Cassie is visiting Avalon Bay for the summer. She grew up here until her parents divorced when she was in middle school when she went to live with her mom, only coming back to visit her father a few times a year and for just a few weeks every summer. This summer she plans to spend the entire summer there and decides she wants to enjoy a summer "fling" while there, something she hasn't done before.

Tate has lived in Avalon Bay since about the time Cassie left, and they run into each other on one of her first nights in town. They both have attraction and Tate is interested, but is also concerned about Cassie's feelings so friend-zone's her. He even offers to be her wingman as she looks for a fling candidate.

The Summer Girl is a perfect summer read. I fell into this story quickly and didn't want to put the book down. I hit a little bit of a hiccup when Tate was first backing off because of his fear of feelings, but stuck with this book and am so happy I did. The Summer Girl is such a complex, multi-layered story with the romance being just one aspect. Each of their families play critical roles in this story, and I felt very invested to see how things were going to wind up. I even found myself tearful at one point, and I rarely cry when reading. I loved how everything comes together in the end.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 18, 2023

A fun/sexy summer read with a few icks. So much talk about Cassie’s bra size and virginity and this quest for her to lose it in addition to the unnecessary smoking, and the emotionally abusive mother who constantly wrecked her kids body image was quite off putting. It’s very stereotypical and immature (the characters are in their early 20s and it’s written well that way). If you want something mindless with a bit of steam that takes place near the beach, you found it!

The Summer Girl is by far my favorite in the Avalon Bay series so far! The characters were a blast throughout the book. The backstory to Cassie’s told throughout mixed in with her growth was genius. I loved the friends to lovers between Cassie and Tate every step of their relationship was built on trust and chemistry. There was very serious topics that really made them work well together. This is at the same time a light fun beach read. Elle Kennedy is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the Arc. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc for my honest review.

The Avalon Bay series is the perfect fun beach read and the Summer Girl fits right with the first two. The main couple for this book is a fringe fuckboy "Tate" and a Summer Girl who grew up in Avalon Bay as a child but has since moved away with her Mom, though still has roots in Avalon Bay "Cassie".

Tate and Cassie have a chemistry from the first meet cute, even though they deny it.

Tropes:
Opposites Attract
Small Town Romance
Friends with Benefits to Relationship


Possible Triggers:
Narcissist Parent
Cheating
Blended Family disruption

Elle Kennedy never disappoints. I always feel like I am at home and at peace when I read her work. I loved being back in this town, and being with these characters again. I also loved meeting the new ones!! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting and can not wait to own the physical copy! Already have a couple of my friends reading it as well :)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Summer Girl
By: Elle Kennedy
Book 3 Avalon Bay
Pub Date: 7/17/23
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

This one really surprised me. I’d been dragging my feet on reading it but found that I really enjoyed it.

Cassie Soul is in Avalon Bay for the summer. She grew up there until her parents divorced when she was 10 and she moved to Boston with her mom. Her mom got sole custody unfortunately, she's a huge narcissist, which has cost Cassie a lot of pain over the last decade of living with her.
While in town for the summer Cassie stays at her Grandmother's house, this is the last year for that, because at the end of summer, her grandmother is moving to Boston.
Tate is a sailing instructor at the country club and also works part time at his dad’s boat dealership. But during the summer he housesits at the house next-door to Cassie’s grandma’s when Cassie’s friend stands her up for a summer party, Cassie meets Tate for the first time. Cassie is looking for a summer fling and she thinks Tate is the perfect candidate. But Tate is very hands off. He just wants to be friends but will that stay that way?
This is the 3rd book in the series and there are some big surprises with all the parents involved. Definitely worth the time to read.

This story was the type I would expect of a summer read. It has a nice little romance between two likeable characters. Well written with a character voices that make it sound very realistic. There are twists and turns of course that challenge the relationship but everything works itself out and make it a solid read. I encourage to check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc.

Oh. Okay. Well... This wasn't as problematic as the first book in the series. That being said, this book does has some classic (and problematic) Elle Kennedy quirks, such as the way she writes women and pits them against each other. Aside from that though, my main problem with this book is just that it wasn't interesting. The premise and plot are incredibly overdone, including by Kennedy herself, and nothing was believable. From the drama, to the character quirks, to the moments of attempted humour, everything was so over the top and cliche. I couldn't buy into anything. And listen, my favourite genre is fantasy. I am not asking for things to be realistic. I am simply asking that characters behave in a way I can imagine real people acting. So overall, this was an easy summer read, but not an engaging one.

I have enjoyed this whole series and would love to visit Avalon Bay!

I absolutely adored both Tate and Cassie. I loved their first meeting and how you felt the sparks (and you know they did), but they tried to deny.

