Sydney Richardson owns a couple of successful restaurants in Madison, WI. She is also in a relationship with Clay Hawthorne, a nearby bar owner and blues pianist. Clay’s 20ish son shows up in town and is shortly followed by Miranda the woman who gave birth to him and abandoned him shortly thereafter. The story is told in today’s time and also chapters that take place twenty years earlier. It explains about much of Miranda’s past, her involvement with her employer’s family and with a somewhat iffy church. When Miranda is found murdered Sydney investigates The Who, what and how in order to clear Clay’s name. Telling a reader more would reveal too many spoilers, but it is well done, entertaining and will hold the reader’s interest. The reader will also be very curious about Sydney’s future adventures. Thanks to Net Galley and Alibi for an ARC for an honest review.

This is a nice story, not too good, not too bad. The bad mom, who abandoned her son and husband when the baby was an infant sweeps back into town cloaked in obvious money and changed character. She blasts her way back to an infatuated son, an ex-husband who knows something is not right and his new girlfriend.
A murder, a frame, some things that just don't add up along with things that do point the police in the wrong direction and the girlfriend/chef must figure it out and come to the rescue of them all.
There is a little bit of a fun twist in the relationship towards the end.
A lot of the information is telegraphed ahead of time, so some of the things are not as much as of a surprise as I might have hoped.
But a fast, fun read- and will be curious who is chosen in the end.

This book hooked me from the first page and did not let up until I stayed up half of the night to finish it. What a great book. It is very well written and I liked the characters. Sydney has two men interested in her, her regular boyfriend and a new detective. The boyfriend's former lover, who he has a grown son with, returns to town and things really get complicated with a great plot and lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good story that includes mystery, suspense and romance.

What would you do when your significant other's ex-lover/mother of his child drops by unannounced looking drop dead gorgeous 20 years after the last time he has seen her? And on top of that, her plan is to reclaim her son and former lover.

Sydney Richardson finds herself in a difficult situation. On one hand, she wants to walk away and avoid the love triangle drama, on the other hand - there is something very queer and suspicious about Miranda Greer and curious Sydney wants to learn what it is. Therefore, when Miranda is found dead, business owner Sydney Richardson puts on her "detective" hat and digs dipper into Ms. Greer's life. In a process, (unofficial) detective Richardson goes undercover into Miranda Greer circle. She does not only clear her lover/friend's name but brings down the real murderer and shots down illegal transportation operation that has been investigated by FBI.

The novel is the second part of a Hush Money Mystery, and I hope it is not last. A very captivating and thrilling storyline, followed by a remarkable set of characters.

Sydney is comfortable in her life. She has an amazing boyfriend. Her boyfriend also has a great son, Steel. Nothing could be better, she couldn't ask for anything more. Then, comes Miranda, Steels mother, Clay's ex-girlfriend. The girl that ran away leaving a two month old son to be raised by his father. That was 20 years ago, now she's back.
Miranda causing trouble left and right has come back to town to open a new branch of the church she has made a huge success of. But, suddenly she is found dead, death by suicide. During her short time in town she had made few friends, and plenty of enemies.
Intriguing, s great who done it thriller.
5 stars

Brillant read. I could not put this book down. I enjoyed all the twists and turns of this book. This is my first book by this author but it will not be my last. I totally recommend this book. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I give this a 6/5 if that were possible.
Excellent 2nd novel in the Hush Money series.
Sydney Richardson's two restaurants are doing well thanks to help from her widowed mother, Nancy, at Hush Money and to manager Roscoe at the Ten-Ten.
Her relationship with Clay is rocky. When Clay's son, Steel, returns home closely followed by his mother, who abandoned both men 20 years ago, Sydney's insecurities have her risking her life to solve Miranda's murder.
That Rick Sheffield has made it abundantly clear that he is ready to pursue a romantic relationship with Sydney only causes her more confusion.
Wow I can hardly wait for book 3!

It was one of the best mystery novels that took place in Madison Wisconsin . It made me fell like I was in that town. The Mystery itself was about average

In the second installment of the Hush Money Mystery Series Sydney is trying to clear Clay’s name after his ex has been murdered. Bad Girl is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The mystery kept me guessing till the end. T. E. Woods hooked me on the Fixer series and this one is no exception! She’s now my go to author for romantic suspense. Can’t wait for more!

** ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

i was intrigued by what this book was all about. I love thrillers, but this book was just lacking (in my opinion) i just couldn't finish i stopped at 35%

I received an ARC from Netgalley. I do have to admit I was not patient enough or captured at the start of this book and therefore did not finish it. The time period jumping at the beginning was confusing.

Bad Girl by T.E. Woods was extremely well written and quite the suspenseful mystery. It's boasted as a twisty thriller, and I would say that is correct. Following along with Sydney as she tries to uncover the murderer of her lovers ex, and clear his name at the same time. We go back and forth between past and present, and at times it can be a bit confusing, but all in all the time jumps help to uncover the ending layer by layer.

All in all a great thriller. At times the angst between characters did have a bit of a soap opera vibe, but it worked for the story. Would recommend to anyone who loves a mystery with some thrilling suspense woven in as well.