Genevieve is back in town for her mother's funeral. She has tried to take control over her life and is avoiding her ex boyfriend Evan. But it seems hard to keep away from Evan and a lot seems to have changed in the year she was away. Will Gen be able to stay reformed? What about Evan?

I really enjoyed Good Girl Complex and was looking forward to reading Bad Girl Reputation. There were many things about this one that didn't sit right with me. Why is Genevieve the girl with a bad reputation, when Evan was equally painted with the same brush and did not have any image issues? Why did Gen have to date two guys at the same time? That really sucked. Gen was away for a year, in that period both Gen and Evan were reformed and responsible? Now for the things I liked! I loved their chemistry and attraction. I really liked Gen's family and how supportive Mac is. Evan was also pretty sweet so I don't know why the impression of a bad guy was portrayed!

Second chance romance at its best! We love messy characters around here, and Elle Kennedy does it beautifully! I love love love second chance childhood friends to lovers, and this one immediately drew me in!

Read if you love:
- dual POV
- coastal vibes
- second chance
- childhood friends to lovers
- TENSION

Unfortunately this book just didn’t do it for me. I’ve loved other book by Elle Kennedy and I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was surprised when this one fell so short. I didn’t feel myself rooting for Gen and Evan throughout the book and honestly didn’t understand why the kept saying they couldn’t be together. What was holding them back? It made them come across as immature and I didn’t feel like I was reading an adult romance book. I also didn’t understand how the whole ending with the cop was realistic at all! I REALLY wanted to love this one guys! I can see why others might so definitely still give it a try if you liked the first book.

This was a novel about second chances not only through the romance of Gen and Evan, but in second chances to better yourself, to be who you want to be and to believe in yourself enough to make those changes for your own good, and the good of others.

The characters of Gen and Evan are immature and don't always act rationally. but that didn't bother me because I could see their slow progression and character development.

Overall I enjoyed this story and series.

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book for an honest review.

First I would like to thank St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC of Bad Girl Reputation.

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this at 50%

One of the things I like about romance series is that when they move to a new couple each book you don't need to love the book before it in order to continue enjoying a series. I DNF'd Good Girl Complex because I didn't connect with either of the characters, and while I did enjoy the characters of Bad Girl Reputation more, at no point during either book was I routing for the main couple to be together. Not really a great way to feel while reading a romance. While these characters individually didn't irritate me as much as GGC the relationship is what I had a problem with. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good second chance romance. But by the 50% point of the book I shouldn't still be feeling that the relationship is toxic and not really worth saving. The point at which I DNF'd the book was when Evan was "reforming" himself to be a better guy for Gen. In theory this is great, but the way that it was written felt cheap, like Evan didn't really mean it and was only doing these "good deeds" so he could get back in Gen's pants.
Disappointed because I truly did enjoy Elle Kennedy's writing in The Deal and plan to continue with the Briar U series but I think this is the end of my time in Avalon Bay.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Considering I didn’t read Good Girl Complex, I went into this one knowing two things. One, I love Elle Kennedy’s writing/story telling. Two, I love second chance romance. Bad Girl Reputation is a second chance romance between two friends who can’t resist one another!

That chemistry between Genevieve and Evan was scalding hot. However, with physical chemistry, I also really love depth and I felt like that was the missing curve to an otherwise good ride.

Overall, this book was good. Can I recommend this book? Yes, but understand you may be wanting more from it and never get it.

I did not love the first book in the series, but I love Elle Kennedy, so I gave her a shot on this, the second book of the series, and boy am I glad I did! This book was so much better. I loved the main couple, but I also enjoyed reading more about the couple from book 1 making an appearance in this one. Evan and Genevieve are working hard to reform their bad reputations by being good together. I love that Gen is changing for herself, and not for Evan. I love that Evan supported Gen throughout her growth. Overall the book was filled with angst and heart and it was good to see the two characters grow up into responsible adults.

This was a quick, cute story about changing your path and building a stable life. I wish it was as easy as this book makes it seem! There is some good angst and spice and I really loved the small town setting. While a sequel to Good Girl Complex, I don’t think you need to read the first one before starting this. If I read this 10 years ago it would have resonated with me more but ultimately I’m over (new) adults acting like children which is what you get in this one.

PUB DAY REVIEW // BAD GIRL REPUTATION

🌟2/5
🌶️2.5/5

Genevieve West is a former bad girl. When she returns home for her mother’s funeral she’s adamant on making this a quick trip, then going back to life she has started to build in Charleston

Why you ask? Evan Hartley is Gen’s ex…they have crazy history together and an insane amount of passion in their past

It’s impossible to not run into Evan in their small costal town.

Evan is still untamable, sexy and irresistible - but Gen is determined to leave the past in the past

Gen is ready for a clean slate - no more partying, no more careless mistakes, no more Evan Hartley

But Evan knows they can be good together, but can second chances TRULY work?

_____

Well ya’ll: in the words of Randy Jackson “it’s a no from me dawg”

The beginning started out promising, and the spice factor was DEFINITELY hotter than in GGC

But the second half of this book turned into a dumpster fire…there wasn’t just one, but TWO irrelevant storylines that added NOTHING to the story!!!

This honestly didn’t feel like a romance novel - both Gen & Evan were VERY immature (and toxic for one another) their reasonings for why they couldn’t be in a relationship got extremely repetitive

The ending felt SO rushed and incredibly unrealistic, and epilogues are supposed to be cute and sweet and this one was 100% unnecessary and boring

With all that being said, I will not read the third book in this series

Thank you to @netgalley & @stmartinpress for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Elle Kennedy does it again. When Genevieve returns to town for her mother's funeral, she tries her best to stay away from her on again off again boyfriend Evan, knowing that if she runs into him again, that she will get caught up in his orbit. However, it is nearly impossible not to run into him in the small Avalon Bay town. Their story is full of passion, love, and even personal growth as they find their way back together. I loved reading and listening Gen and Evan's story, and loved even more that Evan was the one to "fall first' and try to get Gen back however he can.

If you’re into an old-lovers to enemies to lovers again, redemption romance, then this is right up your alley. 😈 Our lovers: Genevieve (Gen) and Evan. This couple has a LOT going on: the angst, the back-and-forth jabs at each other, so much push and pull, but also so much tenderness and care… they were truly a lovely, if not somewhat maddening, romance to read.

The book’s enemy, Rusty, a sh*tty Avalon Bay cop full of toxic masculinity, a drinking problem, and an eye that more than wanders from his marriage and family, was absolutely disgusting, and written so well. He read like a Nicholas Sparks novel villain. 👎🏻

This book had a lot of heart too. I really loved that Kennedy’s main love interest had their own personal growth battles to overcome in order to figure out how to overcome obstacles to love each other in a healthy way, and I think she wrote this beautifully. Overall, I enjoyed this read and I would recommend to friends!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press @stmartinspress and NetGalley @netgalley for this ARC of this book!

Genevieve left town, telling no one, a year ago when she felt her wild ways were getting to be out of control. Now, back in town for her emotionally-distant mother’s funeral, she can’t help but be drawn back to her childhood best friend and only love, Evan. Their chemistry is still off the charts, but will Gen abandon all progress she has made by falling back into old routines and old relationships? Evan has never stopped loving Gen and, even though he was deeply wounded by her disappearing act, he still can’t stay away.

If you love a small town, beachside romance, this series is for you (this is the second book, following Good Girl Complex). Most of the conflict is internal—in this case it’s Gen’s need to see that she can reintegrate with her friend group while also staying mostly sober and making good choices. These characters are in their early 20s and I have to think it’s a pretty common conflict in that time to be struggling with still being fun and young but also maturing enough to be an adult and have adult responsibilities and adult relationships. CW for neglectful parent, assault, and harassment by law enforcement. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC. Available today!

⭐⭐⭐
Bad Girl Reputation is all about forgiveness, second chances and learning how to trust and Love. I love a good second chance Romance where they learn how to better themselves as well as a couple. That is what true commitment is about. The only issue is that It was pretty slow at the start but by the middle you wanted Genevieve to stay in Avalon Bay.

Thanks @stmartinspress for this ARC!

Mesmo com a decepção em Good Girl Complex, decidi dar mais uma chance à série Avalon Bay com Bad Girl Reputation. Por sorte esse segundo livro conseguiu tirar o gosto amargo do primeiro.

Genevieve West foi embora de Avalon Bay de uma hora pra outra e agora está de volta por conta do enterro da mãe. Quando seu pai pede para que ela fique mais alguns meses para ajuda-lo no negócio da família, ela está decidida a cortar os maus hábitos de sua vida e manter distância de seu ex-namorado, mas Evan Hartley vai mostrar que eles podem ser bons juntos.

Genevieve é uma protagonista que me conquistou pela sua determinação e resiliência. Ela sabe que tem uma má reputação na cidade da Avalon Bay e uma experiência complicada envolvendo outras pessoas foi o necessário para que ela despertasse e percebesse que a vida é mais que encher a cara e sair aprontando por aí. Eu adorei e torci demais por ela justamente por ela se manter firme em sua vontade de mudar, não pelas outras pessoas, mas por ela; para mostrar que ela mais que uma arruaceira.

