Allie Brewster has a problem, and his name is Jaden Bishop – the most impossible person she's ever met. So why, oh why, is he haunting her dreams like some kind of rock-hard shirtless nightmare?
It's all so wrong, especially when hating him feels so right…right up until Allie realizes something terribly inconvenient. Turns out, there's a lot more to her billionaire boss than meets the eye, and just maybe, she's been haunting his dreams, too.
***This new adult contemporary romance is a fun, full-length novel with a guaranteed happily ever after!***
The good thing is that I liked this one. I didn't like One Good Crash. In this one we have Allie who happens to be Cassidy's friend and Jaden who is Jax's brother. They of course are attracted to each other. However, they enjoy pushing each other's buttons. So of course it isn't until the end they finally get it together.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was one of the most frustrating books I've ever read. These kids (and I do mean kids since no adult should ever act the way they do) were maddening. The characters were unlikable and the "banter" between everyone, especially Allie and Jaden, was juvenile and grating. Perhaps it was because we only got Allie's point of view and she came off as hot-headed and immature. Maybe I'm just too old for all of the games being played in this book, but I was annoyed from page 1. Since I was turned off by the characters, I was hoping for a unique plot, a little intrigue, or some amazing love scenes. Unfortunately, everything was just mediocre.
I had the pleasure of reading the book prior to One Bad Idea, One Good Crash. If you have the opportunity to read that book, then you received a different perspective in this book. It isn’t necessary to read One Good Crash, but this book makes more sense if you had. This book follows Cassidy’s (the h from One Good Crash) best friend, Allie. Allie has come to rescue Cassidy in Florida after a disconcerting call. On arriving to the house where Cassidy was last found, Allie meets Jaden, the brother of the H from One Good Crash. Jaden is odd and exasperates Allie from the start. He is brash, confusing, and odd. Unfortunately, they are forced to continue to confront each other because Jaden’s brother, Jax, offers Allie a job as a personal assistant...to Jaden. From there, sparks fly. And an arrangement is made. Can two people who seem to detest each other fall for each other? That is the premise of One Bad Idea.
When you read a Sabrina Stark book, you are reading a dialogue book. I know when I read One Good Crash I found myself overwhelmed by the back and forth of the characters. However, it is part of Stark’s charm as a writer. This continues in this book. There is a constant push and pull between Allie and Jaden. At times, it can be frustrating because you don’t feel “let in” to the exchange. However, if you stick with you, you eventually see the chemistry between the two characters.
Jaden is seemingly annoying from the outset. In fact, no one except maybe his brother Jax seem to like him. However, it’s a bit of a front, and his true nature is revealed eventually. Once it’s revealed, you will fall in love with him. You will have to read for quite a bit before it’s revealed, but once it is, it’s one of the best parts of the book.
Allie is a typical h in an enemies-to-lovers tale. Her feelings change at the spur of the moment, and the reader must wait for the revelation of Jaden’s true character for her to finally accept him. It can be frustrating at times waiting for her to figure it. However, Allie is an amazing friend to Cassidy, and she’s the perfect match for Jaden. She is the “yin to his yang.”
If you like the enemies to lovers trope or a love-hate relationship that ends with an HEA, then you will enjoy One Bad Idea. Just remember that you’re reading a dialogue heavy romance with this book.
Once Allie received a message from her best fiend Cassidy she had to leave right away. She knew why her best friends was in Florida and she sounded so desperate she had to go and rescue her. Allie was working as PA for country music producer in Nashville and when she asked for a day of in exchange for two days, he denies so she quits her job and drives to Florida to rescue her best friend Cassidy so she drove from Nashville to Florida except she wasn't driving her own car. She borrows her ex-boyfriends car which gets her into more trouble with Jaden. Once upon a arrival, she faces half naked perfect physique, handsome Jaden except his first impressions were awesome as his looks. She wanted to get to her friend quickly as possible but he is not helping and he is annoying as hell. They start arguing and when she finally finds her friend Cassidy everything changes from then on for both girls. Allie was offered a job from Jax without knowing who she will be working for and it happens to be his brother and her nemesis Jaden. She didn't wanted to work but she couldn't afford to look for another one and decides to work. Allie and Jaden's relationship isn't normal. They love to banter and tease each other. (Their banters are great) Yet they make it work. As the time went on, Allie and Jaden feels strong pull toward each other and they decided "scratch their itch". But one time won't do for both. Allie is neurotic often (when she is thinking everything in her head and it could be bit much at times.) she thinks too much. Jaden doesn't like to share his feelings and Allie changing him little by little. They continue to argue and egg each other until the very end. I did enjoy reading until the very end. It was very different from the other one and I did like Allie and Jaden's banters and their neurotic personalities. They were perfect for each other. It was a bit much at times but I did kinda like it. It was different and I like the fact Allie never back down from anyone even to Darla. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
I struggled here. I generally don't give books I finish anything less than three stars, but I was really tempted here. I'll leave it at 3 because the writing is good -- it's fine. But the characters...gah.
