Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

About the Book

When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time.

Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks!

Release day is December 23rd, 2014!

Add me on Goodreads!

Buy me on AMAZON!

4 stars****

A little angst, a little romantic humor, a LOT of sexual frustration... yep, that pretty much sums up Bad Romeo!
It's too bad the author ended the story so abruptly and on a big 'ole cliffhanger... if not, this could have been a very satisfying 5 star read. But, since the second book doesn't come out until April it just left me feeling somewhat dissatisfied. I'm the kind of reader that if you put too much distance between releases I lose interest. I hope that I don't feel this way when the next book comes out because overall I thoroughly enjoyed the story!
This story moves back and forth between future and past. The past story of Cassie and Ethan will leave you feeling very frustrated but also quite entertained. So many moments where I had a big grin across my face... there were some very amusing scenes in this book. Cassie is determined to convince Ethan to put his trust in her and she WANTS him... badly. Cassie is a walking case of sexual frustration. And, Ethan has the willpower of superhero. Even I was sexually frustrated with this guy!
The future Cassie and Ethan will also have you frustrated as roles are reversed from Ethan now having to fight for Cassie's love because yes, past Ethan was a royal douchebag! He has some work to do to win her back. My heart went out to her... forgiveness is hard and sometimes you have to guard your heart even though you don't want too.
These two had great chemistry together on stage but for whatever reason, they had trouble dealing with their chemistry in the real world. And, I thought this was such a creative and fun approach to this story. A very entertaining cast of supporting characters as well. I loved future Cassie's roommate Tristan... we all need a friend like that don't we??
If cliffhangers do not bother you and you love a bit of lust filled romantic humor mixed with a lot of angst... then please dive in... this will definitely entertain. But, cliffy haters might want to wait until the second book comes out or you will be like Cassie... "frustrated". :)

Bad Romeo is a very good example of what I consider true NA: lots of angst and coming of age, young adults that are coming into their own and learning how to behave without a parental barometer. Social behavior is very different in high school and changes once again in college. Cassie and Ethan are prime example of growing pains and heart ache in this time period.

The story travels back and forth. Beginning in the present, years after these two met and fell in and out of love, well before Ethan bashed Cassie’s poor heart to smithereens. Years later the shoe is on the other foot emotionally for both of these guys. It’s a great dichotomy. I have to admit I found the present day couple much more enjoyable than the early Ethan and Cassie. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that a young Ethan was an absolute ass and young Cassie worried too much about fitting in. Older Ethan…. Now that’s my kinda guy. The same can be said about Cassie too. Her older version was grittier and had much more layers to her character than her younger self. That can be said for most of us, I guess.

Honestly, I have to break this read into two parts (bare with me as I try to make sense) Bad Romeo (past) a lot of sighs and some eye rolling, Bad Romeo (present) totally engrossed and eating up the words on the page. Now this could be that I am an “older gal” and that’s okay. I get it. All in all, I really liked it and recommend it to NA fans.

*ARC was provided by St. Martin's Press