-If you’re anything like me, a book has to get me hooked in on the first chapter or else I won’t read it. Unfortunately, this book did not do that so I kind of put it off a little bit. But finally, I decided to power through it and it wasn’t until the fourth chapter that I really got hooked. And I’m so glad I got there because this book is good!
-I love the pacing of Ben and Sadie’s relationship and how fast it moves. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t like slow burns or all the BS that comes before the MC‘s get together lol. But I do think the overall pacing of the storyline could have been slowed down a bit and not as rushed.
-I really liked how this book talks about Ben’s mental health and addiction issues. I don’t read too many books about that so that was a really good touch. Also I like that it shows how Ben becomes so addicted to Sadie, and how it is to be with an addict. This book is definitely takes you on an emotional journey.
-The bad boy/good girl trope is awesome and I love Ben’s tragic past with Sadie’s not so tragic past mixed together. It’s definitely the ultimate opposites attract couple. The spice was really good. 4/5🌶️

-Now there are definitely a few things that could be worked on, like Ben and Sadie’s cringy words. Some of the things they said to each other made me get secondhand embarrassment. And I really did not like how Ben kept referring to Sadie‘s virginity as her “innocence”. I think there could’ve been a better way to phrase that. It just sounded creepy a couple times.

-I do know this book has been updated from the original and I did notice a writing style change within the last 10 chapters and it definitely got way better in those chapters. But I do think some of the beginning/middle chapters should be worked on a bit. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone! And I can’t wait to see it on store shelves!

‼️ Warning: Loving Ben Cooper will rip you to shreds, break your heart, make you cry, and then put you back together again. ‼️ First off, LBC is 1 of my top 5 books for 2025. 5 ⭐️. As soon as I started reading Sadie & Ben’s story, I couldn’t put it down. It had a chokehold on me from beginning to end, and I wish it wasn’t over. 🖤🫶🏻😭😍🥰
Throughout the entirety of LBC, I have never felt more seen. I AM SADIE, a grade-A people pleaser to the core, always sacrificing and putting others first without a second thought. You have an incredible way of writing a story with characters that I have always connected to on some level. LBC is different. I related to Sadie more than I ever thought, down to my core. From the way to she loves without boundaries, aims to fix every problem possible, sacrifices her wants and needs for others, and seeing everything wrong and wanting to take all on so the other person doesn’t suffer. You have written such a beautiful and broken story within LBC, and to me, nobody could have written it better. You captured such beauty in the brokenness. I know that I felt seen for the first time in years, and I’m sure that there will be many others who feel the same. LBC captured the reality of what it is like to struggle with addiction and being a people pleaser, and it was done so beautifully and realistically.I can’t thank you enough for writing LBC. Sadie’s fear is my fear -- that I’ll never be enough, scared to be broken down and not able to survive and pick up the pieces. LBC has reminded me that it’s okay to still have broken pieces that need to be fixed and sometimes you have to burn everything just to rebuild something better. 🖤🥰😭😍

1/5 stars

DNF-ed at 18%

I usually finish all the books I start—in fact, I make efforts to read them to the end no matter how badly I want to put them down. Only in rare cases do I DNF, and this just had to be one of them.

I'm sorry, I just couldn't. This was literally a good girl bad boy trope written in the tropiest of the tropes, made so clear and evident from the beginning. Their dynamic is so forced, random, rushed, and blatantly unrealistic, and I could basically predict the plotline as I read along.

Both the characters are extremely one-dimensional, feeling more like puppets than actual human beings. Ben and Sadie seem drawn to each other in physical manners more so than emotional . . . except literally a day after they meet they've (somehow) already become emotionally attached to one another. They haven't even had an actual conversation??

There is a book for every person and a person for every book. Unfortunately, in this case, it was neither.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Ben and Sadie

Such a roller coaster ride of emotions. There were definitely times when I both loved and hated these characters. By the end, I loved them both.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It offered a refreshing change for me from CC. I was introduced to her through her captivating darker Mafia romance. This was just as compelling! The writing was exceptional, and the story engaged me completely. The spice was truly spicy!

This was an emotional journey for these characters. CC did a wonderful job of weaving it together to where you could feel the angst, emotional scars, and love. She did a wonderful job of piecing their story together.

Well worth the tears. 5 star read. 4 🌶️on spice

The names threw me off at first because family names, but that’s a me issue lol.
Anyways, Loving Ben Cooper…omg this book was BEAUTIFULLY written! I could relate to it in ways I didn’t think I would. I cried so much through this book (and I don’t cry often with reading) but CC is a master when it comes to words. This…this book is a work of art, a masterpiece.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
The plot was 5/5🌟!
The spice was 5/5🌟!
Everything was 5 Stars for me! 💖

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️

I cannot express enough how much I love Ben and Sadie! Their story is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet infused with the raw realities of childhood trauma, substance abuse, young love, and the struggle to find oneself while navigating the expectations of others.

CC masterfully crafts a heartbreaking yet beautifully authentic narrative that explores what it means to love someone who is still on the path to finding grace. The emotional depth of the characters is astounding, making their journey feel intimate and deeply personal. From their inner monologues to their moments of self-discovery, every element of this novel resonates with truth and sincerity.

The fast-paced storytelling keeps you hooked from beginning to end, while the character growth ensures that this is more than just a love story—it’s a testament to resilience, healing, and self-acceptance. This book will stay with me forever, holding a special place in my heart and soul. A must-read for those who appreciate raw, emotionally driven storytelling! Please check trigger warnings first.

Where do I start with Loving Ben Cooper?!?

PLEASE CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS! YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS VERY IMPORTANT!

Now, Ben and Sadie's story I went into this book very blind it's a good girl meets and Rockstar bad boy! Took me three days to finish because of work and there was a trigger in this book that took me back to bad memories but after I got through the trigger, I was okay to finish this book I need to see where Ben and Sadie ended up! I laughed, I cried, I was VERY mad, and I fell in love with both characters so much! This book will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will recommend this over and over! This book is so beautifully written, and I love it so much 5/5 stars!!

To CC: Thank you for writing such a powerful and beautiful book that I will love forever and will keep with me! This book has opened my eyes in so many ways and I'm so glad I'm not alone in this life.

This book has completely ripped my soul and put it back together again 🖤

Ben and Sadie’s story is one of young love. Ben is living the rockstar life; parties, girls, and drugs. But when he spots Sadie in the crowd of his concert, it’s game over. Sadie and Ben have this compelling connection right from the start, but their relationship soon takes a toxic turn.

Ben is an addict and struggling with what that means. The only person that can truly save him is Sadie. These two characters go through so much pain, yet one thing stays true, they are determined to go through it together.

Loving Ben Cooper is a story everyone needs to read. Ben and Sadie’s story had me crying, laughing, sobbing, then healed my soul. CC truly depicts what it feels like to be lost then found, and how one person can change your life for the better. Forever grateful to have discovered another story that left a mark on my heart ✨

Okay so I didn’t love this book but I definitely didn’t hate it either. Sadie and Ben are worlds apart but their attraction is instant but I felt it was superficial and therefore I could not stick around with the story!!

DNF 12%

I’m simply not being pulled into the story. I seem to be in the minority however as this is a re-release with many positive reviews. Perhaps I will try again at a later date. Hope you have better luck!
—

Thank you Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | Frayed Pages & NetGalley for this complimentary ALC - all thoughts are my own! 📚
Publishers release date 3/25/2025

DNFs revive a review but no stars for me, as NetGalley requires a stars rating, I would give this a 2 based on what was read.

woooooooooow!!! i adore this author!! this book was so raw and spicy and real and wild and i loved it!!

As someone who’s been a fan of Wattpad and fanfiction for over a decade, I’m no stranger to the world of romance tropes and drama-filled character arcs. The saint x sinner trope—virginal good girl nurse x bad boy playboy rockstar—originally reeled me in but it fell flat fast. Despite the characters’ tragic backstories, the characters seemed one-dimensional, and I didn’t even like them. That being said, I can see the appeal. If you love instalust then pick this up immediately, and if you liked series such as After, Beautiful, and Culpa Mia, this will be right up your alley.

When the Saint and the Sinner cross paths, neither is searching for love—but the instant, undeniable pull between them changes everything. Loving Ben Cooper delivers a compelling story of opposites attracting in the most unexpected and electric way.

Sadie is the Saint—an idealistic, principled young woman waiting until marriage to give herself fully to her future husband. Ben, on the other hand, is the Sinner—a troubled rockstar haunted by a traumatic childhood. Carrying the weight of pain, regret, and anger, Ben struggles to cope, turning to self-medication instead of seeking the help he truly needs.

Their worlds collide in a moment of raw intensity when their eyes meet for the first time. The chemistry between them is undeniable, sparking an inner conflict: Should they resist the pull or explore the connection that makes them feel so alive?

As the story unfolds, you’ll find yourself captivated by their journey. Sadie’s unwavering principles and Ben’s broken but fiercely loving heart make for a deeply emotional and memorable romance. Their differences create tension, but their shared vulnerability and undeniable bond will tug at your heartstrings.

To see what the Saint and the Sinner choose to do with their explosive attraction, you’ll have to dive into this beautifully written story. Loving Ben Cooper will leave you falling in love with these two unforgettable characters and rooting for them to overcome their inner demons and find solace in each other.

Loving Ben Cooper is an emotional read in all the very best ways. It is told in dual POV from Sadie and Ben's POVs. Sadie is your typical sweet girl who was raised in a religious household and has navigated through loss. Ben is your Rockstar. He is navigating addiction, stardom, and the limelight. These two opposites shouldn't be the perfect combination, but when they come together it is beautiful.

Their love is not one that is easy, nor is it a journey without pain. But their HEA is hardearned and well deserved. CC did a phenomenal job in conveying the very real path to their forever. Absolutely loved Sadie and Ben.

