✨Review ✨
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Bad Things Feel Better was so addictive and so good. The writing was amazing and the characters stoled my heart!! The story was mysterious, it was funny, it was surprising, and it was so Gothic. There was lots of oh crap moment and lots of very incriminating evidence against Mr. Remington. He was so grumpy, strange, and perfect. The ending took me by surprise but I absolutely loved it. The situations Hazel left me speechless but I loved her and her best friend. The writing was well done and I can say without a doubt that I was hooked from the first chapter.
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Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: 🩷🩷
Spice: 🔥
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Thank you to Ivy Smoak and Literallypr for the ARC to review.
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This was a great read for me. I love how this Author doesn’t stick to just one genre. I enjoyed it so much that I wish there is a second book.

Bad Things Feel Best by Ivy Smoak is the story of Hazel Fox is a aspiring author who has left her home in New York to be a assistant to the famous author Athena Quinn. There she will be a live in assistant in a gated mansion living off the coast of South Carolina. When Hazel arrives she finds the place a mysterious and who she is really working with / for is Atlas Remington who is Athena's Personal Assistant. Mr. Remington is a mystery too but one Hazel finds herself attracted too. Enjoyed this book and I hope to read more from this author.

Hazel gets hired to be the assistant to a popular author; upon arrival at her house, she finds out that she is actually the assistant to the author’s assistant, and she begins to doubt she will meet the author. While she is there, she believes there is a larger mystery to discover, and the readers are led to believe that as well. As Hazel’s friend pointed out, there was a story there for her to write, but perhaps she was not the only person writing it. I like that she always had her best friend available to take her call. The ending of this book was as meta as the rest of it, and you realize there was a reason for that. The ending did leave a lot of loose ends untied.

This book for me was a mess of characters that weren't formed and a story that was just so flat that I should have just DNFed this one. Even though this was just over 200 pages it felt so much longer and for this one that was not a good thing. I would say if you want to check this one out. Try getting it from the library because this was a total fail for this reader.

I’ve read so many of Ivy’s books and it’s a refreshing change to read a gothic romance by her. I love her thriller books so I was excited for this one. The book was a fast read featuring a single POV, co-worker, slow burn romance set in a creepy mansion by the beach.

Hazel is excited for the chance to work for a famous romance author with the hope of using the experience to improve her own writing. Those hopes are dashed when she realizes she’ll be working more closely with Mr. Remington who does not appear to be excited by her presence in the least or is he. She feels a pull to him but can’t decide if she wants to slap his stupid beautiful face or feel up his six pack. It’s a hard toss lol.

Before you exit the book make sure to download the bonus chapter! It’s worth it just to get a glimpse into the mind of Mr. Remington. I truly hope 🤞🤞we get more from these characters.

This book was really surprising. It is a mystery romance that kept me on my toes with the continuous questions that popped in my head with each chapter I read.
The book is a slow burn that was really fun to read.
The characters were well constructed and their chemistry was amazing.
I loved the story very much and I really hope that Ivy will write some more about them.

What a complete mindf*ck this was. I was intrigued and captivated from the start,I'm telling this book had me at the edge of my seat, the anticipation of what's coming in the future pages was too much I couldn't put it down. I especially loved the mystery aspect of the book, so many twist and turns and I loved it, this book it literally the definition of more questions than answers and my inner Shelock Holmes came out in full force.
The man of the book i can't not talk about him Mr Atlas Remington what an enigma but oh how I loved him, I loved how he was written ,broody, aloof and my favorite the way he spoke.... that old South western accent it did funny things to me but I would've liked to seen more of him and Hazel as a couple though With that being said I really enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed this book. I did guess the twist about halfway through the book but it didn’t take away from enjoying the rest of the book. It’s under 300 pages and fast paced. I think the story was well developed and interesting.

This is a contemporary Beauty and the Beast retelling with some suspense. Hazel is an aspiring author who gets hired to be an assistant for a bestselling author. When she arrives at the author’s house she instead finds Mr. Remington who is already the assistant to the author. And creepy things start happening.

Billionaire romance
Age gap
Romantic suspense

4⭐️
.5🌶️

4.5
I enjoyed this book a lot. It’s super addictive and definitely a page-turner.
Hazel Fox arrives at her new job on a private island hoping to get inspiration from a renowned novelist, only to discover she won’t be working with the author after all. She won’t even get to meet her. Instead, she’ll be assisting the handsome—and infuriating—Mr. Remington. Hi unnerves Hazel from the moment they meet. His intense gaze always seems to be trained on her and refuses to share any personal information about himself—not even his first name. Something sinister is going on in this beautiful, isolated estate, and Hazel is determined to discover the truth…no matter how close she has to get to Mr. Remington. After all, it’s the things that are bad for us that feel best.
Once I started this book, it was impossible to put it down. It’s engaging, full of mystery and mixed feelings. I love her friend who is super fun and supportive. Haze has the most vivid imagination, but strange things keep happening to her. Mr. Remington —his real name is so hot— is this dark brooding character, sexy and twisted. The chemistry is just perfect and a really good experience in a kind of gothic way. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, but I loved the story, nevertheless.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Okay, so I throughly enjoyed this book. It had great dialogue. The only thing I am unsure of is why there are so many unanswered questions.

