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Bad Baker Boys #2
Desperate
This is the second book in the Bad Baker Boys series. It is Matthew's story...
Matt Baker wanted his wife and son back.
The fiery-tempered she-devil had always been his to protect.
His to love.
Letting her go was the biggest damn mistake he had ever made, and he'd regretted it for twelve miserable years.
Now the woman who owned his heart was back, hotter than ever and determined to end their marriage.
There wasn't a chance in hell that he'd let her go again.
The bad boy was ready for the fight of his life because nothing would stop him from keeping his wife and son with him this time.
He was desperate.
*** ** * ** ***
Bad Baker Boys
Book 1: Redeemed
Book 2: Desperate
Book 3: Clueless
Book 4: Tempted
Book 5: Relentless
Book 6: Shameless
Matt Baker wanted his wife and son back.
The fiery-tempered she-devil had always been his to protect.
His to love.
Letting her go was the biggest damn mistake he had ever made, and he'd regretted it for twelve miserable years.
Now the woman who owned his heart was back, hotter than ever and determined to end their marriage.
There wasn't a chance in hell that he'd let her go again.
The bad boy was ready for the fight of his life because nothing would stop him from keeping his wife and son with him this time.
He was desperate.
*** ** * ** ***
Bad Baker Boys
Book 1: Redeemed
Book 2: Desperate
Book 3: Clueless
Book 4: Tempted
Book 5: Relentless
Book 6: Shameless
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2014
23 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Brooks
31 books245 followersTonya Brooks is a teller of tales, a dreamer of dreams, and a weaver of words. Her steamy romances contain action, suspense, and humor with unexpected plot twists and turns. You never know what's going to happen next, hence her catchphrase, It's all smoke and mirrors till… The End.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 18, 2014
**REVIEWED for EBooks Galore**
Desire Had a Name is a full-length, standalone, second chance contemporary romance. It follows Harley and Matthew – from their chance encounter, stormy and brief relationship, through a fifteen year hiatus before putting them back together.
In a lot of ways, I enjoyed this book. It was well written and edited, it had wonderful secondary characters, and the emotions were believable and relatable. Loose ends were tied up at the end and it’s clear that there will be more books set in this world (Matthew has three brothers). As I read it, I thought it was pretty good.
But there were a few things that played discordantly in my brain after I finished the book, and ultimately it was a tune that I didn’t enjoy. I will admit now that my biggest issue with the story is a personal pet peeve of mine, so your own experience with the book may be different.
Right from the beginning, the feminist in me hated the use of the term “jailbait.” Harley is sixteen to Matthew’s nineteen, thus making a physical relationship between them illegal. But the word “jailbait” implies an intention or a fault on the part of the female – and that is offensive to me. If the author had used the term underage instead of jailbait, I’d have had a much better experience.
SPOILER WARNING
Second, and for me, more importantly, there’s a storyline used that is excessive, unnecessary, and out of place within the plot’s framework. We find out near the end of the book that Harley was raped by a stranger the night before she and Matthew have sex for the first time. It was apparently enough to a) traumatize her into alcoholism in a single day, b) send her to her ex-boyfriend for sex the next day, and c) keep her from having sex for the next FIFTEEN YEARS. And yet when she and Matthew reconnect, she jumps right back into the backseat of his car to have sex again. When the story finally came out, I was so aggravated I had to put the book down for several days. I only finished it because I was reading it for the purposes of this review.
Here’s why it bugged me so badly: first and foremost, I HATE when authors do things to their characters without reason. I was pissed at J.K. Rowling when she killed one of the Weasley twins, Lori Otto’s Emi Lost and Found series had put me off her books probably forever, and I’m not sure I forgive Tonya Brooks here, either. The tension of this story is due to the lies and mistakes made by teenage Harley and Matthew. The rape storyline is completely superfluous. The random stranger danger rape doesn’t even come UP until two-thirds of the way through the book, and then time is spent to backtrack and make it look like it was a big traumatizing event. The heroine didn’t behave in a smart, logical way right after the rape – again, probably because heading to the hospital for a rape kit and talking to the police would have ruined Matthew’s chance to beat the crap out of the guy later. It’s a crappy way to treat your characters, it normalizes rape culture and victim blaming (Harley blames herself for her post-rape issues, of COURSE), and it doesn’t help the story. And then, because the book is almost over, the rapist must be quickly put behind bars (after the cop realizes the bad guy has been raping women for YEARS, but they’ve got him now, boy howdy), and the rapist must be so grateful to be alive that he won’t press charges for Matthew LITERALLY castrating him.
