Really enjoyed this Cooper is an excellent book boyfriend and per usual Elle Kennedy delivers.

Thought parts were a tad bit rushed, but loved all of the side characters and the growth. Some angsty moments for sure but had a blast reading this in one sitting.

Steamy scenes are A+ and I'd love more from the Avalon Bay crew! This one almost felt like a good 90s-early 00s teen romance movie.

**Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review**

FIVE STARS FOR ANOTHER ELLE KENNEDY MASTERPIECE! I have yet to come across a work of fiction by this masterful author that I have not devoured and adored with every fibre of my being.

Nobody writes brooding, sexy, bad boys quite like Elle. Cooper Hartley is my newest book BF and I'm not gonna forget about him for a longggg time. This book is an epic opposites attract, rich girl/poor guy, forbidden love story - with a bet!! I don't know what it is about me, but I am a sucker for romance books with a little edge to them, and incorporating a bet is just everything of the sort to me.

I love romance books when the guy falls first, and Cooper is just EVERYTHING in this story. Both his and Mac's character development was done so well and purposefully - and those steamy scenes were BEYOND.

This book is the perfect combination of sexy and swoony - and I can't wait for everyone else to get their hands on a copy and fall in love with Mac & Coop like I have!

3.5 stars

This one was really fun and somewhat anxiety inducing for me. While I really enjoyed this story, the characters’ growth, and the romance I can’t give it a higher rating because that background anxiousness I felt while waiting for the “secret” to come out took away from the fun and love that was going on. I also felt like there was so much overdone aggressiveness when it came to the locals and the students (and the constant use of "clones" became grating). I fully understand the annoyance and frustration that the locals who have been shit on by the rich kids, but I did find myself feeling uncomfortable with the friends/side characters genuine malice and excitement to humiliate a female character when they didn’t even know her or had any interactions with her. There were scenes of them hanging out and going on about it and that felt like it was really going into the territory of unhinged and a mob mentality. Those two things sort of impeded my full enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I really adored the growth and journey that Mac went through in the story. I ended up rooting her on and reading more and more just to see what she was going to do next. The romance was nice as well and I thought that Mac and Cooper were sweet together, but to be honest I did find myself reading more for Mac's character growth over the romance.

ARC given by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I’m in the minority here and have not read the Off-Campus series YET! But I have read plenty of New Adult books and Good Girl Complex fits perfectly.

I loved the typical storyline and relationship development. New Adult books that are fairly predictable but amazing are my comfort reads!! I is a SLOW BURN! So if you struggle with those just be aware that it is worth it!

The side characters were interesting and I’m crossing my fingers for Evan’s book! Also, bumping the Off-Campus series up in my list.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

This is my first Elle Kennedy book. I read this in a day which never happens. I just could not put it down. While there are some issues here with cheating and lying, every single character had flaws and I feel like it made it more believable. The whole “deal” aspect of this book reminded me a lot of 10 things I hate about you. I really loved that there was a dog. I loved the tension and banter between the main characters. Overall this was really good. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher this is my honest review.

This book started off strong for me. I was immediately drawn to Cooper and the beach town setting. I was horrified but intrigued at the same time by the revenge plot storyline. I liked how Mackenzie and Cooper met and their instant chemistry and connection. Cooper was cocky as hell but I was into it! Their was some major forbidden romance tension building between the two and I enjoyed it.

I think ultimately I couldn't say that I loved this book because of the characters. It's a new adult book with college aged characters and I think I'm starting to realize that this subgenre isn't for me. Characters in this age group are a bit too immature for my taste and I found myself rolling my eyes or shaking my head at some of the things they were saying or doing.

This book was entertaining because of all the high drama and the steaminess, but overall, it wasn't for me.

⚠️: infidelity

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced copy of Good Girl Complex.

So this was my first Elle Kennedy book and the premise was a bit misleading for me. I didn't like the bet aspect of the beginning of the book and don't like it when cheating is the central plot line, so I DNFd the book about 25% in.

such a good book. her writing is seriously the best. this book was exactly what i needed to get out of a reading slump.

Good Girl Complex is the first in a new series by Elle Kennedy. Garnet University reminds me a lot of Briar University, from Elle Kennedy’s other new adult romance series.

