Reviews

Bad Intentions by Ella Frank

kaity_b's review against another edition

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4.0

Reread/Relisten #2: February 2024

It was just as good to listen to as the first two times, while I might continue this duet, [b:French Fancy|193563453|French Fancy (The Model Agency, #2)|Lily Morton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689860395l/193563453._SY75_.jpg|195274579] by Lily Morton just came out on audio…. So we will see what I decide to do.

I might jump into book two after [b:French Fancy|193563453|French Fancy (The Model Agency, #2)|Lily Morton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689860395l/193563453._SY75_.jpg|195274579] !

Reread/Relisten #1: June 2022

Yes this book as as magical as the first time with the narrators doing a 5 star worthy performance!

On to book 2!

Original Read/Listen: December 2021

Audio: 5 stars Aiden Snow and Tim Paige did a killer performance!
Book: 3.5-4 stars

I read both books back to back so it felt like one long book which was enjoyable.

There are cameos from Logan and Tate and Priest, Julien, and Robbie and Alexander and Sean. I haven’t read any of their books but their cameos made me want to start asap.

There was little to no angst, yes there were “problems” that came up but they were resolved pretty fast which was nice!

Also the audiobooks were great!!

madlom's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

zaza_bdp's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 ⭐

Woow woooot, Ella is back avec un nouveau M/M qui met le feu !!
On reste ici dans le "Chicagoverse" cher à cette autrice (et à mon coeur !), avec cette fois une duologie, consacrée à Marcus (rencontré la trilogie Prime time) et Gabriel, enfin Gabe pour les intimes, nouveau venu dans cet univers (mais on connaît son coloc et ami, qui n'est autre que l'assistant d'un des héros de la série "Prime Time" dont je parlais juste avant). Donc ouais, retour à Chicago ... et qui dit Chicago dit mon coeur qui bat à 10.000 à l'heure dès qu'il y a une infime chance pour que Logan ou Tate soit dans les parages, et alors là, s'il y a les deux, c'est la 'popped cherry' sur le cupcake !

imme_van_gorp's review against another edition

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2.0

This book wasn’t necessarily bad at what it was trying to do, it’s just that none of it was really a good fit with my preferences.
I’ve noticed before that this author’s writing style just does not work for me all that well. It has this certain empty quality to it that almost makes it impossible for me to connect with either the characters or the story. 
The fact that sex seems to completely dominate the romance and overall plot is a big no for me as well. It was all rather repetitive and kind of bored me most of the time. 

Gabe was generally a likable character with his sunshiny confidence, while Marcus was very classically broody and grumpy. It was a nice dynamic in theory, but the execution was nothing to write home about. I didn’t much care for it. 
The only thing I can truly say I loved in this book was whenever Marcus was being obsessed with Gabe’s gorgeousness and infectious charm: I always love it when the grump is being adoring. Gabe was also completely smitten with Marcus, though, so it wasn’t one-sided. Gabe was actually much more assertive in making Marcus his, which I would have preferred to be the other way around. 

Anyway, all in all, this book wasn’t anything special and it didn’t hold my interest all that much. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t really enjoy it either.

Also, can we talk about this guy on the cover? Because he is so fucking hot, I literally can’t. He kind of reminds me of Matthew Daddario, but is somehow even more handsome. If this is what Gabe is supposed to look like in the book then I can see why Marcus was obsessed with him after only one single glance, because um.. Same.

kaydanielsromance's review against another edition

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5.0

So amazingly good, I was smiling through the entire book. I read it from cover to cover and didn't put it down until I was finished.

Gabe is confident, charming, snarky with just a hint of sassy that made him so darn likeable I couldn't imagine anyone in his life not liking him or even saying no to whatever he asked for. What makes him even more likeable is that he's not arrogant or bossy, he's energetic and carefree while also being pulled together and organized. I want him on my side and totally as my friend any day of the week because Gabe's energy is completely infectious and I'm totally in love with him.

Marcus is almost the complete opposite of Gabe in that he's controlling, a complete workaholic, wears a perpetual scowl and knows that his only long term relationship has ever been with his work. While he's drawn to Gabe and his confident, charming attitude, deep down Marcus knows in the long term, it would never work between them. The age gap alone would worry him, but it extends further than that as he actually gets to know the vibrant man. The closer he gets, the more he wants, and Marcus knows he has to cut ties before he gets too deep.

I was not prepared for how thoroughly I enjoyed this book on a different level than Ella's other books. Yes, it's interconnected to Ella's other books, with some of the same characters popping in, but the last book I read had a whole suspenseful edge to it. While I should really know better than to judge a new book and hold it to those same guidelines, Bad Intentions is just amazingly different in a totally awesome way. It's witty, and steamy, and full of such charm and passion, I loved reading every page of this book and I'm going to be really sad when the duet comes to an end.

Everytime Marcus was grumpy or grouchy, Gabe basically turned that frown upside down (not literally since I'm not sure Marcus knew how to smile, but in the sense that Gabe was charmed by Marcus' personality). These two were each others' yin and yang. I was charmed by Marcus' grouchy because Gabe was...well, he just made everything delightful. I desperately need a Gabe in my life. ❤ Basically, everyone could use a Gabe in their life and the world would be a better place.

hellishlyawkward's review against another edition

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3.0

This was ok. I liked the premise when I read the blurb, but was a little disappointed with how it played out when I listened to the book.
Would have been better if they had actually been working together at the same company - I do love me some forced proximity!
Feel like the situation was all set up for Marcus to torture Gabe more with late night demands and menial tasks, but then it didn’t really happen.
Ends on a cliffhanger.
Could take it or leave it.
Audio was good.

rickyvalles's review against another edition

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funny tense fast-paced

3.0

Tension packed with some witty humor. I enjoyed seeing how the characters unfolded with each new revelation. 

sabrina7's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

1.5

despite me liking both of the main characters i still found this book to be pretty mediocre. i’m gonna finish the duology because i need books that aren’t that engaging to listen to while i fall asleep but don’t plan to read any other books by this author as i have been consistently disappointed by her writing.

lalalindlein's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

monismmreviews's review against another edition

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5.0

I will be reviewing this duology as one continuous story for Gabe and Marcus (one of my all time favorite couples). They should be read back to back as Bad Intentions ends on a slight cliffhanger.

While technically this duo can be read as a standalone, Bad/Good Intentions are part of Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine’s Chicagoverse universe. You’d certainly enjoy Gabe and Marcus’ story immensely but I’d recommend at some point to read their Temptation series to see who Logan (Gabe’s boss) and his partner, friends are. Gabe and Marcus have the hottest meet cute and insane chemistry, and while their story has emotional ups and downs, it’ll also have the sweetest HEA. Gabe has the confidence of someone far older than his 22 years. Yet, when he wants a quick hook-up with his best friend’s powerful boss (who is 20 years his senior) he has no problem lying about his identity. As steamy as their encounter is, once the truth accidentally gets out, he has no choice but to make amends with Marcus for his lie. The deal limits their time together but before their week is up Marcus realizes Gabe is everything he never knew he needed and he is completely powerless when it comes to the younger man. He craves the intelligent, energetic, talented, and insanely sexy Gabe who can hold his own no matter what he throws at him. Gabe is mesmerized by Marcus’ quiet strength but when life gets in the way he doubts Marcus would give himself to a partnership with him. As they continue seeing each other, Gabe completely shakes up Marcus’ orderly world. Marcus is not great at relationships yet he isn’t so bad at supporting Gabe to go after his dream and blends into Gabe’s life effortlessly. The question is, will he sacrifice his own goals or will those finally change as the charismatic young man takes bigger and bigger pieces of his heart? Ella's writing is fabulous, as always, and these fantastic characters will find their way into your heart forever.