Love and Other Revenge Plots

Love in Louisville #2

by Liliana Woodland

I never wanted to see him again. How am I supposed to work with my worst enemy?

I’ve hated Grant Wyndham for as long as I can remember. Back in our hometown, he was my tormentor. The source of my worst angst.

So when he shows up at my clinic, it shakes my world. How can that awful man be a doctor now? And how can I make it through the next three months with him?

I can’t let him get to me. I'm no pushover, and I can make him regret his treatment of me.

Except—it seems like he’s changed, and it’s clear he wants me. There’s a part of me that wants him, too.

When things start to heat up between us, I have to ask myself some important questions. Can I ever forgive him? Has he really redeemed himself?

And when attraction turns into something deeper, I’m forced to confront the past. What happens when the man who hurt you so badly is the one who sees you most clearly?

I do know one thing—no matter how sexy he is, falling for my high school bully was never part of the plan.

A slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers redemption romance about choosing love despite old wounds.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Rom Com

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2026

About the author

Liliana Woodland writes sweet and steamy contemporary romance. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and children. She enjoys hanging with her friends and family, and secretly wishing she could be home with whatever book she's currently reading.

Reviews

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 3.5 stars

Thank you to Luna Literary and Liliana Woodland for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Love and Other Revenge Plots is out now!
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It's been a long while since I read a medical romance, mainly because I work in healthcare and like to dabble in this subgenre of romance as sparingly as possible, considering I like to not feel like I'm at work or get flashbacks to my college days as I'm reading😂 I also don't read bully romances so this was a first for me as well.

Kendall is an orthopedic nurse with dreams of going to med school to become an OB-GYN and help women in underserved communities. Having grown up poor, she was bullied growing up, especially by one of the star football players at her high school, Grant Wyndham, who was the opposite of everything she was. When a new wave of residents rolls into her medical office, and she finds that Grant is now a doctor whom she has to work with, she struggles between her attraction to him and the way he's hurt her in the past.

To start, I know some people are put off by the idea of reading a bully romance, but the emphasis in this story is that Grant is a reformed bully and left his ways behind after high school. I felt that we got to see nothing but green flags from Grant throughout the storyline, from him standing up to one of his co-residents in front of Kendall to him just respecting Kendall's wishes and boundaries. The only instances we ever get of Grant doing any sort of bullying in the story were when Kendall was having flashbacks to high school and her negative interactions with him. This isn't to say that Grant wasn't in the wrong when he did those things now that he's a better person, but it goes to show that he truly did have a lot of character development between high school and residency.

I especially loved Kendall's drive and confidence. She worked so hard to overcome what she went through in high school and is still on the hunt to become better. I loved how the story addressed health disparities in rural and poorer areas, especially in the Appalachia region of the US, where Kendall and Grant are from. For those who don't know, the Appalachian region is an area of the US that spans from the southern portions of New York state all the way down to Mississippi and Alabama. Most notably, areas of Tennessee and the entire state of West Virginia are included in this region, and this region is also particularly known in US healthcare history for being the place where the opioid epidemic started. (Highly recommend reading the book Dopesick by Beth Macy if you want more information on this!)

As much as I liked those aspects of the story, I feel like Kendall and Grant's relationship could've been developed a bit more. I did like Kendall's ideas of revenge, but I feel like she was so caught up in her own thoughts of wanting revenge to get payback for Grant bullying her in grade school, focusing on med school applications, the research project she and Grant were working on, and a bunch of other things that all of that seemed to overshadow their relationship. Going off of that, I felt that some pretty repetitive ideas and scenes made the story boring at times, and lost my attention. I felt like there was a constant rinse-and-repeat situation of Kendall not wanting to have anything more with Grant beyond a professional work relationship because she's still trying to work through her feelings about how much he hurt her in the past, Grant profusely apologizing and trying to make it up to her, and then the cycle repeats.

Another thing worth mentioning for some readers who may be a bit concerned about this, but because this story is a medical romance, there are talks of surgical procedures, medical terminology, and scenes where Kendall and Grant are in the operating room with the surgeon assisting in the surgeries. The scenes aren't anything overly graphic, but I figured it was worth mentioning. Additionally, I think some people may have difficulties with some of the medical terminology if they don't already have a medical background going into reading this. It's nothing that wouldn't require a quick Google search, but there also isn't a glossary or index of terms mentioned in the story.

Overall, I thought this was a quick and fast read! Despite its faults, I genuinely enjoyed this story and liked reading about Kendall and Grant, but more specifically, reading about Kendall achieving the dreams and goals she's always wanted.
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Trigger/content warnings: sexual content, recounted memories of bullying, recounted experiences of a rough upbringing and childhood

[Desi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read many bully romances, but I will have to assume this one is up there in regards to how well it was written and how much I enjoyed the story. After the story opens with Kenzie in high school being aggressively bullied by one of the football players, Grant, it fast forwards 10 years to her in present day. Now going by Kendall, she's a orthopedic nurse that spends half of her time in the clinic and the other half in the OR. She's successful and generally happy with her life and the possibility of her interviewing for med school, her lifelong dream.

All's going according to plan until she walks past one of the doctor's offices and hears him... Grant. After spending the last 10 years blissfully without ever running into him, she was prepared to never see him again and be happy about it. What's even worse? When they're introduced by the doctor, it's clear that he doesn't even remember her. Sure, she's changed a lot physically over the last 10 years, but wouldn't you think you'd remember the people you tormented for years regardless?

Forced to spend time together on their unit, as well as working on an extra project, Kendall is determined to make his life more difficult, refusing to tell him who she is but hoping he figures it out on his own. The thing is, he doesn't seem to be the monster he was back then, and that's the most confusing part of it all.

Thank you to Luna Literary Management for the advanced copy of this novel for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kira Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Other Revenge plots was such a fun and cozy, feel good reformed bully romcom! It is booked two in the Love And Louisville series. While it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone.

Kendell has spent the past 10 years making a better life for herself after spending her childhood being bullied for being poor. She is a nurse applying to med school. While at work at the hospital she hears the voice of her past bully only to realize he is the resident doctor. All of her past rises to the forefront for her in that moment. Here's the twist... He doesn't remember her at all! Watching them throughout this book and seeing their dynamic play out is filled with hilarious, strained, emotional, and awkward moments.

If you enjoy a reformed bully, second chances, enemies to lovers, he falls first, cinnamon roll MMC, with a hard-earned redemption and spice, you should definitely add this to your TBR!!

Thank you Liliana Woodland and Luna Literary for this Arc! I truly loved it and can't wait to see what's next!

[Surille · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rating. This story reminded me of when I was incredibly shocked to see a grade school bully many years later as a super smiley fitness trainer (or maybe physical therapist) at a senior center. What?!! Thankfully he was preoccupied and didn't recognize me.

How great for the FMC to hold the power..and the former bully MMC agreeing to be submissive especially during intimacy....And he likes it! I found that interesting. Most of the time, I find that it's the FMC doing the begging ("Please...") during sex. This was refreshing. I could feel Grant's desperation, aching and sexual frustration.

Plus I understood Kendall's skepticism...I was just as skeptical seeing my grade school bully as an adult...it brought up a lot of questions such as: Did he suffer any consequences OR did he breeze through life not even thinking about his victims at all?

But...the past poverty and being bullied..Kendall did rub it in a little too much sometimes. Her stubbornness became repetitive. It was so obvious that current Grant was a good guy who noticed Kendall's peculiarities and preferences. I don't think many other people are "lucky" to have their bullies show such remorse.

I did like how Kendall's friendships were not neglected. I liked how there was a lot of time spent on Kendall and Grant getting to know one another. And lastly I liked how this story didn't have a traditional HEA (in terms of family reconciliation and no pregnancy trope).

[Cait (Luckycharmedlovesbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love and Other Revenge Plots was an entertaining read and my first by Liliana Woodland. I had not read the first book and do think this can be read as a stand alone.

Grant was Kendall’s high school bully, and now they are working together except he has no idea who she is. I loved that Kendall came into her own after high school and love her dynamic with Grant throughout the story. The growth of their relationship and the loyalty of her friends and family are two of my favorite things about this story.

Thank you to Luna Literary and Liliana Woodland for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kelley Abbas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Other Revenge Plots by Liliana Woodland

Love and Other Revenge Plots by Liliana Woodland is the second book in a series but can absolutely be read as a standalone—and I’m glad I didn’t miss out on this one, even if my ARC approval got buried in my spam folder.

This story follows Kenzie and Grant, whose history is anything but simple. Grant was once her high school bully, making this a unique take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. I’ve read my fair share of “bad boy” MMCs, but a romance built on a past bullying dynamic added an extra layer of tension and emotional complexity that certainly stands out. The pacing was excellent—I flew through this book in two days!

The dual character arcs were especially strong. Grant’s journey centers on redemption and proving he’s no longer the person he used to be, while Kenzie’s story focuses on healing, growth, and pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. Her struggle to accept that someone else could change as much as she has felt very real, especially given her past trauma (see trigger warnings).

The dynamic between them also brought something different. The book includes open-door spice, which includes a power shift that is interesting and, at times, unexpected. Kenzie very much holds her own and makes Grant work for it. I love a good, strong FMC, and eventually she allowed herself to be vulnerable.

While this isn’t a book I’ll be thinking about for weeks, it was an engaging, fast-paced read that I genuinely enjoyed and would absolutely recommend.

If you enjoy romances with redemption arcs, complicated pasts, and emotional growth, this is worth picking up. Readers who like authors such as Elsie Silver, Lucy Score, or Tessa Bailey will likely enjoy this one.

Thank you, Liliana and Luna Literary, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion.

[Finger Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars
3 Spicy

Love and Other Revenge Plots by Liliana Woodland was a delightful romcom that explored emotional trauma around poverty, food insecurity and bullying. Woodland did a masterful job of hitting on these very serious topics but weaving them into the storyline which heals two people from their small town previous lives.

First this is not a true bully romance, but the first chapter does show what Grant, the MMC was like in HS. After the prologue we skip ahead 10 years. Grant has completely changed and is deeply sorry for all the pain in caused others in high school. He is now a resident working in a hospital with a nurse who is universally loved, but seems to despise him...and he has no idea why. He doesn't recognize the nurse is Kendall, the girl he practically terrorized from his home town.

Kendall is a nurse, applying for medical school. She is assertive, outgoing, hard working- all the makings of someone who clawed their way out of the gutter and is now financially independent trying to make an impact. She is also deeply scarred from her HS years. Between Grant's bullying and her father abandonment she is deeply impacted when it comes to relationships and accepting help.

It was beautiful to see Grant and Kendell interact. At first she treats him pretty poorly, and she lets him know she wants him to suffer. Spoiler, he *likes* it! He definitely falls first and no matter how much Kendall tries to push him away Grant stays committed. He is such a green flag cinnamon roll.

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Flirty texting
- Cinnamon roll
- Redemption
- They wash each others hair

I have not read book 1 in the series and easily followed along, though I will absolutely read the entire series now. I'm hooked! Thank you to the author and RR Book Tours for the ARC.

[ReviewsByNic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Other Revenge Plots by Liliana Woodland
4.5 out of 5 stars
ARC

Thank you, Liliana and Luna Literary, for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion 💚

Love and Other Revenge plots is the second book in the Love in Louisville series and can be read as a standalone. This book goes through topics of bullying, food insecurity, poverty, and physical looks so please put your mental health first if those are a trigger for you 💕

I feel like this is one of those books that most people could relate to in some fashion. So many people in our world have had an experience(s) with bullies, poverty, a parent leaving, or negative comments about their looks. This makes the book even more real. I sat there reading this while nodding along when Kendall talked about her past and couldn't help but feel a connection even if my past isn’t the exact same as hers. It really was beautifully written and heartbreaking at the same time.

Grant is who we would like these bullies to end up being like later in life. Gone through therapy/continuing it, realizing their mistakes, owning up to it, feeling great remorse, and having genuine growth. I enjoyed his development so much and love how he was also able to also point out his faults and the reasoning behind them.

If you are debating reading this book because of the bully trope, I would suggest picking this one up unless it's a trigger for you. Love and Other Revenge Plots really shows just how the system works and allows room for growth with all characters while still allowing them normal human faults. I'm glad I was able to give this book a read 💚

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to come back the world of Louisville, Kentucky with these characters! And I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to arc read 🥰

Kendall and Grant have a very turbulent history that started in high school. Grant was Kendall’s bully and it definitely left lasting effects on her. So it is clear she was surprised to see him as a resident where she works as a nurse!

What I loved about this story, was that it felt very real/normal. Kendall is still upset and not a fan of Grant, and rightly so! Who would be happy to see their high school bully much less be forced to work with them? Grant does not realize who Kendall is though due to her name change and different looks. But he is drawn to her all the same.

