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Bad Business
Bad King
Thane Carter Kingsley IV lives for business. So when his parents threaten to turn over control of the Kingsley empire to his younger brother if he doesn't settle down, he knows just what to do. They don't care that the socialites they’ve picked are gold diggers, they just want him married. So King decides to find the fiancée of his parents' nightmares.
And where better to find a wife than a place like Club Prestige...
Olivia Reyes has finally built a better life. She’s a proud business owner and almost out of debt. Her childhood sweetheart, Bennett Alexander, is the perfect man for her but she hasn't convinced him… yet. But she will.
After she takes one last job.
Here’s your key to an exclusive world.
A place where anything goes and your darkest desires await.
Only the world’s elite are invited.
Pain. Pleasure. Prestige.
And where better to find a wife than a place like Club Prestige...
Olivia Reyes has finally built a better life. She’s a proud business owner and almost out of debt. Her childhood sweetheart, Bennett Alexander, is the perfect man for her but she hasn't convinced him… yet. But she will.
After she takes one last job.
Here’s your key to an exclusive world.
A place where anything goes and your darkest desires await.
Only the world’s elite are invited.
Pain. Pleasure. Prestige.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2016
386 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
M. Malone
65 books1,503 followersM. Malone is a NYT and USA TODAY bestselling author, a RITA® Award winner, and a member of RWA's Hall of Fame.
She lives with her husband and their two sons in the picturesque mountains of Northern Virginia even though she is afraid of insects, birds, butterflies and other humans.
Since starting her indie publishing journey she has sold over a million books and her titles have hit the NYT and USA Today bestseller lists more than a dozen times. She also holds a Master’s degree in Business from a prestigious college that would no doubt be scandalized at how she’s using her expensive education.
-JOIN MY MAILING LIST HERE - http://www.mmalonebooks.com/newsletter/
She lives with her husband and their two sons in the picturesque mountains of Northern Virginia even though she is afraid of insects, birds, butterflies and other humans.
Since starting her indie publishing journey she has sold over a million books and her titles have hit the NYT and USA Today bestseller lists more than a dozen times. She also holds a Master’s degree in Business from a prestigious college that would no doubt be scandalized at how she’s using her expensive education.
-JOIN MY MAILING LIST HERE - http://www.mmalonebooks.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 7, 2016
Quick sexy read about King and Olivia. King wants to shock his family by bringing Olivia home but not only do they get charmed by the woman, King does too. So much so that they end up having a VERY sexy moment in his old room. Olivia thinks she is meant for her best friend until King. They make mistakes. They grow and feel. It's short but it's very erotic. I definitely want to know more about the other characters. Safety: No rape/abuse. Neither are Vs. No condom the first time, but condoms after. No OW/Sharing.
May 31, 2016
This was an okay, short, but sexy read. The plot is simple, but the characters are likable. I wasn't a huge fan of the heroine having her heart set on her best friend. It seemed to be out of convenience which annoyed me and took away from the connection of the main characters, especially since this is such a short book.
While I've read this author before, I'm not too excited about reading subsequent books. I'd like more depth with characters and story line. Hot sexy times which were well written were the best part of the book.
ARC provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I've read this author before, I'm not too excited about reading subsequent books. I'd like more depth with characters and story line. Hot sexy times which were well written were the best part of the book.
ARC provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2016
Bad King was a quick, sexy read. It's the first in a series of books written by various authors that all involve a high class strip club called Club Prestige. This particular book features Olivia, a partial owner of the club and King, an arrogant, rich businessman.
I instantly fell in love with Olivia. She is sassy, opinionated, and has no trouble playing with the big boys and holding her own. She has tunnel vision when it comes to her love life. She is sure her best friend Bennett is her soulmate - she just has to convince him. As far as King is concerned. She thinks he's a jerk and wants as little to do with him as possible.
I agreed with Olivia's initial assessment of King. He is not a terribly likable character at first. He's all about his work and cares little for the people around him. He has a really low opinion of women, assuming they're all out for his money. When his parents force him settle down, he decides to find the most inappropriate wife he can and once Olivia catches his eye at Club Prestige the hunt is in motion.
I enjoyed watching King and Olivia with each other. Olivia gave as good as she got and the banter between the two was very funny. They've also got great chemistry and their scenes were hot! Thanks to Olivia, King slowly grew on me and redeemed himself by the end of the story. King also helped Olivia realize that sometimes, plans can and should change as he helped her look past her dreams of making a life with Bennett.
I instantly fell in love with Olivia. She is sassy, opinionated, and has no trouble playing with the big boys and holding her own. She has tunnel vision when it comes to her love life. She is sure her best friend Bennett is her soulmate - she just has to convince him. As far as King is concerned. She thinks he's a jerk and wants as little to do with him as possible.
I agreed with Olivia's initial assessment of King. He is not a terribly likable character at first. He's all about his work and cares little for the people around him. He has a really low opinion of women, assuming they're all out for his money. When his parents force him settle down, he decides to find the most inappropriate wife he can and once Olivia catches his eye at Club Prestige the hunt is in motion.
I enjoyed watching King and Olivia with each other. Olivia gave as good as she got and the banter between the two was very funny. They've also got great chemistry and their scenes were hot! Thanks to Olivia, King slowly grew on me and redeemed himself by the end of the story. King also helped Olivia realize that sometimes, plans can and should change as he helped her look past her dreams of making a life with Bennett.
October 12, 2022
King size ego!
King starts off at the bottom of my likeable list and Olivia is at the top. King has a lot of climbing to do, which he slowly does. It is pretty rough at first, but feelings start to get involved and some of Olivia’s niceness starts to rub off on king, and this makes for an enjoyable read. Nothing earth shattering, just an easy read.
King starts off at the bottom of my likeable list and Olivia is at the top. King has a lot of climbing to do, which he slowly does. It is pretty rough at first, but feelings start to get involved and some of Olivia’s niceness starts to rub off on king, and this makes for an enjoyable read. Nothing earth shattering, just an easy read.
January 20, 2020
I enjoyed reading.
November 3, 2021
Most of this story's problems stem from its too-short length. It wants to cover more ground than 149 pages can handle (minus bonus materials at the end, I think the story actually ended at around 81 or 82% of the file, so call it more like 122 pages.)
In that tiny space is crammed:
1. Olivia trying to convince herself that she should start a relationship with her male best friend despite a complete lack of sexual chemistry, because he's a good guy;
2. Olivia having a semi-tragic backstory about a strained relationship with her parents and how her pride cost her "everything," plus her current money troubles;
3. Olivia embarking on the sort-of fake dating adventure with King and the entire wild "romance" arc that comes from that;
4. King's intended personal arc from "everything in my life is about my career" to "I want to be a good boyfriend, actually;"
5. King's sister Georgie trying to liberate herself from the narrow romantic/sexual life she's been living not entirely by choice, plus some implied tension with/attraction to one of King's friends who is not her fiance;
6. King also having a somewhat strained relationship with his father and sort of getting to resolve it, but not really.
Doesn't that seem like too much plot for 122 pages?
Everything in this would have benefited from slowing down and letting it breathe. Everything happens so fast it gave me tonal whiplash at times. The leads go from strangers to lovers in about 24 hours. Little sis Georgie wants to be instant best friends with Olivia and trusts her with a pretty big secret after very little acquaintance. King's heel-face turn from cold business man to quality boyfriend material seems to come from basically nowhere, he's just so into Olivia (based on his fantasies about her plus a single party where they spent most of their time apart) that he wants to make over himself to be a better person.
None of these are bad ideas in general--I think the plot fits together quite neatly, in fact, aside from the failed attempt at romance with the best friend--but none of them are given enough time to develop naturally. It's just rush, rush, rush ahead through the checklist of plot events until we get to the happy ending, but it doesn't feel earned.
Give this story another 50-60 pages of room for the characters to have personalities and thoughts and feelings, instead of zooming straight to the next conflict, and this could be great.