To be honest, I was lukewarm about Cooper at first. But, already being a Kennedy fan, I held on, knowing that she’d manage to change my mind about him. And that she did! While Cooper is a townie and a self-proclaimed “bad boy”, he’s also arrogant and quite rude. His feelings of disdain towards the rich students who attend Garnet are realistic and based in almost all of his previous interactions with them. That said, his plans to have revenge on the jerk rich boy Preston who caused him to lose his job by seducing his girlfriend made for a somewhat unlikeable romance hero. That said, it’s clear that Cooper starts to change his mind about his nefarious plans almost immediately after meeting her. As usual, Kennedy uses her unique writing style and impeccable banter to make Cooper a character that I could fall in love with.


Both Mac and Cooper have a lot of flaws, ones that make them kind of perfect for each other. And, like with any top-notch new adult romance, their love story nicely complements their own personal growth.

I loved the setting of this book. Just like with Briar U, I feel like Avalon Bay will be able to provide the inspiration for a lot of unique and compulsively readable stories. The juxtaposition of the rich university in a poor sea-side town will make for a lot of star-crossed romances!

This book introduces an entire cast of characters for us to fall in love with. These are fabulous side characters, especially Evan and Bonnie, and I’m looking forward to seeing what kinds of shenanigans Kennedy has planned for them.

I was a little disappointed when there weren’t any little easter eggs or noticeable mentions of Briar University or any of the characters I fell in love with in her Off Campus and Briar U series. This could easily be set in the same world. Maybe in the next one!

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great beach read, one with clever dialogue and realistically flawed protagonists.

"Good Girl Complex", by Elle Kennedy, has sparks flying all the way through! Mackenzie Cabot has grown up in privilege and wealth, but that has come with strings attached. Her politician parents have demanded a lot of her, and her future has already been decided, along with the man she's supposed to marry. As a self-described people pleaser, Mackenzie is okay with this until she goes to college and finally gets to experience some true freedom. While there, she meets a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Cooper Hartley, who gets her heart pumping. Not only is she attracted to his looks, but she's also drawn to his laidback and rebellious lifestyle. Now she must choose if she's going to continue doing what her parents want or if she'll finally stand up for herself.

I thought this book was very cute, and there was good chemistry between Mac and Cooper. However, I feel like the ending was resolved a little too quickly. Overall, this was a fun, quick read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I must say, this book felt a bit like a rocky road. Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy is an opposites-attract, New Adult romance. The beautiful, rich, new girl in town falls for the mysterious, tattooed, dreamboat ‘townie’. The trope and setting of this story felt very close to reality in the city I currently live in so I kind of loved that about it.

I have read a few of Kennedy’s books now and I will say she writes dialogue so enticingly. I find myself hanging on her every word and plowing through pages to keep up with the characters conversations. In this story, the female main character Mackenzie, struggles to fit within the confines of her privileged life. Her aspirations are constantly squashed and she dreams endlessly of more. Enter, Cooper. A man out for revenge against Mackenzie’s current boyfriend and she seems like the easiest target. (Who doesn’t love a good ‘dating someone as a bet’ trope?!). He is your stereotypical, irresistible, broken, bad boy and as we follow the very predictable (but who cares) storyline we get to witness their character and relationship growth.

I really enjoyed this story for what it was but ultimately, I found the plot to be lacking. It felt like there were too many plot threads thrown out but nothing was ever brought together. Characters that were heavily referred to in the first half of the story kind of just disappeared… I wanted to see the main characters work together on their ventures more and in the end, it felt like there were a lot of pieces that could have easily landed on the cutting floor.

I really appreciated that although both characters came from neglectful backgrounds Kennedy tried to add in positive influence (thank you Levi). I would recommend this book to someone just venturing out of the YA world looking for a fun read with some spice. The romance feels very young but I do believe the audience is out there for it!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. PS. The design team did an amazing job on the cover design, it's absolutely adorable.

This book was wonderful and romantic and everything I hope to get from Elle Kennedy. The relationship between Mac and Cooper draws you in and makes you long for what they have. I’ll always be an Elle Kennedy fan, especially if she keeps putting out 5 star books like this one!

Loved Mackenzie and Cooper! Mackenzie Cabot is rich in money, but her parents are lacking. Her boyfriend.Preston, is cheating. Cooper gets fired for giving Preston a black eye. Cooper Hartley is poor, but rich in friends and his twin brother, Evan. Evan and he hatch a revenge plan. Get Mac to dump Preston and fall for Cooper. Only Cooper finds there is more to her book than the pretty cover. He falls for Mac while saving their puppy, Daisy. Loved Avalon, NC. It started a little slow, but was well worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Griffin for the ARC!

I adored this story. It made me think of a combo of the Netflix show, OBX (without the treasure hunt), and Love Next Door by Helena Hunting. And I mean all of that in a great way.

Townie (Cooper) meets Clone (aka rich-girl college student Mac). Not under the best circumstances mind you (but this is a spoiler free zone).

Their connection is incredible. This one is definitely one of the best romances I’ve read in a while. I’ll definitely be coming back to Avalon Bay. There’s even a cute puppy 😍

Good Girl Complex was a great romance. I enjoyed the strong female lead who had her own business and followed her own path. She didn’t need her father or her boyfriend to pay her way. The characters weee well developed and the plot included several twists.

Another great release from the one and only, Elle Kennedy. I loved the dynamic between Mac and Cooper -- these two were so fun to read about and their romance had me swooning. I simply couldn't put it down.

I will go in to this saying this is my first Elle Kennedy book so I was unfamiliar with her writing style and over all plot she puts into her stories but having been on BookTok for a few months now and have seen her books raved on constantly by users I was disappointed with Good Girl Complex. With that being said, this book felt so predicable and at times cringe-worthy. If you're a fan of the book/movie series After and/or the tv series The Outer Banks I'm sure you will love this book. It's the classic rich girl/poor guy seeking revenge plot that at times it felt like I was reading After all over again. Mackenzie's character goes through a lot of growth but it felt at times cheesy and predictable in the same sense that Cooper of course ends up falling for the girl he was supposed to use as revenge to get back at the head 'clone' / Mackenzie's boyfriend. The ending felt rushed and it took over 90% of the book for the 'other shoe to drop' and when it does it's not the climatic whirlwind you're expecting it be.

I wanted to love this book after hearing all the great things about Elle Kennedy but I think that I might just not be her target audience, regardless I will recommend the book to anyone looking for a cute new adult romance.

This is the kind of romance book I have been looking for to start off 2022. Mac is a 20 year old young woman that grew up with a lot of money. She started a tech company right out of high school & made money of her own. She has been dating the same guy for years that fits the mold that she grew up around...rich, entitled, & what her parents expect her to marry. Cooper is from the "wrong side of the tracks" so to speak & is a townie. Cooper ends up being fired because he hits Mac's boyfriend since he was putting the moves on his (Cooper's) friend. He's mad & wants revenge. He decides to set his sights on Mac & make her break up with Preston then he can spectacularly dump her & all will be right with their worlds. Little did he expect that he would like Mac & everything she is. Highly recommend reading this book for some very well crafted characters & a great love story.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

I'm really happy that I got to read an arc of this beautifully written rom-com.it was everything that I expected from Elle Kennedy ,romantic sweet steamy.its about coop who lives in a town where is full of rich college kids which he hates them and Mackenzie who is a rich student with good girl complex, over some accidents coop decides to seduce Mac because he thinks Mac is typical clone girl.honestly the characters were not people who I assumed them to be they were so relatable and you totally get their motives behind their actions. I love their chemistry so much .
thank you to the publisher, and the author for letting me read an ARC of this amazing
story through NetGalley.
rating:5/5
spice:2

This is a classic two people from the opposite side of the tracks who ultimately belong together despite their differences. I know Elle Kennedy has a huge following and this is a new probably series from her but I have not read any of her previous books. The good girl complex follows Mac and Coop, the main characters in the story and revolves around the pull between these two. They both definitely fit into the classical troops of good/Rich girl Who is stuck in circumstances she doesn’t want to be in and bad/poor boy With a heart of gold. Normally I speed through a romance like this but it initially did not pull me in and ultimately took me a while to finish. Technically this falls under the new adult category but it’s still felt a little YA.

Thank you to #NetGalley For the ARC in exchange for an honest review