Review: Bad Romeo – Leisa Rayven

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

Series: Starcrossed #1
Release Date: December 23rd 2014
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Source: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Shannon
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

4.5 Cocktails

I have never loved a book so much but been so frustrated in my life. As the blurb from Alice Clayton says on the cover, the book un unputdownable. I would slammed it down in a fit of frustration to then immediately pick it back up and continue on. I was hooked, like BAD ROMEO was some kind of highly addictive drug.

Alternating between the past and the present, Leisa Rayven sets up the story of Cassie and Holt from the time they meet during entrance rehearsals at college to their rehearsal for their current Broadway show. Cassie and Holt are a HOT mess. Both of them has emotional issues due to their parents and despite themselves are inexplicably drawn to one another. Many times Holt tries to warn Cassie off from him and his cynical ways, but Cassie’s naivety and good naturedness often have her ignoring her head and rushing right into trouble with Holt.

In the past, Cassie and Holt are truly opposites, but when Holt lets go of douchebaggy side, he a guy you can totally see Cassie with. But that douchebaggy side is there, making him the ultimate bad boy candy that most girls will willingly fall for. I honestly think Holt doesn’t purposefully treat Cassie the way he does, he just doesn’t know how to express himself or even like himself very much. And unfortunately for Cassie, things are going to be easy for her until he changes.

As we go through the present scenes, it’s almost as if Cassie and Holt have flipped roles. She’s the cynical one, where he’s the one willing to hang in there and fight for her. They are both obviously broken, but I think Cassie a bit more so after having Holt totally shred her heart. And as badly as I can understand her being so leery of Holt and his intentions, I want some of her coldness to break and for the girl who could see past all Holt’s BS to be back.

I had no clue this was a Twilight FanFic, but I truly enjoyed this book. As much as the characters frustrated me, I have to applaud the author for getting me so wrapped up in the story I couldn’t stand to put it down. And I loved how this took place within the theatre world, which made it stand out (at least for me) with other romances involving Hollywood or the music industry.

I can’t wait for 2015 to roll around and the release of the next book, BROKEN JULIET.