2.5 stars. Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me. The couple was very immature with a lot of stupid, toxic drama. I didn't really like either one of them. I found it gross how much the hero, Evan, talked about every woman he saw sexually. It did not make me think he loved and only wanted Genevieve, even when he was supposedly turning over a new leaf to be more mature for her. I just couldn't see either of them as functioning adults with jobs. They were too irresponsible, partying with drinking and drugs, immature and unlikeable. The story was not bad and could have been better with more likeable characters. But this book was a chore to finish and did not work for me.

Another gem from Elle Kennedy. Bad Girl Reputation was such a heartfelt second chance romance that highlighted the ups and downs of finding redemption. Gen and Evan were amazing together. Their chemistry was on fire and I loved their banter. The growth that each character had—together and separately—was truly inspiring. The story is raw and full of painful emotions and experiences, but there is also so much joy by the end.

Genevieve West was a bad girl and a bad influence on Evan Hartley, so she left Avalon Bay a year ago. Now, she’s back for a family matter and forced to face what she left behind. Evan Hartley has been hung up on Gen since she left, and now they can’t seem to stay away from each other. But, are they good together or will their bad reputations force them apart? This second Avalon Bay novel is a predictable, but fun, second chance love story. Some of the characters are already developed from the previous book, so there’s more time to focus on the relationship. Gen and Evan both have some growing up to do, and while the storyline may not feel totally realistic, the journey they go on is entertaining to read.

In all honesty, I would give this book a 3.5 stars if I could (nearly four actually)! This gave me exactly what the cover depicts: campfire vibes. Genevieve and Evan had history, not all good in fact, and they made it repeat (yes, to those who say history doesn’t repeat itself that’s a lie) though in a way better this time around. They both went through their own trials through the book, especially family and their past doings, but they worked it out! I found that this was something somewhat new for me to read from Elle Kennedy which is good but I think a part of me felt that the wordings (the possible book quotes) used were a bit repetitive in the world of romance novels so it slightly turned me off.

It’s not Elle Kennedy’s very best in my opinion yet, all in all, pretty damn happy with the book and I’m so glad I was able to read it!! (Goodreads please make there be a 3.5 rating soon, this book deserves it at least).

This was a 3-3.5 star read for me. I love Elle Kennedy's books, but I usually either think they are amazing, or just okay, and this book fell into the second category. There were parts of the story that I really loved, and there were parts that I didn't. I love a dual POV book, but I feel like in this book, we didn't get to see Evan or Genevive's true growth because of the 2 POVs. Neither got enough time to shine as individuals. However, I love that the two did really grow together and how they introspected on their past selves to realize what they needed to have a healthy and happy lifestyle. I just wanted a bit more from them, especially Evan, on growing for themselves, not necessarily for their relationship. I would recommend this book to people who like Elle Kennedy's books, because I did enjoy it, but it just wasn't as much as I expected to.

Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange of an honest review.

Overall this book was exactly what I had expected from Elle Kennedy. Having read her previous books I wasn't surprised with this book. For fans of her previous work it will be a fun and enjoyable read. Personally I prefer more development in each character outside of the romance in order to really become involved with the connection between the couple. I feel that they fell prey to the standard archetypes of party girl and bad boy instead of being fleshed out and 3 dimensional. I will say that the chemistry was good. This book wasn't a miss for me, but it was pretty forgetful as far as college romances go.

LOVE. SO much love. This was such a fun read. I wish there had been a little bit more depth and a little more tension/conflict between the two MCs but I liked this one almost as much as I loved the first one. Can't wait for book three!

This one was cute. That’s how I will sum it up. I had not read any Elle Kennedy prior to this one but I have heard great things. This one was maybe not her best, so I will definitely try another from her!

I've gotten to chapter 5 in this book and it's taken multiple tries to get to this point. I don't think it's a bad book but may not be a book I can get through right now. I need something that will catch my attention faster and I'm finding this a bit slow.

