Cover Image: Once Upon a Bad Boy

Once Upon a Bad Boy

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Member Reviews

Third in the series I was happy to see some of the other characters join the story. This story has drama and romance with some hard life choices. Bo and Sophie learn that it doesn’t matter what the world says about what should be.

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Awesome follow up book in this series. The angst, forgiveness and love were brilliantly depicted by Melanie.

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I've read all of the books in this series so far (this is number 3) and is my favorite so far. Although I enjoyed Cassie and Bonnie's stories, Sadie seemed like so much more of a developed character. The expected "twist" in her storyline drew me in and had me rooting for her, even though I knew she'd get her happy ending.

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I have read the first two books i this series and I could not wait to read this one! I was so grateful and excited netgalley granted me early access to it. I fell in love with Sadie and Bo right from the start. It was so fun to root for them! The appearances of characters that I grew to love in the other books was such a fun surprise when they would pop up. I love this book not just because of the romantic relationships but the friendships. I hope there are more to this series! One of my favorites!

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Another addition to this series!!!! Sadie and Bo were together when they were teens. Sadie was rich and Bo was poor. Bo breaks up with her after prom and they don't speak to each other until she finds out he is in charge of the stunts on her new film. Melonie delivers a very hot story with great chemistry between the Bo and Sadie. His sister is a witch!!!! It broke my heart when Sadie had to reveal the secret to Bo before it was outed by the gossip mags. She had to make some tough decisions on her own because he seemingly disappeared from her life (though we do find out why). Bo and Sadie really have some hot hot scenes together. I love love love her Ana. She is so funny. I can't wait for more from this series!!!

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Once Upon a Bad Boy is the third book in Melonie Johnson's Sometimes in Love series. The series is about a group of friends that are finding love, one book at a time. The first book follows around Cassie and Logan. The second book follows around Bonnie and Theo and this book is all about Sadie and Bo.

Sadie is an up and coming actress that is trying to shed her little rich girl persona and prove herself as a serious actress. Sadie lands the lead roll in a hopefully big blockbuster hit. When she comes in for her very first table reading with the cast and crew she comes face to face with her childhood love, Bo. Bo is a stunt coordinator who grew up with his family of ranch hands that happen to work for Sadie's grandmother. The two of them have been in each others lives since Sadie was 7 and Bo was 8. Bo broke up with Sadie on her Prom Night with no explanation and they havent seen each other since, well until they both end up working on the same movie.

The books in this series just keep getting better and better. This one was no different from the last one with its sweet and funny story. These books all have so much heart and funny one liners that had me constantly reading them out loud to anyone that would listen. The only downside to this story is that there was a big reveal that I figured out at the very beginning when they first started hinting at it. But even knowing the big reveal didnt damper my enjoyment of the book at all. I still loved this book all the way through and I hope that she continues this series because I need a HEA for the last two friends.

I highly recommend these books if you love sweet, funny and steamy love stories. I will read anything that Johnson puts out, she has quickly become my next autobuy author!!

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Sadie Gold is from money. Now, she's trying to move up base don her talent, not her family's money.
She's an actor and guess who is the man she'll be working with on her new role?
Yep, her ex.

Bo Ibarra is now working in Hollywood. He ghosted on Sadie,
But there is drama in store for these two.

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I received an advance copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely adore this series of books by Melonie Johnson. I look forward to the next book in the series. In this series five college friends who have remained friends in the years after college. In each of these first three books one of the friends meets her forever love. The stories have been great reads. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to preview this book.

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Bo broke up with Sadie on the night of her senior prom with no explanation. Fast forward eleven years - they meet again at the table read for Sadie’s first movie. Old feelings resurface and they agree to try for a second chance while keeping it professional on the set. A secret from Sadie’s past is threatened with exposure so Sadie has to tell Bo. He doesn’t take it well so Sadie tells Bo it is over. Six months later at the movie premiere Bo’s sister gives Sadie a note. They meet again at the place they met for the first time when they were kids.

The only problem I had with this book was the juvenile truth or dare Sadie and Bo did throughout.

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Third installment of the Sometimes in Love series follows Sadie and Bo. Sadie is an actress, who on the set of the movie that's going to make her a star, realizes she has to work with the ex-boyfriend that broke her heart as head stunt coordinator. A fun, contemporary romance that leans heavily on family ties, I appreaciate the author's ability to interweave, throughout all three books in the series so far, each character's religious traditions - from Irish Catholic, to Jewish and Mexican backgrounds. In these diverse times it was a refreshing perspective. This book can be read as a standalone.

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This is an entertaining book that drew me right in from the very first page. Sadie and Bo were childhood sweethearts who separated the night of Sadie's high school prom and never had any further contact until Sadie, an actress, starts her new movie to find that Bo is the stunt coordinator.

This is very much a second chance romance type of story and I found myself rooting for Sadie and Bo to work past their problems and get back together. However, with Sadie being the female lead in a major movie, the press is paying close attention to her and any dirt they can dig up on her. Not to be thwarted, if they can't find any, they'll just make something up. In addition to their own relationship history, the press's spotlight on Sadie adds additional complications that need to be overcome.

While I enjoyed this novel, I'm giving it 4 starts, mostly because it's so different from the first two books in the series. While the first two books had humor and charm, this novel had more drama and angst and just the tiniest bit of humor. If not for the fact that, except for the group of friends, this novel doesn't seem to "fit" the series Sometimes in Love, I would have rated it higher.

If you enjoy a sexy romance with plenty of angst, you will love this book. While this is part of a series, this is a stand alone novel.

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While I liked this book and found it cute, I didn’t love it as much as the first two. There was undeniable chemistry between the characters and their back history was sweet. There was just something missing for me. Maybe it was lack of showing me some of their past. Or the fact that physical attraction won out over discussing what had happened to them. Either way, Melonie Johnson has become one of my new favorite authors and I highly recommend people read this series. I, for one, am anxiously waiting Delaney and Ana’s books.

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First off whenever I'm selected to review a Melonie Johnson book I feel like I've won the lottery :)
That being said Once Upon a Bad Boy is a second chance romance (rich girl, poor boy) with just great characters, witty dialogue and just the right amount of angst. I'm eagerly awaiting Ms. Johnson's next book.

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A great story with depth and drama that held me captive. The storyline is typical of a second chance romance with humor, drama and love. A great read.

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I love this author and this book did not disappoint! 2nd chance love stories are my jam. Sadie and Bo were absolutely adorable. I loved everything about it! Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

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Bo and Sadie were childhood sweethearts who came from seemingly different worlds. Bo’s father worked for Sadie’s wealthy grandparents and lived on their property. While Sadie was adored by her grandparents, she was neglected by her selfish socialite parents. On the other hand, Bo grew up in a close and loving family. Sadie believed that their differing circumstances were workable, but Bo didn’t and broke up with an eighteen year old Sadie. Eleven years later, they meet again. The connection is still there, but can years of pain and buried secrets be worked through.

Once Upon a Bad Boy is the third book in a series. The heroines in each book are members of a close group of friends. The heroines in the first two books found the loves of their lives in Europe, while Sadie found hers at home in Chicago. While this book can be read as a standalone book, it was nice to catch up with the heroines from the earlier books in the series. I look forward to the next book. (Possibly Ana?)

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The Sometimes in Love ladies are having amazing adventures. Third in the series stars Blair, the television star, who re-meets her childhood sweetheart on the set of her first movie. Bo is the stunt coordinator for the movie. Blair and Bo were meant to be together even after all the years apart. Although there is a bit of tension when they first get together on the movie set, they still seem to trust each other and work into a renewal of friendship fairly quickly. That is what happens when you are still in love even with all of the bumps along the road.

There is still a lot old frustration that has to be worked through, but they do it well. They, also, have an amazing and hot sex life. Although the sensual parts were very well-written, I found myself skipping over some of it to get on to the heart of their romance. When they were young and in love, they held nothing back. This time they are being a little more cautious, but when it really counts they band together to protect each other. Yes, there are a lot of hurt feelings and misunderstandings, but their love is stronger.

As the end of the book neared, the past reared its ugly head. The past could, and would, have torn some couples apart. Without revealing the details, I will say I was somewhat surprised by the difficult topic that was hidden all those years. Melonie Johnson, obviously, has very strong feelings leaning a particular way. Her stand may turn some of her readers off – I, personally, do not care either way. She handled the situation carefully and with heart-felt feelings.

Ms. Johnson is great about keeping the ladies’ friendship together. One of the ways these five ladies stay connected is through their Monday Margarita evenings. Or, Sunday afternoon bike rides. We met all of them in the first book of the series while they were vacationing in England. Each book could be a stand alone, but I have enjoyed reading them in sequence, each unique and very enjoyable.

p.s. Isn't Bo described as having blonde hair? On the cover, he has dark hair.

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This is my first Melonie Johnson book and it won't be my last. I enjoyed the second chance story between Sadie and Bo! Sometimes love at a young age isn't enough and those two have such a different perspective now they are older. I loved that.

There is a subject in this book that made me dislike the heroine for a bit, but I admire her for her tenacity and how she faced her choices.

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Sadie finally has the chance to prove she’s made it when she lands biggest role of her movie career. Until she discovers her childhood sweetheart is the stunt coordinator. Things didn’t end well between these two star-crossed lovers the first time and Sadie has worked hard to bury her feelings when it comes to Bo. But this unexpected second chance has Sadie wondering if fate is working her magic...and is the risk one Sadie’s willing to take?

Sadie was a tiny spitfire full of sass, loyalty, and a heart full of gold! She wasn’t perfect by any means. She had her own insecurities and doubts too, but I liked how she owned her issues.

Bo was this sexy contradiction of strength and vulnerability. He lived with regrets, but worked hard to overcome them and find his niche in the world. I liked how his heritage played a big role in his viewpoint too. It served a purpose in explaining his perception on his relationship with Sadie and eventually the wedge that divided them.

Sadie and Bo’s second-chance romance slayed me...and pieced me back together again! I loved their journey of rediscovery, not just with each other, but also themselves. Growing up isn’t easy on a good day, and what these two knew at 18/19 was infinitely different at 30/31 years old.Their relationship was a firestorm of emotion and I liked how it gave a a richer perspective on the backstory story. Sadie and Bo’s story was slightly heavier then the first two books, especially when tackling some sensitive issues, but I think Johnson handled things quite well.

It’s not a secret I’ve fallen for Melonie Johnson’s writing style and her flair for words! I love her geeky side with movie references (yay for Stars Wars!) pop culture, and Shakespeare, but even more, I love the richness and depth of her characters. Whether its relatable trials and tribulations, the deep female friendships that need no reason to celebrate, or the charged romances that make you want a fan one minute-while melting your heart in the next- Johnson’s books have quickly become a favorite!

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

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Swoonworthy - this book makes me swoon. I love Bo and Sadie; their journey to reconnecting and igniting their past is what dreams are made of. Sadie is a strong female character who doesn't hide her insecurities from the audience or her closest friend, Ana. Bo is a dreamy family man who shows honesty and passion equally. The story makes you want to find your childhood love and start over again!

My only criticism is that I feel the forgiveness/reunion conversation had so much build up but not a lot of meat. It went really quickly and I kept waiting for it to resurface so they could truly resolve the past. The ending was a bit of a surprise but played out nicely. They at least "had it out" over that conflict.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and could see myself picking it up again this summer for a fun, poolside read!

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