Ivy kept me enthralled with her newest book and everytime I had to stop and do chores or take care of something, I was constantly thinking about the book. When it was over I was sad, hoping for more.

After a good start of what I thought was going to be a good romantic mystery, this book went downhill for me.
Hazel Fox , a would be writer, was delighted to land a job as assistant to well know writer, Athena Quinn, a well know writer whose latest books were mediocre, nevertheless Hazel was convinces that she would be able to springboard her writing career by being Athena Quinn's assistant..............only she wasn't. When Hazel arrive at the spooky mansion, in the oceanside gated community, she came face to face with the indomitable Mr Rimmington (no first names allowed), the same Mr Rimmington who was assistant to Athena Quinn, Hazel was to be his assistant, in fact, assistant to the assistant.
This is where the story loses its way in my opinion, I may have completely missed the point but I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a thriller, a mystery, a romance or a comedy. Hazel is so silly and naive, her constant texts to her best friend, Kehlani, were sometimes amusing but I couldn't get invested in the story, especially when the vampire theory emerged, I couldn't connect to any of the characters, I didn't find them likable, I didn't feel the passion in the broody, controlling Mr. Rimington and I guessed the outcome a few pages into the story.
I have read and really enjoyed previous books from this author and although I realise that lots of people will really enjoy this story, sadly it wasn't for me. I won't mention them so as not to add spoilers, but I found that there were too many loose ends.

I’m really not sure how I feel about this book. I loved the sound of the blurb and the whole premise of the plot line intrigued me even if the main part of it was a bit obvious right from the start although I will confess that I didn’t see the full extent of it. Time wise it’s fast paced, set over one month and initially I got vibes of Jane Eyre from the opening chapters as wannabe author Hazel Fox arrived at the remote island estate of Athena Quinn to take up a role as her PA only to find the mysterious Mr Remington waiting to greet her with no sign of Athena. Once she’s in the house, it’s made clear that a lot of the rooms are out of bounds but of course she didn’t listen. I did find myself getting a bit impatient with Hazel. I mean where was her sense of self preservation? She had a bad feeling before she set a single foot across the threshold but then proceeds to act like Nancy Drew on steroids and go snooping and girl, just saying you obviously read way too much PNR the conclusions your mind was leaping to! I did feel more could’ve been done to ramp up the suspense element of the story and as for the romance, well I Just didn’t feel any connection between Hazel and Atlas or even that I really got to know Atlas, and sorry but she forgave him far too quickly considering what he’d done. I wanted to love this book but I think I’m feeling a bit let down.

This book is several hours that I’ll never get back. The heroine makes questionable choices WITHOUT solid character motivation. There’s really no relationship between the hero and heroine. Despite all of the weirdness that Hazel is experiencing all she thinks about is sex. This book was just too strange without reason.

Hazel Fox takes a live in job as an assistant of a famous author, Athena Quinn, only to find out she's actually the assistant to her assistant Mr. Remington. The atmosphere is eerie and ominous right from the beginning. Hazel does not get to meet Athena, but is given menial tasks like going through fan mail or sorting thousands of e-mails. People can't use shoes inside the mansion or call each other by their first names. The cook does not speak and comes across frightened, doors are locked and Hazel is warned not to go out at night. For much of the time Hazel is alone, her only human contact being speaking on the phone with her best friend Kehlani.
There are only a few characters besides Hazel and Atlas, Mr. Remington, and they are all really peculiar. I did not really like any of them very much.
This is the first book I've read from this author and I did not know what to expect. The book had me turning pages wanting to know what on earth was going on. The story is slow burn and I was not sure if it was meant to be a thriller or a romance. And in the end I did not get all the answers I would have wanted, but I did like the ending anyway.

Hazel thinks she’s going to be a famous authors assistant but finds that she’s the assistant to the assistant. Mr Remington greets her very stoically and reserved. He sets tasks for her and lets her know that these things need done before she meets the author.
Things start going bump in the night at the authors creepy mansion. Hazel has a very active imagination. She starts to investigate the mansion and Mr Remington.

I loved how this gave me Pretty Little Liars vibes. About how Hazel jumped to conclusions before the proof. But her friend on the phone fed her paranoia. The suspense was fun to read. It was a slow burn but a quick read so you don’t notice it as much.
This twisted version of Beauty and the Beast had me ensnared from the first page.

A stand alone by Ivy Smoak. No cliffhanger, a bit of mystery, a thriller if you will. And yet more. Hazel arrives hoping for her dream job, only to find, it’s not that at all. Instead of being the assistant to author Athena Quinn, she’s the assistant to the assistant to her, Mr. Remington. And it does not start off well…but here is where I won’t spoil it and tell you to buy it to find out Hi

Hazel’s Story Is A Playful Romantic Suspense That Keeps You On Your Toes Throughout! It Is A Slow Burn Full Of Mystery, Yet It Remains Light & Entertaining As Well. Similar To Some Of The Author’s Other Recent Books, There Is A Hint Of The Supernatural At Play. Don’t Forget To Download The Free Bonus Scene From Mr. Remington’s POV Via The Link At The Back Of The Book!


Hazel Fox, a recent college grad, is thrilled to begin her new job. She leaves New York behind, never anticipating the mystery that awaits her. Hazel was orphaned several years ago, so her college roommate and best friend Kehlani became the closest thing she has to family. She followed Kehlani to NYC after graduating, but unlike Kehlani, who landed a great marketing job, Hazel simply couldn’t afford to remain there. Hazel also majored in marketing, but her real dream is to become a writer. Miraculously, after a tedious application process, she was just hired by one of Kehlani's favorite romance authors: Athena Quinn. The job includes room and board as well.

Hazel’s new home is on a small island off the coast of South Carolina. As she pulls up to her employer's estate, the questions begin. She believes she has been hired to be the assistant to Athena Quinn, but apparently a Mr. Remington already holds that title. It seems she has been hired to be his assistant instead. Personally, Hazel believes Athena's recent books lack inspiration, but she nevertheless respects Athena and looks forward to learning from her. Despite the confusion about her title and duties, she hopes to eventually meet the famous author and learn from her. But in the meantime, she must survive working for Mr. Remington.

Mr. Remington, perhaps in his thirties, is infuriating. His heated looks are confusing. The handsome bachelor has strict rules and warns Hazel about the dangers of going out at night. She suspects he is just trying to get her to quit. Largely isolated in the huge mansion, she is lonely. The pool boy – Remington’s nephew, Hudson - is easy-going and suggests that the real danger lurks in the house at night. Soon Hazel wonders if she living in a real-life love triangle. But nothing is as it seems, and she is determined to find answers. She eventually finds her happy ending.

Don’t forget to download the free bonus scene from Mr. Remington’s POV via the link at the back of the book.

Hazel's story is a slow burn full of mystery and suspense, yet it remains light and entertaining as well. Similar to the author's other recent books, there is a hint of the supernatural at play. Whether or not there is a logical explanation at hand remains a question throughout. Hazel is desperate to avoid being labeled the naïve woman that Athena is accused of writing about in her recent books. Her suspicions lead her down a dark path, but is it all a ruse, or is she closer to the truth than she knows?

Hazel's story is a playful romantic suspense that keeps you on your toes throughout. She is silly and naïve in ways, yet she is also determined and unafraid. Mr. Remington largely hides behind his stiff old-fashioned persona, but there are hints of something more from time to time. Their story might not answer every question, but it ends on a light, lovely note. The story is nicely written. The plot is complex. The characters are not deeply developed, but they are quite intriguing. The story is told in first person from Hazel's POV. I rate this book four stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Not your average Romance book.

I read this completely blind. Had no real offers where this book was going to take me.
I felt just as clueless as Hazel, trying to figure out how her story was going to end.

Interesting and different but an enjoyable read that left me guessing until the end.
The mystery of what was going to happen next, had me glued to this book.

Having dreams of making it as a writer, Hazel Fox leaves her best friend and her life in NYC behind, jumping at what she thinks is the opportunity to be the assistant to famous writer Athena Quinn. Once she arrives reality sets in as she learns she is to be the assistant to the assistant, a Mr. Remington who is quite stiff and does not seem at all pleased at Hazel’s arrival. Heck, she isn’t even introduced to Athena. She is merely told that Athena prefers her privacy and not to wander into Athena’s area in the house by Mr. Remington. Right off the bat things seemed quite off. Hazel is told to address everyone as Mr. or Mrs., no first names, formal dressing for dinner. It’s enough to make her want to quit immediately, and honestly I wouldn’t have blamed her. But of course had she done that we wouldn’t have a story now would we? LOL. So of course she sticks around, constantly noting the odd happenings to her friend back in New York and going where she isn’t supposed to and trying to uncover what the heck is going on. While I wasn’t a fan of Mr. Remington (though I suppose at the start that was Ms Smoak’s intention) I’ll admit the oddness of the situation intrigued me and pulled me right in. This is a quick read with an interesting story that had an unexpected number of laughs as well. Thanks so much to Montlake for the eARC.