Reviews with content warning for Classism - Good Girl Complex

This is a hesitant 3 stars (I waa initially thinking 2.5); the book is about cheating as a grounds for a relationship, and even when the characters themselves frown upon the issue heavily, I think the cheating – when found out – should have been worked on more. The main characters are young, though, so you shouldn't expect too much emotional maturity from them. They are both still finding their place in the world and figuring things out, which gives them a little slack.

Both the main characters are flawed and doing things for the wrong reasons. The plot revolves around breaking up a relationship / cheating as a revenge, but that revenge plot turns into unexpected real feelings. The main characters Cooper and Mackenzie are not good people, even though they seem to make each other better by encouragement and emotional support when they are together.

Both the main characters have a tendency to avoid the hardest conversations and facing the truth, though, which creates the basis for the ultimate tension and

third act breakup

. I wish the issue was resolved with more groveling, self-improvement, and a longer heart-to-heart conversation, especially as the morality of cheating and lying has been a constant subject in the story.

I also wish the book continued a little further into the timeline and showed if they really could make their relationship work in the long run – if they can look past the revenge chesting plot. Now it feels like the characters are still looking at each other with rosy shades of lusty infatuation, and the real world might still be too much for them to stay together. Yet maybe that is what they deserve: a good-ish relationship on shitty grounds, or yet another breakup to break their hearts.

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britwalsh16's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Elle Kennedy has done it again! The only thing I didn’t like was that there was no hockey in it. Lol Mac & Cooper are the perfect example of opposites attract, and the passion they have for eachother even when they are fighting is inspiring! I want passion like that!! And though it may have started out as a revenge plot, Mac is much better off without Preston. He is such a dick! I feel bad for his future wife! Lol

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crondeau_yvr's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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laleh_eve's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Rich girl meets local townie. It’s a book with some self discovery along with romance and a little bit of a revenge subplot.

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was my first Elle Kennedy and I enjoyed it! I liked the characters and story. A couple parts had me rolling my eyes but that happens. The only thing that bugged me was that the conflict was resolved literally on the last pages. I like to have an additional scene or 2 after the resolution to smooth out the ending. But maybe that's just my preference.

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tah_014's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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kirareadssometimes's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

So fun and sexy. Love the couple’s dynamic. Really liked how him being a trade worker was portrayed as such a positive thing! And that it’s okay to drop out of college and do what’s right for you.

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