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Avenging Angels #4
Avenging Angels: Bad Medicine
Willow Knightley has just been through it with her ex-mooch of a boyfriend. But sadly, he’s just the latest in a long string of men (starting at birth) who didn’t treat her right.
She decides her only recourse is to give up on men forever.
The problem is, her friend/acquaintance/one-time bodyguard, member of the Nightingale Investigations & Security team, Gabriel Stark, has targeted her as His One.
Gabe’s been through it at the hands of women too, so he knows exactly what he wants.
And he wants Willow.
Willow states her case against them being an us, but she doesn’t count on the fact that not only does Gabe love a challenge, he lives for them.
Up against an onslaught from a man who rinses his own whiskers out of the sink, Willow might not stand a chance.
But then, while the Angels are trying to figure out what’s got one of their informants very jittery, she gets a hint that there are demons in Gabe’s history, and she has to know.
The bets are on…
And luck favors a Stark.
She decides her only recourse is to give up on men forever.
The problem is, her friend/acquaintance/one-time bodyguard, member of the Nightingale Investigations & Security team, Gabriel Stark, has targeted her as His One.
Gabe’s been through it at the hands of women too, so he knows exactly what he wants.
And he wants Willow.
Willow states her case against them being an us, but she doesn’t count on the fact that not only does Gabe love a challenge, he lives for them.
Up against an onslaught from a man who rinses his own whiskers out of the sink, Willow might not stand a chance.
But then, while the Angels are trying to figure out what’s got one of their informants very jittery, she gets a hint that there are demons in Gabe’s history, and she has to know.
The bets are on…
And luck favors a Stark.
404 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2025
421 people are currently reading
930 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Ashley
134 books39.5k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
January 2, 2026
4 stars
I’ve enjoyed KA’s ‘Avenging Angel’ series and Bad Medicine was no exception. I loved Willow and Gabe was a Stark. Enough said! I love the Rock Chick vibes these books give out while still being their own unique stories. I had a lot of fun listening to this one!
I’ve enjoyed KA’s ‘Avenging Angel’ series and Bad Medicine was no exception. I loved Willow and Gabe was a Stark. Enough said! I love the Rock Chick vibes these books give out while still being their own unique stories. I had a lot of fun listening to this one!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Stella Bloom
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 10h 18m
December 22, 2025
Oh boy, here we go again...... I started reading this book and from the start, I get introduced to what's probably, for me, the most annoying thing KA has ever done in her books: giving the heroine two named inner voices that argue with each other. In this case, it’s “dreamer” vs. “logic.” In Ava’s book (Rock Chick #5), it was “good Ava” vs. “bad Ava.”
And, omg, I hate it.
This made me so annoyed to read again, because it's like the heroine either goes with one or the other, in an endless internal ping-pong, incapable of reaching a middle ground or understanding nuance. To me, that doesn’t read as complexity, it reads as immaturity.
We get the same internal argument replayed over and over. It stalls character development, and inside my head, I’m just like: girl, you need therapy before you enter any kind of relationship.
Does it eventually work itself out? Sure. But the journey there feels unnecessarily long and repetitive, and for me, it drains momentum rather than building tension. In simple terms, it makes the book draaaaaag.
And, omg, I hate it.
This made me so annoyed to read again, because it's like the heroine either goes with one or the other, in an endless internal ping-pong, incapable of reaching a middle ground or understanding nuance. To me, that doesn’t read as complexity, it reads as immaturity.
We get the same internal argument replayed over and over. It stalls character development, and inside my head, I’m just like: girl, you need therapy before you enter any kind of relationship.
Does it eventually work itself out? Sure. But the journey there feels unnecessarily long and repetitive, and for me, it drains momentum rather than building tension. In simple terms, it makes the book draaaaaag.
December 27, 2025
A better story than some in this series, but still somehow underwhelming.
Missing my OG Rock Chick so much ♥
Missing my OG Rock Chick so much ♥
December 29, 2025
This one was… fine. Solid, readable, but ultimately not a standout for me.
Willow’s backstory is heavy, and I appreciated how clearly her “I’m done with men” stance was rooted in a lifetime of disappointment rather than simple stubbornness. That part felt real. Gabriel, on the other hand, is very much a Stark: which comes with certain expectations!! and that’s where things got tricky for me. He’s a Stark, yes… but he’s not Luke. And I couldn’t stop comparing.
The book felt quieter than earlier entries in the series, with fewer characters swirling around, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But despite that narrower focus, I never fully connected with Willow and Gabe as a couple. Their dynamic didn’t quite spark for me, and the romance...while persistent and well-intentioned....never tipped into emotionally compelling.
There are still the familiar Kristen Ashley elements: the protective hero, the push-pull, the hints of danger and secrets from the past. They just didn’t hit as hard this time. I was more interested in the echoes of past stories than in the one unfolding in front of me.
That said… this book did one thing very successfully: it made me desperately want to reread Ava and Luke’s story. And honestly, that might be its biggest win.
A middle-of-the-road entry in a series with definite highs and lows...worth reading if you’re invested, but not the one I’ll be thinking about long-term.
🎶don't want to miss a thing by aerosmith
Willow’s backstory is heavy, and I appreciated how clearly her “I’m done with men” stance was rooted in a lifetime of disappointment rather than simple stubbornness. That part felt real. Gabriel, on the other hand, is very much a Stark: which comes with certain expectations!! and that’s where things got tricky for me. He’s a Stark, yes… but he’s not Luke. And I couldn’t stop comparing.
The book felt quieter than earlier entries in the series, with fewer characters swirling around, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But despite that narrower focus, I never fully connected with Willow and Gabe as a couple. Their dynamic didn’t quite spark for me, and the romance...while persistent and well-intentioned....never tipped into emotionally compelling.
There are still the familiar Kristen Ashley elements: the protective hero, the push-pull, the hints of danger and secrets from the past. They just didn’t hit as hard this time. I was more interested in the echoes of past stories than in the one unfolding in front of me.
