I’ve been a fan of Elle Kennedy for a few years, so I was really excited to get this ALC. First of all, I want to say that I really enjoyed the narrators; they sounded really good as Mac and Cooper. Other than that this story fell a bit flat for me. Every character to ‘too something’. The ex-boyfriend was too douche-y, the towny love interest was too jaded, the jealous girl was too catty. Also the amount of lying or omission of details seemed a bit extreme for the new adult crowd. I still enjoyed the HEA and small amount of spice, but I was hoping for more.

I have enjoyed every book that Elle Kennedy has written and I think she does college romance so well! So, I was looking forward to Good Girl Complex and couldn't wait to start it!

Mackenzie is the good girl-always doing what she can to make everyone around her, especially her parents and boyfriend happy, all while putting aside what she really wants. Cooper is the stereotypical bad boy, hardworking but comes with baggage and a temper that gets him into trouble. The two cross paths in a interesting way, neither expecting the connection they find. Do they pretend they aren’t feeling anything, or go with their gut and take a risk?

This was a great friends to lovers, college romance! I can't wait to share it with our followers and to read more from this author. and listen to books from this narrator!

[Received an Audiobook ARC]

Rating 4.5/5
Plot 4.5/5
Spice 2/5
Character Development 5/5

“Good Girl Complex” by Elle Kennedy is a new adult romance between Mackenzie Cabot (aka Mac) and Cooper Hartley (aka Coop). Mac is a people pleaser, who always follows the rules and is dating Preston, a pretentious, imperious cheater. Mac took a gap year to start her own business and although she is successfully running it, she promised her parents that if she could take a year off, she would attend the college of their choice. Coop is a bartender and a local in the seaside town of Avalon Bay near Garnet College, a school where wealthy students attend. When Preston threatens Coop and his boss, Coop decides to seek revenge on Preston by using Mac. The more Coop gets to know Mac the more he realizes that there’s more to this rich surface that Mac has and Coop can’t help but fall for her.

I felt “It Happened One Summer” / “After” / “Outerbanks” vibes while reading this book. Although I loved the After series, I’ve grown a lot since reading those books and I’m not a huge fan of the cheating trope. Good Girl Complex mentions themes of cheating way too much and it's the main reason why I didn't give the book a perfect 5/5. I did however enjoy the good bad boy x rich girl trope and found that it was written well and had great depth.

I rarely listen to audiobooks because I feel like I don’t absorb the books as well as I would when reading a paperback or e-book, but I LOVED this audiobook! The book is a dual POV and the audiobook has a duo narration done by Ava Erickson and Joe Arden. The audiobook was about 10 hours and the two did a phenomenal job narrating Mac and Coop's dialogue.

Mackenzie “the clone” has no idea what her rich college boyfriend has really been up to while away at college…however, bartender Cooper does.

I have mixed feelings on this one. I thought it was pretty good, but parts drug on a little…but then it picked up and redeemed itself a little. There was a lot of stereotyping (which I am not a fan of). I thought Mac was a solid and strong heroine in parts…but “dumb” in other parts. Cooper was quite the playboy, and really played Mac. There were a lot of characters in this book, but it is written as a 2 person POV. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t absolutely love it (as I do with most of author Elle Kennedy’s books!). There was borderline “cheating” in this as well (IMO).

I also listened to the audio, which was well done. The narrators did a really good job and I liked it better after listening to it as well. 3.75 stars for this “forbidden romance”/opposites attract romance from me.

Cooper and Mackenzie believe what direction their lives are going until they met. This connection and their chemistry turns both of their lives upside down. Mackenzie questions her life path and Copper finds clarity in his purpose together they are an explosive couple in and out of the bedroom. Elle Kennedy takes you on a wild ride while they fans their happily ever after. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this ARC

I need the next book like, yesterday.

This book hand me from the first chapter. Bad boy tatted local with a chip on his shoulder ready to confront douche-y entitled rich kids? Sign this girl up.

The characters, well-not Preston or the weird rich characters, in this book are so easy to love. Even ones that make it difficult end up winning you over. I loved the friendships so much and the camaraderie, this made me want to run out and go find my found family in the middle of a small coastal town.

Date her as a joke trope is usually not at the top of my list, but Elle Kennedy had me eating out of her hand on this one. It was just so smooth, and the chemistry between Mac and Cooper was just effortless. I swooned, and I knew what he was up to!

Frequently while reading this I caught myself stupid smiling and Mac's arguing and rebuttals or the cut things Cooper would say to fix him putting his foot in his mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I can't wait to read Evan's book next!



Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 10%. I often like going into books without knowing much of what they are about. In this case - I knew the author, liked the cover and title - went for it. That was a mistake. Once I learned the premise - realized this book isn’t for me. Our hero is trying to take revenge on another guy - by stealing his girlfriend. This is who I’m supposed to be rooting for? No thanks. Pass. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading and listening copies.

This book was a fun, quick read with writing that had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the idea behind the plot, but couldn’t help feeling as if there was something missing for me. That said, it was enjoyable and I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series!

This was my kind of book! Mac and Cooper are from different worlds yet they couldn't be more perfect for each other. This book has an enemies-to-lovers trope even though Mac and Cooper personally weren't enemies. Cooper hated the snobby, rich kids who he referred to as "clones" and that included MacKenzie...at first. There was so much sexual tension in this book and it made you so invested in their relationship. Opposites attract in this story but when secrets come to the surface, they have to decide how much they want their relationship to survive and whether to forgive and forget. This is the first book I've read written by Elle Kennedy even though I have heard a lot of great things. She definitely did not disappoint! I can't wait to read more!

This story has a fun twist in that our lead is also in a relationship and it doesn’t immediately come to an end as the story starts. In some books I feel like the side plots stray too far from the main that they are just distracting but I’m Good Girl Complex I think they compliment and support the story well. It was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it.

I really enjoyed this listen! It is a fun, quirky, a little steamy, new adult novel about surviving college and finding yourself. 10/10 for this wonderful listen! I will be purchasing this on print as well when it comes out.

This was a cute story. I loved Mac and her ambition, her drive. I loved that she has made it on her own and take care of herself. Cooper seems like a nice guy who really loves her but other than her business, there isn’t much that sets this story apart from all the others. I enjoyed the story but there wasn’t anything really different here. Still the writing flowed smoothly, and the characters were likeable enough so I will probably read others from this author.

The narration was well done, no issues.

Meeeeeeh.
This book didn't quite do it for me. I'm unsure if it's because I just finished The Deal, also by Elle Kennedy (and it blew this one out of the water), or maybe it's that a used to nanny a pair of siblings named Cooper and Mackenzie? Hahaha

It just didn't click for me. Their chemistry seemed off and their problems seemed so silly to me. They clearly were a case of opposites attract but they were soooo opposite that I just didn't feel the love at all.

I'm sure this book will be a total hit for romance reads but it just wasn't my fave.

Thanks NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Elle Kennedy. This was my first Elle Kennedy that I read. It was cute. It surely is New Adult, I would not just label it as a romance without saying New Adult as it reads young but it is. a refreshing look at university years..surely hasn't changed. Good girl for sure....If you love Elle Kennedy and looking for a university setting romance, this would be a good read.

This is my first Elle Kennedy book though her books have been on my radar for sometime now since I keep hearing good things.

I do like the cover of this book it gives me end of summer - enjoy it while you can vibes which is relevant because the book takes place at the beginning of university. The story centres around Cooper a "townie" from Avalon Bay and Mac a well off girl who has finally registered for university after taking a gap year to work on her app. Her parents have pestered her enough that she has finally started at the same university as her boyfriend Preston.

From her introduction Mac sort of rubbed me the wrong way as she seemed entitled. I hate that people who are rich turn their noses up at university and end up wasting their tuition by partying and not putting in as much effort. It annoys me as someone who had to work hard and get student loans just to be able to go to university. I know there are a lot of people who would kill for a chance to go to university but just cannot afford it. Sure Mac is making her own way by the money she's received by her tech/app but she has her parents to fall back on if needed.

I think the author is setting this up as a long series as there are a lot of side characters/couples who are introduced and that did cause some confusion. There were also a lot of side stories going on that distracted me from the main plot of the story the romance between the two characters.

Overall I enjoyed the story even though I couldn't really empathize with the characters (who has enough money to just go buy a hotel?) Not sure I will continue the series - but I would like to read more about Coopers twin Evan and Daisy (the dog)

I really enjoyed the narration and the characters.The storyline of "good girl" meets "bad boy" was similar and predictable. I enjoyed it but still wanted more from it. Felt like it was lacking a big conflict/resolution.

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book y’all ! 😍😍😍

It was exactly what I needed. A flirty romance with just the right amount of steam and not a whole lot of conflict.

The main conflict being the dichotomy between Rich and Poor, Mac being wealthy and privileged vs Cooper being your resident bad boy just trying to make ends meat.

We quickly learn that Mac isn’t like the rest of the “clones”, but her boyfriend is basically captain A-hole (behind her back, obviously . To her he is the perfect catch)

Cooper is the right amount of rough around the edges, a twin (hello 🔥) , with a troubled past that leaves him guarded.

What starts off as a revenge plot quickly turns into a really sweet relationship. I was hooked.

The dual POV is always a favourite of mine when it comes to romances and this was no exception. Seeing Cooper fall for Mac and vice versa from their POV was *chefs kiss*

The character growth was present but not overwhelming (they are in their early 20s though so it felt more realistic)

This book was like a mix of She’s All That and Gossip Girl and I couldn’t recommend it more. Perfect for a beach read! Short sweet and predictable in the best of ways ♥️

Honestly , I got this as an audiobook but I already know I want the physical book as well.

4/5 ⭐️

If you aren’t a big reader of New Adult fiction then this is the poster child for the perfect New Adult story. This type of book wasn’t popular when I was that age. What I would’ve given for a story like this when I was 18-22. I love the college setting in the small town. There are great characters here too. Can easily see this becoming a series.

I can equate this story to something similar to After or Beautiful Disaster. The romance is good and gets a little spicy. You definitely are rooting for the main characters to get together but it gets messy and at times a bit problematic. And honestly that’s the age of the characters. It wasn’t the writing at all - its just in that age range we all make these types of avoidable mistakes.

I may be in the minority but I haven’t read Elle Kennedy’s other very poplar series. I know. SO many have recommended it to me. I unfortunately cannot compare the two here.

I definitely recommend this one if you love the new adult genre. Otherwise if you want to dip you toe in and see what its like - it is a good starter book for that.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for my copy of this book!

This book was really cute! I enjoyed the relationship between Mac and Cooper. I think I liked the journey of them getting together more than the book after they got together. Watching him put the moves on her during the bet was so cute. Overall would recommend

Good Girl Complex is a college romance told in dual, alternating first-person POV. It is a standalone story set in the fictional town of Avalon Bay, a seaside community in the southern US (possibly South Carolina) that is home to upscale Garnet College.

Mac and Cooper’s love story is a beautiful blend of gorgeous setting, character development and growth, and sparkling chemistry. I have not read a story so unique and unpredictable as this in quite a while; I loved that it did not fall into many formulaic tropes, and I never knew what turn the story would take next.

As is typical of an Elle Kennedy masterpiece, each and every character in this story had depth and nuance that left me desperate for more. From Bonnie, the spunky and supportive roommate; to Evan, the complicated twin; to Daisy, the adorable puppy they rescued together, I loved every single one of them! I sincerely hope there is an Avalon Bay series in our future!

The audiobook was excellent. Both Joe Arden and Ava Erickson were wonderfully cast, and they did a phenomenal job of painting the scenes with their delivery of Elle Kennedy’s words. I was especially impressed at the clear distinction between dialogue and inner monologue, something that I often struggle with when listening to audiobooks. Ava Erickson especially performed in a way that captured Mac’s entrepreneurial spirit perfectly, which undoubtedly contributed to Mackenzie Cabot being one of my favorite strong female leads.

This was a refreshing new adult romance with a lot of character growth and a strong cast of supporting characters. I look forward to potentially revisiting Avalon Bay in the future!