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Breaking Up Was the Plan, the Duke Falling For the Villainess Was Not! #1
Breaking Up Was the Plan, the Duke Falling For the Villainess Was Not! Vol.1
The plan was play the foil, get dumped, live happily ever after. Now? The duke is head over heels for me, the world’s on the brink of war—and I’m going to die.
I was reincarnated into the pages of my favorite romance novel. Not as the bright, beloved heroine, but as the cruel, grasping villainess, a mere stepping stone in the story. My only job is to dump the “Cold-Hearted Duke” so he can meet his true love. Fail, and war breaks out. I die. Nobody gets their happily ever after.
Easy, right?
Except playing a vindictive noblewoman when I’d been an ordinary woman in my past life is harder than it looks. Because if that’s the case, why—at the end of it all—is the duke holding me close, murmuring into my ear, “Grace… I will never, ever let you go”?!
I was reincarnated into the pages of my favorite romance novel. Not as the bright, beloved heroine, but as the cruel, grasping villainess, a mere stepping stone in the story. My only job is to dump the “Cold-Hearted Duke” so he can meet his true love. Fail, and war breaks out. I die. Nobody gets their happily ever after.
Easy, right?
Except playing a vindictive noblewoman when I’d been an ordinary woman in my past life is harder than it looks. Because if that’s the case, why—at the end of it all—is the duke holding me close, murmuring into my ear, “Grace… I will never, ever let you go”?!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 5, 2026
So cute! Though maybe she should look for a different love interest for Charlotte and keep the man she loves? Just a thought. And Evan sounds like a slightly smarter Kronk. But just as muscular. I wish they had included a picture of him when we first meet him… tee hee.
And the hint of a second love interest…he sounds very appealing… I’ve always been into the “Reformed Rake” character. In theory. In reality they are probably riddled with STIs and have a pack of illegitimate kids who aren’t raised properly.
But, romance books are fantasy, so it’s ok if you squint and don’t think too hard about it.
It’s obv who she’s going to end up with, but the journey promises to be fun!
4, can’t wait for the next volume to come out, stars.
And the hint of a second love interest…he sounds very appealing… I’ve always been into the “Reformed Rake” character. In theory. In reality they are probably riddled with STIs and have a pack of illegitimate kids who aren’t raised properly.
But, romance books are fantasy, so it’s ok if you squint and don’t think too hard about it.
It’s obv who she’s going to end up with, but the journey promises to be fun!
4, can’t wait for the next volume to come out, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2026
This is the kind of story where you have to turn off the rational side of your brain as some things really don't add up that well. With that being said, it's still a really cute funny story that I thoroughly enjoyed. (I have my moments okayy)
Grace was a pretty good MC though a bit more intelligence wouldn't have hurt. Her unstoppable goal is questionable to me given the circumstances. Bonus points for the steady pace. Loved loved loved Mariabelle. Such a cutie!
I really liked Zane's pov and wish to read more from his view in the future because I feel like exactly when his pov was needed the most, it wasn't delivered. That was probably on purpose in order to maintain suspense, still!!
The fact that I don't have the second volume in my hands right now is a tragedy.
SPOILER ALERT
As I said with this one I just went with the flow because otherwise... how am I supposed to believe she knows which piece of land to buy to make money, but can't figure out how to stip hell from breaking loose without breaking his heart like ma'am
Grace was a pretty good MC though a bit more intelligence wouldn't have hurt. Her unstoppable goal is questionable to me given the circumstances. Bonus points for the steady pace. Loved loved loved Mariabelle. Such a cutie!
I really liked Zane's pov and wish to read more from his view in the future because I feel like exactly when his pov was needed the most, it wasn't delivered. That was probably on purpose in order to maintain suspense, still!!
The fact that I don't have the second volume in my hands right now is a tragedy.
SPOILER ALERT
As I said with this one I just went with the flow because otherwise... how am I supposed to believe she knows which piece of land to buy to make money, but can't figure out how to stip hell from breaking loose without breaking his heart like ma'am
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2026
I love Kotoko's authored manga so I saw this novel in libby so I read it. It was a really fun little ride was it different for Kotoko? I don't think so but she does her stories so well. I did really miss the manga aspect and I hope the manga for this one becomes available to read in English. I did think it was funny she things her MLs are yandere, I think they are yandere adjacent but not always cause they don't seem the sick part always. But I want more ASAP.
This novel's flow was really good, which is not always the case with light novels. I find most of them hard to get through so I congratulate the translation.
Publishers, give me everything with Kotoko attached, I am their biggest fan.
This novel's flow was really good, which is not always the case with light novels. I find most of them hard to get through so I congratulate the translation.
Publishers, give me everything with Kotoko attached, I am their biggest fan.
March 3, 2026
This may be the standard formula for this type of subgenre, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story! I laughed out loud so much that I feel like the joy I got reading this was amazing!
If you like this type of story, and you want shenanigans that'll make you laugh until you cry, this is definitely a good one for your library. It's an easy light read and full of ridiculous comedy. I'm glad I only have to wait until the end of the month for the next volume to come out. The wait is going to be frustrating already, unfortunately the third one isn't due to come out till June... So that way it's going to be a brutal multi-monther... Lol 😆
If you like this type of story, and you want shenanigans that'll make you laugh until you cry, this is definitely a good one for your library. It's an easy light read and full of ridiculous comedy. I'm glad I only have to wait until the end of the month for the next volume to come out. The wait is going to be frustrating already, unfortunately the third one isn't due to come out till June... So that way it's going to be a brutal multi-monther... Lol 😆
January 27, 2026
This was way funnier than I expected from the genre/summary. The narration was excellent, the MC and the guard character were particularly funny, and I was crying with laughter at multiple points through the book.
The plot was predictable, though that's not a bad thing. It hit all the emotional beats that I wanted, the characters were charming, and the narration and humor were on point. Looking forward to the next volume.
The plot was predictable, though that's not a bad thing. It hit all the emotional beats that I wanted, the characters were charming, and the narration and humor were on point. Looking forward to the next volume.
April 9, 2026
I honestly enjoyed this a lot. It wasn't mind blowing, but the low stakes villainess isekai novel was fun to read.
It was predictable. But it was very comforting to read that kind of predictability.
It was predictable. But it was very comforting to read that kind of predictability.
January 8, 2026
Can't wait for the next volume! Grace is such a sweetheart and I hope she tries to find a new love interest for Charlotte😂
January 8, 2026
this is stupid and cute and funny and charming and I love it
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews