| Title | : | Bad for Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho, #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0062372262 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780062372260 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published April 28, 2015 |
But Everett isn't convinced Callie should shut everyone out—especially not him. He may be a hero to the people of Rock Canyon, but he's got his own demons, and he bets they're not that different from Callie's. Still, he knows it's going to take more than chemistry to get her to let her guard down. Everett will do whatever it takes to show her she's safe with him. All she has to do is take a chance, take a step … and take his hand.
Bad for Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho, #5) Reviews
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Callie Jacobsen survived and even though she has started over, she still is not living. Former Marine Everett Silverton has found himself attracted to radio DJ Callie and even though he has just met her through his daily calls into her show, he wants to take the next step.
When they meet both feel something for one another, but Callie has walls firmly in place and as Everett begins to break them down there is still one thing standing in their way. Callie has to decide if she can do what is needed to be with Everett.
Emotional rad. Callie is just getting by day by day, she believes she is living but it is a fragile shell. I liked Everett, I thought he was a so open with Callie and patient. Will definitely pick up more in the series. -
The tragedy that Callie went through of having the absolute love of her life kill her mother, her dog and stab her eight times, is unimaginable. Everett coming back from doing a tour, burned up and having his wife leave him, broke my heart. Having these past experiences of severe trauma, is what brought them together. They were made for each other and for Everett to help her deal with her past, finally, shows how much he really loves her. This was so heart felt and it was more real life than most romance novels that I've read. Beautiful job Codi!!
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. As usual, Codi made me feel all the feels!
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Another great addition to the town of Rock Canyon and the Rock Canyon Romance series. Codi's best yet.
We’ve met Callie Jacobsen before since she’s become somewhat close friends with Gemma Carlson Bowers from GOOD GIRLS DON’T DATE ROCK STARS. I say somewhat close because although they are friends, Callie keeps her pain from everyone even though her new friends try desperately to drag her back into the world of the living and loving. Callie came to Rock Canyon for a fresh start but no matter how hard she tries, her past continues to haunt her. With her constant and loyal companion, her dog, Ratchet at her side, Callie attempts to live a normal life and fit in among her new friends, but it’s not as easy as her all of her new friends think.
Everett ‘Rhett’ Silverton is Justin’s older brother from BAD GIRLS DON’T MARRY MARINES, and he carries his scars inside and out. After being injured as a Marine in Afghanistan, he came home to a wife who was less than pleased with how he looked now, so she left him...heartbreaking...although he's tough. He’s managing to put his life back together by helping others who also suffer PTSD and has become very adept at noticing when someone is suffering silently. After watching his father nearly destroy the family with alcoholism, he’s pleased his father has joined AA and when his father raves about his wonderful sponsor, Everett is amazed when he discovers it’s none other than Callie, the damsel in distress who he provides aid to during a thunderstorm.
Two broken souls coming together when nature was at its fiercest, but can they survive each other’s demons and open their hearts and wounds to each other?
Codi Gary never disappoints me. This is the fifth book in the Rock Canyon Romance series and every time I read one, it’s as fresh, as intense, as full of fun, and as real as the first ones. I’ve had my favorites in this series but I have to say than none of them so far has touched me emotionally as much as BAD FOR ME. The wonderful characters of Rock Canyon usually carry with them a sense of wonder and excitement over the prospect of new love but with Callie, there’s apprehension, fear, and a need that no other character has yet to carry. I thought it would Everett who would be the most unwilling and hesitant to open up to a romantic partner but instead, it was Callie. This is, by the far, the most intense, yet most endearing, realistic, and heart wrenching of all the stories to emerge from Rock Canyon. It is also Codi’s best work yet.
It’s obvious, she took a lot of time and effort to create the real world of someone suffering PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and it worked splendidly. Everett is Callie’s ultimate hero. He works hard to win over his true love. And there were times I wasn’t sure he’d succeed but in the end, these two courageous people come together just as they need to, and it’s perfect.
I don't usually quote books, but I loved Codi's reference to Blake Shelton's AUSTIN in the line:
"Hey, it's Everett. Leave your message at the beep...and Whiskey?”—Callie's breath and heart stopped—"I'm still waiting." (swoon)
I highly recommend BAD FOR ME by Codi Gary to anyone who wants to read a wonderful story for whatever reason. This book will make you laugh because we’re treated to the already wonderful characters of Rock Canyon who support and care about these two wounded amazing people, but you’ll also be brought to tears when you witness the pain they each carry and how it brings them together. Any one of these books works well as a stand-alone, however I recommend reading all of them but this one…this one holds its own, on its own, in a way none of the others do. Read it, it’s a definitely great read.
