Customer Reviews

Good Times, Bad Boys (Red Dress Ink Novels)

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Twenty-seven-year-old Echo Brennan feels as if the life she's dreamed of since she was in her teens is slowly slipping away, as her life is stuck on pause. For instance, instead of chasing the job of her dreams at DISC Magazine, Echo is stuck writing for the small-time Brooklyn Art & Times (aka the BAT) Newspaper, where she spends her days listening to indie albums, searching for an up-and-comer who can truly take the world by storm; and her nights helping her struggling musician boyfriend, Matt, overcome his four-year long writer's block. Matt Hanley was once the hottest newcomer on the scene, but since he began dating Echo, the most he can do is compose music. Now, with a record deal hanging over his head, Matt knows that he needs to produce something ASAP to please the head honchos at the label, and make his name chart-worthy once more. But things just aren't working out as he planned. Which is why Echo kicks him out, and decides that it's time to put herself first for once, and work on finding some personal success, as well as a boyfriend who brings some stability to the table. However, once Echo and Matt split, Matt suddenly finds exactly what he was looking for all these years: a muse. Echo's quick turnaround feelings about him have left him broken-hearted, so he does something unforgivable...he writes a collection of songs claiming what a horrible, unsupportive girlfriend Echo was - using her name in each and every one of them, and making her the most hated woman in rock and roll. Now, Echo's life is being showcased for the world to see. Suddenly, guys are scared of her, and she can't find a job anywhere. As if that weren't bad enough, Matt's music begins making her question exactly how supportive of his career she truly was; and rethink how she's going to survive in this Echo-hating world. After all, when your reputation in New York becomes tarnished, the only thing you can do is create a new one.

As a music lover and writer, as well as a chick lit fan, I was absolutely ecstatic to stumble upon Melanie Murray's GOOD TIMES, BAD BOYS, which took the best of both worlds, and blended lyrics together with shopping, partying, and New York nightlife, to create a refreshing new addition to the world of chick lit. Echo is a hilarious character, whose mixed feelings for Matt and his music is relatable, while her complaints regarding her big hips, and penchant for over-eating anything sweet is hilarious. The secondary characters, from Matt himself, to Echo's glamorous older sister Thalia, and her Park Avenue Princess best friend, Alicia, bring their own dimensions to the hard rock fairytale, and offer a nice contrasting bit of dialogue. Murray has proven that she has quite an ear for music, and knows her oldies rock and roll quite well. Her descriptions of writing for a magazine, the inner-workings of a record studio, and the nervousness some musicians experience before a show are not only in-depth, but prefer a nice backdrop to the various situations Echo is forced to suffer through on an almost daily basis. GOOD TIMES, BAD BOYS will rock your world!

Erika Sorocco

This book is okay, but it's not as good as Melanie Murray's first novel, "Miss Bubbles Steals the Show."

In "Good Times, Bad Boys," Echo Brennan is a 27-year-old aspiring music writer who is desperately trying to land an interview with the lead singer of the Butter Flies, the hottest band in the country. Echo's boyfriend Matt, who had a one-hit-wonder several years ago before losing all his creative inspiration, causes Echo to miss out on the interview, which in turn pushes Echo over the edge. She breaks up with Matt and kicks him out of their apartment.

At first it looks like Echo's career finally starts to take off, and she begins to move on with her life...that is, until Matt's new hit single, "Echo Only Broke Me," takes the radio airwaves by storm. Matt's anti-Echo album quickly becomes a sensation, and Echo suddenly finds herself with a lot of unwanted attention from her ex-boyfriend's new fans. Echo ultimately launches a revenge plot against Matt, despite the fact that she's never really stopped loving him.

This book is amusing and has a colorful cast of characters. However, the story kind of drags in the beginning. I think there was just too much build-up: "Echo Only Broke Me" doesn't factor into the story until halfway through the book, which is way later than it should. Also, the ending is completely predictable, very rushed, and also downright ridiculous. After everything Matt and Echo put each other through, the ending is not at all realistic. Actually, most of the book is completely unrealistic, but the ending is what annoyed me the most.

There's better chick lit out there than this, but if you want something light and fun to read and you enjoy reading about the music industry (albeit a very unrealistic take on the music industry), then this book is probably worth checking out.

A sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking ride on the rock-and-roller-coaster of an aspiring music journalist. Echo Brennan is convinced she's made a wise career move when she finally kicks out her boyfriend, a burned-out rock star with writer's block. Little does she know that the breakup will inspire his next hit song, one that establishes Echo as the most infamous ex-girlfriend since Sharona. Immortalized as a man-eater, but motivated by a colorful array of well-meaning friends and wacky foes, she manages to rise above her humiliation to give life a makeover and love a second chance.

The writing is fresh and funny, quick-paced and clever. It's "Seinfeld" meets "Sex in the City" with a driving rock-and-roll back beat!

This book was another great book published by Red Dress ink. Good Times, Bad Boys is the story of Echo Brennan, a music journalist for a small neighborhood paper in New York. She is desperate to land a job writing for the national Magazine, Disc. However, Jack, the lead Matt, her boyfriend a has been singer is experiencing writers block and annoys Echo so much that she breaks up with him. However, the breakup jolts back into writing and his new CD is an unexpected surprise to Echo.

I enjoyed this book and I have to admit it was one of the better Red Dress Ink books.

In New York Echo Brennan writes for the Brooklyn Art & Times while dreaming of covering the superstars of rock and roll for either Rolling Stone or Disc magazines. After failing to fly from BATS into the big time, Echo decides to take charge of her career and her life. She cons her way into the VIP secret room at the in crowd's Edge Bar to persuade Jack Mantis and the Butter Flies to let her interview them as her first step. She kicks her musician boyfriend Matt Hanley out of her aprtment having given up on his ever making the record that he is capable of doing as her biggest leap forward.

Matt is hurt by her dumping him though in some ways it is because he has become complacent. He writes a single about the loathome woman who destroyed him. The song is a sensational hit and Matt is not considered a one hit wonder or even the next big thing; as he is the current big thing while Echo becomes the most hated person in music in two decrades. She is immortalzied along side of Donna the Prima Donna and Runaround Sue. This happened all because she wanted to start her life anew.

Readers will appreciate this delightful lyrical chick lit tale starring a besieged woman who over night has become a legendary bad girl. The support cast, especially Matt, Echo's sister and best friend add depth to the fun tale. However, GOOD TIMES, BAD BOYS belongs to Echo, who is the star of this amusing show that looks closely at how heroes and villainesses are created.

Harriet Klausner

As a big fan of Chick Lit, especially Red Dress Ink, I tend to read a lot of these type of books. Good Times, Bad Boys is definitely worth picking up. It is the story of Echo Brennan, a music journalist for a small neighborhood paper in New York. She is desperate to land a job writing for the national Magazine, Disc. Her problems? Jack, the lead singer of the up-and-coming band, The Butter Flies, isn't exactly easy to pin down for an interview; others are also trying to get the same interview; and Matt, her boyfriend isn't exactly excited about Echo doing this interview. Matt Hanley was an up-and-comer himself.....4 years ago. He had a couple of hits and was tourning with big name bands. But writer's block has hit. Matt spends his days sleeping and mooching off Echo. Finally having enough of Matt's dependance, Echo breaks up with him. The upside? Echo doesn't have to enable Matt anymore. The downside? She still loves him....but apparently the writer's block is gone! Matt has a new CD coming out...all about his horrible ex-girlfriend, Echo!!

I really enjoyed this book, practically reading it in one sitting. Love and music...what a great combination!