I've enjoyed all the Avalon Bay books and this one was no different. Cassie and Tate's story was both sweet and spicy. Cassie had always been the good girl - - the one that colored in the lines so to speak. But this summer, she wanted the full summer experience - - all the way down to having her own summer fling. And she set her sights on Tate because he seemed to be the perfect no strings attached local guy with a heart of gold and the body of a Greek god. But the best of plans don't always work out and her plans for Tate go awry.

The way this book was written, I felt like I was squeezing my own toes in sand and smelling the salt air. It was a wonderful tribute to summer and everything it meant to be young and in love.

AUDIOBOOK: The narration was fairly good for the most part. I will say that when it came time for the narrators to do the opposite sex voices, they weren't the best at that, but it still wasn't bad. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for both early copies of the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to review both of them and the opinions contained within are my own.

4.5 stars

I knew by the first chapter of this audiobook that I was going to enjoy the narration. Caitlin Elizabeth is a new to me narrator and she portrayed 20-year-old Cassie perfectly. Even her male voices were great. Teddy Hamilton is always good, but he could work on his female voices.

Cassie Soul is back in Avalon Bay for the summer to spend time with her grandmother and father. Her other goal for the summer is to find a summer fling. She finds the perfect guy on her first night in town--Tate Bartlett.

This is just the perfect summer read. Tate is adorable. He and Cassie have great chemistry and banter-especially when he is trying (at first) to help her find someone else to be her summer fling. That doesn't work for long as they discover that their attraction is too strong.

There is some family drama included as Cassie's mother is just a horrible person and mother.

This is my favorite of the Avalon Bay series and it's the spiciest. It is book three but can be read fine as a standalone.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ALC and ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tate and Cassie meet when she is visiting her grandma for summer vacation. The first two books in this series were so good so I knew this would be too, this one ended up my favorite of the series! I loved Fate and Cassie's chemistry through the book and their tension was so good. This is a perfect summertime strangers to friends to lovers read.
Elle Kennedy always writes some of my favorites!
This book is part 3 of the Avalon Bay series, but can be read as an interconnected standalone.
Thank you to Elle Kennedy and NetGally for providing this e-arc in exchange for a review

Loved Tate and Cassie! Avalon Bay sounds like the perfect place to spend the summer. This is a great summer read!

Oh my gosh I LOVED this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Cassie comes to Avalon Bay for the summer, visiting her grandmother (and father and his family) who still live there. She’s looking for a fling before heading back to college in the Fall.
Her first night in town she meets the incredibly gorgeous, funny and sweet Tate, and thinks she’s found the perfect hookup guy.

They get along so well that they decide to just stay friends - or rather Tate puts Cassie in the friend zone, not wanting to risk breaking her heart. Their attraction to one another can’t be denied, and soon they can’t ignore it anymore.

Honestly both main characters were so easy to fall in love with, it was no surprise they did with each other! Cassie is this adorable rambler, and Tate is considered a f*ck boy who everyone still loves, since he treats them all with respect and honesty.

The tension in this book is yummy, and that window scene 🥵

I totally didn’t expect to be in tears with this one, but I was! There was also a twist I didn’t see coming, which I love.

I tandem read this book - ebook and audio - and Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job on the audio!

This is the 3rd book in the Avalon Bay series, but can be read as a standalone. Good Girl Complex (the 1st book) does set up some things that happen in this one though.

What you’ll find in the Summer Girl:
⭐️ Friends to friends with benefits to more
⭐️ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐️ Neighbors
⭐️ Virgin FMC
⭐️ Lovable MCs
⭐️ Beachside town
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was hands down my favorite of the Avalon Bay Series books. Elle Kennedy took me on a wold ride of summer love, family drama, and self exploration. Tate and Cassie's story was so much fun to read. I also loved how the past characters had their own plots in the story as well. I definitely recommend all the Avalon Bay books, but especially this one

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Kennedy and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to this book based on the cover and it felt like the perfect read during July. I didn't realize this was part of a broader series of books set in Avalon Bay. I didn't feel like you needed to have read the others in the series to understand what was happening in the story. There were some steamy scenes and plenty of family drama, but I felt like it was probably 100 pages too long.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy Netgalley & St. Martin's Griffin!

The Summer Girl is my favorite in the Avalon Bay series. Cassie is returning to Avalon Bay after some years away to spend the summer with her grandmother. Her dad, his wife and her half sisters live in Avalon Bay, but she doesn't see them a lot. I thought this aspect of the The Summer Girl was really well done, watching Cassie navigate these relationships and find her footing in asking for what she needs and wants. Everything about this tugged at my heartstrings.

Tate is a local boy who is always in for a good time. Despite some initial reservations they end up getting together and I enjoyed every minute. Tate certainly wasn't perfect, but he pushed Cassie in all the right ways, including showing her that it's ok to ask for what you want and need (re: her family).

Cassie's mom is a narcissistic bitch and you could see her scheming a mile and a half away. This caused some issues that did result in a 3rd act breakup, but not in a traditional way.

Despite the heaviness it was a great summery read!

Cassie and Tate just may be my favorite Avalon Bay couple! They seem the most down to earth of all the characters so far. Cassie grew up in the bay. She only moved away when her parents divorced. She’s back for the summer and wants a summer fling. That’s the last thing Tate wants. The more he resisted, the less willpower he had around Cassie. I loved how this summer was also a time for Cassie to connect with her father, stepmother, and twin sisters. Her mother’s indiscretions coming out into the open caused great repercussions for Cass and Tate. I felt that was a pivotal point in the story for them. All was not lost though. Some time away from each other and a conversation between Cassie and Tate’s mom steers Cassie in the right direction with blessings.

Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton lent their talents to voice the characters so wonderfully. Their personalities came to life!

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

There’s something about an early 20’s summer romance set in a small coastal town that just gives me all the feels. Definitely some nostalgia for me, having grown up a beach kid. Anyway, this book was the ultimate summer fling turned full blown romance!

Right from the start, Cassie & Tate have this irresistible magnetic chemistry. It just seems like they gravitate towards each other, despite trying to resist their mutual attraction. There’s also some pretty intense drama that threatens the potential for them to eventually have a real relationship.

I loved being back in Avalon Bay, getting snippets of Mackenzie & Cooper and Gen & Evan, the Beacon, the bonfires, all the fun in their friend group. I do think this is the spiciest book in the series so far. That window scene?! 🥵 But it might be the most emotional too. The depth of the characters allowed me to really connect to them & feel for them on another level.

Overall I thought this book was very well-written, with the perfect amount of humor & spice to uplift some of the heavier topics discussed.

3.75🌟 Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc of Elle Kennedy’s third book in the Avalon Bay series, The Summer Girl, in exchange for my honest review.

This was a quick, fun summer romcom with a sweet couple and fun banted.

Tropes: summer fling, friends to lovers, next door neighbor love, virgin character, mild spice.

Plot:
Cassie hasn’t spent a summer in Avalon Bay since her parents divorce. Now she is spending her summer break with her grandmother, visiting her father and celebrating her 21st birthday. Her goal for the summer- have a fling (loose her virginity) and gain experience. And who better to proposition a fling with than the gorgeous man housesitting next door.

Enter: Tate.
Tate is the golden retriever playboy and is known for his casual friends with benefits. When Tate meets Cassie, it seems like a no brainer to accept Cassie’s fling proposal. However, he soon realizes she isn’t the type for casual…and friend zones her. Mistake? Definitely.

These two had such cute chemistry and witty banter. I loved that Tate showed his emotional side to Cassie & I think their friendship was a great foundation.

Trigger warnings: bodyshaming, manipulation, emotional abuse, side character infidelity, discussions of abortion and toxic parent.

"I take a sharp inhale as understanding strikes me. I feel it. The elusive it. Whatever the hell it is that makes my parents look at each other the way they do. The feeling I'd been waiting for but could never find with any of the girls who've crossed my path over the years. I feel it now."

This book...this! book! I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect to fall for this one the way I did. I was well acquainted with Avalon Bay from the first two installments, so going into book #3, I thought I was prepared for the antics of life in the bay.

I was, in fact, not prepared.

This foray back to Avalon Bay was like a breath of fresh air. Cassie and Tate are both the most genuine, likable characters; they have a quite the memorable meet-cute and insta attraction to one another. Cassie is back in the bay for one last summer to visit her grandma, before her grandma moves north. Cassie's goals for the summer include finding the perfect birthday gift for her twin little sisters, spending time with her grandma, and finding the perfect summer fling...enter Tate Bartlett.

