Received this ARC from NetGalley! Bad Girl Reputation comes out on Oct 4, 2022.

This series has been wonderful so far. I am curious if we will get more but I’m sure we will cause it’s just like Off Campus with a friend group.

This book follows bad girl Gen & bad boy Evan. These middle school on & off again sweethearts are truly perfect for each other now that they have done some growing up. They were always getting into trouble, drinking too much & causing a scene, starting fights & getting arrested.

On Gens worst night she finally wakes up the next morning and realizes she needs to leave. She makes the decision to up & leave and not tell anyone where she’s going. She spends a year trying to be sober, work a steady job & not get into trouble like the old days. When her mom passes away she comes home for the funeral & of course runs right back into Evan. He thinks she’s trying to hard to not be herself but all she wants to do is be happy & proud of what she has accomplished.

Evan is now wooing her & in competition with a guy she is also kind of seeing but ultimately of course they end up finding their way back to each other. Evan has stopped getting into fights & they both work through things together.

The smut is also very enjoyable & their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS good.

This book made me cry at one scene where I could just feel Gens emotions. I am super emotional & love when books just wreck me but this book isn’t like that. I appreciate books that also don’t destroy me & it’s a beautiful romance book.

I really enjoy this series & can’t wait to see if there will be more to it. Thank you to Raven Kennedy, NetGalley, & the publishers for giving me this special ARC!

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this book.

I’m a big Elle Kennedy fan, so I was excited when I received a copy of this book. It did not disappoint. I absolutely love Evan and Gen’s story. It was beautiful and thought provoking. I liked Gen’s progression but I think Evan’s character arc was more profound. To watch him grow so much that he’s be willing to give up the one person he loves more than anything… it was heart warming. He matures more than I’ve seen any character in a book do. This book was well written, despite a few typos, and I would recommend it to everyone.

https://www.goodreads.com/reviewI read this book for Net Galley.

I loved this story! It was adorable. I loved the second chance romance. There is a amazing banter in this book and I'm a sucker for banter. I also really enjoyed having both of their POVs.

My only complaint for this book is that I didn't know it was the 2nd book in a series. So i'm going to go back and read the first book. However I will say even though I didn't read the first book yet I did not feel lost at anytime. I can't wait to read more from Elle Kennedy.

I have loved every single on of Elle Kennedy’s book!! Like, love love, but this one was different. It just didn’t feel like a lot of things happened even though it did?? I didn’t understand some plot lines, like her dating Harrison for so long.
Of course they would end up together, but it felt anti-climatic since they were “together” almost the whole book.

I will read everything she writes or has written, but this book is my least favorite of the bunch.

Bad Girl Reputation was exactly what you would expect from an Elle Kennedy romance. Tons of chemistry, angst, and on-again-off-again romance. I enjoyed Evan and Genevieve's story just as much as I enjoyed Cooper and Mac’s and it was really fun to be back with these crazy characters again and to be back in Avalon Bay which has an Outer Banks vibe (think beach bonfires, surfing, ramshackle beach cabin). While these characters do act immature at times — picking fights, making each other jealous, etc. — I still enjoyed it. My only complaint was that I wanted to see more growth and maturity from the two MCs by the end of the story. The 11th-hour breakup seemed completely out of place, so the reconciliation was rushed and I didn’t feel the satisfying connection and closure that I look for at the end of a romance novel.

However, overall, it was a fun read perfect for summer! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! I was so happy to see Evan get his own book. You could see in Good Girl Complex that Evan was struggling with Genevieve leaving without saying goodbye. This book is about a second chance romance, self-improvement, and self-reflection. Gen comes back to town after a year when her mom is sick and dies just a few days later. Her and Evan see each other at her mom’s funeral and from there, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Gen is reluctant to give Evan a chance because she has done a lot of self-improvement while away (getting sober, staying out of trouble, etc…), but Evan refuses to give up. The whole book is Evan trying to prove to Gen that he can support her life changes while make improvements to his own. I love Evan and Gen. I love that they realized their relationship before was toxic in someways, but realizing they can fix that. I’m a huge fan of groveling and Evan does a lot of it 😍 The spice is perfect 🌶. It was nice to see Mac and Cooper make an appearance, but I didn’t like them as much as I did in Good Girl Complex. Maybe because we’re seeing them through Evan’s eyes and his relationship with them has been rocky. I was so sad when we didn’t get an epilogue in Good Girl Complex, so I was SO EXCITED to see one at the end of this book 😍 this is definitely worth reading. Anything by Elle Kennedy is an automatic buy for me!

Heavy topics in this book that you should be aware of: sexual assault, strained relationship with parent(s), minor drug use.

Bad Girl Reputation brings readers along on the journey of former ‘bad girl’ Genevieve West as she returns home for her mother’s funeral after being gone for a year. The last time Genevieve was in town, she decided to leave without informing anyone of her departure – including her former best friend and ex-boyfriend Evan Hartley. Now that she has finally returned to Avalon Bay, Evan wants to convince her that they could be good together. He’s desperate to know why she left without telling him and why she’s adamant on staying away from him. They are quick to notice that the passion remains as strong as ever, so how long can Gen avoid giving Evan a second chance? Will a bad reputation always remain, or can it be improved in the name of love?

If you are a lover of second chance romance or looking for a fun summer read, this might just be the book for you! This book was written in classic Elle Kennedy style, however in a sense it still felt different from the Off-Campus series that you might be familiar with. I found myself appreciating the moments that discussed grief, family dynamics, and the message of there not only being one correct way to feel – people are different and react with different behaviors when facing tough situations. Moreover, the romance provided great tension and a will-they-won’t-they storyline. I loved the chemistry between Gen and Evan. Even if they knew everything could go up in flames any second, they could not bear to stay away from each other. It was as if a magnetic force was constantly pulling them together. I’m always a sucker for the childhood friends to lovers to strangers to lovers trope, thus I was immediately invested. I adored how well they knew each other despite being apart for some time. It felt as if there would always be an underlying understanding between them. At times, the characters felt a bit immature, and they made questionable choices, but in a sense, it was nice to read about someone who didn’t have it all figured out and to watch the characters attempt to grow. I wish we could have seen more of Gen and Evan’s past instead of the little bits of information we got from the anecdotes when they went down memory lane together. Some parts felt a bit slow or dragged out to me, and I didn’t find myself completely adoring the characters, however this was still a very entertaining read! If you want to dream yourself away to a place of summer, trouble, and second-chance romance, this is for you.
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of this book!

Okay so I had heard the hype around Elle Kennedy books and was really excited to check this one out, but was incredibly disappointed. To be honest, I couldn’t even finish it. The characters were DEEPLY unlikeable, and the book as a whole seemed to be glorifying unhealthy relationships. Honestly, this is not a book I would recommend, and I can’t think of any redeeming qualities.

Solid 4 star read!! This is a second chance romance set in a beach town - what more could you want?! I absolutely loved the banter and character growth. If you’re looking for a beach read, this is it!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

*thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I dont usually like second chance romances but I enjoyed this one . Our messy Heroin, Gen, moves back home after an unfortunate death in the family and is forced to be around a toxic ex lover ,Evan, who she meant to distance herself from. Their physical attraction feels magnetic and makes it impossible to stay apart .

(If u want a romance high on the horny and low on the feels with a bit of toxicity this ones for you)

I thought overall the story was enjoyable but i couldn’t help but feel like their chemistry was mainly physical & saddled up together not because they were good for each other but because there weren’t any better options. I mean its not like she didn’t try to find one but

…the loser cop? Really? Ick. (This one of those couples i believe broke up after the epilogue 💀)

Small town romances amirite

S/n: This book leaves the door open to a lot of potential couples introduced here

I think that Elle Kennedy had a great premise with this book. The tropes and plot were all there, but it all falls a but flat. The characters do not get enough depth and Gen/Evan don't have believable chemistry.

I think we needed 100 more pages for the character development to really make sense.

It's even more disappointing because I know Elle Kennedy can do way better. Maybe traditional publishing stifles her.

**ARC Review**

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I literally devoured it in one sitting! This was such a fun summer read. Bad Girl Reputation follows Gen and Evan after Gen abruptly left town a year ago. It was such a great love story to watch them find their way back to each other. It was fun and flirty and I immediately fell in love with Gen as the protagonist. We got a glimpse at the characters we fell in love with in Good Girl Complex, and left so many opportunities for the Avalon Bay series to continue. 5 stars, 10/10, two thumbs up, just loved it!!!!

An easy read with a beach town setting. I read the first book in this series right before so I was familiar with Evan and Gen. I liked getting to hear their story. The characters are a little immature but I guess they are early 20s. I was glad to see Evan (and Gen) grow up and realize his potential. I also liked that his mom cleaned up her act. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend to friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this e-ARC

Bad Girl Reputation is the second installment of the Avalon Bay series. This book follows Evan And Genevieve who has come home after losing her mother to illness. She is reluctant to come home and attend her mother’s funeral but her father wants her to stay home for a while. To make matters worse, her ex also shows up to her parent‘s home after the funeral and it appears the two may still have feelings for each other.

I really enjoyed this book as well as several other books from Elle Kennedy. It is a great story for anyone who loves second chance romances, finding happiness, and overcoming challenges.

4.5 Stars/ 5 from me!

Thank you, Netgalley for this new Elle Kennedy arc. I have been looking forward to reading the second book in this series for some time now, and glad I got the chance! I will say I had super high expectations as the first in this series was phenomenal. Getting into this one took me a bit longer cause I had to relearn who all the characters were again, and try to remember which twin was talking. The story line was fantastic, but it still took me a week to get through. I will still recommend this read to friends and customers. But I really wanted to see more character development and see more romance throughout the book.

This was a super cute story. I didn’t like it as much as Good Girl Complex but I enjoyed reading about Gen & Evan’s story. Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Kennedy, & St. Martin’s Press for the ebook arc!

I bought Good Girl Complex because netgalley had given me the opportunity to read Bad Girl Reputation, and I knew I needed to read it first! I loved Good Girl Complex, and thankfully, Bad Girl Reputation did not disappoint!
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Genivee comes back to town after a year of being away and of course the one of the first people she sees is her ex-boyfriend. Evan and Gen had a fun and exciting, possibly even toxic relationship in the past, but Gen has changed. She is becoming a new version of herself, and Evan is so unconditionally in love with her, he is trying to do the same. However, it is hard to change your reputation, especially in a small town.
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This was a good, quick read for me. There has to be another book coming out, because Alana’s story (One of the Avalon Bay Locals) is not complete! I am dying to know what is next for her!

*4.5 Stars
Genevieve and Evan have known each other since their teen years. Growing up, they drank, did drugs, partied, and got into enough trouble to become the notorious trouble-making couple of their small town. One night, she leaves town and everyone behind, including her passionate and toxic relationship with Evan. After a year of absence, she returns for her mother's funeral. She's no longer the party girl she once was. Surrounded by those who knew her during her notorious years, her renovated self is tested, especially when Evan appears.

Evan is the textbook bad boy. He's hot-headed and passionate and nothing stands in his way when he wants something. The problem is, the only thing standing in his way of being with Gen is...his old self. As the story unfolds, he understands what happened and Gen's reasons for making a change. And I loved that he was supportive. And even offered some helpful advice to temper her change with moderation.

I loved that Gen made a conscious decision to change for herself. And the author's use of memories/recollections of events comparing now vs. then showed Gen's level of growth. We learn of the events that led up to that fateful night when she left town, her fears of being branded the Boy Who Cried Wolf, and the genuine regret she feels at the devastation she left in her wake. We also witness the sheer courage and strength it takes to overhaul one's self, especially in a small town setting where ghosts from the pasts still linger and hold a grudge.

Gen and Evan's chemistry lights up the page. It was evident in every look, word, and interaction. And while there is heat in the story, it never overshadows their personal growth. It actually fuels it in both a steamy and sweet way and shows just how symbiotic their relationship is and drives Evan's own change. I felt their connection. I felt their passion. I was cheering them on and hoping they both found a happy medium where they were content with their "new" selves without losing the fire they shared and kept them together.

There were a lot of secondary characters. I loved how Evan's mother also went through her own personal growth. I especially loved Riley and how he brought an amazing level of character development with respect to Evan. The only thing I didn't like was the repeated use of Harrison throughout the story.

As a bonus, we get Epilogue Evan. He still has that spark of mischief, but it's balanced by such control that it was even more attractive.

While this is the second book in the Avalon Bay series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

/I received an early edition of this book. This did not affect my opinion of the book or content of my review./

enjoyed the first book in the series, and was excited to get back to Avalon Bay. This book was quite a bit easier for me to get into, since we already know the setting and the major players. The friend group is still really large, and I did find myself forgetting who was who in terms of the side characters. I read the book in 3 sittings, and overall enjoyed it.

Like the first book, it feels solidly NA/college aged versus mid/late 20s, but you’re starting to see a bit of the ‘adulthood’ turning point. There’s a definite coming of age slant, where both Gen and Evan are trying to learn what their adult selves look like. Evan and Gen’s chemistry was great from the start, and I loved the second chance aspect to their story. The Outer Banks + Gossip Girl mashup comparison from my review of the first book still holds true. There’s also a new character who also totally steals the show. Got to love a cheeky teenager to add some color to the storyline. Overall I really enjoyed it, and it felt like a great summer vacation type of read. (just wish it came out before October so y’all could enjoy it this summer as well) The comment in the acknowledgments is spot on: a story of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances

I love Elle Kennedy books so much and this one did not disappoint. Gen and Evan’s second chance story was a good one. Kennedy knows how to give the read tension and her plots give her characters all the feels. Thanks for the ARC NetGalley, I would highly recommend this book!