I didn’t read book one, but this can be read as a standalone! I’m not sure what I expected from this book but half the book about immature kids was not what I was expecting or wanting to read. The second half made up for the first half and I liked seeing the growth but it did feel like that all happened too quickly.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I'm a big fan of Elle Kennedy so I was excited to listen to Bad Girl Reputation.
Overall this was a 4-star read/listen for me. It was well-paced and the narrators were great. I loved the push pull of the relationship between Gen and Evan, as it led to some great banter and antics. I want more about Gen's brothers, too. Maybe a few more books in the series with them as the MMCs?!

This likely would have been a five star, however, the "climax" was not my favourite. It felt like these characters who have come so far in maturing and leaving their irrational pasts behind them just reverted back to a previous state.

Note: You may want to read Good Girl Complex before diving into Bad Girl Reputation. Both are standalones, but there will be some spoilers in Bad Girl Reputation if you read it first.

I did not read the Good Girl Complex. After listening to this book, it stands on its own well enough and I do not think you need to have read the first book before this one.

Audio: The two narrators chosen for this story were great choices. They did a good job bringing the characters to life and telling the story.

Story: I did like that his was told in dual POV. The story flowed well and had a good transition between the POV. The characters seemed ok. What lacked for me was there wasn't much if any character development. Gen is trying to prove she changed, but she is the same in the end as when the story started. The only change is that she is able to get past the incident that spurred her change. Evan tried to change, but ultimately I think he will remain the same. Their relationship was built on lust and I didn't feel the love between them. The relationship felt toxic.

This book just wasn't for me, but I can see why readers would enjoy the author's work.

Thank you Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

Two ticking time bomb exes find there paths crossing once again. I really loved how this story focused on when you love someone you make it work. No relationship is easy and some take more effort than others. Genevieve has improved herself and wants to be a better version of who she use to be and Evan is willing to rise to the challenge of bettering himself to be with her.

I loved this book. I love how they learn to be adults and learn from their mistakes and can move on. I love the banter the characters have with each other!!

I loved the passion of these characters, and I loved the way they became better versions of themselves rather than trying to become whole other people. This is the second in the series, but I believe it stands on its own really well. I have not read Good Girl Complex, but after this read I'm considering going back for it. I liked that the characters were immature and messy because I loved seeing them work to improve that. I will say I occasionally found myself rolling my eyes at the way the story tied up in an "it all worked out best for everyone" sort of way, but I do see how this could make for a nice quick read or a palate cleanser.

I think this book is perfect for readers who love second chance romances, spice, and strong character development.

I loved this sweet, spicy love story with second-chance themes, which took place in Avalon Bay. It was nice to hear more about the characters from the first book in the series as well - Mackenzie and Cooper. This story follows Cooper's twin brother, Evan, and his long time on again off again girl, Genevieve. The story hooked me right from the beginning with the steamy romance scenes and the hilarious moments between friends and siblings.

This one was a fun time. It was giving me the Outer banks(Netflix show) vibes. So Genevieve comes home for her mother's funeral. She left without telling her ex-boyfriend Evan who she use to get into trouble with as a youth. She had moved to Charlotte to start over and make something of her life. When she comes back she keeps running into Evan and lets just say that old habits die hard. These two are like magnets. Genevieve becomes conflicted and tries to distract herself by going on dates with the good boy police officer. She also come face to face with the sheriff who wants to make her pay for what she did when she use to babysit his kids. Lots of good drama and angst. I enjoyed it.

Oh Elle Kennedy, she did it again! What a great end of summer love story between two old friends who are reunited after Genevieve left town without a word. Gen and Evan used to be inseparable and watching them journey through growing up, changing their ways and learning their new selves left me wanting more!

Gen was the bad girl that everyone in town knows. With a police officer out to put her behind bars thinking that she hasn't changed, there is a lot of drama, but you're constantly rooting for Gen to prove to everyone that she is a good person. Evan was the typical side kick bad boy who is also trying to change his ways. He was left reeling after Gen left town without a word or explanation.

This was a fantastic love story that I highly suggest to all, especially those are a fan of Elle Kennedy!

I love the audiobooks as well that have more than one character voice, with Lee and Summer, they make a great duo in this audiobook! Thank you to @NetGalley and @Macmillan.Audio for my advanced audiobook!

I’m a sucker for second chance romances and this one was just what I needed! Evan and Gen have such great chemistry and I really liked seeing them figure out their present together while wrestling with their past. I love how imperfect they were and how they were together. I didn’t love how much back and forth there was, but it all had a good ending and I really enjoyed the audio!.

I was so captivated by this second chance at love story! Genevieve and Evan’s fall hard for each other as teens. They are young lover's who are so passionate, and impulsive, without a care for the consequences. This story starts when Genevieve comes home, after a year away, for her mothers funeral and to help her dad with his business. We are not sure why she left, yet, but when Evan comes to the funeral, their chemistry is more explosive than ever. Genevieve is afraid of her feelings for Evan and tries to stay away from him. Evan's heart is completely broken after Genevieve left without a word. Now that she is home, he see his chance to win her back for good. But they are both still trying to find who they are, and not fall back into toxic behaviors. When Genevieve's past mistake finds her again, will they destroy the new life she is building, or end it for good? I loved how this story unfolded, slowly revealing their pasts as they tried to forgive the guilt they carried and that weighed them down. I loved how Genevieve and Evan slowly found their way back to each other, forgiving each other and themselves, and building a stronger, more mature and passionate relationship. Their journey back to each other was not an easy one but it felt genuine, and honest, making me cheer hard for their HEA. I also loved their relationships with family and friends who added so much fun and heartfelt emotion to this story.
This was a moving and passionate story of growth, forgiveness, family, and love. Lee Samuels, and Summer Morton's narration was breathtaking as they brought these flawed characters and their story to life. They portrayed their raw emotions with a perfect balance of strength, passion, and vulnerability. I loved this moving, heartwarming, funny and steamy romance and couldn't stop listening.

A solid romance from Elle Kennedy. Started off well, even though there was a previous book in this series the book still functioned as a stand alone romance fairly well.

I really enjoyed some of the character actions and really enjoyed the conflict towards the end. That being said it was kind of a slog through the middle. A bit of repetition that I just wanted to get though, the ending was worth it.

Listen to audiobook version and I liked the narrators for the most part. Nothing outstanding but also nothing that really detracted from the story for me. I really like when they get 2 narrators for books that are written from 2 perspectives.

ARC generously provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for fair and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I was pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoyed this book. I found the story to be paced perfectly and a great light read after my hard day at work. It does have drama and twists and turns that I did not expect, however it was not a book that felt emotionally taxing. Which I do prefer when listening to audio books. I would suggest this to anyone looking for a light romance book with a good story line!

Bad Girl Reputation is a flirty and steamy novel for those who like small town second chance steamy romances. Gen and Evan have a whole lot of history together, much of which isn't great. But when Gen returns home after her mother's death, their paths will undoubtedly cross.

I think the author did a great job with the character development and their dialogue. And the narrators did an excellent job with their respective parts. Overall, I found it to be a rather cute and entertaining read.

I didn't realize this was a part of a series, but I also didn't feel like I was lost or missing anything while reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I struggled with this story. I enjoyed the narrator, she was one of the only things I enjoyed. I won't go into it all but hit some things that really bothered me.

I did not like Evan and Gen, nor did I enjoy their relationship. I couldn't relate to them. This usually isn't a problem in a book for me, I do enjoy relating to the character but many times I don't. They just bothered me terribly. I found out that the book is the second in a series, and while I know most rom-com series can be read separately with no problems, I found myself wondering if there was something about these two in the first one that I missed by not reading it. Maybe something that would make me like them a bit more.

Most however I think it was the stereotypes the author used, so many of them, it made the writing feel a bit outdated to me. Also, there was a whole lot of judging of people going on in the story, especially from the brother. I guess that just really turned me off on it all.

I have heard great things about Elle Kennedy's writing, and I was looking forward to reading this. Maybe it was just this book, or maybe it was just her writing. I found it all rather boring

This audiobook kept my attention, and moved quickly I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much Netgalley.

I am a fan of Elle Kennedy’s books. I enjoyed BGR and found it to be a “steady read.” It wasn’t one of her unputdownable books and I didn’t get any goosies from it but it wasn’t a bad book. I like the storyline; I think it’s the characters that I didn’t care for. Gen started off irking me. I never had buy in to her character to find it in me to root for her. And Evan seemed too much of a man child. Oddly enough, I did still find him adorable. I guess coming from the Off Campus and Briar U series I was expecting all the feels. I’m not even a fan of college love stories but those series had me like yessssss, wow! I wanted more from BGR.

I can’t believe I picked this up after reading Good Girl Complex. But, to my surprise, this one was better! Still not good, mind you, but I could get through it.

I haven’t read any other Elle Kennedy books, but these two books feel so weirdly dated and toxic, and I feel like I was frowning for 50% of this. I can’t think of anyone I’d recommend this to…

2.5⭐️

Gen and Evan are bad for each other. They can’t stay apart, but together, they are the worst versions of themselves. This book is their journey to becoming better people so they can be together.

I am just not a big fan of this couple. They were so toxic and neither one of them really improved. It was giving Grease in the worst possible way. I enjoyed the story, but I did not ship or root for the couple at all.

I am thankful to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

Bad Girl Reputation is a fun romance novel for those who like second chance romances and spice balanced with character development.

The plot: Genevieve West has returned home due to a family tragedy, and she's determined not to fall back into old habits with her ex, Evan Hartley. "Gen" and Evan were high-school sweethearts equally in love and in chaos throughout their youth, both driving each other wild in a turbulent romance. As much as Genevieve wants to stay away from Evan, he's convinced that they are "right" together and ready to do whatever it takes to convince her - even if that means reforming his bad boy ways.

My perspective: This was a fun read, and a strong sequel to the first Avalon Bay book. Genevieve and Evan are both well-developed characters, and have the reader rooting for them the whole time despite their crazy antics. The two can't stay away from each other, yielding a steamy romance, but more importantly - their emotions feels genuine and inevitable. I really liked that Kennedy focused on how the characters struggle against their pasts and bad impulses, especially against the background of strong family dynamics intent on keeping them apart. Genevieve in particular was well-developed and it was interesting to hear her inner thoughts as she tried to resist Evan's pull. The prior book’s characters (Mac and Cooper) made appearances at just the right balance against the current storyline. Overall, the book was a really fun escape that lets you get absorbed into the storyline.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!