I just have to say that this book was absolutely amazing!! It kept me captivated and interested from page one. I will recommend this to anyone who reads.

Honestly Elle Kennedy has very much so always been a pretty go to author for me. I’ve enjoyed many of her works in the past and I really wait for her next romances to surprise me and this was no exception at all. I loved it. It was the perfect type of romance that I needed at a time like this and Kennedy didn’t disappoint.

This was the type of book where you see two very different individuals with very different things they want in life come together and see what life would be like. They were romantic moments but there were also moments that touched you and I think that’s really the main reason why I ended up loving this book more the more. 5 out of 5 stars!

I love Elle Kennedy's new adult college hockey romances, so I was really excited to read this one. Similar to her other books, it's super easy to read and compelling. I love the way she makes her settings and sets of characters seem almost cinematic. They are the height of fantasy. I thought this book was quite strong. The main characters had interesting back stories and the wide cast of characters gives lots of possibilities for future books. I did think that there were perhaps too many dark moments in the last third of the book, and too many fights. I didn't feel confident that Mac and Cooper would make it through their issues even after the book ended. I also felt like the grovel wasn't quite sufficient and that the villain of the story didn't quite get his comeuppance. I still look forward to reading any future works in this possible series. Thanks for the arc!

Really great book, perhaps too predictable...

I was so excited when I got this e-arc!! Elle Kennedy's books are usually so good! Unfortunately, something was missing for me in this one...

Don't get me wrong, it was still good! Preppy and rich Mackenzie wants to get out of her "rich life" because apparently, it sucks! So she meets local, somewhat poor, beautiful, bad boyish Cooper Hartley. The two develop an insanely cute romance that is threatened by an important secret that Cooper is keeping from Mac.

Something was just missing for me to make the story special! A lot of the storyline elements gave me a sort of deja vu so it's safe to say I wasn't blown away!

Nonetheless, my expectations might have been too high for this book. On its own, it's a really cute, fluffy romance book that is easily enjoyable if you like Elle Kennedy's writing style!

3.5/5

I really enjoyed Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series and thought I would give Good Girl Complex a try. I am a romance fan but I couldn’t connect to the story or characters. The writing didn’t feel like an Elle Kennedy story. It read like a fledgling author.

I definitely consider myself a fan of Elle Kennedy and was greatly looking forward to this book. A bad boy romance sounded like a perfect summer read. The moments that Mac and Cooper are just hanging out together and their chemistry is flaring are just magical. I loved reading about them as a couple. All of the stuff surrounding them was too much for my tastes, I did not like the set up of there relationship and I found all of the trappings of Mac's poor little rich girl style life over the top. Her parents and boyfriend were villainous caricatures that took me out of the story any time they were on the page. I still loved Mac and Cooper together so much that this book remains a book I will end up revisiting and recommending,

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

***Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Griffin and Elle Kennedy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***

This book was everything I love from Elle Kennedy: lots of irresistible chemistry, heat, depth of character and a layered evolution of 2 people falling in love with each other. Mac (Mackenzie) is a total badass, leaving behind the people in her life that tried to control her and taking control of her life, taking chances and really truly living for the first time. She brings out the best in Cooper, who despite a rocky start is a standup guy. Evan, Cooper’s twin, took a long time to come around so I’m hoping we get to see more of him in a future story, even though this book is listed as a stand-alone. Cooper’s tight knit group of friends don’t exactly welcome Mac into their group with open arms, but only 1 managed to resist Mac’s charm. I loved all the feels of watching our couple fall and fight and makeup and figure out what they want and need from one another.

4.5 stars

Elle Kennedy’s ‘Good Girl Complex’ hits the perfect intersection of grumpy/sunshine and opposites attract, resulting in all around amazingness. There’s banter in spades, and white-hot chemistry that will leave you begging for more.

When Cooper Hartley sets his sights on Mackenzie Cabot, his motivations are far from pure. A “townie” tired of being mistreated by the town’s elite, Cooper thinks that Mackenzie is just another rich girl clone. When he finds out that’s not the case? Well. Things get super complicated. Mac Cabot is tired of towing the line, of feeling like she’s a placeholder in her own life. So, when she meets the broody, tattooed Cooper, she starts to realize she wants more. More out of her life. And more from him. Little does she know that Cooper has a secret. A big one. One that could be a complete game changer.

One of the things Kennedy excels at as a writer is creating fictional places that feel real. Her world building is great, and the reader becomes invested not just in the story of the protagonists, but in the stories of the secondary characters as well. My hope is that there is another interconnected standalone coming, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this place or these characters.

Mac and Cooper are absolute fire together, whether they’re loving each other or fighting each other; their connection is palpable. Kennedy deftly shows how people can seem like they’re opposites in every way, but are actually more alike than they ever would have guessed. Add in witty banter and hilarious moments, and I’m all the way in.

A sincere thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED this omg.
It was everything I needed in a romance!!!!

For me Elle Kennedy is an auto-read. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book. I finished it two days ago and I am still thinking about Cooper and Mackenzie.
This is great for those who want to get into romance with a nice splash of smutt.

We need an Epilogue. BADLY

DNF 35%

I was such a fan of the author's off-campus series and I was excited to see what else she had to offer with a non-sports romance, new release. Sadly, this was not my cup of tea at all. I tired so hard to get myself through this, but the writing and the characters felt so juvenile. As a college student myself, I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for some good romance, but this was not a good romance, nor could ignore how out of touch everything was.

I read this very quickly, i wanted to know what would happen but this whole thing felt a tiny bit too cliché… i have a soft spot for twins in stories, and this one has two amazing twin characters, but i was not convinced by mackenzie.

Elle Kennedy has created a really fun and interesting take on the good girl/bad boy trope.

Cooper and Mac are from very different lifestyles. Mac is a very wealthy good girl, who aims to please her family and their expectations, even when it goes against her desires. Cooper is a poor, hard working "townie" who hates Mac's type. But circumstances arise that he needs to get to know her and date her.

The story is very cute and funny. The banter is absolutely *chef's kiss* perfect. I loved the beach town/ college setting and how both of the MCs were developed. I wish there was a bit more spice, but I enjoyed the tension and build up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. My views and opinions are entirely my own.

St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin many thank to you my friend!
It is currently 1:32am and I literally just finished Good Girl Complex by Elle!

Funny, sweet, sad and sexy story? I'm all game!
Elle reeled my heart in with this adorable story!
This book has squeezed my heart since the beginning. it’s extremely emotional ride was such a sweet, teary, touchy, trust, love, self worth, brave read! And I loved everything about it!
The writing was great, I was pulled in to the book from the first page..
These characters what can I say? I loved them but wanted to scream at them! But I loved them more..... LoL
Long story short.... read this book! You won't be disappointed!


PS.... Martin Press oh my gawd.... I need Cast's newest book.... Omens Bite.... Freaking loved Spells Trouble!!!! desperately in need! 🙏

This romance was fantastic. It reminded me a lot of the Netflix tv show Outer Banks (season 1 romance) in the best way. He wanted to date a rich girl “clone” as a form of revenge and she was thrilled with his bad boy “townie” aura. They realized they brought out the best and worst of each other but fell in love anyway. There’s a secret that threatens to tear them apart and can they work past their own stubbornness and argumentative natures to make it last?

I loved this book. Elle Kennedy does it again. The steamy scenes in this were very different from the ones in the hockey boys books. This was more focused on the romance and less on the details and nature if their physical relationship. I enjoyed it but also it seemed like it was a bit unnecessary because of it. Cooper showed growth and development as did Mac and Evan. The rest of the characters development was pretty stagnant but it didn’t take from the story.

I would 100 % recommend this book to everyone it really is a great spring/ summer read. There’s a rainstorm and everything!

This was a romance with a twist. What started off as a revenge mission turned into love. I liked how Cooper and Mac while initially drawn to each other did have a bit of conflict. It was great that Mac finally realized that Preston wasn't what she wanted and was able to remove herself from her parents' shadows. The dog was a nice addition and so was the thieving mother. This book had a lot of twists and turns which is what made it more than your typical romance. Nice, light read.

Good Girl Complex is my first ever Elle Kennedy book and it did not disappoint! I’m not usually a fan of the cheating or rich girl/poor boy tropes, but I could not put this one down. It didn’t take long for me to be won over my Mackenzie and Cooper’s relationship. This book is full of heartfelt moments, humor, angst and spice. The small down beach setting also made it the perfect, easy summer read. Overall, I enjoyed this so much and am looking forward to picking up some of her other books!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy will be released on February 1st, 2022.

Great book! I enjoyed the "good" rich girl and the "bad" poor boy from the other side of the tracks story. Cooper is the more complex character and I was drawn to his story more than Mackenzie's story. While Elle does a great job explaining Mac's naivete towards her boyfriend, it's hard to believe that she could think he was loyal when she is painfully aware of her parent's and her friend's relationships. A young, good looking, extremely rich college boy faithful to his girlfriend 2 years younger than him while she was in high school?

I truly did enjoy Cooper and Mackenzie's story and would look forward to other books that focus on the other characters introduced to us.

I loved this one! Especially for someone who considers herself the ultimate good girl. It was nice having a heroine who always tries to do the right thing and people please. It was so relatable. I loved how she met Mac and her world completed changed and he allowed her to open up and experience a life outside the rules she is so used to following. Highly recommend. I’m already getting casting ideas in my head.
Premise

Mackenzie “Mac” Cabot is a people pleaser. Her demanding parents. Her prep school friends. Her long-time boyfriend. It’s exhausting, really, always following the rules. Unlike most twenty-year-olds, all she really wants to do is focus on growing her internet business, but first she must get a college degree at her parents’ insistence. That means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay, a community made up of locals and the wealthy students of Garnet College.

Mac’s had plenty of practice suppressing her wilder impulses, but when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, that ability is suddenly tested. Cooper is rough around the edges. Raw. Candid. A threat to her ordered existence. Their friendship soon becomes the realest thing in her life.

Elle Kennedy is the queen of new adult college romances, and Good Girl Complex is another go-to read now from this genre! I absolutely loved the concept (a "bet" to date the lead female) but obviously real feelings are caught.. The angst and lead up was wonderful. I loved the twists and turns, and Kennedy just has such a gift writing characters that are relatable. I laughed, I got the feels, it was a wonderful reading experience and I totally recommend!

Batten down the hatches and guard your loins because Cooper is here and your heart doesn’t stand a chance! I love guys like Cooper who come off as arrogant because of their amazing looks or charismatic personality and with one simple grin they completely take your breath away, but at the same time they are guarded. It takes a lot to crack their hard exterior and I just love when girls like Mac are able to chip away the facade they tend to put up.

Cooper and Mac are fun together. They are naturally playful with one another and their attraction and chemistry was evident from the first encounter, but they have moments where they connect on a deeper level that goes past their beyond sexual attraction. Despite their obvious difference, there is a commonality they are able to find within each other that allows them to be themselves around one another rather than a version that others expect.

The only drawback for me was the ending of the book. Everything seemed to wrap up so neatly and perfectly that it seemed out of place with the kind of build-up leading up to it. There were a lot of factors and situations that seemed like it should have caused more of a response than what was given. But though the ending wasn’t what I was expecting, overall the book was a great read. The characters were fun and endearing and I was so badly for every single character in the friend group to have their own HEA. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC.