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Bad Judgment
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Embry Ford was a quiet, ordinary guy—until tragedy ripped his life apart. Now he's living under the radar, desperate to hide his identity and determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Even if that means working for—and bedding—a man he loathes.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets ...more
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets ...more
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4 Stars
This one surprised me in a good way.Hot men in suits getting down and dirty and a good plot.
Embry Ford was a quiet, ordinary guy—until tragedy ripped his life apart. Now he's living under the radar, desperate to hide his identity and determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Even if that means working for—and bedding—a man he loathes.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets his eyes on his client's ...more
This one surprised me in a good way.Hot men in suits getting down and dirty and a good plot.
Embry Ford was a quiet, ordinary guy—until tragedy ripped his life apart. Now he's living under the radar, desperate to hide his identity and determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Even if that means working for—and bedding—a man he loathes.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets his eyes on his client's ...more
Bad Judgment, part crime drama, part enemies-to-lovers romance, is a hell of an angsty ride.
I'm not a huge fan of mystery novels, and this book is long, and I do mean LOOONG (more than 5,000 locations on my Kindle).
I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm not going to get into the mystery/suspense aspect. Suffice it to say, the middle dragged a little for me, but the mystery was well done.
Embry was not a likable character initially, although I fell in love with Brogan, the bodyguard, immediate ...more
I'm not a huge fan of mystery novels, and this book is long, and I do mean LOOONG (more than 5,000 locations on my Kindle).
I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm not going to get into the mystery/suspense aspect. Suffice it to say, the middle dragged a little for me, but the mystery was well done.
Embry was not a likable character initially, although I fell in love with Brogan, the bodyguard, immediate ...more
Fan.tas.tic!
This was an epic piece of writing. The way the author kept me enthralled and on the egde of my seat, taking panicky, rushed breaths, until almost the midpoint was just superb! There wasn't a single point in the story when I felt bored. I wanted to get to the end real bad, but I didn't even once consider skipping pages or skim reading to get to the end.
Actually, no, I did feel a bit impatient at the last smexy scenes because they kept me away from the climax, but I am going to attribu ...more
This was an epic piece of writing. The way the author kept me enthralled and on the egde of my seat, taking panicky, rushed breaths, until almost the midpoint was just superb! There wasn't a single point in the story when I felt bored. I wanted to get to the end real bad, but I didn't even once consider skipping pages or skim reading to get to the end.
Actually, no, I did feel a bit impatient at the last smexy scenes because they kept me away from the climax, but I am going to attribu ...more
Mar 12, 2017
Dia
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2017-read,
best-2017,
part-of-a-series,
m-m,
favorite-author,
painful-story,
loved-it,
the-best,
stand-alone,
m-m-favorite
ALL THE STARS!
This story was phenomenal! It kept me glued to the pages. Intense doesn't even cover it!
It was way more than I expected, and I can't believe it's the debut book of Sidney Bell. I'm in awe! I will definitely auto-buy her next books. What an awesome writing style and a plot that remains in you mind long after finishing the book.
This book has a lot of action, suspense, mystery, but also a pretty huge dose of angst. And it's definitely NOT for the feint of heart.
This is NOT a romantic ...more
This story was phenomenal! It kept me glued to the pages. Intense doesn't even cover it!
It was way more than I expected, and I can't believe it's the debut book of Sidney Bell. I'm in awe! I will definitely auto-buy her next books. What an awesome writing style and a plot that remains in you mind long after finishing the book.
This book has a lot of action, suspense, mystery, but also a pretty huge dose of angst. And it's definitely NOT for the feint of heart.
This is NOT a romantic ...more
Recipe for Bad Judgment Awesomesauce
- 1 cup of John Grisham or something similar
- 1 cup of Canadian dry, subtle humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of American in-your-face-humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of imagination (this should be extracted from author)
- 2 cups of original characters
- And NO cheese
Mix and let simmer for around 6 hours with red wine, a blanket and NO interruptions
Seriously… This book!
Some of my GR friends felt that BJ *snicker* was too angsty, dark and long, and YES it was dark and it ...more
- 1 cup of John Grisham or something similar
- 1 cup of Canadian dry, subtle humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of American in-your-face-humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of imagination (this should be extracted from author)
- 2 cups of original characters
- And NO cheese
Mix and let simmer for around 6 hours with red wine, a blanket and NO interruptions
Seriously… This book!
Some of my GR friends felt that BJ *snicker* was too angsty, dark and long, and YES it was dark and it ...more
Why did I wait so long to read this gem? Sidney Bell could turn out to be my breakout author of 2017 if she keeps this up.
This book grabbed me right away. I like it when one of the MCs is knocked for a loop by the other on sight and Brogan is so dazzled by Embry that he inadvertently outs himself on his first day working security at Touring Industries. Joel Henniton is COO of Touring and he’s been the recipient of some d ...more
“…Sometimes mistakes lead to the best moments of your whole existence.”
This book grabbed me right away. I like it when one of the MCs is knocked for a loop by the other on sight and Brogan is so dazzled by Embry that he inadvertently outs himself on his first day working security at Touring Industries. Joel Henniton is COO of Touring and he’s been the recipient of some d ...more
FIVE STARS TIMES A MILLION
Total.Book.Fog
I want to start reading it all over again. I don't want to move on to another story. I want to stay with this one.
Remember me mentioning I prefer stories with romance instead of romance stories? Yes! This is a STORY with romance. Incredible plot!
Oh, the snark.
Oh, the humor.
Oh, the mystery.
Oh, the angst.
Oh, the action.
Oh, oh, oh. I loved loved loved it.
The combination of snarky humor and tummy twisting reveals in this book make it unique. A stand out.
I'm no ...more
Total.Book.Fog
I want to start reading it all over again. I don't want to move on to another story. I want to stay with this one.
Remember me mentioning I prefer stories with romance instead of romance stories? Yes! This is a STORY with romance. Incredible plot!
Oh, the snark.
Oh, the humor.
Oh, the mystery.
Oh, the angst.
Oh, the action.
Oh, oh, oh. I loved loved loved it.
The combination of snarky humor and tummy twisting reveals in this book make it unique. A stand out.
I'm no ...more
First off, this book is a virtual landmine of potential spoilers. I will be deliberately vague to protect the reader's enjoyment of discovering the crimes and character motivations for themselves.
I misread the blurb when I started reading this book, which isn't anything new for me, but just in case the blurb is confusing to anyone else, I think going in your should know that the author is NOT referring that Brogan is the man who Embry "(is) working for—and bedding—a man he loathes." Brogan is Em ...more
I misread the blurb when I started reading this book, which isn't anything new for me, but just in case the blurb is confusing to anyone else, I think going in your should know that the author is NOT referring that Brogan is the man who Embry "(is) working for—and bedding—a man he loathes." Brogan is Em ...more
4.5 stars
This was ridiculously good. Enemies to lovers story w buckets of UST, lot's of humor, sweet romance and a some action/suspense to top it off.
Brogan Smith is a bodyguard who has been assigned a new case. He's also been warned that his subject is a nightmare so he's expecting to dislike the man. What he's not expecting is how fascinated he is by the man's executive assistant. Embry Ford is not only gorgeous but he's incredibly smart. He also appears to be made out of ice. Brogan can't he ...more
This was ridiculously good. Enemies to lovers story w buckets of UST, lot's of humor, sweet romance and a some action/suspense to top it off.
Brogan Smith is a bodyguard who has been assigned a new case. He's also been warned that his subject is a nightmare so he's expecting to dislike the man. What he's not expecting is how fascinated he is by the man's executive assistant. Embry Ford is not only gorgeous but he's incredibly smart. He also appears to be made out of ice. Brogan can't he ...more
Mar 10, 2017
Simone
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-suspense,
standalones
***4.5 Stars***
BOY, AM I GLAD I LISTENED TO MY INNER VOICE AND KEPT READING!!! At roughly 25%, I was on the verge of giving up because the beginning dragged like cheese on a pizza.
Thank heavens for Brogan being such an ador(k)able guy and for Embry making my heart bleed, ...
... otherwise I would have missed out on an original and therefore a bit different than I expected mystery, ...
... and a sweet romance that started with an insta-crush for Embry on Brogan's part, a rather reluctant, t ...more
BOY, AM I GLAD I LISTENED TO MY INNER VOICE AND KEPT READING!!! At roughly 25%, I was on the verge of giving up because the beginning dragged like cheese on a pizza.
Thank heavens for Brogan being such an ador(k)able guy and for Embry making my heart bleed, ...
... otherwise I would have missed out on an original and therefore a bit different than I expected mystery, ...
... and a sweet romance that started with an insta-crush for Embry on Brogan's part, a rather reluctant, t ...more
This time I knew what the outcome would be but the story still kept me past my bed time and still gave me high blood pressure. Ans I'm still crushing hard on Embry. My rating stands.
----------------------------------------------
5 +++ stars!
How is this a debut novel? I can't believe it. Sidney Bell managed to become an auto read with just two books.
Needless to say, I loved everything about this: the narrative structure (so brilliant), the characters, the banter, the passion, the romance, the sex, ...more
----------------------------------------------
5 +++ stars!
How is this a debut novel? I can't believe it. Sidney Bell managed to become an auto read with just two books.
Needless to say, I loved everything about this: the narrative structure (so brilliant), the characters, the banter, the passion, the romance, the sex, ...more
5 stars. Hands down. If Sidney Bell continues to deliver in other books I'll be trying, she may become one of my fave MM romance authors.
The first 50% or so was pretty slow. But it built the connection and attraction between the MCs. If the first 50% continued as is, this would have at most been 4 stars, and only if I felt generous. It was good writing, good banter, but BORING. Slow. Nothing too special about the characters...
And then Brogan started digging, putting the pieces together. And thi ...more
The first 50% or so was pretty slow. But it built the connection and attraction between the MCs. If the first 50% continued as is, this would have at most been 4 stars, and only if I felt generous. It was good writing, good banter, but BORING. Slow. Nothing too special about the characters...
And then Brogan started digging, putting the pieces together. And thi ...more
Reread January 2019
Ah Brogan. 😍 What an utterly brilliant guy! Loved this book the first time and love it even more now!
Original review:
*5 stars +*
Sidney Bell nailed this one. No, more than that. Utterly, completely, totally nailed it.
Not only did she create two in depth characters, but she also kept me on the edge of my seat with the tense plot.
Brogan is just so lovable, it was almost (but not really) too much. I just kept swooning and sighing and … well. The man is the ultimate carer. He is d ...more
Ah Brogan. 😍 What an utterly brilliant guy! Loved this book the first time and love it even more now!
Original review:
*5 stars +*
Sidney Bell nailed this one. No, more than that. Utterly, completely, totally nailed it.
Not only did she create two in depth characters, but she also kept me on the edge of my seat with the tense plot.
Brogan is just so lovable, it was almost (but not really) too much. I just kept swooning and sighing and … well. The man is the ultimate carer. He is d ...more
DNF @ 64%
It took me about a week to get to 64% in this book. Now, it's probably not entirely the books fault. I had a lot going on that week. But here I am another week later and I just haven't had the desire to pick this one back up.
Bottom line, I just found the romance to be lacking. The suspense definitely takes a front seat to the romance. And while sometimes that's okay....the romance was just< i>too lacking here to keep me interested.
I didn't really feel any connection between the MCs. M ...more
It took me about a week to get to 64% in this book. Now, it's probably not entirely the books fault. I had a lot going on that week. But here I am another week later and I just haven't had the desire to pick this one back up.
Bottom line, I just found the romance to be lacking. The suspense definitely takes a front seat to the romance. And while sometimes that's okay....the romance was just< i>too lacking here to keep me interested.
I didn't really feel any connection between the MCs. M ...more
4 well deserved stars and a big “thank you” to Heather, because without this great gift, I don’t think I would have tried it and that would have been a shame : I truly enjoyed it a lot.
Brogan is assigned to be the bodyguard of an arm dealer and in his line of work, he gets to meet Embry, a very efficient, if not cold, assistant, and as it turns out, also the lover of his client. Brogan can’t deny to himself his attraction to Embry. His caring side kicks in, and he has to understand what’s going ...more
Brogan is assigned to be the bodyguard of an arm dealer and in his line of work, he gets to meet Embry, a very efficient, if not cold, assistant, and as it turns out, also the lover of his client. Brogan can’t deny to himself his attraction to Embry. His caring side kicks in, and he has to understand what’s going ...more
Oct 04, 2020
Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘ by:
Hody
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Meh With Potential*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
The book centers around bodyguard Brogan Smith (29) and assistant Embry Ford (23). While the book was a bit interesting, it lacked a couple of things. I liked Brogan, I did, but sometimes he "appeared" a bit... dumb? I don't know if it was how he acted or what he said, but sometimes I kinda pictured a child in a grown man's body. Because the thing is, he's not apparently dumb because he's good a reading people and figuring things out. There was just something ...more
5 ALL THE RAINBOWS STARS
I could really kick myself for abandoning this book a few months ago (at 8%) for something new and shiny. If it wasn’t for my friend Fabi, I don’t know if I would have went back to it. So, thank you, Fabi!!!
