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yodamom's review
3.0
Enjoyable with a bad guy that was believable and a bit of an arse.
A simple story of a bad bad boy from the wrong side. He beds a good girl and fights the world to save her while she fights his world to save him. Complications happen, disapproval runs wild, beatings are regular, sex is often and tamer then I expected.
Major issue which might have bothered me more because I listened to it audiobook. The author kept repeating these words and descriptions:
"Gasp"- this girl gasped so much I'm surprised she didn't hyperventilate
"Moss Colored Eyes"-she mentioned it he mentioned it and others mentioned it, so any times it was like she was a swamp
There were other but those, omg I get it she gasped a lot and he noticed she noted her moss colored eyes a lot !
The author noticed everyones eye color, over and over.
A simple story of a bad bad boy from the wrong side. He beds a good girl and fights the world to save her while she fights his world to save him. Complications happen, disapproval runs wild, beatings are regular, sex is often and tamer then I expected.
Major issue which might have bothered me more because I listened to it audiobook. The author kept repeating these words and descriptions:
"Gasp"- this girl gasped so much I'm surprised she didn't hyperventilate
"Moss Colored Eyes"-she mentioned it he mentioned it and others mentioned it, so any times it was like she was a swamp
There were other but those, omg I get it she gasped a lot and he noticed she noted her moss colored eyes a lot !
The author noticed everyones eye color, over and over.
tfpeel's review
5.0
bello molto più ben sviluppato dellle altre saghe e con un paio di twist inaspettati che ti lasciano anche basita... bello e senz'altro più realista dell'instalove che va tanto di moda di solito.. due mondi opposti che collidono e il risultato è perfetto cinque stelle piene!!!
coriann3492's review
4.0
I read this because I LOVE the marked men series.. this one is way different and I just had a hard time getting into it. It’s a good book, just hard to compete with marked men.
devansbooklife's review
5.0
Jay Crownover is growing as an author and I really enjoy the aftermath of her growth.
Welcome to the Point
There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter. (Bax to most, but to Dovie during their softer interactions it's Shane)
Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.
Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.
Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.
I enjoyed this story as a whole. At times though I felt that the whole "Bax is a bad guy" got pushed too hard. It was repetitive. And not really needed. I enjoyed the plot. There were unique twists and turns of this dark, grimmy, and rough lifestyle. The chemistry between Box and Dovie was good, but it wasn't sweltering. It didn't knock me down and leave me breathless. The final twist had my jaw on the floor and my heart going a million miles a minute. Bax shocked me. And that is hard to do anymore in this genre. I loved the hell out of him after that. He showed a selfless side I really hadn't expected from him and is hard to find in the Bad Boy fictional world. Oh, and I actually loved the fact that Dovie isn't your typical skinny, blonde bombshell female lead. I loved that she had a real appearance.
Welcome to the Point
There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter. (Bax to most, but to Dovie during their softer interactions it's Shane)
Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.
Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.
Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.
I enjoyed this story as a whole. At times though I felt that the whole "Bax is a bad guy" got pushed too hard. It was repetitive. And not really needed. I enjoyed the plot. There were unique twists and turns of this dark, grimmy, and rough lifestyle. The chemistry between Box and Dovie was good, but it wasn't sweltering. It didn't knock me down and leave me breathless. The final twist had my jaw on the floor and my heart going a million miles a minute. Bax shocked me. And that is hard to do anymore in this genre. I loved the hell out of him after that. He showed a selfless side I really hadn't expected from him and is hard to find in the Bad Boy fictional world. Oh, and I actually loved the fact that Dovie isn't your typical skinny, blonde bombshell female lead. I loved that she had a real appearance.
klaragon73's review
4.0
There is something inherently sexy about a bad boy, be it the songs he rocks, the bike he straddles, or the horse he rides. Yet, what if the "bad" in the boy could not be tamed? What if it were more than his womanizing, egomaniac ways? What if he was criminally bad and had no remorse for his crimes, in fact, he never planned on going straight? Would he still be as insanely hot?
I can only testify to my opinion, and that would be... yes, because in the pages of a book, the worst of the worst can bring women to their knees. Also, loyalty is a trait to be admired in a world where selfishness seems to be put above selflessness. But that's not a rant for this blog... a reminder, maybe, but not a rant.
If you've read Rule, Jet, Rome, and/or Nash, also by Jay Crownover, you know these guys to be a bunch a misfits banded tighter than blood through tough lives and the love of ink. They're all out for a good time, including booze, women, and old fashioned boys games. They are fun. Fun to look at, fun to be around, and certainly they must be fun to sleep with... well, the women who tame them certainly think so, at least. Best I can say, they are fun to read about.
Better When He's Bad is not a fun book, nor is it about a man sowing his wild oats. It's gritty and raw, even cringe-worthy at times—but in the best of ways. I would say Jay Crownover stepped her writing up to phenomenal heights with Bax and his story. (I'm twitching to read Race's story next.) When I read the first paragraph, I had to wonder if the same woman who is still writing the Marked Men series could possibly be the same woman writing the Welcome to the Point series. And no, I don't mean that literally... of course she's the one writing both series, I just believe this shows the range she has as an author, as well as the growth of her writing along the way.
What I loved: Bax and the people who surrounded him are mysteries in of themselves. The twists and turns, and the completely unexpected. I loved the way I sat on the edge of my seat wondering how Bax was going to get himself and Dovie out of an unfathomable mess. I loved Bax for having at least one person he would protect besides himself. Jay's ability to draw out the suspense where Bax is concerned speaks to my earlier argument about her ability as a writer.
My thoughts about the notorious Bax, in particular, are: While criminals are not my ideal choice in a companion, Bax made it appear possible. Or should I say, Jay made it appear possible. The trouble Bax jumped into wasn't nickle and dime crap. He walks out of 5 years in prison to find himself involved in something bigger and much scarier than before, primarily because he's found a female worth taking care of.
My thoughts about Dovie: She is Race's sister, and Race is Bax's best friend, but the three of them couldn't be more different. Honestly, I'm not completely sure how I feel about Dovie. To be so good, she certainly stepped up and handled Bax like a natural. The one thing I couldn't piece together in my head, was when exactly they fell in love with each other. One second he's her protector, the next he's unwilling to let her go. I'm not certain I ever completely bought their relationship, but at some point I forgot about how they became what they were and just went with the story.
What I could have lived without: There is one scene I could have lived without ever reading, and no, I'm not going to discuss it, I'm not going to tell you which scene it is, I'm just going to leave it on the wayside and pretend like it never crossed my eyes. So why bring it up at all? Because it is particularly violent and put an image in my head I can't erase. I'm a grown woman, and if it bothered me, I want people to be warned that there is graphic material associated with the book. Was it enough for me to not reread the book? No, I'll probably just skip over it. Would this book have gotten 5 stars without it? No. The lack of me buying the entire romance played into that. Was the scene pivotal? I honestly have to say yes. Perhaps there could have been a better way, though I can't think of a more shocking and captivating one.
Bravo, Jay Crownover! I'm going to admit to being more of a Marked Men girl myself, and I'm looking forward to Rowdy in October, I believe. But don't you worry, with just the small snippet of Race's story, I'm excited for Better When He's Bold.
I can only testify to my opinion, and that would be... yes, because in the pages of a book, the worst of the worst can bring women to their knees. Also, loyalty is a trait to be admired in a world where selfishness seems to be put above selflessness. But that's not a rant for this blog... a reminder, maybe, but not a rant.
If you've read Rule, Jet, Rome, and/or Nash, also by Jay Crownover, you know these guys to be a bunch a misfits banded tighter than blood through tough lives and the love of ink. They're all out for a good time, including booze, women, and old fashioned boys games. They are fun. Fun to look at, fun to be around, and certainly they must be fun to sleep with... well, the women who tame them certainly think so, at least. Best I can say, they are fun to read about.
Better When He's Bad is not a fun book, nor is it about a man sowing his wild oats. It's gritty and raw, even cringe-worthy at times—but in the best of ways. I would say Jay Crownover stepped her writing up to phenomenal heights with Bax and his story. (I'm twitching to read Race's story next.) When I read the first paragraph, I had to wonder if the same woman who is still writing the Marked Men series could possibly be the same woman writing the Welcome to the Point series. And no, I don't mean that literally... of course she's the one writing both series, I just believe this shows the range she has as an author, as well as the growth of her writing along the way.
What I loved: Bax and the people who surrounded him are mysteries in of themselves. The twists and turns, and the completely unexpected. I loved the way I sat on the edge of my seat wondering how Bax was going to get himself and Dovie out of an unfathomable mess. I loved Bax for having at least one person he would protect besides himself. Jay's ability to draw out the suspense where Bax is concerned speaks to my earlier argument about her ability as a writer.
My thoughts about the notorious Bax, in particular, are: While criminals are not my ideal choice in a companion, Bax made it appear possible. Or should I say, Jay made it appear possible. The trouble Bax jumped into wasn't nickle and dime crap. He walks out of 5 years in prison to find himself involved in something bigger and much scarier than before, primarily because he's found a female worth taking care of.
My thoughts about Dovie: She is Race's sister, and Race is Bax's best friend, but the three of them couldn't be more different. Honestly, I'm not completely sure how I feel about Dovie. To be so good, she certainly stepped up and handled Bax like a natural. The one thing I couldn't piece together in my head, was when exactly they fell in love with each other. One second he's her protector, the next he's unwilling to let her go. I'm not certain I ever completely bought their relationship, but at some point I forgot about how they became what they were and just went with the story.
What I could have lived without: There is one scene I could have lived without ever reading, and no, I'm not going to discuss it, I'm not going to tell you which scene it is, I'm just going to leave it on the wayside and pretend like it never crossed my eyes. So why bring it up at all? Because it is particularly violent and put an image in my head I can't erase. I'm a grown woman, and if it bothered me, I want people to be warned that there is graphic material associated with the book. Was it enough for me to not reread the book? No, I'll probably just skip over it. Would this book have gotten 5 stars without it? No. The lack of me buying the entire romance played into that. Was the scene pivotal? I honestly have to say yes. Perhaps there could have been a better way, though I can't think of a more shocking and captivating one.
Bravo, Jay Crownover! I'm going to admit to being more of a Marked Men girl myself, and I'm looking forward to Rowdy in October, I believe. But don't you worry, with just the small snippet of Race's story, I'm excited for Better When He's Bold.
echoingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
“Oh, honey, if you look close enough, everything is in those eyes. That’s why they’re so dark. They are full. Full of every secret, every promise, and every temptation that can make a good girl do really bad things and enjoy every second of it.”
This book was gritty and suspenseful; super sexy and I tell you very addictive…. which I absolutely loved. I could not put this book down, it was a heart-pounding page turner which left me on the edge of my seat the entire time! This book is the total opposite to the marked men series. What I mean about that is this book is about a violent and dangerous world of The Point, a place where criminals rules. I can tell you that Jay Crownover knows how to write books that just creeps up under my skin! I literally could not put this book down! This book was literally addictive, consuming and it never felt this good to be bad; up until now! This story is so different in many ways with the Marked Men series but this book has the same addictive quality with kick ass characters that shine with their boldness and individuality. This series is grittier and darker. Our hero in this book is a totally bad, dangerous criminal. But bad isn’t always black and white but has all shades of gray. Bax is literally untouchable with his life- toughened exterior, that is until one disarming redhead crashes into his life right after he got out of prison.
“I kissed the living shit out of her as I came harder than I ever had in my life. I kissed her until neither of us could breathe. Kissed her until she was pulling at my ears to get me to let her go. Kissed her until I felt her start to shimmy and quake around my dick. Kissed her until I sent her back over the edge while I tried to get my wits and rationality back. I kissed her like I knew there were only a limited number of times she was going to let me do it, and I was going to make each one a memory.”
Bax just got out of prison, after five long years but he barely been out a day and he is already in a whole lot of trouble. His best friend Race is nowhere to be found, but yet everyone is looking for him. Bax never had a easy life, he became a thief at a very young age and his like living each day as if it is his very last. Race is one of the very few that always stood by him and that meant he needed to find him before anyone else does. He needs to know why everyone is after him like that and in the middle of all of this is a redhead girl whose freckled face screams innocence but with her fiery attitude is willing to take on the world to find out what happened to Race. Bax is the one Dovie had to look out for. Race’s best friend, identified by the star tattoo on the side of his eye. Dovie was terrified of Bax, he was all toughness, darkness and danger. Somehow he was the key to finding Race so she had to push away her fear and stick to him like glue, despite the declaration that he works alone.
“She was like some kind of balm that made all the ravaged and torn pieces of my soul feel less raw.”
Bax is used to working alone, never to be attached to anyone. He lives in a world that having attachments meant liabilities and that was very dangerous in his life. Nonetheless Dovie was very relentless to stay in his business until they found Race. the more they worked together in search for Race, who I might add become a ghost, the more Dovie worked at cracking his impenetrable shield. Bax was under the impression that what she will find in him would be all bad. That he can’t be redeemed. Well actually he never hope to be redeemed but suddenly this girl was intent to draw out a side of him he never thought her had. Dovie obviously knew she had to stay away from Bax but the more time she spends with him, the more she sees that there are so much more about him than just being bad. He would sometimes soften around her, so this is how she saw the good in him. These two had such great chemistry that blazed uncontrollably between them and Dovie could just not stay away from even when she tried so hard to fight that desire. Everyone seemed to think that Bax will break her and be the end of her but she just could not stay away from him.
“Some boys . . . they are just better when they’re bad. Bax is one of them and I’m starting to think my brother might be one of them, too. I just have to be good enough for all of us to balance it out.”
I absolutely loved seeing their relationship grow like that. I love that Dovie never gave up on him even though he did everything he could to push her away. Dovie made everything better for him and it started to terrify him that he needed her in a way that he never needed before. He did not know how to be with her because he had only two choices in him mind: go back to prison or get himself killed. This story is filled with so much suspense as this story unravels, it is a heart-pounding adventure in the streets of the Point. I was constantly on the edge of my seat never knowing what would happen and I never could guess what would happen next. I adored both characters. I never expected for Bax to change but I’m happy that he got some kind of balance between good and bad, thanks to Dovie and I am very happy that Dovie never expected Bax to change. This book was honestly perfectly written, with so many twist and turns, through the gut- wrenching scenes with so much emotions. Suspense,steam and action is few of the things you experience in the first book of this series. I would never want to miss a second from Jay Crownover’s books, she is becoming a queen in the New Adult genre!
“I don’t know how love works, Dovie. I don’t know how to be anything other than this, but I know the only thing that gives me hope is the idea of you and me. I know I’m not the ideal, not the dream guy, but no one will ever fight for you the way I will. I promise you that you will always have the best parts of me I have to give.”
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG:
michalice's review against another edition
5.0
I am quite new to Jay's books, but you can guarantee that I will devour every single book, they are just that amazing. When I found out I was accepted onto the blog tour for Better When He's Bad I was beyond excited and I could not wait to make a start on reading it. The synopsis for Better When He's Bad definitely piqued my interest and I couldn't wait to meet this new bad boy on the block...or book in this case.
Better When He's Bad is the story of Bax and Dovie. Our initial meeting of Bax wants the best, and it certainly sets the example for how the rest of the book is played out. Bax is a typical bad boy, but in a twisted kind of way he isn't necessarily bad. The things he does, he does for a reason. He steals things he wants, things he never would have had the opportunity to have growing up, the money he makes went to a good thing. He grew up believing the worst out of life, and with a crappy Mum and Dad, and a brother who left as soon as possible, who could blame him for his actions. Dovie is the complete opposite of Bax in every single way, yet she balances his badness with some of her goodness....although there are a few times where badness is oh so right. She calms him down, grounds him, and helps him find sense in his messed up life. They are the most perfectly imperfect duo that managed to surprise you with every singe page.
Better When He's Bad is full of secrets, mystery, lies, half truths, and backstabbing, and I loved every single page of it. The relationships that Bax has with other characters was unreliable and flammable, and you never knew what would happen next, who would live, who would die, who would get beaten to a pulp, and that only made for a more exciting read.
I was extremely surprised by some revelations near the end of Better When He's Bad, I did not see it coming and I love how it was all kept hidden. However I don't like what one character is doing now, and while a small part of me thinks they will be sensible about it, I am still worried about the aftermath.
Jay Crownover has done it again. Not only has she pulled me into a new world she has created (although I will admit I was a very willing participant) she has once again given me a very hot, very sexy, very bad boy, book boyfriend to drool over.
laurenm2111's review
5.0
Oh, what a completely new series from Jay! I just adored this introduction to the dark, gritty and downright dirty world of 'The Point"! The characters don't just grab your attention, they grab you by the throat and carry you along for the ride. 'Bax' was such a intense character, that you could not help but be intriged by his story. And you really did wich for a HEA for him. Really impressed with all the side characters also, and they also seem like their stories are gonna be just as full-on as Bax and Dovie's! Thanks for the introduction to The Point, Jay - looking forward to staying for a while!