I loved this book! It had all my favorite aspects: small-town setting, second-chance romance, and self-exploration and discovery. I really enjoyed the journey of both Evan and Gen throughout this book. I loved the dual POV as well! This read YA for me but I also felt the angst and push and pull of the two main characters (plus the spice!!!) was still enjoyable for an older audience. By the end, my stomach was in knots and I was screaming in my head at Evan and Gen to just get it together and realize the best chance they have at turning their lives around is by navigating it together. This was a 4 star read for me and Elle Kennedy is a new favorite author for me! Thank you so much for the eARC and the opportunity to read this book!

The perfect 𝕤𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 to add to your list to read this Fall❤️‍🔥

How do you keep away from the one person who sets your body and soul on fire?! Evan’s answer…you don’t🥵 Gen and Evan have so much history and passion together. All he wants is for Gen to give them a real shot at a relationship this time even if that means he has to change his bad boy ways. Gen left him and took a part of his heart with her & she’s determined to stay the good girl course.

I didn’t think I would like Evan & TBH he is a little jerk in the beginning of the book, but this man loves Gen so much & he’s determined to win her back for good. I loved his relationship with Riley, and how he helped Riley get his confidence. Gen is such a strong woman, confident & head strong. She realized she didn’t have to lose her whole self to stay this strong, new person. Was their relationship toxic? YES, but once they realized that their connection was always more than the adrenaline rush they got from each other, it was a soul deep love….it’s game over❤️

Im a sucker for a man head over heels in love & watching Evan and Gen’s relationship grow was SWOON worthy…they are like dynamite together🔥🥵

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martins Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I love every book I read by Elle Kennedy & can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Bad Girl Reputation
Elle Kennedy
4.4 stars

I love my girl Elle Kennedy and so when I received the ARC of her new up and coming book Bad Girl Reputation I was over the moon! Now, I will say I went in not loving the prequel, Good Girl Complex, I think I ended up rating it a 3.75 or something like that, but Oh My Lanta! Kennedy did Evan and Gen good. Like Real Good.

I loved the main couple and all their trial and afflictions they had to endure. This book is the story of Evan and Genevieve’s second go at a happily ever after and while fighting for that fairy tale ending we watch them struggle with their toxic back and forth past, their insecurities, flaws, and family hardships. In the beginning it was difficult for me to cheer them on. They both knew they were poisonous for each other and yet their undeniable chemistry made it impossible for them to walk away. By the end of the book however, I was 100% on board. Kennedy delivers a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness, self-growth, and unconditional love that you won’t want to miss out on. If you haven’t already, GO Pre-Order this one. Release date is this October.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of Bad Girl Reputation.

This is the second in a series and I haven’t read the first. It was set up with some context to be a standalone but I still found myself in the dark at points.

The chemistry between Gen and Evan was hot and steamy. The dynamic was so toxic and immature at times that I just couldn’t get invested in them.

I think this a case of me reading something a little too young for me and not necessarily the fault of the book or author.

Bad Girl Reputation was definitely better than it’s predecessor, but it is unfortunately not good enough to grant more than 3 stars.

As always, Elle Kennedy writes in a way that is addicting and very readable. Her two lead characters, Evan and Gen, are good characters for the most part, but what makes them the most compelling is the relationships they share with their own families. They also have very well written chemistry which is important for a romance novel.

I think the character development was the main focus of the story and that was done well. Also as expected there is some smut in this novel which I never find to be problem in Elle Kennedy’s books and Bad Girl Reputation was no different.

My main qualms with this book are mostly the same as I’ve had with other Elle Kennedy books: the portrayal of women, especially the woman outside of the main character circle. I find that the women are often shown or described to be needy, selfish, and a bit dumb. There is nothing wrong with a flawed character; the main issue is that this is a repeated stereotype that plays out in Kennedy’s books which I find to be annoying. Often this character is in the book for a single scene or a very minor character but it still is something that I don’t like about these books.

I would say my overall issue with the story itself is the characters and story lacked the charm that I’m looking for when reading a romance novel. I think it’s a perfectly fine book when looking for something easy, fun, and smutty to read, but it won’t be going on my favorites list this year.

i can't believe i'm actually saying this but... i actually really liked this. i came in with low expectations as the first one wasn't my cup of tea but i'm here to say that this book is worth it. this is a 1000x better than the first book.

THE CHARACTERS. i loved the characters. the two of them were meant to be together and were definitely cut from the same cloth. i loved seeing how they grew as individuals throughout the novel. but they also grew as a couple. this line in particular resonated with me: "we've grown as a couple. but i'm hoping we can grow a little more." i think that quote REALLY encompasses them. they went from toxic but passionate to healthy AND passionate, which truly is what i wanted to see from this particular second chance romance.

their individual growth was also great. both characters took the initiative to better themselves and seeing them on that journey in the book was so rewarding. i think people could really find a lesson in this. gen & evan knew that they needed to work on themselves AND THEY DID IT. not for each other. not for their friends. not for their family. for themselves.

i also love love the family plot lines in this series. and evan taking riley under his wing. those subplots really added to gen & evan's story and made the novel even more enjoyable.

definitely pick this up if you love: second-chance romance, character growth, and fun summer vibes with cute little family moments.

p.s. i hope we get more stories from this world!!! i actually like the characters and i see a lot of potential in some of the side characters, though cooper has yet to grow on me

This was a second-chance romance between childhood best friends/high school sweethearts.

