05/29/2023
A summer romance outlasts its season in Kennedy’s saucy third Avalon Bay new adult romance (after Bad Girl Reputation). When college senior Cassandra Soul returns to Avalon Bay for one final summer before her grandmother moves to Boston, she’s determined to experience the passion her friends have found, a quest she calls “operation summer fling.” Smoking-hot sailing instructor Tate Bartlett seems the perfect choice. Tate has a reputation as a player, but a gentle, caring spirit lies beneath his charm. He’s immediately attracted to Cassie and is onboard with a romance—until he finds out she’s a virgin. Fearing their affair would wind up becoming too serious, he friend-zones Cassie, offering to be her wingman instead. She reluctantly agrees, but as they hang out all summer long without the pressure of dating, their platonic friendship naturally transitions into love. When Cassie’s narcissistic mom arrives in Avalon Bay, however, secrets and lies come to light that shake the foundation of their budding relationship. There are plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments along the way, and the young lovers handle conflict with refreshing and believable maturity. The result is a perky depiction of first love that will have readers’ hearts fluttering. Agent: Kimberly Brower, Brower Literary. (July)
