I enjoyed this book as the trope of second-chance romance is always interesting to read. Gen and Evan's relationship was raw and real. It was easy to relate to the toxicity we can put up with because of love. However, we see the push/pull and the on/off relationship they refer to throughout the book. We also see the necessary changes each character went through and their development throughout. The arc of exes to lovers was executed well with his light read. We truly get to see how two people who feel a connection come back to each other once they work on themselves. Overall, the conflict was a bit repetitive, but it did exaggerate the toxic relationship. The characters were not likeable at first but through changes they redeemed themselves. The small town setting is one of my favourites, so I enjoyed that aspect as well.

3.5 ⭐️

This was cute. I definitely liked the vibe of this book more than Good Girl Complex. This is a second chance romance between Gen and Evan. They both grew up in the small beach town of Avalon Bay and were constantly out getting in trouble drinking and partying during their high school years. The two of them were best friends which eventually evolved into more. Gen ended up moving away a year before this book takes place and is now back in town for her mom’s funeral where of course she runs into Evan. She sticks around for a while to help her dad with the business and of course Evan is still in town...

This book focused a lot not only on the development of their relationship with each other but also on the development of themselves as individuals. There’s a ton of growth over the course of the story that I though was really unique/interesting. I also loved that this was bad girl/bad boy because I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that would actually fall into that trope so that was cool! Same as the first book I loved the small town setting combined with the new adult themes. Overall it was a cute read and a great addition to the series.

THIS ONE. It was everything I wanted and everything I didn’t know I needed.

First the tension. I wanted Gen or Evan to just rip their clothes off. It was time.

Second. Friends to lovers to not friends to lovers again? Sign. Me. Up. I love it so much. The way Gen knew all of Evan’s personality traits and habits. And vice versa.

Third. When two people become a better version on themselves for someone they love? *cue me crying*

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and netgalley for the e-arc for an honest review.

I don’t really have anything good to say about this book. It started off with the MC and LI almost having sex at her mothers wake? And like as someone that really hates their mother even I found that very off putting. I also hated every single character from the start. There was really nothing redeemable here. I wish I could scrub this book from my mind.

I loved Gen & Evan! These characters were so refreshing with their honesty about the struggles while trying to make changes in their life. This wasn’t the usual romance with the couple meeting and slowly falling in love over the course of the book. These characters have been together for years but needed to overcome destructive patterns of behavior individually before they could grow together as a couple. This was a cute story, with a fun beachside location, and good messaging.

I wanted to love this book. Or at least enjoy it, but I couldn’t. These characters were weirdly immature. Our main characters views of each other were completely different versions of the characters we got when it was their pov. I was so thrown off by this “Gen is a bad girl walking on the wild side” view from Evan and then this “Evan is so addictive, but I have to be a better person” vibe we got from Gen pov. It was very confusing and felt in-genuine. Ive read a few other Elle Kennedy books and while I didn’t always enjoy the plot points, these were very quick and easy reads that I could finish in a day or two. This one felt very dragged out and I struggled to get into the story and get through it. This gave me very Flock vibes and wanna be Outer Banks feels and I’m very tired of the “the townies know how to have a good time” troupe, it just comes off as trashy and stereotypical. I didn’t like the other brother and his judgy personality. It all just felt a little too stereotyped for me and too cookie cutter. It’s probably a win for a lot of people, but I didn’t enjoy it.

Bad Girl Reputation was a great addition to the Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy. I recently read Good Girl Complex and really enjoyed it so I was happy to dive into this novel which focused on the other Hartley twin, Evan. Genevieve and Evan have a long complicated history and have a lot of issues to get through individually in order to find a future together. Genevieve ran away from Avalon Bay and Evan in order to get a fresh start - but when her mother's death sends her back to her hometown she has to deal with a lot of bad memories, temptations, and some people who still see her as the "bad girl" always getting into trouble. It was really great to see Evan's growth in this book - it was clear that he was hurt when Gen left town suddenly the year prior - but his feelings for her never diminished. And their chemistry is still amazing. The rest of the Avalon Bay crew from Good Girl Complex are always entertaining - Riley was an amazing addition and provided some extra humor too. Overall Bad Girl Reputation is a really entertaining second chance romance. Definitely recommend! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

The right reader will relate to this. I think it will be too niche for our libraries.

Personally stopped at 10% as I’m not a fan of toxic relationships and both Evan and Gen seem toxic for each other. There are some sweet bits, so I hope the end is redeeming.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.

When I was approved for this ARC I was basically Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch levels of excited. I am an Elle Kennedy fan because every single book I read by her affirms in my mind she is one of the best new adult romances authors out there.