I know this review sounds harsh, and due to my personal prejudices it may be exactly that; but what is a review but an opinion, and these words are mine. The writing is strong enough that I would give future Tonya Brooks novels a chance; but one more plot twist like this and I’m done.
Desire Had a Name is a full-length, standalone, second chance contemporary romance. It follows Harley and Matthew – from their chance encounter, stormy and brief relationship, through a fifteen year hiatus before putting them back together.
In a lot of ways, I enjoyed this book. It was well written and edited, it had wonderful secondary characters, and the emotions were believable and relatable. Loose ends were tied up at the end and it’s clear that there will be more books set in this world (Matthew has three brothers). As I read it, I thought it was pretty good.
But there were a few things that played discordantly in my brain after I finished the book, and ultimately it was a tune that I didn’t enjoy. I will admit now that my biggest issue with the story is a personal pet peeve of mine, so your own experience with the book may be different.
Right from the beginning, the feminist in me hated the use of the term “jailbait.” Harley is sixteen to Matthew’s nineteen, thus making a physical relationship between them illegal. But the word “jailbait” implies an intention or a fault on the part of the female – and that is offensive to me. If the author had used the term underage instead of jailbait, I’d have had a much better experience.
SPOILER WARNING
Second, and for me, more importantly, there’s a storyline used that is excessive, unnecessary, and out of place within the plot’s framework. We find out near the end of the book that Harley was raped by a stranger the night before she and Matthew have sex for the first time. It was apparently enough to a) traumatize her into alcoholism in a single day, b) send her to her ex-boyfriend for sex the next day, and c) keep her from having sex for the next FIFTEEN YEARS. And yet when she and Matthew reconnect, she jumps right back into the backseat of his car to have sex again. When the story finally came out, I was so aggravated I had to put the book down for several days. I only finished it because I was reading it for the purposes of this review.
Here’s why it bugged me so badly: first and foremost, I HATE when authors do things to their characters without reason. I was pissed at J.K. Rowling when she killed one of the Weasley twins, Lori Otto’s Emi Lost and Found series had put me off her books probably forever, and I’m not sure I forgive Tonya Brooks here, either. The tension of this story is due to the lies and mistakes made by teenage Harley and Matthew. The rape storyline is completely superfluous. The random stranger danger rape doesn’t even come UP until two-thirds of the way through the book, and then time is spent to backtrack and make it look like it was a big traumatizing event. The heroine didn’t behave in a smart, logical way right after the rape – again, probably because heading to the hospital for a rape kit and talking to the police would have ruined Matthew’s chance to beat the crap out of the guy later. It’s a crappy way to treat your characters, it normalizes rape culture and victim blaming (Harley blames herself for her post-rape issues, of COURSE), and it doesn’t help the story. And then, because the book is almost over, the rapist must be quickly put behind bars (after the cop realizes the bad guy has been raping women for YEARS, but they’ve got him now, boy howdy), and the rapist must be so grateful to be alive that he won’t press charges for Matthew LITERALLY castrating him.
I know this review sounds harsh, and due to my personal prejudices it may be exactly that; but what is a review but an opinion, and these words are mine. The writing is strong enough that I would give future Tonya Brooks novels a chance; but one more plot twist like this and I’m done.
April 11, 2017
dumb heroes + cheater + unplanned pregnancy + shotgun marriage + rape not reported + Hero womanizer
April 2, 2015
This is the book that starts a great series about The Bad Baker Brothers, Pop and some good friends from the Lakeside community. Matthew Baker is your high school hot bad boy with a heart of a good man, of course he felt in love with Harley, the girl that blackmailed him into marriage and refuse to love him. Harley is a girl that have to live in the spotlight of the town-gossiper people and that have to fight her way out of hell by leaving Lakeside as a teenager with a heartbreak, and a baby in tow. Twelve years later a twist of fate reunited Matt and Harley again and this time around is not children's play.
Mrs.Brooks has created a wonderful world in the Lakeside community, each book in the series has their own special twist and turns, but what remains the same is the solid and strong family love between the characters.
Mrs.Brooks has created a wonderful world in the Lakeside community, each book in the series has their own special twist and turns, but what remains the same is the solid and strong family love between the characters.
