Bad Boy

A Novel

By: Elliot Wake

Narrated by: Randal Marsh

"Wake writes with abandon and razor-sharp wit as he details the struggles and joys of being a 'self-made man'.…A fast-paced, mind-bending romantic thriller from an author with humor, heart, and big writing muscles." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

Vlog star Renard Grant has nothing to prove: he's got a pretty face, chiseled body, and two million adoring video subscribers. Plus the scars on his chest and a prescription for testosterone. Because Ren is transgender: assigned female at birth, living now as male. He films his transition and shares it bravely with the world; his fans love his honesty and positivity.

But Ren has been living a double life.

Off-camera, he's Cane, the muscle-bound enforcer for social justice vigilante group Black Iris. As Cane, he lets his dark side loose. Hurts those who prey on the disempowered. Indulges in the ugly side of masculinity. And his new partner, Tamsin Baylor, is a girl as rough and relentless as him. Together, they terrorize the trolls into silence.

But when a routine Black Iris job goes south, Ren is put in the crosshairs. Someone is out to ruin his life. He's a bad boy, they say, guilty of what he punishes others for.

Just like every other guy: at heart, he's a monster, too.

Now Ren's got everything to prove. He has to clear his name, and show the world he's a good man. But that requires facing demons he's locked away for years. And it might mean discovering he's not such a good guy after all.

"Wake presents an intense, suspenseful, and unusual tale of romantic suspense that will make readers question their perceptions of gender and relationships." (Booklist, starred review)

"A provocative and sexually charged novel of vengeance and betrayal....This erotic and suspenseful tale offers illuminating - and often heartbreaking - insight into the psychology of its transgender protagonist and compels readers to question their conceptions about gender and desire." (Publishers Weekly)

©2016 Elliot Wake (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Be yourself!

What made the experience of listening to Bad Boy the most enjoyable?

Everything! The story, the characters, the suspense, the vengance, the HEA! Everithing. Of course the narraton of Randal Marsh was just perfect for Ren. His voice was smoth and sexy <3 Just like Ren is.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ren of course. He's a true hero. He was going through a lot and accepting that he wouldn't have the support of his family and best friend was def hard. But he had his friends and and his vlog and he made it. I'm so proud of him.

Have you listened to any of Randal Marsh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first audiobook narrated by Randal Marsh and I loved it. Bad Boy is really unique in every sense of the word. The story is original and the narration fits perfectly to the story.

If you could take any character from Bad Boy out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Red of course. I'd take him to eat a huge burger with french fries and soda with so much ice. I think that's a food that he'd enjoy so much.

Any additional comments?

Bad Boy was awesome! I loved it. I listened in one sitting and I would listen to it again and again. Elliot, you did amazing with Bad Boy!

Entertaining

I would reccomend this to anyone looking for an interesting and unexpected story. I was happy it was not all about the character's gender identity

Smart, sexy, entertainingly nuanced!

Wake crafts thoroughly engrossing, action-filled gender thriller. How cool is that! I wish we’d had books like this growing up. Luckily, now we do. Thank you, Elliot Wake!