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Bad Reputation
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
22 days and 00:36:50
100 copies available
U.S. only
In this whip-smart workplace romance from the author of Chick Magnet, a former teen star and an accidental intimacy coordinator have a plan to fix their images—and falling in love would ruin everything.
Cole James’s reputation as Hollywood’s favorite himbo no longer suits him. His fans can’t separate the real man from the character he played on a soapy teen drama decades ago. But that’s going to change with Waverley, the hit streaming historical romance series.
Maggie Niven hates her own notoriety. Fired for directing a divisive play, Maggie takes her fight against censorship public. When Hollywood comes calling, she becomes the new intimacy coordinator for Waverley. But it’s harder than she imagined to focus on the job.
Cole isn’t what she expected—and Maggie is more than he dreamed of. As filming gets underway, the cast’s old traumas lead to real intimacy, and Cole and Maggie struggle with feelings they shouldn’t have. Having an affair on set could destroy his comeback and her new career.
The show must go on. But if Cole and Maggie want a happy ending, they’ll have to start doing things their own way.
Cole James’s reputation as Hollywood’s favorite himbo no longer suits him. His fans can’t separate the real man from the character he played on a soapy teen drama decades ago. But that’s going to change with Waverley, the hit streaming historical romance series.
Maggie Niven hates her own notoriety. Fired for directing a divisive play, Maggie takes her fight against censorship public. When Hollywood comes calling, she becomes the new intimacy coordinator for Waverley. But it’s harder than she imagined to focus on the job.
Cole isn’t what she expected—and Maggie is more than he dreamed of. As filming gets underway, the cast’s old traumas lead to real intimacy, and Cole and Maggie struggle with feelings they shouldn’t have. Having an affair on set could destroy his comeback and her new career.
The show must go on. But if Cole and Maggie want a happy ending, they’ll have to start doing things their own way.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 8, 2024
About the author
Emma Barry
28 books175 followersEmma Barry is a teacher, novelist, recovering academic, and former political staffer. She lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, and she occasionally finds time to read and write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
May 4, 2024
Emma Barry gets better and better with every new book, and this was SUCH a total win from beginning to end, immersive and heartfelt, starring a couple who are older than the usual romance pairing (38 and 41, IIRC), trying to figure out the next act of their lives in the midst of a perfectly-realized and fascinating setting.
Cole is an actor who’s spent the last 16 years trying to make up for his thoughtless teen years, when he starred in a hit show and did a lot of stupid teenage stuff that torpedoed his career for a while. He’s not just trying to improve his career, though; he’s trying to make up for his years of not noticing what was happening around him, after a recent documentary brought out the toxic awfulness that happened to actresses on his show (not from him, but from the adults in charge). He’s just gotten his best role in years, starring in a season of Waverly - in this world, it’s the new hit show that’s an equivalent to Bridgerton, full of gorgeous costumes and romance and sex, and based on Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly novels (given happy endings). He’s desperate to prove himself as an actor and as a person.
(Can I just note that I LOVED that whole concept and was so pleased Emma included a fun set of details about the show after the end of the book? I would totally devour every episode if it were real.)
Maggie spent the last 16 years as a drama teacher and thought that would be her life forever - until a nasty rightwing parents’ group got her fired for putting on a supposedly “inappropriate” play. She won the lawsuit to get her job back, but the toxicity meant she couldn’t take it anymore. Now she has a second chance, as the intimacy coordinator on Waverly, and she’s desperate to make her new life and career work.
So it’s the worst timing for both of them to fall in love with each other…but it is the most satisfying slow burn, because they’re both grown ups who take their responsibilities and ethics seriously. Around 60% of the way in, I had to take a couple hours away because I was so full of EMOTIONS - I mean, they were SO PERFECT for each other! I needed them to be together! But also, I understood why they couldn’t, and I didn’t want them to throw away important things. Augh!
I loved the ending, and I just loved THEM, along with every fabulous moment along the way. And they were surrounded by SO many great characters in the cast and crew of Waverly. I loved every single vivid detail of the filming and prep work! And seriously, I want this show.
I really loved this book and will definitely be re-reading it!
Cole is an actor who’s spent the last 16 years trying to make up for his thoughtless teen years, when he starred in a hit show and did a lot of stupid teenage stuff that torpedoed his career for a while. He’s not just trying to improve his career, though; he’s trying to make up for his years of not noticing what was happening around him, after a recent documentary brought out the toxic awfulness that happened to actresses on his show (not from him, but from the adults in charge). He’s just gotten his best role in years, starring in a season of Waverly - in this world, it’s the new hit show that’s an equivalent to Bridgerton, full of gorgeous costumes and romance and sex, and based on Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly novels (given happy endings). He’s desperate to prove himself as an actor and as a person.
(Can I just note that I LOVED that whole concept and was so pleased Emma included a fun set of details about the show after the end of the book? I would totally devour every episode if it were real.)
Maggie spent the last 16 years as a drama teacher and thought that would be her life forever - until a nasty rightwing parents’ group got her fired for putting on a supposedly “inappropriate” play. She won the lawsuit to get her job back, but the toxicity meant she couldn’t take it anymore. Now she has a second chance, as the intimacy coordinator on Waverly, and she’s desperate to make her new life and career work.
So it’s the worst timing for both of them to fall in love with each other…but it is the most satisfying slow burn, because they’re both grown ups who take their responsibilities and ethics seriously. Around 60% of the way in, I had to take a couple hours away because I was so full of EMOTIONS - I mean, they were SO PERFECT for each other! I needed them to be together! But also, I understood why they couldn’t, and I didn’t want them to throw away important things. Augh!
I loved the ending, and I just loved THEM, along with every fabulous moment along the way. And they were surrounded by SO many great characters in the cast and crew of Waverly. I loved every single vivid detail of the filming and prep work! And seriously, I want this show.
I really loved this book and will definitely be re-reading it!
August 20, 2024
I mostly like Emma Barry's books though I often feel they could be better, more complete.
In Bad Reputation we get an actor who was a teen star and is now struggling to find his way towards a more serious and fulfilling career and former drama teacher fired for staging an allegedly inappropriate play in her high school who is an intimacy coordinator in Hollywood.
I know, it is a lot and honestly, there was too much going on with the characters which made many aspects of the story appear just superficial. There is a lot external conflict (family issues, work-related stress, harassment, personal drama) and I felt it just lacked depth.
Cole was mostly motivated by a desire to make amends for his past but we never get to see what his big transgressions were. We constantly hear about his regrets but never learned any details about his mistakes.
Maggie, I can understand her struggles to settle into a completely new career, her sadness over the loss of what she though was the best path for her. But again, I feel like the termination of her teaching career was not explored in depth.
The work of intimacy coordinator was presented in great detail and I really liked it. The whole process of making movies from a more technical perspective was an interesting element in the story.
I overall liked the romance though their first intimacy scene did not work for me at all - too much directing, not enough spontaneity.
||The scandal with his agent did not make much sense to me but honestly, it's just a minor quibble||.
Way too neat happy ending, everything is resolved, all the villains are punished, all the good guys get their HEA and everything is right in the world. It's nice but more wishful thinking than reality for me.
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. It wanted to explore some Big Emotions but there was way too much external drama. Still, I like the author's style and appreciate the topics she explores, so I will definitely be reading more of her books.
CW: sexual harassments (off page, in the past), parental abuse (off page in the past), censorship
In Bad Reputation we get an actor who was a teen star and is now struggling to find his way towards a more serious and fulfilling career and former drama teacher fired for staging an allegedly inappropriate play in her high school who is an intimacy coordinator in Hollywood.
I know, it is a lot and honestly, there was too much going on with the characters which made many aspects of the story appear just superficial. There is a lot external conflict (family issues, work-related stress, harassment, personal drama) and I felt it just lacked depth.
Cole was mostly motivated by a desire to make amends for his past but we never get to see what his big transgressions were. We constantly hear about his regrets but never learned any details about his mistakes.
Maggie, I can understand her struggles to settle into a completely new career, her sadness over the loss of what she though was the best path for her. But again, I feel like the termination of her teaching career was not explored in depth.
The work of intimacy coordinator was presented in great detail and I really liked it. The whole process of making movies from a more technical perspective was an interesting element in the story.
I overall liked the romance though their first intimacy scene did not work for me at all - too much directing, not enough spontaneity.
||The scandal with his agent did not make much sense to me but honestly, it's just a minor quibble||.
Way too neat happy ending, everything is resolved, all the villains are punished, all the good guys get their HEA and everything is right in the world. It's nice but more wishful thinking than reality for me.
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. It wanted to explore some Big Emotions but there was way too much external drama. Still, I like the author's style and appreciate the topics she explores, so I will definitely be reading more of her books.
CW: sexual harassments (off page, in the past), parental abuse (off page in the past), censorship
September 11, 2024
i hate to say it but this book was SO boring. the plot was a good idea but there was nothing that made me want to keep reading. i finished by sheer determination. there wasn’t a single duo of characters that had any chemistry. from friends to lovers to enemies, there wasn’t any emotion in any of it.
September 1, 2024
My first read from the author & definitely not my last!!
I loved this story, the way it was written had me completely hooked. The characters were completely adorable and so perfect for each other.
Cole James is an actor best known for a show he filmed in his teens, but that character couldn’t be further from the man he’s become. Maggie is fresh out of a job, and somehow finds herself enlisted as intimacy coordinator on a hit drama. When their paths cross, they know they have a connection. But a workplace romance wouldn’t help either of their reputations.
I definitely recommend this read!!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
I loved this story, the way it was written had me completely hooked. The characters were completely adorable and so perfect for each other.
Cole James is an actor best known for a show he filmed in his teens, but that character couldn’t be further from the man he’s become. Maggie is fresh out of a job, and somehow finds herself enlisted as intimacy coordinator on a hit drama. When their paths cross, they know they have a connection. But a workplace romance wouldn’t help either of their reputations.
I definitely recommend this read!!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
September 28, 2024
While I liked the characters and interesting set up (intimacy coordinator + actor), the writing and romance came off clinical in some ways, a little devoid of passion and fire.
I wanted to finish, and I’m glad I did, but there were a few times I really wanted to set this one down.
This is a Hollywood/celebrity romance for contemporary fans who like older MCs (mid-30s and 40s).
I wanted to finish, and I’m glad I did, but there were a few times I really wanted to set this one down.
This is a Hollywood/celebrity romance for contemporary fans who like older MCs (mid-30s and 40s).
October 5, 2024
Romance on a historical romance film set.
I’m glad I didn’t look at the ratings on this one first! Bad Reputation by Emma Barry a (very) slow burn, low spice friends to lovers story about two really good humans. It’s mostly about starting over and redemption and standing up for yourself and for your sense of what’s right.
I loved the insider’s view of a historical romance TV show’s production. It felt authentic, except maybe everyone was too nice. I believed I was there.
Barry gets other things right, too: She writes about what it’s like to be a former child star signing posters at a fan convention 20 years later, understanding the fan PoV but also his ambivalence about the early part of his career when he was a teen and got famous too fast. She tells the story of a great drama teacher who is accused of corrupting her students and loses her job. Those are the two points at which the story begins and they both felt spot on.
Most of the story, tho, is how the filming of the show helps them find themselves and each other. I had never heard of an intimacy coordinator, and it was fascinating to see how the tv show’s sex scenes were negotiated and choreographed.
Cole is an absolute sweetheart and we get to watch Maggie bloom and gain confidence in her new role on the set. They’re both calm, articulate, mature people who can’t act on their attraction for most of the book.
Anyway, I adored this book.
I’m glad I didn’t look at the ratings on this one first! Bad Reputation by Emma Barry a (very) slow burn, low spice friends to lovers story about two really good humans. It’s mostly about starting over and redemption and standing up for yourself and for your sense of what’s right.
I loved the insider’s view of a historical romance TV show’s production. It felt authentic, except maybe everyone was too nice. I believed I was there.
Barry gets other things right, too: She writes about what it’s like to be a former child star signing posters at a fan convention 20 years later, understanding the fan PoV but also his ambivalence about the early part of his career when he was a teen and got famous too fast. She tells the story of a great drama teacher who is accused of corrupting her students and loses her job. Those are the two points at which the story begins and they both felt spot on.
Most of the story, tho, is how the filming of the show helps them find themselves and each other. I had never heard of an intimacy coordinator, and it was fascinating to see how the tv show’s sex scenes were negotiated and choreographed.
Cole is an absolute sweetheart and we get to watch Maggie bloom and gain confidence in her new role on the set. They’re both calm, articulate, mature people who can’t act on their attraction for most of the book.
Anyway, I adored this book.
August 22, 2024
I love Emma Barry's writing so much and always have a great time! She is really great at showing the emotional connection of the characters so while this is a slowburn it almost does not feel like one. I also think she is really clever with some of her phrasing.
I really loved both Maggie and Cole as characters. They are both figuring themselves and their careers at in their 40s (I think) which was really cool to see.
I loved seeing an intimacy coordinator in action and seeing how passionate and great Maggie was at the job. The TV show setting was great.
I also loved the tiny secondary romance which was really cute and I loved how they came together and seeing them together afterwards.
This doesn't have a third act break up and has a third act conflict which mostly worked for me. It happened a tad late for my liking, but it's fine bc Maggie and Cole were mature and worked it out pretty quickly so it worked.
BUT ALSO THE ENDING WAS GREAT AND THE LAST LINE IN THE EPILOGUE HAD ME LIKE !!!!!!
Overall I had a great time with this one.
CW: creepy men in hollywood
*thanks to Emma Barry for an ARC; all thoughts are my own*
I really loved both Maggie and Cole as characters. They are both figuring themselves and their careers at in their 40s (I think) which was really cool to see.
I loved seeing an intimacy coordinator in action and seeing how passionate and great Maggie was at the job. The TV show setting was great.
I also loved the tiny secondary romance which was really cute and I loved how they came together and seeing them together afterwards.
This doesn't have a third act break up and has a third act conflict which mostly worked for me. It happened a tad late for my liking, but it's fine bc Maggie and Cole were mature and worked it out pretty quickly so it worked.
BUT ALSO THE ENDING WAS GREAT AND THE LAST LINE IN THE EPILOGUE HAD ME LIKE !!!!!!
Overall I had a great time with this one.
CW: creepy men in hollywood
*thanks to Emma Barry for an ARC; all thoughts are my own*
September 25, 2024
If you like slow burns.... you'll definitely love this one.
I've been screaming so much in my head at the 2 MC TO GET IT TOGETHER AND ACT, it felt so frustrating at times... I understand pinning, it felt sooo real, I knew the stakes. But I couldn't help it. When two people are attracted to each other, I just want them to be happy. Pinning is not happy. Being together is happy😅🤣
Once they understood they each felt the same way though... I was there for it!!
I'm not that into insta-love, but I understand that pinning after someone for a long time can seem like forever.
And I do enjoy my HEAs.
Many thanks to Otrpr, the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book as part as a book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I've been screaming so much in my head at the 2 MC TO GET IT TOGETHER AND ACT, it felt so frustrating at times... I understand pinning, it felt sooo real, I knew the stakes. But I couldn't help it. When two people are attracted to each other, I just want them to be happy. Pinning is not happy. Being together is happy😅🤣
Once they understood they each felt the same way though... I was there for it!!
I'm not that into insta-love, but I understand that pinning after someone for a long time can seem like forever.
And I do enjoy my HEAs.
Many thanks to Otrpr, the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book as part as a book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2024
Bad Reputation is a well-written and entertaining slow-burn romance. I loved the premise, thought the story was unique, and found the characters intriguing. I enjoyed the romance and appreciated how the author handled the complicated situations.
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. The pacing was too slow at times which made it hard to stay in the moment.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read and look forward to checking out more from this author in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. The pacing was too slow at times which made it hard to stay in the moment.
Overall, I thought this was an okay read and look forward to checking out more from this author in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
September 8, 2024
Not terrible but not great. It was fine.
September 28, 2024
Reviewed for Dear Author. 4.5 stars
Link to come
Link to come
September 28, 2024
Reviewed for Dear Author. 4.5 stars
Link to come
Link to come
September 24, 2024
1.5 stars. Subpar writing, plot, and characters, but a bonus half star because it was free.
September 30, 2024
In his youth, Cole James played the loved-by-all bad boy on Central Square. He was the darling of the show, and to this day, fans only remember him for that role. Now in his early 40s, Cole’s worked hard to become a better actor, make right his mistakes of the past, and has a chance for real stardom on the hit streaming show, Waverley.
Maggie is a former high school drama teacher who was fired after a complaint that the production she was directing for the students was too risqué. Although she won her wrongful termination suit, she gave up her 16-year teaching career. While speaking about the situation on a press appearance, the director of Waverley asked her if she’d like a job as the show’s intimacy coordinator.
Bad Reputation is the wonderful story about learning and moving on from the past while on the road to discovering who you are meant to become. It’s equal parts personal and romantic journey, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this couple. Maggie and Cole are both sensitive, caring souls who click immediately, but understand there is a line drawn in the sand. Barry draws out longing sighs and almost kisses for over half the book. They grow close over shared stories and the innate intimacy of their working conditions. The tension Barry creates as they get to know one another and struggle to maintain professionalism is palpable. And I love that they don’t compromise their professional morals. It’s slow and perfect.
Barry creates likable characters for whom I want to cheer. They are flawed and have insecurities, but they love with their whole self and genuinely want to be the best versions of themselves. Cole and Maggie’s romance works because the pair are on equal ground. Each thinks the other is amazing but they aren’t worthy, yet they are willing to try to be worthy rather than walk away. And I absolutely LOVE that even at her lowest and doubting it all, Maggie never questions their love. I feel like this message/storyline isn’t given enough page time in romances, and I appreciate how Barry spins their journey to an HEA.
In the end, I adored Bad Reputation and the main couple Maggie and Cole. I love how the author takes time to build their relationship, making it rock solid. I appreciate the curves tossed their way and how the characters handle themselves. I highly recommend this contemporary romance to all.
My Rating: A
Review copy provided by author
Originally posted at That’s What I’m Talking About
Maggie is a former high school drama teacher who was fired after a complaint that the production she was directing for the students was too risqué. Although she won her wrongful termination suit, she gave up her 16-year teaching career. While speaking about the situation on a press appearance, the director of Waverley asked her if she’d like a job as the show’s intimacy coordinator.
Bad Reputation is the wonderful story about learning and moving on from the past while on the road to discovering who you are meant to become. It’s equal parts personal and romantic journey, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with this couple. Maggie and Cole are both sensitive, caring souls who click immediately, but understand there is a line drawn in the sand. Barry draws out longing sighs and almost kisses for over half the book. They grow close over shared stories and the innate intimacy of their working conditions. The tension Barry creates as they get to know one another and struggle to maintain professionalism is palpable. And I love that they don’t compromise their professional morals. It’s slow and perfect.
Barry creates likable characters for whom I want to cheer. They are flawed and have insecurities, but they love with their whole self and genuinely want to be the best versions of themselves. Cole and Maggie’s romance works because the pair are on equal ground. Each thinks the other is amazing but they aren’t worthy, yet they are willing to try to be worthy rather than walk away. And I absolutely LOVE that even at her lowest and doubting it all, Maggie never questions their love. I feel like this message/storyline isn’t given enough page time in romances, and I appreciate how Barry spins their journey to an HEA.
In the end, I adored Bad Reputation and the main couple Maggie and Cole. I love how the author takes time to build their relationship, making it rock solid. I appreciate the curves tossed their way and how the characters handle themselves. I highly recommend this contemporary romance to all.
My Rating: A
Review copy provided by author
Originally posted at That’s What I’m Talking About
September 10, 2024
So excited to see an Emma Barry book as a part of amazon's first-reads program, so scooped it up immediately!
I ended up having mixed feelings about this one, though, in part because the story feels almost too close to current issues, and too on-the-nose in copying real life events, to feel fresh and original; and in part because the romance fell rather flat for me.
The story: Maggie, a mid-30's high-school drama teacher who's recently been fired due to the current conservative censorship craze in the U.S. serendipitously lands a job as an intimacy coordinator on the set of a historical television show (although it's Walter Scott, not Jane Austen, Julia Quinn, or Diana Gabaldon they're sexing up for the viewing masses, ha!). She finds herself working most closely with Cole, a 42 year old former bad boy oughties TV star who's spent the past 20 years trying to slowly build his reputation back up and is on the cusp of finally making it big again with a star turn in WAVERLEY. And his best-friend/co-starring romantic lead, film superstar Tasha, is trying to avoid Maggie, due to past #MeToo trauma. It all feels a bit too spot-on: echoing Bridgerton/Highlander, Shonda Rhymes, and the Harvey Weinstein scandals, rather than developing them into any unique storyline of their own.
As always with Barry, the writing flows as smoothly as a aged scotch, enlivened with the occasional twist of a punchy metaphor/simile.
Yet so much plot/message leaves very little room for character development, or even more disappointing, for romance development. Maggie and Cole both have backstories, but they never really come alive on the page as individuals. Cole is just a big cinnamon-roll wish-fulfillment of a romantic lead, far different from the more nuanced male protagonists in Barry's earlier books. He THINKS a lot about how he once was a bad boy, but we never hear any details about those days, and he's such a marshmallow now that it's hard to buy that he once was a jerky dude-bro. Maggie mourns her lost career, even as she can't bring herself to return to it somewhere else after the disillusionment and bitterness of her dismissal and subsequent lawsuit, but she doesn't have much of a personality beyond that.
And since the bulk of the book takes place while the two are working together for four months on set, and it would be a big no-n0 (especially in a book calling attention to #MeToo issues) for an intimacy coordinator to become involved with one of the actors she's advising, the two don't really spend much time interacting in anything but a work context. Lots of internal monologuing about how great/hot the other is, but not much SHOWING the two growing closer. They don't even kiss for the first time until 2/3 of the way into the book. It's a lot of "oh, I like you, but we shouldn't," over and over, which gets tiresome long before the show filming ends.
I really didn't understand why Maggie and others thought it a problem that she and Cole started dating after they stopped working together. And as this serves as the only real conflict in their romance, the climax of the book fell flat for me, too.
All-in-all, a little too easy, a little too everything works out great for everyone except the bad guy in the end for my tastes. But YMMV...
I ended up having mixed feelings about this one, though, in part because the story feels almost too close to current issues, and too on-the-nose in copying real life events, to feel fresh and original; and in part because the romance fell rather flat for me.
The story: Maggie, a mid-30's high-school drama teacher who's recently been fired due to the current conservative censorship craze in the U.S. serendipitously lands a job as an intimacy coordinator on the set of a historical television show (although it's Walter Scott, not Jane Austen, Julia Quinn, or Diana Gabaldon they're sexing up for the viewing masses, ha!). She finds herself working most closely with Cole, a 42 year old former bad boy oughties TV star who's spent the past 20 years trying to slowly build his reputation back up and is on the cusp of finally making it big again with a star turn in WAVERLEY. And his best-friend/co-starring romantic lead, film superstar Tasha, is trying to avoid Maggie, due to past #MeToo trauma. It all feels a bit too spot-on: echoing Bridgerton/Highlander, Shonda Rhymes, and the Harvey Weinstein scandals, rather than developing them into any unique storyline of their own.
As always with Barry, the writing flows as smoothly as a aged scotch, enlivened with the occasional twist of a punchy metaphor/simile.
Yet so much plot/message leaves very little room for character development, or even more disappointing, for romance development. Maggie and Cole both have backstories, but they never really come alive on the page as individuals. Cole is just a big cinnamon-roll wish-fulfillment of a romantic lead, far different from the more nuanced male protagonists in Barry's earlier books. He THINKS a lot about how he once was a bad boy, but we never hear any details about those days, and he's such a marshmallow now that it's hard to buy that he once was a jerky dude-bro. Maggie mourns her lost career, even as she can't bring herself to return to it somewhere else after the disillusionment and bitterness of her dismissal and subsequent lawsuit, but she doesn't have much of a personality beyond that.
And since the bulk of the book takes place while the two are working together for four months on set, and it would be a big no-n0 (especially in a book calling attention to #MeToo issues) for an intimacy coordinator to become involved with one of the actors she's advising, the two don't really spend much time interacting in anything but a work context. Lots of internal monologuing about how great/hot the other is, but not much SHOWING the two growing closer. They don't even kiss for the first time until 2/3 of the way into the book. It's a lot of "oh, I like you, but we shouldn't," over and over, which gets tiresome long before the show filming ends.
I really didn't understand why Maggie and others thought it a problem that she and Cole started dating after they stopped working together. And as this serves as the only real conflict in their romance, the climax of the book fell flat for me, too.
All-in-all, a little too easy, a little too everything works out great for everyone except the bad guy in the end for my tastes. But YMMV...
October 1, 2024
I enjoyed Bad Reputation so much. Zagging away from her prickly characters in Funny Guy, Emma Barry gives us two sweetheart characters and puts them in a situation where they must pine respectfully for a big chunk of the book. The yearning is delicious. When they are done with the yearning, they make consent sexy.
When the book begins, Maggie’s beloved career as a high school drama teacher is over and she is tired of being the face of the fight against censorship. When she meets a television producer on a talk show, she’s encouraged to explore becoming an intimacy coordinator. Cole was a star of a soapy teen drama and is still closely tied to the character he played. He is trying to build a career he can be proud of and prove that he has outgrown his too famous too young behavior. He’s cast in a historical romance television series as a cad who grows up and becomes a better man. Maggie is hired as the intimacy coordinator. They both feel like they have a lot to prove.
Though there is an immediate attraction, Cole knows from his own past that image is everything and Maggie can’t afford for him to act on his attraction. We never get much in the way of specifics about Cole’s past behavior, and that’s ok, because what matters to the story is how he feels about it and the choices he’s made to be a better person. Cole makes an effort to get to know and become friends with Maggie. I love that they spent time together and built a friendship while discretely pining. They don’t even talk about it until her contract is over.
