Sadie and Bo’s second chance story was a moving, emotional and wonderful adventure in Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson, book three in her Sometimes in Love series. I loved Sadie and Bo!! Bo had a wonderful and mostly supportive family. Meanwhile Sadie had only the warmth and love of her grandmother; never meeting the expectations of her “perfect” wealthy mother.

Sadie Gold had finally been cast in a movie based upon her talent, not her pretty face or her wealth or family connections. She is definitely not prepared when a blast from the past is in charge of training for the movie stunts; her first real boyfriend, who took her heart when he left her. Bo Iberra is good looking, hard working, and irresistible; coming from a hard working family that struggled to make ends meet. He is also stubborn, especially when it comes to Sadie; fearing that he will never meet the needs he imagines Sadie has. Silly man!! All Sadie wanted a future together, and to be loved and accepted by Bo. Working together on this film might just be the chance for these two to prove to themselves they have the talent and ability to reach their goals as well as find their forever love ;if the tabloids, rumors and insecurities don’t destroy them first.

Oh my goodness!! I totally and absolutely loved the manner in which Ms. Johnson wove a love of the classical literature with Monty Python lines; allowing for many laughs. This story is a wonderful and amazing tale that was emotional, humorous, and moving, filled with sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is must read. I totally loved this story about Sadie and Bo having a second chance at finding true and forever love. I highly recommend Once Upon a Bad Boy to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I hit a wall with Once Upon a Bad Boy somewhere around 50% in. Sadie is an actress in her first big action film. Bo is stunt coordinator on the film. They were childhood sweethearts — his family managed her grandmother’s ranch and horses — and they broke up as teenagers. Meeting up again, Sadie and Bo find the spark is still there, though they haven’t spoken for more than 10 years.

It was all pretty standard, and I really just tried to take their relationship at face value, despite the socioeconomic differences between them growing up. Not to mention that while this is called Once Upon a Bad Boy, Bo isn’t a bad boy in the slightest, unless having a daredevil-ish job qualifies?!

I stepped away from it for a few days. I considered DNF’ing it. There are so many summer reads dropping every week.

Later I saw online that an unexpected twist was coming. It’s something you don’t often see in romance and the revelation doesn’t fully come into play until the very last 10-15% or so of the story. Seeing how it would be handled was what brought me back.

In the end, I’m ambivalent about this one.

3 stars

Entertaining yet predictable live story. Although I've read very similar stories I was still able to read and enjoy.

4 True Second Chance Stars!!!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series by Ms. Johnson and am again so happy I took the chance. I really loved Sadie and Bo’s story. Even though Sadie comes from a very privileged background she’s bound and determined to prove that she can make it on her own without help from anyone and I so admired her for that choice.

The only problem is that when she’s picked for the role of a lifetime, her coach is none other than her first love and first in so many other ways. Now it seems she’ll get all the answers as to why her heart was broken back in high school…but there’s tears to come that’s for sure.

While there were tears, there was their sizzling chemistry that still exists between them but now it’s magnified and they’ve both matured in so many ways that when they come together it’s better than either of them expected. Which I felt fueled their desire to find their HEA because now they truly can have it all!

Overall, this story was a great read! The characters were ones I could connect with. There were times I was snort laughing because oh my goodness some of the antics in this book; there were also times that I cried for what our H/h went through. But leave it to Ms. Johnson for making it all right when I turned that last page! I’m officially a lifetime fan of this author!!

Once Upon a Bad Boy is the third in a series (Sometimes In Love) that stands alone just fine. A second chance at love story with likable characters, it was an entertaining but not memorable read for me. I think that what was lacking for me was enough balance in story and passionate encounters. The love scenes were plentiful, but I found myself skimming as they didnt seem to move the story along. I enjoyed the conversations between the hero and heroine, but I wanted them to interact more, as that was the piece of character growth I thought would make the story complete for me. All in all, it was a light, quick, sexy read.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Is there a second chance for love? For Sadie Gold, there might be. She’s won the role in a movie that just might make her a star. Before the movie, she needs to be trained by the man, Bo Ibarra, who stole her heart and left—and left Sadie a mess. Now he’s her trainer. Can the pair manage to overcome the past and move into the now, with a solid future before them? Bo is a man who came from little and who has built up his stunt training business to a level where it is recognized by all as one of the best, if not the very best. For her part, Sadie is a real wild cat, full of fire and sass—but also loyalty, above all. The sparks fly between them, but will the past come back to haunt them and prevent things from happening, or can they overcome the past that seems to be haunting them at every step?

I liked the idea od second chances. It was interesting to see the two main characters, Sadie and Bo, years after their break-up. Both had changed a lot and were definitely focused on achieving their goals. Their love story was a rollercoaster of emotions, as we watched them go from sad to glad, hopeful to despair, all the while trying to get on with things. The story was good but did drag a bit. A lot of loose ends were left at the end, though not terribly important (to the plot), but things that were not really closed or gone into as much as I would have liked. I guess that would have made the story twice as long. Good romance. Not one of the very best I have read, but quite good nonetheless. I think most readers will enjoy the tale, and, those with experience reading the author, will definitely enjoy it more. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Such a lovely story, it was sweet and hot! If you like second chance romance you are going to like this one!

This book is about Sadie who is an actress and she is wealthy! However she tries to prove she can make it on her own.She gets a role and there she will see her old childhood love Bo who is on the film too.

I find it hot, intense and passionate with humor! The writing was perfect! I need to read the other books too!

3.5 stars
I am new to this series, but found Once Upon a Bad Boy to be an enjoyable beach read. It was interesting to read about stunt coordination in movies, and I enjoyed the addition of the horses and family ranch. I found both characters to be likable, although their big issues from their past that kept them apart seemed a bit glossed over and not completely dealt with. I found Bo's boss/business partner to be unnecessarily gruff, and Bo's sister was also unlikable, even after she explained her reasoning for her attitude and actions. However, for readers looking for an quick, easy read for their vacation- Once Upon a Bad Boy should fit the bill.

ONCE UPON A BAD BOY is such an emotional story, the kind where I really do not feel comfortable talking too much about the actual plot for fear of giving away spoilers – or more than what is already revealed up there in the Cover Description. Yet, I can easily say this one melted my heart, bruised it and healed it back up whole once again. And that’s saying a lot right there.

Sadie and Bo have a past, they are about to get a present – and maybe, if the past can be gotten beyond and the present behaves itself they might just have a future. So much depends on how they react to each other as adults, not the teens they once were. And how secrets can define and tighten a relationship or tear it to shreds.

I have loved the entire Sometimes in Love series, it’s been a great girl’s group of friends series with each of the ladies finding their own happily ever after. I would not hesitate to recommend either ONCE UPON A BAD BOY or the entire series to any Romance reader, no matter your preferred genre.

I loved this story in the series – I simply believe it’s better for you to experience the emotions and the decisions Sadie and Bo make firsthand not through my words.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I haven't really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but must commend the author on presenting a heroine who has had an abortion and does not regret it. Important contemporary romance and one definitely needed for library collections.

Once Upon a Bad Boy is the first time I’ve read Melonie Johnson, and I enjoyed this second-chance romance so much that I’ve already downloaded the prior two standalone books in the Sometimes in Love series. Sadie and Bo met and fell in love when they were young, but he crushed her heart when he suddenly broke up with her on prom night. They haven’t seen one another in over ten years when they’re reunited on the set of a movie – Bo is coordinating the stunts and Sadie is the lead actress – and it’s apparent they still have chemistry and feelings for one another. But theirs isn’t a simple or easy reunion, because they have to excavate their past and share difficult secrets. It’s both a beautiful and painful process and what makes this romance powerful, relatable and memorable. Johnson delivers a wonderfully romantic and deeply satisfying love story with endearing characters and lighthearted humor, while deftly delving into relevant issues with compassion and gravity.

Once Upon A Bad Boy is a second chance romance that was enjoyable! Bo and Sadie have a past, he was her first love. Thrown back together, feelings come to the surface and Bo & Sadie will have to work through them to be able to work together. However, when the man who broke your heart is back in your life, it’s not that easy to do.

This story captured my attention and my heart. Once Upon a Bad Boy was a great second chance romance that I truly enjoyed!

Loved this book so much! I couldn't get enough of these characters or the writing style of Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson. While reading this book I didn't want it to end. I needed more from these characters. I totally have a new book boyfriend! Can't wait to read more from this fantastic author.

This story was a quick and highly enjoyable read. MC's have a past that has left them pining for one another without even realizing it. I loved the dynamic between them. The pust and pull was so fun to read and i kept rooting for them to finally fall into each others arms. When that happened I was really happy to see that their actions from the past didn't end their future together.

One thing for sure; girls in this series have been through a lot but managed to pull their life together with the help of men who worshiped the ground they walk on. All there book are a great summer read.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

This is such a good and touching second chance book. I loved how Ms. Johnson threw the idea of fate giving Sadie and Bo a second chance. Of course it wasn’t easy, good things never seem to be easy. I can understand Bo’s problem when they were younger that they came from two different worlds—hers was wealth, servants and privilege—his of hard working, servant, and fighting for everything he wants. Luckily when we get older, we can look at situations differently. It was hard for me that neither one wanted to talk about what happened when they were younger. I find it hard to think I would be with someone without knowing why that person broke up with me to begin with. I always enjoy catching up with characters from previous books. I loved Sadie’s grandmother and how understanding and caring she is with Sadie. Bo’s family was warm and interesting. There are so many emotions that I felt reading the book. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

Melonie Johnson again does not disappoint-great romance! Sadie is born into a rich family and when she is a child, she meets Bo, the son of her grandmother's ranch manager. Loved the rich girl/poor boy story and their romance as children and their mutual attraction as adults really read true. As the story starts, Sadie is a successful actress and Bo is her stunt coordinator on her big breakout movie. There was a horrible side story from Sadie's past that I thought was handled really well. If I had any criticism it was that I wasn't sure that I believed at the end whether Bo had really grown past his prejudices. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in return for my honest review!

Nothing makes me giddier as a romance reader than a really good second chance romance. Double that if fate intervenes to bring them back together as they did for childhood sweethearts Sadie & Bo. From the kickboxing for pie beginning, I was on board with this story. The beginning flew by, giving me a good picture of who the main characters are, their lives today with a few hints of the past.
Then came the pacing problems. I felt as if the story kind of lost its momentum at some point and it felt like it took forever to get the story going again. It took so long that it truly detracted from the story, giving me more relief that the end had arrived than satisfaction at its resolution.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. I love this book!!! Sadie Gold has tried to build a career for herself despite her family's money. She finally lands a lead role in an action film which could catapult her career in the right direction. Until she meets the stunt coordinator and first love and ex-boyfriend who walked away without a second glance Bo Ibarra. He and his family lived on Sadie's grandmother's estate as caretakers and his father was the manager until his career-ending accident. Bo has something to prove with the movie that he can handle the responsibilities of running the stunt business from his not so silent boss that he will finally put the business in his name and facing his Achilles heel in Sadie. They both try to deny the attraction is still from when they were kids but if the flames were any hotter, they'd be incinerated. Until a few close calls and compromising, positions put both in jeopardy of losing the thing that matters most of their careers and each other. Melonie what a great book. I hope you continue the series with the other friends in their group. I couldn't put it down!

Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson is another addictive read. I cannot get enough of this writer's style or her characters. There is so much to love! Heat, passion, an emotional journey, hot characters, and plenty of action-double check-all of it included, here. Melonie Johnson creates a novel that sizzles with every page. A swoon worthy read. This time, there's a bad boy image and a good girl kind of story. Just that alone had me eager to read more of this book. I loved how the sparks grew hotter between ex-boyfriend and girlfriend. It showed that sometimes, love is meant to be after all. Humor, romance, and a heartfelt plot made this an enjoyable journey. Overall, this was a must read novel in contemporary romance.

Cute and sexy second chance romance. I really enjoyed it. Melonie Johnson did a great job balancing the humor with the emotions and steam. With the history shared between Bo and Sadie, came a red hot connection. I liked them together.

Once Upon a Bad Boy was my first by Melonie Johnson but I already want to read the other books in the Sometimes in Love series.