Lipstick and Leverage

by Kendra Moreno

Ava learned how to disappear the hard way. One packed bag. One sleeping child. One night where she never looks back. For a year, hiding works. She builds a quiet life for her daughter. A routine. A fragile peace that almost feels real.

Then the flowers arrive.

Her husband has found them. Again. But Ava is done running. If he wants a war, she’ll give it to him.

Her answer comes wrapped in tailored suits and unlimited resources. Dagen Fox, billionaire tech mogul and her husband’s sworn enemy, has the resources and the inclination to ruin a man for sport. Helping Ava sounds entertaining-- Profitable, even-- and he’s bringing reinforcements.

Otto_Bot, a hacker who deals in secrets and obsession.
Wylan, an assassin with a talent for inconvenience and a growing interest in Ava herself.

The plan is simple. Strip her husband of his money, his power, and his name. Leave him alive and irrelevant.

Burn books are for amateurs. Ava doesn’t need revenge that’s loud. She needs revenge that keeps her daughter safe. But men like her husband don’t lose quietly. And when he takes what matters most, civility ends.

Ava didn’t come this far to only survive. She came for blood…

Lipstick & Leverage is a dark contemporary WhyChoose romance about a woman who stops surviving and starts winning, the men ruthless enough to help her, and the price of underestimating a mother with nothing left to lose. Perfect for fans of Mean Girls and revenge romances.

Genres: Why Choose, Dark Romance, Billionaire Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

About the author

Kendra Moreno is secretly a spy but when she’s not dealing in secrets and espionage, you can find her writing her latest adventure. She lives in Texas where the summer days will make you melt, and southern charm comes free with every meal. She’s a recovering Road Rager (kind of) and slowly overcoming her Star Wars addiction (nope!), and she definitely didn’t pass on her addiction to her son (she did). She has one hellhound named Mayhem who got tired of guarding the Gates of Hell and now guards her home against monsters. She’s a geek, a mother, a scuba diver, a tyrannosaurus rex, and a wordsmith who sometimes switches out her pen for a sword.

If you see Kendra on the streets, don’t worry: you can distract her with talks about Kylo Ren or Loki.
#LokiLives #BringBackBenSolo

To learn more about Kendra Moreno, you can visit her website, kendramorenoauthor.com, or joing her Facebook group, Kendra's World of Wonder.

Reviews

[ᴊᴇꜱꜱᴛʜᴇʙᴏᴏᴋᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ☾ ✧˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲.”

honestly, as a millennial, it isn’t such a bad idea to take such an iconic movie like Mean Girls and use it as a blueprint to take down your enemy, specially, in Ava’s case, her abusive ex-husband.

and what better team to do that but your billionaire boss, a notorious hacker, and a hitman who loves to play tea party & dress up with your daughter?

“𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”

what starts out as a group project for revenge, turns into more as Dagen, Otto/Felix, and Wylan starts to spend more time with Ava and her daughter. but what happens when revenge has been served and they all go their separate ways? and will their plan of taking down Ava’s ex-husband be successful? or will it only cause her & her daughter even more trouble?

this was a good time of a book mixed with dark themes and a journey of strength and healing. a medium-ish burn that allowed for the instant attraction to develop a little bit before the spice. also, it’s always the “quiet ones” aka the arcade joystick scene 😜

thank you Kendra Moreno for an e-ARC of 𝑳𝒊𝒑𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 💋🔪🖤🩷





✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
MFMM, 1st person multi-POV
single mom on the run, revenge, boss x employee, protective mmcs, HEA, standalone
safety: no OW drama, no man-whores (it’s mentioned that Dagen dated other women but that’s it), OM drama bc of Ava’s ex-husband but nothing else, no cheating

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolute perfection i devoured it in one sitting 👌

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lipstick and Leverage is a standalone, contemporary, single mom, billionaire, why choose, dark romance with morally grey MMC's. The story is told in first person with multiple POV.

