After reading and really enjoying Good Girl Complex, I was excited to read the sequel and get more of Avalon Bay. Bad Girl Reputation started really strong for me. I love a second chance romance and the angst between Evan and Genevieve was definitely there. I felt the pain that Genevieve was going through after losing her mom and having to end up back in the small town she was trying to get away from. Especially since everyone knew her and Evan as the local trouble makers.

But about halfway through the book, it started getting really repetitive and honestly - kind of boring. I wanted more chemistry from Evan and Gen and sadly wasn't really getting it. Not sure that this couple is one I'm rooting to get back together - they were pretty toxic towards one another.

I enjoyed this push and pull angsty adventure with Gen and Evan.. The tension was through the rough, definitely a fun read.

In Bad Girl Reputation we’re back in Avalon Bay, with the return of Genevieve, the town bad girl. She and Evan have a storied past, with her up and leaving with no notice.
Genevieve was such a relatable character. She is flawed, but wants to change and grow up. I loved the second chance romance in this book. Evan and Gen have so much chemistry and make it so easy to root for their relationship.
While this isn’t the most brilliant piece of literature, it was fun and easy to read.

Very much a turn off your brain and enjoy the ride type of book. Quick, easy, enjoyable. This series is my first taste of Elle's books (I KNOW) and my expectations are high. While I very much am enjoying Kennedy's writing itself, I'm still on the fence about the series itself. I do think this book (#2) was better than #1 and am hopeful and overly optimistic that they continue to get better.

I was very disappointed by this book. I am a huge Elle Kennedy fan. I loved her Off-Campus and Briar U series. I also loved her work with Sarina Bowen in Him. However, this book and series) is just not for me. The first book, Good Girl Complex was just an okay read. But I wanted to read Bad Girl Reputation since I love Kennedy's works so much. I was extremely let down by this book. The two MC's were VERY unlikeable, especially Evan. The two MC's were acting like high schoolers throughout the entire length of the book. It was very hard to read about them. The writing honestly reminded me a lot of the book Paper Princess by Erin Watt which is another book I strongly disliked and is an Elle Kennedy book under a pseudonym with another author. In the end, I don't think I will read another book in this series (if that happens?? kinda seemed like this was just a duology), but I will not give up on Elle Kennedy because her other series are very good.

I love Elle Kennedy's world-building. I love the Avalon Bay world. I really enjoyed this book. Genevieve and Evan's relationship began when they were teenagers and hasn't been the healthiest. They've gotten into a lot of trouble together and made some not-so-great decisions. Gen left over a year ago without a word to start over - grow up and get out of bad habits. When Gen's mother's funeral brings her back to Avalon Bay, the draw to Evan is hard to resist. Gen is ready to shed her bad-girl reputation. Evan is ready to get Gen back. Much to his dismay, Gen isn't falling for the same old tricks. She's dedicated to her mission of moving on and moving up. Evan knows he's going to have to step it up. At first, I didn't think I'd be a big fan of Evan but he grew on me throughout the book.
This had the potential to be a very toxic pairing but I loved how Kennedy approached this story and evolving personalities and growing up. This was a great second-chance romance with some spice.

I'm really enjoying this series and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Elle Kennedy for an ARC of this book!

Really enjoyed it! I’ve learned I’m an Elle Kennedy fan for sure and will be reading more of her books! I'm normally not a romance reader so thats really saying something!

“What happens when the party girl and the bad boy grow up?”

3.5 stars

The second book in the Avalon Bay series, this is a second-chance-romance between an adventure-seeking party-girl and her bad boy, both fighting hard to overhaul their bad reputations and start fresh… yet they can’t stay away from each other.

In the first book of this series, Good Girl Complex, we were introduced to Evan Hartley. He is the twin brother of Cooper (hero of the first book), and is a light-hearted player who lives his life to the fullest. There was also mention of Genevieve, his high school sweetheart, one true love, and the girl who got away when she suddenly left town a year earlier.

Genevieve lost herself to her partying. Always looking for excitement and the next rush, she was high on life, until she hit rock bottom. Shaken and devastated, she left town and didn’t look back, and she has worked hard to overhaul her life, stay away the party lifestyle, and start fresh. Her mother’s death brings her back to Avalon Bay, and though she only plans to be in town for a few days, her father needs her help, so she agrees to stay temporarily until things get sorted out.

From the moment that Evan and Gen see each other, we see their sizzling chemistry. There is so much history between them, so much passion and intensity, and there is still so much love. It’s hard to resist, especially when Evan makes it clear that he wants Gen back, but she is terrified of falling into old patterns of behaviour, and reigniting the toxic off-and-on that defined their relationship.

“You know we can’t stay away from each other … we spent our whole relationship trying. Doesn’t work.”

But their connection is incredible. Despite their twisted past, there is an ease to them together, they fall back towards each other, and it’s so natural. They know everything about each other, they care for each other deeply, and their passion for each other is so strong. But Gen’s reasons for not giving in are understandable. Evan also gets it, and he’s prepared to prove that he can also change, and it’s gorgeously entertaining watching him do just that.

"Right here, the two of us, is the only thing that’s ever made sense to me. And whatever she tells herself, I know she feels it too.
“Trust me, baby. Give us a chance to be good for each other. How am I ever going to convince you we can if you won’t try?”

There’s a lot of push and pull in their story, and I truly felt for both Evan and Genevieve. She is trying so hard to turn her life around and do the right thing, while Evan just wants his girl back. The pull between them irresistible, and we see just how on fire they are for each other, and how amazing they could be together.

"God, we were invincible together. Untouchable. With Evan, I was never bored a minute in my life."

"Sure, we’ve had our toxic moments, the fights, the reckless nights. But there were great times as well. Together, we’re fusion. Perfect energy."

It’s a heartfelt second-chance-romance, and there is some drama, and I was frustrated at some of Genevieve’s actions, but Evan’s determination and playfulness is a great balance which keeps the feeling of the book light and fun. And watching Evan so honestly, openly and earnestly fight for his girl is so, so gorgeous to see.

“There’s no version of this” – I gesture between us – “where we don’t get together, Fred. One way or another. I can tell you that for certain.”
“And to hell with the collateral damage.”
“Yes.” Without hesitation
“While it all burns around us.”
“I like it that way.” Because nothing else matters when she’s mine. Nothing. She’s everything and all of it.

There’s external dramas happening which they’re both also dealing with, and both of their families play a part in the story. Evan’s drama continues on from the last book, and there’s some great progression there. Gen’s family, in particular, are a great bunch, and I really loved seeing so much of them. There’s also a whole lot of drama in this group of friends - I haven’t wrapped my head around who everybody is and how they all intermingle, but there are stories there just begging to be told, and I’m keen to continue on with this series.

It all comes together really well, I enjoyed watching the story unfold, and I was so satisfied at the resolution, which happened just as I was hoping it would. I loved watching Evan and Genevieve figure out who they need to be, and find their way back to each other.

This is a fun read, with great chemistry, and I really enjoyed it.

3.5 stars.

I know for a fact that many people are going to absolutely love this book and devour it in a day. I also know that I am going to be in the minority of people who think it pales in comparison to good girl summer.

Things I liked about this book- Genevieve. I thought she was an incredibly compelling character who obviously recognized she had some faults and wanted to be a better person. I found her incredibly strong and likable. Things I did not like about this book- everyone trying to make Gen feel bad about wanting to be a better person. I don’t think she ever “lost her edge” because she decided to be sober, but the fact that everyone kept telling her that she “didn’t need to be boring” made me think that perhaps people in Avalon Bay have bad takes on sobriety.

Additionally Evan made me want to throw things. This is supposed to take place MONTHS after good girl summer and the way that Evan talks/thinks about Mac is absolutely wild to me. It was rude and did not match the way he felt about her nor the progress that they made in the first place. Also, there was one thing that he kept repeating to Gen, that he “couldn’t say no to [her],” but when she asked him to leave her alone or stop doing something… he completely ignored her. So it really just seemed like he could only not say no to Gen when it came to spicy scenes or things that he already wanted to do in the first place. I didn’t really love this character development for him…I don’t feel like he became a better person throughout the book- tbh. I will say, I liked the Big Brother storyline and thought that added some humanity to Evan.

Again, take all of this with a grain of salt because I know people are going to love the tropes and the relationship dynamics in this book. I know on booktok people are going to tell me that I am incredibly wrong for not liking this book. I just could not get past how unlikable Evan was and how much more I expected from him.

The Avalon Bay Series by @ellekennedy33

So… today we got the cover reveal for the third book in the series and I thought it was a great opportunity to post my review on Good Girl Complex and Bad Girl Reputation.

🪴🌞🌊🏄🍺🏨💫🐶

Good Girl Complex

-4⭐️
- OBX/ After vibes
- Daisy >>>
- Good girl/ bad boy
- Dating bet

Bad Girl Reputation

-5⭐️
-Back in town
-Doing better for each other
-Second chance romance
-Special secret spot
-Out October 4 👏🏻

#booktok #ellekennedybooks #avalonbay #bookstagram

I preface this by saying I love Elle Kennedy and will continue to pick up Elle Kennedy's book, so I hope you pick this one up.

This follows Gen, a bad girl turns a good girl who after having to back home has to face the reality of her life in her hometown and the love of her life, Evan.

This book fell flat for me. I wanted to love it because I love Elle Kennedy, but it just wasn't it for me.

Things I liked:
Gen's family really loved that her brothers and her dad seemed to really care for her and wanted to be there to protect her.
The love and fundamentally the friendship they had for each other was really sweet.

Things I did not like:
It felt very juvenile, they know that they are toxic to each other but yet can't stay away and make really bad excuses as to the fact.
I wish we could have seen more character development; their attempts at being better people were very superficial.
The big thing that is supposed to tear the couple apart wasn't that big of a deal and got resolved super fast.

I wanted more depth and romance from this book, which caused it to fall flat for me.

I would recommend this if you like:
second chance romance
quick and fast read
Dual POV

The Hartley twin brothers are their own species. In book 2, twin Evan gets his story with long lost love Genevieve (Gen). They’ve been on and off since high school. Their explosive together and she’s pushed the limits more than once with fighting, drugs, and behavior. When something makes her leave town for a year is when Book 1 “Good Girl Reputation” took place. With the passing of her mother she’s back in town and Evan will do anything to win her back…. but Gen will do anything to prove she’s changed and a good girl now.

This book has a few triggers but overall was well written. Still very much the “Outerbanks” vibe with the characters personas but liked seeing the story continue right after the last book.

DNF at 42%

Bad Girl Reputation is a small town, second chance, friends to lovers romance. With that being said, this book was not for me. The two main characters I just thought were so toxic together, and while yes they probably get better at the end, I just couldn't continue reading about them. Not to mention the male mc was kind of a jerk yet the female mc kept going back to him!

While I'm sure many people will like or even love this book, I did not like it. I am giving this 2 stars because I didn't necessarily hate it, and like I said maybe the characters get better in the end, but I wasn't willing to find out.

Thank you so much for NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've loved previous books from Elle Kennedy before, so I was very excited to read this. This had everything I usually love: ex's who can't stay apart from each other, second chance romance, and drama. I love how Elle Kennedy writes couples & romance, but I did not love this one. Gen & Evan were lacking in chemistry for me. I loved the idea of them being ex's, but when they tried to get back together it just didn't work for me. I liked them more as friends than lovers.

Even though this didn't work for me, I know I'll pick up more of her books in the future.

