Scan barcode
cozycritiques's review
5.0
”I’m gonna fuck his boss.””
- Tis the Season for Revenge
Tropes: Age Gap, Lawyer, Legally Blonde inspired, Opposites Attract, Possessive Hero, “Good Girl”
Representation: POC (Latino)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Praise, Degradation, Breath Play)
CW: Toxic Relationship, Parental Abandonment, Emotional Abuse, Cheating, Mentions of Physical Abuse
I’m not entirely sure what Morgan Elizabeth put in this book, but I’m pretty sure it’s crack because I was HOOKED. I picked it up intending to read a few chapters before bed. Fast forward to 1:30 am when I was 53% of the way through.
I adored the Legally Blonde-esque start, but the twist on it. Abbie’s plan being for revenge instead of for trying to get Richard back was the update to that story I didn’t know I needed. Also, the pranks she pulled on him gave Mean Girls vibes, which was hysterical.
This book maintained a perfect balance of heartbreak, healing, and falling in love again. I loved how Morgan tackled the complexity of abusive relationships while still keeping an overall lighthearted tone. Damien was the perfect hero for this story, allowing Abbie the space to heal from the toxicity of her relationship with Richard. He says everything that any woman who’s been told they’re “too much” wants to hear, and it was kind of cathartic. The chemistry between him and Abbie was also off the charts, and the spice was incredible.
There was some drama, but the way the conflict resolved was so mature and healthy. I’d braced myself for a third-act breakup, but blessedly, there wasn’t one. The only kind oof warning that I have is that despite the book being set around Christmas, there weren’t too many Christmas vibes. However, I actually enjoyed that. It makes it so this a read that you can enjoy any time of year, even if you’re typically a person who doesn’t enjoy Christmas books outside of the holiday season.
This was my first book by Elizabeth, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infidelity and Abandonment
Minor: Physical abuse
beckyyreadss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abandonment
laurencesheedy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
midnightrose_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
savvyrosereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Abbie Keller is dumped by her boyfriend of four years and concocts a revenge plot—that involves dating his boss.
The premise of this one (a sort of re-worked Legally Blonde but set at the holidays) sounded so fun, and I was really excited to read it. Overall, it had some silly and over the top moments, but was an enjoyable read. Damien was such a sweetheart, and the way he just fell head-over-heels for Abbie and wanted to help build her back up after she spent years being torn down by a jerk was so adorable.
A section of this book also involved a child custody case and domestic violence, which is close to my heart since a lot of my work in law school and during practice involved exactly this issue. Although some of the legal aspects of this book were inaccurate, the part involving the case was actually pretty nicely done, and I really loved the character of Sharon and the way Damien’s work helped to bring him and Abbie together.
All in all, if you want a fun, super spicy, and also sweet holiday-ish read, this one is for you!
CW: Emotional/verbal/physical abuse; toxic relationship
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
harmony822's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Violence, Sexual content, Abandonment, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
megthecatlady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse
bakergirlsbooks1999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved Damien. Sweet, kind, loving, with a touch of possessiveness. He showed Abbie what true love was when she had no clue. Richard was a grade A dick and abuser I hope he rots. Abbie’s story was emotional and heartbreaking.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Physical abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
elledanie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence, Cursing, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Blood, and Alcohol