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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
When I was first introduced to LUX in Ace of betrayal she was not my favorite character so I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this book. But Oh Em Gee was I wrong!!
When you are the queen of revenge plots and your inner circle of friends gets away with anything the last thing you expect is to need one of your former victims. This story had me in a chokehold while my mind was spinning. Plot twists, betrayal . Double standards and a whole lot of sexy scenes had the pages turning one after another.
While this book can be read as a stand alone I did enjoy having the context from the first book in the series. I’m excited to read the original series to add even more context to the world of Revenge driven Socialites.
Thank you Jessica for this ARC copy. I cannot wait to read more of your books!!
When you are the queen of revenge plots and your inner circle of friends gets away with anything the last thing you expect is to need one of your former victims. This story had me in a chokehold while my mind was spinning. Plot twists, betrayal . Double standards and a whole lot of sexy scenes had the pages turning one after another.
While this book can be read as a stand alone I did enjoy having the context from the first book in the series. I’m excited to read the original series to add even more context to the world of Revenge driven Socialites.
Thank you Jessica for this ARC copy. I cannot wait to read more of your books!!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.50 ✨
Overall: Lux is undoubtedly the Queen of my heart after this book!! I loved her in book 1, and she was even better in this book! Her love for others, fighting for what she wants, and her grit make her so amazing!
Tropes + vibes:
🤍 enemies to lovers
🩷 bad boy x it girl
🖤 touch her + d!e
🤍 slow burn
🩷 dual POV
🖤 grumpy x snarky
Bookish Thoughts: I really loved Lux and Slate! After reading book 1 to get familiar with the characters, I was so excited to dive into Lux’s story.
Lux is truly a queen. She’s so graceful, so strong, and so stoic… until she meets Slate. She keeps her grace and strength, but the fact that this rugged bad boy helps Lux to find her soft side is so beautiful. I was obsessed with how much Slate was obsessed with Lux. The way he cared for her, helped her to feel safe and secure after so many years of fending for herself, was so warm and comforting. Don’t get me wrong, Slate was every bit of the tough hardass that I was hoping for in a bad boy, but his softness for Lux got me every time.
The plot line was dark and engaging. I spent the whole book on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out all the angles and players. 🕵🏻♀️ I also loved Briar and thought she was such a little sweetheart. 💕
The spice was definitely spicy in this story! So many great intimate moments! Slate being able to be a safe space for Lux after her history made these scenes even more powerful for the story.
And the ending? I see you Miss Jessica! Looking forward to book 3! ❤️🔥
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
From the first book, Lux was interesting. She was worn as a naive, rich, socialite who only cared about her online appearance. But there was so much more to her. She is strong, motivated and the best sister Alex could have asked for.
Slate came off as a hard working blue collar man, with a “I don’t care about anyone but my closest friends/sister vibe. He was almost cold to people outside of that until he wasn’t.
The tension could be felt through the pages. The wolf identity was predictable, but what came after was heartwarming.
A great enemies to lovers story (with just the right amount of spice) 🌶️
Slate came off as a hard working blue collar man, with a “I don’t care about anyone but my closest friends/sister vibe. He was almost cold to people outside of that until he wasn’t.
The tension could be felt through the pages. The wolf identity was predictable, but what came after was heartwarming.
A great enemies to lovers story (with just the right amount of spice) 🌶️
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
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
𝗢𝗼𝗳!! 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 😍
If you thought 𝘈𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭 was good, just wait until 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 drops🔥. It’s heart-tugging, jaw-dropping, addictive, and so worth the wait.
Lux and Slate will have your heart from the very first page 🥺 From petty revenge over parking spots to shady deals in dark alleys, this story is a whirlwind of chaos, chemistry 🔥🌶, and witty banter that will keep you hooked start to finish.😍
Jessica Jude’s writing? Absolutely chef’s kiss 👄. It's immersive in the best way — I felt like I was sitting at the poker table in Wesbourne, betting high-stakes with The Hills' elite. I was so deep in the world, the end had me flipping pages like, what do you mean it’s over?! 😳😭
And not only does she deliver a swoony, breathtaking romance — she also tackles real-life topics with raw emotion and depth, without ever losing that signature spark.
And the Oscar moment? Jessica Jude really said, “Let’s make ‘em wheeze-laugh” — and she delivered 💀😂
I went from giggling to full-on goblin cackling in 0.2 seconds 🫠🤣 From the snarky banter to unhinged inner monologues and chaotic revenge antics, I laughed until my sides hurt and my eyes watered.🤣
🖤 Queen of Vengeance drops July 1st.
✨ Exclusive pre-orders open June 17th!
Trust me — run, don’t walk. This one is a must-read.
A huge thank you to the author for letting me be an early/ARC reader! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own... )especially the unhinged ones, because I am currently Lux-and-Slate obsessed.)😍
So Miss Jude... if you ever feel like dropping a Lux & Slate novella 👀 just know I’ll be first in line. 🤭
If you thought 𝘈𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭 was good, just wait until 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 drops🔥. It’s heart-tugging, jaw-dropping, addictive, and so worth the wait.
Lux and Slate will have your heart from the very first page 🥺 From petty revenge over parking spots to shady deals in dark alleys, this story is a whirlwind of chaos, chemistry 🔥🌶, and witty banter that will keep you hooked start to finish.😍
Jessica Jude’s writing? Absolutely chef’s kiss 👄. It's immersive in the best way — I felt like I was sitting at the poker table in Wesbourne, betting high-stakes with The Hills' elite. I was so deep in the world, the end had me flipping pages like, what do you mean it’s over?! 😳😭
And not only does she deliver a swoony, breathtaking romance — she also tackles real-life topics with raw emotion and depth, without ever losing that signature spark.
And the Oscar moment? Jessica Jude really said, “Let’s make ‘em wheeze-laugh” — and she delivered 💀😂
I went from giggling to full-on goblin cackling in 0.2 seconds 🫠🤣 From the snarky banter to unhinged inner monologues and chaotic revenge antics, I laughed until my sides hurt and my eyes watered.🤣
🖤 Queen of Vengeance drops July 1st.
✨ Exclusive pre-orders open June 17th!
Trust me — run, don’t walk. This one is a must-read.
A huge thank you to the author for letting me be an early/ARC reader! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own... )especially the unhinged ones, because I am currently Lux-and-Slate obsessed.)😍
So Miss Jude... if you ever feel like dropping a Lux & Slate novella 👀 just know I’ll be first in line. 🤭
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was one of the lucky people who received an ARC of this book, thank you Jessica Jude!
When I read Ace of Betrayal (Book 1 in the Hand of Revenge series) I did not like Lux very much. She wasn’t the main character so you didn’t know much about her apart from the fact that she was a seemingly cold-hearted socialite only interested in clothes and revenge.
Well, after reading Queen of Vengeance and getting to know her better, I have to say that I love her.
Slate is just so lovable, flaws and all.
I really enjoyed the story and I think Jessica Jude did a great job in setting up the series so that each character from the friendship group can shine when their time comes.
Even thought QoV can be read as a stand alone book, I think that reading Ace of Betrayal beforehand improves the overall reading experience as you understand the group dynamics and Lux’s situation.
I would have liked a bit more scenes with the other friends as I really enjoyed that in the first book but it doesn’t take away from the rest of the story/book.
The writing is fun and keeps you engaged. I loved the dual POV and cannot wait to read more books from this series.
So, if you like enemies to lovers, Gossip Girl vibes, spice and good banter, I thoroughly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Queen of Vengance
So this is my first time reading an ARC and my first read of a Jessica Jude book which is quite exciting. I’ll be reviewing as I go so I can give my opinion fresh as it ‘happens’! And I’ll attempt to stay relatively spoiler free.
Love the cover art. It doesn’t give away too much - which to me is the perfect type of cover. Pull me in but don’t spoil the content!
Massively appreciated the authors note.
Having trigger warnings in books seems to be a newer thing and it’s SO much better than having to either search for other people’s opinions of potential triggers or just winging it.
Ahh. They’re playing poker. That explains the cover art! Nicely done. And the concept of what they’re using for their antes is brilliant. I would DEFINITELY play lol!
Having not met Lux before, chapter one definitely gave me the vibe she’s a bit of a b!tch, maybe a little full of herself. I can picture her easily. This seemed to continued throughout but interestingly not with her boyfriend. A classic sign he is a sociopath. And I did NOT like Carter at all.
Slate seems like a genuine guy, “wrong side of the tracks” rough around the edges type (I know a few like him - married one infact lol). I do like that in a man… He’s not the kindest of characters but in comparison to Carter, he’s an angel.
Nice consistent timeline explanation. I appreciated some of the language/name use - clearly written by a Brit lol. Specifically the use of the word wanker! Although I was thrown a little as there was more ‘American’ vernacular as well. Having then gone back to double check where it’s set, it does make sense to have a bit of both!
As someone who suffers with chronic pain, having someone with a chronic condition (and one that was being ignored by doctors who NEVER LISTEN) I found myself getting quite emotional whenever it came to Briar.
As for the spice - my husband told me to let him know if anything gave me any tingles LOL! He knows the things I ‘enjoy’ and knows how I will react so he was as invested in this side of the book as I was. I’m relatively new to spicy books, having been quite the spice virgin until early last year. I’m far from ‘vanilla’ but I still get a little hot under the collar reading it! And this book had the perfect level - enough to make me feel mildly flustered and blush in public but not turn beetroot red and close the book. Also HUGE fan of the very clear use of contraception.
Overall i definitely enjoyed this book, and would happily and enthusiastically read more from Jessica. Thanks for the chance to read this ARC and good luck!
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really liked this book! It was a good quick read & I loved Lux & Slates relationship! It didn’t feel rushed which I appreciated. Thank you Jessica Jude for the ARC! You can never go wrong with a “they’re from different worlds” storyline. I also really enjoyed the relationship Lux made with Slate’s sister. It was so sweet!!
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was so excited to be a part of the ARC team for this book. This is not a typical read for me but I enjoyed it. The banter between Slate and Lux had me smirking at times. I love a book that makes you feel what the character feels, or a book boyfriend that makes you "want/need"! This book has those things. Two separate worlds for the MCs brought together, has you wondering how it will work and the ending definitely has you wanting to read the next book in the series!
Thank you Jessica Jude for providing an ARC copy of this book!
The first few chapters had me thinking Lux was completely insufferable, super entitled and totally out of touch. But as the story went on, I really liked seeing her character grow and start caring more about others. She became much more likable by the end.
The first few chapters had me thinking Lux was completely insufferable, super entitled and totally out of touch. But as the story went on, I really liked seeing her character grow and start caring more about others. She became much more likable by the end.
A lot of the big plot points were pretty predictable, but honestly, I didn’t even mind because I was so invested emotionally. The character growth and the feelings it pulled out of me made it an enjoyable read overall.