She says she has a three date rule. She thinks she doesn’t do serious. She thinks she’s prepared for me.And I’m about to prove her wrong. Penny has no idea I’m the chubby, nerdy kid she went to high school with—I shed that baby fat on a surfboard after graduation, though I am still a massive nerd, spending the bulk of my time and energy coding my video game. The last thing I expect to find in New … expect to find in New York is her.
The second I see her smile, I recognize her: the girl I’d crushed on since sophomore year. The girl who dated the biggest asshole in our school—the same guy who might have ruined her for me.
She can tell herself all day that she won’t fall for me, but she doesn’t stand a chance. Because I know exactly what I want, and it’s her. And I’ll do whatever it takes to have her.
But everyone has limits, and Penny will test mine. And the moment I have her heart in my hand is the moment I stand to lose her forever.
A standalone contemporary romantic comedy
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What a fun book! I’d be friends with any one of these characters. (Maybe a little more with one sexy af computer guy. Just saying.) Bad ass heroine. Sharp, entertaining dialogue. Total hit for me.
5 “Ice Cream” Stars
I can’t believe I waited this long to experience my first Staci Hart book! Bad Penny was fabulous! I only have great things to say about this novel that had me laughing so much, but also teary-eyed a few times at the emotion flowing inside this story! I listened to the audiobook and was instantly hooked by the narrators’s flawless rendition of the characters.
Penny is a marvelous heroine! I so loved her confidence and humor that shined so bright. She’s carefree and a no strings attached kind of girl, but enters Bodi. That guy is seriously the best! I loved their relationship so much that starts with combustible passion that gradually turns into much deeper feelings. Those two had me breathless!
I will definitely read more of Staci Hart’s back list novels, because Bad Penny was for me a huge hit!
I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK!
Before I start my big rambling review, how flipping gorgeous is that cover? This is the first book I have read by Staci Hart, and it won’t be my last, so I had to do some research. What is the first thing that I have noticed about all her books? The covers are beautiful! The two models on the front are so similar to Bodie and Penny that my imagination automatically used them when I was reading this book. Just. Gorgeous.
Our protagonist, Penny, is such an interesting character. She is a heavily tattooed, pierced maneater who lives by the “three date” rule. Bet it’s not the rule you’re thinking about! She beds them three times and then ditches them before either one of them catches feelings. Ain’t she just so charming!?
See, I didn’t do serious or permanent, not with my hair color and not with my boys.
The idea of love terrified her. She couldn’t understand why anyone would want to get so emotionally attached to someone only to have that said person crush you. Once that happens to a person, they don’t forget it. And for Penny, she didn’t know how to move past it.
Totally, terrifyingly romantic. That’s what love is. All-consuming, self-destructive, and absolutely not something I’m interested in experiencing.
While at an ice cream shop with her roommates/coworkers/girlfriends, she sees a guy that catches her eye. Using him as an example for a point she’s trying to prove to her gals – “Did you know that a man’s lips are the came color as the head of his dick?” – she gets smitten. Little did she know that she has met him before and she will again. *winks*
Bodie is chasing his dreams. He just lost his job, so he packed up and moved to pursue an unlikely career with his friend and twin brother. What he didn’t expect was to be pursuing her. He has changed a lot since they last saw each other, and now he actually stood a chance. Until, she drops a bomb on him.
“Here’s the thing, Bodie. When I love, I don’t do it halfway. I go all the way into the fire until it burns me up. It’s obsessive. I lost myself once to someone else, and I’m not doing it again.”
But here’s the thing about Bodie – He doesn’t give up.
I could have kissed Penny forever. If I was lucky, maybe I would.
I love when you go into a book with a certain expectation, and it is totally different than what you thought. That’s what Bad Penny did for me! In my opinion, it is so hard to effectively write a woman character as a ‘player.’ Play on, playa. I know, I know that it sounds extremely sexist, but think about it! Staci Hart blew me away with Penny’s character. Penny and I are total opposites – well except for the purple hair. *shrugs* She is an overly confident, heavily tattooed commitment-phobe that has gives zero flips about what anyone thinks about her. I thought it would be difficult to relate to her – and it was at times. But there is more to that tattooed badass than meets the eye.
Bodie brought the steam to this book. HOLY COW! Penny and Bodie together will melt your face off. He would do anything for Penny, and it showed. Staci’s character development was fantastic. If you follow my reviews, *waves* then you know that I am a sucker for well-developed characters. Bodie was just a huge breath of fresh air for me. He was kind and respectful to Penny. No aggressive alpha-male in this one guys! He was patient and loving. He was just perfect. *swoon*
STACI HART, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE? I already have more of her books locked and loaded on my kindle. Staci is going to make me a very happy reader! I can already tell.
4.5 stars!
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5 Diddle Stars!!!
I love starting a new Staci Hart book. Bad Penny was no exception. ESP since Penny worked at Tonic. We were introduced to Penny in Staci’s previous book Tonic.
Penny is just like your typical dude. You know the guy who doesn’t do strings. Relationships are a huge no-no. You only see them when they’re in the mood and they leave right after. They’ve been hurt in the past and you end up suffering for it now. Yup. That’s Penny.
Penny doesn’t do relationships. She only dates. Which in my opinion isn’t even dating. She’ll only go on 3 dates with a guy and then she’ll cut the ties. So, it boils down to she’ll sleep with the guy 3 times and bounce quick. But, she spends one night with Bodie and her world is turned upside down. Penny knows she should put her head down and run and not look back. But, being with Bodie is unlike anything she’s ever had before.
Bodie recognized her instantly. But, he knows she doesn’t recognize him. The last time he saw Penny he was the chubby, nerdy kid with glasses. Back then she knew him as “Diddle” and not Bodie. Penny was shocked to say the least when he told her. Bodie knew why Penny didn’t do relationships. He was with her in high school and knows what she went through and why she doesn’t do relationships. Brodie has been in love with Penny for 10yrs and now that he’s had a taste of Penny. Brodie will play it cool with Penny. Anything to not spook her. He’ll do anything to change her mind. Even if it kills him in the process.
This was a great story. A second chance romance. The guy finally getting the girl he’s loved forever. And, for the girl to see the perfect guy whose been in front of her this whole time.
Brodie’s the perfect man.He makes geeky math really sexy. Thats saying a lot from me being I failed math so many times its unreal lol. And, Penny. My heart hurt for her. She was crushed so bad she called sleeping with a guy a date. Penny didn’t think she was worth being loved.
I loved seeing the crew from Tonic again. I hope we get more from them and Brodie’s twin brother.
LOVE LOVED LOVED!!! For my first Staci Hart book I devoured this book. Penny and Bodie were so cute and sexy together. I loved how nerdy Bodie was I found it so charming. Penny was so cool. Definetely my type of chick.
I am totally going to come back to read more books by her.
I completely enjoyed reading this book. It was a hot sexy and romantic story that will make you laugh out loud and swoon at the same time! One of the best books I’ve read from the author. I just love her writing and the way she can make you feel when reading. A definite must read!
Ever since she got burned so many years ago, Penny has one rule and that’s to not have more than 3 dates with the same guy. She doesn’t do commitment and sticks with her rule every single time. But when she sets her eyes on Bodie, something seems to be way too familiar and when the cats out of the bag, Bodie will do whatever it takes to keep Penny happy. But feelings somehow will always start to show, no matter how much you’ll try to suppress them. And when the time comes, Penny will have to decide whether or not Bodie is worth taking a risk on…
If you like friends-to-lovers books, this will be your jam. I don’t think I’d ever read a book by Staci Hart before, and let me tell you; I’ve been missing out!
NICUnurse’s Rating: When the nerdy kid from high school turns out to be one hot adult, this is what happens! Penny has been horribly hurt by her very first relationship; therefore, she avoids them like the plague. She changes her men about as often, if not more, than she changes her hair color. Enter Bodie. They were friends in high school, him with a raging crush, but she doesn’t recognize him. Deciding Fate is finally in his corner, Bodie launches his plan to win her over to the relationship side for good.
NICUnurse’s Rating: I love books where the underdog, or former underdog in this case, finally gets the girl. And Bodie is that guy. The sweet guy you were friends with in high school, and because of what he went through back then, he’s an all-around great guy now. Despite major reservations, he knows Penny is worth it all. And boy does he show her. And I loved how these two characters overcame their past hurts and their present fears to risk it all for love.
I give Bad Penny by Staci Hart 4 out of 5 stars!
Penny has a strict 3 date rule before she sends the guy packing. No strings, no feelings, no relationships. Bodie breezes into her life and offers her everything she wants/needs and blows her 3 date rule right out of the water. Even with no strings a girl can catch feelings when she least expects it.
This was my first Staci Hart book so had no idea what to expect. It is a cute, light and funny read for the most part. Hits a little heavy towards the end. I was a total fan of Bodie. He was a computer geek that just happened to be a sexy, caring guy too. Penny and her friends were funny in their interactions with each other. If you are looking for a light, easy read this one might be for you.
“I didn’t do serious or permanent, not with my hair color and not with my boys.” Fav line of the book!! Penny is just trying not to get hurt, so she’s having fun until that one dude comes along. You know him, we all know him and have one of him. My first read by Staci Hart and I enjoyed the wit and overall writing style. And the chapter titles have added new words to my vocab.
Though this book was well written I found it boring and a bit long. I wasn’t sucked into the characters as much as I had wanted to be and the storyline moved very slowly. I will say that I liked the character development as they figured out how to be with each other but that’s about it.
*A received an ARC of A Kiss for You that this book is a part of for an honest review*
Awww … Penny and Bodie’s story is magical, like a fairy’s dream come true. And it’s as sweet as the best cake imaginable, with sprinkles on top …. delicious. It made my heart burst with happiness, warmth and love.
It’s an emotive and touching read about love and trust … Trust in yourself and trust in the love of your life. Trust in being safe by being open and vulnerable to the other….
Bodie is such a unicorn among men, a real dreamboat that every woman probably wants in her life. And Penny? I LOVED her free-spirited, unconventional personality!
I loved this story so much.
I’m quickly falling in love with Staci Hart books, my friends- these books are so much more than their insanely beautiful covers.(seriously- these are works of art), and Bad Penny is one of her best- charming, sexy, fun, and with that profound emotional jolt that I’ve come to expect from a Staci Hart read.
Penny is FANTASTIC- she really made this whole book for me. She’s as bold and interesting as her colorful sense of style- tats and purple hair included. She’s the kind of heroine that you fall in love with- she’s just that awesome. She’s funny, fierce, independent, and just so unabashedly herself- she has the kind of freeness of living that I think we all wish we could embrace. She just OWNS it- who she is, what she wants, what she thinks. But she’s also considerate, loyal to those she loves- a great friend. But, she’s also imperfect- which makes her all the more relatable, even if her imperfections are frustrating (since, of course, they are the source of dramatic conflict in this romance). She also has intense emotional insecurity, baggage from her high school days where she was hurt by someone she invested in, tamper her ability to trust others- to be vulnerable- and has put her in this box of emotional limitation when it comes to men- her 3 date rule. I love a flawed heroine- one who isn’t damaged in the traditional way but one who is boldly owning it- embracing it, even. Until Bodie comes along and challenges her robustness to protect her heart.
Bodie is so swoon-worthy- he’s understanding, he really GETS Penny, and he’s devoted to her- in fact, he’s been in love with her for a while. He knows how to compromise- he’s not the alpha dominant/control everything guy- rather he listens, he’s patient, he’s grounded, he’s rational- and as such, he’s so freaking charming- and the perfect fit for Penny’s needs, the perfect match to open her up. I love that he doesn’t want to change her- he loves her for her freedom, for her boldness, for her zeal-he wants to stand in her light, at her side, and I just love this kind of hero. Their chemistry is magnetic- and in typical Staci style, develops organically into a deeper connection through the sweet, small moments that a relationship make. Staci always knows her characters so well- every detail, ever work, every thought is in tune with their voice, with their persona- it really is magical to read.
Staci’s writing style also continues to wow me- she’s truly gifted as a technical writer, and here I love to see her wittiness shining through. This book also reads so seamlessly- the emotional pace believably integrating these two characters and aligns to the understanding we have of Penny, and the ending was the perfect way to wrap up this sexy story that is more than just a heartwarming romance, but also a story about a flawed character bumbling her way through self-growth and confronting her own imperfections.
In this case you can judge a book by its cover- like the characteristic trademark Staci covers, her stories are artistic, unique, creative and imaginative, quirky, and mesmerizing. She’s carving such a unique place within the romance world- a corner that is so incomparable to anything I’ve read. She’s a creator- she draws inspiration from a straight forward idea (a classic novel, in this case a tired trope) and makes it fresh and reinvigorated- creating characters and settings so dynamically realized. Her stories always start out interesting and fun, but they always develop into something with so many more layers of heart and thematic meaning than I expected. I always see myself and the world a little bit differently after reading her books. I can’t wait for more from her.
5 Stars
Staci Hart has done it again! She has brought us a hero that will make your panties wet and a heroine that you want to be like. She has brought us a story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, funny and endearing.
Joel is the owner of Tonic tattoo parlor, and much to his disliking, the newest setting of a reality TV show. That is until meeting with the producers and the ice queen of all ice queens comes sashaying in. Determined to break through her ice wall, Joel sets his sights on Annika. Annika is finally getting her own show to produce and after meeting with the owner of Tonic, she can’t get the tall, dark, very inked, very hairy man out of her mind. Their chemistry is instantaneous, even though it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Quite the opposite actually. Knowing it’s not a good idea at all to get mixed up with Joel, Annika just can’t seem to help herself.
Tonic is well written with strong characters, both main and supporting. It’s fast paced just enough to keep you entranced and intrigued as to what will happen next. It’s got just the right amount of angst, drama, laughter, sexiness, which it totally HOT! (Hello! Joel’s a dirty talker), and of course, love.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
4 Brodie is amazing stars. Sexy, swoon, smart is what you get with Brodie. Penny is such a character, she’ll have you rolling on the floor laughing and hooked to see what she’s up to next. Absolutely loved this read… highly recommend this book.
Great story! Loved all the characters in this series!
Oh my freaking god that was a damn good book! I’m not usually a fan of Rom Com’s but this one was definitely a great read. I loved Penny from the beginning to the end. We all know and love someone as free and wild as Penny. I didn’t know this was the second book in a series now I have to go back and read the first one! LOL
Oh Penny, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
There’s a lot of ways. Penny is the most badass, irreverent, unapologetically herself heroine that I’ve encountered in romance so far. She blows every stereotype out of the water and is both entertaining and inspiring. There’s something just so real about her voice, and I love that she never backed down from being the bold and brash firecracker that she is. She’s an embodiment of every woman’s right to be themselves, and I hope the world of romance novels gets more characters like her.
Another thing that had me shouting “YES!” while reading was what an important role female friendship played in the story. The bond Penny shares between her two best friends features prominently in the book, and I was so happy to see a group of woman sticking up for each other and making the same kind of inappropriate jokes I find myself making with my own friends. When reading about all their escapades, I couldn’t help but wish I wish the fourth roommate in the apartment, and I applaud Staci Hart for recognizing that the support women give to one another deserves a place in romance.
Of course, there is a love story in there too. Bodie was also an awesome character who had so many positive traits (and I’m not just talking about that hot bod). His willingness to accept Penny’s refusal to fit into any norms, and to respect her life choices even when they didn’t correlate to that of most girls, was very admirable. The relationship between the two forced both characters to grow and reflect on their own needs in a way I found realistic and engaging.
The writing of the story itself is beautiful, and I was constantly stopping to mark down my favourite quotes. Staci Hart has created something very special. Between the laughs, the cringes, and the triumphant air punches she inspires, Penny is truly a gift to any reader who meets her. I’m very glad to be one of them.
I adore Penny. She is wild, crazy, and unashamed to be her.
I adore Stacie Hart. She gave us a modern heroine who is more real to most than a 27 year old virgin in NYC (no she isn’t but some books have them).
I love Penny’s crazy. She was damaged. She created her own bandaid. She moved on. Was it perfect? Hell no, she’s human.
I love the ties to Tonic and much loved characters from Ms. Hart’s other novels.
I loved Brodie. (Not so much his California surfer dude name- except it totally fits.) I love his sweet, kind, and amazing personality. I love his whole outlook on his situation. Most of all, I love his realistic response to a tough situation.
It maybe called Bad Penny but I like to think of her as Lucky Penny.
AHHHHHHH!!!!
BUY THE BOOK!!! READ THE BOOK!!! RE-READ THE BOOK!!!!
Oh my heart. Penny and Bodie are PERFECT for each other. If ever there was a character I’d want to be it would be Penny with Bodie. His POV is beyond amazing. I loved how he loved her. I loved how he knew just what she needed. I loved how he described her and what he felt for her. Utter perfection of a male POV.
Yes Penny is a mess, but the best kind of mess possible. So free, so sexual, so much. The way Bodie thinks about her, the way he describes her, THAT is how a man should feel for his woman. It makes me want to BE her. Then add in her group of friends. To have that type of bond….. Starship, take me there.
I loved it! I really enjoyed this one. Penny and Bodie are fantastic together and also smokin’ hot. Man oh man they were all over each other, a lot. They made me smile a lot while reading and all of the other characters are so much fun. What a great circle of friends.