Loved knowing Evan and Gen’s story as much as Cooper and Mac’s! Such a good read that definitely got me hooked. Loved getting glimpses of Coop and Mac as well. A great and easy book to read on a rainy or hot day.

honestly I found they both kind of sucked as people, even if there ended up being the necessary character development to get a decent finale. I wouldn't root for them in real life let alone a book.

I’m a fan of Elle Kennedy and I enjoyed this book. Her books are always fun quick reads and this one was no different. I enjoyed the main characters and their love story was fun.

Avalon Bay is the perfect small town setting and it just automatically draws you in. I enjoyed the characters, especially the side characters. I didn’t really like the trope of miscommunication.. we are all adults here. Overall it was a decent read.

I loved going back to these characters, their tumultuous past and relationship was mentioned in Good Girl Complex, and I was very intrigued to know what would happen with them, this was a fun read! Is it high brow literature? No. But I’m not here for the credit I’m here to have a good time and I did with this book.

4 Elle Kennedy Stars
* * * *
Oh, Elle Kennedy has done it again. Bad Girl Reputation is the second part of the Avalon Bay series. We get all the ways Ms. Kennedy puts together second chances and also all the swoon. insights to the complications, and a terrific HEA.

I love a second chance, "it's always been you" romance. in this cute beach town romance genevieve west is back in her home town of avalon bay after a year away. as a former bad girl, she's trying avoid her past and her on again off again ex-boyfriend evan hartley. worried that if she spends too much time with him she'll get caught up in their old ways. but the two can not stay away form each other. if you read good girl complex you got to see that evan has been waiting for gen to come home since she abruptly and mysteriously left. and he's on a mission to get her back. but first gen has to be convinced that evan has truly changed. if you like second chance romances this is for you! overall an easy fun read.

side note: I think gen and evan own the song "habits" by genevieve stokes.

thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.

Genevieve is back for her mother's funeral after leaving town a year ago without a word as to why. Her father convinces her to stay and help out in the family business. She's hoping to avoid her ex-boyfriend, Evan, but that proves to be difficult in such a small town. They never really got over each other, so they can't seem to stay away from each other now. Can this former bad girl turned good girl sway, Evan, to grow up too?

Rusty was the worst, most dreadful character ever. Harrison was so sweet and I felt bad that he was led on, but it seems like he might get his own happily ever after.

All in all, there were some frustrating moments between these two, but they had some good chemistry and banter.

“When are you going to accept that I’d be happy watching paint dry with you?”

Elle Kennedy 🤝 Boys obessed with their girlfriends and would watch paint dry with them

Genevieve and Evan were the on-again off-again high school couple. So when she’s back in town for her mom’s funeral, the question is whether they will be on or off.

Their chemistry is impossible to deny. This was a good second-chance romance with all the angst that you’d expect from a former high school relationship.

Also thank you netgalley for an arc of this book!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
- second chance romance
- golden retriever / black cat
- small beach town

This book was good and I loved Genevieve and Evan's banter!

This was a story about healing, personal growth and second chances. I love second chance romances and was excited to read this one. I foundyaelf crossing my fingers these two would be able to make it work and find their way to each other.

If you're a fan of Elle Kennedy because of her off campus series and we're expecting some of the same you should know these two series are not really similar in any way and this new series feels like it was written by a different author. It doesn't mean this series is bad, it's just different than her previous work and I think it should be approached as such.

Elle Kennedy's Bad Girl Reputation is a story of two people who love each other, but are terrible for each other. When Gen leaves town to get away from her reputation, she doesn't tell Evan, her on-again-off-again boyfriend of several years. She sees the damage they do to each other and decides that a clean break is the only way to approach it. Her mother's death brings her back to Avalon Bay where she must confront her past. This is the second in a series, though it stands alone. The characters' relationship is toxic and though they both demonstrate growth, they're immature and bland.