Brogan Smith works in security, and at the moment, he is a bodyguard for Embry Ford’s boss. I adored Brogan. He is funny, caring, just an all-around good guy. So how does he become infatuated with cranky Embry? They were funny together, their snarky conversations crack ...more
I could really kick myself for abandoning this book a few months ago (at 8%) for something new and shiny. If it wasn’t for my friend Fabi, I don’t know if I would have went back to it. So, thank you, Fabi!!!
Brogan Smith works in security, and at the moment, he is a bodyguard for Embry Ford’s boss. I adored Brogan. He is funny, caring, just an all-around good guy. So how does he become infatuated with cranky Embry? They were funny together, their snarky conversations crack ...more
4.5 stars
Excellent debut novel. Half a star deleted for abrupt ending. Would've liked a longer epilogue but overall stellar writing, great banter, slow burn, nice steam.....did I say great banter? There are a few triggers for sure but I was completely invested and the author was able to work it out.
Loved it. ...more
Excellent debut novel. Half a star deleted for abrupt ending. Would've liked a longer epilogue but overall stellar writing, great banter, slow burn, nice steam.....did I say great banter? There are a few triggers for sure but I was completely invested and the author was able to work it out.
Loved it. ...more
***This is a PSA***
When friends rave about a book don't dawdle. Goodness could be sitting right at your fingertips while you're trudging through ho-hum stories.
I promptly purchased this beauty when it came out, the cover alone is dreamy, but for some bizarre reason kept putting it off for later. Big mistake. Or maybe subconsciously I knew I'd need something to savor in low times and savor it I did. I actually forced myself to take this in small doses, one or two chapters at a time, letting the t ...more
When friends rave about a book don't dawdle. Goodness could be sitting right at your fingertips while you're trudging through ho-hum stories.
I promptly purchased this beauty when it came out, the cover alone is dreamy, but for some bizarre reason kept putting it off for later. Big mistake. Or maybe subconsciously I knew I'd need something to savor in low times and savor it I did. I actually forced myself to take this in small doses, one or two chapters at a time, letting the t ...more
You know when you're in that reading funk phase and you pick up a book which is quite appreciated by the others and think this will get you through it or a teeny part thinks that if it doesn't, you'll get to critique the writing and find some flaw, anything that irks you. Let's just say I was brimming in that phase and this book didn't become the holy martyr. It is one of the most un-flawed writing I've read in M/M romance and I couldn't find a snippet or emotion or even a fucking word out of pl
...more
**** 4.5 Stars ****
September 8, 2018 : 1.99$ Amazon sale alert!
--------
"He's a dick."
"[..]I've worked with dicks before. That's not how I should have phrased that, sorry."
How am I supposed to write this review? I have forty (FORTY) screenshots of hilarious, swoony, brilliant passages of dialogue and description and I just don't know where to start. Though I suppose I should begin with : thank you, Bell, for destroying -- nay, obliterating -- my shitty contemporary reading trend/slump.
"I'm sorry, you're going to ...more
--------
"He's a dick."
"[..]I've worked with dicks before. That's not how I should have phrased that, sorry."
How am I supposed to write this review? I have forty (FORTY) screenshots of hilarious, swoony, brilliant passages of dialogue and description and I just don't know where to start. Though I suppose I should begin with : thank you, Bell, for destroying -- nay, obliterating -- my shitty contemporary reading trend/slump.
"I'm sorry, you're going to ...more
Phenomenal!!!
Thank you Dia, for recommending Bad Judgment -I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I was hooked from the start, the story was intriguing, though out and well paced. The romance was perfect, I enjoyed the interactions with the MC's, their unique chemistry - it flowed so well. I could not get enough so I was so happy the to find on Sidney Bell's website a few outtakes :). Highly recommend this book. ...more
Thank you Dia, for recommending Bad Judgment -I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I was hooked from the start, the story was intriguing, though out and well paced. The romance was perfect, I enjoyed the interactions with the MC's, their unique chemistry - it flowed so well. I could not get enough so I was so happy the to find on Sidney Bell's website a few outtakes :). Highly recommend this book. ...more
May 23, 2017
DW
added it
I'm a giving up at 76%.. It took a week to get this far and I was bored out of my mind.
...more
Feb 15, 2018
haletostilinski
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
angst,
crime,
happy-for-now,
romance,
no-cheating,
mm-romance,
favorite,
secret-relatoinship,
bodygaurds
Ohhh man, why did I take so long to read this???!!! I'm kicking myself right now!
Probably because I read Bell's other book first and while I did really really like it, some things bothered me and also this book seemed dark, with what the blurb said - and it was, but it wasn't a disturbing kind of dark, imo - so I guess I was hesitant to read this.
But I shouldn't have been, because THIS. WAS. AMAZING.
I feel like it is usually the opposite of how it has gone for me with this author - usually, I ...more
Probably because I read Bell's other book first and while I did really really like it, some things bothered me and also this book seemed dark, with what the blurb said - and it was, but it wasn't a disturbing kind of dark, imo - so I guess I was hesitant to read this.
But I shouldn't have been, because THIS. WAS. AMAZING.
I feel like it is usually the opposite of how it has gone for me with this author - usually, I ...more
A mixed bag for me. I might've come in with expectations set very high, after thoroughly enjoying 'Loose Canon' by the same author.
Some things—the chemistry between the MCs and how amazingly attentive Brogan was—worked like a charm. Embry's background story was so very sad it almost hurt to read, in a good way. But sheesh, I struggled throughout the book to like any of the two leads, much less love them. In a romance novel that's a problem.
To me, Brogan's behaviour towards Embry in the beginni ...more
Some things—the chemistry between the MCs and how amazingly attentive Brogan was—worked like a charm. Embry's background story was so very sad it almost hurt to read, in a good way. But sheesh, I struggled throughout the book to like any of the two leads, much less love them. In a romance novel that's a problem.
To me, Brogan's behaviour towards Embry in the beginni ...more
4.5 stars
Really good enemies-to-lovers book with a hint of mystery/criminal investigation.
Quite violent at times and there are a few triggers readers might want to know about: (view spoiler)
Sometimes it dragged a little bit during the first half of the book but just when I thought I desperately needed to hear Embry's voice, part 2 told from his POV came along. Part 3 is again told by Brogan and the epilogue is once again Embry's POV.
Good banter althou ...more
Quite violent at times and there are a few triggers readers might want to know about: (view spoiler)
Sometimes it dragged a little bit during the first half of the book but just when I thought I desperately needed to hear Embry's voice, part 2 told from his POV came along. Part 3 is again told by Brogan and the epilogue is once again Embry's POV.
Good banter althou ...more
This is a really good story. I enjoyed it a lot.
The best thing about this book are the characters. Well-developed and complex, with a past that has shaped them. Unusual and unique. Yes, Brogan and Embry are wonderful main characters. They have complex personalities, they don't always do well and yet they are easy to like. Brogan could easily become a weak hero, but because he is aware of his weaknesses, there is nothing feeble about him. And Embry! Absolutely unique! His social disability gives ...more
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Sidney Bell lives in the drizzly Pacific Northwest with her amazingly supportive husband. She received her MFA degree in Creative Writing in 2010, considered aiming for the Great American Novel, and then promptly started writing fanfiction instead. Eventually more realistic grown-ups convinced her to try writing something more fiscally responsible, which is how we ended up here.
When she’s not wri ...more
When she’s not wri ...more
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“If polar bears live at the North Pole, why doesn’t Santa use them to pull the sleigh?” Brogan asked, licking mustard off his thumb with the air of someone who thought they’d won the argument, which was dumb, because he never won. Embry was the uncontested champion of arguing in their house.
“Are you high?” Embry asked. “Have you seen a fucking polar bear? There’s no way they’re as aerodynamic as reindeer.”
“Polar bears make about as much sense as reindeer, seeing as neither of them can actually fly,” Brogan pointed out. “Polar bears are stronger, too. You’d only need half as many to get the job done.”
“Polar bears aren’t pack animals. You’d never get all of them attached to the sleigh at once.”
“Think how cool it would be, though. A whole troop of polar bears pulling a sleigh. There should be fire somewhere. A secondary propulsion system in case the bears get tired. Like a jet engine.” His eyes went wide with awe, presumably at his own genius. “There should be a jet engine, Embry.”
—
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“Are you high?” Embry asked. “Have you seen a fucking polar bear? There’s no way they’re as aerodynamic as reindeer.”
“Polar bears make about as much sense as reindeer, seeing as neither of them can actually fly,” Brogan pointed out. “Polar bears are stronger, too. You’d only need half as many to get the job done.”
“Polar bears aren’t pack animals. You’d never get all of them attached to the sleigh at once.”
“Think how cool it would be, though. A whole troop of polar bears pulling a sleigh. There should be fire somewhere. A secondary propulsion system in case the bears get tired. Like a jet engine.” His eyes went wide with awe, presumably at his own genius. “There should be a jet engine, Embry.”
“It was amazing how deeply he’d fallen, and how fast. He couldn’t even be frightened of it. But then, it had always seemed stupid to him to feel fear after you stepped off the roof with only a cape around your neck. It was too late to do any good and it only ruined the trip down.”
—
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