I love Elle Kennedy's books because reading them is like spending time with an old friend. I know exactly what I'm going to get, and that includes steamy romance, sharp and witty banter, and wonderful characters.

In this return to Avalon Bay, we meet Cassie, who has been coming to the island every summer for years. Cassie is looking for a summer fling this year before she heads back for her senior year of college. Tate is one of the full time island islanders, and they meet when Cassie overhears him getting dumped by his friends with benefits girl. There is an instant attraction, but Tate doesn't want to do his usual love 'em and leave 'em routine with Cassie and instead insists on just being friends.

One of the things that makes it so easy to love Elle Kennedy is that her romances are never just simple love stories, there are always lessons weaved into her storytelling, and this one is no different. Cassie struggles with her own self esteem due to a narcissistic mother and a father who has pushed her out of his new family. Tate is a player because he can't imagine finding a relationship to match up with the impossible yard stick of his parents' perfect marriage.

This was an easy book to love, and is what I've come to expect from Elle Kennedy. Reading about the lives and loves of the people on Avalon Bay is something I've come to look forward to each summer, and I hope we get to see even more from them!

Thank you to St Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This is the 3rd book in the Avalon Bay series, and in my opinion this is the best one so far.

Cassie and Tate are by far my favourite couple in this series. They love each other, they respect each other, and they're good to each other. Tate isn't like the Hartley twins from the previous two books, who at times I found unpalatable because of their toxicity. Tate is genuinely a good guy who loves his family, friends, and eventually Cassie. There were so many factors thrown at these two that they worked through together, and even when they hit an obstacle they couldn't cross and the third-act breakup hit, it actually made so much sense in the greater story and knowing what we do about these two characters. I also really liked how the third-act breakup was resolved, it made sense in the greater context and overall worked really well.

Like I said, this was my favourite book of the series thus far, and it can be read as a standalone. However, I do think the series overall is quite well done and definitely worth reading!

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Once again, Elle Kennedy has given us a fun summer read loaded with swoon-worthy men. Cassie is back in Avalon Bay to spend the summer with her grandmother before moving her up to Boston. Tate is the fun-loving sailing instructor at the local club who doesn’t do relationships and is housesitting next door to Cassie for the summer.

I love the friendship these two start up after Tate sends Cassie firmly to the friend zone after a hot kiss. Tate then decides to be Cassie’s wingman to help her find her “summer fling” she craves.

This was a fun read, just like the previous two Avalon Bay books and I do enjoy getting to see old characters. If you’ve read any Kennedy in the past and enjoyed it then you’ll probably find yourself loving this town and her inhabitants too.

This is the best installment of Avalon Bay! I love Tate and Cassie together.

There were so many real characters in this book, and by that I mean people who make mistakes but keep on trying their best. Of course, we see this with Cassie’s father, who tries to keep a relationship with her in the only way she knows how. We also see this in Cassie’s stepmother, who loves Cassie in her own way. Tate’s parents also show how to move forward after mistakes (though we don’t get the full picture until the end of the book).

The character that stood out to me most was Cassie’s mother Victoria. She was portrayed so accurately as a narcissistic mother, and Cassie’s response to her was written so accurately to how the daughter of a narcissistic parent would act. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a romance novel that examines this relationship dynamic in such detail. The way Victoria criticized Cassie’s body and clothes every time chance she had, the way Victoria made comments about the food that Cassie ate, the way Cassie felt pressured to keep the peace between Victoria and everyone else, the way Cassie broke down crying after Victoria’s comments but only behind the safety of a closed door. All so heartbreaking, all so accurate.

I don’t quite know if I believe Tate’s actions near the end of the book, but I loved to read a happy ending for Cassie and Tate.

Definitely recommend for a summer read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

What a fun summer read! Spicy, low angst, and kept me on my toes with a twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming! If you haven’t read any of the other Avalon Bay books, no worries — this one is okay to pick up as a standalone. This was my first Elle Kennedy book and I look forward to reading more of her work! My only complaint is that I wish it was a little longer, as some moments felt rushed, especially the end. But overall, definitely an enjoyable read!

