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A Very Good Bad Idea
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase is back with this red-hot romantic comedy about two rival real estate developers who inherit the same lucrative property. There’s just one catch: they have to live in it…together.
No loopholes. No backing out. No leaving for four months.
Damon Burke is intense, handsome and vengefully calculating—he's also certain he'll outlast his competitor.
Jade Buchanan is brilliant, ruthless, and absolutely not losing to him.
But the house seems to have a mind of its own. With faulty wiring, a leaking roof, drafty windows and the occasional wild-life infestation, it just might be trying to kill them. And the more Damon and Jade try to oust each other from the property, the more it brings them together.
Sparks fly, tempers clash—but eventually, all their walls come crumbling down.
It's a bad idea to get too close to your enemy. To care about them, need them, want them more than you've ever wanted anything.
But when rivalry becomes something more than they ever expected, Damon and Jade discover love can be a very good bad idea.
No loopholes. No backing out. No leaving for four months.
Damon Burke is intense, handsome and vengefully calculating—he's also certain he'll outlast his competitor.
Jade Buchanan is brilliant, ruthless, and absolutely not losing to him.
But the house seems to have a mind of its own. With faulty wiring, a leaking roof, drafty windows and the occasional wild-life infestation, it just might be trying to kill them. And the more Damon and Jade try to oust each other from the property, the more it brings them together.
Sparks fly, tempers clash—but eventually, all their walls come crumbling down.
It's a bad idea to get too close to your enemy. To care about them, need them, want them more than you've ever wanted anything.
But when rivalry becomes something more than they ever expected, Damon and Jade discover love can be a very good bad idea.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Emma Chase
72 books19.2k followersEmma Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romance filled with humor, heat and heart. Her books have been published in over 20 languages and adapted for film. Emma's enemies-to-lovers rom-com, Tangled, and her sweeping royal romance, Royally Screwed, are streaming on Passionflix now.
Emma lives happily-ever-after in New Jersey with her husband, children, and two adorable, misbehaving dogs.
Emma lives happily-ever-after in New Jersey with her husband, children, and two adorable, misbehaving dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 453 reviews
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the premise of this book and liked both characters, but the juvenile pranks thrown in here weren’t my favorite. Once we got past that, the book got much better for me.
I enjoyed the premise of this book and liked both characters, but the juvenile pranks thrown in here weren’t my favorite. Once we got past that, the book got much better for me.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Sean Masters & Brooke Bloomingdale
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7h 22m
August 4, 2026
1.5 - starting to think ‘included with your audible membership’ might as well be ‘shit, don’t bother’
Review of advance copy
3.5 stars
You know those memes that ask if you could be isolated in a picturesque mountain cabin for a certain amount of time with no phone, no internet, no outside contact, etc., and if you could survive total solitude, you’d win a million dollars?
That’s basically the premise of this story.
An older woman dies and leaves her home to two unlikely people who absolutely despise each other. But there’s a catch: to inherit the property, they have to stay together on it for four months, with no outside influences- no internet, no leaving the property, and no easy escape from each other. If either one sets foot off the property, they lose their right to own the property.
Damon and Jade are determined to make each other’s lives miserable enough that the other will give up and leave. But, of course, as the months go by, those feelings of dislike begin to change into something neither of them expected.
A fun enemies-to-lovers setup with forced proximity and plenty of time for those feelings to develop!
Audiobook source: Audible Plus
Narrator: Sean Masters & Brooke Bloomingdale
Length: 7h 22m
You know those memes that ask if you could be isolated in a picturesque mountain cabin for a certain amount of time with no phone, no internet, no outside contact, etc., and if you could survive total solitude, you’d win a million dollars?
That’s basically the premise of this story.
An older woman dies and leaves her home to two unlikely people who absolutely despise each other. But there’s a catch: to inherit the property, they have to stay together on it for four months, with no outside influences- no internet, no leaving the property, and no easy escape from each other. If either one sets foot off the property, they lose their right to own the property.
Damon and Jade are determined to make each other’s lives miserable enough that the other will give up and leave. But, of course, as the months go by, those feelings of dislike begin to change into something neither of them expected.
A fun enemies-to-lovers setup with forced proximity and plenty of time for those feelings to develop!
Audiobook source: Audible Plus
Narrator: Sean Masters & Brooke Bloomingdale
Length: 7h 22m
July 17, 2026
OMG This book was brilliant I Loved it so much.
It was written so perfectly by Emma Chase,there was the right amount of Romance,spice and emotion..WOW the emotion got me right in the heart,it brought tears to my eyes,as the words are so beautiful and meaningful at times I wanted to weep.
Damon Burke and Jade Buchanan are enemies and they both want the same property and when the woman who owns it dies...In the will both Damon and Jade are left the property.
But there are conditions to the Will..which is they both have to stay in the property for 4 month together,the first one to leave loses.
The banter and shenanigans that take place while they are living together is HILARIOUS..They really loathe eachother and are set on making eachothers lives a misery,sabotaging eachothers property,food,comfort and there are mouse traps involved at one point.
The lengths they go to is astounding,but funny...Its like that movie War of the Roses.
But then something changes and they start to get to know eachother,when they need one another to survive the winter..There are some really deep conversations,which result in some emotional moments when they talk about their pasts and growing up.They had very different upbringings and we discover why Damon hates her father so much,he is a cold and horrible man.
The sexual tension crackles between them and the chemistry is explosive and it rises to a breaking point.
They are insatiable.
The Narration is Phenomenal..I LOVE Sean Masters just LOVE him and his voice is dangerous to my ovaries,he plays sensual and emotional perectly and even does comedy with a sexy flair..He played Damon's character like a boss.
Brooke Bloomingdale is Amazing she portrayed Jades characters perfectly,she got Jades sassiness and sarcasm and I loved listening to her.
Both Narrators told this story as it should be told.
I was enchanted by this audiobook and loved every moment listening to it.
Excellent.
5 Stars.- Cat W.
It was written so perfectly by Emma Chase,there was the right amount of Romance,spice and emotion..WOW the emotion got me right in the heart,it brought tears to my eyes,as the words are so beautiful and meaningful at times I wanted to weep.
Damon Burke and Jade Buchanan are enemies and they both want the same property and when the woman who owns it dies...In the will both Damon and Jade are left the property.
But there are conditions to the Will..which is they both have to stay in the property for 4 month together,the first one to leave loses.
The banter and shenanigans that take place while they are living together is HILARIOUS..They really loathe eachother and are set on making eachothers lives a misery,sabotaging eachothers property,food,comfort and there are mouse traps involved at one point.
The lengths they go to is astounding,but funny...Its like that movie War of the Roses.
But then something changes and they start to get to know eachother,when they need one another to survive the winter..There are some really deep conversations,which result in some emotional moments when they talk about their pasts and growing up.They had very different upbringings and we discover why Damon hates her father so much,he is a cold and horrible man.
The sexual tension crackles between them and the chemistry is explosive and it rises to a breaking point.
They are insatiable.
The Narration is Phenomenal..I LOVE Sean Masters just LOVE him and his voice is dangerous to my ovaries,he plays sensual and emotional perectly and even does comedy with a sexy flair..He played Damon's character like a boss.
Brooke Bloomingdale is Amazing she portrayed Jades characters perfectly,she got Jades sassiness and sarcasm and I loved listening to her.
Both Narrators told this story as it should be told.
I was enchanted by this audiobook and loved every moment listening to it.
Excellent.
5 Stars.- Cat W.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2026
Well this was kind of disappointing. I really like Emma Chase books loved the Tangled series but... This book doesn't feel like her. Cute premise but the female MC Jade Buchanan is just not very likeable and always trying to gain approval from her father and beat out her brothers in the business. The male MC Damon Burke is better, self made man but but neither of them had me rooting for them. I guess the old lady Clarabelle Spicket who died and left them her property was the best character.
Juvenile pranks, lots of lusting after the way the other looks and stereotypical judging by both of them. They fact they are supposed to be successful adults is nowhere to be seen. I see how it will end up but I just don't have the time or will to continue.
Juvenile pranks, lots of lusting after the way the other looks and stereotypical judging by both of them. They fact they are supposed to be successful adults is nowhere to be seen. I see how it will end up but I just don't have the time or will to continue.
Review of advance copy
is this supposed to be funny?! it is just stupid!! idk am i the problem ?!
Review of advance copy
A celebration of predatory, irrational oceanfront property development in a romcom that is a blatant imitation of The Hating Game
Two 20-something property developers, Jade and Damon, live in the same small, rundown oceanside town and are from opposite socioeconomic backgrounds. Gorgeous Jade's father owns a hugely prosperous property development corporation, and her position as head of a large team of construction workers is presented in the story, intentionally or unintentionally, as a sinecure, because she dresses for work in tight sexy clothing and spike heels, more suitable for an exclusive party than supervising a construction site. Handsome Damon is in business with his two best friends whom he met in foster care. They have formed a fledgling property development firm in direct competition with Jade's father's firm.
Over the last year, unknown to each other, both Jade and Damon have been schmoozing a 100-year-old woman who has no blood relations in order to inherit her $7 million Jersey Shore mansion. Both firmly believe that they will be her sole beneficiary, but after the old lady finally dies, they discover to their mutual horror that they are named in her will as joint inheritors. Worse, before they can rip down the mansion and erect expensive, high-rise condos right on the disappearing shoreline, they have to live together in the crumbling mansion for four months. If either leaves before that time is up, the other one inherits the entire property. Vicious attempts to drive each other out immediately ensue.
Unfortunately, there were two major strikes against this novel, which is marketed as a romcom, that made it anything but romantic or funny for me personally:
1. The story has the same dynamics as The Hating Game, a forced-proximity version of the enemies-to-lovers trope featuring extensive amounts of juvenile, destructive, slapstick pranking between the MCs. Their bad behavior made me deeply dislike both Jade and Damon. The only way I was cheering for the two of them to get together was in the sense that they are two jerks who deserve each other. Yes, they have a superficial, lust-fueled, distrust-to-trust growth arc in the second half of the novel, but I did not find it convincing enough to wipe out how much I disliked both of them in the first half of the book.
2. I found it impossible to suspend disbelief and identify with either MC as a competent professional property developer for this reason:
The Jersey Shore has already seen the ocean rise about 18 inches over the past century, more than almost anywhere in the world, and over the next 25 years, scientists expect as much or even more additional rise than in the previous 100 years.
In real life, developers and coastal planners in the Jersey Shores area are increasingly being pushed away from building right on the water’s edge and toward climate-resilient projects. That means elevating structures, setting them farther back from the shoreline, protecting dunes and marshes, and designing around massive flood risk instead of pretending it doesn't exist. Some communities in that geographic location are currently outright refusing to allow new construction in the most vulnerable spots.
For these reasons, it is hard to imagine Damon's claim in the story that it will be easy to obtain federal funding for a huge oceanfront development of expensive high-rise condos, fancy stores and restaurants pitched as “redevelopment” for a fading small town. After high-profile property collapses and disasters along the entire Eastern seaboard in the USA, including notably the Florida condo tower that fell into the ocean with a big loss of life, federal programs and insurers are more focused on reducing risk these days. It's unlikely they would subsidize dense, high-value projects in a place that is facing accelerating sea-level rise, which causes higher and higher levels of storm surge with accompanying flooding.
Finally, readers who enjoy Hallmark movies, in which a predatory developer is typically the villain and not the MC, might not appreciate this novel.
This novel is not yet released in print or ebook format, but it has been made available in advance for free in audiobook format for those with Audible memberships. The dual narrators separately do as good a job as is possible with this troublesome format, in which the person performing the MCs varies from chapter to chapter. I much prefer the consistency of duet narration, in which the male voice actor performs all of the male characters, and the female voice actor performs all of the female characters.
PS: Goodreads is not allowing any comments on this review. I don't know why.
Two 20-something property developers, Jade and Damon, live in the same small, rundown oceanside town and are from opposite socioeconomic backgrounds. Gorgeous Jade's father owns a hugely prosperous property development corporation, and her position as head of a large team of construction workers is presented in the story, intentionally or unintentionally, as a sinecure, because she dresses for work in tight sexy clothing and spike heels, more suitable for an exclusive party than supervising a construction site. Handsome Damon is in business with his two best friends whom he met in foster care. They have formed a fledgling property development firm in direct competition with Jade's father's firm.
Over the last year, unknown to each other, both Jade and Damon have been schmoozing a 100-year-old woman who has no blood relations in order to inherit her $7 million Jersey Shore mansion. Both firmly believe that they will be her sole beneficiary, but after the old lady finally dies, they discover to their mutual horror that they are named in her will as joint inheritors. Worse, before they can rip down the mansion and erect expensive, high-rise condos right on the disappearing shoreline, they have to live together in the crumbling mansion for four months. If either leaves before that time is up, the other one inherits the entire property. Vicious attempts to drive each other out immediately ensue.
Unfortunately, there were two major strikes against this novel, which is marketed as a romcom, that made it anything but romantic or funny for me personally:
1. The story has the same dynamics as The Hating Game, a forced-proximity version of the enemies-to-lovers trope featuring extensive amounts of juvenile, destructive, slapstick pranking between the MCs. Their bad behavior made me deeply dislike both Jade and Damon. The only way I was cheering for the two of them to get together was in the sense that they are two jerks who deserve each other. Yes, they have a superficial, lust-fueled, distrust-to-trust growth arc in the second half of the novel, but I did not find it convincing enough to wipe out how much I disliked both of them in the first half of the book.
2. I found it impossible to suspend disbelief and identify with either MC as a competent professional property developer for this reason:
The Jersey Shore has already seen the ocean rise about 18 inches over the past century, more than almost anywhere in the world, and over the next 25 years, scientists expect as much or even more additional rise than in the previous 100 years.
In real life, developers and coastal planners in the Jersey Shores area are increasingly being pushed away from building right on the water’s edge and toward climate-resilient projects. That means elevating structures, setting them farther back from the shoreline, protecting dunes and marshes, and designing around massive flood risk instead of pretending it doesn't exist. Some communities in that geographic location are currently outright refusing to allow new construction in the most vulnerable spots.
For these reasons, it is hard to imagine Damon's claim in the story that it will be easy to obtain federal funding for a huge oceanfront development of expensive high-rise condos, fancy stores and restaurants pitched as “redevelopment” for a fading small town. After high-profile property collapses and disasters along the entire Eastern seaboard in the USA, including notably the Florida condo tower that fell into the ocean with a big loss of life, federal programs and insurers are more focused on reducing risk these days. It's unlikely they would subsidize dense, high-value projects in a place that is facing accelerating sea-level rise, which causes higher and higher levels of storm surge with accompanying flooding.
Finally, readers who enjoy Hallmark movies, in which a predatory developer is typically the villain and not the MC, might not appreciate this novel.
This novel is not yet released in print or ebook format, but it has been made available in advance for free in audiobook format for those with Audible memberships. The dual narrators separately do as good a job as is possible with this troublesome format, in which the person performing the MCs varies from chapter to chapter. I much prefer the consistency of duet narration, in which the male voice actor performs all of the male characters, and the female voice actor performs all of the female characters.
PS: Goodreads is not allowing any comments on this review. I don't know why.
July 14, 2026
A Very Good Bad Idea is Emma Chase's latest romcom that was delightful and fun. This book was released on audible first, with the print book coming later this year. It was a pleasure to hear Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale narrate the story, bringing this forced proximity, rivals to lovers story to life.
Jade and Damon are enemies that have been left a piece of property by a woman that put some pretty heavy stipulations in her will. You see, the two of them are required to live together for FOUR MONTHS without leaving said property and must have provisions delivered. If they leave, they forfeit their claims to the property. But with two people that are competitive and have a lot to prove, it's going to be a difficult time convincing either one of them to leave.
I love a good forced proximity story with characters that want to be anywhere but with each other. It creates tension and some great moments. With a charming setting, some laugh out moments that came from pranks and 2 characters that push each other's buttons, A Very Good Bad Idea was a delightful listen. It's easy and fun and more what I would consider a palate cleanser. It's a slow burn of a romance, but it's also not too long and is a book you could read/listen to within a day.
While Damon and Jade have some issues concerning their pasts and family, these aspects also allowed their characters to open up to one another and show some vulnerability. I loved seeing their characters grow from childish pranks and peeling away their exterior to give in to not only their physical attraction to one another, but share the emotional pieces of themselves that no one else gets to see. This made their connection believable, but also took a bit to get there.
Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale add to the overall reading experience with their wonderful comedic timing combined with their emotional narration of the MCs. The storytelling along with the duet audio performance had me smiling and enjoying this playful and charming, banter filled romance. 3.5 stars
Jade and Damon are enemies that have been left a piece of property by a woman that put some pretty heavy stipulations in her will. You see, the two of them are required to live together for FOUR MONTHS without leaving said property and must have provisions delivered. If they leave, they forfeit their claims to the property. But with two people that are competitive and have a lot to prove, it's going to be a difficult time convincing either one of them to leave.
I love a good forced proximity story with characters that want to be anywhere but with each other. It creates tension and some great moments. With a charming setting, some laugh out moments that came from pranks and 2 characters that push each other's buttons, A Very Good Bad Idea was a delightful listen. It's easy and fun and more what I would consider a palate cleanser. It's a slow burn of a romance, but it's also not too long and is a book you could read/listen to within a day.
While Damon and Jade have some issues concerning their pasts and family, these aspects also allowed their characters to open up to one another and show some vulnerability. I loved seeing their characters grow from childish pranks and peeling away their exterior to give in to not only their physical attraction to one another, but share the emotional pieces of themselves that no one else gets to see. This made their connection believable, but also took a bit to get there.
Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale add to the overall reading experience with their wonderful comedic timing combined with their emotional narration of the MCs. The storytelling along with the duet audio performance had me smiling and enjoying this playful and charming, banter filled romance. 3.5 stars
Review of advance copy
This was a very sweet and heartfelt little story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I was pretty shocked by some of the negative reviews. Those who cast judgment on Jade for desperately wanting her father's approval are clearly speaking as somone privileged enough not to know what it's actually like to be raised by a narcissist.
I mean, good for you. No one should have to be raised like that. It's absolute hell. And those of us who *have* suffered under narcissistic parents (such as myself) understand that they purposely condition and brainwash their children (from the time they're little) to act as an extension of themselves, as well as convince them (the children) that they will have nothing if they cut ties with their toxic parent and/or let them down in any way. It's a *deeply* ingrained conditioning that typically carries on into adulthood, and usually doesn't stop until the adult child reaches their breaking point and cuts their narcissistic parent(s) off completely.
Just like Jade, I too didn't cut off my toxic parents until I met my person and realized that there was now an important reason to take my power back and secure my independence by cutting them out of my life. I found the portrayal of how Jade is with her father to be *very* realistic of the conditioning of somone raised in similar conditions.
