dark medium-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: Yes

This book is great. I am so obsessed with this group of friends now. Lux and Slate are 10/10. The twists and love story are amazing. The spice is fantastic. 🫢

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved this book! I got an ARC copy of Queen of Vengeance and was also provided with a copy of Ace of Betrayal (book 1) at the same time. These books are very easy reads - easy to enjoy, interesting plots, world building, character development, and exploration of how one’s position in the world can affect one’s relationships. I only docked .25 of a star because as someone who is not American, I roll my eyes a little when ā€œI have medical billsā€ is a driving factor behind a character’s decisions. Not that non-Americans never pay medical bills, but I’m just not a fan of that in a fictional country.

Anyway. The characters are morally grey but still really tug at your heartstrings. Neither of the main characters are ā€œgoodā€ but they’re compelling and I found myself trying to figure out how they could make it work despite what seems like irreconcilable differences. 

Sometimes with spicy books, the plot and prose kind of take a back seat, but not with Jessica Jude. She writes brilliant turns of phrase, enjoyable banter, clever plot points, satisfying ending, etc etc etc. It’s everything you need in a good book!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous emotional hopeful tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

✨ ARC Review ✨

Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Socialite x Bad Boy
Forbidden Romance
Opposites Attract
Slow Burn
Revenge
Banter

4.5 ā­ļø
šŸŒ¶ļøšŸŒ¶ļø

#2 in the Hand of Revenge Series, it can be read as a standalone, but to enhance your reading experience I would read AoB first so that you know the characters and their world.

(#1 being Ace of Betrayal-that review is coming SOON!)

Let me start off saying that I KNEW this book was gonna be a GOOD! The way I tore through Ace of Betrayal, and the way things were lining up in that book, I just KNEW this one was going to be good! I really like the writing style of #jessicajude

This book had me in my feels, had me yellin, had me putting it down and picking it back up!
Slate and Lux come from two completely different worlds, you have the silver spoon (Lux) and the one from the wrong part of town (Slate). I was not a fan of Lux in the beginning, but she wore me down and I am a Lux fan for sure!!! When these two get together wowser! Although they come from two completely different places in life, the way their lives have intertwined is a wild ride! If you like some grumpy/sunshine, some forbidden romance, a little revenge, some great banter, you HAVE to check this book out!

I want to say soooo much more, but I am worried I will drop too many spoilers!

Thank you @jessicajudebooks for providing me with an advance copy of this book!
dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I liked Ace of Betrayal but I loved Queen of Vengeance!! I had the opportunity to receive an arc copy of this story And can’t wait for the next book to come out. The author did a really great job of showing the differences in the world the characters are from. Slate was well written as a complex character that you can’t help but love. Lux is your typical spoiled princess who learns to see how the world worked outside of what she is used to. This was a slow burn story with some great spice. The author did a great job of portraying complex emotions. There are some dark themes in this book and yes some may make you cry but they are worth the read. Overall I would highly recommend this book. 
adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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: Yes

This book totally had me page turning like crazy, I loved it so much. As in the first of this series you become so immersed into the lives of Lux and her friendship group, and then the story adds in hot as ever Slate who is so perfectly opposite to Lux and equalises yet challenges Lux's want for vengeance. I loved the super hot and steamy intimacy moments they were so well written. I would totally recommend this book.
emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was such an addictive and emotional read! Jessica Jude's writing pulled me in from the very beginning. It's easy to follow, engaging, and really made me feel everything-romantic tension, heartbreak, and even a little shock when that twist hit. I had my guesses early on but didn't expect how it would all come together.

I love how well the dual POVs were written. Lux and Slate both had strong voices, and you can really feel how much they were struggling with their own fears, especially Slate. Their dynamic had that perfect enemies-to-lovers tension, but what made it even better was how much Slate respected and valued Lux. You could feel how afraid he was to lose her.

I also appreciate how the story touches on addiction and the choices we make. It added more emotional depth, and it was handled with care.

Lux was already my fave from book one, and seeing her growth here made me love her even more. She hides so much under her perfect image, but Slate saw through that and made her feel like she was more than enough.

This book had the banter, the angst, the sweetness, and the spice (that truck scene šŸ‘€šŸ”„), and it was all written in a way that made it so hard to stop reading. Definitely a 5-star read for me! I can't wait for the next book and I already know who the next MCs are šŸ˜‰

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Book two of the Hand of Revenge series did not disappoint! I have been waiting on this since the ending of Ace of Betrayal (book 1). I loved Lux and her snarky attitude and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. Slate was a big softie hiding in a big bad dealer’s body. Their separate worlds and struggles are relatable in ways many readers can connect with. Both characters have their flaws but the development by the end of the book was great. I just love this series!

Thank you Jessica for this advanced reader’s copy! 
dark emotional tense 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: Yes

 I read the first book in this series earlier this month in preparation for this one, and both of these books are great. I think this one is darker than the first one, but it was still enjoyable. The dynamic between the FMC and MMC was quite fun at times with just the right amount of angst. The side characters also felt real and I enjoyed reading about them as well. There is a spoiler for the first book in this one, so I would recommend reading it first, but the second book can be read without reading the first.

I loved the characters as well as this fictional country they live in. And the friend groups for both the FMC and MMC were fun to read.

Jessica Jude does include trigger warnings in the beginning of the book, so I would check those out if needed. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ARC reviewā€¼ļø


I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC from Jessica Jude and her team!

This story was adorable, it didn’t take long, at all, to fall in love with the MMC. The spice is spicey, the story was good, and the characters were fun!

I can’t wait to read more from her!