Kendall puts Grant THROUGH it. She isn’t nice at first, becomes civil after a time, but she makes him work to show that he has in fact changed since high school and is not the same person. When they strike up their “fling,” Kendall is fully in charge and denies him at every turn.

Even as Kendall starts falling for Grant, she does a very real and human thing and doesn’t feel like she can forgive him. Everything he did was just too ingrained and hurtful in her life. The fact that she has this struggle, she second guesses if he really changed (even after he proved it multiple times) is something that could happen to anyone in the real world which made me appreciate this book even more.

I did love how Grant put Kendall first and completely understood her hesitancy and “hot and cold” feelings toward everything. You can tell how much effort he put into changing and how all he wants is for Kendall to be happy.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Love in Louisville stories so far and hope to return again soon!!

[ThisBeachLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by Liliana Woodland, but definitely not my last! I enjoyed this quick read and Woodland’s writing style.

Kendall (aka Kenzie) grew up extremely poor and was constantly bullied by Grant Wyndham, a wealthy jock who was always second best to Kendall academically. Kendall worked hard and made a better life for herself as an adult. She overcame health issues, poverty, and found herself. She loves her job as an ortho nurse, has a great Girl Gang and is even trying to have a relationship with her absentee father. Life was good…until the new surgical resident turns out to be her high school bully. Now she has to figure out how to navigate working with Grant and figuring out her complex feelings toward him. Grant falls hard & fast for Kendall, who he doesn’t recognize from high school. Once he learns her true identity, he spends most of the book trying to show her how he’s changed as a person, how sorry he is-lots oh groveling. I understand how confused Kendall must have been about her feelings, but I think she was a little too hot & cold with Grant, honestly surprised the guy didn’t end up with whiplash! I did enjoy her being in control of their situation and edging him mercilessly.

I appreciated Woodland shining a light on food insecurity, thyroid issues and women’s healthcare issues. She used all of these issues to build Kendall’s story and make her a more complex character. Love a good epilogue! Loved that both MCs weren’t afraid to call their families out for their wrongdoings.

Thank you to Liliana Woodland and Luna Literary for the advanced copy! I plan to read Book 1 of this series and to read whatever is next from Liliana!

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
Ok now I can admit when I'm wrong at first glance and I was wrong at first glance. The descriptions and tropes hooked me but I will always raise an eye at a bully and Grant was no exception to that standard. Wow, oh wow, did he have SO much to make up for. Kendall worked her ass off, against all odds stacked against her to get an education, an amazing job, and a better life than the one she grew up with. When she left her hometown behind she was sure she left behind her childhood bully too. That is until after 10 years she hears his voice in the orthopedic office she works in, sees he's in a white coat, and of course he doesn't recognize her. How did Grant Wyndham, her tormentor, become a doctor?!

I wasn't ready for the teasing, the stringing along, the groveling, the pining, the yearning and from BOTH of them at that!!! 🤯 Ah it was great. Grant is a man that has seen the error of his ways and just wants to be better than he used to be. He never expected his biggest mistake to make his life an absolute nightmare that he was more than willing to subject himself to for her. Gah, I love when a man craves her soooooooo badly he will do anything she asks, even if it means torturing himself. It was funny, it was cute, it was really hard to sit with at times but that was the point. Grant's extreme mistreatment of Kendall is fundamental to everything they do together but when they comes together? *chef's kiss* I only wish the ending wasn't so rushed. I wanted more of them actually together 😅

[Kate Marreiros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Other Revenge Plots by Lilliana Woodland was a heartwarming story of two healthcare heroes looking for healing from their past. It opens with two characters, Kenzie and Grant, in their high school days. Kenzie trying to navigate being a caterpillar in world of butterflies. Grant does his best to make her miserable, uncomfortable and downright cruel. What he does to her as a bully is inexcusable and that history is how we get the revenge plot started. Fast forward to Kenzie, now Kendall as she's embraced her butterfly phase with healing, transformation and growth, as she's a successful nurse working towards her next career path. To her surprise, Grant is in the same clinic as she is and he can't place how he knows her. The pain you feel for Kendall as she awkwardly interacts with him makes you burn with anger. You can't help but feel proud of her as she stands her ground and gives him some slight hell. It finally dawns on Grant at a reunion back home in Kentucky how he knows her and the redemption tour starts. Grant does his absolute best to make up for his past mistakes. Kendall is hard to forgive him, rightly so, but it sure was entertaining how they work on making amends throughout the story. You'll have to read for yourself if that actually happens - no spoilers here! I loved that Lilliana reminded us that our past is a huge part of who we are and we can do one of two things: let it hold us back or let us transform us. For me, I'd choose the love plot over revenge but it definitely made for a great read!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Loved, Loved, LOVED!

