1) I am GAY
2) I am a LOVE ISLAND fanatic
3) I went absolutely feral for this

A great sapphic romcom-- lovers of reality tv will love the BTS details !

Get ready for a Hot Sapphic Summer!

Hot professional party girl Cas is given an offer she can’t refuse - get to the finals on the dating show Hot Summer and she’ll be made head of a new marketing department at work. Cas is ready for a stable 9-5 job and accepts - she’s a huge fan of the show and is confident she can play the game.

Unexpectedly, she develops feelings for fellow contestant Ada, who’s able to make Cas open up and be vulnerable for the first time in a long time.

Will Cas and Ada be able to continue their relationship on the outside?

This is a fun, fairly predictable sapphic romance. Most of the characters are cardboard cut outs we don’t really get to know at all outside of one or two defining characteristics. The contract Cas is forced into is unethical and unbelievable, but tropes do as they must.

All in all, this is a quick read with some sexy scenes, recommended for reality tv fans and anyone looking for a beach read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! As someone who loves reality tv & sapphic romance, I loved this book! It felt like binge watching the season of Love Island that all your friends are talking about in the best way. I truly could not put this book down and I highly recommend to anyone who wants to read a fun summer romance!

I’m officially a fan. The character growth was great, and I loved the behind the scenes look at a reality TV show featuring LGBTQ+ characters. It was definitely a slower burn, which I personally enjoy.

I honestly can’t praise this book enough. Very excited for when I can get an official copy of my own!

Such a great summer read, I say in January when there is literally snow outside. This book had good romance, wholesome friendships, a bit of spice, and a nice setting.

Reality shows but make them queer is one of my favorite things to read recently and this book did such a good job of it. While this does play into the miscommunication trope it was resolved in a satisfying way. There were definitely a few characters that had me yelling at the producers for sure.

This was a fast-paced read, with a dating based reality show inspired vibe with a sapphic main couple. It was well-written and had a lovely ending.

BRING ON ALL THE REALITY TV VIBESSS!! I needed this to heal my post bachelors, Love is Blind, Too Hot to Handle Era.. I couldn't put this book down until the end. It was a constant page turner that forced me into the story and made me feel like I was on set with them.. Elle Everhart killed it with this book!!

In Hot Summer, Elle Everhart pens a captivating tale of love, drama, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a sizzling reality dating show. Cas Morgan, a dedicated viewer of the popular TV program, finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the limelight as a contestant. With a chance to secure a long-awaited promotion, Cas embarks on a journey of transformation to win over the audience. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets Ada, a fellow contestant who challenges her preconceived notions of love and relationships. As Cas and Ada's connection deepens, Cas faces a dilemma: to follow her heart or prioritize her strategic game plan. The villa becomes a crucible where Cas's values and aspirations are tested, forcing her to confront her inner demons and embrace her true self. Everhart skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness. With its steamy romance, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking themes, Hot Summer is a compelling read that will keep readers glued to the pages. Everhart's writing is sharp and witty, capturing the essence of the reality TV genre while delving into the poignant emotional journeys of her characters. Hot Summer is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance, women's fiction, and anyone who enjoys a good dose of escapism.

Big fan of this author after this book. Her first book doesn't look like it's a lesbian novel, so I'm going to skip that, but will be reading any other wlw books from her.

I've never watched Love Island but I knew right away it was a take on that show and to my uneducated brain, it seemed very true to what I think that show is like. Loved the chemistry between Cas and Ada, and loved both characters in their own ways. They seemed to really complement each other.

This book is also told completely from Cas' POV, which is my favorite way of storytelling. It makes me feel like I really got to know and like Cas (the more "closed off" character) while also leaving a bit of mystery about Ada (the more "open" character).

Overall, I really liked this book and could see myself reading it a 2nd time.

"Hot Summer" is outside of my normal wheelhouse as someone who doesn't watch much reality TV and has never seen "Love Island." However I was quickly drawn in by the characters, especially Cas, Ada and Femi and the delightful drama. Elle Everhart created engaging characters with enough spice and emotional depth to have readers cheering them on. Fun romance to get us ready for summer.

