Kaitlyn‘s review of Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
Contemporary Romance published by St. Martin’s Griffin 01 Feb 22

I struggled with what to rate this book. I kept going back and forth between an A or a B. I ultimately decided on the B, because even though there are issues, it’s still an incredibly fun, bingeable romcom.

What starts out as a way for the local bad boy to get revenge on the rich asshole frat guy who gets him fired turns into him falling for the girl he’s trying to steal. It is very predictable, but I absolutely love predictable romcoms. This is a quick, fun read that also includes an adorable golden retriever puppy. I couldn’t bring myself to give any book with a golden retriever puppy less than a B.

Now for the grievances. It’s a little annoying the plot is centered around getting back at a guy by stealing his girlfriend as if she’s just property. I also have a hard time with Cooper’s bad boy label. Everyone keeps saying he is the local bad boy, but all I see is a hardworking man trying to make the best of the shitty situations thrown at him. The only bad thing about him is the one lie.

There’s also a lot of teenage angst throughout the book for everyone being in their 20s. Then the middle of the story drags on, while the third act breakup is literally resolved in the last five pages. And on top of the rushed ending, there is no HEA epilogue! Aren’t HEA epilogues a cute romcom requirement? I feel robbed.

But, even with the issues, I still read this in a few short hours and had a lot of fun. There were likable characters, a few laughs, and a cute puppy, I’m not mad.

Grade: B

Summary:

She does everything right. So what could go wrong?

Mackenzie “Mac” Cabot is a people pleaser. Her demanding parents. Her prep school friends. Her long-time boyfriend. It’s exhausting, really, always following the rules. All she wants to do is focus on growing her internet business, but first she must get a college degree at her parents’ insistence. That means moving to the beachside town of Avalon Bay, a community made up of locals and the wealthy students of Garnet College.

Twenty-year-old Mac has had plenty of practice suppressing her wilder impulses, but when she meets local bad boy Cooper Hartley, that ability is suddenly tested. Cooper is rough around the edges. Raw. Candid. A threat to her ordered existence. Their friendship soon becomes the realest thing in her life.

Despite his disdain for the trust-fund kids he sees coming and going from his town, Cooper soon realizes Mac isn’t just another rich clone and falls for her. Hard. But as Mac finally starts feeling accepted by Cooper and his friends, the secret he’s been keeping from her threatens the only place she’s ever felt at home.

Read an excerpt.