I'm not a difficult reader to please when it comes to romances. All I need is some drama, as much spice as can be spared, and a grand romantic gesture or two. If you can give me that, chances are that I'm going to have a good time. As expected, that was exactly what I got from the second book in Elle Kennedy's Avalon Bay series, Bad Girl Reputation. (Kindle | Kobo | Paperback)
Now that I'm finished it, I can move on to answering some of the questions I anticipate readers like yourself will have, as well as provide you with a list of five books like Bad Girl Reputation for you to read next. So, if that sounds like what you're looking for, then let's jump in. (Warning: This article contains spoilers)
What Is the Book Bad Girl Reputation About?
Evan Hartley and Genevieve (Gen) West have a long and complicated history. Not only did they grow up together in Avalon Bay, but from the time they were in seventh grade, they've been breaking up and making up. Except, that all stopped when Gen picked up and left Avalon Bay without so much as saying goodbye to Evan a year ago. Now she's back for her mother's funeral and it's not a matter of if the two will be able to stay apart, but for how long? And when they do reconnect, will they end up hurt again, or will they finally be able to make it work?
Is Bad Girl Reputation the sequel to Good Girl Complex?
Yes - Bad Girl Reputation is the sequel to Good Girl Complex. It is the second book in the ongoing Avalon Bay series by Elle Kennedy and focuses on the love story between Evan Hartley (Cooper's brother) and his on-again-off-again ex-girlfriend, Genevieve. Given that each book in the series focuses on a different couple though, it would be easy to read Bad Girl Reputation as a standalone.
Good Girl Complex - Mackenzie and Cooper
Bad Girl Reputation - Genevieve and Evan
The Summer Girl - Cassie and Tate
How Long Does It Take to Read Bad Girl Reputation?
It will take the average reader approximately 5 hours to read Bad Girl Reputation.
Is Bad Girl Reputation Spicy?
Yes - Bad Girl Reputation is spicy! The spicy chapters are chapters 12, 13, 24, and 25.
How Old are Genevieve and Evan?
It is confirmed that Gen in Bad Girl Reputation is 22 years old. Evan's age, however, is never confirmed. Though if I were to guess, I would say he is also 22 years old, given that it sounds like he and Gen were in the same classes in school growing up.
Why Did Genevieve Leave Avalon Bay?
A year before the events of Bad Girl Reputation, Genevieve was out at a bar with friends when Deputy Rusty Randall came on to her. Gen declined but Rusty wouldn't take no for an answer, so he assaulted her in the parking lot. Later that night, drunk and pissed off, Gen shows up at Rusty's home and yells at Rusty's wife about what he did to her. She leaves Avalon Bay shortly after because she is ashamed of how she acted toward Rusty's wife that night.
Does Bad Girl Reputation Have a Happy Ending?
Yes - Bad Girl Reputation has a happy ending! After Gen is released from jail and the charges are dropped, Evan goes to break up with her as he believes he is a bad influence. That night, as Gen's sleeping, the cop who wrongfully arrested her, Rusty Randall, shows up at her family home drunk and throws a beer bottle at her window. Unable to sleep afterward, Gen texts Evan to meet her at their spot. She reassures Evan he did nothing wrong and asks him to marry her with a blow pop, to which Evan says yes.
5 Books Like Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
If you're hoping to get your hands on a book like Bad Girl Reputation, then you've come to the right place. Here are my top five recommendations of books with either the exes-to-lovers, childhood crush, second chance, or small beach town romance trope.
1. Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey
I was already going to recommend the Hot & Hammered series by Tessa Bailey because it's like Bad Girl Reputation in that it takes place in a small seaside town when I found out the second book in the series happens to also be a second-chance love story. So not only is it like Bad Girl Reputation, but I'd argue that fans of a smutty romance will be far more ... satisfied... with Tessa Bailey's spicy chapters. Believe me, Tessa Bailey never disappoints where spice is concerned.
2. Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score
One of the things I love about Bad Girl Reputation is that it's short and sweet, but that's a double-edged sword because, at the same time, I also thought I didn't get enough time with Gen and Evan's love story. If you felt a similar way and are willing to commit to a longer, more drawn-out small-town romance with a hint of the second-chance trope, then I'd recommend Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score. While it's the second book in the Knockemout series, I believe you could read this as a standalone without feeling all that lost.
3. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Two people from a small town. Best friends throughout their life. Ruined their relationship and have yet to make up? Sounds like I could be describing Bad Girl Reputation, doesn't it? Turns out that all also describes People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. For those who haven't read this bestseller yet, here's a brief description: "Poppy and Alex have nothing in common but are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart, but every summer, for a decade, they've gone on vacation together. Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since. Now Poppy's convinced Alex to take one more vacation together and she has a week to fix everything."
4. Final Offer by Lauren Asher
If you want to read another great exes-to-lovers book like Bad Girl Reputation, I'd suggest Final Offer by Lauren Asher. Again, it's part of a series, but it's one of those series that focuses on a different couple in each book so that makes it easy enough to read each as a standalone if that's what you prefer. For those who haven't heard of it here's the idea: Cal and Lana were childhood best friends who fell in love with teens. But it all fell apart when Cal was injured and became addicted to painkillers and alcohol. Now, Cal's back in Lana's life to sell his grandfather's home that Lana has been staying in. As soon as that happens, old wounds and feelings reappear that neither Cal nor Lana can fight for long.
5. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Are you a sucker for the childhood friends-to-lovers trope as we saw in Bad Girl Reputation? If you are and are willing to read a book that will definitely make you cry according to Goodreads reviewers, then Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren might be worth checking out. Here's a brief description: "As teens, Elliot and Macy grew from friends to much more. As adults, they've become strangers. That is until their chance reunion. Although their memories are obscured by the agony of what happened years ago, Elliot will come to understand the truth behind Macy’s decade-long silence, and will have to overcome the past and himself to revive her faith in the possibility of an all-consuming love."