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Homewrecker

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Ask anyone about Cody California, they’ll tell you the same thing: he’s the worst.

Ask Cody about himself and he’ll agree.

His road to heaven is paved with bad intentions and he doesn’t care who hates him. The first time he sets his eyes on Arabecka Wilder, all he sees is an easy target. He’s getting his title shot, one way or another, and if he needs to make some spoiled princess cry, so be it. If he needs to destroy her world, he’ll do it with a smile on his face.

The first time Arabecka sees Cody, it takes her a while to figure out what she’s looking at. He walks like a bad guy, talks like a bad guy, and his name tag reads VILLAIN… but she’s not all the way convinced that he’s going to be the absolute worst thing that ever happened to her. She’s been trapped in her sham of a fairy tale for so long, she’s just about ready to throw the gates open and let the wolf walk right in.

Millionaires, MMA fighters, movie stars, wolves in sheep's clothing, wolves in wolves' clothing... It's a no-rules royal rumble and the prize is to die for.

Homewrecker is a standalone BWWM romance about MMA, family and fighting for what you want. It's full of drama, (and laughs), but the HEA is guaranteed.

451 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 2, 2020

66 people are currently reading
256 people want to read

About the author

Zenny Daye

1 book32 followers

Zenny Daye is the name; writing romance novels with extra servings of drama is the game.

I was raised on daytime soap operas and believe that the recipe for a perfect love story is 50% shenanigans, 49% psychological torture, and 1% pure fluff. Evil twins, fake deaths, comas, mistaken identities, whirlwind affairs, hot kidnappers from faraway countries, secretly good bad guys, heroes with dark pasts... I'm going to get it all out of my system, one book at a time, one trope at a time.

My plan is simple: writing the books I always wanted to read. They aren't going to write themselves. Unfortunately.

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5 stars
75 (51%)
4 stars
39 (26%)
3 stars
12 (8%)
2 stars
11 (7%)
1 star
9 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Rosie.
1,654 reviews32 followers
August 17, 2021
Wow: 10 Stars!

And the Self-less Hero Award goes to ... TBD!

This is actually the second book I've read this year where the hero thinks of others before himself. In 'Homewrecker' after Cody's layers are peeled away, he's is one of the sweetest most (1 of 2) self-less heroes I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Highly, Highly, Highly Recommended: Read It!

I'm processing and will eventually write a longer review.

WARNING: Triggers
Profile Image for Misha.
667 reviews27 followers
July 8, 2025
5 stars - First read Apr 23, 25
5 stars - Second read July 8, 25

Second read review

Still so good. I loved the chemistry and laughed out loud numerous times. I made sure this book was on my top book boyfriends list (which it totally was). Cody was the perfect combo of sweet and caring but with a bite and violence, when needed. The hero who played the villian and of course, the sex god in the bedroom.

Arabecka was funny and controlling but with the best intentions. Willow, the 13 yo daughter, was the best. She was still one of my fav parts of the book and Sam's terrible pep talk is still one I enjoyed. Especially when seen from Cody's POV and with his inside dialogue while he clearly suffered through it.

I'll probably reread this again in the future. Highly recommended.


First read review

I could not get enough of this book. I laughed so hard at parts and swooned over Cody, the best book boyfriend. He was part puppy, part MMA fighter, part sex god, and part super hero, with amazing dance moves. Not afraid to embarrass himself to make her feel better. I LOVED how much he loved her. He made the book for me.

I also loved Willow, the 13 yo daughter who was on the spectrum, who had no time for drama and was a hacker genius. And of course, Arabecka who was a perfect balance to Cody’s sweetness.

PLUS…I loved that Joshua the evil ex got his just desserts.

Great great book. Can’t believe this is a debut. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

Highly recommended. I want more!


