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Love is Messy #3
Bad Things
They say it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I think that’s total bullshit. No one wants to be a loser in the Game of Love. Trust me, I know. With a lying fiancee and a canceled wedding, I’ve lost big time.
And that loss turned me bitter, so hell bent on vengeance that I almost let it destroy everything. Determined never to go down that dark path again, I’ve sworn off romance. Work became my priority, my safe place, the one constant in my life that wouldn’t tempt me.
Until I took on a project I normally wouldn’t, and it introduced me to someone I never would have talked to before. No matter how hard I try, my professionalism slips away the more we work together, and I know it’s a disaster in the making.
Bad things happen when I open my guarded heart. But when I look at her, bad things are all I want to do.
And that loss turned me bitter, so hell bent on vengeance that I almost let it destroy everything. Determined never to go down that dark path again, I’ve sworn off romance. Work became my priority, my safe place, the one constant in my life that wouldn’t tempt me.
Until I took on a project I normally wouldn’t, and it introduced me to someone I never would have talked to before. No matter how hard I try, my professionalism slips away the more we work together, and I know it’s a disaster in the making.
Bad things happen when I open my guarded heart. But when I look at her, bad things are all I want to do.
226 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 10, 2017
588 people are currently reading
1517 people want to read
About the author
Emily Goodwin
94 books3,949 followersEmily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters.
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
facebook.com/emilygoodwinbooks
emily@emilygoodwinbooks.com
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
facebook.com/emilygoodwinbooks
emily@emilygoodwinbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
May 14, 2017
I have loved every book I’ve read by Emily Goodwin and this book isn’t an exception. This book is my favorite book by the author so far! Great writing, amazing characters (everybody but the ex’s) and superb plot. I can’t wait for the second part of this duet. Bad Things really was an amazing start of Cole and Ana’s love story.
Ana is finishing her debut book and her editor has too much work so she gets a new editor, Cole. Cole is very good at his work and works hard, but he doesn’t like romance books. When he starts to read Ana’s romance novel, he likes her story and he’s convinced that it will be a bestseller. When Cole finally meets Ana, he thinks she’s beautiful and wants to know her better. Ana loves to spend time with Cole and doesn’t want to leave New York.
I loved Cole and Ana so much! They are both passionate, talented, damaged, caring and sweet. I felt for Cole and Ana after the prologue. I understand why they didn’t believe in love. Two nonbelievers in true love will find love with each other. Cole and Ana are a beautiful couple and I adored them together.
I haven’t read Lexi and Luke’s love story (that started in Hot Mess) yet. I loved Lexi, Luke and their little family in this book. Their love is strong and solid. They appeared sometimes and were very supportive. There may be a few little spoilers about their story, but they make me want to read their books more. I want know their whole story.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --
Ana is finishing her debut book and her editor has too much work so she gets a new editor, Cole. Cole is very good at his work and works hard, but he doesn’t like romance books. When he starts to read Ana’s romance novel, he likes her story and he’s convinced that it will be a bestseller. When Cole finally meets Ana, he thinks she’s beautiful and wants to know her better. Ana loves to spend time with Cole and doesn’t want to leave New York.
I loved Cole and Ana so much! They are both passionate, talented, damaged, caring and sweet. I felt for Cole and Ana after the prologue. I understand why they didn’t believe in love. Two nonbelievers in true love will find love with each other. Cole and Ana are a beautiful couple and I adored them together.
I haven’t read Lexi and Luke’s love story (that started in Hot Mess) yet. I loved Lexi, Luke and their little family in this book. Their love is strong and solid. They appeared sometimes and were very supportive. There may be a few little spoilers about their story, but they make me want to read their books more. I want know their whole story.
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book. --
June 6, 2018
I wasn't expecting to like Cole as much as I did. After reading Lexi and Lukes books (Hot Mess and Twice Burned) I really thought he was an ass. I'm so glad he got his own story so we got to know his character. Cole is actually kind of self-conscious and unsure of himself because of having his heart broken in the past. He doesn't think he can make anyone happy and that's what causes him to act the way he does at times. I really liked how his book wasn't just a romance with his developing feelings for Ana but also him repairing his relationship with his brother and Lexi. Ana is a great heroine, strong and talented but she's living with fear because of a crazy ex. I can't wait to see how these issues are going to be resolved in the next book!
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February 23, 2020
I almost didn't read this because of how mean Cole was in the first two books but I am really glad I gave this a chance! Cole has won me over and looking forward to reading how it all plays out in the next book!
June 29, 2017
This is the follow up to Love is Messy (Hot Mess & Twice Burned) Duet series and I can assure you ,you will not be disappointed. I would recommend you start reading Love is Messy Duet series part 1 before you start reading Bad Things: A Love is Messy Novel. This is Cole and Ana’s love story.