In that tiny space is crammed:
1. Olivia trying to convince herself that she should start a relationship with her male best friend despite a complete lack of sexual chemistry, because he's a good guy;
2. Olivia having a semi-tragic backstory about a strained relationship with her parents and how her pride cost her "everything," plus her current money troubles;
3. Olivia embarking on the sort-of fake dating adventure with King and the entire wild "romance" arc that comes from that;
4. King's intended personal arc from "everything in my life is about my career" to "I want to be a good boyfriend, actually;"
5. King's sister Georgie trying to liberate herself from the narrow romantic/sexual life she's been living not entirely by choice, plus some implied tension with/attraction to one of King's friends who is not her fiance;
6. King also having a somewhat strained relationship with his father and sort of getting to resolve it, but not really.
Doesn't that seem like too much plot for 122 pages?
Everything in this would have benefited from slowing down and letting it breathe. Everything happens so fast it gave me tonal whiplash at times. The leads go from strangers to lovers in about 24 hours. Little sis Georgie wants to be instant best friends with Olivia and trusts her with a pretty big secret after very little acquaintance. King's heel-face turn from cold business man to quality boyfriend material seems to come from basically nowhere, he's just so into Olivia (based on his fantasies about her plus a single party where they spent most of their time apart) that he wants to make over himself to be a better person.
None of these are bad ideas in general--I think the plot fits together quite neatly, in fact, aside from the failed attempt at romance with the best friend--but none of them are given enough time to develop naturally. It's just rush, rush, rush ahead through the checklist of plot events until we get to the happy ending, but it doesn't feel earned.
Give this story another 50-60 pages of room for the characters to have personalities and thoughts and feelings, instead of zooming straight to the next conflict, and this could be great.
May 22, 2016
Talk about risky business. This story radiates so much heat that it feels like standing in front of a raging fireball. Olivia is not what I expected. She found an interesting but successful way to better her circumstances. She owns a strip club (partially anyway). She can hold her own with the big boys like larger than life King. But underneath that edgy personality lies a good girl at heart seeking a better life for herself. King is hard to take on a good day. Pompous, driven and used to getting his own way. Did I like him? Not so much, but the magnetic pull he gave off was hard to look away from. Over the top, extreme sensual stories are what M. Malone is good at and she stepped it up a notch with Bad King.
May 14, 2016
I got this book from net gallery for an honest review.
This was a nice short read and I really enjoyed it. It's sensual, sexy and hot.
King is arrogant and career orientated and he's attracted to a sex club owner, Olivia. Olivia genuinely gives King a run for his money: she's sassy, witty and not afraid to speak her mind. The chemistry between these two is intense, passionate and hot.
An enjoyable quick read with just the right amount of sizzling heat to spice things up.
This was a nice short read and I really enjoyed it. It's sensual, sexy and hot.
King is arrogant and career orientated and he's attracted to a sex club owner, Olivia. Olivia genuinely gives King a run for his money: she's sassy, witty and not afraid to speak her mind. The chemistry between these two is intense, passionate and hot.
An enjoyable quick read with just the right amount of sizzling heat to spice things up.
May 12, 2016
Malone always keeps me interested from the first to last sentence!
Love this series..what a great story to start out Bennett. And now there is James and Georgie...
Can't wait to see how that ends up!
Love this series..what a great story to start out Bennett. And now there is James and Georgie...
Can't wait to see how that ends up!
May 11, 2016
Nice love story
I loved the way it ended. I did not see that coming.
I can wait to read what happens to Bennett.
I loved the way it ended. I did not see that coming.
I can wait to read what happens to Bennett.
May 15, 2016
Just gonna say the heroine was way too good for him.
May 18, 2016
I can't wait to read Bennett
May 14, 2016
3.5 Stars
Quick, sexy and entertaining.
Quick, sexy and entertaining.
May 15, 2016
A short hot sexy story, enjoyable to read.
May 18, 2016
Very good
Fab book will look forward to the next books coming out back on nights and I get more chance . Of reading
Fab book will look forward to the next books coming out back on nights and I get more chance . Of reading
Want to read
December 7, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/8/2021)! 🎁
May 6, 2017
Bad King
M. Malone
Instafreebie
3.5 stars
Solid 3.5 stars for a story that I enjoyed as much as it irritated me. Bad King is a quick read about Strip club owner Olivia Reyes and billionaire Thane Kingsley. His arrogance and demands know, no bounds, he expects perfection and settles for nothing less. So when said billionaire, is told be his paren6that if he doesn't settle down and find a wife he will lose his company to his younger brother, who is more interested in sleeping with anything with 2 legs.
