Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Bad To Be Worthy
SERIES: Bad To Be Good Book 2
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 189 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 9, 2021
BLURB:
When a former mobster’s past catches up with him, will it end the quiet life he’s been struggling with, or transform it into something he couldn’t have imagined?
Sometimes Gerome Meadows longs for the excitement of the life he left behind for Witness Protection. But when he stands up to a bully in a bar to protect a homeless man, his past comes very close to home—and it’s no longer what he wants.
Tucker Wells has been living in a tent, surviving with the aid of his friend Cheryl and helping her watch over her son. When he winds up on the wrong side of an argument with some dangerous people, his already difficult life is thrown into turmoil. Gerome steps in to find them a temporary apartment, and Tucker is grateful and relieved.
Gerome never meant to open the door to trouble. His life and Tucker’s depend on keeping his past a mystery. But as his desire to protect develops into something deeper, he and Tucker will have to evaluate what family means—and hope that their growing feelings pass unimaginable tests.
REVIEW:
The bare bones of the story are that a former gangster, hoping to settle down and escape his past falls in love with someone who is accidentally involved with the people he is running from and he has to face them to save his new love. This far it’s nothing new and a pretty well-worn trope.
To be honest, I never really warmed to Gerome, although I can see why many people would. For me, it is the supporting characters that really bring the story to life. Tucker, the love interest is far more three-dimensional and interesting and I fell in love with him from the first time I met him.
At the time Gerome meets him, Tucker is living in a tent, being homeless, and he finds it difficult to trust his good luck in meeting a saviour, although he doesn’t know at the time what Gerome’s past is. When he learns about it there is a hiccup but he accepts it quicker than I think someone would in real life. Given the fast pace of the story, however, it’s easy to accept.
While living in a tent, Tucker befriended another homeless family, single mother, Cheryl and her son, Joshie, who works his way easily into the hearts of everyone he comes across.
One of the strengths of this author is undoubtedly his ability to get into the heads of his different characters and give them unique voices and personalities. He does so admirably with Joshie who is adorable and authentic.
The story begins starts off reflexively but is soon knee deep in drama and danger. Generally, it is fast-paced and has a quickly progressing romantic relationship. It’s not a slow burn by any stretch of the imagination. Sometimes, it’s a little hard to buy that the relationship moves so fast, but given the general pace and storyline, it’s acceptable.
As usual for this author, the book is well written and engaging and if you like retired gangsters who still have some tricks up their sleeves, adorable children and a whole cast of sexy men, then this is for you.
The book is second in a series, and it would help to read the first book, but not necessary
RATING: 
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