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What Goes Around #1
What Goes Around
One lie destroyed Ashley Richards’ life.
At her best friend’s wedding, the groom suddenly confessed he had feelings for her. Screenshots spread online. Accusations followed. Overnight, Ashley became the villain in everyone’s story.
Her boyfriend turned on her.
Her family abandoned her.
Her reputation burned to the ground.
Then she died.
But death was not the end.
When Ashley wakes up seventeen again, she remembers exactly how her life unraveled the first time. This time, she refuses to be the naïve girl who begged people to believe her.
She watches.
She learns.
She prepares.
While everyone else unknowingly repeats the same life, Ashley quietly changes the game. She rebuilds her future piece by piece while uncovering secrets buried inside her family and a web of manipulation far deeper than she ever imagined.
Ashley is not looking for justice anymore.
She wants revenge.
What Goes Around is Book One of a dark revenge duet and ends on a cliffhanger. Ashley’s story continues in Book Two, What Comes Around, available now.
At her best friend’s wedding, the groom suddenly confessed he had feelings for her. Screenshots spread online. Accusations followed. Overnight, Ashley became the villain in everyone’s story.
Her boyfriend turned on her.
Her family abandoned her.
Her reputation burned to the ground.
Then she died.
But death was not the end.
When Ashley wakes up seventeen again, she remembers exactly how her life unraveled the first time. This time, she refuses to be the naïve girl who begged people to believe her.
She watches.
She learns.
She prepares.
While everyone else unknowingly repeats the same life, Ashley quietly changes the game. She rebuilds her future piece by piece while uncovering secrets buried inside her family and a web of manipulation far deeper than she ever imagined.
Ashley is not looking for justice anymore.
She wants revenge.
What Goes Around is Book One of a dark revenge duet and ends on a cliffhanger. Ashley’s story continues in Book Two, What Comes Around, available now.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2026
About the author
Thalia Nova
4 books46 followersThalia Nova writes dark psychological fiction about revenge, betrayal, and the long shadows secrets leave behind. Her stories explore how far someone will go when given a second chance to rewrite their fate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
April 16, 2026
Part 1/2
5 👏🤩🤩🤩👏✨✨✨✨✨s❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️
And what a grand revenge she took!!!!!
The impact of this debut was such that it has left me stunned!!!
I'm trying to compose sentences that will do justice to the suspense and intrigue of this story. Despite its flaws, it has utterly astounded me!
The cliffhanger was intense, I will post my pov in the last part of this duet.
I would like to thank my gr friends whose wish came true! 🙏❤️
I FINALLY found an exceptional read!!!! 🤩
Moreover, thank you Thalia Nova for this awe inspiring unexpected gift!!!🙏👏
Note:
The author noted that if the themes feel too heavy or emotionally overwhelming, you can safely skip Part I and begin reading from Part II instead.
While I feel the author’s concerns, in my opinion, if part 1 is skipped the whole impact will be lost. However, the decision is yours, so proceed at your own risk.
5 👏🤩🤩🤩👏✨✨✨✨✨s❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️
“One lie destroyed Ashley Richards’ life. (…)
Then she died.
But death was not the end.
When Ashley wakes up seventeen again, she remembers exactly how her life unraveled the first time. This time, she refuses to be the naïve girl who begged people to believe her. (…)
While everyone else unknowingly repeats the same life, Ashley quietly changes the game. (…)
Ashley is not looking for justice anymore.
She wants revenge.”
And what a grand revenge she took!!!!!
The impact of this debut was such that it has left me stunned!!!
I'm trying to compose sentences that will do justice to the suspense and intrigue of this story. Despite its flaws, it has utterly astounded me!
The cliffhanger was intense, I will post my pov in the last part of this duet.
I would like to thank my gr friends whose wish came true! 🙏❤️
I FINALLY found an exceptional read!!!! 🤩
Moreover, thank you Thalia Nova for this awe inspiring unexpected gift!!!🙏👏
Note:
The author noted that if the themes feel too heavy or emotionally overwhelming, you can safely skip Part I and begin reading from Part II instead.
While I feel the author’s concerns, in my opinion, if part 1 is skipped the whole impact will be lost. However, the decision is yours, so proceed at your own risk.
April 21, 2026
This book is a trip! So much freaking fun. The h dies after a series of really terrible, angsty AF events and then comes back to life and gets to redo things and the right the wrongs done to her. Plus revenge. I’m not big into revenge but so far have really like how things are done here. She isn’t so much getting revenge as she is thwarting the things done to her, which really works for me. She retains all the knowledge and experiences that she had during her first life.
This was riveting! I had so much adrenaline while reading! I was supposed to go bed early because I’m back at work today after spring break but I could not stop reading! The angst was soul crushing. I couldn’t way to see what would happen next. I’m so tired today lol.
I’m hoping that we get to see some growth for the h in the next book. Is she really living? She went from having a best friend and a boyfriend, really deep personal connections, to being alone. She is friends with Amy and is still friends with Peyton and Nick but nothing feels deep. Hoping for some more romance in the next book too.
This was riveting! I had so much adrenaline while reading! I was supposed to go bed early because I’m back at work today after spring break but I could not stop reading! The angst was soul crushing. I couldn’t way to see what would happen next. I’m so tired today lol.
I’m hoping that we get to see some growth for the h in the next book. Is she really living? She went from having a best friend and a boyfriend, really deep personal connections, to being alone. She is friends with Amy and is still friends with Peyton and Nick but nothing feels deep. Hoping for some more romance in the next book too.
April 21, 2026
I love nothing more than a good ole rebirth/revenge story. Who doesn’t wish they could go back in time to right some wrongs?
Well, our poor FMC has been WRONGED! It was difficult to read. Angst lovers will love. It’s easier to stomach the betrayals though because you know in the end FMC is going to get hers and the evil doers will get their just desserts.
Definitely recommend. On to book two!
Well, our poor FMC has been WRONGED! It was difficult to read. Angst lovers will love. It’s easier to stomach the betrayals though because you know in the end FMC is going to get hers and the evil doers will get their just desserts.
Definitely recommend. On to book two!
April 6, 2026
Different, Intriguing
She gets reincarnated and sent back to when she was 17. I literally couldn't put this down. I just had to see what would happen.Apple and Marissa are something else. I would have pressed charges.
But, this story is not over. Hopefully the 2nd book is just as good.
She gets reincarnated and sent back to when she was 17. I literally couldn't put this down. I just had to see what would happen.Apple and Marissa are something else. I would have pressed charges.
But, this story is not over. Hopefully the 2nd book is just as good.
May 4, 2026
‘Rebirth came with its own cracks. I couldn’t step back into that closeness, into blind trust. Loving people too deeply had cost me everything once.’
getting the chance to come back to life and redo everything to get revenge? that would be crazyyy. good for ashley for showing these people who they messed with, 👏👏👏😌my goodness. she didn’t deserve any of it. between her mom, apple, nick, her dad…everyone failed her. apple was so awful to her that i literally smiled when bad things started happening to her and her little plans started failing. ugh, i couldn’t stand her. and her mom?? gross. i wanted to yell at her through my screen. the revenge was soo satisfying, and i’m sure the next book will be just as good, if not better. 😎🙂↕️
‘For the first time, I felt what it was like to be wanted without conditions. Loved without being measured against someone else.’
‘And I was not letting Ashley go. Not now. Not ever.’
April 7, 2026
I must be reading a different book than everybody else. This book was not written well at all. The plot holes in the first five chapters alone made my head want to spin. I rage read the majority of this book.
The author tells us that they live in this tiny town, but yet videos are going viral of this person and the things that happened at the wedding. I live in a tiny town, there’s typically town gossip, but nothing is going viral. It’s not that big of a deal. Sure, Jan, sure.
Then the author tells us that the heroine buys a pregnancy test, puts it in a brown paper bag and walks out the door of the pharmacy. Apparently the paparazzi are waiting outside the door of the pharmacy to take pictures of her 🙄 and before she gets home, it’s plastered all over social media that she was buying a pregnancy test. It was in a brown paper bag, how could anybody have seen it in a brown paper bag?????
Then, we’re told that the heroine goes to a hotel. She gets a notification to show up there and she thinks it’s the ex-boyfriend asking her to come. The door to the hotel room IN A HILTON, not only doesn’t require a key card but somehow is not shut all the way without some kind of mechanism keeping it open. Has this author stayed in a hotel before????? That’s not how hotel doors work.
This is literally the first six or so chapters. This book is ridiculous. I do not understand why there are such high ratings. The plot holes are everywhere, the writing is inconsistent and in my humble opinion, this book is a mess.
The author tells us that they live in this tiny town, but yet videos are going viral of this person and the things that happened at the wedding. I live in a tiny town, there’s typically town gossip, but nothing is going viral. It’s not that big of a deal. Sure, Jan, sure.
Then the author tells us that the heroine buys a pregnancy test, puts it in a brown paper bag and walks out the door of the pharmacy. Apparently the paparazzi are waiting outside the door of the pharmacy to take pictures of her 🙄 and before she gets home, it’s plastered all over social media that she was buying a pregnancy test. It was in a brown paper bag, how could anybody have seen it in a brown paper bag?????
Then, we’re told that the heroine goes to a hotel. She gets a notification to show up there and she thinks it’s the ex-boyfriend asking her to come. The door to the hotel room IN A HILTON, not only doesn’t require a key card but somehow is not shut all the way without some kind of mechanism keeping it open. Has this author stayed in a hotel before????? That’s not how hotel doors work.
This is literally the first six or so chapters. This book is ridiculous. I do not understand why there are such high ratings. The plot holes are everywhere, the writing is inconsistent and in my humble opinion, this book is a mess.
April 2, 2026
Like the best soap opera in book form!
Okay, you have to have some suspension of disbelief going into this story but what a fun ride this story was!
With a heavy start and lots of gut punches for our FMC there suddenly comes an unexpected new beginning, a new chance of a do-over. She takes this chance and absolutely SLAYS it! She learns from all her previous mistakes, loving life with a single minded purpose! I loved every single page and couldn’t put this story down! Then came the end and I realised that part 2 was already out, it was the best news ever!!!
Okay, you have to have some suspension of disbelief going into this story but what a fun ride this story was!
With a heavy start and lots of gut punches for our FMC there suddenly comes an unexpected new beginning, a new chance of a do-over. She takes this chance and absolutely SLAYS it! She learns from all her previous mistakes, loving life with a single minded purpose! I loved every single page and couldn’t put this story down! Then came the end and I realised that part 2 was already out, it was the best news ever!!!
April 22, 2026
For some reason, the movie KILL BILL kept playing in my mind reading this book. Instead of KILL BILL- call it KILL APPLE! 🤡
I felt all the emotions, but mostly rage.
(Possible spoilers ahead)
First off, there is ZERO romance or spice in this book.
Poor Ashley. She’s the heroine, and let me tell ya, she goes through absolute HELL. From page 1 until about 30% this woman lives a nightmare.
Basically, Ashley gets accused at her BFF’s wedding of sleeping with the soon-to-be groom. Ashley already has a boyfriend that she loves very much, Nick. Nick…naturally is devastated when he finds out Ashley was cheating on him. He refuses to listen to her.
Ashley is so confused because she has no idea what’s going on. She never cheated on Nick. Nobody would listen/believe her…and her life pretty much exploded and went from bad to worse. She lost everything. THEN to top this shite sandwich off, she finds out she’s pregnant. She gets a message that Nick finally wants to talk to her, so she arrives to see Nick balls deep in HER SISTER, Apple. 😬 ohhh the pleasure this a-hole took in Ashley seeing this. Then a few weeks later, finding out Apple is pregnant by Nick. 😱 (I don’t think it ever said who actually sent Ashley this message??)
Ashley has a miscarriage and at some point, she talks with the OM (the man that she supposedly slept with) and found out all the videos and texts were faked.
If that wasn’t enough trauma, somebody then throws acid on her face. I thought for sure the poor woman was going to unalive herself at this point. Nope…worse…..she is kidnapped and trapped in a sex trade. She’s drugged daily and gRaped for years. YEARS!!!
Ofc, we get a POV from dear old Nick. He hasn’t seen Ashley in 2 years. He finally discovers that it was all a lie. This man all of a sudden gave a shite. 🤪 He decides to file a missing person report.
Around this same time, we are back with Ashley in her prison. She’s withdrawing from the drugs her kidnappers kept her dosed with. Guess who walks in the door to her room? Her sweet, dear sister, Apple. Apple is now pregnant with her dreamy billionaire (not Nick) and she taunts Ashley that she now has everything she ever wanted. Apple literally set everything up because she HATES Ashley. (We get a snippet that when they were children, Apple was kidnapped and held for 12 hours and Ashley wasn’t. It sounds like Ashley was the one who was supposed to be kidnapped) Anyway, Apple is now cleaning up her loose ends- so she stabs Ashley in the stomach ☠️ her.
Ashley then wakes up and she’s 17 years old again. 😱😱
She immediately knows everything. It’s just like when Beatrice woke up in Kill Bill. Revenge 💃💃💃💃yesssss
Revenge is a dish best served cold and boy…is that statement true. Ashley now has a few years to work/plan her revenge.
So the next 60% of the book is Ashley discovering all the secrets, and manipulating situations where it changes the outcome. Ashley does things where she actively avoids hooking up with Nick. (Can you even imagine? She really loves/loved Nick)
She starts to discover more about her garbage parents and she makes damn sure to set up situations where she won’t be broke in the future. She will have some absolutely zinger moments with Apple, that made me laugh. She will pay Apple back in little ways that make you kick your feet in glee, but you just know it’s all leading to a bigger event.
I admit, I *almost* felt a little bad for Nick at the end. I was thinking “geez it really seems like he loves her but fate is doing everything to keep them apart” UNTIL that crazy moment where he tells Ashley “but I was drugged” and then Ashley goes “the second time, too?” It took me a moment to get that. Ohhhh that dirty F’ing dog. (No insult to actual dogs) That was a shocker to me because I was conflicted about him up until then.
A random thought- imagining Ashley in her first life. She only ever had smex with Nick. Then she was repeatedly gRaped by many men for years. Now she’s in her second life- still a virgin, BUT living with the pain and trauma she can’t forget. Ugh. Her POV about all that was so sad. I’m going to be disappointed if she doesn’t get amazing dixk in the second book.
I knew when Ashley went to work for the billionaire at the end that it was probably the one Apple mentioned right before she ☠️ Ashley. I’m excited to jump into Book 2 and see how this all plays out.
I have already pictured in my head at least 200 painful ways Apple/parents need to be ☠️.
#justiceforashley
#applemustdiebrutally
I felt all the emotions, but mostly rage.
(Possible spoilers ahead)
First off, there is ZERO romance or spice in this book.
Poor Ashley. She’s the heroine, and let me tell ya, she goes through absolute HELL. From page 1 until about 30% this woman lives a nightmare.
Basically, Ashley gets accused at her BFF’s wedding of sleeping with the soon-to-be groom. Ashley already has a boyfriend that she loves very much, Nick. Nick…naturally is devastated when he finds out Ashley was cheating on him. He refuses to listen to her.
Ashley is so confused because she has no idea what’s going on. She never cheated on Nick. Nobody would listen/believe her…and her life pretty much exploded and went from bad to worse. She lost everything. THEN to top this shite sandwich off, she finds out she’s pregnant. She gets a message that Nick finally wants to talk to her, so she arrives to see Nick balls deep in HER SISTER, Apple. 😬 ohhh the pleasure this a-hole took in Ashley seeing this. Then a few weeks later, finding out Apple is pregnant by Nick. 😱 (I don’t think it ever said who actually sent Ashley this message??)
Ashley has a miscarriage and at some point, she talks with the OM (the man that she supposedly slept with) and found out all the videos and texts were faked.
If that wasn’t enough trauma, somebody then throws acid on her face. I thought for sure the poor woman was going to unalive herself at this point. Nope…worse…..she is kidnapped and trapped in a sex trade. She’s drugged daily and gRaped for years. YEARS!!!
Ofc, we get a POV from dear old Nick. He hasn’t seen Ashley in 2 years. He finally discovers that it was all a lie. This man all of a sudden gave a shite. 🤪 He decides to file a missing person report.
Around this same time, we are back with Ashley in her prison. She’s withdrawing from the drugs her kidnappers kept her dosed with. Guess who walks in the door to her room? Her sweet, dear sister, Apple. Apple is now pregnant with her dreamy billionaire (not Nick) and she taunts Ashley that she now has everything she ever wanted. Apple literally set everything up because she HATES Ashley. (We get a snippet that when they were children, Apple was kidnapped and held for 12 hours and Ashley wasn’t. It sounds like Ashley was the one who was supposed to be kidnapped) Anyway, Apple is now cleaning up her loose ends- so she stabs Ashley in the stomach ☠️ her.
Ashley then wakes up and she’s 17 years old again. 😱😱
She immediately knows everything. It’s just like when Beatrice woke up in Kill Bill. Revenge 💃💃💃💃yesssss
Revenge is a dish best served cold and boy…is that statement true. Ashley now has a few years to work/plan her revenge.