I can't get over how fun of a read this was! Cassie and Tate had great wit and banter. I do think the first 25% of the book was a bit slow...Cassie and Tate were in a bit of a will-they-won't-they limbo that dragged a bit long. Although I did enjoy Tate's instant protectiveness over Cassie. I couldn't help but giggle at him playing wingman for her. Well giggle, and also scream because it was obvious to everyone, including them, that Cassie and Tate needed to be together. But then, oh but then we there was the window scene...

Ms. Kennedy...I will never, ever recover from that window scene.

From there the story really takes off and we watch our fave "absolutely-no-attachment-fling-only" couple take on the summer. There was a lot of not-on-the-page movement that really worked in this book. That can be tricky and doesn't always work but I felt like it really amplified their story. We see fun dinner dates and campfires with the Avalon Bay gang, all culminating with the big event of the summer: the reopening of the Beacon Hotel. (Spoiler: it's finally opening!!). All along the way Cassie and Tate grow closer together; they become each other's confidant and "person." The relationship is sweet and tender, and despite both of their internal protests and outward declarations of "fling-only" they develop real feelings for one another.

What I loved most about this book was how both Cassie and Tate were able to communicate with each other. Despite some initial hesitation in the will-they-won't-they game, they don't keep a lot from one another and open up about what is going on in their lives. They work through past traumas and help the other brave tough conversations, growing an emotional bond as strong, if not stronger, than the physical one.

What really made this book stand out was the dynamic that each of their families played into not only their individual lives, but also Cassie and Tate's relationship. The juxtaposition of the toxic and the seemingly perfect; how turned-leaves might be too good to be true and how the seemingly perfect might not be so perfect after all. I loved watching how these relationships played key parts in threatening C&T but ultimately bringing them together. Familial relationships can be messy, and I love how this book shined a light on the good, bad and everything in between.

Bottom Line: This is definitely my favorite installment in the Avalon Bay series so far, and think this would read easily as a standalone (and I loved the nod to Elle's ~other~ series!!). I think where I struggled with the first two books was the size and large personalities of the even larger supporting cast - and while we see all of our past friends, the involvement is light; our focus really stays on Cassie, and Tate throughout. A lot happened in this book; I think there were a couple moments that didn't have significant impact, but I don't think anything was left with loose ends. I really loved the end. I really loved Cassie and Tate. I really loved ~that~ window scene. Definitely recommend this perfect summer read!

This is the first book of the Avalon Bay series that I’ve read and still I don’t feel I missed anything. I really enjoyed the lighthearted story between the two main characters. It was secondary characters that really felt the drama. The two main characters Cassie and Tate were both very mature in handling feelings and communication which I really enjoyed. No miscommunication trope at all. This book explores a summer fling, family drama, people pleasing and confronting feelings. I loved the difference on family dynamics. Cassie is from a rich family, yet doesn’t act entitled at all. You definitely ge the rich, local and tourist aspects in this novel. I enjoyed the book for the most part. There were some long winded sections that didn’t involve the plot that I felt drug ok but besides that it was a quick light story.

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy

Published: July 18, 2023
St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 392
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Elle Kennedy is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle currently writes for various publishers.

“There’s always a silver lining.”

Cassie is spending the summer in her hometown with her grandma, where she will help pack up her home. She is also planning to find herself a summer fling. Tate wants to have fun and sail fast. He is known for not getting into relationships. And he is housesitting right next door.

THIS WAS SO SWEET. My teeth hurt from all the sweetness. This was a charming book: the build-up, the romance, and the connection. I loved it all!

Cassie was such a sweet character. I enjoyed her journey into discovering herself and learning to stand up for herself. Her growth was fantastic. Tate was a swoon-worthy captain with charisma that radiates from the page.

This was a perfect blend of romance, spice, and drama. The storyline flows engagingly, and your heart will capsize at the end.

This has been my favorite Avalon Bay book yet! Cassie and Tate were so incredibly thought out and well developed. Their story just made sense and was a happy read, even with the drama!