Ben and Sadie has such a beautiful story, I'm speechless. If you're looking for a dark contemporary (and not your average dark, just soul crushing/toxic dark) read this book. Rockstar romance, bad boy/good girl, HOT HOT.

I absolutely loved Loving Ben Cooper! This book completely captured my heart, and I can't stop thinking about it. If you're a fan of broken, flawed heroes who are in desperate need of redemption, then Ben Cooper will absolutely steal your heart, just like he did mine.

Ben is the perfect "broken man"—the kind of hero who's so deep in his own darkness that you just know he's in desperate need of saving, even if he doesn't think he deserves it. His life is a chaotic mess, and he's spiraling further with every fight he gets into, every drink he takes, and every note he sings into the mic. He’s a man who lives for the moment, with no intention of changing, but that’s what makes his character arc so powerful. Watching him slowly transform, especially through his relationship with Sadie, was incredibly rewarding. You can see the potential for greatness within him, and I loved how Christy McKellen made you root for him to find redemption, even when it felt like an impossible task.

At first, I was wondering how someone as strong and virtuous as Sadie could ever fall for someone as reckless as Ben. But the way she sees through his brokenness and still believes in the good inside him just melted me. It's like she's the light he never knew he needed, and her faith in him slowly brings him back from the edge.

The chemistry between Sadie and Ben is electric—the kind that makes you feel every moment of tension, every word unsaid, and every stolen glance. But more than just their passion, this book dives deep into themes of forgiveness, self-worth, and the kind of love that can heal even the most shattered of hearts. Ben isn’t just looking for a way out of his pain; he’s looking for a way to be whole again, and I loved how Sadie’s love and faith were a guiding light on that path.

Ben might be a "bad boy" with a broken soul, but that’s exactly why I found him so compelling. He needed saving, and I loved every second of watching him realize that maybe, just maybe, he was worthy of something better. The redemption arc was beautifully written, and by the end, I was rooting for Ben to have his happily-ever-after just as much as Sadie was.

Full disclosure: I read LBC after it was originally published and I loved it. Ben and Sadie’s story enthralled me. I was immediately and emotionally invested in their love. When CC announced she was revisiting their story, I didn’t think she could improve on perfection. WRONG. I was so wrong. CC has not only expanded on Ben and Sadie’s story but she’s given an even richer, deeper, and more emotional journey than before. What you have to understand about Ben and Sadie is that they could be anyone you know. Sadie is the one friend we all had who has strict parents and Ben is the bad boy we all were so drawn to. Ben isn’t perfect. Nope. He’s kind a mess but if you can go past that, what you see is his overwhelming love for Sadie. The man is so gone for her and he has to prove it more than once. Sadie has such an incredible arc. You will be so proud of her growth and how she handles the wild life she jumps into with Ben. While CC’s spice is always smoking hot (this book is no exception) there is a lot of emotional components to their spice and love. I am so happy I revisited Sadie and Ben. Turns out I still love them.

What to Expect:
🖤 Saint & Sinner
🤍 New Adult
🖤 Rock Star Romance
🤍 Addiction & Recovery

Loving Ben Cooper by CC Monroe hit all the right notes, literally, in a spicy romance. With memorable characters, a touch of faith, and the power of music, this book brought a unique charm to the genre. This book left me speechless in the best, most heart-wrenching way possible. It reached into my soul, stirred up every feeling, and left me raw and emotional. I had to keep reminding myself these were fictional characters, but my heart didn’t get the memo. These characters earn their happily ever after, and you’ll feel every moment of their journey. I’m exposed, vulnerable, and completely in awe. Forever changed by this couple, forever in love with this story. Beautiful. Just beautiful. I can’t wait to see what else CC Monroe will write next.

Thank you to the author, CC Monroe, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

This book was a heartbreaker, and I did not (surprisingly) cry I had some heart pain for sure.
I really love CC Monroe and her writing style. This is my first rockstar romance I have read in a while, and it didn't disappoint. I can only describe it as quietly emotional. Even if ben is outwardly explosive - the mental health and quiet thoughts of Sadie had you in your own head about how you felt about it all. The emotional tug back and forth that Sadie has makes you feel the same. I really couldn't decide if Sadie should have stuck to her plans and put herself first or if it was the sweetest selfless thing to love someone so deeply and accept all of their flaws. It's kind of a hot take in the current dating scene about sticking with your partner through tough times. The mental health and addiction aspects felt extremely realistic and well described.

Sadie is a good girl - goes to church loves her family deeply. *Insert tom petty free fallin'
Ben is a rockstar on tour - deeply troubled childhood trauma that follows him around in the form of addiction and vices. But love falls fast and deep regardless of where you are in life. She is his saving grace but is he her downfall or her greatest calling?

This is a beautiful mix of giving up your life and giving chance for the one you love and warring with your brain on why she keeps staying with someone against all odds.

HEA

Even though this is something I would consider more of a contemporary romance check you trigger warnings. There is some serious (and gorgeous, raw & real) emotional depth about addiction and mental health.

Thank you CC Monroe & Netgalley for the ARC!