Stars: 4
Spice: 1.5
Tropes: college romance, good girl/bad boy, miscommunication/lies, cheating
MCs: Mackenzie “Mac” & Cooper

I enjoyed this book. It starts with Cooper & Mac’s boyfriend getting into it. As a way to get back at him, Cooper’s friends decide to trick Mackenzie into falling for Cooper. Their plan falls apart with Copper starts to actually fall for Mac.

Cooper & Mac had instant chemistry, and I loved their banter. Cooper was extremely sweet & his groveling after his mess up was great. This book reminded me a lot of the After series by Anna Todd. My only complaint is that this did not have an epilogue, but maybe that leaves it open for more.

In this new series by Elle Kennedy, a man set on revenge finds something a whole lot sweeter.

Cooper Hartley is your typical bad boy.
A string of one-night stands.
Tattooed.
Drop dead gorgeous.
That spells trouble for one good girl, Mackenzie "Mac" Cabot, who enters the Avalon Bay area attached, but not necessarily unavailable.

Mac becomes Cooper's target when her boyfriend, Preston Kincaid, causes him to lose his job. So, of course Cooper and his friends come up with a plan to make Preston suffer, by stealing his girlfriend. Sounds like trouble, but I was fully on board, nevertheless.

Given the situation between Mac and Preston, the plan almost seems too easy.
The two have been dating for years as some sort of Southern rich family expectation, with the end goal being marriage. Only problem is the spark has fizzled, at least on Mac's end. What we the reader also know is that Preston isn't exactly faithful as he claims to be. With that said, and given all the temptations Cooper presents, Mac is puddy in his hands.

What I enjoyed about this story was while Cooper went in with bad intentions, it is pretty clear early on that his feelings become genuine. That doesn't mean there isn't some silly drama later, but I knew that if Mac could get past the early deception, she'd see she has something very special.

This book also introduces the reader to a cast of side characters, who I'm hoping will each get their own story - especially Evan, Cooper's twin brother, and Heidi, the "troublemaker". This beachy romance was the perfect escape for the Winter Blues, and I'm looking forward to more in this series!

This is my third Elle Kennedy books and I just love reading them. Her college romances are just so swoony.

I got some West Side Story and Gossip Girl vibes from this one. Two people who come from different worlds and whose friends don’t welcome the other. Also, some insanely rich twenty year olds.

Cooper and Mack had chemistry for days. Their back and forth was amazing and I loved Cooper’s flirty ways.

I loved the side characters in this one. Elle Kennedy always fills her books with friendships that I love and it adds to the romance so much.

For my none steam reading friends, this one had quite a few spicy scenes!
★ ★ ★ ★/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5

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This sweet, steamy, seaside romance is one I definitely recommend!

I'm a sucker for a good good girl/bad boy, opposites attract romance and this one was so, so good! Both of the main characters were great, and the chemistry and banter between Mackenzie and Cooper was perfect. Mackenzie, the sweet people pleasing good girl, and Cooper, the damaged bad boy with a heart of gold. Their character development throughout the book was amazing.

I really liked how Mackenzie had made a name for herself outside of her family, and how she grew to independence throughout the book. I loved how one was rich and one wasn't, but neither had good families showing that money doesn't equal happiness!

I absolutely loved the setting of this book. Avalon Bay, a little seaside town with a great divide between "townies and clones". I love that it was set in the South - I grew up in South Carolina so I loved all the references to place I have been many times (Charleston, Hilton Head etc.).

I loved the side characters! From Bonnie, the energetic college roommate, to Evan, the troublesome twin, wow, they were all so good. I am hoping they all get their own book because I'm not ready to leave Avalon Bay yet!

Thank you St. martins Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is due for publication 2/1!

Really enjoyed this Cooper is an excellent book boyfriend and per usual Elle Kennedy delivers.

Thought parts were a tad bit rushed, but loved all of the side characters and the growth. Some angsty moments for sure but had a blast reading this in one sitting.

Steamy scenes are A+ and I'd love more from the Avalon Bay crew! This one almost felt like a good 90s-early 00s teen romance movie.

**Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review**

FIVE STARS FOR ANOTHER ELLE KENNEDY MASTERPIECE! I have yet to come across a work of fiction by this masterful author that I have not devoured and adored with every fibre of my being.

Nobody writes brooding, sexy, bad boys quite like Elle. Cooper Hartley is my newest book BF and I'm not gonna forget about him for a longggg time. This book is an epic opposites attract, rich girl/poor guy, forbidden love story - with a bet!! I don't know what it is about me, but I am a sucker for romance books with a little edge to them, and incorporating a bet is just everything of the sort to me.

I love romance books when the guy falls first, and Cooper is just EVERYTHING in this story. Both his and Mac's character development was done so well and purposefully - and those steamy scenes were BEYOND.

This book is the perfect combination of sexy and swoony - and I can't wait for everyone else to get their hands on a copy and fall in love with Mac & Coop like I have!

3.5 stars

This one was really fun and somewhat anxiety inducing for me. While I really enjoyed this story, the characters’ growth, and the romance I can’t give it a higher rating because that background anxiousness I felt while waiting for the “secret” to come out took away from the fun and love that was going on. I also felt like there was so much overdone aggressiveness when it came to the locals and the students (and the constant use of "clones" became grating). I fully understand the annoyance and frustration that the locals who have been shit on by the rich kids, but I did find myself feeling uncomfortable with the friends/side characters genuine malice and excitement to humiliate a female character when they didn’t even know her or had any interactions with her. There were scenes of them hanging out and going on about it and that felt like it was really going into the territory of unhinged and a mob mentality. Those two things sort of impeded my full enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I really adored the growth and journey that Mac went through in the story. I ended up rooting her on and reading more and more just to see what she was going to do next. The romance was nice as well and I thought that Mac and Cooper were sweet together, but to be honest I did find myself reading more for Mac's character growth over the romance.

ARC given by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I’m in the minority here and have not read the Off-Campus series YET! But I have read plenty of New Adult books and Good Girl Complex fits perfectly.

I loved the typical storyline and relationship development. New Adult books that are fairly predictable but amazing are my comfort reads!! I is a SLOW BURN! So if you struggle with those just be aware that it is worth it!

The side characters were interesting and I’m crossing my fingers for Evan’s book! Also, bumping the Off-Campus series up in my list.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

This is my first Elle Kennedy book. I read this in a day which never happens. I just could not put it down. While there are some issues here with cheating and lying, every single character had flaws and I feel like it made it more believable. The whole “deal” aspect of this book reminded me a lot of 10 things I hate about you. I really loved that there was a dog. I loved the tension and banter between the main characters. Overall this was really good. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher this is my honest review.

My rating is more of 4.5 than a 4. I liked this book a lot I just didn’t love it. And the reason for that is complicated. Some parts I felt were rushed and I needed more information on why things were going the way they were and some were too dragged out. Like way to much info and reading for the part of the story. I’m really glad to get a brand new series from Elle Kennedy. It’s good to have new characters and try to get away from the Off Campus Series and the spin-offs. But also I think personally I loved that series so much that maybe I was holding the author and the new series to a ridiculous high level. Also the ending just was. For me it didn’t have the type of conclusion or maybe closure for a better word that I prefer and kinda expect from Mrs. Kennedy. So I do recommend reading this book because like I said it’s good. Just make yourself realize it’s not the off campus series. Lol.
Non RH
New Adult Romance
Recommended to read
Stand-alone

This book started off strong for me. I was immediately drawn to Cooper and the beach town setting. I was horrified but intrigued at the same time by the revenge plot storyline. I liked how Mackenzie and Cooper met and their instant chemistry and connection. Cooper was cocky as hell but I was into it! Their was some major forbidden romance tension building between the two and I enjoyed it.

I think ultimately I couldn't say that I loved this book because of the characters. It's a new adult book with college aged characters and I think I'm starting to realize that this subgenre isn't for me. Characters in this age group are a bit too immature for my taste and I found myself rolling my eyes or shaking my head at some of the things they were saying or doing.

This book was entertaining because of all the high drama and the steaminess, but overall, it wasn't for me.

⚠️: infidelity

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced copy of Good Girl Complex.

So this was my first Elle Kennedy book and the premise was a bit misleading for me. I didn't like the bet aspect of the beginning of the book and don't like it when cheating is the central plot line, so I DNFd the book about 25% in.

such a good book. her writing is seriously the best. this book was exactly what i needed to get out of a reading slump.

Good Girl Complex is the first in a new series by Elle Kennedy. Garnet University reminds me a lot of Briar University, from Elle Kennedy’s other new adult romance series.

To be honest, I was lukewarm about Cooper at first. But, already being a Kennedy fan, I held on, knowing that she’d manage to change my mind about him. And that she did! While Cooper is a townie and a self-proclaimed “bad boy”, he’s also arrogant and quite rude. His feelings of disdain towards the rich students who attend Garnet are realistic and based in almost all of his previous interactions with them. That said, his plans to have revenge on the jerk rich boy Preston who caused him to lose his job by seducing his girlfriend made for a somewhat unlikeable romance hero. That said, it’s clear that Cooper starts to change his mind about his nefarious plans almost immediately after meeting her. As usual, Kennedy uses her unique writing style and impeccable banter to make Cooper a character that I could fall in love with.


Both Mac and Cooper have a lot of flaws, ones that make them kind of perfect for each other. And, like with any top-notch new adult romance, their love story nicely complements their own personal growth.

I loved the setting of this book. Just like with Briar U, I feel like Avalon Bay will be able to provide the inspiration for a lot of unique and compulsively readable stories. The juxtaposition of the rich university in a poor sea-side town will make for a lot of star-crossed romances!

This book introduces an entire cast of characters for us to fall in love with. These are fabulous side characters, especially Evan and Bonnie, and I’m looking forward to seeing what kinds of shenanigans Kennedy has planned for them.

I was a little disappointed when there weren’t any little easter eggs or noticeable mentions of Briar University or any of the characters I fell in love with in her Off Campus and Briar U series. This could easily be set in the same world. Maybe in the next one!

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great beach read, one with clever dialogue and realistically flawed protagonists.

"Good Girl Complex", by Elle Kennedy, has sparks flying all the way through! Mackenzie Cabot has grown up in privilege and wealth, but that has come with strings attached. Her politician parents have demanded a lot of her, and her future has already been decided, along with the man she's supposed to marry. As a self-described people pleaser, Mackenzie is okay with this until she goes to college and finally gets to experience some true freedom. While there, she meets a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Cooper Hartley, who gets her heart pumping. Not only is she attracted to his looks, but she's also drawn to his laidback and rebellious lifestyle. Now she must choose if she's going to continue doing what her parents want or if she'll finally stand up for herself.

I thought this book was very cute, and there was good chemistry between Mac and Cooper. However, I feel like the ending was resolved a little too quickly. Overall, this was a fun, quick read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I must say, this book felt a bit like a rocky road. Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy is an opposites-attract, New Adult romance. The beautiful, rich, new girl in town falls for the mysterious, tattooed, dreamboat ‘townie’. The trope and setting of this story felt very close to reality in the city I currently live in so I kind of loved that about it.

I have read a few of Kennedy’s books now and I will say she writes dialogue so enticingly. I find myself hanging on her every word and plowing through pages to keep up with the characters conversations. In this story, the female main character Mackenzie, struggles to fit within the confines of her privileged life. Her aspirations are constantly squashed and she dreams endlessly of more. Enter, Cooper. A man out for revenge against Mackenzie’s current boyfriend and she seems like the easiest target. (Who doesn’t love a good ‘dating someone as a bet’ trope?!). He is your stereotypical, irresistible, broken, bad boy and as we follow the very predictable (but who cares) storyline we get to witness their character and relationship growth.

I really enjoyed this story for what it was but ultimately, I found the plot to be lacking. It felt like there were too many plot threads thrown out but nothing was ever brought together. Characters that were heavily referred to in the first half of the story kind of just disappeared… I wanted to see the main characters work together on their ventures more and in the end, it felt like there were a lot of pieces that could have easily landed on the cutting floor.

I really appreciated that although both characters came from neglectful backgrounds Kennedy tried to add in positive influence (thank you Levi). I would recommend this book to someone just venturing out of the YA world looking for a fun read with some spice. The romance feels very young but I do believe the audience is out there for it!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. PS. The design team did an amazing job on the cover design, it's absolutely adorable.

This book was wonderful and romantic and everything I hope to get from Elle Kennedy. The relationship between Mac and Cooper draws you in and makes you long for what they have. I’ll always be an Elle Kennedy fan, especially if she keeps putting out 5 star books like this one!

If you have read After by Anna Todd, there is honestly no point in reading this book.

Here are the differences between these two story lines:
1. Heroine is rich instead of the hero.
2. Hero has mommy issues instead of daddy issues.
3. East coast, not west coast. Beach town.
4. “The Dare” that the hero makes w/ his friends is a touch different, but basically the same.
5. Todd’s book had more sex scenes.

That’s it. I wish I was joking. I was excited to read this. I enjoyed Off Campus, and Briar U was a let down, so I was hoping for a redemption arc from Kennedy. Sadly, this was a flop.

I’m rating this two stars because it was still somewhat enjoyable and I was able to finish it, but it was also cliche, the writing was very simple, the drama seemed so juvenile, I have literally read this book almost exactly. Maybe if the story line had just been a BIT different it would have been better, but there was no major plot change that differentiates this book from After. At all. Like put them side by side and I think it would be hard to tell the differences besides very minor details. It feels like Kennedy thought of every rich person or poor person stereotype and compiled it into one book. Also, it’s like she tried SO hard to make the heroine “not like other girls” that she just seemed naive and a show off. The cheating scandal was half-assed and just thrown in there so that when heroine cheated on her bf it wouldn’t be as bad. And I think that since people have gotten onto her for a lack of representation in her books, she just chose a random character who is barely in the book to be gay so that people would get off her case.

Again, I’m so sad I wasn’t in love with this. I wish I had better things to say about it. I would only recommend this book if you really loved After by Anna Todd or if you have never heard of that franchise at all. This book comes out in February :)

Loved Mackenzie and Cooper! Mackenzie Cabot is rich in money, but her parents are lacking. Her boyfriend.Preston, is cheating. Cooper gets fired for giving Preston a black eye. Cooper Hartley is poor, but rich in friends and his twin brother, Evan. Evan and he hatch a revenge plan. Get Mac to dump Preston and fall for Cooper. Only Cooper finds there is more to her book than the pretty cover. He falls for Mac while saving their puppy, Daisy. Loved Avalon, NC. It started a little slow, but was well worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Griffin for the ARC!

I adored this story. It made me think of a combo of the Netflix show, OBX (without the treasure hunt), and Love Next Door by Helena Hunting. And I mean all of that in a great way.

Townie (Cooper) meets Clone (aka rich-girl college student Mac). Not under the best circumstances mind you (but this is a spoiler free zone).

Their connection is incredible. This one is definitely one of the best romances I’ve read in a while. I’ll definitely be coming back to Avalon Bay. There’s even a cute puppy 😍