Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me have this Audio arc.

As a huge Elle Kennedy fan, this series is not for me. I did not like the first book and I ended up DNFing this book. There was just nothing that gave me any excitement or interest. I know I should not compare series but Off Campus and Briar U continue to be Kennedy's best works. Honestly, I think that because that series was so good, nothing has truly been able to measure up to it so far. The Avalon Bay series fell extremely flat for me. I didn't care for the characters or the story.

I loved that this story jumped right into it. I LOVED the characters of Gen and Evan and OF COURSE the spice!!! I didn’t realize that this was the second book in the series (the other about Evan’s twin brother) so now I obviously have to go back and read the first one (and all of Elle Kennedy’s other books).

I told myself I could start listening to this book today on my walk, and then spend the day working. It would not be an issue.

I was wrong.

Every time I tried to work, I would decide I needed "just one more chapter." But, of course, one more chapter is never just one more chapter.

I'm going to be buying the first in the series over the weekend (since my lack of willpower has already been proven), and I hope there are more in the Avalon Bay series to come.

Please?

This is my first read from Elle Kennedy and I did enjoy it at times. It was an easy read but I didn’t connect with her characters. Part of that could have been that I listed to it as an audiobook or part of it could be that this type of read isn’t up my alley.

Bad Girl Reputation follows the story of Genevieve returning to her home town, the gossip of her reputation and rekindling with an old flame. I love the lovers to nothing to lovers again narrative but I think in this case, the character’s actions were too immature for my liking. Three star read for me but I think if you like the enemies to lovers plot, you’ll definitely enjoy this read, 3⭐️

A big thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Elle Kennedy for sending me an advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.

I have to admit: I didn't jump on the Good Girl Complex train because I wasn't a Cooper/Mac fan because of the superficial nature of their relationship so I was a bit hesitant to check out Bad Girl Reputation.

I feel like this book took everything that bothered me about GGC and flipped it over to make something much more interesting! The depth of Evan and Gen's relationship has deep roots that have ironically always been highly physical and toxic. This story brought me into their emotions a bit more and I liked how the author shed light on substance abuse, mental health, traumatic events ... not in a mocking tone, but in a way that made them relatable.

This book reminds us that there is much more underneath the surface beautiful people and "hot" couples than we often realize.

And the dog is back. Which always wins me over!

This is a good beach read and since I listened to the audiobook, it's worth mentioning that I love the narrators! Thank you to the publishers for using two narrators for the main characters. I always appreciate that!

When former bad girl Genevieve West returns home for her mother’s funeral, she’s prepared to keep her distance from her ex-boyfriend, Evan Hartley.

But it’s impossible not to run into Evan in the small coastal town where they once ran wild. And the moment she sees her gorgeous ex again, it’s clear to Gen that Evan is still as unruly, sexy, and irresistible as ever. This time around, however, she’s resolved to walk a new path. 

Evan has other ideas. He knows they can be good together, but he just has to convince Genevieve of that, even if it means turning over a new leaf himself. But can a bad reputation ever truly be shed? Do second chances really work?

I read Good Girl Complex when it was released (loved it) and I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for Bad Girl Reputation to be released. How lucky was I to get a chance to read it early? I felt for Evan quite a bit in the first book and absolutely loved watching his growth in this one. Evan grew up a lot, possibly because his brother Cooper grew up so much during the first book and what one twin does the other often follows (I’m a twin, ask me how I know lol).

Gen was also an interesting character to dive into: seeing how and why she turned herself around and the way she was continued to be viewed in their small town.

I definitely need to buy this book when it’s released partly because my copy was of the audiobook and the narration wasn’t my favorite so I think I lost a few nuances of the story when I struggled with the narration and partly because I truly loved the story and will definitely need to revisit Gen and Evan in the future.

After running away from her small town life Gen finds herself back home facing her bad girl reputation. A reputation she’s ready to put behind her. But it’s hard to start over when your HS sweetheart is your kryptonite and everyone knows your past.

This is the second in the series and I liked it better the first. We get some good character development, a healthy dose of small town drama, and a smidgen of a love triangle.

Med-high spice 🌶

This title is available October 4th! So put it on your fall TBR list. Thank you @NetGalley for this ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

This is the second book in the Avalon Bay series and since I haven't read the first one I can easily say this one can be read as a standalone (I had no trouble following along). This book follows Genevieve and Evan who are on and off childhood lovers.

The premise was good but I found myself bored for majority of it. The characters seemed bland and I couldn't feel their chemistry. I did enjoy some of their banter in the beginning but somewhat in the middle of the book I felt like the plot was dragging along and repeating. I also didn't generally like Evan's character or the way he overly sexualized every woman he saw (whether it was the one he was interested in or not) and I found Gen to be overly possessive and toxic. I guess if you're looking for a story knowing the relationship is a little toxic and unhealthy for the majority of the book then it's fine. But at some parts I was just wondering why they were ever together in the first place.

