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Once A Bad Girl
A bit of glitz, a bit of glam, a bit of bargaining...and a wardrobe malfunction. In the style of Victoria Dahl, a fun, flirty contemporary romance that explores how far one woman will go to save her family's business – and the one man that stands in her way. It seems like a dream come true when whispers of a reclusive film star fallen on hard times meets Lottie Spencer's ears. Desperate to save her family's auction house, she knows that Hollywood memorabilia could be the answer to her prayers. Unfortunately, she's about to find out that this client comes with strings attached – an overprotective son who will do anything to shield his mother from the prying eyes of the press. But Lottie is sure she can handle it. If only being around a bad boy didn't make it so hard to be good...
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
74 people want to read
About the author
Jane O'Reilly
14 books58 followersJane O'Reilly was born in the north of England, where it was quite cold, and spent much of her childhood huddled under the duvet with a book. It's also how she's spent much of her adulthood. She also likes Captain America, handknit socks, and biscuits. Find her at www.janeoreilly.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 4, 2013
Have you ever had a secret that you never ever told anyone? Ever? Or perhaps you have family secrets that you work so hard to keep from anyone and everyone?
Once a Bad Girl is a short sweet fictional romance, suitable for adults.
Lottie Spencer, youngest child, feels she owes so much to her family. Feeling guilty that her past actions have led to disastrous results, Lottie decides to dedicate her life to the family business, Spencer’s Auction House. Now faced with mounting debt, Lottie is desperate to find an opportunity that would bring sufficient funds to save her family’s business. Enter Josh Blakemore, or rather his mother, Hollywood actress Maureen Blakemore. Lottie learns of Maureen’s interest to auction off her Hollywood memorabilia, so she sets out to meet Josh and negotiate with him to award the auction to Spencer’s Auction House. Little did she know that meeting Josh would set off more than just a business arrangement.
Both Josh and Lottie are a little gun-shy in committing to a relationship, but the quickly find that they are very well suited for each other. Yet they are both reluctant to admit that there is more than a “passing fancy” between them.
If you are looking for a short summer read, this is the book for you. Once a Bad Girl is a sweet story, short on angst and long on anticipation and romance.
I loved the banter and witty repartee that permeates Josh and Lottie’s interaction. I found myself chuckling quite a bit. And I loved the way that Jane O’Reilly used of the tabloids to further the plot of her story. At least this time, the tabloids had a positive contribution to the story. The story is a bit predictable and that predictability makes this a story one suitable for beach reading or a book to snuggle with while laying on hammock while sipping a glass of sangria on a slow summer day.
Once A Bad Girl
January 4, 2015
3.5
SO the title alone drew me in. I was thinking it would be about from the looks of the cover a diva bitch, she is not, she works at her families auction house . I like to not read the synopsis' of books because sometimes they ruin the story for me. They give away too much. So I jumped in and started reading.
I will say that I did like the development between the characters. The connection was there, although they were both weary of each other. I wished they would have just come out and said what was on their minds and that be that. There could have been much more time for them to fool around and just have fun. Instead of waiting for things to end.
There is some connection between them mostly felt on his part. He was drawn to her for other reasons, then she was drawn to him. There was something she wanted from him, to help her business out and he knew she wanted something from him and figured it was to get to his mother who is a movie star. He has had to deal with that stuff all his life.
So that being said, he pushed her away emotionally, but wanted to help her out, why? Because and here is where I have a bit of an issue. I am just not a big fan of instant love. I think that it is something that takes time. But he instantly felt something, something that wouldn't let him just walk away from her, because lets face it if he did there would be no story.
BUT what I didn't get was the Once A Bad Girl title. I honestly didn't feel like it fit the story. She never really was a "bad" girl. Or was the author referring to that ONE incident?? There is ONE part in there that I can see maybe that being why, but it was ONE part. I would think that the title should fit the entire story. And to me the title didn't quite fit.
SO the title alone drew me in. I was thinking it would be about from the looks of the cover a diva bitch, she is not, she works at her families auction house . I like to not read the synopsis' of books because sometimes they ruin the story for me. They give away too much. So I jumped in and started reading.
I will say that I did like the development between the characters. The connection was there, although they were both weary of each other. I wished they would have just come out and said what was on their minds and that be that. There could have been much more time for them to fool around and just have fun. Instead of waiting for things to end.
There is some connection between them mostly felt on his part. He was drawn to her for other reasons, then she was drawn to him. There was something she wanted from him, to help her business out and he knew she wanted something from him and figured it was to get to his mother who is a movie star. He has had to deal with that stuff all his life.
So that being said, he pushed her away emotionally, but wanted to help her out, why? Because and here is where I have a bit of an issue. I am just not a big fan of instant love. I think that it is something that takes time. But he instantly felt something, something that wouldn't let him just walk away from her, because lets face it if he did there would be no story.
BUT what I didn't get was the Once A Bad Girl title. I honestly didn't feel like it fit the story. She never really was a "bad" girl. Or was the author referring to that ONE incident?? There is ONE part in there that I can see maybe that being why, but it was ONE part. I would think that the title should fit the entire story. And to me the title didn't quite fit.
April 8, 2013
Once A Bad Girl is an amazing debut by author Jane O’Reilly. It is actually hard to believe that it is a debut novel. The interlaced humour and sensuality in this story sucked me in from the start and held me captive throughout.
When Lottie meets Josh she has a major rethink about flirting her way into snagging her family a high profile client to save their auction house from closure. Seducing the potential clients sexy son just isn’t worth it. Josh might be drool worthy gorgeous, but his arrogance earns him ‘creep’ status that has Lottie running away as fast as her pain inducing heels will carry her!
Josh Blakemore is used to women using him to get close to his famous mother and to snag themselves media attention. When he and Lottie can’t take their eyes off each other he sees her as one of ‘those’ women. Going for the direct approach he can’t understand why his ‘creep’ label bothers him so much.
Equally matched in their determination, they discover they are also equally matched in their attraction. Their one night of passion leads to an attempt to fake a relationship so they can both get what they need. Lottie feels she owes it to her family to try, and it’s not long until they discover just how bad they can be!
I really loved the witty dialogue and one liners weaved into this fun and flirty contemporary romance. As well as the heart squeezing emotional aspects, there are enough steamy moments to frizz your hair. It is HOT! Fabulous debut.
When Lottie meets Josh she has a major rethink about flirting her way into snagging her family a high profile client to save their auction house from closure. Seducing the potential clients sexy son just isn’t worth it. Josh might be drool worthy gorgeous, but his arrogance earns him ‘creep’ status that has Lottie running away as fast as her pain inducing heels will carry her!
Josh Blakemore is used to women using him to get close to his famous mother and to snag themselves media attention. When he and Lottie can’t take their eyes off each other he sees her as one of ‘those’ women. Going for the direct approach he can’t understand why his ‘creep’ label bothers him so much.
Equally matched in their determination, they discover they are also equally matched in their attraction. Their one night of passion leads to an attempt to fake a relationship so they can both get what they need. Lottie feels she owes it to her family to try, and it’s not long until they discover just how bad they can be!
I really loved the witty dialogue and one liners weaved into this fun and flirty contemporary romance. As well as the heart squeezing emotional aspects, there are enough steamy moments to frizz your hair. It is HOT! Fabulous debut.
September 4, 2013
*fans self* This is one seriously hot romance. Josh is big and yummy and such a nice guy under all that protective shielding. Lottie is still trying to make up to her family for one bad choice five years ago that led to her brothers death.
Together they are amazing, pretending to be hot and heavy to promote his club and draw attention to her families auction house. But of course there is a fine line between pretending and making it real.
But of course there is more to it. Josh is hiding a much bigger secret as he works with Lottie to sell off his famous Mother's memorabilia.
This is a really lovely story with well drawn characters and an interesting and engaging premise. The black moment made me all moved and emoted and the ending was very satisfactory. I didn't even mind that all the loose ends were almost too neatly tied.
Together they are amazing, pretending to be hot and heavy to promote his club and draw attention to her families auction house. But of course there is a fine line between pretending and making it real.
But of course there is more to it. Josh is hiding a much bigger secret as he works with Lottie to sell off his famous Mother's memorabilia.
This is a really lovely story with well drawn characters and an interesting and engaging premise. The black moment made me all moved and emoted and the ending was very satisfactory. I didn't even mind that all the loose ends were almost too neatly tied.
June 18, 2013
The mixture of humour and hotness had me reading this book in one sitting. The characters are believable, likeable and relatable, which has particular appeal to me in a romance novel, and they also made me laugh and later feel for them in their moments of sorrow.
An excellent debut novel from Jane O'Reilly. Keep an eye out for her name in the future. She's definitely one to watch.
An excellent debut novel from Jane O'Reilly. Keep an eye out for her name in the future. She's definitely one to watch.
September 22, 2024
A fun book - it grabbed me from the start, but I do think the beginning was stronger than the end.
Definitely want to try more by this author though.
Definitely want to try more by this author though.
November 10, 2015
Really liked it :)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews