A Real Good Bad Thing

Jewel #1-2

by Lauren Blakely

Enemies turn to lovers, but can they trust each other as they chase the same prize? A sexy romantic comedy adventure from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely…

I live my life by three simple rules. Don’t mix business with pleasure. Always work solo. And family comes first.

But when I head to the tropics for a quick job and meet a fiery woman who makes my pulse roar, I can’t resist bending the first rule for her.

Trouble is, after we spend a scorching night together on the beach, I discover she’s my new enemy. The quick-witted and clever beauty is on a treasure hunt for the same damn prize – beating me in a race to find millions in stolen diamonds.

See you later, sexy stranger.

Too bad I keep bumping into my gorgeous rival all over this tropical paradise as we chase clues.

Maybe it’s better to partner up. But the more time we spend together sneaking into nightclubs and art galleries, the harder it is to keep my hands off her. And soon, I'm not just sleeping with my very irresistible enemy.

I’m starting to give her my heart.

That breaks my biggest rule of all. Don’t ever fall in love. Because it always screws you over.

Note: A Real Good Bad Thing is a complete rewrite of the 2016 two-book duet The Jewel Series. The two-book storyline has been rewritten from 3rd person to 1st person, presented now in a complete standalone, and with entirely new characterizations, motivations and dialogue for the MCs, as well as a new location. In short, it's a new story, inspired by one that is now off sale completely.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Mystery

432 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2023

About the author

You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Reviews

[cate · Rating 1 out of 5]

men who only think about how hot you look and are unable to see you as more than a body 🥰😍

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Lauren Blakely book by far.

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Blakely does it again with her sizzling romantic comedy adventure, "A Real Good Bad Thing"! 🔥 Following three simple rules, our protagonist's life takes a wild turn in the tropics, where business mixes with pleasure, alliances shift, and family bonds are tested.

The story kicks off with a scorching beach encounter, igniting a flame between the characters. However, the plot thickens as they realize they're on opposing ends of a treasure hunt for stolen diamonds worth millions. 💎💔

The push-pull dynamics between the characters keep you hooked, and the tropical paradise setting adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative. The quick-witted banter and clever dialogues make the story engaging, and the evolving relationship between the characters is both steamy and heartwarming. 💑❤️

Blakely's storytelling prowess shines through as she weaves a tale of romance, suspense, and humor. The rewrite brings freshness to the plot, with new characterizations, motivations, and dialogue that keep readers on their toes. The narrative beautifully breaks the protagonist's biggest rule – never fall in love – adding a layer of emotional depth to the adventure. 💔💖

The characters charmed their way into my heart, and the unresolved mystery of stolen diamonds kept me hooked till the end. 💎🕵️‍♂️

In "A Real Good Bad Thing," Blakely manages to maintain the essence of her signature storytelling – fun, sexy, and full of surprises. The transition from enemies to lovers is skillfully executed, and the tropical backdrop adds a touch of exotic allure to the narrative. 🌺🏝️

Whether you're a returning fan of Blakely's Jewel series or a newcomer to her world of romantic escapades, "A Real Good Bad Thing" promises a thrilling adventure filled with passion, humor, and unexpected twists. 🔍😍

#LaurenBlakely #RomanticComedy #BookReview #BookishAdventures #ARGBT #RomanceReads #BookLovers #MustReads #EnemiesToLovers #BookishEscape #TropicalRomance #DiamondHunt #RomanticAdventure #BookishFun #SizzlingRomance #BookObsessed #BookNerd #InstaReads #BookRecommendation #NewRelease #BookReviewing #BookishHashtags #IGReads #BookwormsUnite 📖💕

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun, I was really into the storyline. I do think it could have been about 100 pages shorter, with a few smut scenes less.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star review A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely

I couldn’t wait to jump in to A Real Good Bad Thing. I enjoy enemies to lovers stories and this book ticked numerous boxes for me.

The chemistry between Jake and Ruby was intense. The twists and turns added another layer to the story as I was invested in the mystery.