Ava is on the run from her abusive and well connected husband, all while trying to give her daughter a stable and safe life. When work brings her into contact with her husband's enemy, she asks for the help she needs to bring her husband to his knees and finally bring safety to herself and her daughter.

I absolutely loved this book. Ava is a strong and brave woman who will do anything to protect her daughter, and I loved that about her. I also really loved all of Ava's morally challenged men. Dagen, the billionaire businessman, Otto, the hacker and Peeping Tom, and Wylan, the British hitman. I really enjoyed the chemistry and spiciness between Ava and the guys, as well as how each of their relationships with Ava developed individually. I hate to pick favorites, but Wylan was certainly that for me. I loved the way he was with Elsie, Ava's daughter. I loved his quirky ways and the comedic aspect that he brings to the story.

This was a terrifically written book with amazing plot, flow, pace, characters, character development, relationship development, storyline, storytelling, and world building. If you are in the mood for an entertaining, fast paced, why choose romance, then this may just be the book for you.

Thank you so very much to Kendra Moreno for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[the_bibliophagist · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ll never be a monster to you or Elsie.” “But god help whoever dares to lay a hand on either one of you.”

I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, had quite a bit of action, and the steam was HOT!!! The plot of this book was very entertaining, and it kept me hooked from the very first page. The revenge plot that they orchestrated was very interesting, especially when Wylan went to the hotel room.
I enjoyed the cast of characters in this book. I like Ava and how strong she is with all the stuff she is going through, especially after they went through her medical records and listed all the broken bones she had due to her ex. I like each of her guys, but I like Wylan the best, especially how he is with Elsie.
The only character that bothered me was Elsie. She seemed like two different kids. One minute she is so smart, reading high school books, talking like a teenager, and the next she is playing tea party with her mom like a toddler. It just bugged me how she seemed like two different kids. Overall, this is an awesome read, and I would suggest it to anyone.

[emsreviewsandrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE JOYSTICK. That’s all I got… jk

Kendra Moreno has done it again! Lipstick and Leverage is hands down one of my favorite books now. Kendra’s storytelling is like watching a movie. I could visualize the scenes. My heart rate and blood pressure were both up during the real and spicy action. I was laughing out loud, tearing up, and blushing. I mean this story was so good. I was hooked from the very beginning. Reading the words just felt so effortless. I really am just in love with this story.

Ava has been on the run from her husband but now, she finally wants to stop running for her daughter. When her job has her working with Dagen Fox, her husband’s enemy, she gets together a plan to get him on board to take him down. With the help of Wylan an assassin, and Otto_bot a hacker, will they be able to take him down?

Ava might have been broken down by her husband but what wasn’t broken was her fight to leave and her fight to get her daughter to safety. Ava would do anything for her daughter. Her strength and her confidence grew so much and it was so beautiful. Ava is so strong, so beautiful, and just so amazing. I loved her so much.

You already know now, I am in love with Dagen, Otto, and Wylan. Dagen straight up oozes BDE. His attitude, his words, and his personality. Wylan came in right off the rip with “Just Wylan, love”. Immediately charming me and making me swoon. Otto was so cute and then that man had me SHOOK. I mean the whole arcade scene had my mouth on the floor. The hand necklace, his words, and the JOYSTICK. I’m never forgetting that.

This book was SO MUCH FUN! I literally am just so giddy writing this review. This story was a breath of fresh air for me. I honestly wish there was more to it because I could keep reading it. I can’t wait to see what Kendra has coming next!

[Lottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author, and Lipstick and Leverage by Kendra Moreno was such a vibes read in the absolute best way.
The story follows an FMC escaping an abusive marriage who turns to an unforgettable trio for help. A billionaire businessman, a British hitman, and a world-renowned hacker sitting at the top of the FBI’s most wanted list. The dynamic between them is addictive from the start.
This is a why choose romance done right. The chemistry is undeniable, the spice is delicious, and every interaction kept me hooked. The revenge arc? Completely deserved and so satisfying.
And that ending? Chef’s kiss

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked with its chaotic energy right from the start. You’ve got a hacker with boundary issues, an assassin who loves a good accessory moment, a swoony billionaire, and a woman who slowly realizes she doesn’t actually need saving. It’s such a fun mix with hilarious banter, great chemistry, some genuinely heartfelt moments, and just enough action, violence, and revenge to keep things moving.

Ava takes a job that puts her working for her husband’s enemy, and that’s where everything starts to shift. She finally finds people in her corner who are willing and able to help her take him down and protect both her and her daughter.

Dagen, Wylan, and Otto are such a solid trio. Each of them stands out, but together they’re even better, especially when it comes to Ava and Elsie. And Elsie honestly steals every scene she’s in. Watching these grown, dangerous men completely fold for an 8-year-old is top-tier. I mean… an assassin showing up for a tea party in a tutu and tiara? Say less.

Ava’s ex is a real piece of work. If domestic violence is a trigger, just go in aware. But I will say, the payoff is worth it.

My only complaint is I could’ve used one more full team spicy scene, because why not? Also, Arcade Frogger will never be the same for me.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, fun read with a great mix of humor, heart, and heat.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell bent on revenge and I was here for every moment in Lipstick & Leverage.

After being on the run for so long with her daughter Elsie from her abusive husband Ric, Ava finally decides enough is enough. She enlists the help of Dagen Fox, a man who has made his fortune in tech that Ric loathes and just so happens to kind of be her boss.

Dagen is more than eager to take Ric down but he gets some help from Wylan, a ghost hitman and Otto_Bot, a genius hacker to assist. Ava just wants to embarrass him enough to get him to go away but Ric will not back down without a fight.

I loved Ava’s relationships with each of the guys, they each pull something different out of her and along the way she starts falling for all of them. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that arcade scene IYKYK. They are all the epitome of touch their girls and be unalived, they quickly will go to any lengths to protect Ava and Elsie.

I loved how the guys interacted with Elsie too, getting dressed up in crowns breaking the tough guy facade leaves you on the floor in a puddle.

Kendra knows how to make us wait for the other shoe to drop and boy does it leave us on the edge of our seats. But after everything she has had to endure, I loved getting to see Ava reclaim her power.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Poupi Mali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about survival and found family.
You’ve got a hacker with boundary issues, an assassin who loves accessories, a swoony billionaire, and a woman who learns she doesn’t need saving.

Tropes:
Dark why choose
Single mum in hiding
Revenge (that may get out of hand)
Spice 🌶️.5

Content warnings:
Domestic abuse, emotional abuse, no protection (no mention of birth control, no pregnancy)

Ava finally escapes her nightmare of a husband, Ric, and is doing her best to rebuild her life with her daughter, Elsie.
But being on the run has its limits…
Somehow, she ends up working with Daven Fox, who adds Otto and Wylan to the circus.
The plot moves fast (revenge, paranoia, more revenge) and it’s oddly satisfying watching these characters in full 50 Cent-level petty mode.

My only note is about two short spicy scenes that made me uneasy.
Given Ava’s trauma background, I wasn’t comfortable with the “rough sex” approach in those moments. It’s not that they were badly written, but they hit a weird emotional spot for me, knowing what she’s been through.
Nevertheless, it’s fast-paced, slow-burn, a little wild, and very “petty” satisfying. 🤌🏻
Ava doesn’t need to fight alone, she just needs allies with good Wi-Fi and great taste in tiaras.
As do I.

[K. Ramjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lipstick and Leverage is a dark, why-choose romance that had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a wild mix of hilarious banter, steamy chemistry, heartfelt moments, and just the right dose of action, violence, and revenge.

The story follows Ava, a woman who has been on the run from her abusive husband but is determined to stop running—for the sake of her daughter. Taking a new job that has her on a project working for her husband’s enemy, she finally finds the allies she needs to bring him down and secure safety for herself and her child.

What unfolds is an engrossing tale featuring a billionaire, an assassin, and a hacker working together to help Ava. Each character is distinct and memorable, and watching their relationships evolve was one of the highlights of the book.

The chemistry is undeniable, with steamy scenes that sizzle off the page. The arcade scene, in particular, was downright scorching.

Overall, Lipstick and Leverage is an addictive, entertaining read that blends humor, heat, and suspense beautifully. I’d highly recommend it to fans of why-choose romance who enjoy a mix of passion, danger, and revenge-driven storytelling however there are triggers so do check the warning.

[Tashie_LeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I absolutely loved this book! holy moly, what a ride! First off, thank you to Kendra for the ARC of Lipstick and Leverage. I have a genuine question for you… do you lace your books with something addictive? Because I am completely obsessed with everything you write.

There was honestly nothing I didn’t love. Ava being a single mum? Amazing. The pretty princesses? Obsessed and laughing and kicking my feet.
The banter, the tension, the darkness, it all just worked so perfectly together.

And the men… wow. Every single one of them had me swooning and low-key (maybe not so low key) wishing I was Ava. And let’s just say, I will never look at an arcade the same way again… and I’m absolutely not mad about it.

A quick note: this book does explore darker themes, so definitely check the trigger warnings if you need to, or treat them like a “shopping list” like I sometimes (mostly always) do. Or go in blind, but take care of your mental health first. Because you matter!

Ava is such a strong, compelling women, and I loved watching her grow into her confidence. She’s unforgettable and I love her!

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling and just say this: READ. THIS. BOOK!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good rev3nge story and this one was so satisfying!! I loved all the hilarious things the guys did and how much they wanted justice for Ava and Elsie. It was a shorter story but it was packed full of emotion and heat.

I liked that the guys each had unique and individual personalities that shined through the story. It made it really hard to choose a favorite, as I loved all the guys for different reasons. I will say that Wylan squeaked out as the leader because of his willingness to do anything to protect them.
Although I really do wish we had a real Otto_Bot to fix some of the messed up things going on in the world right now!

I liked Ava and I can't imagine the terror she lived through. I could really feel her panic and tension in the beginning of the story, as it bleed from the pages. I really enjoyed her connection with the guys and how much it boosted her confidence.

I really enjoyed this story. It tugged at my heart yet made me laugh. There was plenty of action and exciting moments not to mention the spicy chemistry between all the characters. The writing hooked me right away and I didn't want to put it down. I would definitely recommend it!!

[Andreia | Lemon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started nicely enough. I enjoyed the whole petty revenge plot against the abusive husband with the three-fold steps, very Mean Girls.

The MMCs even seemed interesting and different (a billionaire, and assassin, and a hacker). But then halfway through there’s a sex scene in an arcade that came so out of left field that it gave me whiplash.

There was no real build up into the relationship between the FMC and the hacker, or any of them really, and then he goes all aggressive on her (choking and hair pulling) during their first face to face encounter. The FMC was abused for 10 years, only has been “free” for a year and the guy goes way too hard for it to be credible. It’s not like they talked about kinks, or if they did we weren’t privy to it.

After that I clocked out of the relationships and just kept reading to see the ex-husband get what he deserved.

Also, there’s no talk about contraception or anything, they all just have sex bare like it’s normal, and pretty sure there was anal without lube 😆

I know I’m only complaining about the sex scenes (and I guess the lack of romance), because like I said, the revenge plot was the only thing that kept me reading.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lipstick & Leverage by Kendra Moreno

I just adored Elsie she was just the cutest little girl all princesses and tiaras. What do a hitman, hacker/cyber mercenary and a billionaire have in common wanting to protect Ava and her daughter Elsie. This was a delight, it was just the right amount of spicy, like I will not think of arcade games the same, with the lighter fun elements that Elsie ropes the guys into. Dagen the billionaire business man, Wylan the British hitman and Otto world renowned hacker/cyber mercenary they were so different but all perfect with the dynamic between them hitting from the beginning!! I think Wylan was a big kid himself. The revenge plan was deserved and enjoyed the little bit of Mean Girls in there. It was also kind of a workplace romance too since Dagen hired her firm.

—“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘳, 𝘈𝘷𝘢. 𝘈 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵.—

👑Why Choose
🩷Single Mom In Hiding
👑Hitman In A Tiara
🩷Mean Girls Meet Romance
👑Billionaire who isn’t an A-Hole
🩷Revenge Romance

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lipstick and Leverage, Ava has spent the last year on the run, building a quiet life for herself and her daughter after escaping her abusive, well-connected husband. But when he finds her again, instead of running, Ava decides she’s done. When a new job puts her in contact with billionaire Dagen Fox, she takes a risk and asks for help. With Dagen, a hacker with no boundaries, and a hitman who’s equal parts lethal and charming, Ava sets out to dismantle her husband’s life piece by piece.

There is just something so satisfying about a woman deciding she’s done surviving and ready to burn everything down, and Kendra Moreno captures that energy perfectly. It’s not just the revenge plot that pulls you in, though; it’s the emotional weight behind it. Ava isn’t doing this for the sake of revenge; she’s doing it for her daughter, for her safety, and for the life she refuses to lose. Watching her go from constantly looking over her shoulder to standing her ground and taking control is both empowering and completely addictive.

I also loved how real her strength felt. Ava is still carrying everything she’s been through, but she chooses to act anyway, and we get to watch her grow stronger with each decision she makes. The revenge itself is calculated and intentional, which made it so satisfying to watch unfold. And I think anyone who’s a fan of Mean Girls will appreciate the way Ava drew inspiration for her plan from the movie.

Now let’s talk about our dangerous, morally gray men. Dagen brings that quiet, controlled power, Otto is chaotic in a way that keeps things interesting, but Wylan? Yeah… Wylan was my favorite. No hesitation. There’s just something about the way he balances being completely deadly with being unexpectedly soft, especially with her daughter, Elise, that had me swooning in every scene. He has the charm, the edge, and just enough vulnerability to make him impossible not to fall for.

None of the relationships felt rushed or forced, and everything builds really naturally, even though the tension is there right from the beginning. Even with the darker themes, there’s still humor woven throughout that keeps the story from feeling too heavy. The banter, the chemistry, and the tension all strike such a perfect balance. And yes… I would be remiss not to acknowledge the arcade scene. Whew. That’s all I’m saying.

This was such an addictive, fast-paced read that I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. It’s emotional, a little chaotic, very satisfying, and another banger from Kendra Moreno. If you love dark why choose romance, morally gray men, and a revenge plot that actually delivers, this one is absolutely worth it.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava’s daughter, Elsie, is the one who gave her the courage to get away from her abusive ex, but staying free of him was never going to be easy. Ava’s a phenomenal mom, and she has protected her daughter at all costs and with great personal sacrifice. When her new work assignment puts her on a collision course with Dagen, it’s serendipitous. He’s someone her husband grudgingly respects but also hates at the same time he’s trying to woo him into a business deal. As much as Ava doesn’t want to, she propositions Dagen in a bid to have someone more powerful than her ex on her side for once. Dagen brings with him additional powerful allies—Otto, the charming and intelligent hacker and virtual stalker, and Wylan, the darling and funny British hitman who could win the heart of anyone, I swear! These men are each terrific characters individually, and together they may just be able to protect Ava and Elsie and mend the fractures to their hearts and spirits so they can finally feel safe once and for all. This one had a great mix of story, action, spice, and romance.

[M W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved this as an arc from the author and let me tell you this book had me from the beginning. Ava has left her abusive husband with her daughter and finally wants to live and let Elsie not be in hiding. With her new job she soon realizes she is not alone and her husband has found her. Determined to keep her daughter safe she ask her new billionaire client to help her due to the info she has in the tech her ex is trying to sell him. Daegen is immediately on board with taking down her ex and keeping her safe. He enlist Otto the best hacker around and Wylan the Ghost assassin. The way Wylan stole my heart! The way he was with Elsie was so so good. Also Otto and that arcade scene unforgettable. I loved each relationship she had they all protected her in their own ways from her ex. Elsie was the sweetest little girl. I loved ava too very brave but such a fierce mother and woman. This book might be my fave of Kendras so far.

[Stacey Foss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kendra Moreno gives us another incredible why choose with characters that are all so different but fit perfectly together. Ava is on the run from her abusive husband doing anything to protect her daughter. When she finally feels like she can stop and they can start living their lives he might have found her. Meeting Dagen through work brings an opportunity to maybe get revenge on her husband and get him out of their lives forever. When a billionaire, a hacker and an assassin form a plan to protect a woman and her daughter everything starts to change as they start to fall for her. This book is fast paced and such a fun read. How often do you get an assassin willing to wear a tutu and tiara and have a tea party with a little girl. The story was full of great banter, laughable moments, some action, and spicy steam. While Dagen, Felix and Wylan start off just trying to help Ave this quickly changes and they become so much more. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[Kaylie Helfrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun

Kendra has this way of taking a very dark story and making the healing journey fun. Ava has been living her life in survival mode, but now she is determined to take her kid and get away from her horrible ex-husband. She is navigating a new life and a new job when she realizes that the man who owns the company she is currently working for may have some motives to help her get revenge on her ex.

The topics in this book are dark, but I found so much joy in this story. It was very nostalgic for me with all of the mean girls references and I personally really enjoyed that. It was a little cheesy at times, but my millennial heart loved it. Is this the best book you'll ever read? Not necessarily, but its a good time.

[Ange Bennetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read a fun, RH, with a little side of darkness, then I have the perfect book for you! Imagine a woman who puts up with all of her husband's abuse, to protect her child. But of course when he starts to hurt their child, she gets them both out. A year later, both of their lives are looking bright again. But then he finds them. Lucky she already has a burn book ready to go and a hot billionaire with friends, to enact the plan to take the ex down! A billionaire, a hacker and an assassin in her corner, an adorable daughter to protect and a horrible ex that deserves everything coming his way. And if Ava just so happens to find some happiness with this gorgeous trio, then so be it! Funny, steamy and full of action, this is a fantastic read!

[Kyara Gevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the why choose hits different, a hitman, a hacker and a billionaire, ah yes perfect trio to help her. The fmc has suffered so much and when she finally gets away from her abusive husband along with her daughter, it doesn't take that long for her new life to be uprooted again. But this time she's not in this alone. She is so strong, her daughter is so cute, the men are possessive and just absolutely the right amount of crazy. The spice is incredible, the arcade, the limo and the dressing room. Spicyyyyyyyy!!! loved it. The moment they are all together even better. The moments they spent with her daughter made my heart melt every single time. Such a great story!

Check trigger warnings before reading!

[Taylor Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I was hooked from the very first page. I devoured it so quickly and I keep hoping there was more once I finished it.

It follows Ava; who escaped an abusive marriage and wanted to be safe and free. She turns to unlikely group of men for help.
As the story progressed I fell in love with these three men along with Ava.
I loved the empowerment and autonomy that the men gave Ava. It was swoon worthy how completely a billionaire, a hitman, and an incredible hacker, put so much love and effort into protecting not only Ava but her daughter.
On a side note, the spice was incredible. I have one word.. joystick.

The ending was beautiful. I have a new found love for tiaras.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A hacker, a hitman, and a billionaire walk into a bar." You don't need a whole lot more than this. Ava is running with her daughter from her abusive husband, and her new colleague agrees to help her stop him.

The ex is a real piece of work. If DV is a trigger, go into this one carefully but know you'll be satisfied by the end. Dagen, Wylan, and Otto are a fantastic trio to take care of Ava and Elsie. I particularly loved every interaction with 8yo Elsie. These guys were wrapped around her little finger, and it was so sweet to read.

I could have used one more full team spicy scene. LOL. Also, Arcade Frogger will never be the same for me.

[MHT Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, Lipstick and Leverage just hit so hard with my revenge loving self. Ava ( FMC) fled her abusive husband with her daughter and needed someone bigger and more powerful to keep her safe. And who could possibly fit that bill better than the evil jerk’s nemesis Dagen ( MMC). He calls in Wylan (MMC) an assassin and Otto_bot (MMC) a hacker to help with a plan. Let me tell you this most definitely turns in to a why choose situation as all these men are yummy. And who knew the nerdy hot hacker could turn a frogger game in to something so dirty? There’s lots of drama and spicy and it was just good time. Especially that ending!

[Kade · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC reviewed from Author for an honest review✨

4.5 ⭐️

KENDRA!!!
I really don’t understand how you KEEP DOING THIS TO ME but IM LOVING IT! 💕

This book quickly sucked me in and didn’t let me go till the very end. Somehow Kendra just knows how to write an incredibly good story with the right amount of plot and smut and MEN 😩 to be the perfect book.

I fell in love with our FMC and her resilience towards her situation. And our fearless men the MMCs who started off with this just being a job to them and it became so much more where they will never let her go.

Thank you Kendra for the early opportunity to read this ARC, i had an amazing time 💙

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra never misses. Watching Ava find the courage to walk away was powerful, but seeing her fully reclaim her voice, her autonomy, and her power as a woman, and a mother, took it to another level. That journey of taking control back and choosing herself was incredibly moving. And then there’s the unforgettable crew: Dagen, the irresistible billionaire bad boy; Otto, the hacker with his playful joystick moments; and Wylan, a contract killer with the softest, most unexpected edge. The dynamic between them brought so much humor and energy. This book balances heat, heart, and those sharp, mean girl movie style twists in the best way. Kendra continues to be an auto-read author for me.

[Toni L | Down and Dirty Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC. DNF at 50%. I was on board for this spicy romance until the first MMC puts his hand around her throat in a faux attempt to choke her. A woman who has been abused mentally, physically, and emotionally for the past decade, and now a guy she met for the first time wants to choke her. It felt so unbelievable to the point I just couldn't read it anymore. This woman experienced 10 years of extreme abuse, which the MMC is aware of, and that's the first move he makes. Nah. I'm out. I don’t buy it at all. I just couldn’t read anymore after that.

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava is running from her abusive husband with one goal: protect her daughter at all costs. But when she teams up with her husband’s dangerous enemies — a billionaire, a hacker, and a British hitman — everything changes.

This dark why choose romance is packed with tension, spice, action, and morally grey men you can’t help but love. And Wylan? Completely stole the show. His bond with Ava’s daughter was everything.

Fast-paced, addictive, and impossible to put down — if you love protective MMCs, found family vibes, and steamy romance, add Lipstick and Leverage to your TBR immediately.

[Savannah Suniga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a FMC that takes control and owns her life! Ava is so strong and such a fighter and I loved her! These 3 morally grey MMCs were a blast as well! A billionaire, a hacker, and an assassin…oh my!! I don’t think I can pick a favorite. They all added something fun to the story and the way they rallied around Ava and her daughter without question and happily in tiaras made my heart swoon! Another great read from Kendra Moreno!!

[Lilylou426 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check your trigger warnings!! With that, I'll say that as someone who experienced DV, the reactions and responses from thr FMC for the first half are absolutely valid and relatable. The second half of the book focused more on revenge and new relationships. The spicy scenes were great but this is plot based and very well framed for you to get the most out of the plot!

As Wylan would say, 'Now, be a pretty princess and get reading.'