Member Reviews
Thank you NetGallery for sending my this e-arc in return for an honest review.
ALL THE STARSSS. Ok. So I think this is my fave. Tate is such a cutie and I loved his and Cassie's friends to lovers story. It was so adorable with a great plot twist that I didn't see coming. It almost hurt me to wonder what was going to happen, but I absolutely loved how it went. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and fell in loved. 10/10 recommend. I can't wait to for this to come and and to have the physical copy cause I NEED IT.
Thanks, NetGalley!
I enjoyed this one. Truth? The story is reminiscent of early Elle Kennedy, but in a good way. I didn't LOVE the plot twist, perhaps for personal reasons, but I adored the chemistry between the love interests.
I loved returning to the world of Avalon Bay! We get glimpses of some of our favorite couples from previous books, which is a nice touch. Out of all three books, I have to say that Tate and Cassie’s is my favorite. I loved both of their arcs throughout the book. It was wonderful to be along for the ride as these two fell in love. The window scene took the spice factor to another level! I can’t wait for the rest of the world to set sail with Tate and Cassie when Summer Girl releases. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book!
5 stars - I loved The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy. This is part three of the Avalon Bay series from the author. While it can be read as a stand-alone book, I think that reading the first two books adds more flavor and understanding about the group dynamics and Avalon Bay setting.
Cassie and Tate meet during an awkward situation and become more involved as Cassie sets her sights on Tate to be her summer fling. Cassie is not naïve even though she is still a virgin and the banter between them is cute as their relationship progresses. There are some other family story lines that become entwined into their relationship that are interesting wrenches thrown into the mix. Dual POVs and the strong chemistry between the two main characters made this hard to put down.
Overall, Avalon Bay is a great series of books, and I really enjoyed The Summer Girl. I look forward to the author’s publishing.
A big “Thank You” to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy in return for an independent, honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was a great read! 5 stars for me! I did not read the first 2 books in this series, and I don't feel I missed out on anything so this could be read as a stand-alone. I fell in love with Cassie and Tate right way! This had the perfect blend of first love and spice for me! Must read!
College student Cassie Soul hasn’t spent an entire summer in Avalon Bay in years, not since her parents divorced and her mother spitefully whisked her away to Boston. Now that her grandmother is selling the boardwalk hotel that’s been in their family for five decades, Cassie returns to the quaint beach town to spend time with family, ring in her twenty-first birthday…and maybe find herself a summer fling.
On her first night in town, she finds the perfect candidate: Tate Bartlett, Avalon Bay’s fun-loving golden boy.
Tate, sailing instructor and lovable player, is no stranger to flings. In fact, he’s always down for a good time. But the moment he meets Cassie, he knows she’s not the girl you play games with. Cassie is gorgeous, hilarious, and, frankly, the coolest person he’s ever met. The last thing he wants to do is risk breaking her heart, and so he reluctantly puts her in the friend-zone…only to realize he made a huge mistake. Soon, his attraction to Cassie becomes impossible to ignore. He wants that fling now. Big-time.
And maybe even something more.
As Cassie and Tate walk the line between friends and lovers, they’re about to discover that their situation is the least complicated part of this equation. Because Avalon Bay is full of secrets—and their relationship might not survive when those secrets come to light.
The Summer Girl is the third book in the Avalon Bay Series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Elle Kennedy's ability to write spicy scenes is unmatched and her latest novel does not disappoint. The story revolves around Cassie Soul who is visiting her old hometown, Avalon Bay, to spend time with her infamous grandmother, Lydia Tanner. At almost 21, Cassie is still a virgin and is looking for a summer fling when she meets Tate Bartlett, the most attractive man she's ever seen. Their friendship develops and Tate realizes he wants more, but their families are more intertwined than they realize.
The characters are well-written, especially Tate, who is surprisingly sensitive and had me swooning throughout the novel. Cassie, on the other hand, is frustrating at times, as she gets walked all over by her mother and doesn't always stand up for herself. However, she is so likeable that it's no wonder she quickly makes friends. The banter between Cassie and Tate's texts is delightful, and their relationship is endearing, even though it's far from wholesome.
The conflict in the book is hefty and revolves around family dynamics, which can be tough. Cassie's mother is a piece of work, and I found myself genuinely wanting to punch her in the face. The conflict is realistic and it's clear that Elle Kennedy did her job in creating a character that readers will love to hate. The storyline is relatable, but it may not be as relatable for those who haven't experienced similar family drama. However, once the conflict part of the book starts, it's difficult to put down.
Overall, The Summer Girl is an amazing book with well-written characters, a relatable storyline, and a conflict that will leave readers with a pain in their chest. Kennedy's writing is a treat to read, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good friends-to-lovers romance with a healthy dose of spice.
I want to start by saying thank you to Net Galley and Saint Martins Griffin Publishing for an ARC of this book.
Avalon Bay is my happy place! Each book set here is like taking a vacation to paradise while you read it.
In the third book we follow the story of town playboy Tate, and newcomer Cassandra. Cassie wants to have a summer fling with Tate, but he immediately shuts her down. Can she change his mind? And if she can how will their fling make it through the summer, after some shocking family news rocks their world. I especially loved watching Cassie grow and experience so much during her summer in Avalon Bay.
As always, an amazing whirlwind of a read from Elle Kennedy, and getting to catch up with all our past Avalon Bay favorites. I haven’t heard about a fourth book in the series yet, but I am already crossing my fingers for it!
This was a cute easy read. Really light and beachy, nothing too heavy, just enough family drama and a whole lot of fun. I haven’t read many of Kennedy’s books, this might be the second actually. It was cute. It was a little too much on the lighter side of everything for me to get sucked into it but it was a nice escape. I really enjoyed Tate and Cassie’s chemistry. It was apparent from the beginning and the way they jumped into it was unexpected and hot as hell. Cassie and Tate had great supportive family and friends ask minus a certain someone. But I loved the relationships they built throughout the book.
This was a really great college-age summer romance. A light, easy read. Easily recommend for those needing an escape to a summer beach.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Cassie is in Avalon Bay for the summer before her senior year. She’s staying with her grandma, Lydia, who sold her hotel to Mackenzie in Good Girl Complex. Cassie has seen all of her friends have casual flings, and she’s set on having a summer fling herself while in Avalon Bay. It almost seems too easy when the hottest guy she’s ever seen, Tate, is housesitting next door for the summer and they are instantly attracted to each other. But Tate suggests they keep things platonic before they can get too far.
This is my favorite of the three Avalon Bay books. I laughed, I cried. The friends to lovers trope usually isn’t my fave, but I really enjoyed this one. It was pretty light reading for a fun beach read until the end, and then the drama just kind of gets thrown at you out of nowhere in quite the plot twist.
It isn’t the spiciest book, but Tate and Cassie have great chemistry. And there are certainly a few spicy moments. The window scene? Damn 🥵
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Elle Kennedy for letting me read this ARC of The Summer Girl in exchange for an honest review.
Look no further for your next perfect beach read! The Summer Girl has all the makings of my favorite kind of beach read: a heated summer fling, a great friend group, small coastal town vibes, the charming and drop-dead gorgeous local boy, secrets, and more!
Overview: → Cassie Soul is travelling down from Briar University to spend the summer in the small South Carolinian town of Avalon Bay. She’s got one goal: a passionate summer fling. Cassie’s got a whole summer ahead of her relaxing at her grandmother’s beachfront property, lounging at the country club with her friends, and celebrating her 21st birthday before she heads back to campus for her senior year of university.
Tate is the classic beach town golden boy, he’s athletic, intelligent, has great friends, and happens to be quite the ladies man. He’s always down for a no-strings-attached good time, but is also always genuine and is well liked by everyone in town.
Seems to Cassie like she’s run into her perfect summer fling candidate on night 1! What could be better?
🌟 My review: I’ve just worked by way through the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy which I really enjoyed. I was so eager when I saw this come up as I’ve had the Avalon Bay series on my TBR for a while now. I read this first out of this series, which I think was totally fine and I didn’t feel like I was missing any information. I’m excited to go back and read the first two books now.
💖what I liked:
- The setting and friend dynamics gave me major ‘Outer Banks’ vibes but if they were in college and less drama/action. I’ve been excited for OBX season 3 next week, so this was perfect timing!
- Cassie and Tate both had great back stories and plenty of time in the book apart from each other so you really get to know them as individuals. I can’t stand when the entire book is the two MCs together and you only get their romance, it makes it harder to connect with them and believe their connection.
- It was different and more dynamic than the classic no-strings-attached to lovers trope. I liked that they were genuinely friends first and the drama wasn’t coming from miscommunication.
- I did not see the twist coming!
- Easy, feel good read but still had many deep elements.
🤔what I didn’t like:
- Nothing, I really enjoyed this one!
- I do wish we had more of Lydia and more of Tate & Cassie’s just hanging around, but not necessary to the plot, I just love those kinds of scenes.
I loved the Avalon Bay series and this book was no exception! This book is the love story of Tate, Avalon’s golden boy, and Cassie, a girl who spends summers in the town. In this book we watch these two start off as friends until they find out they both want more from each other. As their relationship evolves, things get more complicated— especially with their families involved. This was a book that I just couldn’t put down. I found the characters captivating and loved their chemistry together. It was also fun getting updates on the couples in the previous two books in the series. I only wish there were more in this series because I fell in love with the town and its many characters!
I was septic at first on the theme of summer fling, and finally the story was a nice surprise!
I loved the relationship between the two characters, what they bring to each other.
Cassie is so cute, funny and endearing.
A feel good reading to put on the list for the next summer!
This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks also to the publisher and the author. Summer romance…friends and family dynamics. The protagonist visits her grandmother for the summer. She makes friends and falls for a gorgeous guy. Romance ensues. Trials and tribulations of relationships move the story quickly. This would make a good television show or a movie. A quick read for an afternoon by the ocean. Enjoy this book while curled up on the beach.
My heart is so happy after reading Cassie and Tate’s story. 💕
Cassie is back in Avalon Bay to stay with her grandmother for the summer; while some might consider her a “summer girl,” her family’s root in the town are long (her grandparents built and ran The Beacon Hotel before selling it to Mac) and her dad, stepmom, and stepsisters still live there. Cassie has some deep-rooted self-confidence issues, mostly stemming from her narcissistic, overly-critical mother.
Tate is a laid-back guy who loves women. He’s never been a relationship kind of guy and, when he considers a summer fling with Cassie, talks himself out of it because he’s worried she’ll catch feelings. Life keeps tossing these two together and things start to get spicy, despite Tate trying to keep Cassie in the friend zone.
This book includes a farting turtle, beach bonfires, champagne, fast boats, a scandalous admission, a children’s book, plenty of spice, and a competitive beach games competition.
This series is another masterpiece by Elle Kennedy. The world she creates in Avalon Bay is funny, sexy, loving, and full of the trials and tribulations of her characters. Tears may have been involved. I couldn’t put this book down and I’m already ready for a re-read!
Another great story in the Avalon Bay series. I absolutely loved these characters together! This book was so much fun. It's full of spice. If you don't like steamy books, these aren't for you. There's a good plot too. It's got family dynamics, fun events, and so much more. I love visiting this town. I almost finished this in a day, which is rare for me. It was nice to catch up with the previous characters.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book.
First off, can I say that I want to live in Avalon Bay!!! This is the 3rd book in the series and it is just as good as the other two!! Elle Kennedy does a fantastic job in making you want to be a part of each characters lives. I truly loved how she brought characters from the other books throughout this book. The story line is perfect. I couldn’t wait for Tate’s story and I am so glad it turned out the way it did. If you enjoyed the first two Avalon Bay stories, you are going to LOVE this one!! The connection between Tate and Cassie is pure bliss from day one! And the story of both their parents and the relationship they have with them is just perfect!!
Take the time to read this one, you won’t be disappointed!
Cassie finds herself back in her beach hometown for the summer during college, and is looking for a summer fling. She meets Tate, and they hit it off instantly, but they try to keep it casual and stay friends, not wanting things to get messy. This is a third book in series, where you’ll see a bit of previous characters but this can be read as a standalone, which I appreciate.
This has a dual POV, which I loved seeing both Tate and Cassie’s perspective and they’re undeniable chemistry. This book is the perfect summer beach read- there’s chemistry, spice, and angst. I really appreciated how the author added in some depth to the story— tackling issues like divorce, parent-child relationships, body image issues.
My biggest issue was I felt like I didn’t get to really know Cassie and Tate in depth, and I wished there was more of them as a couple. Overall a quick, fun read.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Elle Kennedy has done it again! I want Avalon Bay to be real so I can take a vacation there and meet a hot local to fling with!
This is #3 in her Avalon Bay series; Cassandra is visiting Avalon Bay on vacation from college, visiting her grandmother and her father and his family. Tate is a handsome, playboy local she meets her first night in town and he instantly makes an impression. While embarking on a friendship, both start to discover that not catching feeling may be harder than either of them thought.
I loved this story. It made me shed a tear or two, it made me laugh and it, ultimately, made me feel good. A perfectrecipe for a good Elle Kennedy novel.
Thank you, Elle Kennedy and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
I’m sure there’s going to be those that can pick this book apart but I LOVED IT. I really enjoyed the characters, chemistry, pace of their relationship, it made me giggle to myself, and story had me engaged. I will definitely be recommending this to others. I have read the other two books in this series. This is by far my favorite and it can definitely be read as a stand alone. It does have open door scenes.
Ok. I get it now. I get why everyone loves her books and raves about them all over bookstagram. Try not to react, but this was my first Elle Kennedy book and while it is part of a series I still absolutely loved it!
Cassie in on summer break from college before heading into her senior year. She is back in Avalon Bay, a place that holds many childhood memories for her. The family owned Beacon hotel has been sold as well as her grandmother’s house and the end of the summer will bring some sad goodbyes. Cassie has decided a summer fling is a must and has her sights set on Mr. Fling himself, Tate. What starts as a friendship blossoms to more and leaves them both wondering how this “summer fling” is supposed to end.
Book Vibes:
Small town
Friends to lovers
Summer fun
He falls first
Tricky family dynamics
Quick wit and banter
While I haven’t ready the first two books, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is a reference to Genevieve’s nickname and since she was the main character in the second book, I had no clue about the backstory there. Mackenzie from the first book is also in this one since she is the buyer for the hotel. I was not completely lost but I can see where I missed out a bit.
The Summer Girl had so many things that I loved! First off, the relationship between Cassie and her grandmother. LOVED it! Cassie is a people pleaser and I was so proud of her for finding her voice. She struggled silently until she just couldn’t do it anymore. Even with the struggles, heartbreak and disappointments she always managed to find the silver lining. As for Tate, he knew she deserved more than he could give her, he supported and encouraged her and together they lifted each other up. And finally, everyone makes mistakes. That’s a tough one in this book.
The Summer Girl is out July 17th!!
A huge thank you to @netgalley and @ellekennedy33 for this eARC.