3.5 stars
I liked this book, it's adorable and I absolutely adore Mac and Connor but in many ways, it reminded me of After by Anna Todd.
Nonetheless, I still really enjoyed the story, some parts really aggravated me though (Connor not telling her earlier) but most of it was just adorable.
I do love this trope that's rich girl/guy and less fortunate girl/guy.
Overall this is a good book.

This is my first Elle Kennedy book and I totally get why everyone loves her. She is an amazing writer and I will definitely be reading more from her. This is the basic outline of ten things I hate about you set in college, with a rich driven girl and a local bad boy, added spice, banter, and chemistry. I loved this and couldn't put it down. The two characters completely worked together. They each had solid back stories that made them feel like completely flushed out characters. I was nervous about this being about a girl cheating on her boyfriend (even if he wasn't a great a guy) but the way it handles this is something that I can still enjoy the book with. Things start out as friends but once the girl realizes she has feelings and kisses the boy she stops things and the next day tells her boyfriend about it. I felt like it was the best way to handle the situation in this plot.

The two characters romance is completely adorable and filled with chemistry. One of the best couples I've read about in a while

I enjoyed that this was dual POV and both narrators added great voices to the characters. I enjoyed Mac and Cooper's interactions, but I found the premise hard to understand. I hate cheating in books and not much redeemed this for me. I also hated that this was a revenge plot out to get an innocent bystander. I also was not a fan of any of the friends or family in this book. It just fell very short for me, unfortunately.

Goodreads review:

First and foremost, assault warning (not between main characters) in the beginning of the book.

I love Elle Kenendy as an author which is why I requested this and was so excited to get it. There are a lot of problems with it (none of which have to do with Elle Kennedy's writing, which is arguably great and so easy to read).

Mackenzie is just a pawn in Cooper's game to get back at Preston. She is being used the entire book and Cooper doesn't see anything wrong with it- his female friends do, but then don't do anything to stop it. It reminds me of Pogues verses Kooks in the Outer Bank- rich kids against "townies". I think that's a bit of a played out narrative at least in the way it was done here.

Cooper is one of the least likable characters ever. He doesn't seem to care for animals much which is always a red flag (who in the world doesn't have sympathy for an animal...?) and never once questions why he is treating Mackenzie like a commodity. Yes, his feelings for her change, but he still continues to use her! I just couldn't stand him and it took the book down a lot for me.

I like Mackenzie but her financial status is a little exhausting. I know most of Elle Kennedy's books feature at least one rich character but with her family wealth and business, Mac is slightly out of reach of what a normal person can relate to.

I wanted so much more from this book because I loved the Off Campus series so so so much but this just didn't cut it for me. I'm really disappointed here but I think I'm not the only one. I have not given up on Elle Kennedy as an author because I really do love her writing but this wasn't it.

This book is a new adult story featuring Mac(Mackenzie) and Cooper as the main characters. Mac is forced to go to college by her wealthy parents, even tho she has her own business. She has a totally 💯 douche boyfriend that she is expected to be with. What unfolds is a college tale with a lot of banter. She meets Cooper and the plot takes some twist and turns. It’s an enjoyable read, would be fabulous on the beach or even for now during the winter dreaming of the days of some beach time and reminiscing about college days. Elle Kennedy knows how to tell the new adult story very well! I listened to the audiobook, dual narration and done fabulous!

I knew I didn’t like ‘it started with a bet’ but I started it anyway and tried to keep an open mind and I’m mostly glad I did because I did end up enjoying the romance of this one just not as much as some of Elle’s other works. Mac is incredibly likeable. She comes from a rich family but isn’t spoiled in the slightest. Cooper on the other hand decides it’s a good idea to try to steal the girl of the rich punk that got him fired from a job he really needs (aka Mac). Needless to say the bet turns into more. Very opposites attract/other side of the tracks. This is going to be a series and I can’t decide who I want the next one to be about lol. There are two narrators for the audio version and they were both great!

Adult Content: med-high in steam and profanity

I will always one click Elle Kennedy, when it comes to her books. When given the opportunity to receive and audio ARC of Good Girl Complex, I jumped at the chance. The choice of narrators was an added bonus for me.
I love Joe Arden and Ava Erickson together. The storyline of the towny falling for the unattainable rich girl, has been done a million different ways, but this approach was a fresh take on it. I loved that Mackenzie was written with a back bone, and a lot of spunk. Her independence is truly a breath of fresh air. Her controlling parents and her all too smooth and sweet boyfriend, made my hackles rise. Cooper Hartley, is just yummy, and has a huge heart, despite his past. He's tall, tattooed, and good with a his hands. Their chemistry is off the hook, and it's not instant love, which is perfect in my mind. Overall, I did enjoy this audiobook. It is a wonderfully woven story, but I did feel that when problems arose between Cooper and Mac, that it was either pushed under the rug, or was worked out too easily. I also thought that her ex would cause more problems with Cooper, considering the ex's behavior at the front of end of the book. There is a HEA, but it is not your typical HEA.

