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Can't Resist #1
Resisting the Bad Boy - Nice Girl to Love, Vol 1
The book that started it all. Book #1 of the Sullivan Brothers "Nice Girl" trilogy, the acclaimed three-book serial that began the New York Times, USA Today, and worldwide bestselling CAN'T RESIST series...
Abby Bartlett is the quintessential nice girl. Between teaching, volunteering, completing her PhD, and helping her best friend raise his daughter, Abby never gets the chance to be anything but nice. That is, until the all-wrong-for-her man she's only ever known from afar starts daring her to simply take that chance for herself. His sage advice? Try something wild and fast.
Preferably him.
An unbridled, hotshot attorney with a not-so-little black book, Connor Sullivan has earned himself quite the bad boy reputation. But in his defense, he's a very conscientious one. He knows far too well that sometimes in life, love isn't enough...or worse, not even a factor at all. To avoid that misery--and repel the drama--Connor always makes his one and only rule crystal clear right from the start. Absolutely nothing more than a month.
Turns out, a whole lot can happen in one month.
Note: This is NOT a standalone. This is the first book in a three-book serial. This three-book serial is part of the CAN'T RESIST series. Books #1-3 (Sullivan Brothers "Nice Girl" trilogy) must be read in order. While Book #4 is a separate standalone (the other brother's happily ever after), it is recommended that it be read after the trilogy. Books #1-3 are also available as a bundled boxed set.
THE CAN'T RESIST SERIES:
BOOK 1: Resisting the Bad Boy*
BOOK 2: Falling for the Good Guy*
BOOK 3: Choosing the Right Man*
BOOK 4: Finding the Right Girl
*Also available as a three-book bundle in the Nice Girl trilogy boxed set
Abby Bartlett is the quintessential nice girl. Between teaching, volunteering, completing her PhD, and helping her best friend raise his daughter, Abby never gets the chance to be anything but nice. That is, until the all-wrong-for-her man she's only ever known from afar starts daring her to simply take that chance for herself. His sage advice? Try something wild and fast.
Preferably him.
An unbridled, hotshot attorney with a not-so-little black book, Connor Sullivan has earned himself quite the bad boy reputation. But in his defense, he's a very conscientious one. He knows far too well that sometimes in life, love isn't enough...or worse, not even a factor at all. To avoid that misery--and repel the drama--Connor always makes his one and only rule crystal clear right from the start. Absolutely nothing more than a month.
Turns out, a whole lot can happen in one month.
Note: This is NOT a standalone. This is the first book in a three-book serial. This three-book serial is part of the CAN'T RESIST series. Books #1-3 (Sullivan Brothers "Nice Girl" trilogy) must be read in order. While Book #4 is a separate standalone (the other brother's happily ever after), it is recommended that it be read after the trilogy. Books #1-3 are also available as a bundled boxed set.
THE CAN'T RESIST SERIES:
BOOK 1: Resisting the Bad Boy*
BOOK 2: Falling for the Good Guy*
BOOK 3: Choosing the Right Man*
BOOK 4: Finding the Right Girl
*Also available as a three-book bundle in the Nice Girl trilogy boxed set
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2013
2144 people are currently reading
5333 people want to read
About the author
Violet Duke
36 books1,263 followersNEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education ecstatic to be on the other side of the page now writing emotion-rich stories with fun, everyday characters and sweet, sexy match-ups. Since her debut series in 2013, over a million readers have put all four of Violet's laugh & cry contemporary romance series on bestseller lists and Top 10 charts across the major eretailers, both in the U.S. and internationally.
When she isn't feeding her book-a-day addiction, Violet enjoys doing far too many things without checking the directions first (often with outrageous power tools she has no business operating), and cooking impossible-to-replicate 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. She lives in Hawai'i with her kids (Violet & Duke) and Mr. Violet Duke (their ringleader), with a PJs-and-rubber-slippers work dress code she takes very seriously.
