"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.

Book 3 in the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy and my favorite book yet. When you pick up a Elle Kennedy book you know you’re gonna get great characters, a sexy good time and a setting to make you jealous. This book was no different.

Cassie was looking for a summer fling. Rate thinks it could be more and he isn’t willing to risk it. They’ll just be friends. Friends who are attracted to each other. That always works…

I loved Cassie. Her problems with her parents were sadly relatable in some aspects. (Cassie definitely wins worst mother of the year award.) Cassie doesn’t have it all figured out but with some prodding she is willing to try and I think that’s what we want and need from our FMC.

Tate is dreamy. He’s a good guy who wants to sail through life, literally sometimes. He doesn’t want to hurt Cassie that’s why he turns down her suggestion for a fling, but he can only stay away from her for so long. We love that in our MMCs.

I really liked this book. It was fast paced and engaging. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m read quite a bit of Elle Kennedys, and was excited to read this one too. It’s part of her AvalonBay series.

The story is about Cassie visiting her grandmother for the summer after her grandmother has decided to sell the family hotel business and move closer to her own family. Cassie meets Tate at a summer bonfire and ends up spending more time with him when she realizes that he’s housesitting the home next to her grandmothers. She’s not really had very many relationships while he is your classic local playboy. It’s happened to recently get out of a relationship. They start off as friends and end up as more. The story has some interesting twist that involve Cassie’s narcissistic mother who happens to show up halfway through the summer.

Definitely a fun beach read this summer with lots of steamy scenes to enjoy.
#indigoemployee

I was blessed enough to receive this arc from @netgalley and St. Martins Press but the thoughts and opinions of this review are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was book 3 in the Avalon Bay Series. It follows Tate and Cassie on their adventures together. Cassie is in town for the summer and meets Tate who ends up house sitting next door to her. They start with a spark and the friendship prevails, but is that really what they both want? We see the ups and downs of their friendship as well as the growth of their feelings towards each other. Cassie has strained relationships with her parents and this weighs on her. You see her growth and strength that she embraces with the help of Tate. The way Tate empowers and encourages her is just heartwarming. True to Elle Kennedy style there is tons of love, laughs and spice! Can’t wait to see if she continues this fantastic series🤍

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing the ARC.

After reading about the Hartley brothers in the first two books of this series, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy anyone else's story. I am glad I took a chance on this book because Cassie and Tate may be one of my favorite book couples yet.

I loved reading about how both of them grow with each other and realize just how good they are together. They were probably the most open and honest couple in the Avalon Bay series, never being anything but themselves. I love seeing playboys that have more substance and I love seeing girls have all their expectations subverted by that one special person.

Didn't love the 3rd act break up, but it wasn't a dealbreaker for me. Just a nice, easy story that shows us that sometimes it's better when the unexpected happens.

This would be the perfect beach read! Summery vibes with a cute romance and low angst. I didn't really connect with Cassie or Tate so I didn't LOVE this one, but I still really enjoyed it! I hated the third act breakup but thought that all of the plot lines got wrapped up nicely by the end of the book. Can't wait to see whats next from Elle Kennedy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader! All thoughts are my own.

Before her senior year of college, Cassie is spending one final summer in her hometown of Avalon Bay, and she's determined to find a summer fling. Enter Tate, the town golden boy who loves a good fling. You can guess where this is going.

With the first two books in the Avalon Bay series, I felt like there was so much potential, but there was just something missing. The Summer Girl definitely has that something. It was easily my favorite of the series.

The setting of Avalon Bay is so fun and beachy, and this book did a great job of transporting you there.

Tate and Cassie were a great main couple. From the very beginning of their friendship, they were open and honest with each other. No miscommunication trope here. I liked seeing the character development in both of them and how they helped each other grow.

(Spoilers below)

My one complaint is that I really thought there wasn't going to be a 3rd act breakup, but she snuck one in at the very end that didn't feel fully necessary.

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

My favorite couple so far from Avalon Bay!

The Summer Girl was such a sweet surprise.

I wasn't sure what to expect from playboy Tate based on the previous books, but I fell in love with him instantly!

Cassie was adorable from the beginning with her awkward babbling and pure heart.

I really liked how honest and real their relationship was. They were both themselves from start to finish. They didn't keep secrets or drop any bombshells. I can't say the same for their families, but nobody is perfect.

The Summer Girl is the perfect low-key read you won't want to put down.

Our third trip to Avalon Bay is the best so far.

Cassie is a townie-turned-visitor, ever since her parents’ divorced and she moved with her mom to Boston. But now, she’s returned for the summer as her grandmother prepares to leave Avalon Bay, now that the Beacon Hotel, in their family for generations, is ready to reopen under new ownership. Cassie wants a fling for the summer and sets her sights on Tate, playboy and a commitment-phobe. Shockingly, Tate turns her down, preferring to stay friends… a decision he may come to regret.

Three books in, and I’ve realized I would absolutely loathe being around the young adults featured in this series – though Tate and Cassie are less prone to all-night partying on the beach and at the boardwalk as Cooper and Mac, and Evan and Gen, of the first two books. Cassie loves telling her twin stepsisters fantastical stories; Tate is really a homebody at heart who really just admires that his parents are still disgustingly in love and dreams of sailing the world.

This was a sexy (there’s no way these young 20-somethings are <i>actually</i> that good at sex), low-stakes, beachy read. One star off for the head-scratcher of a third-act breakup: I didn’t buy that either Tate (nor his mom) would make the decisions they do.

[b:The Summer Girl|61884968] by [a:Elle Kennedy|1935000]
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ NGL - the window scene was 😅
🚤 120 mph speedboat!!
🏖️🪣🎈🏄‍♀️ I was definitely rooting for the soap ladies to win the beach games
🐢📖👯‍♀️ Extremely excellent moppet deployment

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I was gifted this Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

Cassie Soul is looking for a summer fling. She is back in Avalon Bay for the summer. Normally she is only there for a couple weeks out of the summer to stay with her father and his new wife and twin daughters. Cassie’s grandmother has sold the Beacon Hotel and the new owners want to have the original owners and family at the grand reopening in the beginning of September.
Cassie Soul has a way of putting a silver lining behind anything that gives her grief – which encompasses a strained relationship between Cassie and her mother. Or her lack of relationship between her father and his 2nd family. She also holds her tongue on a lot of things. Cassie is trying to be the peacekeeper.
She meets Tate at a bonfire on the beach by accident. She hears Tate getting dumped by a girl who he has been hooking up with for the last year. She tried to be the fly on the wall and not be seen. But her phone tweets with a text message from her best friend. Caught, she has to own up to Tate and let him know she heard everything. He decides to be nice to her and they ended up having a great time at the bonfire. Cassie looks at Tate as a potential fling for the summer, but Tate decides he would like to be her friend since they are going be neighbors for the next 2 months. Tate helps Cassie find someone to have a fling with.
First, I want to say I didn’t realize this was a 3rd book in a series. As it can be read as a stand-alone, the characters from the previous books were in this book as supporting characters. Those who have read the previous books will like the references of characters.
For me personally, this book was a little hard for me to get into. I would say the first half of the book was very slow. Once I got halfway through the book, everything that I read before was building up to the second half of the book. The second half of the book was an oh-my-goodness-gracious! The book takes off and the twist and turns leaves you hanging by the thread. Evening the end was not what I thought it was going to be. I laughed out loud, cried, got angry then found satisfaction in the end. By the end of the book, I wanted to reread it just to make sure I read it correctly. I also want to read the two previous books for context. Be patient and read the book. It will surprise you in the end.

I’m not sure I can find the words to express how much I love this series!

Cassie used to visit Avalon Bay every summer until her parents got divorced. Now, her grandmother’s old hotel is being reopened, so Cassie chooses to visit for one last summer. She meets Tate, and decides that she wants to have a summer fling while keeping a friendship between them.

I loved the friendship between Tate and Cassie. I loved the representation of narcissistic relationships and how they affect kids, even if they’re adults. I loved the cameos by the Hartley twins and Mac and Gen. The sailing aspect was so fun and felt thoroughly researched.

My only frustration was that the ending felt rushed.
But I had so much fun reading this! It’s the perfect summer read!!!
Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinsgriffin for an EARC of this book! All opinions are my own!

Cassie is in Avalon Bay, the town her family business used to thrive in, for what she thinks is one more summer. Only thing she needs is to have a summer fling. Why shouldn't it be with Tate, the fling master?

I loved this book! I've had the privilege to read all of the Avalon Bay books and this one is definitely my favorite so far!

Here's what I liked:

Tate: Book boyfriend alter, which is funny because he pushes so hard against being a boyfriend. He honestly reminds me of Dean from the Off Campus series. He likes hook-ups and thats it. But he's also super nice and isn't talked badly about because of this. I just adored him.

Cassie: She's awesome and awkward and I adored her. She is inexperienced and wants to learn. And man did she pick the right guy to learn from.

The spice: I liked all of it in this book. There was a great scene of mutual satisfaction...across windows.

The town: I like Avalon Bay a lot. I also like that the characters are all coming back for each book. It gives it a real home-like feel to the series.

All in all, best in the series and a top book for the summer!

-Dual POV
-Player and V FMC
-Neighbors
-Summer town
-Family drama

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.

4.5 ⭐️

“We’re friends.”
“We are,” he agrees.
“Friends shouldn’t do this.”
“Probably not.”

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!!

i have to say, the only reason it is 4.5 for me is the conflict and third act break up at the end just sent me in a rage. i will give props to the fact it wasn’t a typical break up but still fuck both of the moms for all of that.

Overall a pretty good book. Kinda of predictable and cliche for a lot of the beginning of the book. I almost stopped reading it. But I’m glad I finished it through. Definitely an interesting twist and a good albeit quick thrown on ending after all that work up to it. Definitely not my favorite of her books. But doable for a quick beach read.

This was my first book by Elle Kennedy and I rather enjoyed it. I’ve heard of her other series and while this is the third in the Avalon Bay series, it’s a standalone so I wasn’t super lost while reading. The Summer Girl is a quintessential beachy summer read packed with a lot of fun tropes. I liked that the story was multi-faceted and touched not only on the romance/spice (which were GREAT), but also on family relationships and drama. I feel like I really got to know Cassie and Tate as characters. The banter was fun and I really liked how the main characters struck up their friendship. This was a quick read for me and the twist at the end kept things very interesting!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of the book in exchange for my review! It is always appreciated!

A enjoyable summer read for a afternoon of escapism. Two people drawn together are different yet have so much in common. A seaside setting, a wonderful Grandmother and a amazing small beach town is the draw for the reader of this book. I enjoyed this read.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

Summary
Cassandra grew up in Avalon Bay but moved away when her parents divorced 12 years ago. She comes back occasionally to visit her grandma, and is here this summer in search of a fling. Tate is known around the Bay as the guy who will hook up but never settle down. Sounds like the perfect collision when these two stumble into each other on the beach, then realize they'll be living next door to each other for the next 2 months.

Why did I pick up this book?
I was gifted this Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley. I requested a copy because I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and was planning on reading this one anyways!

What did I enjoy about it?
As per usual, the couple not only found love in each other but found the courage to be themselves or take a leap they likely wouldn't have without the other person. Call me a sap, but I love this part of Rom Coms, and I liked the arcs she wrote for these two characters. Additionally, the third act plot twist absolutely took me by surprise and left me shocked, which I can't say happens often. Solid, addictive, spicy writing I've come to expect and adore from Kennedy.

What did I not enjoy about it?
The most annoying part of this book was that the majority of Cassandra's personality is her insecurities, with the central focus around her huge boobs. This physical aspect felt unnecessary and I think her parental relationships would've been enough to give her low self-esteem without this element that was harped on constantly.

I really enjoyed this easy fun read by Elle Kennedy. It was a fun storyline about two unlikely people picking each other out. I loved all the details of the hotel that was being renovated and I loved the Grandmother. Cassie had a hard relationship with her Mom. Tate turned out to be so good for Cassie. Definitely a great book for a book club and lots of discussion questions could be talked about.

I first read The Good Girl Complex within days of getting it and then followed the Bad Girl Reputation that I equally loved. But this novel, dare I say was way better than the other two novels. It wasn’t that the writing was better or even the characters. It was just that I adore Cassie’s relationship with Tate. While reading the two other books I expected, Tate to be this huge playboy. Instead, what we got was someone who charismatic, loyal, and super protective of Cassie.

Other may look at Cassie’s character and find her annoying, with all her rambling. They might even think that she is a push over but I find that once you finish the novel you will come to understand why Cassie acts the way she does. For me, I could relate to Cassie, and her people pleasing tendencies. It was nice to see Tate, teaching Cassie how to set boundaries.

I think most of all the reason why I loved this book was that it was hilarious! I even spat out my smoothie because I was laughing so hard. I also had so much fun reading, when they were doing summer games, and the amount of trash talking that the past couples say to each other was A+

Now let’s talk about the villain of the story, because I think we could all relate to how this person made Cassie feel. Not only is this person full of passive aggressive comments but they severally talks about Cassie’s body and makes her feel as if she isn’t pretty enough. I felt emotionally whiplash with this character, and part of me wanted to shake Cassie for trusting this person. When a secret came out towards the end of the book, my mouth was left gaping open. I knew something was going to happen, but not that!

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves summer theme romance novels. I promise that you will be left wanting more!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!