This was an easy read and definitely better than the Good Girl Complex; however, parts of this book felt flat.

There wasn’t much character development that you actually observed while reading. And though there’s supposed to be some underlining chemistry between the MCs that make them perfect for each other, it just comes across as physical and temporary.

Many elements are mentioned in this book including family drama, substance abuse and sexual assault, but we don’t dig into these topics with real depth, so it felt like missed opportunities for character development.

I think if you’re already interested in the characters from Avalon Bay, this could be a fun read, but I’ll be hoping for more in future books.

I like Elle Kennedy and I quite enjoyed the first book in this series so I was really excited to receive an advance copy. To start, I want to say that I liked Gen and Evan a lot. Their relationship arc was fun and I have a soft spot for childhood friends to lovers. But for some reason, this book didn’t hit the next level for me like Good Girl Complex did. Especially after the way Gen and Evan's relationship had been teased in the first book, I was expecting more volatility around her return. Instead, how she had left everyone behind and why was more or less skated over, any tension plot-wise was related more to her and Evan's relationship issues than anything else. Even though there certainly were bigger picture issues at play just like in Good Girl Complex, the stakes just didn’t feel quite as high somehow so I was less invested in it over all. That being said, Elle Kennedy knows how to write new adult friend groups like nobody’s business so it was a fun read that has me hoping she’ll write another Avalon Bay book (I for one really want to see how Alana’s love triangle plays out).

I just didn’t connect with the characters in this book. There are some spicy scenes though and that was certainly this books redeeming quality for me

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press for the advanced reading copy of Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy.

This is the second book in the Avalon Bay series. I was fortunate enough to be given an advanced reading copy of both books in this duology.

Bad Girl Reputation is a second chance romance/friends to lovers romance. It follows two perspectives. The first perspective being Genevieve (who is briefly mentioned in the first book as the bad girl ex to Cooper’s brother, Evan). Genevieve and Evan have had a past relationship filled with plenty of faults and lots of passion leaving Gen to try to restrain herself from running into Evan in their small town.

The second perspective is local bad boy, Evan (twin brother to Copper, from the first book). Evan has been pining for Genevieve since the first book. He wants nothing more than to get back on her good side even if that means changing himself.

I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series, The Good Girl Complex (I rated it 5 stars). It is a dual perspective romance novel. The first perspective is Mackenzie (Mack). Mackenzie has her life planned out. Graduate from Garnet, marry her rich boyfriend Preston, be a doting wife and mother, and join her mothers charity organizations. She is a self proclaimed good girl always wanting to please her rich parents and even wealthier boyfriend/boyfriends parents. That is until the night she meets bad boy “townie” Cooper who makes her think maybe there is more to life.

The second perspective is local bad boy, Cooper. Cooper hates “clones” and when one gets him fired at the start of the novel he seeks revenge by stealing his girlfriend.

If you are a fan of Elle Kennedy’s previous work, especially her Off-Campus Series, this one is for you!

Elle Kennedy does it again! I absolutely adore second chance romance and Bad Girl Reputation stole my heart from the very beginning! After a lifetime of too many questionable choices, Genevieve West is determined to start over. But when the death of her mother brings her back to her hometown, staying far away from her former life—and her first love, Evan—has proven to be much harder than she anticipated.

I truly couldn’t get though of this book! Witty banter, delicious spice, and a beautiful love story made this second chance romance a favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy Genevieve and Evan as much as I did!💜

Thank you #NetGalley for this book!🤩

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this advanced copy. This is the second book in the Avalon Bay series. I previously read the first book in the series, Good Girl Complex and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read the second book in the series.
This book follows Genevieve who has returned home for her mother's funeral and stays to help out her father. While in town she tries to keep her distance from her ex-boyfriend, Evan as they have a history of getting into trouble together. She is determined to straighten out her life and she doesn't see how she can do that with Evan by her side. But how does she stay away from the boy she loved especially when he is trying to do all he can to prove they are meant to be.

I really enjoyed this story. I think it is a perfect book to pick up with you was to relax, turn off your brain and just enjoy a steamy messy romance. I know some people will pick apart these characters and their lack of maturity, but I enjoyed seeing their development and chemistry.

If you are looking for a fun, steamy, romance with some characters trying to overcome their past, this will be a great book and series to pick up.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I’ve been in a stuck in a bit of a rom-com hole lately, reading so many and not finding many of them that satisfying. THIS ONE, however, broke that streak! It was the perfect story with the right amounts of yearning, of sex, of backstory, of storyline. I’ve read several books from Elle Kennedy before and I think this one is my favorite so far!

I have a soft spot in my heart for Elle Kennedy's books - I loved the Off Campus series and The Deal remains one of my top 10 in romance. The blurb for Bad Girl Reputation drew me in, but the book itself didn't live up to that promise for me. I was underwhelmed and also didn't think Genevieve and Evan should be together - he was so toxic and I just could not support their relationship.

After one impulsive night too many, town wild child Gen fled Avalon Bay without a word, hoping to reinvent herself... until she is dragged home again, to face her sins and her lifelong partner-in-crime, whose heart she broke by leaving.

Verdict: a followup that outdoes the first book, with scarred, flawed leads worth rooting for

It seems to me, an observer of the romance world, as though it is near impossible to write a flawed heroine without bringing down the wrath of the Goodreads horde.

Frankly, I think that's disappointing.

I have read the same romance heroine over and over. I could describe her in my sleep. Down to earth, casually funny, pretty without making too concerted an effort, perhaps a bit sheltered or dorky, beloved by any dogs involved, with a serious weakness for some favorite food, into books and coffee and old eccentric neighbors. Perhaps intimidated by the cool sexy girls she expects her leading man to be interested in, and generally not one of them. She mirrors the target audience, in an idealized way.

Gen is not that heroine, and this is not that love story.

And you know what? I think that she and Evan are more interesting than the normal romance novel fodder because they are more flawed. And their relationship is more interesting, too. I found myself rooting for them despite their alleged history of "bad" behavior, because they're fundamentally very lovable and very loving characters, who learn and grow and do dumb stuff and find thrills and pitfalls in their own impulses.

If I had to pick one thing to criticize, it might be that the push toward "reforming" themselves and each other was so strong that I almost didn't understand why they were driving toward it or how either of them had defined becoming "good." I liked them as they were already; they were fun. And overhauling your personality to get with someone seems like a bad idea anyway. The story could easily have cut out some of this; the motives and end goals for changing themselves throughout were murky.

All in all, I'm glad for the chance to revisit our beachside town and our hot Hartley twins. Elle Kennedy doesn't miss.

And I love when her heroines have enough personality to pop off the page. My favorite is probably Summer from The Chase, and she and Fitz are likewise all the better complements for each other because of their individual flaws.

This is the ARC I have been most excited about so far this year. Thank you to Elle Kennedy and St. Martin's Press!

TLDR: Two headstrong leads with tons of personality and a rich history bring even more heart than his twin brother's story did.

Bad Girl Reputation allowed the best of Gen and Evan to come through, as they were actively working to better themselves. I didn’t think the two books would be similar, but I honestly love the direction Bad Girl Reputation went in. Some heavy themes were brought up through the book, but I feel that they were handled well. They weren’t brushed off and put away, but dealt with in such a real way.

I loved Gen and Evan together, but I also
loved their individual stories, and the appearances from characters from Good Girl Complex. It allowed for both characters to show who they are and that made their story together all the better in my opinion.

I loved this one from Elle Kennedy. She does a great job of making books compelling and make the reader keep coming back for more!

I was SO excited to receive the ARC of Bad Girl Reputation. Good Girl Complex was one of my favorite reads in February so I was so excited to jump back into Avalon Bay. It was a perfect read for summer and I loved every minute of it. This book was fun and angsty but also talked about important topics. I flew through this and can't wait to continue to learn more about the characters of Avalon Bay!

Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
320 Pages
Genre: Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this second chance romance between Genieve (Gen) and Evan. This is the second book in the series, first was Good Girl Complex, with Cooper (Evans brother) and Mackenzie. Gen and Evan are the on again off again always into trouble couple. They are hot and heavy and love a thrill. I loved their chemistry in this book and wasn’t expecting all that steam 🥵

They grew up together and understand each other more than anyone. They both had a tougher life than most and not the most reliable mothers. But Gen is ready to grow up and start a new life. Can Evan get on board and end his partying ways?

I really loved this book and was a little surprised as the first book was a bit slower than this one. This had a good steamy romance, good back story and made me laugh quite a bit. Evan would definitely make a good book boyfriend!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite author's, this series is definitely a nice summer series for me. It is similar to outerbanks to me, but add in more romance minus the treasure and all that. This series is more messy in the way that the relationships are portrayed. I think that the characters in this specific book have a lot to work through in order to actually be together.

Bad Girl Reputation is about Genevieve and Evan and their second chance at romance since Gene left town and never turned back. But once Gene's mom passes away, she comes back into town and swept back into Evan's orbit. Their story involved a lot of back and forth and different issues that could've been solved easier. But I personally think that's how most relationships go at this age when people aren't emotionally ready for a relationship. Second chance romance is one of my favourites due to all of the memories and emotions put into the story.

This is a great read if you need something lighter and summery <3