Cooper works at night as a bartender. When one of the waitresses is harassed by one of the rich and privileged frat boys, Cooper comes to her defense and gets into a slug fest with Preston. Preston tells the owner, Joe, Cooper started it and if he does not do something, Preston will have his father make Joe’s life miserable. Cooper is fired. Cooper’s friends believe the best way to get back at Preston is to have his beautiful girlfriend dump Preston for Cooper. And the race is on. Mackenzie and Preston have been together for years and are expected to marry. Mackenzie finds Preston very comfortable and when being with Cooper, the bad boy, there is excitement.

i have enjoyed several of elle kennedy's books before, so i was quite excited for this one. i admit, i requested without reading the synopsis, so that's my fault. this book wasn't for me, i wasn't a huge fan of the NA part, the tropes used, the characters. i am sure many people will love this book, i am just not one of them.

This story had me laughing out loud and a great little escape from life. It’s charming and just a feel good story.

I’m a fictional town we meet Mackenzie Cabot is a rich girl who ends up in Avalon Bay to go to Garnet college per her parents and her long time boyfriend Preston. Who is a very hard working down to earth girl who is also a people pleaser.

Cooper Hearty is a hard working bad boy townie who has lived in Avalon Bay his whole life and considers all rich folks as clones because they are all the same and believes money fixed everything.

When a rich guy comes to the bar one night and gets cooper fired, cooper wants revenge. How does he do that his plan is to get this rich guy girlfriend right from under him and make them both pay. Who ends up being Mackenzie. While getting ti know her he realized she is not like the rest of them and starts to fall for Mac and Mac starts to fall for him? Will these two end up? Read and find out!


Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook for my honest review.

Read this if…you like spicy enemies to lovers or forbidden romances.

Mackenzie and Cooper are from opposite worlds. Mackenzie is a “clone,” meaning she comes from a wealthy family and has money at her disposal. Cooper is a twin who was abandoned by both parents and is forced to work for every penny he earns. When Mackenzie’s jerk of a boyfriend gets Cooper fired, Cooper makes a bet with his friends that he can get Mackenzie to date him instead. The plot is pretty predictable from this point on.

I wasn’t in love with this book. The writing is solid, but the story was pretty cookie-cutter as far as the plot goes. I was only mildly entertained enough to finish it. The drama between the haves and have-nots was a little too unrealistic. I couldn’t make myself care about either of the characters or their relationship. I thought Mackenzie lacked depth and Cooper was a controlling man baby. The level of spice was perfect though-not too much, but not too little. Overall, this could be a good read for you if you don’t go into it expecting too much.

The narrators were enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A romance with a good girl and a bad boy are always going to be a kryptonite for me. I was beyond excited when I got approved for this audiobook, and it did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of Elle Kennedy's writing, and truly love the story she brings to life in this book.

This dual point of view story was so incredible and absolutely addicting. I never wanted to put it down. I listened to this audiobook so quickly, and already know I will definitely be rereading/relistening to it.

Cooper and Mack are so much more than the bad boy and good girl that they are perceived to be. While their friendship started out as more of a game on Coopers end it soon becomes so much more that he can't deny. Just as she couldn't deny what she felt for him was something powerful where as what she felt for her cheating boyfriend wasn't anything special.

This beginning to a new series has me so intrigued for what's to come. I love so many of the side characters within this story, and it will be amazing to see some of their stories as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the arc of this audiobook.

I'm not sure if i applied for the audiobook also but I just got it today and I have already read this book so here is my review below.

I'm gonna start by saying this isn't anything new. we've read stories like this before. did this add in a few little things? yes. I loved Cooper Hartley, I really did. Mckenzie also wasn't annoying and dumb (mostly).

This book reminded me of "after" by Anna Todd, with a few differences. If you liked that book you will absolutely love this one.

Also, Mackenzie's parents gave me Gilmore girl vibes so much. I continually thought of the grandparents in that show whenever they were brought up.

you get two points of view, written in first person. Mackenzie and Coopers.

Mackenzie, a rich girl is set out to have a housewife live with her boyfriend Preston, perfect and rich and willing to flaunt it. They go to the same college, they grew up the same way, all the rich people have this specific way of living and they both know what is to become of their life. Mackenzie is a businesswoman at heart, wanting to run her own websites and renovations while her family and boyfriend have this whole other life planned out for her. No, she gets no choice in this life. She moves to a beachfront town to go along with the parents' plan of her future and things start to go a bit differently than she and they had expected.

