The Bad Boy’s Homecoming

by Stella Holt

She doesn’t care about his fame. He doesn’t trust her motives. Let the sparks fly.

Baseball bad boy Levi Hart is tired of playing a part. Dubbed The Beast at Bat, he’s built a career on swagger and scandal—but he’s done being a brand. When team management demands more drama for ratings, Levi walks. Adrift and at a crossroads, he heads to his hometown for some quiet…and lands in anything but.

Missy Shaw finally has stability—her art is selling, her past is behind her, and her friendship with her sweet elderly landlord has brought unexpected joy. What she didn’t sign up for? Sharing the house with the woman’s grumpy, gorgeous, and very famous grandson.

Levi thinks Missy’s a gold digger. Missy thinks Levi’s a judgmental jerk. But forced to live under the same roof, the tension between them is more than just irritation—it’s attraction. And it’s getting harder to ignore.

He’s used to being wanted for the wrong reasons. She’s vowed never to fall for a player. But what if this game of opposites is one worth playing?

Genres: Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Author of your next heartwarming contemporary romance series, featuring hot heroes and the independent women they fall for.

Series Alert:

Small-town steamy in The Southern Hart Brothers series. Follow these four brothers as they uncover family secrets, and fight for love.

Big city swoon in The Legacy of the Maguires series featuring a family of siblings, and six steamy workplace romances.

Each book can be read as a standalone, but you won't want to miss one page of these heartwarming families, all the banter, and steamy romance.

Want to get to know Stella? Most days Stella can be found drinking too much coffee, collecting lipstick she forgets to wear, and baking. Connect with her on socials!

https://www.instagram.com/stellaholtb...
https://www.tiktok.com/@stellaholtbooks

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

We heard a lot about the baby Hart brother, baseball bad boy, Levi in book one and now we get to know him better, Levi is sick of being known as the beast at bat of baseball and wants to be himself, he knows he is not a bad boy so he comes home for a while till a new contract can be done or a new team he doesn’t expect to see someone else in his bedroom a young beautiful woman, who apparently has been hired by his brothers as his grandmother’s companion and he has suspicions about her from the start, so he is determined to find out more about her.

Missy Shaw is feeling very comfortable living in The Hart House as Mrs. Hart’s companion, she has a beautiful art studio and her paintings are selling for the first time, she has the stability that an artist needs that is until the bad boy Levi arrives home, sharing the house with Levi is not going to be fun at all but there seems to be a chemistry between them one that is very hard for Missy to ignore.

This is a beautiful romance as the chemistry between Missy and Levi grows and soon Missy knows that Levi might not be the bad boy he has been betrayed as but is a caring and loving guy and as for Missy she is scared to take the leap into a new relationship after her past one but soon her heart is winning, will they be able to find their way to a HEA?

I did love this story wonderful characters and a beautiful romance, this is one that I highly recommend.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a beautiful healing journey for both Missy and Levi and I loved every second of it and so wasn’t ready to put it down.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s talk about Levi Hart—the bad boy of baseball with a headline-making reputation and a jawline carved by the gods. The man can pitch fire, but when it comes to feelings? He's been on the injured list for years. Until now.

In The Bad Boy’s Homecoming, Levi returns to his sleepy hometown of Sandy Point, Georgia, hoping to reset his life, ditch the scripted persona forced on him by the media, and finally figure out who he wants to be—not who the world expects. But what he doesn’t expect? A mysterious woman in his childhood bedroom.

Enter Missy Shaw. Independent, talented, emotionally guarded—and utterly uninterested in bad boys with charm and a past that screams run. She’s living in Levi’s grandmother’s house, helping her as a companion while quietly selling her art, healing from something unspoken, and trying not to fall for the one man every warning bell is screaming about.

Their story unfolds like one of those perfect small-town songs—slow and simmering, with a chorus you’ll hum for days. What starts as friction quickly morphs into a magnetic connection neither of them knows how to handle.