The writing itself isn't too bad and the pacing works well for this kind of storytelling. Overall, it was a decent read but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it openly. I think there are better romance books with this trope out there.

This was good but not amazing. I did enjoy it but probably won't rush out to buy it if I'm being honest.

Loved this sequel to good girl complex! The chemistry between Evan and Gen is all there I could practically feel it. The audiobook was perfect, both narrators were incredible to listen to.

This book was just alright. I had higher expectations for an Elle Kennedy novel because of other series shes written, but this was not her best. I just didn't feel like the characters had any sort of emotional connection and constantly just kept talking about physically wanting each other. Also personally I found Evan's POV unbearable at times.... it was not fun being inside his head. It was a good book to just sit back and read/listen to but nothing really memorable.

After returning home for her mother's funeral, Genevieve is reluctant to stay in Avalon Bay. She ran away from the small beach town to try to change; she has always lived on the edge and getting away from Avalon Bay was a way to reinvent and reshape herself. But her family needs her, so in Avalon Bay she'll stay--at least for a while.

Evan and Gen have always had a push-pull, breakup-makeup relationship. Their childhood friendship grew into a lovers with insane chemistry relationship, but when Gen left Avalon Bay last year without a goodbye, it broke him in some ways. Now that she's back in town, Evan wants her back with him, but she is resisting him, avoiding him even.

Gen does not want to backslide in the changes she has made, but she feels Evan's magnetic pull. Can she outlive her bad girl reputation and still be Gen at her core? Can she and Evan be together without destroying each other?

I will say that while this book is well-written, it also has a lot of negativity. And it is worth remembering that these characters are in their early twenties because the behavior many exhibit is not something that anyone would let slide in even slightly older adults (or at all). In some ways, despite being well done, it was very painful to listen to. Let's be honest: that's a time in life of major change--some that you are thrust into and some that you decide for yourself--and it is not always easy to watch.

And the relationship between Gen and Evan--especially in the past--has toxic aspects that they are trying to grow past.

Some of my favorite moments from the book are Evan's attempts to change and grow, especially his volunteer work, and I appreciated some of the fierce protectiveness in the family relationships. Be aware, though, that there are rough family relationships portrayed as well. If this is something that may impact you, please look up trigger warnings.

Oh, and yes, due to that insane chemistry between the two main characters, know that you are also going to be served up some steam. This one is open door.

I listened to the audiobook version, and Lee Samuels and Summer Morton embodied the characters. They were extremely well cast. They can certainly serve up snark and cynicism. I give this 5 stars for narration.

If angsty second chance romance with characters in their early 20s and some reckless behavior but also character growth is your jam, this one is for you.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Maybe second chance romance isn't the trope for me... because I found this very boring, and really didn't care about any interaction between any of the characters.

A fun, steamy second chance romance in a coastal beach town. What more could you ask for? Two leads who have been together virtually their whole (dating eligible) lives until one hightails it out of town without an explanation for a whole year. And the first time they lay eyes on each other they are seconds from getting into each other's pants when she pulls away again......because they are at a funeral for goodness sake. Are they toxic? Depends on your definition and your desires. But no matter how hard they try they can't seem to stop desiring each other. But can they outrun their reputations and learn from the past?

I do like the lead characters. I like most of the side characters. Cooper, our leading man's brother, still rubs me the wrong way a little. But I enjoy a story about growth and taking advantage of second chances. Sometimes you just have to grow up and leave it all behind. The setting is perfect, very Outer Banks vibes. The spicy scenes are 🔥🔥🔥. I may think the final confrontation/fight is a little juvenile and weak, but the reunion makes up for it. It's an easy enjoyable read.

Having not read "Good Girl Complex" but reading the reviews, I had no idea what to expect when I started listening to "Bad Girl Reputation".

I'm a sucker for the second chance romance trope and this was no except. Genevieve is back in town. The last time that Evan saw or spoke to her, was just before she skipped town after not even saying goodbye. With a history of hot & steamy on-and-off again relationship, Gen knew that she needed to avoid Evan, no matter how much that he thinks he can change and they truly below together.

I absolutely love Elle Kennedy's writing and the narrators Lee Samuels and Summer Morton brought the story to life. The spice scenes worked so well with the story and bad-boy/girl to good-boy/girl is not something that is done often.

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Reputation is everything and sometimes it can be the worst thing to overcome. It is so hard for people to overlook childhood reputations and see the adult that you have become beyond the context of the past. This book takes a deep look at that aspect of growing up in an entertaining and intriguing manner. While this audio falls into a second chances type of romance, it is so much more as it really delves into the process of growing up with one reputation and trying to put that aside to be a professional, well-adjusted adult with a bright future. The book was both honest and painful, but at the same time sweet and entertaining. Beware, you'll find yourself frustrated and angry on behalf of the main characters as well as at them, but it will leave you with a happily ever after as well as food for thought about how you are seen and how you see others. I'm quite intrigued to listen to more books by this author.

