Ahhhhhh I so enjoyed this book! It was a quick read for me. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks Netgalley for the Arc.

I’ll be honest and say that I’m not a huge fan of second chance trope because I feel that some authors don’t portray actual their character’s self-growth that well but Melonie knocked it out the park with this one. This had be with so much angst and I was completely rotting for them from start to finish. Also the families of the characters were a good addition to this book as I felt it allowed us to really see the character’s actions and how they were conflicted too. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will say it’s the best of the books in the series (I loved all of them so this is saying a lot!).

Look, Melonie Johnson has been a hot little blip on my radar since before I sunk my teeth into Getting Hot with the Scot. I read her little “about me” section on goodreads and saw “Star Wars junkie” and that was all she wrote. BUT, this book was my favorite of the three she’s written so far and it’s made me love her even more!

My notes during chapter 9 of this book: I have a feeling this book is going to frustrate the hell out of me.
Future me: You have NO IDEA.

First of all, I have to mention the friendship again. I’ve mentioned it in my reviews for both of Johnson’s prior novels in this series and she doesn’t skimp on the friendship in this book either. I LOVE THE FRIENDSHIP. I have to say, I think I enjoy Ana and Sadie more than I did Bonnie and Cassie. Though both of those best friend duos are matches made in heaven. Where are my four girlfriends who are willing to do Monday Margaritas? Hmmm? Where ya’ll hiding?

Anyway, this was my favorite of the three and I’ll tell you why.
One: It was hotter than the first two combined.
Two: Bo. ‘Nuff said.
Three: It was completely believable!

In the first book, Cassie doesn’t know Logan long before they’re making wedding plans. (I know, I know. People actually do this sort of thing.)
Bonnie’s book was a little better as she knew Theo from the summer before on the trip she took with her friends.
But Sadie’s story? Ughh. It made so much sense. TURN THIS BOOK INTO A MOVIE BECAUSE IT IS WONDERFUL! Their’s is the kind of story I would watch multiple times a week with a hot cup of tea and all three of my kitties curled up with me under my Star Wars blanket on the couch.

A childhood love turned to a high school romance that quickly died the night of their senior prom. Sadie has gone all these years never knowing why Bo broke things off. Well, she’s about to find out. The two of them were so REAL with each other and the way they acted together was PERFECT. It fit them. I believed that they were lovers from childhood. Everything in this book just FIT.

I also really liked the sense of family in this one. Sadie’s nana is THE BOMB. Always steering Sadie in the right direction when she needs it the most. Keeping her level headed and humble.
Then there’s Bo’s family. His dad doesn’t say much but that’s part of his character. But his mom. Ughh. What a wonderful person she was. So full of joy and spunk even while she was commanding people around (mostly Bo) like a drill sergeant. I loved the family aspect of the story.

I didn’t think I was going to enjoy having to read about the making of a movie but I did! I really enjoyed it! The movie parts aren’t thrown up too much in the book. They’re in there just enough so that you get what you need from what’s going on in the main plot of the story.

I must say, I was frustrated multiple times by these two but I was also crying REAL TEARS at the end. REAL TEARS, PEOPLE. This book was so wonderful and so beautifully written and I love it. Love love love it. Go read it. Every one of you. I implore you!

Alright Melonie, give me Ana’s book. I’m ready! 🙂

I really liked Getting Hot with the Scot, and liked Smitten by the Brit, but I'm having a harder time reading this one than the others in the series. As the series progressed, the narratives are getting more and more explicit and while I like the character development and plot, the sex scenes are getting too over-the-top for my taste. I will probably read more of the series when they are published, but hope that Johnson goes back to a slightly tamer writing style.

This is a really cute, sweet and sometimes sexy love story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can wait to dig in to the next book, I love these characters. The only thing, I'm left with a question on this book....what happened at the prom that left Bo with bloody knuckles. Etc.?? Did I miss the explanation?

Loved the introduction to this fabulous group of women, and the guys friendship.
The romance build though fast was very believable and well developed.

Highly recommend

This is the third book in Johnson's Sometimes in Love series, and Sadie's story, but it could easily be read as a standalone. Sadie's career is about to take off as she's just scored her first role in a major action film. However, her first day on the set she's stunned to find Bo, her first love, first heartbreak, and current stunt coordinator. It's an enjoyable read, especially if you are a fan of the second-chance love story.

Bo and Sadie's story was great. The chemistry between the two of them was amazing. I loved the story line, it flowed very well and it was great to see them work through their past issues.