Ana is finishing her debut book and her editor Lexi has been assigned way too much work so she has been assigned to a new editor …Cole. Cole is very good at what he does BUT he isn’t a fan of the romance genre. When he starts to read Ana’s romance novel, he changes his tune and finds he is falling ahead over hills for the book and for Ana. Ana finds she does like Cole and starts to fall for him.
We actually get to see Cole redeem himself after he showed himself to be a huge jerk during Lexi and Cole’s stories (Hot Mess and Twice Burned). Cole is fleshed out more and Ana has a tragic past which is told in parts in part 1 and this story is filled with fantastic romance, erotic passion, suspense ((all due to Ana’s ex boyfriend) and OMG ends with one huge cliffhanger. This book will pick up with book 2 and Cole and Ana’s story Battle Scars. I so need this book now!!
My Rating: 4.6 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
May 9, 2017
Wow!!! We got coles point of view what happen and why he was so bitter about love!!! He meets Ana and he tries not to fall in love with her but both of them have trouble with trust! We see Lexi and cole in the story too! I can't wait to read more about Ana and cole later! Emily is an amazing author and I love her books!
June 21, 2017
This page turner is hard to quit!!! Bad Things was a quick read for me and I found myself wanting to go read Hot Mess & Twice Burned to find out more about the backstory between Cole, Luke & Lexi. DISCLAIMER ---- Although you do NOT need to read them before reading Bad Things!
With Cole's job working in the Book Publishing sector - I loved seeing into the publishing fictional world and learning how an author might go through getting their book published.
Cole & Ana's story is filled with great romance, suspense, push and pull BUT ends with a very climatic ending that I NEED Battle Scars ASAP!!!! That ending scene in the book has so many twists that could happen EEEKKK!!!! I cannot wait until the next book is released!
With Cole's job working in the Book Publishing sector - I loved seeing into the publishing fictional world and learning how an author might go through getting their book published.
Cole & Ana's story is filled with great romance, suspense, push and pull BUT ends with a very climatic ending that I NEED Battle Scars ASAP!!!! That ending scene in the book has so many twists that could happen EEEKKK!!!! I cannot wait until the next book is released!
May 11, 2017
Bad Things by Emily Goodwin is a spinoff from the popular LOVE IS MESSY series, and can be read as a complete standalone novel.
This is Cole and Ana´s story.
Cole Winchester- yes THE Cole Winchester from Love is Messy Duet- is an successful editor-in-chief. But he´s lonely and longs for a wife, kids and picket fence. Everything his little brother Luke has. His latest serious relationship became a disaster.
And there is Diana Ventimiglia- Ana, a new writer who wants her first book edited.
Both meet and have crazy insta-chemistry.
But both have issues and are insecure. Both have crazy ex-es.
Cole was not my favorite person in the previous books. I thought him shallow and envious. And he is envious, but he is not shallow. He is a burned man with a bad past and is afraid to open his heart.
Ana is my favorite character in this book. She had so much to endure and is afraid, but she stands her ground and powers through her insecurities. I really love her character.
This book is well written and I recommend it.
I give 4,5 Stars and thank you Emily Goodwin !
This is Cole and Ana´s story.
Cole Winchester- yes THE Cole Winchester from Love is Messy Duet- is an successful editor-in-chief. But he´s lonely and longs for a wife, kids and picket fence. Everything his little brother Luke has. His latest serious relationship became a disaster.
And there is Diana Ventimiglia- Ana, a new writer who wants her first book edited.
Both meet and have crazy insta-chemistry.
But both have issues and are insecure. Both have crazy ex-es.
Cole was not my favorite person in the previous books. I thought him shallow and envious. And he is envious, but he is not shallow. He is a burned man with a bad past and is afraid to open his heart.
Ana is my favorite character in this book. She had so much to endure and is afraid, but she stands her ground and powers through her insecurities. I really love her character.
This book is well written and I recommend it.
I give 4,5 Stars and thank you Emily Goodwin !
May 20, 2017
OMG!!! What A book, this book was absolutely brilliant and was completely different than what I imagined it to be. I was swept away in this book and I just couldn't get enough of the story, the characters and just the romance running through it all. But under the romance is a sinister edge, that kept popping up.
I thought I would forever hate Cole Winchester but my heart melted for the man whilst reading this book. You get to see a completely different side to him. He is every bit as swoon-worthy as his little brother. And what can I say about the sassy Ana, she is a great character that has had a nightmare past that seems to be haunting her and she is absolutely terrified. The build up in the relationship between the two of these characters is great. And we get to see some more of Luke, Lexi and Girls.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I wanted to scream and yell but hopefully, the wait isn't long and will no doubt be so worth it. I really enjoyed this brilliant read and look forward to the concluding part. It's a huge recommend from me.
Reviewed by Donna
I thought I would forever hate Cole Winchester but my heart melted for the man whilst reading this book. You get to see a completely different side to him. He is every bit as swoon-worthy as his little brother. And what can I say about the sassy Ana, she is a great character that has had a nightmare past that seems to be haunting her and she is absolutely terrified. The build up in the relationship between the two of these characters is great. And we get to see some more of Luke, Lexi and Girls.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I wanted to scream and yell but hopefully, the wait isn't long and will no doubt be so worth it. I really enjoyed this brilliant read and look forward to the concluding part. It's a huge recommend from me.
Reviewed by Donna
June 23, 2017
Ana is an up and coming author. Her past still haunts her and she can't seem to escape it but when she meets her new editor Cole, he makes it just a little bit easier.
Cole doesn't believe in love. Yet he's editing a romance and can't help but imagine doing some of the scenes with his sexy author. But he knows he's no good for her.
I was a little hesitant at first because of Coles devious past. I wasn't sure if I could like him in this story but as time goes on we find out the reasoning for why he did everything bad in the past and why he feels so broken now. Ana's story was intriguing and I like how the author keeps many things mysterious without giving her whole history up. She keeps us imagining things about her past and how bad it got without ever revealing it. And the push and pull keeps us glued to the pages hoping Cole will finally just make a move. The characters went great together and complicated each other well with being opposites and yet also having much in common. I can't wait until the next book.
Cole doesn't believe in love. Yet he's editing a romance and can't help but imagine doing some of the scenes with his sexy author. But he knows he's no good for her.
I was a little hesitant at first because of Coles devious past. I wasn't sure if I could like him in this story but as time goes on we find out the reasoning for why he did everything bad in the past and why he feels so broken now. Ana's story was intriguing and I like how the author keeps many things mysterious without giving her whole history up. She keeps us imagining things about her past and how bad it got without ever revealing it. And the push and pull keeps us glued to the pages hoping Cole will finally just make a move. The characters went great together and complicated each other well with being opposites and yet also having much in common. I can't wait until the next book.
June 5, 2017
Well......I didn't think she could do it....but she did. Emily Goodwin made me fall in love with Cole Winchester. I didn't think I was going to love him, but to love him more that his brother Luke, never ever thought it would happen. She showed a different side of him, one that is looking for a love that his brother found and a life filled with that love. Enter Ana, oh I just wanted to hug her so much. The pain and suffering she has gone through in her past, she also deserves a love she's been looking for. But again with that cliffhanger, no complaints here, leaving us at that door.....i need book two now!!! Can't wait to see where their story goes next!
January 5, 2020
Cole and Ana have both been hurt.
Not just a quickly passing hurt, but the kind that stays. The hurt that breaks you, making trust impossible. Your heart lays shattered, especially when combined with deceit and abuse.
Not just a quickly passing hurt, but the kind that stays. The hurt that breaks you, making trust impossible. Your heart lays shattered, especially when combined with deceit and abuse.
April 4, 2022
I think I’m an Emily Goodwin fan. This is my third book. It’s just an addicting as the first two. I’m on to the next.
June 30, 2017
I was so excited to get Cole's story after him being introduced in Hot Mess and I'm so glad that we got it. I loved the change in him and the relationship he now has with his brother but mostly I loved how his relationship with Ana made him a little softer and enjoy living instead of just getting by. I absolutely can not wait to get the rest of their story.
October 19, 2019
One should not have to read beyond the synopsis to find out the story is a cliff hanger.
I paused this book and read two other stories because it was not captivating me. When I returned to Bad Things, I finally started to enjoy it only to be faced with the cliff hanger. Not interested enough to continue the Love is Messy series.
Cheers
I paused this book and read two other stories because it was not captivating me. When I returned to Bad Things, I finally started to enjoy it only to be faced with the cliff hanger. Not interested enough to continue the Love is Messy series.
Cheers
May 22, 2017
I wasn't a big fan of Cole in Luke and Lexi's books, but the author turned me into a Cole fan. Can't wait to see what happens next.
May 10, 2017
Another hit from Emily Goodwin! Bad Things is an engaging read with lovable characters and a captivating storyline. Plus, how can I forget the ending that leaves you feeling like you’re dangling off the edge of a cliff!!! I got to the last page- which I didn’t realize at the time because I was so engrossed in the story- and I swiped right, then right, then right again. And. Nothing. Only then realizing that I was on the last page, I shook my fist and silently cursed Goodwin for leaving me hanging! I must admit that I went in aware that this was a duet, but I was not ready for the end when it hit me! This just goes to show how into the story I was.
If you’ve read Hot Mess and Twice burned, you have already gotten to know Cole, and perhaps like me, you weren’t his biggest fan. That all changes in Bad Things! You find out exactly why he is so jaded and Cole has now fully redeemed himself in my eyes. I grew to love the broody, controlled, collected and so damn sexy, Cole!
Ana is a new author and Cole is the editor who has been assigned to her. She is sweet, intelligent, quirky and loves all things pineapple. She too has been scared by someone in the past and it has left her insecure and unsure about love.