It amazes me how Elle Kennedy can suck me in to all her different worlds and I’m hooked so quick. I loved the first book in this series and was so excited to hear we were going to get Evan’s story and the backstory on his old flame who left town that we knew was friends with their whole gang. Gen had realized how toxic her wild ways and relationship with Evan were but she is instantly pulled back into their chemistry when she has to come back to town. Evan has to see that it’s time to grow up and stop being the reckless guy he has always been. Seeing their push and pull and the growth they must achieve to get their HEA was at times like a hurricane but in the end I really loved this one.

Genevieve and Evans are childhood sweethearts and now as adults, they still live and act a teenagers. Until one day Genevieve has a wake up call that prompts her to leave town and Evan. A year later the death of her mother brings back aa a new Gen, a mature Gen, and she is scared all her hard work of being an adult will be undone. I get the premises of the story line however I couldn’t get into it. At times Gen was annoying. I had to put to book down and come back to it.

So far, this is my favorite of the new series. I adored this second chance, best friends to lovers with some good ole teenage angst vibes in the mix. This series is a great guilty pleasure one where the story is easy to read and get lost in. The characters are just trying to find their way in the world and it’s nice to have a fun series to read with a beachside vibe and some fun characters.

The chemistry between Gen and Even is sooooo good! I loved the back and forth between them. In a lot of books, the on and off again gets old really quick, but this one didn’t get me annoyed like others do.

The romance was obviously the main plot but we also are dealing with some family issues on both sides and getting their internal struggles that they’re dealing with individually which I thought was a really great way to not just make the story all about the back and forth. It broke it up very nicely and gave each of the characters so much more depth.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was a great quick, cute, and slighty steamy read and I would definitely recommend to any fans of Elle Kennedy.

*Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

So far, this is my favorite of the new series. I adored this second chance, best friends to lovers with some good ole teenage angst vibes in the mix. This series is a great guilty pleasure one where the story is easy to read and get lost in. The characters are just trying to find their way in the world and it’s nice to have a fun series to read with a beachside vibe and some fun characters.

The chemistry between Gen and Even is sooooo good! I loved the back and forth between them. In a lot of books, the on and off again gets old really quick, but this one didn’t get me annoyed like others do.

The romance was obviously the main plot but we also are dealing with some family issues on both sides and getting their internal struggles that they’re dealing with individually which I thought was a really great way to not just make the story all about the back and forth. It broke it up very nicely and gave each of the characters so much more depth.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was a great quick, cute, and slighty steamy read and I would definitely recommend to any fans of Elle Kennedy.

*Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Small towns can be stifling and sometimes you have to leave to appreciate that maybe it wasn’t really stifling but close knit…that’s what Gen had to learn. She thought running away from her small town that she could outrun her past. The only problem when she finally returns home she realizes that the small town wasn’t her problem and neither was Evan.

Bad Girl Reputation has a bit of everything that I love in a story…small towns, first love, redemption and finding your place in the world.

I absolutely loved Cooper & Evan in this series. These brothers don’t always make the best decisions but they learn quick how to let their heart show them the way.

Fave quotes:
There’s nothing sexier than the way her blue eyes smile when she’s got mayhem on her mind.—-I love the way that Evan is so smitten with Gen😍

“Hey. Don’t look away like that. Everyone has baggage.” He comes to lean against the railing beside me. “We’ve all got a past. Things we’d rather people not judge us for. How can anyone grow if we only let them be who they were yesterday, right?”—-Harrison💕

“I just think it’d be a shame if you let growing up dull your edges. I’m all for whatever makes you happy,” he qualifies. “You don’t need to be drinking for me to enjoy your company—you’ve always been fun no matter what. Lately, though, it seems like the real Gen is slipping away. Becoming a muted version of the incredible, terrifying, vibrant woman you used to be.”—-love this! Grownups can have a bit of fun too 😉

Bad Girl Reputation
Elle Kennedy

Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
Recommended: Yes!

I really enjoyed this book following Good Girl Complex. While it doesn’t live up to the Off-Campus/Briar-U series (some of my fav books of all time), it’s still great in its own way. Definitely a great beach read and I look forward to purchasing this book when it is published!