That said… this book did one thing very successfully: it made me desperately want to reread Ava and Luke’s story. And honestly, that might be its biggest win.
A middle-of-the-road entry in a series with definite highs and lows...worth reading if you’re invested, but not the one I’ll be thinking about long-term.
🎶don't want to miss a thing by aerosmith
December 20, 2025
I’m a fan of KA, I’ve read most of her books and a bunch of them I’ve read multiple times.
Her writing drives me up the wall sometimes but they’ve still become comfort reads somehow.
This book was so boring. Nothing happens and when you have a whole lot of nothing happening and cover it in a bunch of Ashley-isms it amplifies both how boring the book is AND how frustrating the writing is.
Her writing drives me up the wall sometimes but they’ve still become comfort reads somehow.
This book was so boring. Nothing happens and when you have a whole lot of nothing happening and cover it in a bunch of Ashley-isms it amplifies both how boring the book is AND how frustrating the writing is.
December 23, 2025
The most shocking thing to me about this book is the Author’s Note, where KA blithely assures us that “you’ll note a number of similarities between their story (Luke and Ava) and Gabe and Willow’s.” Nope. I can’t say that I did. Luke and Ava’s story, while not my favorite of that series, was good. This story, Willow and Gabe’s…I’m unsure what it is.
This whole Avenging Angels series is a mess of writing styles, strange non-plots, templated/stereotyped characters, and a flailing audience grab. I cannot figure it out. I can’t see what audience KA is trying to engage. Is it a younger crowd? If so, I’d expect them to be especially offended by the female leads, who profess to be 30 but act 17 on a good day, roil around in an emotive state, focus primarily on clothes and cocktails, and capitulate in a moment to wooden but pretty male leads with very little personality at all. They talk about living on the gig economy, but seem to do quite well while spending a noticeable amount of time pretending to be TV/detective characters who don’t actually do anything much. I read the first book and wanted to believe the series would play into something good and entertaining, all wrapped up in the KA style. Nope. Instead, there's the obligatory surprise parent arrival scene, helicoptering for all they're worth. There's the weird insistence by the cardboard alpha that the female lead isn't ready for $ex because it's "not the right time." The "right time" always seems to be around 50% in case you missed that. There's the Angels themselves, who traipse into meetings with Bad Guys like it's Chess Club. I can't shake the feeling that we are not dealing with adults here. It's like they're on some weird scavenger hunt headed by an 80s cheer squad.
In this book, the "plot" is super thin. An incompetent gang of poorly executing criminals picks another a poor skanky guy as a "mark" and tries to blackmail him into making a "drop" for them. Huh? I wasn't aware there was a shortage of small-time criminals so dire that it's necessary to trick people into doing the job.
I’ve been a KA fan for a long time. I’ve happily cut her a break many times because at heart, many of her stories are solid gold. That said, every book can’t be a hit. Every book won’t be to my taste. KA’s style should be expected to evolve. A bestselling author can’t stay still and stay in this game! But for the life of me, I can’t get a grip on what she’s doing. What makes it worse is that every subsequent book is just like the one before it with interchangeable characters. Here we have another damaged-from-past-boyfriends girl (not a woman) who has bravely decided she’s done with men, despite having a hot attachment to a damaged-by-past-girlfriends dude. Other than her past experiences, it’s hard to tell what kind of person she really is. She’s all over the map for sure (kind of like this ridiculous review!). She’s belligerent as a high schooler a good deal of the time for no reason, she’s constantly looking for some reason to be unhappy about her relationship/non-relationship with her alpha boy, and she’s desperately trying to be an Angel. Whatever that is supposed to be. Her “character,” as are most of the other female leads in this story, use trauma in place of character. Yes, trauma shapes us in some ways, but it’s not who we are.
The male leads are cardboard alphas. These are not full-fledged men with rich backstories and understandable characteristics, like we’ve read in past KA books. These are templated guys who are also given trauma as characters in some cases, or if not injected with past trauma, are devoid of virtually anything.
The non-plot of this book has already been templated in a couple of the previous stories. The Angels want to help someone, and get mildly involved with one or two bad guys. They are totally backed up by the entire Hottie Gang, no one even gets shot at, and then it’s over. Oh yeah, and the Super Bad Guys are so enchanted that the entire city of Phoenix is on notice not to upset the Angels.
Also, at one point, KA identifies all the Angels as 5 foot 10 inches tall, except for one who’s 5 foot 5. What? Are you kidding me? All these girls just happen to be taller than most of the women many of us meet in our entire lifetimes? Somewhere around then the MMC asks if the FMC wants to do “dunch.” No self-respecting alpha would ever say anything like that, I don’t care what generation he’s pegged with.
In the penultimate scene, EIGHT Angels are in a room along with NINE Hottie Gang members while they address THREE skanky wannabe criminals. There are also a couple of working ladies involved. I can’t tell if this is supposed to be funny or serious. It fails either way. These antics with the Angels are always riding some weird line between cartoon drama or…never mind, they’re just cartoon drama. This leads to another thing that gives me pause, and that is that these girls have NO TRAINING OF ANY KIND. Everyone goes home after the girls are sweetly patted on the head by the REAL bad guys, the Hottie Gang, and a Bosely wannabe, the supposed mouthpiece of the Angels.
What kind of secretive rich person wants to bankroll a bunch of girls with tasers, cars, a bizarre storage space, and money to “help” people? When they don’t really do anything? In this case they saved the porn-addicted desk clerk at a hotel who has given them a clue or two that may have “helped” one or two others. Was he actually in danger? Maybe. Maybe not. The Angels seemed to make up a lot of the potential drama here with not a lot of evidence. Honestly, the best part of this story and the previous ones are the working ladies. I love them. And don't get me wrong. I kinda adore the porn-addicted desk clerk. He could definitely use a hand. Ahem.
