Kayak Girl

by Ivy Emerson

Sometimes, the river of life pulls us in unexpected directions...

Overwhelmed by life’s responsibilities, Elle Knight decides to trade her teaching job for a yearlong coastal adventure. She dreams of endless hours in her beloved kayak, marine-life marvels, and the simple joy of van life. However, her grand journey takes an unplanned detour when she finds herself temporarily stranded on the picturesque shores of Hilton Head Island. Gray Hudson, a charismatic entrepreneur from Hilton Head, doesn't expect the captivating new girl in town to disrupt his well-ordered world. He’s determined to keep her at arm's length, but their mutual love for kayaking brings Gray and Elle closer. Every stroke of the paddle, every whisper of the waves, and each imprint of their footsteps on the sandy shores weaves their lives together in a mesmerizing dance of hope, love, and faith. Yet every paradise has its storms. Elle harbors secrets she's unwilling to reveal, and Gray's heart, weathered by betrayal, struggles to navigate the waters of newfound love. Amid the sea caves and sun-kissed beaches, will grace and redemption prove strong enough to buoy them through the challenges ahead? Can they trust God with their futures? Kayak Girl is the first book in a sweet Christian romance series that delicately weaves an inspirational love story with themes of resilience, forgiveness, and healing. This book can be read as a standalone. Fans of Brooke St. James, Emma St. Clair, Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, and Annah Conwell will undoubtedly enjoy this wholesome contemporary romance novel. It will have readers laughing, swooning, contemplating their Christian walk, and falling in love all at the same time!Buy a copy now! Your heart will thank you later...

Genres: Christian, Romance, Summer, Fiction, Clean Romance, Contemporary

307 pages, ebook

Published October 10, 2023

Reviews

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars!


I really loved this contemporary romance. It’s the love story between Elle and Gray. Elle is a wonderful character, I loved her free spirit and her cool van. She does have a couple issues but she learns and grows with those throughout the story. Gray is a great guy, great with kids and helps everyone. I liked watching Gray and Elle get together. I also loved all the Christian content. Overall a great read and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Tawni Suchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely sweet read. Elle and Gray are so perfect for each other despite the struggles their relationship faced. If you’re looking for a cinnamon roll golden retriever hero…look no further. And if you’re in the market for a lovable heroine, you’ll find one in Elle. Ivy weaves faith through the story seamlessly, their relationship with God a crucial part of their growth both as a couple and individually. They both had a lot to learn from the other and through a series of difficulties and ups and downs they overcame each one through prayer, faith, and learning how to truly love.
Ivy’s descriptions are absolutely gorgeous and i lost count of how many lines I tabbed so I could go back and re-read them!
And I love how the ending set up the next book…which looks to be equally appealing yet very different!

RATINGS:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💋
✝️✝️✝️
15+

[Seaweed Brain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air. I never knew how relaxing it is to have a book where the main characters love God with all their hearts and desire to share that love with others. Elle and Gray were expertly written and I was invested in their story.

[Hannah Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ very wholesome content. An easy, feel-good sort of read. I think this would absolutely be a hallmark movie. I liked that there was some space for the characters to process things and grow and it wasn’t all happy-clappy the whole time. Felt more realistic :)

[Annalise Healey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A binge-worthy clean romance read!

From the very first chapter, this book had me invested. The plot is thoroughly planned, and there is tension created from the very start that is maintained throughout the rest of the story, leaving you wondering as to when it is all going to surface.
Following the story of the strong, independent Estelle as she tries to find her path in life and reestablish her connection with God, this novel delivers humour, happiness and swoon-worthy romance as her paths cross with Grey, a handsome and caring local from one of the towns she passes through on her van-life journey. Estelle finds more than just a connection with God as she finds herself falling for this man of whom she must keep secrets from, whilst also connecting deeper with nature in her kayaking adventures.
It is evident the main subjects within the story are things the author is passionate about, and their enthusiasm comes through to create a detailed, well-planned story that shows clear consideration and research.
The characters are developed beautifully and in a relatable way, and have clear paths they follow throughout the story. Their values, beliefs and personalities play a big role in how the story unfolds, and the Christian themes throughout the story are given clear purpose.
I am not someone who would normally go for a story knowing it had Christian themes, but I am glad I took a chance on this story. The author presents these in such a way that it is not overbearing and they clearly have a place within the book. Kayak Girl has definitely convinced me to read further outside of my normal limitations in relation to this!
There is not a single thing in relation to the plot or characters that takes away from this novel’s value and the story is sure to be an absolute favourite amongst the right crowd.
The only thing that did not work in favour of the book is the tense used. I feel a different tense could have lessened the distance between character and reader and really pulled the audience into the story. This slightly makes the story hard to engage with but is really only a slight problem.
Overall, Kayak Girl is an exceptional read that I would highly recommend to contemporary romance readers, and especially individuals that wish to find themselves through their connection with God.
The author has done an outstanding job on this story and I hope it receives all the attention it deserves! I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sweet, faith filled love story🤎 it really highlighted how we aren’t perfect but God’s Grace is. I loved Gray & Elle and the growth they both went through. The kayaking was so much fun & Ivy did a fantastic job describing the area-you felt like you were there😻 really hoping we get an enemies to lovers story with Wes & Bec😏

[ofy udy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i feel bubbly, reading this



I kept smiling from ear to ear while reading this- now hopefully for Becky. I loved Brenda, her dad, and the whole interaction between Elle and Gray. Story has a lot of emotions. It’s wholesome yet doesn’t bore you. The chapters are brief too and the entire story fits together. Loved this read.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a beautiful portrayal of God’s grace and forgiveness. I enjoyed reading about the power of love and conquering one’s fears and insecurities through that grace and forgiveness.

Elle has taken a road trip up and down the coast with her van and kayak. She has no interest in developing relationships on this trip. It is about not having responsibilities for once in her life and having the freedom to kind of be a nomad. Then Gray enters the picture. Will she change her mind?

Gray has dealt with different travelers all the time to their beach town. Heck, he even dated one. So there is absolutely no way he is going to be taken by some cute girl with her kayak traveling the coast. But the more he gets to know Elle the more he realizes she is different than the other girls that have traveled around and just want to have a good time. Can they figure out their differences and trust God’s plan for their lives?

This story while fun and lighthearted also had depth and interwoven elements of faith that made it more realistic and relevant to how we live in our daily lives. I loved Elle and Gray and their redemptive story. All of us make mistakes and they were no exception but the forgiveness in the story was lovely. I would have liked to hear a little bit more about Elle’s history but I still really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more about Becky and Weston in the next book!

I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by the author. All opinions are my own.

[Chloe perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kayak Girl by Ivy Emerson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kayak Girl is a fast-paced, quick read that blends Christian romance with heartfelt life lessons. The story is cute and easy to follow, making it perfect for anyone looking for something sweet but meaningful. It’s packed with good advice about love, faith, and trusting God’s plan—even when things get messy.

The romance is clean but swoony, and the way the characters connect feels natural and genuine. It’s one of those stories that leaves you smiling, especially with lines like:
“Elle, can we agree right now that you’re my girl?”
and
“Just in case it slipped your mind; I adore you, my girl.”

If you want a wholesome love story with depth and charm, Kayak Girl is worth the read.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across the authors Instagram page and found out about this book.

I truly enjoyed everything about this book from the friendship, to the characters wanting to become closer to God or to finding a relationship they didn’t know they needed. This book was such a fun simple read. It makes me want to read more to find out what happens to Elle’s sister Becky.
This book is about Elle and Gray. How Elle didn’t let the abusive from her father growing up come between her as God. And Gray wanting to love again after being lied to from an ex. Over all this was a cute romance with no spice and it’s a Christian read which makes it so much easier to want to read. I’d definitely recommend this book. My rating is 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[Vera-Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

I know I read a summer romance in the dead of winter, but listen, it's freezing in New Hampshire right now. I didn't know what to expect going into this. I knew it was a summery romance, and I knew it was Christian fiction, but that was it. It was a really enjoyable and fun quick read. Elle has some baggage and hates conflict, and Gray has been hurt before in the past. I loved the summer camp aspect, and the faith aspects. I did have trouble with the dialogue sometimes, especially when it was more hard hitting because it felt very robotic, and I also felt the big conflict at the end didn't need to be that big. If it did, then I wish it would have been something bigger.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read, though, and I would like to continue the rest of the series.

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked a lot of this book, it’s a cute story and less cheesy than the description made it sound. My main gripe is that it was too short. I wish instead of telling us that the MCs had a great conversation that there would have been more of it put in- it felt a little too breezed over, like they shouldn’t have been so in love after such a short time because the audience wasn’t included.

I did like that the MCs relationships with God were discussed so much. They were clearly both trying to grow which is such a good thing to see.

This is a low spice book, kissing is the max. No swearing, large amount of discussions of God- felt fairly Christian non-denominational to me.

[Teddy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Christian romance great quick read also good for a book club.
I really enjoyed all the characters and this story but I loved how the author tackled each of their struggles.
I think this story is honestly very relatable in the church. A lot of people and couples struggle with…
-being judgmental
-bringing past relationships in
-being scared and thus making a small thing larger than it is
-and trying to work through your past but not losing people in the process.
On the surface, this novel is quick, fun and sweet but look a little deeper and I think it’s a lot deeper than it appears.
Overall enjoyable read and I’m excited to read the next story in the series.

[Dasneves · Rating 5 out of 5]

joyfully

I saw their romance as a clean one consisting of only kissing. I like that they both had their flaws and things to work through. I would've liked there to be more tension to build up the conflict but the story was good as is. I also really liked the faith elements and how peaceful it made me feel during I was reading the story. I did not read much romance books but I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you for sharing the history

[Joseph Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure, Romance, and Faith

This is a delightful read that offers more than just a love story. It’s fast paced, engaging storytelling, and well written characters make it a standout novel. The integration of Christian values, combined with a strong narrative of adventure and discovery, creates a refreshing and unique experience for readers. It entertains and inspires, making it a recommended read for anyone looking for a book that uplifts the spirit and warms the heart.

[Igonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I was annoyed when she had opportunities to tell him but isn’t and kind of sided with him in his anger but after his dad’s speech I realised that I also needed to hear that because it was a lesson for me as well in terms of holding grudges and not forgiving. I love Weston and Becky and can’t wait to read theirs. I feel it will be way more emotional than this one and I’m sure I’ll love it 🥰

[Kirsten Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) This book is the definition of a sweet/clean romance, which is what makes it refreshing. I enjoyed the writing style but the timeline in the story almost makes me wish that it was described as a fairytale. I like how faith was sprinkled throughout the story but wasn’t exhaustive like some writers can be. The development of the story was great but I feel like the timeline was a bit unrealistic so that’s why the book isn’t a 5 to me. I would recommend it as a quick cute read.

[Ashley Shriver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would actually give this book a 2.5 star. It could be cute story, but there was way too much internal dialogue and not enough "action". Also, Gray was a little too "judgy"and the climax of the story annoyed me a little. I couldn't wrap my head around why it was such a big deal. The book had potential and was a good idea, just not my cup of tea.

[Macee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read! This book is right up my alley of a clean, wholesome romance- bonus with Biblical truth and character development as they navigated their relationship with Jesus throughout.

I don’t think I stopped smiling throughout. Ivy’s a beautiful writer.
I’m ready to read the next in the series!

[Caitlin Nikolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, very fun Christian romcom.

Sometimes the pacing felt a little off, but overall I loved the characters. I felt for Elle, and related to her a lot, too.

I recommend "Kayak Girl" for a light hearted read that still reminds you that God has a plan and that it's important to trust Him and do the right things we know we need to do.

[Matthew Scigousky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Romance Novel!

So this is not my typical read but if you like this genre I think it is worth a look. The author has a good writing style and the story is engaging with good character development!

[Lennie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about growing

Elle and Gray make a beautiful couple, but will one lie keep them apart forever? Find out in this romantic but serious novel about two people who live God learn to find their way.
Kayaking sure sounds like fun.
A sensitive easy to read book anyone will enjoy.

[Michaela Gruber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a very sweet story that kept my attention. Obviously, got a little cheesy at times, but loved how God was throughout the whole story and it painted a beautiful story about the importance of grace, forgiveness, and responsibility.

[Lindsay Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The romance felt real and it didn’t seem so cheesy like some other books. You could feel the deepness of their relationship grow, without the “spiciness” that is involved in some romance novels. Highly recommend!

[Katie Sisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, clean/closed door summer read that will leave you feeling like your heart is full of glitter and confetti, all the while, bringing deep, faith-based truths to light. I can’t wait to continue the series!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute read

Cute read. It was easy to read and sweet little story about faith and relationships. This would be a great read for a female to see relationships (with self and others) and how to handle them with God’s grace and provisions.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Story

I enjoyed the story. It had lots of emotions. I like Elle and how she was bright and happy even for her hard, difficult childhood. Good story on forgiveness and on acceptance of people and their mistakes.

[Jessie Daam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I read this book in one day! I really loved this story and related to the characters so much, as a pastor's kid myself. Their faith was real and not fluffy and the story had some grit.

[Wendy Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light-hearted and easy read, but with enough substance to keep it interesting. The characters had depth and I loved the lessons they learned from God along the way and how these lessons were woven naturally into the story.

[Kassady Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story! Definitely a breath of fresh air!