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danidsfavereads's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
It took me a second to get into this story. Perhaps because I am not a big reality TV fan, so I didn’t have previous understanding the concept of the show the characters are on.
Once I understood, and I connected more with the characters, I was engaged and invested. I was excited to see Cass and Ada’s relationship develop during the competition. I also really enjoyed seeing the friendships that developed between the contestants.
I was glad to see how the drama unfolded. I think I was expecting something a bit different based on the ages of the characters, but I was pleasantly surprised at how things ended.
This ultimately became a very entertaining listen and I really enjoyed. It would be a great summer read.
Thx PRH Audio for the advanced listening copy.
Once I understood, and I connected more with the characters, I was engaged and invested. I was excited to see Cass and Ada’s relationship develop during the competition. I also really enjoyed seeing the friendships that developed between the contestants.
I was glad to see how the drama unfolded. I think I was expecting something a bit different based on the ages of the characters, but I was pleasantly surprised at how things ended.
This ultimately became a very entertaining listen and I really enjoyed. It would be a great summer read.
Thx PRH Audio for the advanced listening copy.
cakt1991's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I haven’t read Elle Everhart before, but I was drawn to the premise of Hot Summer. While I’ve never seen Love Island, I’ve really enjoyed previous reality-show setups in romcoms. I did think it started a tad slow, but I liked all the detail that went into setting up the reality-show atmosphere and all the different contestants, even getting me invested in that aspect almost as much as the romance. While I had mixed feelings about how the queer relationship was exploited for ratings, I also appreciated that it wasn’t viewed as a major taboo or scandal.
Cas is an interesting person to follow for the book, as in her “normal” life, she works for a dating app, and she’s picked to be on the show due to a partnership between the app and the show. I enjoyed seeing her perspective shift from being purely work-focused to considering the possibility of actually finding love upon meeting and getting to know Ada. This makes the source for their eventual third-act conflict pretty obvious from the jump, but I ended up really liking them together and was glad they worked out.
This was a sweet read, and I’d recommend it to readers who are interested in a queer twist on romance about reality-tv dating shows.
theostone3's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
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.
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.
sapphic_library's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
HOT SUMMER is a sizzling reality show romance set on a love island-esque show about cas, an event planner whose job places her on the show as a new partnership between her company and the production team. cas only goes on the show to further her career, strategically planning how she's going to act while on camera, but her plans quickly go awry when she meets ada, a fellow contestant who she shares an undeniable connection with. as cas's feelings for ada grow, and as she forms friendships with the other contestants, cas isn't sure whether she should follow her heart or stick with her strategy.
i've said this before and i'll say it again: i'm not someone who watches reality shows, but i will always eat up a reality show romance and this was no exception. especially when queer love story taking place on a show that's predominantly straight. i loved cas and ada's relationship, how it slowly grew over time until it was obvious to everyone but them that they were so in love. i also really loved the other contestants (for the most part) and the friendships that cas formed with them.
read if you like:
- love island
- reality romances
- open door spice
thanks to netgalley and putnam for the advanced copy! HOT SUMMER comes out june 25th.
i've said this before and i'll say it again: i'm not someone who watches reality shows, but i will always eat up a reality show romance and this was no exception. especially when queer love story taking place on a show that's predominantly straight. i loved cas and ada's relationship, how it slowly grew over time until it was obvious to everyone but them that they were so in love. i also really loved the other contestants (for the most part) and the friendships that cas formed with them.
read if you like:
- love island
- reality romances
- open door spice
thanks to netgalley and putnam for the advanced copy! HOT SUMMER comes out june 25th.
sarahjeanreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
blf14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
* Digital ARC provided by NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam*
Have you ever watched Love Island and wished it was more queer (like I have)? Then this is the perfect book for you!!
As a big fan of Love Island, this book had me HOOKED! I literally could not put it down and finished it in two days. The two main characters, Cas and Ada, were so lovable and I was rooting for them the whole time. The side characters/ensemble were so well done and really added to the whole story. I feel like in books with larger ensembles sometimes they can get lost in the story and not be fully-fledged characters, but the author did a great job of making them standout and feel like real people.
The story was paced really well and kept me wanting more until the end. My one issue with the story is I think that the catalyst for Cas going on the show was just a bit too unrealistic. But, it really did not take away from the story so I don't think it's a huge deal.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful and fun queer summer read, and I would suggest it to anyone who loves reality TV dating shows, queer/sapphic romances, or that is just looking for a fun beach read!
Have you ever watched Love Island and wished it was more queer (like I have)? Then this is the perfect book for you!!
As a big fan of Love Island, this book had me HOOKED! I literally could not put it down and finished it in two days. The two main characters, Cas and Ada, were so lovable and I was rooting for them the whole time. The side characters/ensemble were so well done and really added to the whole story. I feel like in books with larger ensembles sometimes they can get lost in the story and not be fully-fledged characters, but the author did a great job of making them standout and feel like real people.
The story was paced really well and kept me wanting more until the end. My one issue with the story is I think that the catalyst for Cas going on the show was just a bit too unrealistic. But, it really did not take away from the story so I don't think it's a huge deal.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful and fun queer summer read, and I would suggest it to anyone who loves reality TV dating shows, queer/sapphic romances, or that is just looking for a fun beach read!
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
🌶🌶
Another great addition to the queer reality TV books!
Cas goes on a dating show called Hot Summer for a chance at a promotion at work, but she didn't expect to build close friendships. Will she open up and let herself love?
I really enjoyed Cas's story and would absolutely read more books featuring this show. The challenges were interesting, and I liked the Sapphic buildup between Cas and Ada. The surrounding characters were all really great, and I actually enjoyed that no one tried to sabotage each other. Read this if you liked The Charm Offensive or Here For the Wrong Reasons.
headcanonheadcase's review against another edition
5.0
Warning: Hot Summer is seriously addictive. Be prepared to be unable to put it down. I was turning pages just as fast as I could, eager for more of Cas's story and her romance with Ada. Hot Summer has all the fun and drama of a reality dating show with internal emotional turmoil that can only come from a romance novel. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because we need more sapphic romances like this one.
Cas has been passed over for one too many promotions at work, so when she's offered the new head of marketing position, she doesn't think twice about jumping through hoops to get it. Even when those hoops mean she needs to go on a dating show. All she needs to do it make it to the final episode. But things immediately get complicated when she meets Ada. The two become friendly on the show, and while Cas tries to convince herself that friendship is all she needs to survive Hot Summer, is friendship all she really wants?
This book was so good. Cas' journey from thinking she was done with love to finding something unexcepted in Ada. The way she went from calculating contestant to feeling free to be herself. The absolutely delicious slow burn romance. And that's just Cas and Ada. The remaining cast of characters in the house were so fun! Sienna, Femi, and Freddie rounded out Cas' circle of friends and they brought so much depth to the story.
I highly recommend Hot Summer for anyone who loves Bachelor in Paradise, or is just looking for a fun summer escape.
Cas has been passed over for one too many promotions at work, so when she's offered the new head of marketing position, she doesn't think twice about jumping through hoops to get it. Even when those hoops mean she needs to go on a dating show. All she needs to do it make it to the final episode. But things immediately get complicated when she meets Ada. The two become friendly on the show, and while Cas tries to convince herself that friendship is all she needs to survive Hot Summer, is friendship all she really wants?
This book was so good. Cas' journey from thinking she was done with love to finding something unexcepted in Ada. The way she went from calculating contestant to feeling free to be herself. The absolutely delicious slow burn romance. And that's just Cas and Ada. The remaining cast of characters in the house were so fun! Sienna, Femi, and Freddie rounded out Cas' circle of friends and they brought so much depth to the story.
I highly recommend Hot Summer for anyone who loves Bachelor in Paradise, or is just looking for a fun summer escape.
ggbookrecclub's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️ Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 2/5
Genre: LGBTQIA+
Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Friends to Lovers
Secret Keeping
Slow Burn
Sapphic Romance + Reality TV = Amazing Summer Read
Hot Summer by Elle Everhart was so much fun. It incorporates all the fun aspects of Hot Summer(aka Love Island) and that crushworthy, will they/won't they feelings. This is the perfect summer read, it’s a fast paced book that keeps the reader hooked. Cass, one of our female leads, feels stagnant in her marketing and events position at the dating app she works for. With a promotion being held over her head, she goes on Hot Summer to use her vast knowledge of the game and to cross promote the dating service without telling or even hinting at it, thanks to an ironclad NDA. The show progresses and personalities come to show themselves. Cass struggles to stay in the game and to keep her feelings about Ada at bay.
This book is a slowwwww burn. We’re talking small touches and holding eye contact kind of slow. Being held in captivity and with cameras on you 24/7 really accelerates relationships. Strangers become best friends and crushes turn into love connections. This couple is so cute and I loved seeing what their HEA looked like in the epilogue.
I’m not a huge fan of the 3rd party narration, I’m much more of a dual POV gal, but it worked in this instance. The emotions/reactions of the characters were still evident even if you weren’t getting it from their first hand point of view. I think the vehicle of producing a reality television show helps this, as shocking things happen to these characters it’s a surprise to 1. The character, 2. The rest of the cast, and 3. You, the audience.
🌶️ Spice: 2/5
Genre: LGBTQIA+
Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Friends to Lovers
Secret Keeping
Slow Burn
Sapphic Romance + Reality TV = Amazing Summer Read
Hot Summer by Elle Everhart was so much fun. It incorporates all the fun aspects of Hot Summer(aka Love Island) and that crushworthy, will they/won't they feelings. This is the perfect summer read, it’s a fast paced book that keeps the reader hooked. Cass, one of our female leads, feels stagnant in her marketing and events position at the dating app she works for. With a promotion being held over her head, she goes on Hot Summer to use her vast knowledge of the game and to cross promote the dating service without telling or even hinting at it, thanks to an ironclad NDA. The show progresses and personalities come to show themselves. Cass struggles to stay in the game and to keep her feelings about Ada at bay.
This book is a slowwwww burn. We’re talking small touches and holding eye contact kind of slow. Being held in captivity and with cameras on you 24/7 really accelerates relationships. Strangers become best friends and crushes turn into love connections. This couple is so cute and I loved seeing what their HEA looked like in the epilogue.
I’m not a huge fan of the 3rd party narration, I’m much more of a dual POV gal, but it worked in this instance. The emotions/reactions of the characters were still evident even if you weren’t getting it from their first hand point of view. I think the vehicle of producing a reality television show helps this, as shocking things happen to these characters it’s a surprise to 1. The character, 2. The rest of the cast, and 3. You, the audience.