Whatever It Takes (Bad Reputation Duet)

Willow and Garrison own my heart and soul. I've been waiting for this books for years, I kid you not. As you can imagine, my expectations were high. I find Willow entirely too relatable. It's like the authors managed to get into my head to create Willow Hale. We see Willow's first semester of college throughout the book, and I saw my own experience at college here. She's quite and a bit awkward, but she also has this quiet bravery that I hope and strive for. Garrison Abbey is so full of self-loathing. He's a guy who has made a lot of mistakes in his young life, and while he strives to make better choices, he feels like he'll never be worthy of anyone's forgiveness. This book is told through Past and Present scenes, which I thought worked really well. My one peeve was that all the "Past" scenes in this book were straight from the web series. So if you read the web series, you've read about half of this book already. However, the "Present" scenes more than make up for it. The "Past" scenes show you how Willow and Garrison met, and their evolution from strangers to friends. The "Present" scenes follow Willow in college, Garrison working at Cobalt Inc., and them trying to maintain their long distance relationship. My heart was so full after reading this. I cannot wait for the next book. This does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, so the 28th cannot get here soon enough. I'm expecting a few things for book 2, and I hope it delivers. I recommend this to anyone who likes their angsty romances. Also, if you've read and enjoyed a K.B. book, you will love this one!

I liked this book. I liked it a lot. (Amazon needs to let us rate properly: 4.5 stars) Let's ease into this review by saying it wasn't the best Krista and Becca Ritchie, but for fans of their Addicted/Calloway Sisters series, the books of Bad Reputation duet are GOLD. Willow and Garrison's story had been long expected, and in my humble opinion, our favorite authors did us right! The story follows two timelines: the present, Willow and Garrison already 'together' - Willow in London attending college, Garrison in Philly working at Cobalt Inc; the past, Willow new in Philly searching for a family she never knew she had, Garrison trying to find his way out of the mess that is, well, his life. The 'before' chapters were emotionally heavy but sweet - we see both Willow and Garrison on their paths to self-discovery. It's very new-adult-ish. The friendship between the two main characters is very prominent in the book, even more than a relationship that is pretty tame. These authors had written some of the best sex scenes I'd ever read, so I was a bit disappointed there weren't more heated moments. However, the overall 'feel' of the book suited Willow and Garrison's story, so I don't really object. The 'present' chapters brought much-needed angst to the story. Long-distance relationships aren't exactly fun, especially for Willow and Garrison, with their doubts and insecurities, Willow's fear that her newly acquired fame would destroy her college experience, Garrison's self-destructive tendencies, and trepidation for the relationship they both want to fight for when the circumstances make them feel powerless and vulnerable. All in all, this was a nice and deep look at the beginning of Willow and Garrison's friendship/relationship. However, I hope for more content in Wherever You Are: more sexiness, more angst, more EVERYTHING. Even though the outcome of their relationship isn't anything new for the fans, the ending of Whatever It Takes left me heartbroken. I'm not sure if I'd recommend these books as a starting point if you haven't read any Krista and Becca Ritchie before; personally, I'd feel hella lost. That said, if you feel adventurous, why not pick it up - I'm sure you'll want more as soon as you're done, and that means jumping into the world of awesomeness these authors created with their books. For the longtime fans, I'm sure you're already reading, no recommendations needed. To all, happy reading, hope you love it as much as I did.

Reading this book over these past two days has been absolutely wonderful. I read it slowly because I did not want it to end. Willow and Garrison are absolutely amazing. This is a book that I have been dying for. It was everything I wanted and so much more. This story is so different from other new adult romance’s out there. It starts off with a bang. Once you pick up this bad boy and his girl you will not want to put them down. Garrison is a tortured soul calling out for help. Willow is a wallflower who is daring to be brave. Together they are just what each other needs. Willow and Garrison are made for each other and even though they struggle they still fight for their love. This story is full of emotions and angst. It will captivate you and make you feel. I promise you that Garrison and Willow will steal your hearts. I can not wait to read part 2 “Wherever You Are”. This one ends so good and has me craving more. I am absolutely in Love with this story. If you have never read a KBR book before this is an amazing place to start!! P.S. This book is about two side characters in the “Addicted/ Calloway Sisters” Series but you do not have to read that series to enjoy Willow and Garrison’s story.

OMG. I am so so glad that Krista and Becca Ritchie decided to write Willow and Garrett's story. I just love the Hale, Colbalt, and Meadows families, and the more the Ritchie's write about them, the more I love them. I'm so glad there is another book to read.

I loved Addicted series and Calloway sisters was good too but I was afraid to read this one because I've heard bad things about the second generations and I was afraid Krista and Becca Ritchie would disappoint with this one. You know how I usually complain about flashbacks in books? I actually loved them in Whatever It Takes even if I already knew some of them from reading Calloway Sisters. I was just so happy to see how Willow and Garrison became friends and hopefully i the next book we will see what made them become more. Whatever It Takes broke my heart a little bit. Garrison and Willow are trying their best to make their long distant relationship work and Garrison especially is taking it hard. Willow has her studies and he has his work to distract them but Willow also has her new friends. I feel so bad for Garrison and he deserves better family. He did a lot of messed up things in the past but he's changed and I just want him to be happy. Willow's "original" family wasn't that great either but at least she has core six now (I didn't really know how to explain her brothers, their wives, Rose and Connor) but Garrison doesn't really let anyone besides Willow get close to him. I lived for all the TV show mentions! On Tree Hill quote before the first chapter, Supernatural being Garrison's favorite show and even comparing Salvatore's name to the brothers in The Vampire Diaries. I'm sure that's how everyone who actually read comics react when all the characters in the universe talk about them. I'm not usually all there for friends to lovers trope but after Addicted series I knew I wouldn't be disappointed, especially after finishing Some Kind of Perfect and falling for these two. I don't know what it's about good girl/ bad boy trope I love so much. I loved that Willow's this bookish and quiet person (which I can totally relate to!) and Garrison is misunderstood. Despite this Willow and Garrison understand each other better than probably no one could.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. This book and every book these authors write, will be 5 star reads for me. Call me biased. 🤷‍♀️ If you’re familiar with the books these authors have written, you will know they are geniuses with their words/stories/characters. If you’re on the fence, I’m hoping this pushes you to take the leap, read the duet. You will not regret it because these books are life. Willow is a shy girl from a small town, living an ordinary life with her mum, dad and little sister. She has a brief yet weird brush with a international celebrity; Loren Hale. He unknowingly, changes her life in small ways and shapes her interest for all things marvel and comics. When things hit the roof in her quiet life, she learns Loren Hale, is actually her long lost half brother. She sets out on a journey, to not only meet him, but hopefully be a part of his life. Willow meets Garrison, the rich troubled kid who lives in the same gated community of said brother. When they both get jobs at super hero and scones, Lily and Loren Hales comic book store, friendships are formed. Garrison has issues, a lot of them. He’s constantly screwing up, disappointing his parents, his brothers, himself. But when he meets willow, she changes his outlook on life. They become friends, helping each other out, growing closer and closer. It isn’t easy, he has to deal with abusive brothers, ignorant parents, an uncertain future, celebrities and a girl who wants to be her own person but wants to love whole heartedly. I don’t want to re tell the whole story. All I’ll say is, this book is different for two reasons. 1. Garrison and willow, two people who couldn’t be any different, aren’t typical teenagers. Trying to navigate life, Garrison isn’t a bully and never treats willow like she’s below him, if anything, he treats her like she’s his redemption for all the bad things he’s done in life. Which for me, is really important. He’s never arrogant and takes his time, getting to know her, and goes at her pace. He respects the heck out of her. Willow always treats Garrison like he’s a somebody and never makes him feel like he’s a bother or she doesn’t enjoy his company. 2. The writing style is awesome. Getting flash backs to their high school years, and their current timeline, not only made reading the books enjoyable, but showed their character development perfectly. Also getting glimpse and snippets of the core 6 made my heart happy. All in all, Garrison and Willow have without a doubt, been added to my list of favourite characters. Would 100% recommend. ♥️

Wow, I binge read this book so fast that I didn't even realise when I finished it. This was so heartbreaking. I hope to see the core 6 helping Garrison in the next book. I loved their moments in this book.

a few years ago i loved reading the first chapters of willow and garrison story and it felt good to be reunited with them. they are still the same emotional characters who go theough life with fear, hurt but honesty and the will to be better, to be deserving of love, to be worth it. the last chapter left you hanging and hope that these two will finally find the peace and the quiet they deserve.

This spin off series does not disappoint. The writing is fantastic as always. So many characters provided by Krista and Becca, and they all have different personalities and stories. It’s not the typical different character same story boring spin off. I go out of my way to get any extras provided by these authors. I read the story on Watt pad and couldn’t get enough! So glad it’s being published! Thanks ladies you are amazing!!