I would give this book a 3.5. I knew the reality show concept was going to be hard for me. There are just too many characters. At one point later in the book, a Gemma is mentioned, just once and I thought ‘wait, who is that.’

I liked Cas and the build of her character and the tease leading up to the romance.

There were moments I felt the syntax was repeated too much and it could have been rewritten to remind the reader differently. I also felt the reconciliation (because you know there is one) happened too close to the end. Which made the epilogue a necessary addition.

All in all, I read this book on vacation and it was the perfect steamy beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not much of a fan of reality tv, but I did really enjoy this book! While the plot was predictable at the end (hello miscommunication?) but the rest of it made up for it. The characters were so very loveable. The ending was a bit rushed for my taste and the epilogue was a bit confusing, but otherwise would recommend.

Cas Morgan goes on a summer dating show, Hot Summer, in hopes to secure a promotion at work if she successfully makes it to the finals. Everything changes when she meets Ada.

I loved Hot Summer so much! If you are a fan of reality dating shows, this is a must read! If you’re a fan of sapphic romance, this is a must read! This was such a quick and easy read for me. I fell in love with Cas and Ada and their incredible chemistry. The characters were relatable and handled situations maturely. Hot Summer was really well written. It was easy to get lost in it and feel like I was there with the characters.

Hot Summer is a 5/5 read for me. Read it! You will not be disappointed!

Every summer, I look forward to watching Love Island. However, there was always something missing—sapphic. Don't get me wrong, there have been “sapphic relationships” on Love Island. Nonetheless, in the so-called relationship, the woman leaves or returns to a man who cannot give her the time of day and leaves her girl stranded.

While reading this book, I could envision the characters on Love Island. The challenges, characters, drama, and everything else. I felt like I was sitting on my couch watching this happen on TV.

The story had a fun premise. I was here for Femi and Cas's friendship; I love them. I couldn't get enough of Ada and Cas. I loved their relationship and their whole dynamic in the villa. It was a slow burn, but god, it was worth it.

It seemed rushed near the end, and I despised the miscommunication. Eventually, everything was resolved.

Overall, an easy read, perfect for Love Island fans, and a book to read in the summer!

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, for this ARC!

🔘 Reality TV Show
🔘 Friends to Lovers
🔘 Queer Romcom

Stepping into the whirlwind of a dating TV show called "Hot Summer" wasn't exactly what Cas Morgan had in mind. She had a clear-cut agenda - securing a promotion - and getting emotionally entangled was the last thing she needed, thanks to a past heartbreak. However, all her calculations went awry when she came face to face with Sunshine Ada. Ada's captivating charisma ignited a wildfire in Cas's chest, leaving her torn between her genuine feelings for Ada and her strategic pursuit of reaching the show's finals.

This is my first time reading an Elle Everhart book. And to my delight, I found myself fully engaged in the storyline. This novel brilliantly takes us behind the scenes of reality TV shows, offering a fresh perspective that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

What fascinated me the most was the undeniable chemistry that permeated between the characters, particularly Cas and Ada. Their connection was wholesome and heartwarming, drawing us deeper into their world. The slow-burning progression of their relationship allowed me to witness their intricate layers unfold, revealing their genuine selves.

Overall, if you are looking for a delightful read that tackles both lightheartedness and depth, look no further. This book is tailor-made for you!

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Netgalley for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

3.5⭐️

Cassandra “Cas” Morgan has been feeling stuck at her job, and in comes an opportunity for a promotion in the least normal way. Cas works at a dating app company, who is trying to partner up with her favorite dating reality show Hot Summer. She has to do well in the competition in order to land the promotion. With her own knowledge of the show, Cas hopes to breeze through to the finale unscathed but in comes fellow contestant Ada to shake things up for Cas.

This story had a fun premise and it was executed quite well. I enjoyed Cas, I feel like I understood her struggles she went through in the show. Most of our main supporting characters are very easy to root for as well, Femi is easily a standout.

For me, I have a hard time following a story when it has so many characters to follow. Of course that is the main premise of the story, having so many people on the show, but some of the characters that were added I feel like we did not have any description of them. It was just along the lines of “this character felt bad”, but I couldn’t recall hearing of them up until that point.

Overall I did enjoy this book. The connection Cas and Ada had was so sweet.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Group for the ARC!!

I loved Cas and loved her place of work, how fun! I am not normally a fan of Hollywood or reality show type stories, but this one was done really well and was so fun. Ada was also so fun and their chemistry was on FIRE. The epilogue was very sweet and I loved this couple so much!

I ate this book up! The slow burn romance between Cas and Ada had me not wanting to put the book down! I throughly enjoyed, My only complaint would be I felt the end was very rushed but it didn’t ruin the book for me in anyway! I would have just liked to read more of the how everything got resolved or had it resolved a different way where we got additional details.

I do want to note I received a free advance copy of this book in return for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher!

I think my absolute favorite subgenre of romcoms is anything based on an existing reality tv show- and Hot Summer is the PERFECT version of this trope. The vibes were immaculate, and you can tell how much this author knows and loves Love Island (a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine as well).

Cas Morgan is tired of running speed dating events for a major dating app organization, and is offered a spot to go on Hot Summer (Love Island) as a brand crossover- with the catch that no one is allowed to know of her real career- in exchange for a chance to head up broadcast partnerships upon her return. Cas has lived her life in fleeting situationships, keeping her walls up after a failed engagement, so the last thing she is looking for this summer is love. Enter Ada, stationery magician and exactly what Cas doesn't realize she needs. Cas has to figure out what matters the most to her, and if love is really worth it as she tries to have a hot girl summer.

Not only were the settings and the activities spot on for a Love Island story (coming from someone who livestreams the episodes daily), but the characters were so delightfully matched onto who we would typically be seeing in the villa year after year (I mean a Northern electrician?? You'd think all of Mancunians were blue-collar workers if you watched this show). I loved watching Cas and Ada realize and develop their feelings for one another, but I also adored our group of side characters- especially supportive best friend Femi and girl's girl Sienna!!

Thank you SO much to Elle Everhart, the Putnam Group at Penguin, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. Check this book out when it comes out in summer 2024 (June 25)!!

What a sweet love story! When I think about reality TV, and romances written about reality TV, I always imagine them to be so cutthroat, everyone acting constantly suspicious and selfish — but there were so many lovable, earnest, kind and generous characters in Elle Everhart's second bisexual rom-com. I was not expecting so many found family feelings! I was also really impressed with the reality TV world-building here, super easy to imagine this as a real long-running series. Mostly, though, what worked about Hot Summer was Cas and Ada's chemistry and gentle relationship.

Cas is not looking for love; she's just looking for a way out of a dead-end department at her job, and the way she gets manipulated into goin onto reality TV for it is grossly believable. Not only does Cas find herself opening up for the first time since her major heartbreak, she also finds new confidence in her abilities and a deeper well of self-worth, from the relationships she forms on Hot Summer. It was almost as rewarding watching her quit as it was watching her and Ada finally confess their feelings for each other. Ada is 100% looking for love, though her characterization is a bit more opaque, which I suppose does make sense because we got to know her through Cas in front of millions of TV viewers.

I read Hot Summer in single day during this long winter, and it was just the vacation I needed.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

Thank you for the chance to read the e-arc for Love Summer. I'm a reader coming from the perspective of auDHD with selective mutism. There were a few comments in the book that I would like to point out and hope that the publisher and author would consider removing or rewording them. I don't think that any of these comments were intentional of the author to be ableist, but rather that society teaches ableism that everyone internalises. Language is changing and unintentional ableism is being pointed out more and more, which is good for more change and acceptance to happen. So please know that I'm pointing these out with genuiness.

Loc 633 "Cas felt like she was going to have a cognitive-overload-induced aneurysm." This thought from the MC, who is referencing Lexi whose description would align with ADHD. Regardless of if Lexi has ADHD or not, this thought isn't okay and is ableist.

Loc 728 "Ada nodded mutely, and Brad's smile widened." The term mutely shouldn't be used in this way because mute is for the community it applies to.

Loc 1466 "Cass nodded mutely" again, the word mute shouldn't be used by someone who isn't mute.

Thank you for taking the time to consider how important it is to use care with words that impact a marginalised community. Especially with insectionality of queer and disabled people. Do feel free to reach out with any questions.