Thank you NetGalley, Elle Kennedy, and St. Martin’s Press for a free copy of The Summer Girl (coming out July 18th!) in exchange for an honest review.


For 2023, I’ll be using this rating scale:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I mourned the ending of this journey 🥹
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really enjoyed and would recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was fine
⭐️⭐️ I didn’t enjoy this journey
⭐️ I dnf’d or wish I’d dnf’d
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ this is smutty smutty erotica 🥵
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ medium burn
🌶️🌶️🌶️ slow burn
🌶️🌶️ romantic b plot / closed door / YA romance
🌶️ no romance / nonfiction

I love Elle Kennedy's writing style and this book was no exception! The characters were so wonderfully fleshed out and relatable. I found myself both laughing out loud at multiple points in the story and having my heartstrings pulled by this story I'd grown attached to. Hilarious, spicy, and heartwarming. You won't be able to put it down!

Book Review
Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy

3rd
In Avalon bay series

MCs
Ginger and Gate aka Cassandra and Tate

Tropes and Thoughts
Beacon hotel- I envisioned the wrap around porch, swings and sand
Grandma- love a meddling senior whose wisdom is imparted with heavy sarcasm and love
Turtles and Dogs
Blended families
Difficult relationship with toxic parent
Infidelity and summer flings
Sailing and boat porn
Sandcastles and surf
Just enough family drama to make things interesting
Little bit of growing pains- self discovery- new adults figuring out their shit

Over all a great summer read

Thanks to @smpromance @netgalley @stmartinspress for my eARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own

I gotta say, this was my favourite book so far in the Avalon Bay series! The second book was kind of a miss for me but I enjoyed this one. I loved the characters and loved how Cassie’s character developed. It was funny, sad, with absolutely shocking twists.

Another great quintessential beach read!
Cassie is visiting Avalon Bay for the summer to say goodbye to her grandmother’s hotel. But Cassie is looking for something to make the summer more exciting - a summer fling! She then meets Tate, and they are forced to navigate their unique summer fling story together.

I loved that this book had some twists/conflict that made it unique from other “summer fling” stories. Rather than following the basic premise of a summer fling story, Kennedy wrote Tate and Cassie as complex characters with interesting histories, making the ending much more interesting!

Also this one had plenty of spice 🌶

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy

Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5


This was a delightful romance with laughter, family drama, and a story of friends whose friendship blossoms into more, This book is book three in the Avalon Bay series but after not having read any of the previous ones, I did not find it hard to follow along or understand the characters. This was a stand alone read or at least I had no problems reading it. It was a slow start But picked up pretty quickly. Certainly would be a great summer read while at the beach or lake for the day.

Cassie has returned to Avalon Bay after years of being away due in part to her parents divorce. She is back this time because her grandmother is selling the hotel that has been in the family for quite a few years. Claire has other ideas as well. Her 21st birthday has to be celebrated with family and she hopes to meet a guy and make some memories to take back with her.

Now we get to meet tall, dark, and very handsome Tate Bartlett. Avalon Bay’s sailing instructor and all around fun guy. The two meet and while there is initial attraction, Tate wants to just be friends with Cassie. Afraid he will break her heart, but….some things are just plain unavoidable. The attraction between these two is pretty hot and I wanted to reach into the book and make one of them decide to make the first move.. Fortunately for me, one of them or both, I will keep that a secret, took the chance.

The characters are very relatable, well developed and flawed and Kennedy’s writing is very captivating and whole hearted. You can tell that the writer wanted to reader to experience something more than just a love between two people. Kennedy took her time while writing to bring everything together in a slow burn fashion which you the reade will enjoy.

Release Date July 18, 2023

5 out of 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elle Kennedy wrote another incredible beach read! Cassie is visiting Avalon Bay for the summer to say goodbye to her grandmother’s hotel. But Cassie is looking for something to make the summer more exciting - a summer fling! She then meets Tate, and they are forced to navigate their unique summer fling story together.