I will say that this book was almost completely devoid of the speechifying, self-righteous speeches that frequently populate this series. The male lead spouts a bit early on, but it’s a far cry from the many, many times leads in this series go off on someone or about something. So there’s that. And the $ex was definitely more spicy, thanks for that!
Every time a new book comes out, I swear I won’t read it. It frustrates me, I leave one of these novel-length reviews, and nothing changes. Except that KA’s more loyal readers seeth in my general direction no doubt. Actually what I do is go back and reread her earlier series, where the characters were really interesting, there were actual plots (sometimes ridiculous but whatever), and each story was different, not populated with stupid as hell tropes and desperate attempts to engage some other audience than the one that has and continues to support her out here.
This whole Avenging Angels series is a mess of writing styles, strange non-plots, templated/stereotyped characters, and a flailing audience grab. I cannot figure it out. I can’t see what audience KA is trying to engage. Is it a younger crowd? If so, I’d expect them to be especially offended by the female leads, who profess to be 30 but act 17 on a good day, roil around in an emotive state, focus primarily on clothes and cocktails, and capitulate in a moment to wooden but pretty male leads with very little personality at all. They talk about living on the gig economy, but seem to do quite well while spending a noticeable amount of time pretending to be TV/detective characters who don’t actually do anything much. I read the first book and wanted to believe the series would play into something good and entertaining, all wrapped up in the KA style. Nope. Instead, there's the obligatory surprise parent arrival scene, helicoptering for all they're worth. There's the weird insistence by the cardboard alpha that the female lead isn't ready for $ex because it's "not the right time." The "right time" always seems to be around 50% in case you missed that. There's the Angels themselves, who traipse into meetings with Bad Guys like it's Chess Club. I can't shake the feeling that we are not dealing with adults here. It's like they're on some weird scavenger hunt headed by an 80s cheer squad.
In this book, the "plot" is super thin. An incompetent gang of poorly executing criminals picks another a poor skanky guy as a "mark" and tries to blackmail him into making a "drop" for them. Huh? I wasn't aware there was a shortage of small-time criminals so dire that it's necessary to trick people into doing the job.
I’ve been a KA fan for a long time. I’ve happily cut her a break many times because at heart, many of her stories are solid gold. That said, every book can’t be a hit. Every book won’t be to my taste. KA’s style should be expected to evolve. A bestselling author can’t stay still and stay in this game! But for the life of me, I can’t get a grip on what she’s doing. What makes it worse is that every subsequent book is just like the one before it with interchangeable characters. Here we have another damaged-from-past-boyfriends girl (not a woman) who has bravely decided she’s done with men, despite having a hot attachment to a damaged-by-past-girlfriends dude. Other than her past experiences, it’s hard to tell what kind of person she really is. She’s all over the map for sure (kind of like this ridiculous review!). She’s belligerent as a high schooler a good deal of the time for no reason, she’s constantly looking for some reason to be unhappy about her relationship/non-relationship with her alpha boy, and she’s desperately trying to be an Angel. Whatever that is supposed to be. Her “character,” as are most of the other female leads in this story, use trauma in place of character. Yes, trauma shapes us in some ways, but it’s not who we are.
The male leads are cardboard alphas. These are not full-fledged men with rich backstories and understandable characteristics, like we’ve read in past KA books. These are templated guys who are also given trauma as characters in some cases, or if not injected with past trauma, are devoid of virtually anything.
The non-plot of this book has already been templated in a couple of the previous stories. The Angels want to help someone, and get mildly involved with one or two bad guys. They are totally backed up by the entire Hottie Gang, no one even gets shot at, and then it’s over. Oh yeah, and the Super Bad Guys are so enchanted that the entire city of Phoenix is on notice not to upset the Angels.
Also, at one point, KA identifies all the Angels as 5 foot 10 inches tall, except for one who’s 5 foot 5. What? Are you kidding me? All these girls just happen to be taller than most of the women many of us meet in our entire lifetimes? Somewhere around then the MMC asks if the FMC wants to do “dunch.” No self-respecting alpha would ever say anything like that, I don’t care what generation he’s pegged with.
In the penultimate scene, EIGHT Angels are in a room along with NINE Hottie Gang members while they address THREE skanky wannabe criminals. There are also a couple of working ladies involved. I can’t tell if this is supposed to be funny or serious. It fails either way. These antics with the Angels are always riding some weird line between cartoon drama or…never mind, they’re just cartoon drama. This leads to another thing that gives me pause, and that is that these girls have NO TRAINING OF ANY KIND. Everyone goes home after the girls are sweetly patted on the head by the REAL bad guys, the Hottie Gang, and a Bosely wannabe, the supposed mouthpiece of the Angels.
What kind of secretive rich person wants to bankroll a bunch of girls with tasers, cars, a bizarre storage space, and money to “help” people? When they don’t really do anything? In this case they saved the porn-addicted desk clerk at a hotel who has given them a clue or two that may have “helped” one or two others. Was he actually in danger? Maybe. Maybe not. The Angels seemed to make up a lot of the potential drama here with not a lot of evidence. Honestly, the best part of this story and the previous ones are the working ladies. I love them. And don't get me wrong. I kinda adore the porn-addicted desk clerk. He could definitely use a hand. Ahem.
I will say that this book was almost completely devoid of the speechifying, self-righteous speeches that frequently populate this series. The male lead spouts a bit early on, but it’s a far cry from the many, many times leads in this series go off on someone or about something. So there’s that. And the $ex was definitely more spicy, thanks for that!
Every time a new book comes out, I swear I won’t read it. It frustrates me, I leave one of these novel-length reviews, and nothing changes. Except that KA’s more loyal readers seeth in my general direction no doubt. Actually what I do is go back and reread her earlier series, where the characters were really interesting, there were actual plots (sometimes ridiculous but whatever), and each story was different, not populated with stupid as hell tropes and desperate attempts to engage some other audience than the one that has and continues to support her out here.
