Okay, if you haven't started the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy, DO IT! She's seriously a hilarious and addictive author! I just finished the third book, The Summer Girl. In this one, we head back to the small beach town for a friends-to-lovers story that I couldn't put down. I think it is my favorite in the series. It had romance, spice, and drama. It's the epitome of a summer beach read. The main character, Cassie, is such a sweetheart, and you can't help but root for her. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Cassie and Tate. The sizzling heat and banter were on point. They had the perfect summer fling, and I loved it. The dialogue was hilarious, and there were definitely some steamy parts that got me all hot and bothered. Whew, that window scene was oh, so good and hot! But the real kicker was the plot twist at the end - I did not see that coming, and it hit me right in the feels. The Summer Girl is a standalone novel and is absolutely a delight on its own. You can skip the first two books, but I highly suggest grabbing all three because the characters are absolutely worth it. If you're looking to binge-read something this summer, this series is perfect.

These Avalon Bay books just keep getting better!

I really enjoyed the characters in this book! They were all really funny, and the interactions were great. Her mother is truly a horrendous person, and I was pleased with where their relationship ended up. I also liked how the overall storyline for the town continued, so we could check in on past couples in the series.

What I did not like at all was what happened in the last 10% of the book. I don’t want to spoil it, but it felt like it was just thrown in for conflict and made me angry. 😂

This is a great addition to the series and another fun summer read!

This is by far my favorite of the series! I laughed out loud, blushed bright red during the spicy scenes, and cried, YES CRIED!! This book got me to my core, and I can’t explain the way it made me feel reading this amazing masterpiece of a book. I love these characters and this series so much, but Tate and Cassie take the trophy! I loved the games - they reminded me of GreekWeek from college, Cassie’s struggles with her parents resemble my own, and I just want to know how Elle Kennedy got inside my head?! This book was phenomenal and i’ll read it again and again!

This is the story of Cassie, college student, who has one goal while spending the summer in Avalon Bay with her grandmother...find a summer fling.

What I Loved:
- Avalon Bay, this seems like such a fun town that I would love to visit
- Tate, he's super attractive, close with his parents, can sail anything AND has never had a bad breakup...no wonder Cassie can't walk away from him
- Banter, I really enjoyed the banter between Tate and Cassie cause in my mind its a good indicator of their compatibility
- Stories, Cassie has twin half sisters and she created a whole world of stories for them and I just with I could be that creative
- Locals, even though Cassie doesn't live in Avalon Bay full time I like the group of locals she befriends they seem like a fun bunch who are borderline too competitive with each other
- Dual POV, I always like a book with more than one POV and having both Cassie and Tate have chapters was a great mix
- Series, I haven't read the other two of this series YET but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the other two first

I have read other Elle Kennedy books and I had high expectations for this one, and I was not disappointed. This was a bit different than the Briar U series but it was refreshing to get out of the sports romance realm and not feeling like this book was missing anything. If you are looking for a small town romance with a fun community, some spicy scenes and just overall good time then I would absolutely recommend you picking this book up.

This was a new to me author. I really enjoyed this one! I will def be going back to read the other two in this series! I loved the summer vibes & how sweet Tate was! Cassie is our main girl! She’s in college and back in town for one last summer on the beach with her grandmother. Cassie is hoping for a summer romance! Enter Tate, our easy going, fling kind of guy. He really has a heart of gold! Cassie and Tate end up being friends before they move to lovers, which is Cassie’s first time for things! Cassie also has self body issues having large breast since her mother isn’t very nice about her figure. I love that these two got to be friends first before they fell! Plus there were a few surprises along the way! This book had some steam too. So if you’re looking for a friends to lovers or college aged romance, this is for you! I can’t wait to see what’s next from the author!

I love the smoothness of the writing however I found it could have been a bit more tasteful. This book is just a reminder of the first 2. Felt like I already read it because they’re so similar.

4.5 stars

I always adore Elle Kennedy and her writing and this book is just another reason why. This gave such amazing summer vibes and made me want to whisk myself away to a beach town and ignore my actual life.

This was a lighthearted and just plain fun book that you think of when you think of summer. But in typical Elle Kennedy fashion, she'll always throw depth into her stories that are beautiful, real, and raw. All while still maintaining the joy and fun.

This is a perfect summer read to dive into for that fun sense of escapism and to be surrounded by fun characters navigating relationships and emotions. It also does have some spice to it which always makes it fun!

