Once again Elle Kennedy kills it with her newest novel. I’ve been a fan for a while and am so thankful to receive this galley in exchange for my honest review. She is just a fun author who has funny romance with some steam!

3.5 ⭐️

#SecondChance #ChildhoodFriends

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Elle Kennedy for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

TW: stalking, sexual assault

This is Gen and Evan’s story after the events of Good Girl Complex. I really liked how despite their history of being bad for each other, they worked together (but also separately) to grow into who they want to be. I wish there didn’t have to be a “love triangle” to really bring home the point that there were “good” and “bad” options to prove that there was change. I also didn’t like the use of sexual assault to move the plot forward (aka prompt Evan to get out of his head to support Gen). The support network Gen has was v wholesome though.

Overall, it felt like a good redemption story for both characters and was an easy read. Why are Outer Banks settings the perfect beach backdrop to whatever drama is happening?

Gen and Evan have the chemistry that every couple dreams of. The bad girl and the bad boy have been on and off since middle school, friends since elementary. Tough guys out in the world, but total vulnerable softies when they are together. They are fuel to eachother's fire and always manage to get themselves into reckless trouble. Is it time to grow up and move on or can they grow together? A great second-chance romance story. Elle Kennedy never disappoints.

This was a good beach read! Though there are heavier themes, overall it was a fun read. I’m a fan of the author with her off campus series, and I still prefer those, but I’m glad I got an arc of this!

This is the second installment of the Avalon Bay series, and this time around Cooper’s twin brother, Evan finds love with Genevieve.

I actually struggled a little bit with this one because I really didn’t like Evan. His character is a “bad boy” but I found him to be rude and a jerk. On the upside, he did show tremendous growth by the end.

Genevieve was a “bad girl” too when she was younger but she has no interest in being that girl anymore.

Their relationship was awkward. I felt like there was no chemistry and the banter that I enjoy in romances was lacking.

I actually enjoyed the first book in the series more, and I’m interested to see what’s to come in book three.

Such a good pool or beach read. I really enjoyed this one! Thank you for the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

This was a quick fun rom com! Although I did not read the first in the series I still really enjoyed it. I think the fact that it had POV chapters made it a very easy read. Overall it was super cute & I will be recommending to my romance loving friends.

Bad girl Reputation was an okay next installment. You get the same vibes as the first book. I'm not a huge fan of second chance romance but did enjoy watching the characters work on improving themselves. Overall I felt like our MCs were very immature most of the time.

When former bad girl Genevieve West returns home for her mother's funeral, she's prepared to keep her distance from her ex-boyfriend, Evan Hartley. Their history is rife with turbulence. And passion. A heck of a lot of passion... which she's trying desperately to forget. But it's impossible not to run into Evan in the small coastal town where the once ran wild. And the moment she sees her gorgeous ex again, it's clear to Gen that Evan is still as unruly, sexy, and irresistible as ever. This time around, however, she's resolved to walk a new path. No more partying. No more foolish mistakes. Her plan is to temporarily remain in town to help her father run his business, but the second he finds somebody else, she's out of there. Evan has other ideas. He knows they can be good together, but he just has to convince Genevieve of that, even if it means turning over a new leaf himself. But can a bad reputation ever truly be shed? Do second chances really work? Genevieve and Evan are about to find out. Bestselling author Elle Kennedy returns to Avalon Bay in this sexy second chance story about two exes who can't stay away from each other, Bad Girl Reputation.


I was hoping this series would be as good as some of her others but it’s not as good. Will I still read all of the books? Or course I will!

I was not a huge fan of Good Girl Complex, but I love everything else from Elle Kennedy so I figured I'd give the series another shot. This one was better than the first, but I'm hoping the third one improves even more. I'm not a fan of the second chance romance trope, but this one way okay. I liked the characters enough to keep going.

I won’t lie I struggled with this one. I usually love second chance romances, but I didn’t find myself immersed enough to connect with the characters.

I am a mood reader and it could be that I struggled to be in the mood for a story so heavily contingent on miscommunication.

If you really love small town romance, second chance, and don’t mind miscommunication, with NA characters then you may love this one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed going back to the Bay for Bad Girl Reputation!

I loved Evan and Gen’s story so so much and I thought the story flowed together well.

I laughed out loud quite a few times!

I will be posting a review for this on my instagram (Bookmarkedfavs) sometime this week!

I don’t want to get too negative on my thoughts of BAD GIRL REPUTATION (second in the Avalon Bay series) as its more a case of the author not meshing with my romance read likes and that’s alright. Not every author is for everyone. I feel this series is too full of miscommunication, toxicity, and unlikeable characters. Unfortunately, I won’t be continuing with this series.

I always enjoy Elle Kennedy’s writing. This definitely invites you in from the first page, It goes beyond the typical second chance romance and adds suspense and mystery with twists and turns!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC of this title. I enjoyed reading this title. Would recommend for my library.

So this book wasn't bad, and I can see why people love this series/author. But honestly I don't think I mesh with the authors writing style. It seems kind of immature and overall not my vibe. I did DNF this but what I read so far I will give 3 stars

Elle Kennedy never disappoints! Her writing is effortless, her characterizations makes one want to root for the characters both individually and as a couple, and I always fly through her books. I was so looking forward to this after Good Girl Complex, and it was just as good, if not better.

I loved Gen and Evan's story. The struggle to change and grow into better version of themselves was really compelling and handled well in this book.

A second chance at romance, reuniting with an ex, when Gen returns to her hometown for her mother's funeral and to help her dad run his business. She thinks she won't be staying long term but her ex may have other hopes and dreams. The story of Gen and Evan is like so many others...BUT Elle Kennedy always makes her own twists and turns and therefore truly makes it all her own! I love her work and I enjoyed reading this one.

Genevieve and Evan have explosive chemistry. They're fiery angsty and passionate. I did at times feel they were immature, but I suppose they are still quite young. You also can see the character growth throughout the story, which is always a appreciated and makes up for some of the immaturity.