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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-Rescuing The Bad Boy

by | Aug 26, 2015 | Book Reviews | 20 comments

Book Review-Rescuing The Bad Boy

Book Review-Rescuing The Bad BoyRescuing the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon
Also in this series: A Bad Boy for Christmas
Series: Second Chance #2
Published by Forever on May 26th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 432
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 1455558060
Goodreads
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four-stars

NOT ALL SCARS HEAL
For Donovan Pate, the lake town of Evergreen Cove is a minefield of tough memoriesโ€”including the day he had to let go of Sofie Martin. Years later, he still canโ€™t forget the taste of her lips and the feel of her killer curves. He knows heโ€™s too damaged, that he should stay away for her own good. But what the head says and the heart wants are two very different thingsโ€ฆ
Seven years ago, Donovan broke Sofieโ€™s heart. Now her career depends on playing nice in order to pull off the charity fundraiser of the decade. She vows to keep things professionalโ€ฆyet working by his side every day doesnโ€™t make it easy to fight temptation, and it isnโ€™t long before she finds herself falling for this bad boy all over again. But loving Donovan means helping him face his pastโ€“so they can fight for a future together.

My Review

Summary

Donovan Pate, has returned to Evergreen Cove, a lake town but also a place that is packed full of bad memories that he is going to have to face if he wants closure…he plans on sticking with his motto “Straight Through”. Donny hates what the memories have done to him when his grandmother’s estate needs to be sold, Donny knows that he has little choice in returning, if for a little while. But there is a catch, his grandmother made a contract with Sofie Martin to run a charity fundraiser at the mansion, a charity for children struggling with abuse. Donny knows he can’t refuse and he can’t resist Sofie Martin and what she has always meant to him despite the horrible way he treated her seven years ago. Sofie is a event planner and has been working hard to make sure this charity fundraiser goes off without a hitch. But when Donny returns home, she is full of mixed feelings. Her first time had been with Donny and at first it was beautiful and then it ended up being the worst night of her life. But both Donny and Sofie will have to go Straight Through the bad memories and create happy ones, and they find rebuilt trust but will their love be enough to create their own future and not the one fate designed for them?

The Hero

Donovan Pate suffered from horrible abuse at the hands of his father. His mother left them when he was young, and his grandmother never did anything to help him. Over the years, his body is covered in tattoos to cover the scars and the horrible memories that still haunt him. Donny left Evergreen Cove as soon as he could, and built a life for himself in New York, even if its a bit of a lonely life. When it becomes apparent that he will have to return to the one place he despises, he decides to just stick with his motto “Straight Through” and he will be able to overcome anything that still haunts him.

But he wasn’t one to avoid the monsters lurking in the dark. He preferred to deal with things head on. Cheaper than therapy.ย 

But as he starts to work on getting the mansion ready to be sold, every room reminds him of the bad times, of the horror and the pain he suffered as a little boy. Donny is a hero that just about broke my heart. He is tough and has done certain things to protect himself since no one ever protected him when he needed it most. At first I really didn’t like him, because of the way he treated Sofie at first, but as the story progresses, you see how much suffering he has been dealt and I was won over to just love his character. He has that “tortured male” going on and it definitely appealed to me. I love a character that is tough and strong and willing to face the bad in order to get some of the good in life.

The Heroine

Sofie was a virgin seven years ago, when she saw Donny and he took her to the library in his mansion, and she always thought that there would be some positive memories for her first time. However, once he realizes that she is a virgin, he practically kicks her out the door. Sofie still after this long time, is hurt by what Donny did to her because she fell in love with him that night and despite her pain, she still does.

She couldn’t afford to love him. She couldn’t afford to give him another single part of her. Not after he’d taken the part she hadn’t realized was precious until she’d trusted it with him.

Sofie is an event planner and has made a prestigious business for herself. She isn’t as close to her family as she would like, but she is a ‘daddy’s girl’ and that relationship does play a part in this book. Sofie is strong and independent, but she also is lonely at times and wants to find love again. What I liked most about Sofie was how she stands up to Donny. She is zesty and spirited, and I loved how she stands firm on what she believes in and doesn’t let his bad boy attitude change anything.

Plot and Story Line

Rescuing The Bad Boy is the first book I have ever read from Jessica Lemmon, and dang but it was superb. At first it started out a bit slow, but it picked up pace pretty quickly and I was hooked within a couple chapters. It begins with these two meeting and having sex, and not exactly a night to sing about but it really sets the tone for the story and helps the reader understand what happened seven years previous and I enjoyed this aspect because it really adds more of an emotional tune to the story that I felt is needed if you want to delve deep into this one. At first when these two meet again, they have sparks but they are at opposite ends of the argument and neither wants to back down from the fight. I really enjoyed the “second chance” romance trope that is found in this story, and from what I can gather every book in the series has this theme. I was really captivated by the connection that these two have with each other. It isn’t an easy one or light-hearted one, its full of tough emotion, but this is the part of the book I loved the most. I couldn’t help but fall for both of these characters, both have healing to do and we see how it happens with them working together on the charity event. Now I want to talk about the chemistry these two have going…which boy is it hot.

