Reviews

Screwed Up by Harloe Rae

thebookdealer24's review against another edition

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5.0

this book!!! I love how she went from 'Sheldon Cooper levels of clinical to relaxed and playful, all it took was some vitamin Dane Owens! I loved their witty, playful banter. They're perfect for each other. Loved this book!

kfriend's review against another edition

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5.0

The Bayside Heroes series is just a TOTAL feel good, sexy delight, but I’m pretty sure Harloe Rae’s Screwed Up is going to be my fav. After meeting these characters in the first story, I was DESPERATE to know more about them, and I was not disappointed. I could not get enough of these two- and holy moly, they are so deliciously sexy! Screwed up is feel-good romance at its finest- it’s dreamy, sexy, sweet, and fantastically charming. What a delightful treat from the talented Harloe Rae- my heart is full of all the warm fuzzies!

Sweet, stoic Larsen is devoted to her career as a psychiatrist at Bayside Regional- so much so that she’s forgotten who to cut loose. Her bestie convinces her that flirting with new hospital security guard Dane in the hopes of enticing him for some no-strings fun might thaw her a bit- help her finally have a bit of much-needed fun. She didn’t plan on him being quite so enticing- on the surface, Dane seems like the perfect candidate for no-string fun, but beneath his delicious not-committal playboy exterior he’s quite dreamy. And what started out as just physical soon gets complicated- a surprise for them both.

CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW DAMN DREAMY DANE OWENS IS?! Holy moly- he’s Harloe’s swooniest hero ever. I was not expecting for him to make me giddy with heart eye feelings, but I am madly in love with him. MADLY. From the first moment we see him with Larsen, I was a goner. Not only is he a deliciously sexy and alpha dirty talker, but this man has a heart of gold. He knows just how to push Larsen with empathy and love, he patiently and gently makes it safe for her to have fun outside of her comfort zone, constantly thinking of sweet, adventurous, and charming non-date dates that just had me swooning left and right. I loved how thoughtful he was, how affectionate and giving- but he’s still got that rough, alpha edge I adore in Harloe’s men. I COULD NOT BE MORE OBSESSED WITH HIM. Hands down my favorite Harloe hero EVER- he owns me.

And Larsen was so relatable as a heroine. As someone who, too, has found herself defined by and focused on my career, I felt a real kinship to her need to both be taken seriously and to reconnect with her vitality. Harloe imbues her with so many nuances- she’s got insecurities and baggage, she’s reluctant, but she’s also incredibly witty, fun, and has a bit of her own boldness that Dane brings out. I found her so endearing- and I loved watching her reconnecting with her joy as she leans into the unexpected feelings with the guy who was supposed to be nothing more than a fling. Their chemistry is SCORCHING HOT- the banter, the flirting, the sexy times, HOLY MOLY. Perhaps Harloe’s sexiest book ever. But their emotional connectivity was also so perfectly scribed- there is an ease to their connection, an authenticity. Like they’ve always been the best of friends- it’s really quite charming and has the Harloe Rae sincerity that makes her romances so emotive.

I just could not love this book more- I was smiling, laughing, full of butterflies the entire time. We have a smidge of drama, but nothing too heavy. At its heart, Screwed Up is a sweet and endearing feel-good story that reminds us to just lean into love- hang ups and all. What a fun and lovable story!

allisonbree's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Each time I review a book, I try not to have too many expectations or hopes for it prior to reading. That was especially easy to do with Screwed Up, since it isn't a part of any other series, and all new characters are introduced. Everything that I knew about the book was it was an opposites attract, no strings story featuring a doctor and security guard.

I'm a sucker for opposites attract stories. But, no strings attached themes are not my favorite. But, Dane and Larson grabbed my attention from the beginning, and it only got better. Dane is an angel. He's the guy that's too good to be real. He's so kind and generous (in more ways than one), and it was easy to join Team-Dane.

Not that I wasn't Team-Larson! Larson Belle is just as realistic. She's stubborn, sassy, and incredibly intelligent. She's also caring and goes out of her way to help her patients and coworkers. Her brutal honesty is refreshing, and while she may feel insecure, she doesn't let it show and lets her bold side takeover. (Something I need to learn to do!)