***purchased for my own personal reading but sharing my honest and unscripted review. -
***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***
***Expected Date of Release: April 7th, 2015***
Rock Canyon, Idaho may be a small town with a nosy Miss Know It All who has advanced to blogging - but there is still so much love left to be had. Especially when it is for the voice behind the early morning radio show on Kat Country that he calls into everyday like clockwork. Who is he, you ask? None other than Rock Canyon's very own, Everett Silverton. Silverton you say? Yes - we have recently met the handful that is his brother, Justin. Everett, known to his family as 'Rhett', finds himself oddly at ease when talking to Callie Jay.
"It was a hell of a reaction to have to a woman he'd never actually met."
After years of living in the same town without even a bump into at their local Hall's Market. The bumps in they faced now seemed inevitable since she would be DJ'ing his brother's wedding and the other small fact - Rhett was smitten. (And, me as a reader was beyond smitten with him!) Living in a small town like Rock Canyon, their worlds are sure to intertwine. Perhaps not to the extent that these two do, but surely they will have friends and acquaintances that run in the same circles. While both might prefer the comfort of their jobs behind the phone/microphone - their loved ones are determined to bring them back to the land of the living and crazy in Callie's case. The ladies of RC are a riot, to say the least. And Caroline is my favorite of the crazy bunch.
"What's wrong with being picky or discreet?" Callie said, her voice rising. "Just because I don't advertise my conquests, doesn't mean I'm not getting any. I am conquering all kinds of ass."
"Fine, I'll just call you Callie, the ass conqueror," Caroline said as she parked in front of Jensen's.
Friends like the ones that Callie has found herself adopted by are the kind of sitcoms. (Which is appropriate for our Big Bang Theory loving author!) This brings me to Dalton. I hope to see more of Dalton (and maybe a younger Andrews girl?) in a future book or short story. It is obvious to everyone but Callie that this kid has it bad for her, and it offers some serious teasing material.
"Um, do you not see the look in his eyes? It says, 'Oh please, older and more experienced hot woman, I need you to show me the ropes and teach me a few new tricks."
"Will you shut up?"
"Ride it, my pony."
"I am going to take out your windpipe."
Codi Gary loves her characters. You can see that with most authors, but the love she writes into her characters is breathtaking. Your hero will never be perfect, but she loves all his imperfections. Your heroine may focus on her flaws, but the strength that shines through shows the love that has flown through the pen of the author onto the page you are reading. (And re-reading because it's THAT GOOD!) The time taken to watch the relationship blossom shows unconditional love from the author like that of a mother and her child. You can't help but fall in love with even the most sinister of people in the story. Usually in a romance, I dread the bumps. I am so eager for the HEA, that the awkward attempts of showing interest are read quickly, but Everett... Geez.
"Maybe it's about time you let someone else take the wheel." And with that piece of advice, he placed the flowers in her lap and shut the door on her surprise.
And then Callie. Callie is my book BFF. Has only happened a few times in my life before that I find a female character I like so much that I am dying to be friends with them. Callie is in my gang now. Straight up dork. Coffee addicted. Great taste in men. Awkward homebody. We are homies for life!
"I take it back; she is my mortal enemy. Initiate Mortal Kombat fighting stance." She punched the air above her in some kind of crazy fighting style.
Back to the way the author handles the stories she writes. (Yes, I know I am scatter-brained when it comes to writing this review!... I am a reader, NOT a writer!) I am obsessed with the way she ties music into every book. Each book has a clear soundtrack to the love story. My favorite mention of music in this installment was a more subtle one. The nod to Blake Shelton's 'Austin.'
"Hey, it's Everett. Leave your message at the beep...and Whiskey?" - Callie's breath and heart stopped - "I'm still waiting."
Ummm...SWOON! Ok, so before I become a book pirate for quoting the ENTIRE book, I am going to let you go with this one piece of advice that I am sure even Miss Know-It-All herself would back me up on:
READ THIS SERIES! Geez. The town is lovable. The characters are so approachable and real. The love is that of EPIC 'Say Anything' size grand gestures. And the author is one talented doll. With each book, the story gets deeper, the writing gets better and the love is even grander. (Is that a word?!?) FIVE STARS from this lover of books. -
When asked the question are you ready for another trip back to Rock Canyon? My answer will always be a resounding YES! No matter what I am doing or what book is in my review list, I will never say no to a Codi Gary book.