What Elle Kennedy does best is take the general romance outlines that are out there, the very basic trope set up, second chance romance, and places it in a complete world full of rich side characters. I would read a romance book about every single side character in this fictional town.

Evan was definitely not my favourite book boyfriend, I actually found him to be very immature and I didn't love that his growth came within such a short period of time after a long history of doing the opposite. I would have preferred for the growing up to take place while Gen was away so its seemed more genuine rather than coming across as an act to win the girl.

I wish I had more to say, but all my notes are just different variations of "Elle Kennedy is the best". Even when I don't like the characters I love how she tells the romance with a sense of realism but still as a grandiose epic romance.

Lastly, Harrison deserved better.

Wow this book definitely does not disappoint! A second chance romance between bad girl Genevieve and bad boy Evan you can’t help but get sucked in it’s sexy, funny, and heartwarming all at the same time

Elle Kennedy did it again for me. I thought I was in love with Cooper Hartley but here comes Evan proving me wrong! I absolutely loved this story and the transition the characters went through. Evan's personality and his love for Gen pulled on my heart the whole way through. Thank you so much for this ARC! I enjoyed every minute.

⁹This was such a cute story about personal growth and second chances!

Gen and Evan have been on and off again since they were teenagers. They lived life to the extreme, always looking for trouble. After an unfortunate run in with law, Gen decides it is time to grow up and take control of her life and actions. She skips town without saying goodbye and only returns for her mother's funeral a year later.

Sparks fly when Gen and Evan reunite, but Gen fears being with Evan means giving up on her personal growth and falling back into old habits. Evan is supportive, however, and even puts work into improving himself, too. Ultimately Evan helps her come to terms with the fact that there is a balance between growth and losing who you are as a person. That it is ok to have fun and let loose responsibly.

There were quite a few serious topics in this book: problematic law enforcement, neglectful parents, drug and substance abuse problems, self improvement, and the difficulties of forgiveness. The story occasionally feels a bit bogged down with these heavy topics, but there are quite a few lighthearted moments, too.

My only criticism is that every single conflict worked itself out quickly in the end. Don't get me wrong, I want the characters to have their HEA, but conflicts in life are never wrapped up so prettily.

I enjoyed this read and recommend it. Evan and Gen's chemistry is 🔥. It can be read as a standalone even though it is part of a series. I didn't read the first book and didn't feel like I missed anything.

🌶🌶.5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for my review.

This book is everything you need..

Thanks to Net Galley I received an ARC.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wonder where half the day went as you read it. This second chance, dual POV, small town romance will swift you off your feet and entertain you from the very first sentence to the last. I really love this book, Elle Kennedy, you did it again. This book is a instant buy for me.

I LOVE ELLE KENNEDY!!! I read Good Girl Complex a while ago and couldn’t wait for this book! Bad Girl Reputation certainly didn’t disappoint! I love a good second chance romance story!! 100% invest in this book!

I didn’t think I could love this book anymore than I did “ Good Girl Complex” turns out I was wrong. I’m completely blown away by how fast I devoured this book. Nobody’s doing it like Kennedy that’s for sure. Although I would certainly be satisfied by reading her grocery list tbh. I loved the writing (as always) as well as the characters. The book was so magical, I am obsessed!!
Can’t wait to read more from Kennedy:)))

Thank you so muchhh netgalley and publishing for providing me an early copy!!

Elle Kennedy has always been my top favorite author so I knew this book would not disappoint. This was my first second chance romance, and the bar is set so high! Gen and Evan were so much fun to read about,. The progression through their relationship of growing up and maturing together was so great to follow and was perfectly written. I can't wait to talk about this book with everyone when it's released!

I really enjoy Elle Kennedys' writing style a lot. I knew after reading Good Girl Complex I was going to love this book too. Gen and Evans chemistry was off the charts! This second chance romance brings all the fire and angst I was hoping for!

I did not enjoy this story. The terminology used for women was outdated and in my opinion offensive. The characters were very juvenile and their actions were line with children.

Bad Girl Reputation was a quick read that had me a bit confused because I didn’t read the first one. Regardless, I enjoyed Gen and Evan’s relationship and the setting.

After reading Good Girl Complex, I expected to like Bad Girl Reputation, but even coming in with high expectations, this book surprised me in a wonderful way. Gen and Evan had a disastrous on and off romance until Gen abruptly left. When sad circumstances force Gen to come back to Avalon Bay, their chemistry runs as hot as ever, but can they change the bad decisions from their past? I loved how strong Gen was. She made hard decisions that put her well-being first and took and honest look at herself and changed for the better. Evan is impulsive and immature, yet he understood what Gen needed and became better to be worthy of her. This story had sizzling chemistry, fantastic character development, and made me laugh out loud several times, but mostly it was a very romantic second chance that put a huge smile on my face.