Evan foi um personagem que também teve um ótimo desenvolvimento no livro. De início, ele não entendi a atitude de Gen e foi necessárias algumas verdades jogadas na sua cara para ele também entender o quanto essa mudança era importante para ela. Gostei que ele foi persistente em mostrar que eles podem dar certos juntos e sem cair nos velhos hábitos ruins.

A história tem um bom ritmo constante sem muitas reviravoltas. Justamente por Gen e Evan já possuírem uma história, vemos agora os dois tentando se encaixar novamente na vida um do outro de forma saudável e responsável. E é nessa jornada que vão aprender, principalmente Gen, que não vai ser necessário se perder completamente .

Outro ponto que gostei é o foco da relação entre Evan e sua mãe. A mulher não deixou uma boa impressão no livro anterior e aqui vemos que também está tentando mudar.

Finalizei Bad Girl Reputation feliz de não ter desistido da série e na expectativa por The Summer Girl. Elle anunciou que os livros serão publicados aqui, mas ainda sem previsão.

Who's the bad influence?
Gen and Evan's relationship goes way back to when they were kids. They went from friends to way more and were inseparable until the day she up and left without any warning. Gone for a year to try and rebuild herself she's forced back home with news of her mother's death. Suddenly dropped in the unavoidable situation of seeing each other it's clear the chemistry is as strong as ever and that Evan never gave up on them. A struggle to reinvent herself comes with having to stay in town to help her dad's business while trying to resist all of Evan's moves to get back together. With a history of bad decisions and regrets it seems to be the challenge of a lifetime to see if they can work at being different.
While I root for her and want things with Evan to work out I really feel bad for the poor guy who's struggling with dealing with a family issue on top of constantly trying to reassure Gen they're worth the fight. For someone with a short fuse who liked to have fun he was the character that evolved the most while still keeping a level head and the patience of a saint.
Makes you understand that sometimes a bad person is just someone looking for a reason not to be.
Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this book and give my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5

I was super excited to have the opportunity to get an ARC of Bad Girl Reputation after reading Good Girl Complex earlier this summer.

Overall, this was just a decent read for me. There were elements that I really liked and other things that didn’t work so well. All in all, I enjoyed it, but it never fully sucked me in.

What I liked:
-Dual POV and Second Chance Romance (a recipe for me to LOVE a book)
-This book dives back into some storylines that’s I wish had more attention at the end of Good Girl Complex (like Mac’s hotel reno!)
-Bad Girl Reputation is all about personal growth and recreating yourself and I loved that you could see both the struggle and growth in each character
-Spice and banter (yes & please)

What I didn’t like:
-The cast of characters (friend group, Gen’s brothers) is too big and difficult to distinguish at times. Took me time and effort to remember them from the first book and keep them straight
-Cooper was really unlikeable in this book in my opinion, and while he was never my favorite before, I really wasn’t a fan of how he was portrayed here
-In the end, I honestly wasn’t swept away by the romance

You’ll love this book if:
-You also loved Good Girl Complex
-You’re looking for an easygoing romance read with good amounts of spice, banter, and personal development

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.

Posted 10/3/22 to Instagram (ashlie_overbooked) and Goodreads

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“We’ve all got a post. Things we’d rather people not judge us for. How can anyone grow if we only let them be who they were yesterday?”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review an early copy of Elle Kennedy’s newest book, ‘Bad Girl Reputation.’

This one was just okay. I didn’t hate it, and I definitely didn’t love it. I prefer the first book, ‘Good Girl Complex’ to this one for several reasons.

Was the story good? Yes. Was it problematic? Also yes.

Let me just get to it: Genevieve (Gen) and Evan have a very toxic relationship. It’s so toxic, that the charm of the ‘second chance romance’ is lost. While there was definitely chemistry between them, the way they were towards one another, and the ups and downs, were too much and very unhealthy. Not saying every relationship is perfect but, this one didn’t give me great vibes.

There was a lot of growth with both the main characters, almost making this book a 4-star read for me, however, the story was way too repetitive. I lost count of how many times Evan mentions that they are drawn to one another and Gen mentions how they were bad together and did stupid, reckless, stuff. We get the point already! But the blow pop story, super cute! And female empowerment at the end, when something happens.

“The best gift we give ourselves is respecting our needs first.”

