This was the third in the series. We had met Darcy in the past 2 books, and if you haven't read them I am going to encourage you to. Darcy was trying to meet with Matt who was her niece's uncle who had custody of her. Darcy has just recently gotten out of jail for attacking Matt's brother. We come to find out how horrible and abusive this guy was. Matt had only heard bad things about Darcy so he did not want her around Lulu. When they meet their is instant attraction that they both try to fight because it is not a good idea...Boy does that change..I always enjoy reading of past characters..I wont tell you more so that you can read for yourself..Enjoy!

I really enjoyed Darcy Butler as a character! on the outside hard and cool but inside a sweet hardheaded lovable rogue who doesn't play by the rules. she was a complex character with a ton of layers to her personality. she just kept surprising me through the story as little bits of her were revealed. Captain Matt Peterson was a character that I had to grow to like. he's a man who likes control and structure. his world is made in order so when he suddenly finds himself appointed the guardian of his little niece it's safe to say his world goes to complete shit. Great character growth between both hero and heroine. Great chemistry and a believable connection. Good side characters and a plot that sucks you in.

Having read the others in this I had to complete it by reading this one. Matt has his hands full in many ways with you finding out how as you go along. Darcy will come along and turn things upside down and that is when it really gets your attention too. My heart to go out to her a bit also. Also he had me from the get go with him being military. With the way these characters are you are captured being strung along as this plays out. You slowly go to the edge with want but hope it turns out for the best then bam you are at the finish.

Fun sexy romance between a bad girl with a good heart and a soldier who needs a little bad in his life. Darcy and Matt are struggling to parent their orphan niece, Lulu. Matt's brother was abusive to Darcy's sister so their relationship doesn't start out well. Darcy just wants to make sure Matt is nothing like his brother. Total opposites, their chemistry is off the charts in this red hot romance.

Great little book about two people who don't think they deserve love. My first from Nina Croft and I have to say I it will not be my last. Matt and Darcy are brought together by the sometimes incorrigible but always adorable Lulu. Their niece is now living with Matt since his brother (her father) and his mother (Darcy's sister) were killed in a car accident. They meet in a bar, not so accidentally and the fireworks go off almost immediately, even across a crowded room.

As they come to grips as to who they are to each other, there is definite chemistry that can't be denied and their agreement to be acquaintances with benefits is a recipe for disaster. But these two stubborn souls can't stay away from each other and almost lose not only each other but their Lulu.

What I loved most was that the author went in a very unique direction, with having Darcy only recently being out of prison. For a crime that is a little too close for comfort in she and Matt's situation. There is a ton of misunderstanding and misinformation about both of them that they need to reconcile in each of their minds.And as they do, feelings emerge that neither of them wanted nor expected.

This is a no-nonsense type of story that I happily devoured. I went in blind and now I need to go back and read books 1 and 2 in the series. Those feature Darcy's fiercely loyal former cellmates who found their own unexpected happy.

I'm glad I took the chance on this new-to-me author. She writes well even though the 3rd person narrative through me at times. Well worth my time I couldn't imagine giving it anything less than 5 solid stars!

the third and final installment in the cutting loose series, the bad girl and the baby, brings things to a close with darcy's story. railroaded by crooked cops into serving time for assaulting one of their own, her abusive brother-in-law, she's spent her time in prison grieving for her sister and worried about her niece. on her release the one thing she wants is to get to know the baby girl her sister left behind, but her brother-in-law's brother has custody and all he knows of darcy is that she was incarcerated and according to his brother is violent and unstable.

matt peterson is honestly trying to do the best that he can under the circumstances. suddenly finding himself as the parent and guardian to an infant wasn't in his plans, but he's stepped up to the plate the way he always has. when darcy barrels into his life he's furious and barely willing to talk, but what she tells him has him questioning his sources. and soon he finds that he actually needs to make amends, and let this woman into his niece's life.

