Member Reviews

Elle Kennedy does it again.

Normally I’m not a love triangle girl but this book did not disappoint. This book was messy but in a good way that really made the book feel fast paced. At some points I found myself having a hard time who I was rooting for.

I loved watching abbey grow just as she wanted to by getting out of her father’s shadow and going abroad. I also really enjoyed the subplot of finding out about Josephine.

Overall there was a lot going on but not in a bad way. I will definitely recommend this book. However if you’re looking for the feeling you get from Elle’s hockey romances I would say this is not necessarily it.

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I have been a fan of Elle Kennedy for a few years. This was different than any of her other books I have read, but different in a good way. I loved the cozy mystery intertwined with the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The friendships in this story were great, all the housemates definitely cared for one another and had great chemistry from the beginning. As a group they had great banter and I did enjoy that aspect of the book. I didn’t care too much about the historical mystery subplot about the Tulley family. The love triangle was really hard for me to get behind, Nate had no personality other than being a “mysterious hot bad boy.” It honestly annoyed me how long into the story this love triangle dragged out, especially since Nate very much had a girlfriend when this whole ordeal between them started so it got messy messy quickly.

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I love Elle Kennedy books so I was super excited for this and I really enjoyed it even if it was a bit different from her usual and not quite what I expected. I usually don’t like love triangles but Kennedy made it work for me this time. I really liked Abbey and thought she was very fun even if sometimes she could get on my nerves a bit. The setting was so much fun and I loved that aspect. Only took off a star for the pacing as I felt the ending was rushed and would have liked a little more of a conclusion. Still really enjoyed though and will be adding to my personal library as well as my work!

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hey siri. play ‘london boy’ by taylor swift.

this book was sooo good and i truly expect nothing less from elle kennedy! ‘girl abroad’ is way different from anything of hers i’ve read before. you have love triangles, rugby lads, families with lots of baggage, rock n’ roll and just to add some spice to the pot (which she definitely does) a painting of a mysterious woman no one knows anything about?? sign me up!!

abbey want’s a life of her own. she’s tired of living in the shadow of her famous father and decides it’s time to make her own memories and experience life the way she wants to… even if it means ending up in a love triangle with her Australian flat mate and a British bassist ALREADY IN A RELATIONSHIP? <- this has never been my cup of tea so their relationship was always going to be a little bit rocky for me.

overall i really enjoyed this book! lee was definitely my favourite character and i loved the chaos he brought to the story! can’t wait to see what she puts out next!!

thank you to netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS BLOOM books for an e-arc!

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I have mixed feelings about Girl Abroad. The biggest problem I had with this book was Abbey. Man, did I find her annoying! She didn't feel 100% fleshed out and her decisions were frustrating. Multiple times throughout the book, she mentions how she just needs to decide on a boy....then continues the same pattern over and over again. I wasn't the biggest fan of the love triangle, especially with how one-dimensional Nate felt. I thought it was strange how quickly the boys fell for Abbey. The saving grace of this book were Lee and Gunner! Perhaps younger adults will gel better with this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC.

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This book was soooo much fun to read, I’m not typically a love triangle fan but it was really fun. I liked the whole roommate situation and her research project was a really enjoyable plot, I was so curious how it would end! I think I was just as invested in the woman from the painting as who Abbey would pick. The friendship dynamic was well done and her relationship with her dad was very sweet.

Although, the ending felt a little rushed for me. Considering the time it took to pick between the two guys, I wish we’d been able to enjoy them as a couple a bit more. I also was very much not a fan of one of the love interests being in a relationship. Technically no cheating but too close for comfort, it was really difficult to root for someone pining after another girls boyfriend.

This book does veer a bit towards coming of age for the mfc, she is finding her independence and who she is. The romance is a major part but I think it blends genre a bit more than a lot of typical rom-coms, which I enjoyed!

Overall, a very fun read! It was spicy and funny and the research project was really interesting to read about and added a great layer. I believe this is a complete standalone but I would love more of this crew!

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This book was a sharp turn from Elle Kennedy's normal college romance, but I have to say I did enjoy it. Our main character gets the opportunity to study abroad and upon her arrival at her new college residence, she finds out that her roommates are not the girls she was expecting, but rather three guys (gasp)! This book was slow to start, but once character dynamics were established and we spent more time developing those relationships, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I really enjoyed that our main character had passions and goals that pushed the plot along. Normally I am not a fan of a love triangle, but I actually enjoyed this one because of the open communication between the characters. I wish we had spent more time with each individual couple so I could have read their chemistry more but overall I enjoyed this one! I'll always read anything Elle Kennedy writes.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy

I. Adored. This. Book!

Abbey is taking a year of school abroad in London, leaving her overprotective father for the first time. First problem -- her roommates, who she thought were girls, end up being boys. Fun, learning, mystery, and love ensue.

