Bringing Down the House by A.R. Casella

 Thank you to Social Butterfly PR and A.R. Casella for sending me an e-ARC of this book to read and review!  As always, the review below contains my honest thoughts about the book.

In this prequel to the other Bad Luck Club books (I reviewed the first one here: Love at First Hate) we get the backstory of Nicole and Damian.  They are both a little bit "psychotic," in Nicole's words, and together are chaos incarnate in the best way possible.  Nicole is a shining side character in the Bad Luck Club series, and getting to read a book all about her was fantastic.  She shows up, she does some unhinged things for the good of everyone, and she moves on to her next mission.  I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cheer whenever she was focusing on her next target.

Thankfully, as a source of my entertainment, she has plenty of people to target in this book.  Once she meets Damian and they discover their lists of "targets" has quite a bit of overlap, it's game over for everyone else.  These two click in the way only kindred spirits and destined soulmates can.  From having the same hobbies (acting, spying, collecting wigs) to their fierce dedication to their friends (though Nicole would never admit it), Damian and Nicole are the perfect match.  Rather than blundering through getting together, then, they accept how well they fit and move on to other things.  That isn't to say they don't stumble a few times along the way, but there is no roadblock these two cannot absolutely blow apart together.

Purely entertaining, sweet yet spicy, chaos and fun.  This is definitely an installment of the Bad Luck Club you need to read.

Bringing Down the House, an all new crazy meets gorgeous rom com from USA Today bestselling author A.R. Casella is available now!

Can two anti-heroes save the day…and each other?

Nicole

People think I’m crazy…especially my ex-boyfriends. I prefer the term misunderstood. Still, there’s no denying I have a stunning ability to make bad decisions…like seducing the lead actor of the theater company where I just accepted a job.

An HR job.

In my defense, Damien Mitchell is the most gorgeous man alive, and worse, he’s interesting. Besides, I’m ninety percent sure my new boss up to something shady. Why should I behave if she won’t? I fully intend to find out what she’s doing, but in the meantime I’m reeled in by Damien’s charm, his secrets, and also his problems. Because he isn’t just a fantastic actor at a crappy theater, and—

Well, it’s his secret. But I’m going to help him with it and with saving the theater. Whether he wants me to or not.

***

Damien

I’m the only child of two rich narcissists. I’m used to being alone. I like it.

But Nicole’s not the kind of woman who can be kept at a distance. Worse, I don’t want to stay away. She sets my blood on fire and pisses me off…and makes me feel alive in a way I’d only experienced onstage.

I tell her my secrets. I show her my scars. I let her in.

We’re both screwed up, so there’s every chance we’ll destroy each other, but she’s not the only one who’s prone to bad decisions.

A full-length standalone prequel to the Bad Luck Club series!

Fall in love today!

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Excerpt

Nicole

“This is the problem with you, Gary,” I say, warming to the topic. “You let other people impose limitations on you. You need to free your mind, Damien’s friend.” 

Gary opens and closes his mouth a few times, like a fish marooned on shore, and then takes a long sip of his tea. From the way he grimaces, it tastes about as good as it smells, like a licorice candy that’s spent years in someone’s junk drawer. 

He fires a look at Damien. “Remember what I said to you.”

Damien gives a nod. “I remember. Doesn’t mean I agree.” 

“You’re obviously talking about me,” I say, annoyed. “You could at least be subtle about it. What have I ever done to you, Gary? Is this about the pretzel Goldfish? Because I won’t bend on that. They’re an abomination.” 

Gary gives me a wary look. “You’re a loose cannon.”

“What is this? The Revolutionary War?”

“It’s a common phrase,” he says, doubling down. He adjusts the hideous wire-rimmed glasses.

“Do you need those glasses? What are your thoughts on contact lenses?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

I give a haughty sniff. “I don’t feel like talking about the Revolutionary War.”

Gary practically growls, turning to look at Damien. “She’s impossible.”

Damien smiles a little, amused. “That’s why I like her. Now”—he casts a sideways glance at me, his mouth lifting a little higher, before shifting his gaze back to Gary—“what are your thoughts on contact lenses?” 

“Screw you,” Gary says, but he looks a little amused at least. That’s Damien for you. He has a weird ability to charm people, and he doesn’t even seem to be fully aware of it. 

I dart a glance at him.

Nah, he knows.

“I’m going to make this happen for you,” I tell Gary. “Mark my words. What you do with the date is up to you, but I’m going to get it lined up for you. So long as you get contact lenses and cut your hair. Are you open to cutting your hair? My mom is a hairdresser. She’ll do it for you.” 

He sighs, and for a second, I think he’s going to make more comments about loose cannons and the comparative non- craziness of Damien’s ex-girlfriend, but instead he just nods. 

Excitement sparks through me. “You are not going to regret this, Gary.” 

“I already do. I’m more regret than person at this point, really.” 

About A.R. Casella

 

A.R. CASELLA is a freelance developmental editor by day, writer by night. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a variable number of fish. Her pastimes include chasing around her toddler, baking delicious treats, and occasional bouts of crocheting. Any Luck at All, co-written with New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank, is her first book.

  

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