The Summer Girl is a perfect beach read!

Good Girl Complex was my first introduction to Elle Kennedy’s writing. After finishing it, I binge read the Briar U and Off Campus series. I’ve enjoyed the whole Avalon Bay series, but I think the Summer Girl is my favorite of the series!

Thank you @smpromance and @macmilianaudio for my gifted copies!

Cassie is back in Avalon Bay for one last summer before her grandmother sells their family home. She’s determined to have a summer fling before returning to school in the fall. She keeps running into Tate, who is house sitting the house next door. Despite their obvious connection, he tells her they can only be friends. Obviously this won’t last 😘

In true Elle Kennedy fashion, this was steamy, sweet, and had great banter! I loved seeing the rest of the gang from Avalon Bay and how Cassie developed friendships with them. It was a fun read!

I really enjoyed this one! Cassie and Tate were the cutest, and I found this one really easy to get hooked on. It hooked me from the very beginning!

“𝐌𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈’𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 . . . 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝.“

The Summer Girl is Book 3 in the Avalon Bay Series and follows Cassie and Tate. Cassie was such a sweet and likeable FMC and her and Tate complimented each other well. I don’t often read friends to lovers, but the banter and chemistry between these two had me laughing and smiling while reading! Tate is definitely book boyfriend material. The Summer Girl is definitely one to add to your tbr and is a perfect beach read! 4⭐️

🌊𝒜𝓋𝒶𝒾𝓁𝒶𝒷𝓁ℯ 𝒥𝓊𝓁𝓎 18𝓉𝒽 🌊

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕋𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥:
💋Friends to lovers
💋Summer fling
💋Family drama
💋Dual POV
💋Small town
💋Virgin heroine

“𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝,” 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐥𝐲. “𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬.”

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞.“

“𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐫-𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞.”

I was so excited to receive this ARC! I love Elle Kennedy's work and this one was no different! This is the perfect summer read! Mark your calendars for July 18, 2023 to get your copy!

Cassie returns to her hometown for the summer and is looking for a summer fling. No strings attached fun. She spots her perfect fling.. Tate. This heartthrob is only down for fun, no relationships. They come to an agreement of being a summer only fling. Things will end when Cassie returns back to school in August. Will they keep to the terms of their agreement? Read along and find out.

This book is my favorite so far of The Avalon Bay series! It is the story of Cassie Soul, whose family owned a boardwalk hotel on Avalon Bay for 50 years. Since no one else in the family wants to repair all the hurricane damage from years past, her grandmother has sold it. Cassie is back for the first time since her parents divorced when she was 10 years old. She's looking for a summer fling and meets Tate Bartlett on her first night in town. Tate is a well known player who grew up in Avalon Bay. He's always down for a good summertime fling but he knows Cassie is special from the moment he meets her. Many family secrets unfold as they try to keep their relationship platonic. The story was a little slow for me until about half way through. After that, it was so good! The twists kept me going and this book is now my favorite of this series. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to @Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Griffin, SMP Romance for the ARC!

First of all, I adore all of the Avalon Bay books, but I honestly think they keep getting better and better.

This was my favorite so far. Hopefully we get more?!

Cassie was very likable, and relatable, as I’m also not the best at confrontation, but I really loved how her character evolved and matured throughout the story, it didn’t feel rushed at all.

Tate was such a refreshing male lead, as we finally got to read about a guy, that while he enjoys fun and sex, isn’t an asshole at all. Just a normal, nice person. Was lovely.

The book had me smiling ear to ear at times, and tearing up others, I was so invested and I really hope we get more stories from this “world.”

Elle Kennedy delivers a great third installment in the Avalon Bay series. The audiobook is a GREAT option because it features two extraordinary narrators: Caitlin Elizabeth and my all time favorite, Teddy Hamilton. His voice is just so dreamy.