from the moment they cross paths, there's a spark between them. even as darcy struggles with the fact that matt looks so much like the detested steve, she can't help her reaction to him. she tries to stay away, but anytime they are in a room together the clothes melt off their bodies. literally, this is what seems to happen. the only reason they don't go farther at first is that they are interrupted at the most inopportune moment.

eventually, they get past the interruptions. and they develop a beautiful friendship. and something more than that too. but darcy is afraid. because her whole life everyone she's loved has up and died on her. and she doesn't want to feel loss like that again. she doesn't understand how she loves her niece the way she does. she doesn't want to be in love with matt because losing him would wreck her.

the three ex-cons—regan, summer, and darcy—get their happily ever afters here. and it's sweet and emotional and sexy. all of my favorite things.

**the bad girl and the baby will publish on december 4, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (brazen) in exchange for my honest review.

Nina Croft continues to entertain with another fantastic read. The Bad Girl and the Baby is the third book in the Cutting Loose series but each can be read as a standalone.

I have been looking forward to Darcy's story since the first book& it didn't disappoint. Loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A romance with an actual good plot. I like the whole romance.

Opposites do attract! Captain Matt Peterson is the guardian of hi baby niece and two years and 6 nannies later his life is still in chaos. Lulu’s aunt Darcy just got out of prison and would love to spend time with her sister’s baby will Matt allow is with her record? Great chemistry between Matt and Darcy. The story is fast-paced with plenty of drama and steam. I really liked it.

This Cutting Loose Series has been without a doubt one of my favorite by Nina Croft. Each of the heroine had extenuating circumstances that led to their jail time. I like how they do not blame others but take responsibility for their actions. Then each woman works toward a better and different future. The Bad Girl and the Baby gives us Darcy’s story. I liked this fierce woman who is the protector that Captain Matt Peterson should have been. Is she perfect, not at all, even a little broken too. However, she was easier to like than Matt, but he did wise up over time, losing his self-righteous attitude, so he grew on me.

Like her friends, Darcy has to prove that she is more than the stereotype. All the heroines in the series are complex but Darcy may be the most. I enjoyed reading her story as layer by layer the author revealed this character. Lulu was easy to love, with her well-being being a great motivating relationship starter for Darcy and Matt.

The Bad Girl and the Baby is my favorite book in a favorite series by Nina Croft, just as I said earlier. I can highly recommend this book along with the previous two. Each book is connected but is also a stand-alone.

I absolutely loved this book. Nina Croft has done an outstanding job on this fantastic book. Do love this authors books and this is another one of them. Would wholeheartedly recommend both this book and author.

Loved this one!! It's a wonderfully written story with some pretty amazing characters and a story that will break your heart and give you hope at the same time.

Matt Peterson never expected to find himself caring for a small child on his own. Add in the fact that the child can be more than a handful and he knows he's way over his head. Raising a child that goes through nannie's like some kids go through underwear on top of his military career leaves him knowing something has to change. Dealing with the child's aunt is the last thing he need but it looks like dealing with her is exactly what he's going to have to do. When Darcy Butler drops some life chaning truths on him he knows nothing will ever be the same.

Great read and one I recommend to everyone.

This was an enjoyable and engaging story. That drew me in from the start and held my attention throughout. With characters who are likable. Including Matt, little Lulu and especially Darcy. Who at first comes across as very strong and feisty. But actually has a real vulnerable side and it was nice seeing that appear as this story progressed.
As for the actual story I thought it had a nice mix of angst, romance and sweetness. Plus it was very easy to read, and you really don't need to have read the previous books in this series to enjoy it.

Nina Croft struck gold with her Cutting Loose series. The message behind the series is a powerful one. We all make mistakes, but it's not the mistake that shapes us but the lessons we learn from them. Out of desperation, these women have made some hard choices and pay the price for them. Will their lives ever be normal again. The Bad Girl and The Baby is Darcy turn to reveal her truth. Struggling with sorrow, guilt and determination, she is ready to take back her life and find her only living relative. The problem is Matt Peterson keeps getting in the way. How is an ex -con supposed to redeem herself in the eyes of the man that holds her future in his hands? Give him her heart and trust him to do the right thing. Darcy and Matt are as gritty as they come with a lot of baggage standing in the way of a happy ending, but the thrill is hoping their make it to the other side.