"But they're my family, I have to be loyal to them no matter what," is hammered into our brains from the time we can first walk and talk, because it's how a narcissist operates: making the people in their lives believe that they owe them something, which is how they maintain control. Also, pitting siblings against one another and making them compete against eachother for affection and approval is another common trait of a narcissistic parent, so those complianing about Jade always being in competition with her brothers... sorry, that was also a very realistic depiction.
It really is a shame that some people are ripping this book apart over something they just don't understand. Because it's very well written: filled with laughs, heartwarming tenderness, tear-jerker moments, and very spicy spice. It's definitely worth the read, despite what some people have said about it.
I mean, good for you. No one should have to be raised like that. It's absolute hell. And those of us who *have* suffered under narcissistic parents (such as myself) understand that they purposely condition and brainwash their children (from the time they're little) to act as an extension of themselves, as well as convince them (the children) that they will have nothing if they cut ties with their toxic parent and/or let them down in any way. It's a *deeply* ingrained conditioning that typically carries on into adulthood, and usually doesn't stop until the adult child reaches their breaking point and cuts their narcissistic parent(s) off completely.
Just like Jade, I too didn't cut off my toxic parents until I met my person and realized that there was now an important reason to take my power back and secure my independence by cutting them out of my life. I found the portrayal of how Jade is with her father to be *very* realistic of the conditioning of somone raised in similar conditions.
"But they're my family, I have to be loyal to them no matter what," is hammered into our brains from the time we can first walk and talk, because it's how a narcissist operates: making the people in their lives believe that they owe them something, which is how they maintain control. Also, pitting siblings against one another and making them compete against eachother for affection and approval is another common trait of a narcissistic parent, so those complianing about Jade always being in competition with her brothers... sorry, that was also a very realistic depiction.
It really is a shame that some people are ripping this book apart over something they just don't understand. Because it's very well written: filled with laughs, heartwarming tenderness, tear-jerker moments, and very spicy spice. It's definitely worth the read, despite what some people have said about it.
Review of advance copy
I loved this book. Like LOVED. ALL CAPS L.O.V.E.D.
At first, it felt very Hallmark. Totally predictable. But honestly? I was here for it alllll because it was already so much fun!
Then it became more. So. Much. More.
Jade is the daughter of a big-name builder who's spent her entire life trying to prove herself to her father.
Burke is a self-made commercial developer who grew up in an underprivileged boys' home. They both spend months charming an elderly homeowner, Clara, hoping she'll leave them her house, the last property standing in the middle of a multimillion-dollar development.
Except Clara has one very good bad idea...
She leaves the house to both of them.
Now they're forced to move in together and live together for four months before either of them can sell.
What follows is one of the most entertaining enemies-to-lovers stories I've listened to in a long time. Perhaps ever. The banter is absolute gold, the pranks have major roommate from He|| meets Home Alone energy, and I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes!
But underneath all the laughs is so much heart.
Jade and Burke both grew up feeling unloved in different ways, and the relationship they each built with Clara became something they didn't even realize they were missing. She was the mother figure, mentor, and friend they both needed, and those moments gave this story so much more emotional depth than I ever expected.
Emma Chase's writing is absolutely perfect for audio. She paints scenes so vividly that it felt like I was watching a movie in my head. Voice actors Brooke Bloomingdale and Sean Masters absolutely crushed these performances. Their comedic timing is flawless, and the chemistry between them is incredible. They play off each other so naturally that you'd swear they were in the same room. That's a testament to just how talented they both are.
The story? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The performances? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The entire listening experience? An easy, unquestionable and VERY enthusiastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
At first, it felt very Hallmark. Totally predictable. But honestly? I was here for it alllll because it was already so much fun!
Then it became more. So. Much. More.
Jade is the daughter of a big-name builder who's spent her entire life trying to prove herself to her father.
Burke is a self-made commercial developer who grew up in an underprivileged boys' home. They both spend months charming an elderly homeowner, Clara, hoping she'll leave them her house, the last property standing in the middle of a multimillion-dollar development.
Except Clara has one very good bad idea...
She leaves the house to both of them.
Now they're forced to move in together and live together for four months before either of them can sell.
What follows is one of the most entertaining enemies-to-lovers stories I've listened to in a long time. Perhaps ever. The banter is absolute gold, the pranks have major roommate from He|| meets Home Alone energy, and I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes!
But underneath all the laughs is so much heart.
Jade and Burke both grew up feeling unloved in different ways, and the relationship they each built with Clara became something they didn't even realize they were missing. She was the mother figure, mentor, and friend they both needed, and those moments gave this story so much more emotional depth than I ever expected.
Emma Chase's writing is absolutely perfect for audio. She paints scenes so vividly that it felt like I was watching a movie in my head. Voice actors Brooke Bloomingdale and Sean Masters absolutely crushed these performances. Their comedic timing is flawless, and the chemistry between them is incredible. They play off each other so naturally that you'd swear they were in the same room. That's a testament to just how talented they both are.
