⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am completely hooked on the Avalon Bay stories! I love how each book focuses on a different set of familiar characters, and I already can’t wait for the next one to come out. This book focuses on Gen and Evan, and the growth out of these two was so fun to experience. Special thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book!

I read Good Girl Complex early this summer and was so excited to see there was a sequel coming out. When I got approved for the ARC review, I couldn’t wait to sink in.

“The best gift we give ourselves is respecting our needs first. Because no one else will.”

Bad Girl Reputation is everything you want in a second chance romance. Evan and Genevieve have so much history and watching them sort it all out through each point of view gives such a complete picture of their relationship. For me, this outshines book one, I think Evan is a much more lovable character. He’s fun, sweet, and loyal to a fault. Gen is edgy, determined, and I really enjoyed her being portrayed so strong and resilient. I love that even though for much of the book they view themselves as toxic both individually and when they’re together, they still look for ways to improve who they are without completely changing what makes them so likable. I also enjoyed that even though their relationship was a main focus, you were still reading about the struggles and successes in their other relationships as well. Specifically their childhood traumas and relationships with their mothers.

I would absolutely recommend this book, there is some spice, and even though I definitely thought there could be more just based off their intense chemistry together, I was still drawn to everything that was happening between them and really enjoyed the read.

My first Elle Kennedy book and I have no clue why I’ve never read one before. This book was great, the love story and the growth between the two main characters was phenomenal.

Bad Girl Reputation follows former bad girl Genevieve West as she returns to Avalon Bay after the death of her mother. Gen has done everything in her years away to reform her ways and is determined to stay away from her ex-boyfriend Evan. That is definitely easier said than done, especially since Evan is fairly certain that Gen is the one for him, and her repeated rejections only serve as motivation for him to win her over. At the beginning of the novel, it is so obvious that Gen and Evan are better off separate, but the amount of growth that they display both individually and in their relationships with their families, friends, and each other is so beautifully written that I couldn’t help but end up rooting for them. I loved every moment of it, and was a bit sad when it was over.

3.5 stars for this one. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I love Elle Kennedy, the Off Campus series is one of my favs with Garrett Graham being a top tier book boyfriend to me. While I did like these two books less than the Briar University world, I did still have fun reading them.

The location of the book and the small town vibes was one of my favorite aspects. It felt very reminiscent of Outer Banks and I found myself being able to picture what Elle was describing as if I was there with the characters.

It was enjoyable and I found myself laughing, heart clenching and rooting for the characters to be together. I love a good second chance romance and this whole childhood best friends to lovers to exes back to lovers was very emotional. "So of course, just when I've almost got her out of my system, she's back. A fresh, unfiltered shot straight into my bloodstream when I was damn near clean."

We have Genevieve (Gen) and Cooper, childhood best friends who become lovers but Gen up and leaves Avalon Bay but returns following her mother's death.

I liked Gen and Cooper individually and how they focused on their individual growth so they could grow together. I loved how they already knew each other. "He walks into a room and my body notices him before I do. It's a disturbance of static in the air that dances across my skin."

The emotions this book brought out between Cooper and Gen were my favorite. I could be a masochist because I enjoy the pain before my HEA.

Overall, the book was enjoyable but lacked the memorable moments and quotes like the Off Campus series for me. I was hoping for more but I'm not sure in what ways. The writing was good and the plot enjoyable, I just found myself wanting something else mixed into the story.

I was not a fan of Harrison being dragged along into the drama or the idea that it is one member of the couple's fault that the other one is not who they want/need to be. The side characters all blended together for me and their drama felt like too much for me to handle.

I enjoyed this more than the first book and would read it again, I just was not as in love with this series nearly as much as other books by Elle Kennedy.

Another trip to Avalon Bay was needed after reading Good Girl Complex so when I got approved for Bad Girl Reputation I was so excited. And I really think the second book in this series exceeded the first.

I didn’t think that I could love anyone more than Mac and Cooper but Evan and Gen were incredible. The chemistry the two had was undeniable and I loved that we spent so much time with them. With Mac and Cooper there was so much build up and having to bring around friends to the relationship that I didn’t get enough of them. I will say I felt like I missed a little of the Cooper/Evan relationship this book but was glad to see Evan and Shelly’s relationship grow.

I never felt like this book was rushed or missing parts. I did wish that the Deputy storyline was a little more mysterious for a little longer but appreciated that it was wrapped up and brought everyone closer together. I can’t wait to see if there will be another venture into Avalon Bay to get some more insight into this friendship group!

This is the second book in the series with the first being, Good Girl Complex. I really enjoyed the first book and was excited to get the second. I think I liked them both equally, as the stories and the characters were very different. This one is a story of second chances, and trying to grow up from the wild party teenage phase of life and find balance as an adult. As with the first book, both of the main characters grow and develop a lot during the story line. I enjoyed both of them and would recommend. I received an advanced copy of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

LOVED THE STORY!! THE PLOT WAS GOOD AND THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY LOVEABLE. I think that this is my favorite between the two books in this collection, the comeback romance hasn't always been my favorite trope but she really did it well in this book. i also love the heavy tension in the beginning. it kept me along in the beginning

I fell in love with the Hartley twins in the first book, Good Girl Complex. I knew I had to read Evan’s story.

When the bad boy and bad girl in town can’t stay away from each other bad things are sure to happen. That’s Evan and Gen’s story, or at least how it starts. They both have a bad reputation and it eventually forces Gen to leave town without a word. After a year away Gen is back and convinced she needs to stay away from Evan. She’s ready to turn her life around, but she can’t do that with Evan in her life.

Both Gen and Evan are ready to turn their lives around and turn over new leaves. But with so many obstacles standing in their way will they be able to find their way back to each other?

Their story is so heartwarming and you can’t help but root for them the whole way through. Who says the bad girl and bad boy aren’t meant for each other? Gen and Evan are ready to prove those people wrong.

Elle Kennedy hasn't disappointed me yet. She always knows how to deliver a good read with tons of humor, fun, spice, and plot. I am going to make a full review of this and try to follow release dates until October. I don't want to post the full review tooooo early because the book is still so far out, so I am going to make a heck of an effort to remember to come back to this lol.
But as always for this author, 100000/10

Received this ARC from NetGalley! Bad Girl Reputation comes out on Oct 4, 2022.

This series has been wonderful so far. I am curious if we will get more but I’m sure we will cause it’s just like Off Campus with a friend group.

This book follows bad girl Gen & bad boy Evan. These middle school on & off again sweethearts are truly perfect for each other now that they have done some growing up. They were always getting into trouble, drinking too much & causing a scene, starting fights & getting arrested.

On Gens worst night she finally wakes up the next morning and realizes she needs to leave. She makes the decision to up & leave and not tell anyone where she’s going. She spends a year trying to be sober, work a steady job & not get into trouble like the old days. When her mom passes away she comes home for the funeral & of course runs right back into Evan. He thinks she’s trying to hard to not be herself but all she wants to do is be happy & proud of what she has accomplished.

Evan is now wooing her & in competition with a guy she is also kind of seeing but ultimately of course they end up finding their way back to each other. Evan has stopped getting into fights & they both work through things together.

The smut is also very enjoyable & their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS good.

This book made me cry at one scene where I could just feel Gens emotions. I am super emotional & love when books just wreck me but this book isn’t like that. I appreciate books that also don’t destroy me & it’s a beautiful romance book.

I really enjoy this series & can’t wait to see if there will be more to it. Thank you to Raven Kennedy, NetGalley, & the publishers for giving me this special ARC!

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this book.

I’m a big Elle Kennedy fan, so I was excited when I received a copy of this book. It did not disappoint. I absolutely love Evan and Gen’s story. It was beautiful and thought provoking. I liked Gen’s progression but I think Evan’s character arc was more profound. To watch him grow so much that he’s be willing to give up the one person he loves more than anything… it was heart warming. He matures more than I’ve seen any character in a book do. This book was well written, despite a few typos, and I would recommend it to everyone.

https://www.goodreads.com/reviewI read this book for Net Galley.

I loved this story! It was adorable. I loved the second chance romance. There is a amazing banter in this book and I'm a sucker for banter. I also really enjoyed having both of their POVs.

My only complaint for this book is that I didn't know it was the 2nd book in a series. So i'm going to go back and read the first book. However I will say even though I didn't read the first book yet I did not feel lost at anytime. I can't wait to read more from Elle Kennedy.

I have loved every single on of Elle Kennedy’s book!! Like, love love, but this one was different. It just didn’t feel like a lot of things happened even though it did?? I didn’t understand some plot lines, like her dating Harrison for so long.
Of course they would end up together, but it felt anti-climatic since they were “together” almost the whole book.

I will read everything she writes or has written, but this book is my least favorite of the bunch.

Bad Girl Reputation was exactly what you would expect from an Elle Kennedy romance. Tons of chemistry, angst, and on-again-off-again romance. I enjoyed Evan and Genevieve's story just as much as I enjoyed Cooper and Mac’s and it was really fun to be back with these crazy characters again and to be back in Avalon Bay which has an Outer Banks vibe (think beach bonfires, surfing, ramshackle beach cabin). While these characters do act immature at times — picking fights, making each other jealous, etc. — I still enjoyed it. My only complaint was that I wanted to see more growth and maturity from the two MCs by the end of the story. The 11th-hour breakup seemed completely out of place, so the reconciliation was rushed and I didn’t feel the satisfying connection and closure that I look for at the end of a romance novel.

However, overall, it was a fun read perfect for summer! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! I was so happy to see Evan get his own book. You could see in Good Girl Complex that Evan was struggling with Genevieve leaving without saying goodbye. This book is about a second chance romance, self-improvement, and self-reflection. Gen comes back to town after a year when her mom is sick and dies just a few days later. Her and Evan see each other at her mom’s funeral and from there, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Gen is reluctant to give Evan a chance because she has done a lot of self-improvement while away (getting sober, staying out of trouble, etc…), but Evan refuses to give up. The whole book is Evan trying to prove to Gen that he can support her life changes while make improvements to his own. I love Evan and Gen. I love that they realized their relationship before was toxic in someways, but realizing they can fix that. I’m a huge fan of groveling and Evan does a lot of it 😍 The spice is perfect 🌶. It was nice to see Mac and Cooper make an appearance, but I didn’t like them as much as I did in Good Girl Complex. Maybe because we’re seeing them through Evan’s eyes and his relationship with them has been rocky. I was so sad when we didn’t get an epilogue in Good Girl Complex, so I was SO EXCITED to see one at the end of this book 😍 this is definitely worth reading. Anything by Elle Kennedy is an automatic buy for me!

Heavy topics in this book that you should be aware of: sexual assault, strained relationship with parent(s), minor drug use.

Bad Girl Reputation brings readers along on the journey of former ‘bad girl’ Genevieve West as she returns home for her mother’s funeral after being gone for a year. The last time Genevieve was in town, she decided to leave without informing anyone of her departure – including her former best friend and ex-boyfriend Evan Hartley. Now that she has finally returned to Avalon Bay, Evan wants to convince her that they could be good together. He’s desperate to know why she left without telling him and why she’s adamant on staying away from him. They are quick to notice that the passion remains as strong as ever, so how long can Gen avoid giving Evan a second chance? Will a bad reputation always remain, or can it be improved in the name of love?

If you are a lover of second chance romance or looking for a fun summer read, this might just be the book for you! This book was written in classic Elle Kennedy style, however in a sense it still felt different from the Off-Campus series that you might be familiar with. I found myself appreciating the moments that discussed grief, family dynamics, and the message of there not only being one correct way to feel – people are different and react with different behaviors when facing tough situations. Moreover, the romance provided great tension and a will-they-won’t-they storyline. I loved the chemistry between Gen and Evan. Even if they knew everything could go up in flames any second, they could not bear to stay away from each other. It was as if a magnetic force was constantly pulling them together. I’m always a sucker for the childhood friends to lovers to strangers to lovers trope, thus I was immediately invested. I adored how well they knew each other despite being apart for some time. It felt as if there would always be an underlying understanding between them. At times, the characters felt a bit immature, and they made questionable choices, but in a sense, it was nice to read about someone who didn’t have it all figured out and to watch the characters attempt to grow. I wish we could have seen more of Gen and Evan’s past instead of the little bits of information we got from the anecdotes when they went down memory lane together. Some parts felt a bit slow or dragged out to me, and I didn’t find myself completely adoring the characters, however this was still a very entertaining read! If you want to dream yourself away to a place of summer, trouble, and second-chance romance, this is for you.
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of this book!

Okay so I had heard the hype around Elle Kennedy books and was really excited to check this one out, but was incredibly disappointed. To be honest, I couldn’t even finish it. The characters were DEEPLY unlikeable, and the book as a whole seemed to be glorifying unhealthy relationships. Honestly, this is not a book I would recommend, and I can’t think of any redeeming qualities.

Solid 4 star read!! This is a second chance romance set in a beach town - what more could you want?! I absolutely loved the banter and character growth. If you’re looking for a beach read, this is it!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

*thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I dont usually like second chance romances but I enjoyed this one . Our messy Heroin, Gen, moves back home after an unfortunate death in the family and is forced to be around a toxic ex lover ,Evan, who she meant to distance herself from. Their physical attraction feels magnetic and makes it impossible to stay apart .

(If u want a romance high on the horny and low on the feels with a bit of toxicity this ones for you)

I thought overall the story was enjoyable but i couldn’t help but feel like their chemistry was mainly physical & saddled up together not because they were good for each other but because there weren’t any better options. I mean its not like she didn’t try to find one but

…the loser cop? Really? Ick. (This one of those couples i believe broke up after the epilogue 💀)

Small town romances amirite

S/n: This book leaves the door open to a lot of potential couples introduced here