The characters were engaging and it was entertaining to watch their relationship develop.

A Real Good Bad Thing was well written and entertaining.

[Pia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25✨
Spice: 2.25🌶️

I would like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review will be voluntary and honest.

Okay, so I was very disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this one more than I actually did. The tropes were calling my name and I just felt like I HAD to read it. But I found myself not being able to focus on it, I wasn’t fully hooked, so I would put it down constantly and struggled to finish it.

The characters were likable, independently and as a couple. Their meet cute was adorable. Their partnership to resolve the mystery of embezzled gems was fun to read about. The spice in this book was spicing, and I did enjoy it. Their HEA was so heartwarming to see by the end. But overall, the book still left me wanting.

This book however did make me want to read more of the author’s work because even if this one wasn’t the one for me, I have a feeling I may enjoy others she has written.

But to summarize, it was still a fun read. And if you’re a fan of the following tropes, I definitely think you should give this one a read: small beach town, insta lust, strangers to sorta enemies to lovers, hidden identity, forced proximity & funny banter! 🩵

[Pam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

Want to go on an adventure? Then this is the book for you. It has all the makings of a good mystery.
Whodunit? Who can I trust? Will love get in the way of my goals?
Ruby wants her stepfather to do the right thing and give her mother back the money she invested in him. It's not too much to ask. It seems as though it might be. So Ruby is hunting to get back what is owed to her mother.

Jake is hired to do a job and is surprised that Ruby is somehow involved or not involved. But he can't ignore the sparks, so he doesn't. Their liaison is all kinds of sexy and forbidden, but the heart wants what the soul wants.

It's an all-out race to find the treasure. Who will be victorious, and whose heart might get broken in the process? Well, you will have to pick up the book to find out.

The narrations were utterly superb. Ryan West's voice is the perfect Jake. Stella Hunter is fast becoming a favourite of mine; she was Ruby.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sensual audio romance, the sultry narration weaves a spellbinding tale of forbidden love and suspense. The characters' passionate journey unfolds through your ears, drawing you into their world of secret desires and tantalizing encounters.

The chemistry between the characters crackles with intensity, making their forbidden love all the more compelling. With each whispered secret and every stolen moment, the story takes unexpected turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat, or in this case, the edge of your headphones.

The audio format enhances the experience, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the characters' emotions. The sensual narration heightens the tension, making every romantic encounter pulse with desire. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself entangled in the web of secrets, eagerly anticipating the next twist and turn.

This steamy audio romance is a must-listen for anyone seeking a story that combines passion, suspense, and the thrill of forbidden love. Prepare to be seduced by the characters' chemistry and the narrator's compelling voice. It's an audio experience that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

[Laura • lauralovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to get to this author’s book for awhile, and I really enjoyed this entertaining enemies-to-lovers revenge story! The characters had such push/pull energy with each other, and the BEST banter.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-enemies to lovers
-revenge
-secrets/mystery
-mistaken identity
-forced proximity
-breaking & entering
-a strong heroine
-beachy vibes!
-a protective hero with a dirty mouth

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

#FunFact: The Jewel series/duet was my introduction to Lauren, and I haven’t looked back! I love that she has taken an already great (to me) storyline and reimagined (for lack of another term) it into something new that’s fun and sexy and flirty and a really good time!! I remember only the basics of what it was before and this is just sooooo much better and also very much on-brand for who Lauren is today as an author. In my opinion that is … do with that what you will :)

I loved the premise of the scavenger hunt because it gave the storyline a built-in circumstance that makes you flip the pages no matter what because who doesn’t want to at least find out who’s gonna win! lol Top that with Lauren’s signature character chemistry and sparks were flying everywhere and I for one enjoyed the heck out of this read!

This isn’t an afternoon read kind of story, or at least it wasn’t for me because there is a lot of story here, but you will still want to read none-stop! I mean isn’t that the greatest feeling in the world?! Just me … I don’t think so. I’ve always said how a story makes you feel is ridiculously important to your overall experience and this story made me all kinds of happy!! Go forth and enjoy!

[Gabriela Veiga · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 70%. It was way to slow and boring honestly. Was waiting for some excitement but eventually gave up.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a duet she wrote a long time ago and changes things to first person and changes the caper about some. I listened to those books a long time ago so not too much of this story felt familiar which was nice.


The story seemed to drag on a bit though and I had some trouble staying involved with it for a few days. I picked it back up yesterday with the desire to finish though and the story finished strong.

It was super interesting how Ruby ended up getting the closure from Eli that she needed as well as how she found a caper partner and a life partner in the process of finding this closure.

This gem was narrated by Ryan West and Stella Hunter.

Ryan has a yummy voice and such a good rhythm to his speaking! Deep and gruff!

Stella is just phenomenal! I love her soft sweet voice and cadence is perfection

[Sheena Crespo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to get through this. Love interests had zero chemistry except being physically attracted to one another and the mystery plot was way too convoluted. Finally dnf’d at 75%

[Taaliyah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so painful to read, almost 40 years old acting like teenagers 😭

[Charnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2.5. I rounded up to be nice. It's rare to care so little for a couple in a romance.

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely
Narrated by Stella Hunter and Ryan West
Standalone. Reimagined and rewritten from the Jewel duet from 2016.
affiliate links

Lauren Blakely has been one of my favorite authors for years, especially for audiobooks, as she usually has a knack for picking the perfect narrators for her characters. For A Real Good Bad Thing , Lauren took the basics of a duet she wrote in 2016 and re-worked it, completely changing it to become A Real Good Bad Thing, an exciting and fun treasure hunt romance.

Ruby owns Island Eco Adventure Tours in the Florida Keys. Jake is a “retrieval” expert: He basically steals back things that have been stolen and brings them back to their rightful owners. They happen to both be in Flamingo Key at the same time—looking for the same diamonds, but they don’t know that they are on opposite sides when they have a hot hookup on the beach.

Ruby thinks her ex-stepfather is hiding the diamonds while owing her mom a ton of money, and it’s Jake’s job to get those diamonds back to his client. I really enjoyed the action and mystery in this, they had great chemistry, and it was a fun listen.

I’m not sure what held me back from loving this book, but it may have been my mood at the time. A Real Good Bad Thing has everything I love in a book, but as I review this two weeks after listening, I can barely remember it and relied heavily on my notes to write this review.

Likes:

•Exciting and different for Lauren
•Very likable characters.
•Great dialogue.
•Lots of chemistry.
•An interesting mystery.

Dislikes:

•Some of the sex scenes felt a little corny.
•It was pretty forgettable for me.

The Narration:
The male narrator, Ryan West, didn’t fit the part to me at all. I like him in paranormal books better. I liked Jake’s voice better when she did it. Stella Hunter was fabulous. This was the first time I found a miscast (to me) in a LB book.

The Down & Dirty:
I’m having trouble rating A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely because it’s been 2 weeks since I read it and I just don’t remember it enough. Part of me thinks that maybe I just wasn’t fully present for the listen and that’s why I don’t recall it fully, but the other part of me feels like if it blew me away I would remember it a lot more. That being said, it has everything I love in a book, I love Lauren’s writing, and it was pretty unique.

Rating: 4 Stars, 3.75 Heat

Purchase A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely 

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

A Real Good Bad Thing gives us a fun, sexy, sweet story full of mystery and surprises. It features Ruby, the owner of Ariel's Island Eco-Adventure Tours, and Jake, a "retrieval expert" who brings back precious items to their rightful owners. Both find themselves at the same bar on Flamingo Key and neither could have imagined that this chance meeting would change their lives.

Ruby and Jake hit it off instantly but it turns out that they are searching for the same thing. However, where Jake's objective is purely business, Ruby has personal reasons for wanting to find the truth. When it comes to light that Ruby is connected to Jake's target, they have to figure out if they can work together, otherwise one of them will surely lose.

Ruby and Jake are fantastic together. There's a spark from the get go but they figure if they work together they should keep it professional. That doesn't last long because these two are meant to get together. Jake was super sweet and didn’t want to get distracted but he was no match for Ruby. Once he saw her he was a goner, and there was no way Ruby could not fall for Jake. Their connection is palpable and they bring some smokin' hot sexy times to the story but its so much more than that. It's wonderful when they open up to each other especially because both have trust issues and have been burned in the past. And those issues do create a little bit of drama but nothing is over the top and most is resolved quickly.

This story is also full of mystery and secrets, and there is a case to crack. I loved the clues and all of the planning that Jake and Ruby had to do.  I was surprised by the twists and turns because there was so much I didn’t see coming. It is fast-paced and exciting, and I couldn't wait to see what happens.

Overall, this was a fun, sexy mystery with a lovable cast and lovable location. I felt immersed in the story and couldn't put it down.

*ARC generously provided by the author*

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Jake has rules about family, work, and relationships: family first, work alone, and don’t mix business and pleasure. As he begins his on-location investigation in his most recent case, he can’t help but be attracted to the beautiful woman who keeps turning up at the same locations.

Ruby is rebuilding her dive tour company while also trying to uncover secrets she suspects her ex-stepfather has been keeping. She is extremely dedicated to her cause, both her business and her hunt, and though she isn’t looking for a man, she can’t help but notice the stranger who seems to be following her around the island.

They might both be looking for the same diamonds, but neither is quite willing to trust in the other. Both have trust issues for their own reasons, and aren’t looking for a relationship. But they also have to admit there is instant chemistry and attraction that makes it difficult to ignore and threatens to be a distraction to their investigations.

This was a story full of secrets and a whole lot of tension as the characters each look at the investigation from their own perspective. It is a rewrite from a duet written in 2016, but it is completely redone and in most ways felt like a brand new book. I always love what Lauren does with her characters, and this felt like the kind of book that would be fun to read on the beach, but also (since this is what I experienced) is great curled up under a blanket.

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[Booklover Judy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the 2016 Jewel series by this author, this is a completely rewritten standalone that ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Ruby and Jake end up pursuing the same goal for different purposes. As they keep running into each other, with sparks flying, it only makes sense to work together to achieve the goal. Jake (38) is a PI working to recover the luxury merchandise that used to be embezzled funds. Ruby (32) is an adventurist owner of an eco-tour guide business in Florida and the keys. She is also the former stepdaughter of the suspected embezzler. Both characters are smart, likable, and have serious trust issues. Together they find passion, romance, and deep feelings for each other while navigating an investigation that takes more than a few twists and turns. They are uber-hot together from the beginning. Their chemistry is undeniable. I love how they allow themselves to become vulnerable with each other despite their fears. After a few missteps, they even trust each other enough to communicate in a way that will lead to a long and successful relationship.
The writing is stellar. I thought this would be a 2-day read for me. Honestly, at the equivalent of 64 chapters it should have been. What I didn’t anticipate going in was that I couldn’t put it down. I started at noon but stayed up late because I had to know how the mystery was resolved. There were so many plot twists. I kept guessing until the end. An unputdownable mystery full of romance, chemistry, likeable characters, and twists and turns I did not anticipate, this was a fabulous read.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Audiobook Review**

This was a little different from past Lauren Blakely books and I enjoyed it so much! “A Real Good Bad Thing” is a thrilling, steamy and seductive enemies to lovers to partners rom-com suspense that was a great listen.

There’s a treasure hunt for some stolen diamonds, two people are after them and for different reasons. Ruby believes that they belonged to her former stepdad and that they should be for her mom whom he wronged in the past. Jake is a recovery specialist who was hired to recover them. The two meet on the beach one night and have an incredible time together. And both are equally shocked when they realize they are after the same treasures. They quickly figure out that they should work together to recover the diamonds and the chemistry they had the first night is still very much there.

I was excited to dive into this book because it was an old book that was no longer available. It has been revamped and it’s great. I loved Ruby from the beginning. She’s genuine, caring, and her drive to bring her business back to its former glory. Jake was a bit of a mystery at first, which I loved, and he opened up as the story went on. The chemistry between the two was apparent from the start and only grew stronger throughout the story. And their banter was great and had me laughing several times. The action of trying to find the diamonds had me even more invested in the story as they worked together.

Stella Hunter and Ryan West brought this story to life perfectly and I enjoyed their performances so much. Stella is always a pleasure to listen to and she was the perfect choice for Ruby. Ryan was great as Jake and his deep tone voice was exactly who I would have picked to narrate Jake.

[baked and booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Put on your Sexy Adventure Rom Com hat... we're going on a stakeout!

We meet our MMC Jake, 38, a self proclaimed "retrieval expert" and our FMC real life mermaid Ruby, 32, running dive tours. Their instant attraction and witty banter made this pair hilarious. Realizing their connection... They team up with the same mission end goal... FIND THE DIAMONDS!!

Breaking all of their rules in the process. Who will lead the race? Can they learn to trust each other during the journey?

"I have three things to tell you,
One, I want to kiss you.
Two, I'm going to kiss you.
Three, if you don't want me to, say no-"

The chemistry was a slow build, with Ruby getting her promised 3 ✨O's✨ before Jake gets his first.... with max
pay off! The mouth on Jake paired with Ruby's
uninhibited nature makes them the perfect match.


Maybe she was a liar. But if she was, I wanted this liar's kiss badly.

"So now that I've nearly ripped off your clothes, and made you come by a beach, maybe you could tell me your real name"
"You don't think it's Ariel?"
"I don't. But I'd love to know what to call you... in bed."

Well done Jake, well done.

You can always expect a light funny sexy read from Lauren. If you liked the movie Gold Rush, you'll absolutely love this book!

Laughs and Spice Guaranteed

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Real Good Bad Thing was my first book by Lauren Blakely so I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into it. The writing was fast paced with short chapters which is a huge plus for me, but I wasn’t immediately gripped by the story itself. This was absolutely a me problem (I’m a mood reader on a dark romance kick and this is not that lol).

Jake and Ruby are immediately drawn to each other even though they’re both a bit hesitant, the attraction is undeniable. They’re super likeable and easy to root for as individuals and together. I really loved how much Jake loved and supported his sisters 🥺

If you love insta-lust mixed with enemies to lovers, a little bit of mystery thrown in and some decent spice early on then I’d say this one is for you.

Thank you to Good Girls PR for the ARC.

[Jamie Guellar · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’re going to Love A Real Good Bad Thing!
Especially if you’re down for a good scavenger hunt.

Jake is ex military and is now a retrieval expert. Recovering stole items to their rightful owners.
Ruby is trying to rebuild her Eco-Adventure copy that she almost lost due to her ex. Discovering secrets that her stepfather has been hiding.

Is you love sexy romcom/adventure then this is the book for you! Finished in one day! The banter was off the charts! A scavenger hunt was such a brilliant idea!

Loved!!

[Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Real Good Bad Thing is a new read for me. Apparently, Lauren Blakely has re-written the book, which was a duet! Who knew?

Lauren Blakely's books are always fun, flirty, sexy books, and this book has that, but the difference with this book is that there is some mystery and intrigue, which puts it a notch above just a fun, flirty read.

Jake and Ruby's lives are intertwined, and they don't even know it. Meeting each other was a fun time waiting to happen, but there was so much more than that.
There is a lot of back-and-forth banter between these two, and the pull between them is palpable! A fun-filled, sexy read that pulls you and doesn't let go!

[Callie Kakascik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Blakely does it again! Her books are always an instant read for me, and I was fortunate to get an ARC for this one, but I also wanted to listen to it, so I waited to post my review. It doesn't disappoint in either written or audio form!


Jake and Ruby meet by chance, and they are both after the same goal. Sort of. Her stepdad left her mom high and dry financially, and he also allegedly stole some money from a former business partner. Jake is a pro at his job as a recovery specialist, and Ruby is just trying to help her mom get back on her feet. They meet, and it all goes wild.

Like any other LB book, this is full of laughs, witty banter, and steamy scenes.

A solid 4.25, and I'm always eagerly waiting for her next release!

The audio version is perfectly cast, as well! I wasn't familiar with the narrators on this one, but they certainly didn't disappoint.

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I immersed myself in a tropical romantic comedy adventure that deftly breaks the protagonist's three rules: no mixing business with pleasure, working solo, and prioritizing family. The narrative starts with a steamy beach encounter, igniting a race for stolen diamonds worth millions. The evolving dynamic between the characters, from enemies to lovers, kept me hooked. Blakely's witty banter, clever dialogue, and the lush tropical backdrop create a captivating story. The plot adds a refreshing twist, breaking the protagonist's rule of never falling in love. Whether a fan or newcomer, this book promises a thrilling blend of romance, suspense, and humor.

[Erin Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing POVs, crossed over a lot. Poor use of tenses. Reaallly good storyline! Thoroughly enjoyed the building of trust. Good spice, nothing to write home about, he falls first and HARD.

[Beth Holmes · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot, MMC, FMC and every other character were so unbelievably dull.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon / Audible



After Ruby's amazing night with a stranger, she knows she'll never see the man again. Until he shows up, angry at her for something she didn't even do. Now the two of them are on a treasure seeking adventure, and the close proximity is either going to be the best thing for them, or make them even more enemies.



Jake has rules, and Ruby is making him break them all. He can't get the woman out of his mind, especially now that they're seeking the diamonds together. He's still not sure if he trusts her, and it's messing with his mind. Is it possible he's falling for someone he doesn't fully trust? What happened to his 3 rules and why is he falling for his rival?



I love this romantic adventure! It feels like a contemporary version of Romancing the Stone with a side of National Treasure thrown in. The rivals vibe is strong but not so much that it feels like true enemies, the banter is witty, snarky and fun, and their chemistry is delicious. I know this is a revised re-release, I'm hoping that we get more of these two and even an expanded series perhaps? *hint hint*



ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
Ebook also purchased through Amazon.

Review: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ALC Audio Review*

This is hands down the most delightfully fun book from Lauren Blakely I have read to date. Pure delicious escapism as we are whisked away to an island paradise off the coast of Florida in a gorgeous treasure hunt style mystery but with plenty of spice. Enter Jake Hawkins, ex intelligence now private investigator and professional recoverer for hire who has burning sense of justice. He is on the island to retrieve stolen funds from a shady investment manager and suspects he's turned the money into diamonds. He's driven, focussed and always works alone.

But then he wasn't expecting to bump into Ruby in a bar and the instant connection proves irresistible to either. Turns out, she has a personal reason to go after the same guy so....they team up. These two are more than moths to the flame for each other though, their chemistry is incendiary. Fans of spice will LOVE this one, Jake has a wickedly flithy mouth and together he and Ruby are insatiable for each other.

Its a really cute, fun and fast paced story with plenty of heart along the way too. Jake and Ruby both have strong senses of family and wanting to set things right but they also have kindred adventure souls and, like I said, insane chemistry together.

The plot reminds me of the TV show Leverage, which is one of my favourites, ethical con artists working to set things right so that the bad guys don't get away with it. There is a cute heist like feel to it as Jake and Ruby work together to execute their plans and keep going when they run up against dead ends. Its just riveting and I loved every minute.

Stella Hunter and Ryan West are brilliant in their performances for the audiobook. Stella can do no wrong in my view, there has yet to be a book of hers that I have listened to and not thought she was absolutely perfect. She radiates Ruby's sparkling nature but also manages to put on a shiveringly sexy male voice when she is being Jake which is truly delightful to listen to.

Ryan West was a completely new narrator to me and I was really impressed. He is perfectly cast to take on the multifaceted Jake, rugged, confident, devoted to his family but at the same time sinfully and delicious sexy when it comes to seducing Ruby. I'm definitely going to be checking out his other titles.