A review by kendranh
Ace of Betrayal (Hand of Revenge, #1) by Jessica Jude

challenging dark reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

If you are a fan of Gossip Girl, this is the book for you! Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rich kids, revenge plots, second chance romance, and characters that you somehow root for despite them being objectively pretty terrible people.

Loved:
  • Walker’s love of the spooky
  • The way Jessica Jude built a whole new country somewhere between the US and the UK
  • Walker and Heath learning so much about each other as the story went on. The surfing, the reading, etc.
  • Walker’s revenge on her friends by auctioning what they loved most for charity. What a classy way to get back at them!
  • The spice!!

Meh:
  • The revenge poker games. You’re telling me that every week these 20-somethings choose someone to fuck with? It’s a small island (as far as I can tell), how are they still getting away with it?

Didn’t Like:
  • How long it took for Heath to
    stop the revenge plot against Walker. He kept saying he cared about her, but did nothing at all? I can understand his reluctance to tell the truth about cheating, but why didn’t he just say “Let’s not do this”
  • It was hard to root for the characters when they all kind of just seemed like bullies
  • The lack of resolution
    around Walker’s professor assaulting her. All that work and she just decides to give up on her dreams? I wanted more from that

I will say I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
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