Overall, this is another great read by Elle Kennedy and she continues to be an auto-buy author for me because of how much I enjoy her writing.

*Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

4.5 stars

I always adore Elle Kennedy and her writing and this book is just another reason why. This gave such amazing summer vibes and made me want to whisk myself away to a beach town and ignore my actual life.

This was a lighthearted and just plain fun book that you think of when you think of summer. But in typical Elle Kennedy fashion, she'll always throw depth into her stories that are beautiful, real, and raw. All while still maintaining the joy and fun.

This is a perfect summer read to dive into for that fun sense of escapism and to be surrounded by fun characters navigating relationships and emotions. It also does have some spice to it which always makes it fun!

Overall, this is another great read by Elle Kennedy and she continues to be an auto-buy author for me because of how much I enjoy her writing.

*Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I was excited when I saw that I was given the opportunity to read an early copy of the 3rd book in this series! I liked this series so much. When I found out that it was going to be about Tate, I knew I was going to eat this book up! While reading the summer girl, I wanted to pick up and move to the Hamptons or Rhode Island, or the Carolinas for a beachy cottage core summer. I loved Tate and Cassie (not as much as Cooper and Mac) but they were the perfect love story.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥

Tate Bartlett has been on an unlucky streak when it comes to summer flings at Avalon Bay. In fact, he is being dumped right now in an ultimate "It's not you; it's me" way. His pride takes a further beating when he realizes his dumping was witnessed by someone else.

Cassie Soul did not mean to eavesdrop on the most awkward dumping. Taking a social break from a party, she was only sitting beachside before Tate and his F.W.B. (friend with benefits) had their awkward exchange. It turns out that Tate's misfortune could be this vacation's saving grace for her. They hang out and become friends. When Cassie offers herself up as Tate's new F.W.B., he is not quick to agree, fearing he could lose one of the coolest friends he has. The chemistry between them is not as platonic as he thought as he struggles to keep things in the friend zone between them.

This was an alright read for me. The starting pace held so much potential but was just too slow. Covering the history and baggage of our main characters took too much time in my opinion without any natural integration to the storyline. It was not until further into the read that I found some relatability to the characters.

I love me some angst, but I thought the plot points for tension did not align with the light, summer-whimsical tone this book introduced itself with.

This is the third book in the Avalon Bay series, but it can be read as a standalone.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Elle Kennedy, St. Martins Press, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

I enjoy Avalon Bay and the crew. The first two books came together due to the hero’s being twins. I enjoyed this one because it was all about a whole other character.

It felt a lot more like a YA than the others for me and that stood out as I read. But overall a good book.

Fun book to read if you're up for laughter and a bit of angst.

Cassandra is spending her last summer in Avalon Bay with her grandmother. Her family owned The Beacon, a classy hotel for over 50 years, but ever since Cassie's grandfather died it'd been too much for her grandmother to run alone. Cassie grew up in the Bay, but when her parents got divorced when she was 12, her mom moved her to Boston. Her father later remarried and they had twin girls and Cassie was replaced.

Cassie decided that this is the summer she plans to get rid of her virginity. She'll be 21 soon and all she needs is a willing partner to have a summer fling. It can't be that hard; can it?

Tate is the local playboy, but he always ends things on good terms. No one ever bad mouths him because he's just a good guy. He just doesn't want a relationship. Working part-time at the Yacht Club and at his dad's marina takes up a lot of time as well. He's saving up to buy a boat of his own and he can't wait.

When he meets Cassie at a party and realizes that she's Lydia's granddaughter, he's surprised. She doesn't act like the usual "rich people" who vacation in town. But when he realizes that she lives next door to the house that he's house sitting for the summer, they become friendly.

When Cassie asks him to be her summer fling, he agrees at first, then minutes later changes his mind and friend zones her. His friend was worried that Cassie's heart would be broken by the end of summer. But being the coward he is, Tate doesn't say anything. So he decides to be her wingman in bars helping her pick up men. Some lines get blurred and Cassie doesn't know what to make of him.

One night on the porch, when Tate overheard Cassie's mom verbally attack her about her looks, he decides not to hold back with Cassie anymore. He needs her to know how beautiful she really is. Slowly they become a couple and feelings begin developing on both sides. But when Cassie's mother does the unthinkable at the reopening of the hotel, Cassie's relationship with Tate is destroyed.

