Horribly Harry: Bad Boyfriends, Inc, Book 2

Bad Boyfriends, Inc. #2

by Lisa Henry, Grant Cartwright (Narrator), Lisa Henry

To supplement his income while he's completing his degree, Harry Townsend hires himself out as a terrible date—he'll horrify parents and family members in all sorts of ways. But when it comes to actual relationships—and sex—Harry doesn't get the appeal. He doesn't get the same tingly feelings everyone else seems to when they meet someone. And he’s fine with that.

Jack Windsor abandoned his university degree to do an apprenticeship as a mechanic. He's happy with his choices, but leaving uni meant losing his accommodation, and now he's crashing on his sister Mia's couch. It isn't ideal, but it's only until he finds something else—which is proving difficult.

When Jack recognizes Harry from his sister's terrible date, he almost kills him. In the aftermath he discovers that not only was Harry's bad date with Mia a setup, but that Harry is looking for a roommate.

Moving in with Harry is great, if only he wasn't so distractingly cute—and totally uninterested in Jack. Except as they grow closer, for the first time ever Harry starts to develop feelings. But how can Harry and Jack be together when Jack's family thinks that Harry is the worst human being in the universe?

Contains mature themes.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Queer

Audible Audio

First published August 9, 2022

About the author

I like to tell stories. Mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. They gotta work for it though. No free lunches on my watch.

Reviews

[drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

well, i'm whelmed. i'm not sure if my tastes have changed or if this series has just not hooked me like Lisa's past books 'cause i really didn't end up loving this as much as i thought i would. 2.5 stars rounded up.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Horribly Harry is just as cute as Terribly Tristan was. I've been reading Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey's Bad Boyfriends series out of order, but that's okay because they stand alone just fine.

The audio version of Horribly Harry is nicely performed by Grant Cartwright.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok this was just a TEN on the cuteness scale. Harry was obliviously adorable in all his ace/demi glory. I have no idea how someone as sweet and innocent as him could make a living working as Bad Boyfriend Inc. Jack was also ridiculously sweet, despite his and Harrys disastrous meet cute. I mean who meets the love of their life by almost murdering them?

This one was a slow burn and I loved how patient Jack was with Harry. It really made no difference to him whether or not Harry would want to engage in sex. He started falling for him when he thought he was just an adorable ace man. As it turns out to both Jack AND Harrys surprise, Harry likely falls in the demi category as well. Getting to see Harry explore these new feelings for the first time was so fun. He had so much enthusiasm and joy. But I have to say some of my favorite moments of the book were the trips to the OP Shop. Oh Bertyl you evil old woman you. Got to get your kicks somewhere at that age I guess.

I'm excited that Tristan is next. I can't wait for that loveable man whore to fall in love. Say what you want about his extracurricular activities and self awareness, but the man cares about his friends. He has a good heart and I'm dying to read the story about who he gives it to.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is LOVELY!!! I ADORED Harry so much!!

Although I couldn't say that Harry and Jack's meet as meet-cute (I mean come on, Jack almost KILLED Harry!) but what happened next between them was sweet. With Harry being a demi (gray?) ace who just discovers his sexual attraction with Jack, this story does go down to the sexy path, even if Harry claims to never really into sex before. But somehow I don't mind they getting a lot of kisses and trying few sexy positions because it feels true. Why can't Harry explore all that, when this new thing he feels for Jack feels exhilirating?

They do have some drama that I think unnecessary. Either Jack being an idiot or Harry apparenty has a penchant of running away. But well, it's new for them, and they're young, and I guess after dropping my latest LGBTQ book, I felt quite forgiving 😁

I wish there are more scenes of Harry with the preschool children though. And I cannot WAIT for Tristan's story next

[Jacquie Stewart]

While Horribly Harry is book 2 in the series, I think you could get away with reading this as a standalone.

I loved everything about this one. The bad dates, shopping for clothes, Jack and Harry bonding... it all really worked.

The ace representation was good and because of this it's a slow burn and lower on the heat scale. I felt that was natural for Harry and adored how Jack never pushed and was willing to accept a relationship on any terms, even without sex, just to have Harry.

There's a little bit of drama with Mia's wedding approaching but it was well done.

The next book is set up perfectly

[Zaza]

DNF @38%

C'est bien mignon, le début est original avec cette histoire de smoothie, mais il n'y a aucun enjeu, et là je n'ai juste aucun intérêt pour ces gars gentils comme tout, donc next !

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This was such a sweet love story. I absolutely loved both Harry and Jack and they were absolutely adorable, both as individuals and together as a couple.

This was just an easy and enjoyable read with likable characters you could really root for. The story was not only sweet and a bit sexy, but fun and funny, as well.

As for the writing collaboration, it was seamless and I couldn’t tell where one author’s writing began and the other’s ended. The story was well-written and flowed well.

Although this was book two in the series, it can definitely be read comfortably as a standalone. This was a very enjoyable story, that I’d have no issues recommending!


* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
I didn't like the audio performance. Grant Cartwright's two 'voices' for Harry and Jack were too similar and I somehow thought it wasn't a good fit for either.
The story had some super funny and laugh out loud moments the humor is spot on and I liked how the romance progressed.
I loved the ace/demi rep and how Jack was all in.
I didn't like Tristan in this book so not sure if I'll continue because his story is up next.

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
The writing makes this story absolutely spectacular- it’s witty and conversational and emotional and descriptive - I loved the way the author unfolded Jack and Harry’s attachment growing into something so much stronger than the sheer disaster it started with.

Harry is adorable and sweet and so is Jack who is so very sincere- I loved these two together - also I definitely enjoyed Bertyl 😄! I absolutely and completely loved how unbelievably gone for each other these two are and how fantastic Jack is at respecting boundaries. There were a couple of scenes with miscommunication but it didn’t really impact the story’s enjoyment for me because they were quick and fleeting and I could see how maybe Harry’s character despite being mostly confident is also a teeny tiny bit insecure navigating waters he has never set foot in before.

All in all this was an absolutely wonderful story and I’m really enjoying this series and I can’t wait for the next one

Expect:
* Opposites attract
* Roommates
* Humour
* Sexual awakening
* Demi/grey rep
* Slow burn
* First times

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

It’s always a bummer when a highly anticipated release doesn’t quite tick all my boxes. After falling head over heels for the first book in the Bad Boyfriends series, I was very excited for Horribly Harry. While it still had the light, fun tone of Awfully Ambrose, this couple didn’t ever quite capture my heart.

Harry and Jack make for a very sweet couple, and I really liked their silly and memorable introduction. I also liked Jack's easy and patient approach for Harry making sense of his sexuality, and I thought this exploration was done in a very thoughtful and honest manner.

Horribly Harry has so many of my favorite components, yet I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. Perhaps this is simply a case of me building a book up a bit too much in my head. Or perhaps I was in the mood for more outlandishly fun than the quiet, sweet fun this book offered. Regardless, I have no doubt that readers looking for a lighter, sweet romance will enjoy this book.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ***

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

Book two in the Bad Boyfriends, Inc series is just as cute and chemistry filled as the first one, Awfully Ambrose. Harry is a good natured goof of a guy who wants to be a preschool teacher. He picks up the dates for money, and he tries to walk the line between being disreputable and terrible; it’s fun, sometimes, getting to really act up and at out, and he’s delighted when it turns out Mia — his very first client — is going to get married to her actual boyfriend. Harry sees what he does as a good thing: he’s helping people, taking all the shame and scandal on his own shoulders so his client can have a happy family. And no one’s getting hurt.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[DJO · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished this over a week ago and don’t remember specific thoughts, other than I didn’t like it very much. Not nearly as fun as book 1. Both MCs seemed immature and a bit whiny and had no palatable chemistry. The story as a whole was a bit dull and the bad boyfriend angle is incredibly unrealistic. I didn't mind it in book one but it really bothered me here.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fairly boring, I started skimming as I got near the end, I just didn't care anymore. The MCs felt immature and whiny, and I didn't feel and chemistry between them.

[Lisabet Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many university students, preschool education major Harry Townsend is short on cash – especially since his friend and former housemate Ambrose left their shared digs to move in with his new lover Liam. To help make ends meet, Harry takes over Ambrose’s “business”, Bad Boyfriend, Inc. For a fee (sliding scale depending on the level of badness his client requires), Harry will show up at a family lunch or dinner and pretend to be the partner of the parents’ nightmares: a boorish, disgusting, disreputable drunk with poor manners, questionable hygiene and an utter lack of fashion sense. Sometimes the goal is to get the family to embrace a previously unacceptable real boyfriend, sometimes to convince them that the client is better off blissfully single. Either way, Harry gets a few hundred dollars as well as the satisfaction of knowing he’s helping his customers sort out their love lives.