The attraction between these two characters is instant and obvious. Their attempts to remain professional only lasts so long before the inevitable happens and someone blurs the lines and bad things happen. As in sexy, naughty, bad things. See what I did there? 😉 Get ready for Cole and Ana to steam up your kindle screen! These two are a whole lot of sexy. But aside from all the hotness these two bring, I also really enjoyed following along as they got to know each other. In many ways, they are very similar to one another and they share many of the same interests.
If you are looking for a steamy romance with a side of humor and suspense, I highly recommend Bad Things! While this can be read as a complete stand-alone, I do recommend reading the first Love is Messy duet. Not only are the books awesome, but you will get to know a bit more about Cole and some of the amazing secondary characters (Lexi and Luke).
Emily, I am counting down the days until I can get part two in my hands!!!
If you’ve read Hot Mess and Twice burned, you have already gotten to know Cole, and perhaps like me, you weren’t his biggest fan. That all changes in Bad Things! You find out exactly why he is so jaded and Cole has now fully redeemed himself in my eyes. I grew to love the broody, controlled, collected and so damn sexy, Cole!
Ana is a new author and Cole is the editor who has been assigned to her. She is sweet, intelligent, quirky and loves all things pineapple. She too has been scared by someone in the past and it has left her insecure and unsure about love.
The attraction between these two characters is instant and obvious. Their attempts to remain professional only lasts so long before the inevitable happens and someone blurs the lines and bad things happen. As in sexy, naughty, bad things. See what I did there? 😉 Get ready for Cole and Ana to steam up your kindle screen! These two are a whole lot of sexy. But aside from all the hotness these two bring, I also really enjoyed following along as they got to know each other. In many ways, they are very similar to one another and they share many of the same interests.
If you are looking for a steamy romance with a side of humor and suspense, I highly recommend Bad Things! While this can be read as a complete stand-alone, I do recommend reading the first Love is Messy duet. Not only are the books awesome, but you will get to know a bit more about Cole and some of the amazing secondary characters (Lexi and Luke).
Emily, I am counting down the days until I can get part two in my hands!!!
May 11, 2017
Emily Goodwin did it again!!! This is a spin off from the Love Is Messy series , while you don’t need to read the series to start Bad Things I would highly recommend it because it gives you some background information about the Winchester Brothers and Cole’s relationships with those around him before meeting the wonderful Ana.
I must be honest, I came into this book not a big fan of Cole. I got to know him somewhat through the Love is Messy series and he came off as a jerk on several occasions . Don’t get me wrong, I felt bad for him.. his ex really did a number on his heart and pinned him against someone who should have been really close to him but never the less my mind kept screaming "jerk jerk jerk." So it did come a huge surprise to me that I absolutely fell in love with Cole Winchester in Bad Things, it was nice being in his head and seeing life in his perspective . He wants what most of us want, someone to love that loves him back and just to overall be happy. He's not one to venture off the safe route, so he throws himself in his career while longing for what his brother and his wife have.
Ana , this girl is fun and adventurous ! She's been out of an abusive relationship with her crazy stalker ex for a year now and it seems like she knows that you only have one life and you better make the most of it. Ana is a new upcoming romance author , after her book is taken away from her fist editor Lexi and given to Cole Winchester to edit their romance seems to be fate . I love these two together, Ana brings out a side of Cole that I don't believe he even knew he had.
Five stars for Bad Things, I loved everything about it and I wouldn't change one single word. Bad Things is a cliffhanger so be prepared to yell " Oh My God" at the ending and to immediately start crying that you more because that's what I did. Even after a broken heart you can fall in love again.
I must be honest, I came into this book not a big fan of Cole. I got to know him somewhat through the Love is Messy series and he came off as a jerk on several occasions . Don’t get me wrong, I felt bad for him.. his ex really did a number on his heart and pinned him against someone who should have been really close to him but never the less my mind kept screaming "jerk jerk jerk." So it did come a huge surprise to me that I absolutely fell in love with Cole Winchester in Bad Things, it was nice being in his head and seeing life in his perspective . He wants what most of us want, someone to love that loves him back and just to overall be happy. He's not one to venture off the safe route, so he throws himself in his career while longing for what his brother and his wife have.
Ana , this girl is fun and adventurous ! She's been out of an abusive relationship with her crazy stalker ex for a year now and it seems like she knows that you only have one life and you better make the most of it. Ana is a new upcoming romance author , after her book is taken away from her fist editor Lexi and given to Cole Winchester to edit their romance seems to be fate . I love these two together, Ana brings out a side of Cole that I don't believe he even knew he had.
Five stars for Bad Things, I loved everything about it and I wouldn't change one single word. Bad Things is a cliffhanger so be prepared to yell " Oh My God" at the ending and to immediately start crying that you more because that's what I did. Even after a broken heart you can fall in love again.
June 29, 2017
“I’m a romance author who doesn’t believe in love.”
Diana aka Ana Ventimiglia is haunted by the memory of an abusive ex. It has changed her as a person, and how she lives her life in her small town in Kentucky. She’s on a cusp of a flourishing writing career when she meets her new editor, Cole Winchester, in NYC.
“For the life of me, I can’t let go or look away from her eyes. I’ve just met her and I already want more.”
Cole is a living, breathing, walking guilt-fest. He’s done a lot of bad things in his life, which hurt the people closest to him. Although he’s been forgiven, he’s hard on himself, especially when he fights hard every day to control the seething negative feelings he can’t help harbouring. When he meets Ana, he’s completely bowled over by her.
“I should push her away, tell her we shouldn’t be doing this. Whatever it is. Yet I want more. I’m addicted without even having a taste.”
They very quickly forge a connection based on mutual interests and attraction. Once they step over the professional boundary, there’s no going back. Cole knows he’s no good for her, but he’s happy for the first time in years. Ana knows that she shouldn’t involve Cole in her baggage, but she’s happy for the first time in a long time, too.
“She was more than a temporary distraction. Being with her felt good physically, for obvious reasons, but being with her felt right.
This was a great novel to kick off this duet. Even though things progressed quickly between Cole and Ana, the story had a good, steady pace, and we got to know Cole and Ana really well. This book was crazy sexy – this couple had fantastic irresistible chemistry and couldn't keep their hands off each other - but it was also chockful with feelings, as the two battle with self-doubt, guilt, fear, desire, and love.
Diana aka Ana Ventimiglia is haunted by the memory of an abusive ex. It has changed her as a person, and how she lives her life in her small town in Kentucky. She’s on a cusp of a flourishing writing career when she meets her new editor, Cole Winchester, in NYC.
“For the life of me, I can’t let go or look away from her eyes. I’ve just met her and I already want more.”
Cole is a living, breathing, walking guilt-fest. He’s done a lot of bad things in his life, which hurt the people closest to him. Although he’s been forgiven, he’s hard on himself, especially when he fights hard every day to control the seething negative feelings he can’t help harbouring. When he meets Ana, he’s completely bowled over by her.
“I should push her away, tell her we shouldn’t be doing this. Whatever it is. Yet I want more. I’m addicted without even having a taste.”
They very quickly forge a connection based on mutual interests and attraction. Once they step over the professional boundary, there’s no going back. Cole knows he’s no good for her, but he’s happy for the first time in years. Ana knows that she shouldn’t involve Cole in her baggage, but she’s happy for the first time in a long time, too.
“She was more than a temporary distraction. Being with her felt good physically, for obvious reasons, but being with her felt right.
This was a great novel to kick off this duet. Even though things progressed quickly between Cole and Ana, the story had a good, steady pace, and we got to know Cole and Ana really well. This book was crazy sexy – this couple had fantastic irresistible chemistry and couldn't keep their hands off each other - but it was also chockful with feelings, as the two battle with self-doubt, guilt, fear, desire, and love.
January 12, 2022
As with Luke and Lexi’s story, this one ends on a cliffhanger. If you aren’t willing to deal with that, don’t bother. I’m going to give this one 3.5 stars and bump it to 4. After Luke and Lexi’s story and the starring role Cole played in it, to say that I wasn’t a fan is a huge understatement. I intensely disliked Cole. Bad things is his story. It is also Ana’s story.
By the end of Hot Mess, I didn’t like Luke too much. He was too wishy-washy. The same can be said of Cole in Bad Things. Like Luke, he kind of continues to do the same thing over and over and of course gets the same results. Insanity, right? He spends most of this book trying to convince himself to give Ana and himself a chance and stop doing what he’s always done. He isn’t too successful. Guess it runs in the family.
Speaking of running…Ana is running from an ex who is beyond evil. She managed to break away from him but has been living almost as a recluse who is fearful of her own shadow. She is even more afraid that Stephen, her ex, will find her. The absolute last thing she can do is to trust herself to be in another relationship because she is such a bad judge of character. She continues to take all the blame for what went on with Stephen even though she knows that is ridiculous. She also refuses to talk about it or share what really happened. Cole knows she had a bad experience, he doesn’t know the extent of it.
Bad Things is all about how they meet and muddle through the beginnings of whatever is happening between them. By the end of the book, you still don’t know which way they’re going to go. Hence, the cliffhanger. I will say that Cole is redeeming himself with me, though.
By the end of Hot Mess, I didn’t like Luke too much. He was too wishy-washy. The same can be said of Cole in Bad Things. Like Luke, he kind of continues to do the same thing over and over and of course gets the same results. Insanity, right? He spends most of this book trying to convince himself to give Ana and himself a chance and stop doing what he’s always done. He isn’t too successful. Guess it runs in the family.
Speaking of running…Ana is running from an ex who is beyond evil. She managed to break away from him but has been living almost as a recluse who is fearful of her own shadow. She is even more afraid that Stephen, her ex, will find her. The absolute last thing she can do is to trust herself to be in another relationship because she is such a bad judge of character. She continues to take all the blame for what went on with Stephen even though she knows that is ridiculous. She also refuses to talk about it or share what really happened. Cole knows she had a bad experience, he doesn’t know the extent of it.
Bad Things is all about how they meet and muddle through the beginnings of whatever is happening between them. By the end of the book, you still don’t know which way they’re going to go. Hence, the cliffhanger. I will say that Cole is redeeming himself with me, though.
June 29, 2017
Cole wasn't always a man determined to get vengeance on those who wronged him, but after discovering the fiance was a liar, and a cancelled wedding, bitterness took him over completely. And he stayed that way until it almost destroyed everything, so he decides to leave the darkness, and throw himself completely into his work. However, a new project has him working with Ana, an up and coming author with her own heavy baggage, which shakes up his world. No matter how hard he tries to keep his distance, there's something about her that he can't get out of his head. Will Cole take another chance on love? Let me state for the record that I couldn't stand Cole in a Hot Mess and Twice Burned, so I wasn't sure how reading this was going to go. I should have never worried, as the brilliant Emily Goodwin came through in a huge way, because she made me see Cole in a different light, so I didn't spend this book wanting to choke him out. And I completely LOVED Ana, so together, they somehow worked, and worked well. But life isn't all roses, as Ana's past comes back to surprise her, and Cole still battles trust issues. However, there's one place where they shoot sparks, and that's in the bedroom as their chemistry flew out of my kindle, and almost singed my eyebrows. But that ending, I swear if I didn't have both parts, I would have been howling some serious colorful names for the author at the moon until she heard them. Anyway, I could go on and on, but it's so much better to just read Bad Things for yourselves! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 12, 2017
** Provided on behalf of the author for an honest review **
** Review by Gayle from Bloggers From Down Under **
Bad Things, a spin off from the Love Is Messy Series is the story about Cole and Ana, but can be read as a standalone. And believe me you will not be disappointed.
This is Cole and Ana's story.
Both broken beyond repair.
Both unlucky in love.
They have been hurt, the pain etched deep within their souls.
Love is something that isn't for them.
It doesn't exist.
Cole can't love.
Ana fears love.
They both have secrets.
Two people, complete strangers, but yet they both have so much in common.
So what happens when their paths cross, and they are no longer strangers?
What happens when Cole becomes Ana's boss?
What happens when the chemistry starts flying?
Can Ana allow Cole into her heart?
Can Cole allow Ana into his heart?
Can Cole and Ana take themselves out of their comfort zones?
Or are they both damaged beyond repair, so scarred that that walls will remain up?
A heart-breaking, breathtaking story about two people trying to discover who they are.
A raw and gritty story about two people trying to deal with their scars from their past.
A confronting story about pain and hurt that it takes your breath away.
A story about self discovery and truth.
A story about letting go.
Overall a beautifully written read with such depth and meaning , you can actually feel every emotion with every page turned.
4 stars
** Review by Gayle from Bloggers From Down Under **
Bad Things, a spin off from the Love Is Messy Series is the story about Cole and Ana, but can be read as a standalone. And believe me you will not be disappointed.
This is Cole and Ana's story.
Both broken beyond repair.
Both unlucky in love.
They have been hurt, the pain etched deep within their souls.
Love is something that isn't for them.
It doesn't exist.
Cole can't love.
Ana fears love.
They both have secrets.
Two people, complete strangers, but yet they both have so much in common.
So what happens when their paths cross, and they are no longer strangers?
What happens when Cole becomes Ana's boss?
What happens when the chemistry starts flying?
Can Ana allow Cole into her heart?
Can Cole allow Ana into his heart?
Can Cole and Ana take themselves out of their comfort zones?
Or are they both damaged beyond repair, so scarred that that walls will remain up?
A heart-breaking, breathtaking story about two people trying to discover who they are.
A raw and gritty story about two people trying to deal with their scars from their past.
A confronting story about pain and hurt that it takes your breath away.
A story about self discovery and truth.
A story about letting go.
Overall a beautifully written read with such depth and meaning , you can actually feel every emotion with every page turned.
4 stars
May 14, 2017
Bad Things is a spinoff book from the Love is Messy duet, where the hero, Cole Winchester, was first introduced.
This book can be read without having read the previous duet, but I would recommend reading that duet first.
As someone who had not read the duet, I feel it would have given me more depth and insight into Cole, although the backstory was explained well.
Both Cole and Ana have had bad relationships in the past, and they are now both afraid to risk their hearts getting broken again.
Cole is Ana's editor at the publishing house where she is a new author, and the chemistry between them is immediate and obvious. I enjoyed that the relationship was not just physical, but that they had an emotional and mental connection as well.
I also love that Ana is a strong heroine, who is learning to believe in herself again. Cole is also finding a way to forgive himself for things that he had done in the past.
I found the open communication between Cole and Ana refreshing, as there was no miscommunication due to one or the other being afraid to talk things out. This was truly an adult relationship with adult issues. Cole and Ana are so real it was so easy to fall in love with them and root for them to overcome their pasts together.
As this is book one of a duet, it ended on a small cliffhanger. I absolutely cannot wait for more of Cole and Ana!
** ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book can be read without having read the previous duet, but I would recommend reading that duet first.
As someone who had not read the duet, I feel it would have given me more depth and insight into Cole, although the backstory was explained well.
Both Cole and Ana have had bad relationships in the past, and they are now both afraid to risk their hearts getting broken again.
Cole is Ana's editor at the publishing house where she is a new author, and the chemistry between them is immediate and obvious. I enjoyed that the relationship was not just physical, but that they had an emotional and mental connection as well.
I also love that Ana is a strong heroine, who is learning to believe in herself again. Cole is also finding a way to forgive himself for things that he had done in the past.
I found the open communication between Cole and Ana refreshing, as there was no miscommunication due to one or the other being afraid to talk things out. This was truly an adult relationship with adult issues. Cole and Ana are so real it was so easy to fall in love with them and root for them to overcome their pasts together.
As this is book one of a duet, it ended on a small cliffhanger. I absolutely cannot wait for more of Cole and Ana!
** ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2017
Cole Winchester has reinvented himself, he is building a relationship with his brother and family and he is focusing on his career. The one thing he has been avoiding is any kind of entanglements with women. Being burnt once was enough to last him a lifetime.
Diana (Ana) Ventimiglia is an up and coming romance author when a painful past relationship as well. She travels to NYC to meet with her new professional team who is helping her to publish her debut novel. Being extremely attracted to her new editor is not something she saw coming...
This was a fantastic read! Cole and Ana may be playing it safe and trying to avoid getting involved, but when they spend time together and connect on a deeper level, they just can't seem to remember why they were fighting their attraction in the first place.
Very well written characters, from Cole and Ana to all of the supporting characters this book flowed nicely and was an enjoyable read. With an interesting storyline that focuses on Cole and Ana's somewhat complicated relationship to the darker threat of some crazy exes that you can feel lurking in the background waiting to wreak some havoc.
This is book one in a duet, so we are left with a cliffhanger at the end...
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
Check out the Blog!
https://nightbirdnovels.wordpress.com...
Diana (Ana) Ventimiglia is an up and coming romance author when a painful past relationship as well. She travels to NYC to meet with her new professional team who is helping her to publish her debut novel. Being extremely attracted to her new editor is not something she saw coming...
This was a fantastic read! Cole and Ana may be playing it safe and trying to avoid getting involved, but when they spend time together and connect on a deeper level, they just can't seem to remember why they were fighting their attraction in the first place.
Very well written characters, from Cole and Ana to all of the supporting characters this book flowed nicely and was an enjoyable read. With an interesting storyline that focuses on Cole and Ana's somewhat complicated relationship to the darker threat of some crazy exes that you can feel lurking in the background waiting to wreak some havoc.
This is book one in a duet, so we are left with a cliffhanger at the end...
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.
Check out the Blog!
https://nightbirdnovels.wordpress.com...
May 18, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. I have only read the Love is Messy duet by Emily Goodwin but I enjoyed those books so much. I was kinda excited to get Cole's book. By the end of Luke and Lexi's story, my heart was going out to Cole and the things that made him the man he is today.
Here we get Cole & Ana's story. My heart hurt for both of these characters in the first of this book. Reading about the situations that caused them both to be so hesitant and guarded of love was heartbreaking. Neither one wanted nor believed that love was real or a possibility. After seeing Luke and Lexi's relationship blossom the way it did, Cole was starting to want something like that but he never believed that it could truly happen.
Loved the attraction and connection between these two scarred and broken people. Enjoyed seeing their relationship develop to what it became and that it was more than just that physical connection.
Ana & Cole were so easy to like. I'll admit (and I am sure I'm not the only one) that I wasn't the biggest fan of Cole in the Love is Messy Duet. But after getting his story, I can better understand him and his actions.
After the way Hot Mess ended (the Love is Messy Book 1), I wasn't surprised that this book ended on a cliffhanger as well. Very anxious for the next book.
Here we get Cole & Ana's story. My heart hurt for both of these characters in the first of this book. Reading about the situations that caused them both to be so hesitant and guarded of love was heartbreaking. Neither one wanted nor believed that love was real or a possibility. After seeing Luke and Lexi's relationship blossom the way it did, Cole was starting to want something like that but he never believed that it could truly happen.
Loved the attraction and connection between these two scarred and broken people. Enjoyed seeing their relationship develop to what it became and that it was more than just that physical connection.
Ana & Cole were so easy to like. I'll admit (and I am sure I'm not the only one) that I wasn't the biggest fan of Cole in the Love is Messy Duet. But after getting his story, I can better understand him and his actions.
After the way Hot Mess ended (the Love is Messy Book 1), I wasn't surprised that this book ended on a cliffhanger as well. Very anxious for the next book.
June 27, 2017
Having read the first in the series, Hot Mess, and witnessed how things ended there, I was not a fan of Cole Winchester; however, with the little glimpses at his character, I knew that something was there wanted to be known, and Emily didn't disappoint.
First we get introduced to Diana and her background story, and right away you dive into getting all the feels. A new romance author in the immense world of books. She's a fantastic character, compassionate, sweet and fun, yet when she's with Cole you get to see another side of her, strong and assertive, and while she might still have some self doubt, he makes her feel all she's never felt before.
Cole Winchester is the editor-in-chief at Black Ink Press; Diana is the new author taken in by his publishing house and he's in charge of editing her book, there's just one problem; he's attracted to her.
And she's attracted to him; a very unprofessional situation they find themselves in. Sparks fly and their relationship becomes heated and complicated at the same time; and as feelings grow towards each other, decisions must be made.
But their story does not end here; the past rarely stays there, in the past; and we are about to find out how messy Cole's and Diana's relationship can get. Battle Scars is the second installment in this Love is Messy Duet, and I can wait to find out what happens next.
First we get introduced to Diana and her background story, and right away you dive into getting all the feels. A new romance author in the immense world of books. She's a fantastic character, compassionate, sweet and fun, yet when she's with Cole you get to see another side of her, strong and assertive, and while she might still have some self doubt, he makes her feel all she's never felt before.
Cole Winchester is the editor-in-chief at Black Ink Press; Diana is the new author taken in by his publishing house and he's in charge of editing her book, there's just one problem; he's attracted to her.
And she's attracted to him; a very unprofessional situation they find themselves in. Sparks fly and their relationship becomes heated and complicated at the same time; and as feelings grow towards each other, decisions must be made.
But their story does not end here; the past rarely stays there, in the past; and we are about to find out how messy Cole's and Diana's relationship can get. Battle Scars is the second installment in this Love is Messy Duet, and I can wait to find out what happens next.
February 12, 2018
Bad Things #3 (Cole ♥️ Ana)
I knew Cole and Ana (Diana) story was going to be goo. The author did a good job with this story too. I was not disappointed; I will say that her book about Cole brother was way juicer because it had a lot of drama. This one didn’t have a lot of drama. I know a lot of people like Cole who cannot see other people be successful because they assume they cannot have that.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
Spoilers...
See the ending I knew was going to be mad juicy ohhhhhh I cannot wait until I see what will happen after Cole tell Steven who he is and vise versa. Poor Cole, he cannot catch a break when it comes to love people always trying to ruin everything for him. Plus getting abuse and hurt by someone you loves will do damage to a person. But he and Ana have been damaged. I like how they came to together and loved one another. But hopefully in book four ( I mean book 2) he finally tells Ana he wants her because all this waiting is annoying maybe since he knows something finna go down with her ex-boyfriend I mean husband he’ll finally Amit’s to it. Because his brother Luke and his wife Lexi wants him too even, Ana does.
Btw: I want Ana to get pregnant 🤰 already with Cole baby 👶🏼 🍼 the wait is torture lol!
I knew Cole and Ana (Diana) story was going to be goo. The author did a good job with this story too. I was not disappointed; I will say that her book about Cole brother was way juicer because it had a lot of drama. This one didn’t have a lot of drama. I know a lot of people like Cole who cannot see other people be successful because they assume they cannot have that.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2018...
Spoilers...
See the ending I knew was going to be mad juicy ohhhhhh I cannot wait until I see what will happen after Cole tell Steven who he is and vise versa. Poor Cole, he cannot catch a break when it comes to love people always trying to ruin everything for him. Plus getting abuse and hurt by someone you loves will do damage to a person. But he and Ana have been damaged. I like how they came to together and loved one another. But hopefully in book four ( I mean book 2) he finally tells Ana he wants her because all this waiting is annoying maybe since he knows something finna go down with her ex-boyfriend I mean husband he’ll finally Amit’s to it. Because his brother Luke and his wife Lexi wants him too even, Ana does.
Btw: I want Ana to get pregnant 🤰 already with Cole baby 👶🏼 🍼 the wait is torture lol!
May 14, 2017
So, I wasn’t a fan of Cole from the first books in this series. (Now you can read this book without reading Hot Mess & Twice Burned but it will be so much more fun and enjoyable if you did.) Cole is a complex man, as we see him as the successful business man, we start to learn of all the insecurities he carries behind the scenes. Diana, aka Ana, has written her first romance novel and Lexi snatched her up for the publishing company but Cole ends up being her editor. Cole is entranced with Ana but knows they shouldn’t cross the boundary since they are editor/author. Ana fights every day to cope with the fear and anxiety instilled in her from her last boyfriend. I love that she is a fighter, she is putting one foot in front of the other and pursuing her dream to be an author. We have two broken souls that find a connection in each other, now, will they act on it? Can they find a road to happiness? Loved spending time with these characters again, Luke and Lexi are present so we get to experience where their life has taken them. Then of course, there is that ending that has me on pins and needles about what will happen next. Grab this for a sexy, drama filled romance that will keep you reading. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
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