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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The Summer Girl" by Elle Kennedy is a delightful standalone NA romance that captures the essence of summer love and personal growth.
Tropes:
✔️ summer fling to lovers
✔️ reformed player
✔️ new adult / college
The story revolves around Cassie, a college student who returns to her quaint beach town, Avalon Bay, for the summer. With her twenty-first birthday approaching, Cassie hopes to find a summer fling while spending time with her family.
Enter Tate Bartlett, Avalon Bay's fun-loving golden boy and sailing instructor. Their initial attraction is undeniable, but Tate decides to keep Cassie in the friend-zone to protect her heart. However, as their friendship develops, they both realize that their connection runs much deeper.
Despite the challenges Cassie has faced, she maintains a positive outlook on life, which is both admirable and relatable. The author skillfully explores Cassie's growth and her ability to see the silver lining in every situation.
Tate is equally captivating, as he breaks away from the typical player archetype by being genuinely kind and supportive. The slow-burn romance between Cassie and Tate is heartwarming, as they navigate the blurred lines between friendship and love.
Elle Kennedy's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it difficult to put the book down. The narration is superb, enhancing the overall reading experience.
"The Summer Girl" is a very satisfying read that blends romance and personal growth, perfect for the summer. Fans of YA romance will enjoy following Cassie and Tate's journey as they discover the true depth of their feelings for each other. Elle Kennedy's storytelling prowess shines through, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more stories.
★ I received an ARC of this title from the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
Tropes:
✔️ summer fling to lovers
✔️ reformed player
✔️ new adult / college
The story revolves around Cassie, a college student who returns to her quaint beach town, Avalon Bay, for the summer. With her twenty-first birthday approaching, Cassie hopes to find a summer fling while spending time with her family.
Enter Tate Bartlett, Avalon Bay's fun-loving golden boy and sailing instructor. Their initial attraction is undeniable, but Tate decides to keep Cassie in the friend-zone to protect her heart. However, as their friendship develops, they both realize that their connection runs much deeper.
Despite the challenges Cassie has faced, she maintains a positive outlook on life, which is both admirable and relatable. The author skillfully explores Cassie's growth and her ability to see the silver lining in every situation.
Tate is equally captivating, as he breaks away from the typical player archetype by being genuinely kind and supportive. The slow-burn romance between Cassie and Tate is heartwarming, as they navigate the blurred lines between friendship and love.
Elle Kennedy's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it difficult to put the book down. The narration is superb, enhancing the overall reading experience.
"The Summer Girl" is a very satisfying read that blends romance and personal growth, perfect for the summer. Fans of YA romance will enjoy following Cassie and Tate's journey as they discover the true depth of their feelings for each other. Elle Kennedy's storytelling prowess shines through, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more stories.
★ I received an ARC of this title from the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After having listened to the first two books in the Avalon Bay series, I'm going to be honest. I wasn't immediately jumping into the third and final book of the series. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Good Girl Complex and Bad Girl Reputation, they just weren't my favorite Elle Kennedy books and didn't have me as hooked as her hockey romances from Briar University. I took a few days off from the Avalon Bay series and read something else before coming back to finish the final book.
I'm going to say, there are enough characters within the friends group that Elle could continue to get a few more stories and add to the series. However, I think Elle said that this series is now complete and she will not be adding more to Avalon Bay. What I mean to say by this is that it was clear after Good Girl Complex that our first two MMCs would be the twins, but this third book could have been anyone from the friend group or even from Gen's family as she has multiple siblings. While Tate is a friend within the circle, it's not like he is the best friend of Cooper or Evan and the MMC of the third book could have been anyone.
With that said, I enjoyed Tate's story and maybe that is because, despite having already been introduced to him in the previous books, we also didn't know too much about him. At least not more than we did about any of the other guys within the friend group. Tate is your all-around likable guy. He has no past traumas, no hardships that have shaped a hard exterior or bad boy. He is likable, approachable, laidback, and someone that you would want to be friends with in real life.
Cassie has links to Avalon Bay as she was born and raised in this small town until her parents divorced. She still visits the Bay to see her grandmother as well as her father and his new family but she doesn't spend enough time there to have a lot of friends. However, this summer, she will be in the bay for the entire two+ months and is looking for a summer fling to finally lose her V-card. Her goal is also to spend more time with her father and little sisters and see if she can finally get on her step-mother's good side.
Who does Cassie want to have her summer fling with? The new friend she made while in town was Tate. However, Tate, though interested, has been advised against flinging with Cassie. He agrees to coach her on how to find the perfect candidate to have said fling, and while they spend time becoming friends, their attraction toward each other starts to grow. The inevitable happens, and they decide to become friends with benefits for the summer, promising it will end when Cassie returns to school (Briar University. Don't you love how Elle connects her stories with little Easter eggs)?
Unfortunately, the summer also means that Cassie's mother is in town longer than originally expected, and she is very good at giving backhanded compliments and critiques to Cassie. The summer comes to a shocking end when Cassie's mom reveals some hidden skeletons in her closet that affect Tate and his family. This major blow-up ends up shattering the fragile relationship Cassie has with her mother and fortifying the relationship Cassie has with her father and step-mother. It also forces Tate to take off the rose-colored glasses which he uses to see his family. Oh, and that fling summer romance between Cassie and Tate...the one that was slowly inching into more serious territory? Yeah, that completely goes up in a blazing fire thanks to Cassie's mother.
Overall, I enjoyed the friendships and relationships that Cassie made in this story. I felt that she had quite a bit of growth and came into adulthood over the summer, realizing who and where she wanted to be. Her future career clicked into place, friendships, family relationships and love were all cemented in Avalon Bay.
I'm going to say, there are enough characters within the friends group that Elle could continue to get a few more stories and add to the series. However, I think Elle said that this series is now complete and she will not be adding more to Avalon Bay. What I mean to say by this is that it was clear after Good Girl Complex that our first two MMCs would be the twins, but this third book could have been anyone from the friend group or even from Gen's family as she has multiple siblings. While Tate is a friend within the circle, it's not like he is the best friend of Cooper or Evan and the MMC of the third book could have been anyone.
With that said, I enjoyed Tate's story and maybe that is because, despite having already been introduced to him in the previous books, we also didn't know too much about him. At least not more than we did about any of the other guys within the friend group. Tate is your all-around likable guy. He has no past traumas, no hardships that have shaped a hard exterior or bad boy. He is likable, approachable, laidback, and someone that you would want to be friends with in real life.
Cassie has links to Avalon Bay as she was born and raised in this small town until her parents divorced. She still visits the Bay to see her grandmother as well as her father and his new family but she doesn't spend enough time there to have a lot of friends. However, this summer, she will be in the bay for the entire two+ months and is looking for a summer fling to finally lose her V-card. Her goal is also to spend more time with her father and little sisters and see if she can finally get on her step-mother's good side.
Who does Cassie want to have her summer fling with? The new friend she made while in town was Tate. However, Tate, though interested, has been advised against flinging with Cassie. He agrees to coach her on how to find the perfect candidate to have said fling, and while they spend time becoming friends, their attraction toward each other starts to grow. The inevitable happens, and they decide to become friends with benefits for the summer, promising it will end when Cassie returns to school (Briar University. Don't you love how Elle connects her stories with little Easter eggs)?
Unfortunately, the summer also means that Cassie's mother is in town longer than originally expected, and she is very good at giving backhanded compliments and critiques to Cassie. The summer comes to a shocking end when Cassie's mom reveals some hidden skeletons in her closet that affect Tate and his family. This major blow-up ends up shattering the fragile relationship Cassie has with her mother and fortifying the relationship Cassie has with her father and step-mother. It also forces Tate to take off the rose-colored glasses which he uses to see his family. Oh, and that fling summer romance between Cassie and Tate...the one that was slowly inching into more serious territory? Yeah, that completely goes up in a blazing fire thanks to Cassie's mother.
Overall, I enjoyed the friendships and relationships that Cassie made in this story. I felt that she had quite a bit of growth and came into adulthood over the summer, realizing who and where she wanted to be. Her future career clicked into place, friendships, family relationships and love were all cemented in Avalon Bay.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion
4.5 ⭐️
“We’re friends.”
“We are,” he agrees.
“Friends shouldn’t do this.”
“Probably not.”
y’all this book was SO much fun. tate and cassie have officially taken the lead as my favorite avalon bay couple. in typical elle kennedy fashion the fun and banter starts right away with these two and doesn’t let up the entire story.
tate was so easy to fall in love with, the towns hot fuck boy but the sweetest of fuck boys that wont hurt anyones feelings? yes please sign me up. cassie is also the cutest thing and was so easy to adore. the way she was constantly babbling and getting awkward around tate bc he was so cute cracked me up.
also the spicy times my lord, the window scene?!?!?!??! i die.
if you’re in the mood for a fun friends to lovers summer read this is definitely the book for you!!
i have to say, the only reason it is 4.5 for me is the conflict and third act break up at the end just sent me in a rage. i will give props to the fact it wasn’t a typical break up but still fuck both of the moms for all of that.
“We’re friends.”
“We are,” he agrees.
“Friends shouldn’t do this.”
“Probably not.”
y’all this book was SO much fun. tate and cassie have officially taken the lead as my favorite avalon bay couple. in typical elle kennedy fashion the fun and banter starts right away with these two and doesn’t let up the entire story.
tate was so easy to fall in love with, the towns hot fuck boy but the sweetest of fuck boys that wont hurt anyones feelings? yes please sign me up. cassie is also the cutest thing and was so easy to adore. the way she was constantly babbling and getting awkward around tate bc he was so cute cracked me up.
also the spicy times my lord, the window scene?!?!?!??! i die.
if you’re in the mood for a fun friends to lovers summer read this is definitely the book for you!!
i have to say, the only reason it is 4.5 for me is the conflict and third act break up at the end just sent me in a rage. i will give props to the fact it wasn’t a typical break up but still fuck both of the moms for all of that.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
never have i related to a fmc more than this book. and it’s always nice to see people like me ending up with a thoughtful hottie. this was a very cute romance. i thought the plot and characters were super well done. shoutout elle kennedy