Harry himself doesn’t have a love life and really doesn’t want one. He figures he must be asexual; he’s never been attracted to either men or women, never experienced the “tingly feeling” that’s so prominent in the romantic comedies he adores. Then apprentice mechanic Jack Windsor answers Harry’s ad for a new housemate and Harry finds himself dealing with feelings that are scary, thrilling and totally alien. He wants to watch Jack, to spend time with him, to touch his tattoos... even though he’s sure these desires couldn’t possibly be mutual.

Through a misunderstanding and an ignorance of Harry’s allergy to strawberries, Jack inadvertently comes close to killing poor Harry on their first meeting. Once he’s been forgiven, though, Jack discovers that he really likes his nerdy, creative, droll new roommate. In fact, he quickly realizes he wants Harry to be more than just a friend. Jack’s perceptive enough, though, to understand Harry’s skittishness and inexperience when it comes to sex and love. He’s willing to be patient and go slowly if that is what it takes to make Harry comfortable.

Horribly Harry is the second book in Lisa Henry’s and Sara Honey’s series Bad Boyfriend, Inc. I loved the first book (read my review at https://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/202...) but wondered whether the premise could be effectively extended to a second novel. In fact, I thought this book was even better than the first. I have not read such a clever, original, sensitive and satisfying romance in a very long time.

Harry is far from being a typical romance hero, but I adored him. He’s a lovable weirdo, a social outlier who’s mostly comfortable with his own unconventionality. He knows what he wants. He’s good at his job as a teacher. He shows a surprising ability to manipulate people in his gigs as a bad boyfriend. Ms. Henry and Ms. Honey strike a delicate balance, making him comical without descending into farce, vulnerable without being pathetic. I don’t personally know anyone who identifies as asexual, but Harry’s lack of libido struck me as utterly believable, as did his awakening to his attraction for Jack. Furthermore, I found their gradual, hesitant progression from friends to lovers as arousing as the sudden, full-out passion one finds in many erotic romance novels.

Jack’s no alpha male, either – fortunately, since that sort of man wouldn’t have the slightest chance of winning Harry over. He has a few quirks, like his affinity for housework and the fact that he threw away his university degree in his last term in order to follow his dream. Still, he’s definitely more “normal” than Harry, but not so conventional that he’s blind to the other man’s appeal. Although Jack makes some mistakes, overall he shows a remarkable sensitivity to Harry’s emotional and physical complexities.

In typical romcom fashion, the novel progresses through a variety of mishaps and misunderstandings to a lovely happy ending. The secondary characters contribute to the fun, especially Tristan, the promiscuous third housemate, and Beryl, the contrarian thrift store clerk. Apparently, Tristan will inherit the Bad Boyfriend mantle in the next installment of the series. I’m looking forward to it.

If you’re looking for an intelligent, funny, out-of-the-box romance read, grab a copy of Horribly Harry. I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed.

[Sarah C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Honey and Lisa Henry are both new to me authors that I will be exploring more, because Horribly Harry was anything but horrible. In fact, the book was so incredibly sweet that my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so hard.

We start with two amazing characters. Harry is finishing university to become a preschool teacher, something he's paying for by being a not so traditional escort. He hires himself out to be a bad boyfriend so that whoever his client wants to shut up about their love lives will or so they'll accept who they really want to be with because anyone is better than Harry. He's also this incredibly adorkable boy who loves his friends and doesn't get what the big deal is with sex or dating.

Jack is a good balance to him. He's mature, but has his dorky moments that lead him to be willing to play along with some of Harry's dorkier traits. He's incredibly patient - which is good because Harry has never had a relationship before and is on the ace spectrum so the relationship likely doesn't look like anything Jack has had before. He's also the brother to one of Harry's previous clients - which both starts the book off with a great meet ugly and also plays a large part in the conflict later in the book.

Aside from two amazing main characters, we have a great supporting cast. Their roommate, Tris, stole almost every scene he was in. Harry's best friend and former roommate, Ambrose, felt very real in his interactions with Harry. Jack's sister, Mia, was awesome. Even Beryl, the old woman from the Op Shop, felt fully developed and more than just a way to eat a few pages. And as someoen who has had stories made or broken by characters, this is a good thing. I love a fully developed cast of side characters.

The story itself is incredibly sweet. Its enemies to roommates to lovers with an incredibly slow burn and low steam. There's a little bit of angst, but its resolved quickly enough. There's a great deal of humor and so much fluff I could take an actual nap on it. While this is the second book in the series, you don't need to have read the first to understand it. (I can say this with certainty as I've not read the first book and could fully understand it.)

All in all, this book was a great read and I would highly recommend it.

** DISCLAIMER: I recieved an ARC and this is my fair and honest review. **

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book! hilarious

What happens when it’s your JOB to be an awful, horrible person on dates and then you see said date out again in town? You stop and say hi of course until you realize she’s with someone who knows you as HORRIBLE Harry!! Then you get a face full of strawberry milkshake. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Harry is a university student whose job is to be a horrible date so that parents will then be more approving of the current men and women in their child’s lives. He is gets paid on a scale depending on how horrible and what kind of date he needs to go on. Sounds like a pretty good acting gig, huh? It is until he meets Jack. Jack lights him up in ways he never thought possible. But Jack is Mia’s brother and he was Mia’s horrible date. How is that ever going to work?

Horribly Harry is the second book in the Bad Boyfriends, Inc. by Sarah Honey and Lisa Henry. While the books are truly stand alone, you do miss some bits and some wonderful characters by not reading in order. Also, I will tell you that I loved this book so much that I need to go back and read the first book Awfully Ambrose worth it to catch those bits!! Sometimes you just know and I know that the writing team of Sarah Honey and Lisa Henry are going to be a team to watch and definitely tbr for all future books.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry is so adorable and adorkable that I just want to give him a big squishy hug. Jack is so sweet and attentive towards Harry that he deserves a big squishy hug also. They are both very loveable main characters who find themselves drawn to each other after a very inauspicious first meeting. It’s a joy watching Harry in his first ever relationship, seeing him gain confidence and embracing who he is with Jack by his side. Their relationship is not high heat but sweet, intimate and tender with a few laughs along the way. A misstep on the way is soon overcome and their HEA is not jeopardised.

I loved every moment of this well written romance. The plot and pacing were on point and a great cast of side characters to keep things interesting. It’s a very easy and enjoyable read and although book 2 in the series it can be read as a standalone.

[Ella Wyld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to score an ARC of this book. I have long been a fan of Lisa and Sarah as authors both separately and as a team, and this book does NOT let their previous efforts down.

Harry is a lovable, adorkable, bad at being bad boyfriend, who is led on a journey of self-discovery by the equally lovable new roommate Jack. That is if Harry can get over the fact that Jack tried to murder him.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read with an abundance of funny, tender, and touching moments, all mixed together with a healthy dose of gigglesnorts. I recommend both Lisa and Sarah to anyone who enjoys well-written characters, interesting settings, pavlova, or peacock feather patterned suits. If I could give it more stars I would.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horribly Harry is the second book Bad Boyfriend, Inc series. Seriously hilarious! Harry is working his way through uni. He plays the bad boyfriend so well that one of his former clients dumps a strawberry smoothie over his head not knowing Harry is allergic to Strawberries! Jack feels horrible after Harry has an allergic reaction. I adored Harry and Jack! I loved Harry’s awakening! Sweet, steam and spicy! I seriously wanted to be a fly on the wall when they were in the resale shop! Loved Tristan and cannot wait for his story! Overall, a seriously funny and fantastic story. Well written with great pacing that just flows! Highly recommend!

[Capreacula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, lovely, lots of fun.

I love the Australian setting and the cuteness of watching Harry and Jack becoming boyfriends.
Harry regards himself as ace, never understanding the appeal of sex while being a romantic at heart. He's also earning some quid pretending to be the horrible boyfriend to fellow students who try to make their family/parents accept their real life partners after experiencing the horrible alternative, i.e. Harry.
Jack is the brother of one of those desperate ones. Who then gets to know Harry better - as room mate, friend and - eventually - boyfriend.
Wonderfully slow burn on Harry's side as he realizes he's demi, not ace, and only had to meet the right one.
It's refreshing to NOT have so much sex on the page but a very, very loving couple of "puppies" as their roommate Trus calls them.
I'd have loved to see more of their life, i.e. work environment as this informs so much how we are, so no 5 stars.
But it's been a joy reading this book, so much that I'll follow it up soon with Tris's story 😀

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, and like the last book, I grinned my way through it.

Jack is (apart from a couple of mistakes that he quickly corrects) the sweetest BF ever and I enjoyed the relatively drama free fun of this story.

Dual POV third person, lower heat (one MC is on the Ace spectrum), accidental attempted manslaughterer/ee to lovers, family hijinx, bad boyfriend behaviour, terrible op shop finds.

I received a copy of this book from the authors and have chosen to leave an honest review.