December 22, 2025
Loved the audiobook! The rock chicks 3.0 are fun. Maybe not as fun as the original rock chicks but I’m still very much enjoying this new set of characters. I like the girl posse and I definitely love the men they are pairing up to. The adventures in each book is entertaining, especially with some original rock chick side characters making appearances. Fun read and or listen!
January 5, 2026
KA will always be a comfort author for me. I liked the found family in this series and how it connects to the Rock Chick OGs without making you feel lost if you haven’t read those books. not perfect, but if you’re a longtime KA reader, you know the deal and will probably have a good time.
December 23, 2025
KA can give me fifty more stories like this and I’ll love every single one. OTT alphas and sassy heroines during it out is my type!
December 22, 2025
2.5 to 3 stars. Disappointing coming from K.A.
December 18, 2025
meh. Certainly not re-read worthy. This was boring.
December 2, 2025
Move over Luke, there's a new Stark in town!!
Thank you to the author for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own and given freely.
Bad Medicine is the fourth book the in Avenging Angels series and tells Willow and Gabe's story. Willow, baker extraordinaire by day, a vigilante Avenging Angel by night. She's been burned by men in her life and has decided to swear them off after her latest experience with an ex landed her with a bodyguard not long ago. Enter Gabe, a badass PI, said bodyguard, and a STARK my friends! He's decided she's THE ONE. And in true KA alpha MMC fashion, he decided to take up the task of showing her not all men are the same. Add in a side of crime solving and justice, and it kept me turning the pages for more!
I really adored both MC's. Individually and together. This story felt more character driven, with less stakes involved. Very insta, but it develops and grows. With fun personality quirks. I could see so many similarities in Gabe to Luke from the Rock Chick series, but he also had differences that only made him all the more enjoyable too. The way he just stepped in, and up for her. Caretaking is his strong suit. And while the focus isn't on the steam-there is that- and I need to mention that couch scene. Not a long one. But the way the author wrote that scene... HOT. The way he leaned back... gahhh!!! I ate it up.
This book is a lot of things. It's light and fun. While also bringing the feels. It gets heavy for a minute or two. You'll laugh, tear up, and maybe even throw your kindle (that ending!). The found family vibes are so profound in this series. You have your main MC's of the series, along with a host of past characters, and fun new supporting characters that just make it all whole. Makes for such a feel good read, for me personally. I can't wait for more from them all, and to pick up where that shocking ending left off!
4.5 Stars ⭐
Note: The MC's have pasts that could be triggering for some. They are mentioned as in the past, not on page in present tense. If you need TW's, I suggest reading the first bit of the author's note at the end of the book which lists them.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own and given freely.
Bad Medicine is the fourth book the in Avenging Angels series and tells Willow and Gabe's story. Willow, baker extraordinaire by day, a vigilante Avenging Angel by night. She's been burned by men in her life and has decided to swear them off after her latest experience with an ex landed her with a bodyguard not long ago. Enter Gabe, a badass PI, said bodyguard, and a STARK my friends! He's decided she's THE ONE. And in true KA alpha MMC fashion, he decided to take up the task of showing her not all men are the same. Add in a side of crime solving and justice, and it kept me turning the pages for more!
I really adored both MC's. Individually and together. This story felt more character driven, with less stakes involved. Very insta, but it develops and grows. With fun personality quirks. I could see so many similarities in Gabe to Luke from the Rock Chick series, but he also had differences that only made him all the more enjoyable too. The way he just stepped in, and up for her. Caretaking is his strong suit. And while the focus isn't on the steam-there is that- and I need to mention that couch scene. Not a long one. But the way the author wrote that scene... HOT. The way he leaned back... gahhh!!! I ate it up.
This book is a lot of things. It's light and fun. While also bringing the feels. It gets heavy for a minute or two. You'll laugh, tear up, and maybe even throw your kindle (that ending!). The found family vibes are so profound in this series. You have your main MC's of the series, along with a host of past characters, and fun new supporting characters that just make it all whole. Makes for such a feel good read, for me personally. I can't wait for more from them all, and to pick up where that shocking ending left off!
4.5 Stars ⭐
Note: The MC's have pasts that could be triggering for some. They are mentioned as in the past, not on page in present tense. If you need TW's, I suggest reading the first bit of the author's note at the end of the book which lists them.
December 21, 2025
Avenging Angels: Bad Medicine by Kristen Ashley
Fourth in the series. I recommend reading in order, but the romance stands alone.
Thank you to Kristen Ashley and her team for an early copy for review purposes. This does not affect my review, nor does the advertising on my site. This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
“You can lie to yourself,” he went on. “You can lie to me. You can fight this. F*ck, I want you to fight it. But we both know, you are not gonna win.”
That giddy feeling when you pick up a Kristen Ashley book… there is nothing that compares. The Avenging Angel series has quickly become one of my favorites from her recent releases. It feels like Rock Chicks modernized, but still deeply tied to the original world, especially in this book. Avenging Angels: Bad Medicine features Gabriel Stark, Luke Stark’s cousin, and believe me, he absolutely has that Stark blood. Rock Chick Revenge (Luke’s book) is one of my all-time favorites, and this one gave me very similar vibes. A reread of that book is definitely happening soon.
If you’re new to the series, Avenging Angels follows the next generation of Rock Chicks. It takes place in Phoenix, where the new Nightingale Investigations office has opened. The Angels all live in the same cool apartment complex and work at the Surf Club Café, now owned by Tex and Tito. They’ve been recruited into a very Charlie’s Angels-style operation, complete with funding from a mysterious benefactor.
We’ve known Willow throughout the series. She’s a baker by day and a crime-fighting Angel by night. In the previous book, Tenderfoot, her ex turned out to be the bad guy, so Willow is dealing with a lot of emotional fallout and self-doubt after a lifetime of bad men, starting with her father. Gabriel Stark has been into her for a while, but he’s given her time to process what she went through. That said, we all know the Hottie Squad, or Hot Bunch, guys. When they decide they want someone, they go all-in, and they do it fast. Willow puts up one hell of a fight, but Gabe loves the challenge.
“Not one thing in this life is worth it if you don’t have to put in the work to earn it. So keep going, baby, because the more you try to keep me out even knowing you’ve already let me in, the harder I’ll work to show you what you’ll get when you get me.”
Bad Medicine is more character-driven and relationship-focused than the earlier books in the series. While there is still a case the Angels are working, the emotional center of the story is clearly the couple. What really stood out was how well Willow and Gabe communicated. I loved how openly they shared their pasts and healed together as the story unfolded.
“Every inch of you, mine, Willow. You hear me?”
Likes:
•I love the friendships. The girl gang is incredible, and they are all true girls’ girls.
•The campy, fun Charlie’s Angels parallels.
•Cameos from the original Rock Chicks, especially Luke and Ava.
•The glimpses into what’s going on with previous couples, along with hints about upcoming ones.
•TEX. Need I say more?
•This one goes deeper emotionally than the earlier books. I cried.
•I love the character list in the back.
•The case they were working on was fun.
•The Pretty Woman side story. This would make a great novella.
•I love that in this series the men aren’t constantly fighting the women about doing dangerous things. They support the Angels and have their backs.
•My ex-husband used to call me cupcake, and I always thought it was sweet. I loved that detail in this book.
Dislikes:
•Her alter egos, Dreamer and Logic, confused me at times because I kept thinking she was referring to the character Dream. With so many characters, similar names can get tricky. Tito and Titus, anyone?
•There were quite a few smaller details from earlier books that I didn’t remember but sometimes felt like I was supposed to or needed to.
The Down & Dirty:
Avenging Angel is my favorite Kristen Ashley series from this decade. I love how it continues to give us glimpses of beloved Rock Chick characters so we can catch up, while still delivering new, modern stories that feel unmistakably KA. Making Gabriel Stark Luke Stark’s cousin was genius, and I loved how clearly that Stark intensity runs through both men. Willow and Gabe’s story is quieter and more relationship-focused than some of the earlier books in the series, but it delivers on every emotional level. Their connection, communication, and healing felt earned, intimate, and deeply satisfying. This book hit me right in the heart, and I cannot wait for the next one, Avenging Angels: Ambush. I need it now.
Rating: 4.5 Stars, 1.5 heat
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The Avenging Angel Series
See my review for Avenging Angel
See my review for Avenging Angels: Back in the Saddle
See my review for Avenging Angels: Tenderfoot
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December 25, 2025
O SON NEYDİ ÖYLE??? İNANILMAZDI, SONRAKİ KİTABIN HEMEN GELMESİ LAZIM
sonunda beklediğim o an geldi ve queen alice kitaba giriş yaptı. alice ve roam için o kadar heyecanlıyım ki elim ayağım titriyor. bu çiftimiz de iyiydi btw gabe zaten bi stark ve starkların genleriyle rock chick serisinde tanışmıştık. luke'la ava'nın kızlarının her birinin kitabı olmalı kesinlikle. neyse. kızımız willow da tatlı biriydi, onları okumak hoştu
gelecek çiftler için aşırı heyecanlıyım ve heyecanımı numaralandırmak istirem
1-tabii ki ALICE VE ROAM YILLARDIR SİZİ BEKLİYORUM
2-shanti ve liam (shanti'yle titus'u da biraz shiplemiştim aslında ama...)
3-brady ve gemma (sanırım kızın adı buydu iki küçük kırıntı sahneleri vardı and i ate that sht up ucubelerim)
4-luna ve knox (onları baya istirem de böyle yazdığıma bakmayın)
5-bi de dimitri miydi neydi rus mafyasıyla kızlardan birini de shiplemiştim kim unuttum
BUNLARIN HANGİSİ GELİRSE GELSİN ELİM TİTREYE TİTREYE ANINDA OKUYACAĞIMDAN EMİNİM ONU DA SÖYLEYEYİM HEPSİ İÇİN AŞŞŞIRI HEYECANLIYIM Bİ AN ÖNCE ÇIKSIN İSTİREM AMA TARİH BİLE YOK DAHA
sonunda beklediğim o an geldi ve queen alice kitaba giriş yaptı. alice ve roam için o kadar heyecanlıyım ki elim ayağım titriyor. bu çiftimiz de iyiydi btw gabe zaten bi stark ve starkların genleriyle rock chick serisinde tanışmıştık. luke'la ava'nın kızlarının her birinin kitabı olmalı kesinlikle. neyse. kızımız willow da tatlı biriydi, onları okumak hoştu
gelecek çiftler için aşırı heyecanlıyım ve heyecanımı numaralandırmak istirem
1-tabii ki ALICE VE ROAM YILLARDIR SİZİ BEKLİYORUM
2-shanti ve liam (shanti'yle titus'u da biraz shiplemiştim aslında ama...)
3-brady ve gemma (sanırım kızın adı buydu iki küçük kırıntı sahneleri vardı and i ate that sht up ucubelerim)
4-luna ve knox (onları baya istirem de böyle yazdığıma bakmayın)
5-bi de dimitri miydi neydi rus mafyasıyla kızlardan birini de shiplemiştim kim unuttum
BUNLARIN HANGİSİ GELİRSE GELSİN ELİM TİTREYE TİTREYE ANINDA OKUYACAĞIMDAN EMİNİM ONU DA SÖYLEYEYİM HEPSİ İÇİN AŞŞŞIRI HEYECANLIYIM Bİ AN ÖNCE ÇIKSIN İSTİREM AMA TARİH BİLE YOK DAHA
December 19, 2025
Quickish Review
Another reliable easy read. I was a fan of the Rock Chick series, and this is a fun spinoff that showed me a glimpse into the HEA for some old faves while building up the next generation. The subplot regarding the Angels’ intervening for a friend getting jacked up was pretty thin, but the found family scenes are what keep me coming back for more.