ALSO- honorable mention goes to Sam- Cody’s childhood bully for the worst but also the funniest pep talk I’ve ever read. 😂🤣
Profile Image for BookKraves.
492 reviews100 followers
April 12, 2022
Knockout

I haven't read a book this exciting in a while. When I say, I love...I wholeheartedly love the fight scenes in this book. I felt like I was watching a live MMA match. Ms. Daye wrote a juicy, refreshing, emotional and addicting story that blew my mind. This book is so, so so GOOD.
Hands down, the best part of this book was when Arabecka's ex-husband got a good whopping in the cage from her boyfriend, Cody. This book is like no other. I've not read an interracial sports romance quite like this.
Excellent characters, great storyline and fantastic buildup and tension.
Profile Image for Zenny Daye.
Author 1 book32 followers
Read
February 25, 2021
*Author Review*

If you’ve always wanted to read a semi-smutty, satirical, dark MMA romcom that’s full of fluff, violence, serious mental health issues, genuine sociopaths and raw angst, starring a married heroine who’s a badass black boss lady, her Aspie daughter and a super-problematic ex-male cheerleader turned cage-fighter, then this is for you.



Profile Image for GoldenEyeOfHorus.
368 reviews7 followers
March 11, 2025
I don't really know what to think about this one. It was hilarious but it shuttles back and forth so abruptly between humor and levity to dark drama it's unsettling and leaves you having a hard time taking the story seriously.

The spice scenes (outside of the post hospital scene) were very hot.

Willow was hilarious and the MMC was interesting, occasionally, but the FMC was so utterly immature at times. I wished the author didn't write a black FMC being so silly.
Profile Image for KayBee's Bookshelf.
1,823 reviews58 followers
March 7, 2021
3.5
This was my first read by the author. Cody and "Rab" found each other at an inopportune time. She was married and he was trying to win a title Cody was funny and things never came easy to him. He was a likable character. The author did a good job with character development and however, the story did a few lulls as it got kind of bogged down with details that didn't help move it forward in any real way. All in all, a good read.
Profile Image for Monique.
Author 9 books10 followers
May 19, 2021
Note: This is a non-spoiler review. Much of what I write here will be vague, but you'll get the gist.

Been gone for awhile

I have read so many books for the past several months, but you'd never know it because I haven't reviewed one. Let me apologize to the authors and start making amends with my first review in a while...and boy is it a good one!

New Author

Enter author Zenny Daye (aka Zenn Daye). After reading so many books (especially in the IR romance/erotica genre) the stories can begin to bleed together. This isn't exclusive to this subgenre. I find it's pervasive across most popular genres. Authors tend to stick to what sells, even if the story's been told a million times in the same way (with few deviations). So, imagine, that breath of fresh air I took when I read Daye's book.

A new author. A first book. Contemporary romance with just the right amount of wit, action, unexpected surprises, failures, triumphs, and steam. I was in heaven! It's like the first time I read a Shannon Dianne novel; it knocked me over. But unlike in Dianne's book where the satire was the hook and the heroine insufferable, this story was a smoother read, which hit the tenets of true romance and the heroine relatable.

Homewrecker

The hook of the book is not unique: Set among the world of MMA fighters. Man meets woman, the timing and circumstances are not ideal, yet opposites attract and all that jazz. But Daye created two main characters and circumstances that you could invest in. People to root for every step of the way. And the author did it while keeping the story moving and building as things progressed. There were no lulls. No points where your mind checked out. From start to finish, this is a novel that's hard to put down.

Though this is a fictional romance story with some out-of-the-ordinary circumstances and some over-the-top situations at times, the main characters felt real and had a lot of heart. The Heroine was wealthy, but she had relatable problems, issues not easily fixable and she wasn't looking to be saved or even looking for a new love. Shit was complicated. But love came...and things got more complicated.

As for the hero, he wasn't some over-exaggerated fantasy man dripping in money and confidence, though he was described as having the looks, everything else in his life was on the brink of disaster, but he had a lot of heart and a winning personality and that's what you'll love about him.

The heroine and hero were people who, if they were real, would be just the kind of people you'd want to be friends with, and possibly fall for. Their relationship made sense. And the likelihood of their relationship working given the odds was little to none. But again, in the end, it made sense.

For romance lovers, in particular, those of you who enjoy reading IR Romance, this book is a winner. It will surprise you. It will tug at your emotions. Send your heart aflutter. Keep you on the edge of your seat, and even give you a few laughs. I highly recommend and I cannot way to see what Daye offers us next.

