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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
📚Book: Queen of Vengeance
✍🏼Author: Jessica Jude
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🕕When Read: June 2025 (ARC)
😀Genre: Romance/Dark Romance
📝Review: I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for Queen of Vengeance which is a steamy, high-stakes enemies-to-lovers romance that hits all the right notes. Lux is elegance and fire wrapped in designer heels—a woman determined to avenge her brother and take back control of her life. Enter Slate: brooding, tattooed, and dangerous, with a past as gritty as Lux’s world is polished. Their chemistry is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore. Jessica Jude masterfully blends dark romance, suspense, and emotional depth. Lux’s transformation from sheltered socialite to a woman owning her power is satisfying, while Slate’s reluctant vulnerability adds heart to his edge. The pacing is sharp, the dialogue crackles, and the tension (both romantic and violent) keeps you hooked. I knocked off half a star for a few predictable plot beats, but this book is addictive and bold, a must-read for fans of revenge-fueled romance. I would also recommend reading the first story, Ace of Betrayal!!
#bookish #bookreview #bookstagram #books #bibliophile #romance #explore #explorepage #explorebooks #readwithshanti #readersofinstagrams #bookrecommendations #books #bookshelf #reader #queenofvengeance #aceofbetrayal #luxandslate
✍🏼Author: Jessica Jude
⭐️Rating: 4.5/5
🕕When Read: June 2025 (ARC)
😀Genre: Romance/Dark Romance
📝Review: I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for Queen of Vengeance which is a steamy, high-stakes enemies-to-lovers romance that hits all the right notes. Lux is elegance and fire wrapped in designer heels—a woman determined to avenge her brother and take back control of her life. Enter Slate: brooding, tattooed, and dangerous, with a past as gritty as Lux’s world is polished. Their chemistry is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore. Jessica Jude masterfully blends dark romance, suspense, and emotional depth. Lux’s transformation from sheltered socialite to a woman owning her power is satisfying, while Slate’s reluctant vulnerability adds heart to his edge. The pacing is sharp, the dialogue crackles, and the tension (both romantic and violent) keeps you hooked. I knocked off half a star for a few predictable plot beats, but this book is addictive and bold, a must-read for fans of revenge-fueled romance. I would also recommend reading the first story, Ace of Betrayal!!
#bookish #bookreview #bookstagram #books #bibliophile #romance #explore #explorepage #explorebooks #readwithshanti #readersofinstagrams #bookrecommendations #books #bookshelf #reader #queenofvengeance #aceofbetrayal #luxandslate
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
x
The tension, the back and forth, the dual POV, the drama, the SPIIIIICE, all of it was so good. Some parts did feel a little fast/quick to move from or a few things brushed off, but overall I don't feel like it took away from the story at all, it was just my personal feeling.
Overall I would give the book a 4.5/5 and the spice a 3/5 (explicit open door)
I can't wait to go back and read the first one and then the next in the series!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! The story pulled me in right away and kept me hooked with its rich characters, emotional depth, and captivating plot. Every twist and turn felt meaningful, and the pacing was spot-on—fast enough to keep me turning the pages, but thoughtful enough to let the characters and their struggles truly resonate.
Patiently counting down the months until King of Obsession releases.
Patiently counting down the months until King of Obsession releases.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Queen of Vengeance
👑👑👑👑👑
After loving the first book in this series, I had no doubts that I would enjoy this one as well! One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers, and I always get giddy when they finally become a couple—how can anyone resist that?
Lux, in the first book, quickly caught my attention. I wanted to know more about her and ensure she was safe, although I had a feeling that she wasn't. She wears a perfect mask for her job and those around her, but it was painful to read about her feelings and the environment she was raised in that shaped her this way.
Slate is the deliciously grumpy guy who perfectly matches Lux’s snarkiness. The fact that he’s doing everything possible to help his younger sister with her medical needs really won me over.
I was expecting the friend group to be as prominent in this book as it was in the first, but it made sense given all the actions Lux was taking to avenge her brother and her frequent presence in The Junction.
I can’t wait for book three—Jessica has set it up beautifully!
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
If you like enemies to lovers, you will definitely enjoy this! I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of Queen of Vengeance, and you really go through all the feels with Lux. It’s an easy read to get through because you won’t want to put it down until you get to the bottom of things with her! Slate will tug on your heart and they are both going to piss you off, but riding along with them is so much fun. Definitely recommend if you enjoy rich girl, bad boy, I hate you but I love you vibes.
fast-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
The Queen of Vengeance- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I didn’t think I could love anyone more than the original couple but this… I can not get enough I want more 😩😩😩😩 thank you @jessicajudebooks for the arc copy of the book which releases July 1st!!!
This book follows Lux and Slate. This story is full of banter and bickering that are on point, the spice, the slow burn, THE PLOT TWIST. This book has it all and more. Lux is the it girl from the Hills (the rich side of town), while Slate is a dealer who grew up in the Junction (poor side). When their worlds collide it’s messy, beautiful, and just overall phenomenal.
He realized the rich life isn’t all glitz and glam and she sees the heart he hides behind the rough exterior. This story will have you hooked so fast!!!
Read the triggers as there are some heavy topics!!! But otherwise enjoy the rollercoaster, I can’t wait for the next book and loved how perfectly the end of the second set up for it🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I didn’t think I could love anyone more than the original couple but this… I can not get enough I want more 😩😩😩😩 thank you @jessicajudebooks for the arc copy of the book which releases July 1st!!!
This book follows Lux and Slate. This story is full of banter and bickering that are on point, the spice, the slow burn, THE PLOT TWIST. This book has it all and more. Lux is the it girl from the Hills (the rich side of town), while Slate is a dealer who grew up in the Junction (poor side). When their worlds collide it’s messy, beautiful, and just overall phenomenal.
He realized the rich life isn’t all glitz and glam and she sees the heart he hides behind the rough exterior. This story will have you hooked so fast!!!
Read the triggers as there are some heavy topics!!! But otherwise enjoy the rollercoaster, I can’t wait for the next book and loved how perfectly the end of the second set up for it🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
Thank you Jessica Jude for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
*
*
*
It felt slow to start and unfortunately even when it picked up I struggled to stay invested. I tried but certain characters were too insufferable.
I initially got to 21% then stopped as I had a friend visiting and struggled to pick it back up afterwards, though I did finish it and it took me about a month.
I didn’t like Lux to start and still didn’t care for her by the end
Slate? He was meh, not gonna say he was entirely bad but I just wasn’t feeling him, and his side hustle is major yikes (at the same time I get it. You do what you gotta do)
I hated Lux’s mother and Carter, they can go do some unmentionable things with a cactus🤭
Plot felt like it was kind of all over, one minute Lux is getting revenge over a stolen parking spot the next (technically a year later but still) she teams up with the very guy to get revenge on whoever was selling drugs to her brother. Then that kind of faded for a bit and then brought back after something happens.
I saw the twist from a mile away but it still made my jaw drop to have it confirmed.
Loved the characters, well character.. Briar, as a chronic illness girlie I was more invested in her. Overall it wasn’t terrible but unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me, as much as I wish it was. I truly wish Jessica Jude all the best💜
⭐️3/5
🌶️2/5
*
*
*
It felt slow to start and unfortunately even when it picked up I struggled to stay invested. I tried but certain characters were too insufferable.
I initially got to 21% then stopped as I had a friend visiting and struggled to pick it back up afterwards, though I did finish it and it took me about a month.
I didn’t like Lux to start and still didn’t care for her by the end
Slate? He was meh, not gonna say he was entirely bad but I just wasn’t feeling him, and his side hustle is major yikes (at the same time I get it. You do what you gotta do)
I hated Lux’s mother and Carter, they can go do some unmentionable things with a cactus🤭
Plot felt like it was kind of all over, one minute Lux is getting revenge over a stolen parking spot the next (technically a year later but still) she teams up with the very guy to get revenge on whoever was selling drugs to her brother. Then that kind of faded for a bit and then brought back after something happens.
I saw the twist from a mile away but it still made my jaw drop to have it confirmed.
Loved the characters, well character.. Briar, as a chronic illness girlie I was more invested in her. Overall it wasn’t terrible but unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me, as much as I wish it was. I truly wish Jessica Jude all the best💜
⭐️3/5
🌶️2/5
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
This is the second book in the Hand of Revenge series. However, it can be read as a standalone and that’s what I did. This book had me hooked from the first page. We have our socialite Lux who needs to use Slate, our broody mechanic biker boy, in order to get her brother back. The author did a great job writing these characters. At first Lux got on my nerves a bit, but as the story progressed I started to feel bad for her. Slate is such a caring and loving big brother to Briar. He’s very protective of the people he cares about including Lux. Despite her personal struggles Briar is so cute cheering her brother from the sidelines. The plot twists had me shocked, frustrated, and side eyeing characters. I was on the edge of my seat. The spice in this book is hot and steamy. If you like enemies to lovers this book is for you.
I did receive an arc and this is my honest review.
I did receive an arc and this is my honest review.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
“I’m not sure which disturbs me more-the fact that she’s not at all what I expected, or the fact that I suddenly want to make her mine more than I want life itself.” AHHhhh Slate and Lux! What a rollercoaster ride their story was. I loved the tension and build up between them. I am so excited to see how this world expands with Rhett’s book!
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I’m always such a sucker for stories about a bad boy who is going after the most popular girl. The trope has been used a lot - but I’ll always read it anyways! Jessica did a great job with mixing this trope with enemies to lovers in Queen of Vengeance. Lux & Slate have an awesome dynamic with some of the best banter I’ve read in a long time. Oh - and ladies…all I have to say about Slate is… man bun, bad boy vibes, motorcycle… 🖤 swoon 🖤 And their love for eachother (plus the spice 🌶️🔥)…its so intense, so realistic, that it screams RELATIONSHIP GOALS.
Queen of Vengeance is the 2nd book in Jessica Jude’s Hand of Revenge serie, but it can be read as a stand alone. This was my first time reading any of her books, but I plan to absolutely devour everything I can get my hands on ASAP!