This was such a fun and quick read that had an air of mystery and spookiness with the perfect backdrop of a creepy old house full of noises, hidden passageways, and secrets. It is definitely in a different wheelhouse from what Ivy typically writes, but I loved it all the same!

Hazel travels to an island for a job offer of the century. To be the assistant to world-renowned author Athena Quinn. With the hopes of becoming an author herself, she’s filled with nothing but excitement for this once in a lifetime opportunity. But when Hazel arrives, she discovers that she’s actually going to work as the assistant for Mr. Remington and may never have the chance to meet Athena after all.

𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 is filled with mystery, gothic vibes, plot twists, and so many questions on what is going on in that house. There are funny moments and moments that you leave you scratching your head. Without spoiling too much you’ll just have to dive into this book and go along the journey with Hazel to unearth all those secrets.

This book keeps you guessing until the very end and yet at the end you realize that you don’t really know what actually happens. Great plot and characters!!

Thank you for the opportunity, but I will not be reading this book. The author took some actions that I do not feel comfortable with, and have decided not to read her work. I would not be able to separate the art from the artist, and would not give this book the opportunity to stand on its own.

Bad Things Feel Best by Ivy Smoak is a thriller story full of mystery and intrigue. This story can be read as a standalone. In this book the main characters are Hazel Fox and Atlas Remington. Hazel is an aspiring writer and has just applied to work as a PA for one of her favourite authors. After scoring the gig as the PA, she is hopeful she can get some insight on writing from her boss to help jump-start her own writing career. Or so she thought. The job is to be the personal assistant for her bosses personal assistant. Enter Atlas Remington the guy who Hazel is meant to be the PA for. The man is full of secrets and has an air of mystery to him. He also seems intent on getting rid of Hazel.
And so begins this hate to love, enemies to lovers story. With very gothic and almost eerie vibes, this story will have you on the edge of your seat, waitting for the climax and plot twist to hit. The story was thrilling, suspenseful, with mystery, tension and was a good quick read.

The book was okay, not what I expected though, the creepy beach house aspect wasn’t my cup of tea. The story was good, I can say that. I love reading Ivy Smoak’s books for the spice, this book was not what I usually love to read from her and left me feeling a bit meh.

What had promise turned into a hot mess.
My eyes hurt from rolling so much. It was so predictable, and I wanted to stop reading 20% in but I powered through in the hopes it would improve.

The ending was rushed, the heroine… basic. There was no depth to her. I didn’t feel any connection between any of the characters, even when the naked time happened. Lacking…

Sadly this one wasn’t for me.

I am going to start off by saying that I adore Ivy Smoak. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read of hers…..until now. It was a bit slow moving for a good quarter of the book. It picked up a bit. I was interested to see where it would go but alas I felt it went nowhere. There’s little to no romance. The main characters barely carry on a conversation yet BAM…they’re in love. I was all there for the vampire/immortal vibe but again it went nowhere. Again, I’m a huge fan of Ms. Smoak and I will continue to pick up anything she writes, but this didn't do anything for me.

This was my first book by Ivy Smoak, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters and the storyline itself was fantastic. Would definitely recommend.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

A fun book that dives into some paranormal fiction. It just dabbles but it is enough to keep you hooked until the very end! It was a fun age gap, mysterious, haunted mansion story. It was a fun story to get lost into!

This book was a huge miss for me!

Hazel was honestly one of the most annoying characters. None of her decisions were smart or made sense and it was really frustrating to read. The plot didn’t suck me in. The characters weren’t intriguing,

I’ve heard great things about Ivy Smoak so I’m definitely willing to give her another try. Some books just aren’t meant for everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of Bad Things Feel Best from NetGalley for an impartial review. This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Nothing could have prepared me for this kind of remarkable storytelling or the many marvellous twists and turns along the way. An absolute must-read that I am shout-recommending from the rooftops.

I have to say, that I enjoyed reading of this mystery/romance book. The plot was thrilling and keeping me on nails and needles. The attraction between both main characters was almost touchable. It was amazing to feel the anxiety yet feel hot and bothered. And let me tell you, you would want to solve the riddle. Don't let your mind or assumptions take over.
I woud say to someone who truly enjoys a little bit anxiety mixed with some steam, this is the perfect book.

This was definitely different than other stories I've read by Ivy. Hazel has taken a job that she's super excited about. She wants to write her own novels one day, and what better way to learn than to be the assistant to a best seller. Hazel quickly realizes things are not what they should be. Mr. Remington is very distant and formal. She feels like things are very creepy and she can't help but venture into areas she's been told to stay out of. Through twists and turns Hazel can't decide what's real and what's fantasy! I thought it was very well written, and I loved the entire story!

I'm not super familiar with Ivy Smoak's writing but have heard good things and was so excited to get a copy of this book. Thanks Montlake & NetGalley! Spicy, dark, and the storyline itself kept my interest throughout. I like the idea of a thriller/mystery mixed with romance but overall I felt like the pace was really slow. There are times I enjoy a slow burn but I feel like this just needed a bit more to take it over the top. I like the characters, the force proximity, and enemies to lovers tropes. 3.5 stars.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

DNF. I just couldn't get into this book. I tried and tried. I couldn't connect with the characters at all.

Bad Things Feel Best is a bit of a departure from Ivy Smoak's usual style of book. Quirky and mysterious characters, and many twists and turns in the plot as Hazel Fox tries to figure out what is going on with Mr Remington and the rest of the inhabitants of the old beach house.

I felt like I was losing brain cells while reading this. I’ve read other books by this author so I wasn’t expecting this to be so horribly written. Aside from the writing, the plot was just….bad? The plot summary sounded similar to “Verity” but it wasn’t like that at all. However lol once I got into the book, I wanted to know how the mystery would be resolved so I kept going. Do I recommend this book tho? No lol The plot progressed so slowly and kept going around and around in the same circles. The characters were ridiculous and the mystery reveal was anticlimactic.