Cassie Soul hasn’t been back in Avalon Bay for a whole summer in years, but the time has come. Her grandmother has sold their family’s boardwalk hotel and Cassie returns to the beachside town to spend time with her family before the grand re-opening…and maybe find herself a summer fling in the process. The first night in town, she finds the perfect man for the job: Tate Bartlett. Tate is no stranger to a good fling - he’s always down for a good time! But he realizes quickly that Cassie is not the fling kind of girl and he quickly friend-zones her to protect her heart…only to realize later that he's made a huge mistake. As the pair straddle the line between friends and lovers, they find that the least complicated part of their lives is their relationship. Because when you’re a part of a community like Avalon Bay, the secrets that abound threaten everything that you try to build.

This is definitely not your average summer fling romance. Don’t get me wrong, the tension between Cassie and Tate from the get go is delicious, but the fact that they actually start their relationship as friends is glorious. I’m not usually a slow burn kind of girl, but this slow burn was done in such a fun way. And anyone who reads romance knows that there is a good chance there is going to be a third act breakup - but even that part of the book was handled differently than most!

The relationships that develop throughout the book flow so naturally. Kennedy is able to bring new girl Cassie into the fold while giving us the perfect glimpse into the lives of the residents of Avalon Bay that we already knew and loved from the first two books. I really do love a good romance series - we get to watch different couples falling in love while revisiting a world we’re already comfortable in.

And oh my goodness, the SPICE. Kennedy knows how to write a spicy scene and it SHOWS. And she weaves it effortlessly into a story that is both hilarious and emotional at different points. I spent various parts of this book laughing out loud and crying through all the emotions. Talk about a roller coaster!

Because we love a content warning, it’s important to note that there are some things in this book that could be triggering to some people including emotional abuse and mentions of miscarriage and abortion.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

I absolutely adored the third installment in the Avalon Bay series. Cassie and Tate were just adorable. I loved the sweet simplicity of this story and read this in one sitting. Over all this story was sweet, swoony and sexy! This was fantastic! Bravo! 5 stars!

The Summer Girl was both the first Avalon Bay and first Elle Kennedy novel that I’ve read, and I loved it! This was the perfect summer book- set in an idyllic beach town, smart female main character, dreamy male main character, a friends to lovers trope, some steamy scenes, and lots of family drama and secrets woven throughout. I loved reading Cassie and Tate’s story and enjoyed that it was told from both of their perspectives. While I wasn’t familiar with them, I like that characters from other Avalon Bay novels were sprinkled throughout, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories next!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this electronic arc of The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elle Kennedy is uh-mazing. I love spending time in Avalon Bay with her characters, and maybe, just maybe, have a new appreciation for the beach vibe. (I’m a mountain girl, oops)

Tate was such a dynamic character; not the playboy everyone thought he was. Cass has some family issues that were SO relatable, for instance, a father with a new family, so where do you fit in? Or a narcissistic mother who’s relationship with you is so stressful, you question if you want it at all.

This was a summer fling I hope to always remember. If you’ve read the other two books in the Avalon series, then you know who the other characters are, and their growth and background. Elle Kennedy has a way of making you feel like you are in this friend group. You are right there with her characters. You are a part of Avalon Bay.

🎉Summer Girl is out 7/17, preorder and get your hands on this fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for my eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[4.5 Stars]

If you're looking for a feel-good romance, look no further! Arguably the best of the Avalon Bay series yet, readers join Cassandra Soul (Cassie) as she returns to the Bay for the summer. Not only is Cassie there to celebrate her birthday, her sisters' birthdays, and the grand opening of the newly renovated Beacon Hotel, but she is on the hunt for a summer fling. Then she meets Tate. Will he be "fling" material or is he more the boyfriend material type? Will this finally be the summer that Cassie finds love? Readers will experience a range of emotions while reading - sadness, hopefulness, happiness, and everything in between. You'll be rooting for Cassie and Tate all the way through.

This was my first time reading Elle Kennedy and when I say this was the best of the series, it really was. I read the first two books in the series right before diving into this one and - ahh!! This one just really hit me in the feels. I was instantly invested in these two and couldn't put it down. It was much more fast-paced than the previous two and felt more like the romances I tend to read. There is a bit of spice, so if that's not your thing, read with caution (I'd give it a 2 out of 5 on the spice scale). However, if you are looking for a great "will they, won't they" romance, this one is for you.