Okay, so I throughly enjoyed this book. It had great dialogue. The only thing I am unsure of is why there are so many unanswered questions.

Ivy kept me enthralled with her newest book and everytime I had to stop and do chores or take care of something, I was constantly thinking about the book. When it was over I was sad, hoping for more.

After a good start of what I thought was going to be a good romantic mystery, this book went downhill for me.
Hazel Fox , a would be writer, was delighted to land a job as assistant to well know writer, Athena Quinn, a well know writer whose latest books were mediocre, nevertheless Hazel was convinces that she would be able to springboard her writing career by being Athena Quinn's assistant..............only she wasn't. When Hazel arrive at the spooky mansion, in the oceanside gated community, she came face to face with the indomitable Mr Rimmington (no first names allowed), the same Mr Rimmington who was assistant to Athena Quinn, Hazel was to be his assistant, in fact, assistant to the assistant.
This is where the story loses its way in my opinion, I may have completely missed the point but I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a thriller, a mystery, a romance or a comedy. Hazel is so silly and naive, her constant texts to her best friend, Kehlani, were sometimes amusing but I couldn't get invested in the story, especially when the vampire theory emerged, I couldn't connect to any of the characters, I didn't find them likable, I didn't feel the passion in the broody, controlling Mr. Rimington and I guessed the outcome a few pages into the story.
I have read and really enjoyed previous books from this author and although I realise that lots of people will really enjoy this story, sadly it wasn't for me. I won't mention them so as not to add spoilers, but I found that there were too many loose ends.

I’m really not sure how I feel about this book. I loved the sound of the blurb and the whole premise of the plot line intrigued me even if the main part of it was a bit obvious right from the start although I will confess that I didn’t see the full extent of it. Time wise it’s fast paced, set over one month and initially I got vibes of Jane Eyre from the opening chapters as wannabe author Hazel Fox arrived at the remote island estate of Athena Quinn to take up a role as her PA only to find the mysterious Mr Remington waiting to greet her with no sign of Athena. Once she’s in the house, it’s made clear that a lot of the rooms are out of bounds but of course she didn’t listen. I did find myself getting a bit impatient with Hazel. I mean where was her sense of self preservation? She had a bad feeling before she set a single foot across the threshold but then proceeds to act like Nancy Drew on steroids and go snooping and girl, just saying you obviously read way too much PNR the conclusions your mind was leaping to! I did feel more could’ve been done to ramp up the suspense element of the story and as for the romance, well I Just didn’t feel any connection between Hazel and Atlas or even that I really got to know Atlas, and sorry but she forgave him far too quickly considering what he’d done. I wanted to love this book but I think I’m feeling a bit let down.

This book is several hours that I’ll never get back. The heroine makes questionable choices WITHOUT solid character motivation. There’s really no relationship between the hero and heroine. Despite all of the weirdness that Hazel is experiencing all she thinks about is sex. This book was just too strange without reason.

Hazel Fox takes a live in job as an assistant of a famous author, Athena Quinn, only to find out she's actually the assistant to her assistant Mr. Remington. The atmosphere is eerie and ominous right from the beginning. Hazel does not get to meet Athena, but is given menial tasks like going through fan mail or sorting thousands of e-mails. People can't use shoes inside the mansion or call each other by their first names. The cook does not speak and comes across frightened, doors are locked and Hazel is warned not to go out at night. For much of the time Hazel is alone, her only human contact being speaking on the phone with her best friend Kehlani.
There are only a few characters besides Hazel and Atlas, Mr. Remington, and they are all really peculiar. I did not really like any of them very much.
This is the first book I've read from this author and I did not know what to expect. The book had me turning pages wanting to know what on earth was going on. The story is slow burn and I was not sure if it was meant to be a thriller or a romance. And in the end I did not get all the answers I would have wanted, but I did like the ending anyway.

Hazel thinks she’s going to be a famous authors assistant but finds that she’s the assistant to the assistant. Mr Remington greets her very stoically and reserved. He sets tasks for her and lets her know that these things need done before she meets the author.
Things start going bump in the night at the authors creepy mansion. Hazel has a very active imagination. She starts to investigate the mansion and Mr Remington.

I loved how this gave me Pretty Little Liars vibes. About how Hazel jumped to conclusions before the proof. But her friend on the phone fed her paranoia. The suspense was fun to read. It was a slow burn but a quick read so you don’t notice it as much.
This twisted version of Beauty and the Beast had me ensnared from the first page.

A stand alone by Ivy Smoak. No cliffhanger, a bit of mystery, a thriller if you will. And yet more. Hazel arrives hoping for her dream job, only to find, it’s not that at all. Instead of being the assistant to author Athena Quinn, she’s the assistant to the assistant to her, Mr. Remington. And it does not start off well…but here is where I won’t spoil it and tell you to buy it to find out Hi

Hazel’s Story Is A Playful Romantic Suspense That Keeps You On Your Toes Throughout! It Is A Slow Burn Full Of Mystery, Yet It Remains Light & Entertaining As Well. Similar To Some Of The Author’s Other Recent Books, There Is A Hint Of The Supernatural At Play. Don’t Forget To Download The Free Bonus Scene From Mr. Remington’s POV Via The Link At The Back Of The Book!


