This is the third book Sometimes in love series. Once upon a Bad Boy is easy to read, a pager turner. It is a well written, entertaining and a good storyline. I thought Sadie and Bo was wonderful characters. I truly enjoyed reading this story.
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and St. Mark's Press.

Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson is the third steamy book in a series of stories about five friends, some since they were very young. Having read the first two books, I was looking forward to learning which remaining friend would be highlighted. This book focused on Sadie, the actress, and Bo, the stunt coordinator in her new blockbuster movie, also her friend turned boyfriend from when they were young children to teens. The two of them did not have an amicable breakup, so you know this reunion would not be a pretty one. I enjoyed the majority of this book, but had an issue toward the end with something that had happened in Sadie’s past that I felt was completely unnecessary to add to the story. I know the author used it as the drama of their relationship, but do not feel it fit the genre of this book. For me, bringing heavy topics into fun stories does not work, especially if I feel the author is doing it to add in a political stance, regardless of which side they may be on, just not something I care to read about in a book meant to be for enjoyment.

This book, featuring Sadie and Bo, was a friends to lovers, and a 2nd chance trope.
So it's over 10 years later where their paths cross unexpectedly, and their chemistry is even hotter now, than it was! I think Bo's tastes have made the Bad Boy better.
Now working with each other on a set, they thought they could be professional and discreet. That usually never works out, for anyone, so it brought a bit of drama and angst into play, along with secrets.
It was a good story. Maybe a bit predictable in certain aspects, but still likeable as both mains had a wicked sense of humor that had me chuckling or full out laughing. A lot of new characters, plus appearances by some we'd met in the earlier journeys, all meshed rather well.
I felt a shift! The focus had changed. This wasn't as light as it'd been, and there was controversy over real issues, I feel that aren't nearly so clear cut nor easily dealt with.
Emotional overload then an HEA that came a bit too pat, but still gave me that happy sigh!
Looking forward to the next one, hoping it's Ana!
I received an advance copy thru NetGalley and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.

Once A Upon A Bad Boy is the third installment of the Sometimes in Love Series by Melonie Johnson. I have been lucky to have read the first two and this newest story Sadie and Bo is just as terrific if not better. Bo and Sadie have been longtime friends and previous lovers. They met as kids when Sadie would spend summers with her grandmother on her estate north of Chicago. Bo’s family lived and still live on the estate taking care of the horses and property. Sadie and Bo have not seen each other for over a decade when they are thrust together while Sadie is filming her new movie. Bo is the stunt coordinator for the film. As they struggle with their still smoldering attraction to each other they must contend with remaining professional while on set. Someone has been sabotaging Sadie’s reputation by releasing untrue and inappropriate stories about Sadie on the internet. Both, Bo and Sadie are keeping secrets from the other that stem from their teenage years and choices they made as teens. When the threats to Sadie and Bo’s career escalate each are again faced with new choices that can affect their futures. Will they share those secrets? Will those secrets tear them apart or has fate brought them back together for a second chance? This story is more emotional than the first two but in such a way that it will tug at your heart. I felt so much for these two even shed a few tears before reaching the conclusion. A great summer read. I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Totally recommend Once Upon A Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson.

I opened this third book with such high expectations. I loved the first two books of the series, but I dragged my behind through this book. I simply could not concentrate long enough to enjoy this.


WARNING: SPOILERS...SERIOUSLY, STOP READING!




The good: What did I like about this book? The way Ms. Johnson handled the sticky issue of abortion. It was done in a compassionate, not sensationalized manner. Sadie's character had a good character arc and growth.
The depiction of the relationship between Sadie and her nana.



What did I not enjoy? Let me point out the obvious: Why in God's name Bo's last name would be Ibarra if his dad is Irish. He would be Bo Maguire, not Bo Ibarra and yet there are multiple mentions ( Chapters 2,4 and 5) Bo with this name configuration. Errors like these are distracting and can derail the reader experience.

Secondly, it's very doubtful that there would be all this mention of "mamá" and of these smattering of Spanish words. Why? Because due to the way Hispanics are treated, most Hispanic moms would not emphasize their heritage to help their children fit in and avoid being singled out and attacked with racial slurs. Also, Bo's dad is Irish. That would "water down" this behavior considerably. Thirdly, Sadie's nickname would have been "Abejita", not "Abeja". Nicknames in Spanish are used in diminutive form. Never in the history of cute nicknames has a nickname in Spanish has not been given that treatment.

And Fourthly, Bo's mother is a veterinarian. Why would she not go back to work when Bo's dad had the accident to support her family? That's what any Hispanic woman would have done.

I ask every author out there that before they attempt to write a book that includes a person of color, they do research and actually communicate with someone FROM said race ( preferable people that actually has a life similar to your character so that you can write an accurate depiction)

Once Upon a Bad Boy (Sometimes in Love, #3) by Melonie Johnson This is the third book in the SOMETIMES IN LOVE SERIES... Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview and review this book. This a wonderful second chance romance .. Bo and Sadie friends from an early age, then lovers in their teens... they are from different worlds ...hers money his not... there is laughter, tears, angst, finding each other again and then almost losing each other again... They are fun times with old friends from the first two book (but this can be read as a stand alone), also plenty of steam all getting us to a very HEA.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining Wonderful characters Realistic Romantic Easy-to-read Great world building Page-turner Steamy Happily Ever After Funny

JANEANE

This is the 3rd book in the Sometimes In Love series, however it could be read as a standalone - and to me, most the time reading I forgot there were 2 books before this one!

This is a lovely second chance romance - I mean, most of us love one of them, don't we?

Childhood friendships, firsts for everything, first heartbreaks.

At different times throughout the book, I disliked both Sadie and Bo, however as the story progressed I got over that. They both have such different outlooks on what caused them to be apart, you can't help but understand their feelings.

And oh those feelings - there is still that spark between them that has never dimmed.

I did like the little glimpses of the couples from the first two books, however liked that that they were not a big part in this story, as Bo and Sadie needed all the time to get their sh!t together.

Sweet, sexy and emotional, I think this is my favourite of the three books so far.

Now I need Ava and Delancey's story ASAP.

Oh, and I need a doughnut!


BIANCA

Sadie & Bo.

I really liked it! It was an adorable and sweet and funny
Hollywood-in-Chicago-Second-Chance-Romance!

Lots of cute and romantic moments. Some heartbreaking and sad moments. Lots of family and friends moments.
I really adored Bo and Sadie - plus all the others. Like the girls from the previous books and Sadie's bestie Ana and her co-star Ryan. Great cast. Great book.

I wouldn't mind seeing this series on tv one day!

Like with the first books, I've had problems with some of the writing. Melonie uses those weirdly constructed sentences a lot. It probably has an official grammatical name.
I don't like it at all - no idea why.
Examples - I don't have my kindle here right now - I highlighted some. But I think I can create some of my own ... let me think ... A german girl, Bianca has problems understanding this sh*t. / An artist, he never had enough money for food.

Know what I mean????? So weird!

This 3rd book in the Sometimes in Love Series by Romance Author Melonie Johnson is a great read! I loved this well written second-chance love story about Sadie and Bo! I love everything about this one from how they ended up working together to the secrets that were unveiled. There was a bit of everything wonderful in this one from the small town, the cowboy, the family history, the movie-star, the whole thing! I would easily recommend this one and even though it is the 3rd in the series, it could be a standalone (Although you should just read all three of these in order because they are all great…LOL). The author writes a well-flowing storyline and the characters are fantastic. Highly recommend this at 4.5 stars!

I enjoyed this book......goes right along with the first two. This one is fast paced and I really enjoyed getting to know Bo and Sadie.....and who doesn’t love a second chance romance. These two belonged together and I’m glad they found their way back to each other.

I really loved the main characters, Sadie and Bo; and their shared history in this story. I have read the first 2 books in this series and you only get a superficial take on Sadie. I loved that we learn all about her history and the "here & now". I applaud the author for making our heroine the star in an action/adventure movie (based on book, of course).

Without giving away too much of the story, let's just say that Sadie's past (Bo) comes face-to-face with her at the onset of the action/adventure movie that she has been training for over the past few months to get in shape for the character and be able to do some of her own stunts. She feels that this movie will make or break her career and is thrilled that the producer is taking a chance on a former Soap Opera star. She never, ever, thought she would see Bo again after he broke up with her at her senior prom.

This is a second chance love story and I like this story the best out of the first 3 in this series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next story!!!

Never say never when it comes to love.
This is a can't put down second chances romance. This couple has known each other from childhood.
Sadie’s pampered and privileged upbringing and Bo’s childhood in a family struggling to make ends meet is in the past but it's a major part of the problem.
Will Sadie admit to her well kept secret and if she does will Bo ever forgive her?
This series has been an unbelievably good one. I generally enjoy historical settings more than contemporary ones but I have made an exception with this series. I gave this book 4.4 of 5.0 stars for plot and storyline. It is a sexy well written book and is a standalone title.
I received a complimentary copy to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I've had the pleasure of reading all three novels in this series, and must say that Melonie Johnson knows how to reliably delight her readers! The premise of Once Upon a Bad Boy is intriguing...Childhood friends from different worlds who are brought together again by fate as adults. Sadie's star is rising as an actress, and Bo is a stunt man hoping to take over a company he helped build from the ground up.

Their shared past makes the reignition of their relationship unique. They know each other, but a decade of no contact means they have evolved as people and have to rediscover who they are as a couple. One of the strongest features of this book for me, and Melonie Johnson's writing more particularly, is that she adeptly tackles sensitive subjects without making the story heavy or being preachy. For example, Sadie is of Jewish descent, and Bo's family is Latino. This kind of diversity of background subtly adds depth to the story.

There are two areas where I can see room for improvement. First, there could be more emotional angst and incidents that give the characters the opportunity to deepen their connection. Secondly, I don't love the title, mostly because Bo isn't much of a bad boy. Yes, he has tattoos and rides a motorcycle, but he's not edgy or mercurial. Bo is kind, thoughtful, patient, s-s-s-sexy and loving.

This novel is a solid addition to the series. I loved the revelations about both Sadie and Bo's insecurities, and how they work through the inevitable rough patches. The supporting characters make the book shine too! You'll want to hug Nana!
*I received this ARC from NetGalley, and this is my honest review. Thanks for the opportunity to enjoy this special book.*

Sadie and Bo unexpectedly reunite after many years apart. We met Sadie in the previous 2 books in the series. This book takes to Chicago to make an action film. Sadie has been working hard to prove herself in Hollywood. Bo has been working on stunts. The 2 unite and Sparta fly. Give this one a read and the previous two.

A soap opera star finally gets her big break as a movie star, when her teenage boyfriend that mysteriously broke things off turns out to be the stunt director on the movie. Cue drama.

It’s a cute premise and I like that the break-up obviously stemmed from a misunderstanding or poor communication. It was well-written, the dialogue flowed nicely and most characters were solidly developed. Most.

Sadie was a lovely character, and it was really easy to pick up on her personality, her feelings and her past. Ana, Ryan, the list goes on.

But Bo… the only scene where I actually felt close to liking him as a character was when he was around his family. He’s a very man-pain-y character (forced to work his way up in the world; girlfriend didn’t pine for him for a decade; etc.), but he doesn’t seem to recognise his man-pain. This character trait might work for other readers, but that just doesn’t appeal to me.

I really didn’t feel the romance in this. If anything, I found it pretty repulsive. I accept that that may have been because of my dislike of Bo, but it just felt like as a reader I was missing a connection to the romance. There was no development, it was just a jump back into old feelings that we hadn’t seen ourselves.

This wasn’t awful and I’d give another book by this author a read, but it just wasn’t for me.

Mercedes Goldovitz, better known by her television stage name, Sadie Gold, has landed a leading role in a new action film called Fair is Fair. She’s poured her heart, soul and ripped abs into preparing for this physically demanding role. It’s a break that could seriously boost her acting career and her movie cred. Of course, the tabloids will say her success is merely the result of her father’s money. This is her chance to prove them wrong.
Bo Ibarra co-owns a movie stunt company, Windy City Stunts. He has been hired as the film’s stunt coordinator, choreographing the high impact fight scenes. This film is a big opportunity for Bo as well. It’s his most high-profile project yet. He’s come a long way from his days working as a stable hand in the Goldovitz’s horse barn, and this is his chance to prove to his aging partner that he’s ready to run the business on his own.
Both Sadie and Bo are prepared for their respective challenges, except for one teeny distraction. They have history. It’s been over ten years since their unexplained breakup, but smoldering feelings remain. And now that fate has brought them together again, can they keep it professional, ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room? Or could this be a second chance for them…or just more tabloid fodder?
Book #3 of Johnson’s Sometimes in Love series reads like a movie romantic comedy in print. Like the first two books in this series, Johnson’s writing is crisp, fresh and witty. Her diverse cast of entertaining characters provides a mixture of humor, drama, conflict and a healthy dose of hotness. Reader, get ready for lights, camera, and lots of action!

My favourite book by Melonie Johnson so far!!!
Wow this book made my heart sing!!!
Sadie comes from money and land, Bo's family on the other hand works on Sadie's grandmother's land. These two spark up an amazing friendship! They soon become childhood sweethearts, the adventures and love they shared is just WOW!! Breathtaking!
Eleven years has past, while Sadie is working on her new role in a movie, who is her stunt coordinator! Bo! After eleven years they have a lot of unfinished business they need to sort out! Secrets unfold and they are faced with many challenges, however one thing is for certain, the chemistry and love they once shared is still as strong as ever!
This book is a real page turner!! I can't wait to reread it again!! Highly recommend!!

Ahhh this is now my favourite book of this series! I don’t normally love second chance romances but this one was absolutely fantastic! Super hot chemistry, the perfect amount of drama and some humour thrown in, this book was impossible to put down! Loved everything about it!

I loved the first two books but this one was just okay to me. I didn’t connect as well with the characters like the first two. Third in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. I found myself skimming a bit at times. I still liked it but just not as much of a compelling read as I’m used to with the author.

This is a book about fate giving a couple a second chance. Since Sadie and Bo had last seen each other their lives had gone in separate directions and yet the direction ultimately brought them back to each other. Sadie was starring in her first big feature film and was shocked to see her first love, Bo, on the set. They were both secretly thrilled to see each other but didn't want to show it because they were both there to work. Their feelings for each other were eventually to hard to hide so they decided to explore the opportunity of a second chance. This is the third book of a series but can definitely be read as a stand alone book. I felt the story was a little slow in the middle but overall was a great read. Overall, I enjoyed it and left me hoping there will be more books in the series. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to read an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I adored the previous two books in the series. I couldn't wait to devour this one too. I liked the second chance love aspect of the novel while the characters were also trying to resolve their own demons from their previous relationship failure. I received this book from the publisher and I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it. 

Sadie finally has her big break! She's the leading actress in an action movie. She's been working hard from her diet restrictions to  intense workout schedule. It's all going to pay off. 

On the day of the script read through she meets the stunt coordinator, Bo. Her ex. Not just any ex. The one who got away. Her first love. Her first everything. The man she compares all others to. None of that matters, she has a job to do and she's going to nail this role. It doesn't matter that his looks still make her skin tingle and his touch completely melts her. It doesn't help that he has to coach her on how to fall and jump through a window. The only thoughts that keep running through her mind is how she fast she can strip him out of his clothes. Anna, her best friend is no help. Her bestie encourages her to go after the studly coordinator who turned in a horse for a motorcycle. He looks sexy on both. If she rekindles her relationship with him, how will that effect her job? If the media or the studio found out, she would be crucified.She can't deny her feelings for him.

Bo has a chance of a lifetime. He's the lead stunt coordinator. Not assisting. Not his business partner taking over halfway. From beginning to end, this movie is all him. If he can pull it off, he can take full possession of the business he started with Vic. He knew working with Sadie was going to be a challenge. He didn't realize how much he still loved her. Or how quickly he fell back in love with her. He can't get involved with the lead or his business will suffer. Not to mention what the media will do to her. It's hard to keep his hands to himself around her. It doesn't help that the paparazzi dug up information about Sadie that he never knew about. This information could destroy them. Why would Sadie hide that from him? What else is she hiding? Can he get over her betrayal?