What do you think?
Rate this book
Badass
Nick thought he’d been through just about everything life could throw at him, including being wounded in Afghanistan. He’s working as an ROTC officer at a university, and is struggling along. Then he sees English professor Brad, a ghost from his past, a man he’s wanted for many years.
Brad is straight, and when Nick tried to take their friendship to the next level, he lost a good friend. Now Brad is back and on a reckless mission. He has come to find Nick and discover if they can make a go of it as lovers. If they fail, they’ll lose each other—this time for good.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 23, 2012
This review contains SPOILERS.
I really liked the idea of estranged best friends (and almost lovers) getting their second chance. And the blurb sounded really good, so I thought 'why not read this?'. Boy, what a grave mistake it turned out to be.
The story had a lot of potential. And I can overlook one or two niggles but the amount of inconsistencies in this story is staggering!
It's mentioned that one year and a half has passed since Nick last saw Brad, but then we read that it's suddenly four years. So which one is it? I kept reading... and there's again - a year and a half. Huh? If you think you're confused now, you think wrong. Guess what? The author decided it's been four years after all! WTF is going on here???!!!
And why the hell was Nick so angry that Brad called him gay? After all, that's the reason he severed their friendship. I didn't get that one. If Brad's tone had been full of vitriol or if he'd used the word "faggot" I could understand Nick's anger, but gay? As far as I can tell there's nothing wrong with the word. I was confused as hell but I've never been one to give up easily so I read some more. And there it was! According to Nick, Brad used the words "that f*cking gay". I'm asking WHEN? Last time I read, such words were not used by Brad in that scene. Or in any other scene for that matter. So again, WTF is going one here???!!!
And the girly tattoo Nick demanded that Brad should get on his ass cheek was the last straw. Get that tattoo and I will forgive you. Isn't that a bit childish? As for the design, you've got to be kidding me! The heart with Nick's name and a rose below it? Like I would ever believe an army man, a guy who was in Afghanistan would put such a thing on his man! Oh please!
Were there not so many inconsistencies I would rate this 3 stars. Unfortunately, things like the ones I've just mentioned can ruin even the greatest of plots.
I'm sorry, but from me this story gets only 1 star.
I really liked the idea of estranged best friends (and almost lovers) getting their second chance. And the blurb sounded really good, so I thought 'why not read this?'. Boy, what a grave mistake it turned out to be.
The story had a lot of potential. And I can overlook one or two niggles but the amount of inconsistencies in this story is staggering!
It's mentioned that one year and a half has passed since Nick last saw Brad, but then we read that it's suddenly four years. So which one is it? I kept reading... and there's again - a year and a half. Huh? If you think you're confused now, you think wrong. Guess what? The author decided it's been four years after all! WTF is going on here???!!!
And why the hell was Nick so angry that Brad called him gay? After all, that's the reason he severed their friendship. I didn't get that one. If Brad's tone had been full of vitriol or if he'd used the word "faggot" I could understand Nick's anger, but gay? As far as I can tell there's nothing wrong with the word. I was confused as hell but I've never been one to give up easily so I read some more. And there it was! According to Nick, Brad used the words "that f*cking gay". I'm asking WHEN? Last time I read, such words were not used by Brad in that scene. Or in any other scene for that matter. So again, WTF is going one here???!!!
And the girly tattoo Nick demanded that Brad should get on his ass cheek was the last straw. Get that tattoo and I will forgive you. Isn't that a bit childish? As for the design, you've got to be kidding me! The heart with Nick's name and a rose below it? Like I would ever believe an army man, a guy who was in Afghanistan would put such a thing on his man! Oh please!
Were there not so many inconsistencies I would rate this 3 stars. Unfortunately, things like the ones I've just mentioned can ruin even the greatest of plots.
I'm sorry, but from me this story gets only 1 star.
May 15, 2013
Several inconsistencies brought me out of my reading flow, add to that this constant 'I love you but I'm not gay' - it was barely ok.
April 21, 2013
1.5 stars
Friends since they were in kindergarten, Nick and Brad were separated when Nick tried to force Brad to admit his feeling for him. Brad supposedly said something hurtful to Nick. Nick left for Iraq, and Brad continued his study. Years later, Nick got back and was assigned to be ROTC instructor in a small college in Georgia. He found out that Brad was a new English professor there. Would they be together at last?
Topic wise, this is right on my alley. Unfortunately, the execution is completely off. Partly because editor in Ellora Cave, the publisher, didn't do their job they were paid for (unless there was none for this book). Another part because the author didn't bother to try writing something realistic about academic life.
Too bad.
Read also Morgana's review.
Friends since they were in kindergarten, Nick and Brad were separated when Nick tried to force Brad to admit his feeling for him. Brad supposedly said something hurtful to Nick. Nick left for Iraq, and Brad continued his study. Years later, Nick got back and was assigned to be ROTC instructor in a small college in Georgia. He found out that Brad was a new English professor there. Would they be together at last?
Topic wise, this is right on my alley. Unfortunately, the execution is completely off. Partly because editor in Ellora Cave, the publisher, didn't do their job they were paid for (unless there was none for this book). Another part because the author didn't bother to try writing something realistic about academic life.
Too bad.
Read also Morgana's review.
July 6, 2012
2.5
I really, really wanted to like this, but I didn't. It started off strongly. I liked that the ROTC guy was sure of his sexuality and the lit prof wasn't, but the mind control and the "one upping" was too much. I didn't buy the love and I didn't think their reunion was romantic because there was too much hostility. I didn't buy that the MC was really ready for an active sex life, and the GFY (which I can like quite a bit) didn't have the ring of truth that I need.
I give it too because it was a great premise that could have been a little tighter.
I really, really wanted to like this, but I didn't. It started off strongly. I liked that the ROTC guy was sure of his sexuality and the lit prof wasn't, but the mind control and the "one upping" was too much. I didn't buy the love and I didn't think their reunion was romantic because there was too much hostility. I didn't buy that the MC was really ready for an active sex life, and the GFY (which I can like quite a bit) didn't have the ring of truth that I need.
I give it too because it was a great premise that could have been a little tighter.
September 17, 2012
I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers romances. Make it estranged friends who reunite and somehow find a way to fall in love and be together and it’s even better. So, when I read the blurb to this book, I knew I had to give it a shot. I know I can’t resist reading about a hunky, alpha military man being in love with a bookish, professor and although I had a few niggles throughout the story, I ended up liking it and I’m glad I read it.
For the past year, Nick has been working hard to recover from his leg wound he received in Afghanistan. Because of his wound, Nick was afraid he would have to leave the military forever, so when a job as an ROTC officer at a local college, Nick jumped at the chance to do it. Although, he likes his job and has made some friends, Nick is still not happy. He’s lonely and often thinks of his estranged best friend, Brad, whom he once loved but was rejected by.
One day Nick finds out that his old friend, Brad is now working as a professor at the same college. Angry and hurt, he’s shocked when his colleagues ask Brad over for their poker game, but since his friends have no idea about their past, Nick decides to take the high road and try to act like Brad being invited as well as his presence does not bother him. But once Brad arrives, Nick can’t keep from drinking a little too much, making the hostility and hurt he feels toward Brad visible for all to see.
Brad knows he has a lot to make up for. He knows he’s hurt Nick, but since he’s finally able to accept the love and attraction he feels for his former best friend, he’s willing to eat a little crow to make things up with Nick. Although, Brads says he’s prepared for Nick’s hostility and anger, he’s still hurt by Nick’s inability to forgive him for what he had done in the past. Nick seems determined to keep them apart, but Brad is also relentless at trying to do what he can to get back into Nick’s good graces. Soon, both men are forced to decide what they really want in life. They must either face past haunts and hurts if they are ever able to find a future together. Will Brad ever get Nick to forgive him and take a chance in a once in a lifetime love?
I liked this book. It’s a quick read and the two heroes really jumped off of the written pages. Both Nick and Brad must look deep in their heart and decide if being together is really what’s best for them. At one time both men obviously had a wonderful relationship, but when Brad pushed Nick aside with some hurtful words, and once he was injured in Afghanistan, I think it really changed Nick into becoming an almost bitter man.
I understood this bitterness. Nick’s in constant pain, and every day is a new challenge for him to get out of bed and go on with his life. Brad’s rejection has forced him to put some walls around his heart, and he’s not the warm man he once was before they split apart. But I almost think Nick was too angry and bitter at times. He lashes out at Brad time and time again, and when he decides to forgive Brad, he still makes Brad do something that I thought was a little over the top. I found myself wondering if Nick will really be able to truly forgive Brad, and if they’ll really be able to stay together in the end.
I did like Brad’s determination to be with Nick. I admired Brad’s strength and patience he had with him, even when I wasn’t sure if Nick deserved it. Brad is truly sorry for what he said, and fights to be part of Nick’s life again. There was one point when I wanted Brad to tell Nick off, but instead Brad just becomes even more stubborn and fights to win Nick’s love and forgiveness. (Which I’m really glad he did)
Even though I had some issues with the story, I still liked it. I did think the two heroes had some intense chemistry together and I thought there was some true affection between them. Badass gave me a couple of hours of much needed escapism from my everyday life, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked the easy style of writing this author has, and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
For the past year, Nick has been working hard to recover from his leg wound he received in Afghanistan. Because of his wound, Nick was afraid he would have to leave the military forever, so when a job as an ROTC officer at a local college, Nick jumped at the chance to do it. Although, he likes his job and has made some friends, Nick is still not happy. He’s lonely and often thinks of his estranged best friend, Brad, whom he once loved but was rejected by.
One day Nick finds out that his old friend, Brad is now working as a professor at the same college. Angry and hurt, he’s shocked when his colleagues ask Brad over for their poker game, but since his friends have no idea about their past, Nick decides to take the high road and try to act like Brad being invited as well as his presence does not bother him. But once Brad arrives, Nick can’t keep from drinking a little too much, making the hostility and hurt he feels toward Brad visible for all to see.
Brad knows he has a lot to make up for. He knows he’s hurt Nick, but since he’s finally able to accept the love and attraction he feels for his former best friend, he’s willing to eat a little crow to make things up with Nick. Although, Brads says he’s prepared for Nick’s hostility and anger, he’s still hurt by Nick’s inability to forgive him for what he had done in the past. Nick seems determined to keep them apart, but Brad is also relentless at trying to do what he can to get back into Nick’s good graces. Soon, both men are forced to decide what they really want in life. They must either face past haunts and hurts if they are ever able to find a future together. Will Brad ever get Nick to forgive him and take a chance in a once in a lifetime love?
I liked this book. It’s a quick read and the two heroes really jumped off of the written pages. Both Nick and Brad must look deep in their heart and decide if being together is really what’s best for them. At one time both men obviously had a wonderful relationship, but when Brad pushed Nick aside with some hurtful words, and once he was injured in Afghanistan, I think it really changed Nick into becoming an almost bitter man.
I understood this bitterness. Nick’s in constant pain, and every day is a new challenge for him to get out of bed and go on with his life. Brad’s rejection has forced him to put some walls around his heart, and he’s not the warm man he once was before they split apart. But I almost think Nick was too angry and bitter at times. He lashes out at Brad time and time again, and when he decides to forgive Brad, he still makes Brad do something that I thought was a little over the top. I found myself wondering if Nick will really be able to truly forgive Brad, and if they’ll really be able to stay together in the end.
I did like Brad’s determination to be with Nick. I admired Brad’s strength and patience he had with him, even when I wasn’t sure if Nick deserved it. Brad is truly sorry for what he said, and fights to be part of Nick’s life again. There was one point when I wanted Brad to tell Nick off, but instead Brad just becomes even more stubborn and fights to win Nick’s love and forgiveness. (Which I’m really glad he did)
Even though I had some issues with the story, I still liked it. I did think the two heroes had some intense chemistry together and I thought there was some true affection between them. Badass gave me a couple of hours of much needed escapism from my everyday life, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked the easy style of writing this author has, and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
July 21, 2012
This book had a lot of potential. However there were some inconsistencies with how long it had been since the two MC's had seen each other. The story also felt rushed. I also think the revenge angle was a bit odd, not because it was there, but because of the way it was suggested. Sure the ending was cute, but again I felt it came too soon.
July 1, 2012
2.5 Stars
I like the outline for this story very much but I found Brad to be too conflicted and Nick was just an asshole. There were multiple inconsistencies that threw me off too.
I like the outline for this story very much but I found Brad to be too conflicted and Nick was just an asshole. There were multiple inconsistencies that threw me off too.
September 11, 2012
Nice cover, shame about the story. The synopsis made it seem inviting, but the main protagonists were annoying and the writing stilted. Nick, in particular, was insufferable.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews