I received a copy of ONCE UPON A BAD BOY on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author.

Five stars and here’s why:

I said it before, and it is worth repeating: Melonie Johnson is the ROM-COM queen! Her characters are LOL funny, her settings the perfect backdrop for romance, and her plots believable. If you like swoon-worthy, bad guys who fall fast and hard for savvy girls, plus a sexy romance that’s a total page-turner, then this book is for you. Be prepared to read in one sitting! Highly recommend.

So second chance romances are not usually my go to read, this one however we done so well! This story was the story about Bo and Sadie. They met as children, dated as teenagers then broke up when they were 18. While both of them were hurting and never truly got over the love they had for the other they didn't let it hold them back in life. After a chance meeting 11 years later they both realize that the love they shared was still there and fought for what they wanted. This book had likable characters, a strong story line and of course a HEA. This was a really enjoyable book.

Okay, I managed to miss the first book in the series and I definitely need to go back and read it. I read the 2nd book first and now this one. And it's another good read from Melonie Johnson. It's actually kind of funny. I read a lot of books and I was about 1/4 in when I realized, hey, I know these characters and it was like coming home to friends. All of these characters are very relatable and when they're sitting in their booth at the Mexican restaurant for their weekly get together, you feel part of the gang and that is a rare accomplishment for a writer. So, Bo and Sadie grew up together and fell in love at a very young age, but they had very disparate lives. This disparity is what tore them apart, now ten years later they are thrown back together in a work situation. They have a number of issues to work through, some of which both parties aren't aware of. Sadie doesn't like to deal, she likes to cram problems in her mental boxes and seal the lid shut. You can't do that forever though, no matter how hard you try. That's all I'm saying. Read the book...

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
So far, it's my favourite out of the three in the series. Not sure if it's due to the situations the characters are in, or because the side characters are involved a lot more and gave more support, or if the main characters are more likeable in general.
The chemistry they have is enjoyable to read, and the serious issues that are brought up during the story are handled quite well by the author. Some people may disagree with the way Sadie handled it, however as we see from both sides of the argument, in the end, ultimately it was her choice.
I also liked that the issue with her mother remained constant and there wasn't an instant fix for the sake of a happy moment; and was more realistic that way.
Ana's book will be the next one to look out for I hope.

An emotional love story with all the feels. It's a beautiful second chance romance that will make you cry, make you laugh and break your heart. This book was so hard to put down. It kept me from beginning to end. Melanie Johnson is a phenomenal writer and I can't wait to read her next book!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

This is so good. The characters are well-thought out, intricate, and manage to both grow and still stay true to themselves. The story line is fantastic and had twists I did not see coming at first, which is great! I loved how the characters from the previous books were woven into this story in such a natural way, it never felt like "hey, remember these people!!" This is such a fun, enjoyable, relatable book - which is really saying something considering the careers of the two main characters!

4 1/2 Stars!

This book is about Sadie and Bo. As teenagers they were in love, but Bo broke up with her. More than 10 years later, they meet again on the set of Sadie’s new movie ... Sadie is the lead actress and Bo is her stunt coach. Even after all those years, the attraction is still there. But can they keep those feeling at bay ... at least till the end of filming the movie?

I loved Sadie and Bo and couldn’t help but cheer them on ... they just belonged together! I just had a hard time with Bo breaking up with her when they were young ... I just don’t understand why. This book was heart wrenching, it also made me laugh and what a steamy second chance! A great addition to a great series ... I can’t wait for the next book.

I received an early copy courtesy of St Martin’s Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

So the best friends are back and now it’s Sadie’s turn. The book starts off full of action and draws you in. However later in the story (May be a spoil alert) but there is one part in the middle of the story where the main characters are in the middle of an argument and then ban they are making a deal to have sex, like wait what just happened how stupid seriously. What happened with the rest of the argument. Overall I was not a fan of this story Bo was kind of demanding and he talked a lot out the side of his mouth. Sadie just seem to not know what she wanted. Ana now that girl she was a pistol and was one of my favorites in this story. This book has a lot of cursing and sex so if that’s not you then this book is not for you.

Second chance love✔️
Childhood sweethearts from different worlds✔️
A heroine who struggles with anxiety and still kicks butt✔️
A sexy bearded hero with a secret romantic streak✔️

Once Upon a Bad Boy is the third book in Melonie Johnson’s Sometimes in Love series and is Sadie’s story of love lost and found again. Sadie and Bo spent every summer together growing up and were each other’s first everything but when adulthood loomed tough choices were made. Ten years later the meet again and their love is still there...as is the legacy the choices they made.

I really loved that Sadie’s struggles with anxiety and doubt were dealt with very openly and that Bo was always supportive of her. The humor and steam level that I’ve come to associate with this series were once again front and center, however, it was the bold support of women and choice that made me really love this book. In our current times, open and frank discussions are needed and Melonie Johnson did an amazing job!

Now we just need Ana to find her prince and Delaney to be swept off her sensible teacher shoes!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

This had it all for me. I always love a second chance romance, but this one was even more than that. It pulled me in from the moment Sadie and Bo saw each other again. They still had that spark between them despite the time that has passed. The secrets and tabloid stories just added more to their story, which made it harder for me to put down. This is another of my favorites in this series.

I like a good second chance story. These two had to overcome their past. She is rich, he isn't. They have secrets that have to come out, but have they kept them so long that it is hard to bring them to light. Sadie is becoming a star and it is because of her own hard work, not because of her family money. Not everyone in the public believes that she has done this on her own. Bo's family has been taking care of Sadie's grandmother's estate for years and that is how they met. Sadie spent summers with her grandmother. It has been 10 years since they have seen each other and then surprise - Bo is working on Sadie's new movie. Will they contine to hold on to old hurts and secrets? Or will they put aside all of that and come together again?

This. This was the story I’ve been waiting for Melonie Johnson to write. Or more accurately, since I didn’t know Sadie’s story specifically, this was the brilliant plotting and characterization, the deep joy, longing, and sorrow, the second chance romance with some seriously real complications, that I was convinced Melonie could write. Watching Sadie and Bo rediscover each other after a long, painful separation, I initially thought that it was too fast – Sadie forgave Bo too fast, or at least forgot what he’d done to her. Then I realized that her choice to move forward did not equal forgiveness, or automatically grant Bo the trust he’d forfeited. Bo was happy to get back together with Sadie, but still had to conquer his old feelings of inadequacy. Together, they were tested by family drama, fame, and ancient history. I loved that the issues were real, problems that many people face in their lives (some of which are rarely tackled in romantic fiction), and their reactions were honest and realistic.

This story can be read as a standalone, though it’s easier to keep track of Sadie’s girl squad if you’ve already met them in the previous books, which are entertaining in their own right. That also will mean saving the best for last, at least until Melonie releases her next installment. I received an advance copy in return for my honest review. I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful Once Upon a Bad Boy was.

4 1/2 "glittery" stars!

Well, well Ms. Johnson....this was absolutely my favorite book so far in the Sometimes in Love series! Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed each book but there was really something special about the relationship between Sadie and Bo. Maybe it was their past history. I am definitely a sucker for a second chance romance!

As always, I like the girlfriend group that Sadie is a part of. However, in this book, we don't get to visit with all of them. We pretty much only get time with her best friend, Ana but she adds a lot to the story. For this reason, I don't believe you have to read the first two books prior to reading this one. It can definitely be read as a standalone.

Over the course of the story, we get the history of Sadie and Bo's relationship. They met when they were young. She spent summers with her grandmother and his father managed the property that her grandmother owned. They were a rich girl/poor boy storyline. Even though it seems Sadie never really thought about it, Bo dwelt on it all the time. Eventually, they broke up and didn't talk for close to ten years until they end up working on a movie together. Sadie is the lead actress and Bo is the stunt director. Things are definitely tense initially.

Sadie and Bo work through the bitterness at their previous breakup and gradually start their relationship back up. They still have a rocky road ahead and go through some challenges in their attempt to get to a happily ever after.

I really like the history of their past, the relationship with Sadie's grandmother and interactions between Ana and Sadie's co-star, Ryan. However, there were a few things that I didn't like. I felt that some of their history and past events needed more explanation. Overall, I really loved the storyline and characters! It was close to a 5 star read for me but since I felt like a little something was missing, I'm giving it a 4 1/2 star rating.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Sadie and Bo are childhood sweethearts, but an event 11 years ago drives them apart. When Sadie shows up for the first read of the movie she was cast in, she didn't expect Bo would be stunt coordinator. They get a second chance, but they both have to share and overcome secrets the other was keeping about what ended their previous relationship and what has happened since. Good pace, interesting story. I enjoyed this book more than the first two in the series, and I think it can definitely be read as a standalone. My only problem was that I don't know I really agree with the title - Bo didn't seem like much of a bad boy to me.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once Upon a Bad Boy is Sadie's and Bo's story with the Sometimes In Love series. I have become a fan of Melonie's writing and truly enjoying this series. It checks many book "Must Haves" list. The one that tops it off is the second chance romance. Sadie has continued with her life without Bo. She has finally made a breaking point for the best. Until the blast from the past hits her straight in the face.

Bo had a lot of redeeming qualities. I wanted to see if he would decide to run with his tail in between is legs or fight for what he once had.

Once Upon a Bad Boy enthralled me. I loved the ending as I was smiling like a goon.

I have been thoroughly enjoying this series and Book 3 is no exception! I love Bo and Sadie so much! They are wonderful characters with so much depth and it truly makes you want to root for their HEA all the way!! Their relationship is a bit complicated by their past but the universe finally aligns for them to get a real second chance all these years later. Bo and Sadie's chemistry is through the roof which leads to some steamy sexy times but I love their interactions of all kinds because they are so good together. They definitely have some issues to overcome and some forces that conspire to block their happiness but learning how to deal with it together is half the battle. I felt this book, of the 3 in the series so far, deals with a couple of issues that draw out a bit more emotion so I really felt what Bo and Sadie were feeling. Of course there is plenty of heat and lighthearted fun with the rest of the gang we've met in the prior books, giving this story plenty of balance. I loved it!! Although it is not a continuing story, reading them in order gives you the 411 on the other couples, but you don't have to read in order to enjoy it!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!!

4.5 stars

You guys, I’ve been sitting on writing this review for a few days now. Whenever I think about how I want to tackle talking about this book, my mind goes in a million directions. You know I don’t usually include spoilers in my review, but I just don’t feel I can really dig into my feelings on this one without it giving some things away. So, after this paragraph, proceed at your own discretion. If you’d rather not read anything that could give any part of this story away, just know I found this to be an amazing read and really hope this author continues to right such important stories.

Sadie and Bo were childhood sweethearts who ended abruptly and on somewhat bad terms. I love the feelings that were zinging through the air when they see each other again, more than 10 years later. They both have bad feelings about things that happened in the past, but they don’t really let it get in their way. They can’t deny they are drawn to each other all over again. The more time they spend together, the more they feel themselves reverting back to their old habits with one another.

While Bo never told Sadie why he broke things off out of the blue, Sadie has yet to admit how much it devastated her. Plus, Sadie has a whole other secret she’s keeping from Bo. A secret she feels can crumble everything they’re building back up. The longer she holds onto her secret, the harder it gets for her to find the right time to reveal the secret.

Here’s the thing, there is a good chance you’ll figure out what her secret is far before she gives the details. It’s really not about the actual secret, but how everyone reacts to the secret. From her grandmother (who is the only one who knows what happened), to Bo, to Bo’s sister, to Sadie’s friends. The thing that touched me the most was Sadie’s own reaction to others when she finally spilled the beans. In this day and age, with all of the attacks on women’s rights, this story just hits the nail on the head. I felt the author handled this subject with a lot of care, but also with a lot of backbone. Sadie didn’t bend in her belief that she did the right thing, no matter what anyone else said. This is just so important for so many ladies to see…Sadie made a hard choice but eventually will still get her HEA. What is right for one person may not be right for another, but Sadie did what was right for her at that point in time. Which is also why I think Bo’s sister’s reaction had me cheering for her.

That all being said, I did at some points wish Bo would open up about why he broke things off all those years ago and that Sadie would reveal her secret a bit sooner than it actually happened. Not that it dragged, just that I was anxious for the couple to have their HEA with a clean slate.

I really hope this series continues so we can see what happens to the rest of the friends in this circle. I feel like this author got better and better with each book.

One final note…as much as I felt the author did a wonderful job taking on a touchy subject, I cannot overlook the fact that she had a professional stuntman ride his motorcycle without a helmet. A stuntman, more than anyone, knows about safety and knows that no matter how careful you are you cannot control how careful those around you are. With how consistent everything else seemed in this story, this really stood out and disappointed me. I’ll get off my soapbox now.

I have been waiting for Sadie’s book. She has finally gotten a role in a movie and is still trying to prove herself to everyone. She is more than a spoiled rich girl. She never expected while on set she would see Bo the first boy who stole her heart. He is the part owner of the stunt company that will be working with the movie. He has a lot on the line and wasn’t not expecting to be working with Sadie, he broke her heart years ago but never stopped loving her.

This was a great second chance romance. I am looking forward to more work from Melonie Johnson.

4.25⭐
Once Upon a Bad Boy the third story in Melonie Johnson's Sometimes in Love series was a lovely read and my favourite of the series so far. As there was such a wonderful blend of friendship, sweetness, heat and emotion, and it really drew me in. Plus, the fact it's a second chance romance for me just made it all the more enjoyable to read and I loved Bo and Sadie's story. As it just had a bit of everything, and of course it was great to catch up with Sadie's friends. As they are all such strong, likable female characters. And I'm really looking forward to reading more from this series in the future.

I would happily recommend.

3.5 STARS

Oh! I don’t know what to say. There were moments I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes it was hard for me to get into it. I think this author has great potential. I hope she really hits it out of the park for me one day. This is my third book from her. She’s gotten close each time, but just doesn’t quite make it. I love that she doesn’t shy away from writing about the trials and triumphs that real women go through. I look forward to reading more from her.

I voluntarily read an early copy.