What do you think?
Rate this book
Evergreen Park #3
Never Been Worse
Harper Abbott’s reputation has never been worse. The one time she tries to be spontaneous ends with her and her two best friends getting arrested for a prank gone wrong. Now, her cheating ex and his new girlfriend are on a mission to ruin her fledgling career as a fashion designer.
Wes Holden, guitarist for Altas Oaks, was pleasantly surprised to find out the charity date he was wrangled into was won by Harper, the woman he’d been quietly into for years. When he hears about the trouble she’s facing, he has the perfect solution: they should get married. His band needs a distraction in the media, and he could help her designs get more exposure.
With another leap of spontaneity, Harper agrees and is thrown into the limelight. Soon, what started as a mutually beneficial fake agreement starts to become more, and Wes finds himself working to convince her to give them a shot while Harper struggles to keep the full truth of her breakup—and its repercussions—under wraps.
Wes Holden, guitarist for Altas Oaks, was pleasantly surprised to find out the charity date he was wrangled into was won by Harper, the woman he’d been quietly into for years. When he hears about the trouble she’s facing, he has the perfect solution: they should get married. His band needs a distraction in the media, and he could help her designs get more exposure.
With another leap of spontaneity, Harper agrees and is thrown into the limelight. Soon, what started as a mutually beneficial fake agreement starts to become more, and Wes finds himself working to convince her to give them a shot while Harper struggles to keep the full truth of her breakup—and its repercussions—under wraps.
312 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2025
509 people are currently reading
10644 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Elizabeth
23 books6,404 followersMorgan is a born and raised Jersey girl, living there with her two boys, toddler daughter, and mechanic husband. She’s addicted to iced espresso, barbecue chips, and Starburst jellybeans. She usually has headphones on, listening to some spicy audiobook or Taylor Swift. There is rarely an in between.
Writing has been her calling for as long as she can remember. There’s a framed ‘page one’ of a book she wrote at seven hanging in her childhood home to prove the point. Her entire life she’s crafted stories in her mind, begging to be released but it wasn’t until recently she finally gave them the reigns.
I’m so grateful you’ve agreed to take this journey with me.
Writing has been her calling for as long as she can remember. There’s a framed ‘page one’ of a book she wrote at seven hanging in her childhood home to prove the point. Her entire life she’s crafted stories in her mind, begging to be released but it wasn’t until recently she finally gave them the reigns.
I’m so grateful you’ve agreed to take this journey with me.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 921 reviews
March 12, 2025
4.75 stars ⭐
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts 💭
this book was so cute and fast-paced! i don’t tend to gravitate towards romance books with the “fake dating/marriage” trope, but i absolutely devoured this one 🤭 i will say, it was pretty insta-lovey, but it didn’t bother me as much as it usually does which is surprising since i’m the biggest insta-love hater 👀
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ characters 🫂
♡.ᐟ wes 🎸
i need a wes in my life RIGHT! FREAKING! NOW!!! 😭 he was down bad for harper from the moment he laid eyes on her, and the way he waited a whole year (or was it 2? 🤔) for her melted my heart 🥺
it was clear how much he loved her—he always had her back, set up a room for her in his house with everything she needed to feel inspired, checked off a few items on her revenge list with her, did sunday resets and watched beauty and the beast with her just because he remembered she loved them, and got a tattoo of her initial in a heart on his arm before they were officially together, like hello?!! 😫
♡.ᐟ harper 👗
alright, let’s be real. harper knew wes liked her, and it annoyed me a little when she seemed surprised every time he expressed his love for her, but i also get how she might have been guarded and in denial after being cheated on sooo 🤷🏻♀️
♡.ᐟ wes + harper 💍
i really appreciated how they communicated in the end, and i have so much respect for wes for putting aside his own defenses, owning up to the fact that he did actually hurt harper, and apologizing for it—it takes a great deal of maturity to do that, especially when you had the best intentions.
and props to harper for asserting her self-worth and standing up for herself 👏🏻👑
can we also talk about how wes not only admitted his fault, but was also proud of harper for standing up for herself?! brb crying 😭😭😭
♡.ᐟ ava and jules 👯♀️
oh, how i adore female friendships 💖 ava and jules were such amazing, supportive friends 🥹 if your friends don’t glitter and fork your ex’s lawn for cheating on you, are they really your friends? 🤣
♡.ᐟ jeremy and clarissa 🚮
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, i absolutely DESPISE cheaters and pick me’s 🤮 if there’s one thing about me, it’s that i take pleasure in witnessing people’s downfalls when they truly deserve it 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ overall 📝
it’s safe to say the cute cover did not disappoint, and i’m looking forward to reading ava and jules’ books (yes, i skipped the first 2 books in the series and jumped straight into this one because i’m a sucker for guitarists 🤭)
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read 🎀🎸📰
fashion designer and guitarist?! sign me tf 🆙
br with my bestie, Alyssa 💖
P.S. i love the cover sm ~ it’s so pretty and pink 🤭
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
“No one has ever tested my patience the way Harper has, and I mean that in the best way possible. They say good things come to those who wait, and I'd wait forever if it meant l'd get her at the end of it all.”
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts 💭
this book was so cute and fast-paced! i don’t tend to gravitate towards romance books with the “fake dating/marriage” trope, but i absolutely devoured this one 🤭 i will say, it was pretty insta-lovey, but it didn’t bother me as much as it usually does which is surprising since i’m the biggest insta-love hater 👀
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ characters 🫂
♡.ᐟ wes 🎸
i need a wes in my life RIGHT! FREAKING! NOW!!! 😭 he was down bad for harper from the moment he laid eyes on her, and the way he waited a whole year (or was it 2? 🤔) for her melted my heart 🥺
“I think I’m falling for you.”
“That’s good. Because I’ve been there a long time, waiting for you… I’d wait forever, but I’m glad I won’t have to.”
it was clear how much he loved her—he always had her back, set up a room for her in his house with everything she needed to feel inspired, checked off a few items on her revenge list with her, did sunday resets and watched beauty and the beast with her just because he remembered she loved them, and got a tattoo of her initial in a heart on his arm before they were officially together, like hello?!! 😫
“You’re mine, Harper, so let me be the first to tell you. When you’re mine, I take care of you. That means no one talks to you like that, and no one questions you. It means I protect you. I know that’s a lot, Harper. I know you’re so stuck in the cage you created to keep yourself safe, but you need to know that’s who I am, and you need to know that’s who you are to me. That? That will never happen again, not on my watch. And if it does, I’ll act the same way. I will always remove you from any situation where you feel uncomfortable, where you are made to feel less than. Do you understand?”
“I told you I want to give you the world, Harper. Whatever you want, I want to make sure you have it.”
"I remember everything you tell me, Harper, because you're important to me."
♡.ᐟ harper 👗
alright, let’s be real. harper knew wes liked her, and it annoyed me a little when she seemed surprised every time he expressed his love for her, but i also get how she might have been guarded and in denial after being cheated on sooo 🤷🏻♀️
“Oh,” I say again, now just blown away by his bluntness and how lucky I am that I somehow stumbled into this, that I found this man after all of the chaos that had been my life. A man who is so deeply into me, who understands me and knows me and still wants me despite it all.
may this love find us all 😭🙏🏻🕯️✨
♡.ᐟ wes + harper 💍
i really appreciated how they communicated in the end, and i have so much respect for wes for putting aside his own defenses, owning up to the fact that he did actually hurt harper, and apologizing for it—it takes a great deal of maturity to do that, especially when you had the best intentions.
“I didn’t break your trust—“ I start, but when I see the flash of hurt on her face at my denial, the way her eyes water, I stop and really listen to what she’s trying to tell me. I force myself to set my well-meaning but possibly self-serving intentions to the side and see things from her point of view.
and props to harper for asserting her self-worth and standing up for herself 👏🏻👑
“You don’t get to decide if you broke my trust or not, Wes. You don’t get to decide when you cross my lines: I do. And if you can’t respect that, then tell me now, because I’m not going back to being the person who accepts that treatment.”
can we also talk about how wes not only admitted his fault, but was also proud of harper for standing up for herself?! brb crying 😭😭😭
“Even though I see the hurt in her eyes at the thought of stepping away from this, I know she’ll do it if she has to. I’m so fucking proud of her.”
♡.ᐟ ava and jules 👯♀️
oh, how i adore female friendships 💖 ava and jules were such amazing, supportive friends 🥹 if your friends don’t glitter and fork your ex’s lawn for cheating on you, are they really your friends? 🤣
♡.ᐟ jeremy and clarissa 🚮
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, i absolutely DESPISE cheaters and pick me’s 🤮 if there’s one thing about me, it’s that i take pleasure in witnessing people’s downfalls when they truly deserve it 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ overall 📝
it’s safe to say the cute cover did not disappoint, and i’m looking forward to reading ava and jules’ books (yes, i skipped the first 2 books in the series and jumped straight into this one because i’m a sucker for guitarists 🤭)
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read 🎀🎸📰
fashion designer and guitarist?! sign me tf 🆙
br with my bestie, Alyssa 💖
P.S. i love the cover sm ~ it’s so pretty and pink 🤭
March 6, 2025
Happy release day! Review coming right up 🍽️
I’m in need of something cute to get me out of my mood 🧍♀️I absolutely loved all my love and I’m so excited to see these characters again!!
🎀🩷 Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the arc.
I’m in need of something cute to get me out of my mood 🧍♀️I absolutely loved all my love and I’m so excited to see these characters again!!
🎀🩷 Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the arc.
February 25, 2025
best way to spend your sunday? giggling over a cute romance book 🤭💖
wes🥹 my cutie pie. this man has already been obsessed with harper for two years!!! the way he was calling her “little wife” in every chance he gets🫠🫠 i’m literally so in love with him!!
“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐈 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.”
harper my loveee!!🥹 cheated on by her boyfriend of 4 years, her designs got stolen by same man and on top of everything she gets arrested for glittering ex’s yard🙄 rude. even police agreed that he deserved it💅🏻
but don’t worry, what’s a better revenge than marrying handsome rock star? did i mention he’s been in love with her for 2 years?🤭
“𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈’𝐦 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮,” 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫.