Donovan ignored the warnings in his head. Now that he was drinking Sofie in, her warm half naked body pressed against his, there was no stopping. There was nothing he wanted more than to taste her, to feel her against him. There was only Sofie and there was only him and the scorching heat burning between them.ย 

They definitely have some great sparks, and they don’t struggle with each other too much to just let it happen. I had a jolly time seeing them work through their issues and stumble a bit, but they get right back up and fight. I felt the supporting characters really added some more power to the story and livened it up more.

His friend’s eyes cut past him. “Giant mattress.”

“Huge”

Connor gave him a shit eating grin. “You bought her a bed.”

“Piss off. I bough A bed.”

“To sleep with her in.”

Donovan was sick of fighting one structural impediment or another. He wanted to lay her down and take the time to do the things he wanted to do to her.ย 

And there were a lot of things.

“Lotta room to groove,” Connor put in.ย 

“Don’t you have something to mulch?” Donovan grumbledย 

“Yeah, yeah,” He turned to leave.

Donovan followed, but before he flipped off the lights, he studied the big, spacious bed again. And thougt of Sofie on it.ย 

Acres of room to groove.ย 

And the dog…”Gertie” she totally won me over. I do love it when authors implement animals into stories, and it added that touch of sweet to help balance the story out in a harmonious way. Definitely can’t wait to read the first book now.

The Cover

Is that men drool worthy sexy or what ladies? I mean, I am not all for tats unless they are done just right, but boy that man I would take any day or night!! He definitely makes that shirt look yummy!!

Overall View

Rescuing The Bad Boy is a stunning romance that just had me craving more….I loved the bad boy, the feisty heroine, the sweet “Gertie”, the lively friends and the kids. A tale of love, redemption, and healing. SIMPLY FANTASTIC!!

He was inside her, wrapped in her from head to toe. And right now, she was everything he needed.

Series Order

Bringing Home The Bad Boy (1)

Rescuing The Bad Boy (2)

A Bad Boy For Christmas (3)

Return of the Bad Boy (4)

About Jessica Lemmon

A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When sheโ€™s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.

Jessica is a social media junkie who loves to hear from readers.

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20 Comments

  1. Jennifer Bielman

    Seriously, I am seeing this everywhere and I am dying to read it. Happy it worked out for you.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh you so should!! Its a fantastic book and I can’t wait to read more of this author.

      Reply
  2. Lexxie

    I love second chance at love stories, Renee, so I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy Rescuing the Bad Boy ๐Ÿ™‚ Great review!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Thanks, I love this trope too…probably one of my favorites to read. I am sure you will really like it as soon as you pick it up.

      Reply
  3. L.

    I have been debating on whether or not this a series that I wanted to read. Your review was excellent and very well written. In fact I’m now convinced that I should give this series a spot in my TBR list. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Thanks!! Hope you enjoy it as soon as you pick it up, I highly recommend it.

      Reply
  4. Quinn's Book Nook

    I’ve been curious about this one, and now I’m quite sure I need to read it RIGHT NOW! Thanks for the review.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh yes…its fabulous, and I have a feeling you will like this one. Especially if you like a sexy tortured hero.

      Reply
  5. Karen

    I love when the heroine stands up to the bad boy. That makes ALL the difference for me. I dont’ want them getting away with anything! lol

    Karen @For What It’s Worth

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      haha so true!!! They already have the sexy bad boy image going for them right? They need a woman with backbone to keep them in line and getting away with too much. hehe

      Reply
  6. Red Iza

    I don’t know… I’ve read the first, liked it but not loved it – I love those covers, though ! To put it simply, I can’t condone the idea of someone treating other people badly (or carelessly) because of what *they* have been living. I know some life experiences are tough, I’ve lived a few, but to take it out on someone else ?… I don’t know, I’ll think about it. Great review anyway, Renee ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Yeah the covers are so great right? Yeah at first I had issues but I just fell in love with it despite how he treats her at first.

      Reply
  7. Sophia Rose

    This one sounds so touching. I have it on the list. Nice review, Renee!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh it is!! I think you would really like this one.

      Reply
  8. Bea @ Bea's Book Nook

    Sounds like a bumpy romance. It’s good that the heroine is not a doormat. I’ll put this in the maybe pile.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      yeah its full of bumps, but a very satisfying story. Hope you like it if you try it out.

      Reply
  9. kimbacaffeinate

    Yesssss. I discovered this series and author with book one and lord does she write entertaining reads. So happy you have discovered her!

    Reply
  10. Ann Lorz

    I haven’t started this series yet but your review made me want to.

    Reply
  11. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    Woohoo! I love her books. I’m so glad your first was a hit. Book one was freaking amazing. I still need to get this one read but I do own it! lol (I’m quoted in this one and that totally made me squee)

    Reply
  12. Kathy_MyNookbksnmore

    I haven’t read from this author but it sounds really good. Great review and I have to get this book!

    Reply

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