Brewing Up a Bad Boy is the third book in Katherine’s series. This is a stand alone book you do not need to read the other books. However, it will help with getting to know the dynamics of the other characters. Poppy and Alistair are ex’s who were in a marriage that was more a business deal for him so he could move up in the family business. When Poppy realizes that it wasn’t the marriage she wanted she got out of it and started a new life for herself in Maine. fast forward almost a decade and Alistair is back trying to convince Poppy to give him another chance. Lots of unraveling mysteries and fun in this one as the two of them give it a second chance!

The vibes of this book were fun and perfect for fall. If you like the tropes of found family, sisterhood, and witchy vibes I think you’ll like this book!

I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the two other stand alones previous in the series. I feel like I didn’t know the cast of side characters as well as I should have to enjoy it fully.

This is a second chance romance between Poppy and Alistair over a year after their divorce. I liked their niche interest in the brewing business and how they were able to bond again over it. I will admit that second chance romance isn’t my favorite trope. These characters were okay, and didn’t stand out to me all that much, but I still overall enjoyed reading it!

Thank you Afterglow books by Harlequin and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.

Fave Quotes:

“What did it say about him that he was only just now considering the possibility that she had moved on? Of course she had. They were divorced. He’d hooked up, why shouldn’t she?”

“He had said the right words for the wrong reasons. Told a woman he hadn’t really taken the time to get to know that he loved her. Then tried to mold her into the wife his family wanted him to have.”

“Maybe I can stop apologizing for the past that I can’t change, and you could stop looking at me like I’m going to hurt you again.”

“They’d been kids when they got married, so their influence on each other was written on the souls of the people they were today.”

“She was what had been missing. Not the Poppy who married him at eighteen, but the woman she was now.”

“Moon fairy. I’m not sure I can live without you.”

To be honest, I struggled with this book. I am currently 6% in, but there are a few things that are tripping me up:
1. Deception — The title is somewhat misleading; technically it makes perfect sense, but this is her ex and he is trying to be a reformed ”bad boy”
2. Plot — I anticipated this book to be about two Brewers who come from different worlds in the industry, but start to discover new things about themselves through each other. However, this seems like a revenge plot, fake relationship, exes to lovers again story.
3. Relationship dynamic — personally, it is tough for me to read about a woman who has been taken advantage of in a relationship after being misled. Then to discover that she is going to help him….and he’s still not completely upfront with how her going along with his plot helps him too? I don’t like it.

At this point, his actions feel like lies of omission & more manipulation. Meanwhile, she is still infatuated with him, wants to be with him physically, and this combination has all the makings for another fall. I don’t see her being vengeful enough to carry out the plan she has to embarrass him.

So I think I struggled to connect with this book because of the above. Regardless, I tried to get with it, but the writing didn’t really draw me in. Being inside of the guys head was not interesting for me, and I didn’t relate to his frequently mentioned anger issues.

Then the dialogue between the two characters is very straightforward. There isn’t much elaboration regarding what’s going on in their minds — how their pasts color their current views of each other — what deeper emotions (must) exist to compel them to consider working together again.

From my perspective, with the way their story is told at the beginning, it makes no sense for her character to even consider this plot or being with him again. So I didn’t really want to find out what happened next.

I recently finished the first two books of the WiCKed Sisters, so I was excited to start this one. One of my favorite tropes is second chance romances-although I haven't really read many about ex-spouses. Poppy is left confused when her ex-husband, Alistair, turns up in her life once again. This time he has a proposition-pretend their still married in exchange for a business deal with his family.

Poppy and Alistair's marriage may have failed (well, their whole relationship may have started due to wrong reasons) but their feelings for each other were real. Alistair is determined to make right his wrongs and prove to Poppy that he is a changed man. Of course, this leaves Poppy confused because after all these years, Alistair still has the same effect on her. Good thing she has her sisters support!

> Ex-spouses
> Second chance
> Fake dating
> Sisterhood

This whole series was just a feel-good series, and I definitely grew attached to the characters. Sad to see this end, but now there's a whole series a reader can binge!

I’m so sad to see this series end! Love a bit of witch in my romances! So glad I met these characters! Cants wait to see what Ms. Garbera comes up with for us next!!

I think I should have made it a point to read the other books in the series?
The characters seemed flat to me and the pacing was too rushed for my liking. I didn't "get" anything out of the characters and I wasn't particularly invested.
It is a rather short book and I made it through quickly- I just didn't enjoy it.

Brewing Up A Bad Boy by Katherine Garbera offers a cozy second-chance romance with just the right dash of witchy vibes. I jumped into this one without reading the first two books in the series, and it worked perfectly fine as a stand-alone. The magical elements give it a charming, autumnal feel, and the romance brings a satisfying mix of tension and sweetness.

While the characters didn’t blow me away, they were likable enough, and the story hit the right notes for an easy, lighthearted read. If you're looking for something to cleanse your palate between heavier books.

Many thanks to Katherine Garbera, SAfterglow Books by Harlequin, and NetGalley for the eARC of "Brewing Up A Bad Boy." The book will be available for purchase on January 21st, 2025.

This book was so cute! I have been looking forward to reading this book since I heard about it and I am so glad I got to read it early! I would highly recommend this book!

Katherine Garbera truly saved the best for last!!

Brewing Up A Bad Boy is the long-awaited, heart-stealing story we've all been craving! At last, Poppy takes center stage, and her journey to a second-chance romance is nothing short of epic. After having her heart shattered by Alistair, she bravely opens herself up to reconnect with the man who once broke her. But now, they're both in new phases of their lives, and watching their chemistry reignite is a pure delight—full of sweetness, charm, and just the right amount of spice! This might just be my favorite in the series, but regardless, Poppy’s happily ever after was well worth the wait.

At its core, this story is about healing. Katherine Garbera masterfully tackles the weighty themes of personal growth, forgiveness, and the powerful journey of moving forward for your own sake. It packs a real emotional punch while delivering a delicious love story. But beyond the romance, what makes this book stand out is the heartwarming bond between Poppy and her sisters, Liberty and Sera. The strength of their sisterhood has been a constant throughout the series, and it’s a huge part of what kept me coming back. Those moments are powerful and truly touching.

And let’s not forget—Garbera cranks up the heat in this one! If you're a fan of steamy, angst-filled moments that build into fiery passion, you're going to love this book. So, don’t wait—grab your copy and dive into the final chapter of the WICKed Sisters series. You won’t want to miss it!

What a fun, sexy book! I loved Poppy and Alistair's second chance romance story. I'd been wanting to read it since I read the first two in the series and it was everything I hoped for. I thought it was a little witchier than the first two and loved that. Also enjoyed the tea and beer brewing parts. Loved the ending. All around great book!

It might be because I didn't read the other two in this series but it just wasn't for me. The pace seemed super rushed and I absolutely hated the miscommunication at the very end of the book - I'm always amazed when grown adults have very silly/petty miscommunication. This fell flat for me - characters didn't have much depth and the plot seemed so.... blah.

This book was a final way to tie up the loose ends in the series. I did enjoy the tying of Sera, Liberty and our final main character Poppy. The plot of the story was just okay and it felt like a repeat of the last two stories. The story line was predictable and I can not stand a mis-communication in the last 8 pages of the book. Overall the epilogue tied up their stories nicely.

5 *****

I really enjoyed this book, and only belatedly realized it’s the third in a series, and now I’m going to “have to” read the earlier two to learn the history of the other two business partners, because I enjoyed this book and trust I will enjoy the other two as well.

Characterization was good – those other two were well enough drawn in this book for me to enjoy them and I never felt I was missing important information by not having read their stories first.

This is a second-chance romance and very well done. The backstory and their conflicts were brought in when relevant, no giant backstory dump. And the author did a great job portraying both their external and internal responses to each other and to others in their respective communities.

The contrast between all that and the language and specificity in the sex scenes was a little jarring. It was a stark (no pun intended) contrast.

This was a well characterized story with good pacing and I cared about this couple and their family and friends. As I said, I will go back now and read the books of the other two co-owners of the business.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Afterglow (Harlequin) for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet and fun and light read. Yes spicy and Poppy was my favorite! A tea shop! How fun and cozy. Loved it. Will look for more by Katherine.

This one wasn't for me. I wasn't really able to connect with the characters or the plot. The pacing felt rushed as well. A quick and cozy read though!

Book 3 of WiCKed Sisters was my favorite. There's just something about a redeemed bad boy that get to me. Katherine Garbera should be extremely proud of her ability to write characters who believably fall in love.

Thank you to Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

loved poppy and al and coming together for a wedding . I loved that they pretended to be married and slowly fell back in love. He found what he loves and made changes to himself and really listened to her.

Fun, lighthearted read! Easy ‘out of a slump’ book
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Full disclosure: didn’t finish BUT rating it at 45% *because* liking it has made me want to go and read one of the books I’m missing! I’ve been lucky to have read 2/3 through ARC and now that I’m realizing this is it… I kinda wanna go back! So, I will be back with my updates but I mean…. I’ve genuinely enjoyed this series and me stopping to go back I see as a sign of how cute it is.

It’s not too serious and it’s something that goes by really quick, which I personally love for in between longer novela

This was a sweet and spicy second chance romance that was heavy on the chemistry. I loved every part of this book- the banter, the snark, the tea, the brewing, everything!

Brewing Up a Bad Boy by Katherine Garbera is a sweet and spicy small-town romance. Poppy, a tea shop owner, finds herself in a fake marriage with her ex-husband's charming cousin, Alistair. Their forced proximity leads to unexpected sparks and a whole lot of fun