♥ For fan info & epic giveaways, visit: www.facebook.com/VioletDukeBooks
When she isn't feeding her book-a-day addiction, Violet enjoys doing far too many things without checking the directions first (often with outrageous power tools she has no business operating), and cooking impossible-to-replicate 'special edition' dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. She lives in Hawai'i with her kids (Violet & Duke) and Mr. Violet Duke (their ringleader), with a PJs-and-rubber-slippers work dress code she takes very seriously.
♥ For fan info & epic giveaways, visit: www.facebook.com/VioletDukeBooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 573 reviews
August 10, 2013
I actually really liked this book, except for the last page which ruined the whole thing for me. It was initially a sweet funny romance. The heroine and hero had great chemistry. They were good characters by themselves and together they were even better. The romance developed in a natural way and felt earned. THEN...THEN...the ending. Its a cliff hanger when it shouldn't be and completely negated everything I just read. The time I invested in these characters (which wasn't much since its only 130 something pages) was wiped out by the last page. I am beyond angry and feel completely cheated. Glad I got this book for free cause I would have requested my money back.
Also, I was going to forgive this particular complaint because I had enjoyed the book so much and I appreciated the heroine's attempts to take control over something bad that happened to her, BUT the heroine's back story involves basically interpersonal violence in a high school relationship. The emotional and sexual abuse is brushed off as her fault because she didn't say no even though she describes trying to stop what was happening and how she was manipulated into continuing. This is an example of victim blaming and letting the boyfriend off the hook for emotional and sexual abuse. Its really unforgivable to have this in a novel that should be promoting sex positive relationships for women.
Also, I was going to forgive this particular complaint because I had enjoyed the book so much and I appreciated the heroine's attempts to take control over something bad that happened to her, BUT the heroine's back story involves basically interpersonal violence in a high school relationship. The emotional and sexual abuse is brushed off as her fault because she didn't say no even though she describes trying to stop what was happening and how she was manipulated into continuing. This is an example of victim blaming and letting the boyfriend off the hook for emotional and sexual abuse. Its really unforgivable to have this in a novel that should be promoting sex positive relationships for women.
August 20, 2013
I would have given 5 stars but the last page killed it for me!
August 18, 2014
Let me start with a rant.
This so-called first book in a trilogy is NOT a book in my opinion. It's only and merely a part of a book, as in a bundle of chapters with a common denominator. It's exactly the same thing for the so-called second and third books, which are merely the second and third part of one unique book. They definitely cannot be read independently and having only one without the other is a sure source of intense frustration for the reader.
Even though I got the whole bundle at once (and for free at that), I still felt completely irritated by the misleading book and trilogy explanations and by the awful interruptions between the different parts of the book, considered each as a book, as there was every time a short summary of the next part/book as introduction. This broke the reading artificially and mostly made me feel like the reader was considered as an imbecile who needed explanations in order to understand what was going on. Obviously that's something that I absolutely hate. So please, author, if you ever read my review, I'd just advise you to make one single book and cut those useless and irritating intermediary summaries.
Now coming to the content of this first part, I rather liked it. The heroine frequently felt too nice, a bit too goody-two-shoes, but then some revelation occurred that explained how each step she took, took her where she was. The hero was also nice, despite his almost too-classic commitment issues.
The writing was rather good and the book very easy to read, flowing easily until then.
This so-called first book in a trilogy is NOT a book in my opinion. It's only and merely a part of a book, as in a bundle of chapters with a common denominator. It's exactly the same thing for the so-called second and third books, which are merely the second and third part of one unique book. They definitely cannot be read independently and having only one without the other is a sure source of intense frustration for the reader.
Even though I got the whole bundle at once (and for free at that), I still felt completely irritated by the misleading book and trilogy explanations and by the awful interruptions between the different parts of the book, considered each as a book, as there was every time a short summary of the next part/book as introduction. This broke the reading artificially and mostly made me feel like the reader was considered as an imbecile who needed explanations in order to understand what was going on. Obviously that's something that I absolutely hate. So please, author, if you ever read my review, I'd just advise you to make one single book and cut those useless and irritating intermediary summaries.
Now coming to the content of this first part, I rather liked it. The heroine frequently felt too nice, a bit too goody-two-shoes, but then some revelation occurred that explained how each step she took, took her where she was. The hero was also nice, despite his almost too-classic commitment issues.
The writing was rather good and the book very easy to read, flowing easily until then.
December 5, 2019
I used to love reading bad boy romances when I was younger… now, not so much as I used to be. I really like my romances to have a good backstory, great characters and a well-written romance. The ending was very cliffhangery and I also wasn’t a fan of the characters nor their behaviour towards each other too! For a short, steamy read, this may be the story for you.
April 18, 2013
Very cute book, with touch of electric chemistry and some intriguing plot developments. Although be forewarned - this is a series and I did not know that upon initial start. I was absorbed that by the end where it was left a cliffhanger, I was so disappointed. This could have been a one novel deal, but think author is analyzing all possible avenues to prolong it to a second and maybe even a third. Will wait and see if worth additional pages, but so far so good.
April 9, 2015
First read for me by this author, I won't be repeating the experience. I just couldn't get along with the writing style. It's trying to be too cute, and ends up feeling forced. The dialogue is flat and wooden, the characters are cardboard cutouts and have zero depth.
December 11, 2014
Violet Duke did a great job creating characters the were interesting and fun to read. BECAUSE I enjoyed the story, I'm willing to forgive the use of SERIES in the place of the more accurate SERIAL. This is the first of three short books that tell ONE story.
Abby, the ultimate nice girl, that has her own past she's trying to make up for. And she has the hots for her best friend's bad boy brother. And boy is Connor a bad in all the right ways. He's the typical emotionally unavailable Alpha male, but he has layers (like an onion...) His tender good guy side is there and it makes you love him even when you want to slap him silly.
Abby and Connor make a great couple and it's easy to see how right they are for each other.
If you're thinking about reading this book, do yourself a favor, get all three. To get the complete story you have to read them together.
Abby, the ultimate nice girl, that has her own past she's trying to make up for. And she has the hots for her best friend's bad boy brother. And boy is Connor a bad in all the right ways. He's the typical emotionally unavailable Alpha male, but he has layers (like an onion...) His tender good guy side is there and it makes you love him even when you want to slap him silly.
Abby and Connor make a great couple and it's easy to see how right they are for each other.
If you're thinking about reading this book, do yourself a favor, get all three. To get the complete story you have to read them together.
April 25, 2017
His brother's best friend becomes a temptation too sweet to resist. Conner is finally caught up in a web of his own making. He's somewhat of a legend when it comes to his month-long hook-up schedules. But this time around, Abby is causing him to consider extending the term lengths. But will she agree to his terms?
Until the unexpected turn of events presents us with a cliffhanger? COME ON! REALLY?
Until the unexpected turn of events presents us with a cliffhanger? COME ON! REALLY?
July 9, 2013
Wow! Talk about nailing it first time out of the chute. Violet Duke's Resisting the Bad Boy placed her solidly on my list of auto-buy authors. She engages you in the first paragraph and never lets your attention stray. Her characters are lively, fun, and snappy with their banter. I found myself smiling, chuckling, and laughing out loud throughout the book. The only thing I like more in my choice of reading material is a hot, sexy scene and she deftly fills the pages with plenty of those as well. She gives us an incredibly romantic story about Connor, an emotionally shut-off bad boy who is revealed to be a good, self-sacrificing man by Abby, the good girl who brings it all out when she shows him real affection without an ulterior motive. These two well-written characters are great together and have smokin’ hot chemistry. I could offer details of so many scenes to illustrate my views but I don’t want to spoil your chance to read and enjoy it for yourself just as I did. Twice. Now I’m just waiting for the second book in this wonderful series to come out!! But in the meantime, buy this fantastic read by new author Violet Duke. You won’t be sorry!
April 1, 2013
Totally love this book if you have a spare couple of hours then i highly recommend reading this entertaining sexy read.It's fast flowing, will make you think how sweet.it also will make you laugh and then make you hope.Oh and the sex is pretty hot to. :)
You have Abby who is just too cute and so so nice but she knows who she is and she doesn't let anything get to her. Her character is beautifully written, who wouldn't like a women who is there for her best friend and his daughter. She has a great relationship with Brian and his daughter Skylar it makes you think they would make the perfect family but NO there's Conner....
Oh swoon worthy Conner who hides behide his bad boy attitude but oh there is so much more to him and Abby finds out just how much more.
With their one month agreement coming to an end and their feelings changing for each other Conner does something he has never done with any other women and this is where the hope comes from but it also comes with a double edged sword and is it May yet as I can't wait to get my hands on book two Falling For the Good Guy...
You have Abby who is just too cute and so so nice but she knows who she is and she doesn't let anything get to her. Her character is beautifully written, who wouldn't like a women who is there for her best friend and his daughter. She has a great relationship with Brian and his daughter Skylar it makes you think they would make the perfect family but NO there's Conner....
Oh swoon worthy Conner who hides behide his bad boy attitude but oh there is so much more to him and Abby finds out just how much more.
With their one month agreement coming to an end and their feelings changing for each other Conner does something he has never done with any other women and this is where the hope comes from but it also comes with a double edged sword and is it May yet as I can't wait to get my hands on book two Falling For the Good Guy...
September 9, 2013
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started this book but I can tell you what.....I was absolutely blown away. Violet Duke does a phenomenal job bring to life characters that you can't just help but fall in love with them. Dear Sweet Abby has no idea what she is getting into when Connor comes back into her life except that she won't be disappointed. The attraction between these two are crystal clear and you can help but to root for them the entire time. So much happens in this book that you really simply need to just go get it for yourself and check it out. I promise you won't be disappointed. Resisting the Bad Boy brings just the right mixture of humor, raw sexual tension, love, and seriousness. And that ending.....yeah, it had me yelling out loud.
August 11, 2013
What a great read! Sucked in from the very beginning and loved it the whole way through! Cliff hanger ending for sure can't wait to dive into book 2!!!
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March 14, 2017DNF @ 25% no rating
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February 14, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/14/2020)! 🎁
November 8, 2020
This was book 1 in a new series to me and my first time reading this author. Connor Sullivan is a hot sexy lawyer who never sees the same woman for more than a month. He is helping his brother Brian who is struggling after his wife Beth died a year ago leaving him to care for his daughter. Abby Bartlett has been friends with Brian since high school she is also helping him take care of daughter. When Connor and Abby begin hooking up things begins happening. Connor begins falling in love with her and so does Brian. This was a pretty good read that I liked. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
August 17, 2013
WARNING:
If after you start reading the book and actually decide you like the Connor/ Abby pairing DO NOT READ PAST "Brian reached out..." on the last page. .
From beginning until right about the last sentence of this book, I was in love.
NEVER, and I emphasise very heavily on the never, have I ever truly liked the heroines in romance novels. They're always too clingy, too desperate, too manipulative or just plain boring. Abby was like a breath of long awaited fresh air. She was sassy, she was independent, self-assured and absolutely hilarious, really. I LOVED it. I loved HER. Every time she was faced with an obstacle (such as with that bitch Gabriella) she reacted in a way that was so completely unexpected that for the first time, I actually thought I was wrong about romance novels.
And then the last sentence happened and I threw my kindle at the wall.
Maybe Violet Duke was trying to be original, or, I don't know, leave it on a cliffhanger so we'd buy the next book but could she have thought of something, ANYTHING, other than making the series have a damn Which is why my rating went from 5 stars to 3.