There was nothing I didn’t like about this book. It was so fun! Abbey is adorable, sweet, down to earth, charming, fun, laid back, etc. etc. etc. The way she fit in with her male roommates and their lives felt authentic. She was living her life and it was an enjoyable ride.

Now…the love triangle. Swoon! I couldn’t decide who she should be with because I liked them both. They were so different and complemented Abbey in different ways. Both relationships felt right and I was as torn as Abbey was. The way it fell on my Kindle, I had to flip to the next page to read the name of who she picked. I had to pause a second and prepare myself. When I saw who it was…I just smiled. Her explanation as to why she picked him and not the other made complete sense. Well done Ms. Kennedy!

As a side story, Abbey embarked on an adventure, solving a mystery behind a painting for her university project, and even this aspect of the story was fun to read about!

I hate that it’s over and hope there’s a sequel about the guy she didn’t pick.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

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I really enjoyed the love triangle and the studying abroad aspect that I feel like so many readers will enjoy. I did feel like this was written more in a ya style, just some of the behaviors and style of writing seemed younger than the off campus books, but it was a fun read and I think it would be a super easy sell in any bookstore!

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Discovery. That would be the word I would use to describe this book. Not only is Abby trying to discover her own path after being in the shadows of her famous father. She’s also trying to discover what happened to the mysterious lady in a portrait from a prominent family. I loved the way we follow Abby throughout her year abroad. She had so much growth in this book. I loved the connections made at the end to the other characters. I’m not a fan of love triangles, but this one works well with the plot. I love Elle Kennedys books and look forward to reading more! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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This Elle Kennedy book disappointed me to be quite frank...it just wasn't as good as her other books which thoroughly disappointed me.

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Elle Kennedy is one of the best authors I’ve had the pleasure of reading. All of her characters are complex but relatable. The worlds she creates are amazing and I love how simple yet passionate her books are.

The chemistry was amazing in this.

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"Girl Abroad" by Elle Kennedy is a captivating novel that whisks readers away on a thrilling journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance in the vibrant city of London. Abbey Bly, a nineteen-year-old eager to escape the influence of her rock star father, seizes the opportunity to study abroad. However, her plans take an unforeseen turn when she discovers that her roommates in the gorgeous London flat are not girls, as she expected, but charming and insufferably attractive boys. Complicating matters further, house rules strictly prohibit any fraternization between roommates due to past drama.

The strength of the novel lies in Elle Kennedy's skillful character development. Abbey, the relatable protagonist, grapples with breaking her father's trust, falling for two off-limits men—one a rugby player, the other a brooding musician—and uncovering a scandal involving high nobility. The chemistry and dynamics among the characters add depth and intrigue to the narrative, keeping readers engaged throughout.

London itself becomes a vibrant character in the story, thanks to Kennedy's vivid descriptions that transport readers to the bustling streets, historic landmarks, and enchanting locales. The city serves as a picturesque backdrop for Abbey's journey, enhancing the overall immersive experience of the novel.

At its core, "Girl Abroad" is not just a romance novel; it's a celebration of empowerment and authenticity. Abbey's quest to break free from societal expectations, challenge rules, and forge her own path is both relatable and inspiring. Elle Kennedy masterfully weaves together romance, adventure, and self-discovery, making "Girl Abroad" a delightful and uplifting read for those seeking a captivating escape into a world of love, friendship, and the courage to defy societal norms.

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I breezed through this book—it had me hooked from the start! As a big fan of "New Girl," I was immediately drawn to the premise of an apartment shared by three guys instead of three girls. The diverse cast of characters was a highlight for me; I could vividly imagine each one as I read. Plus, being a sucker for stories set in London, this book hit the spot!

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This book was so good! I read it in one day! I loved the banter and relationships Abbey had with all her roommates. The love triangle was different and fun. I definitely liked Jack more so I was happy when she finally chose him. The love triangle reminded me of The Bachelor show. So well written! Now I want to go to London.

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This book was such a quick read it sucked me in! I’m a huge fan of new girl so the plot of an apartment with three guys instead of three girls hooked me in! Loved the variety of character in the book I could easily picture them when reading! I’m always a sucker for books that are set in london and this was so exception!

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Elle Kennedy is an auto-read author for me and reread fav. Girl Abroad felt new and different, exploring young 20something Abby as she spends a year studying abroad in London. I enjoyed seeing Abby figure out her various situationships and have fun getting out of her comfort zone. There were lots of delightful characters and charismatic boys.

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I’m a sucker for a fish out of water coming of age tale and Elle delivered on those fronts. Abbey Bly embarks on a year of self discovery as she does a year abroad program in London to continue her studies in England. Eager to escape her overprotective retired rockstar dad, she rooms with Jackie, Lee, and Jamie…who are, to her surprise, NOT the young women she assumed, but actually young men. There is a romance with Jack(ie) and a broody bassist named Nate, resulting in a love triangle with all the attending drama, and it was enjoyable to see how Abbey matures as the proclaimed Girl Abroad.

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