Erryn reviews ‘Bad Boy (Masters of Romance Book 1)’ by Emma Alcott. This book was released on April 29, 2021 and is 408 pgs long. The audiobook version of this story was released April 29, 2021 narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo and is 10 hrs and 55 mins. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I can’t wait to start a new Emma Alcott series.
Russ
They call me a bad boy, and 13 years ago, they would have been right.
I’ve done things I’m not proud of.
Served time.
Broken hearts and bones alike.
But I’m a changed man now. I don’t break the law for a living anymore; I write books about guys like me falling in love with other guys. It’s as close to a happily ever after as I think I’ll get….
Until Colton shows up in my remote cabin in the middle of a snowstorm, so timid and young and sweet.
I’ve given up my wicked ways, but damn if he doesn’t make me want to do bad, bad things….
Colton
I didn’t mean to get lost on my way to the big New Year’s Eve party, and I definitely didn’t mean to drive my car into a snowbank, but here I am in the middle of nowhere, stranded in front of a creepy cabin, about to freeze to death.
The only way I’ll make it through the night is if I go inside, but there’s no telling who might be in there. It very well could be a serial killer, or a horror movie monster….
Or a bearded, tattooed bad boy with a big secret who’ll steal my heart and make me never want to leave.
Bad Boy is the first book in the Masters of Romance series, where romance authors don’t just write about happily ever afters – they live them. Get ready for love, laughter, and some serious steam. No cheating and no love triangles, guaranteed. Bad Boy can be heard as a stand-alone, but it’s way more fun to binge them all. Which author are you most excited to see get his HEA?
Buy Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My Review:
This book had me hooked from the first line. I loved Colton immediately. A young man afraid of his own shadow who finally finds enough guts to attend a New Year’s Eve party only to wind up in the wrong place. He gets stuck in a snowbank, and has no choice but to go into the cabin. Every moment he’s convinced he’s going to die. The big scary dog is going to maul him. The creatures in the woods are going to be his doom. The cabin is owned by a serial killer. I loved all the places his mind went to because I used to be that person (I hit my forties and have very much taken up the whatever happens mantra…)
When Russ finds a boy in his cabin, he’s a little surprised. He’s got himself set up in the middle of nowhere for a good reason – he’s hiding out. Not from anyone bad per se, just the world in general. He did some bad things in his youth, was appropriately punished, and has tried to move on. He even tried to move on with someone, but that ended disastrously, so he’s decided life is just fine on his own. He has everything he could possibly need.
Except that special someone.
Now, the whole let’s get down to business mere moments after we’ve met stretched credulity and my comfort level just a bit. To be clear – there were no consent violations. Also to be clear – things moved REALLY fast.
In the morning, though, Russ has some…regrets? Questions? He belongs to a group of male romance writers (some straight, some gay) who write romances (some straight, some gay). Anyway, pretty soon he and his buddies are trouble shooting his problems.
For those who’ve read the Piper Scott series Single Dad Support Group, this will all be very familiar except no mpreg. But the group of guys helping each other out with snide comments, witty remarks, and outrageous suggestions? Check, check, and check.
Colton decides Russ is worth risking the wrath of the local sheriff. He decides to stay until the snow melts. In northern Michigan in winter, that can be quite a wait. He slowly uncovers all of Russ’ secrets. Each revelation is more painful as Russ lays bare everything that has come before. But Colton’s made of pretty strong stuff. In a later scene, he even stands up for himself when facing someone from his past.
This is a lovely story, made all the more wonderful by Michael Ferraiuolo’s narration. If you’ve loved the other Emma Alcott books, you’ll sink right into this one. If you’re a Piper Scott fan, the snark will make you feel right at home. And if you’re new to all of this, it’ll warm your heart.
My Rating:
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
Should you ever find yourself traveling down the gravel street of a quiet forest community in the Midwest, you may come across Emma Alcott—suburbanite by birth, but small-towner by choice. Emma loves all things doctors say you should only enjoy in moderation, writing the stories of her heart, and traveling. Once upon a time, she fell in love with a man from another country and moved mountains in order to be with him. They’ve now been married for half a decade and have far too many fur-children. Seriously. Do you want a dog?
Rainbow Gold Reviews 