A Real Good Bad Thing

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Ryan West

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Enemies turn to lovers, but can they trust each other as they chase the same prize? A sexy romantic comedy adventure from number one NYT best seller Lauren Blakely....

I live my life by three simple rules. Don’t mix business with pleasure. Always work solo. And family comes first.

But when I head to the tropics for a quick job and meet a fiery woman who makes my pulse roar, I can’t resist bending the first rule for her.

Trouble is, after we spend a scorching night together on the beach, I discover she’s my new enemy. The quick-witted and clever beauty is on a treasure hunt for the same damn prize—beating me in a race to find millions in stolen diamonds.

See you later, sexy stranger.

Too bad I keep bumping into my gorgeous rival all over this tropical paradise as we chase clues.

Maybe it’s better to partner up. But the more time we spend together sneaking into nightclubs and art galleries, the harder it is to keep my hands off her. And soon, I'm not just sleeping with my very irresistible enemy.

I’m starting to give her my heart.

That breaks my biggest rule of all. Don’t ever fall in love. Because it always screws you over.

©2023 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2023 Lauren Blakely Books

Great story, great narration!

A Real Good Bad Thing is Lauren Blakely's newest enemies-to-lovers romance. This is a sexy, suspenseful story full of witty banter, heart and trust. Ruby and Jake are in the same place for the same reason but with different motivations. There's an instant spark when they meet, but once they find out they might be on opposite sides, they vow to keep it professional. You know what they say… Can Ruby trust Jake to be honest with her? Will Jake trust that Ruby won't double cross her? It's a fun ride full of diamonds, the ocean, friends and surprises!

Audio: Ryan and Stella were the perfect Jake and Ruby!

Loved Jake and Ruby!

A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely was a strangers to lovers, wild romantic adventure with added seductive suspense and alluring jewel heist vibes that I couldn’t get enough of! Jake and Ruby made the perfect detective team! I loved their blazing-hot chemistry as they both learned to trust each other, go after a common goal, and fall in love along the way! This is a complete stand-alone from Lauren.

Stella Hunter and Ryan West perform this audiobook in dual narration. Lauren cast Ruby and Jake perfectly! Stella’s passionate tone was spot on portraying Ruby’s strong-willed and determined persona as she gave into temptation and went after what she truly desired. Ryan’s swoony stern tone complimented his protective and detective demeanor perfectly! Plus, the fiery connection and vulnerability these two share are portrayed brilliantly.

Overall, I loved this book. If you are a fan of an enemies-to-lovers romance with a hot hunky hero with an air of mystery, an adventure-seeking heroine looking to claim what is hers, scorching hot beach nights, Flamingo Key in the tropics, treasure hunts, public steamy times, diamonds, forced proximity, sex toy parties, a snake tattoo man, family devotion, suspense, mystery, secrets, and a HEA that proves to be bad never felt so good, then you will love Ruby and Jake’s spicy story. I always look forward to more from Lauren Blakely.

Loved this fun steamy adventure

I loved this fun, steamy, wild adventure that Ruby and Jake took us on. Ruby is trying to get her business back up and running after her ex ruined her reputation. Jake’s business is to recover stolen items. These two meet in a bar one night and their chemistry is off the charts and later learn they are both after different things. I enjoyed watching them work together to solve the case while falling in love. There was so many fun elements throughout this story, you get a little bit of mystery full of twists and turns, wonderful characters and all the steam.

Stella Hunter and Ryan West narrate this book in dual. They did an amazing job portraying the chemistry between both of these characters. They both gave wonderful performances and brought Ruby and Jake to life.

5 STARS! Fun, flirty & adventurous!

Inspired by her Jewel series, Lauren Blakely has re-imagined the 2016 duet in A Real Good Bad Thing. This was no simple re-working of a previously released story, this was a complete re-creation. An absolutely delightful romantic comedy, Blakely blended that delicious enemies-to-lovers tension with a forced proximity twist that made for a truly entertaining and heartwarming read. Her sharp and witty writing style shines through in this laugh-out-loud, irresistibly charming story. The tropically-set, beachy-themed, treasure-hunt elements added an exciting layer of intrigue, turning this enemies-to-lovers romcom into a fun and flirty adventure that kept me hooked from the first page. Jake and Ruby’s chemistry sizzled, their snappy banter was electric, and their journey from adversaries to something more was perfectly paced. I listened to the audiobook, narrated in duet by Stella Hunter and Ryan West. Their performances were wonderful, full of the natural chemistry and charisma that these characters demanded.

Blakely has crafted an intriguing and impossible-to-put-down romcom in A Real Good Bad Thing. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was brilliantly executed, and the forced proximity element added tension and humor to the narrative. The treasure-hunt plotline was a stroke of genius, bringing a sense of adventure and anticipation that kept me engaged from start-to-finish. Blakely’s writing is smart, funny, and filled with heart, she creates characters you can’t help but root for, and the way she balanced humor and romance with a touch of adventure was absolutely addictive. A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely gets five smooches from me.
~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads

Fun, romantic, & sexy!

A Real Good Bad Thing by Lauren Blakely is a romantic comedy with a mystery/suspense to the storyline. This story is a rewrite and better characterization of the characters from Lauren Blakely’s The Sapphire Affair duet. Jake and Ruby are so fun. I really enjoyed their story. Stella Hunter and Ryan West do a fantastic job of bringing these characters alive for your hearing enjoyment. If you enjoy Lauren Blakey books, Stella Hunter, and Ryan West as narrators then you can’t go wrong with A Real Bad Thing whether you're reading or listening to Jake and Ruby’s story. Enjoy!

I truly enjoyed a story that wasn’t about early 20 something’s

This had it all intrigue and Romance! Characters that were in their 30s nothing against younger people but it was nice to have a little bit older people. That were still vibrant and sexy and a lot of fun too learn about. The story was very good. I loved everything about it. They both wanted what was best for their families and were willing to fight for it ! Thankfully, they decided to fight together to get what they needed

So much fun!

The narrators did an excellent job of bringing Jake and Ruby to life. I enjoyed this quirky adventure rom-com quite a bit.

Five Sparkling Stars!!

Another fantastic book from Lauren Blakely. This book is fun, sexy and a mystery to be solved. Jake it's a hot and sexy man in the “recovery” business in search of missing millions in Flamingo Keys, Florida. While there, he runs into Steph who is also on a fact-finding mission of her own. She wants to find out if her stepdad embezzled money from his company after leaving her mother with nothing. Jake and Steph have off the charts chemistry and share some scorching kisses. After finding out they're after the same thing, these two try to play it cool and keep the relationship business only. Their chemistry is combustible and they can't keep their hands to themselves. Trust is hard for them both because they've both been burned in the past. Can they get past it, or is lack of trust justified?
This book is filled with action, suspense, drama, humor and hot romance that burns the pages.
Steph and Jake go together so well and both would do anything for their family, but both of their trust issues and suspicions make this one heck of a rocky and fun ride for them. They had such fiery passion and love that kept growing stronger even among the doubt and drama.

As you listen to this book you're going to think you have the mystery all figured out. You will be biting your nails to the end. I loved this book! Five sparkling stars.

Fantastic

If there were more than 5 stars to give I would. I love everything this author writes but I do believe this is my new favorite. I love the mystery aspect and the tropical island vibe. The characters are well thought out and interesting and so much fun. The story keeps you guessing as it is difficult to determine who is the bad guy, who has the jewels if there are any, who can be trusted and who can't, and whether they both get what they are after in the end. I was totally wrapped up in this book and loved every moment.

Ryan West, and Stella Hunter narrated this book and were great to listen to. Loved their voices and their delivery.

I want more stories like this one. Romance with a little danger and lots of mystery.

I highly recommend this book.

Lust sparkles brighter than diamonds!

"A sexy mystery where lust sparkles brighter than diamonds!"

This book sets you on an adventure from the start! A literal treasure hunt brings Ruby and Jake to the Florida Keys. Separately they set to uncover mystery after mystery and then decide teaming up would be not only smarter and faster, but doing so, turns this mystery turns into a romantic and sexy adventure!

Their chemistry ignites from their first meeting and once they each know the other’s motivation and drive, they discover they want more than just a wild adventure between the sheets, they want the gem that has eluded them both for years….love.

This book had me on the edge of my seat listening intently chapter after chapter. It was a delicious mix of “what happens next” and ‘oh thank goodness I know how it turns out”. Don’t cheat yourself either, LISTEN to this book in audio. Ryan West and Stella Hunter bring these characters to life. Don’t forget to go to Lauren’s subscribe page and listen for the bonus after the epilogue chapter too!!

Beautiful spicy adventure

This is hands down the most delightfully fun book from Lauren Blakely I have read to date. Pure delicious escapism as we are whisked away to an island paradise off the coast of Florida in a gorgeous treasure hunt style mystery but with plenty of spice. Enter Jake Hawkins, ex intelligence now private investigator and professional recoverer for hire who has burning sense of justice. He is on the island to retrieve stolen funds from a shady investment manager and suspects he's turned the money into diamonds. He's driven, focussed and always works alone.

But then he wasn't expecting to bump into Ruby in a bar and the instant connection proves irresistible to either. Turns out, she has a personal reason to go after the same guy so....they team up. These two are more than moths to the flame for each other though, their chemistry is incendiary. Fans of spice will LOVE this one, Jake has a wickedly flithy mouth and together he and Ruby are insatiable for each other.

Its a really cute, fun and fast paced story with plenty of heart along the way too. Jake and Ruby both have strong senses of family and wanting to set things right but they also have kindred adventure souls and, like I said, insane chemistry together.

The plot reminds me of the TV show Leverage, which is one of my favourites, ethical con artists working to set things right so that the bad guys don't get away with it. Its just riveting and I loved every minute.

Stella Hunter and Ryan West are brilliant in their performances for the audiobook. Stella can do no wrong in my view, there has yet to be a book of hers that I have listened to and not thought she was absolutely perfect. She radiates Ruby's sparkling nature but also manages to put on a shiveringly sexy male voice when she is being Jake which is truly delightful to listen to.

Ryan West was a completely new narrator to me and I was really impressed. He is perfectly cast to take on the multifaceted Jake, rugged, confident, devoted to his family but at the same time sinfully and delicious sexy when it comes to seducing Ruby. I'm definitely going to be checking out his other titles.

Entertaining romantic whodunnit

This sexy romance is fun, flirty and super hot. Jake is a retrieval expert, hired by people to reclaim their missing/stolen articles. Ruby is a dive tour operator doing her best to rebuild her business following a bad breakup from a scheming exe, while also trying to find out if her stepfather is using her mother’s funds for illegal dealings. When it appears that both Jake and Ruby are investigating the same crime they decide to join forces. The sexual tension is off the charts. Can they remain professional? They’ve both being stung before. Can they trust each other? Doubts creep in throughout. Who can they trust? Jake is the ultimate alpha male with a slightly mushy side, Ruby is the independent feisty female who isn't afraid of asking for what she wants. Two people from completely different backgrounds come together to try and solve a mystery. Who has the diamonds? Brilliant plot, storyline and characters. Thoroughly enjoyable romance with twists, turns and lots of sexy times. There was so much happening even I didn’t know who to trust. I listened to this book on audio, narration from Ryan West (new to me, and brilliant), and Stella Hunter, a firm favourite of mine. They worked so well together. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest review.

Loved this flirty and fun mystery

When Ruby finds herself in the middle of Jakes investigation of her stepfather, the two team up to try and uncover the truth. But the pair find more than they bargained for. Will this fledgling feelings overcome their disastrous past experiences?

This was a lot of fun. I very much enjoyed following along with Ruby and Jakes mystery solving story. The chemistry between the two main characters is sizzling.

Overall a fun and spicy mystery solving adventure.

A great adventure with lots of chemistry!

This book was just the adventure I needed to have an escape from all the rain. It’s fun, adventurous, flirty, and just so good! The chemistry between Jake and Ruby is obvious from the moment they meet, and sparkles through during their investigation.

Ryan West is a new narrator to me, and I loved how he brought Jake to life! So good! And Stella Hunter is always a joy to listen to. Another amazing Lauren Blakely listen!

Jake & Ruby

Another winning book from Lauren Blakely!! A touch of mystery, a touch of smexy, and a touch of paradise. Loved it! And the cat? Bonus!!!!
Ryan West’s voice was perfect for Jake with all his ruggedness. Stella Hunter brought Ruby to life brilliantly with her soft and caring way.