Bad Boy Turned Hero Stories and a Favorite Inspirational Romance in 2020!
As I was looking over the novels I read this year, I decided Kara Isaac’s Start With Me was my favorite contemporary Christian romance I’d read in 2020. I love how Victor was trying to turn his life around.
Here’s a little about the novel:
Lacey O’Connor is finally a sure thing for the promotion she’s spent ten years working for. But when a scandal rocks her firm she finds herself on a collision course with the one person she has spent five years trying to forget. Only to discover he doesn’t even remember her…
Victor Carlisle has spent the last three years trying to convince his family he’s no longer the playboy alcoholic who tore their life apart. When a company merger is announced with a US sister firm, he’s presented with the perfect opportunity to prove he’s changed. Only to find himself falling for his competition and the one woman his family will never accept.
As the competition intensifies the choice looms between the professional and the personal. Can they find a way beyond their past decisions and present aspirations to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
After thinking about why I loved this novel so much–besides Kara’s wit and ability to write a sweet story–I realized that I loved how she took the sort-of villian from her previous novel (Can’t Help Falling) and turned him into the hero. I love a great redemption story in fiction or real life! Then I remembered other novels, movies, or television shows where this happened. Isn’t fun to see the bad boy turn good!
I realized I’d written several of this tropes myself, and they were often the most fun to create! Dylan Conner is the flirty actor with the womanizing reputation who finally settles down in Going Up South. Cole Sanders is the wild college quarterback who gives his life to the Lord in Tackling the Fields. Sam Conrad is the snarky-negative banker who wants to start over in Blown Together. I realized I had several bad boys in the Southern Hearts Series! Not so many in the Coastal Hearts Series, except maybe Paul Kelly in Star Rising. I may have to come up with another!
You’re turn! Do you have a favorite bad boy turned good story you’ve read this year?
PS: Don’t forget For the Love of Joy released this week! Get your copy here: Amazon
Mary Preston says
All of the bad boys I have read have stayed bad. Made for exciting reading though.
Janet Ferguson says
Oh goodness! Maybe they haven’t had their turn around yet, ha!
Trudy says
Mandi Blake has a “bad boy” who really isn’t, though everyone thinks he is, even his closest friends! I do like a good redemption story; however, I also like to have a character that I never really like and who isn’t redeemed, because everyone isn’t. However, I like those in historical westerns, not in contemporary, for some reason!
Janet Ferguson says
You’re right, Trudy. Not everyone is, sadly.
Mandy’s sounds interesting!
Penelope says
I think I generally avoid “Bad Boy” MCs (the “Player,” “Spoiled Celeb/Jock, etc.) I do enjoy the “misunderstood” or “abrasive,” “loner,” “rude,” “tough guy who needs no one” character though. I’ve found them to be labeled the “Bad Boy” on occasion. Getting to understand them, how they tick, and discovering their strengths (usually multiple) is fun reading – especially when the FMC is the one who brings out his best.
Natalya Lakhno says
I love all your stories, bad boy or not ;)
Alicia Haney says
This book sounds like a great read, I love it when bad boys turn good. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe.
Janet Ferguson says
Aww! You are so sweet!! Thank you :)
Janet Ferguson says
Yes! That makes sense!!
Janet Ferguson says
Hope you have a good week too!!
SARAH TAYLOR says
I Love reading these kind of books! Have a great Day!
Margaret Bunce says
I especially loved Dylan and Going Up South.
Reading the comments I’m thinking there may be different perceptions of what a ‘Bad Boy’ is!! To me, he’s not actually a villain, but he’s not a squeaky clean dude either. (Actually, is there even such a person as a squeaky clean one?? ) Lol. Outwardly maybe, but we all have inward struggles and faults that are a work in progress!!
Sandra says
I think the Bad Boy turned good that I read this year was an Alana Terry story, but again I think he was really a bad boy, he was just rich. I read a lot of books this year, so it is hard to select. I do like a good redemption story though.
Janet W Ferguson says
Me too! Hope your day was good!
Janet W Ferguson says
Yes! Exactly! So glad you like Dylan. He was fun!
Janet W Ferguson says
I bet Alana’s story was good! Yes, I forget so much these days, LOL!
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I enjoy reading redemption stories. Thank you for sharing.
Janet W Ferguson says
You’re welcome! I feel the same!
denise says
I love a good redemption story.
Janet W. Ferguson says
Me too!
Trixi says
I don’t normally tend to read stories with “bad boys”, I avoid those for the most part. But I do love a good redemption story!
I think the closest one I read to this was “Project Scrooge” by A.M Heath. Our hero Sanford wasn’t a bad boy per say, he was just a scrooge who needed an attitude change :-) Life threw a lot of heartache at him & so it tainted his thinking. He held on to a lot of grudges that he needed to overcome. Reminded me of a modern day rendition of “A Christmas Carol”. It was really good!
Janet W Ferguson says
That sounds good!!