I knew within a page that I would be hooked. It hit in all the right places from the very beginning.

Kendall faced poverty and hardship from a young age, and her life was made so much worse by her highschool tormentor, Grant.

Ten years later, those dark years are behind her. Kendall's life is brighter, she's stronger, and she's thriving, when the universe has other plans. Enter her new co-worker: Grant. Kendall still hates him. Her libido missed the memo.

Has Kendall really healed old wounds, has Grant truly changed, and can he ever fully redeem himself?

Liliana has beautifully woven together a story of flawed characters, growth, healing and second chances, with some gloriously spicy scenes, and plenty of tender moments. It gave me everything I need in a good romance novel and then some.

This is one of those books I will wish I could read again for the first time. Grant and Kendall have my heart.

You should read this book if you love:
- Open door romance (plenty of spice)
- Reformed bully
- Enemies to lovers
- Workplace romance
- Slow-burn
- Second chances
- Redemption arc
- Dual POV

Love and Other Revenge Plots will be released on March 16. I envy everyone reading it for the first time!

Thank you to Liliana Woodland and Luna Literary for the complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

life has been crazy…so this review is just now coming from me. sorry for the delay😅

this was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 read for me! thank you to the author, Liliana Woodland and Luna Literacy for the eARC. i enjoyed the overall plot and thought the ending relationship Kendall and Grant had was cute.

Kendall is an orthopedic nurse and med-school applicant working towards a specialty in women’s health. Grant is a medical resident that starts his orthopedic rotation at Kendall’s place of work. he was her high school bully.

this is my first reformed bully to lover read, and i’m not too sure how i feel yet about the trope as a whole. i will be honest also and say it did take me a minute to get into the book. i thought that the points where their relationship could have been built up was overshadowed by Kendall’s obsession with who Grant used to be versus who he was showing her he was. while yes, he was a pretty terrible person in his high school days and she had valid reasons to dislike him, i would’ve really liked to see more building of a secure relationship between them.

i really enjoyed a medical romance as well being a future health care girlie myself. i think that representation in the lower SES, specifically for people pursuing healthcare careers is important to highlight.

it did take me a minute to get into the story, but once i was into it i flew through it. overall a read i’m not mad about reading!

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if your old high school bully walked into your job and was introduced as the new hire?

Kendall has a choice to make when Grant Wyndham starts his residency at her hospital. The man doesn't recognize her at all, so she could let it go...or take the chance to make HIM squirm.

I hate the bully trope, so I didn't actually know what to expect going into this story with a reformed bully. But, I can honestly say, I loved it. Kendall is unapologetically herself, she's loud and proud, but it's been a bit of a journey to get there after high school. And when she's finally face to face with Grant again, it brings up a lot of old hurts.
Grant is amazing, but I'm more in love with how he handled contronting with his old prejudice and past actions. And how those past actions are currently effecting his present.

And listen, Liliana did amazing bringing Appalachian culture into this story, the importance of family and trying to fit in, the real difficulties of growing up in this area, getting out, honoring where you're from without letting it define you.
I actually feel seen as an Appalachian woman and that might be the best part of this story, honestly.

Big thank you to Luna Literary Management and Liliana Woodland for an eARC of this book, all opinions are honest and my own.

[jenswhitenoise · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What am I going to do now? The answer- I knew it as soon as she told me who she was- is whatever she wants."

Kendall and Blaine. If you meet your bully years after graduation and he doesn't recognize you and he's changed completely - do you forgive him? Kendall's choice was easy - nope. Watching her wreak havoc over Blaine and his attempts to get to know a co-worker was entertaining and I could totally relate to getting back at someone who hurt her for so many years. But as co-workers that wasn't sustainable.

This book was so relatable and my heart was hurting so much for Kendall and then surprisingly, for Blaine. This story is cute, his redemption is hard but rewarding. I appreciate the interaction with the families and a nod to how the bullying hurts others in the family in addition to how behaviors can help shape bullies in the home. The book dealt with heavy topics and also something we usually don't think about- if our bully has done the work, comes back a better person - do they deserve our forgiveness, redemption in our eyes, and to build a friendship? Interesting tot think about.

"You keep being adorable. It's maddening."

What to expect:
*Reformed Bully
*Enemies to Lovers
*Workplace Romance
*Medical Setting
*Hidden Identity
*Groveling
*Slow Burn

"Your former self doesn't get to making all your decisions for you."

I received a complimentary eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the authors and Luna Literary Management.

[Charrli Zitting · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, Love and Other Revenge Plots by Liliana Woodland is the second book in a series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I hadn’t read the first one going in, but after finishing this, I will definitely be going back for it.

I will admit, I love a man in uniform. And having worked in the medical field for over 25 years, this book immediately caught my attention. I signed up for it so fast, and it did not disappoint. One thing I especially loved was actually understanding all the medical terminology woven throughout the story. It made everything feel more real and honestly made the reading experience that much more fun for me.

This was such a fun, feel-good romcom with just the right amount of depth. We follow Grant, a former high school bully turned resident doctor, who is actively working on himself, hello therapy and personal growth, which is honestly so attractive. He is determined to prove he is not the same guy he was 10 years ago.

Then there is Kendell, a nurse at the same hospital who is applying to medical school. She is loved by everyone and she definitely remembers Grant for all the wrong reasons. The twist is that he does not remember her at all, despite being part of the group that made her life miserable.

Watching their dynamic unfold is equal parts hilarious, awkward, and genuinely emotional. The tension, the growth, and the banter all felt so real.

This book hits so many of my favorite tropes...second chance, enemies to lovers, he falls first, cinnamon roll MMC, and a strong redemption arc. And yes, the spice was on point.

Awkward sparks, hilarious banter, swoony doctors, messy-but-adorable love stories, and all the second chance feels—if that sounds like your jam, this one belongs on your TBR.

Thank you to R&R Book Tours and Liliana Woodland for the advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Candace Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little read. Who doesn't love a good enemies to lovers?

Grant made Kenzie's life MISERABLE in high school, but she never let him see her get down...except that one time where he hit below the belt. But its cool, they were graduating high school and she would never have to see him again. She was Valedictorian, he was Salutatorian. She was smarter than him.

Fast forward to adult life...Kendall, formerly known as Kenzie, is a great nurse and is considering going to med school. Things are looking great for her and she is enjoying life. One day, she hears THAT voice. One she never thought she would hear again. Grant Wyndham. The "meet" at work, but only he doesn't know who she is. She's slimmed out some, fixed her teeth, changed her name and he has no clue she is the girl her terrorized as a dumb high school kid. Kenzie sees this as her time to get a little revenge on him. What she doesn't know, he has changed TREMENDOUSLY since high school and is ashamed of the person he used to be.

This is a great story of how they were able to overcome their past while she still got to get a little revenge on him, even when he knows it. This story also kind of made me feel close to my own family who also living in Eastern Kentucky, which is where this book takes place!

Thank you Liliana Woodland for the gifted copy!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5.25/5
🔥 5.25/5
🌶️ 5.25/5
💧 5.25/5

Love and Other Revenge Plots was such an emotional and character-driven read that really stood out to me.

Kendall and Grant’s story starts with a difficult past—he was her bully in high school, and their reunion as adults adds an immediate layer of tension and emotional weight.

What made this story work so well for me was Grant’s growth. He doesn’t excuse his past behavior. Instead, he recognizes it, reflects on it, and actively works to be better. Seeing him take accountability and understand the impact of his actions added depth to his character.

Their dynamic as adults felt natural, especially as they navigated reconnecting while carrying the history between them. The temporary nature of their relationship also added another layer of emotional tension.

I also appreciated how the story explored external pressures, particularly through Grant’s parents and their judgment toward Kendall. Watching him stand up to them and acknowledge how their influence shaped his past behavior was a powerful moment.

There were also quieter, more emotional moments that stood out, especially the ways Grant showed care and support for Kendall.

Overall, this was a meaningful and engaging read that focused on growth, accountability, and second chances.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review
Antecdotal thoughts while reading
Love in Louisville series
I love the cover with the scowls!
Talent show?
Grant is compensating for something and being hurtful to others just makes him a 💩.
You bestested him Kenzie/Kendall, NICE!! 👩‍🎓
Well at least he has remorse and gone to therapy over it.
Karaoke bar...I feel a sighting
Assisting is bettering women's health is an amazing focus.
Does she have cellulitis in her calf?
You are right Gwen, we "still deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect."
Exposed! Insert tail between legs
Dabbling with co-workers 😆
Maybe he did it with good intentions?? Let's take a breath and think positively about it Kendall.
Oh Kendall, you are playing with 🔥. 😆
He's man-spreading. Knock him down a peg.
I get what Kendall is doing, but at what point is she the new bully?
Either you are going to stop and turn a 180 again, or someone will walk in. What will it be????
That is a true thought, sometimes we want what we can't have...even if it is as simple as a sweet treat or as complex as a relationship.
Kendall ⚕️🏫👏🥳
When the two of you are on the same side of things. ❤️
Parents shape us so much, without us realizing it, good reminder.
Grandma... that mouth 🧼 😆

[Jess Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

When your high school bully shows up at your hospital, do you pretend you don’t know him or make him squirm?

Love and Other Revenge Plots is the latest book in the Love in Louisville series and is one that will pull at all your emotions.

At times fun and other times heartbreaking, Kendall and Grant’s relationship will keep you intrigued. Kendall is someone that laughs and talks easily but does not share her feelings. Grant is serious and thoughtful… a far cry from when Kendall knew him in high school. From tense moments to moments that make him beg, their chemistry is undeniable but will the past tear them apart?

I understood Kendall wholeheartedly in this book as my experience growing up in a Southern town was much the same as hers… not from an affluent family, not pretty by conventional standards, having my own share of insecurities that come from that, and a shared understanding of why she and Grant would want to be back around the people that knew them this way. This part of their story is heartbreaking, but unfortunately true for many people.

If you’re looking for a story about love and redemption, Love and Other Revenge Plots is for you.

[MaddMoxxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Messy Revenge Plans and Accidental Feelings

Some revenge plans work like a charm - this one spirals straight into feelings, chemistry, and a whole lot of very entertaining chaos.

Kendall is exactly the kind of heroine you want to follow into a questionable plan: smart, stubborn, and armed with a comeback for literally every situation. The chemistry with Grant builds from prickly tension into something genuinely swoony, and the banter keeps bantering in the best way possible

What I enjoyed most was Grant’s redemption arc - it’s so gratifying and allows you to see the human under the bully. It makes you realize there is always so much more under the surface and that misery tends to create more misery.

The story balances humor, heart, heat, and just enough real-life stakes to keep everything grounded while the romance truly steals the spotlight. I flew through this one and closed it with a very satisfied smile.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and am sharing my honest review.

[Polina · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review :

This book is incredible. It's a quick and very entertaining read. First of all, I think that to bring the reformed bully trope, it has to be well-developed and well-executed to be effective, because it's a very sensitive subject. In this book, the subject is handled well, and the reformed bully questions his actions and deeply regrets his past actions. Throughout the book, he tries to make amends with the person he has hurt , but also he understand the gravity of his actions. As for the character of Kendall, I found her endearing. She worked hard to get where she is. And despite everything she's been through, she's still just as ambitious and doesn't give up. I also appreciated the fact that the author doesn't wait too long in the novel before delivering the big reveal moment.
There are sad moments and happy moments, but this book is really very good and it reads very quickly, all of that is why I absolutely recommend to read this book especially to romance readers.

And thanks to Luna literary management for the arc.

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - I love a good redemption story (and groveling, must have groveling!)
Kendall and Grant have quite the past and we get a peak of it in the prologue….fast forward and they find themselves working at the same hospital…except he doesn’t recognize her, but she 100% recognizes her bully!

I really liked Kendall - she was smart and funny and hardworking and was working through some past trauma. I think her experiences felt authentic and heartbreaking at times. Oh Grant - past Grant was a total jerk - but current Grant has grown up and is full of green flags now…but is that enough??

Yes they are some funny moments and flirty banter, but this story also dives more into some tougher topics involving poverty, bullying and classism. I think they are handled well but be sure and check the content warnings first!

✨What To Expect:
💕Contemporary Romance
❤️‍🔥Enemies To Lovers
📌Workplace Romance
🎭Hidden Identity
🐌Slow Burn
🏥Co-workers in a medical setting
👀Reformed Bully
🔥Groveling & Redemption
❤️‍🩹Emotional Trauma
💋Feminine Anger
✌️Dual POV

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally avoid romances where someone falls for their childhood bully, but the synopsis made me think I could make Love and Other Revenge Plots the exception to my rule. And I am really glad I did.

This story does not take lightly the damage bullying does. And Grant, who was the bully, really puts in the work to become a better person and shows genuine remorse for what a horrible person he was as a kid. It also frankly discusses the struggles with systemic poverty and how poorly the medical system tends to treat women, especially overweight ones.

Kendall is a tough, resilient character. She is able to use her intelligence as a way to escape the poverty that was so prevalent in the town she grew up in, but her upbringing and the bullying she experienced as a child are things that very much shape who she is as an adult.

Thank you Liliana Woodland for the opportunity to advance read. 🩷

[Magdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5*

I really liked the first 60-70 pages of this book. Even though the writing style was weak and everything was happening too quickly, it was so entertaining that I thought it would be my next favorite guilty pleasure romance. But then everything went south. Kendall is such a weird character - she was hating Grant, reminding him of all the things he's done, making out with him and making him buy her things - and all of that at the same time. Calling it confusing is an understatement. She was so undecided about what she wanted that it was maddening. Grant was quite a solid character, though him falling in love with Kendall was based on her attractiveness - at least that's how it seemed to me, even though Grant was saying otherwise. The plot was captivating but the execution was disappointing. I wish she would write this book again from scratch and create an amazing story for Kendall and Grant based on the solid foundations she created at the beginning.

[Extraspicybooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely can’t get enough of the angst in this book. I could not put this book down. So good 😏😮‍💨
Grant was the cause of so much emotional turmoil and childhood trauma for Kendall, On top of growing up in extreme hardship. Grant was her childhood bully and now grown up with great careers they are working together. Doctor and nurse. Kendall has changed so much since those years Grant doesn’t recognize her. He can’t figure out why she’s so confrontational towards him. They have this unmatched hot chemistry and once they act on it, it turns into more. Until the secrets come out and the heartbreaking emotions are revealed.
These 2 go through it and Grant is sorrowful but so redeeming. There’s definitely some massive hurdles they need to get through and they slowly do. Which makes their forever happiness so much sweeter!
This was such a fantastic read💕😮‍💨

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Other Revenge Plots by Liliana Woodland is an emotional contemporary romance that explores the complicated line between love and revenge. The story pulls readers into a world where hurt, betrayal, and unresolved feelings push the characters toward choices that blur the boundaries between justice and obsession.

What makes the book compelling is the emotional tension. The characters are layered and flawed, making their motivations believable as they navigate pain, attraction, and the desire for closure.

The romance unfolds through moments of vulnerability, conflict, and emotional growth. As secrets surface and past wounds are confronted, the story explores how love can sometimes grow in the most unexpected and messy circumstances.

Overall, Love and Other Revenge Plots is an engaging romance that blends passion, heartbreak, and the messy reality of human emotions.

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars for me (rounded up). This was an interesting kind of rom-com/reformed bully romance. The high school bully actually *gasp* goes to therapy to work on himself after school. When he shows up at her clinic, she instantly recognizes him... but he doesn't recognize her. She is determined to make his life hell, and he's determined to show her he's not the same guy he was 10yrs ago. Now they have to spend time together, working on their unit as well as an extra project. Except, he doesn't seem to be the monster he used to be, and our girl Kendall doesn't know what to do with that. With a man that is willing to work hard and grovel hard to prove it to her. If only all bullies would end up being like that later in life!

Thank you so much to Luna Literary Management and the Author for allowing me to read and review, all opinions are my own :)

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really surprised me in a good way. It balances past tension with something softer in the present, and that mix made the whole experience feel more emotional than I expected.

What stood out most was the connection between the characters. Their history is always there in the background, creating this steady push and pull that keeps things interesting. You can feel the hesitation and the slow shift in how they start to see each other differently.

I liked that it focused more on the emotional journey rather than rushing the romance. It takes its time, and that made everything feel more genuine while reading.

Overall this was an engaging read that kept me invested in how everything would come together.