Very Bad Things ( Briarwood Academy Book 1)

"Very Bad Things" is going on my favorites list. WOW, so unexpected and brilliant. The writing was beautiful, love Ilsa's style, she is able to paint the perfect picture with words and it felt like i was watching a movie instead of reading a book. Speaking of which, this would be an amazing movie, let's get on that!!
Nora and Leo awwww, I fell in love with both of them instantly as well as Leo's brother Sebastian. It's not often I find a female heroine that I adore, but Nora...I adore her. She is vulnerable and yet strong. She has a horrible past,God and her mother UGH, yet she isn't harping on it and is finding her own way. And this I found important, it was her choices, her way to get through and recover from what she experienced, it wasn't relying on Leo or anyone else.

Okay, Nora's quirks amazing, loved, brilliant:)

Now Leo, all I'm going to say is---new book boyfriend.

And the title....fits perfectly. This is a must read!

**Complimentary copy provided by author for an honest review**

Wow!! I love this book!! Even from the start up to the last, it's amazing!!

About the story, the concept of the story is so good. I love how it started! lol!! You'll never get bored in this book! One of my favorite parts of this book was how the story started, it was good, fresh and unbelievably unexpected but oh so cool! The characters of the story was also great. The way the main characters were made/written is absolutely just right. They are not boring and they are easy to like. I love how the characters has the power to capture my interest. The ending of the story is also good, exactly how it's supposed to be (great!!)

Ms. Ilsa did a really good job in making this book interesting and fun that you will definitely enjoy! It's just right and not boring! This book is really a good read!! Can't wait for more of Ms. Ilsa and Briarcrest Academy Series' next book!!

Nora Blakely , 18 years old with the perfect life. Lives in a mansion with her mom and dad. She is a well renowned pianist, a spelling bee winner, former beauty queen , drives an expensive car and goes to a prestigious school. Everything looks perfect on the outside ..... then she lays eyes on the forbidden Leo Tate. 25 years old and way out of her league... till one day in a parking lot with a can of spray paint. Both of their lives will never be the same.

I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought. Even though Nora and Leo spent most of the book apart their fierce connection showed throughout the book. It was intense and beautiful. Even if I did want to smack Leo upside the head with two by four may times. It's a beautiful story and I loved that Nora was such a strong heroine. She was strong an stood up for herself. I loved the graduation ceremony...I kept thinking GOOD FOR HER. And at about 66percent I experienced one of the hottest scenes I've ever read. Wow. An last but not least I cannot forget to mention Sebastian...I LOVED him. He is such an amazingly perfect character. I just loved him and hope to God that the next book is about him.

There is some dark subject matter in this book. But it is also filled with HOPE!!

I enjoyed the storyline and the characters created for this book. The banter between the characters was fun and very emotional at times. It's told in the POV of the main characters and can be read as a standalone. This book was filled with heartache, angst, loss, betrayal, but also filled with strength, hope and new beginnings.

My only issue was the ending. After things finally came together it seamed a little rushed after that.

I really loved this book.

Nora, Leo, Sebastian, and Mila are great characters all of whom I loved. Nora has a shitty family. I do believe there may be progress with her dad and there is still hope for him. But her mother is a bitch, her step brother is an ass. Actually he is worse but I can't think of how to word it. But she is perfect. Good grades, beauty, belongs to all the right groups. She is going anything and everything she can for her parents love and attention.

Realizing she is over it she makes a list of bad things. Along the way she meets Leo and his brother Sebastian and the book just takes of. It is hard to put down and just amazing. Can't wait for more books by this author!!!!!

Everyone thinks Nora has the perfect life. She comes from a wealthy family, goes to the best private school, and gets the best grades. Only Nora knows that things are not as perfect as they seem. She finally thinks things are going her way when she meets her soulmate, Leo. Unfortunately, Leo is fighting their attraction. He thinks Nora is too young for him and their backgrounds are too different.

I loved this book! I'm excited to see that it is going to be a series! I'm interested to see if the next book will be about Leo and Nora again or if it will be about Sebastian, Leo's brother.

Nora was a great character!! She wanted to be different than what her parents wanted her to be and she decided that enough was enough. She broke the mold and embraced the real her inside. Leo was such a swoon worthy alpha male!!! He was instantly attracted to Nora & vice versa. They felt this pull towards each other that Nora embraced but Leo fought. Their connection was so strong that even when they weren't together they still felt each other's presence. I loved the secondary characters in the book, Sebastian was such a great friend to Nora! Well done Ilsa Madden-Mills!!

I absolutely adored this book!! Ilsa Madden-Mills did an awesome job, this book will not disappoint. From the first chapter my heart broke for Nora, people think that she has this perfect life. But they don't realize things are not as they seem. Then Leo Tate comes into the picture tall, blonde and one word : Viking!! I knew from the first time he's introduced in the book I'm hooked line and sinker ( new book boyfriend alert ) the panties are melting over here, I had to fan myself a couple of times. Leo had to grow up way to fast to take care of his brother and he doesn't do love = ( but from the moment Leo and Nora meet there's this pull that keeps bringing them together. The sexual tension is so strong you couldn't cut it with a knife. I'm not giving any spoilers away but this book has it all loveable leading lady , sexy guy that is caring and giving , suspense , humor, awesome secondary characters you cannot go wrong with this book !! So go on and buy it you won't regret it ! So now I'm patiently waiting for the next book

I enjoyed the strong and brave girl underneath the perfect veneer, I loved how she wanted to be independent and happy all by herself, but hated how entwined happiness was with a man. I love sappy romances, but the tumultuous extremes of love and dislike drove me nuts. That's toxic, not beautiful. Sugary sweet ending, though, that made my heart happy.

One word, Amazing!!! I stayed up all night reading this book because it was that good! Nora, Leo, Sebastian, Mila and everyone else! I more than enjoyed this book! It’s quickly become one of my favorites. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed! Can’t wait to continue this series and read about the lovely Cuba and Sebastian!

Mix a pretty blond rebellious girl and the boy next door who tries to raise his little brother and the outcome will some very bad (or good) things.

"You think you want to be bad, but I think that maybe whatever happened to you was what was bad. Not you."
Nora Blakely is locked under her mother's wants. She has to please her or else there will be consequences. Being the smart, pretty and perfect daughter is tiring and boring. She fights her internal battles and comes up with a plan to break out. She writes down a list for start... for how to be a bad girl. No perfection required.

"You're playing with fire. You think you want this?" He laughed darkly. "Buttercup, you can't handle me."
Leo Tate is a successful business man at the age of 25. Been parenting his 17 years old little brother for 7 years. Making him the most important thing in life. Loosing their parents as kids they have that real balanced relationship. They are both best friends and good brothers. I loved Sebastian. (We will get his story in the third book. Yay!)

The story starts with the beginning of Nora's senior year at Briarcrest Academy (BA). Nora goes trough some kind of break down or realization that she hates her life. The pretending to be the perfect girl, student, daughter. She writes a list of bad things and starts to follow through.

"You held my hand for four hours to be comforting?" I asked, arching my brows. He shrugged. "Yeah."
The love was not instant, but the connection was. Leo tried to keep the distance mostly because of the age gap. They grew on each other eventually. There was lots of sexy times, the attraction was strong. Nora played her hands well.

"She may have acted fearless, but I'd seen the way her hands shook when I mentioned her parents."
The bad side of the story was really heartbreaking. I was so sorry for Nora and how her mother treated her. Her mother was kind of a celebrity, a big name in the city. She didn't accept anything but perfection. Tried to control everything around her. And I mean everything, like what Nora wears, learns or even eats. Then if this isn't enough my heart broke when serious things were revealed. Honestly the best thing that came out of it is how Nora and her dad's relationship turned almost normal.

I loved the side characters! Sebastian was the guy you fell for in high school and the relationship is easy and fun, I so can't wait to read his book. Mila, Nora's best friend was my favorite though. At first I thought she will be the typical shy bf, but she was strong and stood by Nora every time. Oh and Teddy, you will totally love him!

"I'm no angel," she said as she stared at me over her shoulder. I tried to find the right words. "It isn't just angels who have wings. All kinds of beautiful creatures have them. And someday you're going to fly away from here and leave all this s*** behind. You need your own wings," I said, reluctantly letting go of her waist."

Really loved this book it really was heart breaking. Nora just seemed to be getting it from all sides and all she wanted was to be first in someone's life. Thank got for Leo and Sebastian they both made her number one and brought her back to life.

I was completely absorbed by this books. It's had all the drama and angst to keep you glued to it completely next thing I know BAM!!! I'm at the end of the book I'm like really I love the intensity of Leo & Nora love their chemistry was off the charts. Overall I love this book look looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

This book was filled with angst, disappointment, and ultimately, love. The characters were well developed and the tug and pull between Leo and Nora was so heart wrenchingly real. The only issue I had was the easy way the huge issue with the step brother was taken care of. There were so many hints at Nora's past. When everything comes to light, the threat disappears. Other than that, the book had such a positive message for choosing to be happy and moving on, even in the face of issues that may never be fixed, such as Nora's relationship with her mother. I recommend this book for those readers looking for a romantic read with bite!

This was intense. The good kind that keeps you coming back for more. I loved Nora & Leo's story and how they learned to be happy together, but the best part was watching Nora blossom and heal herself while finding love in the process. Leo was mostly a dick, but he grew on me the more I learned about him and of course we can't forget about Sebastian whom I loved. Can't wait to read more.

Happy Reading!!

