Rating: Summary: Too predictable Review: I love Olivia Goldsmith's books ~~ she has a saucy way of writing that just draws the reader into the world she has created ... but I am sad to say that this book isn't one of them. It's a big disappointment because I really was looking forward to reading this book!! However, if you're looking for a fun twist on romantic comedy ~~ this book isn't it.Tracie always go for the bad boy ~~ the tough guy who treats his women like dirt ~~ and they keep coming back for more. Jon, her best friend, is desperate to get a date ~~ so he asked Tracie for a makeover into a bad boy ~~ only to discover women were falling for him or is it for his bad boy image? Goldsmith explores the phenomenon on why women are attracted to the "bad boy" and not the nice boys, like Jon. But she didn't go into depth ~~ it's almost as if she wrote this book in a hurry as it's not typical of her writing style at all. It's still a good read ~~ but save it for the afternoon at the beach. 4-5-02
Rating: Summary: surprising! a nice twist on the romantic comedy Review: I was intrigued by the this book because, frankly, I love makeovers. The fact that I've read a thousand cinderella stories and seen nearly as many romantic comedies in the same vein never stop me from indulging in one more. Usually the outcome is predictable and the route, although sometimes varied, usually progresses on autopilot. "Bad Boy" was right on target for the first half of the book; Goldsmith created a likeable heroine, an even more likeable hero, the loyal heroine sidekick, a smart-mouthed fairy godmother/waitress, and lots of fun minor characters. In the second half of the book, she starts scrambling emotions and motivations and people get scared and startled and even, gasp, gain weight in response to emotional deprivation. (Question: Why do you never see Meg Ryan polish off a pint of Ben & Jerry's whenever Tom Hanks/Billy Crystal/etc does something obnoxious?) The book's premise is that Jon and Tracie have been friends for seven years and meet once a week so that Jon can moan about being a social pariah (but a very successful professional computer genius) and Tracie can moan about falling for jerks and hating her job (no "but very successful" for her). Because Tracie is an expert on bad boys and bad boys always get laid, Jon enlists Tracie's help to become a bad boy. He succeeds, of course, but in the process Tracie realizes that she's completely missed the sexual aspect of Jon's personality and can't understand the source of her insane jealousy after every woman in Seattle suddenly wants him (I was waiting for a fountain to light up and erupt as in "Clueless"). However, the second half of the book, although it does progress somewhat along the expected track, is riveting. I was fascinated by Jon's transformation and also with Tracie's. I really liked both characters, but emphathized more with Jon's and was thrilled that Goldsmith let him question every step and conquest rather than just be led blindly by Tracie. We hear some of his inner monologue and it isn't telepathically injected into Tracie's thoughts in the next paragraph. The writing is quick and well-tempoed, and Goldsmith's romantic suspense lends just the right amount of reader agony. "Bad Boy" won't be up for a Pulitzer, but it is a fun book with some substance beneath the fluff.
Rating: Summary: trash to the trash Review: Based on the excellent, clever movie "The First Wives Club", I bought two of Olivia Goldsmith's books. Both went into the trash. "Bad Boy" is disapponting and poorly written with a very preditable plot.
Rating: Summary: Thumbs down from this Goldsmith fan Review: I love Olivia Goldsmith's books -- THE BESTSELLER is one of the best-ever books in its genre, and THE FIRST WIVES CLUB and FLAVOR OF THE MONTH were tremendous fun. So I couldn't wait to read this book. What a disappointment. Goldsmith is far better at capturing the lives of glittering, glamorous people than a group of fairly ordinary Seattle twentysomethings. The plot is predictable from beginning to end. And did Goldsmith even visit Seattle, or did she do her research long distance? At one point Jon goes to the Seattle airport because he thinks it would be a good place to pick up women. He zeroes in on a flight arriving from Tacoma. Uh, Olivia, the Seattle airport is practically IN Tacoma. That's why it's called SEATAC. Arriving only 11 months after the 500-page YOUNG WIVES, BAD BOY is a bad book that I can only imagine Goldsmith simply rushed to finish. Next time, I hope she takes a little more time and produces a yummy novel that's worth waiting for.
Rating: Summary: A VERY FUNNY NOVEL! Review: Tracie Higgins is a writer in a dead-end relationship with a musician. Jon is a work-aholic who can't get ANY KIND OF relationship. These two young people are good friends, and every Sunday night thet get together for coffee, and to talk about their problems. Jon gets an idea, he can have Tracie transform him into a heartbreaker, the kind of guy women fall all over. At first Tracie thinks the idea is silly, but she does agree to help her friend. What ensues is a hysterical journey of expensive haircuts, the latest fashions, and very bad pick-ups ( the airport scene being one of the funniest). As the two continue with the scheme, they realize they both MAY have found the right person...in each other. "Bad Boy" is another funny read from Olivia Goldsmith. Ms. Goldsmith has the knack of churning out fresh, funny, and totally un-putdownable novels. Readers will undoubtly root for true love to prevail, once they have caught their breath from laughing so hard. Nick Gonnella
Rating: Summary: trash to the trash Review: Based on the excellent, clever movie "The First Wives Club", I bought two of Olivia Goldsmith's books. Both went into the trash. "Bad Boy" is disapponting and poorly written with a very preditable plot.
Rating: Summary: First chick book I've read! Review: If you want to find out what this book is about read the other reviews, they are fine for that. I'll just give you my opinion as a male reader who hasn't read a chick book since Wuthering Heights. This book is fantastic! The fairest review is the one by "A reader from Fort Worth, TX United States" - the book isn't deep and the characters are annoying, yes, but it's funny and sharp and flows well but most importantly, it accurately reflects reality! Reality has annoying people in it who make lots of big mistakes in their lives! If you want to read about perfect people stick to Disney children's books. If you want to read an interesting critique on female courting behaviour that isn't keeping up with the modern age, then read this book!
Rating: Summary: Turn About Is Fair Play... Review: Tracey has had a best friend of seven years, computer whiz John. For some unknown reason, Tracey has been out of one disastrous relationship after another, but cannot see that John would take her instantly. John's worth is 10 times that of the deadbeats she chooses. John finally asks Tracey for a make-over & tips on handling women, and after a few bumpy starts, becomes quite a lady killer, but a less likeable man. Tracey notices him now, but John is piqued because she only liked him AFTER the leather. However, John is not so blind as Tracey. He begins to apply all the things Tracey taught him about women on HER! Several people have done reviews and said that Tracey is incredibly shallow. Well, they are right! But, you know, how many women do you know that have made the same mistake that Tracey does in the book? I could name at least a hundred off the top of my head! Tracey is not a bad person, just short-sighted. She doesn't know the difference between love & being used. And I'm afraid she's not alone...
Rating: Summary: It matches part of its name: Bad Review: This book was horrible! The main character is self absorbed and one dimensional. Her nerdy best friend is in love with her, for reasons that are unknown to me, because she treats him like...and takes him for granted. She doesn't seem to mind that her "boyfriend" Phil uses her and is interested in other girls. The editing was horrible, just like the plot line. Just because Tracie and her friends are stupid enough to stay with "bad boys" doesn't mean every other girl in the world is. And it does seem kind of shallow of Tracie to realize she was in love with her friend Jon after she made him look hot. GOD THIS BOOK ANNOYED ME. I only finished because I have a pact with myself to finish any book I pick up and begin to read. Oh and the only reason I bought it was because it was 75% off.God it was definitley a waste of...I would not wish this book upon anyone. If you still want to read it, even after I warned you about it, you are in for lots of boredom and pain.
Rating: Summary: I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN! Review: This was the first book I read by Olivia Goldsmith. I was in love with it from the first page to the last. It is a perfect book for a rainy day or at the beach relaxing. The book had everything to make you smile. When I finished the book I couldnt wait to get more of her books. Right now Im reading Pen Pals. Its quite interesting I recommend it to anyone who loves novels about hardships, and getting through tough times. I have to agree with Nelson DeMille Bad Boy is "Olivia Goldsmith at her best- funny, sexy, hip, and very clever."
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