A must read.

this was probably my least favorite from the avalon bay series, but I still absolutely loved every moment between cassie and tate!! 🥰

what I loved most about GOOD GIRL COMPLEX and BAD GIRL REPUTATION was the blend of drama between the “clones” and the natives - along with the general antics of the bay, of course

this one took a different turn with cassie, a “clone” only around for the summer, wanting a summer fling with one of the boys. it was sweet and romantic and completely drama-free (until the end of course 😳), and I almost wanted more!

I wanted more of cassie interacting with the rest of tate’s crew - the beach games chapters were definitely among my favorites due to seeing her with evan, cooper, mac and gen! and beyond all of that, cassie and her family just didn’t pack the same emotional punch that mac and gen did for me

however!! I absolutely adored her relationship with her grandmother and step-sisters! it gave off such a heart-warming vibe that set the tone for the book 🥹

while the drama in this one surrounded cassie’s toddler mother (literally she’s the worst), I didn’t get the sense of urgency for the third act breakup (😐) and the reasoning behind the drama in the first place

I cannot thank st martins press and netgalley enough for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! I took my time with this one!!!!

rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: provence rosé

I so so badly want to love EK’s non hockey related books, and I keep thinking that the next book in this particular series is going to be the one that does it for me, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be working out for me ☹️

This book had soooo much potential!! The meet cute in the first chapter was unbelievably charming, but by chapter 4 I was already over how many times the fmc’s massive rack had been mentioned (it had to be /at least/ 10 times 😮‍💨) and listen, as a fellow member of the big tiddie committee, I absolutely understand Cassie’s insecurities about her boobs, but honestly they were just her entire personality and I felt like they were the only thing that Tate /really/ liked about her.

To me, the characters just read really shallow & kind of juvenile/immature. I think I said the same thing about Bad Girl Rep, but these two seem like a couple that would break up shortly after the epilogue.

While this wasn’t my cup of tea, I do think if you’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, you’d probably enjoy this one too! Thank you to netgalley & St Martin’s Press for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I just adore this series!

Typically I'm a murder-y book reader. But Elle Kennedy is always my weakness. She writes so beautifully and so genuine. It's always a joy to read her books and watch the story come together.

Cassie & Tate - oh my goodness could these 2 be any sweeter. I loved this entire story and I can't wait to see it there will be a 4th addition to the series.

Read if you like: no strings attached and friends to lovers.
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Cassie is back in Avalon Bay after being away for a while and there she runs into Tate. She hopes that the will become her summer fling.
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This book was so fun and the perfect summer romance. I loved the chemistry and tension between Cassie and Tate and I couldn't stop reading.

The third book in the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy, is just as good as you'd expect a book from Elle Kennedy. This is the most perfect summer read with the best romance, and spice. Just like any Elle Kennedy, I would recommend as the perfect relaxing, fun read. And while you don't have to read the other books in the series first to enjoy it, I highly suggest still doing so as the whole series is a blast!

y’all this book was SO much fun. tate and cassie have officially taken the lead as my favorite avalon bay couple. in typical elle kennedy fashion the fun and banter starts right away with these two and doesn’t let up the entire story.

tate was so easy to fall in love with, the towns hot fuck boy but the sweetest of fuck boys that wont hurt anyones feelings? yes please sign me up. cassie is also the cutest thing and was so easy to adore. the way she was constantly babbling and getting awkward around tate bc he was so cute cracked me up.

also the spicy times my lord, the window scene?!?!?!??! i die.

if you’re in the mood for a fun friends to lovers summer read this is definitely the book for you!!

Awww Tate's story! This was my favorite male character story of Avalon Bay. I was surprised we didn't get more on Alana thought. Cassie and Tate didn't have the obvious chemistry to me at first so it was sweet to see their relationship grow, especially with how caring Tate is. I was truly surprised with his development considering how in the other two books he's seen as such a playboy. The plot twist was a doozy and I honestly didn't know how the book was going to recover everything but was pleasantly surprised with how everything worked out.

Looking at the cover I knew this could be the perfect poolside summer read - and it was a cute friends to lovers story, there were obstacles but none too big to overcome. The book had enough depth to make the characters real and not just shiny and perfect but it stayed light and was a joy to listen to while running errands and watching kids at the pool.
While being the third book in the series this was my second return to Avalon Bay after reading Bad Girl Reputation last summer but these book work as standalones, yes you get an update on the relationships that have developed in previous books but the focus is on the new couple and the update is not an extensive subject - the plot from previous books does not get rehashed so you can still read those after.