Bad Reputation by Emma Barry is for every reader who begs for a worthy, deliciously enamoring slow burn. Set on a fictional set of Waverly—think Bridgerton—Cole James and Maggie Niven’s instant attraction burns as they try to do anything but get together while keeping professional boundaries. Rules exist for a reason, and here, they matter tremendously.
Barry’s story dives into both the good and the ugly within the industry, ultimately resulting in a character-driven novel that centers around two people trying their best. Two characters trying to, as the title suggests, fix their reputations.
Complex characters are the best characters, and in Bad Reputation by Emma Barry, it’s not just Cole and Maggie who leave a mark, but Tasha and many of the other employees at Waverly. Because we spend so much time around this fictional set, Barry makes us feel as though we’re right there with them, experiencing everything intimately and through a thoughtful lens. If you’re one to scream “Just kiss already” to characters who breathe next to each other, then prepare your lungs.
In more ways than one, the novel excels in its means of presenting consent and considerate beats of communication to showcase the importance of trust when it comes to sex. When Cole and Maggie finally get together, it feels much more earned because we know they will take care of each other through everything. We know that the other’s safety is their number one concern. And that’s another factor that makes the novel great because it’s often difficult to trust Hollywood romances. It’s hard to detach from the reality we know, but because we get such thoughtful characterizations here, we can believe that they’re the kind of couple who’ll last long after we close the book.
Further, Bad Reputation by Emma Barry is gorgeously written. The writing style is stunning, and every detail flows with such ease that it feels like we’re watching a movie in front of us. The longing leaps off the page and clutches the reader with such force that it makes the payoff sizzle and satisfy in all the right ways. Hollywood is an ever-changing place, but hopefully, intimacy coordinators are here to stay. Therefore, having novels that focus on this part of the profession feels significant and necessary. It makes the love story feel safer, and it inadvertently allows the reading process to be breezy amid some not-so-pleasing topics.
There’s much to appreciate here, from the lush prose to the impeccable characterization and the delightful romance. Readers are in for an unmistakable treat because this story highlights the importance of partnerships and standing up for the causes that matter. A lot transpires in the book, but the plot never gets overwhelming, and the characters are always in the driver’s seat, making every moment a journey that’s rewarding to be on.
Bad Reputation by Emma Barry will be released on October 1.
First Featured Image | Official Book Cover Credit: ©Emma Barry | Montlake