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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Before I start my review, I would like to share I made a list of songs that really relate to this what this book is about.
BOOKISH PLAYLIST FOR BAD ROMEO:
Perfect by One Direction
She Ain't You by New Hollow
Love Me So by Stereo Kicks
Style by Taylor Swift
Stay by Taylor Swift
Can't Keep My Hands to Myself by Selena Gomez
Remember Me by Chris Mann
No One Else Could Be You by Jason Reeves
Rockbottom by Hailey Seinfield
So now that's done, let's get back to the review, shall we?
REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK
This book left me sexually frustrated!
I was as frustrated as the characters in this book, that's how much this shit affected me!
I was not expecting to like this book, but I, surprisingly liked it. There were a some tropes, but I did not mind them at all as they were done really well.
Before I start my review, can I just get this out there?
ETHAN HOLT IS ONE SEXY M*THERF*CKER!
There I said it - now on to the review.
THE PLOT
So what's this book about?
So we have Cassie, an aspiring actress who wanted to get into this prestigious acting school, The Grove. This wasn't what her parents wanted for her, but she wanted to give it a try.
She did got in on the first audition.
During the auditions, she met enigmatic and unbelievably drool-worthy, Ethan Holt.
And by the way, just so you guys know, I fell head-over-heels in love with this dude. FYI. He's amazing. I love this douchebag. He's my douchebag. *drools*
So anyways, they met and things started off really rocky for them, since Ethan seemed to be allergic to Cassie. Think Edward Cullen when Bella Swan walked into class that day... Naah, that's probably a bit too exaggerated. But yeah, Holt seemed to not like Cassie.
Their first audition together proved otherwise though, Cassie and Holt had this weird and electrifying chemistry. Ethan, for whatever reason, was trying so hard to deny this and his feelings for Cassie. And Cassie wasn't going to stop until she finds out why.
THE CHARACTERS
Cassie
Cassie was the type of character you'll find your eyes rolling a number of times, but who you would root for and love. At first, she was this girl who wanted so much for people to like her, but Holt helped her change that.
One thing you have to know about Cassie is, she's a virgin. Yep. I had my eyes rolling when I knew that. I was like, "WTF, another NA virgin protagonist? Give me a break!", but you know what? I did not care! I loved Cassie and her willingness to try, her dedication to what she thinks is right and also getting what she wants. Also, this is the first virgin I have ever read about who is was sex starved as she was. I found this unbelievably hilarious in a good way.
Holt
Oh boy. Where do I even start?
Okay. Let me start by saying that Holt, started out as a cliché for me, but this guy grew on me, just like Cassie did. Like I said earlier, he was this enigmatic figure that just draws you in. You want to get to know him and understand why he was pushing everyone away. You see how much he wants Cassie, but just doesn't want to act on those feelings because of what happened in his past. It traumatized him and it broke my heart.
The Minor Characters
I actually really liked every character in this book, even the minor ones.
The minor characters really grew on me, just like the two main characters. I liked that they weren't there just for the sake of being there.
Three of the characters I liked the most were Tristan, Ruby, and Elissa. They were so much fun to read about and I liked how their characters interacted with Cassie and Holt. They were basically supporting character, but how they supported them was great to see. You feel that they really mean what they say.
THE ROMANCE
This book left me sexually frustrated!
Cassie and Holt had so much chemistry, I wanted them to have sex already. I can't believe I'm telling you guys this because I'm an advocate for slow-burn romance. I prefer my romance to be slow but sure. With these two, you can feel their connection burning through the pages of this book, and oh boy, did it made me want to get laid. Haha. TMI, sorry!
It was so obvious these two were meant to be together, but because of character differences, it had been hard for them, especially on Cassie's part because we hear the story on her POV.
There were a lot of push and pulls, but eventually things happen, and you get to see why things ended the way it did for these two. This is not a spoiler, okay? This is part of the synopsis. They went their separate ways, but after reading through their story, you only want them to get back together!