It was interesting reading Evan’s POV because in the first book, where we follow his twin brother Cooper’s POV, Evan seems pretty sleezy. But when you read his POV in this one, he actually is a pretty decent guy who just has a lot of emotional baggage he needs to go to therapy to, to work through.

And my god. The steam in this one was HOT. The first book was tame on the steam, but this one multiplied it by 7. I know Kennedy is known for her steamy scenes (hello Off-Campus series), but damn. I mean the book starts off with some serious steam and it just continues to the point where it (almost) feels like a filler for space.

I would absolutely love to see more stories in this series following characters like Craig and Alana. Knowing Kennedy, I imagine we will see an announcement soon of their being more installments (hopefully).

“I’m my favorite self when I’m with him - and also my worst.”

T/W: verbal and emotional abuse, mention of sexual assault, parental death, grief, addiction

Rating: 3.5/5 ✨

Hey Alexa, play “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift 💗

After her mother passes away, Genevieve West is forced to return to Avalon Bay. No one knows why she left so abruptly. But now she’s back, she realizes that she has to deal with some unresolved business. Most of which involves her ex-boyfriend Evan Hartley. Gen is determined to keep Evan at bay, but Evan will stop at nothing to win her back. With a whole summer ahead, there’s bound to be something brewing between the two exes.

OKAY, Gen and Evan are probably one of the most toxic couples I’ve ever read about, but they sure are entertaining. While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I do love a good angsty romance and this delivered just what I was looking for. The jealousy game they were playing? I WAS EATING THAT SHIT UP and I felt it to my core. They’ve both gone through a lot and it’s clear that these two are meant for each other. Here’s why they work, both of them have similar pasts, the same personalities (wild and petty), a push-pull dynamic and can only be vulnerable to each other.

Self-development is hard, this book emphasizes that. With Gen, she realized that she’s no longer a wild teenager and actually has responsibilities in life. She changed her ways because she wanted more for herself than for her personality to revolve around partying. As for Evan, he initially did it to impress Gen but realized that it was time to grow up and make better choices.

☀️ What I liked ☀️

- ANGSTY
- The sexual tension throughout the whole book
- Steamy scenes 🔥 (yes you can feel the passion and chemistry)
- Gen’s character development 👏

What I disliked 👎
- Evan’s character is sleazy. Like how many times does Evan have to mention Gen’s rack?? (answer: one too many)
- Lots of side characters are mentioned and most of them don’t play a significant role in the story
- “It’s not you, it’s me” trope (just communicate your problems like adults)

Also, bonus points for this quote “When are you going to accept that I’d be happy watching paint dry with you?” HELLO HANNAH WELLS AND GARRETT GRAHAM ANYONE??

*Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bad Girl Reputation comes out on October 4th.*

3⭐
R for some 🌶️ scenes

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series so I was so excited to get my hands on the second book, but the sequel just did not work for me. The whole premise is that "Bad Girl" Gen is trying to reform her ways, which includes not getting back together with her ex-boyfriend Evan. And so what does Evan do? Fail to respect her boundaries or recognize how his actions affect people for about 80% of this book. It drove me up a wall.

Thank goodness Harrison (the "good guy" Gen tries to date who constantly his dates with Gen crashed by Evan) ended up with love by the end because he was the guy I actually liked! Gen was a lovely complex character and I enjoyed her character growth throughout the book, but Evan is on my "no, thank you" list. If you enjoy a second chance romance with a bad boy, maybe this will be for you but it was not for me.

4.8/5 stars
1.7/5 spice

- small town romance
- second chance romance
- childhood lovers
- light and easy read
- summer vibes
- dual pov
- Gen and Evan are such a great couple
- Evan is the superior twin

this is probably my favourite best second chance romance novels that i have ever read. i definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book. honestly, i prefer evan over cooper. it was still really nice to see glimpses of cooper and mac’s relationship through evan’s perspective. gen and mac’s friendship is also so wholesome and i loved seeing them become friends.

i love gen and evan’s relationship so much. their relationship and chemistry was written so well. it was really cute and sweet. really loved the childhood lovers aspect of this book because of the adorable inside jokes and nicknames. they also just know each other so well and they connect so personally. their banter is incredibly amusing and cute. furthermore, i really enjoyed the plot of this book and how gen and evan are both growing throughout the novel as well.

the character development for both of them was great to see and i loved how they also help each other be better. i absolutely adored evan in “good girl complex” and i just loved him even more in this book. he is so sweet in the ways that he tries to “woo” genevieve and also by being rylie’s big brother. i loved gen’s character so much!! she is just so charismatic and self assured it’s impossible not to fall in love with her. she definitely had a big character development and was able to change for the better.