This may be my lowest-rated Elle Kennedy book to date, which makes me very sad. This second chance romance between Gen and Evan just did not work for me. I felt they were both very immature and yes, while they definitely had chemistry, I'm not sure I really believed their relationship was more than that. I also felt like there was some toxicity that the story did not need. While I enjoyed book 1 in this new series, I feel like this storyline just did not grab me, nor the did relationship. I think the story needed a lot more development.

This is the perfect book to curl up with a blanket and enjoy. Genevieve is a girl with a bad reputation that return to her hometown to turn over a new leaf. She is a character that you love to root for and want to see succeed. Following her rocky love life is so much fun and I found myself rooting for a certain ending from the beginning! I got so involved in this story and couldn’t put it down. There’s also a lot of steamy romance that keeps it interesting and fun! It has some tough storylines too which gives it a lot more depth. Such a great read!

I'm truly baffled by this series. I really did not enjoy myself while reading both of the Avalon Bay stories at all. These are a few reasons why I did not enjoy my read through of Bad Girl Reputation:

1) The message is awful. Genevieve realizes that she’s got issues and Evan is the main person responsible for fueling her habits (alcoholism, drug use, etc.). She comes back to town, and they immediately fall back in together. Not just that, but Evan comes off as totally psychotic. If my ex-boyfriend, who I knew was toxic, approached me and my new date and aggressively told my date he had sex with me in the restaurant we’re eating in, I would be extremely afraid. Women are taught that this type of behavior from an ex-partner is a display of endearment, but no. It's a display of ownership. It’s truly dangerous to write a book about 2 characters clearly bad for each other get together. It’s like the book is saying “need to make your life better? Too bad! You’re owned by your ex and you are cursed to be with him forever!”
- What would have made this better is if Evan wasn't at all into the things that Gen was and tries to get her back knowing that she's clean. Or maybe they both get clean separately, and he tries to prove that he's better for her by gently easing his way back into her life.

2) Sex does not equal chemistry. In both books, there is no tension built. The characters have sex right away and continuously have sex throughout the book. All serious conversions are had under the pretense that they are about to have sex, will have sex shortly, or are in the middle of having it. This completely takes away any type of real chemistry the characters may have. Instead, it makes it feel vapid. Again, a terrible message. If your ex-boyfriend likes to have sex with you, and only talks about having sex with you and doesn't have a beat of your real personality, that means he also loves you, right?
- This could be improved by having the characters experience a slow build of passion and communication, rather than Evan so bluntly telling Gen he fantasizes about her giving him a BJ at dinner. Does any woman like that?

3) The banter is horrible. It’s one thing to have a big cast, but no one is having conversations worth having. The conversations feel real, but not in a good way. An example is Evan running into a girl at a bar that happens to be his friend’s ex. They have an inconsequential conversation and move on. That would happen in real life, but it is meaningless and excruciatingly boring on the page. It felt like pages needed to be added and that’s why they exist and it feel good.
- This would involve a MUCH smaller friend group with outsider characters coming in at a minimum. To me, all conversations had between a hero and a side character always have to be meaningful and propel the plot in some way. Evan and Gen could be talking about getting sober/making a new life with their friends instead of talking about random things that actual people talk about.

I can't really recommend this series to anyone after the feedback I just gave.

bad girl reputation has all the small town feels with a redemption story and finding a new understanding of all you thought you knew about someone.

picking up some time after good girl complex, this book focuses on the other hartley brother, evan— and his relationship with genevieve, who has returned back after the passing of her mother. more than focusing on their relationship, one that had varying levels of both enabling bad behaviors, the book focuses on gen finding her place back in a town that already has preconceived notions of who she is from choices made in her past. one of those choices happen to be the deep connection found with evan hartley.

i enjoyed the journey of the two characters throughout the book, though both tend to fall into thoughts that seem immature for the age they are. much of the book is about forgiveness and growing up while growing out of bad habits that weren't suitable for a life one wants to live. i enjoyed the fact gen's family rallied around her when it was important, without a shred of doubt in their mind when the time presented itself, which i feel like is an important component in the book. i also like the theme of forgiveness that ran through the center of the book, as gen had to not only forgive herself, but also her mother for a relationship that ultimately wasn't what it originally appeared. with evan, he works towards forgiving his own mother, who has made huge mistakes that were the center of conflict in good girl complex.

i believe where the book faltered a bit was in the characters attempting to grow while still relying on immature antics or patterns, as well as selfishly involving others in their attempt to become better, but without considering their feelings until much later. i feel like there could have been more development apart and choices made that would have built on their world a lot more, but i enjoyed the listen and would recommend.