Sadie Gold is out to prove herself as a serious actress with her first big blockbuster movie. She's leaving behind her role as a spoiled girl on a soap opera, starring with the romance novel equivalent of Chris Pratt, working out constantly and not at all prepared to run into her childhood sweetheart on the first day of filming.

Bo is a stunt coordinator and the man who broke her heart 11 years before. Can they start over with all the secrets and walls they've built up?

I enjoy this series, but I didn't connect as much to this story because the reaction Bo had to the secret Sadie was hiding bothered me. Overall still worth reading, but it took me out of the story and my appreciation for him as a hero.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Johnson's third novel features a couple that must come back together and overcome their past. I found this novel to be filled with more angst than the previous two, which were more humorous in their execution. It was still a good novel, but I wish it had been more in the vein of her previous work.

4 star review Once Upon A Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson
 
A second chance at love story that was enjoyable. Sadie Gold has never forgotten her first love, the man who broke her heart and walked away, Bo Ibarra.

Fast forward years and she comes face to face with Bo again as he is the man in charge of training her for latest role; he needs this job to be a success so that his partner will retire.

The chemistry between them is still as strong as ever. However the issues that pulled them apart still lies between them. Sadie cane from a life of privilege while Bo had to fight tooth and nail for everything.

Can Bo and Sadie forgive the hurts and heartaches of the past and in doing so forge a path to happiness together? When secrets are revealed will it make or break them forever?

Bo and Sadie’s recollections and memories add to the enjoyment. Once Upon A Bad Boy was a sweet romantic read.

I received an ARC through the publisher via NetGalley.

Melonie Johnson is becoming one of my favorite new contemporary writers this year. Once Upon A Bad Boy is a story about Sadie, the beautiful actress who was just good enough for soaps but nothing award winning, and Bo, the bad boy who was always getting into trouble and had a bad reputation. Sadie finally lands the dream role in a big movie to play a fighter. She’s got the main character and is able to do the table reads and has been training like a warrior for the role. Bo is brought in to help with the film. He’s the stunt coordinator and it’s obvious they have a past. He broke her heart . Can Sadie let it go and work with him cause this is her big break? Will he be able to work with her since he still has feelings for her? Can they get over all the tabloids, rumors, lies, and the pain that they have shared together? I love this series that Melonie Johnson has written and if you love second chance romances you will too. These two will keep you on your toes.

I really wanted to like these novels...I love travel and romance and I felt this had such potential. Unfortunately, I just could not get into the plot and found Johnson’s writing style to be unable to hold my attention. This book was a DNF for me.

Once Upon a Bad Boy is the deepest and richest of the series by Melonie Johnson to date especially in the area of character development. The first book was sassy and fun, the second a look at personal ethics and this one a study of perspective over time. Truly an author who is coming into her own. She is going to set the standard for those who also write young thirties romance.
A second chance romance where Sadie and Bo are now mature enough and ready for the serious relationship that they deserve. A well-written romance where characters have flaws but also heart.

In the 3rd book of the Sometimes in Love series by Melonie Johnson, Once Upon a Bad Boy talks about Sadie and Bo. I enjoyed this one more than the others, but I really connected to what went on between Sadie and Bo.

Sadie is an actress who broke past her fifteen minutes of fame. But she wants to shake her reputation as a pretty face with money and connections and prove that she can stand on her own. When she signs on for an adventure film, it is more than just an adventure of a lifetime. Bo is the opposite of Sadie, but has lived through the worst with her. Knowing Sadie from his past, Bo has to endure working with her on set everyday. He has secrets, as well as she, and together they must unravel them together.

Sadie’s inner monologue was a voice that I really got to know well. I connected to her more than the other ladies of this series. There is something to have to prove over and over again without any real progress. She worked hard, and she seemed earnest so that made me really want to get to know her. Bo was someone that I enjoyed from the beginning. He’s broody in a way that most males in romances are. He was familiar in a specific sort of way.

Together, I enjoyed them. There was just a bit of angst in this rekindled relationship. I enjoyed their secrets, but most importantly, I really enjoyed how they got through their hardships.

Overall, I enjoyed this, and the series. Looking forward to more from Melonie Johnson!

*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.*

While I still liked this book, it was probably my least favorite of Melonie's Johnson's Sometimes in Love series. I think I enjoyed the first 2 books because they most took place in a foreign country (Scotland and England) and this one is set in Chicago and the countryside near Chicago. I enjoyed the rekindled first-love storyline, but something just fell flat for me and I can't quite put my finger on it.

Your first love will be one you will never forget. Sometimes it cages you in and changes you in ways that you never expect. Shutting off your feelings becuase you never want to feel that kind of pain can sometimes darken you views on life. Second chances truly show how love is worth fighting for. This was an amazing read, one you need to pickup and enjoy. The characters are easy to relate to and the plot is something we can all connect with.

I loved Sadie and Bo's story - it was heartwarming and a perfect example of how first loves can turn into second chances and actually work out in the end. There was just the right amount of angst, tension and of course, romance. Melonie just writes such swoon worthy couples - you are always left with wanting more. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. This was the second chance story of Sadie and Bo, who met as children on Sadie's grandmother's estate, where Bo's family managed her stables. They only had eyes for each other and started dating in high school, only to have a dramatic breakup and never see each other again. Now, they're meeting again by chance at 29 and 30.

There is a social class issue in Bo's eyes due to his family's perceived status, and a secret that Sadie hasn't shared with Bo from their time together. A secret that's dragged out wayyyy too long in my opinion. It was very clear to the reader what this secret was through most of the book, but we don't actually find out what it is until about 90% in when Bo learns it as well. That's too long to walk around this thing - the readers aren't stupid. Sure, don't clue Bo in, but give your readers a little more credit than that.

In the end, I just didn’t feel much for these characters. They kept secrets for way too long and ignored pretty important problems and gaps in their relationship. There were a lot of plot “twists” that seemed to be thrown in just to have a plot. Some were underwhelming and some were just tedious. I enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this one fell a little flat for me.

Sadie will crawl into your heart. She comes from wealth but she wants to earn her place in the acting world. She trains physically for her dream role. She keeps her life compartmentalized but the lids are going to come off. Her old boyfriend is the stunt coordinator on this film. He knows all her weaknesses and how to push her. Truth or dare never sounded like so much fun. Until the final lid comes off and all reasons for the break-up come out. Can they put that all in the past? It seems that family and friends want to help them. Will they have the courage to follow their hearts.

I am a sucker for a good second chance romance. The history of the couple, the reason for splitting... all the things that impact them coming back together. And where I enjoyed Sadie and Bo finding their long overdo happily ever after, I struggled to understand why Bo actually left Sadie in the first place.
Yes they were from different worlds, but Bo didn’t seem to come across as on to walk away from something (or someone) he really wanted.
All together, the story was very enjoyable. It touched on some sensitive subjects and they were handled with absolute care.
Thank you for allowing me to read the ARC for your new release.

This was a very sweet second chance romance between Sadie and Bo who knew each other since they were very young, and I quite liked that because besides their attraction and chemistry they had that friendship and bond between them that they formed from growing up together. The last time they saw each other was 11 years ago when Bo broke things off with Sadie but now destiy has brought them together again and those feelings between them arise again but they'll have to face secrets and issues to overcome if they want a shot at a future together.

Overall this is a very enjoyable story, I did have some issues with Sadie and Bo at times, how they acted or some decisions they made but it didn't deter me from stop reading and I was rooting for them to get their HEA and I'm certainly looking forward to reading more from this author.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to read the first 3 books in this series via Netgalley as they have all been enjoyable! While Bo wasn’t quite strong enough to knock Theo out of his top spot on my ranking of the 3 heroes involved, he is a pretty strong contender with Logan…even without a kilt! Unlike the first 2 books in the series, this is a second chance romance story so the emotional feels were strong to start.

Sadie and Bo were childhood friends that grew into a relationship as teenagers until the night of her senior prom when Bo breaks up with her all of a sudden, with no explanation. Sadie was from a rich family and Bo’s father worked as the stable manager for her grandmother and it’s this disparity that led Bo to break things off, though she never knew the real impetus behind his action. They have not seen each other in 11 years until the day Sadie shows up for the table read on her first starring role in a movie and is shocked to find that Bo is the stunt coordinator on set. Of course the meeting is awkward already, on top of the fact that he initially thinks she has something going on with her co-star Ryan. (Note-the vagina/donut metaphors killed me!) However this movie is a big career step for both of them, so they are determined to do whatever they have to in order to work together.

As expected, It doesn’t take long before the sparks are flying between them again and they are both forced to confront the demons of their shared past together in order to find their HEA. The range of emotions they go through are so well communicated to the reader that you can’t help but cheer for them! While each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone, there are mentions of the couples from the previous 2 books which are always fun along with the rest of Sadie’s friends…including Ana who is probably my favorite of the group! I’m just really hoping the next book in the series is hers because I can’t wait to get her POV on life, love and donuts!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read this early!

You cannot go wrong with the novels in Melonie Johnson’s Sometimes in Love series. Every book is an enjoyable and quick read. Once Upon a Bad Boy is another great addition to this series with this second chance romance.

Sadie and Bo took me on an emotionally intense, sexy, amazing second-chance romance ride. These two met as kids and spent summers together when Sadie was dropped off at her grandmother’s estate. Bo’s father managed the horses so he lived on the property. Their chemistry is fabulous and they found love at a young age but then Bo broke it off and shattered Sadie’s heart. She went on to pursue her dream of being an actress and her first big part finds her smack dab in Bo’s orbit for the first time in 10 years. Bo is a stunt coordinator and working on the new movie is a big break for him to make the move to own the business. Seeing Sadie again after all these years shakes him but he has to be professional and do his job. As they find a way to work together, the old flames come to life and their chemistry can’t be stopped but can old hurts be healed? The road to love is never easy and these two have a lot to share and forgive before true happiness can be claimed. Will they have the courage to take that chance? I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Sadie Gold has finally won her dream role. The movie she is about to star in will really make her a true star. However, being trained by stunt coordinator Bo Ibarra will not come easy. Bo is Sadie's ex, the man who stole her heart, then left. Working with Bo certainly will not be easy for Sadie, but needs must.

Bo is quite a good man. He didn't come from much at all, but has built up a wonderful stunt business. His work is highly recognized. When Bo's past is considered, it makes it clearer to Sadie why their relationship did not work before. Is there a chance now?

Second chance romances are kind of my hidden love. To see a couple clearly meant for each other but driven apart by problems, and to see whether or not they can work things out is always rewarding. In Once Upon a Bad Boy we got to see the man Bo has become. This is the third book in the Sometimes in Love series. I enjoyed all of the stories so far and look forward to more by Melonie Johnson. I have loved each couple and think that this is a very strong series.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to be reviewed in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am really enjoying getting to see this group of fabulous women find their HEAs. Book after book in this series has been a solid read for me, but I think Once Upon a Bad Boy was my favorite.

Sadie and Bo, more or less, grew up together. Those summers at her grandmother's estate were the highlight of Sadie's life. There, a friendship was born, which grew into her "epic love". It was at the estate that Sadie experienced so many beautiful and amazing firsts, and she was lucky enough to share them with Bo. On her prom night, it all came to an end, when Bo suddenly broke it off with her. After a decade, the universe brought them back together, when Bo was hired as the stunt coordinator for Sadie's first film. The sparks, the heat, the feelings were all still there, but would these two be able to overlook the past and make a future together?

Sadie and Bo were so perfect together! I loved the chemistry and the challenges they constantly put before each other. I had the privilege of sharing pieces of their past, while watching them attempt to build a future together, and it was simply wonderful! They both had some aches, pains, and baggage they needed to deal with before they could really make take advantage of this second chance the universe was giving them. It was not always easy to watch them navigating the path back to each other, but I loved every second of it!

Other things of note:

• Sadie's grandmother was a queen among women. I adored her, and was very touched by her relationship with her granddaughter.

• These two had some cool jobs - stunt coordinator and movie actress. It was fun being on the set with them, and I liked that Johnson threw in some entertainment industry type drama.

• Bo's nephew was too adorable. I adored meeting him.

• Being on the movie set was fun, but I also thought the estate was fantastic. It sounded like a really beautiful place, which was only made more lovely, when Sadie or Bo shared the memories they had attached to the place.

• Bo's tattoos. My heart melted, when we got to "see" those.

• This whole series is based around this group of five friends, and I love a good female friendship. I spent the most time with Ana, but did get some page time with the entire gang, which is always a good time.

• Johnson writes very pro-women books. In each book, she touches upon something affecting women, either the exclusion of them, the diminishing of their rights, or the double standard society has, when it comes to women. I likes that she works those ideas into her stories, and it was done, quite thoughtfully in this book.

• The ending! So good!

Overall: A fantastic second chance romance between two people, who were destined to be together. It made me laugh, cry, smile, and swoon.