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Her Perfect Revenge: A Laugh-Out-Loud Romantic Comedy
Revenge is sweet… or is it?
Christina Matteo had a humiliating prank pulled on her in high school by rich, party boy Bill Havenwood. It changed her whole life and she never forgot it—or him!
Older, wiser and tougher, she meets him again years later and decides to get even. She wants revenge and comes up with a perfect plan. But things don't go her way when she stupidly crashes her car into his expensive sportscar while tailing him one day.
Not recognizing her, Bill blackmails the cash-poor Christina into helping him stay in his billionaire father's good graces by pretending to be his fiancée for one month. Christina decides to go along with his ruse. After all, who knows what dirt she can find out about the jerk from the inside?
But as Christina scams Bill and Bill scams his father—his father scams the both of them. William Havenwood Sr. knows all about their phony engagement and begins to push the couple to marry for real in order to get them to crack under pressure.
And then Christina's little revenge plan begins to spiral out of control when she finds herself actually falling in love with her avowed enemy, Bill. It's enough to make a girl sick to her stomach! But can she really continue to go through with her plans to make him pay when she's so attracted to the creep? Christina is just stubborn enough to find out!
HER PERFECT REVENGE is a story where its three strong and smart main characters—Christina, Bill and his father, William—find themselves engaged in a clever battle of wits where games, lies, secrets and deceptions rule the day. Who will win? And will Christina risk everything to get her payback?
HER PERFECT REVENGE has also been released as a manga novel in Japan by Ohzora Publishing.
Anna Mara is also the author of WHY ROMEO HATES JULIET & SIN & SAVAGE.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2008
About the author
Anna Mara
7 books121 followersI've been writing for a few years now, having studied screenwriting at a well known film school. I've always loved creating romantic stories and wanting to try my hand at penning a novel, I decided to turn one of my screenplays into a book. HER PERFECT REVENGE was born.
But because I come from a screenwriting background, I tend to write my books more like movies. As you read my novels, you'll find yourself 'watching' that film playing inside your head while at the same time, feeling all of the emotions that my crazy characters are going through. My first and most important goal as a writer is always that I want you to have FUN with my stories. I hope that I can accomplish that for you!
I also like to write in different genres besides romantic comedy. I've written a romantic suspense novel and a murder mystery amateur detective one. If you've enjoyed reading my writing style, I hope you'll give the other genres a chance. Who knows? You might have lots of fun reading those too.
HER PERFECT REVENGE: A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD ROMANTIC COMEDY has also been released as a Japanese manga novel by Ohzora Publishing. Illustrations were done by artist Hiromi Kobayashi.
WHY ROMEO HATES JULIET: A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD ROMANTIC COMEDY is my second book.
SIN & SAVAGE: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE THRILLER is my third.
My most recent novel is THE MYSTERY OF THE DOLL'S EYES: A MRS. PIDGEON MURDER MYSTERY. It's the first standalone book in the new Mrs. Pidgeon murder mysteries that will soon become a series.
I've also released THE SCREENPLAY version of HER PERFECT REVENGE as a separate standalone ebook.
TROUBLEMAKERS: 3 BOOK BOX SET is a collection of three of my romance novels all in one set.
But because I come from a screenwriting background, I tend to write my books more like movies. As you read my novels, you'll find yourself 'watching' that film playing inside your head while at the same time, feeling all of the emotions that my crazy characters are going through. My first and most important goal as a writer is always that I want you to have FUN with my stories. I hope that I can accomplish that for you!
I also like to write in different genres besides romantic comedy. I've written a romantic suspense novel and a murder mystery amateur detective one. If you've enjoyed reading my writing style, I hope you'll give the other genres a chance. Who knows? You might have lots of fun reading those too.
HER PERFECT REVENGE: A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD ROMANTIC COMEDY has also been released as a Japanese manga novel by Ohzora Publishing. Illustrations were done by artist Hiromi Kobayashi.
WHY ROMEO HATES JULIET: A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD ROMANTIC COMEDY is my second book.
SIN & SAVAGE: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE THRILLER is my third.
My most recent novel is THE MYSTERY OF THE DOLL'S EYES: A MRS. PIDGEON MURDER MYSTERY. It's the first standalone book in the new Mrs. Pidgeon murder mysteries that will soon become a series.
