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Juliette's World #3
Bat out of Hell
After shredding a Prada for a costume, Shirley Manchester fears she opened a portal to hell. With a fashion designer out for revenge hot on her heels, a secret admirer on a mission to evict her from the pool of eligible bachelorettes, and a relentless streak of bad luck, surviving through Halloween is turning into a sketchy proposition.
Next time, Shirley will remember there are better ways to dodge an unwanted advance than kissing a random stranger.
Escaping the party turns out to be only the beginning of Shirley’s woes. Curses aren’t supposed to be real, but after the going keeps getting tougher, she’s at real risk of becoming a believer in the things that go bump in the night.
The tricks should’ve ended in October, but her November is looking to be one hell of a wild ride.
Next time, Shirley will remember there are better ways to dodge an unwanted advance than kissing a random stranger.
Escaping the party turns out to be only the beginning of Shirley’s woes. Curses aren’t supposed to be real, but after the going keeps getting tougher, she’s at real risk of becoming a believer in the things that go bump in the night.
The tricks should’ve ended in October, but her November is looking to be one hell of a wild ride.
221 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2019
82 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Bernadette Franklin
6 books84 followersBernadette Franklin is a figment of imagination owned and operated by two cats, a few plants, and a human otherwise known as R.J. Blain.
Bernadette Franklin writes Contemporary Romantic Comedy.
Bernadette Franklin writes Contemporary Romantic Comedy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 4, 2019
This is another fun and flirty romantic comedy by Bernadette Franklin. Like her other two books [Claustrophobic & Shammed - both of which I recommend equally highly] it is a holiday inspired story set in a New York filled with quirky characters and determined heroes and heroines. Looking for a reality check? Look elsewhere. Looking for a mood lift? This is the place!
November 2, 2019
The bones are good, but the book could've used a strict editor. The characters rehash the same point or conversation so many times that if you cut out all the repetition, the book would be at least 30% shorter.
January 13, 2024
Book: Bat out Of Hell
Read By: Ebook
Author: Bernadette Franklin
Genre: Romance
Recommend: Yes
< b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
Once again, Bernadette Franklin dazzles with her irresistible blend of humor and romance in this charming book. Against the backdrop of a bustling New York City during the enchanting holiday season, readers are introduced to a cast of colorful characters and determined protagonists. With each turn of the page, you'll find yourself smiling and sighing as you follow the journey of these lovable characters. Although this story may not be rooted in reality, it is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone in need of some feel-good entertainment.
Read By: Ebook
Author: Bernadette Franklin
Genre: Romance
Recommend: Yes
< b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
Once again, Bernadette Franklin dazzles with her irresistible blend of humor and romance in this charming book. Against the backdrop of a bustling New York City during the enchanting holiday season, readers are introduced to a cast of colorful characters and determined protagonists. With each turn of the page, you'll find yourself smiling and sighing as you follow the journey of these lovable characters. Although this story may not be rooted in reality, it is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone in need of some feel-good entertainment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2020
The storyline was there, but the way it was portrayed and written didn't flow that well. It had so much potential from the synopsis and the first 50 pages but then the pace was too slow and nothing really happened until I was around 70% into it. I felt there was too much dialogue and sometimes I didn't know who was talking because there was either too much dialogue or it was just a lines of dialogue one after the other without saying who it was. The best friend disappeared from the party at the beginning and didn't return until the last 50 pages so she didn't really feel like a best friend. Some parts were repeated constantly that it felt too much and wasted parts of the story that could have been used for pushing the plot. Then the other best friend mentioned once at the beginning arrived at the end and made it seem like the MC didn't get on as well as the first best friend, then she was acting like they did everything together and it didn't make sense since that was her forst appearance. I felt like everything was rushed at the end and things were coincidentally happening just to satisfy the ending, happily ever after and making the mystery guy so unrealistic with all of these perfect attributes that were revealed at the end and matched Lee's expectations a little too closely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2020
Wht?
I feel robbed that the ending still left question and loose ends. Want to know what happens next! Do that get their revenge on Julietta and Clarissa? Does Lee show both bosses what she can do without a education? Does Chris get to actually propose on the next Halloween a year after their first meeting? I was hopping there was a book two to continue their story. This book was very well written, humorous, insightful and educational. The writer had a great sense of humor and imagination, I just wish it had more insight into this story than were it left off. There just had to be more to these character and their pranks that are planned and executed. I just have to know!😊😇
I feel robbed that the ending still left question and loose ends. Want to know what happens next! Do that get their revenge on Julietta and Clarissa? Does Lee show both bosses what she can do without a education? Does Chris get to actually propose on the next Halloween a year after their first meeting? I was hopping there was a book two to continue their story. This book was very well written, humorous, insightful and educational. The writer had a great sense of humor and imagination, I just wish it had more insight into this story than were it left off. There just had to be more to these character and their pranks that are planned and executed. I just have to know!😊😇
November 1, 2019
3.5 stars.
Maybe should’ve been called rat out of hell, so many rats shudder. It was fun and in line with the others. Feels like a spin off for Juliette rather than the MC. Not much on the romance front, more about Lee getting her life sorted out. It is fashion oriented so the Prada did get dragged out. Contains rats, humour, multiple parents and a little kidnapping. Favourite character was Jonas.
Maybe should’ve been called rat out of hell, so many rats shudder. It was fun and in line with the others. Feels like a spin off for Juliette rather than the MC. Not much on the romance front, more about Lee getting her life sorted out. It is fashion oriented so the Prada did get dragged out. Contains rats, humour, multiple parents and a little kidnapping. Favourite character was Jonas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2019
Light hearted romance with insta love. The biggest issue I had with the book was that th main H and h never really spent time together before they were in love. The book itself was funny and a fast read and I enjoyed it.
October 25, 2024
Shirley Manchester (please call me Lee) works in a women's apparel store that pays her enough that she can live in an apartment and have about 20-30 dollars per week for extras. But she has some well-to-do friends who drag her to a fancy party where she meets a man that has some artwork that she loves. He also has some games that she enjoys playing with her best friends brother for part of the night.
Then she comes to the attention of a renowned fashion designer who "kidnaps" her and clothes her in some upper end clothing, while angling to hire her to work for the designer's firm. Finally, she ends up being pushed onto a path toward marriage.
All of this takes place with great riposte and zany humor. The humor usually is delivered with a zinger or two per each conversation regardless of who the comment is addressed to. The offbeat humor is unique but a basic part of the reason for reading the story.
Then she comes to the attention of a renowned fashion designer who "kidnaps" her and clothes her in some upper end clothing, while angling to hire her to work for the designer's firm. Finally, she ends up being pushed onto a path toward marriage.
All of this takes place with great riposte and zany humor. The humor usually is delivered with a zinger or two per each conversation regardless of who the comment is addressed to. The offbeat humor is unique but a basic part of the reason for reading the story.
November 24, 2019
Lot's of fun in the same 'pick me up' theme as the rest of the series.
One thing that bothered me was something about the tone, pacing, and tempo this time, that made me want to pat the book on the shoulder and say 'calm down, you're hyperventilating.' A lot of repetitions of the same lines of dialogue, which felt deliberate, but a bit too much. A lot of dialogues have this layer of anxiety to them (mostly from the main character, and not the character who is actually discussed having problems with anxiety), when a person talks too fast, too much, and says the same things over and over again...I know it because I do it too, hate it when I do it, and it stood out to me because of that.
Also, a little sad that Christopher and 'romance' part of the book had gotten very little 'screen time'. The book was over before I was ready for it to be over.
One thing that bothered me was something about the tone, pacing, and tempo this time, that made me want to pat the book on the shoulder and say 'calm down, you're hyperventilating.' A lot of repetitions of the same lines of dialogue, which felt deliberate, but a bit too much. A lot of dialogues have this layer of anxiety to them (mostly from the main character, and not the character who is actually discussed having problems with anxiety), when a person talks too fast, too much, and says the same things over and over again...I know it because I do it too, hate it when I do it, and it stood out to me because of that.
Also, a little sad that Christopher and 'romance' part of the book had gotten very little 'screen time'. The book was over before I was ready for it to be over.
October 23, 2022
A really good book
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book but it had me by the first chapter. There was fun and real life sadness. The heroine lived on a very tight budget. She had good friends who were wealthy but she wouldn't accept charity. They all cared about each other. There were some mental health issues that the friends accepted and even helped with. It left me feeling happy! It's rare I'm feeling happy after a book. I love reading and do quite a bit of it. I feel good over most books but the happiness made this one all the better.
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book but it had me by the first chapter. There was fun and real life sadness. The heroine lived on a very tight budget. She had good friends who were wealthy but she wouldn't accept charity. They all cared about each other. There were some mental health issues that the friends accepted and even helped with. It left me feeling happy! It's rare I'm feeling happy after a book. I love reading and do quite a bit of it. I feel good over most books but the happiness made this one all the better.
October 17, 2020
Interesting Story
Bat Out Of Hell has a great beginning. A costume party with a trashed Prada dress. The characters are all a little crazy and sometimes it may be hard to follow the dialogue, but it is a cute story. I loved the cover and am stealing the name, Booh (Bat out of hell), for my bat at Halloween.
Bat Out Of Hell has a great beginning. A costume party with a trashed Prada dress. The characters are all a little crazy and sometimes it may be hard to follow the dialogue, but it is a cute story. I loved the cover and am stealing the name, Booh (Bat out of hell), for my bat at Halloween.
December 2, 2025
whole lot of fun.
I love Bernadette Franklin’s books. Everyone should have a Juliet in their lives. It is more a story about Juliet than a love story, the main love story couple don’t spend enough time together, but I didn’t mind,because the story is so fun. On star off because it it is supposed to be a romance. Would love more Juliet books.
I love Bernadette Franklin’s books. Everyone should have a Juliet in their lives. It is more a story about Juliet than a love story, the main love story couple don’t spend enough time together, but I didn’t mind,because the story is so fun. On star off because it it is supposed to be a romance. Would love more Juliet books.
May 15, 2020
A fun read. Bernadette Franklin is one pseudonym for RJ Blain and I have now made it my mission to read everything she has written. While I prefer the books written under her own name, the Bernadette Franklin books are a quick romp through a fun read.
October 13, 2020
This is the first book I have read by Bernadette and I’m a fan. This book was hard to put down. The characters are quirky and interesting and I was invested from the beginning. If you looking for a light hearted romantic romp, this books for you!
November 8, 2020
One of the more normal crazy books :)
This lead is a little crazy, lots of gutsy, and talented to boot. I loved listening to her be stern with Mrs Carter, but in a caring way.
Great book.
This lead is a little crazy, lots of gutsy, and talented to boot. I loved listening to her be stern with Mrs Carter, but in a caring way.
Great book.
March 3, 2021
Loved it
This book was a riot from the very start. I loved it so much. All the characters were excellent, but Juliette might have been my favorite. Lee is of course a top contender too. I wish I could afford those very nice dresses, but I would never butcher one.
This book was a riot from the very start. I loved it so much. All the characters were excellent, but Juliette might have been my favorite. Lee is of course a top contender too. I wish I could afford those very nice dresses, but I would never butcher one.
September 23, 2021
Booh!
I really want Lee’s costume and don’t blame her for hiding from a fashion designer. I really don’t blame her for kissing a hot guy to force a creep to leave her alone. Then the hot guy has video games to kill zombies? What’s not to like?
I really want Lee’s costume and don’t blame her for hiding from a fashion designer. I really don’t blame her for kissing a hot guy to force a creep to leave her alone. Then the hot guy has video games to kill zombies? What’s not to like?
December 9, 2022
The author got my attention with the slashed Prada. She kept it with the designer's reaction to the slashed Prada. This was a Cinderella retelling that really hit my funny bone out of the ball park (without the baseball bat, just the felt one)!