Also, the book was pretty clearly written as a serial. It's single POV. Not that either is a problem, but this is a style choice that definitely affected how I perceived the characters.
Allie arrives trying to save her friend Cassidy. She's a bit of a mess having borrowed her ex boyfriend's car and driven overnight to get to her. Her phone is dead. Cassie's nowhere to be found, and the address is a mansion owned by billionaire brothers.
Jaden is adorably hot and just quirky in this first scene. I really liked it.
And then.... we never really see them fall in love. We see Allie's desire for him grow. We see Jaden control everything about the girls -- where they live, what they drive.... I don't get how Allie is penniless given her last job had her working nonstop, even if she did need a killer wardrobe. Did the guy not pay her? She's not concerned at all that Jaden and Jax control everything about her and Cassidy and their lives? Neither makes friends outside of the brothers? There's no plan for either of them to be anything but satisfied that they're being "managed" by these men who are clearly more powerful and connected than they are. (Until Cassidy brings it up toward the end.)
All of the characters were like cardboard cut outs being used to portray a romance story that was outlined using _Romancing the Beat_. Everyone goes through the motions. There's a sex scene and a kiss at the appropriate time, but there's no cohesive journey.
The fun is in the fall -- we never see them fall in love. Jax is sweet and intense. But their conversations are like "Who's on first?" for the entire book. It's maddening and annoying and I don't detect any character development at all.
When Allie races to save her friend Cassidy after she receives Cassidy's panicked phone call, she must deal with the aftermath. She 'borrows' a car from her ex-boyfriend and races to the rescue, only to find out that Cassidy is fine. However, in looking for Cassidy, she meets the unpleasant bad boy, Jaden. Little does she know that the tattooed hunk is actually a well-to-do alcohol manufacturer.
With no money and little left to go back to, Allie accepts a job at Jaden's executive assistant. The two drive each other crazy - until they don't. They begin a physical relationship that starts to morph into something more, at least for Allie. Jaden is so jaded that he won't consider a true relationship.
The first third of this book was a bit muddled, and was filled with a lot of hints and unexplained coincidences to drive the story forward. Many of those coincidences were explained later and pulled the story together a bit, but throughout Jaden's personality is off-putting and while he secretly does some kind things for Allie, his blunt and seemingly uncaring attitude and speech toward Allie is really unforgivable at times.
While Jaden turns out to be devoted, protective and loving, getting his character to that place takes some time and his behavior early in the book is unattractive. Allie, for being in her mid-twenties, seems to be a bit of a doormat where Jaden is concerned and too naïve for her own good. The two together seem to improve each other somewhat, leading to their HEA.
Overall a moderately good romance read.
This is a voluntary review of an ARC of the story.
Allie couldn’t help but be rattled by the egotistical and rude behavior of the hot, shirtless guy in front of her. The guy looked more like a criminal than anything else with that flippant attitude and all those tattoos. How was it possible that he’d be living in a mansion?
“Within the last twenty hours, I'd lost my job, crashed my car, and driven halfway across the country in a vehicle that wasn't even my own.” (17)
In her trying efforts to locate her missing friend, the last thing Allie expected was a jacka#s…no matter how good looking. No way she’d end up working as his assistant. But with no money, no job, and possibly a felony charge on the way, she just couldn’t refuse, especially when she finds out that the two brothers were the successful founders of her favorite beer.
Most of the story centers on the two characters butting heads. Their snippy arguing gets a little frustrating and annoying.
Told solely in the POV of Allie, story relays the myriad of emotions felt by this high-strung character. She often prattled senselessly at times, worrying about embarrassing herself and admonishing over how tempted and infuriated she was by Jaden. The brothers were right: she was scary.
Drama jumps out from page one, which was daunting at times. Story was okay though. It’s your typical enemies-to-lovers romance.
A snappy office 💕romance: keep Jaden in his place, Allie, but watch your heart😉 February 10, 2019 Format: Paperback 👍👍 💘 🔥💘 A fantastic, fun romance that I could not put down! The snappy banter between main hero Jaden and heroine Allie just kept on coming and the romance had its steamy encounters and tender moments. The meet-cute for Allie and Jaden in the opening chapter set an adversarial tone between them that continued giving zingers and attitude despite the attraction building between them. Allie has tons of spunk and a tender, protective side when it comes to her roommate Cassidy. She's the star of this story for me.
Office 📠 💓romance is one of my favorite tropes and this one hit all the right notes for me. The passionate scenes were🔥 hot but not too extended or explicit and the cast of characters included some real jerks, like Allie's ex boyfriend and we boss, as well as some more complex characters like Darla, the thorn in Allie's side in the office but a protective mama bear to Jaden and Jax, the young men she took in in their hour of need. I loved the plot and the author's writing style and will be looking for more of her works.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
The bond between two close friends is like that of a bond between sisters (sometimes stronger). When Allie's best friend, Cassidy, calls her to beg for help, Allie turns her world upside down to rescue her sister. Her whirlwind decision causes her to lose her job, steal a truck, and meet the most incorrigible man on earth.
Jaden Bishop was a man who had sworn off love but did not have a lack of women chasing him. When Allie shows up on his doorstep looking for her best friend, Jaden is entertained by the spitfire who is stomping through his house - even though his lunch was interrupted. His entertainment turns to anger though when his brother hires Allie to be Jaden's personnel assistant.
Together, these two spar, entertaining each other in their joy and anger, intertwining a fantastic story of how their lives come together. When Allie finds out the truth that Jaden has been hiding, will she stay his personal assistant or will she break free from the man that drives her crazy with joy and love.
Overall, this is a good romance read that follows the line of the typical billionaire who rescues that down-on-her-luck damsel. The sparing between the two characters is entertaining and fun to read.
This is a voluntary review of an ARC of the story.
I enjoyed this story mainly because of its humour. It’s a laid-back dry, sarcastic and often snarky humour – which worked for me as my humour is very similar. It’s not for everyone however and many will likely be turned off by it in part because of the back and forth choppy style of dialogue. The story is essentially an enemies-to-lovers secret office romance and as such it’s okay and at times even sweet. My major criticism of the story would be that it’s slow to develop and overly long. When the antagonists realize their strong feelings for each other are more than intense dislike, there’s still 30% of the book remaining and I’m not really sure why. There are plenty of misunderstandings through secrets and omissions plus quite a bit of drama and angst along with some very steamy encounters.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh my gosh, I loved this novel! I know that when I love a novel I have to make myself slow down reading so I can savor it. I found myself making myself slow down so I could make the novel last longer. I loved this novel from the very first page this novel sucked me in and would not let me go to the very last. I loved Allie and Jaden was a hoot. I was reading this while my kids had practice in the gym and I laughed out so loud that some of the other parents were staring at me when I couldn't stop giggling out loud. For me a great novel is a novel that can make me smile, laugh out loud and not care who is around me and leave me with a smile on my face and a happy heart. This novel checked all of the boxes for me. I loved it! I loved loved loved the dialogue and the banter. So so so good. I can't wait to see what this author writes next!
By my reckoning, this is the last Bishop brother to find love. I for one will miss them very much. If Sabrina Stark decides to continue writing about the brothers, I will buy, buy, buy. This is the turn of Jaden Bishop and his PA Allie Brewster to find love. In many ways this is a classic enemies to lovers story. However, the enemy part is honestly more like banter and foreplay so the payoff isn't as drastic. Jaden isn't my favorite brother because he is so closed off. I would have loved to have seen a softer side that was only revealed right at the end. Allie is a great female lead who gives as good as she gets. She is loyal to a fault which is such an admiral quality. It was easy to see why Jaden fell for her. All in all, a solid 4 star love story. 💕 I look forward to whatever Sabrina Stark writes next. Highly enjoyable.
By my reckoning, this is the last Bishop brother to find love. I for one will miss them very much. If Sabrina Stark decides to continue writing about the brothers, I will buy, buy, buy. This is the turn of Jaden Bishop and his PA Allie Brewster to find love. In many ways this is a classic enemies to lovers story. However, the enemy part is honestly more like banter and foreplay so the payoff isn't as drastic. Jaden isn't my favorite brother because he is so closed off. I would have loved to have seen a softer side that was only revealed right at the end. Allie is a great female lead who gives as good as she gets. She is loyal to a fault which is such an admiral quality. It was easy to see why Jaden fell for her. All in all, a solid 4 star love story. 💕 I look forward to whatever Sabrina Stark writes next. Highly enjoyable
Normally I don't like long books or slow burns because authors use way too many words to get there. They're either repetitive or have to give you descriptions of absolutely every outfit that every person is wearing. And I mean EVERY PERSON. The barista? Yup. The copy guy? Yup. Every office workers that enters the scene. Yup. Joe blow walking by on the street? Yup Yup yup. Or this type of scene "she had just taken a bite as I asked her the question so she held up a finger for me to wait a moment. She chewed her food then swallowed. Then she answered" So far I'm not seeing any of that AND the heroine is hilarious. I wish she'd throw a bit more smack down but I keep laughing so hard. I don't even mind that this book is just one person's POV
I do think there could be less words but overall I'm impressed. I just don't like that it seems all her books are LONG
I was given this complimentary ‘Arc’ copy for an impartial review and I actually couldn’t put this book down housework sleep and kids be damned I spent every spare minute I could delving into this absolutely brilliant book
It pulled me in from the start when Allie went on the hunt for her best friend who had left her a worrying voicemail making her believe her friend was in serious trouble but with what she didn’t know, she then encounters this annoying yet hot bloke who is winding her up and making her go mad with his blase attitude to the point that she actually looks like some crazy person Hilarious but well written this book had me laughing and crying and rooting for the perfect romance the whole way through
I had mixed feelings about this story...I wanted to like it because many funny things happen but overall I wasn't a fan.
Jaden is a bit of a jerk throughout the book. He comes around by the end in his own way, but I didn't really warm up to him.
Allie is a strong heroine but she makes a lot of ridiculous and naive decisions...sometimes it leads to funny results, but more often than not I just wanted to smack her.
Each chapter ends with a paragraph foreshadowing about the next chapter, which I thought was a little much at times.
Overall, it's readable. There are some steamy scenes and some funny scenes. But it wasn't my cup of tea.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
Format: Kindle Edition This is a good story with common problems/ emotions that couples face often. I love the dynamic between the main characters and the small things that add up to big moments. I didn't like the last sentence in nearly every chapter hinting at what's to come. I feel it broke up the flow of the story. It felt like the author was trying to give a little cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. Found myself rolling my eyes, often, due to that.
It was still a good read with an exciting story line, great characters, and just enough drama the keep you entertained. I hope to see more from author and will definitely be following. Great job and I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
I enjoyed this, but I love the loathing-to-love trope. You will enjoy this if you're a fan of the "old school" Harlequin romances, where it is one point of view and there is ZERO insight into the H's thoughts and motivations. I did not read the first book in the series, One good crash, so I felt like I was dropped into the middle of something confusing at first and didn't think I'd like it. Once I got past the first few chapters I was hooked! I really enjoyed the story and loved the little gifts they gave each other each week. I didn't connect with the other characters at all and have no desire to read the first book. That lack of character development beyond the mains made this a 4 instead of a 5 star- as well as quite a few editing mistakes large enough to make me stumble a few times.
This book just wasn't for me. It started straight off confusing. I even searched online to make sure there wasn't a book before this one that would explain things. I didn't care for the characters because I felt they were a bit too immature all the time. Some of the time is fine but it just went on and on. I normally hate leaving low star ratings on books but since I voluntarily read this book to give my honest opinion, that's just what I am doing. It seemed to drag on forever and I found I could barely stay focused on the story. If I had bought the book myself, I wouldn't have finished it. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
I honestly did not know how to write the review for this book.
I read a couple of chapters and put it down, thinking I might be having a bad day and should not take it out on the book. [I have both legs in plaster]
I tried to finish it. I really did and after three goes, just gave up.
This was one of the worst books I've ever read. The characters were unlikable, extremely immature, juvenile and grating. The day care children I have had in the past act and behaved better then this lot and that is really saying something.
If you are over 12, don’t bother
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book to review, all thoughts are my own.
I was torn between a 2.5 and a 3 but ultimately went with a 2.5. My main issue was the writing, it just felt like the writing I did and middle school and even my friend agreed with it. I just felt that the writing style took away from the story and if the writing style was better maybe I would of bumped it to a 3. Also, the characters, reading this book I didn’t mind them but after reading reviews, I realized that they were a bit childish in some ways. Also, the ending for me was just, too soon and I don’t really think it should of happened um yeah, didn’t really love it
When I first started reading this the interaction between the characters was kind of driving me nuts. I mean, who the heck acts that way? It was as if you were watching a bunch of toddlers throwing a temper tantrum. The characters were hard to like. Allie was the most difficult to like. I feel like she was a spoiled and self-centered girl with no appreciation for anything that Jaden had done for her. Her friend was also too whiny and annoying. The overall concept of the book was okay, I just had a hard time connecting to these characters at all. I did receive a free copy of this book, and this is my voluntary review.
Great new version of the Bishop Brothers I had already loved "One good crash" with the rather.... particular Bishop brothers ... .but having Allie's version is even better. She is definitely tougher than Cassidy, more unpredictable and more caustic, facing a Jaden who oscillates between the hero, the embittered and the annoying towards her. She is very often angry, irritated by all those around her who assault her for nothing, and despite her temper, she tries to stay calm while still supporting her friend Cassidy, the only person she trusts. This version is less tumultuous Cassidy's story, but more romantic and hotter too. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
This review took some time to think about. I really liked the main character and love interest. They were developed nicely and the book was a good length.
I did not fully enjoy the author’s writing style. Many of the chapters ended in a foreshadowing phrase like “I couldn’t believe what happened a week later” or something like “if I thought Jaden was mad about that, 3 days later it was even worse”. Most of those phrases seemed really unnecessary - like just filler. Not even chapter needs to end with sentence like that, you’ve already pulled me into the book!
Great enemies to lovers tale. Allie is jobless and boyfriend less when she answers a panic call from her best friend, Cassidy, and drives 10 hours to 'rescue' her. When she arrives, she encounters the Bishop brothers, Jax and Jaden and finds all is not as it seems. I loved the snarky banter between Allie and Jaden as he drives her totally bonkers with his attitude and personality, especially after she is employed as his PA. This is the 2nd book in a 'series' but is totally stand-alone. I will definitely be backtracking and reading Cassidy and Jax's story (the first book) as the reader is teased with glimpses of their romance as it overlaps Allie & Jaden's story.
One Bad Idea - sparking, argumentative, combative, charismatic.Allow dropped everything to save her
Allie drops everything, 'borrower's her ex's truck and drives from Nashville to Florida to rescue her best friend after receiving her distressing phone call. However when she gets to the address she doesn't see Cassie, instead she is met with an argumentative handsome man who insists that he doesn't know who her friend is. Allow is stressed, thirsty, hungry and broke so this argumentative man, Jaden, just pushed her over the edge. Their combative behaviour continues throughout, even though she works for him.
I enjoyed this book. Jaden however was a little more frustrating than the other brothers. You never really knew where he stood most of the time. Allie had great backbone and wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. There seemed to be very little interaction with the brothers even with Jaden and Jax living and working together. I wished there would have been more interaction with all of the brothers, but Jake was the only one mentioned. I hope the revelations made by Luna to Allie play out in a future book bring all of the brothers together.
I love the publisher’s tag line for Sabrina Stark’s One Bad Idea: “A Billionaire Loathing-to-Love Romance”. That’s a perfect description for Allie and Jaden’s story. This is most definitely a fun romp of a romance that hit more than one spot for a romance reader like me. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
Personal assistant Allie Brewster gets fired after a desperate call from her best friend Cassidy begging her to drive to Florida and pick her up. Cassidy saves the day and helps Allie land a dream job ... too bad her new boss is the handsome but insufferable Jaden Bishop. Allie can't stand Jaden but that doesn't stop her from wanting him, and the feeling's mutual. Allie and Jaden decide to get it out of their system but what if once isn't enough?
One Bad Idea is a funny, drama-filled and steamy story that's a fun read
I wondered why the intro page said average time to read a simple romance was approximately 7 hours. I soon found out. Well, not all that soon. I read to the 50% point, with never so much as a kiss, a steamy look, or a friendly word, between any combination of characters. Just childish foolishness and petty sniping between...well, pretty much everybody. It may get better. But for me, when I have an afternoon free to enjoy a romance, I would like to ENJOY a ROMANCE. If this actually IS a romance, it should have gotten there faster.