Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an ARC.

I really enjoyed Gen and Evans story! Elle Kennedy does a wonderful job with her character development and the evolution of Gen and Evan in this second chance romance was no exception.

I would definitely recommend this book!!

A second-chance romance that doesn't quite feel as trope-y as I expected. While Good Girl Complex was light and easy, Bad Girl Reputation was emotional and felt a little more mature. Evan and Gen's history is dispersed throughout, without bogging down the reader with a backstory overload.

This book is driven by character development rather than plot. Redemption and forgiveness is a strong theme and we see it in several different relationships, but I think the strongest is Gen's forgiveness of herself. We experience her internal struggle very acutely and it is the driving force of the book.

In this series, Elle Kennedy does a fabulous job of creating a community— our two main characters don't exist in their own bubble. We see them interact with friends and family, and the personalities of these characters are noticeably different. Nothing about these interactions seems forced by the author.

This book gave us that epilogue after the conflict resolution that was lacking in the first book. We do get to see snippets of Mac and Cooper and I think Elle Kennedy balanced that page-time well.

*I received a copy from St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review.

So I was granted the opportunity to read this book before it comes out. Thank you to St. Martins Press and netgalley for this wonderful opportunity

Bad girl reputation is the follow up to Good Girl Complex and follows Evan and Genevieve. The pair were on and off all throughout high school; Genevieve was always known as the bad girl who liked to party and Evan was not too far behind her . One day Genevieve up and leaves without any goodbyes , leaving a heartbroken Evan behind . The bad girls returns newly sober and trying to maintain this new image while also resisting her strong attraction to her ex-boyfriend. Evan is still as infatuated with her as he was back then. Will the past hurts and toxic traits remain in the way and keep them apart, or will they learn to grow together and become something they couldn’t be back then?

So the first one was incredible. I really loved the second one as well. Both Evan and Genevieve had to really work through a lot to end up where the did. I loved how Genevieve really learned to open up to herself and learn to trust herself and grow as a person. She learned that you don’t always have to bury the past you to thrive in the present. You can work on being a better you but still be true to yourself. She had to learn to really do all that before she could let Evan all the way in. I’m the beginning Evan was really having a hard time with his feelings for Genevieve; he was selfish at first and didn’t know what to do about it, but then learned to take care of himself . At first he did it for her, but somewhere along the way he learned to do it for himself. The relationship between the two of them started off blaming the other for the mistakes of the past and some current issues, but eventually they learned they had to take ownership and trust themselves and each other . I honestly loved their story so very much. I hope she does more Avalon bay stories , because I want to see Alana’s story.

5 stars , and really solidifying my love for her work .

Bad Girl Reputation definitely wasn’t bad but I felt like something was missing. I’m a huge fan of the second chance romance trope and I did think Evan and Gen had great chemistry but I can’t put my finger on it. I just didn’t feel invested in their story. The writing by Elle Kennedy was solid and the side characters are intriguing enough to continue the series.

Elle Kennedy is an expert at writing easy, feel good books. Picked up Bad Girl Reputation to get out of a reading rut and it did the trick!! I love a good happy ending now & then. Make sure you read Good Girl Complex as well.

Thank you to St.Martins Press and Netgalley for this ACR in exchange for an honest review.

Im a huge fan of all of Elle Kennedy’s series and the avalon bay series is no different. I loved the first book, good girl complex and was so excited to receive this ARC. I love the story of Gen and Evan. Gen is a reformed bad girl, back in town after her mother passes away. She abruptly left Evan behind, feeling heartbroken and hes never gotten over her. They both worry they can never be together because they bring out the worst in each other but by the end of the book they realize that together they are the happiest.

I love the character development of Evan, getting involved with Riley and the nursing home. The Hartley twins are very loveable. Gen finally realizes that the stuff that happened to her with Rusty Randalls family are not her fault, and once she realizes that she lets her self be open to love with Evan.


I would recommend this book to anyone! Make sure you read Good Girl Complex first to read about Mac and Coopers story, and it also introduces Gen and Evan.

