cover image Bad Girl Reputation

Bad Girl Reputation

Elle Kennedy. Griffin, $16.99 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-79675-2

When former “bad girl” Genevieve West returns home for her mother’s funeral, she’s tempted to fall back into her wayward ways in Kennedy’s delicious sequel to Good Girl Complex. Twenty-two-year-old Gen has turned over a new leaf in the year since she left Avalon Bay, quitting drinking and getting her life together. Most of the townspeople are willing to chalk up her former misbehavior as teen antics, but sheriff’s deputy Rusty Randall has reasons for not letting it go. During a drunken night out, he assaulted Gen, and, in retaliation, she blew up his marriage. Now that Gen’s back in town, Rusty’s out for revenge. But he’s not her main concern. That would be her ex-boyfriend, Evan Hartley, whom she abandoned without a word. Evan still loves Gen and hopes they can pick up where they left off—but Gen won’t let him lead her back down a bad path. To prove himself, Evan must reform. Evan’s growth from party boy to worthy romance hero is a joy to witness, especially as, along the way, he reminds Gen that having fun is not a crime. The duo’s unbreakable connection comes through on every page with palpable chemistry and an even stronger emotional connection. This will-they-won’t-they offers a fun balance of life lessons and steamy sex scenes.[em] (Oct.) [/em]