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ophelie_77's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
bookmaniacforever's review
5.0
Bad Cruz had been on my TBR for far too long so I finally decided to listen to the audiobook. I truly loved this story and it was so much more than what I expected. I love a good rivalry between the lead characters so Tennessee and Cruz’s relationship had the perfect start for me.
Tennessee always pretended to not care about all the judgements and assumptions made about her from all the people in her small town, but at times it was just too much and her facade just cracked. I enjoyed witnessing these moments were she showed her fragile side. She only tried to provide for his son in the best way and it was clear she’d do anything for him. Cruz was also judgmental about her, but under all his hate he hid a heart of gold filled with unrequited feelings and years of pining of her. I really love how their relationship developed. It was difficult for Tennessee to own her new choices completely, but I admired her growth.
The narration of this audiobook was amazing. Both narrators did a great job personifying Cruz and Tennessee. I laughed, smiled, swooned and hurt listening to their rendition of an amazing love story!
Tennessee always pretended to not care about all the judgements and assumptions made about her from all the people in her small town, but at times it was just too much and her facade just cracked. I enjoyed witnessing these moments were she showed her fragile side. She only tried to provide for his son in the best way and it was clear she’d do anything for him. Cruz was also judgmental about her, but under all his hate he hid a heart of gold filled with unrequited feelings and years of pining of her. I really love how their relationship developed. It was difficult for Tennessee to own her new choices completely, but I admired her growth.
The narration of this audiobook was amazing. Both narrators did a great job personifying Cruz and Tennessee. I laughed, smiled, swooned and hurt listening to their rendition of an amazing love story!
bexy1186's review
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jesslovelybooks's review
4.0
3.5 - overall I had mix feelings about where the story went. The best part was the first 30% when they were actually on the cruise and rest was meh. The family drama was a little too much and a bit annoying. Cruz was a push over most of the time and Tennessee was blah at best. Not my favorite LJ story.
jessvanille's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sara_2103's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
bee_thebibliophile's review
2.0
I occasionally struggle with LJ Shen’s standalone stories and Bad Cruz was one I had some trouble finishing. While it’s billed as a rom-com, I found myself not laughing, but feeling pretty uncomfortable and angry.
The only reason I stuck with this book and ended up giving it 2 stars was Dr. Cruz Costello - he was unapologetically himself, urged Tennessee to take control of her life, was the sweetest to Bear and he knew what he wanted. When Tennessee refused to stand up for herself, he refused to be with her, something I can really appreciate. Even though he’s the town’s golden boy, he recognizes that something’s missing from his life and makes an effort to change things, realizing that reputation is not all it’s cracked up to be and doing things he wants to do.
I think Cruz perfectly sums up everything I felt about Tennessee Turner when he tells her “You’re the only person I know who can stand upright without a spine.” I severely disliked her character and spent almost the entire book wishing she’d finally stand up for herself, demand some respect or put the terrible people in her family and the people in town in their place. Tennessee (aka Messy Nessy to everyone in town) is a single mom who puts her all into raising her son, but has allowed people to think poorly of her, belittle her and talk about her behind her back since she got pregnant 13 years ago. She’s allowed her family to walk all over her for fear of them turning their backs on her and Bear, effectively making her a joke and the family doormat.
Their relationship was really problematic - Cruz was all in and made his feelings known, even going as far as to say: “I’m not going to chase you forever. I like you, Tennessee, but I don’t like the way you make me feel, and that’s starting to become a problem.” He was incredibly honest about how he felt and what he hoped for from her, but she didn’t return that kindness. I understand that Tennessee was scared to put her heart out there and to make herself vulnerable after things with Rob, but her refusal to stand up for herself and her relationship with Cruz was infuriating. The resolution of their relationship felt rushed and forced and I definitely feel like Cruz deserved better.
While some of the side characters started to grow on me by the end of the book (Rob and Gabriella), I found myself cringing every time any of the Turner family members (Tennessee’s mother and sister Trinity especially) showed up. They all were terrible people who felt like their opinion and their reputation/appearance around town were the only things that mattered, not the actual humans in their family or their well-being.
Overall, this book didn’t do it for me - I think Cruz was a really interesting character, but Tennessee just drove me crazy for a ton of different reasons and really killed most of my interest in the story and their happily ever after but I stuck it out in hopes that she’d prove me wrong in the end...she definitely didn't.
The only reason I stuck with this book and ended up giving it 2 stars was Dr. Cruz Costello - he was unapologetically himself, urged Tennessee to take control of her life, was the sweetest to Bear and he knew what he wanted. When Tennessee refused to stand up for herself, he refused to be with her, something I can really appreciate. Even though he’s the town’s golden boy, he recognizes that something’s missing from his life and makes an effort to change things, realizing that reputation is not all it’s cracked up to be and doing things he wants to do.
I think Cruz perfectly sums up everything I felt about Tennessee Turner when he tells her “You’re the only person I know who can stand upright without a spine.” I severely disliked her character and spent almost the entire book wishing she’d finally stand up for herself, demand some respect or put the terrible people in her family and the people in town in their place. Tennessee (aka Messy Nessy to everyone in town) is a single mom who puts her all into raising her son, but has allowed people to think poorly of her, belittle her and talk about her behind her back since she got pregnant 13 years ago. She’s allowed her family to walk all over her for fear of them turning their backs on her and Bear, effectively making her a joke and the family doormat.
Their relationship was really problematic - Cruz was all in and made his feelings known, even going as far as to say: “I’m not going to chase you forever. I like you, Tennessee, but I don’t like the way you make me feel, and that’s starting to become a problem.” He was incredibly honest about how he felt and what he hoped for from her, but she didn’t return that kindness. I understand that Tennessee was scared to put her heart out there and to make herself vulnerable after things with Rob, but her refusal to stand up for herself and her relationship with Cruz was infuriating. The resolution of their relationship felt rushed and forced and I definitely feel like Cruz deserved better.
While some of the side characters started to grow on me by the end of the book (Rob and Gabriella), I found myself cringing every time any of the Turner family members (Tennessee’s mother and sister Trinity especially) showed up. They all were terrible people who felt like their opinion and their reputation/appearance around town were the only things that mattered, not the actual humans in their family or their well-being.
Overall, this book didn’t do it for me - I think Cruz was a really interesting character, but Tennessee just drove me crazy for a ton of different reasons and really killed most of my interest in the story and their happily ever after but I stuck it out in hopes that she’d prove me wrong in the end...she definitely didn't.
sianny's review
5.0
Tennessee is the town’s disappointment, pariah, scapegoat. So much so that she’s constantly referred to as Messy Nessy. And she plays up to the part. If everyone thinks she a slutty bimbo she knows she’ll never be able to change their minds, and so she dresses and acts the part. But she is neither of those things.
She does have a tendency to make mistakes though, so when she’s entrusted to book cruise tickets for herself and her arch nemesis, Cruz, the town’s golden child that can do no wrong, it’s inevitable that she accidentally books them on the wrong cruise. In one room instead of two.
Faced with ten days without their families as a buffer, in such close quarters, will they survive without killing each other? Or is their mutual loathing actually a product of attraction and misunderstanding? After all, they say it’s a fine line between love and hate.
I felt so sorry for these two! They both were under such scrutiny and pressure from the whole town to be the people they’re perceived to be rather than who they actually are. Obviously Tennessee has it much worse. The whole town is absolutely vile. Her mother and sister the most! I honestly don’t feel like they redeemed themselves at all. Oops, sorry we’ve been treating you like less than trash, we didn’t realise you had feelings. Nope! Doesn’t cut it. Horrible people.
Cruz never treated her particularly badly, but he never defended her and would perpetuate that his view lined up with the rest of the town for a long time. However, once he decided that she was the one he wanted and he didn’t care what anyone else had to say about it, he was wonderful.
I can understand Tennessee’s apprehension to put all her faith in him, her fear of never being able to live in her hometown again if things went south as she’d no doubt be blamed for anything bad that happened. But for someone who came across as not caring what other people thought, she actually cared too much.
Tennessee’s son, Bear, was an absolute delight! What a great kid. He was a shining light in a host of (intentionally) awful characters.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for my honest review
She does have a tendency to make mistakes though, so when she’s entrusted to book cruise tickets for herself and her arch nemesis, Cruz, the town’s golden child that can do no wrong, it’s inevitable that she accidentally books them on the wrong cruise. In one room instead of two.
Faced with ten days without their families as a buffer, in such close quarters, will they survive without killing each other? Or is their mutual loathing actually a product of attraction and misunderstanding? After all, they say it’s a fine line between love and hate.
I felt so sorry for these two! They both were under such scrutiny and pressure from the whole town to be the people they’re perceived to be rather than who they actually are. Obviously Tennessee has it much worse. The whole town is absolutely vile. Her mother and sister the most! I honestly don’t feel like they redeemed themselves at all. Oops, sorry we’ve been treating you like less than trash, we didn’t realise you had feelings. Nope! Doesn’t cut it. Horrible people.
Cruz never treated her particularly badly, but he never defended her and would perpetuate that his view lined up with the rest of the town for a long time. However, once he decided that she was the one he wanted and he didn’t care what anyone else had to say about it, he was wonderful.
I can understand Tennessee’s apprehension to put all her faith in him, her fear of never being able to live in her hometown again if things went south as she’d no doubt be blamed for anything bad that happened. But for someone who came across as not caring what other people thought, she actually cared too much.
Tennessee’s son, Bear, was an absolute delight! What a great kid. He was a shining light in a host of (intentionally) awful characters.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for my honest review
theansen's review against another edition
3.75
Ok denne var ganske kaos, men også faktisk veldig underholdende 😄