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!

"I've always loved myself best in Evan's eyes. The adoring way he looks at me: part impressed, a little intimidated. But mpre so, the person he thinks I am. The way he tells it, I'm invincible. Thunder and lightning, Not much scares me, and even less when he's around."

Genevieve West, aka Gen, is back in town after her moms funeral, and is sticking around to help with her familys business. After abruptly leaving town just a year before, Gen is doing everything to stick to her new reformed image, rather than the bad girl rep she has back home. This is easier said than done when she's surrounded by the people from her old life, like Evan Hartley.

Gen and Evan were in a long time on and off again relationship before Gen fled town to change her ways. Refusing to be drawn back to him, and get sucked back into her past behavior, Gen is not willing to get close again. However, Evan refuses to give up, and if changing his ways will win Gen back then he's ready to make that change.

I am no stranger to Elle Kennedy's books, and I actually really enjoyed the Off Campus books quite a bit, so I was surprised when the writing and story of this book fell flat to me. It was still a decent and quick read, but I felt like not a lot happened, especially nothing too memorable. The characters could have been better developed, and I wish we got insight of Gen's life while she was away and exactly how she changed. The book made it seem like she went from wild party girl to working girl fast and cold turkey, which is fine but there was something missing.

I did enjoy the second chance romance between Evan and Gen, and that it forced him to grow up because the glimpses of their past was extremely toxic.

Overall the book was fine, just nothing exciting to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Elle Kennedy for the early copy of this book!

↠ 3.25 stars

I didn't love this as much as the first one mainly because Evan wasn't my favorite character - He's reckless and a little impulsive. I loved Gen and her newfound lease on life. I wish there was a way to find a solution to her not losing her old self - it was mentioned but never really addressed.

I think Gen and Evan were great together based on their personality and upbringing. I did enjoy the second chance on the love storyline and reading about their shared history and past.

They were super cute with their little traditions and I appreciate the mom making a come back
All in all a good love story especially if you love a reformed bad girl and bad boy

4.5 Stars!

Bad Girl Reputation stood out to me in a number of ways. Elle Kennedy's writing consistently makes me happy. She's great at pulling me into a story, making me fall in love with the characters, and making me laugh. All those things happened with this book. I don't remember there being a ton of second chance new adult romances because the characters are still pretty young, but this one worked beautifully with childhood sweethearts. 


Evan and Gen were interesting characters. They were wild child best friends turned on and off again girlfriend/boyfriend. Their relationship wasn't built on healthy things when Gen ended it and left town. I was mad at her for doing that at first because of Evan's hurt and confusion about it. As I got to know her and understand her reasoning, I realized what a smart cookie Gen actually was. 

While Gen was a work in progress, Evan was a mess. He wanted nothing more than to get Gen back. I was unsure of his actions at first, but the harder he tried, the more I felt them ring true. His navigation of becoming a better person had some pretty hilarious moments, too. 

Another thing that was great about this book was getting to see the twins' relationship through Evan's eyes. I enjoyed seeing Evan through Cooper's eyes in that first book, but I loved seeing Cooper through Evan's even more in this one. It was especially interesting when it came to Gen and their mother. 

One of the things that makes Kennedy's series shine is her ability to make me fall in love with not just the main characters but an entire group of people. I loved getting to know Cooper's friends in the first book, so it was fun to get to know them a little better in Evan's book. I'm very interested in getting to know Wyatt, Alana, Tate, and Lauren better. There was a lot going on there behind the scenes. I also loved the new addition of Riley. The relationship between Riley and Evan was so cute and special. 

The one thing that bugged me a little was Harrison. I couldn't believe he was still around after a certain scene. I thought there would have been a bigger reaction to his unwillingness to step up. He was actually an annoyance throughout the whole book, but I am not actually complaining about that. I liked what he did for Evan and Gen's story.

So, yeah. I'm happy to report that Bad Girl Reputation was the romance I was hoping it would be for Evan and Gen. I had a great time reading it and getting to know both characters. Their romance was wildly sweet. I'm hoping we will get more books in this series.

Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance? This one is a doozy where she ghosted him a year ago and is back in town due to a death in the family. These two most definitely have all the sparks and attraction, they’ve had it since they were young, and it isn’t their issue at all. Bad girl and bad boy used to fit together so perfectly, but now it is time to grow up. Understanding this is the first step, but getting there isn’t easy. Taking it slow, but not committing, is the way to figure things out. Elements of your past always seem to follow you though, and getting past those is not as easy as it seems. Loved these two and their struggles as they overcame them, and loved their story!

Second chance is one of my favorite tropes so my expectations for this book were already pretty high, and Elle Kennedy managed to meet them! I absolutely loved the character development between these two characters and I absolutely adored their relationship. This is definitely one of my favorite books of hers!

this was such a cute and fun read great for the summer! filled with her usual lovable characters, witty banter, and the typical steamy angst/drama you’d expect from your romance!