I loved that this book had some twists/conflict that made it unique from other “summer fling” stories. Rather than following the basic premise of a summer fling story, Kennedy wrote Tate and Cassie as complex characters with interesting histories, making the ending much more interesting!

If you are looking for a book to get you back into the summer feels, look no further. You won’t regret this one - and if you’re anything like me, you will finish it in 2 days because you won’t be able to put it down.

3.4⭐️

Honestly, it took a bit to get into. While I generally liked the story and the town, this one was a bit harder for me to really attach to than the previous two. I just wasn’t the kind of invested I want to be. I did like Tate though.

🧐 my thoughts:
This is a fantastic beach read. Very light, fun, and entertaining.

👌🏻what i liked:
I’ve always been a fan of the movies with the summer flings, so I really wanted to love this one, and I did! This book was extremely entertaining and well balanced in every aspect.

🥰 special thanks
Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Kennedy, and St. Martin’s Press for granting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Book 3 in the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy and it is most likely my favorite of them.

Cassie is looking for a summer fling. Tate thinks that it could be more than a fling and doesnt want that.They decide to be just friends but what you can just stay friends...

I loved Cassie and how she is trying to figure life out. She doesnt have the best relationship with her parents but is willing to try and make things work even if she gets hurt in the process.

Tate is a great guy who loves life and just wants to have fun.

I really enjoyed this book and would reccomend it! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review of The Summer Girl

The Summer Girl is book 3 in the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy. I haven’t read any other books in this series but didn’t feel like I was missing out too much. This was a perfect beach read. Cassandra is back in her hometown but is staying with her grandma for the summer. Her grandparents use to own the famous Beacon Hotel that was ruined during a hurricane but has new owners now renovating it. Cassie is ready enjoy the summer and is on the lookout for a summer fling. To be honest the meet cute was hilarious considering was being dumped and of course ends up being her neighbor for the summer. Great start and premise but I couldn’t get behind how much Tate was obsessed with her body. I felt his whole pov was objectifying Cassie and her pov was obsessing about people who do that. Besides that there are some issues with Cassie parents which was a bit immature to me.

The Summer Girl (Avalon Bay #3)
Elle Kennedy
Pub Date: July 18, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read a book by Elle Kennedy, but I’m pretty sure I will be going back and reading everything she has ever written! I loved this book and found it to be the perfect summer read!

What I loved the most about this book is that it was so easy and breezy to read! I found myself picking it up and not realizing so much time had passed because I was so into Cassie and Tate and their relationship!

Read The Summer Girl if you like:
☀️Friends to Lovers
☀️Family Drama
☀️Dual POV
☀️Summer Romance
☀️Laugh Out Loud Banter
☀️Small town Romance

While this is the third book in the Avalon Bay series, it can be read as a standalone. I will admit, I read it as a standalone but plan to go back and read the first two in the series so I can experience this entire series, and since I’m now a huge Elle Kennedy fan!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Elle Kennedy, and NetGalley for a #gifted copy of The Summer Girl!

Cassie is visiting Avalon Bay for the summer and her goal is to have a summer fling. She immediately meets Tate, the gorgeous house sitter but he doesn't want to get involved with someone who isn't experienced. They decide to be friends but as the summer goes on they both get more than they thought they would this summer.

I loved Tate and Cassie's story and their connection. The Summer Girl was steamy but it was the perfect beach read! Thanks again St. Martins Press and Netgalley, I can't wait to read the other two books of the Avalon Bay series.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Summer is made for flings. But what if this one's meant for more?"

In the third installment of Kennedy's Avalon Bay series, we follow Cassie, a quiet college student, returning to Avalon Bay for the first time in years since her parents' divorce. With her grandmother selling the boardwalk hotel that has been in their family for years, it's the perfect time to return to the Bay. Perfect time to spend with her grandmother, ring in her 21st birthday along with her twin sisters and maybe even have a fling! Her first night on the prowl, she finds the perfect candidate; tall, tan, handsome, the complete all American boy, Tate.