The story? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The performances? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The entire listening experience? An easy, unquestionable and VERY enthusiastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars
Jade + Damon
Both inherited half of a huge old mansion on the Jersey Shore. Both want their own real estate companies to make lots of money with that plot of land.
But to fully own it, they have to live there together for four months without once leaving the grounds and with no phones et cetera.
Let the fun times begin....
══════════════════
Well. That was adorable.
And funny and a bit silly and I kind of almost once stopped reading. I wanted to throw my kindle out the window - and jump after it. Because... Super Mega Trigger warning: SPIDERS. Just no. No. That was too much Emma. Ew. No. Just don't do something like that ever again in any book. *stillshuddering* I'm not talking a little spider walking by us - nope. I will have nightmares for the next 18 decades!
I started reading - or even as I was reading the blurb - and then when I started reading I had such a strong deja vu feeling. Everything felt so familiar! It was so weird. I almost stopped reading because I thought that Emma just re-released a book that I've read 10 years ago or something like that.
But I guess not. Anyway...
I still liked reading it. It was really funny and sparky and sexy. But it was also a tiny bit too pranky and Home Alone-y for my tastes. At least the first half of the book. And that spider scene needs to be mentioned here again, because I still can't believe I kept on reading.
But the second part was cute and yeah - we got that 3rd act break up part, but it was still cute and I loved the many epiloguey scenes.
A VERY GOOD BAD IDEA was a very funny, sparky, pranky, sexy and slightly crazy Forced proximity, Enemies to Lovers Small Town Romance. We get some heartbreaking and sad moments too. And there's a doggy! Read it!
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July 22, 2026
Enemies to lovers. Not a lot to the plot. This is pretty much porn. 😂
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not the best written, I’m afraid. It’s an enemies to lovers trope where two real estate developers are bidding for Clara’s house. I absolutely loved Clara’s character!
Both real estate developers, Jade Buchanan and Damon Burke, get to know Clara, and what starts as simply trying to get to know her winds up with both of them genuinely liking her. When Clara passes away, she still can’t decide which realtor should get the deed. So, she comes up with a plan. They both have to live in her house for a set number of days, together. No distractions either. They have to give up their phones and computers and actually spend time with each other.
What I did love was when I got to about the three quarter mark. That’s when the masks finally came off and the two rivals started truly talking to each other. Before that, I felt their ruthless hijinks were just childish. They were sleeping with each other and having great sex, but I just didn’t feel invested in their connection.
Finally, they reached a new level of understanding about each other and what really drives them. They began to see what could hurt the other person, and the fact that they were finally willing to let their guards down and fully let each other in was what solidified their relationship for me. It became a little more believable.
A solid 2½ stars, but I rounded up. The last half star is dedicated to Clara for her wisdom.
Both real estate developers, Jade Buchanan and Damon Burke, get to know Clara, and what starts as simply trying to get to know her winds up with both of them genuinely liking her. When Clara passes away, she still can’t decide which realtor should get the deed. So, she comes up with a plan. They both have to live in her house for a set number of days, together. No distractions either. They have to give up their phones and computers and actually spend time with each other.
What I did love was when I got to about the three quarter mark. That’s when the masks finally came off and the two rivals started truly talking to each other. Before that, I felt their ruthless hijinks were just childish. They were sleeping with each other and having great sex, but I just didn’t feel invested in their connection.
Finally, they reached a new level of understanding about each other and what really drives them. They began to see what could hurt the other person, and the fact that they were finally willing to let their guards down and fully let each other in was what solidified their relationship for me. It became a little more believable.
A solid 2½ stars, but I rounded up. The last half star is dedicated to Clara for her wisdom.
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July 24, 2026Cute.
July 13, 2026
Damon and Jade start as fierce competitors chasing the same prime property, only to end up stuck together in a crumbling house for 4 months. Their dynamic evolves naturally, with good emotional growth and a smooth enemies‑to‑lovers progression. The narration from Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale adds charm and clarity, making the story even more enjoyable. Strong writing, strong characters, and a premise that works.
Huge thanks to Valentine PR Audio and Emma Chase for the audiobook review copy.
Huge thanks to Valentine PR Audio and Emma Chase for the audiobook review copy.
September 9, 2026
🎧 Audiobook
Fun! This was a funny, lighthearted audiobook with excellent duet narration. This is a well-done enemies-to-lovers that sticks well to the enemies theme for a good portion of the book. There is witty banter and funny hijinks as the two main characters, Jade and Damon, try to trick each other into losing a condition of a will to inherit a valuable property. Nothing too deep, very silly and enjoyable and really good narration makes for a fun audiobook experience!