This is a great story of a girl evolving into her own woman. She was very controlled growing up and judge by her own mother. Growing up she learned what she wants and who she is. Very fun read and lots of romance with her beau, Bo. Their journey in individual growth and relationship growth is highly recommended.

Once Upon a Bad Boy, Melonie Johnson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance

Melonie is a new-to-me author, I tried Smitten by the Brit and was ambivalent about it, but decided I'd try one more before deciding her writing style isn't for me. Like Smitten, this was well written, but it just didn't wow me, didn't make me feel I couldn't put it down. Not a bad book, just not to my taste. Others will, and do, love it.

I wasn't really gripped by either character, they were pleasant but I didn't feel particularly strongly about either of them.
Sadie seemed to just shut off any thoughts of Bo after their break-up, and I found it hard to believe after they'd been childhood friends, then teen lovers, and she could just not give in to temptation to take a peek at what he was doing? Or that she didn't question him more when they broke up, things were fine and then within half an hour at Prom they're over? Would someone in love accept that, however hurt they were? And Bo....the break-up reason. Really? It was hinted at throughout the novel, a big secret reason, hinted at constantly, but I'd pretty much guessed it from the clues, and was saddened to be proved right. I was underwhelmed by the reason :-( I felt it just didn't fit him. Likewise the secret Sadie holds was pretty easy to guess at, though I really felt for her the way things played out.

Similar to the other book for me the story just felt a little flat, unreal and yet already there are rave reviews. It really is a case of the book not being right for me, not that there's anything wrong with the story. We all have different tastes, what makes it wrong for me could make it perfect for you.

Stars: Three, I enjoyed it a little more than smitten but I guess Melonie is an author who's style doesn't work for me.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

This book is a standalone. The story is about Sadie and Bo getting a second chance at love. I really enjoyed the book and it kept me wanting to find out more. It was interesting to see how long Sadie and Bo could resist each other. I loved seeing a different side to Sadie than just the typical rich girl act. The story takes you through Sadie and Bo reconnecting and the drama that follows them. But the ending is so sweet it will make your heart melt. You also get updates on what the other girls are doing currently in their lives.

I enjoyed Bo and Sadie rediscovering each other after ten years. They remembered each other as children and high schoolers but had to learn about the adults they had become. Was it fate that they would rediscover each other? Had they needed to be apart to grow into the people they were ? The story was sweet, sexy and at times, very emotional.


I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

What a wonderful start to this book! Fierce Sadie! Love her character and her backstory! I was cheering for her the whole time!!

This was a sweet and fun second chance romance. I enjoyed the characters of Sadie and Bo as they “rediscovered each other. This series just keeps getting better and better.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my y.

Sadie Gold is ready to take her career to the next level with the role of a lifetime. Finally, she can shake her reputation as a pretty face with more wealth and connections than talent. But Sadie is not prepared for the wild turn her own life is about to take. Bo Ibarra is as good-looking and irresistible as ever. Sadie’s pampered and privileged upbringing and Bo’s childhood in a family struggling to make ends meet is in the past. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Melonie Johnson is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

Sadie and Bo were young loves from different social circles, Bo's family might have worked for Sadie's grandmother but they click, were a set match until the fateful night Bo broke Sadie's heart. Now Sadie's trying to prove that she got the part in a new movie on merit not on her family name, problem Bo's the stunt coordinator and they'll have to be working close together, with all that has been left unsaid how can she ignore it go on with her life without letting him get to her? This story has humor, heat and a happy ending, oh and great friends! A very enjoyable read. Great follow up to the others in this series.

It's Sadie's turn! Sadie gets a role on an action movie and the first day on the set she runs into Bo, former boyfriend/lover that she hasn't seen in 10 years. Lots of sneaking around, fun times with friends, and a little bit of secrets. I love second chance at love stories, and this one did not disappoint. 3 friends down, 2 to go, who gets the next book?

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Another excellent read. This story involves star crossed lovers who eventually find themselves thrown together by fate and circumstance. An immensely enjoyable ride, with romance, steam, tribulations, angst and true friendship rolled into a top shelf read. I look forward to more in this series and from this author. Don’t miss this one.

Wow, another new author to add to my list of favorites.......Once Upon a Bad Boy has a bit of everything to keep you totally enthralled.......I couldn’t put this down the characters are so believable and lovable.....and you just hope things will work out ......a definite must read !

Another wonderful book in this series. It was sweet, sexy and emotional.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
I definitely recommend this book, this author and this series.