Cassie Soul is back in Avalon Bay for the summer for the first time in years. Her grandmother has recently sold the family's hotel (to Mackenzie in book 2!), and she's planning on selling her house as well and moving to Boston to be closer to family. So this summer is special. It's the end of an era for Cassie--but it's also a beginning. She decides to make the most of her summer in the bay by finding someone to "fling" with. Tate Bartlett is the first guy she meets, and they have instant chemistry. Too bad she ends up friend-zoned. But she's determined to change that. (Spoiler: he doesn't take much convincing. He's just as in to her!)

There's also a bunch of family drama. Her father and his second wife and their twin girls live in the bay, in the house she used to call home before her parents divorced. And her mom is a piece of work. (Trigger warning for emotional/verbal abuse, gaslighting, and narcissistic behaviors).

But all's well that ends well. Tate and Cassie get their happy ending, even though it's rough-going there for awhile. Honestly, I liked this one just as much or more than book 2, which I absolutely loved.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley as well as Macmillan Audio for my advance review copy and listening copy.

Loved this lighthearted love story that has a bit of spice!
Cassie comes to Avalon Bay for the summer and decides she wants a summer fling. She chooses Tate, who is the best looking guy around and begins their "fling". Time leads to feelings and .... ! No spoilers. I found the characters to be likeable and truly enjoyed this book. There was an unexpected twist, too! Great beach read. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and St Martens press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up.

This is golden retriever hero vibes done RIGHT. Tate is super sweet but not cheesy. I don’t know how she does it but Elle Kennedy is amazing at accurately writing the new adult/college age set. This felt very realistic but not too immature. So I have to say I’ve read Bad Girl Reputation from this series and was disappointed but the Summer Girl has won my heart back.

My issue with the half star is the extra characters. There are a lot of people and names thrown in when they didn’t add much to the story. Not even the previous couples because yes sometimes that call back can be cute but most of their scenes were just dialogue. It made a little bit of the beginning slow to get into (especially after such a great set up). Also, some of the time jumps bothered me. A certain night I was expecting to see the morning after of that would’ve helped develop the relationship for the reader.

But- the end had me teary eyed. I loved Cassie’s growth through not only her actions but her realizations. It felt really relatable. The small town summer setting was fun and not overstated. I genuinely enjoyed some of the extra summer activities. This is a perfect summer themed read! Thank you to st martins press via NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

Pretty average summer romance book.

I thought Tate and Cassie were both cute characters and I enjoyed their banter with each other. I liked how their was a friendship between them before it really developed to more (although there were some awkward moments before that happened that I could've done without for story development). I haven't read any of the other books, but I enjoyed the side characters and all their friends.

I thought it was a little weird that the premise of the book was that Tate regrets friend zoning Cassie and basically has to deal with that considering they get together at about halfway through the book, so it was a very miniscule part. I probably would have appreciated a little more angst and build up since there really wasn't any.

It was interesting seeing Cassie and Tate deal with the various family dynamics throughout the book as well. I just felt like everything was kind of rushed with all of it at the end. There were conversations and scenes that I would have appreciated reading about instead of just having it summarized later.

Overall, not too bad. I finished it pretty quickly and it was a nice quick fluff piece.

Love Elle Kennedy and I thought this book was super cute. I loved the first in the series, and I thought that this one was great too.

THE SUMMER GIRL is my absolute favorite book of this series, hands down. From the first 25 pages, I knew I was going to inhale this book. And I did. I read it in less than 24 hours.

This is the perfect summer read and features such amazing FMC and MMC: Cassie and Tate. Watching Cassie grow as a character, as someone who was comfortable in themselves was such a great journey. And watching Tate fall for Cassie was just icing on this metaphorical cake. They are each their own, fleshed out people, while still maintaining incredible chemistry.

And the banter was just top tier. I laughed out loud in multiple places. And just like other Elle Kennedy novels, the angst was just perfect.

Honestly, this was a great, light, easy, and fun beach read for romance lovers. I highly recommend if you love:

✅ Friends to lovers
✅ Bad boy MMC and good girl FMC
✅ Entertaining banter
✅ Dual POV
✅ Spicy scenes

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I just first need to say that this is my favorite out of the three Avalon Bay books! I just fell in love with Cassie and felt connected to her straight from the beginning and Tate just gave me *butterflies* . These were 2 characters that weren't as prominent in the first 2 books which felt more exciting when I first started seeing the connections between Cassie & Mac and Tate & Cooper/Evan. Cassie and Tate had a good relationship throughout the book though undefined for a while, and I loved the way their personalities mixed! It just gave me all the feels, all the steam, and all the drama! It's rare to see direct representation of a narcissistic personality (Cassie's mom... ugh) and I LOVED the way Cassie came to really love her body which is just 👏🏼

Tate can be my sailing instructor any day of the week... 😩😍

read if you like:
⛵️friends to lovers
⛵️good girl/bad boy
⛵️dual pov
⛵️summer fling w some spice
⛵️family drama

3.5-4 stars. Cassie Soul is lovable in the way that she rambles awkwardly and always looks for that silver lining, having been subjected to being an after thought for most of her life. Tate Bartlett is the guy who never settles down because he’s always having fun and hasn’t met the one. He certainly didn’t get those vibes from Cassie upon their first meeting, but their conversation already endears her to him so they keep the witty dialogue going. Having not really been a fan of either Cooper or Evan in the previous Avalon Bay books, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I did like Tate. He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder nor does he appear to be wasting his life away, so he already had points in my eyes. Cassie is sweet and has an upbeat vibe that is hard to ignore, which bodes well for Tate’s overall optimistic attitude. This was an enjoyable light read because it’s summertime and Cassie is spending time with her family and enjoying her time away from college, looking for a fling. She hoped it would be Tate, but he pulls the brakes, not wanting to ruin a potentially awesome friendship and as far as friends to lovers go, their dynamic was well suited to them. There are other family issues in the background to help nudge the character development along and to refocus priorities. I found both main characters to be likable and good with general communication to each other, especially when the heat ramps up and the chemistry can’t be ignored any longer. The wrench thrown in towards the end was a tad bit out of left field, but added some interesting, although unnecessary, drama that created a new conflict. However, I appreciated the outcome where they both pursued new and unexplored paths and still got a happy ending.

"This exceptional standalone romance takes readers on a captivating journey of self-discovery and passionate exploration. The sizzling chemistry between the main characters sparks both excitement and introspection. With unexpected twists and turns, the story keeps readers eagerly engaged.

The characters, despite their contrasting backgrounds, find themselves drawn together in a way that feels undeniably right. Their spontaneous nature and the challenges they face add depth to the narrative, creating an emotional rollercoaster that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In this romance novel, the author masterfully crafts a tale of personal growth and fulfillment. Through the characters' experiences, readers are treated to a steamy and captivating exploration of their true selves.

Overall, this book delivers a memorable reading experience filled with passion, surprising plot twists, and a range of emotions. It is a testament to the skill of the author and the power of love. Published by St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, this romance novel is sure to leave a lasting impression."

Cassie is off to spend the summer before her senior year of college with her Grandmother in the gorgeous, beachside town of Avalon Bay, SC. The only thing she wants before returning to Boston is a great summer fling. Enter Tate. While their chemistry is undeniable from the beginning, Tate decides they should just be friends before Cassie catches feelings. What he doesn’t bargain for is that he might be the one he should be worried about.

I have always been a die-hard Elle Kennedy fan, but when I say I devoured this book I DEVOURED it. I started last night, read until I fell asleep, and then immediately picked it back up this morning. This is, without a doubt, an amazing summer read.

As always, I’m so wary of the female main character in the beginning of the book, but Cassie is a delight. She is, in the most simple sense of the word, a people pleaser. She doesn’t like to rock the boat and avoids confrontation with both of her parents (mom = narcissistic, dad = new family). The way she grows throughout the story and finds her voice and really learns that her feelings and emotions matter is wonderful journey. And she couldn’t have done it without Tate.

Tate. New book boyfriend alert. I am always rooting for the bad boys, but I love this guy and just how good he is. Friendly, supportive, sincere, loyal. He is everything Cassie needed and she is everything he didn’t know he wanted. Plus, the teasing and the banter…it gets me every time.

This is the third book in the Avalon Bay series and while the characters from the previous two books take on supporting roles, you don’t need to have read them before enjoying this one. This definitely reads like a stand alone.

If you need a great summer beach read, this is it. The book releases July 18th.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC.

The Summer Girl is definitely not a bad read. It’s a classic Summer read as a whole. Something you’d want to curl up with while laying on the beach. It has Avalon Bay, the perfect coastal town that you’d see on a magazine. The one you can only dream about visiting. On top of that you have rich, yacht club frequenting locals who for the most part seem kind. And an endless stream of locally owned businesses….a recipe for your picture perfect summer vacation read. All though I have read books by Elle Kennedy before and been fond of them, this one didn’t quite make the mark for me. Right away we meet Tate, a very boob-fond local. He’s quicker to comment on the main character’s physique than he is to take an actual hint. Normally a good, forward, cocky kind of guy is the recipe for a good romance, but Tate just wasn’t it for me. He seemed more superficial at first glance than our other male leads. He does have some redeeming qualities though…He’s a man who loves dogs first and foremost. That much is a good note in my book. And although he seems more focused on the physical side of his relationship, he does seem to have Cassie’s best intentions in mind. Is Tate a good love interest? Yes. Would I date Tate if given a chance? Not at all. Moving from this we have Cassie, our fun loving, “copper haired” heroine. I’ve come to know Elle Kennedy’s past leading ladies to be relatable for the most part…but Cassie Soul really wasn’t who I hoped she would be. She held her ground for the most part but she lacked some of the resolve I’ve seen in past leading ladies. She was definitely a fun and bubbly personality and I did still enjoy reading from her point of view. I understand she is supposed to have a sort of naivety about her but as a 20-21 year old it wasn’t par for her age.

One of the first things I noticed was how quickly we were thrust into the relationship dynamic of Cassie and Tate. Although I do wish it were prolonged a little bit I did enjoy their banter. Tate always managing to somehow rile Cassie up at every turn. Tate definitely was a good choice of someone to pair with Cassie. They made a good couple for a feel-good beach read despite their “differences”.

Yes this book is marketed as a whimsical and fun summer read, hence the name “The Summer Girl” but it definitely has moments of depth and reflection. This much I can appreciate. It adds a touch of a real world perspective to the book. It has a way of grounding the reader while also still providing a cute summer read.

Although I have had a few critiques I did thoroughly have fun with this read. I would definitely recommend it as a lighthearted read. Something that should be in your beach bag this summer.

title: The Summer Girl

author: Elle Kennedy

publisher: Avalon Bay

publication date: July 18, 2023

pages: 400

peppers: 3 of 5 (on this scale)

warnings:

mean mothers
alcohol

summary: Cassie is at her grandmother's house for the summer, hoping for a no-strings-attached fling. On her first night, she overhears Tate, getting dumped and decides he'd be a good candidate for flinging. Unfortunately for her, he thinks a platonic friendship is a smarter bet for them...for a while.

tropes:

friends-to-lovers
summer romance
small town
mean mother
distant father
uncaring stepmother
cool grandmother

little-kid twin sisters

what I liked: a lot about this book was fun to read. There are some twists and turns I really didn't expect.

what I didn’t like: The first part of the book didn't show the two main characters together enough. I'd like to have seen them spending more time together.

overall rating:  4 (of 5 stars)

I love the Avalon Bay series. Every book is easily bingeable. I really enjoyed the boy next door, just friends, hidden family drama tropes of this one. Will definitely read whatever comes next in this series!

The Summer Girl is book 3 in the Avalon Bay series. Cassandra is visiting Avalon Bay for the summer and wants a Summer fling. It’s the last summer before her senior year at college and it's the perfect time for some fun. Cassie witnesses Tate getting dumped and their attraction was immediate. Cassie finds out Tate is the town player so he is exactly what she is looking for. The character development is light on this series, and this book is no different. While these are adults in their young 20s it reads like a younger novel. It was a fun and easy read with a little bit of spice. Doesn't have the magic of the Off Campus Series though.