A review by stephsbooktalk
Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod

5.0

Thank you so much to Sourcebook for the ebook!!

This book is out now.

I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT PICKING THIS UP SOONER!

I was enthralled from the story of Kayla from the very beginning. The way Xio has built this rock band world has been so fun to see and read about.

I love how we got a little bit of her backstory and how the death of her brother affected her into her adulthood. I also loved the growth that Kayla had with her parents. I was frustrated for her and just wanted to shake her mother. I was so glad that by the end they were able to have a long overdue conversation. I love seeing Kayla's relationship with the other band members! I don't recall seeing as much of the other personalities in the first book as I did in this one. And I really feel like we may be getting her book next??

Oh sweet Ty! Just give the man all the books in the world! He just is trying to get by day to day and lead such a quiet life. I love his relationship with his grandfather who raised him. He went through some challenges in college that change the course of his life and truly just wants to work and earn enough money to keep his head above water. The opportunity to drive a tour bus for the Lilly's comes at the perfect time! He found this community of family and what better way to get close to people than the forced proximity of a bus.

Kayla and Ty together was just so sweet to see! I love how they bonded over reading and talking about books. They were able to open up to one another and I just loved seeing their time together throughout the book. I just love them together! We got to see Seb & Toni in this and it makes me excited that we will also get to see Kayla & Ty in future books.

I did my reading via audio and both Tyla Collier & Benjamin Charles were so good as their character! I have to give kudos to Benjamin who nailed the grandfather Van down so well! He really turned himself into an old man. And Tyla was able to just fluidly go through all the different female voices.

This book is a lofty book coming in close to 450 pages but let me tell you. It did not feel like that at all. I thought the pacing was great and that it moved quick.

I really enjoyed the first book but this one was just SO good!!  I am very excited to see what is next for Axelrod as well as the success of the Lillys!