But as much as I'm whining right now about how much I hate what the author's done, I'm going to end up buying the second book anyway.
Or maybe just get a pirated copy off the internet. I don't know.
If after you start reading the book and actually decide you like the Connor/ Abby pairing DO NOT READ PAST "Brian reached out..." on the last page. .
From beginning until right about the last sentence of this book, I was in love.
NEVER, and I emphasise very heavily on the never, have I ever truly liked the heroines in romance novels. They're always too clingy, too desperate, too manipulative or just plain boring. Abby was like a breath of long awaited fresh air. She was sassy, she was independent, self-assured and absolutely hilarious, really. I LOVED it. I loved HER. Every time she was faced with an obstacle (such as with that bitch Gabriella) she reacted in a way that was so completely unexpected that for the first time, I actually thought I was wrong about romance novels.
And then the last sentence happened and I threw my kindle at the wall.
Maybe Violet Duke was trying to be original, or, I don't know, leave it on a cliffhanger so we'd buy the next book but could she have thought of something, ANYTHING, other than making the series have a damn Which is why my rating went from 5 stars to 3.
But as much as I'm whining right now about how much I hate what the author's done, I'm going to end up buying the second book anyway.
Or maybe just get a pirated copy off the internet. I don't know.
August 19, 2013
Abby is funny, easy going, and has a heart of gold! Out with her best friend Brian one night, they run into his brother Connor. Connor is very impressed when he sees Abby again...he is also under the mistaken impression that she and Brian are an item. This is cleared up though after Connor makes an even worse assumption about Abby, then shows up at her house with flowers to apologize.
The sparks fly between them, but Abby knows Connor is definitely not relationship material...and Connor knows Abby can do better than him. But sometimes things are meant to be and neither of them can stop the sizzle between them. Connor hides his good self behind a tough exterior, but Violet can see through it. Even though Abby knows her heart will be broken, she wants to be with Connor, even if he only wants a month together.
So will Abby have her heart broken, or can they both open up and take the chance? Connor hasn't had good examples of relationships given the state of his parents' marriage, can he see that many relationships can be good? Both Abby and Connor's feelings towards each other change and grow over the month, but will they do anything about it?
I loved this fast moving, funny, sexy book!! Both of the main characters were great. I loved Abby's humor and character. I loved Connor too, that he's not as hard shelled as he'd like everyone to believe, he's just keeping everything deep inside. This is a great romantic read! I know where I'd like this story to go!
The sparks fly between them, but Abby knows Connor is definitely not relationship material...and Connor knows Abby can do better than him. But sometimes things are meant to be and neither of them can stop the sizzle between them. Connor hides his good self behind a tough exterior, but Violet can see through it. Even though Abby knows her heart will be broken, she wants to be with Connor, even if he only wants a month together.
So will Abby have her heart broken, or can they both open up and take the chance? Connor hasn't had good examples of relationships given the state of his parents' marriage, can he see that many relationships can be good? Both Abby and Connor's feelings towards each other change and grow over the month, but will they do anything about it?
I loved this fast moving, funny, sexy book!! Both of the main characters were great. I loved Abby's humor and character. I loved Connor too, that he's not as hard shelled as he'd like everyone to believe, he's just keeping everything deep inside. This is a great romantic read! I know where I'd like this story to go!
April 20, 2013
Resisting the Bad Boy (NICE GIRL TO LOVE) I really loved Connor and more than that, I loved Connor with Abby!! You could just feel their connection jump off the pages and their sex scenes were just hot. Neither one wants to say that it is love but I felt and read in between the lines that it is love. Connor is just too afraid to commit with what happens to his own parents and Brian's wife dying like she did makes him not to want to let love in his life. Abby has been secretly in love with Connor for years. But with his one month rule, she is afraid to actually say I love you to him. And the end of the book, with Brian coming forward and offering to make more of a relationship with Abby, come on...not that I don't like Brian, but I really want Abby to end up with Connor. But we don't know what is going to happen because that is in the 2nd book!! I can't wait for it to come out. Take a chance and read this book, you wont be disappointed!! Violet Duke, what a way to start your writing career!! I love the book!! :)
April 6, 2013
Fun and sexy! Loved the witty dialog and the way Abby and Connor's relationship progressed throughout. Abby was sweet and genuine. Meanwhile, Connor was complex, sexy and very protective. The sex was steamy, but not overly graphic, which I appreciated. I was very impressed with the depth of both of the characters, Connor especially. While I had picked up the book thinking it was just going to be playful based on the excerpt, it actually turned out to be a very satisfying story with emotional back stories and touching moments that had me rooting for them to make it past the one month. The novel was a quick read, but there was a lot packed into it with some memorable scenes both hilarious and heartbreaking. I knew before reading that this was going to be a serial but I totally did not see that ending coming. Can't believe the author did that to us! Now I HAVE to read Falling for the Good Guy in May to see what happens next. All in all, a great book. Highly recommended.
June 16, 2013
Holy Swizzle Sticks!What a witty, romantic, laugh-out-loud read. Abby is a sassy woman who can bring a man to his knees with her spunky personality. Connor is So miss understood you just want to find him and love him. Abby will have a hard time in Connors life and really has been living Brian's for so long without realizing it. Cannot wait for Book 2 to see Brian and Abby's story. The end will have you looking for more!
October 27, 2015
That was dirty dirty mean cliff hanger in the history of cliff hangers and I have to wait for book 2. Oh the ensuing Drama. Why is Connor so nice, charming, sweet, adorable and hot? It's not fair.
This was a sweet, cute, fluffy, fast-paced(in a good way read). Very satisfying story. Can't wait for more :)
This was a sweet, cute, fluffy, fast-paced(in a good way read). Very satisfying story. Can't wait for more :)
August 28, 2013
WOW, I loved this. The characters are great and the story is well written. Just enough sex to make you feel hot but nothing that makes you feel like you should be locked in a dark room reading it on your own. Abby and Connor fall head over heels and Connor is not a man who falls in love with his month long flings. Book 2 downloaded and I'm ready see what happens next!
May 3, 2013
This book is a must read, I loved it.......... I can't wait until the next book.
May 14, 2013
A cute and sweet tale on the surface, Resisting the Bad Boy is a treat with a rich center, a sexy, often emotional read that will resonate with the "nice girl" in all of us.
July 27, 2013
A fun, sassy, laugh out loud story with lots of heart. I highly recommend Resisting the Bad Boy when you need a sexy escape from the every day. Violet hit it out of the park.
April 1, 2016
Great book!! It grabbed me from the very beginning. The ending was quite shocking! Thankful I bought books 2 & 3 right away.
September 18, 2013
This book was really good....everything I look for in a 5 star read. Will write a FULL review on the Complete Series version. It will be an overall review for the series.
August 2, 2013
For a freebie, this was awesome!
August 16, 2018
Well I am glad that in the beginning of the book it states it ends on a cliff hanger, because it sure does! I was so engaged with the story I almost forgot. Thankfully Kobo exists and you can get the next book right away lol I cannot wait to see what happens after the 30 days. I hope Connor realizes just how nice of a person he is inside too. Abby has no problem seeing it. I do have to say I love how Abby is genuinely nice and caring and will stick up for someone she doesnt even know. A true heroine for that.
May 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Connor is a jerk at first giving Abby a very hard time because he thinks she and his brother are dating. Eventually he finds out the truth and wants Abby for his "one month only" scenario that he does with every woman. It was so much fun to witness Abby changing Connor's outlook. The one downside of this book was that it is a cliffhanger but the author does explain that before the book starts. I'll definitely read on to see how this progresses
Displaying 1 - 30 of 573 reviews