Hazel Fox, a recent college grad, is thrilled to begin her new job. She leaves New York behind, never anticipating the mystery that awaits her. Hazel was orphaned several years ago, so her college roommate and best friend Kehlani became the closest thing she has to family. She followed Kehlani to NYC after graduating, but unlike Kehlani, who landed a great marketing job, Hazel simply couldn’t afford to remain there. Hazel also majored in marketing, but her real dream is to become a writer. Miraculously, after a tedious application process, she was just hired by one of Kehlani's favorite romance authors: Athena Quinn. The job includes room and board as well.

Hazel’s new home is on a small island off the coast of South Carolina. As she pulls up to her employer's estate, the questions begin. She believes she has been hired to be the assistant to Athena Quinn, but apparently a Mr. Remington already holds that title. It seems she has been hired to be his assistant instead. Personally, Hazel believes Athena's recent books lack inspiration, but she nevertheless respects Athena and looks forward to learning from her. Despite the confusion about her title and duties, she hopes to eventually meet the famous author and learn from her. But in the meantime, she must survive working for Mr. Remington.

Mr. Remington, perhaps in his thirties, is infuriating. His heated looks are confusing. The handsome bachelor has strict rules and warns Hazel about the dangers of going out at night. She suspects he is just trying to get her to quit. Largely isolated in the huge mansion, she is lonely. The pool boy – Remington’s nephew, Hudson - is easy-going and suggests that the real danger lurks in the house at night. Soon Hazel wonders if she living in a real-life love triangle. But nothing is as it seems, and she is determined to find answers. She eventually finds her happy ending.

Don’t forget to download the free bonus scene from Mr. Remington’s POV via the link at the back of the book.

Hazel's story is a slow burn full of mystery and suspense, yet it remains light and entertaining as well. Similar to the author's other recent books, there is a hint of the supernatural at play. Whether or not there is a logical explanation at hand remains a question throughout. Hazel is desperate to avoid being labeled the naïve woman that Athena is accused of writing about in her recent books. Her suspicions lead her down a dark path, but is it all a ruse, or is she closer to the truth than she knows?

Hazel's story is a playful romantic suspense that keeps you on your toes throughout. She is silly and naïve in ways, yet she is also determined and unafraid. Mr. Remington largely hides behind his stiff old-fashioned persona, but there are hints of something more from time to time. Their story might not answer every question, but it ends on a light, lovely note. The story is nicely written. The plot is complex. The characters are not deeply developed, but they are quite intriguing. The story is told in first person from Hazel's POV. I rate this book four stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Not your average Romance book.

I read this completely blind. Had no real offers where this book was going to take me.
I felt just as clueless as Hazel, trying to figure out how her story was going to end.

Interesting and different but an enjoyable read that left me guessing until the end.
The mystery of what was going to happen next, had me glued to this book.

Having dreams of making it as a writer, Hazel Fox leaves her best friend and her life in NYC behind, jumping at what she thinks is the opportunity to be the assistant to famous writer Athena Quinn. Once she arrives reality sets in as she learns she is to be the assistant to the assistant, a Mr. Remington who is quite stiff and does not seem at all pleased at Hazel’s arrival. Heck, she isn’t even introduced to Athena. She is merely told that Athena prefers her privacy and not to wander into Athena’s area in the house by Mr. Remington. Right off the bat things seemed quite off. Hazel is told to address everyone as Mr. or Mrs., no first names, formal dressing for dinner. It’s enough to make her want to quit immediately, and honestly I wouldn’t have blamed her. But of course had she done that we wouldn’t have a story now would we? LOL. So of course she sticks around, constantly noting the odd happenings to her friend back in New York and going where she isn’t supposed to and trying to uncover what the heck is going on. While I wasn’t a fan of Mr. Remington (though I suppose at the start that was Ms Smoak’s intention) I’ll admit the oddness of the situation intrigued me and pulled me right in. This is a quick read with an interesting story that had an unexpected number of laughs as well. Thanks so much to Montlake for the eARC.

Hazel is excited to begin her job as the assistant to Athena Quinn, a successful author as she believes it will give her the insight she needs to further her dream of writing as well. The two things she hadn’t expected was that she would be reporting to Mr. Remington, the author’s assistant, or that the locale would be more suspicious than scenic.

Mr. Remington is a mysterious character who guards his privacy and his secrets. That combined with the fact that he never allows her to meet Athena as well as the surprises and suspense will have Hazel wondering what she agreed to and what the truth really is.

Some of Hazel’s actions will have you wondering what she is thinking while a lot remains unknown when it comes to Mr. Remington for a good part of the story. There are a few secondary characters that add humor and intrigue who will draw you in.

Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking ‘just one more page’.
The imagery throughout the book was definitely something, it intrigued me a lot. And to add more to it, Hazel’s journey is an unique one.
The mystery surrounding Mr. Remington (aka Athena Quinn’s assistant), had my mind working overtime trying to catch up and decipher what could possible happen.
I believe there could have been more answers, but I enjoyed reading this book a lot. 100% entertaining.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I am not the target audience for this book... maybe me from 10 years ago would have really enjoyed this book. But not today.

This felt like a combination of "Twilight" with Christian Grey as the main character. But not sexual Christian Grey - the bossy, controlling (out of the bedroom) one. The one who made her question what was going on.

This was a thriller - but never really got off the ground. It just felt ... really surface. I wasn`t confused or on the edge of my seat - I was really just wondering "Why is Hazel putting up with this"????

I am likely not the target audience, so rather than go into details and possibly spoil this story; I will simply say - this wasn't for me. I've read some of Ivy Smoak's previous works and they were a better combination of romantic-thriller/ spice -- this had no spice and the ending was wrapped up way too quickly.

Hazel and Atlas both really annoyed me.

I can't recommend this book. Sorry to the publisher and the author for being so negative - I've enjoyed her books in the past. Just not this one.

I've seen author's books circulating around on the social media for quite a while, but this book is the first Ivy Smoak's book that I read and it will not be the last. This book was pretty fun and it has mystery, suspense, romance and plot twists that were pretty clever.

The story began with Hazel Fox, a young writer, arriving at her new job on a private island hoping to get inspiration from a renowned novelist . Instead she met a Mr. Remington. The more time Hazel spent in the house the more she noticed how strange and haunted the estate was. Secrets began to unravel and Hazel should have left since she started to wonder if she should have ever come to the estate in the first place. However, she stayed on, of course.

Overall, it's a fun and easy to read thriller/suspense/romance. There were a lot of creepy moments, yet, there were many funny moments too! If you've enjoyed CoHo's Verity, you'll most likely enjoy this too.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I throughly enjoyed this book. It was unique, fresh, mysterious, and at times a little creepy. A perfect summer time read.
Hazel (FMC) driven, curious, funny and so relatable. Mr. Remington (MMC) mysterious and handsome, and put the two together, the sexual is through the roof!
The plot has a nice flow, BTFB will have you hooked and keep you guessing!

Thank you Netgalley, Montlake and Ivy Smoak for the ARC.

Hazel takes what she thinks is a dream job working for a famous romance author. However, she gets there to discover she is actually just the assistant to the assistant. Mr. Remington is mysterious and clearly hiding secrets.

This one gave me Verity vibes with a more annoying protagonist. I wish it had committed more to be a thriller or more a full romance a la Rebecca. I think big fans of Verity would enjoy this a lot but if you didn’t like Verity, this one might not be for you.

When Hazel Fox arrives at her new job on a private island, she discovers that she won’t be working with the author but with Mr. Remington. Not only does Hazel find Mr. Remington attractive but he sends out mixed messages. She is unsure whether he is trying to get her to quit or whether he is attracted to her. However, Hazel is very certain that he has his secrets that are dangerous.
This was an interesting read with plenty of banter between the couple. I wasn’t quite sure whether this was a romance or a mystery. Overall, there were plenty of twists and turns, some of which were quite predictable. I was entertained throughout.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m really torn about this book. It’s definitely a page turner. I read it in half a day including sleeping. But I don’t think I’d recommend it.

The story is creepy, but not satisfyingly so. I guess it’s a romance, but again not satisfying. It’s more a young girl doesn’t get enough attention, invades everyone’s privacy and does/imagines stupid stuff. When it began to resemble Twilight, I almost DNF’ed but I was too curious to see how it played out.

Surprisingly this book was pretty funny, though. It did make me laugh out loud in parts.

The only part that actually annoyed me was the too often mention of him “lowering his brow.” I don’t think I’ve heard it put that way and, I counted, it’s mentioned 25 times in the book.

Hazel was hired to work as an assistant to Athena but discovers she's really going to be working for her creepy assistant Mr. Remington. So she's the assistant to the assistant- in the scheme of things, no big deal except that it is for her. And she's on an island in a creepy house with a man who seems off. This takes some turns between being an unlikely romance thing and a suspense novel or sorts - and it never really finds its footing. I also found Hazel immature. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A rare miss from me so over to others,

Bad Things Feel Best intrigued me from the very first page. The creepy and gothic vibes pulled me into the story, leaving me wondering what Hazel had gotten herself into. This opportunity of a lifetime filled Hazel with more questions and a ton of confusion. And when you add Atlas into the story all bets are off.

Bad Things Feel Great is filled with mystery, intrigue, delicious tension, and creepy vibes that kept me on my toes. I had a feeling what the plot twist was going to be almost from the beginning, but there were enough moments that had me questioning whether or not I was on the right track.

I enjoyed the banter with Hazel and Atlas. Atlas was definitely hard to figure out. He was the kind of character that you love to hate. Together, I thought Hazel and Atlas had great chemistry but thought the romance between them was quite tame.

If I had to make one complaint it would be that I felt like the ending was rushed. There was all this wonderful buildup and intrigue and then when the climax of the story happened, it was over far too quickly. I think one more chapter or two would have made things feel more finished.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and had a great time getting lost in this story.