In the latest installment, we dig a little deeper into lives of Callie Jacobsen and Everett Silverton. Though both of them have baggage, Callie is the one that is holding the most back. Her past not only frightens her, but also keeps her from trusting. Everett (aka Rhett) has had a long road of recovery since he has come back from serving as a Marine, but he is in a good place. He wants Callie and will do just about anything to get her to trust him. With much hesitation the reader will see Callie give into her feelings and start to see what she has been missing all these years. The question still remains though…will Callie be able to put aside her past and allow herself to start to really feel again? Or will she never be able to overcome the fear of what could be?
As an added bonus, Bad for Me has a bunch of characters from the previous books in the series. Gemma, Caroline, Val, and Gracie are all making their presence known. Not to mention Fred and Justin, though you could probably guess that the other Silverton men would be in this book. What I love is that all the stories are starting to overlap. We are getting tidbits of where the other members of the town are in their lives now.
Each time that I finish one of Codi’s books, I am always amazed at how she brings it all to the pages. Her characters are never less than three dimensional and her stories always resonate with me. Even if I haven’t been through exactly what is going on in the book, I feel as if I get it. Not to mention a healthy dose of humor along with the reality that these characters must face. Codi has the ability to weave together a tale that not only can standalone, but enhances an already existing series as well.
There is no secret that I love the Rock Canyon series. I will continue to devour…I mean read…each book that comes next. Until next time, I will anxiously await the next blog post from Miss Know-It-All to expose the secrets of this little town. -
4.5 star
The story has laughs, secrets, pain and heartbreak. I was pulled right into this story.
If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Things Good Girls Don't Do (Rock Canyon Romance, #1)
Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon Romance, #2)
Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon Romance, #3)
Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon Romance, #4)
This is Callie and Everett’s story. Everett’s scarred on the flesh and also from his life. Callie is a little broken. Can these two put their past behind them and try and work on a future? When it looks like they are both keeping secrets you have to wonder if they will ever trust each other. When Callie’s secret comes out if has a ripple effect that seems to bring out all kinds of bad history with Everett’s family. Will Everett walk away from Callie after the secret is revealed or will he stand by her and defend her decisions? Is a relationship worth all the pain it might cause the family? Or should they cut there loses and move on to other people?
I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story in this series. -
4.5 stars
"Bad For Me" by Codi Gary. This is a story of two people who are both struggling with some pretty heavy stuff from their past. Everett, a war hero, returned scarred - both inside and out. He's created a foundation to help other veterans return to civilized life. Callie, a local dj, has also suffered some pretty serious hurts in her past. Her scars run especially deep and she can no longer trust. Everett is a kind and patient man and works hard to fight his demons. His love and care for Callie is beautiful. Callie fights with all she has against his love and kindness - to the point that I just wanted to shake her at times! Ms. Gary does an exceptional job of portraying the feelings of both characters. My heart broke for both Callie and Everett. Yet I was cheering and rooting for them to find their place with each other. The small-town feel and the beautiful landscapes that Ms. Gary incorporates only help to make this an even better tale. I was hooked from page one and look forward to enjoying more stories by Ms. Gary in the future! (received copy for honest review) -
This book had a more serious tone that some of the previous books in the series. Both Everett and Callie have gone through traumatic experiences that have shaped who they are today. Although they are attracted to each other, they are both are afraid of how their pasts may affect their relationship. Everett has an easier time moving forward, but Callie is still stuck in the past and it nearly destroys them. I loved Everett - he was so patient and loving with Callie. The romance between them felt so real, even when they had problems. It was also great to see catch up a bit with couples and characters from the previous books. I'm really looking forward to Mike's story next.
4.5 stars
ARC via Edelweiss -
Catching the series a little late, I was surprised how well the author makes this novel stand on its own.
This is a lovely story involving two emotionally wounded characters, just trying to move forward. The quaint setting, and the author’s exceptional taste in music was a definite plus, but the main story line is quite a treat! Callie was a little hard on Everett at times, as one would expect considering her past, but Everett’s resolve proved him the quintessential hero
.
Their tale is touching, funny, heartbreaking, and sometimes frustrating, but I loved this couple!
Excellent read!
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review. -
[1.5 stars] this book in this series is not for me. thought callie was focusing too much on tristan, tristan here, tristan there, like almost everywhere in the book which was annoying. not a fan of how she tried to solve or forget things either. she heard tristan & her song on valerie & justin's wedding and tried to get everett to have sex with her is just nonsense. and when she finally went to meet tristan, she was angry and frustrated at everett but she ask everett to fuck her so that she can forget about her issues again. i think fucking is not gonna fuck the problems away. not a fan of heroine like that.
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I loved Callie and Everett. They made me laugh, they also made me cry and their story was so very touching to the heart! The way both Callie and Everett were scarred by their past and how they both helped each other overcome it was the stuff created out of dreams. Everett was perfect for Callie and vice versa. I would definitely recommend to my friends and also buy! I can't wait for it to come out! Get ready to have some tissues at hand!
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Loved it! Rhett and Callie's story grabbed me from the very beginning. Both of these characters are complex and filled with kindness, compassion, and love. They have each had horrific events occur in their past and have suffered from those events. To move on and learn to love and trust again will be difficult but these two deserve happiness more than anyone. I highly recommend this one for everyone.
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OMfrigginG! Codi continues to rock the Romance world!
Review to come! -
*EDELWEISS*
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Review at
Red Cheeks Reads -
Loved it !
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Originally posted on
Adria's Romance Reviews
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After the tornado that was Caroline Willis, author Cody Gary slowed it down just a tad with Bad for Me, the latest installment of her Rock Canyon series.
After a horrifying attack left her scarred, scared and shut down, Callie Jacobsen has come to Rock Canyon looking for a quiet life as the local DJ where she can focus on herself, her dog and the new friends she’s recently made. The local hero is definitely one complication she doesn’t want.
Former Marine Everett Silverton’s infatuation with Callie encourages him to try and help her overcome her demons, but he doesn’t count on having to face his own as well. He may be the hometown hero but memories of war plague him day in and day out. Both he and Callie have so much in common, including a fierce attraction but that might not be enough to make them happy if they keep letting their pasts interfere.
Bad for Me gave me just what I wanted with its damaged, imperfect characters and the deep well of emotions that they experience. Everett and Callie both suffer from traumatic events but they have vastly different ways of dealing with it. Their methods for coping caused some pretty big conflicts between them that sometimes seemed impossible to overcome. It was their very real psychological and emotional problems that hooked me like a fish.
Callie was my favorite of the two. She may not have seen herself as a brave woman but I did. She survived something horrific and was valiantly trying to piece herself together and move on as best as she could. She was far from perfect but her internal struggles carried such realism that I connected with her. Even when she was making huge mistakes in her relationship with Everett, I liked her. The scenes where she lets her facade slip were so well written, I felt what Callie was saying. She became this raw, ragged and emotionally drained character who didn’t know where she was going to end up in life. It was heartbreaking and heartfelt.
Everett was the steadier of the two because he had been seeking help for his past for a while but he still had a long way to go before he came to terms with it. I loved his calm, patient personality because I felt it went so well with Callie’s jittery, nervous one. Everett was a genuine people person, always willing to help someone in need and while he didn’t think he was a hero, I certainly did.
Bad for Me focuses on the personal growth and healing between two characters and that’s what I found so appealing. Codi Gary doesn’t “pretty” up things like PTSD, mental illness or domestic abuse but she doesn’t saturate the story in it either. The conflicts are balanced out by the wry humor and the passionate chemistry between Everett and Callie to create a realistic but still fun romance. With so much emotional depth and character growth, Bad for Me is an exceptional small town romance.
And with minor appearances from previous characters, Bad for Me maintains the connection between previous books without giving away too much of those plot lines so each book can be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend that you read them all in order.
Final Verdict: The small town setting would normally drive me nuts with all the meddling and gossip but Codi Gary's characters are so intense, so passionate and so addictive and the plot so interesting that the small town life takes on its own entity and becomes something the characters have to fight against. -
4.5 / 5 stars
Received a review copy through Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review; full post with excerpt(s)/quote(s) can be found at original posting:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
We have two pretty broken people -- Everett, a Marine who lost his best friend overseas as well as being scarred in the accident that took his friend, and Callie, a country radio DJ who's ex-fiance had a psychotic break and killed her family.
Like I said.
Pretty broken.
For the past year, Callie has been taking a six-thirty call from a man named Rhett. She enjoys their conversations and they seem to have similar tastes in music. One day, he asks if they can take their talking off the radio station number and she freezes.
Everett isn't one to punish himself and he feels like a heel for even asking for her number. Who does that? However, one day he runs into her at the store, [a]nd from there, it's as if a seal had been broken; they run into one another often... so often that Callie fears he may be stalking her (for a quick minute, anyway).
What Everett likes about Callie when they do meet is that she isn't focused on his scars. His burn scars take up 40% of his body, and the people in town stare at his face and pity him, yet call him a hero -- a title he doesn't feel he deserves.
When Callie finds out that Everett is her Rhett, she feels betrayed, though, and questions everything in their budding friendship.
We have a very confident man -- he walks tall with his shoulders back, he's forthright and fights for other vets, but when it came to Callie, he was terrified of how he would come across. She scared him.
Callie has her own scars, scars that she refuses to show. She only has sex in the dark, or with her shirt on. If her shirt comes off, she's sure to be out of the bed and dressed before sun shines in. It takes her a long time to trust Everett with her fears and scars.
One of the biggest obstacles that these two will come over is more than their scars -- it's what their scars come with. Callie dealt with her scars and loss with alcohol. Everett dealt with PTSD after his accident. Callie's ex had a psychotic break and the very last thing she wants to do is be in a relationship where the other person can just snap with no warning. Everett lived with his alcoholic father -- and alcohol was slowly taking his dad away from him.
But Everett accepts Callie for who she is, and I felt that that was very telling of his character. And when his brother and sister-in-law condemn her? Everett is quick to stand up for her, showing his fiercely protective side.
As a huge believer in dreams, I absolutely loved when Robbie came to Everett one night. Some may say it's just your subconscious working through things, but others will say that loved ones will visit to tell you that they're ok, and I fully believe that that was what Robbie was doing, and trying to push Everett in the correct direction.
But it takes more than Everett in this relationship; Callie needs to break a little more before she learns to accept her life for what it is, and allow the gift of Everett's love into her life. And when she does? Well, I feel that these two will have a beautiful life together. -
4.5 / 5 stars
Received a review copy through Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review; full post with excerpt(s)/quote(s) can be found at original posting:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
We have two pretty broken people -- Everett, a Marine who lost his best friend overseas as well as being scarred in the accident that took his friend, and Callie, a country radio DJ who's ex-fiance had a psychotic break and killed her family.
Like I said.
Pretty broken.
For the past year, Callie has been taking a six-thirty call from a man named Rhett. She enjoys their conversations and they seem to have similar tastes in music. One day, he asks if they can take their talking off the radio station number and she freezes.
Everett isn't one to punish himself and he feels like a heel for even asking for her number. Who does that? However, one day he runs into her at the store, [a]nd from there, it's as if a seal had been broken; they run into one another often... so often that Callie fears he may be stalking her (for a quick minute, anyway).
What Everett likes about Callie when they do meet is that she isn't focused on his scars. His burn scars take up 40% of his body, and the people in town stare at his face and pity him, yet call him a hero -- a title he doesn't feel he deserves.
When Callie finds out that Everett is her Rhett, she feels betrayed, though, and questions everything in their budding friendship.
We have a very confident man -- he walks tall with his shoulders back, he's forthright and fights for other vets, but when it came to Callie, he was terrified of how he would come across. She scared him.
Callie has her own scars, scars that she refuses to show. She only has sex in the dark, or with her shirt on. If her shirt comes off, she's sure to be out of the bed and dressed before sun shines in. It takes her a long time to trust Everett with her fears and scars.
One of the biggest obstacles that these two will come over is more than their scars -- it's what their scars come with. Callie dealt with her scars and loss with alcohol. Everett dealt with PTSD after his accident. Callie's ex had a psychotic break and the very last thing she wants to do is be in a relationship where the other person can just snap with no warning. Everett lived with his alcoholic father -- and alcohol was slowly taking his dad away from him.
But Everett accepts Callie for who she is, and I felt that that was very telling of his character. And when his brother and sister-in-law condemn her? Everett is quick to stand up for her, showing his fiercely protective side.
As a huge believer in dreams, I absolutely loved when Robbie came to Everett one night. Some may say it's just your subconscious working through things, but others will say that loved ones will visit to tell you that they're ok, and I fully believe that that was what Robbie was doing, and trying to push Everett in the correct direction.
But it takes more than Everett in this relationship; Callie needs to break a little more before she learns to accept her life for what it is, and allow the gift of Everett's love into her life. And when she does? Well, I feel that these two will have a beautiful life together. -
Callie Jacobsen learned the hard way that love was not for her and she has the scars to remind her. As a part of getting her life together, Callie moved to Rock Canyon in search of a new beginning, one which does not involve a man. She likes her life as it is now, focusing on her friends and her dog and she enjoys her job as a DJ at a small-town radio station. The highlight of her days is when her mystery caller ‘Rhett’ calls in to the show and she gets to chat with him for a few minutes. ‘Rhett’ is actually former Marine Everett Silverton. Everett returned from Afghanistan with both physical and mental scars. In spite of being hailed a war hero by all, Everett does not feel worthy of the praise and battles the guilt of surviving when his best friend did not make it back and has channeled his energy into his organization, counseling and helping vets struggling with PTSD adjust to life back home. He is interested in Callie and looks forward to the daily chats with her, even though he has never met her and has no idea what she looks like. In such small town and with friends in common, Callie and Everett surprisingly never had an opportunity to meet each other because they both prefer their own company to hanging out with friends, but a chance encounter changes all that.
I had some difficulty finding the words to express how I feel about this book. Not that the story is a bad one, but the usual words – fun, flirty, lighthearted, etc.- do not really fit. This is a very intense and emotional story of two people with a lot of emotional baggage, two people with vastly different ways of coping with the trauma in their pasts. While Everett faced his demons and was motivated to help others who had gone through the same experiences as he had, Callie buried her issues and never fully dealt with them. It took Everett coming into her life to make her realize that her main issue was that she blamed herself for what had happened years ago and has never really forgiven herself. In order to reach out for the future she could have with Everett, she had to learn to forgive herself and move on.
Bad for Me is a great story on personal healing and finding love after a traumatic past and even though the story revolves around weighty issues like PTSD, alcoholism and survivors’ guilt, they do not overwhelm the romance. The characters are very realistic and it’s so easy to get caught up in the story. Ms. Gary writes a great character in Callie. The depth of emotions and her personal journey were quite difficult to read, but she had Everett to lean on and she also found supportive friends. Everett was just perfect for Callie: calm, patient and steady. I like that he knew what he wanted – a future with Callie – and was not afraid to go for it.
My recommendation: Be sure to keep the tissues handy for this one.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.* -
In Bad For Me, it was back to Rock Canyon, Idaho we go, where the heroines are sassy, fun and kind of messed up, and the heroes are too sexy for their own good :).
Bad For Me is Everett Silverton’s and Callie Jay’s story. Everett and Callie, both battle-scarred and fighting their own demons, can’t deny the special connection between them. Everett’s been hurt in the past by his ex-wife, but is open to the possibility of love again and is very interested in exploring the spark between him and Callie. Callie has not fully recovered from a horrible tragedy in her past and is afraid to trust again. She’s dead-set against getting involved with Everett. However, Everett with his charming ways and caring heart make it damn near impossible for Callie to resist him.
Everett is the stuff romance hero dreams are made of. A former Marine, he was injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan that left him badly burned and scarred on over 39% of his body including his face. After battling with his own PTSD, he started a non-profit counseling group for Veterans to help them make the often difficult transition back into civilian life. He’s a caring and kind man with a wicked sense of humor. He pulls no punches and tells things exactly as they are, which is a quality I love and respect. Everett was fiercely protective of Callie and seemed to know exactly what she needed, when she needed it. Oh and did I mention he was romantic too and sexy as hell? I could totally go on, but to sum it up, he had me swooning again and again with not only his words, but his actions too.
Callie was a character that I could not help but root for. She’d physically survived an unthinkable tragedy, but was still battling with the emotional fallout. Her struggles felt real to me and I cried for what she’d been through and was still going through. Her journey was a difficult, heartbreaking one, but I was glad she had a wonderful man like Everett beside her every step of the way. And the way she saw Everett for the beautiful, strong, caring man he was and not someone to be pitied because of his scars, totally endeared her to me.
Bad For Me deeply touched my heart and made me feel. I felt all the love, caring and patience Everett showed Callie. I felt the anger, pain and guilt Callie felt over the horrible tragedy she survived. And I felt the hope, trust and lightness Everett brought into her life. There were so many times I sat and read while fighting back tears or with them running down my cheeks.
Bad For Me is the fourth book that I’ve read in this series (I skipped one along the way!) and I have to say the best one yet. It was a beautiful, emotional story of love and healing and the author’s words were powerful and moving.
*An ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Edelweiss for my honest review.* -
Although Callie and Everett were introduced to readers in earlier novels in the series, we really never got to understand their hidden pain and the scars they carry both physically and emotionally. I thought it was great that their romance begins to brew before they ever really meet in person, via their chats when he calls in daily to her radio show. Their bond begins to grow before they even set eyes on each other, which I'm actually really a fan of in romance. As much as Callie tries to ignore her attraction to Everett, fate seems to always find a way to push them into each other's path.
After being brutally stabbed by her fiance during a mental breakdown that resulted in the death of her mother and dog, Callie has a ton of guilt, insecurity and fear weighing her down and keeping her from ever really opening up to a man. Everett, an ex-marine with his own scars and a history of PTSD, makes Callie fear that opening her heart to him could result in another betrayal. As much as Everett loves Callie, her history of alcohol abuse worries him. He spent too many years dealing with an alcoholic father to go through that again. But although Callie has fought her way back to sobriety, the biggest barrier in their growing love is her inability to let go of her past and give herself over completely to Everett. Luckily, a bit of separation and an accident make these two realize how much they need each other and allow Callie to finally take some lighter steps in the right direction.
Callie and Everett were such inspiring characters though they are both far from perfect. Scarred, mistrustful and a bit reclusive, they really do seem like two halves of the same whole. Even though they've been through some serious ordeals, they're still both such kind and caring people. With all the burdens these characters carry, you might expect this novel to be a bit broody and serious but there's actually a lot of humor and camaraderie throughout. Caroline is such a hilarious, outspoken and pervy best friend and she really tries to knock some sense into Callie. I also love it when novels feature pets as integral characters because, let's face it, they're a big part of our lives. Ratchet was definitely a wing-man and protector throughout the novel and deserves his due.
All in all, I'm a big fan of the Rock Canyon series and loved reading about these two wounded lovers finding their perfect partner. Callie and Everett really add a hidden depth to the Rock Canyon world and I applaud Codi Gary for taking us on the roller-coaster of emotions that is Bad For Me. I can't wait to see what's next in the series!
Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own. -
“Callie, I feel like we’ve got something amazing. Something that’s going to last. I look at you , and I see my future. But it’s almost like we take two steps forward and four back, every time. You let me in a little, and then you push me away. I just need you to know that I’ll wait. I’ll be here for whatever you need, whenever. Just don’t shut me out, baby. Please.”
Codi Gary is one of those authors I can count on for a great small town romance with a heaping of sexiness and a story I can’t put down. I have been a Rock Canyon fan since I stumbled upon Things Good Girls Don’t Do on Amazon a while back and ever since then I have devoured each book in the series and this one was no different. From the moment I picked up Bad For Me I could not put it down.
“I want to make you laugh like that.” “Like what?” “Like you’re free.”
Callie Jacobson came to Rock Canyon a few years ago to start over after getting her life under control. As the morning DJ for the local country music radio station she looks forward to her favorite morning caller, Rhett, everyday. Everett Jamison has a ton of scars both physical and emotional left over from four tours of duty in Afghanistan. After returning home and making it his life mission to help other vets struggling with PTSD, he is happy living his life as a hermit really only spending time with the vets and his family. That is until a chance meeting (or a few) have him chasing after troubled Callie. But will she ever let him catch her?
“Look, you don’t know what makes me tick, so stop assuming you do.”
This story both hurt my heart and made me giddy with joy. Callie’s past was so devastating I can see how hard it would be to move on but also how important it is for her to do so. She struggles with being a recovering alcoholic as well as trusting people especially men. So when she finds herself genuinely attracted to and drawn to a man for the first time in five years it scares her to no end. The way she made Everett work at getting her to spend time with him was a ton of fun. They had supreme witty banter and the chemistry that was brewing under the surface was dynamic.
“I hate that you went through hell for years and that you suffered. But without your past, you and I wouldn’t have a future.”
Sweet and sexy with a good bit of drama and angst Bad For Me by Codi Gary is small town romance done right. If you like broken heroines and heroes who can help heal them then I guarantee you will love this standalone book.
~miranda -
~3.5-4/5
I read the previous four books in this series about a month ago, all within a few days. And then this book took me maybe two days, and only that because of work. I could not put any of them down.
This one is about Callie, who has a guard dog (that’s actually not). Callie is quiet and doesn’t talk about herself much, and clearly something happened in her past. She’s a radio personality, and she’s cautious. Then she (officially) meets Everett, who was in the war and has burns to prove it. There is obvious chemistry between them, but Callie isn’t sure about letting someone in again, for very understandable reasons. Everett wants her though, and is determined not to give up.
Because of Callie’s past, she has very clear reservations about a relationship, about people, about her future. And while her and Everett could very easily have been bad for each other, I think they worked together better. The chemistry was there, and I liked how Everett fought for her. He had grown from his past, even if it still hurt. But Callie had pushed it all aside and left it to hurt and never got past it. I like that Everett pushed her, and how she finally took the time to let herself grow, to get better, for herself and for her future with Everett.
The self-growth here was much appreciated.
Having read the previous books, I really enjoyed getting to see the other couples again. Some of them are friends, some just acquaintances, but it was nice seeing all of them, plus the characters with possible romances to come. The whole town, with the busybodies and the Miss Know It All column, is very fun.
The writing is very easy to get sucked into. I love the humor, and the banter that some characters have. There is some very sexy stuff here, too, and those scenes are nicely done. There is also some cussing here, and at first it actually seemed a little out of place, or unnecessary, but it got better farther in the book.
Overall, a very good book. It was fast and fun and sexy, with actual character growth. I am excited for the next one in the series, and will probably have to pick up Gary’s other books.
A review copy was provided by the publisher, through Edelweiss. Thank you!
[Read more at my blog,
Geeky Reading!] -
Callie moved to Rock Canyon to start over. She had to deal with something in her past that no one ever wants to have to deal with and accept happening. Callie has been distant from everyone since moving there and has tried to deal with her past and move on. What Callie does not realize is that even though she thinks she has moved on, she is so far from being over her past and has to learn how to deal with these obstacles and how to let someone love her again. Callie has made some new friends in the local area but she has not opened up to them and revealed her past so that they can help her move on. Callie is a DJ for a local radio station and does Djing after hours for special events.
Everett is a local man that helps Veterans with PTSD deal with adjusting back to the real world. He of all people should know what this is like because of his traumatic experience on a deployment with the Marines himself. Everett and his brothers had to take care of their father growing up because of his alcohol addiction and dealing with all of this has made Everett really good on picking up warning signs and makes him better able to help in his job. Their father has since joined AA and that is where he and Callie meet. Everett had heard his father talk about his sponsor, but never dream that it could be someone of his age and liking.
Once Callie and Everett have a chance meeting of literally bumping into each other, things escalate from there for them. There is a lot of back and forth with Callie because she is still dealing with her past and hides from Everette for so long, but soon she comes around and realizes what is best for her.
I love how Codi dealt with real life situations with these characters. It makes the story seem more like reality than some. This story makes you think about how things are not always what they seem when dealing with others feelings and emotions. You never know what could be going on in someone's head until they begin to show outward signs.
I really enjoyed this story and loved that it had a HEA. Callie so deserves her HEA after all she had been through and so does Everett. Codi really did well with this one!!! -
Disc Jockey Callie Jacobsen has serious trust issues but they don’t quite stop her from becoming enthralled with the voice of a listener who calls in on her request line every day at the same time. A voice she learns, after a chance run-in, belongs to ex-marine Everett Silverton; local hero and a man with no few problems of his own. Separately, they are two broken souls struggling to make their way in a lonely world. Together, they might be able to make it past the secrets and the pain and come out whole on the other side.
This story is one of those which rapidly pull you in and hook you for the long-haul. The characters, Callie and Everett, have both lived tortured lives and you get a real feel for the angst they each experience. The conflict isn’t something so trite as the cheating scenario that is often encountered in the romance genre, nor is it an instance of unrequited love. The pain runs deep, the scars visceral and the secrets so dark that you find yourself wringing your hands in sympathy while you read. This isn’t a book you can read fast. You want to go slow and take in everything so you can experience the journey of the characters and the romance that evolves with it. Yes, the characters are written that well and the tension exquisitely maintained throughout the pages. The resolution of the story is right. You aren’t left feeling unfulfilled or ripped-off. There is a real sense of satiety when you turn the final page.
I have to say this book surprised me. I expected something lighter than what I got. Reading romance on a regular basis has left me slightly jaded toward certain plots and/or story lines. I enjoyed being disillusioned of my expectations and immersed in a heart breaking story that had me pulling for both characters from beginning to end of the book. I have no qualms with encouraging other readers to indulge in this book and it can easily be read on its own without needing to catch up with the series. I suspect that you will find yourself wanting to regardless and will definitely wait impatiently for the next Rock Canyon installment.
- Leila -
Rhett and Callie
I love Codi Gary's work. I have read it all and when I tell you this is by far her best work I mean it!
Rock Canyon has its own charm, but he people who live in Rock Canyon, Idaho make it an awesome place to live. In Bad For Me we are better introduced to Everett and Callie. Everett is the older brother of Justin Silverton, he is an ex Marine who tried to save the life of his best friend in Afghanistan, he is a sufferer of post traumatic stress disorder, and most importantly he is a single man living his private life in Rock Canyon.
Callie is a local DJ at the local country station. She has the morning shift and host Callie Jay's request in the mornings. She is a very private person. She has a past and wants to keep it in the past and keep it secret. Callie lives with the love of her life. Ratchet, her dog. Where ever Callie goes Ratchet is there with her.
One day fate decides to bring these two together. What will happen? Will Everett blow the introduction? Does Callie want anything to do with Everett? Will PTSD raise it's ugly head and try and ruin a chance for these two?
I was honestly delighted by the research that Codi did for this book. I suffer from PTSD and to have someone write about it made me skeptical. I am happy to say that Codi put my fears to rest and she did her research about this disorder and wrote about it brilliantly! She didn't shove it down your throat or use it as an excuse not to live life. Instead she wrote an amazing book about two characters that share this disorder and how they live through it and find comfort in each other.
My recommendation is for you to buy this book and enjoy it as I did! I give it 5 stars!
