I've been a fan of other Elle Kennedy novels but this one did not grab me. Her writing is great but I didn't fall in love with the characters.

The premise of the book made it sound like it should be full of tension and hold-your-breath moments and conversations, but it fell so flat. It just was not for me even though there are others who might enjoy the premise enough to fall into the characters.

Mac is starting her freshman year at Garnet after taking a year off. Her boyfriend, Preston, is graduating at the end of the year and has their life planned out. Mac has made her own money with her “little online business”. Cooper is a townie who works at construction and other odd jobs. He and his twin, Evan, are living in their family home and fixing it up. Mac and Cooper’s paths cross when Cooper and his friends decide he needs to get back at Preston for getting Cooper fired. The plan, steal the girlfriend. But it doesn’t really go as planned. A good read where the main characters are a fit even if they don’t quite understand why. They both have family issues, Cooper’s mom took off on them when they were teens and Mac’s parents, though rich, only care about appearances and not what she wants to do with her life. As she gets bored with college and needs another project, the only one who supports her is Cooper. Mac finally stands up to her parents, literally, and quits school to work on her new project. A nice weekend read.

Cooper is a townie who works at a bar to supplement his income because he wants to open his own business. He gets into an altercation with Preston and it leads to him getting fired. He soon finds out through his friends that Preston has a girlfriend so they encourage him to steal his girlfriend as revenge. Wish that was all of the high school behavior in this book, but it was not. Enter Mackenzie who is a freshman at Garnet, even though she is 20 because she took a year off to get her web businesses off the ground. She is a bit pretentious and doesn't really have a clue about the real world. Her father is a congressman who uses her as a photo opportunity and her mother was a woman who had her own staff to manage her daily schedule. Mackenzie doesn't seem to realize that Preston and her parents are really controlling her like a child, until she meets Cooper. He brings out a wild side in her. That was fine. What wasn't was her childlike behavior and her incessant need to argue with him about everything. I don't know if I was supposed to find it cute, but it just grated on my nerves.
As what usually happens with you start a relationship based upon a lie, you always run the risk that the truth is going to come out. Heidi, Steph and Alana were all kind of juvenile and cliquish to the point that they were really likable. I had a hard time really relating to anyone in this book.
There were a lot of parental issues and it was kind of too much at points. Cooper and Evan had terrible parents. We get to meet their mom and it was horrible. She was a shallow user who really had no redeemable qualities. Mac's parents were controlling to the point of being abusive.
Although their story wasn't exactly my favorite by this author, I did find it to be somewhat entertaining. I liked Daisy and how she brought a nice touch to this story. I am always a sucker for a dog being rescued.
I was very disappointed there was no epilogue to this story. I felt like I worked really hard to get to the end and was left with nothing as their future goes.
I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.

This was my first Elle Kennedy book and as whole I really enjoyed it. Sometimes you need a drama and angst filled romance. Mac and Cooper had an undeniable connection and a ton of chemistry. I felt that it finished a little too suddenly. I was expecting one more showdown with Mac's parents or her ex, Preston, but she had those interactions off page. I would have loved to have seen more of her working on the hotel. I'm excited to read the next book in the Avalon series.

This was an entertaining read that I enjoyed. It is not unique or particularly interesting, but was still an enjoyable read.

For me this felt like a book I have read before. Even though i finished, it took me longer than usual. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and it just was flat. I was surprised as I usually like Elle's books. This was just flat.

A shockingly bad book from the usually reliable Elle Kennedy.

I've read a ton of Elle Kennedy's new adult college books, so I though I knew what to expect. Turns out, I didn't. Good Girl Complex didn't have a likable character to be found, a lack of chemistry between the two MCs (and morals...), and a plotline right out of a 80s/90s movie.

The male MC and his friends were judgey and horrible, and the female MC was just marginally better. Calling rich people "clones" and having the rich people all behave like 80s high school villains was eye-roll worthy. And a bet plot?? Come on, Elle Kennedy can do better.

I kept hoping that these characters would redeem themselves or that the book would become more entertaining, but nothing happened to improve my opinion of this story. It's worst offence was that it was boring, and that the characters just felt incredibly two-dimensional.

I was very disappointed by this story, and, frankly, I'm surprised Elle Kennedy even wrote it. I don't even know what else to say...

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you @netgalley for providing me with an eARC for review. This was a quick and fun NA story that reminded me a lot of the movie After. I am always a sucker for a bad boy who sets out to take revenge by stealing a girl - and then ends up falling hard.

LOVED IT. Bought a physical copy so I could read it again. I just loved Cooper. A+ banter and drama, too!

ENJOYED it so much!
Its been so long that I enjoyed a romance novel this much!
And probably the only YA that I have enjoyed.
Mac and Cooper are super and enjoyable.
Thank you Elle Kennedy for the funny dialogue. I miss witty and funny conversations!
I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series! "Bad Girl Reputation"
I have not read a novel that I enjoyed this much in months!

Elle Kennedy... I can't with you. EVERYTHING you write, immediately yes. Immediately 5 stars. I could not get enough of this book, and was depressed when I finished. BAD GIRL REPUTATION cannot come soon enough!

Ending was a bit rushed, but I was still pleasantly surprised. I loved the characters, and the story was okay. Would have liked the beginning, where they aren’t together yet to be longer, along with the ending.

Cute, sweet, simple story. Just want more!

4 stars!

This was a good read by one of my all time favorites, Elle Kennedy. Cute read with some depth, and I look forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes.

Will link full review when posted.

This was my first Elle Kennedy book and I liked it! It would be the perfect book to read on the beach this summer. A quick read with likable characters and an interesting plot. I can't wait to read more of Elle Kennedy's books!

The main character's journey was incredibly written. I loved the writing style and the unique sense of atmosphere created despite this book being a contemporary. I was hooked from start to finish!

I received an eARC of Good GIrl Complex by Elle Kennedy from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
4 stars! I heard this book had Outerbanks vibes, which that may be true but I thought it was more Gilmore Girls meets After. This was a great read! I absolutely love Elle Kennedy!

I have read many of Elle Kennedy’s sports romances and this one was different but in a very good way.
I love opposites attract romances but when you couple that with revenge and then meeting that unexpected someone that gives you those feelings that wipe away that need for revenge because you feel whole and something real for the first time...just wow!
I loved this friend group...they’ve known each other for years and have always had each other’s back. I loved the twin brother aspect and Uncle Levi ...that feeling of family and always being there for each other when your family has disappointed you. Even more so, I loved Mackenzie...a young strong businesswoman who goes after what she wants, can support her true passions and stand up to the parents that wanted to mold her to be something she never wanted. Always the good girl until she realizes that she doesn’t want to play it safe and be restricted and held back. She wants more and she wants to really live her life freely and with passion.
The journey for Connor and Mac has its ups and downs and even arguments along the way... but their feeling makes for each other, that undeniable love never wavered even when truths come out and hurt like a bitch.
I was emotional and I love that feeling when I read books and more importantly I was invested...so much so that I wish we could see what happens to side characters like Evan and Tate because everyone needs their HEA. For now I’ll be content imagining rocking chairs overlooking the water, a dog playing on the beach and the love between two opposites who came from totally different backgrounds who found each other and deserve all the happiness in the world.

I loved this book. Classic Elle Kennedy characters, great steam, a total joy to read. I can't wait for the next in the series!

I just finished Elle Kennedy's newest read, Good Girl Complex. I will say this book is unlike any other book Elle Kennedy has written. It was sweet, and quirky with a good amount of drama and tension. I loved every little bit of it. It's a perfect, quick and easy, beach read. I would easily compare it to a Christina Lauren novel as it has similar banter and romance aspects. I gave it a 3 star on goodreads because I felt like it could've been more. But I still loved what I read. Yes, I will recommend this title to friends and customers alike.