Cassie is visiting the bay, once her home, this summer and staying with her grandma. When her parents got divorced, Cassie moved away with her mother, but visits in the summer. Her dad is remarried and has two younger children. She feels his wife doesn't care for her. so stays with her grandmother.

Tate moved to Avalon Bay as a teen, after Cassie moved away. He works at a marina teaching sailing and also helps out at his family's business. He doesn't "do" relationships. But despite being a one night stand type of guy, he is sweet and kind and the ladies love him, even those former one night stands.

There is family drama. There is growth and coming of age. And there is some great friends to lovers romance.

I switched between the ebook and the audio and I will say, the audio was amazing!

Many thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for both an ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

rating: 5 stars
spice: 1.5
tropes:
- friends to lovers
- golden boy
- small town/summer fling
- virgin FMC
- neighbors

I'm going to say it… and I'm not sorry… but Tate hands down takes the number one spot over the Hartley twins in this series! He is such a cinnamon roll, goofy, caring guy! Plus I ADORED Cassie. She was too funny, especially on her babbling rants around Tate :joy: The two of them together were simply a match made in heaven!

Something about this book just stood out to me more than the first two. I can’t place my finger on it but I think it mainly has to do with the humor and close friendship Tate and Cassie build with one another! Though there were certain difficult and sad themes in this story, it didn’t overpower or take away from the happiness

Overall this was a cute steamy summer read and an excellent addition to the Avalon Bay series! I can’t wait to see where Elle takes us next with this crew!

thank you to St. Martins Press and Elle Kennedy for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Cassie is back in Avalon Bay for the summer from Briar U (!!) to stay with her grandmother as they say goodbye to the family’s Beacon Hotel (sold to some familiar faces!). This summer, she’s looking for passion and a no strings summer fling. Tate seems like the perfect candidate, but decides to keep their relationship platonic. That is until neither of them can take it anymore.

This has been my favorite in the Avalon Bay series! The family DRAMA was so messy I could not look away, but I absolutely loved this journey for Cassie’s character development. The neighbors element of this story felt like T Swift’s You Belong With Me video — but make it spicy 🔥. The Summer Girl is the is a fabulous read for your summer TBR!

You’ll Find —
Friends to Lovers
Cinnamon Roll Hero
Virgin FMC
Summer Fling

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s, and Elle Kennedy for the gifted digital review copy!

I love coming back to Avalon Bay for the summer, almost as much as the author does! Elle Kennedy has created yet another sweet beach read involving Tate and Cassie and their decision to be each other's current summer fling. With Tate as the townie and Cassie as the granddaughter of Avalon Bay 'royalty' so to speak, they find themselves with much more in common than they first thought. Both characters are really nice people despite Tate's rep for being a player and never interested in having a real relationship with Cassie as the ultimate people pleaser, always finding that silver lining to any situation she finds herself in.

These two are very attracted to one another and even though Cassie's adorable rambling and a few verbal missteps on Tate's part threaten any chance of being that fling for one another, being neighbors for the summer definitely helps with moving their chemistry along. I loved that Kennedy allows both characters to be vulnerable yet remain playful as well. Tate and Cassie simply get one another even though their families couldn't be more different if they tried. But then Kennedy very cleverly drops a bit of a bomb towards the end that once again shows just how in sync these two are, shocking them both.

All the supporting crew from the two previous books are here as well, providing good-natured ribbing, new friendships and even a bit of love-life advice when needed. The townies and the 'clones' mix well within the pages of these books, Kennedy showing that money doesn't have to make a difference when it comes to matters of the heart.

The Summer Girl is a charming book that has plenty of wit, plenty of heartfelt moments and just the right amount of steamy goodness. Tate and Cassie made me laugh, sigh and smile. Their summer fling is just the beginning of a forever kind of love and I can't wait to see them again in future books.

4 big stars!

It’s exactly what I hoped for with an Elle Kennedy book! She delivered an enjoyable read with chemistry and banter throughout the story. Loved revisiting other Avalon Bay characters too. Did not want to see this story end.

Overview:
- forced proximity
- friends to lovers
- virgin fmc
- renowned fuckboy
- summer fling
- family drama

This is such a cute lil summertime series. Every book is heartwarming and cute and fun. But it also had its moments of pulling on your heartstrings with family secrets, Cassie’s narcissistic mother, and big decisions.

From the start Cassie wanted to have a summer fling, something she’s never done before and she spends weeks in Avalon Bay searching for someone who would fit the mold. No relationships, just fun. Tate, notorious fuck boy who doesn’t do relationships is dumped by his current FWB and happens to run into Cassie right after it happens. Tate and Cassie were lusting after each other from the moment they met, but didn’t want to admit it. That is until it becomes unbearable, as Cassie discovers that Tate is going to be her neighbor for the whole summer.