Another reliable easy read. I was a fan of the Rock Chick series, and this is a fun spinoff that showed me a glimpse into the HEA for some old faves while building up the next generation. The subplot regarding the Angels’ intervening for a friend getting jacked up was pretty thin, but the found family scenes are what keep me coming back for more.
November 17, 2025
4 stars. I have a lot of favorite authors, books, and series that I look forward to. But when I think of current, ongoing series, The Avenging Angels books have hands down become my most anticipated reads. Bad Medicine kind of picks right back up where Tenderfoot leaves off, and although Bad Medicine is a standalone, there’s a lot that happens in Tenderfoot that influences who Willow is. So readers may benefit from reading Tenderfoot first. I think fans of the Rock Chick books will find A LOT to especially enjoy about Bad Medicine, especially given Gabe, the MMC’s relation to Luke (an OG Nightingale investigator). Needless to say, there are A LOT of cameos.
Unlike the other books in this series, I think that Bad Medicine is the lowest stakes. Of course the Angels are involved in a case, but the case is really a side character, with Willow and Gabe’s relationship being the main plot driver (some of the other books, the plot and relationship were more equal). It’s also worth noting that if you’re a reader that gets particularly triggered, some of the main characters have pasts that could definitely be triggering. The events aren’t described in real time on the page, but they are brought up. If you’re sensitive to any triggers, please keep that in mind before reading (I don’t want to explicitly mention them since it’s an important reveal).
All in all, this is another KA book I really enjoyed. I loved Willow. Loved Gabe. Loved the found family and humor that Kristen’s delivering with this series. And that ending. THAT ENDING! Can’t wait for the release on the next book (which won’t be until summer 2026, but count me in!) Needless to say, the upcoming books remain at the VERY top of my tbr.
Thank you to Kristen and her team for the early copy!
Unlike the other books in this series, I think that Bad Medicine is the lowest stakes. Of course the Angels are involved in a case, but the case is really a side character, with Willow and Gabe’s relationship being the main plot driver (some of the other books, the plot and relationship were more equal). It’s also worth noting that if you’re a reader that gets particularly triggered, some of the main characters have pasts that could definitely be triggering. The events aren’t described in real time on the page, but they are brought up. If you’re sensitive to any triggers, please keep that in mind before reading (I don’t want to explicitly mention them since it’s an important reveal).
All in all, this is another KA book I really enjoyed. I loved Willow. Loved Gabe. Loved the found family and humor that Kristen’s delivering with this series. And that ending. THAT ENDING! Can’t wait for the release on the next book (which won’t be until summer 2026, but count me in!) Needless to say, the upcoming books remain at the VERY top of my tbr.
Thank you to Kristen and her team for the early copy!
December 9, 2025
Avenging Angel: Bad Medicine was an incredible story! I loved Willow and Gabe, the different characters, the bonds the women and men have, and the found family they've created. This story filled me up and had me falling in love with another Stark. From the entertaining scenes to the bit of mystery, I thought this was exciting and fun, and I loved it all!
Willow and Gabe had crazy chemistry, and I couldn’t get enough of them. I loved learning about their pasts and what they'd gone through. Gabe is totally a Stark, quiet and alpha, and I loved his determination when it came to Willow. I loved Willow battling her feelings and her internal dialogue. I loved how patient Gabe was and the effort he put in because Willow had her guard up. They had a lot of playful, sweet moments and great banter, and I adored it all. There was a nice amount of emotion mixed in as they opened up and shared painful things about their past. I loved the sizzling pull building between them and how it exploded. This was extra entertaining because I saw some parallels between Willow and Gabe to Ava and Luke (from Rock Chick Revenge), and those details thrilled me.
There was an amazing cast of characters involved. I loved getting updates on previous couples in the series and seeing favorites like Tex and Titus, and being introduced to new people as well. There were some surprise visitors along the way, adding to the fun. There were a few smaller stories woven in, and I loved how the Angels were all in to help. I loved how they helped one of their own in a very low-key mystery and how that character grew. I also loved the storyline happening with Jinx. It was all so freaking good!
This was fantastic storytelling. I loved how the Angel crew is growing, the friendships and bonds the women have are everything! A lot is being set up between the Avenging Angels and the Hottie Squad, it’s a complicated web, and I'm excited about where it all will go. The ending left me in shock and has me dying for the next book. This was another excellent addition to the series!
Complimentary copy received.
Willow and Gabe had crazy chemistry, and I couldn’t get enough of them. I loved learning about their pasts and what they'd gone through. Gabe is totally a Stark, quiet and alpha, and I loved his determination when it came to Willow. I loved Willow battling her feelings and her internal dialogue. I loved how patient Gabe was and the effort he put in because Willow had her guard up. They had a lot of playful, sweet moments and great banter, and I adored it all. There was a nice amount of emotion mixed in as they opened up and shared painful things about their past. I loved the sizzling pull building between them and how it exploded. This was extra entertaining because I saw some parallels between Willow and Gabe to Ava and Luke (from Rock Chick Revenge), and those details thrilled me.
There was an amazing cast of characters involved. I loved getting updates on previous couples in the series and seeing favorites like Tex and Titus, and being introduced to new people as well. There were some surprise visitors along the way, adding to the fun. There were a few smaller stories woven in, and I loved how the Angels were all in to help. I loved how they helped one of their own in a very low-key mystery and how that character grew. I also loved the storyline happening with Jinx. It was all so freaking good!
This was fantastic storytelling. I loved how the Angel crew is growing, the friendships and bonds the women have are everything! A lot is being set up between the Avenging Angels and the Hottie Squad, it’s a complicated web, and I'm excited about where it all will go. The ending left me in shock and has me dying for the next book. This was another excellent addition to the series!
Complimentary copy received.
December 20, 2025
It just feels like we keep re-reading the same book over and over again.
We introduce the girl, she has some sort of trauma, a hot guy decides he wants her, he convinces her of this within a span of a few days, he’s a perfect overprotective boyfriend. Enter a boring side plot where we’re supposed to care that Mr Shitbag is in trouble (beating in mind we know fuckall about this character, or care for him), the most boring investigation ensues and gets resolved. Again, couldn’t care less yet here we are. Happily ever after. The end 🙈
We introduce the girl, she has some sort of trauma, a hot guy decides he wants her, he convinces her of this within a span of a few days, he’s a perfect overprotective boyfriend. Enter a boring side plot where we’re supposed to care that Mr Shitbag is in trouble (beating in mind we know fuckall about this character, or care for him), the most boring investigation ensues and gets resolved. Again, couldn’t care less yet here we are. Happily ever after. The end 🙈
December 29, 2025
Not a fan of this book. It’s so boring and not much happens at all. The chemistry between Gabe and Willow is nearly nonexistent; they are both pretty forgettable to be honest. The writing style of KA books is copy/paste at this point. I get so frustrated with these women acting like they are 15 when they are near 30 and their inner monologues and personalities are ridiculous. Don’t get me started on the way they talk too..it’s so juvenile and immature and you can’t convince me that anyone in their 20s would say the things they do. It’s so outdated and cringey. It used to be charming and kinda fun, but it’s progressed into cheesy and eye-rollingly stupid at this point. It pains me to say that as a longtime fan but there it is.
January 7, 2026
Reading a Kristen Ashley novel is always so comforting to me! And this one especially, because some of the old Rock Chick / Hot Stuff gang showed up :D
A little suspense, a lot of romance, quite a bit of longing, and friendships galore made me very happy this was my first read of the year!
A little suspense, a lot of romance, quite a bit of longing, and friendships galore made me very happy this was my first read of the year!
December 21, 2025
This one probably would have gotten a higher rating if KA hadn’t brought back the main h’s inner monologue bit 🙄
December 21, 2025
Regurgitated characters with some decent scenes. But the cliff hanger?? Lame. Where’s a gif of Fonzie jumping the shark.
November 16, 2025
These two were magical together! The attraction and chemistry was off the charts, but it took some convincing by him to get her feelings involved. The depth of the emotions these two carry around was wild, the hurt and pain they had incorporated into their psyche. He is the communicator, she clams up until she is ready; He is the hot-head, she brings a calming presence; He is logic, she is emotions; They work in tandem so beautifully, and that they moved at warp speed to their HEA, that shocked nobody <3
December 18, 2025
sometimes I should just give up
December 19, 2025
Another Stark boy added to the mix and I am so happy we got his story!!
For my fellow Rock Chick series lovers, you are in for a TREAT with this one! It was like being with Luke and Ava again but with different versions of them. Willow is part of the Avenging Angels crew, baker by day, vigilante by night. Gabe Stark is a part of the Nightingale crew and Luke Stark's cousin. That right there is swoon worthy in itself. He's a true alpha and Willow is so smitten, although both of them have been smitten with each other for a while, they just wouldn't admit it.
As always with KA's books, I was hooked and couldn't put this one down. This book is definitely less action heavy compared to others but it was no less fun. I LOVEDDDD the cameos from the Rock Chicks. Tex was cracking me up as always and I love how he looks out for all of the girls. Gabe had me swooning so much and I adored how he showed up for Willow and showed her how she truly deserved to be treated.
We can't forget that ending as well! How could she leave us hanging like that!! Hurry up June, I need the next book ASAP!
Thank you to Kristen Ashley and team for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
For my fellow Rock Chick series lovers, you are in for a TREAT with this one! It was like being with Luke and Ava again but with different versions of them. Willow is part of the Avenging Angels crew, baker by day, vigilante by night. Gabe Stark is a part of the Nightingale crew and Luke Stark's cousin. That right there is swoon worthy in itself. He's a true alpha and Willow is so smitten, although both of them have been smitten with each other for a while, they just wouldn't admit it.
As always with KA's books, I was hooked and couldn't put this one down. This book is definitely less action heavy compared to others but it was no less fun. I LOVEDDDD the cameos from the Rock Chicks. Tex was cracking me up as always and I love how he looks out for all of the girls. Gabe had me swooning so much and I adored how he showed up for Willow and showed her how she truly deserved to be treated.
We can't forget that ending as well! How could she leave us hanging like that!! Hurry up June, I need the next book ASAP!
Thank you to Kristen Ashley and team for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 18, 2025
I was really looking forward to reading this book, its very similar to the Rock Chick series, a formula that worked so I have no issue with a repeat of that series but with different characters and tweaked a bit.
I'd recommend reading this series in order as the whole set up of 'Angels' starts in book 1 and builds from there and each couple have a book and hints are dropped of developing or issues with the future couple's books so to avoid spoilers or just not knowing who is who or what's going on its best to read in order.
Chapter 1 the Hero is her bodyguard and they share a kiss, she stops it saying some stuff about how they couldn't work out he walks away after saying some nasty stuff, eviserated I think the chapter is called.
He does apologise later to a fashion "I said some stuff I shouldn't have said that day".
The heroine is going through some really bad stuff with her now ex and she's had a terrible track record with men in her life so it's not surprising she's not keen to become involved again despite how good his beard is amisdst the drama.
So considering he's done a psychology degree and is sharp as a Tack he's not too clever here. That said his ego took a hit so not speaking to her for 5 months is a really mature way to handle it. *eye roll.
Chapter 2 then starts 5 months later. So it's better as she'd had some time to heal.
The heroine has 2 voices in her head. This was done with Ava and wanting cookies and Jules with the bulldog I think it was that kept her down but tbh in this for me it didn't really work.
It's dreamy and logic and pessimism pops up.
We have the usual girl posse, Tex and the work team.
I'm not keen on references to the Rock Chick life stories being written in books this was a storyline I wasn't keen on.
A bit of history of their relationships with others, I think this is referenced in the book blurb, Luke having bad experiences so now he kno2s what he wants.
A few hints for future couple's and development on couple's that are already together.
The heroine is a baker so lots of baking and flavour chats.
Lots of deco description as per usual for this author.
There are some funny moments, comments that really made me laugh.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
I'd recommend reading this series in order as the whole set up of 'Angels' starts in book 1 and builds from there and each couple have a book and hints are dropped of developing or issues with the future couple's books so to avoid spoilers or just not knowing who is who or what's going on its best to read in order.
Chapter 1 the Hero is her bodyguard and they share a kiss, she stops it saying some stuff about how they couldn't work out he walks away after saying some nasty stuff, eviserated I think the chapter is called.
He does apologise later to a fashion "I said some stuff I shouldn't have said that day".
The heroine is going through some really bad stuff with her now ex and she's had a terrible track record with men in her life so it's not surprising she's not keen to become involved again despite how good his beard is amisdst the drama.
So considering he's done a psychology degree and is sharp as a Tack he's not too clever here. That said his ego took a hit so not speaking to her for 5 months is a really mature way to handle it. *eye roll.
Chapter 2 then starts 5 months later. So it's better as she'd had some time to heal.
The heroine has 2 voices in her head. This was done with Ava and wanting cookies and Jules with the bulldog I think it was that kept her down but tbh in this for me it didn't really work.
It's dreamy and logic and pessimism pops up.
We have the usual girl posse, Tex and the work team.
I'm not keen on references to the Rock Chick life stories being written in books this was a storyline I wasn't keen on.
A bit of history of their relationships with others, I think this is referenced in the book blurb, Luke having bad experiences so now he kno2s what he wants.
A few hints for future couple's and development on couple's that are already together.
The heroine is a baker so lots of baking and flavour chats.
Lots of deco description as per usual for this author.
There are some funny moments, comments that really made me laugh.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2025
Kristen Ashley's latest novel takes us back to Arizona and the Avenging Angels, where we meet Willow Knightley, a waitress and baker by day, and an avenging crime-fighter by night - I honestly don’t know how these girls find enough hours in their day! Willow's taste in men is questionable, to say the least, beginning with her father…...OK so technically she didn’t have much choice in that case, but she’s followed in her mom’s footsteps with a series of bad choices, but now she's decided she's done with them. That is, until Gabriel Stark comes along and takes her decision as a challenge. With his own history of bad relationships, Gabe's still holding out hope for 'the one', and he's not going anywhere anytime soon. My money's on Gabe - after all, it's not passion that women really want, it's a man who'll tidy the bathroom when he’s done and hopefully put the toilet seat down.
I'm afraid the Avenging Angels just don't cut it for me - I can’t help but compare them and they're no Rock Chicks. I mean, who can forget the OGs leaving a trail of chaos in their wake, with kidnappings, explosions, and car chases galore? And who could forget that epic gunfight at the drag show! And that’s why I adored those books; for the pure escapism they offered. The Angels, on the other hand, are a bit meh and pale in comparison with nary a life endangering adventure in sight. In Bad Medicine', the plot revolves around someone extorting one of their informants. Even Tex, the lovable if slightly unhinged coffee savant, has been toned down a notch with not a single grenade or teargas in sight. And don't even get me started on the Nightingale 'hot bunch' - they've lost some of that alpha macho-ness I was expecting. Although when I saw that the hero in Bad Medicine was a Stark, I had high hopes but nope, Gabe is cool with his woman chasing 'baddies' as long as she keeps him stocked up on cupcakes. I did feel the story was a bit character heavy, with too many Angels added to the mix - I struggled to keep track of who was who, and they all started to blend together with nothing to make them stand out. Maybe if I was new to this author, I'd enjoy these books more, but right now, I'm kinda wishing they'd held off until the Denver next gen were old enough for their own adventures.
I'm afraid the Avenging Angels just don't cut it for me - I can’t help but compare them and they're no Rock Chicks. I mean, who can forget the OGs leaving a trail of chaos in their wake, with kidnappings, explosions, and car chases galore? And who could forget that epic gunfight at the drag show! And that’s why I adored those books; for the pure escapism they offered. The Angels, on the other hand, are a bit meh and pale in comparison with nary a life endangering adventure in sight. In Bad Medicine', the plot revolves around someone extorting one of their informants. Even Tex, the lovable if slightly unhinged coffee savant, has been toned down a notch with not a single grenade or teargas in sight. And don't even get me started on the Nightingale 'hot bunch' - they've lost some of that alpha macho-ness I was expecting. Although when I saw that the hero in Bad Medicine was a Stark, I had high hopes but nope, Gabe is cool with his woman chasing 'baddies' as long as she keeps him stocked up on cupcakes. I did feel the story was a bit character heavy, with too many Angels added to the mix - I struggled to keep track of who was who, and they all started to blend together with nothing to make them stand out. Maybe if I was new to this author, I'd enjoy these books more, but right now, I'm kinda wishing they'd held off until the Denver next gen were old enough for their own adventures.
November 29, 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen! I never thought I’d say this, but there’s a new favorite Stark on the scene! I’m sure Gabe learned a lot from Luke, but as of today, Gabe is my favorite Stark!
❤️
Willow and Gabe’s story has a lot of ups and downs, a lot of heart to hearts, a lot of listening and learning, and a whole lot of Spice! He is a Stark after all 😉
❤️
I have loved each book in the Avenging Angels series. I love meeting new characters and hearing their stories and watching their love stories unfold. But I also love that it lets me catch up with old familiar faces and get a peek at where they are now. I honestly can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
❤️
Thank you to Kristen Ashley for the ARC copy to review.
❤️
Willow and Gabe’s story has a lot of ups and downs, a lot of heart to hearts, a lot of listening and learning, and a whole lot of Spice! He is a Stark after all 😉
❤️
I have loved each book in the Avenging Angels series. I love meeting new characters and hearing their stories and watching their love stories unfold. But I also love that it lets me catch up with old familiar faces and get a peek at where they are now. I honestly can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
❤️
Thank you to Kristen Ashley for the ARC copy to review.
December 20, 2025
4 Stars:)
December 21, 2025
3.5 stars
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