Book Review – Bad Things by R.K. Lilley

Bad Things (Tristan & Danika #1)
Bad things is deliciously loaded in all of the good things (er… good “bad” things) 😉 that I love about books. So it was good? No. It was AWESOME!!!

OMG, you guys!!! Pheeeeewwww *fans self* This was pure “old-school” book-angst at it’s best! Steamy, sexy, jealousy, alpha-y and full-on hurty!

Old School? Yep! This story felt like one of my “old school” indie reads from about two years ago, when I first came upon all of the hidden indie-treasures, like Beautiful Disaster, Thoughtless, Rock Me, and Love Unscripted, just to name a few.

I would devour one after the other and each one had me 5-star loving ’em. They were so “realistically” angsty (things I could imagine happening to me, or maybe even HAD happened to me in my “new adult” days). They were so intense, making ME crush so hard. Making me feel as if I falling in love… and then… as if I was in the midst of a soul-shattering break up.

These books were emotionally uplifting and draining, and I loved experiencing both sides of that kind of “book-love” equally. The kind that would tease me, tempt me, give me butterflies, and make me pine during the “meeting” phase. The kind that would indulge me (slowly – sloooowwww burn) with scene upon scene of getting to know each other, cuddling and sleeping in the same bed “platonically”, hanging out as “friends”… and then tearing my heart out when the miscommunication or insecurities took control.

And this book? It’s one of those. That addictive immediate attraction (and something I could relate too, ’cause I too, have experienced that). A few times, even. LOL! What?!!  Okay, yes… I was a bit boy-crush crazy back then. *giggle* Actually, just like I am now, except my crushes are on book-boys, so it’s all good (and heart-safe)! Sorta.

Ahhhh so good! That push and pull, the “honeymoon” phase and then… No. Way! It ripped my heart out! Again and again. Mended it, and tore it up some more. WOW!!!

And while I put it down once or twice in the first 35 to 40% (oh don’t get me wrong, I was IN!! But it wasn’t unputtdownable yet), by the time I hit 40%, that was it. I was HOOKED!

In fact, it was 3:30am and I was still reading feverishly, with only 15% left to go. My husband (the night owl) came to bed and remarked: “Wow! I haven’t seen you stay up this late to read in a long time. It must be good!!” My response? “Mmmmmhmmmm… now shhhhhhhhhh!!!” <— Yep. Momma was readin’ her stories and the stories were SO GOOD!!

So what’s it about?

Danika works as a live-in nanny for a band manager that has a new up and coming band that he is trying to represent. The singer of the band (hot, tattooed, bad ass and BAD BOY to the core, “Tristan”) is staying at the house for a week or so as his apartment is being readied, and of course, Tristan and Danika spark upon first site.

Lust, love, extreme infatuation, soul mates, or best friends in the making? Maybe all of it. I already pretty much know, right now (after this book!!), but I won’t know for sure until I get to book #3. But book #1 kept me on my toes with titillation.

“Where have you been all my life, Danika?”

“Not skanking it up in enough bars to find you, apparently. Silly me, spending all my time working or at school.”

“Silly you,” he said softly, touching my chin. “Didn’t you know I was out here, just waiting for a friend like you?”

*SA-WOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!*

Oh wow, YES!!

And —> they were HILARIOUS together.

“All I heard now was ‘blah, blah, blah Danika wins’.”

He stopped, shaking his head and laughing. “I like you,” he told me.

I wrinkled my nose at him. “I like you, too, platonic friend of mine.”

We were both grinning like fools as we rejoined the group.

Oh… foooools you are! 😛

Awesome friends, clicking like crazy. They just “got” each other and while both acknowledging that they were extremely attracted to one another, they admitted “who” they were upfront. He isn’t into relationships (preferring “hookups”) and she’s not into “hookups”… preferring relationships. Sidenote —> I’m with her! 😉 I’d have a hard time mixing that kind of intimacy, with “see ya!”… and in Danika’s case, she was bound for a world of hurt, if she didn’t keep Tristan at “best friends” arm-length.

But you know how that goes. Best friends that are incredibly attracted to one another, that become inseparable, that hold each other close? Protect each other. That find any possible way to always “hang out” together (under that “best friends guise”)? Well… the lines become blurred.

He pushed my face into his chest, hugging me. I melted against him, even pissed. I thought that was because I wasn’t really pissed. What I was was completely infatuated. I didn’t think I’d ever met a sweeter guy in my life.

And when you’re best friends with a gorgeous, self-professed man-whore, well… things are bound to get ugly.

Ugly? Let’s just say that their “relationship” is a train-wreck.

I knew it was coming. He’d given me more than fair warning.

Just like the author said! But one that I was THRILLED to be on, even knowing we were all headed for disaster.

I shut my eyes tightly, cursing the tears that bled down my cheeks.

It took me forever to get to sleep. I just lay there for a long time, calling myself every kind of fool.

Oh wow!!! I. Was. IN!!!!!

And you know what? Supposedly, this series just gets better (and more heartrendingly angsty) as it goes. I hear #2 will likely kill me.  YAY ME!!!!!! 😀

Curious? Just check out these reactions. You’ll see. You’ll ALL see. <— 

Maryse’s Book Blog: Just gotta say… I’m loving “Bad Things”. Finishing it up soon, and this book just feeeeels like when I first started reading NA and rock star books from a year or two ago. Addicting. I’m connecting TONS through Danika, and wow… Tristan goes from sexy swoooony jealous alpha to arrogant player ass, in the blink of an eye! Tore my heart out. FUN!

Jill: Reading it too. At 63% and I am addicted.

Laura: Just wait for the next 2

Stephanie: Read this whole series in like 4 days! Addicted but I’m not looking for a cure lol! Loved Danika, one of my favorite book heroines

Triva: You will love the other books too. I just read all three yesterday and today. I cried a little, wanted to throw my iPad and scream, but my heart was left full by the time I was done.

Tarin: I’m on book 2 and have such a love hate thing going on with this relationship. They make my heart skip a beat at times and at other times just say Ugh… Really! Still can’t put these books down because their all over the place!

Erin: Really?!?! You got me with old school feels!!

Maryse: Old school Erin. Absolutely. This one fits in with my old favorites for sure…

Vicki: I just finished it and I absolutely loved it! I did get emotional at the end and I’m scared and excited about book 2!

Jessica: That’s exactly how I described this series… it reminded me of how I felt when I read Kellan Kyle the first time!!! That good!

Linda: Lovely Trigger about 30% in and it’s brilliant

Catherine: Oh Maryse – I am so glad you’re enjoying it but it’s the middle book, the next one which will lift you up and then drop you hard – hence the title, Rock Bottom……..Loved the last one though. And I am a HUGE Danika fan – loved that leading lady so hard!!!

Nikki: Maryse, you have NO idea what you are in store for. This series was unforgettable.

Lucy: I am reading Lovely Trigger right now and wondering why I put myself through this…..oh that’s right, I love it!

Wendy: …keep reading Maryse…you’re in for a bumpy ride…so glad you’re enjoying it!! I’m finishing Lovely Trigger tonight and I’m sad because I don’t want it to end!!! …. So I’m 87% into Lovely Trigger and I’m nervous! I have a feeling this is where R.k. Lilley is going to crush my heart…I better get the tissues!

Ann: Just finished whole series and feel like I’ve been through the wringer!! In a very very great way though. Total book hangover!!! Makes me want to reread the Up in the Air series again.

Melanie: Isn’t it amazing!! All the books are just incredible! So glad you are enjoying them!

Kentrina: Just wait until you read Rock Bottom, I’ve never been so emotionally distressed by a book.

Maryse’s Book Blog: I am SO excited to start #2 today. Bad Things lived up to everything I look for in an angsty modern “bad boy” romance read! If any of you haven’t read it yet, I’d say his intensity, and the angst/torment is along the lines of Beautiful Disaster and Thoughtless. NOT the storyline… the FEEL. Which is A+ for me!! Okay off I go to review so I can start #2. This is one of those series that has you dying to continue! !!!!

Wendy: Get the tissues ready for Rock Bottom!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Okay so you know the part where she broke down and sobbed on him? And he kind of made that sound of distress ’cause he realized he had hurt her so bad? TEARS!!!!! OMG!!!!! THAT TORE my heart out. Oh it got torn out multiple times, mind you, but THAT? GAH!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: So the fact that you guys say I haven’t seen nothing yet? Prepare to hold me, my friends. That was already hard enough. The author mentions “trainwreck” and she wasn’t kidding…

Wendy: Ok. Now I have to go back to Bad Things and read that part on my lunch break! It’s been so long since I’ve read it! What % is that at?? All I can say is oh boy Maryse…hold on…it’s a bumpy ride but oh so worth every minute!! I’ll be here for moral support and to help you through the angst

Ann: All I can say Maryse is brace yourself. Hard. For the love of God.

Melanie: sure! If you loved Bad Things, Rock Bottom is going to blow you away!! It’s is so well written!!! Just awesome!

Argie: Book 2 gutted me!! Book 3 rocked my freaking world!! #teamtristan

Eeeeeep!! Okay so I’m heading into book #2 and… let’s just say I’ve been thoroughly warned! Let’s recap, the above discussion, shall we?

“the next one which will lift you up and then drop you hard – hence the title, Rock Bottom…….”

“you have NO idea what you are in store for”

“you’re in for a bumpy ride … Get the tissues ready for Rock Bottom!!!”

“Just wait until you read Rock Bottom, I’ve never been so emotionally distressed by a book.”

“All I can say Maryse is brace yourself. Hard. For the love of God.”

“Book 2 gutted me!!”

“May the force be with you.'” <— LOL!!! This one JUST came my way from Aimee… 😉

GAH!!!!! OMG you guys, I am SO freakin’ excited right now!!! After #1 rocking my world, I can’t imagine where I’m headed next. This author is a girl after my own heart!!!

I just felt… lost. Life was a maze that I’d  never be able to navigate, like everyone else had been born with a map, and mine had been forgotten, and I was destined to keep repeating the same painful mistakes, again and again.

Oh wow! YES. ↑↑↑↑ I am SO in for it. Downward spiral, HERE I COME!!!

4.5 stars!!!! Maybe even 5 stars, but I’m gonna hold off and see where #2 takes me. 😉

P.S. Here is the Tristan & Danika Series Reading Order

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SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT!!!!

Okay now… let’s play “my personal notes”. Of course, do NOT read these below if you haven’t yet read this book. Not exactly spoilers, but my reactions make things pretty obvious… so SPOILER ALERT!!!

My notes:

I’m grinning.

I LOVE the rules!!!

Whoooooo CRA-ZYYYY!!!!

Ugggghhhhhhh!!!

Whoa.

Awwwwww!!!

So sad.

Yep. He truly destroyed her. Forever he will have the upper hand and she’ll always be insecure in “them”. Relief for his love but constantly worried he has one foot out the door. Yep. This is gonna hurt.

Yep. This fear… this insecurity will be the death of them. I know it.

Yep. She’s losing herself.

Obsessive love headed for a crash and burn!!

These two are volatile together.

Whoa!!!!!!