I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and it was so adorably cute I couldn’t get enough! I loved the relationship between Tate and Cassie, the complicated history and ties to their families, and the extended friend group that make coming back to Avalon Bay so enjoyable every time! The tension, the banter, the boating, and the growth were just chefs kiss! Seeing the tough times along with the good also made it feel that much more real. Super endearing!

I thought this was a fun summertime type read and I know our patrons will enjoy it, too. We are definitely purchasing for the branch. Thank you!

🏖️ Romance/Contemporary
📱 eARC
➡️ for blurb!


💭 THOUGHTS 💭

Ok, so I absolutely love Tate. We’ll just start there.

This is the first book by Elle that I’ve actually read (whoops) but it definitely won’t be my last. While at times I felt the book could have been condensed in some chapters, the character building, the dialogue, the passion, the SPICE – EXCUSE ME – CHAPTER 15?!?!?!?!! – was just great.

The conflict was heartbreaking and unconventional compared to other books I’ve read; I tell ya, if you have a character with a toxic parent it’s game over. I’ll cry and sob and be angry but Elle’s story ripped me raw and while I did feel exposed reading through Cassie’s conflict with her mommah – it was therapeutic in a way. I’m thankful for authors who shine a light on toxic parenting because I really feel like it’s not showcased enough.

Cassie struggles with her inner demons, courtesy of her tumultuous relationship with her mom, and it’s empowering to see her find her inner voice with the help of Tate. Tate is such a genuine guy and a sweetheart and a tease but a respectful tease and UGH. I just loved this.

In a dual-POV story, I can with 100% certainty tell you I did NOT see that ending coming, which was a nice surprise for me. I really enjoyed the unpredictability in this story and the conflict resolution was believable which was refreshing.

Again, just going back to chapter 15, I will think about this chapter for a loooooong time. The passion and spice and connections are just *chef’s kiss*. While I’m not shy when it comes to reading spicy scenes I LOVE when the spice doesn’t overpower the book. This was just the right amount and was a nice accent to the storyline.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Elle and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

This book comes out on July 18, 2023!!!

Full of Elle Kennedy’s humor and wit, this slow burn, spicy, summer romance is not one to be missed. I love all Elle’s books and this is no exception. She’s the queen of unexpected plot twists that rip your heart out and put it back together. I blow through her books because I need to know what happens next. She’s one of my favorite authors and I can’t say enough good things about The Summer Girl. Check it out for yourself and you’ll understand what makes it so good! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a good light beach read based on summer, love and opportunity. I recommend it to anyone looking to have a Spirits lifted and enjoy a quick read.

The Avalon Bay series is one of my favorites, and this new addition is no exception. Cassie and Tate have an instant chemistry, but instead of jumping into a summer fling like Cassie wants, Tate decides to just be friends. That's a choice he quickly regrets. As their friendship and the potential for romance grows, Cassie and Tate navigate family dynamics and discover secrets they would never have suspected. Can their bond withstand the stress of it all? Read to find out!

This was actually my first Avalon Bay book, but not my first Elle Kennedy book and she didn't disappoint with this. I'm definitely going to be going back and buying the first two immediately.

I'm not a summer/beach kind of girl and at all. I love winter and snow far too much, but this definitely made me want to go hit the beach this summer.

I loved Cassie so much. I relate to her in so many ways.

This book was so easy to fall into this story. Good fun and good spice!

Loved the cover and the title! The story was really cute and I enjoyed the characters and their development.

Rising college senior Cassie Soul is back in Avalon Bay for what could be her last summer in the idyllic beach town where she used to spend a lot of time, before her parent's spiteful divorce. Her grandmother has sold the hotel that was the family's epicenter, her beloved grandfather is dead, and her dad has a new wife and children. As much as Cassie loves Avalon Bay, things are different this time around.

Tate Bartlett is just the guy to take Cassie's mind off things for the time being, in the form of a summer fling. But Tate knows once he opens up to Cassie, this won't be just another fling. Tate is a long-time Avalon Bay resident and has his whole life ready and waiting for him there: he'll take over his dad's business and teach sailing at the yacht club, just like he has done for years.

This story has all the classic elements of a fun, lighthearted romance. Cassie is lovable and vulnerable, and Tate is more self-aware than most. Their banter is zippy and authentic. And yes it is SPICY.

While the plot is generally light in nature, some of the background topics that come up are more weighty. Cassie has to work through her parent's divorce, her mom's narcissism and general awfulness, what it's like when someone you love seems like they're just out of reach. Most notably, the third act twist is a DOOZY and brings up a lot of family history and secrets.

This is the second book by Elle Kennedy that I have read. My first book was the second in the Avalon Bay series and I own the first book and can't wait to go read that one. This third in the series did not disappoint. This is the story of Cassie coming back to Avalon Bay to spend one last summer with her grandma before the family hotel is officially reopened with new owners. Cassie decides she needs to find a summer fling. She meets Tate her first night and thinks he would be an ideal candidate. Tate likes Cassie too much to be a fling and knows Cassie will probably catch feelings. He decides they are better off as friends, but those lines quickly begin to blur. I loved Tate and the sweet man that he was to Cassie and that he had such a great relationship with his parents. Elle Kennedy did a great job of incorporating some nasty secrets and having a true villain in this story. The romance was sweet and spicy. This book left me wishing I was sitting on the beach enjoying this book as the author used great imagery to transport the reader.

An enjoyable return to Avalon Bay, I appreciated these two charming, slightly dorkier characters compared to the “cool kids” in prior stories in this series. Besides the slightly devastating twist at the end (which was then resolved very quickly), it was a lovely quick read that got me out of a reading rut. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out in July.

She was looking for a summer fling and she approached the resident hookup guy but gets friend-zoned. Unbeknownst to her, he though friends-zoning her would help keep his feelings at bay but it had the opposite effect and now he can’t imagine not spending time with her.

I really liked the growth Cassie had throughout the story especially dealing with her relationship with her parents and having the tough conversations. I don’t think she ever would have had those conversations if it wasn’t for Tate’s encouragement in her owning her own strength and feelings. Tate is so genuine in his actions and his positivity and his feelings for Cassie. I liked that they both felt the most like themselves and comfortable around each other without going through any big charades. I enjoyed the cameos of the couples from the previous two books and the antics at the beach games.


Thank you @ellekennedy33 @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I did not realize this was a series until I was about a quarter of the way through and made the connection (I totally didn't catch that and I totally should have) but the author does a really good job at catching you up, so I didn't feel like I missed anything. I loved Cassie, thought her story was perfect for a 21 year old still figuring herself out, and I thought the story itself was really really cute. What did miss for me was Tate, at least at first, and not in a really really bad way, but more of a "gosh man, get it together" kinda way, although he did end up.. well, you can read it and see for yourself.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC

i think i’d give this a 4.5 actually, i liked it way more than i was ever expecting to. i really enjoyed the different relationships and dynamics, especially between cass and nia. i loveee tate. this was a cute (and angsty) summer book, that just so happens to take place in a fictional south carolina beach town. i can never escape. looking forward to going back and reading the previous two.

thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC.

Cassie is spending the summer in Avalon Bay and looking for a fling. Enter Tate, the perfect candidate. Unfortunately, he friend zones her before anything can happen and offers to be her wing man instead. The more time they spend together, their chemistry heats up and Tate starts to regret his initial decision. The friends to lovers lane may not be as easy as planned though when some family drama and secrets come to light.

Cassie was a sweetheart. Tate was just ok at first, but he grew on me. The more he stepped in to comfort Cassie and help her see how incredible she was won him some points. Although, I wish there had maybe been a bit more angst and jealousy from Tate. I wanted him to stew in his wrong decision for a little bit longer haha.

I will say, this book covered some heavy topics. Divorce, narcissistic parent, body shaming, gaslighting, and cheating to name a few. These issues were woven well into the story line. I especially connected Cassie's thoughts on her parent's divorce and the resulting emotional turmoil of one parent starting a new family and feeling left behind. For an anticipated light read, this insight into Cassie's character felt real and raw. The final drama reveal that split Cassie and Tate apart in the third act break-up screamed Bravo-esque drama to me. While it may not appeal to everyone, I was ready for some big drama to shake the story up!

I enjoyed this book while reading it, but I know it's not going to be one that sticks with me. I'd recommend the Avalon Series for anyone wanting a fun and spicy series.

This is the perfect summer beach read. Relaxing, enjoyable, and goes super quick. You don’t need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters and the family drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story is the third installment in the Avalon Bay series and it did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry and banter between Cassie and Tate and the dual POV flowed effortlessly. This book captured so many elements that I crave in a great read, and although I did not care for the conflict near the end - I did enjoy that it was resolved rather quickly.

What really worked for me was the realistic aspects of divorce, betrayal, and how families move on and heal (or don’t) when they break. The relationship and feelings involved between parents, step-parents, and children who came before and after was really appreciated.

What didn’t work as well for me was that I had to keep reminding myself that we were dealing with people in their early twenties. The writing had a very high school vibe to me, but it wasn’t enough to bring down my star rating.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend. It’s a fun, quick read with great banter and some spice.

I was really sad to not have another Hartley twin to read about.. but that went away very quickly for me. Tate and Cassie have chemistry, but he becomes her wingman to help her find her summer fling.

I love how awkward Cassie is and how Tate teases her. I love their nicknames for each other. I love that they tried to put off the inevitable… and clearly lost lol. I really enjoyed this whole book!

College student Cassie Soul is back in her childhood hometown of Avalon Bay, spending one last summer with her grandmother and hoping to find herself a summer fling. Enter Tate Bartlett. He’s a local sailing instructor, lovable playboy and is allergic to commitment. However Tate friend-zones Cassie almost immediately; he thinks she’s the type to develop feeling and he has no desire for a relationship. But as their friendship grows and Cassie starts “flinging” with someone else, state realizes he may have made the biggest mistake of his life not claiming her as his own.

I love anything Elle Kennedy and The Summer Girl was no different. This was such fun love story that had me laughing out loud at points, but Elle was also able to weave in a surprisingly deep subplot surrounding Cassie’s family. Definitely recommend picking this up for a beach read this summer!

Loved the book. This is my first by this author. A great quick summer beach read, The pages just kept turning. The spice was on point, just enough, not too much. I’m sure I’ll read more by this author.