May 8, 2020
An entertaining and funny story. I would recommend it.
September 20, 2020
Great book!! I loved it!!
I loved the book. It was funny and had a happily ever after. Must read!! I’m looking forward to reading more
I loved the book. It was funny and had a happily ever after. Must read!! I’m looking forward to reading more
November 7, 2020
Cute
This was nice Halloween story and there needs to be more of the n! I love happy endings and Halloween will be reading again
This was nice Halloween story and there needs to be more of the n! I love happy endings and Halloween will be reading again
July 19, 2021
I didn't learn that this was a pen name for RJ Blain until after I read it. I did love the characters but I have to say this was a Cinderella story hopped up on pixie stixs. Everyone in the story was super positive and super on.
February 20, 2023
Funny and entertaining.
This is a humorous with an endearing heroine, who plays the harp. Witty dialogue and banter are well- written. I am disappointed with the ending.
This is a humorous with an endearing heroine, who plays the harp. Witty dialogue and banter are well- written. I am disappointed with the ending.
June 28, 2023
This is the first time in my life that I didn’t finish a book that I started. To be fair, it was on audio and I loathed the narrator so bad that I just couldn’t finish
March 11, 2020
Fun Halloween story
A book of fun, mischief and hilarity. I highly recommend this book if you want a note of happy, hilarity and fun in your day.
A book of fun, mischief and hilarity. I highly recommend this book if you want a note of happy, hilarity and fun in your day.
April 13, 2024
Shirley’s obsession with her Prada is both funny, and not something I completely understood. I mean, it’s a damn dress. But, it did make for some entertaining scenes with Juliette, and I will forever have the image of rats nesting in her little black dress in my head. Which just made me laugh, continuously and somewhat excessively. Although, that tends to be my response to most of the works by Franklin – random laughter and much amusement.
I love that, although Shirley has multiple people trying to help her, she is determined to do things on her own. Sometimes it’s a little bit painful, and you just shake your head. But overall, it’s a great streak of independence. I also love that she’s so surrounded by people who adore her, that she has so many wanting to help. Even those who she doesn’t quite expect to want to help are willing to do so. I found it to be a great reminder that people like to help when they love you, and sometimes you should accept that love.
From his first introduction, I was kind of expecting Christopher to be super awkward. He really wasn’t anywhere near as awkward as I wanted him to be. However, he did have some kind of random and niche hobbies, and I love that both him and Lee were able to share their love of art and classics. Plus, this love lent itself to Lee playing a harp in a park in period clothing, so that’s a gorgeous image that I never want to remove from my mind’s eye.
Juliette Carter and her shenanigans are always fun and completely absurd. I mean, she is absolutely off her rocker, so it’s genuinely entertaining to read about her. However, unlike all of the other women in the series thus far, Lee is completely able to stand up to Juliette’s shenanigans. She manages to call her on her nonsense and weirdness, but in a completely loving way. I kind of want more of the two of them working together.
I love that, although Shirley has multiple people trying to help her, she is determined to do things on her own. Sometimes it’s a little bit painful, and you just shake your head. But overall, it’s a great streak of independence. I also love that she’s so surrounded by people who adore her, that she has so many wanting to help. Even those who she doesn’t quite expect to want to help are willing to do so. I found it to be a great reminder that people like to help when they love you, and sometimes you should accept that love.
From his first introduction, I was kind of expecting Christopher to be super awkward. He really wasn’t anywhere near as awkward as I wanted him to be. However, he did have some kind of random and niche hobbies, and I love that both him and Lee were able to share their love of art and classics. Plus, this love lent itself to Lee playing a harp in a park in period clothing, so that’s a gorgeous image that I never want to remove from my mind’s eye.
Juliette Carter and her shenanigans are always fun and completely absurd. I mean, she is absolutely off her rocker, so it’s genuinely entertaining to read about her. However, unlike all of the other women in the series thus far, Lee is completely able to stand up to Juliette’s shenanigans. She manages to call her on her nonsense and weirdness, but in a completely loving way. I kind of want more of the two of them working together.
November 5, 2019
This book was quite interesting. The main character is very likeable and unique. All the other characters are special but seem underdeveloped. Additionally, the dialogue felt weird, like sometimes it was hard to tell who was saying what, especially since everyone talked the same. And something about the gay brother felt off, maybe because we are constantly told he is Gay™ like way more than is necessary for a man who isn't even exhibiting very gay stereotypes? It had little to do with the plot and maybe felt stale as an attempt to be fake woke. Then again, nothing about this story makes the slightest amount of sense, none of the hundred skills the protaganist has are developed upon or given any explanation as to why she can perform a myriad of intricate, unrelated skills without trying. The love interest is rather undeveloped, and isn't in the majority of the book, making the end seem like something is missing and we're falling short of a genuine connection. There are multiple good side characters, who are heavily developed in their own chapters, then discarded and their unique developments ignored after. It's the kind of book I'd expect as number 7 in a series where the characters are fully developed already and they are merely making cameos in this story. Perhaps it is, I've only read this one. In conclusion, this book is rather wacky but fun to read, no point in overanalyzing it
TL;DR: Bat out of Hell is a great easy read, just don't overthink it or you'll ruin it
TL;DR: Bat out of Hell is a great easy read, just don't overthink it or you'll ruin it
November 25, 2019
This book is good so good!!
I love all Bernadette Franklin's books I so enjoy getting to read what her chactors are up to and getting to see some of my favorites again. I loved getting to read what Juliet has done! She is one of my favorites! in Franklin's books you get humor along with a great story line , you also get to revisit old friends from last books. If you haven't read about Juliet before run out to your nearest bookstore or get online and buy Bernadette Franklin 's books!! You won't regret any of your purchases!!! She also writes under names Susan Copperfield and RJ Blain and they are SO GOOD!!!!! Hours and hours of pure pleasure. All of her books should come with a warning label about reader is endangered of giggles and warm fuzzy feelings during and after reading the books! I also keep her books on my reader so I can re-read the books over and over again! Seriously go treat yourself to her books and enjoy yourself! Happy reading!
I love all Bernadette Franklin's books I so enjoy getting to read what her chactors are up to and getting to see some of my favorites again. I loved getting to read what Juliet has done! She is one of my favorites! in Franklin's books you get humor along with a great story line , you also get to revisit old friends from last books. If you haven't read about Juliet before run out to your nearest bookstore or get online and buy Bernadette Franklin 's books!! You won't regret any of your purchases!!! She also writes under names Susan Copperfield and RJ Blain and they are SO GOOD!!!!! Hours and hours of pure pleasure. All of her books should come with a warning label about reader is endangered of giggles and warm fuzzy feelings during and after reading the books! I also keep her books on my reader so I can re-read the books over and over again! Seriously go treat yourself to her books and enjoy yourself! Happy reading!
November 1, 2019
Crazy good read
Like all Bernadette Franklin books the characters are funny, a bit crazy, and you kinda wish you were one of them. I'm never going to see a wasp or bee again without thinking of them as 'winged ass assassins'. Ha Ha Ha! That is just an example of the laugh out loud commentary you'll find. This whole series is a truly wonderful romantic comedy.
Spoiler alert: do not expect explicit sex scenes or paragraphs suitable for an updated Masters & Johnson's. There is an actual STORY here. It doesn't need to be propped up by or hidden among explicit sex due to being poorly crafted.
Like all Bernadette Franklin books the characters are funny, a bit crazy, and you kinda wish you were one of them. I'm never going to see a wasp or bee again without thinking of them as 'winged ass assassins'. Ha Ha Ha! That is just an example of the laugh out loud commentary you'll find. This whole series is a truly wonderful romantic comedy.
Spoiler alert: do not expect explicit sex scenes or paragraphs suitable for an updated Masters & Johnson's. There is an actual STORY here. It doesn't need to be propped up by or hidden among explicit sex due to being poorly crafted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews