I don't like watching reality shows. However, reading about one was a lot of fun! The dates, the challenges and the drama made for a fast-paced read. I loved being able to see into Cas’ head as she navigated her time on Hot Summer. Of course, that's something you don't get with a show. I loved all of the romantic and platonic relationship arcs in this book. I think the characters were all well developed and the book was well written.
This is a perfect, summer read!

This was so cute! I’ve seen about 8 episodes of Love Island, the British reality show that inspired this book, and that was enough to be able to visualize the setting and clock the many resemblances. The main differences between the book show and the real show are 1) the book show is nominally queer-friendly (just guessing here, this may or may not be true in real life) and 2) that so many of the contestants are lovable. There’s one asshat meathead and one kind-of bitchy girl, but the majority of the characters were just delightful and I loved Femi, Sienna, and Freddie just as much as Cas and Ada.

And the romance itself was so sweet. Cas has ulterior motives for being on the show and resists her attraction to Ada, who she knows is looking for love, but just can’t help herself. The will-they-or-won’t-they tension, amplified by their castmates rooting for them, results in a really sweet slow burn romance.

Finally, most of the story is set in Cyprus, which makes this an especially perfect beach read.

This was a really fun sapphic summer read. Books about reality shows are always entertaining. I liked all the characters (except the ones I wasn't supposed to like). Femi was the best. Definitely one of my favorite rom com side characters. The main relationship was also very sweet.

All in all, I'd say this is a pleasant, quick read. Perfect for the beach/pool.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I loved Wanderlust last year by this author which I definitely recommend if you like a bi heroine. I was excited for her sophomore novel, especially since it was sapphic.

I can't believe I've read two dating show books in one month. I usually don't love them, but both, especially this one is a quite unique set up. It gave me Love Island and Bachelor in Paradise vibes.

This was a light, fluffy summer read. I was able to read it pretty quickly.

The main trope I adored in this book was Found Family. This is a trope I've grown to appreciate recently. Especially with more queer reads. A good group of side characters can really make or break a book.

I will continue to read this author! Can't wait to see what they come up with next!

If you love reality dating shows or reality TV this is the sapphic summer read for you. This book is so well written it was like watching a movie. Cas is a great main character and I also love a book with a little bit of smut and this one delivers.

When Cas first enters the reality TV show Hot Summer she’s just there as part of a confidential plan to gain a promotion and secure a partnership between the dating app she works for and the show. She doesn’t have any plans to fall for anyone… until she meets Ada. Could real feelings be growing between the two women? And what about the big secret that Cas is keeping from everyone?

I really enjoyed aspects of this book. Cas and Ada had great chemistry together, it was fun watching their friendship and relationship develop over the course of the story. I also thought that Cas’ hesitance about getting into a serious relationship was well explained and made sense given her history. There were also some entertaining side characters like Sienna, Femi, and Freddie who rounded out the cast nicely. I also loved getting to see bits of the fan reactions from social media in between some of the chapters.

However, I never found myself fully loving the book. I think that aspects of the reality TV show weren’t explained enough or just felt a bit glossed over. I kept feeling confused or not totally engaged with that part of the plot. Perhaps it’s because I’ve never watched Love Island, but I’ve also never watched The Bachelor and haven’t felt myself getting this confused in other reality dating show romance novels. Also, there were just so many side characters that it was overwhelming. A couple were defined, but for the most part they didn’t seem like they were relevant outside of being cannon fodder for elimination from the show. And I thought that the conflict was a bit too easily resolved in the end. Because the book is single POV, I felt like I didn’t get to see enough of Ada’s internal process towards forgiveness.

I know that sounds like a lot of complaints. But I did still like the book even though it didn’t become a new favorite. Perhaps it will work better for readers who are already fans of the Love Island format.

Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!

This was wild! I loved the lighthearted summer vibes. I feel like it was just as fun to read this as it would be to watch it all unfold on tv. Also the ending was perfect! Ugh! I also liked all the friendships and side characters so much!

This was my first Elle Everhart read and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I also didn’t know what it was about—I saw it was gay and a hot summer read (quite literally) and ran to request it. I’m so glad that I did! I hadn’t realized it was about a dating show and I was hesitant as I started out. Not the biggest fan of reality television, especially dating-based shows and I was scared about the very cis/hetero boys vs. girls setup of the show, but Everhart does a good job of making Cas that character who enters the system, shows you what’s wrong with it, and works to break it down a bit. I knew Cas and Ada were who we’d be rooting for from the start, but the premise of the book also made some sort of third act breakup/show drop inevitable which took away from the twist a bit. I really appreciated the friendships made and the genuine let’s be friends and root for each other rather than forcing partnerships and hookups. And yay for tearing down a true Chad aka Brad and showing that toxic masculinity has got to go. Would recommend as a great beach read for the summer and especially for anyone who likes reality tv or dating shows like Are You The One or Love Island (I think😂)

This was SO good! I seriously loved the setting of a reality TV show, the people Cas befriends during her stay at the villa were so amazing and I could read a book about each of them too. But Cas and Ada?????? Oh my god I was eating them up. The tension, the flirting, the spice, it was delicious. Even though the show takes place over one summer, I think that Cas' personal growth and the way her relationship with Ada developed made so much sense. I mean, they're cut off from the outside world, on a sexy dating show all about finding love, the feelings will definitely be messy and intense. I read this in one sitting because I was addicted to the drama of them being on reality TV.

This is hands down an amazing read for summer. Reading this outside, in the sun, by the pool, was a whole mood and really set the vibes of being at the villa with them.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publishers who sent me this ARC to read & review! <3

Thank you to NetGalley, author Elle Everhart, and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Literally was just talking about how I desperately wanted to watch Love Island this season but didn't think I could commit to that again, so this book was EVERYTHING to me!! Felt JUST like watching the show, which was so perfect and fun, and made even better by the fact that it was SAPPHIC!!!! I adored Cas and Ada and loved seeing how their relationship developed. Femi and Freddie's friendship with Cas was so great too, which has always been one of my favorite parts of Love Island (the fact that people actually get to know each other and hang out and form multiple bonds). The only thing that could have made this book even better for me is if it would have been multiple POV because I would have loved to see a bit more of Ada and some of the side characters. Overall though, definitely such a fun time if you are queer and a fan of the show!!

I liked Everhart's debut novel, Wanderlust (July 2023). But Hot Summer reaches a whole level higher in my reading enjoyment. Cas Morgan works for a dating app promoting and event planning for them in London. They want her to go on to reality tv along the lines of Love Island. She has to place high enough to ensure the promotion levels her company wants. And of course she can’t reveal the reason she is there. She didn’t expect to make real new friends nor meet someone like Ada.

I’ve read a few similar type books as far as being part of a reality romance show. The premise and workings of the show seem realistic. I enjoyed the fellow contestants and didn’t feel I was wasting time on getting to know people who weren’t going to be her love match. The story is told only from the POV of Cas but Ada is open and caring so I felt I was getting the real her. The show includes silly activities and there are quiet moments for conversations. Both women are Bi and I like that the show doesn’t shut down showing their attraction.

I thought this was fun and breezy to read. They get their passion moments and even a small grand gesture. The cover of the book looks cheesy but it cleverly reflects the story and pretend glitz of tv romance. I love the few British words that slip easily into the story but this really could take place anywhere. Very enjoyable, fun, forced proximity, summer read. (4.5 Stars)

LOVED this one! I'm a huge Love Island fan and I can tell the author is, too. What a fun, delightful summer read! The saphhic romance of it all? Swoon!

a romance/romcom set on a fictional version of Love Island, Hot Summer has a fun premise and two really likeable bi/ pansexual FMCs. things moved super quickly in terms of the reality show plot and I suspect if you've never seen love island, you're going to be a bit confused at points in this. this book almost lost me in how it handled the third act breakup but I enjoyed the characters enough that my overall impression was a positive. I kinda wish we had gotten more from Femi/Freddie/Sienna but maybe not, given that it would have taken some of the focus off of the main couple. DEFINITELY open door but only a handful of spicy scenes. I did like how the ending wrapped things up.

Such a fun queer take on the reality dating show trope in book form! I loved this story, even with a miscommunication trope that could be spotted as soon as the story began. I l adored our side characters just as much as our two FMCs and was a big fan of the genuine friendships forged in the show. I had such fun with this story!

I greatly enjoyed Elle Everhart's debut, Wanderlust, so I was excited to read her next one, especially with such an intriguing premise. I've enjoyed watching silly dating shows like Love Island here and there, and I loved finally reading a sapphic version. The chemistry between Cas and Ada was amazing. There's some good spicy scenes! It's a delightful summer read.

Reading this while listening to Chappell Roan added some more enjoyment for me!

Thank you to Netgalley, Putnam Books, and Elle Everhart for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars!

This was such a delight to read! I am NOT a fan of reality TV or dating show at all but I know those who are are going to LOVE this! It felt like I was watching the show play out in front of me!

Perfect if you love:
-Reality TV/Dating Shows
-Sapphic romance done right!
-Drama
-Summertime reading
-Found family
-Great side characters

I loved Elle Everhart's book Wanderlust so when this title popped up, I had to have it! Sapphic love stories can be hit or miss but this was done so so well!

Our girl Cas has been working nonstop for popular a dating app hosting event after event and avoiding falling in love. Given the chance to jump up the ladder and propel her career forward, she's told her company is partnering with a popular dating TV show for brand awareness and she is to be a contestant on the show to get viewers pumped for the collaboration. Cas is a huge fan of the show and goes in hoping she can make it through towards the end to get her career move secured and get recognition but is definitely not looking for love. That is until she meets other contestant Ada on day one and can't stop thinking about her.

This was such a fun ride from start to finish. We get all the POVs from behind the scenes of a dating show to the actual shooting. It's all fast paced and the events that happen keep you wanting to read more. It incorporated the drama of a tv show and the slow burn aspect while Cas and Ada became close friends and then lovers. Every character including the side characters are so well developed and stole the show at moments with how well they played into the story. My only issue with this book was how Cas's job and TV world collided. Things seemed blown out of proportion and the reunion part didn't sit right with me either.

I cannot recommend this book enough for a quick fun, easy summer read full of sweet moments and some delicious spice! Thank you Netgalley & G.P. Putnam for this incredible ARC!

While the premise is a little rocky-- Cas, an event coordinator for a hybrid dating app who runs most of the live events, in order to get a promotion, goes on a reality dating type show-- once you get past that (and you do within the first 30 or so pages), this is an engaging read. I'm always hesitant when there are large casts, because it's really not fun to read and keep track of twenty people, but this book kept a reasonable amount of focus on the premise, while at the same time really zeroing in on the relationship between Cas and Ada, both bi-cons in their own right.

For me, it was easy and a bit fantastical, but for a cheesy rom=com style book, I truly didn't mind much of the stuff that made me roll my eyes. This is definitely 3 stars in terms of just being a book in the world, and probably like 4 in terms of just being a fun queer beach read.

And dammit, don't the queers deserve completely gratuitous beach reads too?

This book is for Love Island watchers!

As a fan of the show, I love the behind the scenes look at one of these shows. The author described it like she’s been a contestant herself. Her research was well done, I could visualize the villa.

It really explores relationships in a fun way we see on dating shows. But in this we get a more personal view of the characters participating. The author also examined various gender stereotypes and expectations. The theme of queerness and having such strong queer characters was much appreciated and the explanation of those relationships.

Overall this was a fun quick summer read!

I really loved the cover! The colors and artwork are very engaging and captivating. My eyes would be drawn to it in the show.

I was lucky enough to have Elle Everhart on my podcast and talking to her about the book and those episodes will air June 25 and 27!!

Hot Summer is just that: hot and summery. And I loved it.

Cas has been passed over for a promotion at her job time and time again for years. So when an opportunity to star on hit reality dating show Hot Summer, and finally get a promotion, falls into her lap, Cas accepts without hesitation. Her plan is simple: be likeable enough for the other contestants and the audience to want to keep her around until the finale so she can open up doors for brand partnerships and make a name for herself at work. What was not part of her plan, however, was falling for her co-contestant Ada. Over the summer, Cas and Ada grow closer, and the attraction is undeniable. Cas has to decide which is more important to her– the big promotion she's been waiting for, or her blossoming romance with Ada.

I devoured this book. From the very beginning, I was obsessed with Cas and Ada, as well as a few other contestants of Hot Summer, specifically Femi, Sienna, and Freddie. The cast of characters was written wonderfully; even with the amount that there were, I was able to keep track of who was who and could see each of their different personalities. I am a sucker for reality show premised books, and this one was amazing.

I loved the pacing of Cas and Ada's romance. It was slow enough to give a nice burn, but quick enough to where it didn't get boring or dragged on for too long. And the main conflict was written pretty realistically. My only complaint with it is that I wished there was better communication from Cas, but it makes sense why there wasn't.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!! I will definitely be purchasing it when it releases. It's such a fun and quick read, perfect for a day at the pool!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a fun summer read about one of my favorite summer shows -- but gay! It's not the deepest of stories, and the side characters are appropriately one-dimensional, but I'll never get tired of following someone as they realize deep truths about themselves and how they want to start living their lives.