I really enjoyed this one! The story wasn't as fun as Good Girl Complex but the characters are very real. Flawed and perfect! I didn't think I could love Evan more than Cooper, but I do!

I received a copy of Bad Girl Reputation via NetGalley to read and review.

Gen comes home for her mother’s funeral. She up and left her small town a year prior because she felt she needed to clean up her act. She also left her on and off boyfriend without a word.

When she comes back she worries she’ll fall into old habits (getting drunk and doing crazy stuff) which she does for a while. But what ends up happening is her and Evan (her on and off boyfriend) end up pushing each other to be better versions of themselves.

I give Bad Girl Reputation 3.5 stars. I’m not a fan of toxic relationships which was the vibe at the beginning of the book. Luckily as more pages went by the toxicity went away. Truly a story or redemption.

Bad Girl Reputation is a story about second chances, forgiving ones self, redemption, and new beginnings. We know from Good Girl Complex that Evan and Gen had a tempestuous relationship- a bit toxic but filled with passion. I'm glad we got closer look into their past, as a couple (or whatever they were) and as individuals, too, because that created room for understanding. I felt like the pacing of the story was good; I appreciated that the character arcs were not too rushed. Rooting for them for their own personal growth, and also growth as a couple, was inevitable. I don't know if there will be more books in this series, but I think this books closes it out pretty well. 🙂

This is a standalone novel but I would suggest you start with the first book before jumping into this one so you get a better grasp of all the characters.

I enjoyed this book a lot! Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Will post review on Instagram on a later date.

Gah!!! There is nothing as satisfying im this world as an Elle Kennedy story. Time and time again her stories have gripped me from the very first page and kept me compelled until the very end. In Bad Girl Reputation the second book in her Avalon Bay series, Kennedy brings all the drama, banter and heat in an emotional and poignant second chance love story of the ages! I am obsessed with Genevieve and Evan and the palpable connection between them. I loved every word!

SIGH. This story is just one big ball of pure angsty explosiveness! Besides the usual fiery chemistry and spitfire banter between her main characters, Bad Girl Reputation felt different from the usual Kennedy norm as it was highly volatile, angsty and intense at times. This wasn't the easy and swoony story we usually get from Kennedy. It was borderline uncomfortable at times because we as readers see the undeniable connection between Genevieve and Evan, but are also aware of the explosive and somewhat toxic back and forth behavior they've both exhibited in the past. But in the end, this author and this story completely won me over with Evan's fierce determination to win back his girl and to prove that Genevieve belonged with him. <Cue alllllll the heart eyes and swoons!!!>

Overall, I loved this story because it highlighted the power of forgiveness, second-chances and soul-deep love. Elle Kennedy knocked it out of the park with Evan and Genevieve and I can't wait for more! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤️

This was a really good read! I thought the chemistry between the characters was explosive. However, there are too many mentions of how they both behaved badly in their past. After reading the previous book of how much Evan was a playboy and constantly fucking women, it was hard to read how suddenly he has always been in love with Gen. I also thought the beginning was a bit rough since it started at a funeral with an almost hookup. Both the characters were immature and it did feel disingenuous for both of them to suddenly grow up. However, overall it was really good overall. I did like that Gen really wanted to turn her like around. I thought the story of why she left with Randell, was touching and I like how her family helped her resolve it in the end. The ending was quick, but I liked how connected Gen and Evan were to just have the "meet me a our spot" text a few times throughout the book.

So thankful that I got to the opportunity to receive and ARC for Bad Girl Reputation! I devoured Good Girl Complex and the sequel was equally as great! If I could I would have read the book in one sitting. Elle Kennedy has a way with captivating story telling and I have yet to find a book of hers that I did not love. I liked how different Evan and Cooper's characters were despite being twins. The complexity of Evan and Gen was already known from the previous book and dove into their toxic relationship and how they were able to turn it around. I love it that it continued to build on Cooper and Evans tumultuous relationship with their mother so they could both get the happy endings they deserved. I am hopeful that the series will continue with interesting character arc with their friends!

I've read quite a bit from Elle Kennedy and have liked most of it. I didn't enjoy Good Girl Complex and while Bad Good Reputation is better, I can't say that it blue me away. I think I'm just not connecting with Avalon Bay group much,

Genevieve West is a former "bad girl" that hit rock bottom last year and left town to chart a new course without telling anyone she was leaving, including her off again/off again boyfriend, Evan Hartley. She comes back to Avalon Bay when her mother dies and stays around to help her family's business. Evan is still reeling from Gen's departure and wants to pick up where they left off, but soon realizes that Gen has changed and he might need to make some changes too. Of course, that doesn't stop Gen from feeling the temptation Evan provides.

Overall, this was fine. Not amazing, but also not as frustrating as the first book. Gen has a great perspective and I could see her tension between who she was and the undefined person she wants to be. That was interesting. Evan was okay. His transformation was little harder to believe. I still don't like Cooper (his judgmental nature continue to grate on me) and even Mac was kind of frustrating. I think what is missing for me is the ride or die camaraderie between the friends in this town. The friends all hang out, but it doesn't seem like anyone actually cares what happens to each other. No one is communicating and everyone is aloof. I wonder if we will get more layers once we leave the Hartley family in the next book.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very cute and fun second chance romance. I probably liked it better than the first one from the series.

I didn’t connect with the characters in this story like I’d hoped to. The family dynamic was fun between Gen and her brothers and I thought her past relationship with her mom was an interesting storyline, but none of the characters were really likeable for me which made it hard to take a real interest in their lives.

Now I understand the rave about this book! This was a beautiful story about true love, second chances, and personal growth. It was that feel-good read that tug’s at your heartstrings and keeps you believing in that forever-love. Elle Kennedy is a new favorite for me.

A cute second chance romance. i was hooked from the beginning. I read it in one day because of how much i loved it 🥰

Thank you NetGalley and the St Martin’s Press for providing me with this eARC in return for my honest review!

Ellie Kennedy has me hooked on the Avalon Bay series, more specifically the Hartley twins… I quite enjoyed Mac and Coopers story but Gen and Evans is next level…

A reformed bad girl moves home after the death of her mother and tries to stay away from her bad boy ex-boyfriend. The push and pull of this romance is passionate, explosive and so intense!!

If you’re a fan of the childhood best friend to lovers and second chance trope with aspects of addiction, forgiveness, growth and learning how to love this book is definitely for you!

3.5 stars

The beginning of this book was very hard for me. I didn’t like the characters very much until I got further into the book. I guess I had a hard time understanding their motivation and seeming lack of care for the consequences of their actions. I’m also not a love triangle kind of person and there’s a small one going on through a good portion of this book.

That being said, I appreciated how hard both Evan and Gen worked better than selves. Their attraction and love for one another did not win and they kept finding themselves pulled back into their relationship. Toward the middle of the book, when Evan starts working on his own life, I started liking them both a lot more. And I got into the idea of them being together.

This book has some very hot shmexy times and kept me guessing what would happen next. I enjoyed this book and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.

I've been a fan of Elle Kennedy for a long time. She was my gateway into romance a few years ago, and I liked this book, I did...but knowing this author so well, I feel like there were some missed opportunities. Both main characters grew and matured throughout the story, which was necessary. Unfortunately, the unbelievable elements of the story make those character changes less powerful. Slight spoiler that a young, early 20s, office manager is hired as the GENERAL MANAGER of a hotel and charming bad boy becoming a Big Brother within a week without a background check or vetting. Being asked to suspend belief is OK, I don't think romance novels need to be true to life, but suspending reality about the ways the character matures is hard for me to accept.

Overall, I did like the book. The continuation of the twins' relationship with their mother was unexpected and heartening. The chemistry between the MCs was great once we got to the second half of the book. At the beginning there was too much focus on the negative aspects of their relationship and the judgement from those around them. It took awhile for the story to pick up once the criticism finally died down.

Thanks so much to #netgalley for an early copy of this book!