This is no fairytale… neighbors’ adopted son.
Handsome, strong, quiet, he was my protector, and my friend.
Now he’s back, and he’s still gorgeous.
Tall, dark and s*xy. All man.
But he’s a bad guy, moving with a dangerous crowd.
So why do I keep winding up in his arms?
On his lap. In his bed.
I know better than this—I’m better than this. I should stop.
Only my heart tells me there’s good inside Jarett.
That I could save him.
Then again, what happens to gullible girls who climb into bed with the big bad wolf?
Right.
more
‘This is no fairytale…’
This one sentence could not be more closer to the truth about Jarett and Gigi’s story. Augusta Watson has always had a crush on Jarett Fenrir, which she thought no one knew about but turns out that everyone in her family did. Gigi has had to deal with very strong and mixed emotions that she is not sure what to do about. Gigi wants to help everyone she loves and cares about but getting them to listen to her or open up is harder than she thought. Her best friend Sydney is going through are hard time and Gigi suspects it’s drugs, her crush Jarett is in a gang, Tati is hugely pregnant and Merc is not himself.
Jarett has always kept his promises, but this time it has him wondering if this promise is one that he may not be able to keep. Jarett’s life has not been an easy one, everyone he has ever cared for has died. So when he makes a promise to look after his adopted brother Sebastian on the grave of his adopted father to his mum Becky, he had no idea how hard and much trouble he would get into to keep it.
I have really enjoyed reading Gigi and Jarett’s story and I can’t wait to see what else Jo Raven can come up with for this family.
This family has been so amazing. I’ve loved Gigi throughout all of the other books, but this gives her a whole new light. Gigi and Rett are so awesome!
Jarett has so much going on in his life and he’s so serious about it. The poor guy is really letting his past get the best of him. But then comes Gigi and she doesn’t know how to say no. That is what I love about her. She knows what is right and isn’t going to give up until she’s done what she can. With Jarett that was especially true. She couldn’t stop seeing him, just as much as he couldn’t stop letting her in. When it came to the issues with his gang, his brother, his mother, when he was with Gigi he let it fall away.
There were so many things about his past that kept holding him back and I was so happy that Gigi helped him see the light. Her and her family are so amazing, especially Merc. He really helped her take Jarett under her wing, when he could have been that protective brother who said no. This family is so special and was exactly what Jarett needed. Despite all of the bad, they were all there for him through his whole journey. I love how Jo does this, she was so good at making this tight knit group. Rett was so lucky to have found Gigi.
I can’t wait to see what Jo comes up with next and I really hope we get to see more of these two
Jarrett and Gigi get their second chance in this deliciously naughty fairy tale romance. Gigi knew a boy that was quiet, sweet, and stole her heart away until circumstance broke them apart. Now years later she runs into Jarrett again and he has become this hard sexy stranger – but something tells Gigi her Rett is still behind the mask he has created. Its seems that Jarrett has always been followed by a cloud of death and despair. Everytime he finds some silver lining it is ripped from him. His promise to his mother to protect his brother Seb has lead him into a life he knows will lead to their ultimate destruction, but when you have had everything you love taken from you a promise is a promise. When Gigi appears like an Angel back in his life he knows he should keep away – not taint her goodness. But there is just something about this girl that makes him want… makes him dream.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book.
I really liked this book, Jarett and Gigi a very young couple that goes through bad choices and learns from them, glad they have a happy ending and hope we see them in future books.
Read: 10/27/19
Bad Wolf was a stand-alone by Jo Raven. Although not my first book by the author, Raven was a recent new author to me.
Garret and Gigi met as teenagers. They had an unusual friendship until Gigi moved away. Fast forward three years and they met again.
Raven quickly highlighted the past before diving into the present. And it began with a mysterious vibe. We knew there were secrets and danger but weren’t privy to the details until the author began to slowly unravel the layers. I admit, I wasn’t a fan of how Garrett treated Gigi in the beginning (and well into the book). I know there was a connection, and I know he pushed her away, but I wasn’t a fan of his method nor did I feel the connection with how he treated her. And it moved slowly. I craved a swifter storyline.
The circumstances were so dire for Garrett that I struggled reading it. I wanted something good. He was so strong, but he let him self be walked on and put down. It was his choice. And not only did I not understand it, I didn’t like it. For both Garrett and Gigi, it was a journey of putting others first when those same others didn’t put them first. Then simultaneously two souls reconnected with a common theme but on opposite sides.
The plot was dark and depressing and just kept getting worse – until it didn’t, kinda sorta. That’s all your getting from me. It ended on a happy note, but unfortunately we didn’t get to dwell on the good. I desired more happiness and good.
In the end, I liked Garrett and where he ended up. He has so much promise that it needs a follow up novella in order to make the more story complete.
Tortured Wolf
ARC Review: 3.5-3.8
First of all, I am a huge fan of Ms. Raven’s work. I’ve always thought that she is powerfully talented at creating tortured heroes with beautiful hearts who are fighting to overcome their painful and devastating pasts. I have read a lot of her books and never rated any of them lower than a strong 4. I’m always honest in my reviews, and I definitely take it into consideration that talented authors, such as Ms. Raven, put their hearts and souls into their work.
With that being said, I really struggled with giving this book a 4. Not because it wasn’t well-written. If you’ve read any of her books, then you know that Jo Raven is one heck of a writer. But I had a serious problem with our heroine, Gigi. I did try to take into account that she’s barely out of her teens, but her ability to put up with crap was beyond frustrating. Ugh! There were times when I really wanted to shake her! She seriously needed to kick Sydney–who was supposed to be her bestie–to the curb!! That girl dragged Gigi into so many dangerous situations, it was RIDICILOUS!! Nobody needs a friend like that, and I’m definitely not interested in a Sydney story. Nope. Not ever.
And Jarett–that poor thing. I was both heartbroken for him and frustrated with him. “I’m not capable of taking care of more people.” This seems to be the ongoing theme of Jarett’s life. Trying to take care others has brought him nothing but pain, trouble, and grief. A promise he made had him fighting desperately to hold on to the only family he thought he had left, or would ever have again. I totally get that, but his adopted brother, Sebastian doesn’t deserve his loyalty. Jarett suffered one terrible let down after another trying to keep that ungrateful Sebastian safe. He was mean and selfish, and only, in the end, did he seem to do something to try to save Jarett, for once. However, I’m not surprised things turned out the way they did. Actions have consequences.
I did appreciate that Gigi did not give up on Jarett, although realistically she probably should have. But because she opened her heart to him, he learned that he was capable of being loved. He started to realize that there were people who wanted him. I also love that Jarett is strong enough and wise enough to accept responsibility for his actions. In his own way, albeit frustrating way, he has a good heart and only wanted to protect Gigi.
I absolutely adored Mercury–“Merc”–as always. I definitely can not wait to dig deeper into what makes him tick.
I was also pleasantly pleased with the chance to catch up with Matt, Octavia, and Kaden. Call me crazy, but I thought it was cute that Octavia’s mother was being all dramatic and hovering over a pregnant Octavia and blushing from a hot date the next! It was great to see all the members of the family, blood and extended, still going strong.
5 Stars to Bad Wolf by Joe Raven.
When I pick up a jo Raven novel I know I’m about to be gutted. Her heroes are tough, and arrogant, sexy and intense. They are protective beyond the normal without being over the top possessive. But the stand out trait in their character is a tortured, heartbreaking, gut wrenching past. And in BadWolf, our hero, Jarrett, is Jo’s latest victim.
Jarrett is an intense man. He has had a past no one should have to suffer through. While he is older and independent, his past is still dictating his future. I won’t go into details for obvious reasons but I will tell you that while Jarrett has a good heart, his choices lead him into trouble.
I loved Jarrett! I felt very protective of him. Yes he could physically take care of himself but what he needed desperately was an emotional connection. Jarrett needed love. His monologue in this book was emotional and believable. What broke my heart time and again was that he believed he would never have it.
Until….. Gigi
Gigi was selfless and also had a big heart. She loved her family and if you gave her a chance to be your friend, she was loyal and protective. Gigi is Octavia’s sister ()I thought some of her choices, the situations she unknowingly put herself in were because of her protective nature. She could have easily gotten hurt. Again I can’t say more without spoiling this book for you. I will say, she was lucky.
BadWolf has a lot of secondary characters. Some from previous books and some new. Gigi’s brother Merc will get his story told soon. I also hope we get Gigi’s bff Sydney’s story as well. I expect that will be a ménage.
There are intense and worrisome moments in this book. Jarret and Gigi’s relationship is angsty however their sexy scenes were scorching. Bad Wolf was another great book by Jo Raven. And while this book has a happy ending, I admit the circumstances of the last couple of chapters, prior to Jarret and Gigi’s more than deserved HEA, were not my favorite. I wished some things that happened, didn’t. That said, I completely understand that bad decisions have consequences. Doesn’t mean I liked it.
That said, this was another amazing book by Jo. This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. 🙂
This author has been one of my favorites since I started reading and ‘Asher’will always be one of my favorites by her. But man, Bad Wolf, is a book that I didn’t want to end. It gripped me from the beginning and never let me go. I was holding on to my seat to see what would happened next and if I would get a happy ending…. One of the best books by Jo Raven I have read; and that’s saying something!
Jarett hasn’t had an easy life. After losing his parents at a young age, he’s been taking in with a family that now seems to be falling apart. He has made a promise to his (step)mom to keep his brother safe from harm. But Sebastian isn’t having it and does whatever it takes to keep Jarett away from him. But Jarett will do whatever it takes to keep Sebastian away from the gang he’s involved in although that’s not an easy thing to do. Jarett feels like he’s at a dead end but when he meets Gigi again after all these years, she may be exactly what he needs to find the strength to keep everyone safe from harm. Will he be able to in the end or will it cost everyone’s life?….
I really enjoyed this story, reminded me of once upon a time a lifetime ago
Loved this book! I cried, laughed and got dreaming hot and at times. The characters are awesome and the story line will keep you up late just to read “one more page”!! If I could give 10 stars I woyld. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a HEA.
Amazing book full of action packed life. Was hooked from the first page tell the ending.
Bad Wolf shows us what truly happens when a good girl falls in love with a bad boy. Jarett and Gigi have a love so pure it just blinds the pages. Jarett has had a bad start to life, parents killed, foster homes, being adopted. He believes everyone he makes a home with dies and that thought has made him jaded and reserved. Gigi just wants some protection from the hood they live in and silent, hulking Jarett can bring that sense of safety. Fast forward a few years and they meet back up. Jarett isn’t the same.
Jarett believes he needs to watch out for his adopted brother, Sebastian. Seb is a jackhole and cares for no one but himself and drugs. Enter a gang, a promise, and a hard headed man and you have the recipe for disaster. Gigi tried her hardest to get Jarett in the light and show him he’s worthy of everything.
Jo Raven writes the best bad boys ever. I was sucked in by the dark thoughts and self loathing of Jarett. Then on the reverse we had the bright light of Gigi trying to chase away those shadows. It did drag a little bit, but didn’t take too much away from the story. Bad Wolf makes you drool and beg for your very own bad boy