mc’s. Even though my household’s reality tv tastes lean more 90 Day Fiancé than Love Island/The Bachelor, the premise of how Hot Summer is structured seemed believable and like something that would happen on reality tv (and a self-serving producer would push).

It starts a little slow, but once Cas arrives at the house and filming begins the story really takes off. I loved her relationship with Femi and all the other contestants felt very fleshed out and real. Where this book really shines though is the building relationship between Cas and Ada. Their romance was both sweet and sappy and sizzling hot once they finally got together.

I completely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun romance with a unique story that’s both sweet and spicy. Bonus points for being British but not too British and for making me want to watch Love Island for like 2 seconds before I came to my senses. 4.5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

If you love Love Island UK and lesbians this is the book for you!!

Cas is stuck in her current role as a host for speed dating after five yrs at the same company Friday, constantly getting passed over by others for a promotion. One day her boss goes to her about a deal between Friday and Hot Summer (aka Love Island), go on the show, make it to the finale and get that promotion she’s been wanting. She accepts.
The first day, she gets paired with Femi and befriends a two of the girls Sienna and Ada, who she walked into the villa with. That’s as much as I’ll say without ruining the book :)

I loved this book so much, both Cas and Ada and very secondary character except for a few… it was a super cute book and I’m grateful to netgalley and the publishers for the arc! Highly recommend reading it!

This is an absolutely a must read for Summer 2024! Hits on so many topics like being "out" on a reality TV show - will the public like it/hate it/not care; two bi MC; toxic male behavior and how much to tolerate; found family.
Also the focus of what the girls wore - the ridiculous amount of skin shown, the struggle for participants to feel dressed.
The repetition of Cas' internal dialogue regarding Ada looking for a real relationship was a great show of insecurity while also irritating. It felt very overdone - we get it.
A great, queer beach read!

I love any reality dating based television and books! This did not disappoint! The romance was well developed. I’m never a fan of the third act breakup so that part annoyed me but I’m willing to overlook it and would still highly recommend this book.

this was cute! it was a super quick and easy read but it was still very enjoyable. it was a bit weird to read about a tv show but it was done well! i loved the premise of having a queer couple come out of a love island-esque show (now this just needs to happen in real life). overall just a super fun and cute read with a unique setting!

A queer romance set in a Love Island-inspired show? Sold. The little details that Love Island fans will recognize were super fun (The hideaway! Boys bringing girls morning coffees! Ridiculous challenges!) and helped to propel the story along. This was a fun, fast read!

Spoiler commentary – the third-act breakup isn't a trope that I love, so I was meh about that. You see it coming from a mile away, and I think it would've been more interesting to have Ada leave with Cas and weather the storm together, like that would've been more surprising and unexpected. The sex scenes between Ada and Cas were *SO* well done, and I really loved them! I tend to cringe a little during queer scenes, they almost feel overdone sometimes, but these weren't at all.

This was such a fun, enjoyable read! A sapphic, love island based rom com - say less! The chemistry between Cas and Ada was amazing, but the slow burn almost killed me! 😂 you could totally tell the author is a fan of love island - loved all the behind the scenes details! The secondary characters were adorable (shout out to Femi), but they got a little hard to keep track of as the book went on. 3.5 stars rounded up! Thank you again to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

AHHHH! I loved Elle Everhart’s “Wanderlust” so I knew I had to get my hands on “hot summer”, and i’m so glad I was approved for an ARC.

I loved HS, not only the storyline (giving me “are you the one” vibes) but I also loved all the main characters. They all seemed genuine and their friendship chemistry was perfect.

Cas and Ada were amazing MCs and I would love to see more of their story (book 2?!?)

I read this during a snow storm and the books summer vibes were great to get me out of my seasonal depression funk.

Immense thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Hot Summer!!

I am… obsessed with reality tv and gay people and this book was genuinely made for me

Hot Summer is chock-full of yearning, romance, spice, and competition and is just so FUN!!! I can’t overstate how much I enjoyed it, I feel so lucky to have had the chance to read an advance copy before it’s released to the world ♥︎

A free copy of Hot Summer was received in exchange for my honest review

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

Cas is voluntold by her company to be a contestant on a popular dating show, Hot Summer. Her boss promises her a promotion if she makes it to finals, as she can secure brand deals for the company through the show. When Cas goes on the show, she doesn’t expect to find love. But, Cas meets Ada and it’s love at first sight.

This book was so much fun!! I literally felt like I was watching a dating show, and I was completely invested the entire time. Elle Everhart gives each contestant a unique personality which perfectly depicts a dating show dynamic. The only thing I would have liked to see would have been more personal stories for each contestant to create more relatability.

I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun summer read!

really cute queer show romance :D i loved the whole idea and eveything there was so cuteee i mean i loved Cas, legit. thanks for the arc

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart
June 25, 2024
4.5/5

This Love Island-inspired book will sure to be the book of the summer.

Cassandra Morgan, better known as “Cas,” had been waiting for career advancements for a while after getting bored of hosting dating events for Friday, the popular dating app she works for. The late nights and difficult people are draining and have been taking their toll on Cas. One day, her boss gives her a chance for advancement as long as she agrees to join Hot Summer, a reality dating show based on the real world Love Island. If she makes it through to the finale, she will finally get the promotion she has been wanting ending those late nights and instability that she has come to hate. She agrees and finds more than she could have ever hoped.

Fans of Love Island will have a distinct advantage of understanding Hot Summer and the roles these characters play in the public eye. However, the premise of the show is carefully preserved with detailed explanations for every new event. Hot Summer is well-written, fast pace, and balances the line of fiction and real world commentary of the public and their role in reality television.

Everhart’s main and secondary characters are engaging and thoughtfully crafted. The main character and her love interest are bi-sexual with several BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ secondary characters. Readers will be engaged with the main couple and come to love and hope for secondary pairings and their happiness. Everhart allows her characters to present the real world struggles of what relationship trauma can have in a person and the pain of opening up to someone new.

While the book contains one of my least favorite tropes (SPOILER- miscommunication or better to say lack of communication), this issue is resolved maturely and quickly.

This book is for all those reality dating show watchers who have hoped their favorite couple can stand the test of the show and the real-world and for all those that hope, one day, mainstream reality shows will open up to more than just straight couples.