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profromance's review against another edition
4.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Bayside Heroes’ series second book, Screwed Up, by Harloe Rae is a jaunt into the opposites attract, “one-night-stand-into-more” relationship between hospital security guard, Dane, and the resident psychiatrist, Larsen Belle. Rae plays with the Beauty and the Beast allusion throughout her story, denoting how Dane and “Lars” are quite different, but clearly suited for each other. These two have clear chemistry throughout the entire book, and their romantic trek towards realizing a future beyond one night is the driving force of this book. The ultimate climax of the book comes about 80ish% in when they have to face the hurts of their pasts in order to fully realize their happy ending. Yet, for much of the book, Dane and Larsen’s story is more exploratory than anything. Rae has created moments, inauspicious dates, between the two where they learn about their growing love for each other and they simply have fun together. Dane breathes life into Larsen’s carefully controlled life, and Larsen brings Dane a connection. There isn’t really a surprise when they acknowledge their feelings for each other. Rather, Screwed Up is a rolling journey into love for these two with very few pitfalls along the way.
If you love the sweetness of two people finding their “one,” you’ll really love this story. Screwed Up isn’t really screwed up after all.
The Bayside Heroes’ series second book, Screwed Up, by Harloe Rae is a jaunt into the opposites attract, “one-night-stand-into-more” relationship between hospital security guard, Dane, and the resident psychiatrist, Larsen Belle. Rae plays with the Beauty and the Beast allusion throughout her story, denoting how Dane and “Lars” are quite different, but clearly suited for each other. These two have clear chemistry throughout the entire book, and their romantic trek towards realizing a future beyond one night is the driving force of this book. The ultimate climax of the book comes about 80ish% in when they have to face the hurts of their pasts in order to fully realize their happy ending. Yet, for much of the book, Dane and Larsen’s story is more exploratory than anything. Rae has created moments, inauspicious dates, between the two where they learn about their growing love for each other and they simply have fun together. Dane breathes life into Larsen’s carefully controlled life, and Larsen brings Dane a connection. There isn’t really a surprise when they acknowledge their feelings for each other. Rather, Screwed Up is a rolling journey into love for these two with very few pitfalls along the way.
If you love the sweetness of two people finding their “one,” you’ll really love this story. Screwed Up isn’t really screwed up after all.
bookspaced's review
4.0
Lars and Dane are swoonworthy as ever!
Screwed Up by Harloe Rae is the second installement of the Bayside Heroes series about our everyday heroes and their way to finding love.
I really enjoyed Screwed up. Lars and Dane are wonderful together and they fit eachother perfectly. Their chemistry is off the charts.
This book didn‘t just include alot of emotion and adventure but also alot of steam.
4.5⭐️
Screwed Up by Harloe Rae is the second installement of the Bayside Heroes series about our everyday heroes and their way to finding love.
I really enjoyed Screwed up. Lars and Dane are wonderful together and they fit eachother perfectly. Their chemistry is off the charts.
This book didn‘t just include alot of emotion and adventure but also alot of steam.
4.5⭐️
bookishsteph's review
5.0
I love Dane and Larsen. They have sparks from the first time they meet. They are polar opposites but definitely burn up the pages when they get together.
thebookdealer24's review
5.0
this book!!! I love how she went from 'Sheldon Cooper levels of clinical to relaxed and playful, all it took was some vitamin Dane Owens! I loved their witty, playful banter. They're perfect for each other. Loved this book!
kfriend's review
5.0
The Bayside Heroes series is just a TOTAL feel good, sexy delight, but I’m pretty sure Harloe Rae’s Screwed Up is going to be my fav. After meeting these characters in the first story, I was DESPERATE to know more about them, and I was not disappointed. I could not get enough of these two- and holy moly, they are so deliciously sexy! Screwed up is feel-good romance at its finest- it’s dreamy, sexy, sweet, and fantastically charming. What a delightful treat from the talented Harloe Rae- my heart is full of all the warm fuzzies!
Sweet, stoic Larsen is devoted to her career as a psychiatrist at Bayside Regional- so much so that she’s forgotten who to cut loose. Her bestie convinces her that flirting with new hospital security guard Dane in the hopes of enticing him for some no-strings fun might thaw her a bit- help her finally have a bit of much-needed fun. She didn’t plan on him being quite so enticing- on the surface, Dane seems like the perfect candidate for no-string fun, but beneath his delicious not-committal playboy exterior he’s quite dreamy. And what started out as just physical soon gets complicated- a surprise for them both.
CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW DAMN DREAMY DANE OWENS IS?! Holy moly- he’s Harloe’s swooniest hero ever. I was not expecting for him to make me giddy with heart eye feelings, but I am madly in love with him. MADLY. From the first moment we see him with Larsen, I was a goner. Not only is he a deliciously sexy and alpha dirty talker, but this man has a heart of gold. He knows just how to push Larsen with empathy and love, he patiently and gently makes it safe for her to have fun outside of her comfort zone, constantly thinking of sweet, adventurous, and charming non-date dates that just had me swooning left and right. I loved how thoughtful he was, how affectionate and giving- but he’s still got that rough, alpha edge I adore in Harloe’s men. I COULD NOT BE MORE OBSESSED WITH HIM. Hands down my favorite Harloe hero EVER- he owns me.
And Larsen was so relatable as a heroine. As someone who, too, has found herself defined by and focused on my career, I felt a real kinship to her need to both be taken seriously and to reconnect with her vitality. Harloe imbues her with so many nuances- she’s got insecurities and baggage, she’s reluctant, but she’s also incredibly witty, fun, and has a bit of her own boldness that Dane brings out. I found her so endearing- and I loved watching her reconnecting with her joy as she leans into the unexpected feelings with the guy who was supposed to be nothing more than a fling. Their chemistry is SCORCHING HOT- the banter, the flirting, the sexy times, HOLY MOLY. Perhaps Harloe’s sexiest book ever. But their emotional connectivity was also so perfectly scribed- there is an ease to their connection, an authenticity. Like they’ve always been the best of friends- it’s really quite charming and has the Harloe Rae sincerity that makes her romances so emotive.
I just could not love this book more- I was smiling, laughing, full of butterflies the entire time. We have a smidge of drama, but nothing too heavy. At its heart, Screwed Up is a sweet and endearing feel-good story that reminds us to just lean into love- hang ups and all. What a fun and lovable story!
Sweet, stoic Larsen is devoted to her career as a psychiatrist at Bayside Regional- so much so that she’s forgotten who to cut loose. Her bestie convinces her that flirting with new hospital security guard Dane in the hopes of enticing him for some no-strings fun might thaw her a bit- help her finally have a bit of much-needed fun. She didn’t plan on him being quite so enticing- on the surface, Dane seems like the perfect candidate for no-string fun, but beneath his delicious not-committal playboy exterior he’s quite dreamy. And what started out as just physical soon gets complicated- a surprise for them both.
CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW DAMN DREAMY DANE OWENS IS?! Holy moly- he’s Harloe’s swooniest hero ever. I was not expecting for him to make me giddy with heart eye feelings, but I am madly in love with him. MADLY. From the first moment we see him with Larsen, I was a goner. Not only is he a deliciously sexy and alpha dirty talker, but this man has a heart of gold. He knows just how to push Larsen with empathy and love, he patiently and gently makes it safe for her to have fun outside of her comfort zone, constantly thinking of sweet, adventurous, and charming non-date dates that just had me swooning left and right. I loved how thoughtful he was, how affectionate and giving- but he’s still got that rough, alpha edge I adore in Harloe’s men. I COULD NOT BE MORE OBSESSED WITH HIM. Hands down my favorite Harloe hero EVER- he owns me.
And Larsen was so relatable as a heroine. As someone who, too, has found herself defined by and focused on my career, I felt a real kinship to her need to both be taken seriously and to reconnect with her vitality. Harloe imbues her with so many nuances- she’s got insecurities and baggage, she’s reluctant, but she’s also incredibly witty, fun, and has a bit of her own boldness that Dane brings out. I found her so endearing- and I loved watching her reconnecting with her joy as she leans into the unexpected feelings with the guy who was supposed to be nothing more than a fling. Their chemistry is SCORCHING HOT- the banter, the flirting, the sexy times, HOLY MOLY. Perhaps Harloe’s sexiest book ever. But their emotional connectivity was also so perfectly scribed- there is an ease to their connection, an authenticity. Like they’ve always been the best of friends- it’s really quite charming and has the Harloe Rae sincerity that makes her romances so emotive.
I just could not love this book more- I was smiling, laughing, full of butterflies the entire time. We have a smidge of drama, but nothing too heavy. At its heart, Screwed Up is a sweet and endearing feel-good story that reminds us to just lean into love- hang ups and all. What a fun and lovable story!
allisonbree's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Each time I review a book, I try not to have too many expectations or hopes for it prior to reading. That was especially easy to do with Screwed Up, since it isn't a part of any other series, and all new characters are introduced. Everything that I knew about the book was it was an opposites attract, no strings story featuring a doctor and security guard.
I'm a sucker for opposites attract stories. But, no strings attached themes are not my favorite. But, Dane and Larson grabbed my attention from the beginning, and it only got better. Dane is an angel. He's the guy that's too good to be real. He's so kind and generous (in more ways than one), and it was easy to join Team-Dane.
Not that I wasn't Team-Larson! Larson Belle is just as realistic. She's stubborn, sassy, and incredibly intelligent. She's also caring and goes out of her way to help her patients and coworkers. Her brutal honesty is refreshing, and while she may feel insecure, she doesn't let it show and lets her bold side takeover. (Something I need to learn to do!)
Read my full review on my blog at https://thenutmegdiaries.com!
I'm a sucker for opposites attract stories. But, no strings attached themes are not my favorite. But, Dane and Larson grabbed my attention from the beginning, and it only got better. Dane is an angel. He's the guy that's too good to be real. He's so kind and generous (in more ways than one), and it was easy to join Team-Dane.
Not that I wasn't Team-Larson! Larson Belle is just as realistic. She's stubborn, sassy, and incredibly intelligent. She's also caring and goes out of her way to help her patients and coworkers. Her brutal honesty is refreshing, and while she may feel insecure, she doesn't let it show and lets her bold side takeover. (Something I need to learn to do!)
Read my full review on my blog at https://thenutmegdiaries.com!
kandisteiner's review
5.0
More addicting than my morning coffee — and that’s saying something. Dane and Larsen gripped me from the first chapter and I couldn’t come up for air until I read every scorching scene. Screwed Up is devilishly sexy, ridiculously fun, and packs a punch right in the feels. A perfect romance that I won’t forget!
kandisteiner's review against another edition
5.0
More addicting than my morning coffee — and that’s saying something. Dane and Larsen gripped me from the first chapter and I couldn’t come up for air until I read every scorching scene. Screwed Up is devilishly sexy, ridiculously fun, and packs a punch right in the feels. A perfect romance that I won’t forget!
kem0514's review
4.0
Screwed Up by Harloe Rae is book #2 in the Bayside Heroes series. Some of the material is overlapping so if you plan to read them all, definitely do them in order.
Dane and Larsen start off fast and hot. I think I would have liked a little bit more interaction between them before Larsen goes and propositions Dane for sex. But that’s how it happened, they saw each other a couple times, felt the attraction, Larsen was horny and so she offered no strings, only fun kind of deal. Dane and Larsen are two completely different people with Larsen being the uptight, boring, and planned professional psychologist and Dane being the fun, wild, down for a good time, non committal security guard. Their friends with benefits relationship was really fun because it was about sex but also about enjoying their time together. Dane pushed Larsen way out of her comfort zone and she enjoyed every bit of it. Some stories focus so much on the sex that they don’t write much of a relationship between the characters but these two have a well developed relationship outside of the bedroom.
Dane and Larsen may have been an unlikely pair, but they worked. Soon enough they couldn’t stop themselves from catching feelings. Dane is surprised with how sweet he can be in a relationship. Some insecurities and a lack of open communication threatens to tear them apart but will one of them make a bold declaration of love?
Dane and Larsen start off fast and hot. I think I would have liked a little bit more interaction between them before Larsen goes and propositions Dane for sex. But that’s how it happened, they saw each other a couple times, felt the attraction, Larsen was horny and so she offered no strings, only fun kind of deal. Dane and Larsen are two completely different people with Larsen being the uptight, boring, and planned professional psychologist and Dane being the fun, wild, down for a good time, non committal security guard. Their friends with benefits relationship was really fun because it was about sex but also about enjoying their time together. Dane pushed Larsen way out of her comfort zone and she enjoyed every bit of it. Some stories focus so much on the sex that they don’t write much of a relationship between the characters but these two have a well developed relationship outside of the bedroom.
Dane and Larsen may have been an unlikely pair, but they worked. Soon enough they couldn’t stop themselves from catching feelings. Dane is surprised with how sweet he can be in a relationship. Some insecurities and a lack of open communication threatens to tear them apart but will one of them make a bold declaration of love?
mrsmar10thereader's review
4.0
Belle and the Beast
Larsen Belle is wound tighter than anyone can be wound. She needs something or someone to take the edge off and Dane is the man for the job. Rough around the edges and such a sweet dirty talker. He proves to be the ever efficient orgasmologist, so much so that the no strings attached arrangement quickly goes out the window.
Larsen Belle is wound tighter than anyone can be wound. She needs something or someone to take the edge off and Dane is the man for the job. Rough around the edges and such a sweet dirty talker. He proves to be the ever efficient orgasmologist, so much so that the no strings attached arrangement quickly goes out the window.