Fun! This was a funny, lighthearted audiobook with excellent duet narration. This is a well-done enemies-to-lovers that sticks well to the enemies theme for a good portion of the book. There is witty banter and funny hijinks as the two main characters, Jade and Damon, try to trick each other into losing a condition of a will to inherit a valuable property. Nothing too deep, very silly and enjoyable and really good narration makes for a fun audiobook experience!
August 26, 2026
The characters, set up, actions, backstory, etc., all just gave me the ick.
Review of advance copy
I’m sorry but this was ridiculous
August 21, 2026
I enjoyed the premise of this book, but it was nothing special. It was a bit too predictable for my liking and started to be too much for my cringe-odometer.
Review of advance copy
Oh this is beyond bad..
Review of advance copy
I honestly don't know where all the 5 star ratings are coming from.
This story manages to bring the enemies to lovers trope to a new low. Both of the main characters are immature and unlikable. The FMC, especially, spends an inordinate amount of time plotting petty annoyances to drive the MMC out of the house they have to occupy for four months in order to inherit it. The last "trick" I read was FMC putting spoiled salmon filets under the floorboards in MMC's bedroom, and in the last conversation I read between the two, they were arguing over dog farts. So far they haven't called each other poo-poo heads, but I'm not waiting around to find out. I'm quitting at 50% and thankful I got this through some sort of an Audible deal so I'm not out any money.
If you're out of third grade, don't buy this book.
This story manages to bring the enemies to lovers trope to a new low. Both of the main characters are immature and unlikable. The FMC, especially, spends an inordinate amount of time plotting petty annoyances to drive the MMC out of the house they have to occupy for four months in order to inherit it. The last "trick" I read was FMC putting spoiled salmon filets under the floorboards in MMC's bedroom, and in the last conversation I read between the two, they were arguing over dog farts. So far they haven't called each other poo-poo heads, but I'm not waiting around to find out. I'm quitting at 50% and thankful I got this through some sort of an Audible deal so I'm not out any money.
If you're out of third grade, don't buy this book.
Review of advance copy
I made it a good way into the book before giving up on it.
The bickering and juvenile tricks by grown - and evidently professionally successful - people was annoying.
The bickering and juvenile tricks by grown - and evidently professionally successful - people was annoying.
Review of advance copy
this was truly awful
Review of advance copy
Silly and predictable
July 31, 2026
Blehh. Got bored at 50%.
July 30, 2026
✨ALC provided by Valentine PR for an honest review✨
A Very Good Bad Idea is enemies to lovers done right!
Damon and Jade work for rival real estate developing companies and both have their eyes on a remaining key property for a big development, the only thing standing in their way is the elderly owner Clarabelle. Damon decides to befriend Clara to get her to sell to him, and eventually she says she’ll leave him the property in her will. The problem is, Jade had the same idea as Damon and also befriended Clara, who told Jade she was leaving the property to her in the will! When Clara dies and the will was read, everyone was in shock when they learn that Damon and Jade have to share the property and live in the house for 4 months before they can inherit it 👀 Old Clara knew what she was doing, but Damon and Jade had no clue how their lives were going to change from this ❤️
The beginning of their arrangement was hilarious with them trying to sabotage each other, and even funnier when they had to start working together to survive that old house 😂 Their relationship slowly evolved into something that neither one was expecting, and I loved every minute of it! The slow burn was so good, and when they finally gave in it was sweet and spicy 🔥 They were so different, but so perfect for each other ❤️
The audiobook was duet narrated by Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale and they were perfect! Brooke’s voice was very fitting for Jade giving her a sophisticated but also sassy tone, and Sean Masters is always a star in my book when it comes to his performances 😍 This book was funny, but also had some deep moments. I really enjoyed this story and loved the epilogues which were super sweet and had me smiling 😁 I definitely recommend a listen ❤️
A Very Good Bad Idea is enemies to lovers done right!
Damon and Jade work for rival real estate developing companies and both have their eyes on a remaining key property for a big development, the only thing standing in their way is the elderly owner Clarabelle. Damon decides to befriend Clara to get her to sell to him, and eventually she says she’ll leave him the property in her will. The problem is, Jade had the same idea as Damon and also befriended Clara, who told Jade she was leaving the property to her in the will! When Clara dies and the will was read, everyone was in shock when they learn that Damon and Jade have to share the property and live in the house for 4 months before they can inherit it 👀 Old Clara knew what she was doing, but Damon and Jade had no clue how their lives were going to change from this ❤️
The beginning of their arrangement was hilarious with them trying to sabotage each other, and even funnier when they had to start working together to survive that old house 😂 Their relationship slowly evolved into something that neither one was expecting, and I loved every minute of it! The slow burn was so good, and when they finally gave in it was sweet and spicy 🔥 They were so different, but so perfect for each other ❤️
The audiobook was duet narrated by Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale and they were perfect! Brooke’s voice was very fitting for Jade giving her a sophisticated but also sassy tone, and Sean Masters is always a star in my book when it comes to his performances 😍 This book was funny, but also had some deep moments. I really enjoyed this story and loved the epilogues which were super sweet and had me smiling 😁 I definitely recommend a listen ❤️
August 9, 2026
I always enjoy a romance that throws two stubborn people into one house and forces them to figure things out. That setup gave this story plenty of opportunities for funny moments, especially with all the pranks and constant back and forth between Jade and Damon.
The romance leans into enemies to lovers with forced proximity, although I never completely bought into why these two disliked each other so much in the beginning. Because of that, some of the early arguments felt more like part of the setup than something I was emotionally invested in.
Where the book worked best for me was after they finally started opening up. Seeing them have honest conversations and actually communicate made their relationship much more believable. I always appreciate when romance characters take the time to talk through their feelings instead of avoiding them.
I wasn’t a fan of the third act breakup since it felt like it could have been avoided, but the ending wrapped everything up in a satisfying way, and I really enjoyed the epilogue.
The audiobook was a fun listen. Brooke Bloomingdale and Sean Masters both gave strong performances and made the banter easy to enjoy.
Overall, this was a light, entertaining romance with plenty of humor, playful chemistry, and a creative premise.
Thanks to Audible, Valentine PR and Emma Chase for the gifted copy. I always appreciate it! I received this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The romance leans into enemies to lovers with forced proximity, although I never completely bought into why these two disliked each other so much in the beginning. Because of that, some of the early arguments felt more like part of the setup than something I was emotionally invested in.
Where the book worked best for me was after they finally started opening up. Seeing them have honest conversations and actually communicate made their relationship much more believable. I always appreciate when romance characters take the time to talk through their feelings instead of avoiding them.
I wasn’t a fan of the third act breakup since it felt like it could have been avoided, but the ending wrapped everything up in a satisfying way, and I really enjoyed the epilogue.
The audiobook was a fun listen. Brooke Bloomingdale and Sean Masters both gave strong performances and made the banter easy to enjoy.
Overall, this was a light, entertaining romance with plenty of humor, playful chemistry, and a creative premise.
Thanks to Audible, Valentine PR and Emma Chase for the gifted copy. I always appreciate it! I received this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Clarabelle is dead. She owned the most coveted oceanfront property in Shore Haven and she left it to two people who both thought they were getting it outright. The terms: live together in the house for four months. Ankle monitors. No electronics. No leaving the property. One supply drop every two weeks via the mailbox. Forfeit or contest and you lose everything.
From the start this premise didn't sit right with me. Four months is a third of a year, and these are two people running their own businesses. And what if something went wrong? What if one of them was seriously hurt? They couldn't even call for help. This doesn't read as a quirky will, it feels like Clara wanting to torture them from beyond the grave.
The narration is excellent, and that's part of the reason why my rating is two stars and not one. - LD
Read the full review at https://plottwisted.ca/a-very-good-ba...
From the start this premise didn't sit right with me. Four months is a third of a year, and these are two people running their own businesses. And what if something went wrong? What if one of them was seriously hurt? They couldn't even call for help. This doesn't read as a quirky will, it feels like Clara wanting to torture them from beyond the grave.
The narration is excellent, and that's part of the reason why my rating is two stars and not one. - LD
Read the full review at https://plottwisted.ca/a-very-good-ba...
Review of advance copy
Fortunately I am wise enough to stop at Chapter 8. I did the audio version.
1. Main reason for the rating, boy oh boy, does this book use God's & Jesus Christ name in vain. As a believer of Him, I couldn't take it anymore.
2. It's also, in general, way too vulgar for my taste. Most of it unnecessary. You'll understand if you listen to it.
3. The entire plot is so basic it hurts. I am pretty sure I've seen plenty of Hallmark movies and Prime romance movies with this exact enemies to lovers plot (though their language was not as nasty).
4. Tone of voice, attitudes and the plans of deceit really just put me into a bad mood and gave way too much negative energy for my liking.
I would have attempted to finish if not for reasons 1 and 2 because I know 3 and 4 could be given more of a chance but just, eh, over it.
Onto the next.
1. Main reason for the rating, boy oh boy, does this book use God's & Jesus Christ name in vain. As a believer of Him, I couldn't take it anymore.
2. It's also, in general, way too vulgar for my taste. Most of it unnecessary. You'll understand if you listen to it.
3. The entire plot is so basic it hurts. I am pretty sure I've seen plenty of Hallmark movies and Prime romance movies with this exact enemies to lovers plot (though their language was not as nasty).
4. Tone of voice, attitudes and the plans of deceit really just put me into a bad mood and gave way too much negative energy for my liking.
I would have attempted to finish if not for reasons 1 and 2 because I know 3 and 4 could be given more of a chance but just, eh, over it.
Onto the next.
July 26, 2026
Adorable
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