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

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[Christine Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet awakening

I received an arc provide a review. Harry has taken over as a bad boyfriend and does a stellar job of convincing parents any other option is an improvement.

Jack has an unfortunate initial meeting with Harry .

Jack moves into the shared house with Harry and Tris and as he and Harry get closer Harry discovers his first sexual attraction. 

Unfortunately Jack's sister was one of Harry's previous clients so her parents are not going to accept Harry as Jack's boyfriend. 

Harry has a special wardrobe for his dates sourced from the local op shop . The interaction between Harry and the shop assistant had me laughing  

Jack is just the person Harry needs in his life and this is another thoroughly enjoyable read .

[Ives Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an art copy for an honest review.

The second book on the bad boyfriends inc from Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey is as adorable as the first book.

Continuing their amazing ability to create loveable and relatable characters, Horribly Harry made me fall in love, wonder, cry and laugh out loud.

I now feel like I know Harry, Jack and Tristan as well as my closest friends. And I’m sure I have my own Beryl in my life.

Harry’s struggles, awakening and discovery is so heartfelt and fresh, dealing with his own fears and doubts about his sexuality takes a great approach on relationships and it is refreshing.

The book captivated me and I couldn’t put it down. Definitely feel I am part of their life, and couldn’t be more pleased to be invited.

[KohoutReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun one! Harry is a bad boyfriend for hire, working his way through school to be a preschool teacher. He sees one of his previous clients, Mia, and stops to say hello when her brother, Jack, dumps a strawberry smoothie on his head for being such a terrible boyfriend to Mia and acting like a jerk toward his parents. Jack has no idea Mia hired him. And neither of them knew that Harry is deathly allergic to strawberries. Jack feels awful, especially after Mia explains the job, and helps Harry home from the hospital. He also stays with him as per doctor's orders.

Harry and his housemate Tristan happen to be in need of a third housemate, and by the time Harry is functional again, Jack and Tristan have decided that he'll move in. Harry and Jack start to feel attracted to each other, which is a huge deal for Harry because he's never been interested in anything or anyone before, presuming he was asexual. Not only is Harry naive when it comes to a lot of things, but Jack also thinks he's freaking adorable. Just one problem: Jack's family hates Harry after his job as Mia's bad boyfriend.

🔥: Pretty steamy! These two move slowly thanks to Harry having no experience, and we never see them go "all the way," but the anticipation is good and the scenes we do get are medium-paced with graphic details.
😆: Lots of giggles along the way thanks to some irony and Harry being the cutest ever.
😭: No tears!

Such a crazy ride with these two! Also, I'd like to applaud the first book I've ever read where an MC needed to go to the bathroom first before enjoying breakfast in bed made by the other MC🤣

CW: severe allergy attack on the page

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Bad Boyfriends series but could be read as a standalone. Harry is a bad boyfriend for hire, with the idea being parents will be so happy to see the back of him they'll be delighted with their child's actual choice.

I loved Harry and Jack, right from the moment they met and Jack turned out to be the sweetest guy on the planet, after the initial misunderstanding was out of the way. There is wonderful demi/ace representation in this book, it's handled so well and I just adored how Jack would let Harry dictate the pace and never asked for more than Harry was willing to give him.

Honestly I love the premise of this whole series, this book felt very different from Ambrose and that's a good thing, they're both great in their own way. Harry and Jack just work perfectly together, and it was so good to get to join them on their journey with very little angst, and a lot of fluff and happy times. I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Tim]

DNF at 60%

The main characters- Harry and Jack- were flat and uninteresting. Past the first chapter, when they first met; there was no heat. It was all “Harry is asexual but suddenly interested in Jack” and “Jack is preternaturally patient with Harry’s reticence”. Got boring real fast. Kept hoping it would pick up but… it put me to sleep last night and I gave up at that point.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I loved the first in this series, it was a fun and hilarious read. This one, although funny in places, seemed to lack something, also it was slow at times. I hate to put an authors work down, they've put a lot of work into it, but this one just didn't grab me fully, a little bit but not fully, no disrespect to the authors, just not my thing.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horribly Harry is the second book in the Bad Boyfriends, Inc series and can be read as a standalone. This was a sweet, fun, opposites attract, slow burn read about Harry and Jack. This is looking to be a really fun series and I can't wait for the next book.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in this series, this started off with an oh-shit moment, but then developed quite lovely from there. Both Harry and Jack were quite delightful. Even if Harry kept running off to lick his wounds when Jack was being a moron. All's well that ends well, right?

Read this.