Like all of Kennedy’s books, this was super fun, sexy, and very satisfying. No big surprises but a very appealing and enjoyable read.

Book 2 of the Avalon Bay series. Could technically be read as a stand alone, but will be better if read after [book:Good Girl Complex|57693481]. You will better understand the relationship between Evan and Cooper, and each with their mother.

Evan and Gen have been best friends and more forever. A year ago, she left town without saying goodbye. Now she is back, but she has changed. She tried to keep her distance from Evan, knowing that they tend to find trouble when together, but Evan isn't giving up without a fight.

This book was OK. I enjoyed [book:Good Girl Complex|57693481] more. The conflict was kind of ridiculous, so it made the characters and story come off as unrealistic and cheesy at times. It isn't a bad book, I just expected more after reading [book:Good Girl Complex|57693481].

I listened to the audiobook. I cannot recall ever listening to a book narrated by Summer Morton before. Her narration was fine, though I thought she sounded a little old for Gen. I am more familiar with the other narrator, Lee Samuels. No complaints about his narration. Both seemed slower than normal. I listen to most books around 1.25, but sped this up to 1.5. Had the app I was using had smaller increments than 25%, I'd have probably went even higher.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first trip to Avalon Bay and Elle Kennedy book and I will say I definitely will be picking up her previous book Good Girl Complex. I enjoyed the small coastal town and the youthful vibe this book has. Made me reminisce on being wild and crazy back in the day! This one is full of steam, second chances and great development in characters!

I tried, but this just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t stand the main characters, especially Evan. And a lot of the dialogue was just too crude.

5/5⭐️

This story is a small town, second chance at love and life story. The push and pull between Gen and Evan is so ADDICTING! The back and forth and growth you see as they reconnect just made you root for them every second of the way. Something about their relationship is just so relatable, without giving away too much spoilers, we all know a couple who were bad for each other but keep coming back to one another. That is Gen and Evan. Life’s curveballs keep bringing them back together. They fight it hard to stay away but something always happens. I so enjoyed the back and forth of their conversations. It’s rough but sweet, and of course, just the right amount of spice. HIGHLY recommend!

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨: After reading and loving book one, Good Girl Complex, last year I was so excited to receive an arc of book two, Bad Girl Reputation and I enjoyed it. It was so fun to head back into Avalon Bay for Cooper's brother Evan's story! Evans ex Genevieve returns to Avalon Bay for her mother's funeral. A former "bad girl" she is trying to turn over a new leaf. I loved Evan and I loved the ruinion of him and Gen. They had great chemistry and I enjoyed the character development they both had throughout the story. Are the characters immature and cliche? Yes, but it's still a fun story to read! I do wish there had been more to the plot thought. I also really loved Harrison and I hope we get a story on him next. I thought the audiobook was done really well! I loved the alternating POVs and that there were 2 narrator's for each character.

📖 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮:
• second chance romance
• small town
• family drama

𝙋𝙪𝙗 𝘿𝙖𝙮: 10/4/22
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: Contemporary Romance
𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧: Macmillan Audio
𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝: 10h 24m
𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧: Summer Morton & Lee Daniels

Thank you @macmillan.audio for my gifted ALC! #BadGirlReputation #AvalonBay #ElleKennedy

This started out so strong- SO strong. I loved how real it felt, especially with the relationship the fmm had with her parents. It really grabbed me. But then it went… no where. Absolutely no where. Just a lot of back and forth, but most of it was stagnant. Very underwhelmed. The spice was also very cringy. I think the best part of this book was the mmc’s character development, but that was still minimal.

The narration was very good. No complaints there. They both did an amazing job.

Thanks for the audio ARC from NetGalley! I enjoyed this audiobook and story of Evan Hartley and Genevieve. Evan was the bad boy brother in Good Girl Complex, so it was good to hear the story of the Hartley brothers continue. It was not a new to the world story line. Past lovers turned enemies and back to lovers trope. But it was enjoyable.

I really enjoyed how Evan and Gen both grew as humans and therefore they were able to rekindle their relationship better. But biggest critique is that it was a very long audiobook considering the story line.

oh i really wanted to love this book. i am a huge elle kennedy fan, but this book was a tad bit disappointing. it was good, but not great.

The editors blurb sounded great. Then I started listening and thought I’d judged incorrectly. Immature characters, doing immature things, a vengeful police officer doing worse things and not being held accountable while everybody knows exactly who he is, some small town nosy intrusive people who live to watch the “car wrecks” so they have things to gossip about and never let anyone move forward and grow, and some antiquated gender expectations. Yikes. I kept listening and am glad I did. The evolution of the characters, the writing, the story and the resolutions were surprising and . All of it. Good listen with engaging narration.

This audiobook is receiving 2.5 stars, mainly because the dual POV’s each receive their own narrator which makes the story feel more real. I loved how both narrators spoke throughout and used slightly different voices for each characters statements.

The story is pretty underwhelming. Bad girl Genevieve returns to the town where she had a reputation that wasn’t the best. Her vices include partying and Evan, both of which are toxic for her. She vows to quit the drinking and live a sober lifestyle while still being drawn to Evan. To make him jealous, Gen starts dating Harrison.

We go through this book watching Gen and Evan try and improve their lives and better their reputations. A twist with a gross cop makes the story interesting, but otherwise, the plot is meh. Maybe because the book is likely more realistic than other romance novels.

I really like that this book involved both people realizing they had made some poor decisions and then working to better themselves. This was definitely a cute second chance romance but I didn’t like how she kept dating Harrison or the whole cop piece of this.

🌀Synopsis
Genevieve returns home for her mother’s funeral after moving to change her life. Her plans are to leave town right away until her dad tells her he needs help. So then her plan is to just stay away from her ex Evan.

Evan has other plans and knows that she’s the one for him. He knows that so much that he’s willing to put in the time and put in an effort to be a better person. He’s wishing for a second chance and also giving one of his own too.

Ultimately, the pair finds that they are able make it work and finally decide that they can be a good couple together.

When former bad girl Genevieve West returns home for her mother’s funeral, she’s prepared to keep her distance from her ex-boyfriend, Evan Hartley. Their history is rife with turbulence. And passion. A heck of a lot of passion... which she’s trying desperately to forget.

But it’s impossible not to run into Evan in the small coastal town where they once ran wild. And the moment she sees her gorgeous ex again, it’s clear to Gen that Evan is still as unruly, sexy, and irresistible as ever. This time around, however, she’s resolved to walk a new path. No more partying. No more foolish mistakes. Her plan is to temporarily remain in town to help her father run his business, but the second he finds somebody else, she’s out of there.

Evan has other ideas. He knows they can be good together, but he just has to convince Genevieve of that, even if it means turning over a new leaf himself. But can a bad reputation ever truly be shed? Do second chances really work? Genevieve and Evan are about to find out.

Bestselling author Elle Kennedy returns to Avalon Bay in this sexy second chance story about two exes who can't stay away from each other, Bad Girl Reputation.

I enjoyed this second chance romance. Elle Kennedy is a favorite author and this is no exception. Can't wait for more in the series!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own

Loved this second installment in the Avalon Bay series!
Genevieve West and Evan Hartley circle each other hungrily, but they have always created dangerous sparks whenever they gave in to the hot passion between them.

There are some heavy themes: addiction, alcohol abuse, mental health issues, as well as a run in with an old nemesis who happens to be a member of the long arm of the law in that town - and he is NOT cutting Genevieve any slack this time.

No spoilers, but I like that the author took a few familiar tropes and turned them on their ear. (One particular reversal reminded me of a very famous Friends episode!)

Mac (MacKenzie Abbot) and Cooper Hartley are back in supporting roles. (I got a huge laugh out of the scene where Evan pretends to be Cooper to see if Mac could tell the twins apart: Mac was NOT amused, however!)

You will have fun with this one. I certainly did! My thanks to the author, Elle Kennedy, her publisher, St. Martins Griffin, and NetGalley for an ARC of this Novel in exchange for an honest review.

N.B.: I was granted an Ebook ARC as well as the Audiobook version of this highly entertaining story. My thanks to the author and MacMillan Audio for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The story was ably narrated by Lee Samuels and Summer Morton. The story is told in alternating points of view: Genevieve fills the reader in on what went down in her life to cause her to leave town and break Evan Hartley's heart. Evan does a slow reveal as he realizes that Genevieve is the only woman he wants in his life. Loved the Big Brother stint - brought out an adorable side to that wild and crazy guy!

I’m just going to say it - I am a slut for Elle Kennedy’s books. At this point she could start writing little blurbs on shampoo bottles and I’d probably consider switching my hair care products just to read them. I. Am. Obsessed. 😅🤪

Bad Girl Reputation was such a treat and a perfect companion to Good Girl Complex. I loved the second chance romance between Evan and Gen. I loved the rollercoaster that was Evan and Cooper’s relationship. I LOVED the Riley (I honestly could’ve used more Riley in the book. His scenes with Evan playing big brother were some of my favorites.) And I, of course, loved allllll the drama!

Elle Kennedy as a forever fan in me and I am going to be trucking through her backlist and reading every new book she drops. I do really hope we get more from this series and characters because I need more Avalon Bay! ❤️

A bit long and drawn out for a simple love story. The book could have been half the length and still tell the same story. I did like the narrator and the male and female voices representing the characters.

Such a good romcom! With the perfect amount of comedy and seriousness. Excellent character development which makes you fall in love with the characters. Very enjoyable read!

This was my first Elle Kennedy book. It was well written and overall I liked the story. I did realize it's part of a series and I plan to go back and read the first book. I do wish Netgalley gave trigger warnings on books though.

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

I give this audiobook 4/5 stars.

I truly love Elle Kennedy's writing! The novel had a perfect amount of funny but also great romance! I love how Kennedy was able to capture a wide range of emotions in this novel from her mother dying to feeling the passion between the two. The audiobook was done well and the narrator didn't sound like some robot, so it was easy to get into! I listened to it while doing some errands, and it was great for passing the time!

I enjoyed Cooper's story and wanted to read Evan's story. I am not sure how I feel about Evan and Gen's story. Their previous relationship sounds toxic despite being so physically connected. I enjoyed seeing Evan's growth in trying to be a better man.

Gen was a tough character to root for. I don't know why but she just annoyed me. I really enjoyed the supporting characters that brought life to the book.

The narrators did a good job depicting Gen and Evan.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of ARC and ALC copy.