Emma Barry remains in my top tier of romance authors. I love the way she writes about characters falling in love. If she wrote a royal romance, her prince would definitely consider giving up his crown for the woman he loves. What Cole has to give up is his invisible crown of thorns, and he does it to give Maggie the space and safety to build her own castle. Now I begin the wait for the next Emma Barry romance.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Montlake and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
When the book begins, Maggie’s beloved career as a high school drama teacher is over and she is tired of being the face of the fight against censorship. When she meets a television producer on a talk show, she’s encouraged to explore becoming an intimacy coordinator. Cole was a star of a soapy teen drama and is still closely tied to the character he played. He is trying to build a career he can be proud of and prove that he has outgrown his too famous too young behavior. He’s cast in a historical romance television series as a cad who grows up and becomes a better man. Maggie is hired as the intimacy coordinator. They both feel like they have a lot to prove.
Though there is an immediate attraction, Cole knows from his own past that image is everything and Maggie can’t afford for him to act on his attraction. We never get much in the way of specifics about Cole’s past behavior, and that’s ok, because what matters to the story is how he feels about it and the choices he’s made to be a better person. Cole makes an effort to get to know and become friends with Maggie. I love that they spent time together and built a friendship while discretely pining. They don’t even talk about it until her contract is over.
“Some days,” he finally managed to get out, “kissing you is the only thing I want to do.”
A pause. An endless, endless pause. Then, “Cole.”
Emma Barry remains in my top tier of romance authors. I love the way she writes about characters falling in love. If she wrote a royal romance, her prince would definitely consider giving up his crown for the woman he loves. What Cole has to give up is his invisible crown of thorns, and he does it to give Maggie the space and safety to build her own castle. Now I begin the wait for the next Emma Barry romance.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Montlake and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
September 5, 2024
Maggie loved her job as a teacher and drama coach. But when she is fired for putting on a controversial play, she sues the school district and becomes an outspoken advocate against censorship. That brings her to the attention of the showrunner for
Waverley
(think
Bridgerton
), and she lands a job as an intimacy coordinator for the show.
When Cole starred in a hit teen drama, he was known more for his abs and his himbo attitude than his talent. In the years since then, he’s worked to rehabilitate his career and separate himself from the character that made him. But he’s hoping that Waverley will take him to the next level.
Both Maggie and Cole are immediately attracted to one another, but they know that acting on their feelings would be crossing a line. And the more she works with the cast on their love scenes, the more she identifies some long-hidden trauma among them.
Filming in England and Scotland goes well, and the attraction between Cole and Maggie intensifies. Early buzz about the series and Cole’s performance is strong, so better opportunities come his way. Maggie isn’t sure what she wants to do after the show is done, and as much as she’d like to be with Cole, she’s not sure that’s the right decision.
Yet as they embark on a relationship, scandal emerges that threatens to undo them both, and perhaps the show as well. They both realize that if their love is to survive—and if their careers are to thrive—they’ll have to fight with everything they have.
This was so enjoyable, full of all of the things I love about rom-coms: chemistry, banter, steam, likable characters, and a Hollywood setting. I couldn’t get enough of this, and I can’t wait for Emma Barry’s next book!
The book will publish 10/1.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
When Cole starred in a hit teen drama, he was known more for his abs and his himbo attitude than his talent. In the years since then, he’s worked to rehabilitate his career and separate himself from the character that made him. But he’s hoping that Waverley will take him to the next level.
Both Maggie and Cole are immediately attracted to one another, but they know that acting on their feelings would be crossing a line. And the more she works with the cast on their love scenes, the more she identifies some long-hidden trauma among them.
Filming in England and Scotland goes well, and the attraction between Cole and Maggie intensifies. Early buzz about the series and Cole’s performance is strong, so better opportunities come his way. Maggie isn’t sure what she wants to do after the show is done, and as much as she’d like to be with Cole, she’s not sure that’s the right decision.
Yet as they embark on a relationship, scandal emerges that threatens to undo them both, and perhaps the show as well. They both realize that if their love is to survive—and if their careers are to thrive—they’ll have to fight with everything they have.
This was so enjoyable, full of all of the things I love about rom-coms: chemistry, banter, steam, likable characters, and a Hollywood setting. I couldn’t get enough of this, and I can’t wait for Emma Barry’s next book!
The book will publish 10/1.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
September 23, 2024
So many competing factors
I have to start by explaining how I rate books. I can’t wrap my hard around giving most of them five stars. There’s nowhere to go from there! What makes more sense to my brain is 1 star = a horrible book, 2 = pretty good but also contains one or more things that made me “downvote” it a little, 3 = a solid, average, good book (the vast majority of my ratings), 4 = above average with some really impressive aspects, and 5 = spectacular, one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I love a good “romcomish” book, but I really, really don’t like explicit descriptions of sex. I always check the reviews carefully before I choose any book that sounds like it even MIGHT contain that sort of thing, and then I avoid them. I don’t mind if other people want to read them but it’s just not for me. If I accidentally get one despite my efforts, I never give it more than 2 stars so I’ll remember later that it had stuff I didn’t like and not re-read or recommend it.
Although I didn’t see it mentioned in any reviews at that time, this book DOES contain explicit sex. However, I can’t bring myself to give it 2 stars, and this is why: the character of Cole and the way he interacts with the world is so incredibly real to me that I have to give credit where it’s due and bump this one back ip.
I happen to have a dear friend who is a fairly famous actor, what I call “B+ list”, on the cusp of the A list just like Cole is in this book. Also like Cole, he is a truly good, kind man who values his integrity deeply. And I swear some of the things Cole said and did and felt in this story could easily have been copied precisely from my friend. It’s remarkable and deserves recognition.
So yeah. By my rules this ends up with 3 stars, which is not bad at all. The sex knocks it down a little, but the incredible attention to character pulls it back up. As I said: Credit where credit is due.
I have to start by explaining how I rate books. I can’t wrap my hard around giving most of them five stars. There’s nowhere to go from there! What makes more sense to my brain is 1 star = a horrible book, 2 = pretty good but also contains one or more things that made me “downvote” it a little, 3 = a solid, average, good book (the vast majority of my ratings), 4 = above average with some really impressive aspects, and 5 = spectacular, one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I love a good “romcomish” book, but I really, really don’t like explicit descriptions of sex. I always check the reviews carefully before I choose any book that sounds like it even MIGHT contain that sort of thing, and then I avoid them. I don’t mind if other people want to read them but it’s just not for me. If I accidentally get one despite my efforts, I never give it more than 2 stars so I’ll remember later that it had stuff I didn’t like and not re-read or recommend it.
Although I didn’t see it mentioned in any reviews at that time, this book DOES contain explicit sex. However, I can’t bring myself to give it 2 stars, and this is why: the character of Cole and the way he interacts with the world is so incredibly real to me that I have to give credit where it’s due and bump this one back ip.
I happen to have a dear friend who is a fairly famous actor, what I call “B+ list”, on the cusp of the A list just like Cole is in this book. Also like Cole, he is a truly good, kind man who values his integrity deeply. And I swear some of the things Cole said and did and felt in this story could easily have been copied precisely from my friend. It’s remarkable and deserves recognition.
So yeah. By my rules this ends up with 3 stars, which is not bad at all. The sex knocks it down a little, but the incredible attention to character pulls it back up. As I said: Credit where credit is due.
September 21, 2024
My sincere thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Bad Reputation and give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.
Cole and Maggie are both trying to overcome bad reputations. Cole for being a Hollywood himbo and Maggie for choosing a play for her high school drama group that some deemed not appropriate for high school. Cole, now in his early forties, wants to be taken seriously in Hollywood. Maggie wants to prove she is worthy of her new position as an intimacy coordinator for Waverly, a television mini-series similar to Bridgerton or Outlander. Cole and Maggie are drawn to each other from almost the first day. Is it a good idea for them to get involved? Do they overcome their bad reputations once and for all?
I very much enjoyed the descriptions of what it was like on the set of a popular show. The job of an intimacy coordinator sounds like it is not for the faint of heart. I admired how Maggie took on the job with everything she had and was not afraid to stand up for her actors. I loved how the job was explained, and the scenes of the show were written. The author had to have done a lot of research and work to make all of it very authentic. I loved the tension between Cole and Maggie as they got to know each other and their attraction built. It was a nice slow burn. When they finally were able to be together, I have to say I was a little let down. The chemistry I was seeing in the first almost 3/4 of the book was not there for me. It was just missing something. There was no real third act break up, but there was a little conflict that caused a slight bump in the road leading to the HEA. Overall, I liked the book, but I can't say I loved this one. Emma Barry is one of my favorites though and I'll keep checking on what she has coming next.
Cole and Maggie are both trying to overcome bad reputations. Cole for being a Hollywood himbo and Maggie for choosing a play for her high school drama group that some deemed not appropriate for high school. Cole, now in his early forties, wants to be taken seriously in Hollywood. Maggie wants to prove she is worthy of her new position as an intimacy coordinator for Waverly, a television mini-series similar to Bridgerton or Outlander. Cole and Maggie are drawn to each other from almost the first day. Is it a good idea for them to get involved? Do they overcome their bad reputations once and for all?
I very much enjoyed the descriptions of what it was like on the set of a popular show. The job of an intimacy coordinator sounds like it is not for the faint of heart. I admired how Maggie took on the job with everything she had and was not afraid to stand up for her actors. I loved how the job was explained, and the scenes of the show were written. The author had to have done a lot of research and work to make all of it very authentic. I loved the tension between Cole and Maggie as they got to know each other and their attraction built. It was a nice slow burn. When they finally were able to be together, I have to say I was a little let down. The chemistry I was seeing in the first almost 3/4 of the book was not there for me. It was just missing something. There was no real third act break up, but there was a little conflict that caused a slight bump in the road leading to the HEA. Overall, I liked the book, but I can't say I loved this one. Emma Barry is one of my favorites though and I'll keep checking on what she has coming next.
September 30, 2024
I learned so much from this book about the TV and film industry. Not that I was seeking out that information, but it was very educational. I appreciate the author's explanations of how those intimate scenes on the screen are really shot.
This was also an entertaining romance novel. Maggie was fired from her job as a drama teacher because someone was offended by the play she chose. This is very common (sadly) in today's world. Instead of using this as a teaching moment, people (parents) use this as a way to shelter their children. Cole is still trying to live down his breakout role 16 years ago. However, life will change for both of these characters and for the better.
I liked that these characters are a little older and not in their 20s. They were more relatable since I am not in my 20s anymore. They have gained a little wisdom but still don't have everything figured out. Maggie is very professional in her approach to this new job as an Intimacy Coordinator. I never knew this profession existed until this book, but it makes sense. Plus, this was a perfect job for Maggie, considering her years of teaching drama and understanding how a scene should be set, but also taking into consideration how the actors feel.
The book does move along at a casual pace. Not too fast and not too slow. The story picks up after this show is shot, and they are back in LA. There are a few twists I didn't expect, but it helped move the story along to come to its conclusion. I enjoyed watching Cole and Maggie's relationship blossom. It wasn't easy, and there were moments for them to work through, but they didn't give up. I even liked Tasha's story. She may be a minor character, but she has some growing to do as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will have to pick up something else by this author. We give it 5 paws up.
This was also an entertaining romance novel. Maggie was fired from her job as a drama teacher because someone was offended by the play she chose. This is very common (sadly) in today's world. Instead of using this as a teaching moment, people (parents) use this as a way to shelter their children. Cole is still trying to live down his breakout role 16 years ago. However, life will change for both of these characters and for the better.
I liked that these characters are a little older and not in their 20s. They were more relatable since I am not in my 20s anymore. They have gained a little wisdom but still don't have everything figured out. Maggie is very professional in her approach to this new job as an Intimacy Coordinator. I never knew this profession existed until this book, but it makes sense. Plus, this was a perfect job for Maggie, considering her years of teaching drama and understanding how a scene should be set, but also taking into consideration how the actors feel.
The book does move along at a casual pace. Not too fast and not too slow. The story picks up after this show is shot, and they are back in LA. There are a few twists I didn't expect, but it helped move the story along to come to its conclusion. I enjoyed watching Cole and Maggie's relationship blossom. It wasn't easy, and there were moments for them to work through, but they didn't give up. I even liked Tasha's story. She may be a minor character, but she has some growing to do as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will have to pick up something else by this author. We give it 5 paws up.
May 4, 2024
I got about halfway into this book, paused, and told a friend how impressed I was with Barry’s skill as an author. I often think of books as having threads, or plots, world-building, and themes. When I read, I see authors pick up and drop threads in a story—did the candlestick in the library matter? Sometimes it doesn’t! And sometimes, as a reader, those little details seem like they should matter for the plot, but they never get picked back up again. I call those dropped threads. So, it was a pleasure to read Bad Reputation, a story with so much going on, and see Barry’s deft authorial hand bringing all those threads together to a rewarding conclusion.
Some of the key through lines in this story are a wonderful background romance, deep friendships, the complexities of making a TV show, and dealing with social media as a real and urgent problem. There are references to child actors, the Me Too movement, book banning, and other hot button issues, but it never feels heavy handed or unnecessary. These are the warp of the book, not painted on asides.
Watching Cole and Maggie navigate the snarls of present obligations and past betrayals was achingly sweet. Cole is a while Maggie has Because there were so many possibilities for them to be cruel, reading two characters being resolutely kind was compelling—I missed my bedtime!
Here’s hoping other readers take note of this offering where Barry’s immense talent is on display. Kind and sharp and deeply satisfying, all in one lovely book. Highly recommend!
Some of the key through lines in this story are a wonderful background romance, deep friendships, the complexities of making a TV show, and dealing with social media as a real and urgent problem. There are references to child actors, the Me Too movement, book banning, and other hot button issues, but it never feels heavy handed or unnecessary. These are the warp of the book, not painted on asides.
Watching Cole and Maggie navigate the snarls of present obligations and past betrayals was achingly sweet. Cole is a while Maggie has Because there were so many possibilities for them to be cruel, reading two characters being resolutely kind was compelling—I missed my bedtime!
Here’s hoping other readers take note of this offering where Barry’s immense talent is on display. Kind and sharp and deeply satisfying, all in one lovely book. Highly recommend!
June 28, 2024
actual rating 4.5, rounded up!
I just love how Bad Reputation, both the title and the theme of this romance, is woven into every part of the drama and plot. Cole James’ reputation as a "himbo" who is nothing more than his physique and his ignorance of a harassment scandal on the set of his previous show. Maggie Niven's reputation as a infamous former high school drama teacher who chose a lewd play for her students but won her case defending her choice, and her students, but is now jobless and without an anchor. Maggie's firm ethics.
This was just really delightful. I love exploring Maggie's new career as an intimacy coordinator on the set of Cole's "outlander-esque" drama TV show. their tension is impeccable. good lord i wanted them to break their ethical codes SO bad before they did hahaha. also kudos to barry for not making any of the drama about how "ugly/fat/plain" maggie may or may not be which is typically how i find hollywood style romances to go.
also Cole is a delight, as is his friendship with his costar and sex scene partner, who I could read a whole book about!! there's a great secondary romance in this book too.
Emma continues to delight me with her contemporary romances, I will read every single one. thank you to the author for the print ARC!
Content notes: discussion of previous sexual assault/ verbal sexual abuse/ verbal abuse and other #MeToo type movements in hollywood. confrontation of a victim with a perpetrator, on page (secondary characters)
I just love how Bad Reputation, both the title and the theme of this romance, is woven into every part of the drama and plot. Cole James’ reputation as a "himbo" who is nothing more than his physique and his ignorance of a harassment scandal on the set of his previous show. Maggie Niven's reputation as a infamous former high school drama teacher who chose a lewd play for her students but won her case defending her choice, and her students, but is now jobless and without an anchor. Maggie's firm ethics.
This was just really delightful. I love exploring Maggie's new career as an intimacy coordinator on the set of Cole's "outlander-esque" drama TV show. their tension is impeccable. good lord i wanted them to break their ethical codes SO bad before they did hahaha. also kudos to barry for not making any of the drama about how "ugly/fat/plain" maggie may or may not be which is typically how i find hollywood style romances to go.
also Cole is a delight, as is his friendship with his costar and sex scene partner, who I could read a whole book about!! there's a great secondary romance in this book too.
Emma continues to delight me with her contemporary romances, I will read every single one. thank you to the author for the print ARC!
Content notes: discussion of previous sexual assault/ verbal sexual abuse/ verbal abuse and other #MeToo type movements in hollywood. confrontation of a victim with a perpetrator, on page (secondary characters)
August 14, 2024
I loved it. I stayed up too late on consecutive nights to read this.
Maggie was fired from her job as a high school drama teacher for directing a play a parent objected too. Through twists of fate, she finds herself as the intimacy coordinator for a historical drama set in Scotland. Cole was a teenage heartthrob whose career has been steady if not high profile and who is deeply bothered by missing the signs of a toxic situation in his breakout role. Now he's ready to make a comeback as the star of the historical drama.
This is a story about Maggie and Cole, of course, but it's also a story about the things wrong with show business and the people working to make them better. I love how Maggie rises to and embraces the challenge of her new role, remaining professional despite her profound physical and emotional attraction to Cole. I love how Cole desperately wants to do the right thing for the people in his life. And I love how they both realize they love the other but absolutely cannot say a word because it would be unprofessional.
There's a major storyline dealing with Cole's best friend and her confronting trauma from an early role. And that trauma coming to confront her. It felt well handled yet was still completely gut punching. Maybe check content warnings if this pings for you.
Emma Barry is so deft at managing a story with internal emotion and lots of external plot. It was simply a joy to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Maggie was fired from her job as a high school drama teacher for directing a play a parent objected too. Through twists of fate, she finds herself as the intimacy coordinator for a historical drama set in Scotland. Cole was a teenage heartthrob whose career has been steady if not high profile and who is deeply bothered by missing the signs of a toxic situation in his breakout role. Now he's ready to make a comeback as the star of the historical drama.
This is a story about Maggie and Cole, of course, but it's also a story about the things wrong with show business and the people working to make them better. I love how Maggie rises to and embraces the challenge of her new role, remaining professional despite her profound physical and emotional attraction to Cole. I love how Cole desperately wants to do the right thing for the people in his life. And I love how they both realize they love the other but absolutely cannot say a word because it would be unprofessional.
There's a major storyline dealing with Cole's best friend and her confronting trauma from an early role. And that trauma coming to confront her. It felt well handled yet was still completely gut punching. Maybe check content warnings if this pings for you.
Emma Barry is so deft at managing a story with internal emotion and lots of external plot. It was simply a joy to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 7, 2024
I've never really understood what people mean when they say that the main characters do, or don't, have 'chemistry' but I understand now. None of the couples here have any chemistry. The pacing of the book is off, with endless descriptions of filming and TV show taking up the first two thirds of this book. The actual plot is crammed in to the bits afterwards, and feels like an afterthought. There is one 'twist' at 80 percent that I didn't see coming - because it makes no actual sense.
I admire the fact that Emma Barry is trying to make this book about more than just romance - power, professionalism, me too and freedom of speech all feature. But you can't do all that and then stomp all over your boundaries for love, as if love makes it ok, as long as it is true love (which I wasn't feeling, see the note about chemistry, above).
The other problem with this book is that Cole is trying to make right how he acted 20 years before, but no bad behaviour, other than being a bit careless and partying is ever identified. Same with Vincent, the terrible predator. There are plenty of opportunities to tell us what both these characters allegedly did, but all we actually get is what they didn't do. It's quite odd and rips the power out of the book.
I really had to struggle to finish this, and if I hadn't received a free e-Arc from NetGalley in exchange for a review, I wouldn't have bothered.
I admire the fact that Emma Barry is trying to make this book about more than just romance - power, professionalism, me too and freedom of speech all feature. But you can't do all that and then stomp all over your boundaries for love, as if love makes it ok, as long as it is true love (which I wasn't feeling, see the note about chemistry, above).
The other problem with this book is that Cole is trying to make right how he acted 20 years before, but no bad behaviour, other than being a bit careless and partying is ever identified. Same with Vincent, the terrible predator. There are plenty of opportunities to tell us what both these characters allegedly did, but all we actually get is what they didn't do. It's quite odd and rips the power out of the book.
I really had to struggle to finish this, and if I hadn't received a free e-Arc from NetGalley in exchange for a review, I wouldn't have bothered.
September 16, 2024
I'm pretty new to the romance novel space. I originally started reading them as a way to broaden my enjoyment of books in general, but I'm finding that I'm able to sort of disconnect from the real world and get absorbed in a twisting storyline fairly easily. Bad Reputation happened to peak my interest the most from the the September Amazon First Reads choices, and I had just finished another romance novel anyway, so the timing seemed right. I was not disappointed. The story was very easy to follow and get sucked into. It's refreshing to have older love interests, and for the MMC to be fully embracing a redemption arc and emotionally aware of how his actions affect everyone around him was nice. The professionalism expressed was a neat and considerate way to build the tension. I enjoyed reading about longing and appreciating the care put into the relationship. As a man, I can say the spice felt more than necessary, but I'm neither prudish nor the target audience, so I will also say it wasn't over the top. Anyone who enjoys a bit of spice, will enjoy this read and any who don't care for it will still be able to enjoy the book if they choose to skip it (though there is emotional weaving for the main characters in there, so it's not just fan service).
October 2, 2024
Ok, my take on this book is definitely colored by the fact that if the author has any knowledge of the hometown of her FMC, it's not super evident, given that the major tiebacks to the city are a super conservative school board and the existence of a chili's. While I'm not 100% tuned into the school board beyond the member I personally vote for, I feel like there was no context of any kind (shoot, the location wasn't even mentioned until 31% of the way into the book) given to explain this alternate reality school board. Also, the last chili's in Oregon (which was here in Eugene) went out of business almost a decade ago, so when the FMC reminisces about prepandemic happy hours at chili's, she must have been digging back to quite early in her career. Are these kind of petty things? Yes and no. Without any real explanation for either of them being the truth (and in fact, it's somewhat confusing as to why the location was ever even mentioned since it has zero bearing on the plot, really) it just feels very weird to this long term resident.
Also, in general, the book is kind of boring? Like it packed a lot of plot in without much substance for any of it. It's fine. That's all I've got.
Also, in general, the book is kind of boring? Like it packed a lot of plot in without much substance for any of it. It's fine. That's all I've got.
October 3, 2024
3 Stars! It starts off a bit slow, and I’ll admit, it was hard to really get into at first. The pacing in the beginning feels a little sluggish, but once it picks up, it turns into a pretty solid read.
The story revolves around Cole and Maggie, who work behind the scenes on a Hollywood movie set. Cole is the serious, no-nonsense type, while Maggie is more of a firecracker with a bit of a rebellious streak—and they’ve got some complicated history between them. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the slow-burn romance takes a while to really kick in.
What I found most interesting was the Hollywood setting. There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes drama, from PR issues to the constant pressure of making the movie run smoothly, which adds a lot of tension to the story. Once the plot finally gets moving, it’s fun to see how Maggie and Cole navigate the chaos of the movie industry and their own tangled emotions.
Overall, even though it takes a bit of patience to get through the slower start, Bad Reputation ends up being a pretty good read. The Hollywood backdrop, mixed with a slow-burn romance and some sharp dialogue, makes it worth sticking with!
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to receive the ARC!
The story revolves around Cole and Maggie, who work behind the scenes on a Hollywood movie set. Cole is the serious, no-nonsense type, while Maggie is more of a firecracker with a bit of a rebellious streak—and they’ve got some complicated history between them. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the slow-burn romance takes a while to really kick in.
What I found most interesting was the Hollywood setting. There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes drama, from PR issues to the constant pressure of making the movie run smoothly, which adds a lot of tension to the story. Once the plot finally gets moving, it’s fun to see how Maggie and Cole navigate the chaos of the movie industry and their own tangled emotions.
Overall, even though it takes a bit of patience to get through the slower start, Bad Reputation ends up being a pretty good read. The Hollywood backdrop, mixed with a slow-burn romance and some sharp dialogue, makes it worth sticking with!
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to receive the ARC!
May 12, 2024
What I like about Emma Barry--love actually, about her is that Emma does not write to market. Her stories are so unique and I learn something every time I read one.
This is the third novel I've read from her and once again I enjoyed myself while reading.
Emma does a great job giving each character an in depth back story and a distinct character arc.
This book was about Cole trying to remove his Himbo persona he got while playing Cody on a show that I feel was like Melrose Place and Maggie who got fired from being a drama teacher for a play she wrote for kids that was deemed inappropriate by parents even tho it wasn't.
Maggie gets a new job in Hollywood as an intimacy coordinator/director. Which I hope is an actual job because we definitely need to protect women and children in Hollywood these days 😬😳
You can tell Barry did her research about television production and what goes into it because the scenes on set are very realistic.
This is a slowwwwww burn romance. But I liked that because I'm not into insta love and I think it strengthens the connection between the characters.
This is the third novel I've read from her and once again I enjoyed myself while reading.
Emma does a great job giving each character an in depth back story and a distinct character arc.
This book was about Cole trying to remove his Himbo persona he got while playing Cody on a show that I feel was like Melrose Place and Maggie who got fired from being a drama teacher for a play she wrote for kids that was deemed inappropriate by parents even tho it wasn't.
Maggie gets a new job in Hollywood as an intimacy coordinator/director. Which I hope is an actual job because we definitely need to protect women and children in Hollywood these days 😬😳
You can tell Barry did her research about television production and what goes into it because the scenes on set are very realistic.
This is a slowwwwww burn romance. But I liked that because I'm not into insta love and I think it strengthens the connection between the characters.
August 10, 2024
This was an interesting character driven romance novel. I really enjoyed both Cole and Maggie. Maggie was rather interesting because her character raised some interesting topics. I think that you will most definitely think when you read this one because of her job in the beginning and why she was fired. I have a hunch that some people are going to be triggered by this and not like it. I, on the other hand, really enjoyed it. Diverse families exist, love is love and all types of families deserve to be normalized. I think that the author handled this topic in a very real and interesting way because it has played out this way before across the county. The writing was well done throughout the book, and I found it utterly relatable. However, things did drag for me in the middle, and I found my mind wandering. It was easy to put the book down and then I was a little hesitant to pick it back up. I liked the characters; I just felt the pacing slowed down so much that I wasn’t fully engaged.
Thank you to Montlake and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you to Montlake and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
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