Read my full review on my blog at https://thenutmegdiaries.com!

kandisteiner's review against another edition

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5.0

More addicting than my morning coffee — and that’s saying something. Dane and Larsen gripped me from the first chapter and I couldn’t come up for air until I read every scorching scene. Screwed Up is devilishly sexy, ridiculously fun, and packs a punch right in the feels. A perfect romance that I won’t forget!

kandisteiner's review

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5.0

More addicting than my morning coffee — and that’s saying something. Dane and Larsen gripped me from the first chapter and I couldn’t come up for air until I read every scorching scene. Screwed Up is devilishly sexy, ridiculously fun, and packs a punch right in the feels. A perfect romance that I won’t forget!

kem0514's review against another edition

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4.0

Screwed Up by Harloe Rae is book #2 in the Bayside Heroes series. Some of the material is overlapping so if you plan to read them all, definitely do them in order.

Dane and Larsen start off fast and hot. I think I would have liked a little bit more interaction between them before Larsen goes and propositions Dane for sex. But that’s how it happened, they saw each other a couple times, felt the attraction, Larsen was horny and so she offered no strings, only fun kind of deal. Dane and Larsen are two completely different people with Larsen being the uptight, boring, and planned professional psychologist and Dane being the fun, wild, down for a good time, non committal security guard. Their friends with benefits relationship was really fun because it was about sex but also about enjoying their time together. Dane pushed Larsen way out of her comfort zone and she enjoyed every bit of it. Some stories focus so much on the sex that they don’t write much of a relationship between the characters but these two have a well developed relationship outside of the bedroom.

Dane and Larsen may have been an unlikely pair, but they worked. Soon enough they couldn’t stop themselves from catching feelings. Dane is surprised with how sweet he can be in a relationship. Some insecurities and a lack of open communication threatens to tear them apart but will one of them make a bold declaration of love?

mrsmar10thereader's review against another edition

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4.0

Belle and the Beast

Larsen Belle is wound tighter than anyone can be wound. She needs something or someone to take the edge off and Dane is the man for the job. Rough around the edges and such a sweet dirty talker. He proves to be the ever efficient orgasmologist, so much so that the no strings attached arrangement quickly goes out the window.

sparky25's review against another edition

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5.0

The fairy tale you didn't know you needed. 

Dr Larson 'Belle' doesn't want anything to do with the 'beast' of a man that has been hired as the new security guard at Bayside Regional.  She doesn’t have time in her life for a charming, "sexy as sin" man in uniform. Their first meeting leaves her flustered.  His particular brand of charm is more suited for a club, not a hospital.  Yet, neither can seem to resist the heat that sparring with each other ignites.

When her coworkers notice, they place the idea in her head that a "no strings" fling with Dane might just be what the doctor ordered.  This could be her cure for everything.  An easy fix to work the kinks out.  Shouldn't be a problem, but what do you do when once isn't enough?

These two have pasts that affect their present.  Holding on too tight, makes it difficult to enjoy.  They will have to learn to let it go, if they plan to make it past their first 'date.' 

This is not the Beauty and the Beast of your childhood. The amount of spice and heat will have you not wanting to put this one down. There may not be any enchanted objects, but matching shirts and roses hold a lot of magic.  Once again,  Harloe Rae delivers.  The sass, laughter, and heat are off the charts.  

erina1510's review against another edition

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5.0

This is my first book I’ve read from Harloe and I’m wondering what took me so long. This is a great second story to the Bayside Heroes series. Dane and Larsen are two co-workers that have instant chemistry. Dane is the infamous playboy that doesn’t settle down. Larsen is the person that follows the rules and does everything to the T. Arrangements are made and lines become blurred. This was such a fun, steamy read.

booktastic21's review against another edition

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5.0

Enjoyed

Happy to now be current on the Bayside series. Always fun when stories are inter connected. Love to see the journey of all of their friendship’s.