I’m Harlow Grace, the newest, hottest face of Hollywood sex appeal, the woman every man wants and every woman wants to be… and I’m running away. I need an escape. I need to get away from the pressure, find somewhere I won’t be hounded at every step—an impossible thing to ask when I’m on billboards everywhere, from LA to Laos, Japan to Jakarta, Sydney to Siberia. So, I buy a yacht and hide out … out in the most obscure, remote, and unexpected place I can think of: Ketchikan, Alaska.
Instead of a peaceful vacation, however, what I find in Ketchikan is trouble. The kind of trouble that’s six-plus feet of nerdy hotness I can’t resist. I mean, who could? He’s a genius with no idea how attractive he is, an enigma of contradictions: awkward yet confident, fascinating and flirtatious, yet aloof and evasive of physical touch.
He’s utterly and deliciously sexy in every way—and oh, so innocent.
* * *
I can recite all of The Iliad and The Odyssey in the original Greek. I can do advanced mathematics in my head and memorize entire books with ease. By the time I graduated high school I had been scouted by several international soccer teams and recruited by think tanks, the NSA, and the CIA.
All of which is totally useless when a woman like Harlow Grace is standing in front of me, trying to talk to me, flirting with me, touching me. She’s Helen of Troy—a woman with a face that could launch a thousand ships, a woman wars are fought over.
It turns out she’s not just beautiful—she’s famous. A Hollywood sex symbol. A superstar known all over the world…
And yet somehow she’s interested in me?
more
“A lot, and not enough, and too much.”
I’ve been waiting for this one, the baby of the family of eight brothers, the Badd Boy. And not surprisingly, it’s my favorite so far. I can’t resist a sexy nerd with a big…heart. He’s also got other big things. No, that’s not what I meant, though true. He has a big brain that never stops, a big body that’s over 6 feet tall, and a big family that includes 7 brothers and their women.
Being the youngest, just barely twenty years old, Xavier tends to draw motherly attention from his brother’s women. Actually, they are all protective of him. But none of them really know him. He keeps his secrets and insecurities to himself. That’s never really been a problem before, until her. She’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen and the fact that she even notices him is surprising. Then, she further blows his mind by wanting to spend time with him. And what really takes the cake is that she doesn’t seem put off by his geek speak, finding him interesting and amusing. But what he’s learned the hard way is that when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Harlow is hiding out on her yacht in Ketchikan, Alaska to avoid the media. She is seeking some well-deserved vacation time away from the invasive masses and is determined to keep her identity a secret for as long as possible. When she is rescued by the awkward and sweet Xavier she is thrilled to learn that he doesn’t watch TV or movies and he has no idea who she is. How refreshing to have someone not treat her like a star and just see her as a woman. She can be herself and just relax and enjoy her vacation. It couldn’t be more perfect, right? Wrong.
Oh, how I loved reading this story. It broke my heart and put it back together again in the best of ways. As always I get a kick out of the witty banter between brothers and the women are badass as well. They are all such colorful characters and it’s a treat to spend time with them in each book. But I must say that this one took me deeper emotionally. Being inside Xavier’s head really tugged at my heartstrings, making me feel so helpless as he struggled with his feelings and issues. I wanted to hug him so bad, but he doesn’t like hugs. His family has accepted that he doesn’t like being touched. Well, at least he didn’t, until her….sigh.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the Badd Brothers series. I went into this book excited but at the same time sad that it was about the final brother. I won’t spill the beans, but I was extremely excited when I got to the end of this book where the author shared what she has planned for her readers next. Let’s just say it was a tease that will keep me giddy until I get my hands on it. I can’t wait! The line forms here…
I received a copy of this book from the author.
This is my first 5* read for 2018. Xavier Badd has been a favorite Badd Brother of mine the whole series and to finally get his book and learn more about him was fantastic.
There’s so many questions answered about X in this book. I loved the brotherly advice Sebastian, the eldest Badd, gives Xavier in this novel.
Meeting Harlow aka Low is the miracle Xavier needed to be able to live a life of love. Not only for himself but for a woman. Full of distrust and suspicion Harlow broke through all those walls.
Whereas all of Xavier’s brothers had to make some grand gesture to win their women back – Xavier and Harlow just needed a push in the right direction by the right people.
As their secrets are revealed in this book the love for these characters, as a reader, grew. Everyone should have someone to love them no matter their quirks or disabilities.
I think anyone who reads this particular Badd Brother novel will gain a new appreciation for Xavier and what he, and people like him, live through on a daily basis.
Well, Jasinda Wilder has yet again blown me away! This has to be one of my all-time favorite opposites attract novels to date. I was so excited to finally get Xavier’s book! I knew it would take a very special woman to win his heart, and I was right…Low is very special indeed.
Anyone who has read any of the books in the series knows that Xavier is unique. He is the youngest and the most intelligent of them. Whereas his siblings have a good deal of experience with women, Xavier doesn’t. He is too busy building his robots and absorbing knowledge. Low changes all of that. She is a successful, famous star, and has come to Alaska for a much-needed rest. When Xavier helps her, she is pleasantly surprised that he has no clue who she is. Xavier is in awe of this beautiful woman and confused by the warm and fuzzy feelings she brings out in him. Low is intrigued by him and wants to know who this man really is behind all that intelligence.
Xavier is somewhat of an enigma. Just looking at him, a woman would very much appreciate his physical beauty. He is drop dead gorgeous just like all his other brothers. When he opens his mouth, you see he is much more than good looks. He is intelligent and shy. He speaks very formally, not at all like someone who is a similar age. He thinks of himself as socially awkward, but I see it as humbleness. It’s all those things combined that made me fall for him just like Low did. Wilder’s creation of Xavier is what sets this book apart from other books in the romance genre. It’s refreshing and sexy to see a man that isn’t just looks but smart and honest. The things he said to Low melted my heart even further.
“You are so beautiful that you actually, in the literal point of fact, make it hard to breathe.”
“If you were somehow to become even the slightest amount more lovely than you are, I would pass out.”
Low is a memorable character in her own right. She has worked so hard to become the success that she is. Like a lot of celebrities, she has tired of all the stress, lack of privacy, and most importantly tired of trying to determine which people genuinely care about her…not her status. Even though she was famous, there was something down-to-earth about her as well. Instead of shunning Xavier because he is so different than other guys, she genuinely appreciates and loves him. She gets him to own his uniqueness, and he loves her for who she is. He could care less about her being famous (when he does find out).
Their scenes together were so heartwarming. For instance, I adored when he took her fishing for the first time. I could feel her exhilaration and excitement. It was nice seeing her so carefree. As always, the sex scenes are steamy, yet sweet and emotional. I could definitely feel their emotional connection.
I haven’t written too much about the plot itself. As with all of Wilder’s books, the plot was amazing and kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the entire book.
As with all of the books, I loved the seeing all the Badd brothers and their ladies again. They always make me laugh, and I feel like I’m catching up with old friends.
WOW!!! Wilder certainly threw me for a loop with that epilogue. I thought I was going to have to say good-bye to my favorite brothers, but it looks like I will be seeing them again. Can’t wait for Badd Kitty!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
I really enjoyed this book, it was sexy and I cannot wait to read the others.
I loved the Badd series. Can’t wait for the Good Girls!
Love the entire Badd Family series. Each brother’s story and each triplet cousin’s story is unique, sometimes hilarious, and always sexy! The setting of each book is the enchanting Ketchikan, Alaska…an awesome additional “character.” My interest was piqued by Ms. Wilder’s descriptions and details of this wondrous state. Highly recommend all 11 of her Badd books! Such delightful, captivating reads!
I love this book and the entire series. It’s a must read!
fell in love with these boys and this author will keep you reading
Loved this book
Love the Badd series.
The romance story of the last (youngest) of the Badd brothers! Not a requirement to have read the others. Pretty much the same light romance and some explicit sex, wrapped up nicely. I enjoyed all the brothers’ stories as well. Each brother has a slightly different character flaw or ‘issue’ – this one is a high functioning genius with Asperger’s Syndrome, so interesting to learn his coping mechanisms and see his growth through the relationship.
Loved it!
Lately there has been a surge of virgin erotica and Badd Boy certainly didn’t disappoint. Xavier is complex and sweet; I adore him.
I love Jasinda Wilder and her books always leave me panting for more.
Great series. I started rereading it again whin I picked up the most recent books to continue the series.
Good love story!
A great read. A complex story that deals with real-life issues and how Low helps Xavier overcome his difficulties with intimacy. The characters were well-developed and interesting, the plot was exciting, and the book well-written.
Awesome even got an additional book
I like this series as each book can be read indepantlly from the other stories. Harlow & Xavier story is fun and warm, a sweet romance.
This book is very poorly edited. There are misspellings, misuse of words, etc. Story was different, but the editing distracted.