I loved that Mackenzie had a life of her own, her own business. She had more thoughts than this boy is hot although, she did also have those thoughts and for good a reason.

Cooper, a struggling townie is trying to save up money to start a better life (aren't we all). Tattooed bad boy, tall, dark, and handsome. A smirk that can make your heart pound and a heart that will melt your own... after some time.

This is not an insta love story, which I know a lot of people will love. There is tension and steamy scenes.

I really liked this story, I enjoyed waiting to see what would happen, if people would play it save or go for their passion.

I did miss the roommate after a while, I wish she had a little more time in the ending and I wish there had been a big grand opening or reveal for the businesses but it was cute. It was a cute love story and if that's what you are looking for then you will get it with this one.

Also, I love Daisy and I really wish they had gone with Potato instead because that's my dog's name lol.

Struggling business owner Cooper initially pursues a romantic relationship with college student Mackenzie as part of a revenge plot. But it's not long before he becomes interested in her in earnest. She's not the spoiled rich girl he imagined. Already a successful entrepreneur at the age of twenty, she's stifled by how her emotionally distant parents try to shape her into their ideal vision of a Congressman's daughter. The boy from the wrong side of the tracks is the only one who encourages and understands her. But will Cooper's secret destroy her trust?

Elle Kennedy is a phenomenal storyteller. This book has all the heart, longing, and romantic tension I expect from an author of her caliber. The illustrated cover disguises how gritty this book is—I wasn't expecting Cooper to be this much of a bad boy. This is not a fun, beachy read. It's intense, a little dark, and ultimately an uplifting tale of two people growing into their best selves.

The audiobook has dual narrators, both of whom produced quality performances. The emotion tone was appropriate, and I never lost track of which character was speaking.

Thanks, NetGalley. for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed this one until it went on too long but then it finally circled around to a conclusion. Mac has showed up for college after a gap year and so she is older than her freshman roommate but she has real life experience after starting a business in high school that is already a success and she is now in college just to satisfy her parents and her boyfriend. Her boyfriend is older and is getting ready to graduate and is a snob and likes to throw around his money and used it to get Cooper fired from his job. This is the turn of events that sets Cooper to revenge and to get him to meet Mac but when he does he finds she is not who he thinks and they really hit it off. Can their townie/old money relationship survive when all the secrets come to light?

Good rich girl meets townie throw in a revenge plot and let the drama ensue. This story follows Mac a rich girl ( who’s a girl boss creating websites worth over a million dollars by the time she’s 21) and Copper the townie who is working on creating his on furniture company. Copper is taking side jobs to get his business up and running while bartending one night he gets in a fight with a rich college boy Preston who would not leave the waitress alone. Preston threatens to have the bar shut down in Cooper isn’t fired. After being fired Cooper and his friends decide he should try to steal Mac , Preston’s girlfriend, away from him. After Cooper succeeds he’s found that he’s developed feeling for him but telling Mac the truth may lead to the end of their new beginning.
There were a few things I really enjoyed about this book I loved Mac I really enjoyed how she was a badass. Usually in romance they make the woman a damsel in distress waiting for her hero but in this story Mac did not need Cooper she was doing just fine on her own. I also like how they explored the idea of how money does not make family’s perfect. I also enjoyed the writing it was engaging and easy to keep going. I listened to the audiobook for this one and really enjoyed the narration the narrators were great and entertaining. What I did not care for was how predictable this story was the ending you could see coming a mile away. If felt very similar to other books that I’ve read as well. I would like to thank net galley and the publisher for a chance to read this book.

Audio note: The audio was excellent! It likely kept this from being a DNF for me, because both narrators did such a great job holding my interest. I'm always a big fan of Joe Arden, and Ava Erickson is quickly becoming one of my favorite female narrators. They both have easy voices to listen to, and their performances enhanced the story in a big way. It remains pretty light and easygoing, so the audio version works well for the office - and the romance is a slow enough burn that you won't be overwhelmed by steam. There are a few open door scenes, but they're brief and not until later on. The runtime of 10-11 hours was a little longer than I'd like for a workday listen, but if you speed up the narration a little, you'll have no trouble finishing in a day. Overall, I wish the narrators had a better plot to work with, because it's a well done audiobook that works great with the author's style.

I love a good girl/bad boy, opposites attract romance, so I was excited to dig into this one, but the blurb left out some very important information. As in, the hero makes a bet that he can get the heroine to cheat on her cheating boyfriend with him. That's a lot of cheating, which is a MAJOR theme in the book - as are lies and unhealthy relationships. None of it paints the hero, the heroine, OR the hero's friends (who are the stars of future books in the series) in a good light, and it just made me dislike every single character we encounter. I couldn't root for this couple when it would mean rooting for cheating, and I definitely cringed over how fast this heroine starts swooning over a crash, cajoling guy - who really doesn't care that she has a boyfriend. It was SO not what I was hoping for based on the blurb, and even Kennedy's devourable writing style couldn't keep me interested. And that's a shame.

The story follows Cooper, a local who is fed up with all of the rich, entitled "clones" who frequent his small town. Their selfishness can make life toxic, and the differences between the townies and the clones has never been more obvious. So when a guy gets Cooper fired from his job, Cooper's friends encourage him to get revenge by taking the man's girlfriend and discarding her. Though Cooper initially assumes that Mackenzie is just like the other clones, he soon realizes that she's actually pretty great. It's not long before Cooper's attempts to get Mackenzie into bed turn into something more, and Mackenzie finds herself falling for someone other than her boyfriend of four years.

Let's talk about the good for a minute. Kennedy's bingeable, banter-filled writing and the excellent audio narration kept me going in the first half. I was definitely intrigued by the premise, and the promise of a good guy underneath Cooper's sex-obsessed exterior had me curious. I also liked the small town vibes, and the cast of characters held some hope for future books. Hope that was quickly dashed. The supporting cast ended up being AWFUL, and I really don't see myself wanting to read any of their stories. The manhoe's book is up next, a cliché second chance romance that extinguished any desire I have to continue the series, since he sleeps with everything that moves in this. And that's part of the problem. So much of this felt cliché, tired, and overdone - we've moved past some of these tropes in recent years, but Kennedy has not. The cheating was a definite turnoff, but I probably could've overlooked it if other elements of the story had been more successful or there were characters to root for. There just weren't. Ultimately, I'm left with a writing style I loved and a storyline that I hated, which makes this a very disappointing read.

Good Girl Complex by @ellekennedy33
☀️🌊
It’s here. It’s finally here!!! I was lucky enough to listen to this one on audio. And when I say I devoured… I mean devoured. The narrators were so so so amazing.

I would describe the vibe of this book as Outer Banks meets Walk to Remember (don’t worry HEA).
I am just going to do it. I am going to declare Elle Kennedy Queen of College Romance.
I love how Elle writes a character. Flawed and relatable. A character I want to get to know more. And these two… these two I want more. Actually that’s my only complaint Elle, why did you end the story? (If your reading this I better be getting a certain twin brothers story… or Tate, or… I could keep going)

“Time to wipe up my smudged mascara and be a bad bitch. Fuck Love. Build the Empire.”

Thank you @netgalley and @smpromance for the advanced audio.

Good girl Mackenzie Cabot has perfected the art of people-pleasing. Between her parents, her prep school friends, and her boyfriend it gets tiring. Especially since she’s trying to run her successful internet business while going to college because her parents insisted. Even if that means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay.

But when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, Mac might have a little more trouble suppressing her wilder impulses. He’s rough around the edges, but quickly he becomes the most real part of her life.

Cooper never expected another “clone” from Garnet College to actually be an interesting person. So a bet with his friends about how to get revenge on a rich jerk who got him fired by stealing his girlfriend? No problem. At least until that girlfriend turns out to be Mac, a girl who challenges his feelings about the rich clones from Garnet.

A bad boy/rich girl romance that’s sweet and spicy. I enjoyed how realistic the pace of their relationship felt. Sometimes romance falls victim to insta-love but Good Girl Complex didn’t. It felt like the characters’ relationship grew at a realistic pace for two twenty-somethings. Mac did get on my nerves a little bit initially. However, she grew on me as her character grew.

There’s definitely spice, but there’s plenty of plot, too. I actually loved the way the plot dug into family and neglectful parents. It might not be suitable for everyone since neglectful parents can be a triggering topic, so keep that in mind when picking up this book. However, I loved that this book made a point to show that we can grow beyond terrible parents just like both Mac and Cooper do. And that bad parents are bad parents regardless of money.

The audiobook was excellent and I loved the two narrators - one for Cooper’s POV, one for Mac’s - and how that made each POV feel distinct. And I’m such a sucker for dual POV romances.

4 stars

I have loved Elle Kennedy's writing for such a long time and Good Girl Complex did not let me down! Full of her typical wit and banter, the characters had me hooked from the very first page as I was thrown into their lives and their romance. They always felt so real and I kept turning the pages wanting to know more and more about what was going to happen next. I hope this series continues so we can see Evan's story as well!