Review: Better When He’s Bad by Jay Crownover

Better When He’s Bad (Welcome to the Point #1)

by Jay Crownover

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover returns with a heart-stopping new series… Welcome to the Point.

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, awakening feelings she never thought she’d have for a guy like him. But it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize . . . some boys are just better when they’re bad.

5 out of 5 stars

I loved this! LOVED! There was a raw intensity throughout that had me hooked.

Excellent story and flow. Right from the beginning all these little intriguing details were laid out making me want more. Everything unfolded perfectly. I loved these very real and gritty characters. There is so much detail and depth, I was completely pulled into their complex lives and harsh reality.

I had a love-hate relationship with Shane Baxter. Not a nice guy at all. Shane was an amazingly well developed, complex character and he had all these layers and it was fantastic absorbing all the details. The guy is bad and makes no apologies but there is this growth that takes place that makes your heart melt and there are moments of redemption that made me root for him. The more I get to know Shane, the sexier and more intriguing he becomes. By the end, I freaking loved him! Dovie, I loved her too. She is strong, fiercely loyal, and self reliant. A fighter. She does what she has to to to survive in a positive way. Bax and Dovie together had some really hot times but it was a building attraction, not instant. I felt so real, like it truly grew.

I liked the element of mystery about where Race was a lot. The secondary characters were excellent and played into everything really well. It was an elaborate, detailed world and I could picture all in my head. There was a huge ‘I did not see that coming’ moment towards the end. It was so intense. I was choked up and holding my breath. The entire story was intense and the ending was incredible!

This story was written in both Bax and Dovie’s POVs and I looked forward to both. Normally I have a favorite when reading but they were both such strong characters, I couldn’t get enough of either. The chapters were long and there was something really satisfying about that. Nothing was rushed or slow, it all unfolded perfectly. I don't know what else to say (I need more adjectives!). Incredibly well written. Loved it. Just read it. So freaking good!!!

I would give Better When He’s Bad 6 I-like-him-bad stars if I could.

Complimentary copy received in exchange for honest review.

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She will also be introducing the dark and sexy world of The Point in a new series this summer starting with Better When He’s Bad. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.