Be Good: A New Adult Romance

by Dakota Madison

The Bad-Girl and the Boy-Next-Door...
After getting completely wasted at a wedding reception, bridesmaid Anna Hart wakes up in a strange bed and can't remember what she did or who she did it with. The stranger in bed with Anna is Brett Conner, a nerdy guy who she vaguely remembers from college, but only because everyone called him Clown Hair. Only Brett isn't quite as nerdy as Anna remembers. His clown hair is long gone and Brett is almost cute--and kind of sexy.
Over the course of four weddings, in four cities, in one crazy summer, Brett and Anna start a mismatched relationship. But is there a future for the bad-girl and the boy-next-door?

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Amazon, Romantic

ebook

First published April 2, 2013

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author Dakota Madison is known for writing new adult, love in midlife, and contemporary romance with a little spice and lots of heart. Dakota is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories Dakota likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds. Dakota also writes under the pen names SAVANNAH YOUNG, SIERRA AVALON and REN MONTERREY.

Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

So... This was a cute betweenie-weenie read & then *BOOM* I hit the 80% mark. I was immediately p*ssed off. It's hard to even type about it now. I mean, I liked Brett in the beginning of the book. He was the geeky, sweet guy who falls in love with sleeps-around Anna. Cue instantaneous love connection (which is not necessarily bad)! Brett could be seen as a bit obsessive- he does fly Anna out to his place a couple days after "reconnecting with her & dotes on her every move while she's there but I was cool with that. They make a cutie couple. Then that 80% wall (or cliff because I wanted to push Brett right off of it) comes into play. I wanted to (and still do want to) burn all of the sweater vests in the states & punch a certain rocket scientist in the face. And then, I just wanted to move on & be done with them. After a second (& it really was in a second- like a couple of pages), Anna was able to do it & change her life around in the process. I was proud & happy for her. I wanted her to make a name for herself, on her own, with no rush to get into a relationship again. Obviously, I was still upset with Brett when he showed up on the church's doorstep. Can you guess if Anna let him back in or kicked him to the curb?

My favorite things-
1. When Brett & Anna are together, they are adorable! I like the places they go & how they open up to one another.
2. LOVE fiery Anna! She can rip someone a new one at the drop of a hat. ;)
3. When Anna starts turning her life around. New job, new attitude, new social habits = New & improved Anna.
4. It was a **Kindle Freebie**.

My REALLY not-so-favorite things-
1. The entire sweater vest situation. I don't even know where to stop hating so I will just hate it all.
2. Brett, QUIT. LOOKING. AT. ANNA. You cry-baby. Just stay away. You've already done enough damage.
3. The ending was super rushed. It totally should've been drawn out. More description about Anna's new life & how she moved on, not the douche bag.

[Alpha Possessive Heroes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You can't fix another person, Brett. People have to fix themselves."

Be Good is about a girl name Anna. Blonde-haired blue-eyed babe with a killer body. The girl every guy wanted. She's hot and popular in college and sleeps around with guys all the time. One word: slut.

She has this list since she was young- called ANNA'S FLAW LIST. Everyone envy her but deep down, she's broken and flawed.

Okay, on to Brett.. ohh where can I find a guy like him?! He's not your typical alpha-flawed Hero I'm used to reading.. Brett is a nerd, geeky, kind, sweet, emotional and considerate. He was unpopular and everybody called him a clown hair.


I didn't expect this to be a touching story and honestly I felt really sorry for our heroine Anna. At the end I was cheering for her! Brett was almost perfect and I love him, but I also wanted to hit him on the face! I was kinda pissed of that he was confused. grr! (don't want to give spoiler) But I guess this was one of the reason why I love this book. The characters felt real.

This was a bit emotional read and I loved every bit of it. Now my only complain was the ending... it felt so rushed and I was craving for more! It would have been nice if it has some epilogue or a POV of Brett at the end. I wouldn't mind a sequel or something... ^_^

But over all, I highly recommend this book!

[Nayobee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb was interesting so I took the plunge. It is nice to read a story wherein the nerd guy gets the girl. I love the romance and all the drama behind the story. I guess Anna and Brett were believable characters. I could have given it 5 stars but the end just felt rushed. An epilogue would have been nice. All in all, this was worth the time.

[Kirsten Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - it was a quick read but I really felt drawn to the main character. It is interesting to me when there is such a connection with a character that it stays with you long after you finish.

[Fre06 Begum · Rating 1 out of 5]

The female lead had no pride or self respect and Brett was a shitbag.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Received from Story Cartel for an honest review***

An interesting twist on a classic love story scenario. Instead of a bad boy, we have a bad girl. Instead of the awkward girl now a beautiful woman, we have the awkward boy now a gorgeous man.

I liked watching Anna's transformation throughout this story. And it did happen throughout the entire book and not just overnight. The length of time made it more realistic. I also liked her flaws, that she was aware of them. But I loved that Brett loved her flaws and was still willing to take a chance on her.

The last half of this book was more emotional than the first. The way suspicions and tension built leading to the second half was fabulous, and the resulting emotional explosion was perfect. I didn't like what brought the explosion but I understood it because it made sense. And Brett's logic was sound and I couldn't fault him for that.

But for as much as Brett pushed for Anna to be honest, I wished he would've given her the same courtesy. However, Anna's suspicions probably wouldn't have increased the way they did, nor would they have had the emotional parting that they had.

Ms. Madison tells a fantastic story of growing up, realizing your potential, understanding you're not as messed up as you think you are, and moving forward with that one person who helps you see and believe all of those things.

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It actually made me cry. I was rooting for the heroine the entire time, and even though the hero angered me, I was still rooting for him, too. The ending was a little rushed, but I enjoyed getting there, and it was more than satisfying. Terrific shorter story.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars. Ok, was refreshing to have a role reversal romance, however did he need to be such a sap. I wanted him to 'man up'. However, great to find a romance not in high school/college!

[Essie · Rating 2 out of 5]

nah, the ending is wild! He deadass broke up with her for his ex-fiancée in a scummy way. Like, id deadass classify that as cheating. She also wasnt available for a relationship. to completely forgive him with absolutely no grovel is crazy.
After he broke up with her, the next time he saw her was to ask her to marry him???

[Anon Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

lmao I hate him

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad I read this one. I was looking for a shy hero read and found one with a lovely role reversal where the heroine is the tortured soul and player.

There is a great deal to like about this love story. However, this story is more possibility than delivery. The foundation for a really excellent, real, and complex romance is here but instead we get a way too quick HEA. The book was really at a mid point when it ends. The real romance should have began after Brett has seen his errors and we earned Anna blooming into her full self.

What I Liked:

The romance takes a honest look at hard drinking in the 20's for women. Drunk sex is not an oops. Its a horror and that gets played out here.

Anna is a fast and loose with her body like many male heroes. We see what that really means play out here as well. I wish more authors would see male characters with these kinds of sexual behaviors through the same lens.

I like how Brett backed off and then reengaged Anna in a long distance relationship. I loved the use of Facebook.

Anna actually gets therapy. I adore that.

Brett acts completely in character. I understand why he makes the choice he does even though it is a betrayal of sorts but given the complexity of the situation forgivable.

Anna names his behaviors for what they are. This is a grand moment and she is right.

What was missing;

There are a lot of details that could have made this book excellent that simply aren't here.

When Brett grovels, this should be the halfway mark of the book. He says I love you way too early and then really does come to love her and not the idea of her but the real love story is in Anna coming into her own and Brett loving that Anna. Brett needs to own up to the facts of what exactly he did and then that should be worked out over time.

I would have like to have seen Anna really develop a relationship with her siblings.They had the same awful parents but responded differently. I basically want to see Anna become fully herself.

I want Anna to get fully sober and be in a relationship at the same time.

I want Anna to find out what she likes and Brett to have to deal with that. I want her to meet his dad.

What I didn't like

Brett cries a little too much. He can cry. It is good for a man to cry but it sometimes takes the place of more character development.

Brett's job is in unrealistic. (or at least I don't know enough about it to believe it) If he had skipped grades and was getting his doctorate while Anna was getting her BA, his job would make sense.


Typos- koi=coy too=to. Bugs me. (I am sure there are typos in this review lol )

The quick wrap up. Bleh.


I think this writer has great promise and I was completely engaged in the book. I hope she keeps growing as a writer. She has a wonderful voice.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of those fun reads...sorta. Well, we've all probably done things we aren't proud of and this book definitely highlights the life of a party girl. Meet Anna...out of college one year, in a job she doesn't love, no aspirations for anything better, and sleeps around. A lot. She is heavy into drinking. The ultimate party girl who goes home with whomever she lays her sights on. She had a reputation in school that carried over to her post-college life, and gets a wake up call when she finds herself in bed with a guy she normally would not have chosen and can't remember how she got there. Brett is the guy that people just remember as the nerd who tutored them with the bright red hair. The complete opposite of sexy Anna.

