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Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge
From the mind that brought you Dirty Little Midlife Crisis comes a funny, fast-paced ride that starts with an impulsive revenge scheme but might just end up a love story.
Even after their breakup, Ellie Davis can’t seem to shake her ex-fiancé. First it was the cheating, then it was the rumors, and now she finds out Jason’s been trying to get his greedy hands on her parents’ property. Where does it end? With revenge, Ellie decides.
But she might just need a little help first.
Enter Fernley Island’s OddJobs app. When the local boat mechanic she hires sends his nephew instead, Ellie has to readjust her plans to account for Hugh Hartford, who’s handsome, brooding, and only in town for a few days. But he keeps showing up, so Ellie keeps hiring him. Little does she know Hugh has his own reasons for investigating Jason Brownlow…
As more evidence against Jason turns up, so does the heat between Ellie and Hugh. But if revenge is a dish best served cold, can their spark survive—or will the secrets between them burn it out?
Even after their breakup, Ellie Davis can’t seem to shake her ex-fiancé. First it was the cheating, then it was the rumors, and now she finds out Jason’s been trying to get his greedy hands on her parents’ property. Where does it end? With revenge, Ellie decides.
But she might just need a little help first.
Enter Fernley Island’s OddJobs app. When the local boat mechanic she hires sends his nephew instead, Ellie has to readjust her plans to account for Hugh Hartford, who’s handsome, brooding, and only in town for a few days. But he keeps showing up, so Ellie keeps hiring him. Little does she know Hugh has his own reasons for investigating Jason Brownlow…
As more evidence against Jason turns up, so does the heat between Ellie and Hugh. But if revenge is a dish best served cold, can their spark survive—or will the secrets between them burn it out?
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2023
1099 people are currently reading
4130 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Monroe
83 books1,432 followersLilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
September 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
I started off this really enjoying it. An island where money speaks and Ellie's mega rich ex fiance has ruined her life, of course she needs revenge. I was rooting for the comeuppance!! Not to mention romance with the hot tall broody man thats helping her with her plotting, whats not to love?
UNTIL the worst trope to ever exist pops up.. miscommunication. This ruined a perfectly good book. I could sense it was coming but when the main plot wrapped itself up too quickly, I think the author needed a way of adding a few more chapters on.
First, the miscommunication was one tiny sentence which didnt even need to be a 'secret' in the first place. It could have been disclosed in the begnning and made perfect sense with no drama. Also, these characters are essentially STRANGERS, they've known each other a few days? You dont go around disclosing your full life story to strangers.
Secondly, it ruined the perception we have of Ellie. She was a badass, with determination, drive, strength. But she turned into a pathetic, immature child the way this 'miscommunication' went down. Her reaction and behaviour was completely cruel, uncalled for and I lost all the respect that the first half of this book created for her.
I was hoping Hugh would walk away because she's a walking red flag. The rationale behind her thought process. Is ridiculous at best.
That aside im left very underwhelmed with the ending for Jason her ex-fiance. That got tied up way too neatly and quickly. I definitely didnt get the compeuppance i was looking for which was disappointing. One minute hes screaming at her thinking hes won and the next we hear that he got caught.. i wanted to read it happen, to get the reaction from him when he realises what shes done and had actually outsmarted him, the man that grew an empire?!!
Im not sure id recommend this book to friends, theres too much missing from this and I left the booking feeling disappointed which is definitely not how you should feel after reading a romance.
I started off this really enjoying it. An island where money speaks and Ellie's mega rich ex fiance has ruined her life, of course she needs revenge. I was rooting for the comeuppance!! Not to mention romance with the hot tall broody man thats helping her with her plotting, whats not to love?
UNTIL the worst trope to ever exist pops up.. miscommunication. This ruined a perfectly good book. I could sense it was coming but when the main plot wrapped itself up too quickly, I think the author needed a way of adding a few more chapters on.
First, the miscommunication was one tiny sentence which didnt even need to be a 'secret' in the first place. It could have been disclosed in the begnning and made perfect sense with no drama. Also, these characters are essentially STRANGERS, they've known each other a few days? You dont go around disclosing your full life story to strangers.
Secondly, it ruined the perception we have of Ellie. She was a badass, with determination, drive, strength. But she turned into a pathetic, immature child the way this 'miscommunication' went down. Her reaction and behaviour was completely cruel, uncalled for and I lost all the respect that the first half of this book created for her.
I was hoping Hugh would walk away because she's a walking red flag. The rationale behind her thought process. Is ridiculous at best.
That aside im left very underwhelmed with the ending for Jason her ex-fiance. That got tied up way too neatly and quickly. I definitely didnt get the compeuppance i was looking for which was disappointing. One minute hes screaming at her thinking hes won and the next we hear that he got caught.. i wanted to read it happen, to get the reaction from him when he realises what shes done and had actually outsmarted him, the man that grew an empire?!!
Im not sure id recommend this book to friends, theres too much missing from this and I left the booking feeling disappointed which is definitely not how you should feel after reading a romance.
December 14, 2023
This perfect balance between humor and romance kept me turning the pages until I finished it. I enjoyed reading a delightful and entertaining story that had everything that I needed at the moment to have perfect reading time.
December 31, 2023
lost 2 stars 80% in
It’s a decent read that I almost DNF at 80%. This is only a spoiler if you don’t know how a lot of these stories go — he has a secret. He keeps trying to tell her the secret but they get interrupted, or she puts him off until later, etc. He doesn’t know how she’s going to take it so he’s okay with the delays. At 80% she finds out the secret and over-reacts so much I didn’t even want to finish the book. She puts him on the same level as the bad people in the story. She completely ignores the fact that he’s been trying numerous times to tell her something. She completely ignores all the really good things he’s done for her. The lost stars are because she never does give him credit for any of it - there’s some acknowledgment of him acting like that because of his dad. I should have just DNF. The story until then was entertaining but that was emotionally unsatisfying.
It’s a decent read that I almost DNF at 80%. This is only a spoiler if you don’t know how a lot of these stories go — he has a secret. He keeps trying to tell her the secret but they get interrupted, or she puts him off until later, etc. He doesn’t know how she’s going to take it so he’s okay with the delays. At 80% she finds out the secret and over-reacts so much I didn’t even want to finish the book. She puts him on the same level as the bad people in the story. She completely ignores the fact that he’s been trying numerous times to tell her something. She completely ignores all the really good things he’s done for her. The lost stars are because she never does give him credit for any of it - there’s some acknowledgment of him acting like that because of his dad. I should have just DNF. The story until then was entertaining but that was emotionally unsatisfying.
December 17, 2023
The end of Ellie’s engagement with her cheating fiancé is only the beginning of her problems as he is determined to make her life as difficult as possible until he gets what he wants. Except for a few people she is feeling unsupported and alone until Hugh comes to town.
Hugh has his reasons for coming to town, but he believed that it would be straightforward, and he would be on his way. He realizes he couldn’t have been more wrong and how much he and Ellie would have in common. As they spend time together their goal to take down a common enemy evolves into so much more.
I enjoyed seeing Ellie fight for what was right while gaining support and help from Hugh as even though they had some missteps along the way they found love where they least expected it.
Hugh has his reasons for coming to town, but he believed that it would be straightforward, and he would be on his way. He realizes he couldn’t have been more wrong and how much he and Ellie would have in common. As they spend time together their goal to take down a common enemy evolves into so much more.
I enjoyed seeing Ellie fight for what was right while gaining support and help from Hugh as even though they had some missteps along the way they found love where they least expected it.
September 13, 2023
I received this book off netgalley for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. This book had a bit of everything in it. The storyline was good. There was a bad guy a swoon guy Hugh. Ellie was a great female character she was a tough cookie who stood up for herself which you don't see alot In books and Louie the dog I loved him and who Ellie adored. Lionel was a great character too. If you want a nice read for me it was a page turner of a island with a bunch of characters that are there for each other. And we all love a happy ending don't we then this book is for you.
I really enjoyed this book. This book had a bit of everything in it. The storyline was good. There was a bad guy a swoon guy Hugh. Ellie was a great female character she was a tough cookie who stood up for herself which you don't see alot In books and Louie the dog I loved him and who Ellie adored. Lionel was a great character too. If you want a nice read for me it was a page turner of a island with a bunch of characters that are there for each other. And we all love a happy ending don't we then this book is for you.
February 4, 2024
What a lovely book! Ellie is so delightfully portrayed, broken but with brittle edges. Hugh is perfect for her...except for his secrets! Hope we get to read more of this lovely family - Daphne's story perhaps!
September 18, 2023
Ellie is in a dark place. She’s lost her business, her reputation and any goodwill, any respect she’d gained had been obliterated. She even lost her dog, and the majority of the town people shun her because she got arrested and everybody saw her mugshot. Since her family apparently has had run-ins with the law in the past and several mugshots themselves, their family is not something many people want to associate with. Ellie doesn’t really care, all she wants is to get her dog back and destroy her ex’s life by breaking into his house to retrieve her dog and find evidence of him poisoning her family’s sheep. She wants revenge.
Enter Hugh, who came to town to sell a piece of land he inherited from his late father, a man he was estranged from. It turns out his father wanted to sell the land to Ellie’s ex-fiancé who wants to develop a resort. First Hugh wants to find out if the deal doesn’t stink, but soon he gets entangled in helping Ellie. What he didn’t do was tell her about the business deal that was on the table… I don’t really understood why he didn’t tell her, since he wasn’t going to sign anyway.
The words were on the tip of his tongue; all he had to do was admit that he owned the land next door and tell them that he had no intention of signing the deal his father had negotiated with Jason. The resort was dead in the water already. But that would be admitting he was nothing more than a money-hungry leech.
So Ellie finding out and being hurt and angry about him ‘lying to her’ felt like overreacting. He helped her the entire time, even with shady stuff, and didn’t go through with the deal, so why be mad at him? The conclusion fell a bit flat, and I would have liked more chemistry between Ellie and Hugh.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Enter Hugh, who came to town to sell a piece of land he inherited from his late father, a man he was estranged from. It turns out his father wanted to sell the land to Ellie’s ex-fiancé who wants to develop a resort. First Hugh wants to find out if the deal doesn’t stink, but soon he gets entangled in helping Ellie. What he didn’t do was tell her about the business deal that was on the table… I don’t really understood why he didn’t tell her, since he wasn’t going to sign anyway.
The words were on the tip of his tongue; all he had to do was admit that he owned the land next door and tell them that he had no intention of signing the deal his father had negotiated with Jason. The resort was dead in the water already. But that would be admitting he was nothing more than a money-hungry leech.
So Ellie finding out and being hurt and angry about him ‘lying to her’ felt like overreacting. He helped her the entire time, even with shady stuff, and didn’t go through with the deal, so why be mad at him? The conclusion fell a bit flat, and I would have liked more chemistry between Ellie and Hugh.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 23, 2023
As a fan of this author, I was thrilled to get my hands on this ARC!
This is a stand-alone read, with a fun group of characters. Ellie has been having a tough time as of late, and the last thing she needs is a huge, handsome man distracting her from getting revenge on her ex-fiance.
Hugh is new to the island, and not sure he's staying, (and questioning why he ever visited in the first place) when his (not) meet-cute with Ellie leaves him bloody. (He's okay, don't worry!!) 😉
I enjoyed the twists and turns in this one. There were a few parts of the story that lost me a little, and Ellie's self confidence issues bugged me, but overall, this was easy to read, and I liked it. I appreciated the grand gesture Hugh managed to complete, and how the storyline resolved.
My thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for my free copy of this book. I voluntarily leave my review, and recommendation of this author and book.
This is a stand-alone read, with a fun group of characters. Ellie has been having a tough time as of late, and the last thing she needs is a huge, handsome man distracting her from getting revenge on her ex-fiance.
Hugh is new to the island, and not sure he's staying, (and questioning why he ever visited in the first place) when his (not) meet-cute with Ellie leaves him bloody. (He's okay, don't worry!!) 😉
I enjoyed the twists and turns in this one. There were a few parts of the story that lost me a little, and Ellie's self confidence issues bugged me, but overall, this was easy to read, and I liked it. I appreciated the grand gesture Hugh managed to complete, and how the storyline resolved.
My thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for my free copy of this book. I voluntarily leave my review, and recommendation of this author and book.
December 12, 2023
Prefer FMCs with intelligence
I have loved the humor and plotlines in other series by this author, but I heartily disliked this story. If anyone could shoot herself in the foot, it would be Ellie, and she did it repeatedly, from leaving evidence of her trespassing presence by giving a dog her sock (saw that as soon as it happened) to poorly thought out plans to expose her ex. Not a fan of the impulsive foolish female stereotype depicted in this story. Usually when the author has this type of thing going on with a female lead in other stories, there is some humor involved and it fits the storyline. Not so here. Putting it harshly, it seems Ellie bungled her way to the finish line, leaving me frustrated for some semblance of a logical well thought out plan. Recommend a pass on this one.
I have loved the humor and plotlines in other series by this author, but I heartily disliked this story. If anyone could shoot herself in the foot, it would be Ellie, and she did it repeatedly, from leaving evidence of her trespassing presence by giving a dog her sock (saw that as soon as it happened) to poorly thought out plans to expose her ex. Not a fan of the impulsive foolish female stereotype depicted in this story. Usually when the author has this type of thing going on with a female lead in other stories, there is some humor involved and it fits the storyline. Not so here. Putting it harshly, it seems Ellie bungled her way to the finish line, leaving me frustrated for some semblance of a logical well thought out plan. Recommend a pass on this one.
September 13, 2023
"Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge" by Lilian Monroe is a funny and fast-paced romantic comedy that takes readers on a delightful ride filled with humor, romance, and a touch of revenge. The story follows Ellie Davis, who, after a messy breakup with her ex-fiancé Jason, decides it's time for some payback.
Ellie's plan for revenge takes an unexpected turn when she uses the OddJobs app to hire help but ends up with Hugh Hartford, a handsome and brooding newcomer to Fernley Island. Their initial encounters are filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry, setting the stage for a captivating romance.
Lilian Monroe weaves a tale of secrets, revenge, and unexpected connections that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The character dynamics between Ellie and Hugh add depth to the story as they navigate their feelings for each other while seeking retribution against Ellie's ex.
The novel strikes a perfect balance between humor and romance, making it an enjoyable and lighthearted read. As the plot unfolds and more evidence against Jason surfaces, the stakes and the heat between Ellie and Hugh continue to rise.
"Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge" is a delightful and entertaining story that explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the unexpected paths that lead to love. If you're in the mood for a charming and humorous romantic comedy with a side of revenge, this book is a delightful choice that will leave you smiling.
Ellie's plan for revenge takes an unexpected turn when she uses the OddJobs app to hire help but ends up with Hugh Hartford, a handsome and brooding newcomer to Fernley Island. Their initial encounters are filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry, setting the stage for a captivating romance.
Lilian Monroe weaves a tale of secrets, revenge, and unexpected connections that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The character dynamics between Ellie and Hugh add depth to the story as they navigate their feelings for each other while seeking retribution against Ellie's ex.
The novel strikes a perfect balance between humor and romance, making it an enjoyable and lighthearted read. As the plot unfolds and more evidence against Jason surfaces, the stakes and the heat between Ellie and Hugh continue to rise.
"Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge" is a delightful and entertaining story that explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the unexpected paths that lead to love. If you're in the mood for a charming and humorous romantic comedy with a side of revenge, this book is a delightful choice that will leave you smiling.
December 12, 2023
Have you ever had a bad breakup? Did your boyfriend/fiancé cheat on you? Did you want to get revenge? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should enjoy this book! Heck, you will enjoy this book if you like to laugh and love a good rom com! Living in a small town is like living in a fishbowl where everyone knows everything almost before you do it and this book really drives that point home. As someone who grew up in a small rural town, I can attest to the truth of that point. However, I could easily get away by driving to another town and taking a break. Imagine being on an island that requires that you take a ferry to the mainland at only certain times of the day to be able to escape! Add in that the female main character tends to act impulsively on her emotions and you have the perfect recipe for disaster to continuously strike. Add in an ex with loads of money, a sheriff that couldn't walk straight if he tried and a hot guy visiting the island for unknown reasons and you have a bubbling concoction just waiting to explode! This was a fun read and I am curious to see if there will be a second book from this same island as I think that the sister's story has yet to unfold. I am a total series junkie so it would tickle my heart to get to revisit these characters and this town, but first you should read this book and become just as invested in wanting more too!
February 2, 2024
Check out our full post for FOUR STEPS TO THE PERFECT REVENGE on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book – it is pure escapism set in an island community with a lovely group of residents and one overly horrible ex-fiancé who manages to destroy most of the good things in Ellie's life.
Her meet-cute with Hugh Hartford is definitely memorable, and although all seems good between them, he is harbouring a secret, which poor chap he just cannot find a good time to reveal. It is highly entertaining watching him baulk at it time and again. Inevitably it damages their growing closeness, but the author does a great job of encouraging us to keep the faith.
There are so many fun islanders, but I think probably Ellie's parents and grandmother are my favourites. Hugh has quite a revelation of how different family life can be!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
February 14, 2024
What a fab read! Finished on honeymoon and loved every second of it
September 15, 2024
dnf. i already don’t love the misunderstanding that could have been solved by an ounce of communication trope and this was was especially irritating. the main climax of the book could have been avoided with one conversation
December 21, 2023
3 stars.
It’s an okay read, but I found it long and torturous in parts. With an annoying fmc.
Not what I expected from this author.
It’s an okay read, but I found it long and torturous in parts. With an annoying fmc.
Not what I expected from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2023
I’m solidly in the middle with this book, Ellie and Hugh were a great couple, or non-couple. They had good chemistry and balanced each other perfectly. We also met some fabulous side characters, which honestly can make or break a book. The grandma and her posse, the parents, the townspeople… magic! I was also really happy with the author’s descriptions of the island; I could practically see, smell, and hear the island every time it was described. Bravo on that. It’s not easy to make a place come alive through words alone.
I didn’t love the pacing of this book. It felt like it really dragged in some places, especially “step 4.” It definitely wasn’t the fast-paced story promised in the blurb. I also feel redundant because I mention this in quite a few books, but I don’t love the new adult vibe that gets tossed in to a lot of books. I’m talking about the really wishy-washy, existential crisis stuff when a character has to discover who they are. I feel like it toes the new adult line when that becomes a major plot point, and then it feels like it was added for length and to up a word count. Ellie was super annoying with this. Like girl, come on. The world isn’t out to get you because you have a garbage ex-fiancé. Finally, I really, REALLY did not understand the conflict between our two mains. The fact that Hugh inherited land from the father he never spoke to shouldn’t have been an issue for Ellie. Even if he didn’t tell her about it up front, he made his mind up really early on that he wasn’t going to throw his hat in with Jason. I’m not sure what the issue is. In fact, it should’ve been the opposite of an issue because they succeeded in blocking the resort development. I don’t know, maybe I missed something crucial somehow.
Anyway… thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I didn’t love the pacing of this book. It felt like it really dragged in some places, especially “step 4.” It definitely wasn’t the fast-paced story promised in the blurb. I also feel redundant because I mention this in quite a few books, but I don’t love the new adult vibe that gets tossed in to a lot of books. I’m talking about the really wishy-washy, existential crisis stuff when a character has to discover who they are. I feel like it toes the new adult line when that becomes a major plot point, and then it feels like it was added for length and to up a word count. Ellie was super annoying with this. Like girl, come on. The world isn’t out to get you because you have a garbage ex-fiancé. Finally, I really, REALLY did not understand the conflict between our two mains. The fact that Hugh inherited land from the father he never spoke to shouldn’t have been an issue for Ellie. Even if he didn’t tell her about it up front, he made his mind up really early on that he wasn’t going to throw his hat in with Jason. I’m not sure what the issue is. In fact, it should’ve been the opposite of an issue because they succeeded in blocking the resort development. I don’t know, maybe I missed something crucial somehow.
Anyway… thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2023
I wanted to read FOUR STEPS TO THE PERFECT REVENGE because what bonds people together better than giving someone their due? And in a humorous way?
Romance stories thrive on miscommunication, but in this story it went to a bad place because it didn’t make sense in light of all the other factors. As such, it changed how I felt about the characters and the story - ok, Ellie. If I were Hugh, I would not have been able to overlook this. I finished the book because I wanted to find out how the revenge thing worked out, and that fell pretty flat.
Conflict is necessary in keeping interest in a story. In this case, it didn’t feel right to me.
I received the book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary review.
Romance stories thrive on miscommunication, but in this story it went to a bad place because it didn’t make sense in light of all the other factors. As such, it changed how I felt about the characters and the story - ok, Ellie. If I were Hugh, I would not have been able to overlook this. I finished the book because I wanted to find out how the revenge thing worked out, and that fell pretty flat.
Conflict is necessary in keeping interest in a story. In this case, it didn’t feel right to me.
I received the book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary review.
December 15, 2023
So, I laughed, cried, bit my nails off, and danced – yes, danced (did you see the musical references in this novel?!?) – my way through Lilian Monroe’s latest offering, and I don’t think I’ve read anything better, or, more personally moving, recently.
I think a lot of folks might not know what to make of this novel because it doesn’t fit what is customary from this author. It’s definitely not her usual and I believe that might throw off a lot of people; however, I think it’s a beautifully-rendered effort and is well worth a read.
Here's why:
Firstly, it’s adeptly written in third person. Ms. Monroe tried a third person voice in a previous novel and has learned how to “do it better” this time around, in my opinion.
Secondly, this a slow-burn romance, instead of a medium- or short-burn thing, as she has written in the past. It’s also more slowly paced, in general, but I believe the mystery/suspense aspects of the novel are more than enough to offset that feature. I stayed interested and invested throughout the novel.
Thirdly, it has several deep, sub-plot layers – interpersonal relationship questions, existential/moral morasses, as well as the aforementioned mystery/suspense elements. By the way, all of these elements, the author deftly handles, again, in my opinion!
Fourthly, the author’s narrative voice is more lyrical here than what we, her readers, are used to seeing. I’ve always loved the way Ms. Monroe is able to perfectly describe a scene so that the reader feels as though he/she is right there with the characters. For me, the more poetic prose of this novel heightens each descriptive passage and makes each scene even more brilliant.
Finally, the novel also has something else the author rarely indulges in – a hefty dose of “internalizations.” Those are generally off-putting to me, but in this novel, those actually enhance the forward momentum of the story. The internal ruminations of the main characters, Hugh and Ellie, show an EVOLUTION of their characters’ mindsets – their feelings, both toward themselves, and toward their situations/environments – and, I absolutely love to see characters evolving! The icing on the cake here is that Ms. Monroe manages to avoid becoming excessively repetitive with her characters’ internal dialogs.
So, for me, I absolutely enjoyed the heck out of seeing Ms. Monroe step out of her readers’ “comfort zones,” and I applaud her for a well-done effort. In my mind, this novel is a definite MUST READ. I highly recommend it to contemporary romance fans. (And, I’m putting my money where my mouth is – I’ve just purchased this novel so I can read it again and again – something I rarely do!)
I think a lot of folks might not know what to make of this novel because it doesn’t fit what is customary from this author. It’s definitely not her usual and I believe that might throw off a lot of people; however, I think it’s a beautifully-rendered effort and is well worth a read.
Here's why:
Firstly, it’s adeptly written in third person. Ms. Monroe tried a third person voice in a previous novel and has learned how to “do it better” this time around, in my opinion.
Secondly, this a slow-burn romance, instead of a medium- or short-burn thing, as she has written in the past. It’s also more slowly paced, in general, but I believe the mystery/suspense aspects of the novel are more than enough to offset that feature. I stayed interested and invested throughout the novel.
Thirdly, it has several deep, sub-plot layers – interpersonal relationship questions, existential/moral morasses, as well as the aforementioned mystery/suspense elements. By the way, all of these elements, the author deftly handles, again, in my opinion!
Fourthly, the author’s narrative voice is more lyrical here than what we, her readers, are used to seeing. I’ve always loved the way Ms. Monroe is able to perfectly describe a scene so that the reader feels as though he/she is right there with the characters. For me, the more poetic prose of this novel heightens each descriptive passage and makes each scene even more brilliant.
Finally, the novel also has something else the author rarely indulges in – a hefty dose of “internalizations.” Those are generally off-putting to me, but in this novel, those actually enhance the forward momentum of the story. The internal ruminations of the main characters, Hugh and Ellie, show an EVOLUTION of their characters’ mindsets – their feelings, both toward themselves, and toward their situations/environments – and, I absolutely love to see characters evolving! The icing on the cake here is that Ms. Monroe manages to avoid becoming excessively repetitive with her characters’ internal dialogs.
So, for me, I absolutely enjoyed the heck out of seeing Ms. Monroe step out of her readers’ “comfort zones,” and I applaud her for a well-done effort. In my mind, this novel is a definite MUST READ. I highly recommend it to contemporary romance fans. (And, I’m putting my money where my mouth is – I’ve just purchased this novel so I can read it again and again – something I rarely do!)
November 2, 2023
This is such a fun rollercoaster of a read that'll have you laughing, swooning, and even feeling a little mischievous. I mean, who wouldn't want to get back at someone who's done them wrong, right? From the same author who brought us the hilarious "Dirty Little Midlife Crisis," Monroe knows how to weave revenge and romance into a tale that's nothing short of entertaining.
So, we meet our heroine, Ellie Davis, who's been through the wringer thanks to her conniving ex-fiancé, Jason. He broke her heart with his cheating ways, then spread nasty rumors about her, and now he's eyeing her parents' property! But Ellie's not about to let him off the hook. She's got this impulsive and brilliant plan for revenge.
Now, you know how these revenge plans go, right? They hardly ever turn out as expected. Ellie thought she was hiring a boat mechanic through Fernley Island's OddJobs app, but she ended up with the boat mechanic's nephew, a new to the island Hugh Hartford. He's big, handsome, brooding, and only in town for a short while, making him the perfect twist to Ellie's carefully crafted revenge plot.
As Ellie and Hugh's paths keep crossing, sparks fly, and there's undeniable heat between them. But when you've got revenge on the menu and secrets simmering beneath the surface, you can't help but wonder if their budding romance can withstand the fiery truth.
Ellie's dealing with a heavy sense of isolation, and it feels like the whole town of Fernley Island is against her. Thanks to Jason's dirty tricks and rumors, she feels like she has been cast as the "villain" in their breakup, and that's created a cloud of mistrust and hostility around her.
Feeling like an outcast is tough, and she's determined to prove she's not the person the town thinks she is. She wants to regain her lost dignity and respect, and her quest for revenge is a big part. But as the story unfolds, we get to see Ellie's journey of self-discovery and healing, and how her view of the town's opinion starts to change.
Enter Hugh, and Ellie realizes that not everyone in Fernley Island despises her. The town shows its caring and supportive side, giving Ellie a glimmer of hope that maybe she's not as hated as she thought.
"Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge" takes us on a heartwarming and hilarious journey as Ellie navigates her emotions. Her shifting perspective on the town and its people is a big part of her character development and the overall story. Trust me, you're going to love every moment of it!
I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
So, we meet our heroine, Ellie Davis, who's been through the wringer thanks to her conniving ex-fiancé, Jason. He broke her heart with his cheating ways, then spread nasty rumors about her, and now he's eyeing her parents' property! But Ellie's not about to let him off the hook. She's got this impulsive and brilliant plan for revenge.
Now, you know how these revenge plans go, right? They hardly ever turn out as expected. Ellie thought she was hiring a boat mechanic through Fernley Island's OddJobs app, but she ended up with the boat mechanic's nephew, a new to the island Hugh Hartford. He's big, handsome, brooding, and only in town for a short while, making him the perfect twist to Ellie's carefully crafted revenge plot.
As Ellie and Hugh's paths keep crossing, sparks fly, and there's undeniable heat between them. But when you've got revenge on the menu and secrets simmering beneath the surface, you can't help but wonder if their budding romance can withstand the fiery truth.
Ellie's dealing with a heavy sense of isolation, and it feels like the whole town of Fernley Island is against her. Thanks to Jason's dirty tricks and rumors, she feels like she has been cast as the "villain" in their breakup, and that's created a cloud of mistrust and hostility around her.
Feeling like an outcast is tough, and she's determined to prove she's not the person the town thinks she is. She wants to regain her lost dignity and respect, and her quest for revenge is a big part. But as the story unfolds, we get to see Ellie's journey of self-discovery and healing, and how her view of the town's opinion starts to change.
Enter Hugh, and Ellie realizes that not everyone in Fernley Island despises her. The town shows its caring and supportive side, giving Ellie a glimmer of hope that maybe she's not as hated as she thought.
"Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge" takes us on a heartwarming and hilarious journey as Ellie navigates her emotions. Her shifting perspective on the town and its people is a big part of her character development and the overall story. Trust me, you're going to love every moment of it!
I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.
August 31, 2024
my feelings are split…
I really enjoyed the humor of this book. I really enjoyed the characters of this book. I really enjoyed the small town setting of this book and up until the big fundraiser/FBI raid. I was on track to giving this book a four or five star review. However after that point things went downhill for me. The female lead became less relatable and understandable and the eccentric people she surrounded her self with (family and such) became more enablers. To me the author should have had more time, bonding, and getting to know you scenes prior too the big event or she could have kept the original pace and then handled the after events differently.
I don’t like how the lengthy resolution /ending was pretty much framed as Hugh messed up and needed to apologize and atone for hurting Ellie. That to me was silly and didn’t ring wholly true. While I do agree that he messed up (a little) and I see how she could be slightly hurt, to me her reaction was so silly and out of proportion. Honestly with that reaction I feel like she owed him an appoligy. Yes, lies of omission can be bad and while he had several points where he was thinking about saying something and didn’t the situation was totally understandable to me. Neither of them really knew each other, all of their interactions happened within a few days, and not fully trusting each other that quickly is understandable. Plus the several times he had an opening to say something about his motives for being on the island she would say something that would make it totally clear that if he confessed she had already passed judgement and it was not going to be good. On top of that she was so rapped up in her life and her feelings towards the town and her ex she wasn’t even really shouting interest in what brought him and how long he would be around.
I feel like instead of this time spent where he had to atone and she had to lick her wounds a better story would have been if the locals called her out for her quick judgements on Hugh and themselves. If Ellie had stayed in town and they had shown her that her perceptions were a bit skewed and that they supported her the whole time she just was too wrapped up to see it. And while all that character development was going on with Ellie, she and Hugh could have both apologized for being so wrapped up in their personal stuff and not as honest or interested and they should have been and after a quick make up they could use the rest of the time getting to know each other without all the Jason related shenanigans.
I really enjoyed the humor of this book. I really enjoyed the characters of this book. I really enjoyed the small town setting of this book and up until the big fundraiser/FBI raid. I was on track to giving this book a four or five star review. However after that point things went downhill for me. The female lead became less relatable and understandable and the eccentric people she surrounded her self with (family and such) became more enablers. To me the author should have had more time, bonding, and getting to know you scenes prior too the big event or she could have kept the original pace and then handled the after events differently.
I don’t like how the lengthy resolution /ending was pretty much framed as Hugh messed up and needed to apologize and atone for hurting Ellie. That to me was silly and didn’t ring wholly true. While I do agree that he messed up (a little) and I see how she could be slightly hurt, to me her reaction was so silly and out of proportion. Honestly with that reaction I feel like she owed him an appoligy. Yes, lies of omission can be bad and while he had several points where he was thinking about saying something and didn’t the situation was totally understandable to me. Neither of them really knew each other, all of their interactions happened within a few days, and not fully trusting each other that quickly is understandable. Plus the several times he had an opening to say something about his motives for being on the island she would say something that would make it totally clear that if he confessed she had already passed judgement and it was not going to be good. On top of that she was so rapped up in her life and her feelings towards the town and her ex she wasn’t even really shouting interest in what brought him and how long he would be around.
I feel like instead of this time spent where he had to atone and she had to lick her wounds a better story would have been if the locals called her out for her quick judgements on Hugh and themselves. If Ellie had stayed in town and they had shown her that her perceptions were a bit skewed and that they supported her the whole time she just was too wrapped up to see it. And while all that character development was going on with Ellie, she and Hugh could have both apologized for being so wrapped up in their personal stuff and not as honest or interested and they should have been and after a quick make up they could use the rest of the time getting to know each other without all the Jason related shenanigans.
December 17, 2023
Four Steps was a really fun, intense and romantic book that I Unexpectedly loved. It’s the type of book where you can’t help but root for the characters, as well as their relationship.
This was my first book by Lilian Monroe and I’m impressed. The opening chapter sets up the main character perfectly and you immediately jump into the plot. Our main character, Ellie Davies is a passionate, opinionated and down on her luck ex-event planner who’s on a rescue mission with her best friend Wyn to save her dog who’s basically being held hostage by her slimy ex-fiancé Jason. At first, you may think this Mission Impossible style rescue is excessive but once you find more out about her vile ex, you get with the program and feel like you’re there with them. After her best friend is injured and the rescue mission fails, Ellie returns to local grump Lionel with the hope he can take them to the hospital. But this doesn’t happen. Ellie sees what appears to be an intruder attempting to enter Lionels House and whacks him with bolt cutters, exclaiming that she’s stopped the burglar. Turns out it is not a creepy thief but a handsome Hugh, nephew to grumpy Lionel who was trying to repair something. I did laugh here because Ellie really thought she’d saved the day, a reaction most would have, I think!
Hugh has returned to the island following the death of his estranged father who left a hefty amount of land to him as an inheritance. He’s certain he will sell the land to a developer who wants to build an up-and-coming luxury resort. Jason is one of the guys involved in this development and is desperate to get his hands on this land as well as Ellie’s parents’ property.
Hugh is dragged into a plot that has resulted in the poisoning of the Davies family’s sheep where the pair find out Jason paid an unknowing local to ‘feed the sheep’. The plot to get this land is becoming more and more violent and aggressive with Jason manipulating everyone who listens to turn against Ellie, something Hugh is not willing to do.
The two work together to gather proof that Jason is a fraud while they also get closer to one another.
I really enjoyed this. It was fun, wholehearted and generally just a joy to read. It definitely makes me want to read more of Lilian’s books. Thank you for the eARC!
This was my first book by Lilian Monroe and I’m impressed. The opening chapter sets up the main character perfectly and you immediately jump into the plot. Our main character, Ellie Davies is a passionate, opinionated and down on her luck ex-event planner who’s on a rescue mission with her best friend Wyn to save her dog who’s basically being held hostage by her slimy ex-fiancé Jason. At first, you may think this Mission Impossible style rescue is excessive but once you find more out about her vile ex, you get with the program and feel like you’re there with them. After her best friend is injured and the rescue mission fails, Ellie returns to local grump Lionel with the hope he can take them to the hospital. But this doesn’t happen. Ellie sees what appears to be an intruder attempting to enter Lionels House and whacks him with bolt cutters, exclaiming that she’s stopped the burglar. Turns out it is not a creepy thief but a handsome Hugh, nephew to grumpy Lionel who was trying to repair something. I did laugh here because Ellie really thought she’d saved the day, a reaction most would have, I think!
Hugh has returned to the island following the death of his estranged father who left a hefty amount of land to him as an inheritance. He’s certain he will sell the land to a developer who wants to build an up-and-coming luxury resort. Jason is one of the guys involved in this development and is desperate to get his hands on this land as well as Ellie’s parents’ property.
Hugh is dragged into a plot that has resulted in the poisoning of the Davies family’s sheep where the pair find out Jason paid an unknowing local to ‘feed the sheep’. The plot to get this land is becoming more and more violent and aggressive with Jason manipulating everyone who listens to turn against Ellie, something Hugh is not willing to do.
The two work together to gather proof that Jason is a fraud while they also get closer to one another.
I really enjoyed this. It was fun, wholehearted and generally just a joy to read. It definitely makes me want to read more of Lilian’s books. Thank you for the eARC!
September 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
I started off this really enjoying it. An island where money speaks and Ellie's mega rich ex fiance has ruined her life, of course she needs revenge. I was rooting for the comeuppance!! Not to mention romance with the hot tall broody man thats helping her with her plotting, whats not to love?
UNTIL the worst trope to ever exist pops up.. miscommunication. This ruined a perfectly good book. I could sense it was coming but when the main plot wrapped itself up too quickly, I think the author needed a way of adding a few more chapters on.
First, the miscommunication was one tiny sentence which didnt even need to be a 'secret' in the first place. It could have been disclosed in the begnning and made perfect sense with no drama. Also, these characters are essentially STRANGERS, they've known each other a few days? You dont go around disclosing your full life story to strangers.
Secondly, it ruined the perception we have of Ellie. She was a badass, with determination, drive, strength. But she turned into a pathetic, immature child the way this 'miscommunication' went down. Her reaction and behaviour was completely cruel, uncalled for and I lost all the respect that the first half of this book created for her. I was hoping Hugh would walk away because she's a walking red flag. The rationale behind her thought process. Is ridiculous at best.
That aside im left very underwhelmed with the ending for Jason her ex-fiance. That got tied up way too neatly and quickly. I definitely didnt get the compeuppance i was looking for which was disappointing. One minute hes screaming at her thinking hes won and the next we hear that he got caught.. i wanted to read it happen, to get the reaction from him when he realises what shes done and had actually outsmarted him, the man that grew an empire?!!
Im not sure id recommend this book to friends, theres too much missing from this and I left the booking feeling disappointed which is definitely not how you should feel after reading a romance.
I started off this really enjoying it. An island where money speaks and Ellie's mega rich ex fiance has ruined her life, of course she needs revenge. I was rooting for the comeuppance!! Not to mention romance with the hot tall broody man thats helping her with her plotting, whats not to love?
UNTIL the worst trope to ever exist pops up.. miscommunication. This ruined a perfectly good book. I could sense it was coming but when the main plot wrapped itself up too quickly, I think the author needed a way of adding a few more chapters on.
First, the miscommunication was one tiny sentence which didnt even need to be a 'secret' in the first place. It could have been disclosed in the begnning and made perfect sense with no drama. Also, these characters are essentially STRANGERS, they've known each other a few days? You dont go around disclosing your full life story to strangers.
Secondly, it ruined the perception we have of Ellie. She was a badass, with determination, drive, strength. But she turned into a pathetic, immature child the way this 'miscommunication' went down. Her reaction and behaviour was completely cruel, uncalled for and I lost all the respect that the first half of this book created for her. I was hoping Hugh would walk away because she's a walking red flag. The rationale behind her thought process. Is ridiculous at best.
That aside im left very underwhelmed with the ending for Jason her ex-fiance. That got tied up way too neatly and quickly. I definitely didnt get the compeuppance i was looking for which was disappointing. One minute hes screaming at her thinking hes won and the next we hear that he got caught.. i wanted to read it happen, to get the reaction from him when he realises what shes done and had actually outsmarted him, the man that grew an empire?!!
Im not sure id recommend this book to friends, theres too much missing from this and I left the booking feeling disappointed which is definitely not how you should feel after reading a romance.
October 1, 2023
At the outset, I really enjoyed this book. I immediately felt like I needed to know more about Ellie - she was a badass and I needed to understand what drove her to be who she was and what made her act the way she did. When Hugh came along I thought the romance would blossom quickly but it felt like them getting together dragged on a little too long.
The story was dramatic and I felt like we got to know characters enough to really decide whether we liked or loathed them (anybody who likes Jason is just plain wrong) and this added so much to the story for me - I was team Ellie and Hugh all the way and really wanted everything to work out in their favour. I guess it was until the miscommunication trope was thrown in for good measure!? This let the story down I felt - we no longer saw Ellie who lets nothing and nobody get in her way but instead sad Ellie who doesn't deal with things head on, and that's not who we were taught to love in this book! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with characters who are sad and can't face their issues but this was such a small miscommunication in the grand scheme of things that the way it changed the book felt super unnecessary and really quite harsh on Hugh, who had done all kinds of dodgy things to help her with her whacky plan up to that point.
There were a couple of surprises in there but overall I felt the ending fell off a bit, everything was wrapped up too quickly and too cleanly for the way the story had been progressing and it felt almost like the author had run out of allowed pages for the book and therefore had to wrap up quicker than intended.
I did enjoy the book for the most part and it's personal preference about the ending but I think if you like easy-ish reads, small town romances and some good old drama in there then you'll probably enjoy this book and should pick it up!
Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for my pre-publication copy in exchange for an honest review :-)
The story was dramatic and I felt like we got to know characters enough to really decide whether we liked or loathed them (anybody who likes Jason is just plain wrong) and this added so much to the story for me - I was team Ellie and Hugh all the way and really wanted everything to work out in their favour. I guess it was until the miscommunication trope was thrown in for good measure!? This let the story down I felt - we no longer saw Ellie who lets nothing and nobody get in her way but instead sad Ellie who doesn't deal with things head on, and that's not who we were taught to love in this book! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with characters who are sad and can't face their issues but this was such a small miscommunication in the grand scheme of things that the way it changed the book felt super unnecessary and really quite harsh on Hugh, who had done all kinds of dodgy things to help her with her whacky plan up to that point.
There were a couple of surprises in there but overall I felt the ending fell off a bit, everything was wrapped up too quickly and too cleanly for the way the story had been progressing and it felt almost like the author had run out of allowed pages for the book and therefore had to wrap up quicker than intended.
I did enjoy the book for the most part and it's personal preference about the ending but I think if you like easy-ish reads, small town romances and some good old drama in there then you'll probably enjoy this book and should pick it up!
Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for my pre-publication copy in exchange for an honest review :-)
November 23, 2023
this book had no business being as good as it was?? it took me a hot minute to get invested and the story did border on insta-love to me, but even though it was a short amount of time, it took place over the whole book so it didn’t feel terribly quick. this book was a little more mystery-esque (ish) than what i feel like i’m typically drawn to but i did enjoy it!
i have two main grievances with this book. first, the cover. so bad. i definitely judged it before reading it and i feel like that’s why it took me so long to read it after getting approved on netgalley. i don’t like the real people or the pose of them, it just really impacted me negatively. the second is the name hugh. it’s just so old. im so sorry but i couldnt picture anything but a man hunched over with a trench coat and a fedora the entire time! it just really threw me.
the author of this book showed up!! the eloquence, timeline, development, everything was so well done and overall the book was really well written in my opinion. i liked the storyline with louie, i liked the way she made you care about the characters. at first i didnt connect super well because it felt forced and quick and like i didnt have any basis or burning desire of any sort for the main characters to get together, but i feel like it does build well especially at the end of the book the author makes it feel very intentional that the love happened quickly and she then takes the time for the characters to get to know each other, she acknowledges that the FMC was being dramatic ab how long it was taking her to forgive him, but also made it make sense along with the idea of her trauma and fears. i realllyyy enjoyed this book and i wish we got one ab daphne! so sad. im glad i made myself finally read this.
i have two main grievances with this book. first, the cover. so bad. i definitely judged it before reading it and i feel like that’s why it took me so long to read it after getting approved on netgalley. i don’t like the real people or the pose of them, it just really impacted me negatively. the second is the name hugh. it’s just so old. im so sorry but i couldnt picture anything but a man hunched over with a trench coat and a fedora the entire time! it just really threw me.
the author of this book showed up!! the eloquence, timeline, development, everything was so well done and overall the book was really well written in my opinion. i liked the storyline with louie, i liked the way she made you care about the characters. at first i didnt connect super well because it felt forced and quick and like i didnt have any basis or burning desire of any sort for the main characters to get together, but i feel like it does build well especially at the end of the book the author makes it feel very intentional that the love happened quickly and she then takes the time for the characters to get to know each other, she acknowledges that the FMC was being dramatic ab how long it was taking her to forgive him, but also made it make sense along with the idea of her trauma and fears. i realllyyy enjoyed this book and i wish we got one ab daphne! so sad. im glad i made myself finally read this.
December 10, 2023
Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge by Lilian Monroe is a romantic suspense. After six months of trying, Ellie wants her beloved dog Louie back from her cheating ex Jason’s house. Ellie continues to scheme ways to accomplish this, which includes an attempt to sneak into Jason’s backyard to steal him back. Yet, Ellie experiences frustration and failure at every attempt. Love for her pet and wanting to help her parents after learning about some immortal actions by her ex towards her family in the name of acquiring their beachfront property leads her on an adventure of a lifetime. Nothing is as it appears to be on the surface. Jason is not only a cheating ex-boyfriend but stops at nothing to ruin Ellie’s career as an event planner, as well as her reputation on the island they both reside on. Ellie sees a man who appears to be breaking into an older man’s window when she comes out of nowhere and hits him on the head with a pair of old bolt cutters. The stranger is Hugh, a nephew of Lionel, the homeowner. This random event changes Hugh’s and Ellie’s lives forever as she finds him willing to participate in her plans to steal back her dog. Hugh is hiding secrets from everyone on the island. Family drama abounds from Hugh’s cheating dad, giving him a legacy of trust and commitment issues. Ellie’s rebellious family of women leaves their imprint on her life. The digging and looking for dirt on Jason led Ellie and Hugh to a mystery with far-reaching consequences. The clues and facts unfold, and the romance between Ellie and Hugh heats up as the pages get turned. Lilian Monroe lives up to her stellar reputation as an exceptional writer in her latest book, Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge.
December 31, 2023
‘Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge’ was a fun and easy read.
Ellie and Hugh were interesting characters who had both sweet and funny moments. Their established backstories were interesting and I liked how their pasts played into their relationship and the overall plot. I liked the development of their interest in one another and how much the acceptance which Ellie, her family, and the small town showed towards Hugh became something very meaningful to him. I was interested in seeing where their relationship went and enjoyed the progression it took as they carried out Ellie’s revenge plan. The side characters were also interesting and their interactions with the main characters made for some notable scenes which were endearing and at times humorous.
The fast pacing of the book worked, in my opinion, for the most part. The book was broken down into four parts signifying the four steps to revenge which coupled with the writing style and what happened in the plot meant as a reader I was caught up in what was happening. So though the timeline was short it wasn't an obvious thing which made things seem too much too soon. That was however until I reached the third act break up. I’ll admit I can understand the hurt but the reaction of Ellie was way too much considering how long the characters had known one another, it slightly ruined her characterisation and conflicted my overall thoughts and reactions to the pacing up till that point.
I enjoyed this book and I’m glad to have read it. It had a likeable romance and gave the characters a satisfying ending.
Favourite Quote:
Ellie and Hugh were interesting characters who had both sweet and funny moments. Their established backstories were interesting and I liked how their pasts played into their relationship and the overall plot. I liked the development of their interest in one another and how much the acceptance which Ellie, her family, and the small town showed towards Hugh became something very meaningful to him. I was interested in seeing where their relationship went and enjoyed the progression it took as they carried out Ellie’s revenge plan. The side characters were also interesting and their interactions with the main characters made for some notable scenes which were endearing and at times humorous.
The fast pacing of the book worked, in my opinion, for the most part. The book was broken down into four parts signifying the four steps to revenge which coupled with the writing style and what happened in the plot meant as a reader I was caught up in what was happening. So though the timeline was short it wasn't an obvious thing which made things seem too much too soon. That was however until I reached the third act break up. I’ll admit I can understand the hurt but the reaction of Ellie was way too much considering how long the characters had known one another, it slightly ruined her characterisation and conflicted my overall thoughts and reactions to the pacing up till that point.
I enjoyed this book and I’m glad to have read it. It had a likeable romance and gave the characters a satisfying ending.
Favourite Quote:
“It feels like I was stumbling around in the dark, and you turned on all the lights.”
September 28, 2024
Super entertaining modern rom-com for the ages! This book centers on Ellie Davis, a 30-year-old woman who was cheated on & humiliated by her ex-fiancé, Jason. Believing he has ruined her life, Ellie is set on carrying out the perfect revenge plan, but will those plans be disrupted by the charming & attractive Hugh Hartford, whose own legacy haunts him as he becomes the heir to his late estranged father’s property?
As someone who does not typically watch rom-com movies, I went into this book not expecting to like it. The beginning started out quite slowly—I understand the need to establish setting but I didn’t need 3-4 pages worth of descriptions of foliage & Washington State coastline. Once Ellie & Hugh meet & the revenge plan is formulated, that’s when the story picks up & you get more invested in the characters, quickly finding yourself rooting for them & hoping their plan works & justice is served. Whether it does or not…well, you’ll just have to find out for yourself.
Overall the author does a good job of writing a cast of characters with a slew of colorful personalities as big as their hearts, which I found makes it easier to cast the characters in a potential Hollywood adaptation. As for plot building, the revenge plan may be what drives the plot (it’s in the book title after all) but it’s not the primary focus, which I appreciated. Allowing the readers insight into both Ellie’s & Hugh’s POVs provides better insight into who each character is & what they stand for, thereby effectively convincing the romance skeptics why they work well as a romantic pairing despite being relative strangers. Otherwise you can’t have a good rom-com. Highly recommend for readers aged 18+ (it gets R-rated at one point in the back half).
As someone who does not typically watch rom-com movies, I went into this book not expecting to like it. The beginning started out quite slowly—I understand the need to establish setting but I didn’t need 3-4 pages worth of descriptions of foliage & Washington State coastline. Once Ellie & Hugh meet & the revenge plan is formulated, that’s when the story picks up & you get more invested in the characters, quickly finding yourself rooting for them & hoping their plan works & justice is served. Whether it does or not…well, you’ll just have to find out for yourself.
Overall the author does a good job of writing a cast of characters with a slew of colorful personalities as big as their hearts, which I found makes it easier to cast the characters in a potential Hollywood adaptation. As for plot building, the revenge plan may be what drives the plot (it’s in the book title after all) but it’s not the primary focus, which I appreciated. Allowing the readers insight into both Ellie’s & Hugh’s POVs provides better insight into who each character is & what they stand for, thereby effectively convincing the romance skeptics why they work well as a romantic pairing despite being relative strangers. Otherwise you can’t have a good rom-com. Highly recommend for readers aged 18+ (it gets R-rated at one point in the back half).
December 11, 2023
Ellie Davis grew up on Fernley Island and knows everyone who lives there. When she needs a little help she jumps into the island's Oddjobs app, expecting the local mechanic to show up but instead gets a stranger... the same man she attacked last night when mistakenly thinking he was breaking in. Hugh Hartman is just on the Island for a few days to investigate an offer on his inheritance property. On the outside it sounds like a great deal, but as he spends more time with the locals, especially the troublesome but irresistible Ellie, he starts to see how terrible their resort plans would be for the island. At the center of it is Ellie's ex-fiance, Jason, and as Hugh helps Ellie with her revenge plot, he falls for her more and more. But if she learns the true reason he's in the Island, she may never speak to him again.
Ellie's wild personality and antics add so much humor to this story. I couldn't wait to see what she'd come up with next! Hugh had a steady and calming influence to tame some of her craziness but he loved that side of her and they make the perfect match. I loved this story with a little bit of everything-- comedy, romance, mystery, and a lot of revenge plots! I loved this author's Dirty Little Midlife series and I was so excited to get an early chance to read this standalone romcom.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ellie's wild personality and antics add so much humor to this story. I couldn't wait to see what she'd come up with next! Hugh had a steady and calming influence to tame some of her craziness but he loved that side of her and they make the perfect match. I loved this story with a little bit of everything-- comedy, romance, mystery, and a lot of revenge plots! I loved this author's Dirty Little Midlife series and I was so excited to get an early chance to read this standalone romcom.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 16, 2023
First of all, thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read the ARC of this book.
I’m going straight to the point with this one: unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this story at all, even though it was so promising. The main female character wants to get revenge on her ex and, while she’s trying to do that, she falls in love with another man who helps her doing that: it really sounds like my kind of romance.
However - from the very first few chapters - I found the story a bit scattered. While I usually get into a book after around 50 pages, it just didn’t happen here. The more I read, the more I would be bored, annoyed and confused.
But it’s not all negative: I really liked Hugh, the main male character and, although I think that the romance was a little bit unrealistic considering they only knew each other for a few days - maximum a week - I honestly would have fallen in love with him in such a short period of time too.
I was so excited about this book so you can imagine how disappointed and sad I am to only give it two stars, but I wouldn’t be true to myself if I wasn’t completely honest in my reviews. I’m still so unbelievably grateful for this opportunity and I want to emphasize that this is only my opinion about a book that I can see - by reading other reviews - many other people really liked.
I’m going straight to the point with this one: unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this story at all, even though it was so promising. The main female character wants to get revenge on her ex and, while she’s trying to do that, she falls in love with another man who helps her doing that: it really sounds like my kind of romance.
However - from the very first few chapters - I found the story a bit scattered. While I usually get into a book after around 50 pages, it just didn’t happen here. The more I read, the more I would be bored, annoyed and confused.
But it’s not all negative: I really liked Hugh, the main male character and, although I think that the romance was a little bit unrealistic considering they only knew each other for a few days - maximum a week - I honestly would have fallen in love with him in such a short period of time too.
I was so excited about this book so you can imagine how disappointed and sad I am to only give it two stars, but I wouldn’t be true to myself if I wasn’t completely honest in my reviews. I’m still so unbelievably grateful for this opportunity and I want to emphasize that this is only my opinion about a book that I can see - by reading other reviews - many other people really liked.
November 18, 2023
Ellie Davis has had enough. Humiliated after her engagement explodes in the worst way--she finds her fiancee with another woman at her engagement party and ends up arrested after she attempts to destroy his car--her career and personal life implodes. Add to that a kidnapped dog and attempted sheep murder, she sets out to make her ex pay.
Hugh is on tiny Fernley Island to wrap up his father's estate, selling off the property he inherited to Ellie's ex. However, his plans change when he meets Ellie and is swept up in her attempts to exact revenge.
Ultimately, this book is trying to do a lot, and, as a result, sort of fizzles in the third act. On one hand, it's a romantic suspense/romantic mystery, as Ellie uncovers her ex is using his latest business deal to expand his drug trafficking empire. On the other hand, it's a traditional romance, with Ellie and Hugh falling fast and facing a third-act breakup. One of the things I like about romantic suspense is that most of the tension and drama comes from that suspense, not from a clash between the two main characters. Instead, we wrap up that storyline and then move to the more traditional romance plot. In comparison, that tension is pretty underwhelming.
* Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *
Hugh is on tiny Fernley Island to wrap up his father's estate, selling off the property he inherited to Ellie's ex. However, his plans change when he meets Ellie and is swept up in her attempts to exact revenge.
Ultimately, this book is trying to do a lot, and, as a result, sort of fizzles in the third act. On one hand, it's a romantic suspense/romantic mystery, as Ellie uncovers her ex is using his latest business deal to expand his drug trafficking empire. On the other hand, it's a traditional romance, with Ellie and Hugh falling fast and facing a third-act breakup. One of the things I like about romantic suspense is that most of the tension and drama comes from that suspense, not from a clash between the two main characters. Instead, we wrap up that storyline and then move to the more traditional romance plot. In comparison, that tension is pretty underwhelming.
* Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *
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