February 9, 2016
I loved getting to know Matthew, Harley and all the Baker's Family!
Desire Had A Name is about two people who loved each other from an early age but let circumstances get in there way! Years pass when Matthew and Harley are brought back together and discover that there feelings for each other didn't go away! Secrets are revealed and things from the past are brought to light and we find out if Matthew and Harley can survive it.
Tonya Brooks did a great job keeping the story moving along. I enjoyed her use of flashbacks between the past and present time. I only wish that more would have been explained regarding Harley's past.
Desire Had A Name left me wanting to know more about the other Bad Baker Boys! I truly enjoyed reading Matthew's story and would recommend the book to anyone looking for a sweet and sexy love story!
Desire Had A Name is about two people who loved each other from an early age but let circumstances get in there way! Years pass when Matthew and Harley are brought back together and discover that there feelings for each other didn't go away! Secrets are revealed and things from the past are brought to light and we find out if Matthew and Harley can survive it.
Tonya Brooks did a great job keeping the story moving along. I enjoyed her use of flashbacks between the past and present time. I only wish that more would have been explained regarding Harley's past.
Desire Had A Name left me wanting to know more about the other Bad Baker Boys! I truly enjoyed reading Matthew's story and would recommend the book to anyone looking for a sweet and sexy love story!
September 26, 2015
***DNF at 30%****
Oh goodness. What a waste of my life reading this. The characters were just straight pissing me off especially Mark and most of all the heroine, Harley. They just acted like a bunch of immature dumbasses and I hated how they kept putting on the charade to fool Matt, the older brother into thinking they were a couple. What is the effin' point?!?!?! Grow the f*$& up.
I can't read a book where the heroine acts like a dumbass and fucks around with two brothers. Oh yea, and it was just sad that the two brothers, Mark and Matt were fighting over Hayley. Remember this: BROS BEFORE HOES.
*shakes head*
I have more sh*t to say, but I'm just going to move on to the next book on my reading pile.
Oh goodness. What a waste of my life reading this. The characters were just straight pissing me off especially Mark and most of all the heroine, Harley. They just acted like a bunch of immature dumbasses and I hated how they kept putting on the charade to fool Matt, the older brother into thinking they were a couple. What is the effin' point?!?!?! Grow the f*$& up.
I can't read a book where the heroine acts like a dumbass and fucks around with two brothers. Oh yea, and it was just sad that the two brothers, Mark and Matt were fighting over Hayley. Remember this: BROS BEFORE HOES.
*shakes head*
I have more sh*t to say, but I'm just going to move on to the next book on my reading pile.
January 22, 2017
Matt and Harley... 2.5 disappointing stars...
This must be the most childish and immature story I've ever read... Eye roll worthy to say the least.
Harley irritated me to no end...
Matt was spineless not to fight hard enough for the one he loved - seeing that his "feelings" was so "strong"
He didn't even try... One stupid explanation because he danced with another woman could've saved her, him and me... the heartache and irritation of a lifetime time.
The brother Mark was an inconsiderate fool... seeing that he's so "in tune and close" with his brother that he "knows what he's thinking" that he didn't realise what he's doing to his brother.
Sadly I won't continue with this series. Don't think I could stand another torture session...
This must be the most childish and immature story I've ever read... Eye roll worthy to say the least.
Harley irritated me to no end...
Matt was spineless not to fight hard enough for the one he loved - seeing that his "feelings" was so "strong"
He didn't even try... One stupid explanation because he danced with another woman could've saved her, him and me... the heartache and irritation of a lifetime time.
The brother Mark was an inconsiderate fool... seeing that he's so "in tune and close" with his brother that he "knows what he's thinking" that he didn't realise what he's doing to his brother.
Sadly I won't continue with this series. Don't think I could stand another torture session...
July 29, 2015
Desire Had a Name is a great way to start off the series. This particular book is about second chance romance. From immaturity of young love to the realization of what could have been. I truly enjoyed the book. I will say that if you can't deal with the fact the first part is about the immaturity of teenagers falling in love and stupid mistakes then don't waste your time. It really is a good story and you see how both individuals grow up and what sacrifices they both have to face along the way.
April 20, 2016
Wow. Tonya Brooks did an amazing job. The chemistry between the two main characters is HOT. The plot is constantly moving and exciting, with some lighter moments and some touching ones. The other characters are superbly woven into this book leaving you wanting more from these sexy bad baker boys. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who likes hot alphas.
September 3, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. You will love all the characters. I could not put it down. Tonya did a great job in keeping us wanting to know what happens next. I highly recommend this book!! Can't wait to start Mark's story!
April 14, 2015
Stubborn
The folks are seriously stubborn...but one we finally got down to the heart of their issues, it made perfect sense. Sweet couple who were nervous of hurting themselves & their significant other. Loved it!
The folks are seriously stubborn...but one we finally got down to the heart of their issues, it made perfect sense. Sweet couple who were nervous of hurting themselves & their significant other. Loved it!
September 6, 2016
It was a little confusing at the beginning. The chapters switched back and forth between present day and several years previous. It took a bit more thought on my end to follow it, but once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed the book. A great story about 2 VERY stubborn people.
April 16, 2016
Really, really enjoyed this book. Didn't expect to from the cover but the storyline was fantastic. Loved the characters and kept me interested. Couldn't put the book down.
November 3, 2016
DNF @ 15%
books-boxed-sets
April 27, 2020In boxed set - "The Bad Baker Boys: Complete Boxed Set"
February 23, 2018
Matthew Baker is the town bad boy with a heart of gold. He is his father's child. He's the fighter no one wants to fight and the guy every woman wants. Once he realizes Harley is the one he knows there will never be another woman for him.
Harley is tough as nails and sweeter than honey, but she's been the brunt of town gossip for as long as she can remember. She's also been in love with Matt for as long as she can remember. Being young and naive caused so many problems between them and made it so hard to trust. Real life comes with many ups and downs that we all receive bruises along that Journey. The question is will they be able to move forward?
I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed this story. The stort flowed and was very creative and realistic. Getting to know the characters makes you feel like you're part of the family. They deal with real life issues, and handle it like real families do. Things happen and it is not always pretty, but it's always good to know you have family standing with you.
You are going to laugh, cry and probably want to yell at somebody. It's ok you'll be in good company. I can't wait to read the next book. Happy Reading!
Harley is tough as nails and sweeter than honey, but she's been the brunt of town gossip for as long as she can remember. She's also been in love with Matt for as long as she can remember. Being young and naive caused so many problems between them and made it so hard to trust. Real life comes with many ups and downs that we all receive bruises along that Journey. The question is will they be able to move forward?
I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed this story. The stort flowed and was very creative and realistic. Getting to know the characters makes you feel like you're part of the family. They deal with real life issues, and handle it like real families do. Things happen and it is not always pretty, but it's always good to know you have family standing with you.
You are going to laugh, cry and probably want to yell at somebody. It's ok you'll be in good company. I can't wait to read the next book. Happy Reading!
August 25, 2021
Desperate is a phenomenal second chance romance by Tonya Brooks. Ms. Brooks has delivered a well-written book filled with lovable characters perfect for this story. Just a warning, reading Desperate may leave you desperate for my books by this talented author. Matt messed up and his wife Harley left town with his son. Harley arrives in town for her son's visit with his dad because she's ready to marry again and now needs him to sign divorce papers. Harley and Matt's story is loaded with drama, humor, spice and misunderstandings. I loved this book from cover to cover and look forward to my next book by Tonya Brooks. Desperate is book 2 of the Bad Baker Boys Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
February 19, 2019
The Bad Baker Boys are 4 brothers in the small town of Lakeside. The oldest son, Matthew seems to be the wildest of the bunch. He falls for the best friend of his younger brother Mark, Harley. Harley and Matthew are explosive together. After she gets pregnant, they get married, but the marriage doesn't last long. She gets the marriage annulled, takes her son and leaves Matthew. Sure the two of them are stubborn as a mule, but this is a romance novel, they must get back together?! I am just going to say this was just perfect, everything just fit together and I loved it!
March 16, 2019
Didn't want to put it down! Wanted to knock some sense into both of them several times in the book but Ms. Brooks worked it out beautifully and even wove in some intrigue that was heart breaking but brought the two closer together in the end. BTW her fiance is a total douchebag, no spoiler.
July 23, 2014
Matthew Jedidiah Baker II is the resident bad boy of Littleton. He "fights like a demon, drives like a maniac, and drinks like a sailor on leave". And boy oh boy, does he know how to treat women. At 19, he is loved, pursued, and wanted by just about all the single women. Harley Abbot is no exception. But she is 16, and jailbait.
Matt meets Harley while he is trying to avoid a particularly clingy ex-girlfriend. Matt ducks beneath the bleachers at the football game, and discovers Harley being accosted by a teen-age boy. Matt comes to Harley's rescue, and Matt finds himself falling for Harley. However, the age difference is quite an obstacle.
Their story is told in back and forth chapters. It starts with now, with Harley bringing their son back to Littleton to spend time with Matt. Then it skips back to how they met. Then back to current day. This actually works with this story. The angst and drama that they go through is interesting, and the story is well-told. Matt has 3 brothers Mark, Luke, and John. Their characters are well thought out, and the family dynamics are really well written. Since their mom is dead, it is the 4 boys living with their father. This plays into some of the scenes, because I can see some of this stuff happening in a totally male household. There are some parts of the story that are brutal, but there were some quite humorous parts, too. The book was well-written, a little drawn out in parts, but not an explicit romance. The basis of this book was how, 13 years after they met, a couple can reconnect and find themselves. There is a teaser at the end for the next book in this series. I think that it will be a good series. The plot line was nothing spectacular, but there were some surprises in it. I would give the book 4.5. stars, only because I thought some of it was a little too drawn out.
Matt meets Harley while he is trying to avoid a particularly clingy ex-girlfriend. Matt ducks beneath the bleachers at the football game, and discovers Harley being accosted by a teen-age boy. Matt comes to Harley's rescue, and Matt finds himself falling for Harley. However, the age difference is quite an obstacle.
Their story is told in back and forth chapters. It starts with now, with Harley bringing their son back to Littleton to spend time with Matt. Then it skips back to how they met. Then back to current day. This actually works with this story. The angst and drama that they go through is interesting, and the story is well-told. Matt has 3 brothers Mark, Luke, and John. Their characters are well thought out, and the family dynamics are really well written. Since their mom is dead, it is the 4 boys living with their father. This plays into some of the scenes, because I can see some of this stuff happening in a totally male household. There are some parts of the story that are brutal, but there were some quite humorous parts, too. The book was well-written, a little drawn out in parts, but not an explicit romance. The basis of this book was how, 13 years after they met, a couple can reconnect and find themselves. There is a teaser at the end for the next book in this series. I think that it will be a good series. The plot line was nothing spectacular, but there were some surprises in it. I would give the book 4.5. stars, only because I thought some of it was a little too drawn out.
July 20, 2018
Matthew and Harley
I absolutely loved Matthew and Harley's story! I was captivated from the very beginning and I couldn't out it down. They meet when Harley is still a teenager and Matt is older. He knows he loves Harley and wants to do right be her. But misunderstandings complicate their relationship and the game begins. And everything falls apart.
Fast forward 12 years Harley needs a quick divorce so she can get married again. Only Matthew doesn't want to let go this time. .. Several complications in many forms arise... Y'all need to read it..
I love this family!!
Definitely reading the rest of this series!!
I absolutely loved Matthew and Harley's story! I was captivated from the very beginning and I couldn't out it down. They meet when Harley is still a teenager and Matt is older. He knows he loves Harley and wants to do right be her. But misunderstandings complicate their relationship and the game begins. And everything falls apart.
Fast forward 12 years Harley needs a quick divorce so she can get married again. Only Matthew doesn't want to let go this time. .. Several complications in many forms arise... Y'all need to read it..
I love this family!!
Definitely reading the rest of this series!!
May 4, 2016
Good but not great
I really wanted to like this book, because I really like the cast of characters, but the ins and outs of the storyline left me unimpressed. For one thing, I would prefer getting the backstory all at one time instead of constantly flipping back and forth between the past and present, and there was a constant change in point-of-view, as well. Some of the plot points I just didn't buy, and yet in spite of of it all I wanted to see the happily-ever-after.
I really wanted to like this book, because I really like the cast of characters, but the ins and outs of the storyline left me unimpressed. For one thing, I would prefer getting the backstory all at one time instead of constantly flipping back and forth between the past and present, and there was a constant change in point-of-view, as well. Some of the plot points I just didn't buy, and yet in spite of of it all I wanted to see the happily-ever-after.
March 28, 2016
I read this as a 2nd book which at times I found confusing
Want to read
April 4, 2016I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and will review once I've read it.
April 11, 2017
Really enjoyed this story. I love all the alpha males and the superior female in all of this. Great combo
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews