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jackiehorne's review
4.0
A quiet but immensely appealing December-May romance about a down-on-his-heels country music star and a pulling-herself-up-by-her-bootstraps waitress, who meet when the singer returns to his hometown after one-too-many drunk onstage gigs. Like most country music singers/songwriters, 41-year-old Wade Sheppard is carrying some heavy baggage (only child dead by miscarriage; wrecked marriage; music industry pressure to market and to conform). He hasn't been able to write anything new for years, and is almost falling off the has-been cruise ship/casino touring circuit. After he drunkenly gropes a waitress at the hometown Tennessee bar and gets her fired for fighting back, Wade agrees to spend the summer playing weekends at the bar if the owner will give the waitress her job back.
Twenty six-year-old Daisy's no wilting flower, in need of Wade's rescuing. Having grown up with a drunken mother, and watched her older sister become a single mother at 17, Daisy is determined to make something better of her own life. She's waitressing her way through college, hoping to major in Human Resources and earn herself a middle class lifestyle. Her dream of running her own restaurant is just too risky.
Despite their apparent differences, though, Wade and Daisy have a lot more in common than either of them realizes. Not to mention the scorching hot attraction that flashes between them whenever they start sniping at one another. And so Daisy's determination to stay away from the "good time bad boy" that is Wade gradually turns to a willingness to give a summer fling a try.
What I especially liked about this one was the way it doesn't play the "bad boy who is really good underneath it all" card. Wade is pretty jerky at book's start, not anyone a woman with any sense of self-respect would want to get involved with. But as Wade gradually starts to get his own act together, and to recognize that he used to be something more than the Good Time Bad Boy Daisy labels him, and that he might want to find out if he can still be that something more now, he becomes far more appealing as a romantic interest. Interesting discussions about performing the baring of one's soul via music, as well as intriguing details about the country music industry, add realistic touches to an already winning love story.
Hope Clark, who has written primarily paranormal romance in the past, keeps up with the contemporaries.
Twenty six-year-old Daisy's no wilting flower, in need of Wade's rescuing. Having grown up with a drunken mother, and watched her older sister become a single mother at 17, Daisy is determined to make something better of her own life. She's waitressing her way through college, hoping to major in Human Resources and earn herself a middle class lifestyle. Her dream of running her own restaurant is just too risky.
Despite their apparent differences, though, Wade and Daisy have a lot more in common than either of them realizes. Not to mention the scorching hot attraction that flashes between them whenever they start sniping at one another. And so Daisy's determination to stay away from the "good time bad boy" that is Wade gradually turns to a willingness to give a summer fling a try.
What I especially liked about this one was the way it doesn't play the "bad boy who is really good underneath it all" card. Wade is pretty jerky at book's start, not anyone a woman with any sense of self-respect would want to get involved with. But as Wade gradually starts to get his own act together, and to recognize that he used to be something more than the Good Time Bad Boy Daisy labels him, and that he might want to find out if he can still be that something more now, he becomes far more appealing as a romantic interest. Interesting discussions about performing the baring of one's soul via music, as well as intriguing details about the country music industry, add realistic touches to an already winning love story.
Hope Clark, who has written primarily paranormal romance in the past, keeps up with the contemporaries.
spuki's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse
eslismyjam's review
5.0
The author's note says that this author normally writes speculative fiction, meaning she is coming from a different background than most romance writers. It shows-- this book has all of the things I love about romance and none of the annoying things I hate. Loved this story and the very strong characters of Wade and Daisy. Definitely a new romance favorite.
ikepauh's review against another edition
4.0
Well written, there's that small town feel to it. I liked the touch where the guy thought his mum was judging the girl when actually, the mum was judging her own son. Both people had their demons, they were easy to sympathise with. He's drunk all the time, early in the books and yet, tries to downplay and say he's not an alcoholic? Her thing with her horrible gray mother, painful to read through indeed. Steamy huhuhu, there are 3 explicit scenes.
bananatricky's review against another edition
4.0
Massive apologies, I read this book, loved it and totally forgot to review it.
Basic plot: massively famous country singer writes his best album following his wife losing their baby. Consequently the songs are from the heart but very painful. When his now ex-wife lets him know that she is pregnant with her new husband he acts out one time too many and he becomes music poison. He returns home to lick his wounds only to be over-familiar with a waitress at the local bar/restaurant which results in him agreeing to be the weekend entertainment in compensation.
The characters were 'adults' they were fun and good to read -I am so sorry that I didn't review it at the time so that I can do it justice. As an apology. it's great, loved it.
Basic plot: massively famous country singer writes his best album following his wife losing their baby. Consequently the songs are from the heart but very painful. When his now ex-wife lets him know that she is pregnant with her new husband he acts out one time too many and he becomes music poison. He returns home to lick his wounds only to be over-familiar with a waitress at the local bar/restaurant which results in him agreeing to be the weekend entertainment in compensation.
The characters were 'adults' they were fun and good to read -I am so sorry that I didn't review it at the time so that I can do it justice. As an apology. it's great, loved it.
mara_miriam's review against another edition
2.0
... It was fine... Despite the typos, the tired abused woman trope, and rather unimaginative sex. I had just been looking forward to this title so much. Romance Novels for Feminists named it one of the best contemporary romances of last year, so my expectations had been lifted too high. Then again, maybe I'm just tired of hetero, formulaic romances, regardless of how good of a story they are otherwise. What I wouldn't give for a happy ending that did not include together-forever ending.
christinel's review against another edition
3.0
Great things about this book: The love of music that rings through it. The attention paid to working through past traumas over time, not instantly. The stress that the heroine had made the right choice for her when she gave up a baby for adoption, rather than the one 'right choice.' The families, who were stressful but nuanced. However, the chemistry between the couple worked less well for me, and I did have concerns about whether the hero had really changed enough that he wouldn't backslide under stress.
thepassionatereader's review
4.0
I'd give this three and a half stars if I could. Great premise, not as strong a finish.
susanscribs's review
4.0
I don't like country music, I don't like romances with big age differences, and I don't like small town romance either. And yet I really enjoyed Good Time Bad Boy, which features all three. Sympathetic hero and heroine who learn not to let their pasts define them; well-developed secondary characters who aren't just sequel bait; snappy dialogue; and best of all, a believable romance that features good communication, a few fireworks, and hot sex. Apparently this is Sonya Clark's first attempt at contemporary romance after releasing several urban fantasy/futuristic novels. I hope the positive reception this book has gotten will encourage her to write more in this genre.
georgiewhoissarahdrew's review
4.0
3.75 stars
Unexpectedly moving and delightful CR about a struggling waitress and a has-been country music star. The plot feels like a country music song itself. This won't win points for diversity, but does score on downbeat realism, and a genuine sense of connection between the MCs.
Couple of excellent & thoughtful reviews here and here say everything that's needed.
Unexpectedly moving and delightful CR about a struggling waitress and a has-been country music star. The plot feels like a country music song itself. This won't win points for diversity, but does score on downbeat realism, and a genuine sense of connection between the MCs.
Couple of excellent & thoughtful reviews here and here say everything that's needed.
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