🔥 The Heat: There's undeniable chemistry from the start, but it’s not just physical. Levi sees her—not just her trauma or her talent, but all the parts she hides. And Missy? She sees through his fame, his swagger, to the man who cares for his grandmother and is quietly falling apart under the weight of who he’s supposed to be.

❤️ The Heart: Missy’s guardedness, Levi’s guilt, and the healing they find in each other make this more than a classic sports romance. It’s about second chances—not just at love, but at life. It’s about rewriting your story when the world already thinks they’ve read the ending.

💥 The Conflict: Family warnings, reputations, old wounds, and unexpected burns (literally and emotionally) create a real emotional journey. When someone from Levi’s past threatens everything, he’s forced to make a call: fame or something real?

What I adored:

A strong, vulnerable heroine who’s more than her trauma

A reformed bad boy who’s finally learning to feel

Southern charm meets real emotional depth

A grandma who steals the show (seriously, protect her at all costs)

The theme of choosing love—even when it terrifies you

Final Thoughts:
This book gave me all the things I crave in a small-town romance: slow-burn tension, emotional healing, found family, and a hero who finally shows up for the woman he loves. If you’re into stories where tough men melt for guarded women and love feels like coming home after a long, hard road—The Bad Boy’s Homecoming is your next one-click.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

The Bad Boy’s Homecoming is the second title in the Southern Hart Brothers series, and brings us the tumultuous romance between Levi and Missy. Levi’s baseball reputation is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, designed by his team to stir up the fans, the media, and guarantee ticket sales for the team. When it’s time to sign a new contract, Levi refuses to continue that lie… and the powers that be are not happy with his decision.

He’ll return home to his grandmother’s in Georgia, determined to change what the world perceives him to be. What he didn’t expect was Missy. Living in his old bedroom, being a caregiver to his grandmother, an artist just coming into her own… the tensions between them are sharp enough to cut a cake. What they do about that tension, both sexual and emotional, is going to be a heartbreaking journey for a while, until they open up their hearts and their pasts to plan a future together.

I have yet to meet a Stella Holt novel that I didn’t completely enjoy, and The Bad Boy’s Homecoming continued that winning streak for me. Levi and Missy are both wounded souls, Levi from living a lie, Missy from trauma, and neither trusts very easily anymore. Watching their walls slowly crumble was an emotional journey. They might have started out wary of each other, but I loved seeing their love for each other grow as protectiveness and trust replaced the hurts of the past.

If you crave a well-written, emotional, charming, full of tension, then you’d love The Bad Boy’s Homecoming. And, I simply love Levi’s grandmother. She steals scenes and hearts quite easily.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Bad Boy" and his Missy - The first chapter hooked me, their introduction a fiery encounter with weapons wielded when he barged into his old bedroom which is now hers. A flash in the pan moment that brought Gran in with her shotgun, got a vase thrown, revealed Levi's flirty side, and cracked me up. I settled in for a delightful reading experience and was not disappointed.

Levi is a sweetheart, despite his public persona. A good grandson who genuinely is concerned for Gran, he keeps an eye on Missy from the start. That's she's beautiful makes it so easy, his suspicions quickly allayed by his brothers and Gran, his interest shifting in a more personal direction in no time. His tender care for the ladies of the house is heartwarming, making me love him even more. He woos Missy with a gentleness she finds hard to resist, even when trouble comes knocking at their front door.

Missy is amazing in her own right, her artwork a siren's call to Levi he can't resist. Her emotions are laid bare in canvas, proclaiming her feelings even if she dares not give them voice. She's been hurt before and is leery of the Bad Boy. But there's something about him that just keeps drawing her in.

I loved the characters in this book, main and extra. The MCs are wonderful, so cute together, their passion a blaze of glory. Gran is the grandmother I would love to have. The Hart brothers are as sweet as Levi, loving grandsons and protective of Missy as much as her cousin Declan, another good man who needs his own story. The first book in this series and the second book by Ms. Holt I have read, certainly not my last. I look forward to more from the families in Sandy Point, GA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The beginning of this story was fun, with the rest of the book being engaging and romantic. I enjoyed the growth Levi went through, both in his professional life and his interactions with Missy. Once he realized how skittish Missy was, he backed off on the teasing and flirting. Not fully, he still let his personality shine through. Yet I found Levi to be more aware of when and how he flirted with Missy, and he was very in tune with her reactions to him.

It was a bit frustrating that so much of Missy’s past was alluded to, but never really revealed. I cannot remember if we got in-depth information in the first book, but even if we did, it’s usually customary to dig deeper when it’s that particular character’s story being told as the main character. It left me feeling like I was forgetting or missing a piece of the puzzle.

That being said, I truly enjoyed the connection between Missy and Levi. While there was an intense attraction, they also just enjoyed being with each other. It was sweet.

All of the goodwill I felt for this couple and these characters was almost destroyed by the epilogue. I get annoyed when an author decides to disregard the personalities of the characters to get a splashy HEA. It wasn’t needed and was out of character for both Missy and Levi. She would have hated it, and he would have never put her in an uncomfortable situation. The last bit was a big fat NOPE from me.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi Hart comes home to find a stranger in grandmother's house and the Bad Boy of Baseball thinks that Missy Shaw is just another gold digger wanting to take advantage of his family... but Missy Shaw is no gold digger and she thinks that he and is over inflated ego can march his good looking rear out of what is now her room, formally his and go back to the diamond where he belongs.

Lots of misunderstandings make this a good read. Missy is a talented painter who's work is starting to make a name for her in the art circles. Levi is trying to diminish his made up bad boy reputation on and off the baseball diamond and he has quite his current team and is looking for a new place to play the only thing he really loves until he meets Missy. Can he overcome this bad boy reputation and can Missy learn to trust in herself and Levi to not break her heart.

This was a fun book to read. I love Missy and Levi, the chemistry was felt right away and the build up to them as a couple and finding those things that they both love made me turn each page to find out what would happen next. There are great characters in Levi and Missy family that made for LOL moments and those moments that make you sigh with a smile and maybe have to grab for a tissue too.
Although I didn't read the first book, it can be read as a standalone, I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book this is. I wish I could give it more than five stars. Missy can't get over how different her life is. She thought being a lawyer like Declan would make him proud. Yet here she was, living as a companion and painting in her spare time. She was happier and being so close to the beach an added bonus. The quiet small-town was just what she needed, escaping Atlanta and her past. Levi loved baseball. It was in his blood and something his dad would have been proud of. Yet here her was walking away from the team and not really knowing what his future would be. Not in any way did he expect to walk into his old bedroom and have a vase thrown at him. Yet that's exactly what happened, and just who was the gorgeous woman. Trust was important to Missy, yet she was hiding secrets from everybody. Levi was fed up being portrayed as a bad boy. He wanted people to know the real him. Can two flawed people help each other. Will Levi be happy not playing. Can Missy ever let herself move on from her past. This is a brilliantly written story that will have you hoping for a happy ending. I loved everything about this story and can't wait for the next in this series.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Sandy Point where another Hart brother finds love. This time the store belongs to Levi Hart. Levi, a professional baseball player loves the game, but not being labeled the bad boy of baseball. When the renewal contract continues to add that clause in it, he refused to sign it and returns home.
Whom he didn’t expect to meet upon his return to his grandmother’s, is the woman hired to care for his grandmother, Missy Shaw. Missy left Atlanta in the midst of her studies , and has found peace in Sandy Point as well as inspiration for her budding painting career.
The moment these two meet, there are sparks flying. But both have issues to solve. Will they be able to overcome them? Will Missy risk falling for another man, one who could destroy her? Will Levi be able to shed his made up baseball persona?
The story was engaging and the main characters well developed and likable.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this ebook from a Goodreads giveaway. I wanted to read the first book in the series before starting this one but it wasn’t on KU or at my library. Fortunately, they’re standalones so I didn’t feel like I was missing anything important in regard to Missy and Levi’s story.

I really enjoyed the storyline, the characters, and the writing style. The Bad Boy of Baseball is actually very sweet and caring when it comes to Missy, like cooking for her and caring for her when she burned her hand. Both Missy and Levi had great character development throughout the story.

My biggest complaint about the book was the epilogue. The proposal didn’t feel like it fit Missy & Levi. It wasn’t personal to them, it wasn’t their own moment. It was part of the playoffs win celebration with loads of strangers and press.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bad Boy’s Homecoming is book 2 in the Southern Hart Brothers series by Stella Holt, another Hart brother bites the dust…

Up next is Levi, star MLB shortstop who after 9 yrs being the “bad boy of baseball” want to change a clause in his contract which the team says no so he decides to become a free agent but more scandal is coming his way so he returns home to regroup. What finds is Missy Shaw, an artist, a freeloader or so he thinks in the house his grandmother owns. What happens next is secrets, tensions, chemistry, guarding her heart, letting go of the past, issues that need resolved and more…

I voluntarily read a copy of this book Tule Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missy has been helping Mrs Hart, she lives in a big house and two of her grandsons think she needs a companion. In fact, they need each other. Missy was at law school but due to circumstances she dropped out. Now she's recovered her artistic talent and with Mrs Hart's help has an online presence.
Enter Levi, her other grandson, he's been with Atlanta as a baseball player, he's left, at the end of his contract, and won't sign a new one. He doesn't want to continue with the falsified image of himself.
He's worried that Missy is taking advantage of his grandmother and brothers. He's abrupt and rude to Missy, hiding his feelings for her, ones he hasn't had before. He's unsure why he feels as he does.

An emotional read from Stella

[Tanya Rae ~ TaSTy WordGasms · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bad Boy’s Homecoming is the second book in The Southern Hart Brothers series. There are 4 boys/men/brothers. This is Missy Shaw and Levi Hart’s story.

Missy has been a companion to Levi’s grandmother. Levi is a pro baseball player searching for a different team to play on. He is home temporarily and may quit baseball. He doesn’t want to be the bad boy of baseball!

Missy is a new artist after discovering she can really paint.

I loved reading Missy and Levi’s story. There was so much chemistry between the two of them!

I am loving these Hart men, and I can’t wait for the next book!

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful:
I really enjoyed this sweet, heartwarming and beautiful love story. I particularly enjoyed seeing two slightly broken souls find healing and happiness. I thought Missy and Levi were perfect together and I was so happy that they got to spend the rest of their lives together.
If possible, I'd recommend reading the prior book first as it does provide some backstory and sets the stage perfectly for this story. I am loving this series and now can't wait for the next installment!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Lindy Dierks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the banter between Missy and Levi. He didn’t trust her in the beginning, yet he was completely attracted to her. This created so much wonderful sexual tension and conflict that I couldn’t stop reading from start to finish. I really enjoyed this small town romance with a complicated baseball player and a secretive artist/caretaker for his grandmother. The author did a fantastic job of just giving the reader what they need to know in the moment and sprinkling information in as we go. From the character growth to the romance journey and everything in between, I loved this book! I’m excited for the next one! I received this book from Tule Publishing. All opinions are my own.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bad Boys Homecoming by Stella Holt does not necessarily mean that the man in question is actually a bad man in reality. Baseball bad boy Levi Hart has always played up the drama and the bad boy image to keep up rating for his team. Now they want more, who can blame him for walking away.

The Southern Hart Brothers book has Levi floundering before he can find his footing. That is a part of life when one decides change must be made. You have to be pulling for him to make the right decisions. A romance about changing the direction of your life which is something both characters decide to do.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bad Boy’s Homecoming – The Southern Hart Brothers #2 by Stella Holt

Wow! The Bad Boy’s Homecoming is an absolute delight from start to finish. Stella Holt has crafted a story that’s not only beautifully written but also full of unforgettable, relatable characters. I completely fell for Levi and Missy—their chemistry, struggles, and growth kept me hooked. I also loved the fresh take on sports romance; it’s such a nice change from the usual hockey stories out there. This book is heartwarming, fun, and impossible to put down. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone and am beyond excited to dive into the next book in the series!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t ready for this book to end.

Missy Shaw is finally enjoying her life again. She is living with her friend, Mrs. Hart, as her companion, while Missy pursues her art career. But when Mrs. Hart’s grandson, Levi, the bad boy of baseball, comes home, Missy finds herself drawn to Levi even though she knows falling for him would be a very bad idea. Still, she can't fight the temptation. And, Levi makes it his goal to win over Missy.

This is a fast-paced opposites attract romance that I did not want to end. I enjoyed every single part of this book.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi and Missy’s story was incredible. From the moment Levi walked into his old bedroom and Missy threw a vase at him I was hooked. The moment these two meet there is sparks flying. The question is will they give in to temptation. I loved the small-town vibes, I loved the characters, and the storyline was amazing. This book will entertain you from start to finish. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi and Missy start off with a rocky start when he thinks she's taking advantage of his grandmother but then attraction builds between them until his past and potential future major league baseball prospects get in the way. I can understand why he'd want to distance himself from a fake persona especially since it's ruining his budding relationship with Missy and why she would be reluctant to trust another man after the last one hurt her. Her art sounds incredible and his grandmother is a riot in this steamy romance.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is a Major League Baseball player with a tarnished image, partially due to an persona clause in his contract. While in the midst of contract negotiations he goes back home to evaluating his future career path. She is an artist with a troubled past, living in his grandmother’s home as her companion.
He immediately assumes she is a gold digger, even though his brothers hired her. She believes everything public about his Bad Boy reputation. When sparks fly will their passion be enough or will a scandal break them apart. This was such a lovely story. I enjoyed it very much. I am looking forward to Wes’s story next. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Susan Ballain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi Hart the bad boy of baseball! Well, his persona is made out to be the bad boy and he’s wanting to change that so he’s not taking any contracts that makes his persona look like a bad boy! So he goes back home!
Missy, the artist and Mrs. Harts caretaker hired by the other brothers but Levi is unbeknownst to this til he goes to walk in his old room and finds a young woman in his room and gets a vase thrown at him!
But in a freak kitchen Missy gets burnt on her hand and Levi volunteers to help take care of her!
Is Missy running from something or someone??

[Donnajo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest opinion.

The Bad Boy's Homecoming by Stella Holt. A heart-warming and a great addition to The Southern Hart Brothers series. I really enjoyed this story glad I had a chance to read this book. Great character development and storyline. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and more by Stella Holt.

[Bonnie Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi Hart the bad boy of baseball and Missy Shaw an artist and Levi’s grandmother’s live in companion, are building a relationship even if not meaning to and this book tells their story. It’s a wonderful storyline, with great characters and plentiful heat and twist and turns and I enjoyed the read and am awaiting the next book of The Southern Hart Brothers series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here has me falling in love with baseball or at least baseball players. Levi and Missy are total opposite people but when they get together look out because they have some great chemistry together. Everything Stella has done with this romance book starting with the cover is a masterpiece of greatness.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missy and Levi's first meeting was not a good beginning. She is a paid companion for his grandmother whom he thinks is taking advantage of her. But his thinking starts changing the more time he spends with her. He has some major decisions to make. Love this family and town.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting variety of characters. Engaging family relationships. Great couple. The story captivated me so much that I kept reading despite the many intimate scenes which I skipped. Thanks to Booksprout for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging romance between an up and coming artist and a press/team promoted bad boy of baseball. Their worlds collide with chemistry and spice.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites attract! Missy is finally feeling comfortable, as an artist and living with an older lady being her companion. Everything changes when her landlord grandson shows up, Levi, known as the bad boy of baseball. Instant sparks go off between them, but Missy is very cautious due to his history and her past.

This is a fast paced story that I had a hard time putting down. Loved the characters, especially Levi, what a heart he has! It was great catching up with other characters from previous story. Looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From cliche to enlightening, Levi and Missy are the perfect example of what living in truth really means. Holt pushes emotion to it's limit with heartfelt honesty and unpredictable romance. The Bad Boy's Homecoming is a journey of redemption that brings the heart full circle.