This book! There is nothing Elle writes that I don’t love. This story is a breath of fresh air from what I’ve seen from her in the past. Bringing London into the mix, taking us on a journey of a girl who is trying to break free from the shadows of her father. This is an exciting addition to this authors collection- so excited to get a physical copy of this… ps. Make this a Netflix movie!

Another knockout read from Elle Kennedy!! ( spoiler free review)🧡

Starting Girl Abroad I was cautiously optimistic as I am starting any new series by an author I love, would I connect to the new world she’s built? What about the characters? Does the story have multitudes? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding HELL YES! I loved Girl Abroad and its expert weaving of storytelling, romance, history and a search for identity which intertwined themselves in Abbey’s story.

Abbey is 19 and heading off to do a year abroad in London, much to the disappointment of her overprotective dad (who just so happens to be a retired rock star). She craves space and adventure and new opportunities away from his shadow, and London is the perfect opportunity. When she arrives she discovers her all male living situation ( very fun New Girl vibes) isn’t as daunting as she first expected and before long she’s found her rhythm with her new London life.

Then comes the real fun as we follow Abbey on two journeys, one of history and mystery as she works to solve a centuries old mystery for class that somehow starts mirroring events going on in her own life too, as she goes on another journey on the S.S. Love Triangle.

A lot of stories with love triangles can drag but this is special, because it has real elements at play, it’s modern and the language Elle uses, as always, makes it feel like actual conversations you’d have with situationships and friends and maybe more than friends. Her writing perfectly arcs the story and mixes it with the history mystery to have them both peak and reflect Abbeys true story. ( I was in a constant battle between them both but I think I'm more Team Not The Guy She Picks ;) )

A story of finding yourself, trying on different hats, found family and love. My only criticism is that I wished it were longer, so much happens in the final few chapters I wished everything had a bit more space and that the story never had to end. Girl Abroad is a novel you will not want to put down 🧡 I can't wait to see if there will be more stories in this universe or where our characters go from here.

Thank you to Netgalley & Little Brown Book group for an early arc in exchange for an honest review. 🧡 Review will be posted 30/01/2024.

Girl Abroad - Elle Kennedy

4 ⭐️
2 🔥


I really enjoyed this book. I’m normally not a fan of love triangles but this one was handled really well. All of the characters had a place in the book, you weren’t introduced to any that were ‘filling a space’ and it was easy to follow along even if a little overwhelming at the start.
The mystery aspect really gripped me, I was invested from the beginning and needed to know what became of Josephine. The little twist at the end I did not see coming but it tied it all together and was a really lovely ending.

I loved all the main characters, the mixture of personalities & the group dynamic between the housemates were funny at times but strained at others.

The way London was described and written about made me want to go and be a tourist again (full disclosure I have lived in the UK all my life!). It was whimsical and I genuinely felt like I was walking alongside our FMC. Elle didn’t stick to the stereotypes when describing London and that really added to the story for me. I also really enjoyed the subtle mannerisms and slang words that were used between all the characters. Elle isn’t from the UK but the book could pass as written by a resident since birth.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and as many people have already said, this NEEDS to be a movie.

Mr Baxley & Hugh = match made in heaven.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for my ARC copy of this book.

Review to go live on GoodReads & Instagram - 1st Feb 2024

3.5⭐️

I’m going to start this off by saying that even though I own 12+ Elle Kennedy books, Girl Abroad is actually the first one I’ve read so far, and I think that was a mistake on my part and maybe I should have started with a different one to get a feel for her writing style!

I didn’t dislike this book, but I didn’t love it either. There was a few parts that didn’t sit right with my morally but there were some parts I enjoyed so I feel quite conflicted.

I liked Abbey as a character, she wanted to escape her life in America which has always been behind her famous rockstar fathers shadow, to find out who she is as a person away from everyone that knows her as Gunner Bly’s daughter. I liked the self discovery journey she went on, it was very admirable to read about her having new experiences and friendships!

The love triangle trope isn’t one I normally enjoy, but I thought I’d give this one a go. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to change my mind. The fact that Nate had a girlfriend yet was spending so much time with Abbey and nearly kissing her, didn’t sit right with me, neither did the fact Abbey knew about his girlfriend yet still had romantic thoughts about him and pursued spending so much time with him. So when Nate decided to break up with his girlfriend I didn’t like the fact that Abbey instantly went and slept with him straight away, I thought it was quite disrespectful to Yvonne.
Add in the fact that Abbey was also romantically seeing Jack at the same time as Nate, it was just one big mess. Morally I didn’t agree with that. It might be okay for some people but personally I wasn’t
comfortable with it!

One thing I did like was the sub plot about the Tulley family! The mystery of finding out who Josephine was and what happened to her actually had me wanting to keep reading which I’m not sure I would have done otherwise!

Overall I’m struggling to form a solid opinion on this one! I think that some people will really enjoy it and I’m happy about that as it does have some real potential!

Huge thank you to Piatkus, NetGalley and Elle Kennedy for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!

・ARC received for Free ・

As someone who has always lived in the UK, I want to shout out how well Elle Kennedy presented the British people. Also I love how this was a passion project of sorts.

Now into the book itself. It is really cute, I like how it explores a little mystery plot alongside the romance. It helps keep the reader engaged and just keeps the plot moving ahead. Also it helps it feel more real as somebody’s relationship is never their whole life.

Do I love the protagonist? I don’t think I do. I feel she always picked up on the flaws of others but never herself. I wish we knew more about the romantic interests. It was all very surface level.


NONETHELESS, it’s a cute and cozy romance with a little exciting side plot.

3.75 ☆

Oh my god I loved this book! I was so happy when I received an arc copy of this book and knew I had to read it straight away (I had also just finished The Graham Effect). I love Elle Kennedy’s hockey romances so was hoping this would be good but was a bit scared as I’m normally not a fan of love triangles but this book did it so well. I loved the sort of side plot about trying to find out the identity of a mystery girl in the painting and felt like it really added a lot to the plot.
I really liked all the characters, every scene in this book felt intentional and really added to the plot and overall feel of the book.

To say I loved this book would be an understatement and although it is only January I think it is a contender for my favourite romance book of 2024!

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me have an advanced copy of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

For starters, I’m a huge Elle Kennedy fan. When I saw that there was a new book, safe to say I was excited. The Graham Effect was one of my favourite romances of last year and Elle’s books remain in my most reread romances. Girl Abroad is quite different from most of her books. It takes place in London, not the US and there’s no hockey players (but we do get a rugby player!). Compared to her previous books, this one feels a lot more YA leaning, that is to say, there is much less explicit content and what is featured is not drawn out. If I’m being entirely honest, the book was missing a scene or two for my personal liking. Also different from other books is the extensive story line that has nothing (or very little) to do with Abbey’s romantic life. We follow her on a historical adventure trying to uncover the identity of a woman in a portrait. This takes her to quite a few places and people and she ends up uncovering an quite intricate history. I really enjoyed following Abbey on her historical journey. The romance itself is of course good. I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of love triangles and this really was a long love triangle. I wish it would have been a little less triangle and a bit more of a line but I loved Abbey and Jack (and Nate I guess). Lee, Jamie and Hugh are among the lovable side characters which really brought the story to life.

I would definitely recommend this book to Elle Kennedy fans and romance readers, but especially to ones who might not want to read a romance that features extensive explicit content but instead just a sprinkle or two.


The review will
be published on my amazon, goodreads and storygraph profiles upon release!

I have always enjoyed Elle Kennedy's books, but I have to say I'm not a fan of triangles.
This was a good book and I enjoyed the American in England story, as I'm English myself and some of the things made me smile and some made me laugh out loud.
would definitely recommend this book.

Another great book by Elle Kennedy. I'm enjoying all of her books and they never disappoint me.

Thank you for letting me review it on Netgalley!

Love triangle like I’ve never read! Kept you on your toes throughout, honestly didn’t know who Abbey was going to go for until the last moment! It actually felt like a REAL love triangle, not just a far fetched one sided ‘triangle’ With that being said, it felt the ending was a bit rushed! Wasn’t the biggest fan on the historical plot but that’s just because I’m not interested in that kind of stuff, would have rather heard about her time actually doing stuff at uni and in Sydney.

Usually I adore Elle Kennedy , but unfortunately this one just missed the mark for me. I found it a bit slow, and without the charm that I've come to expect from Elle's characters. Abbey's father was adorable though!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Elle Kennedy you have done it again.

I will never not read an Elle Kennedy novel if given the chance. Just give them all to me. Please.

Be still my beating heart, this book was beautiful. We weren’t just given one but TWO stories within one. I loved reading about the mysteries of a great love and loss. In both scenarios really.

From hot roommates to grumpy but compelling older men to rockstar dads and angry cats. This book has it all. The romance, the mystery, the charm and descriptions of London.

Whilst inside Abbeys head I could feel and understand everything she was feeling. About being in her father shadow to loving and lusting after two different guys, to the frustrations of the whole whirlwind she ended up in by leaving her Country living life to full blown city life.

This book was romantic and quirky and just an overall incredible read. It’s had me on the edge of the seat wanting to know the secrets behind ‘Victoria’. And I was not disappointed in the slightest.

So I have one question now for you Elle Kennedy, when do we get Sophie’s book?! I LOVE HER.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the arc! Review will be posted on Goodreads and Instagram in early February ahead of the book’s release on 13th Feb.

3 ⭐️ - a fun and quick romance read but didn’t live up to what I was hoping for. I loved Abbey’s relationships with her flatmates and her father, and I wish these had been shown more throughout the book - I would have happily read many more chapters about her and the boys becoming closer friends, or how she spent the holidays with her father. I also really enjoyed the Tulley mystery plot & Mr Baxley as a character.

I didn’t enjoy the romance as much as I had hoped, and the pacing was slow until the last 20-30%, where most of the events of the book seemed to happen. If these had been spread out a bit more it would have been a much more enjoyable read for me. I also didn’t love the writing style, though I haven’t read any of Elle Kennedy’s books before so I’m not sure how this compares to her other series.

Thank you NetGalley and The Little Brown Book Group for the ARC - this review is voluntary.
First off, I LOVE Elle Kennedys books so when I got accepted to read this I was so excited and actually did scream a little🥹
This is very different to her usual sports romance but I absolutely ate. it. up. I literally did not want to put this book down, it had me captivated from the very start and had me screaming and swooning the whole way through.
Girl abroad gave made in chelsea/british gossip girl vibes, I just loved the drama and scandal of high society London. I need this to become a Netflix series/film immediately, it has all the feels of an early 2000s romcom😍
This book had so much to offer, royal balls, dreamy fictional men, amazing friendships, cat fights (sometimes literally) and also an element of mystery when Abbey stumbles upon an old painting that uncovers a decades old scandal.
The love triangle was done really well and the suspense of not finding out who she was going to pick until the very last chapter had me gripped. The battle the broody British biker and the Australian golden retriever was a close call. Elle even writes British characters well considering she isn't a British author, It wasn't cheesy or full of stereotypes.
Huge shoutout to Mr Baxley- possibly one of my favourite characters, I'm so glad he got Hugh in the end🥹🥹

Finished this book yesterday. It was a decent book. However, found it to be a little slow. It's definitely a good pallette cleanser and a nice easy read if you want something light and fluffy or if you enjoy a more light and fluffy read it's definitely for you. The writing was good but the book it's self just wasn't for me.

This was fine. I've read Elle Kennedy books before and I just always hope for more in the stories, they always just fall a bit flat for me. Don't get me wrong, it was well written and the plot was fun but it's not life changing and I probably won't remember this in a month.

I love the Off Campus and Briar U series so I was so excited to get the e-arc of Elle Kennedy’s newest book. Although this is still a romance based in a university, it’s quite departure from her other books. But a departure I thoroughly enjoyed.

I’m not normally a fan of the love triangle trope but I thought this was done well. I think that was partly due to the fact that it also had the addition of a fun historical mystery. I was really invested in finding out about the woman in the painting and it made me want to go back to uni to study. Also, the love triangle made sense as Abbey was trying to find her place in the world outside of her famous father’s shadow. But if you are looking for the newest Graham Garrett these two don’t quite compete. However, I personally enjoyed that the focus was more on Abbey and her journey to discover who she is and what she wants.

Abbey was joined by a fun supporting cast of characters in this book and I would definitely love to read a follow up about one of them.

A highly enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Little Brown Books for the ARC in return for my honest review.

i don't think i've ever read a love triangle book before but this was so fun!! enjoyed this so so much!
kept me guessing the whole way through, ¡ genuinely had no idea who she would pick and honestly i wouldn't know either i loved both jack & nate !!

the fact all four men dropped everything to go help abby when she needed it! - those are the friends you need

abby and lee's friendship >>>

i felt like it ended a little abruptly & didn't find myself all that interested in the historical mystery spect however love the idea that the plot wasn't just romance.

I loved this!!!!! Such a different vibe from the ice hockey romances of Kennedys I’ve read. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t want to put it down.

Everything about this was immaculate. I loved Abbey, I loved the roommate dynamic in the house, I loved the historical mystery that was woven throughout the story and I’m surprising myself by saying this but I didn’t completely hate the love triangle either. I’m bad for sticking with the first guy in books or TV shows but I was genuinely rooting for them both for the majority of the book. And I understood Abbeys dilemma. Both were exciting and kind of forbidden.

I was worried that this would be rife with cringey English stereotypes and there were a couple but they were so easily to overlook. The side characters were amazing, the dialogue and banter was great and the sexual tension between Abbey and the two love interests had me kicking my feet like an idiot.

Special mention for Mr Bexley. He was the OG.

I would happily read a 5 book series on Abbey and the roommates.

Elle Kennedy is a queen of creating binge-worthy books. This book follows Abbey Bly as she travels to London when she gets the opportunity to study abroad and finally starts to learn who she is outside of her rockstar father.

The most enjoyable part of this book was the mystery that Abbey was trying to solve as part of her history project and how it mimicked her real life.

I appreciated the fact that both love interests were given equal footing throughout the book so that you couldn’t be sure who she would pick.

I feel as though the characters themselves weren’t very likeable or interesting compared to other characters from books by Elle Kennedy. Both male love interests seemed to lack depth and personality that I felt was needed to really establish them as potential love interests. I didn’t feel very invested in either of them. Abbey constantly going back and forth between the two guys became annoying since everything she did revolved around them. Even her friendships revolved around talking about guys constantly.

Overall it was an easy read but the characters needed more depth.