Throughout the book you'll find she isn't sure why he wants to be with her, he doesn't know why she picked him and yet they click. It really was cute to read how she starts to regret how she lives her life, but doesn't quite know how to change that. She actually is a very likeable person, regardless of how carefree she is with herself. You start to want her to change into the person she can be. And Brett seemed like someone that was just a little bit too good to be true. He knew about her past, but he wanted to be with her anyway, and not just for sex. Of course like all fairy tales, there is always a bit of a snag. The girl will fall off the wagon, and the guy will be dumb enough to fall for his ex-girlfriend's shenanigans. Because of course, the ex-girlfriend who walked away decides she does want him back after seeing him with another woman. Now, a part of me can't blame him because well, the ex was the first woman he dated, slept with, and even planned on marrying. The other part of me wanted to kick him in the gonads. I mean really? You got the woman of your dreams and she was actually trying to be what you deserve...yes, she does have some issues, but she was trying to change all that.

The end was a little rushed and a part of me really wanted her to make him work for her, but well, I do love happy endings and I really thought Anna deserved after changing her lifestyle.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like...Seriously?!? This guy is unbelievable! Did he just do that? And did she just say OK and didn't punch him in the face?
He totally treated her like shit! He was a coward dickhead! At that stupid wedding I'd have gladly introduced Brett's balls to my kneecap. And introduced Becca's nose with my knuckles. Or her eyes with my nails.
Reading this, was almost as bad as reading Seth Mortensen dumping Georgina Kincaid after having slept with what's-her-name (Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead). Only almost, though. Because that scene was the worst ever. Made me feel like crap for, like, days. And reading the scene at the wedding in this book reminded me a little of Georgina Kincaid.
So, I have very mixed feelings about this book. It was frustrating. It was confusing. It made me angry. Made me sad. Made me want to throw the book away. It seemed like it was lacking at times. Too rushed. Made me like Brett one moment, and totally hate him the next. I still don't like him anymore actually. I'm still mad and hurt and disappointed.
Anna was a difficult character to like. But liked I did in the end. And I'm happy about how she changed and became a better person, because SHE wanted it and not because of someone else.
So, I'm not really happy with the ending. It was rushed. And Brett should have groveled and begged a lot more, and for a very long time.
Maybe 2.5 stars...

[Hw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the book was good,the characters were especially good, both believable and fun. Don't get me wrong there were definitely times I wanted to hit both of them, Brett was verging on too emotional and forgiving, I get we women like men to show there emotions but as my mother would say, he was a bit quick with the crocodile tears, literally repeated crying!! Him with rebecca at the end was the nail in his coffin for me, it is never right to do that to a girl, especially with you traitorous evil ex girlfriend, after all his wittering on about Anna needing more respect for herself and from others.... BAM! Asshole move my friend, asshole move. The ending was rushed which lead to me feeling the need to hit Anna, WHO and I meen WHO would forgive that easily? Like come on Anna! At least make him work for it abit! She basically needed to make up her mind and stick to it, especially when I felt at times when reading the book the characters felt older than they actually were, so for me to say they acted almost immature at times. I'd read the book, and recommend it to others mostly because it wasn't a very common story line and the concept of someone feeling basically really shit about themselves but still finding love is a nice story line for me. I was unsure if the rating, I was thinking probably in between 3 and 4.

[JadeShea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. when I started reading and got into the story and couldn't put it down. But then sometimes I just wanted to throw my kindle across the room and yell and scream.
It starts out with a girl who is emotionally damaged, and a major party addict and one night she has a one night stand with the nerd from college. But the thing is he is different from any other guy she has ever been with and he makes her feel things she's never felt before. So the start to build a relationship even though the odds seem stacked against them. The plot to the story was good, but I hate how their feelings for each were automatically "love" That really bugged me but I could get past that. What made this book go from good to just okay was what Bret does to Anna at about 80% of the book it just crashed and burned for me. So this book turned out to be only okay, it has potential but it didn't meet it in my opinion.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts with a bang but unfortunately for Anna, she can't remember much about it. What's even worse is that it's not the first time. I was wondering what sort of book I was reading when it contains a nerd and a self-confessed slut but I was actually immensely impressed with how Dakota Madison got this story down. The characters are human and you find it very easy to relate to them, even if it's not the extent as in this story. They are both flawed which just means you understand even more about them and what makes them tick. They make mistakes, some bigger than others, and it makes you want to scream at them. But instead, you compose yourself and carry on reading compulsively to see what happens. If I had one complaint about this book is that the ending seems a bit rushed but I won't give away any spoilers in what way.

On the whole, a brilliant, enjoyable read but with a quick ending. Still definitely recommended.

[Vondetta Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna is a 20 something party girl who finds life changing things happen fast. At a college friends wedding, she does what she always does and party's too hard. She finds herself the next morning in bed with someone from school, Brett. Brett was the clas nerd, but no longer. He shows Anna tenderness, kindness, and sincereity in a short period of time. She finds out that she now has found someone who may really be good to her and good for her. She spends time with him and discovers a new life and a few things she called flaws. Her list is extensive but Brett loves her as she is.

Brett has some issues from his past that he has to sort through. He has to make a decision to live in the past or move on with his future.

Anna has to decide to get her act together on all fronts. Good read..move alittle fast..but I enjoyed the read...

[Raquel Reinke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not sure about this book. I didn't like Brett. He was an asshole more than he wasn't, if you know what I mean. He was suppose to be the good guy in the story and he hurt Anna A LOT.
Maybe you'll say "ah, but he made Anna learn to value herself". Yeah, he did, and that's a point to him because nobody seemed to care about her AT ALL, but she actually saved herself. That's probably the reason I gave the book a 3 stars rating.
He was a lot worse than all the other guys around.
So... about the book: if you want my opinion, don't read it.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was an easy read. It wasn't a literary masterpiece and it doesn't require a lot of focus and effort, but it was entertaining. I thought the ending was really rushed and wish there would have been more details about Anna's life after she became a party planner. I felt like she could have been developed into a very interesting person on her own and should have been given the opportunity to find her way and become successful without a man in her life. Overall, it is a fun beach read and I would read this author again.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sort of felt like the issue of addiction was glossed over in this book. It's a light read for sure and that's not the focus but it seems implausible that this girl, who seems like a person with a major self esteem problem and alcoholism, would miraculously come around thanks to,a few visits to an arboretum with a guy. Who by the way ends up being kind of a douche (I won't spoil it for you).

However, it kept my attention at the pool. It was a fun read, a vast departure from what I've been reading.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

i can't give this a good or bad rating i liked the idea of the story and the romance but my big problem was the that the character development was not good? no guy is that perfect and sensitive and no woman is going to call herself a whore slut and the end was sucky. he dumps her for sweater vest but almost right after he crushes her decides that he really is in love with her and wants her back and what man cries that much? and then she takes him back after he treated her so horribly? and she took him back right away almost all of the women that i know would make him work for it.

[Marla Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a reader's delight to be privy to the heroine Anna's inner dialogue and her Flaw list, as her life changes, perhaps blossoms, after an unexpected reunion at what she thought would be just another in a series of cookie-cutter styled weddings.
Author Madison shows great insight into what it takes to create a multiple-dimensional character and into how to give those characters distinctive voices.
Love, sex, fun, tears, weddings -- BE GOOD has it all, wrapped up in a classy bow!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by this book. I got it free off amazon. Once I started ready I really enjoyed the story, I love the characters. I loved Anna and how she was able to find herself through out the book. Brett was a great match for her even though he messed up. I was happy how the story ended, I do wish there would have been one more chapter along the lines of a year or so later to see where they went from there.

[Jen_C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled over how to rate it. It really made me think & feel.. but I was so ticked off by the main characters actions. Wanted to smack the guy for being an idiot at one point & got sick of his love of gardens. Also wanted to smack the girl for a few nasty words she said but then again, she was pretty justified.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. Your really get involved with the characters,made me cry but then the ending came and was so rushed and just didn't fit the story. Anna should have told Brett to take a flying leap at the end. She tells him they are going to take it slow, but it just wasn't the right ending for every emotion the book takes you through

[Daniell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me. I liked the story, but the girl kept making REALLY dumb choices! I love a good HEA ending, but I felt like this one just wrapped up very quickly. Like the writer got bored at the end and just decided to give us the cliff notes version. Not a terrible read overall...

[Skye Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What did I think?
I enjoyed it.
Be Good was just what I was looking for. Lighthearted, romantic with a bit of drama and conflict, but a happy ending.
Nothing extraordinary, but a very easy, pleasant read.
Personable, relatable characters and a clear plot.
A nice way to spend a few hours.

[Lauren-Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved the story and brett was really cute and in so many ways perfect! i would love to date a guy like him...
things I didn't like: there a quite a few spelling mistakes and that there wasn't a list with all her flaws.

[Renee J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, even though the h was really screwed up, I couldn't help but like her, the H was a good character too, I m glad when it came down to it the h actually fixed herself for herself not for him. sex scenes were okay.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Just okay. I'm glad it was a free book. Both of lead characters took turns annoying me and the whole plot was extremely predictable, like a typical Rom-Com movie. The only upside for me was that it took place mainly in Phoenix and a little bit in California.