Gen West moves back to her hometown after the death of her mother. Evan Hartley is Gen’s former best friend and ex-boyfriend and a contractor who renovates homes in their coastal town. I seem to be in the minority of readers who did not enjoy this novel much. Maybe I am getting too old for Elle Kennedy characters because they are always so young and immature. Right off the bat I felt uneasy about Gen and Evan’s relationship because they start hooking up in the bathroom right after her mother’s funeral. I’m sure Elle Kennedy was trying to show their explosive chemistry and how they couldn’t deny their attraction, but it just left a bad taste. I also felt like both Gen and Evan were kind of terrible people. They showed some growth and maturity by the end of the novel, but for three-quarters of it I was begging one of them to call a therapist for their emotional detachment and anger management issues. The sex is hot, but it just felt shallow because Gen was so against a real relationship with Evan again. If you’re into YA, former best friends, and second chance romance, this might be for you.

CW: alcohol addiction in parent, death of parent, corrupt local law enforcement, mention of SA

This was the first book that I’ve read by Elle Kennedy, and it will not be the last! I loved the dynamic between Genevieve and Evan. It was a beautiful story of what happens when the party girl and the bad boy grow up into legit adults. The character growth for both of them throughout the story is so impressive. I’m also a huge fan of any spicy romances, and this did not disappoint.

this was such a fun read i really enjoyed this!! this was infinitesimally better than the story and prequel
good girl complex. bad girl reputation is a story about
forgiveness, second chances and learning how to love.
this is probably my favourite elle kennedy book! I loved
the main couple, but also loved reading about mac and
cooper again. the drama in this book was truly better than
in the first installment. so happy I spent time reading this
one!

I've read a ton of Elle Kennedy's books at this point. I absolutely devoured the Off Campus series and its spinoff Briar U and it's very clear to me that Elle is consistently becoming a better writer. The writing in Good Girl Complex and Bad Girl Reputation was so much improved from the early Off Campus books and the characters are so compelling. I love the twins so much and both Mac and Gen are women I want to root for. However, this series has, so far, been much less smutty and quite a bit less fun than Off Campus and Briar U. The best of Elle's books are the ones with the most tension (The Score) and Bad Girl Reputation is lacking that. Evan and Gen seem fated to be together from the jump and despite their push and pull weren't many moments that made me feel giddy and anxious for the outcome. Regardless, this was a cute summer read and I definitely enjoyed it.

I absolutely love anything that Elle Kennedy writes. This book is no different. I did prefer Good Girl Complex to this book.

This book was a reunited lovers story of Evan and Gen. Gen came home for her mothers funeral and right off the bar almost makes an impulsive decision to sleep with Evan which attests to the type of relationship they had before Gen left. Gen is convinced she’s going to go home while Evan is determined to get her back. Throughout the story Gen deals with a trauma that happened to her after which she wanted to run to Evan but he was still in a party state. These decisions make Gen leave. These issues aren’t really resolved in the book. She left for specific reasons and it seems like Evan was only concerned with Gens brothers coming around and liking him. Gen never brings up the fact that Evan got into continuous fights and slept with so many girls while she was gone.

Overall I loved this book. These are issues that could have been resolved in the beginning of their relationship. These are not dealbreakers to me because everyone lives their life. I just wish we had some parts where they sat down and had an adult conversation. I did love this book but Cooper and Mac still have my heart.

Bad Girl Reputation follows Evan and Gen as they are reunited after being apart for over a year.

The two had what we could describe as a toxic on and off-again relationship in the past where they enabled each other's destructive behavior.

But from the moment Gen walks back into Evan's life, everything is different. She has changed. She is no longer the partying bad girl that wants the bad boy. So Evan has choices to make, either shape up or ship out.

I loved the banter between the two. It was comfortable and easy.

This book was about personal growth and learning to love again.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martins Press, for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Back to Avalon Bay we go and I loved being back!

It got me into all the summer vibes back in June, when I read this advanced copy.

This is book two of the series. The twins each have their own book and I will say, their stories are completely different. You get pieces of Genevieve in the first book, but you’re left wondering what her story still is. Evan intrigued me in Good Girl Complex and I was excited to read this story.

Overall I enjoyed the book and loved coming back to this world. Seeing some things come full circle with past characters was great to read about. I do wish I could have gotten a glimpse more into their past. There were moments where statements were made but not enough background was given. But I loved the growth the characters took along this journey.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series. Good characters and a good pace! Fun reads and I'll keep checking them out!

I am drawn to Elle Kennedy books and this one was not my favorite. The second book in her Avalon Bay series. This book follows Gen and Evan's romance.

Gen returns home when her mother passed away. She is now navigating the life she left behind the year prior. Can she keep her new good girl persona while trying to acclimate back into her old life.

Bad boy Evan tries to step back into his role as her boyfriend but Gen is determined to keep him at arms length for blaming him for being the bad girl she once was.

I’d like to thank St. Martins Press and NetGalley for giving me this arc for Elle Kennedy, as always all thoughts are my own.
•
•
Bad Girl Reputation follows Genevieve West former wild child who is back in home town Avalon Bay for mothers funeral where she is trying to forget his past until she see him her ex-boyfriend Evan Hartley. This story follows the two as they try to come to terms who they are as their own person when they are not a couple.
•
•
Let’s start with what I liked about this book I liked that the whole theme of Genevieve trying to stay on a path of trying to better herself due to her past mistakes which we later learned towards the middle of the book why she left town. I also liked how even though she did give into her temptations she immediately would try to Right them so that she didn’t feel guilt within herself.
•
•
What I did not like about this book and why I gave it three stars was that even though the book was long and I feel like the storyline could have been more progressive then it just being Evan changing himself just for Genevieve in the beginning and not believing that she was trying to change to the better. I felt like there could have been more conflict that really showed how much Genevieve is tested by her former party girl days.
•
•
I did enjoy the dynamic of Evan and Genevieve after they got past why she was trying to change and Evan going through his changes, he never tried to force her to be the “life of the party” after they communicated why she left.
•
Bad Girl Reputation is available at all major retailer on October 4th, 2022

4.25/5 stars
I loved this book! I have been wanting to get my hands on an Elle Kennedy book and I am glad this is the first one I got to read. It makes me want to get the first one in the Avalon Bay series. The chemistry between Evan and Gen was clear from the start and it was so strong. This novel had the perfect amount of sweetness and steaminess, what I especially enjoyed was the relationship Evan had with Riley because it gave him a chance to act as a big brother since Cooper had taken on that role.

Picking back up in Avalon Bay with #BadGirlReputation by @ellekennedy 🌊

Reformed party girl Genevieve finds herself back home in Avalon Bay for her mother’s funeral. She plans to help her dad’s business temporarily and get back out of town… except her on again off again ex-boyfriend, Evan, has different plans.

Despite trying to keep their distance, Genevieve and Evan collide almost immediately into a delicious push-and-pull attempt at a second chance romance. Can they both move on from their bad reputations & really make a new start together? Will Genevieve ever regain her footing in her old town and let it feel like home? 🏘

While I loved the prequel, Good Girl Complex, I *adored* Genevieve and Evan’s angst-filled, sparks-flying, childhood romance grown up story. It can be read standalone or as part of the series. TW: there are some heavy topics including drug and substance abuse and problematic police officers, but, they keep the fast paced plot moving.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Bad Girl Repuration! Fingers crossed for a third installment in Avalon Bay!

Big thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Elle Kennedy is a must read author for me but this book won’t be included in my list of favorites. A second chance romance for childhood sweethearts Gen and Evan when Gen returns to their hometown after disappearing without a word. Gen wants to grow up and act like a responsible adult which makes her think that a relationship with Evan is out of the question. The only thing out of the question for Evan is a life without Gen. The chemistry between the two of them is scorching and Kennedy”s writing always makes the pages turn quickly. I found other aspects of the book less satisfying. Their group of friends annoyed me and Al of their antics came across as more mean spirited and judgmental rather than justified. The us versus them mentality they had towards anyone not a townie got old. really quickly as did using people to make others jealous.. They all felt so much younger than they were supposed to be.

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

After all of the love I had for Good Girl Complex, I was sooo excited for this book! I love Elle Kennedy and had very high hopes, but this fell a little flat for me.

I really enjoyed Gen and Evan’s story but it just felt like something was missing. I really liked Cooper and Mac’s story because it gave me Outer Banks vibes and set up the environment so well, but I think that was missing from this one. Understandable because it’s a sequel, but the town just lost some of its magic.

You could see that Genevieve had changed, but I didn’t really have a moment where I saw that Evan REALLY changed. He was always the softer-hearted twin and even with the Big Brother storyline it felt a little like he was just going through the motions?

I also think the book could use some more backstory behind Gen and Evan’s relationship. We hear about all of the trouble they got into but no real interpersonal details from that time before, which seems odd to me because Evan was so wrecked when she left? I think it could just use a little more finessing. I did like the ending a lot so that gave it a bump in my eyes. Rounding up from 3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

I received and ARC of this book from NetGalley

This one went down like smooth whiskey. Well-written and fast-paced with a lot of heart behind it. Bad Girl Reputation is a second change romance about flawed people learning that they can change and not be defined by their pasts.

I enjoyed both Gen and Evan as characters. They are flawed but relatable and even though some of their actions are questionable, they definitely learn and grow throughout. It felt very real to me and I liked that. I appreciated that the story was about two people who were equally destructive and self-sabotaging. One person did not redeem the other; they did it for themselves.

I read most of it in one day. The pacing was perfect, the story hooked me immediately, and I didn’t want to put it down. Some good spice, but not overly spicy. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

4.5 stars, definitely recommend.

Really this was more of a 4.5 out of 5 for me but good reads doesn't have 1/2 ratings. This was an AMAZING read. I read it in one sitting and have no regrets. Evan and Gen had a LOT to unpack in this but their story was amazing. So much history and the obvious love on both parts was swoon worthy.

I don't want to give anything away but pick this up when you have the chance!

I love Elle Kennedy and her books so much! And while I liked this book, it was my least favorite I’ve read of hers (Off-Campus, Briar U, and Good Girl Complex). There wasn’t a ton of plot to it besides second chance romance but I did really enjoy reading more on Evan. I also really liked meeting Gen and watching her really come into her own while still being herself.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Elle Kennedy, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is my first Elle Kennedy book, so I went in blind and was immediately addicted. Bad Girl Reputation is the second book in her Avalon Bay series, and I don't think you need the first one to know what is happening. This is the second chance love story of Genevieve and Evan. For a romance, it is very emotional and there are some very uncomfortable scenes, but a book I will remember for a long time.

Bad Girl Reputation begins as Gen comes back for her mother's funeral. She left Avalon Bay for a year without saying goodbye to anyone after a dangerous encounter with a cop and his family. She left Evan with no explanation, which I felt should have been talked about but was barely touched on. When she sees Evan again, they are immediately on fire. As they try to fight their attraction to each other and date others, they always find their way back to each other. This wasn't an easy story to read. It was volatile, angsty, and sometimes uncomfortable. In the beginning, both Evan and Gen are toxic people who need to grow up. While it is unrealistic to think they could do this in the timeline of this book, which is one Summer. I enjoyed the plot, and it was well-paced. I thought the ending was a little off, but the characters won me over.

The book was good, but doesn’t come close to living up to the greatness of the first in the series. While I really liked the storyline between Gen and Randall- I wish it took a bigger role in the plot. I just wasn’t invested in Gen and Evan the way that I was in Mac and Cooper.

I’ve read most of Elle Kennedy’s books, including Good Girl Complex, so I was excited to get an early copy of Bad Reputation from NetGalley. I enjoyed this book more than Good Girl Complex. Evan and Gen’s story of young love gone wrong and then coming back together made for a good read. I would give it a solid 3.75 stars.