Tag: Rom-com

Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So now that we know the coronavirus is a thing, we’re finding ourselves worried, stressed, and feeling isolated. During times such as these when the NBA has canceled the rest of their season, schools are closing, stores are understocked with apocalypse-type goods, and the news brings us more numbers, books can be our saving grace, a respite from our worries. Yes, Netflix and Hulu still exist, but they too bring us the dark side of human nature. What we need is some funny in our lives. And Max Monroe are the purveyors of the funny. Their books bring us the laughs, the tears, and the happily-ever-afters. Their newest book, Taming Hollywood’s Baddest Boy, is no different. Unlike their billionaire men, this book finds us seated in the glitz, plastic world of Hollywood, and it’s everything we love about it plus a whole lot of great romance too. 

The story follows Billie, a hard-working production assistant who just wants to be her boss’s right hand “woman” permanently. Billie lives life with songs in her head and a running movie script of a mind. She also has a tendency to misspeak, which creates a conundrum for her. How does she get Hollywood’s former Baddest Boy into her boss’s new movie after lying about knowing him? Well, she tracks him down to Alaska and engages in the adventure of her life. 

Luca has left Hollywood behind. His past brings only bad memories, and he has no interest in returning to it. However, when a winsome, beautiful, persistent, stubborn production assistant comes calling, her guile begins to break down his fortified walls. As these two adventure through the Alaskan wilderness, they begin to catch feelings for each other and their chemistry grows fiery. Yet, will Billie persuade Luca to return to Hollywood to do the movie, or will Luca shut her down, causing her to lose her career and her connection to him?

In true Max Monroe form, this book has it all. 

1. The romance between Billie and Luca is the best part of this book. This is enemies-to-lovers done well. Luca “hates” Billie at first glance. Their meet-cute is hilarious, and it’s clear from the beginning that Luca is a grumpleton who needs some redeeming. I love this type of conversion. There is nothing more funny and interesting than a shut-down, grump of a hero who becomes woo-d by the sunshiny, optimism of the heroine, in this case, Billie. He loves to hate her and hates to love her. Watching him struggle between his ardor and disdain for her is the main sail of this book. You can’t help but fall for Billie: she’s quirky, funny, awkward, a girl who is both parts city and country, and stubborn. All of these qualities conspire to win over Luca. When these two fall, it feels important. While they tussle with feelings and the tension of their enemies-to-lovers transition feels big, it really is the meat of this story. It’s what kept me gobbling Max Monroe’s romance. 
2. This book, in true Max Monroe form, is funny. From the absurdity of Hollywood to the stark life in Alaska, there are so many moments where you find yourself chuckling. This is what Max Monroe does well, and Taming Hollywood’s Baddest Boy is a respite from the heaviness of our world. 
3. The prospect of future books in this world is high. There is nothing more exciting than a new Max Monroe world. There are several ancillary characters in this story that read like burgeoning stories. From Billie’s sister, Birdie, to Luca’s sister, Rocky, there is more to be found here, which is a promise of more laughs in our future. As they do so well, you get a sense that Max Monroe are once again world-building. And that, my friends, is exciting stuff.

Taming Hollywood’s Baddest Boy came at just the right time. I had come off of a couple months of angsty, heavy romances. Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE those romance stories. However, Max Monroe can be counted on to offer up a story that engages you, titillates you, and entertains you. Taming Hollywood’s Baddest Boy will make you laugh, and cry, and feel all the happy feelings at the end. They don’t make you work so hard for it too. In a world that seems overwhelming right now, Max Monroe are saving us a little bit from ourselves. Billie and Luca are the couple you need right. this. moment. 

In love and romance,

Professor A