THINGS I LOVED
1. The romance between Cassie and Holt was something I really enjouyed. I liked how we saw them before and after they went their separate ways. The romance part was something I was not expecting to like, since I already saw this plot before, it wasn't exactly anything new - but I still loved it nonetheless. This, I think, is because of how the author made the characters and how successfully she made their personality fit each other. She made us believe that these two love birds were meant to be together. Kudos to you girl!
And that sexual tension!!! You just have to experience that on your own.
2. I care about these characters. I care about what happens to them. I want them to be together, no matter what they have been through in the past, I just want them both to be happy. They both have their individual struggles, and I bought into both of them. I didn't feel any of the situations they found themselves in were unnecessary. All of the things that happened served their purpose.
I not only cared about the main character, but also the secondary ones. Like I said, I really ended up liking Elissa, Ruby and Tristan. Then there's Connor who liked Cassie, but he just wasn't Holt so… poor Connor. But yeah, I liked him too.
3. The author's writing style is so engaging. I found it so addicting that I didn't want to put the book down, even when I have to. I found myself really caring for what happens to these characters, and like I said, I genuinely want them to have a happy ending. Not saying if they do, but I did want them to end up together.
4. It took its time building the tension and the relationship. There was no hurry for the characters to jump each other's pants. If you're expecting sex during the first few chapters of this book, prepared to be disappointed, because it doesn't happen right away.
5. It was so funny. I really found this book hilarious at all the right moments, and it's serious when it needs to be.
THINGS I DIDN'T LOVE
1. The overused trope of hot, mysterious guy falling for virgin girl. Yep, this book has that. At first, it had my eyes rolling, I was so sure it was going to go the typical NA plot development. Luckily, it didn't.
2. Oh yes… it had a fucking cliffhanger! It drove me insane. It might not be an issue for everyone, but it definitely was an issue for me. I get that there was a second book, but holy hell, why did you have to cut it on that specific part???? WHYYY??? To torture us? Bad author! *pouts*
FINAL THOUGHTS
I've been reading too much graphic novels, fantasy and YA books that I forgot how much I loved New Adult books too. I mean, yeah, they do have their flaws, especially when it came to the plot; most of these books share the same plot line, which could get annoying at times. There were times I read one NA book that feels a lot like another NA book and that frustrates me a lot.
Surprisingly, this book has some of the typical NA tropes, but I ended up really enjoying it and connecting to a lot of the characters in the book.
Would I recommend this? Yes! I definitely would.
Let me end this review with a beautiful line from Holt. :)
PRE-REVIEW:
This is where this book left me...
And then it left me with more...
Now... I have to collect my thoughts a bit before I write my review!
I want Holt. I want. I want. I want!
BOOKISH PLAYLIST FOR BAD ROMEO:
Perfect by One Direction
She Ain't You by New Hollow
Love Me So by Stereo Kicks
Style by Taylor Swift
Stay by Taylor Swift
Can't Keep My Hands to Myself by Selena Gomez
Remember Me by Chris Mann
No One Else Could Be You by Jason Reeves
Rockbottom by Hailey Seinfield
So now that's done, let's get back to the review, shall we?
REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK
This book left me sexually frustrated!
I was as frustrated as the characters in this book, that's how much this shit affected me!
I was not expecting to like this book, but I, surprisingly liked it. There were a some tropes, but I did not mind them at all as they were done really well.
Before I start my review, can I just get this out there?
ETHAN HOLT IS ONE SEXY M*THERF*CKER!
There I said it - now on to the review.
THE PLOT
So what's this book about?
So we have Cassie, an aspiring actress who wanted to get into this prestigious acting school, The Grove. This wasn't what her parents wanted for her, but she wanted to give it a try.
I convinced them to let me audition by bargaining that I would also apply to the law program at Washington State. That bought me a roundtrip plane ticket to New York and the faint hope of leaving my approval-seeking husk behind.
She did got in on the first audition.
During the auditions, she met enigmatic and unbelievably drool-worthy, Ethan Holt.
He has one of those faces that stops you when you're flipping through a magazine. Not textbook handsome, but mesmerizing. Like a book cover that begs you to flip it open and get lost in the story.
