{"id":4201,"date":"2025-09-25T18:24:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T18:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=4201"},"modified":"2025-09-25T18:24:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T18:24:00","slug":"bad-for-business-by-kat-singleton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=4201","title":{"rendered":"Bad for Business by Kat Singleton"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the glittering world of Hamptons high society and Manhattan power plays, Kat Singleton delivers her most emotionally complex billionaire romance yet with Bad for Business<\/strong>, the second standalone novel in her Pembroke Hills series. Following the success of In Good Company<\/strong><\/a> (2025), Singleton returns readers to the exclusive country club setting where privilege meets passion, and professional obligations collide with matters of the heart.<\/p>\n

The Setup: More Than Just a Summer Assignment<\/h2>\n

Bad for Business<\/strong> introduces us to Camille Vaughn, a driven twenty-four-year-old publicist desperate to prove herself worthy of partnership at her father\u2019s prestigious PR firm, Vaughn PR. When billionaire heir Ryker Davenport becomes embroiled in a scandal that threatens his inheritance of Davenport Media, Camille finds herself assigned to the most impossible task of her career: rehabilitating the reputation of a man who knows exactly how to get under her skin.<\/p>\n

The twist? Their \u201ccomplicated history\u201d stems from a passionate New Year\u2019s Eve encounter that left Camille fleeing in the morning and Ryker questioning everything he thought he knew about connection and vulnerability. Now forced together for an entire summer in the Hamptons, both must navigate the treacherous waters of professional obligation while battling an undeniable attraction.<\/p>\n

Character Development: From Antagonists to Allies<\/h2>\n

Camille Vaughn: The Driven Perfectionist<\/h3>\n

Singleton crafts Camille as a beautifully flawed protagonist whose prickly exterior masks deep-seated insecurities about love and worthiness. Her relationship with her emotionally distant father drives much of her character development, creating a woman who has learned to prioritize professional achievement over personal happiness. Camille\u2019s journey from someone who views herself as \u201cunlovable\u201d to recognizing her own worth forms the emotional backbone of the novel.<\/p>\n

The author skillfully portrays Camille\u2019s internal conflict between her genuine talent as a publicist and her desperate need for paternal approval. Her sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude make her a formidable match for Ryker, while her vulnerability beneath the surface adds depth that prevents her from becoming a stereotypical ice queen character.<\/p>\n

Ryker Davenport: The Reformed Golden Boy<\/h3>\n

Rather than crafting another arrogant billionaire hero, Singleton presents Ryker as a man genuinely struggling with legacy, expectation, and personal identity. His \u201creckless\u201d behavior stems not from entitled carelessness but from the pressure of living up to his deceased mother\u2019s memory while trying to earn his father\u2019s respect. This emotional foundation transforms what could have been a typical bad boy redemption into something more nuanced.<\/p>\n

Ryker\u2019s evolution throughout the summer showcases Singleton\u2019s understanding of character growth. His initial antagonism toward Camille masks his hurt over her morning-after departure, and watching him learn to be vulnerable while maintaining his inherent charm creates a compelling romantic hero.<\/p>\n

The Romance: Enemies to Lovers Done Right<\/h2>\n

The enemies-to-lovers arc in Bad for Business<\/strong> succeeds because both characters have legitimate reasons for their initial animosity. Their banter crackles with tension that stems from real hurt rather than manufactured conflict, and Singleton takes the time to build their relationship organically. The transition from professional antagonists to reluctant allies to lovers feels earned rather than rushed.<\/p>\n

The \u201cblack cat x golden retriever\u201d dynamic promised in the book\u2019s description delivers beautifully. Camille\u2019s sharp edges complement Ryker\u2019s natural warmth, and their opposites-attract chemistry sizzles on every page. The sexual tension builds slowly and purposefully, making their eventual coming together all the more satisfying.<\/p>\n

Setting and Atmosphere: The Hamptons as Character<\/h2>\n

Singleton uses the exclusive Pembroke Hills Country Club and the broader Hamptons setting as more than mere backdrop. The rarefied world of summer estates and country club politics becomes integral to the plot, providing both the pressure cooker environment necessary for character development and the social dynamics that drive the external conflict.<\/p>\n

The author\u2019s depiction of this elite world feels authentic rather than caricatured, presenting the wealth and privilege without completely vilifying or romanticizing it. The contrast between the public personas required at country club events and the private moments at the Davenport estate creates natural tension and allows for both character growth and relationship development.<\/p>\n

Writing Style: Accessible Yet Engaging<\/h2>\n

Singleton\u2019s prose strikes an effective balance between contemporary romance accessibility and emotional depth. Her dual POV structure allows readers to understand both Camille\u2019s defensive mechanisms and Ryker\u2019s genuine confusion and hurt over their past encounter. The dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, particularly during the couple\u2019s verbal sparring matches.<\/p>\n

The pacing moves smoothly between character introspection, romantic development, and plot advancement. Singleton doesn\u2019t rush her characters\u2019 emotional growth, allowing both Camille\u2019s journey to self-worth<\/a> and Ryker\u2019s path to genuine maturity to unfold naturally throughout their summer together.<\/p>\n

Strengths That Elevate the Narrative<\/h2>\n

Character Depth<\/strong>: Both protagonists feel like real people with genuine motivations rather than romance novel archetypes. Camille\u2019s struggle with her father\u2019s dismissal and Ryker\u2019s pressure to honor his family legacy create authentic stakes beyond the romance.
\nEmotional Stakes<\/strong>: The professional consequences for both characters add weight to their personal journey. Camille\u2019s career ambitions and Ryker\u2019s family legacy create genuine external pressure that enhances rather than detracts from their romantic development.
\nSupporting Cast<\/strong>: Characters like Jude and the various board members feel fully realized rather than existing merely to advance the plot. The glimpse of Lucy\u2019s story from In Good Company<\/strong> provides nice continuity for series readers.
\nRealistic Conflict Resolution<\/strong>: Both characters must genuinely grow and change to make their relationship work. Camille\u2019s decision to quit her father\u2019s firm and start her own company demonstrates real character growth, while Ryker\u2019s maturation into genuine leadership feels earned.<\/p>\n

Areas for Improvement<\/h2>\n

Predictable Plot Points<\/strong>: While the character development surprises, certain plot elements follow familiar patterns. The father\u2019s inevitable refusal to promote Camille and the board\u2019s eventual approval of Ryker feel somewhat telegraphed.
\nSecondary Romance Setup<\/strong>: The hints at future books in the series occasionally feel forced rather than organic to the current story, particularly the setup for Jude and Charlotte\u2019s upcoming romance in More than Friends<\/strong>.
\nPacing in the Middle<\/strong>: The summer timeline occasionally feels compressed, with some relationship developments happening quickly after extended periods of antagonism.<\/p>\n

Comparison to the Series and Author\u2019s Work<\/h2>\n

Bad for Business<\/strong> builds effectively on the world established in In Good Company<\/strong><\/a> while standing completely on its own. Readers don\u2019t need familiarity with Cal and Lucy\u2019s story to enjoy Camille and Ryker\u2019s romance, though series fans will appreciate the connected setting and occasional character crossovers.<\/p>\n

Compared to Singleton\u2019s Black Tie Billionaires<\/strong> series (Black Ties and White Lies<\/strong>, Pretty Rings and Broken Things<\/strong>, Bright Lights and Summer Nights<\/strong>), this Pembroke Hills installment feels more grounded and emotionally mature. The Hamptons setting provides a more intimate backdrop than the previous series\u2019 more varied locations, allowing for deeper character exploration.<\/p>\n

Final Verdict: A Romance Worth the Investment<\/h2>\n

Bad for Business<\/strong> succeeds as both a standalone romance and a series installment by prioritizing character development over plot gimmicks. Singleton has crafted two protagonists whose growth feels authentic and whose romance develops organically from genuine conflict to deep emotional connection.<\/p>\n

While the book occasionally relies on familiar romance tropes, the execution elevates the material beyond its predictable elements. The emotional stakes feel real, the character growth is earned, and the romantic payoff satisfies without feeling unearned.<\/p>\n

For readers who enjoy contemporary billionaire romance with emotional depth, sharp dialogue, and genuine character development, Bad for Business<\/strong> delivers exactly what it promises. It\u2019s a worthy addition to the Pembroke Hills series and positions the upcoming More than Friends<\/strong> (releasing March 24, 2026) as a highly anticipated continuation of this engaging world.<\/p>\n

Recommended for Readers Who Enjoyed<\/h2>\n

The Hating Game<\/strong> by Sally Thorne
\nBeach Read<\/strong><\/a> by Emily Henry
\nThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo<\/strong><\/a> by Taylor Jenkins Reid
\nPeople We Meet on Vacation<\/strong><\/a> by Emily Henry
\nThe Kiss Quotient<\/strong> by Helen Hoang
\nThe Spanish Love Deception<\/strong><\/a> by Elena Armas
\nBook Lovers<\/strong><\/a> by Emily Henry<\/p>\n

Series Reading Order<\/h2>\n

For optimal enjoyment of the Pembroke Hills world:<\/p>\n

In Good Company<\/strong><\/a> (2025) \u2013 Cal and Lucy\u2019s story
\nBad for Business<\/strong> (2025) \u2013 Camille and Ryker\u2019s story
\nMore than Friends<\/strong> (March 24, 2026) \u2013 Jude and Charlotte\u2019s upcoming story<\/p>\n

Bad for Business<\/strong> proves that sometimes the best business decision is following your heart, even when it leads you straight into the arms of someone who was supposed to be off-limits. Singleton has delivered a romance that\u2019s anything but bad for readers seeking emotional depth alongside their billionaire fantasy.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the glittering world of Hamptons high society and Manhattan power plays, Kat Singleton delivers her most emotionally complex billionaire romance yet with Bad for Business, the second standalone novel in her Pembroke Hills series. Following the success of In Good Company (2025), Singleton returns readers to the exclusive country club setting where privilege meets […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}