Very Bad Things is a wonderful book!! Nora is such a messed up young lady, whose own family especially her mother seem to take great pleasure in pushing her over the ledge. I really enjoyed her use of words as a coping skill, definitely topped others she tried. Leo really does attempt to keep himself from her, yet at the same time pulling her closer, he was a puzzle in itself.
I highly recommend this book, and can't wait to read more from Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Nora Blakely was an amazing heroine. She was quirky and flawed but sweet and so relatable. On her path of self-discovery, she displayed a quiet maturity about her; and showed strength and courage in facing her complex problems and painful past. All Nora wanted was happiness and love. Upon meeting Leo, she experienced an instant connection with him.

And who wouldn't lust after Leo Tate? He's a tattooed, hot musician with icy blue eyes and effortless sex appeal. He's guarded but kind and giving. He was intent on avoiding a serious relationship, but he became jealous and possessive whenever she's near. The more he fought his feelings for Nora, the more he can't resist her.

Leo and Nora had amazing chemistry together. Their witty banter and sizzling attraction to each other ignited the pages on fire. My favorite moment occured between them when she locked them into the music room. That uninhibited masturbation scene was deliciously hot, hot, hot...And then she dropped a bombshell on him...And then her dirty secret. My mouth hung open, and I was simply wowed!

"Spread your legs, Leo. Just shut up and do it, okay? Do this one thing for me. Let me see you. All of you." ~ Nora Blakely

The secondary characters really added to Leo and Nora's story. There were plenty of villians: Nora's mom; her half-brother, Finn; the bully at school, Emma Eason; and Leo's friend-with-benefits, Tiffani (with an i). Then, there was Teddy, the autistic musical savant, who was completely adorable and loveable. And Drew Mansfield and Cuba 'Hollywood' Hudson included additional heat and spice into the mix.

But for me, Sebastian Tate stole the show and my heart! His relationships with Leo and Nora were completely endearing. He was sweet and charming, yet edgy too. He was also cocky, confident, and sexy as h*ll.

"No one can resist the Tate charm when I crank it up." ~ Sebastian Tate

A Few Small Complaints...
* I was completely satisfied with the ending. However, I was a little disappointed that the book wrapped up at 83%.
* Leo's indecisiveness and lack of communication drove me crazy at times.
* When he hurt Nora, I wasn't sure if Leo was good enough for her. But eventually, I couldn't deny that they belonged together.

The Heartfelt Quotes...
My favorite part of this novel was the heartfelt quotes that began each chapter. Each quote gave a peek into his or her heart. My favorite quote was at the beginning of chapter 27.

"You Never Stop Loving Someone; You Just Learn To Live Without Them." ~ Nora Blakely

My Rating...4.25 Stars!
Very Bad Things was undeniably entertaining, and it held my attention throughout the entire night. As a bonus, it had alternating POV's which I absolutely loved. This novel can be read as a stand alone story with a complete ending. I am looking forward to reading more of the Briarcrest Academy series.

This story hooked me from the beginning. I knew something was different with Nora from the beginning. With her reaction to her brother and mother, I had a pretty good idea what that difference was. It was interesting to see how Ms. Madden-Mills lets that secret play out. When you meet Nora, you sense she has internalized her emotions for so long that she is beginning to breakdown. She is determined to gain control of her life. Leo and Sebastian enter her life in an unsuspecting way. She quickly grows attached to the brothers and through their concern, kindness and at times brutal honesty... Nora finds her way while gaining a sense of who she is. The only critique I can offer was the build up of the ending. I was surprised by the abrupt way the issue with her family were tied up when everything came to a head. I was expecting more of a confrontation. Overall, it was a well written story that kept me intrigued. I look forward to reading more of what author Ilsa Madden-Mills has to offer!

This book went through every emotion possible. The development of the story was perfect. I felt like I understood the main characters and connected with all of the characters from the start. I was very happy with the epilogue as it showed us the breast progression made to give us a HEA.

I absolutely loved these characters and this story. It felt real and relatable and really tugged at your heartstrings! Some parts really made your pulse jump, which was all for the better.

Highly recommend!

Absolutely loved this book!! This book was filled with so much love, steam, emotions, and vulnerability. Ms. Madden-Mills allows her readers to be enchanted and spellbinded in this beautiful and heartwarming story. This book was an absolute gem and I couldn't put this book down!! A Must Read!!

Two tortured soul mates need to fight their pasts to move forward to find their future.
Even when these two think they aren't deserving of one another, their souls attraction can't keep them apart.

This book went through every emotion possible. The development of the story was perfect. I felt like I understood the main characters and connected with all of the characters from the start. I was very happy with the epilogue as it showed us the breast progression made to give us a HEA.

I absolutely loved these characters and this story. It felt real and relatable and really tugged at your heartstrings! Some parts really made your pulse jump, which was all for the better.

Highly recommend!

Absolutely loved this book!! This book was filled with so much love, steam, emotions, and vulnerability. Ms. Madden-Mills allows her readers to be enchanted and spellbinded in this beautiful and heartwarming story. This book was an absolute gem and I couldn't put this book down!! A Must Read!!

Two tortured soul mates need to fight their pasts to move forward to find their future.
Even when these two think they aren't deserving of one another, their souls attraction can't keep them apart.