So the next 60% of the book is Ashley discovering all the secrets, and manipulating situations where it changes the outcome. Ashley does things where she actively avoids hooking up with Nick. (Can you even imagine? She really loves/loved Nick)
She starts to discover more about her garbage parents and she makes damn sure to set up situations where she won’t be broke in the future. She will have some absolutely zinger moments with Apple, that made me laugh. She will pay Apple back in little ways that make you kick your feet in glee, but you just know it’s all leading to a bigger event.
I admit, I *almost* felt a little bad for Nick at the end. I was thinking “geez it really seems like he loves her but fate is doing everything to keep them apart” UNTIL that crazy moment where he tells Ashley “but I was drugged” and then Ashley goes “the second time, too?” It took me a moment to get that. Ohhhh that dirty F’ing dog. (No insult to actual dogs) That was a shocker to me because I was conflicted about him up until then.
A random thought- imagining Ashley in her first life. She only ever had smex with Nick. Then she was repeatedly gRaped by many men for years. Now she’s in her second life- still a virgin, BUT living with the pain and trauma she can’t forget. Ugh. Her POV about all that was so sad. I’m going to be disappointed if she doesn’t get amazing dixk in the second book.
I knew when Ashley went to work for the billionaire at the end that it was probably the one Apple mentioned right before she ☠️ Ashley. I’m excited to jump into Book 2 and see how this all plays out.
I have already pictured in my head at least 200 painful ways Apple/parents need to be ☠️.
#justiceforashley
#applemustdiebrutally
April 6, 2026
Rebirth trope
Duet
Mysteries solved
Duet
Mysteries solved
March 28, 2026
Phenomenal read.
April 23, 2026
A soap opera doesn’t describe this book.
DNF
Ridiculous.
DNF
Ridiculous.
May 18, 2026
I wasn't going to rate this till I finished book 2. I'm so so so glad I picked this up!!!
There were some brutal and very difficult scenes in the beginning. But the point of the story was she comes back and gets to change her trajectory. Still difficult to read.
Others have mentioned a twist at the end. I kept waiting for it and thinking is this it? Can't be. Then... holy fucking twist... I loved it!!!
This duet sounds soapy and is of course unrealistic, but it is so well written, the heroine is not overblown, and for every victory I was grinning and smirking right along with her.
There were some brutal and very difficult scenes in the beginning. But the point of the story was she comes back and gets to change her trajectory. Still difficult to read.
Others have mentioned a twist at the end. I kept waiting for it and thinking is this it? Can't be. Then... holy fucking twist... I loved it!!!
This duet sounds soapy and is of course unrealistic, but it is so well written, the heroine is not overblown, and for every victory I was grinning and smirking right along with her.
May 14, 2026
This was sooooo good
I am really getting.into these reborn revenge books. I love the heroine and I can't wait to see what's in book 2. The Nick thing is still sad but I don't want her with him. He slept with crappy apple! I hate her and marisa. I think Marissa killed the heroines mother. And I want apple to go down!
I am really getting.into these reborn revenge books. I love the heroine and I can't wait to see what's in book 2. The Nick thing is still sad but I don't want her with him. He slept with crappy apple! I hate her and marisa. I think Marissa killed the heroines mother. And I want apple to go down!
April 23, 2026
YES YES!!!
May 1, 2026
Do not waste your money and time on this nonsense.
I had hopes that could have been a really good trope and story but with all that ridiculous and over the top drama and the wannabe „triggers „sorry it was like a fifteen year old wrote this nonsense.
I can’t believe I even managed to finish this.
I don’t care for the next book too because as I suspect the author will not let the h have her Hero untouched by her ( Bond girl villain) sister dearest.
That the new Hero will bang the sis before or after he met heroine is predictable for me and for sure sister is getting pregnant again and again bla bla bla
And then there’s the writing that’s more telling than actually writing.
I had hopes that could have been a really good trope and story but with all that ridiculous and over the top drama and the wannabe „triggers „sorry it was like a fifteen year old wrote this nonsense.
I can’t believe I even managed to finish this.
I don’t care for the next book too because as I suspect the author will not let the h have her Hero untouched by her ( Bond girl villain) sister dearest.
That the new Hero will bang the sis before or after he met heroine is predictable for me and for sure sister is getting pregnant again and again bla bla bla
And then there’s the writing that’s more telling than actually writing.
May 4, 2026
I could not put it down!
May 17, 2026
Loved the revenge!!! I need the fmc to have romance and love now tho - so off to the next book I goooo !
May 16, 2026
Quick fast. Dark. Chaotic and quickly puts you in a chokehold
May 5, 2026
Lots of ott drama but very entertaining read. Couldn't put it down
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026I DNFd this at 25%, after finishing Part 1, and I genuinely do not understand the overwhelming number of 5-star reviews.
The writing felt extremely underdeveloped, with awkward pacing, repetitive dialogue, and scenes that seemed to jump around without proper buildup or explanation. There were so many plot holes and inconsistencies that it became impossible to stay immersed in the story. Characters would make decisions that didn’t make sense, important details were glossed over, and the overall structure of the book felt messy and unorganized.
By the end of Part 1, I realized I was forcing myself to continue instead of actually enjoying the reading experience, and that’s usually my sign to walk away.
The writing felt extremely underdeveloped, with awkward pacing, repetitive dialogue, and scenes that seemed to jump around without proper buildup or explanation. There were so many plot holes and inconsistencies that it became impossible to stay immersed in the story. Characters would make decisions that didn’t make sense, important details were glossed over, and the overall structure of the book felt messy and unorganized.
By the end of Part 1, I realized I was forcing myself to continue instead of actually enjoying the reading experience, and that’s usually my sign to walk away.
May 28, 2026
I’m just. wtf. This was
PERFECT.
I’ll reread later to highlight and relive.
I’m so excited for the second book and just.
Wow.
Just. Wow.
PERFECT.
I’ll reread later to highlight and relive.
I’m so excited for the second book and just.
Wow.
Just. Wow.