“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
one of my favorite thing about morgan elizabeth’s books are the friendships🥹 she usually writes cutest and most supportive female friendships and this wasn’t any different. ava, jules and harper are so supportive of each other and so there for each other 🥹 besties who get revenge together stays together🤝🏻 revenge plot was kinda over the top but you know what i love? downfall of men😌
“𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.”
“𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭,” 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐯𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐤.
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫.”
that being said, 2016 called and they want their jealous assistant/secretary wants to break the couple apart trope back🙄
thanks to Valentine PR for the arc!!
wes🥹 my cutie pie. this man has already been obsessed with harper for two years!!! the way he was calling her “little wife” in every chance he gets🫠🫠 i’m literally so in love with him!!
“𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐈 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.”
harper my loveee!!🥹 cheated on by her boyfriend of 4 years, her designs got stolen by same man and on top of everything she gets arrested for glittering ex’s yard🙄 rude. even police agreed that he deserved it💅🏻
but don’t worry, what’s a better revenge than marrying handsome rock star? did i mention he’s been in love with her for 2 years?🤭
“𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈’𝐦 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮,” 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫.
“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
one of my favorite thing about morgan elizabeth’s books are the friendships🥹 she usually writes cutest and most supportive female friendships and this wasn’t any different. ava, jules and harper are so supportive of each other and so there for each other 🥹 besties who get revenge together stays together🤝🏻 revenge plot was kinda over the top but you know what i love? downfall of men😌
“𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.”
“𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭,” 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐯𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐤.
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫.”
that being said, 2016 called and they want their jealous assistant/secretary wants to break the couple apart trope back🙄
thanks to Valentine PR for the arc!!
March 3, 2025
3.25 stars
Never Been Worse was a feel-good romance with just the right mix of revenge, a delicious marriage of convenience, and plenty of “my wife” moments to make me swoon.
I read this as a standalone, but with so many side characters introduced in the previous books in the series, it took me a while to fully settle into the story. that said, I still found myself enjoying some part of it; especially the male lead, who checked all the boxes for a swoon-worthy hero. I also loved watching the female main character gradually take control of her life, growing into her own strength.
all in all, this was a sweet, entertaining read!
many thanks to Valentine PR & the author from providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
——————
got the arc!! 🥂 obsessed with the cover 🎀🩷
“when are you going to realize you deserve the moon, Harper?”
Never Been Worse was a feel-good romance with just the right mix of revenge, a delicious marriage of convenience, and plenty of “my wife” moments to make me swoon.
I read this as a standalone, but with so many side characters introduced in the previous books in the series, it took me a while to fully settle into the story. that said, I still found myself enjoying some part of it; especially the male lead, who checked all the boxes for a swoon-worthy hero. I also loved watching the female main character gradually take control of her life, growing into her own strength.
all in all, this was a sweet, entertaining read!
many thanks to Valentine PR & the author from providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
——————
got the arc!! 🥂 obsessed with the cover 🎀🩷
April 22, 2025
This was the cutest marriage of convenience I read in a LONG TIME and his nickname for her "little wife" AGHHH MELTED ME
full review pending
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ if you know me, you know I LOVE marriage of convenience and an audiobook so wish me luckkkk
full review pending
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ if you know me, you know I LOVE marriage of convenience and an audiobook so wish me luckkkk
March 5, 2025
ARC provided by Valentine PR!🤍
Never in my 18 years of life have I read anything as horrendous as this.
Harper Abbott is quite literally the most spineless female creature I have ever seen. I simply do not understand how a human being can be this dull and utterly BORING. You'd be surprised by the amount of times I had the urge to dive into the book and scream at her to GROW A FUCKING BACKBONE! And when she finally did, it was at the wrong time and it felt too sudden. She had zero character development so it made zero sense for her to gather the sudden courage to get back at her ex at the end of the book.
This was marketed as a book with a 'revenge plot' but I can assure you there was nothing remotely interesting about it. The revenge doesn't even happen until the last chapter and it's not even a proper closure for god's sake!!! What happened to Laurel for breaking the NDA? What happened to Jeremy after he was exposed? And do not fucking tell me Clarissa got away with being a bitch because NOTHING was mentioned in the book. And how did Harper's business take off despite the rumours in the end? WE. DON'T. KNOW.
And for god's sake, nobody calls their partner 'little wife'. They don't call anybody their 'little' anything so please stop with these weirdass nicknames😭😭😭
Oh and this was filled with typical cliché scenes. Like:
"It’s strange, since for as long as I can remember, I couldn’t even start to fall asleep if someone was in bed with me. It’s why Jeremy and I slept in separate beds when we lived together. I tried for a week to sleep in his bed, but I became so sleep deprived, I couldn’t trust myself to drive a car.
But two nights with Wes, and I’ve gotten the best sleep I ever have."
OMG gurl shut up pls. This ain't a fantasy book where the mmc's body produces sleeping potion.🙄🙄
This was a HUGE let down for me. Harper's character was nicely built up through the previous books so I didn't expect her to be a meek, spineless idiot. And Wes did literally NOTHING for me. He opens his mouth and spouts cliché dialogues and his entire personality is that 'he wanted to be with Harper ever since he first saw her'🙄🙄 The rockstar aspect wasn't even there!! Literally two idiots in lust and you cannot convince me otherwise.
The first book, Passenger Princess, was definitely the best one and Ava and Jaime were the best characters. Jules and Nate were fine but Harper and Wes can go to hell.
Never in my 18 years of life have I read anything as horrendous as this.
Harper Abbott is quite literally the most spineless female creature I have ever seen. I simply do not understand how a human being can be this dull and utterly BORING. You'd be surprised by the amount of times I had the urge to dive into the book and scream at her to GROW A FUCKING BACKBONE! And when she finally did, it was at the wrong time and it felt too sudden. She had zero character development so it made zero sense for her to gather the sudden courage to get back at her ex at the end of the book.
This was marketed as a book with a 'revenge plot' but I can assure you there was nothing remotely interesting about it. The revenge doesn't even happen until the last chapter and it's not even a proper closure for god's sake!!! What happened to Laurel for breaking the NDA? What happened to Jeremy after he was exposed? And do not fucking tell me Clarissa got away with being a bitch because NOTHING was mentioned in the book. And how did Harper's business take off despite the rumours in the end? WE. DON'T. KNOW.
And for god's sake, nobody calls their partner 'little wife'. They don't call anybody their 'little' anything so please stop with these weirdass nicknames😭😭😭
Oh and this was filled with typical cliché scenes. Like:
"It’s strange, since for as long as I can remember, I couldn’t even start to fall asleep if someone was in bed with me. It’s why Jeremy and I slept in separate beds when we lived together. I tried for a week to sleep in his bed, but I became so sleep deprived, I couldn’t trust myself to drive a car.
But two nights with Wes, and I’ve gotten the best sleep I ever have."
OMG gurl shut up pls. This ain't a fantasy book where the mmc's body produces sleeping potion.🙄🙄
This was a HUGE let down for me. Harper's character was nicely built up through the previous books so I didn't expect her to be a meek, spineless idiot. And Wes did literally NOTHING for me. He opens his mouth and spouts cliché dialogues and his entire personality is that 'he wanted to be with Harper ever since he first saw her'🙄🙄 The rockstar aspect wasn't even there!! Literally two idiots in lust and you cannot convince me otherwise.
The first book, Passenger Princess, was definitely the best one and Ava and Jaime were the best characters. Jules and Nate were fine but Harper and Wes can go to hell.
March 11, 2025
If you want to read about a pathetic and spineless woman who lets her POS cheating ex and other mean people walk all over her, then look no further. This book is the right one for you.
If it weren't for the MMC and her best friends, Harper would've never stood up for herself. She'll just let her ex get away with everything he has done to her. She's incredibly passive, overly timid, and clearly lacks any confidence. I really expected her to show some character growth, but instead, she only had a little development in the last two chapters of this book.
It was frustrating to read her character. I've lost count of how many times I've wished I could jump right inside the book and give her a good shake to knock some sense into her, because honestly, her decision-making was just not making any sense. She was just so in her head all the time. Ugh.
Then she has one of the traits that I really despise—she's a jealous person. I absolutely can't stand jealous FMCs; I really, really can't. I can tolerate jealousy from the MMC, but it's completely unacceptable when it comes from the FMC. But wow, this woman's jealousy streak was truly something else. 😒
I'm not entirely putting all the blame on her, tbf, since some of it was Wes' fault. If this tool had been straightforward from the beginning, Harper wouldn't be left to make assumptions. She's already dealing with her insecurities and trust issues, and Wes not doing anything to help her feel at ease at times just made everything worse. 🙄
Then we had Wes. For some ridiculous reason, his character just didn't appeal to me at all; I can't understand why, though. On paper, he could've been a truly swoonworthy guy, but no, there's something about his character that feels off, like he was made to be someone he's not.
Apparently, he's been into Harper for two years, actually from the first time he met her. But she was in a relationship at the time, so he did nothing about his attraction. Now that she's finally single, she wants to take "revenge" on her ex, and he thinks this is his opportunity to finally win over the girl of his dreams.
For someone who claims to be head over heels for her, I just didn't sense that kind of unwavering devotion from Wes. Idk, it's really difficult to put into words, but when you read about a man who's obsessed, you can sense it from the pages. There's something in their personality, attitude, and monologues that conveys that feeling of obsession, but I just didn't get that vibe with Wes. He was just so...blah.
Then when some women try to flirt with him, he doesn't push them away, like I was expecting an obsessed man would do. Sure, he would tell them that Harper is his wife, but that's the extent of his efforts. I really expected him to be more assertive in telling them to back off, but of course, that didn't happen. Instead, he actually basks in the idea that Harper gets jealous over these women, because in his dumb little head, this proves that she’s not unaffected at all. Like bruh, what the f*ck is wrong with you? You know she's already skittish and has many issues thanks to her ex. Why would you worsen it instead of comforting her?
Argh! Truthfully, I could rant on and on about how much this book pissed me off, but that would take me forever. Just looking at my notes and highlights is giving me a headache already. So yeah, I'm not going to anymore. Because if I had to remember everything that happened here, I'd be furious again, so I'm going to stop right now to save my energy and sanity.