Finding Angel while at a bachelor party he had organised, he thinks she will be perfect to ruin any thoughts of marriage and settling down once his up tight parents meet her. She is no nonsense, kick you in a nuts sort of girl. What King didn't expect was that his lowly stripper is actually owner of Club VIP, and daughter to the wealthy Reyes family.
Now King is knee deep in a woman that was supposed to be a distraction, instead she has become "more". Now Thane Kingsley will be un for the fight of his life, to win back expectations and love of the woman he can't live without. Tough as nails, Olivia, doesn't give in easy, despite her body choosing otherwise. Being called trash and a stripper was harsh and downright mean. King will need some serious grovelling, something way beneath his normal alpha billionaire ways to win her back.
I found this book move from one story to another, which left me a little confused. Instead of winning a wife to appease his parents, it turned into a convoluted love story that was over before it really begun.
M. Malone
Instafreebie
3.5 stars
Solid 3.5 stars for a story that I enjoyed as much as it irritated me. Bad King is a quick read about Strip club owner Olivia Reyes and billionaire Thane Kingsley. His arrogance and demands know, no bounds, he expects perfection and settles for nothing less. So when said billionaire, is told be his paren6that if he doesn't settle down and find a wife he will lose his company to his younger brother, who is more interested in sleeping with anything with 2 legs.
Finding Angel while at a bachelor party he had organised, he thinks she will be perfect to ruin any thoughts of marriage and settling down once his up tight parents meet her. She is no nonsense, kick you in a nuts sort of girl. What King didn't expect was that his lowly stripper is actually owner of Club VIP, and daughter to the wealthy Reyes family.
Now King is knee deep in a woman that was supposed to be a distraction, instead she has become "more". Now Thane Kingsley will be un for the fight of his life, to win back expectations and love of the woman he can't live without. Tough as nails, Olivia, doesn't give in easy, despite her body choosing otherwise. Being called trash and a stripper was harsh and downright mean. King will need some serious grovelling, something way beneath his normal alpha billionaire ways to win her back.
I found this book move from one story to another, which left me a little confused. Instead of winning a wife to appease his parents, it turned into a convoluted love story that was over before it really begun.
March 3, 2020
I loved this book couldn't put it down. Thane Carter Kingsley IV ( King ) works hard for his fathers company, but his parents are telling him that if he doesn't get married soon they will give the company to his younger brother Colin. King has decided to get back at his parents by finding the best worst fiance ever, but when he decides on Olivia Reyes the owner of Club VIP he soon finds out that she's not who he thinks she is. Olivia doesn't really like King because he is an arrogant man, but still agrees to help him. When they start spending time together their feelings change until Olivia over hears King on the phone describing her and her club. King can't stop missing Olivia, but when he goes to look for her to get her back he sees her in the arms of another man.
June 1, 2017
Oh how the mighty has fallen. King thought he would never fall in love or get married. Until one Olivia with all the beauty he desired, the smarts to match wits and a smart mouth of course. This story was good to read, we met Olivia in the previous book with Bennett Alexander, to get the back story was great.
I preordered this book and somehow missed it. Glad I got to read it now. Thanks I love your writing style it keeps me wanting to read more.
I preordered this book and somehow missed it. Glad I got to read it now. Thanks I love your writing style it keeps me wanting to read more.
Read
September 17, 2020dnf at 10%
I don't remember how I got this, maybe as a freebie? I wasn't impressed. The "I'll bring a stripper home to meet my family for shock" premise didn't really appeal. And I deeply dislike the male lead (a alpha CEO of the family business) bringing his executive team to a strip club for one of their bachelor parties. At least it's not explicitly a work function, but it's still gross and inappropriate. I don't need gross businessmen getting their happily ever afters in my head.
I don't remember how I got this, maybe as a freebie? I wasn't impressed. The "I'll bring a stripper home to meet my family for shock" premise didn't really appeal. And I deeply dislike the male lead (a alpha CEO of the family business) bringing his executive team to a strip club for one of their bachelor parties. At least it's not explicitly a work function, but it's still gross and inappropriate. I don't need gross businessmen getting their happily ever afters in my head.
May 8, 2019
Ooohhh, Olivia has worked hard to get to where she is...independent, co-owner of the VIP club and able to do whatever she wants.
King enters her club and manages to disrupt her piece of the world. He's scheming and plans to draw Olivia along to help him.
Little do they know...they may be exactly what the other needs.
King enters her club and manages to disrupt her piece of the world. He's scheming and plans to draw Olivia along to help him.
Little do they know...they may be exactly what the other needs.
August 12, 2019
Thank you
I love when an author gives us the opportunity to see the other side of a conversation. And the fact that we were able to find out who Olivia was to Bennett and what her drama was on her side was a really great read. I appreciate the novella and look forward to reading the second one
I love when an author gives us the opportunity to see the other side of a conversation. And the fact that we were able to find out who Olivia was to Bennett and what her drama was on her side was a really great read. I appreciate the novella and look forward to reading the second one
June 11, 2021
If there was anything wrong with this story it would have to be that it was just too short! The characters were well written, the plot flowed smoothly, there is enough spice to keep it interesting, and even a little sexual suspense, not to mention a clean editing job. A very enjoyable read with lots of passion and no wasted filler.
July 12, 2022
King and Olivia kept me glued to the pages! He is looking for a way to get his father off of his back about settling down and when he threatens to put his younger brother in charge if he doesn't, King formulates a plan, one that has Olivia aka Angel as his fake fiancé. This is a well written story with characters that are intriguing.
November 4, 2022
Enjoyable Read.
This is a short and interesting story.It’s about Olivia and King who are from different walks of life.King want to get his father off his back about marriage so he hacked a plan that Olivia who goes by her club name Angel would be his fake fiancé.Would Olivia say yes to king’s plan.You got to read to find out
This is a short and interesting story.It’s about Olivia and King who are from different walks of life.King want to get his father off his back about marriage so he hacked a plan that Olivia who goes by her club name Angel would be his fake fiancé.Would Olivia say yes to king’s plan.You got to read to find out
December 4, 2022
A great story of finding out what you need and want can be different but the same.
A man who is rich and entitled takes home a stripper in to get his parents off his back to marry. Let’s just say his plan goes array right from the start. But this entitled rich man is going to have to work extra hard to get the girl of his dreams.
A short and steamy but really gritty story of love and belonging.
A man who is rich and entitled takes home a stripper in to get his parents off his back to marry. Let’s just say his plan goes array right from the start. But this entitled rich man is going to have to work extra hard to get the girl of his dreams.
A short and steamy but really gritty story of love and belonging.
February 2, 2023
Frienemies to lovers to more…
No big baddies but lots of angsty misconceptions and slow burn romance in this character driven tale. King and Olivia don’t like each other even a little bit at first but the more time they spend together the more they figure out they complement each other. I enjoyed this light short read.
No big baddies but lots of angsty misconceptions and slow burn romance in this character driven tale. King and Olivia don’t like each other even a little bit at first but the more time they spend together the more they figure out they complement each other. I enjoyed this light short read.
April 12, 2019
Sometimes the best laid plans go awry and you get what you deserve. King decides to use Olivia to teach his parents a lesson. Funny thing though, he's the one who gets schooled when he falls for a woman who thinks he's an arrogant, infuriating jerk.
May 23, 2021
Never disappointed
I have never been disappointed with Malone. This book is so good. I laughed, cried and fell in love all over again. If you haven’t read any of this writer’s book, I highly suggest you start now. You won’t be disappointed.
I have never been disappointed with Malone. This book is so good. I laughed, cried and fell in love all over again. If you haven’t read any of this writer’s book, I highly suggest you start now. You won’t be disappointed.
September 1, 2021
3.5 Stars. Love that King is looking for someone to shock his family and ends up bringing home someone who charms them.
Did not understand Olivia’s continued interest in her bff, who she has zero chemistry with.
Short sexy read!!
Did not understand Olivia’s continued interest in her bff, who she has zero chemistry with.
Short sexy read!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews