A review by sami_leigh
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I had high hopes for this book, which were swiftly thrown off of a cliff with the first utterance of a cheating trope. While the unfolding backstory and subsequent character development of Cooper and his brother Evan were well thought out, these characters were left to carry the entire book solo. Mac showed some personal growth in her decisions to forge her own path, though her gullibility becomes a running joke, along with the joke that is made of her
when the revenge plot blows up. I could’ve gotten on side with this story if Cooper hadn’t known who Mac was when they met - perhaps finding out later and keeping it from her - but this revenge plot goes beyond toxic.
I had hoped the supporting characters - Coop’s ‘gang’ - would redeem themselves
after actively encouraging a plot to break down the character of a women they’ve never met all because her boyfriend is a certifiable asshole. Grow up.
They lacked depth, however, and Mac doesn’t develop a support system beyond her dorm mate - who isn’t much help
-meaning once the third Act comes this character is still alone, without anyone to help her pick up the pieces. So instead of going and picking them up herself, she runs to the people who actually sparked the whole revenge plot and convinced Cooper to continue with it…I am utterly lost.
 
The ending left much to be desired. Ultimately, people didn’t own their behaviour and work to become better, and while Mac wasn’t all that likeable as a character, after what she has persevered through in her life she deserved a better support system by the end.

I would consider reading the sequel if only to see the real love story play out; that between Evan and Daisy, their dog. 

Tropes: Cheating, opposites attract, good-girl bad-boy.
Some good banter. 
Some diversity rep. 
🌶🌶
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