This book is by far the worst in the entire series. My rating was solely for the cameo of the MCs from the previous books; other than that, there was nothing else to appreciate.
Book info:
- Revenge on ex (but is it really)
- Marriage of convenience
- Infidelity (not by MCs)
- Aspiring designer x Rockstar
- No cheating
- No V
- With OM/OW, separation
- HEA (16 mos later, married and childfree)
Notes:
🔴 OM. Harper's ex did cause the majority of issue in this book. Wes felt a bit jealous for a moment, but once he realized that Harper wasn't in love with him, he got over it pretty quickly.
🔴 OW1. The woman her ex cheated on her with was something else. She definitely caused problems, but it felt like she was just overlooked in the process.
🔴 OW2. Not really. When they got back from their honeymoon, a flight attendant tried to give Wes her name and number, even after he mentioned that Harper is his wife and that he's basically married. Harper felt a bit jealous and asked him if that happens often. He replied that it's not uncommon and mentioned that he used to indulge in it when he was younger, but eventually, it gets old.
🔴 OW3. Wes' assistant, who has worked with him for five years, wants him. When Wes was not around, the OW is a witch to Harper. Harper told him that the OW dislikes her, but he didn't believe her. He just told her that it would take time for them to get to know each other. This OW has her own room in his house, which was weird btw, but whatever. Harper gets a bit jealous of her too since she keeps bringing up how she knows him better than Harper does. There was also a scene where this OW caught them making out, and then she said this line: "I walk into this kind of thing all the time, doesn't faze me at all. I'm just saying, it's not the first time I've walked in on you making out with someone else. It's just what happens when you're someone's right hand". You’d think Wes would step up and address this disrespect towards his wife or at least clarify if what she said was true, but f*cking nope, none of that happened. He just lets her get away with it and he never explained anything.
🔴 Separation. They were apart for 20 days I think, they had to stage a breakup while preparing her plan for getting back at her ex.
🔴 There are absolutely no lasting consequences for all the people who hurt Harper. Nothing for her ex, nothing for the side piece of her ex who had the audacity to steal her designs, and certainly nothing for Wes' assistant who continually disrespected her.
🔴 Celibacy. I skipped all the spicy scenes. Sorry, not sorry. After finding out Wes' reputation, he permanently gave me the ick. So I have no clue whether he's celibate all the years that he's been "pining" for her, and I have no clue if how long it had been for Harper.
🔴 Oh, and the worst (for me). In the four years she was in a relationship with her ex, he had never made her come, not even once. They had separate rooms because she can't sleep when he's beside her. But guess who made her come the first time and was able to make her feel comfortable and sleep like a rock? 🫠
If it weren't for the MMC and her best friends, Harper would've never stood up for herself. She'll just let her ex get away with everything he has done to her. She's incredibly passive, overly timid, and clearly lacks any confidence. I really expected her to show some character growth, but instead, she only had a little development in the last two chapters of this book.
It was frustrating to read her character. I've lost count of how many times I've wished I could jump right inside the book and give her a good shake to knock some sense into her, because honestly, her decision-making was just not making any sense. She was just so in her head all the time. Ugh.
Then she has one of the traits that I really despise—she's a jealous person. I absolutely can't stand jealous FMCs; I really, really can't. I can tolerate jealousy from the MMC, but it's completely unacceptable when it comes from the FMC. But wow, this woman's jealousy streak was truly something else. 😒
I'm not entirely putting all the blame on her, tbf, since some of it was Wes' fault. If this tool had been straightforward from the beginning, Harper wouldn't be left to make assumptions. She's already dealing with her insecurities and trust issues, and Wes not doing anything to help her feel at ease at times just made everything worse. 🙄
Then we had Wes. For some ridiculous reason, his character just didn't appeal to me at all; I can't understand why, though. On paper, he could've been a truly swoonworthy guy, but no, there's something about his character that feels off, like he was made to be someone he's not.
Apparently, he's been into Harper for two years, actually from the first time he met her. But she was in a relationship at the time, so he did nothing about his attraction. Now that she's finally single, she wants to take "revenge" on her ex, and he thinks this is his opportunity to finally win over the girl of his dreams.
For someone who claims to be head over heels for her, I just didn't sense that kind of unwavering devotion from Wes. Idk, it's really difficult to put into words, but when you read about a man who's obsessed, you can sense it from the pages. There's something in their personality, attitude, and monologues that conveys that feeling of obsession, but I just didn't get that vibe with Wes. He was just so...blah.
Then when some women try to flirt with him, he doesn't push them away, like I was expecting an obsessed man would do. Sure, he would tell them that Harper is his wife, but that's the extent of his efforts. I really expected him to be more assertive in telling them to back off, but of course, that didn't happen. Instead, he actually basks in the idea that Harper gets jealous over these women, because in his dumb little head, this proves that she’s not unaffected at all. Like bruh, what the f*ck is wrong with you? You know she's already skittish and has many issues thanks to her ex. Why would you worsen it instead of comforting her?
Argh! Truthfully, I could rant on and on about how much this book pissed me off, but that would take me forever. Just looking at my notes and highlights is giving me a headache already. So yeah, I'm not going to anymore. Because if I had to remember everything that happened here, I'd be furious again, so I'm going to stop right now to save my energy and sanity.
This book is by far the worst in the entire series. My rating was solely for the cameo of the MCs from the previous books; other than that, there was nothing else to appreciate.
Book info:
- Revenge on ex (but is it really)
- Marriage of convenience
- Infidelity (not by MCs)
- Aspiring designer x Rockstar
- No cheating
- No V
- With OM/OW, separation
- HEA (16 mos later, married and childfree)
Notes:
🔴 OM. Harper's ex did cause the majority of issue in this book. Wes felt a bit jealous for a moment, but once he realized that Harper wasn't in love with him, he got over it pretty quickly.
🔴 OW1. The woman her ex cheated on her with was something else. She definitely caused problems, but it felt like she was just overlooked in the process.
🔴 OW2. Not really. When they got back from their honeymoon, a flight attendant tried to give Wes her name and number, even after he mentioned that Harper is his wife and that he's basically married. Harper felt a bit jealous and asked him if that happens often. He replied that it's not uncommon and mentioned that he used to indulge in it when he was younger, but eventually, it gets old.
🔴 OW3. Wes' assistant, who has worked with him for five years, wants him. When Wes was not around, the OW is a witch to Harper. Harper told him that the OW dislikes her, but he didn't believe her. He just told her that it would take time for them to get to know each other. This OW has her own room in his house, which was weird btw, but whatever. Harper gets a bit jealous of her too since she keeps bringing up how she knows him better than Harper does. There was also a scene where this OW caught them making out, and then she said this line: "I walk into this kind of thing all the time, doesn't faze me at all. I'm just saying, it's not the first time I've walked in on you making out with someone else. It's just what happens when you're someone's right hand". You’d think Wes would step up and address this disrespect towards his wife or at least clarify if what she said was true, but f*cking nope, none of that happened. He just lets her get away with it and he never explained anything.
🔴 Separation. They were apart for 20 days I think, they had to stage a breakup while preparing her plan for getting back at her ex.
🔴 There are absolutely no lasting consequences for all the people who hurt Harper. Nothing for her ex, nothing for the side piece of her ex who had the audacity to steal her designs, and certainly nothing for Wes' assistant who continually disrespected her.
🔴 Celibacy. I skipped all the spicy scenes. Sorry, not sorry. After finding out Wes' reputation, he permanently gave me the ick. So I have no clue whether he's celibate all the years that he's been "pining" for her, and I have no clue if how long it had been for Harper.
🔴 Oh, and the worst (for me). In the four years she was in a relationship with her ex, he had never made her come, not even once. They had separate rooms because she can't sleep when he's beside her. But guess who made her come the first time and was able to make her feel comfortable and sleep like a rock? 🫠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2025
4.5⭐️
Omg!!!!! Harper & freaking Wes 🥹 if you love a reassurance king & acts of service man/a man who remembers everything you ever tell him, then this will be right up your alleyway!!
Harper has the worst ex known to man; he cheated on her, kicked her out of their home, is now working with his new girl to ruin her rep & manipulate her into losing something very important to her. She’s literally at rock bottom. That is until the handsome rockstar-prince named Wes comes in to save the day with an excellent idea on their auction date. MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE BABYYYYY. What’s even better is that this man…THIS FREAKING MAN… has had his eye on Harper for YEARS. You can’t say he doesn’t take the perfect opportunities that arise hehe. And did I mention he’s so fcking hot & has the dirtiest mouth!?! MY WIFE MOMENTS GALORE.
Harper is ruined after being in a relationship for 4 years only to find out he’s been cheating on her for 1 year of that if not longer. And she’s scarred after how terribly she’s been treated by her ex. With that being said, she has a bomb ass group of friends & a man willing to lose it all to help her get her life on track & on the way to success.
Jeremy, her god-awful ex, is actually the spawn of satan & I hate him & his little girlie so much. Wow. If you like a good ole revenge plot on an ex, then this will definitely tickle your pickle.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Type: audio/ebook
Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
He falls first/years of pining
Rockstar x fashion designer
Revenge on an ex
Black cat x golden retriever
Forced proximity
Omg!!!!! Harper & freaking Wes 🥹 if you love a reassurance king & acts of service man/a man who remembers everything you ever tell him, then this will be right up your alleyway!!
Harper has the worst ex known to man; he cheated on her, kicked her out of their home, is now working with his new girl to ruin her rep & manipulate her into losing something very important to her. She’s literally at rock bottom. That is until the handsome rockstar-prince named Wes comes in to save the day with an excellent idea on their auction date. MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE BABYYYYY. What’s even better is that this man…THIS FREAKING MAN… has had his eye on Harper for YEARS. You can’t say he doesn’t take the perfect opportunities that arise hehe. And did I mention he’s so fcking hot & has the dirtiest mouth!?! MY WIFE MOMENTS GALORE.
Harper is ruined after being in a relationship for 4 years only to find out he’s been cheating on her for 1 year of that if not longer. And she’s scarred after how terribly she’s been treated by her ex. With that being said, she has a bomb ass group of friends & a man willing to lose it all to help her get her life on track & on the way to success.
Jeremy, her god-awful ex, is actually the spawn of satan & I hate him & his little girlie so much. Wow. If you like a good ole revenge plot on an ex, then this will definitely tickle your pickle.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Type: audio/ebook
Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
He falls first/years of pining
Rockstar x fashion designer
Revenge on an ex
Black cat x golden retriever
Forced proximity
March 2, 2025
Never Been Worse by Morgan Elizabeth
3.5/5 stars
Never Been Worse is the third installment in the Evergreen Park series and I really enjoyed reading it. Though it also felt vastly different towards the previous two books.
In this book we follow Wes and Harper. But it starts with Harper, Ava and Jules getting arrested in the first chapter. They are glittering Harper's ex Jeremy front yard after he just cheated on her. At the police station Jeremy is threatening to go after Ava and Jules and she accepts some of his brutal conditions.
Jeremy is tarnishing her reputation as a fashion designer and he even steals some of her designs and gives them to his current girlfriend. The daughter of a famous fashion icon. Her entire life is going down the drain.
Meanwhile the band Atlas Oakes are dealing with some issues as well. Stella and Riggins are expecting their first child. And they want to postpone the tour because she has a high risk pregnancy. They need to find a reason that doesn't ignite the paparazzi going after them. Wes proposes to marry Harper so that the media focuses on them instead of Stella and Riggins. Harper agrees and that is what kickstarts this beautiful love story.
We quickly find out Wes has been longing for Harper for two years. He is already madly in love and adores the ground she walks on. Harper is a bit more hesitant and keeps her distance. She got hurt so badly that she isn't able to open up yet.
And I loved following them and figuring out how they can truly trust one another and fall in love with each other. I loved their friendship most of all. I love how Wes truly supports Harper's ambitions and is in her corner 100% of the story.
I also enjoyed the camaraderie between the band, their friends and family. And I loved, loved, loved how mischievious the wives and girls are in regard to taking revenge on those who hurt them haha. That last epilogue through Harpen's eyes was so brilliant.
I really enjoyed this story. But there are quite a few loose ends in this book. I really loved how Harper's desire to not become a mother was written in this story. But I missed an open conversation with Wes about it. We hear his thoughts. But I missed that convo where they both acknowledge it.
I also missed Laurel's storyline ending. What happened to her after she betrayed Wes and Harper? Were there any consequences? And what happens to Jeremy? They did truly win? Or did Jeremy have more up his sleeve? He was such a slimeball, but a smart one. So I kinda expected him to fight back. I would have loved to see them completely win.
I also missed a bit of chemistry. Yes they have a lot of intimate scenes once they give into their feelings. But I missed a bit of sparkle and all consuming feelings.
But overall this is a fun, beautiful and heartwarming love story. Which I really enjoyed reading! 3.5 huge stars from me for Harper and Wes!
3.5/5 stars
Never Been Worse is the third installment in the Evergreen Park series and I really enjoyed reading it. Though it also felt vastly different towards the previous two books.
In this book we follow Wes and Harper. But it starts with Harper, Ava and Jules getting arrested in the first chapter. They are glittering Harper's ex Jeremy front yard after he just cheated on her. At the police station Jeremy is threatening to go after Ava and Jules and she accepts some of his brutal conditions.
Jeremy is tarnishing her reputation as a fashion designer and he even steals some of her designs and gives them to his current girlfriend. The daughter of a famous fashion icon. Her entire life is going down the drain.
Meanwhile the band Atlas Oakes are dealing with some issues as well. Stella and Riggins are expecting their first child. And they want to postpone the tour because she has a high risk pregnancy. They need to find a reason that doesn't ignite the paparazzi going after them. Wes proposes to marry Harper so that the media focuses on them instead of Stella and Riggins. Harper agrees and that is what kickstarts this beautiful love story.
We quickly find out Wes has been longing for Harper for two years. He is already madly in love and adores the ground she walks on. Harper is a bit more hesitant and keeps her distance. She got hurt so badly that she isn't able to open up yet.
And I loved following them and figuring out how they can truly trust one another and fall in love with each other. I loved their friendship most of all. I love how Wes truly supports Harper's ambitions and is in her corner 100% of the story.
I also enjoyed the camaraderie between the band, their friends and family. And I loved, loved, loved how mischievious the wives and girls are in regard to taking revenge on those who hurt them haha. That last epilogue through Harpen's eyes was so brilliant.
I really enjoyed this story. But there are quite a few loose ends in this book. I really loved how Harper's desire to not become a mother was written in this story. But I missed an open conversation with Wes about it. We hear his thoughts. But I missed that convo where they both acknowledge it.
I also missed Laurel's storyline ending. What happened to her after she betrayed Wes and Harper? Were there any consequences? And what happens to Jeremy? They did truly win? Or did Jeremy have more up his sleeve? He was such a slimeball, but a smart one. So I kinda expected him to fight back. I would have loved to see them completely win.
I also missed a bit of chemistry. Yes they have a lot of intimate scenes once they give into their feelings. But I missed a bit of sparkle and all consuming feelings.
But overall this is a fun, beautiful and heartwarming love story. Which I really enjoyed reading! 3.5 huge stars from me for Harper and Wes!
March 16, 2025
4 Spontaneous Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This was adorable, spicy, and full of heartwarming cute moments that I loved because underpinned by the sweet romance was a strong message about a woman finding her self-worth and finding the love she truly deserves.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Harper’s life is a mess. She recently walked in on her ex-boyfriend with his boss's daughter. And instead of apologizing, he picks the other woman and tells Harper to GTFO. Now after a little too much drinking (and some encouragement from her best friends), Harper decides to take petty revenge by redecorating the doughbag's lawn. But when she and her friends get caught and arrested, things spiral even further with her ex trying to ruin her career as a fashion designer with his new homewrecker flame adding fuel to that fire. A few nights later, Harper attends a charity event where little "Miss Mistress" is trying to win a date with Wes Holden, the guitarist for a famous band her ex is obsessed with. So in a small act of revenge, Harper wins the date instead. But it turns out Wes has been into Harper for a while. And when he realizes she’s struggling with public image issues, he proposes a mutually beneficial idea... they should get married.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Harper starts the book as a people-pleaser, stuck in a rut and letting life pass her by. But what I loved was how much self-reflection she does throughout the story. She sees the happiness and passion in her friends’ lives and relationships and realizes she wants more for herself. She finally recognises how poorly she’s been treated, and she decides that moving forward, she is no longer letting people walk all over her.
Then there’s Wes… my god. If Golden Retriever Energy was a person, it would be Wes Holden. He is SUCH a green flag as he is romantic, sweet, attentive, and completely obsessed with Harper in the best way. He buys her gifts, spends quality time with her, showers her with attention, and genuinely wants to be around her. He knew from the moment he met Harper that she was the one for him, and now that fate has put them together, all he wants is to prove to her how good they can be together.
There are definite "instalove" vibes from Wes’s side since the book starts with him already in love with Harper. He fell in love with her the first time he saw her and has been pining away for her while she has been in a loveless relationship. BUT it's not creepy at all... (and the book itself even jokes about it) Wes simply waits for the right moment, never pushing or pressuring her. Harper, on the other hand, takes her time realizing that Wes isn’t going to hurt her. He’s not in this for the short term. He’s ALL IN, not just for "right now" but for forever. That’s what made this work for me despite the "instalove" element because he was just cute while Harper came around to the idea of a relationship.
Now, let’s talk spice. These two absolutely love being naughty, and their chemistry is off the charts. Their dynamic is fun and playful but also ridiculously sexy. Wes knows how to turn up the heat and be the dominant in the relationship.
But beyond all the romance, as said in the beginning, the reason I really loved this book was Harper’s journey. By accepting Wes’s love, she finally learned to stand up for herself. She found herself. And in doing so, she realized how much better she deserved. I also really appreciated that there wasn't a "REAL" third-act breakup. There was some miscommunication but I liked how adult it was handled after!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Rockstar/Celebrity Romance
▶ Marriage of Convenience
▶ One Bed
▶ He Falls First
▶ Dirty Talk
𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "Never had a proper orgasm before"
▷ "My Wife"
▷ Cages her with his arms
▷ "Fuck It"
▷ "Look at me"
▷ Nicknames
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ Chin Lift
Overall, this was the perfect mix of romance, spice, and self-discovery, proving that sometimes the best revenge is finding someone who truly sees and loves you!
Thank you to Valentine PR for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This was adorable, spicy, and full of heartwarming cute moments that I loved because underpinned by the sweet romance was a strong message about a woman finding her self-worth and finding the love she truly deserves.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Harper’s life is a mess. She recently walked in on her ex-boyfriend with his boss's daughter. And instead of apologizing, he picks the other woman and tells Harper to GTFO. Now after a little too much drinking (and some encouragement from her best friends), Harper decides to take petty revenge by redecorating the doughbag's lawn. But when she and her friends get caught and arrested, things spiral even further with her ex trying to ruin her career as a fashion designer with his new homewrecker flame adding fuel to that fire. A few nights later, Harper attends a charity event where little "Miss Mistress" is trying to win a date with Wes Holden, the guitarist for a famous band her ex is obsessed with. So in a small act of revenge, Harper wins the date instead. But it turns out Wes has been into Harper for a while. And when he realizes she’s struggling with public image issues, he proposes a mutually beneficial idea... they should get married.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Harper starts the book as a people-pleaser, stuck in a rut and letting life pass her by. But what I loved was how much self-reflection she does throughout the story. She sees the happiness and passion in her friends’ lives and relationships and realizes she wants more for herself. She finally recognises how poorly she’s been treated, and she decides that moving forward, she is no longer letting people walk all over her.
Then there’s Wes… my god. If Golden Retriever Energy was a person, it would be Wes Holden. He is SUCH a green flag as he is romantic, sweet, attentive, and completely obsessed with Harper in the best way. He buys her gifts, spends quality time with her, showers her with attention, and genuinely wants to be around her. He knew from the moment he met Harper that she was the one for him, and now that fate has put them together, all he wants is to prove to her how good they can be together.
There are definite "instalove" vibes from Wes’s side since the book starts with him already in love with Harper. He fell in love with her the first time he saw her and has been pining away for her while she has been in a loveless relationship. BUT it's not creepy at all... (and the book itself even jokes about it) Wes simply waits for the right moment, never pushing or pressuring her. Harper, on the other hand, takes her time realizing that Wes isn’t going to hurt her. He’s not in this for the short term. He’s ALL IN, not just for "right now" but for forever. That’s what made this work for me despite the "instalove" element because he was just cute while Harper came around to the idea of a relationship.
Now, let’s talk spice. These two absolutely love being naughty, and their chemistry is off the charts. Their dynamic is fun and playful but also ridiculously sexy. Wes knows how to turn up the heat and be the dominant in the relationship.
But beyond all the romance, as said in the beginning, the reason I really loved this book was Harper’s journey. By accepting Wes’s love, she finally learned to stand up for herself. She found herself. And in doing so, she realized how much better she deserved. I also really appreciated that there wasn't a "REAL" third-act breakup. There was some miscommunication but I liked how adult it was handled after!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dual POV
▶ Rockstar/Celebrity Romance
▶ Marriage of Convenience
▶ One Bed
▶ He Falls First
▶ Dirty Talk
𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "Never had a proper orgasm before"
▷ "My Wife"
▷ Cages her with his arms
▷ "Fuck It"
▷ "Look at me"
▷ Nicknames
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ Chin Lift
Overall, this was the perfect mix of romance, spice, and self-discovery, proving that sometimes the best revenge is finding someone who truly sees and loves you!
Thank you to Valentine PR for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 26, 2025
Never Been Worse is a marriage of convenience romance, he falls first, fashion designer x rockstar, golden retriever x black cat, revenge on an ex!
Harper finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her when the story begins and then he and his new girlfriend start spreading rumors that will affect her fashion design business. She wants to get back at her ex so she bids on a charity auction date with his fav band and wins! Enter Wes, the guitarist of the band who has been quietly crushing on her for years (they’re kinda in the same friend group)!
Wes is very excited when he finds out she won the charity date. His band also needs a distraction in the media so he offers up a marriage of convenience and is shocked when Harper accepts! It’s a win-win since it can help her fashion career as well as get the media off his band for a bit. This couple was fun together! He very much fell first, and fell hard! Love a fun marriage of convenience when real feelings are involved (on his side at first) and all the forced proximity. Morgan Elizabeth just does a fun revenge romance set up! And the narrators for this one are Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocca, which is just a perfect combo for these characters!
I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
Harper finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her when the story begins and then he and his new girlfriend start spreading rumors that will affect her fashion design business. She wants to get back at her ex so she bids on a charity auction date with his fav band and wins! Enter Wes, the guitarist of the band who has been quietly crushing on her for years (they’re kinda in the same friend group)!
Wes is very excited when he finds out she won the charity date. His band also needs a distraction in the media so he offers up a marriage of convenience and is shocked when Harper accepts! It’s a win-win since it can help her fashion career as well as get the media off his band for a bit. This couple was fun together! He very much fell first, and fell hard! Love a fun marriage of convenience when real feelings are involved (on his side at first) and all the forced proximity. Morgan Elizabeth just does a fun revenge romance set up! And the narrators for this one are Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocca, which is just a perfect combo for these characters!
I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
March 14, 2025
This series has been on my radar for a while, and though I started on book 3 I really liked that it is a true standalone. Yes we meet the other couples, but I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything since I had not read the first two of these yet. I have been lucky enough to have read like 5 boy obsessed books in a row and this one was WONDERFUL! I loved Wes and the immediate insight we got into his long con game to get Harper as his real not fake wife. Wes was SUCH a sweetheart and really did everything he could to help Harper realize how truly amazing and strong she was. I loved all of his reassurances, his patience, his love language was basically whatever Harper needed. I really liked Harper. She was at that point in her life where she thought she had it all and then she didn't. Until she was fake proposed to a mutual friend who it turns out is perfect for her. She had been through hit after hit. The girl could not catch a break so to have Wes there at her side being patient and wonderful- it just really helped her glow and gain her self confidence back. The chemistry between these two was SIZZLING! Does anyone else feel like authors are upping the ante on this in bedroom dirty talk?? Wes has a MOUTH on him, and I am here for it. The buildup between these two felt very natural. Just overall wonderful characters that I connected with easily!
Harper has hit rock bottom. She is being let out of jail for pranking her ex after she found him cheating on her. The real kicker she made a deal with him to save her friends. A deal that is basically a part of her soul. Now she doesn't know what to do. Until Wes Holden (member of the band Atlas Oaks) asks her to marry him. His band is trying to get some good press and she finds herself saying yes. She has always liked Wes even though they haven't really talked a ton. So now she is on her honeymoon with a man who has press surrounding him on the reg. She is feeling some chemistry between them that she is doing her best to ignore. She can't just fall for the next guy who makes her feel things. She won't fall for that again. But Wes seems different. He doesn't want to get this out of their system. He wants her long term. And she is starting to suspect he actually likes her. Like like likes her. She finds herself intrigued by the idea and also LOVING the way he calls her little wife. Then when they get home he starts showing up for her. He actually listens to her. It's the little things he is doing that really help her walls crumble. She wants him for more than a fling. She feels empowered and supported and loved. When they finally have their night it is truly magical. Everything is with Wes. But Harper made the mistake of thinking her ex had already taken the most coveted thing from her. And now he wants more. But she has had enough. She has people who love her and will support her. It is time she stepped out of this shadow he keeps trying to cast under her. Because she wants Wes in her life for REAL and no one is going to get in the way of that.
Wes Holden has been living the life. He is a rockstar for crying out loud. But he feels as though he is missing something. He has watched as his bandmates have met their people. Found a different sort of peace. He wants that. So when Harper Abbott, the woman he has been crushing on for like 2 years from afar, needs help he throws out an idea. Let's get married. It can be for a year. It benefits us both. He is shocked when she says yes. And realizes immediately after they said I do that he doesn't ever want to get married again. Harper may think this is temporary but he is in this for the long haul. But Harper has her walls up. She has been hurt and betrayed. Wes is a patient man though. It takes everything in him to draw some boundaries. He doesn't want their to be blurred lines. He wants her to be on his page when she gives in. So he woos her. He does little things to show her how much he cares. And when she comes to him again they are on the same page. They experience a night unlike he has ever felt. Its all consuming. Its perfect. But her ex wont leave her alone. These veiled threats of his have kept Harper from spreading her wings. So Wes is all too happy to help Harper with a revenge plan. Because he knows how special Harper is and he wants the world to know too. He also wants them to know she is his.
This was a nice easy read. The build up between these two was wonderful. The chemistry and spice was GREAT! I also really enjoyed the side characters and found myself down a rabbit hole that is Morgan Elizabeth's megaverse. I am planning on diving into some of her other ones soon. I liked how I found myself REALLY rooting for Wes in this one. I wanted Harper to get there and to realize how GOOD he was for her. I was on the edge of my seat in the best way! I definitely recommend this one :) Who doesn't love a hot rockstar with a dirty mouth who can't stop saying my little wife!!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Morgan for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Harper has hit rock bottom. She is being let out of jail for pranking her ex after she found him cheating on her. The real kicker she made a deal with him to save her friends. A deal that is basically a part of her soul. Now she doesn't know what to do. Until Wes Holden (member of the band Atlas Oaks) asks her to marry him. His band is trying to get some good press and she finds herself saying yes. She has always liked Wes even though they haven't really talked a ton. So now she is on her honeymoon with a man who has press surrounding him on the reg. She is feeling some chemistry between them that she is doing her best to ignore. She can't just fall for the next guy who makes her feel things. She won't fall for that again. But Wes seems different. He doesn't want to get this out of their system. He wants her long term. And she is starting to suspect he actually likes her. Like like likes her. She finds herself intrigued by the idea and also LOVING the way he calls her little wife. Then when they get home he starts showing up for her. He actually listens to her. It's the little things he is doing that really help her walls crumble. She wants him for more than a fling. She feels empowered and supported and loved. When they finally have their night it is truly magical. Everything is with Wes. But Harper made the mistake of thinking her ex had already taken the most coveted thing from her. And now he wants more. But she has had enough. She has people who love her and will support her. It is time she stepped out of this shadow he keeps trying to cast under her. Because she wants Wes in her life for REAL and no one is going to get in the way of that.
Wes Holden has been living the life. He is a rockstar for crying out loud. But he feels as though he is missing something. He has watched as his bandmates have met their people. Found a different sort of peace. He wants that. So when Harper Abbott, the woman he has been crushing on for like 2 years from afar, needs help he throws out an idea. Let's get married. It can be for a year. It benefits us both. He is shocked when she says yes. And realizes immediately after they said I do that he doesn't ever want to get married again. Harper may think this is temporary but he is in this for the long haul. But Harper has her walls up. She has been hurt and betrayed. Wes is a patient man though. It takes everything in him to draw some boundaries. He doesn't want their to be blurred lines. He wants her to be on his page when she gives in. So he woos her. He does little things to show her how much he cares. And when she comes to him again they are on the same page. They experience a night unlike he has ever felt. Its all consuming. Its perfect. But her ex wont leave her alone. These veiled threats of his have kept Harper from spreading her wings. So Wes is all too happy to help Harper with a revenge plan. Because he knows how special Harper is and he wants the world to know too. He also wants them to know she is his.
This was a nice easy read. The build up between these two was wonderful. The chemistry and spice was GREAT! I also really enjoyed the side characters and found myself down a rabbit hole that is Morgan Elizabeth's megaverse. I am planning on diving into some of her other ones soon. I liked how I found myself REALLY rooting for Wes in this one. I wanted Harper to get there and to realize how GOOD he was for her. I was on the edge of my seat in the best way! I definitely recommend this one :) Who doesn't love a hot rockstar with a dirty mouth who can't stop saying my little wife!!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Morgan for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
March 17, 2025
3.5 🌟!!
Ngl there's not much to say on this book, it's really cute, and plays out well, a quick romcom read that is also spicy!
I loved the plot and the tropes included but DAMN was this book messsyyyy, like they cannot escape the drama 😭🙏 can't trust a man named JEREMY EVER.
I've also come to the conclusion that a man named Wes will always be attractive!!
But the nickname 'little wife'? Immediate ick for me 😭
Xoxo,
Your girly
Ngl there's not much to say on this book, it's really cute, and plays out well, a quick romcom read that is also spicy!
I loved the plot and the tropes included but DAMN was this book messsyyyy, like they cannot escape the drama 😭🙏 can't trust a man named JEREMY EVER.
I've also come to the conclusion that a man named Wes will always be attractive!!
But the nickname 'little wife'? Immediate ick for me 😭
Xoxo,
Your girly
March 6, 2025
Harper and Wes were so fun to read! Wes has had it bad for Harper from the minute he met her. When his band needs a distraction for the press and Harper wants to get back at her ex, he jumps at the chance to help her out with a marriage of convenience. I love a good revenge story on a cheating POS ex, and Jeremey was the absolute worst! I'd glitter his yard too if I were Harper. These two were so fun and honestly perfect for each other. I wish I had a Wes Holden for myself because he really checks all the boxes! I devoured this audiobook and loved every minute of it!
May 27, 2025
Not to be creepy, but I feel like Morgan Elizabeth and I would be best friends. I just vibe with her writing that much.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Never Been Worse by Morgan Elizabeth
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: The Evergreen Park character series. Book 3.
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle. 🆓️ on KU
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Rockstar romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Marriage of convenience, he falls first, golden retriever/black cat.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: After a rough breakup, Harper's reputation is in shambles. Wes, her friend who also happens to be a rockstar who needs help deflecting attention from a bandmate, asks her to marry him so they can both benefit from the positive press.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Listen, I've got to be honest. I am always going to be a fan of a man who is down bad for YEARS, just waiting for his chance on the sidelines. And Wes was that guy.
Never Been Worse had all of my favorite things in it, and was also relatively chill on the drama. I loved how they got married spontaneously. I loved how Wes held his ground, and there was no gray area - he told her he wanted her and that was that. He let Harper come to him, and when the fireworks started they never stopped.
Just being completely honest, I am kind of over the whole revenge thing at this point. The Seasons for Revenge series did it really well, and I felt a little eye roll seeing it pop up here too. I say that knowing it only knocked it down a half point for me - I literally cracked up the entire time, regardless because the characters were all hysterical and the relationship dynamics from the first two books were *chef's kiss* on display. And if you haven't read that previous series, you wouldn't notice this at all. I just could have done without that aspect of the book in general.
Overall, I see that signature pink cover, and I am ready to ride for Morgan Elizabeth every time... and this book was no different.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Never Been Worse by Morgan Elizabeth
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: The Evergreen Park character series. Book 3.
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle. 🆓️ on KU
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Rockstar romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Marriage of convenience, he falls first, golden retriever/black cat.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: After a rough breakup, Harper's reputation is in shambles. Wes, her friend who also happens to be a rockstar who needs help deflecting attention from a bandmate, asks her to marry him so they can both benefit from the positive press.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Listen, I've got to be honest. I am always going to be a fan of a man who is down bad for YEARS, just waiting for his chance on the sidelines. And Wes was that guy.
Never Been Worse had all of my favorite things in it, and was also relatively chill on the drama. I loved how they got married spontaneously. I loved how Wes held his ground, and there was no gray area - he told her he wanted her and that was that. He let Harper come to him, and when the fireworks started they never stopped.
Just being completely honest, I am kind of over the whole revenge thing at this point. The Seasons for Revenge series did it really well, and I felt a little eye roll seeing it pop up here too. I say that knowing it only knocked it down a half point for me - I literally cracked up the entire time, regardless because the characters were all hysterical and the relationship dynamics from the first two books were *chef's kiss* on display. And if you haven't read that previous series, you wouldn't notice this at all. I just could have done without that aspect of the book in general.
Overall, I see that signature pink cover, and I am ready to ride for Morgan Elizabeth every time... and this book was no different.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
March 4, 2025
No one does a revenge rom com quite like this author, her books are always so fun! A revenge plot usually means lots of drama, and for me, the more drama the better. Wes fell for Harper first and man if that trope doesn’t work for me every single time 🫠 No one deserves a man who will worship her more than Harper, she was the best and girl really needed a break. This was so rep coded, I adored that and if we’re not getting rep tv anytime soon, I’ll take this for sure haha. Both narrators were fantastic but Angelina is quickly becoming one of my faves, she has this raw emotion in her voice that is just incredible!
March 19, 2025
3.5 stars
This was pretty entertaining, with the fake marriage trope and boy obsessed vibes!
Harper needs reputation rehab after her cheating ex and his new girlfriend are out to ruin her, and Wes has some flimsy excuse for why should get married. Seriously, Wes was kind of perfect from the beginning, which made their relationship very low angst (one of those “she needs to take the leap” conflicts).
I was mostly reading to see Harper’s ex and his new girlfriend get their comeuppance, and I would give how that plotline as 7/10. Not bad, but I wanted more vengeance lol.
I ended up giving this book a 3.5 star rating because although I liked it, I did find myself skimming quite a lot. It might have been a mood thing. YMMV!
This was pretty entertaining, with the fake marriage trope and boy obsessed vibes!
Harper needs reputation rehab after her cheating ex and his new girlfriend are out to ruin her, and Wes has some flimsy excuse for why should get married. Seriously, Wes was kind of perfect from the beginning, which made their relationship very low angst (one of those “she needs to take the leap” conflicts).
I was mostly reading to see Harper’s ex and his new girlfriend get their comeuppance, and I would give how that plotline as 7/10. Not bad, but I wanted more vengeance lol.
I ended up giving this book a 3.5 star rating because although I liked it, I did find myself skimming quite a lot. It might have been a mood thing. YMMV!
March 6, 2025
Rating: 5 ⭐️
One thing about me? I’m going to eat up any and all Morgan Elizabeth books! She never fails to make me laugh out loud and always writes such a fun and supportive group of girl friends. You better believe Never Been Worse was an excellent marriage of convenience romance with all that forced proximity goodness and an MMC who YEARNS like it his JOB.
Harper & Wes were absolutely fantastic and I love love love that they communicated with each other and supported each other so vehemently. I really just had the best time reading and could not recommend this book more if you just want something that’ll make you feel GOOD.
One thing about me? I’m going to eat up any and all Morgan Elizabeth books! She never fails to make me laugh out loud and always writes such a fun and supportive group of girl friends. You better believe Never Been Worse was an excellent marriage of convenience romance with all that forced proximity goodness and an MMC who YEARNS like it his JOB.
Harper & Wes were absolutely fantastic and I love love love that they communicated with each other and supported each other so vehemently. I really just had the best time reading and could not recommend this book more if you just want something that’ll make you feel GOOD.
February 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a great ending to the series!
This book was packed full of revenge, longing, and spice—everything you’d want in a compelling romance.
If you like:
✨ Fake marriages
✨ Strong friendships
✨ Golden retriever heroes
Then this book is for you!
I absolutely loved how Wes adored Harper and did whatever it took to make her feel safe and secure. His devotion was swoon-worthy. And let’s not forget Harper’s friends—these badass ladies added so much heart (and chaos) to the story.
A fantastic, spicy, and emotional read to close out the series!
What a great ending to the series!
This book was packed full of revenge, longing, and spice—everything you’d want in a compelling romance.
If you like:
✨ Fake marriages
✨ Strong friendships
✨ Golden retriever heroes
Then this book is for you!
I absolutely loved how Wes adored Harper and did whatever it took to make her feel safe and secure. His devotion was swoon-worthy. And let’s not forget Harper’s friends—these badass ladies added so much heart (and chaos) to the story.
A fantastic, spicy, and emotional read to close out the series!
April 19, 2025
Never Been Worse by Morgan Elizabeth (Evergreen Park, #3)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Harper Abbott is the latest victim to the wrath of online hate and her ex-boyfriend’s manipulative ways. Not only did she suffer four years of being at the beck and call of her socialite partner, but her artistry is now defamed and dishonoured by a man who cheated on her for a year. Honestly, life could never be worse for Harper, until she bestows a friendship with Wes Holden. After paying ten grand for a date with Wes—a man she’s known for two years—she unexpectedly discloses the tribulations of her ex-boyfriend, specifically his campaign run that is terrorising her name. In the same vein, the lead guitarist of Atlas Oaks confesses the band’s desire for a break however with lead singer Riggins’ past, there is a need for a media deterrent. With both in unique positions, the advantageous decision for the two to employ into a ‘marriage of convenience’ seems logical.
‘Never Been Worse’ departs significantly from prior Evergreen novels and releases from Morgan Elizabeth. Instead of the typical passionate affair, Harper and Wes exhibit a sweeter and more romantic relationship. As the two progress in their relationship, readers are privy to the secret yearning Wes has for Harper and the shyness Harper experiences when discovering that her feelings for her fake-husband are real. Unfortunately, whilst I found their relationship endearing, its pace was rushed. The author utilises Wes’ unrequited love for Harper as a means to hurry into a real relationship between the two. However, Wes’ secret crush on Harper is not narrated for a while into the book. I desired for a longer progression, and a narrative with Wes’ view on Harper, instead of the abrupt dialogue of his feelings for her.
Although Wes has had existing feelings for the gown designer since they met two years ago, it takes Harper some time to reciprocate. Wes’ affection and protective traits push Harper’s feelings to new heights. It is within these moments that as audience we truly witness the perfect man that is Wes Holden. His attentiveness, attraction and instinctive need to protect are all qualities that aid Harper throughout the media storm and enable the romance in this story to come alive.
‘Never Been Worse’ is primarily focused on Harper’s character development. The issues that arise within the plot—Jeremy’s revenge scheming, the tabloids and insecurities in the relationship—are all at the core of Harper and her past. Consequently, readers are not provided much on Wes as an individual. The extent we get to know of the man is his perfection and extreme loyalty to his wife, disallowing any entertainment on his personality or unique traits from him. As the ending neared, I desired for much more from Wes Holden. Him being a lead guitarist and loving music were just not enough for me, I required more and wished that the author had put more intentional character building surrounding the Atlas Oaks member.
The usual tension and anticipation that comes with a marriage of convenience is not present in this novel. Whilst Harper is unsure about her feelings in the beginning, there is an established agreement soon after that both will attempt to have a real relationship, despite the intention of it to be fake. Hence, the common emotions of secrecy, longing and yearning that a character may feel when stuck in their position is absent. Weirdly enough, I used to despise these themes in marriage of convenience books, however, I wished for it to occur in this book. The rush of emotions and feelings was at the detriment of forecasting what could’ve been a well-earned relationship.
To conclude the novel, Morgan Elizabeth throws a not-so-surprising curveball from Harper’s ex, Jeremy, whom blackmails Harper into giving up her final designs in exchange for hush money on their fake marriage and prior criminal antics by her friends. However, instead of the typical theme of the characters finding a silver-lining and skipping happily ever after, the author includes a revenge plot executed by Harper. This runs for quite some time in the novel and is a deterrent from what I hoped to be a romantic and sweet ending. It’s clear that Jeremy has been an irritating voice throughout the plot, nevertheless, chapters for retribution seemed unnecessary. It reminded me a lot of Morgan Elizabeth’s last series ‘Seasons of Revenge’ with the scheming, added humour from friends and the excitement to finally have the last laugh. Whilst it was thrilling, it was not the ending I desired in a novel where its successes were in the sense of romance and cuteness in Harper and Wes’ love story.
Morgan Elizabeth’s last instalment in the Evergreen series is a good departure from the rest. Instead of an erotic, dramatic affair between two individuals, Harper and Wes demonstrate a more endearing love story. Unfortunately, the author still adheres to a stereotypical and immature writing style that disrupted my interest in the novel. The side-plot of revenge did help in providing the audience entertainment, however, it seemed to override the romance in the end. ‘Never Been Worse’ is a decent novel but I had hoped for more conscious character building surrounding Mr and Mrs. Holden, with a mature voice to assist with that.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Harper Abbott is the latest victim to the wrath of online hate and her ex-boyfriend’s manipulative ways. Not only did she suffer four years of being at the beck and call of her socialite partner, but her artistry is now defamed and dishonoured by a man who cheated on her for a year. Honestly, life could never be worse for Harper, until she bestows a friendship with Wes Holden. After paying ten grand for a date with Wes—a man she’s known for two years—she unexpectedly discloses the tribulations of her ex-boyfriend, specifically his campaign run that is terrorising her name. In the same vein, the lead guitarist of Atlas Oaks confesses the band’s desire for a break however with lead singer Riggins’ past, there is a need for a media deterrent. With both in unique positions, the advantageous decision for the two to employ into a ‘marriage of convenience’ seems logical.
‘Never Been Worse’ departs significantly from prior Evergreen novels and releases from Morgan Elizabeth. Instead of the typical passionate affair, Harper and Wes exhibit a sweeter and more romantic relationship. As the two progress in their relationship, readers are privy to the secret yearning Wes has for Harper and the shyness Harper experiences when discovering that her feelings for her fake-husband are real. Unfortunately, whilst I found their relationship endearing, its pace was rushed. The author utilises Wes’ unrequited love for Harper as a means to hurry into a real relationship between the two. However, Wes’ secret crush on Harper is not narrated for a while into the book. I desired for a longer progression, and a narrative with Wes’ view on Harper, instead of the abrupt dialogue of his feelings for her.
Although Wes has had existing feelings for the gown designer since they met two years ago, it takes Harper some time to reciprocate. Wes’ affection and protective traits push Harper’s feelings to new heights. It is within these moments that as audience we truly witness the perfect man that is Wes Holden. His attentiveness, attraction and instinctive need to protect are all qualities that aid Harper throughout the media storm and enable the romance in this story to come alive.
‘Never Been Worse’ is primarily focused on Harper’s character development. The issues that arise within the plot—Jeremy’s revenge scheming, the tabloids and insecurities in the relationship—are all at the core of Harper and her past. Consequently, readers are not provided much on Wes as an individual. The extent we get to know of the man is his perfection and extreme loyalty to his wife, disallowing any entertainment on his personality or unique traits from him. As the ending neared, I desired for much more from Wes Holden. Him being a lead guitarist and loving music were just not enough for me, I required more and wished that the author had put more intentional character building surrounding the Atlas Oaks member.
The usual tension and anticipation that comes with a marriage of convenience is not present in this novel. Whilst Harper is unsure about her feelings in the beginning, there is an established agreement soon after that both will attempt to have a real relationship, despite the intention of it to be fake. Hence, the common emotions of secrecy, longing and yearning that a character may feel when stuck in their position is absent. Weirdly enough, I used to despise these themes in marriage of convenience books, however, I wished for it to occur in this book. The rush of emotions and feelings was at the detriment of forecasting what could’ve been a well-earned relationship.
To conclude the novel, Morgan Elizabeth throws a not-so-surprising curveball from Harper’s ex, Jeremy, whom blackmails Harper into giving up her final designs in exchange for hush money on their fake marriage and prior criminal antics by her friends. However, instead of the typical theme of the characters finding a silver-lining and skipping happily ever after, the author includes a revenge plot executed by Harper. This runs for quite some time in the novel and is a deterrent from what I hoped to be a romantic and sweet ending. It’s clear that Jeremy has been an irritating voice throughout the plot, nevertheless, chapters for retribution seemed unnecessary. It reminded me a lot of Morgan Elizabeth’s last series ‘Seasons of Revenge’ with the scheming, added humour from friends and the excitement to finally have the last laugh. Whilst it was thrilling, it was not the ending I desired in a novel where its successes were in the sense of romance and cuteness in Harper and Wes’ love story.
Morgan Elizabeth’s last instalment in the Evergreen series is a good departure from the rest. Instead of an erotic, dramatic affair between two individuals, Harper and Wes demonstrate a more endearing love story. Unfortunately, the author still adheres to a stereotypical and immature writing style that disrupted my interest in the novel. The side-plot of revenge did help in providing the audience entertainment, however, it seemed to override the romance in the end. ‘Never Been Worse’ is a decent novel but I had hoped for more conscious character building surrounding Mr and Mrs. Holden, with a mature voice to assist with that.
September 25, 2025
4.5/5 🪡🍪🎀
this was GOOD. i just feel like i wasnt getting the rockstar romance vibe... like i feel like this shouldnt even be called a rockstar romance. i wouldve expected some performances or at least one but didnt get that. STILL LOVED IT. MMC IS SUCH A GREEN FLAG.
this was GOOD. i just feel like i wasnt getting the rockstar romance vibe... like i feel like this shouldnt even be called a rockstar romance. i wouldve expected some performances or at least one but didnt get that. STILL LOVED IT. MMC IS SUCH A GREEN FLAG.
March 9, 2025
5,6,7………ATE!!!!!!! Love love loved this one
One of the most swoon worthy MMC’s ever with Wes. Gimme that man 👏 I adored this
Thank you mustloveaudio for the ALC****
One of the most swoon worthy MMC’s ever with Wes. Gimme that man 👏 I adored this
Thank you mustloveaudio for the ALC****
March 6, 2025
Happy release day!! <3
--------
4.5 Stars - Morgan Elizabeth, they can NEVER make me hate you! This was an incredibly charming wrap-up to the Evergreen Park series (individual, inter-connected standalone) where we get our story of revenge with Harper & Wes. Marriage of convenience? Golden retriever x black cat? HE FALLS FIRST? I was kicking my feet the ENTIRE time. I loved seeing our other favorite characters from the past two books as well, and how their own stories also expanded. Outstanding chemistry, and "little wife" is my new favorite nickname.
Thank you to Valentine PR & Morgan Elizabeth for the ARC!
--------
4.5 Stars - Morgan Elizabeth, they can NEVER make me hate you! This was an incredibly charming wrap-up to the Evergreen Park series (individual, inter-connected standalone) where we get our story of revenge with Harper & Wes. Marriage of convenience? Golden retriever x black cat? HE FALLS FIRST? I was kicking my feet the ENTIRE time. I loved seeing our other favorite characters from the past two books as well, and how their own stories also expanded. Outstanding chemistry, and "little wife" is my new favorite nickname.
Thank you to Valentine PR & Morgan Elizabeth for the ARC!
July 16, 2025
This follows Harper and Wes. After catching her scumbag ex cheating, Harper walks away but craves a little revenge—leading to trouble when her ex starts blackmailing her. But what happens when Wes Holden, the lead guitarist of Atlas Oaks, steps in to help her get payback? Will they fall in love?
This was a fantastic audiobook, so I highly recommend picking it up in this format! I loved these two together. I felt bad for Harper and her self-doubt about her worth due to her circumstances, but Wes was perfection—secretly crushing on her for a while, pretending (but not really pretending) in their marriage of convenience. He made her feel loved and seen. After a while, Harper fell hard for all the things he did and would do for her. I enjoyed the revenge plot and redemption storyline, and it had the perfect amount of delicious spice. Overall, it was a great read, and I really enjoy Morgan’s work.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 9hrs 54mins
Narrators: Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocco - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: Book Three In The Evergreen Park Series
Tropes or Themes: Marriage Of Convenience, Rockstar, One Bed, He Falls First, Chemistry, Cheating Ex, Revenge, My Wife, Mine, Intimate Tattoo, Blackmail, Alcohol, Cursing, Sexual Content, Toys, Dirty Talk and Praise
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
This was a fantastic audiobook, so I highly recommend picking it up in this format! I loved these two together. I felt bad for Harper and her self-doubt about her worth due to her circumstances, but Wes was perfection—secretly crushing on her for a while, pretending (but not really pretending) in their marriage of convenience. He made her feel loved and seen. After a while, Harper fell hard for all the things he did and would do for her. I enjoyed the revenge plot and redemption storyline, and it had the perfect amount of delicious spice. Overall, it was a great read, and I really enjoy Morgan’s work.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 9hrs 54mins
Narrators: Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocco - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: Book Three In The Evergreen Park Series
Tropes or Themes: Marriage Of Convenience, Rockstar, One Bed, He Falls First, Chemistry, Cheating Ex, Revenge, My Wife, Mine, Intimate Tattoo, Blackmail, Alcohol, Cursing, Sexual Content, Toys, Dirty Talk and Praise
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
March 20, 2025
The title says it all.
March 6, 2025
the amount of highlights i made in this book is INSANE!! if that’s not a testament to how much i adore this book, i don’t know what is.
i loved everything about this book. the revenge plot, the banter, the tension, THE DESPERATION!! 😭🫶🏼 chef’s kiss. morgan writes the best men, absolutely, but she also writes such beautiful female friendships that makes you fall for the side characters as well as the main couple.
and wes, the man that you are 😮💨🙌🏼 the things that he said and did for harper, man... he truly went all out for his wife and i am HERE for it. wes is just yet another fictional man written by a woman who pushes the bar higher for me.
i was lucky enough to get the audiobook early as well, and i would absolutely recommend listening to it. jason clarke and angelina rocca did such a fantastic job with the narration, it was honestly 10/10, no notes.
- romcom
- marriage of convenience
- one bed
- rockstar (he’s in a band)
- shitty ex
- revenge plot
5 stars
3.5 chilis
thank you so much to the author and VPR for sending me an ARC and ALC!!
i loved everything about this book. the revenge plot, the banter, the tension, THE DESPERATION!! 😭🫶🏼 chef’s kiss. morgan writes the best men, absolutely, but she also writes such beautiful female friendships that makes you fall for the side characters as well as the main couple.
and wes, the man that you are 😮💨🙌🏼 the things that he said and did for harper, man... he truly went all out for his wife and i am HERE for it. wes is just yet another fictional man written by a woman who pushes the bar higher for me.
i was lucky enough to get the audiobook early as well, and i would absolutely recommend listening to it. jason clarke and angelina rocca did such a fantastic job with the narration, it was honestly 10/10, no notes.
- romcom
- marriage of convenience
- one bed
- rockstar (he’s in a band)
- shitty ex
- revenge plot
5 stars
3.5 chilis
thank you so much to the author and VPR for sending me an ARC and ALC!!
July 22, 2025
I’m obsessed with wes and harper and now i want to read morgan’s entire backlog
March 2, 2025
I’m not going to lie, I’m going through it, mentally and physically. I just knew a book by Morgan would help make me feel better and it did not disappoint at all. Wes and Harper’s story was so fluffy and wholesome. The way Never been Worse was so reputation coded - we all know revenge is a dish best served cold - has me obsessed. Harper her struggles felt very real to me, a bit too real if I’m being honest. It was so nice to see how she found herself again throughout the book and honestly I recommend this series to everyone.
the vibes™:
- “my reputation has never been worse, so you must like me for me” 🖤
- rockstar x fashion designer 🎸
- fake marriage (why stop at fake dating am i right guys) 💍
- finding yourself after a long term relationship gone wrong 🫂
- man down bad 🧎🏻
- spice!!! ❤️🔥
so very grateful for having received the arc for this one, thank you so much 🎀
the vibes™:
- “my reputation has never been worse, so you must like me for me” 🖤
- rockstar x fashion designer 🎸
- fake marriage (why stop at fake dating am i right guys) 💍
- finding yourself after a long term relationship gone wrong 🫂
- man down bad 🧎🏻
- spice!!! ❤️🔥
so very grateful for having received the arc for this one, thank you so much 🎀
March 10, 2025
#Review: *Never Been Worse* - Morgan Elizabeth - ARC [18+]
4.5/5✨
3/5🌶️
It was time to continue reading this 'Evergreen Park' series, this being the 3rd book of it. Thank you so much Morgan Elisabeth and Valentine Pr for accepting me to be part of the team for this one!
Harper had the worst surprise, which was mentioned even from the previous book. Her former boyfriend, Jamie, was cheating on her, but that's not all. He stole her designs and offered them to his mistress. That's why Harper and her best friends, Ava and Jude, were now in the compromising position of being caught vandalizing Jamie's house. This will only complicate Harper's life, because she had to face her gold digging ex boyfriend.
Because Harper had a fragile image in the industry in that moment and there was a need to cover a pregnancy in his band, Wes Holden proposed to Harper to marry him. Why? To be a distraction from Stella's high risk pregnancy. But that's not all, because Wes was in fact hiding other feelings for Harper. Will their plan work? Will it convince Jamie and leave them be?
I just adore when he is the one who is falling first and harder. Also, Wes was a bit obsessed with Harper, but she didn't realize how he felt about her. Of course, the forced proximity worked somehow for both of them. I loved how attentive, affectionate and thoughtful Wes was with Harper, making him a true golden retriever. He had the looks of a bad boy, with all his tattoos, but he was definitely a softie and a fighter when it came to Harper.
I had such a great time reading this book! I enjoyed the comebacks of the characters from the previous books, who gave a plus to the story. It was funny at times, stressful and heartbreaking, because of the sensitive situation Harper was in. This book offered us some suspenseful parts, especially towards the ending, which I followed with all my attention.
✨Tropes
#MarriageOfConvenience
#HeFallsFirst
#HeFallsHarder
#GoldenRetriever
#Celebrity
#Rockstar
#Revenge
#OneBed
4.5/5✨
3/5🌶️
It was time to continue reading this 'Evergreen Park' series, this being the 3rd book of it. Thank you so much Morgan Elisabeth and Valentine Pr for accepting me to be part of the team for this one!
Harper had the worst surprise, which was mentioned even from the previous book. Her former boyfriend, Jamie, was cheating on her, but that's not all. He stole her designs and offered them to his mistress. That's why Harper and her best friends, Ava and Jude, were now in the compromising position of being caught vandalizing Jamie's house. This will only complicate Harper's life, because she had to face her gold digging ex boyfriend.
Because Harper had a fragile image in the industry in that moment and there was a need to cover a pregnancy in his band, Wes Holden proposed to Harper to marry him. Why? To be a distraction from Stella's high risk pregnancy. But that's not all, because Wes was in fact hiding other feelings for Harper. Will their plan work? Will it convince Jamie and leave them be?
I just adore when he is the one who is falling first and harder. Also, Wes was a bit obsessed with Harper, but she didn't realize how he felt about her. Of course, the forced proximity worked somehow for both of them. I loved how attentive, affectionate and thoughtful Wes was with Harper, making him a true golden retriever. He had the looks of a bad boy, with all his tattoos, but he was definitely a softie and a fighter when it came to Harper.
I had such a great time reading this book! I enjoyed the comebacks of the characters from the previous books, who gave a plus to the story. It was funny at times, stressful and heartbreaking, because of the sensitive situation Harper was in. This book offered us some suspenseful parts, especially towards the ending, which I followed with all my attention.
✨Tropes
#MarriageOfConvenience
#HeFallsFirst
#HeFallsHarder
#GoldenRetriever
#Celebrity
#Rockstar
#Revenge
#OneBed
February 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Book 3 in the Evergreen Park Series [Can be read as a Standalone]
I loved everything about this book, seriously from start to finish. Morgan is usually a 1 click Author for me, but the Evergreen Park series in general has been perfection. They dont need to be read in order, but do yourself a favor and do it in order because you deserve to have as much time as possible with Ava, Jules and Harper.
This book is Harpers book, but you still get to see a lot of Ava & Jules because they are obviously BFF's and because they are the biggest support system for her. The girl gang in this series is unmatched....and I love that they are hell bent on revenge for the wrongs done to Harper by her no good ex Jeremy. Harper is hurt [her pride, not her heart], but her resilience is stellar and her talent unmatched. All she needs is a kind, patient man with a killer smile who can rock her world [IYKYK]...Enter Wes Holden.
Wes is literally a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Pittie. He's all golden retriever energy for Harper and will literally give her the world if she even HINTS at wanting it, but fuck with her, and he will take you out no questions asked. This is the type of husband that is just 🫠 he wants nothing more than to be her husband, and got a literal tattoo of her initials on his wrist even though it was a "fake marriage" cause it was never fake for him.
I absolutely loved that there was NO 3rd act breakup, there was a small miscommunication but Harper and Wes acted maturely and worked through it for the best revenge. I could not put this book down, and read it in less than a day. I really dont know what to do with myself, cause I wasnt ready for the book to be done. If you like funny, revenge romcoms with a swoon worthy man who will do anything for his "little wife" and a girl gang that has your back no matter what, then you need to read this book!
🌶️🌶️/5
Book 3 in the Evergreen Park Series [Can be read as a Standalone]
I loved everything about this book, seriously from start to finish. Morgan is usually a 1 click Author for me, but the Evergreen Park series in general has been perfection. They dont need to be read in order, but do yourself a favor and do it in order because you deserve to have as much time as possible with Ava, Jules and Harper.
This book is Harpers book, but you still get to see a lot of Ava & Jules because they are obviously BFF's and because they are the biggest support system for her. The girl gang in this series is unmatched....and I love that they are hell bent on revenge for the wrongs done to Harper by her no good ex Jeremy. Harper is hurt [her pride, not her heart], but her resilience is stellar and her talent unmatched. All she needs is a kind, patient man with a killer smile who can rock her world [IYKYK]...Enter Wes Holden.
Wes is literally a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Pittie. He's all golden retriever energy for Harper and will literally give her the world if she even HINTS at wanting it, but fuck with her, and he will take you out no questions asked. This is the type of husband that is just 🫠 he wants nothing more than to be her husband, and got a literal tattoo of her initials on his wrist even though it was a "fake marriage" cause it was never fake for him.
I absolutely loved that there was NO 3rd act breakup, there was a small miscommunication but Harper and Wes acted maturely and worked through it for the best revenge. I could not put this book down, and read it in less than a day. I really dont know what to do with myself, cause I wasnt ready for the book to be done. If you like funny, revenge romcoms with a swoon worthy man who will do anything for his "little wife" and a girl gang that has your back no matter what, then you need to read this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 921 reviews