I am a huge fan of Elle Kennedy's so I was very happy to receive this advance copy from Net Galley. I read the first book in this series, Good Girl Complex, which I really enjoyed and was really looking forward to the next story in the series.

Ok, so I liked this book. I liked the back stories that came together at the end. I liked the smaller players in the book. I prefer a book where we get to see the growth of the character's relationship. I am not a huge fan of books that start after the characters have had a history and then don't revisit that history in any meaningful way. So that's what bugged me about this book. I also spent half of this book waiting for the characters to mature and be likeable. The flashbacks to their wild past made it hard to see where the author was going with their relationship as for a lot of the book was spent discussing their toxic relationship.

So overall, the book was a solid 3 stars, but the way the story played out was not my favorite way for an author to write a romance. I will however, always read new books from Elle Kennedy!

Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy is the second in the series and it is everything I needed. Genevieve West, former bad girl, returns home for her mom's funeral never intending on staying. The only girl with 5 brothers, Gen decides to stay to help her dad with his business. While home sparks fly with her ex-boyfriend, Evan Hartley. But, what are Evan's feelings towards Genevieve after she left town without warning months ago? Will Genevieve stick with her new good girl attitude, or will being home reignite the bad girl inside her?

I loved the interaction between Genevieve and Evan.

A bit steamy!

A quick read that flies by and kept a smile on my face the whole time.

I would definitely recommend Bad Girl Reputation to all, especially those who love romance reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

This series does not appear to be based on any reality that I’ve ever heard of, but I did enjoy this book more than the first. It’s both a second-chance love and a redemption story for both of the main characters, but reading about how truly awful the MCs used to be, I don’t think they were celebrated enough for changing their ways. Their teen years were filled with scary and self-destructive behaviors, and I think the author kind of made light of that. Honestly, both Gen and Evan should be in therapy. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Bad Girl Reputation is the second book in the Avalon Bay series and while I enjoyed Good Girl Complex, this one was definitely better, in my opinion.

Genevieve has returned home following the death of her mother. She left a year ago to find herself, but she also had other reasons that she hasn't shared with anyone. Coming back to her hometown has reminded her of all of the things she was running from when she left. One of the things she was running from most was her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Evan.

Evan was devastated when Gen left without a word and he's still hurt by it. He definitely hasn't moved on and now that she's back, they are back in one another's orbit again and he wants nothing more than to find a way for them to be together. Will he succeed in convincing Gen of that?

As I said at the outset, I enjoyed this book much more than the first in the series, but there were still times in this one I found it hard to read. Both Gen and Evan are immature, and while we saw growth from them, there were still times I found myself frustrated. They do have wild chemistry and a lot of history too. This was definitely an enjoyable read.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I have never read an Elle Kennedy book that I have not liked and Bad Girl Reputation is no different.

This book was about Gen and Evan who met when they were in middle school. They had a very toxic past of drinking, drugs, and getting in a lot of trouble together. One day, Gen decides to leave town to try and fix herself. When she comes back to town, and see's Evan the same feelings and temptations come up. Evan has always loved Gen but is very immature and doesn't have his life together. They both have to grow up to be better for themselves, in order for them to be good enough for each other. This was a story of second chance love and growing up.

There were many things I loved about this book. First were the different side character relationships. Although we didn't see a ton of it I liked the interaction between Gen and Mac and Gen and her dad. I also loved Riley and Evan's relationship they were exactly what each other needed. Seeing Cooper and Mac from the first book and the growing relationship between Evan and Copper was great. Also, I can't forget to mention the bird scene is hilarious!

There were a few things that I did not care for. One of those is that Evan and Gen's relationship was at types overly toxic. While it is meant to be they literally can't say no to each other, it is so intense and messy almost in a high school way. I am also never a fan when a character is dating two people at once, although all parties knew about it, I feel like it went on too long. There are also so many side characters, and brothers it got a little confusing. Despite all this, this was still a really good, solid four star book.

- Second Chance
- Small town
- Growing up
- Friends to lovers

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Elle, you mesmerize me.

The second installment of three in th Avalon Bay series brings readers back to our beloved breezy beach town to witness Genevieve and Evan navigate their way back together. Since finishing Good Girl Complex I have been dying to dive into the pages of BGR to explore Evan’s story.

Enter Genevieve, a newly reformed bad girl whose fierce spirit, courageous heart and story of resilience quickly made me her number one cheerleader; as soon as my spidey senses tingled with impending treachery I was shaking my kindle to wipe it away.

Elle perfectly captures the passion and intensity of young love and the tribulations of trying to step out of the shadows of your past. This story is more than just romance — though fear not, there are some steamy scenes — it is a perfect balance of cute and comical. Most significantly, the characters’ maturity really captivated me. Like so many readers, romance plots propelled by miscommunication IRK me to no end so I was elated to read characters who never shy away from expressing their feelings. Can I get a heck yeah for mature conflict resolution and honest, open communication?! 🙌🏻

The core of this book is rooted in personal growth, change and improvement however Elle expertly emphasizes the importance of changing for oneself and not for others. Gen and Evan grow individually and together with the help of some amazing side characters. Elle teases little breadcrumbs for what is sure to be an amazing third instalment…and maybe a love triangle? 👀

If you’re looking for a quick, light and late-in-the-season summer read that makes you smile, laugh and swoon while yearning for summer sun to burn a little longer, this is it.

i loved the writing elle kennedy really is a great writer but this story was not it. it's giving cw romance. i did not root for them at. all. Evan is trash and their chemistry was all physical (which i understand) but he was not redeeming for me in anyway.

Evan and Gen have a complicated history steeped in love and have you rooting for them to find their way back to each other as they come to terms with their own individual struggles. Bad Girl Reputation was an easy comfort read and a perfect follow up to Good Girl Complex. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC.

I liked this better than good girl complex up until the 3rd act breakup AT NINETY PERCENT. That was so damn unnecessary and tbh I really don’t know if I’m into reading any other Elle Kennedy books 😂 I did love gen as a the FMC. She had great character development and I really loved how she came to love herself through everything she had been through.

Bad Girl Reputation follows former bad girl Gen and local bad boy Evan. Gen moves back to her hometown to help out with her family's business, there she runs into her ex-boyfriend Evan. The two find that they're still drawn to each other, but Gen is determined to not go back down that road because she knows it'll end with her returning to her former bad girl self.

First time reading a book by Elle Kennedy, and I have to got to say, I really enjoyed it. I will for sure be reading more by her.

Her characters are all so awesome you can’t help but fall in love with them, and her writing style is amazing, which makes for an even better read.

I absolutely adored the relationship between Gen and Evan, and am looking forward to reading Good Girl Complex and diving into how Mac and Cooper came to be.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book as I read the 1st book in the series and I also enjoy reading Elle Kennedy's work. Like the 1st book, this book did not disappoint. It was a quick, easy, fun read.

We got a bit of a glimpse of Evan during the 1st book but book 2 is all about Evan and Genevieve (Gen). Gen returns back home to Avalon Bay after the death of her mom. She ran away from Avalon Bay a year ago in an attempt to focus, grow up, and overcome her bad girl rep. She also ran away from Evan, who is Cooper's twin brother. Evan and Gen have had an on-again, off-again relationship for years. Upon her return she is worried she'll go back to her bad girl ways as Evan and her always fed off each other so she tries to stay away.

This was a fun and enjoyable read with a friends to lovers trope. The characters are relatable and well developed. While I enjoyed seeing some of the familiar names from the 1st book as well, this can be read as a standalone.

This book wasn’t great for me. I liked the main characters, but I felt they were a little all over the place. The book was a bit too long and I felt brought in too many unnecessary characters.

I really appreciated the personal growth aspect of this book. I think it’s important when two people realize they need to be the best version of themselves before they can be in a healthy relationship. I didn’t love the two main characters (Evan and Gen) but that was really more a personal feeling, not that there was anything wrong with them specifically.

I will say, the repeated mention of Evan wearing “cargo pants” was a little puzzling as this book was written in 2022 and not the early 2000s. I literally don’t know a single adult male under the age of 60 who wears cargo pants but maybe it’s an Avalon Bay thing.

This was a solid romance. I don’t know that there was anything overly memorable about it but I enjoyed reading it.

I didn’t read book one, but this can be read as a standalone! I’m not sure what I expected from this book but half the book about immature kids was not what I was expecting or wanting to read. The second half made up for the first half and I liked seeing the growth but it did feel like that all happened too quickly.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Girl Reputation is book #2 in the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy. In Good Girl Complex, we met Evan Hartley. One half of the Hartley twins, the bad boy has recently had his heart broken by Genevieve, who recently left town without a word. In this book, Gen is back after being gone for a year, and Evan will do anything to get her back. But she’s changed, and she’s not sure Evan is ready to meet her where she is now.

The more I read from Elle Kennedy, the more I like! Im really enjoying the Avalon Bay series. I loved Cooper and Mac in book 1, and seeing their progression continue in this book. I also loved the chemistry between Evan and Gen. It seemed like they really had been meant to be ever since they were kids. The conflict and obstacles they faced seemed just right, between their own personal hurdles and the outside forces that tried to get in their way. I’m looking forward to the next book…maybe Alana and the love triangle between Wyatt and Tate?? 🤞🏻🤞🏻

This cover is A+

I didn't know that this was a second in a series, while I wish I would have known and read the first one before this, I think it is important to note that this stood alone really well.

However, I don't know that this works for me - I felt the "hijinx" too contrived and slapstick. If you liked the Finlay Donovan series, I think these would work well for you!

I tore through this book. I've seen Elle Kennedy's books around but had never read one so I was excited to try one out. While I could not relate to the characters very much -- I've never been a rule breaker -- I enjoyed watching their growth.

I appreciated the different relationships with their mothers -- reminding us that every mother-child relationship is different. Sometimes there is room for reconciliation and sometimes not.

I plan to go back and read book one in this series.

I didn't read the Good Girl Complex before this one, but this stands well on it's own. I didn't feel like I missed anything from the first book in order for this one to make sense.

This story did not start off well for me. Immediately I thought this was a toxic relationship. Gen has tried to change over the past year, but the death of her mother brings her home. Evan is determined to bring her back to her old ways. There isn't much character development for either of the main characters and the other characters are ok. She has changed and mainly just out to prove she is doing better and he still wants to keep the lifestyle. Their relationship was more about lust than love. At the end I was still thinking the match wasn't a great one.

I liked that it was dual POV and the author's writing style wasn't bad. The POV transition as smooth.

This story just personally wasn't for me, but I can see why so many readers enjoy this author.

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

I am a big fan of Elle Kennedy, but unfortunately, the Avalon Bay series fell short for me and Bad Girl Reputation was my least favorite. I had a hard time connecting to Genevieve and Evan as individuals or a couple. The hijinks felt a little to forced and exaggerated to occur naturally. I did enjoy getting sneak peaks at some of the returning characters and it feels like there's potential for more books about other characters. Even though this wasn't my favorite Elle Kennedy book, it won't stop me from purchasing future books from her; to include this series.