And by the way, just so you guys know, I fell head-over-heels in love with this dude. FYI. He's amazing. I love this douchebag. He's my douchebag. *drools*
So anyways, they met and things started off really rocky for them, since Ethan seemed to be allergic to Cassie. Think Edward Cullen when Bella Swan walked into class that day... Naah, that's probably a bit too exaggerated. But yeah, Holt seemed to not like Cassie.
Their first audition together proved otherwise though, Cassie and Holt had this weird and electrifying chemistry. Ethan, for whatever reason, was trying so hard to deny this and his feelings for Cassie. And Cassie wasn't going to stop until she finds out why.
THE CHARACTERS
Cassie
Cassie was the type of character you'll find your eyes rolling a number of times, but who you would root for and love. At first, she was this girl who wanted so much for people to like her, but Holt helped her change that.
One thing you have to know about Cassie is, she's a virgin. Yep. I had my eyes rolling when I knew that. I was like, "WTF, another NA virgin protagonist? Give me a break!", but you know what? I did not care! I loved Cassie and her willingness to try, her dedication to what she thinks is right and also getting what she wants. Also, this is the first virgin I have ever read about who is was sex starved as she was. I found this unbelievably hilarious in a good way.
Holt
Oh boy. Where do I even start?
Okay. Let me start by saying that Holt, started out as a cliché for me, but this guy grew on me, just like Cassie did. Like I said earlier, he was this enigmatic figure that just draws you in. You want to get to know him and understand why he was pushing everyone away. You see how much he wants Cassie, but just doesn't want to act on those feelings because of what happened in his past. It traumatized him and it broke my heart.
The Minor Characters
I actually really liked every character in this book, even the minor ones.
The minor characters really grew on me, just like the two main characters. I liked that they weren't there just for the sake of being there.
Three of the characters I liked the most were Tristan, Ruby, and Elissa. They were so much fun to read about and I liked how their characters interacted with Cassie and Holt. They were basically supporting character, but how they supported them was great to see. You feel that they really mean what they say.
THE ROMANCE
This book left me sexually frustrated!
Cassie and Holt had so much chemistry, I wanted them to have sex already. I can't believe I'm telling you guys this because I'm an advocate for slow-burn romance. I prefer my romance to be slow but sure. With these two, you can feel their connection burning through the pages of this book, and oh boy, did it made me want to get laid. Haha. TMI, sorry!
It was so obvious these two were meant to be together, but because of character differences, it had been hard for them, especially on Cassie's part because we hear the story on her POV.
There were a lot of push and pulls, but eventually things happen, and you get to see why things ended the way it did for these two. This is not a spoiler, okay? This is part of the synopsis. They went their separate ways, but after reading through their story, you only want them to get back together!
THINGS I LOVED
1. The romance between Cassie and Holt was something I really enjouyed. I liked how we saw them before and after they went their separate ways. The romance part was something I was not expecting to like, since I already saw this plot before, it wasn't exactly anything new - but I still loved it nonetheless. This, I think, is because of how the author made the characters and how successfully she made their personality fit each other. She made us believe that these two love birds were meant to be together. Kudos to you girl!
And that sexual tension!!! You just have to experience that on your own.
2. I care about these characters. I care about what happens to them. I want them to be together, no matter what they have been through in the past, I just want them both to be happy. They both have their individual struggles, and I bought into both of them. I didn't feel any of the situations they found themselves in were unnecessary. All of the things that happened served their purpose.
I not only cared about the main character, but also the secondary ones. Like I said, I really ended up liking Elissa, Ruby and Tristan. Then there's Connor who liked Cassie, but he just wasn't Holt so… poor Connor. But yeah, I liked him too.
3. The author's writing style is so engaging. I found it so addicting that I didn't want to put the book down, even when I have to. I found myself really caring for what happens to these characters, and like I said, I genuinely want them to have a happy ending. Not saying if they do, but I did want them to end up together.
4. It took its time building the tension and the relationship. There was no hurry for the characters to jump each other's pants. If you're expecting sex during the first few chapters of this book, prepared to be disappointed, because it doesn't happen right away.
5. It was so funny. I really found this book hilarious at all the right moments, and it's serious when it needs to be.
THINGS I DIDN'T LOVE
1. The overused trope of hot, mysterious guy falling for virgin girl. Yep, this book has that. At first, it had my eyes rolling, I was so sure it was going to go the typical NA plot development. Luckily, it didn't.
2. Oh yes… it had a fucking cliffhanger! It drove me insane. It might not be an issue for everyone, but it definitely was an issue for me. I get that there was a second book, but holy hell, why did you have to cut it on that specific part???? WHYYY??? To torture us? Bad author! *pouts*
FINAL THOUGHTS
I've been reading too much graphic novels, fantasy and YA books that I forgot how much I loved New Adult books too. I mean, yeah, they do have their flaws, especially when it came to the plot; most of these books share the same plot line, which could get annoying at times. There were times I read one NA book that feels a lot like another NA book and that frustrates me a lot.
Surprisingly, this book has some of the typical NA tropes, but I ended up really enjoying it and connecting to a lot of the characters in the book.
Would I recommend this? Yes! I definitely would.
Let me end this review with a beautiful line from Holt. :)
“Don’t even try to tell me you’ll ever love someone as much as you love me, because as arrogant as it is to say, that’s bullshit. And I feel the same way about you. Everyone else is just going to be second best for us."
PRE-REVIEW:
This is where this book left me...
And then it left me with more...
Now... I have to collect my thoughts a bit before I write my review!
I want Holt. I want. I want. I want!
“Sometimes people put up walls, not only to keep people out, but also to see who cares enough to tear them down."
Five quick reasons why I fluffing adored this book:
1. There was the right mix of drama and humor. Even if the plot line was full of one step forward, two steps back I still loved the witty banter between Cassie and Ethan.
2. Finally, we have a female protagonist who is comfortable with her sexuality! I'm no sex addict or something but I'm so sick of women being called "slut" or "whore" for being interested in the act of sex. You go Cassie!
3. HOLT - You sexy, mysterious fiend. Why are you not real?!?
4. I've never read any book that focuses on the lives of actors and I really enjoyed this take on it. Also, great spin on the Romeo and Juliet bit!
5. For a debut novel, Leisa Rayven shows so much promise. This was incredibly written and sucks you in immediately. Can't wait to read Broken Juliet and all her other works that will come after this series.
Five quick reasons why I fluffing adored this book:
1. There was the right mix of drama and humor. Even if the plot line was full of one step forward, two steps back I still loved the witty banter between Cassie and Ethan.
2. Finally, we have a female protagonist who is comfortable with her sexuality! I'm no sex addict or something but I'm so sick of women being called "slut" or "whore" for being interested in the act of sex. You go Cassie!
3. HOLT - You sexy, mysterious fiend. Why are you not real?!?
4. I've never read any book that focuses on the lives of actors and I really enjoyed this take on it. Also, great spin on the Romeo and Juliet bit!
5. For a debut novel, Leisa Rayven shows so much promise. This was incredibly written and sucks you in immediately. Can't wait to read Broken Juliet and all her other works that will come after this series.
3,75/5. Ana karakterleri sevebilseydim daha yüksek bi puan verebilirdim. Oysa başlangıç çok umut vadediciydi. Tiyatro, Shakespeare, flashbackler... Ama sonuç umduğum gibi olmadı. Cassie fazla gurursuzdu (aşkta gurur pekala da olur ya da insanın kendine saygısı en azından) Ethan içi pek doldurulmamış, korkak bir "Romeo"ydu. Buna rağmen hikayenin sürükleyiciliği, son kısımlarda açıklanan sırlar, günümüz Cassie'sinin biraz daha olgun oluşu daha düşük puan vermememe sebep oldu. Her şey beklenti yüzünden aslında, o yüzden onu kırmıyciim, 4 yıldız orta yol olsun, ikimiz de mutlu olalım. ^^
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
OH. MY. HEART. Yes, it did fall for Ethan Holt, terribly! This book is going to be the end of me! Seriously! I was so stupid not to read this sooner! And now, I totally understand the reason why it is really difficult to review the book that you loved, I am having a hard time describing the book because I can’t find any adjective in the entire English dictionary that could describe this book—I felt like this before, and it’s happening again.
Ethan Holt and Cassandra “Cassie” Taylor were ex-lovers, and they meet again to cast in a romantic theatrical play. Let’s do a bit of a flashback, Taylor and Holt met when they were in drama school, they were tasked to play the lead roles of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. And like Romeo and Juliet, they fell in love with each other. Everything’s fine until Ethan broke his Juliet’s heart and betrayed her trust. And now that they were back on stage together, they have to face their past.
Ethan Holt, oh MY Ethan Holt. I love this character to bits. At first, I had some difficulties in understanding his character. He’s so bipolar, he’s… really hard to read. But as I go through the story, Ethan Holt isn’t that bad after all. Behind his Bastard, Arrogant, Asshole image is a guy who loves so much. He has his ghosts in his past relationship and now he’s afraid to love—not until he met Cassandra “Cassie” Taylor who isn’t afraid to forget the risk and take the fall and she’s not even sure if Ethan Holt will catch her.
Cassandra “Cassie” Taylor—I just love saying her complete name—just so you know, Ethan is MINE. Yep, MINE! Whahahahaha! Just kidding. Oh I LOVE Cassie as much as I love Ethan. She’s a strong, independent, sassy woman. I love her character in this book, I love how independent she became after leaving her parents and live the life she wanted without even trying to please every person she meets, including her parents.
So there, all in all, I really love this book. I enjoy every single word in the story. I liked the way it was written because I was able to see a glimpse of the things happened in Ethan and Cassie’s pasts and their present. Bad Romeo is an amazing novel. It was a page-turner, interesting story that will make you laugh, swoon, cry and swoon again. I’ll be reading the 2nd book now.
And yes, 5 out of 5 stars, definitely.
P.S. School is about to eat my life again so, most probably, I won’t be able to update my twitter, IG and wordpress account. Feel free to follow me, still. @ohhijhae. You can also follow me on tumblr. a-collection-of-paradoxes. So, there you go. Happy reading, people of goodreads and wordpress. I’ll see you soon!
Ethan Holt and Cassandra “Cassie” Taylor were ex-lovers, and they meet again to cast in a romantic theatrical play. Let’s do a bit of a flashback, Taylor and Holt met when they were in drama school, they were tasked to play the lead roles of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. And like Romeo and Juliet, they fell in love with each other. Everything’s fine until Ethan broke his Juliet’s heart and betrayed her trust. And now that they were back on stage together, they have to face their past.
“Sometimes people put up walls, not only to keep people out, but also to see who cares enough to tear them down. Understand?”
Ethan Holt, oh MY Ethan Holt. I love this character to bits. At first, I had some difficulties in understanding his character. He’s so bipolar, he’s… really hard to read. But as I go through the story, Ethan Holt isn’t that bad after all. Behind his Bastard, Arrogant, Asshole image is a guy who loves so much. He has his ghosts in his past relationship and now he’s afraid to love—not until he met Cassandra “Cassie” Taylor who isn’t afraid to forget the risk and take the fall and she’s not even sure if Ethan Holt will catch her.
Cassandra “Cassie” Taylor—I just love saying her complete name—just so you know, Ethan is MINE. Yep, MINE! Whahahahaha! Just kidding. Oh I LOVE Cassie as much as I love Ethan. She’s a strong, independent, sassy woman. I love her character in this book, I love how independent she became after leaving her parents and live the life she wanted without even trying to please every person she meets, including her parents.
So there, all in all, I really love this book. I enjoy every single word in the story. I liked the way it was written because I was able to see a glimpse of the things happened in Ethan and Cassie’s pasts and their present. Bad Romeo is an amazing novel. It was a page-turner, interesting story that will make you laugh, swoon, cry and swoon again. I’ll be reading the 2nd book now.
And yes, 5 out of 5 stars, definitely.
"I love you with everything I am, and I swear to God, I’m not going to hurt you again.
Let yourself love me back.
Please.
—Ethan”
P.S. School is about to eat my life again so, most probably, I won’t be able to update my twitter, IG and wordpress account. Feel free to follow me, still. @ohhijhae. You can also follow me on tumblr. a-collection-of-paradoxes. So, there you go. Happy reading, people of goodreads and wordpress. I’ll see you soon!
2,5 en realidad
Okay, esta lleno de clichés, lo que debo aclarar que NO lo hace mal libro, incluso tiene algunos de los que me MATAN, es más creo que el cliché este de que la pareja se separa por cosas de la vida y después de años se reencuentra es de mis favoritos, AHHHHH AMOR INFINITO POR ESE CLICHÉ, pero también había otros que me sacaban un poco de quicio porque siento que este tópico de Chico malo me tiene un poco cansada y a pesar de que el tira y afloja entre Ethan y Cassie le dió mucho drama a la historia creo que me aburrió un poco esa dinámica :/
Algo que debo comentar también es que me gustó que los capítulos estuvieran intercalados entre el pasado y el presente porque por lo menos a mi me genera mucha intriga saber que pasó en el pasado para que la situación del presente entre los protagonistas sea taaaaan compleja
Además es que ESE FINAAAAAAL, HOLA???, la verdad no estaba si quería continuar la saga pero después de ese desenlace me es imposible no seguir con el otro libro ajajjaa
Okay, esta lleno de clichés, lo que debo aclarar que NO lo hace mal libro, incluso tiene algunos de los que me MATAN, es más creo que el cliché este de que la pareja se separa por cosas de la vida y después de años se reencuentra es de mis favoritos, AHHHHH AMOR INFINITO POR ESE CLICHÉ, pero también había otros que me sacaban un poco de quicio porque siento que este tópico de Chico malo me tiene un poco cansada y a pesar de que el tira y afloja entre Ethan y Cassie le dió mucho drama a la historia creo que me aburrió un poco esa dinámica :/
Algo que debo comentar también es que me gustó que los capítulos estuvieran intercalados entre el pasado y el presente porque por lo menos a mi me genera mucha intriga saber que pasó en el pasado para que la situación del presente entre los protagonistas sea taaaaan compleja
Además es que ESE FINAAAAAAL, HOLA???, la verdad no estaba si quería continuar la saga pero después de ese desenlace me es imposible no seguir con el otro libro ajajjaa
passionate. ethan is such a hard ass, but hey- he’s a cute hard ass. if i read this at a different time, i would give it 5.
It has been a VERY long time since I've read a book that made me feel the way this book did. From the moment I started it, I couldn't put it down. I read while cooking, folding laundry, driving (so NOT safe) and until I fell asleep. I got to 50% and had to stop for the Cleveland Author Event but the second I walked in the door and set my luggage down I jumped right back in until I finished.
I'm crying and I'm having trouble catching my breath because this story is EVERYTHING. It's grabbed me in a way that no book has grabbed me in a really long time. I want to write all of the things but nothing I say feels like enough to fully capture the awesome that is the book.
Ethan is...well, he's the guy that you can't help but love for all the same reasons you can't help but hate him. He's full of passion and angst which makes him extremely sexy and you just know that when he loves, he loves with an intensity that won't be contained, but that same passion also makes him a ticking time bomb for all sorts of trouble. There's nothing simple about him.
Cassie isn't short on passion, especially when it comes to Ethan. She is instantly drawn to him and shows her feelings on her sleeves. Their connection is so powerful it seemed like I could feel it seeping through my kindle at times.
I absolutely loved the writing style and the way the story jumped from present to past. It was all done in a way that I can't ever remember reading before. Without reliving every detail from their past and, frankly, not even knowing much about their present, I feel connected to Cassie and Ethan in a way I don't usually connect with characters. Honestly, I'm having trouble taking the time to write this review when I know that Broken Juliet is waiting for me. This is definitely a top favorite so far this year!!
I'm crying and I'm having trouble catching my breath because this story is EVERYTHING. It's grabbed me in a way that no book has grabbed me in a really long time. I want to write all of the things but nothing I say feels like enough to fully capture the awesome that is the book.
Ethan is...well, he's the guy that you can't help but love for all the same reasons you can't help but hate him. He's full of passion and angst which makes him extremely sexy and you just know that when he loves, he loves with an intensity that won't be contained, but that same passion also makes him a ticking time bomb for all sorts of trouble. There's nothing simple about him.
Cassie isn't short on passion, especially when it comes to Ethan. She is instantly drawn to him and shows her feelings on her sleeves. Their connection is so powerful it seemed like I could feel it seeping through my kindle at times.
I absolutely loved the writing style and the way the story jumped from present to past. It was all done in a way that I can't ever remember reading before. Without reliving every detail from their past and, frankly, not even knowing much about their present, I feel connected to Cassie and Ethan in a way I don't usually connect with characters. Honestly, I'm having trouble taking the time to write this review when I know that Broken Juliet is waiting for me. This is definitely a top favorite so far this year!!
Review originally posted on: Mischievous Reads
4.5 Stars
This book just left me speechless and wanting to throw a tantrum on how everything flowed. [b:Bad Romeo|21411058|Bad Romeo (Starcrossed, #1)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413547825s/21411058.jpg|40711672] and I, we've got a love-hate relationship going on, but no matter how frustrated I would get, I know I would still end up loving this book with pure adoration. Sure enough, this book did hold me breathless until the final page.
Six years ago, Ethan Holt and Cassie Taylor were the bomb. They began as classmates in a theatre college, always partnered up because of their amazing chemistry and undeniable lust for one another. Both outstanding performers, and became lead characters in the school's big theatrical play, Romeo and Juliet. But of course, that amazing chemistry lead to something else, up to the point of a heartbreak. Come present day, Ethan and Cassie have made it big in the showbiz industry and are now bigtime performers. Cassie has moved on... or so she thinks, but worst case scenario is having the guy who broke your heart now appear as your new co-star in a bigtime theatrical production. Woopdie-doo. Ethan, on the other hand, is regretful and will do everything it takes to win her back.
The chapters in [b:Bad Romeo|21411058|Bad Romeo (Starcrossed, #1)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413547825s/21411058.jpg|40711672] constantly bounces from Ethan and Cassie's relationship six years ago to their present day scenarios. While their past relationship is all about the love-hate fiasco they shared, which had actually begun with a lot of bickering, fueled by extreme sexual tension -- despite how both of them had been absolutely in denial at the beginning -- their present day selves consisted of Cassie being all angsty, trying to avoid Ethan's sweet advances in fear of getting attached and heartbroken once again.
[a:Leisa Rayven|8034143|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1395263126p2/8034143.jpg] did a great job with her characters, past and present. You can definitely see the differences between the characters, then and now -- how they've matured -- especially in regards to their personality and their actions.
Cassie was a character I could definitely relate to. Her awkward antics, her ridiculous sassiness towards a certain person but she ends up shying up about her thoughts in front of a crowd, her passion for something artistic (Not that I can act, but as an aspiring artist... well, you get the point). I always had a good laugh reading about her, because I could definitely see myself reflected in her character. Years later, her personality seems to be the same, although a bit less awkward now, it seems.
While Cassie is the hilariously awkward girl, Ethan was the brooding artist with a broken past. He was the typical "I don't need a girlfriend" type of boy, for some reason, which was pretty much cliche, but it definitely worked for his character. For the record, I adored both old Ethan and present day Ethan. The old Ethan was pretty much angsty and appeared both annoying and cute, he was also young and troubled. Pretty much understandable. On the other hand, present day Ethan just made me swoon. His charactered had developed and matured so well that I could not help but adore him more.
Not only did Rayven did great with her main characters, she was spot on with her minor characters as well. They were absolutely well rounded into the story, especially Jack. Oh lord, he was the fun of the crowd, and I can't help but agree that he stole most of the whole book... well, at least, for me, he did, except for the moments where he acted as a total cockblock between the couple.
What frustrated me about the book was the constant push and pull between Cassie and Ethan. One minute they're into each other, the next minute, either Cassie or Ethan can't handle the both of them together, to the point that it became somewhat repetitive mid section. There was too much tension going on between them but their constant denial was just too annoying.
[b:Bad Romeo|21411058|Bad Romeo (Starcrossed, #1)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413547825s/21411058.jpg|40711672] aggravated me, but it got me loving it in the end. I loved the balance of hilarity and drama in this book. Everything was just right; nothing much, nothing less. If you fancy a read that will make you giggle and well... make you want to slam your book or ereader down, then pick it back up to continue reading -- immediately -- this book is definitely right up your alley.
I also can't wait for the upcoming sequel, [b:Broken Juliet|21411062|Broken Juliet (Starcrossed, #2)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1419093983s/21411062.jpg|40711677]! Please. Come. Now!
4.5 Stars
This book just left me speechless and wanting to throw a tantrum on how everything flowed. [b:Bad Romeo|21411058|Bad Romeo (Starcrossed, #1)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413547825s/21411058.jpg|40711672] and I, we've got a love-hate relationship going on, but no matter how frustrated I would get, I know I would still end up loving this book with pure adoration. Sure enough, this book did hold me breathless until the final page.
Six years ago, Ethan Holt and Cassie Taylor were the bomb. They began as classmates in a theatre college, always partnered up because of their amazing chemistry and undeniable lust for one another. Both outstanding performers, and became lead characters in the school's big theatrical play, Romeo and Juliet. But of course, that amazing chemistry lead to something else, up to the point of a heartbreak. Come present day, Ethan and Cassie have made it big in the showbiz industry and are now bigtime performers. Cassie has moved on... or so she thinks, but worst case scenario is having the guy who broke your heart now appear as your new co-star in a bigtime theatrical production. Woopdie-doo. Ethan, on the other hand, is regretful and will do everything it takes to win her back.
The chapters in [b:Bad Romeo|21411058|Bad Romeo (Starcrossed, #1)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413547825s/21411058.jpg|40711672] constantly bounces from Ethan and Cassie's relationship six years ago to their present day scenarios. While their past relationship is all about the love-hate fiasco they shared, which had actually begun with a lot of bickering, fueled by extreme sexual tension -- despite how both of them had been absolutely in denial at the beginning -- their present day selves consisted of Cassie being all angsty, trying to avoid Ethan's sweet advances in fear of getting attached and heartbroken once again.
[a:Leisa Rayven|8034143|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1395263126p2/8034143.jpg] did a great job with her characters, past and present. You can definitely see the differences between the characters, then and now -- how they've matured -- especially in regards to their personality and their actions.
Cassie was a character I could definitely relate to. Her awkward antics, her ridiculous sassiness towards a certain person but she ends up shying up about her thoughts in front of a crowd, her passion for something artistic (Not that I can act, but as an aspiring artist... well, you get the point). I always had a good laugh reading about her, because I could definitely see myself reflected in her character. Years later, her personality seems to be the same, although a bit less awkward now, it seems.
While Cassie is the hilariously awkward girl, Ethan was the brooding artist with a broken past. He was the typical "I don't need a girlfriend" type of boy, for some reason, which was pretty much cliche, but it definitely worked for his character. For the record, I adored both old Ethan and present day Ethan. The old Ethan was pretty much angsty and appeared both annoying and cute, he was also young and troubled. Pretty much understandable. On the other hand, present day Ethan just made me swoon. His charactered had developed and matured so well that I could not help but adore him more.
Not only did Rayven did great with her main characters, she was spot on with her minor characters as well. They were absolutely well rounded into the story, especially Jack. Oh lord, he was the fun of the crowd, and I can't help but agree that he stole most of the whole book... well, at least, for me, he did, except for the moments where he acted as a total cockblock between the couple.
What frustrated me about the book was the constant push and pull between Cassie and Ethan. One minute they're into each other, the next minute, either Cassie or Ethan can't handle the both of them together, to the point that it became somewhat repetitive mid section. There was too much tension going on between them but their constant denial was just too annoying.
[b:Bad Romeo|21411058|Bad Romeo (Starcrossed, #1)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413547825s/21411058.jpg|40711672] aggravated me, but it got me loving it in the end. I loved the balance of hilarity and drama in this book. Everything was just right; nothing much, nothing less. If you fancy a read that will make you giggle and well... make you want to slam your book or ereader down, then pick it back up to continue reading -- immediately -- this book is definitely right up your alley.
I also can't wait for the upcoming sequel, [b:Broken Juliet|21411062|Broken Juliet (Starcrossed, #2)|Leisa Rayven|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1419093983s/21411062.jpg|40711677]! Please. Come. Now!