When I requested this book from Netgalley I had just finished reading a really heavy dramatic book. I thought, based on the title, that this would be a little lighter and more fun. I've read several of Nina Croft's books and have always liked them. This was no different. My only complaint is that I wish it had delved a little deeper considering the dramatic backstory which brought the two characters together.

Darcy has recently been released from prison and is now on parole. She's an ex MMA fighter, who's a successful business owner. She's always been edgy, and doesn't have very much faith in herself. She's not a bad person, as what got her locked up was done with the best of intentions.

Matt is career military. Loves structure, very OCD. He has specific ideas as to how things should be and initially doesn't look past his initial judgements.

Matt is Darcy's brother in law, and current guardian of her niece. Her niece is the only family Darcy has left. She'd like to meet her, but Matt refuses as he sees the parolee as a bad influence, and unsuitable.

It was a cute read, and the banter at times was funny. It moved a little fast for me. I wish we could have seen more of Matt & Darcy together. I would have liked to see more of Darcy and Lulu together. Although it sounds negative, but the fact that I wanted more is a positive to me.

This was an enjoyable with a great amount of angst!I adored seeing both Matt and Darcy fall not only for Lulu but for each other no matter how much they fought it. It was a nice story filled with a cute kid, a naughty girl and qa swoon worthy hero!I loved how Darcy was a tough strong woman but also has a soft side and Matt was truly great I loved that he was always honest.Overall, it was a great read and from the books I read in the series it was the best!

4.5Stars
I loved this story. It is a great written story with two great characters. I loved how Darcy was a tough strong woman but also has a soft side which she doesn't show very often. And Matt was truly great I loved that he was always honest, didn't hide in the bushes but always said the truth and was not scared to talk about his feelings. The plot is great and it is all combined together in a great book that I truly enjoyed reading.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

The last in Nina Croft’s Cutting Loose series is the one I’ve been anticipating the most and, having spent time at her majesty’s pleasure thanks to her potential suitor’s brother, I was intrigued how Darcy’s path to a HEA would play out.

“You like the rules. I like breaking them.”

As I’ve come to expect when I pick up a book by Nina Croft, she’s somewhat turned stereotype on it’s head, bringing us a tattooed, kick-arse, MMA fighting heroine who should never have served time, and a straight-laced, law-abiding military captain who has found himself single parenting his toddler niece..who also happens to be Darcy’s niece. And whilst he isn’t overly happy at the fact she wants to be a part of her only surviving relatives life, there’s something about this feisty, stubborn woman that has him drawn like a moth to a flame.

“I want a bad girl. I want a bad girl who’s as desperate for me as I am for her. Who wants this as much as I do.”

Opposites attract, redemption and revelations all play their part in Darcy and Matt’s journey and whilst there’s some build up to the sexy-time, it’s worth it as in Croft-style it’s hot and heartfelt with a nice splash of humour. My only real grumble is that it didn’t feel particularly British which was a bit of a shame—I may be being picky being a Brit—but that aside Matt and Darcy ended this series on a high.

The bar girl and the baby is a fast paced, page turner. Darcy just wants to make sure her sisters daughter Lulu is safe and fine. But Matt, her nieces guardian doesn’t want to let an Ex con anywhere near his niece. Unfortunately for him the sizzling chemistry between them and is making things difficult. What kind of future can be there between the bad girl and an officer and a gentleman ?
To be honest I was a little hesitant to start reading this book, not knowing what to expect. But the author has done a brilliant job of spinning a story around a female ex-con and I was definitely hooked. Even though Darcy had spent 3 years in jail she was not a hardened criminal. Matt was an ex SAS, an officer and a gentleman but an alpha to boot and just didn’t know what hit him when it came to Darcy and I loved it.
The bad girl and the baby was a sexy, funny and emotional read and had me rooting for Darcy and Matt from the beginning .