My rating: A no holds barred 4.7
109 reviews
February 13, 2021
This book was a lot. The trigger warning at the beginning was one of the longest list I’ve ever seen, so that should tell you something. Since I don’t get offended by anything, I kept going and going and going. As much as I enjoyed this book, it felt like it should have been split into two. I’d think the happy ending is coming then I’d realize that I’m only 60% through.

Some of the plot points felt like a reach. Sure, I’m not in the world of Beverly Hills where anything can happen, but it did feel far-fetched. It felt like the author had a lot of ideas and put them all in. I think she needs to let some of the juggling balls go and dig deep with one or two plot points.

All that criticism, but I still really liked it. Willow was a treasure and superb comic relief but other characters also had their moments.

If you like twisted people, sarcasm, raunchy sex, and don’t have any triggers, you might just like it too.
127 reviews
October 21, 2020
Missing deadlines

This novel had me up WAY past my bedtime. I literally could stop turning the pages! It also started to affect my level of concentration at work because I was no longer focused on deadlines but wanted to know if any more twists were to come. The detail of the fights were incredible. I read several times because I was fully immersed and excited. Loved Rab and Cody- but Willow... she was the best! Her coldness had me laughing out loud when I was meant to be filling in documents for clients at work. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Hated character names at first but they grew on me because the plot had me gripped.
Profile Image for A.
416 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2021
Hidden Gem

"Never judge a book by its cover" That statement could never be truer. I have always said that the cover draws your attention and then the words hold your attention. Lucky for me, I got past the cover of "Homewrecker" and got to the words.
Great storyline, great characters, especially Willow.

Characters:
Cody - he had me laughing out loud for real. He sounds like he was sexy as all get out. His personality was addictive. He was witty, smart, caring, sexy, and just everything.... Then he was fierce and protective. He had a response for everything. He was driven with a co-dependent twist. I felt sorry for all the stuff he went through. It seems that he was never going to catch a break. As the story developed, I thought Ms. Daye was going to take us to Cody's goal and that was it. Catch the monkey wrench.. Life happened and he was thrown off track one more time. Life constantly derailed Cody. But he never stayed down. He always jumped back up and tried it again.

Becka - She was all alpha female in the beginning. Then she did a self-assessment to realize that she was a quiet church mouse that simply went with the flow of things. She said that she never stood up for herself. Yet she figured it out. She wasn't a plus-size heroine but I liked her nonetheless.

Willow - my absolute favorite character. Willow is the daughter of Becka. She was on the spectrum and said what she said and meant what she said. I just loved her.
There are unsavory topics discussed in this book. If you don't want to face the reality that not all marriages are perfect, that some people consider abortion, that people earn a living using their hands, buy sex, and use drugs, then this is not the story for you. If you can tolerate those things, then take a chance to get to know great characters. I promise you will enjoy the story. Just read it to see if you agree or disagree with me.

I hope that Ms. Daye has something else in the works already. I don't want to have a lifetime for another work. I say that but don't rush perfection.

Happy Reading!
6 reviews
April 29, 2021
Really unique feeling novel

So, let’s talk about Homewrecker.
The good - well written, non fetishized,black FMC. She feels authentic, strong and flawed. The Male lead in this book was quirky and like-able and I had moments of calling him manic-pixie-dream-boy on my head. The author actually cops to this at the end of the book. The sex was A++++ super hot. The FMC has a daughter on the spectrum who is probably my favorite character. She’s both brilliant and naive in turns. She is also great comic relief and the relationship between her and the male lead is the best one in my opinion. Lastly, the fighting and training is well written and well researched. She doesn’t make any of the fighters or the MC too overpowered.
There isn’t a lot of bad in this book. I think my only issues are that sometimes major things happen and you only find out when it’s reported back to another character in conversation. I would have liked to have seen big conversations and fights through the eyes of one of the MCs. I also ended up really mad at the FMC. She’s kind of awful in an “I’m scared, so I’m going to throw shit on all the walls and let someone else clean it up.” kind of way. I was not able to get back on her side by the end of the book. She didn’t learn anything apparently and even the epilogue is rife with her bullshittery. But, I still have it 5 stars because I enjoyed most of the journey even if the destination was not exactly what I wanted to see.
Profile Image for Sharon Ryder Roberts.
1,080 reviews17 followers
August 4, 2021
One of those novels that is nothing but over filled with drama" if that is your thing then this is for you. Do not like the characters either, especially "Cody" who is made to look like a complete fool instead of one of the best fighters, those guys are hard core not idiots. This novel does not do the MMA guys justice. Arabecka is the bitch from hell, why any man would want to get mixed up with a woman like that is beyond me. The plot? not sure that there is one, this is far from a romance novel...
Profile Image for U.
16 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2022
I find it hard to believe this was written by a African American author (given the profile photo that alludes to that). I wasn’t able to finish it but the writing is generally pretty okay, the plot just started to go left out of no where. But hey other people loved it, it’s just my two cents after reading lots of works by AA authors, something about this one isn’t the same…
Profile Image for Lady Lauren Explorer.
849 reviews41 followers
January 5, 2024
4.75

So much better than I expected. I had been holding off on reading this, because the synopsis sounded very so-so.

I am so happy that I read. This is also makes me want to get a physical copy of it.

And I kinda wish it was longer so I can get more of both of them together and happy.
Profile Image for rachel b.
254 reviews
April 21, 2023
i like how the book ended but that’s abt all i liked abt it. no one in this book understands the concept of being loyal and not cheating on their partner it’s wild. definitely not a light hearted read so be aware that pretty heavy topics are addressed.
82 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2021
Colby Covington-esque Male Lead character was so great!! I loved this story. Rad, Willow and the supporting characters were well written and the story was fun to read. I want more!
Profile Image for Alochrico.
37 reviews
June 10, 2023
loved it!!

I was skeptical at first… but I loved Cody California!! These 2 were destined to be together! Laughter and tears are my favorite types of books!! Definitely recommend!!!
Profile Image for Pirori.
340 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2024
I am giving this book a 1 rating because this book is so offensive and disrespectful to us as black women. It started off so well with so much promise and great writing as well and really this book should have ended much much sooner but then the writer decided to just burn it all to the ground for absolute no reason at all.

The heroine started out as a classy, hot AF, elegant and a very well to do black woman but by the end she was this spineless unrecognisable dumb ASF gutter rat. In a sea of so many books that often depict black women as horrid, mean as hell, ratchet and ghetto, this one really did not need to take a place in that toxic space but no the writer just had to go there. She had that heroine behaving like a ghetto, gutter snipe dumb as fuck bird.


The heroine was such a terrible mother because a good mother would have fought for her child and would have at least tried duking it out in the courts, not try to appease her abusive husband by bending to his will. She clearly knew that Willow had special needs, was so uncomfortable and had panic attacks around her father. I mean the girl had to hide in an Attic during one of her dad's parties and yet Arabecka genuinely thought it was a good idea to try to let that man control the custody arrangement and do all them stupid marriage counselling sessions. She repeatedly put her daughter in that nasty and toxic environment by going back to him and joining him for his TV appearances to play happy family. All to not rock the boat and so that she didn't have to go to the courts and fight him for Willow.

Her own child was so desperate to get rid of her father that she ended up committing a heinous cyber crime just to get the father off their backs cause the mother was such a spineless annoying little weasel. Talk about truly failing your child.

And don't get me started on the treatment of Cody. It was so ratchet, cruel and down right bizarre. Arabecka's own daughter got attached to Cody yet she did not care enough about her daughter to try to reach out to Cody at all and just cut off their connection like that. She never really thought about her daughters needs and wants, rather focused on her own warped beliefs of what she thought her daughter needed . Very dumb and unlikeable as fuck. This book done pissed me off.


I want to support more black women writers but books and writers like these make it so hard to do so. Dear black writers, it's okay have black women thriving and not have them suffering like a wounded dog you want to badly shoot just to put it out of its misery. It is perfectly okay for black women to not go through the most god awful experiences and the worst adversities in the world.
Profile Image for CLorraine.
1,774 reviews19 followers
October 31, 2020
New Author

I love finding new authors. I read the description of the book and hoped that the hype was real. This book was the bomb. Cody was one of the funniest, sweetest male characters ever! I could not anticipate where he was going next with his antics. Arabecka is married to a MMA fighter\actor\manwhore. She owns a gym and is just going through the motions of being married but with no relationship. She has two children...a son who is an elitist clone of his father and a differently able daughter, Willow. Cody has talent and heart but has the worse luck in the world. He has won and lost more money than he can count. He wants a shot at the title Arabecka’s husband holds. When he catches the husband in a compromising position he films it and decides to blackmail him in order for a shot at the title. Once he sees Arabecka he is unable to follow through and in typical Cody fashion finds his situation worse than when he started. He is in instant like...love...lust at first sight. Cody and Rab as he calls her become close when she leaves her husband and finds that Cody is LIVING in her gym. Darn he is cute. The book bogs down a bit in some areas but it is a great read. The author obviously cares deeply about her people and she takes the time to lovingly tell their wacky story. Next to Cody my favorite character is Rab’s daughter Willow....so brutally honest and funny.
Disclaimer....
The story has two fight scenes that I found hard to read.
I am going back to buy this funny, sweet, slightly bloody story for my library.
Profile Image for Yvette.
13 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2020
Homewrecker is one of the best Love Stories that I've read. Don't let the title fool you, because it's not Exactly like that. No matter the circumstances. Yes Arabecca is a "married" mother of two, a business woman, and a Boss, with an underlying sweetness. Cody is a single troubled MMS fighter with an underlying sweetness about him also, the first time he and Arabecca lay eyes on each other, he's unleashing a dastardly plan, on her family specifically her deserving husband....but you get drawn into these two when the small nuances start taking place between them. There were so many times I laughed so hard and so long and times where I was painfully shocked (not for the faint of heart). Loved Willow, so much. Can't wait to read other books by Zenny Daye......Awesome!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Samara.
18 reviews
December 31, 2020
Loved it!

The very first chapter grabbed my attention. I would've been in jail if my son talked to me like Jay did. Cody drew me in and I was rooting for him from the beginning. Rab had been through so much with Joshua I don't know how she managed. Willow was able to connect with Cody and her own father never even bothered. That was definitely a plus for Cody. I was a little thrown off by Sam trying to "help". How did he even get involved and why. He and Nessa bullied him but Sam is trying to save him? That didn't make sense to me at all. Even with that random appearance from Sam, I still love this book. Will look for more from this author.
Profile Image for El.
66 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2022
All the feels

This book was amazing the plot had me hooked from the first page and it just takes you on an exciting journey filled with drama, love, passion, revenge and everything in between. The characters were well fleshed out and the plot was very well thought out with NO plot holes or loose ends. Arabica and Cody will have you rooting for theme and telling at them in equal measure and they will have you in your feelings. This author is one to watch and I can't wait for her next offering.
13 reviews
November 8, 2020
What A Wonderful Find!!🔥🔥🔥🔥



This book was recommended by a member of a group and I am so glad I decided to give it a try. I love Cody ad Rab!!!💜💜 They both deserved happiness after all the turmoil in both their lives. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author.
32 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2020
Promising Start

Loved both main characters, but especially Cody. He was somehow vulnerable without being wimpy. The female character could have been stronger. Over all, the story kept my attention. The book failed to go into the aftermath of what happened to her ex when his dirty deeds came out and her relationship with her son.
Profile Image for natalie paul-seemungal.
66 reviews21 followers
November 3, 2021
I'll leave a full review in a bit, but this was utterly amazing and coming from me that's major, cause I'm no fly by night reader I'mma Amy Harmon and Dorothy koomsoon kind gal) .... I like thought provoking romance that's sucks you in like a bog and this story went way beyond my standards and expectations...

👏👏👏👏
Bravo
Encode
Well done
Thank you
Profile Image for Delicate Rock.
464 reviews5 followers
June 2, 2025
This is like reading seven seasons of a telenovella in 300 pages of DRAMA! I’ve never read such a dramatic book in my life. The 80% mark Sam speech literally made me laugh out loud on the silence bus I was on. It was too much but I couldn’t stop myself like train wreck. Enjoy! I don’t think I can read another book by this author for my health lol
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