I was excited to learn there would be a new installment in the Avalon Bay series. It’s youthful, it’s fun and who doesn’t need a good beach read?

This book delivered on romance and drama. A well developed plot involving Cassie, a former Avalon Bay resident, who was visiting to help her grandmother close down her house and help her pack for a move to Boston. Cassie is such a delightful character, smart and funny, with a penchant for silver linings and unresolved issues with her parents. It was easy to relate to her and her struggles. Cassie wants to “fling” with the boy next door, Tate, who is a townie but house sitting for a couple. They meet, sparks fly…but can they find that elusive happily ever after? You will have to read it and find out!

This is a great series - and what a finale. A spicy romance full of fun and flirtations, while also wrapping up the couples from the two prior books, this was such a great summer read! With great character development and so much tension, Cassie and Tate are a great pair bantering back and forth.

There was some frustrations with Cassie's parents in this story, but that was to be expected - everyone needs a villain in the story! Thank goodness for her Grandma whom I absolutely looove!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook!

Elle Kennedy delivers another addictive summer romance with The Summer Girl, blending sizzling chemistry, heartfelt emotion, and just the right amount of drama. Cassie and Tate’s story starts as a lighthearted summer fling but quickly deepens into something more as they navigate their growing feelings and the secrets lurking in Avalon Bay. Cassie’s journey of self-discovery and independence is engaging, while Tate’s internal struggle between his usual carefree persona and his undeniable connection with Cassie adds depth to his character. The mix of beach town nostalgia, witty banter, and steamy moments makes for an entertaining and immersive read.

While the romance is undoubtedly the highlight, some of the plot twists felt a bit predictable, and the family drama occasionally overshadowed the love story. However, Kennedy’s signature writing style and ability to create electric tension between her leads kept the pages turning. Fans of the Avalon Bay series and new adult romance will find plenty to love in this charming, summery read.

Cassie is back in Avalon Bay to spend the summer with her grandmother before she sells her hotel and while here she wants to have a fling. What better person than Tate who lives next door. Tate is the obvious choice since he is a playboy but he does not do relationships and he figures Cassie is really a relationship girl. These two settle for friendship but those lines get crossed, of course. This story was fun. This may be the third installment in this series but it can be read as a standalone.

A spicy and emotional romance. Cassie and Tate walk the line between lovers and friends. I like the relationship between these two! I think the narrators did a wonderful job! I didn’t read the other two books but I didn’t feel lost at all! I’m lookin forward to reading the others!

Thank you NetGalley, Elle and Macmillan audio for the E-ALC!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 3 of the Avalon Bay series came in HOT. I loved every single second of it! It was definitely my favorite of the series and that’s saying a lot because I really enjoyed the other two as well. ⁣
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Cassie is our star in The Summer Girl and she is sweet, sexy, and bold. I mean I know for sure I wouldn’t be going to a party alone when I know no one else lol. ⁣
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Tate. Oh Tate. He’s just so damn lovable. He’s mister no commitment having a good time until BAM here comes Cassie. ⁣
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I love the friendship they build. They are literally what best friends are made of. They have so much fun together and their banter is fire. And the TENSION. ⁣
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We also get a peek into couples of Avalon Bay past and that’s always fun. I love interconnected stand alone series so much for this exact reason. The MCs were great, the side characters were amazing as well! I couldn’t have asked for more. ⁣
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This was amazing and the perfect summer read!

It was okay. I enjoy Elle Kennedy's books and it was a quick listen, but the story fell flat for me. Took too long for it to get going and I found myself not itching to pick up the book. It felt like a chore to finish. But like the story ended up being fine, just nothing special.

I loved the narrators. I read the book first but the audio added another level to the story. Elle Kennedy is a go to author for me and of course, this did not disappoint!

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy is a breezy, easy-to-read summer romance set in the charming town of Avalon Bay. Cassie Soul returns to the beachside town for her last summer before adulthood and quickly finds herself drawn to Tate Bartlett, the local golden boy with a reputation for flings. The friends-to-lovers dynamic between them provides plenty of sweet and flirty moments, with Kennedy’s signature humor making it a fun read.

However, while the setup is engaging, the story feels a bit predictable, and the emotional depth between Cassie and Tate falls short. The potential for more meaningful character development—especially as secrets from Avalon Bay emerge—never quite materializes, and the plot twists don’t pack as much punch as expected. Tate’s transition from player to serious romantic interest is enjoyable but somewhat rushed, and Cassie’s journey of self-discovery is light but lacking the complexity I hoped for.

Overall, if you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with a summery vibe and likeable characters, The Summer Girl fits the bill. Just don’t expect any major surprises or emotional depth along the way.

Summer Romance in Avalon Bay

The Summer Girl follows the story of Cassie Soul, a college student who hasn't spent an entire summer in Avalon Bay since her parents' divorce. Determined to make the most of her summer before starting her senior year at Briar U, Cassie arrives in Avalon Bay to stay with her grandmother. She's on a mission to have a summer fling and lose her virginity before returning to college. She quickly meets Tate Bartlett, a sailing instructor and the town's fun-loving golden boy. As their summer romance blossoms, Cassie and Tate navigate their personal insecurities and family dynamics, leading to a transformative summer for both.

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy is a delightful addition to the Avalon Bay series, offering a blend of romance, humour, and emotional depth. It is a perfect summer read that explores themes of love, self-discovery, and family. Despite some predictability, the engaging characters and heartfelt moments make it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

I’m not sure I’m the target audience for this. It was alright but I don’t think I would recommend to many of my friends. Just not quite for me and that’s okay.

This was so full of adventure. I absolutely adored the chemistry and friendship between Tate & Cassie.
This was an incredible journey, full of so many emotions, adventures, friendships, openness and learning to set boundaries. I love the progression of Cassie & Tate’s friendship to relationship.
I adore Cassie’s love for her sisters, and her grandmother.
This was full of passion, fun, pure joy, friendship and love.

This book did not disappoint as a fun summer read. Fun characters, main characters that didn't make me cringe, enjoyable location and lots of family drama kept this romance moving. I hope there's another book in this series!

I also want to note that this is part of a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone book or out of order (I read out of order).

The Summer Girl is a nice Beach listen/read. Elle Kennedy has done it again! This book for sure could be read as a standalone,m Makes you remember your summer fling

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy is about Cassandra Soul, a 20-year-old about to turn 21. She is spending the summer in Avalon Bay with her grandmother and visiting her dad. Her grandmother is selling her hotel and moving to Boston to be closer to her family. Cassandra's father still lives in town, and she has been able to visit over the years, but not as often as she would have liked since the divorce. She comes into the summer wanting a summer fling to lose her virginity before she graduates college. When she first arrives, she meets Tate, the hottest guy in the Bay. Cassie doesn't think she has a chance with him, but she catches his eye, and he happens to be house-sitting the house next to her grandmother's.

I found this story too spicy for a high schooler, but it was too immature for me (I am in my late 30s). The end has a juicy twist, and the author wraps it up nicely.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for gifting me the audiobook for an honest review.

A perfectly fine Summer romance read. I had fun feeling the summer vibes floating off this book! Admittedly, romance is not my main genre to read, but I like to give them a shot from time to time. I enjoyed the banter in this book. The main characters were hilarious when taunting each other. I struggled with the toxic mom situation as it made me cringe so much. I think that’s a desired effect though. Redeeming aspects were the very sweet grandma and the sisters! Overall, I wanted to throw open the windows and read with a piña colada!

The audiobook was done in dual POV by Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton. Always a treat to hear their voices. They are both easily understood at faster speeds.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and author Elle Kennedy for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My favorite so far! I loved Tate and Cassie equally. I felt like the way their relationship developed felt very natural. Tate was such a golden boy and sometimes you just need that. I really liked the boy and girl next door trope. And the ending! I loved the secrets of Avalon Bay that are revealed.

The popularity of Elle Kennedy led me to expect this to be a vapid, beach read, but there were a surprising depth to the characters and the relationships between them felt genuine and evocative. It was a sweet coming of age romance for Cassie, who is hoping that summer away from the pressures and expectations of college life will allow her to let down her guard enough to let someone in.

Love the audio narration. Caitlin Elizabeth is one of my favorites.

Loved the narrators on this one especially the narrator of the MMC, who really brought the MMC’s journey to life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.