Read
May 17, 2026Horrible, drivel; like a bad Lifetime, Tubi or Zeus movie in book form. A Wattpad fanfiction type beat that gained fame: the dialogue is either cliché, or just extremely unnatural. Characters are afraid to use contractions. I read this & didn’t listen to it, but the audiobook has to sound extremely awkward — the sentences are intentionally short (a lot of them being 3-5 words for dramatic effect) and it’s just painful to read. Many of the characters besides the MC, like her best friend Payton, and later on Amy, are painfully generic and hollow. They hardly have any distinctions.
The arc after the FMC (Ashley) is “reborn” is comparatively better than the first, if only because the first arc is ridiculous. The FMC is at her bestie’s wedding where it’s revealed the bestie’s fiancé, Thomas, has been cheating on Payton through intimate conversations with Ashley. Which the reader finds out later were AI deepfakes.
Ashley is outcasted and shunned; nobody believes her, even her boyfriend Nick, who is comforted by her younger sister Apple. Ashley’s father Brandon is the owner of an unspecified financial(?) company and his wife Marissa raised Ashley as her daughter, but Marissa was actually her father’s secretary. Wait—Marissa actually knew FMC’s father when they were in high school: he went off to college, fell in love with FMC’s actual biological mother, a beautiful French woman named Inés (which is why Apple and Marissa hate her so much).
When Marissa went to college, she followed FMC’s father, and then Inés mysteriously dies. FMC’s dad denies ever killing FMC’s biological mother. Another tidbit: Marissa is allegedly FMC’s half-aunt(?) Marissa’s mother raped Inés’s father (FMC’s grandfather), disappeared and had Marissa. It’s not confirmed by Marissa if she had any motive for taking Inés’s man due to the family drama; there is speculation by the FMC Marissa wanted the life Inés had or something (a bad plothole).
FMC’s father ends up having ANOTHER bastard child with a new secretary, a son; but the son isn’t ever introduced as an actual character. Moreso just to show the dad is a POS?
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — Apple took notes from Marissa and drugged/raped Nick (once before the rebirth and once afterwards), as well another guy the FMC liked in high school before Nick, named Anton. Marissa and Apple are almost cartoonishly evil with their one dimensional hatred and insecurity, aside from the their transgressions of drugging and raping people. Apple got kidnapped and “not fully sexually assaulted” by a random man in a Walmart for 12 hours, and Marissa let it happen because she was hoping the FMC would get abducted instead. Yeaaaaaahhh….
Anyways, before the “rebirth” the FMC gets acid thrown on her face, she shamefully gets a pregnancy test and is pregnant with Nick’s baby only to have a miscarriage because she was starving herself because of her being ostracized from the town. Which is supposed to be a small town, but apparently there’s Small Town Paparrazzi TM following people around when they come out of hotels. That’s another thing — it’s supposed to be a “small town” but the FMC’s dad and other families in town are supposed to be rich and “have influence”. It’s like the author thought a small town had Beverly Hills vibes for some reason.
Oh, and she is so down on her luck and about to get kicked out of her house by Marissa if she doesn’t gain employment… she willingly goes in a strange man’s gray sedan offering her a job and a ride to said job. Thereafter, she gets raped by up to 10 men a day for years (and becomes a drug addict of unspecified drugs in syringes; brutal cycle where she wants the drugs to numb the pain of the sexual assaults) and then she finds out her sister plotted all of this. All because the sister wishes FMC got abducted instead of her. OH BROTHER THIS GUY STINKSSSSS!
Cliché writing…. The FMC’s name is Ashley and there is a line about her life being “burned to ash” after she says her name somewhere in the beginning chapters. And the author says something about Apple being rotten to the core. Like. Come on.
I’m not a reader of dark romance and admittedly this was my first venture into the genre because of a book club I’m in, but it makes me not want to explore any others. I will say it’s mildly entertaining… but it’s bad.
The arc after the FMC (Ashley) is “reborn” is comparatively better than the first, if only because the first arc is ridiculous. The FMC is at her bestie’s wedding where it’s revealed the bestie’s fiancé, Thomas, has been cheating on Payton through intimate conversations with Ashley. Which the reader finds out later were AI deepfakes.
Ashley is outcasted and shunned; nobody believes her, even her boyfriend Nick, who is comforted by her younger sister Apple. Ashley’s father Brandon is the owner of an unspecified financial(?) company and his wife Marissa raised Ashley as her daughter, but Marissa was actually her father’s secretary. Wait—Marissa actually knew FMC’s father when they were in high school: he went off to college, fell in love with FMC’s actual biological mother, a beautiful French woman named Inés (which is why Apple and Marissa hate her so much).
When Marissa went to college, she followed FMC’s father, and then Inés mysteriously dies. FMC’s dad denies ever killing FMC’s biological mother. Another tidbit: Marissa is allegedly FMC’s half-aunt(?) Marissa’s mother raped Inés’s father (FMC’s grandfather), disappeared and had Marissa. It’s not confirmed by Marissa if she had any motive for taking Inés’s man due to the family drama; there is speculation by the FMC Marissa wanted the life Inés had or something (a bad plothole).
FMC’s father ends up having ANOTHER bastard child with a new secretary, a son; but the son isn’t ever introduced as an actual character. Moreso just to show the dad is a POS?
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — Apple took notes from Marissa and drugged/raped Nick (once before the rebirth and once afterwards), as well another guy the FMC liked in high school before Nick, named Anton. Marissa and Apple are almost cartoonishly evil with their one dimensional hatred and insecurity, aside from the their transgressions of drugging and raping people. Apple got kidnapped and “not fully sexually assaulted” by a random man in a Walmart for 12 hours, and Marissa let it happen because she was hoping the FMC would get abducted instead. Yeaaaaaahhh….
Anyways, before the “rebirth” the FMC gets acid thrown on her face, she shamefully gets a pregnancy test and is pregnant with Nick’s baby only to have a miscarriage because she was starving herself because of her being ostracized from the town. Which is supposed to be a small town, but apparently there’s Small Town Paparrazzi TM following people around when they come out of hotels. That’s another thing — it’s supposed to be a “small town” but the FMC’s dad and other families in town are supposed to be rich and “have influence”. It’s like the author thought a small town had Beverly Hills vibes for some reason.
Oh, and she is so down on her luck and about to get kicked out of her house by Marissa if she doesn’t gain employment… she willingly goes in a strange man’s gray sedan offering her a job and a ride to said job. Thereafter, she gets raped by up to 10 men a day for years (and becomes a drug addict of unspecified drugs in syringes; brutal cycle where she wants the drugs to numb the pain of the sexual assaults) and then she finds out her sister plotted all of this. All because the sister wishes FMC got abducted instead of her. OH BROTHER THIS GUY STINKSSSSS!
Cliché writing…. The FMC’s name is Ashley and there is a line about her life being “burned to ash” after she says her name somewhere in the beginning chapters. And the author says something about Apple being rotten to the core. Like. Come on.
I’m not a reader of dark romance and admittedly this was my first venture into the genre because of a book club I’m in, but it makes me not want to explore any others. I will say it’s mildly entertaining… but it’s bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2026
This one suffers from the Too Much trap.
I don’t know why so many books do this now. I don’t remember having the issue 10 years ago. I did change genres. I don’t know but I wish it would stop. It’s unreadable.
The beginning of the book is unbelievable. Obviously, some outside variable is causing this crisis, so not everyone will be behaving realistically. But this was just absurd. When humans build relationships, we are slow to believe the worst in one another. Sure, there is a guilty party or two running around, but the scale lands in plot hole territory.
And really, a pregnancy? Too much. That’s not the sort of thing you add to plots like sprinkles on a cake. That sort of trauma belongs to the metaphorical salt category. Inappropriate usage is a disaster.
The characters are all too much of something. I can’t connect to caricatures. Either they were ridiculously gullible or ridiculously reactive or ridiculously sinister.. where are all the normal people who aren’t sure how they feel about things?
For me the final straw was that funeral. I have been in almost that exact position with the death of someone I loved very much. Seeing me would have caused the grieving family a great deal of pain. How fucking selfish would I have to be to push my company onto them at the funeral? I don’t know what ridiculous narrative would make a person believe that they have some ‘right’ to be there or have a conversation with a casket.
That last one is obviously just a personal hangup, but I’m the one having opinions. So it stays.
I came looking for a story like the Blackened Blade. Book 1 in that series is one of my favorite guilty pleasure books. There’s nothing substantial there, but the plot is unique and fun. Unfortunately the rest of the series has become unreadable, so here I am.
The idea is for the MC to be reincarnated into their younger self so they can do things differently. That’s just basic wish fulfillment. Why aren’t there more books like this?
Anyway, there needs to be a focus for mystery solving and revenge. The BB did this with flashbacks and the very limited outline of outrage. The reader became angry as the story went.
But in this case, it’s like the author wanted to cause outrage, but they went about it like a jackhammer. Too much all over the place.
So, this wasn’t for me. Obviously plenty of readers aren’t bothered by this tactic, so don’t let me stop you.
I don’t know why so many books do this now. I don’t remember having the issue 10 years ago. I did change genres. I don’t know but I wish it would stop. It’s unreadable.
The beginning of the book is unbelievable. Obviously, some outside variable is causing this crisis, so not everyone will be behaving realistically. But this was just absurd. When humans build relationships, we are slow to believe the worst in one another. Sure, there is a guilty party or two running around, but the scale lands in plot hole territory.
And really, a pregnancy? Too much. That’s not the sort of thing you add to plots like sprinkles on a cake. That sort of trauma belongs to the metaphorical salt category. Inappropriate usage is a disaster.
The characters are all too much of something. I can’t connect to caricatures. Either they were ridiculously gullible or ridiculously reactive or ridiculously sinister.. where are all the normal people who aren’t sure how they feel about things?
For me the final straw was that funeral. I have been in almost that exact position with the death of someone I loved very much. Seeing me would have caused the grieving family a great deal of pain. How fucking selfish would I have to be to push my company onto them at the funeral? I don’t know what ridiculous narrative would make a person believe that they have some ‘right’ to be there or have a conversation with a casket.
That last one is obviously just a personal hangup, but I’m the one having opinions. So it stays.
I came looking for a story like the Blackened Blade. Book 1 in that series is one of my favorite guilty pleasure books. There’s nothing substantial there, but the plot is unique and fun. Unfortunately the rest of the series has become unreadable, so here I am.
The idea is for the MC to be reincarnated into their younger self so they can do things differently. That’s just basic wish fulfillment. Why aren’t there more books like this?
Anyway, there needs to be a focus for mystery solving and revenge. The BB did this with flashbacks and the very limited outline of outrage. The reader became angry as the story went.
But in this case, it’s like the author wanted to cause outrage, but they went about it like a jackhammer. Too much all over the place.
So, this wasn’t for me. Obviously plenty of readers aren’t bothered by this tactic, so don’t let me stop you.
May 21, 2026
What Goes Around#1
Thalia Nova
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 5.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕Betrayal
💕Rebirth
💕MF Romance
💕High School/Young Adult
💕Wattpad to Publish
💕Part of a Series
💕Cliffhanger Ending
Triggers:
🚩Sexual Assault
🚩Kidnapping
🚩Miscarriage
🚩Violence
Spice Level (as of 5.8.26): 🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
Rebirth came with its own cracks. I couldn't step back into that closeness, into blind trust. Loving people too deeply cost me everything once.
Writing Style Rating: Simple
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: Medium
Slow: Takes Time to Build
Medium: Things Move Steadily
Fast: Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC is betrayed by those close to her. Framed for an affair. Taken hostage etc. Upon her death she is rebirth as her seventeen-year-old self. She has all the knowledge from her previous life. This time she makes everything right.
Review:
This book is part one of the FMCs story. You get to see the betrayal, the rebirth and the start of a plan for revenge. The writing is fast paced and somewhat engaging. I feel as if I am reading background and awaiting the main event.
On to Book 2.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4fASGrW
Paperback: https://amzn.to/43oUhtE
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
Thalia Nova
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 5.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕Betrayal
💕Rebirth
💕MF Romance
💕High School/Young Adult
💕Wattpad to Publish
💕Part of a Series
💕Cliffhanger Ending
Triggers:
🚩Sexual Assault
🚩Kidnapping
🚩Miscarriage
🚩Violence
Spice Level (as of 5.8.26): 🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
Rebirth came with its own cracks. I couldn't step back into that closeness, into blind trust. Loving people too deeply cost me everything once.
Writing Style Rating: Simple
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: Medium
Slow: Takes Time to Build
Medium: Things Move Steadily
Fast: Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC is betrayed by those close to her. Framed for an affair. Taken hostage etc. Upon her death she is rebirth as her seventeen-year-old self. She has all the knowledge from her previous life. This time she makes everything right.
Review:
This book is part one of the FMCs story. You get to see the betrayal, the rebirth and the start of a plan for revenge. The writing is fast paced and somewhat engaging. I feel as if I am reading background and awaiting the main event.
On to Book 2.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4fASGrW
Paperback: https://amzn.to/43oUhtE
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
June 7, 2026
Honest Review (Emotional Damage & Revenge Done Right)
⚠️ Spoilers ahead!!! ⚠️
Have you ever finished a book and immediately wished for selective amnesia just so you could experience it for the first time all over again? Because SAME.
Ashley starts off at 22, attending her best friend's wedding, only for the groom to drop a nuclear bomb at the altar by confessing he's in love with her. In a matter of days, her fiancé leaves her, the internet collectively decides she's public enemy #1, her best friend dies, she discovers she's pregnant, catches her fiancé cheating with her sister, loses the baby, gets attacked with acid, kidnapped, drugged, abused for years... and somehow that's not even the craziest part of the story.
Then, just when you think this woman has suffered enough to last ten lifetimes, she wakes up at 17 with all her memories intact and decides it's time to make everyone regret their life choices.
And OH. MY. GOD.
This book had more plot twists than a soap opera written by a caffeinated chaos demon. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, the author grabbed my expectations, threw them out the window, and drove over them for good measure.
Ashley is an absolute menace in the best possible way. Watching her go from victim to mastermind was ridiculously satisfying. The revenge? Delicious. The drama? Unhinged. The emotional rollercoaster? I deserve compensation.
Was it realistic? Probably not. Was I entertained? Absolutely. Did I lose sleep because I couldn't stop reading? Also yes.
If you're looking for a calm, relaxing read, this is not it.
If you're looking for chaos, revenge, shocking twists, and a heroine who refuses to stay down, grab this book immediately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now excuse me while I search for a way to erase my memory so I can read it again.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead!!! ⚠️
Have you ever finished a book and immediately wished for selective amnesia just so you could experience it for the first time all over again? Because SAME.
Ashley starts off at 22, attending her best friend's wedding, only for the groom to drop a nuclear bomb at the altar by confessing he's in love with her. In a matter of days, her fiancé leaves her, the internet collectively decides she's public enemy #1, her best friend dies, she discovers she's pregnant, catches her fiancé cheating with her sister, loses the baby, gets attacked with acid, kidnapped, drugged, abused for years... and somehow that's not even the craziest part of the story.
Then, just when you think this woman has suffered enough to last ten lifetimes, she wakes up at 17 with all her memories intact and decides it's time to make everyone regret their life choices.
And OH. MY. GOD.
This book had more plot twists than a soap opera written by a caffeinated chaos demon. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, the author grabbed my expectations, threw them out the window, and drove over them for good measure.
Ashley is an absolute menace in the best possible way. Watching her go from victim to mastermind was ridiculously satisfying. The revenge? Delicious. The drama? Unhinged. The emotional rollercoaster? I deserve compensation.
Was it realistic? Probably not. Was I entertained? Absolutely. Did I lose sleep because I couldn't stop reading? Also yes.
If you're looking for a calm, relaxing read, this is not it.
If you're looking for chaos, revenge, shocking twists, and a heroine who refuses to stay down, grab this book immediately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now excuse me while I search for a way to erase my memory so I can read it again.
April 11, 2026
What Goes Around by Thalia Nova is a dark and incredibly satisfying tale of second chances that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The author takes the popular trope of traveling back in time and gives it a sharp, ruthless tone—there is no room for forgiveness here, only cold calculation.
The strongest suit of this book is the protagonist’s transformation. Watching Ashley evolve from a naive victim into a brilliant strategist, dismantling the lives of those who wronged her with surgical precision, is an immense cinematic pleasure. Nova perfectly paces the emotional reveals, uncovering layers of family secrets and the web of manipulation that led to Ashley’s downfall in her previous life.
Why it’s worth reading:
Intriguing Plot: The dynamic pacing makes it difficult to put this story down even for a moment.
Emotional Depth: The author masterfully captures the pain of betrayal, making you root for Ashley every step of the way.
Dark Atmosphere: This isn't a sugar-coated story about fixing mistakes; it’s a raw thriller about justice served on one's own terms.
If you are looking for a story with a strong protagonist who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty to reclaim her life, What Goes Around is a perfect choice. Just keep in mind that this is the first part of a duet—the ending leaves you with a major cliffhanger and an immediate craving for the sequel!
The strongest suit of this book is the protagonist’s transformation. Watching Ashley evolve from a naive victim into a brilliant strategist, dismantling the lives of those who wronged her with surgical precision, is an immense cinematic pleasure. Nova perfectly paces the emotional reveals, uncovering layers of family secrets and the web of manipulation that led to Ashley’s downfall in her previous life.
Why it’s worth reading:
Intriguing Plot: The dynamic pacing makes it difficult to put this story down even for a moment.
Emotional Depth: The author masterfully captures the pain of betrayal, making you root for Ashley every step of the way.
Dark Atmosphere: This isn't a sugar-coated story about fixing mistakes; it’s a raw thriller about justice served on one's own terms.
If you are looking for a story with a strong protagonist who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty to reclaim her life, What Goes Around is a perfect choice. Just keep in mind that this is the first part of a duet—the ending leaves you with a major cliffhanger and an immediate craving for the sequel!
May 16, 2026
TikTok brought me to this book and, for once, I absolutely do not regret it.
This story grabs you from the very first page and never loosens its grip until the very end. I genuinely could not go to sleep before finishing it—I needed to know what was going to happen next.
This was also my very first reborn/reincarnation story, and honestly? The bar has now been set incredibly high. I wasn’t expecting to become this invested, but this book completely exceeded my expectations.
What really makes this story stand out is how unique and intense it feels. The plot is gripping, layered, and constantly keeps you hooked. There’s so much emotion packed into the story—pain, anger, betrayal, revenge—and it all feels incredibly immersive. Ashley’s journey is dark and emotionally charged, and watching her navigate everything with the knowledge of what happened in her previous life made the story impossible to stop reading.
The atmosphere throughout the book is heavy, addictive, and full of tension, but there’s also so much depth to both the characters and the overall storyline. Every revelation pulled me in even more.
It’s honestly rare for me to finish a book and feel like I have absolutely nothing negative to say, but here? I loved everything from beginning to end. An intense, emotional, and unforgettable read.
This story grabs you from the very first page and never loosens its grip until the very end. I genuinely could not go to sleep before finishing it—I needed to know what was going to happen next.
This was also my very first reborn/reincarnation story, and honestly? The bar has now been set incredibly high. I wasn’t expecting to become this invested, but this book completely exceeded my expectations.
What really makes this story stand out is how unique and intense it feels. The plot is gripping, layered, and constantly keeps you hooked. There’s so much emotion packed into the story—pain, anger, betrayal, revenge—and it all feels incredibly immersive. Ashley’s journey is dark and emotionally charged, and watching her navigate everything with the knowledge of what happened in her previous life made the story impossible to stop reading.
The atmosphere throughout the book is heavy, addictive, and full of tension, but there’s also so much depth to both the characters and the overall storyline. Every revelation pulled me in even more.
It’s honestly rare for me to finish a book and feel like I have absolutely nothing negative to say, but here? I loved everything from beginning to end. An intense, emotional, and unforgettable read.
June 4, 2026
What a ride!
And that ending?!? I might have dropped my kindle. What kind of ending is that?!? Thankful I can immediately open book 2.
While the book started quick and a little choppy, I think it wad meant that way to seem not quite real or just snippets from the true story - and so you don’t see what is coming for you.
I devoured this book in 2 days. Fast paced, short chapters to keep you thinking, “just one more”.
The good:
The suspense, the betrayal, the heart pangs when you aren’t sure if you are or are not fighting for Nick. (I still don’t know).
The finding of family, changing your future, taking charge and making those that destroyed you have a little taste of their own medicine.
The strength of the FMC and her growth.
The not so good:
Some of the book is a little much. A little too convenient - the lottery - the related secretary, enough to keep it from a full 5 star review, but not enough to keep me from loving this book!
I can’t wait to see where it goes next. The future is uncharted and not already lived….
Check your trigger warnings - especially for part one.
Spice 1/5🌶️
Overall 4.5/5 ⭐️
And that ending?!? I might have dropped my kindle. What kind of ending is that?!? Thankful I can immediately open book 2.
While the book started quick and a little choppy, I think it wad meant that way to seem not quite real or just snippets from the true story - and so you don’t see what is coming for you.
I devoured this book in 2 days. Fast paced, short chapters to keep you thinking, “just one more”.
The good:
The suspense, the betrayal, the heart pangs when you aren’t sure if you are or are not fighting for Nick. (I still don’t know).
The finding of family, changing your future, taking charge and making those that destroyed you have a little taste of their own medicine.
The strength of the FMC and her growth.
The not so good:
Some of the book is a little much. A little too convenient - the lottery - the related secretary, enough to keep it from a full 5 star review, but not enough to keep me from loving this book!
I can’t wait to see where it goes next. The future is uncharted and not already lived….
Check your trigger warnings - especially for part one.
Spice 1/5🌶️
Overall 4.5/5 ⭐️
April 3, 2026
This book is truly something else. The plot is captivating and unlike anything you’ve read before. There’s a strong supernatural element—after enduring brutal torture, the female protagonist dies, only to be reborn as her 17-year-old self. That’s when the real truth begins to unfold, and everything finally starts to make sense.
Although the author suggests you can skip the first part of the book, I would strongly recommend reading it. It provides crucial context, helping you understand the full depth of the story—what drives her quest for revenge and how she transforms from a victim into a predator.
The writing is exceptional, and the story only gets better with each chapter. It’s the kind of book you devour, completely hooked from page to page. If I could, I would give it 10 stars.
I’ve already started the second book (it’s a duet), and it’s even better so far. Definitely give it a try—you won’t be disappointed.
Although the author suggests you can skip the first part of the book, I would strongly recommend reading it. It provides crucial context, helping you understand the full depth of the story—what drives her quest for revenge and how she transforms from a victim into a predator.
The writing is exceptional, and the story only gets better with each chapter. It’s the kind of book you devour, completely hooked from page to page. If I could, I would give it 10 stars.
I’ve already started the second book (it’s a duet), and it’s even better so far. Definitely give it a try—you won’t be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews