Once Upon a Bad Boy is the third book in the Sometimes in Love series. Things are a bit different this time around. Instead of one of the best friends meeting a Scot or a Brit, Once Upon a Bad Boy is a second chance romance. It’s also darker and more intense. There is still the humor that had me laughing out loud and the steamy scenes, and the movie references are great, but this story has history and long ago, still lingering, heartbreak. Sadie has the chance to take her career to the next level, and she needs a stunt coordinator. Turns out that guy is Bo, her first love who broke up with her without explanation on their high school prom night. Sadie ran and never went back, and this is the first Sadie and Bo have seen each other since that night. It’s obvious right away that the chemistry is still there, but can they go back? Or move ahead together? Is the risk of more heartbreak too great?

Once Upon a Bad Boy is an entertaining story. Sadie and Bo both have a lot of baggage, but their attraction is too strong to ignore. There is an array of colorful secondary characters (and old favorites from the first two books) that pop in and out and add to the fun of the story.

As Bo and Sadie spend more and more time together both on and off the set, they explore their old and current feelings and why things worked out as they did. This is where the story got a little difficult for me. Sadie’s reaction on prom night is understandable because she was a teenager, but her inability or unwillingness to reflect on it as an adult did not sit well with me, especially the way she has allowed her relationship with her grandmother to suffer. The over-the-top, sometimes immature reactions and behavior of “the girls” worked better in the first two books, maybe because these were unfamiliar settings and new romances rather than revisiting and examining history, but at times Sadie comes off as spoiled and unwilling to just sit down and take a minute and think things through rather than wailing like a soap opera queen about what she has lost. I also thought that some of the secondary characters with very dramatic storylines could have been explored or explained a little deeper.

Once Upon a Bad Boy is a sweet, contemporary romance that I'd recommend for a vacation or beach read. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC to be reviewed in exchange for my honest opinion.

A sweet romantic novel. Melonie Johnson writes engaging characters and sweet plot lines to keep the reader engaged and connected.

Essentially this is a second chance romance. Sadie Goldovitz and her BF, Ana, were introduced in the previous books. This one is centered around Sadie, the actress. She has been working on a soap and now has gotten the lead female role, Jamie, in a new action film, Fair is Fair. To her chagrin, the stunt coordinator is her childhood friend, turned boyfriend, Bo Iberra, who inexplicately broke up with her the night of the prom, believing he was being noble. Neither, has ever gotten over the other, but since his family worked for hers, he thought he would be holding her back from her dreams. Of course, the sensible idea about talking to her about it never crossed his mind. But Sadie has a secret of her own. Both the characters and plot are engaging and the author writes in an entertaining and humorous voice.

I received a free advance readers copy from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This was my first book by Melonie Johnson. I love a second chance trope, but I have a hard time relating to the Hollywood crowd. I did like Sadie and Bo and that their old attraction was just as strong in the present day. Ten years is a long time. It's a long time to hang on to the secrets that forced them apart and secrets that could blow their relationship apart today.
I loved the humor and the "sassy" in the book. Ms. Johnson is someone I will probably read again.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

not my favourite of the series but enjoyable. second chance isn't my favourite and i never really felt the connection between the two MCs. i wanted a bit more development and a chance for me to feel all the feelings before they fell into bed. i wasn't a huge fan of how that developed, i would have preferred they talk about things, including their history and why he broke up with her. they could have had that discussion without revealing the other thing that comes up later. i just personally can't wrap my head around falling into bed with someone who broke my heart 10 years ago without first getting a proper explanation or apology. i really did like the ending though, especially with everything going on these days and my own personal experience earlier this year - completely different situation leading up to the thing we both experienced, but still. i love how it was handled, though Bo was a bit of a dick at the time. the first is still my favourite from this series. i would read more from this author for sure, including Ana's book if she's going to get one.

Loved reading Sadie’s POV after being introduced to her in the two previous books of the series. She’s such a badass character on the outside but is emotional and fragile underneath. Bo was really likable and the chemistry between the two was believable and steamy. I’m reminded of Sarah Morgan’s writing when I read Melonie Johnson-great chemistry between sexy characters.

I’m hoping for more in this series! Maybe a story about Ana?

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Sadie is about to have her dreams come true when she is offered a big movie role. There is just a little bump in the road...that being that the stunt coordinator is her ex.

I like "second chance" love-stories and this one was very entertaining.

Sadie and Bo were childhood sweethearts, but he broke her heart and left her. Now they might have a second chance to find love again...together.

These two are not the same people they were years ago and maybe...they can work things out. The sparks are certainly still there ;)

But in order to finally be together again, they will need to work through their issues and their secrets.

This was a very nice second love story and I liked both main characters, though there were also some parts that had me grinding my teeth.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Who does not love a second chance romance? This book kept me wanting to turn the pages.
The story of Sadie & Bo - one that I loved !!!

Sadie Gold is an actress & has had small roles but has now landed the lead in a film. Finally, she can shake her reputation as a pretty face with more wealth and connections than talent. Then at a reading who should walk in but Bo Ibarra the stunt coordinator for the film & more importantly her first boyfriend who dumped her at the senior prom.
Bo Ibarra knew Sadie, his honeybee, would be at the meeting after all he’s closely followed her since they split eleven years ago. Neither can deny that the attraction is there, but each of them suffered a broken heart so can they move forward?
This is the third book in the series & the author’s third book, another very accomplished book that had me hooked from the start, strong characters who'll melt your heart. A lovely romance of second chances that flowed effortlessly. I adored Bo & when he showed Sadie a tattoo of a thistle with a bee I welled up. Sadie has fought to be recognised for her achievements but her confidence is shaky. They both have secrets which one in particular threatens to end their relationship, so the road to their HEA isn't smooth but it Makes for a lovely read & I definitely needed hankies for the last 10%. Three of the five friends have had their stories so i look forward to the remaining two books of this brilliant series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the 3rd book in the Sometimes in Love Series by this author and can be read as a standalone, but I think reading the entire series in order gives you the most bang for your buck. I've enjoyed all 3 books in this series--getting to know each of the characters and their backgrounds made each book an interesting read and I can't really say I liked one more than the other. Sadie and Bo have chemistry that burn up the pages and will give you all the "feels"! All 3 books (I'm thinking and hoping there will be more) have had all the elements that make for an intriguing, steamy & sweet contemporary romance even though this one had a heavier emotional component to it. Even with the depth of emotion in this one, there was laugh-out-loud funny moments as well, especially when the girls all get together! Just another aspect I loved about these books--the friendship among these women is refreshing and enjoyable. Well worth the read and I would highly recommend reading them all! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story, it was a good and interesting read. I connected with the characters and I felt that their development was well written.

Sadie Gold’s finally seeing her career advancing by getting a role of a lifetime. She, however, has to really train hard to get the role as well as the look she needs. She isn’t prepared for the man in charge of training her for this role to be her first boyfriend, Bo Ibarra. She never got over him when he broke up with her. Sadie had a privileged upbringing but not the loving family, with the exception of her Nana. Bo’s family struggled to make ends meet but with a loving family. They thought they might have a second chance until a secret is threatened to come out. The need to forgive on both sides is evident in this story.

Once Upon a Bad Boy was a good second chance romance. No and Sadie meet 11 years from when he walked out on her and you can still feel that there is something there however I didn't get a love connection between the pair. I thought the love and chemistry was oneside. even though Bo was the heartbreaker he never could forget Sadie. she definitely moved passed him and carved out her own life.
They do reconnect but it need more of a spark.

Now that Cassie and Bonnie have their guys, it's Sadie Gold's turn. Her years of working on a so-so but popular soap opera have paid off, and she's landed the lead in an action hero movie based on a bestselling novel. This should be her big break.

Too bad the stunt coordinator turns out to be her old boyfriend, her childhood sweetheart, the guy who dumped her on prom night and said he didn't want to see her again.

Too bad he's hotter than ever. Too bad she's still hung up on him.

And he's still hung up on her.

Oh, and this job is also make or break for him, because he's in danger of losing the deal that would give him full control of Windy City Stunts. Neither one of them can afford to do anything the media might spin as "unprofessional" on this job.

I like both Sadie and Bo, as well as Bo's family, and Sadie's Nana and her friends. Of the five Chicago girl gang, Ana and her penchant for both baking and costumes is the one who plays a relatively big role here. The family issues feel very real. Both Bo and Sadie have secrets they have to fess up to for them to fix their relationship, and those issues are quite real, too. The plot is somewhat affected by #MeToo without directly acknowledging it, presumably because this is a light, fun romance, not something intended to cause emotional upheaval in the reader. I was pleased to see it not ignored.

This is overall quite a fun book, with good story, good characters, and good resolution.

For my tastes, there is too much explicit sex. I don't care for that--but many people do, so either way, just be aware.

Overall, recommended.

I received an electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

Sadie thought about the glass case in the donut shop. What she would select. Her Friday reward for enduring another week of hell training for her lead role in a new action movie . Sadie was to be Jamie, the dynamic heroine of Fair Is Fair. For motivation to stick to a strict diet plan, Sadie had started her Friday donut ritual and included her best friend Ana. Filming started the following Monday. Her trainer Jim asked if she was nervous and she said no, she had been waiting for a part like this since she started acting. This role gave her the chance to prove to the world she was more than the spoiled little rich girl she’d played on the soap opera Hope General for the last several years. She was tired of the catty accusations, the assumption that become she came from a powerful, wealthy family, she had more connections than talent. She told Jim this movie could make her or break her. Sadie had never worked harder than she had the past few months, preparing for the role. Ana and Sadie again met at the donut shop and Ana told Sadie she had missed her. It was nice having her back in Chicago, she also said she knew once filming started she wouldn’t see Sadie as much. Sadie had to be at a production meeting. As she entered the meeting her co-star and leading man was calling her name. His warm smile did a lot to settle her nerves. They had met during initial screen tests prior to final casting. Like her, Ryan had his start in television , in a sit-com . Than she heard a voice behind her a voice she had heard in ten years. Bo.. and he was the stunt coordinator. Bo than said he had stunt company called Windy City Stunts-WCS. Sadie had not stayed up to date on what he’d been doing since… She’d been afraid to. She never thought she’d see him again. They'd been teenagers the last time they saw each other. Despite what happened between them she was happy to see him doing so well. Ryan said he had met Bo the year before when he guest starred on an episode of Chicago Rescue. Sadie thought Bo’s hotness factor was off the charts. All through the meeting Bo tried his best to keep his mind focused on the task at hand. Today was the first day of representing the company for a production of this magnitude, his first time handling a big budget film and he couldn’t afford to mess it up. Vic was Bo’s partner but was eventually to sign the company completely over to Bo. Bo had focused most of his time for WCS coordinating projects for the local tv shows that filmed in the city. Vic took the film production. But Ryan and went to the people involved it the film and Bo had specifically been asked to be the stunt coordinator . If things went as well as he hoped with this gig Vic would sign the paperwork for the company to be his. Bo thought Sadie apparently had just went on with her life after their break-up. He hadn’t realized it had been so easy for her. It hadn’t been for him. As she went for their usual bike ride on Sun Sadie thought how deep down she had wanted to see Bo again. Sadie and Ana had been best friends since their first days at their posh preschool. Ana knew everything about Sadie except one thing only one person in the world had gone through with Sadie and knew about. Ana thought this was fate. Sadie thought maybe she would finally find out why the guy she had wanted to spend the rest of her life with had dumper her without and explanation. At senior prom Bo had been in a fight than told her it was over and he never wanted to see her again. Bo had been Sadie’s first everything: crush, kiss, boyfriend, her first love, her first lover… her first heartbreak. She had never loved any man after Bo, none had ever broken her heart either only Bo. Sadie had met Bo when she was seven and he was a year older. He was reckless and bold and daring. Bo’s father was her grandmother’s estate manager. Bo had followed Sadie’s career. Bo wants to talk to Sadie alone after some apple picking Sadie goes to Bo’s apartment. The played around and had oral sex but no intercourse.
I loved this book It was a beautiful second chance romance. I didn’t want to put this down. I loved the plot and pace. I loved Bo and Sadie together and how they interacted. They had chemistry that sizzled off the pages. I loved the ending. I loved Sadie and her Nana’s relationship and Bo and his family’s relationships. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

Title: Once Upon a Bad Boy
Author: Melonie Johnson
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Sadie Johnson has a reputation as a spoiled rich girl with connections, not talent. She just won a role in a blockbuster movie and can’t wait to prove to the world that she really does have what it takes. Until she sees stunt coordination Bo Ibarra, who broke her heart ten years ago.

Bo is determined to prove himself on this movie, but he’s not prepared for the distraction Sadie proves to be. He wants to put the past behind them and move forward, but when a secret from the past comes to light, he’s not sure it’s even worth the risk.

I’ve really enjoyed the Sometimes in Love series, and this book is no different. It’s great seeing familiar characters from the other books, as well as getting to know background characters from those books now front and center. I love stories with a past, and this read is no exception, as secrets from Sadie and Bo’s past threaten to destroy everything.

Melonie Johnson is the author of the Sometimes in Love series. Once Upon a Bad Boy is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I absolutely love the A Sometimes in Love series by Melonie Johnson! I fell in love with Sadie and Bo’s story from the get-go and it never let me go. I don’t know about you, but I also have that one person from my past, my first love, that has never truly left my heart. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I were to run into that person again. Sadie not only gets the chance to run into Bo again, but he ends up being the stunt coordinator on the movie which is her biggest role yet!

I loved the wit, the emotional tugs, the hot and steaminess, the romance, just everything about it. Melonie beautifully intertwines all the emotions and gives us a delightful, heartwarming, second-chance romance you will want to add to your must-read-again collection.

I enjoyed this book, I didn’t love it as much as the first two. This second chance romance was lacking some of the romance from the first two books in this series for me. For me the back story wasn't developed enough for me. The characters did have a great chemistry. I really hated that they just fell into bed so quickly and didn't talk about their past until much later. Melonie Johnson is becoming a favorite new author for me and will certainly be picking up her next book in the series. 3 1/2 stars

This is a newish author for me and I really enjoyed how this was written, it captured my interest and kept it, the characters Bo and Sadie are not strangers but cam what they had years ago help or hinder.

I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion.

Once Upon a Bad Boy is a second chance romance and the third book in the Sometimes in Love series by Melonie Johnson.

I absolutely love second chance romances. They are one of my favorite tropes. There's just something so heartwarming about seeing people work through their differences/issues and finding their HEA in the end.

Which brings me to Once Upon a Bad Boy. Sadie Gold has landed the role of a lifetime and the man in charge of preparing her for the role is her first real boyfriend, Bo Ibarra.

The chemistry still sizzles between them, but can they overcome the issues that broke them up the first time?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good balance of cute and romantic with some heavier moments. The supporting cast is great and it was nice to catch up with the couples from the previous books. Looking forward to the next in the series.

ARC provided by NetGalley and SMP in exchange for an honest review.