I received this book as an audiobook advanced copy from NetGalley and didn't realize that it was actually the second book in a series. I listened to the whole thing and then realized that but I loved it. I really loved the band dynamics and I loved the main characters. I almost am glad I read this one first because I didn't love the first one as much after I went back and read that after this one. Band romances are always a hit or miss for me but this one was extremely well out executed. We've got a super badass drummer making a name for herself and pushing back against the expectations of her well-meaning but overbearing parents. And then we have a guy who is just trying to figure out where his life is going after an incident that really rocked his core. He ends up as the band bus driver for their tour and he and the drummer develop feelings for each other. Of course there's a lot of dynamics in play within the band but also with his aging grandfather.

I loved the romance but my favorite part was really seeing these two characters embrace their own individuality and confront the idea that they are worth happiness. They deserve to live happy fulfilling lives and that is so genuine.

I need to start writing reviews immediately after finishing because I cannot remember the specific representation. I want to say that the FMC is hinted at being queer. I don't remember there being a specific label on page but she's very open to addressing the attractiveness of all people. I'm pretty sure she's bi or pan but don't quote me on it.

This book can be read as a standalone. Kayla is the drummer of the Lilly’s, an all-girl rock group taking the music scene by storm as they hit the festival circuit and prepare to release their first single - but Kayla is hiding a secret from her bandmates: her mother is best-selling author of a hugely successful children’s book series based on Kayla. Or rather, what her mother wishes Kayla was like. Kayla is hiding her family from her band, and her band from her family - how can she work towards her dream while balancing these two lives? Ty is working to make money for himself and his grandpa by driving busses and happens to get a gig driving the Lilly’s on their first tour when he meets Kayla.

I loved Ty’s character and Ty’s love story with Kayla was good.

The politics, planning and production of the band was a lot of the plot, but I had a hard time staying attached with the band’s drama. I just wanted more Kayla + Ty content! All in all this was an ok read and had me interested to check out the previous novel to learn more about the other cool ladies in the Lillys.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ALC

Didn’t know anything about this book or author and, as such, ended up reading this as a standalone.

Loved it so much that I was so stoked to see it’s actually the second in the series. I cannot wait to go back and read the first. I loved Kayla, the Lillys, and Ty’s gentle courage.

Plus, everyone loves a utility kilt. Excellent narration on both parts as well.

The beginning was really promising and there was a lot I liked about the story and the writing style but ultimately I made it to about 53% and it was not holding my attention. I think if I had made it to the end, it would have netted out to about 3 stars.

Thank you for granting me access to this audiobook. I had the best time listening to it. I was lucky enough to to be approved as soon as I finished reading the first book, even though this can't be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the narration, the pacing of the novels, even the characters came stronger. I absolutely adore it!

The Lillys are back!

While the story very much focused on Kayla’s growth in her career and with her family, the romantic subplot between her and Ty. Seeing their intense connection grow and thrive was such a great aspect of the book. Ty was seriously so sweet.

Despite a seemingly perfect and idyllic upbringing, Kayla Whitman has dealt with a host of struggles in her teens and twenties. From an overbearing mom constantly pressuring her for perfection to living with the grief of losing her brother. She and her brother both lost and found themselves behind a drum set. Now, she’s making a name for herself with the Lillys, while also trying to keep that part of her life separate and secret from her parents and their judgemental opinions. The more the Lillys grow, the harder it is to maintain the facade.

I loved catching up with the band, seeing them go on tour, watching behind the scenes magic, and the drama unfolding with “rivals”. I liked the found family aspect, and seeing how Kayla and Ty tried to maintain healthy relationships with their blood families.

I enjoyed the dual POV narration. Benjamin Charles as Ty and Tyla Collier as Kayla were a great pairing. Benjamin had a melancholic but hopeful vibe and Tyla gave us Kayla’s vulnerable but confident personality really shining through. The only minor critique I had was listening to Ty’s grandpa. Ack–it hurt my throat to hear him rasp! But overall a really, really fun listen. I’m hopeful we’ll get more stories in this world!

As someone who often daydreams about my second life where I am musically talented and excellent at playing the drums, I was happy to live vicariously through Kayla and The Lilly’s.

Ty was a great character and I loved how they moved through the world, even with so many things already against them from the start.

They were perfect for each other and were able to do that thing where they are what the other person needs in the moment, even if they weren’t looking or hoping for anything. It was cute and fun and rock and roll 🤘🏽 😎

Thanks to #NetGallery and publisher for a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance MF
Format: Audio
POV: Single
Spice: 🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 18+

I'm disappointed that Book of the Month chose not to continue with the second Lilly's book, after I had really loved The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes. I think contemporary fiction novels about black women in Rock music are few and far between, and these novels in particular (while also being love stories) are something I'd really like to see more of since so many books BOTM chooses by black authors are traumatic. I think there is a lot of value in having books that are quite different than the normal offerings, and I wish I could have also had a matching set when the others come out. Alas, I was super psyched to get the audiobook from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, because I got to hear the book which added a really fun, different experience for me that I enjoyed a lot. The two different narrators were really wonderful, and I will 100% look up other work that they've done.

I like that the love story in the book is not technically the main focus, and it didn't feel very forced to me which was also quite enjoyable. The characters are super likable (you already know Kayla a little bit if you read TGWSIHE) and Ty is wonderful. Both characters are trying to move forward and away from their respective pasts, and the book is filled with really fun characters along the way. Ty's Grandfather, Van, was 100% my favorite.

You don't have to read TGWSIHE to enjoy this book. You'll miss the fall-out with Candy which is a subplot, but nothing else is super ties in in a way where this book isn't enjoyable. I think that is really interesting, but great for people who may not want to double back. You will spoil the couple from the first novel, and a bit of the plot over there, but if you don't care about that you can always double back as well.

Overall, I was happy to find The Lilly's again, and catch up with where they are now. I hope it doesn't take 3 years to get the next one!

The second book in The Lillys featuring the drummer as our FMC. I absolutely loved this second installment of Xio’s slow burn friends to lovers rockstar romance. This was so beautiful and so well written. Loved the exposition into Kayla’s character and discussions into her family dynamics. Loved Ty’s quiet strength and how just unapologetically himself he was. From the simple scenes of them sitting down next to each other relaxing with an audiobook to fighting tooth and nail for justice for each other, I loved how they both grew into their own, how they gained confidence, how they simply captivated each other. With this series, Xio truly writes from the heart and with so much knowledge of the music industry. I seriously can’t wait for all the other girls’ stories.
(+) bisexual MMC, bisexual FMC (everyone in the band is basically bisexual), grief and loss of family members

This fell way flat for me. This kind of dragged on for what seemed like forever, which left it hard for me to get engaged in this listen. Took me a long time to power through this listen, hoping somewhere I would start enjoying this, but it just didn’t do it for me. Narrators did a great job of their own characters, but when they changed their voices to be other characters, it was kind of cringe worthy. It actually took everything in me not to shut this down early, but I wasn’t feeling like a quitter this week.

Thank you to Dreamscape Audio and Netgalley for the change to listen to this ARC.

It was really good but Xio never dissapoints. She really encapsulated teen angsts, rock music and first loves

There was a lot to enjoy about this book. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the elements of the band.

Girls With Bad Reputations was an entertaining romance/women’s fiction. The characters were well thought out with great backstories, and the supporting characters were all unique with stories of their own ready to be explored and told. I thought the contrast between the female and male main characters were contrasting in a way that was also complementary to their love story. And I loved how the scenes were based on the female main character’s band tour. Very fun!

The story addressed important situations/circumstances as well, which made this story not only fun, but relevant and needed.

I listened to the audiobook, which had two wonderful narrators who brought the characters to life. They complemented each other well. I listened at 2x speed with 1.75x speed being my “normal”.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audio copy.

Girls with Bad Reputations is #2 in The Lillys series. This book centers around the drummer, Kayla and how she falls for the tour bud driver, Ty.

This book is fire. Following Kayla and Ty's journey on tour while also braiding in history of where they have come from. The audiobook has Benjamin Charles and Tyla Colier going back and forth from Ty and Kayla's perspective. This is perhaps my favorite part of the book.

Indie Rockers, book nerds, and navigating challenging pasts, this book is worth the listen.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook.

Story: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Audio: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @ntegallery and @ dreamscape_media for giving me access ot this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wonderful blend of heartbreak, love and found family. I adored The Lily’s and the dynamic of the 4 women in this band. It was beautiful to see Kayla become the woman she strives to be away from the pressures of others. Her story and the rising success of her band The Lily’s seemed to over shadow the romance portion of this book but I have no issue with that!

I loved the topics this books addressed and I believe it addressed them really well. I saw the parental pressures, a found family, systemic racism and the very beautiful way consent can be woven into a healthy relationship. The communication in this book was fantastic!

This story was one that felt so incredibly real and as such pulled me in. I will definitely read more of @xioaxelrod in the future!

The characters are dynamic and electric. Their personalities and stories started the story off with promise. While I continued to love them throughout the book, the storyline went in a more “family drama” direction than I cared for. That is not to say that that aspect was not done well - it was, I’m just not a fan of those particular plot lines.

One of the things I appreciated the most was the clear and skilled communication between our main characters. Haters of the miscommunication trope will find a fast friend in this sweet romance. Another amazing bonus: it is extremely consent heavy!!

Thank you Xio Axelrod and NetGalley for my advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review! My opinions are my own.

Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 4
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 3
Final Score - 4

I loved the second installment of this series. I cannot wait for more from The Lillys as they are getting their big break! Just a fun and heartwarming story of a group of found family as each member works their way through past and present trauma. The audiobooks for this series are all phenomenal and bring this story to life. #GirlswithBadReputations #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley for this arc & a chance to step outside of my comfort zone with new fiction books. This just wasn’t my cup of tea , nothing genuine wrong I’m just not ready or not a fan of grief.

I found myself struggling with this book, ultimately deciding to DNF it at the 29% mark. Having enjoyed the audiobook of the first installment, "The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes," I was eager for the opportunity to listen to the sequel, "Girls with Bad Reputations." Unfortunately, it did not resonate with me as I had hoped.

While the book wasn't inherently "bad" — the writing flowed well, and it encompassed the tropes I typically enjoy — the pace was dragging. Despite making multiple attempts to listen, I couldn't shake the sense that the story was progressing too slowly for my taste. As a mood reader, I considered that perhaps my mindset wasn't aligned with the book's atmosphere during my initial attempts. However, my struggles continued after setting it aside and coming back after reading something else.

Perhaps I will come back to this at another time and try it again, but as of right now I just couldn't get into it.

The narration was very smooth, however it didn't keep me engaged. I often found myself getting distracted while listening and having to rewind the book to relisten to what I missed.

This audiobook listen was a re-read of this book for me and it was phenomenal! I loved the Dual POV narrators for Kayla and Ty. They did a fantastic job embodying the characters and portraying their emotions. I thought the audio was very well done.