Tate has lived in the Bay for majority of his life. He loves to sail and definitively has had his fair share of flings. He is the poster child for no strings attached. Though, when he first meets Cassie, he's not having the best day. It sucks when you get dumped but getting dumped in front of an audience? That's just torture. That chain of events led him to meet Cassie, one of the coolest and most gorgeous girl he has ever seen. While Tate is well versed in flings, Cassie isn't. Cassie is well...I'll let you find out that for yourself. Tate doesn't want to break Cassie's heart so he immediately friend-zones her. It doesn't take long for Tate realize what a huge mistake that was.

But the Bay isn't as serene as it looks and their situation on whether to be friends or more is the LEAST complicated relationship. Just like the ocean, everything looks serene and calm on top but underneath, there's a whole ecosystem barely on the brink of stability. Can Cassie overcome her anxious self and be able to speak her mind? Can Tate truly find happiness that he swore he would never find because it would never live up to his parents' love? What happens when the perfect little world that you thought you lived in comes crashing down around you?

This was my very first Elle Kennedy book. I have her Briar U series but I haven't read them yet. They sit on my TBR waiting to be read. When I got the opportunity to read this book, I thought it would be a perfect introduction to Kennedy. I had high hopes for Kennedy based on the praise that she gets on TikTok. Boy, was I not disappointed. From page one, I was immediately drawn into the story. I was hooked on Cassie; I could relate to her struggles with her mom and her self confidence issues. Then Tate, oh lordy, Tate. Absolutely swoon worthy from page one. Honestly, the entre book, I was able to cheer on and get attached too. Though, I still don't like Cassie's mom, I can see why she did what she did. Still don't agree with it but I can see why.

Before I even finished this book, I went ahead and added the other Avalon Bay books to my TBR. I did not want to leave the Bay at all. I wanted more. I cannot wait to return to the Bay and read about some of my other favorite characters in this book's origins. If you have been a fan of Kennedy's before, I believe you will enjoy this book. If you want an easy, romantic read to devour while sitting poolside or even oceanside, this is your book. There were times I couldn't put it down. This book definitively deserved the 5 star review and I would give it more if I could. I can't wait to read more from Kennedy!

"The Summer Girl" by Elle Kennedy is a delightful standalone NA romance that captures the essence of summer love and personal growth.

Tropes:
✔️ summer fling to lovers
✔️ reformed player
✔️ new adult / college

The story revolves around Cassie, a college student who returns to her quaint beach town, Avalon Bay, for the summer. With her twenty-first birthday approaching, Cassie hopes to find a summer fling while spending time with her family.

Enter Tate Bartlett, Avalon Bay's fun-loving golden boy and sailing instructor. Their initial attraction is undeniable, but Tate decides to keep Cassie in the friend-zone to protect her heart. However, as their friendship develops, they both realize that their connection runs much deeper.

Despite the challenges Cassie has faced, she maintains a positive outlook on life, which is both admirable and relatable. The author skillfully explores Cassie's growth and her ability to see the silver lining in every situation.

Tate is equally captivating, as he breaks away from the typical player archetype by being genuinely kind and supportive. The slow-burn romance between Cassie and Tate is heartwarming, as they navigate the blurred lines between friendship and love.

Elle Kennedy's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it difficult to put the book down. The narration is superb, enhancing the overall reading experience.

"The Summer Girl" is a very satisfying read that blends romance and personal growth, perfect for the summer. Fans of YA romance will enjoy following Cassie and Tate's journey as they discover the true depth of their feelings for each other. Elle Kennedy's storytelling prowess shines through, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more stories.

The Summer Girl is the third in The Avalon Bay Series! Surprisingly, this one is my favorite so far. I usually dislike the losing the v card trope, but this one was fun and flirty with a bit of drama and mystery. Tate is just an overall winner in the men department!! Cassie had a lot to overcome, but I loved watching her grow!! There is a scene I’m still in shock over. This series is a college beach town with rich kids(clones) vs locals and lots of drama. Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley in exchange for a review.