I really enjoyed this book, and this series. They are quick, heartwarming, funny books that are a nice pick me up. I was so excited for Tate’s book based on his character from the first two, but I rated it 4 stars because I definitely thought his book was going to be a little smuttier than the first two and it wasn’t.

Thank you to St. Martins Press, Elle
Kennedy and NetGalley for the eARC of The Summer Girl! Available now.

I think this has been my favorite book out of the Avalon Bay series. Even though this book didn't have the higher spice level like Good Girl Complex and Bad Girl Reputation, this one had such a pure aspect to the main characters. I absolutely loved Nate and Cassie's connection, friendship, and relationship. I loved that there was no miscommunication trope there, and they were upfront with each other from the very beginning. The banter was entertaining, the sexual tension was strong, and there were even some twists in there that I did not see coming! I also love that Kennedy adds in specks of characters from the previous books so that we can get a peek into where they stand now.
If you are looking for a fun and cozy summer read, this is the book for you!

The Summer Girl is my best read from Elle Kennedy so far.

I loved Cassy so much. She made me laugh out loud many times. She's so relatable. The way she babbled every time she was nervous made me smile.

Her relationship with Tate was beautiful. I loved how it evolved. The friendship she forged with him before being lovers was incredible.
Tate helped her so much. He helped her find herself and her voice and to find herself worthy.
I was actually sad to finish the book and let these characters go. I wish I could have more from them.

"You've changed me. [...] You taught me how to stand up for myself. How to be honest with the people around me. I used to be a real chickenshit. But you make me feel strong ".

This book is perfect for a summer read. Pick it up for yourself, you won't regret it.

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy
Romance, Rom-com
Pub Day: July 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This is the third book in the Avalon Bay series. These books continue to get better with each one! This story is about Cassie and Tate. Cassie grew up in Avalon Bay but moved away when her parents got a divorce. Tate has lived in the bay since his family moved there when he was a young kid.

Cassie has come back to Avalon for the summer to help her grandmother with moving and to see off their family hotel. She is finishing up college back in Boston and wondering what her plans are for the future. Her relationships are strained with both her mother and father and she is always just trying to keep the peace. Then Cassie meets Tate the most handsome guy she’s ever met. He is perfect for her plan of a summer fling.

Cassie and Tate walk the line between friends and lovers, both not sure they want to catch any feelings. Although what ends up happening isn’t anything they expected.

I really enjoyed Cassie and Tates story! The banter was adorable and their connection was spicy. That window scene 🥵

Love this book and highly recommend it!

3.5 stars

I was in the mood for something with small town summer vibes and this series hasn't let me down so far in terms of that. The romance was cute but all the drama at the end felt way too packed in and made for such an abrupt ending.

⭐️: 3/5
🌶️: 🌶️/5

I don’t know why I was expecting this one to be better than the last, the ending made it .5 stars higher for me because I’m a sucker for a happily ever after. And if you like an insta love this one is right for you!

The beginning was very frustrating, all these characters are in their early to mid twenties but sure as heck acted like high school sophomores the majority of the time. Something about the drinking culture in Elle Kennedys books just rubs me wrong.

I didn’t enjoy how Cassie was set up to be this bold and brave character that spoke her mind yet she couldn’t stand up to her moms abuse at 21 years old. The whole thing with her mom and Tate’s dad also felt so random and out of the blue. It felt like it was thrown in there because there was no other conflict that could possibly keep these two characters apart. Especially after the two main characters confess their feeling for each other and there’s so sign of a third act breakup. just didn't make sense at all and it kinda ruined the whole thing if I’m being honest.

Tate’s character was nothing special in the slightest either. The only thing I liked about him was how outspoken and unapologetically honest he was. His communication skills were refreshing for a male character who was written to be a play thing.

Overall it wasn’t great but it wasn’t terrible!

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Elle Kennedy for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love reading a story set in Avalon Bay. Cassie is from Avalon Bay but had to move when she was younger because of her parents divorce. She is back the summer of her 21st birthday for a final goodbye to her grandma's house because it has sold and will be out of the family by the end of summer. The hotel that her grandparents owned has also been renovated and is reopening. She is also looking to have a summer fling like a "normal" person. Tate works at the yacht club and for his family marina. He is also house sitting the house next door to Cassie. The sparks fly between them so Cassie thinks maybe he could be her fling. Tate isn't sure because he doesn't want a relationship. But finally, he can no longer resist her and they start a fling. Highly recommend reading this to see what happens with them and what has been happening with the others from previous books.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely