Elle Kennedy's books always make for a one sitting kind of read. This one was still as compelling but unfortunately the type of dynamic here just doesn't do it for me. By that I mean people who've brought out the worst in each other giving it another go. Regardless it's hard not to have a good time with this series, and I think loads of romance readers will love it.

3.5 stars ☆ surprisingly I enjoyed this book more than the first book. mostly because it's a second chance romance which is one of my fav tropes. The angst and tension between Gen and Evan were just amazing which is probably why I've connected with them more than Mac and Cooper. What I didn't like from this book was the miscommunication. Overall, it was such an easy read, will get you invested in the story since I finished this in a day and perfect for a summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC !!

What. A. Ride. Elle Kennedy is now an auto-buy author based solely on how well she crafted fallible and earnest characters in Bad Girl Reputation. The validation and healing it brings me to read about “reformed” “bad girls” trying to make better choices but not kill their spirit?! Unmatched.

The line that I’m still thinking about is “what happens when the party girl and the bad boy grow up?”

Any synopsis would give too much away, so you’ll just have to take my word for it—if you’ve ever loved a “bad girl,” we’re a “bad girl,” or want to see what it looks like to love yourself, undesirable parts and all, pick this up immediately!

Gen is back in town for her Mom’s funeral and to help her dad with the business. She doesn’t plan on being there long term and definitely doesn’t plan on reconciling with her ex, Evan. Instead of falling into her old ways, Gen decides to get her act together. Unfortunately, there’s some ghosts from her past that don’t want her to move on. Can she move past her old ways?

This story picked up soon after The good girl Complex. Genevieve West returns home for her mother’s funeral. She just wants to get in and get out. She is done with her wild past from this town and especially from her ex-boyfriend, Evan Hartley. The only problem is her dad needing her to stick around to help with the books for the business this is what her mother did. She has no choice to stick around and help and hopefully not let the past make her go back to her bad habits.

The only problem is her and Evan still have the same connection they always have he wants to prove to her they belong together and she's trying to grow up and says she can't keep doing the same old thing and he hasn't changed and grown up.

This book is about changing and growing up into the people we have always want to become. I did enjoy the 1st book a little more but this was a solid read and it was a quick fast paced book just like most of Elle Kennedys book.

If your a fan of Elle Kennedy in general you can't go wrong with this series.

Thank you NetGalley in exchange for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In this second chance romance, Genevieve West, former bad girl and rule breaker, returns home for her mother’s funeral. The small town of Avalon Bay means she’s bound to run until her ex-flame, Evan Hartley. The passion they had in high school was intense. But Genevieve has evolved from her party hard younger years.

In true Elle Kennedy fashion, this book is steamy! However I felt this book addressed deeper topics than traditional romance books - mental health, substance abuse, and non-traditional familial roles. I’m invested in the Avalon Bay series and really enjoy these characters. Can’t wait to see where the series leads!

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy this author and will read everything she writes. This series is a good summer series in a college town. This book will be easier for me to sell int the summer as a light read to customers..

This book was such a mess. I wanted to like it, but it was just toxic yuck. It got a little better towards the end, but not enough to redeem itself.

This was tragic. Between the scenarios that they discussed which would never happen (I was a rebellious high schooler once too but Jesus) to the plot that seemed so thin that it bordered on nonexistent. This is another book by Elle that just turns me off entirely. I’ve read the chase and hated it. I read the deal and loved it, but I fear it may have been an outlier. I’m not sure how else to put it, but if this is on your tbr, just skip it.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

I was so excited about this one because I loved Good Girl
Complex. This one was just slow half way through and I couldn't connect with the characters unfortunately. This is about second chances and more character growth and family, not much spice at all in this one. I did still enjoy reading this slow banter, of two high school sweethearts that had a falling out since Gen moved without saying goodbye. I liked how Gen confronted her past to work on herself but I didn't see much character growth as I thought I would. But they still definitely changed for the best. For each other, for themselves. It's safe to say Evan would do anything for Gen and their connection was definitely intense. Evan just walking into a room they can feel each other being there. The trying to stay away but you can't. Were they toxic? Yes, but I loved how Evan worked on himself to be better for her. You can see how much he cared about her. And I thought it was really sweet, since Gen was really working hard on herself and didn't need anything to get in the way of that. Evan was definitely determined to be by her side no matter what. I think if I went in knowing it wasn't so much romance but growth then would have enjoyed it differently. It was just too high school for me. The ending was sweet and still wanted them to have their happy ending.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an ARC from Netgalley for this book and went in completely blind. I've read quite of few of Elle Kennedy's books so I had certain expectations. At first, the book was a little "childish" I guess would be my way to describe the characters. Lovers since high-school, on and off relationship, toxic...

As the story grew so did the characters and with that I started falling in love with them. Gen's character grew so much throughout the book it was really nice to read of her self discovery. Evan was not it for me in the beginning. He was just the jealous toxic ex that you wanted to punch in the face but omg I ended up loving him by the end. His growth throughout the book was my favorite. He was so supportive of Gen's way of growing, the growth in his relationship with his mother was beautiful.

I'm really happy how all the relationships and friendships tied in at the end of the book. It was truly beautiful.

I didn’t know if I’d love this book as much as I loved the last. But alas, I was pleasantly surprised with a similar type of writing I have come to enjoy.

I’ve heard great things about Elle Kennedy, so I decided to finally give her a try. This was super cute, and I have already picked up my next title by this author. Characters were relatable enough to keep me interested, with a little spice thrown in throughout.

What the heck toxic mess was this? I was not a fan at all. The second half became a bit redeeming at the two protagonists get their crap together, but overall their relationship was just odd. I get that leaving a city and coming back after a time will showcase complications with the relationships of the people you left behind, but holy hell. The only thing I enjoyed about this story was their steam. This is all!

I throughly enjoyed this novel. In fact, it’s one of the few lately that has held my attention throughout the entire story. While I could see a few things coming, I never felt like rushing though it. I would definitely recommend it to friends.

We go back to Avalon Bay to get Evan, Cooper's twin and Gen's story this time. Gen has always been considered a bad girl by the town but when some unforeseen circumstances run her out of town, she moves to Charleston and decides to clean up her act. Now she back in Avalon Bay for her mother's funeral. Since she wasn't in town, no one told her how serious her mother's illness was until the week right before she passed. She never has a strong relationship with her mother but it still all came as a shock. While every one is at her house after the funeral, Evan and Cooper show up and Evan attempts to rekindle their relationship but Gen admits that it was a mistake and that she's changed. In a series of back and forths, Evan realizes what he needs to do to win Gen back and in the run gets something good out of it for himself. He works out his messy relationship with his mother and takes on mentoring Riley, his "little brother". Eventually he breaks up with Gen realizing that she deserves better but ends up going back realizing that they work best together. They end up getting engaged and even manage to set up Riley's aunt with the guy Gen had been dating to try to get over Evan. It was an intense read as it touched upon sexual assault and corruption of a sense, otherwise it was a fun read.

As an Elle Kennedy fan, I hate to say it but this one didn't quite work for me. I'm sure I'm in the minority here. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Good Girl Complex, and was excited to get to know Ethan more as well as his ex.

However, I couldn't help but feel that Ethan and Genevieve were a little too toxic for me. They had sweet moments here and there, but most of the time it was too much back and fourth and fighting. I honestly thought that Ethan deserved better than Gen. I didn't care for her character much.

I will read the next book in the series, and fingers crossed it is better than this one!

Okay so I went into this one blind. I have not read Good Girl Complex but this story was about Cooper's twin brother Evan and his ex Genevieve.

Gen left Avalon Bay a year ago to make a change. She was the party girl and she always had her best friend, partner in crime, and on again off again boyfriend Evan Hartley by her side. She is no longer the bad girl that everyone remembers. Upon returning home for her mother's funeral, Gen runs into Evan although she really wants to steer clear as much as she can.

I really liked this one for the most part. I thought Genevieve was great to change her image and to grow up but I did not like the way that she handled leaving town or how she treated Evan and her friends by disappearing. I loved how close Gen and Evan were and just their relationship in general. I like that it was a friends to lovers situation, One of my favorite tropes.

I have read Elle Kennedy before and although I didn’t read “Good Girl Complex”, I didn’t really think it was necessary.

I honestly did not want to get through this story and the only reason I did not DNF was because I had hope maybe something would change.

It just was not for me unfortunately. I do want to give “Good Girl Complex” a try as I did buy a physical copy and maybe I’ll reread this book another time to see if my opinion changes.

This was my first Elle Kennedy read, I did not read 'Good Girl Reputation' but did not feel like it was necessary to understanding the dynamics in the cast in the sequel. This read a little unmatured compared to books I have been reading lately, perfect for a college age reader. The pacing was a bit slow for me, I was tempted to stop reading or even DNF a few times.

The cover is beautiful, love the vibes, unfortunately, I do not think I will continue with this series.