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A review by downsophialane
Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
fast-paced
3.5
My overwhelming impression of this book was underwhelming. The simple enough concept of a reformed "bad girl" returning to her home town and navigating an ongoing situationship with her ex is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the characterisation, dialogue and particularly the chemistry between the hero and heroine never reached their potential. The worst offence was that the sexual tension was entirely unearned - we are told that these two are crazy about each other, but the narration never bothers to actually ratchet up the tension. I found myself constantly wishing that this book had been written by Wild Seasons-era Christina Lauren - that's the level of spice these characters we're told are badasses felt like they needed.
I read almost exclusively romance, I love a sequel bait friend group, but again, the future couples being set up lacked tension to such a degree that I didn't feel any anticipation for future installments, and feel no obligation to go back to read the first book.
Bad Girl Reputation really does read like the New Adult of the 2010s - that is, pretty readable but also pretty dated. The treatment of Gen's drinking just felt lazy, especially considering the increasing awareness of sober curiosity. It feels a bit out of touch to prominently feature a cop abusing his power to terrorise a young woman, without even a nod to the BLM movement. Reading this book felt like the past decade never happened.
Overall, I wouldn't actively dissaude people from picking this up, but I'd recommend Emily Henry, Talia Hibbert or Christina Lauren over this book in a heartbeat.
I read almost exclusively romance, I love a sequel bait friend group, but again, the future couples being set up lacked tension to such a degree that I didn't feel any anticipation for future installments, and feel no obligation to go back to read the first book.
Bad Girl Reputation really does read like the New Adult of the 2010s - that is, pretty readable but also pretty dated. The treatment of Gen's drinking just felt lazy, especially considering the increasing awareness of sober curiosity. It feels a bit out of touch to prominently feature a cop abusing his power to terrorise a young woman, without even a nod to the BLM movement. Reading this book felt like the past decade never happened.
Overall, I wouldn't actively dissaude people from picking this up, but I'd recommend Emily Henry, Talia Hibbert or Christina Lauren over this book in a heartbeat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent