Category Archives: Sometimes in Love Series

Review: Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson

Title: Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson
Sometimes in Love Series Book Three
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 383 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

NEVER SAY NEVER
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. The man in charge of training Sadie for her most demanding role yet is none other than her first real boyfriend—the one who took her heart and ran away.

WHEN IT COMES TO LOVE
Bo Ibarra is as good-looking and irresistible as ever. Maybe even more so, now that everything once worked against them—Sadie’s pampered and privileged upbringing and Bo’s childhood in a family struggling to make ends meet—is in the past. But the future is still unwritten…and getting there, together, means coming clean about painful secrets and slashing through nasty tabloid rumors while trying to control the attraction that crackles between them. Maybe it’s finally time for them to walk off into the sunset and into a true and lasting love?

Review:

Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson is a charming second chance at love romance. Although this latest release is the third installment in the Sometimes in Love series, it can be read as a standalone.

Sadie Gold is a former soap star who is about to begin filming her newest role as the lead in an action film. She is hopeful this movie will finally prove to everyone that her success is the result of her talent and hard work and not her wealthy family’s connections. Sadie is stunned to discover that her childhood friend and former boyfriend Bo Ibarra is in charge of stunt co-ordination. Their relationship abruptly ended eleven years earlier when he suddenly broke up with her. Sadie has gone on to achieve her life’s dream of becoming a successful actress but she has never quite gotten over  Bo.  Will their tangled history affect their professional relationship?

Sadie is a hardworking actress who is a little nervous about her upcoming role. But she is confident she is the right person to bring her character to life. She is thrilled to be filming on location in her hometown and she has been enjoying reconnecting with her best friends.  Sadie is sassy and self-confident, and although she does harbor a few insecurities, she does not allow them to deter him from chasing her dreams.

Bo is a partner in an up and coming stunt co-ordination company and he is hoping his current project will be a huge break for their business. He is very close to his family and while he is comfortable with himself and his life, he does harbor a few insecurities due to his family background.

Despite a few qualms about mixing business and pleasure, Sadie and Bo are quickly embroiled in a red hot romance. Their scenes crackle with sexual tension but they also share an emotional connection.  Sadie still does not understand why Bo ended their previous relationship the way he did but she is willing to leave the past in the past. But Sadie is keeping a pretty big secret from him and when she is forced to reveal the truth, will she lose Bo for good?

Once Upon a Bad Boy is a truly captivating romance that is engaging and uplifting. Sadie and Bo are vibrantly developed, three dimensional characters who are quite likable. Their romance is sizzling hot but there is not any doubt they are still in love. However, outside forces and a long held secret threaten to derail their romance.  Melonie Johnson brings the novel to a realistic and completely satisfying conclusion. This newest release in the Sometimes in Love series is my personal favorite and I HIGHLY recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary romances.

Comments Off on Review: Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson

Filed under Contemporary, Melonie Johnson, Once Upon a Bad Boy, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sometimes in Love Series, St Martin's Griffin

Review: Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson

Title: Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson
Sometimes in Love Series Book Two
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 382 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

DEFINITELY, MAYBE…OR LOVE, ACTUALLY?

English professor Bonnie Blythe expects her life to play out like her favorite novels, especially now that her long-term boyfriend has finally proposed. So when a shocking discovery leads Bonnie to end her engagement, she decides to close the book on love. But the plot thickens when a brand-new character enters the scene—and quickens Bonnie’s heart.

With his brilliant blue eyes, sexy accent, and irresistible charm, Theo Wharton is like a romantic hero straight out of a Jane Austen novel. When fate places Bonnie in England for a summer—conveniently close to Theo—she realizes a hot friends-with-benefits fling is exactly what she needs to start a fresh chapter. Just as Bonnie begins to believe she’s falling in love, an eye-opening revelation into Theo’s life makes Bonnie feel like she’s wandered into one of her favorite books. Will Bonnie have the courage to risk her heart and turn the page with the dashing Brit to find her true happy ending after all?

Review:

Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson is a cute contemporary romance. Although this latest release is the second installment in the Sometimes in Love series, it can be read as a standalone.

Bonnie Blythe is patiently waiting for her childhood boyfriend and fiancé Gabe to FINALLY set their wedding date. He is about finished with his dissertation, so she is certain the upcoming summer will find her happily planning their nuptials. But alas, her heart is crushed when Bonnie discovers the real reason Gabe has been unenthusiastic about wedding plans. Luckily she has a group of gal pals who will do anything to help her through her heartbreak. Bonnie is even more delighted to spend time with Theo Wharton, the charming Brit she met last summer while on holiday with her friends. Is there a happily ever after waiting in the wings for Bonnie and Theo?

Bonnie loves all things British but she was a little unnerved by her attraction to Theo last summer. After all, at the time she was happily engaged even though she was a bit frustrated with Gabe’s lack of interest in wedding planning. Bonnie always sees the best in everyone and she is a little naive so it is unsurprising she missed a few glaring red flags where her now former fiancé is concerned. Although she is of course saddened by the end of her engagement, she is a bit shocked to discover she is not as heartbroken as she expected to be. Bonnie works hard to keep Gabe’s betrayal from shredding her self-esteem and well, Theo’s obvious attraction to her is a confidence boost. She genuinely likes and admires the sexy Brit, but is there any chance their blazing hot attraction will lead to a lasting relationship?

Theo is incredibly loyal and knows exactly where his duty to his family will take him. Under increasing pressure from his mother to wed a suitable woman of means, he is completely captivated by Bonnie. He is a little sly and sneaky as he maneuvers his way into her life, but Bonnie quickly gets over her pique. Agreeing to a “friends with benefits” arrangement, they give their sizzling attraction free rein. Theo is a complete gentleman in and out of the bedroom so he is very understanding when Bonnie is not sure she is ready to become involved so soon after her messy break up.  Is there any chance these star-crossed lovers will find a way to make a relationship work for them?

Smitten by the Brit is a light-hearted, sexy romance. Bonnie and Theo are delightfully engaging characters who are easy to like and root for.  The relationship between them is full of sexual tension and they genuinely care for each other. This newest romance by Melonie Johnson  is a marvelous addition to the Sometimes in Love series that readers are sure to enjoy.

Comments Off on Review: Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson

Filed under Contemporary, Melonie Johnson, Rated B, Review, Romance, Smitten by the Brit, Sometimes in Love Series, St Martin's Paperbacks

Review: Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson

Title: Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson
Sometimes in Love Series Book One
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

IT’S TIME TO FLIRT WITH A MAN IN A KILT

Cassie Crow, a pop-culture reporter for a TV talk show, is focused on becoming a “serious” journalist. But when she stumbles into a kilted Highlander with a killer accent, Cassie decides that taking one night off from work and spending it with a sexy Scot couldn’t hurt. . .

Logan Reid has built a career on his charm, hosting a series of off-the-wall hijinks on the Web. But when the Scottish prankster meets the all-American, equal parts intelligent and irresistible Cassie, Logan realizes that one night of fun won’t be enough. Could it be that this career-focused, commitment-phobic couple is finally ready to take a chance at true and lasting love?

Review:

The first release in the Sometimes in Love series, Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson is a light-hearted romance.

Cassie Crow and her group of friends are close to wrapping up their European vacation when she meets sexy Scotsman Logan Reid.  Their first encounter is inauspicious since he is an internet sensation due to his popular prankster website.  Cassie works on a morning show back in Chicago and she is hoping her boss will allow her to move into more serious investigative reporting.  So the last thing she needs is to give Logan permission to air the footage of their meeting at a Scottish castle. However, unbeknownst to Cassie, Logan is in contention for a TV show but he needs to broaden his appeal to women viewers. Logan is determined to get her to sign the waiver to allow him to upload the video but what lengths will he go to change her mind?

Cassie is a serious career minded woman and she will not let her attraction to Logan derail her plans.  Despite a few reservations, she decides to indulge in a short no strings vacation fling with the charming Scotsman. Cassie is soon caught up in their holiday romance but when  she makes an unexpected discovery, she does not give him the chance to explain.  Will Cassie regret this decision?

Logan is a fun-loving  man but he will do just about anything to expand his career.  Without fully thinking the things through, he calls on his best friend, Englishman Theo Wharton, to help him on carry out his plan to gain Cassie’s co-operation. However, Logan is soon more focused on their burgeoning relationship than business and he is blindsided when she uncovers the truth about why he followed her to England.

Back in the US, Cassie’s life quickly returns to normal but Logan proves to be too impossible to resist when his job offer brings him to Chicago. Convinced Logan’s interest in her is purely personal, Cassie is soon embroiled in a very passionate relationship with him. However, after she meets the rest of his family, Cassie realizes there is a lot she does not know about Logan, who is very reticent to discuss his past. Will their lack of communication and a shocking betrayal destroy their chance at happiness?

Getting Hot with the Scot is an entertaining romance with a lovely cast of characters and endearing friendships. Despite a bit of predictability and misunderstandings, the story is engaging with witty dialogue and some very steamy love scenes. Fans of contemporary romance novels will enjoy this first release in Melonie Johnson’s Sometimes in Love series.

Comments Off on Review: Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson

Filed under Contemporary, Getting Hot with the Scot, Melonie Johnson, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sometimes in Love Series, St Martin's Paperbacks