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Book Review of Beautiful Bastard: A Bad Boy Romance

Beautiful Bastard: A Bad Boy Romance
orchid7 avatar reviewed on + 265 more book reviews


Hollywood's beautiful bastard squares off against a spunky author in Beautiful Bastard by N.L. Blake.

Tandy O'Hara is a smart, self-assured author who pens political thrillers. She has been approached by a movie studio to write the screenplay for her latest successful novel- A Moment in Time. Initially, she refuses, but after some pushing by her agent Stephan, she relents, on the condition that she won't have to deal with the lead male actor, Jake Morgan.

Spoiled, rich, and entitled, Jake Morgan is a Hollywood superstar. He knows that he can get whatever he wants using his "charm" and good looks. He buries himself in drink, drugs, and women, but he still can't outrun the "darkness" he feels within. Jake is completely put off his game by the sassy little screenwriter who shows up at the pre-production meeting with her attitude, motorcycle boots and leather jacket. He determines to figure out why she isn't interested in him, and decides that he will use her up and crush her.

When I first started reading, I was quickly taken in by Tandy's snarky character. I burst out laughing several times, and I was tickled that she was putting Jake the jerk in his place. Jake went out of his way at every possible opportunity to be a crass, disgusting pig to everyone around him.

Sadly, once Jake decides he "will have" Tandy, this self-assured, spunky woman turns into a spineless doormat. No matter that Jake is a complete douche to her, cheats multiple times, and is never sober enough to actually figure out who he is or what he wants... when he crooks his finger, she comes running. Ugh. Who is the bigger fool? Hard to tell.

The sex scenes were hot, but there really wasn't a believable chemistry between the characters. Their "relationship" was like watching a train wreck- I wanted to look away, but couldn't. The ending really made no sense- I was left saying, What?? I'm sorry- I just didn't buy it. There was no lead up to his miraculous change, so it rang false to me.
I wanted to like this one, but it just didn't work for me.
I received an ARC of this novella, and I voluntarily chose to leave an honest review.