I've also released THE SCREENPLAY version of HER PERFECT REVENGE as a separate standalone ebook.
TROUBLEMAKERS: 3 BOOK BOX SET is a collection of three of my romance novels all in one set.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 605 reviews
October 24, 2011
This is quite literally one of the worst books I've ever read. It's one of those books where the 2 main characters can't stand each other but rip each other's clothes off whenever they have the chance.
You might wonder why, if I thought it was so bad,I actually finished the book. Well, the editing appears to have been done by an 8th grade student who is failing English, and the grammar errors were so frequent and obvious that it was fun to keep reading just to see what was going to show up next.
Things like "It was 4 am in the morning," "It was 2 a.m. in the morning".. repeat ad nauseum.
"That was saying alot."
"You've said your peace. Just go."
Tons of exclamation points, often several within the same paragraph, incorrect compound words "backdoor" instead of "back door"... I could go on and on. I've never noticed more than a few of these types of errors in any other book I read, so the many in this book stood out like a blinking neon light.
Don't waste your valuable time on this one. If you love romance novels, there are a lot better ones out there.
You might wonder why, if I thought it was so bad,I actually finished the book. Well, the editing appears to have been done by an 8th grade student who is failing English, and the grammar errors were so frequent and obvious that it was fun to keep reading just to see what was going to show up next.
Things like "It was 4 am in the morning," "It was 2 a.m. in the morning".. repeat ad nauseum.
"That was saying alot."
"You've said your peace. Just go."
Tons of exclamation points, often several within the same paragraph, incorrect compound words "backdoor" instead of "back door"... I could go on and on. I've never noticed more than a few of these types of errors in any other book I read, so the many in this book stood out like a blinking neon light.
Don't waste your valuable time on this one. If you love romance novels, there are a lot better ones out there.
April 14, 2011
I read Her Perfect Revenge in one day, I couldn't put it down. Holy Mackerel was this an emotional ride! This book is a perfect example of the push and pull attraction between characters that I love so much. The main characters, Bill and Christina, have so much heat and friction without even being a couple. Loved that! There is banter, wit, fighting, backbone, back stabbing, conniving; I could go on...all leading to a very satisfying end. BUT, the author makes you and the main characters work for that satisfying end.
There are a couple of things that let you know it's fiction though. For one, the plot is all based on a 30 year-old seeking revenge on the guy who humiliated her in 9th grade, which led to her being sent to a boarding school. OK, I really don't see a stable person going to the lengths she did at 30, BUT it's a book and is well played out. I enjoyed every minute. Also, when the characters would say things like, "My Darling” which took me out of the scene. I don't know any older parents calling people My Darling, or couples saying My Darling. Other terms of endearment were used, which were all more realistic, but My Darling...not for me.
The wonderful things about this book far outweigh the negatives. I truly did enjoy this book. The banter is comical and sexy at the same time. I found myself thinking I could be friends with these people and have a ball! There are multiple schemes going on and easy to keep track of. The author twists and winds them together very well. Everyone has an agenda and man, watching everyone scramble, learning about each other, discovering things about themselves, it was just an absolutely enjoyable read for me. I felt sick to my stomach at the right times, I felt excited at the right times, I felt foreboding at the right times. To say I empathized with the characters is spot on.
I highly recommend this book to readers of romance, wit, strong characters, relationship tension, and hopeless romantics.
There are a couple of things that let you know it's fiction though. For one, the plot is all based on a 30 year-old seeking revenge on the guy who humiliated her in 9th grade, which led to her being sent to a boarding school. OK, I really don't see a stable person going to the lengths she did at 30, BUT it's a book and is well played out. I enjoyed every minute. Also, when the characters would say things like, "My Darling” which took me out of the scene. I don't know any older parents calling people My Darling, or couples saying My Darling. Other terms of endearment were used, which were all more realistic, but My Darling...not for me.
The wonderful things about this book far outweigh the negatives. I truly did enjoy this book. The banter is comical and sexy at the same time. I found myself thinking I could be friends with these people and have a ball! There are multiple schemes going on and easy to keep track of. The author twists and winds them together very well. Everyone has an agenda and man, watching everyone scramble, learning about each other, discovering things about themselves, it was just an absolutely enjoyable read for me. I felt sick to my stomach at the right times, I felt excited at the right times, I felt foreboding at the right times. To say I empathized with the characters is spot on.
I highly recommend this book to readers of romance, wit, strong characters, relationship tension, and hopeless romantics.
April 5, 2015
The are no words to describe the horror that is this book.
I thought that the blurb for the story looked good, so much so that I downloaded it for £2.55 on to my Kindle.
That's £2.55 that I will never get back. Neither will I get back the time spent reading the damn thing.
If only I had bought the paper back copy, at least then I could have used it for something useful, such as hampster bedding.
The only nearly redeeming quality of the story was the hero's father - he was mildly, if not repetitively, amusing.
But overall the book was an absolute farce
The book also has terribly simple grammar mistakes and overly gratuitous use of exclamation points (my biggest peeve).
I thought that the blurb for the story looked good, so much so that I downloaded it for £2.55 on to my Kindle.
That's £2.55 that I will never get back. Neither will I get back the time spent reading the damn thing.
If only I had bought the paper back copy, at least then I could have used it for something useful, such as hampster bedding.
The only nearly redeeming quality of the story was the hero's father - he was mildly, if not repetitively, amusing.
But overall the book was an absolute farce
The book also has terribly simple grammar mistakes and overly gratuitous use of exclamation points (my biggest peeve).
January 2, 2013
I actually liked this book, the banter between the two had me cracking up.
I especially loved all the good and bad name calling they all used for each other like bastard, bozo, swine, creep, bum, rat bastard, maggot etc and the good ones used like, Darling, honey bunch, pumpkin pie, sweetie and lots more plus all the sexual tension was fun to read.
Also loved Bills jealousy and love for her, it was cute to read, especially when she had that fake boyfriend and he got all mad. funny!
I especially loved all the good and bad name calling they all used for each other like bastard, bozo, swine, creep, bum, rat bastard, maggot etc and the good ones used like, Darling, honey bunch, pumpkin pie, sweetie and lots more plus all the sexual tension was fun to read.
Also loved Bills jealousy and love for her, it was cute to read, especially when she had that fake boyfriend and he got all mad. funny!
March 24, 2019
I enjoyed this book and I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it was about one-hundred-and-fifty pages shorter. Ms. Mara has a lot of charming and delightful sequences throughout the book, but she has a tendency to repeat nearly identical sequences throughout and after the third or fourth time they just don't work anymore.
June 18, 2011
This was a $.99 book on Kindle. it had a good start until the heroine grew up (in age). Mentally, this was another pill of a character. She got on my LAST nerve so bad that I had to skip pages (chapters). My initial thought was my 12 yr old niece wrote this book. The language was juvenile at best (ex. Bozo, Idiot, Scumbag). Who uses language like that. Maybe I just insulted my niece because I believe she has more talent than this book displayed.
Another thorn in my side was the fact that if the heroine was really bitter and seeking revenge after 16 years, than she needed counseling.
Not a good read. Too many grammatical errors and the continuity was off.
Another thorn in my side was the fact that if the heroine was really bitter and seeking revenge after 16 years, than she needed counseling.
Not a good read. Too many grammatical errors and the continuity was off.
October 12, 2010
Ah! What a treat! This is a book full of witty surprises and laughter.
I need to divide the book into two parts for my review.
THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THE BOOK (I will call the "First Part"):
I was doubled over with laughter many, many times. I didn't want to stop reading. There are three people trying to deceive each other and/or keep secrets from each other. It makes for great conflict. And, what makes it great is that they each have good reasons for what they are doing. I am sympathetic to all three of them. I loved it, loved it, loved it. I hope this author continues writing with this kind of creativity. I even woke up in the middle of the night laughing with scenes from the book on my mind.
Story brief: At age 14, Bill is a drunken rich kid who plays a mean prank on Christina at school. She never forgives him. At age 30, their paths cross. She plans to get revenge. He needs her to pretend to be his fiancee for a month, so his father won't throw him out of his home and disinherit him. The father is onto the sham and does things to try to get them to crack under the pressure.
THE LAST QUARTER OF THE BOOK (I will call the "Last Part"):
CAUTION SPOILERS:
This was a different kind of story, which took me by surprise. The First Part was a crazy, wild and funny ride, full of twists and turns. The Last Part had some sadness, separation and grief. Too much bad luck was happening to expose secrets in the worst ways and at the worst times. Christina made some bad decisions. I understand the author was making the point that going after someone for revenge will have hurtful consequences. The Last Part did make sense and did provide a fitting story to finish the book, but it evoked a different set of feelings - frustrations and sadness. I generally don't like too much sadness when I read, but I accepted the sadness because the First Part was so great. Do keep in mind, this is a romance novel, which means there is a happy ending.
If I could change anything, I would have Christina be a little smarter in her decisions and actions in the Last Part. I would also like to see the author continue her crazy unexpectedness in the unraveling of secrets and keeping a lighter mood in the Last Part.
I noticed one reviewer felt there were too many different points of view, stating the reader is in the heads of Bill, Christina, Bill's father, Christina's best friend, Bill's ex-girlfriend, etc. However, I thought it worked well. It made it funnier to see what others were thinking while they were observing, reacting and scheming.
DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: two. Setting: current day New York area. Copyright: 2008. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
DISCLOSURE:
The author sent this book to me free of charge, requesting a review.
I need to divide the book into two parts for my review.
THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THE BOOK (I will call the "First Part"):
I was doubled over with laughter many, many times. I didn't want to stop reading. There are three people trying to deceive each other and/or keep secrets from each other. It makes for great conflict. And, what makes it great is that they each have good reasons for what they are doing. I am sympathetic to all three of them. I loved it, loved it, loved it. I hope this author continues writing with this kind of creativity. I even woke up in the middle of the night laughing with scenes from the book on my mind.
Story brief: At age 14, Bill is a drunken rich kid who plays a mean prank on Christina at school. She never forgives him. At age 30, their paths cross. She plans to get revenge. He needs her to pretend to be his fiancee for a month, so his father won't throw him out of his home and disinherit him. The father is onto the sham and does things to try to get them to crack under the pressure.
THE LAST QUARTER OF THE BOOK (I will call the "Last Part"):
CAUTION SPOILERS:
This was a different kind of story, which took me by surprise. The First Part was a crazy, wild and funny ride, full of twists and turns. The Last Part had some sadness, separation and grief. Too much bad luck was happening to expose secrets in the worst ways and at the worst times. Christina made some bad decisions. I understand the author was making the point that going after someone for revenge will have hurtful consequences. The Last Part did make sense and did provide a fitting story to finish the book, but it evoked a different set of feelings - frustrations and sadness. I generally don't like too much sadness when I read, but I accepted the sadness because the First Part was so great. Do keep in mind, this is a romance novel, which means there is a happy ending.
If I could change anything, I would have Christina be a little smarter in her decisions and actions in the Last Part. I would also like to see the author continue her crazy unexpectedness in the unraveling of secrets and keeping a lighter mood in the Last Part.
I noticed one reviewer felt there were too many different points of view, stating the reader is in the heads of Bill, Christina, Bill's father, Christina's best friend, Bill's ex-girlfriend, etc. However, I thought it worked well. It made it funnier to see what others were thinking while they were observing, reacting and scheming.
DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: two. Setting: current day New York area. Copyright: 2008. Genre: humorous contemporary romance.
DISCLOSURE:
The author sent this book to me free of charge, requesting a review.
August 17, 2013
The Premise
Boy and girl meet in high school when drunk boy pulls horrible prank on girl. Girl never forgets and ends up seeking revenge against boy 16 years later. Highly melodramatic hijinks ensue.
The Good
It was free on Amazon. I liked the hero, Bill and thought he was trying to sincerely change. The premise was decent and I usually enjoy fake engagement leads to real feelings stories. It had a very soapy quality to the story, which again, I have a weakness for.
The Bad and Annoying, or Annoyingly Bad - take your pick
I disliked the heroine, Christina. Alot. I didn't sympathize with her and her immaturity and stupidity were very distracting. From the very beginning, alot of her actions are justified and explained by other characters as smart, witty, charming, etc. It was a very basic problem of show vs. tell. My opinion of Christina differed strongly from all the other characters. I was actively rooting for all her schemes to blow up in her face and I didn't believe Bill's love for her, because I didn't see what she did that was lovable in the least.
Now, I had a similar reaction before to heroines and usually, if the book was written well, I would grow to understand her motivations and eventually come around to her side. I kept reading, hoping it would turn and it didn't happen in this book.
Also, this was billed as a "laugh out loud comedy." It just wasn't that funny.
The Bottom Line
I can't recommend this book and I doubt I'll seek out any others by this author. It's a shame because it had promise, but absolutely no follow through.
Boy and girl meet in high school when drunk boy pulls horrible prank on girl. Girl never forgets and ends up seeking revenge against boy 16 years later. Highly melodramatic hijinks ensue.
The Good
It was free on Amazon. I liked the hero, Bill and thought he was trying to sincerely change. The premise was decent and I usually enjoy fake engagement leads to real feelings stories. It had a very soapy quality to the story, which again, I have a weakness for.
The Bad and Annoying, or Annoyingly Bad - take your pick
I disliked the heroine, Christina. Alot. I didn't sympathize with her and her immaturity and stupidity were very distracting. From the very beginning, alot of her actions are justified and explained by other characters as smart, witty, charming, etc. It was a very basic problem of show vs. tell. My opinion of Christina differed strongly from all the other characters. I was actively rooting for all her schemes to blow up in her face and I didn't believe Bill's love for her, because I didn't see what she did that was lovable in the least.
Now, I had a similar reaction before to heroines and usually, if the book was written well, I would grow to understand her motivations and eventually come around to her side. I kept reading, hoping it would turn and it didn't happen in this book.
Also, this was billed as a "laugh out loud comedy." It just wasn't that funny.
The Bottom Line
I can't recommend this book and I doubt I'll seek out any others by this author. It's a shame because it had promise, but absolutely no follow through.
March 25, 2011
I was recently contacted by a new author Anna Mara with a request to review her book - HER PERFECT REVENGE. I accepted, of course, and took a journey 519 pages long. And it was very exciting I can promise you that. I’ve met three fabulous people there - Christina Matteo, Bill Havenwood and William Havenwood Sr. Oh, they made me laugh and I can tell you that I don’t remember the last time any book did this to me. They also made me feel and think about the concept of revenge.
But let’s start at the beginning when we meet young Christina, an insecure high school girl who has just been humiliated by a popular high school rich boy Bill. Fast forward 16 years after Christina is all grown up with not so great carrier as photojournalist and while on assignment she stumbles upon Bill. And that’s where all ruckus begins… Christina is determent to get her overdue revenge and Bill… well let’s just say he has many problems at the time and the latest is his father’s (William Havenwood Sr ) threat to throw his lazy drank ass out on the street. But things aren’t always what they look like from the outside.
I really enjoyed this story, although it has some weak parts and I didn’t always like Bill, but it has brought memories of those great love stories I used to read but can’t seem to find them on our bookshelves anymore. Bill and Christina are real people with faults and mistakes; I could relate to them. Bill’s father William gave me most of the laughs; he was a scheming old goat. Although somewhere around the last part of the book he started to get on my nerves – he was just too much. And I didn’t like Bill at first but he did become more likeable towards the end. He was the character that matured the most through the story.
Anyway… all I can say is that I did enjoy this story very much (I read it in one day) and I would recommend reading it to anyone who enjoys a good love story.
But let’s start at the beginning when we meet young Christina, an insecure high school girl who has just been humiliated by a popular high school rich boy Bill. Fast forward 16 years after Christina is all grown up with not so great carrier as photojournalist and while on assignment she stumbles upon Bill. And that’s where all ruckus begins… Christina is determent to get her overdue revenge and Bill… well let’s just say he has many problems at the time and the latest is his father’s (William Havenwood Sr ) threat to throw his lazy drank ass out on the street. But things aren’t always what they look like from the outside.
I really enjoyed this story, although it has some weak parts and I didn’t always like Bill, but it has brought memories of those great love stories I used to read but can’t seem to find them on our bookshelves anymore. Bill and Christina are real people with faults and mistakes; I could relate to them. Bill’s father William gave me most of the laughs; he was a scheming old goat. Although somewhere around the last part of the book he started to get on my nerves – he was just too much. And I didn’t like Bill at first but he did become more likeable towards the end. He was the character that matured the most through the story.
Anyway… all I can say is that I did enjoy this story very much (I read it in one day) and I would recommend reading it to anyone who enjoys a good love story.
July 17, 2011
Reading this book was my second try at one of those 99-cent books that often shows up in the kindle bestseller list with good ratings. I borrowed it on booklending.com, though.
The main character in this book was the butt of a practical joke in her teens, and, as a result, she forms a lifelong hate for the guy responsible. When she encounters the prankster around sixteen years later in life, she decides to enact a plan of revenge. She starts stalking him to find out what she can use to sink him. Eventually she ends up in a fake relationship with him where feelings start to form.
If you are thinking that this plot is just plain silly, then I am right with you. That is not to mention that many of the events in the story are unbelievable. It is hard to believe that a person can be so caught up in something that happened as a child to the point that they are so obsessed with it in later life, and they are still considered to be sane. I also am not convinced that a person so obsessed with revenge and hate for another would start to have feelings for that other person.
As far as the writing goes, the book was predictable, the characters shallow, and the main character unlikable. This book could also have been about 300 pages shorter. The author is too detailed about every little interaction. It really drags. However, in the last few chapters, everything is very rushed to tie up all the loose ends and close the book.
The narrator in this story also jumps from character to character, and the reader ends up knowing too much, in my opinion. I think that this book might have been better if I had not known what everyone in the book was thinking at all times.
I recommend passing on this one, or borrowing it if you just must read it. After reading this second, disappointing, 99-cent, best seller book, I think that I am going to stay away from the 99-cent, kindle, top sellers unless they were written by established authors.
The main character in this book was the butt of a practical joke in her teens, and, as a result, she forms a lifelong hate for the guy responsible. When she encounters the prankster around sixteen years later in life, she decides to enact a plan of revenge. She starts stalking him to find out what she can use to sink him. Eventually she ends up in a fake relationship with him where feelings start to form.
If you are thinking that this plot is just plain silly, then I am right with you. That is not to mention that many of the events in the story are unbelievable. It is hard to believe that a person can be so caught up in something that happened as a child to the point that they are so obsessed with it in later life, and they are still considered to be sane. I also am not convinced that a person so obsessed with revenge and hate for another would start to have feelings for that other person.
As far as the writing goes, the book was predictable, the characters shallow, and the main character unlikable. This book could also have been about 300 pages shorter. The author is too detailed about every little interaction. It really drags. However, in the last few chapters, everything is very rushed to tie up all the loose ends and close the book.
The narrator in this story also jumps from character to character, and the reader ends up knowing too much, in my opinion. I think that this book might have been better if I had not known what everyone in the book was thinking at all times.
I recommend passing on this one, or borrowing it if you just must read it. After reading this second, disappointing, 99-cent, best seller book, I think that I am going to stay away from the 99-cent, kindle, top sellers unless they were written by established authors.
July 26, 2011
On a scale from 1 to 5, this book was a 10. This book is filled with scams that will have you laughing and shaking your head. You have Bill, who is being cut off from his father, blackmailing Christina into being his 'fiancee' for a month til he can figure how to get back in good graces with his old man. Christina goes along with it, it gives her the perfect chance to get back at Bill for a horrible prank he played on her back in high school (and keep in mind, he doesn't even recognizes her and has no clue who she really is). Ya, I can already see yall are already interested :) Meanwhile, you have William, Bills father, who knows their lying and everything but doesn't let them know that, what fun would that be? So, as you can see this is one big mess and it only gets better.
April 20, 2013
The book is one of the most hilarious and twist and turns book i have ever read. hats off to the author for writing such an awesome novel . The characters seem real and it seems like you are a part of the book
THE BEST SCENE WAS THE FOOD FIGHT SCENE :D :D
THE BEST SCENE WAS THE FOOD FIGHT SCENE :D :D
May 9, 2023
This book was hard to read and rate. I liked it (just barely) but I hated it more. The premise was interesting enough but at the same time the whole aspect of revenge turns me off. It always blows up in someones face. Surprisingly enough I gave it a chance.
Now, let's talk about the bad...
Christina
Just reading about her pisses me off.
What Bill did to her was sad but not enough for her to do what she did. Her actions were completely unjustified. This was for something that happened like a decade ago. I disliked Christina from the beginning but as her plots and schemes grew, my dislike fostered into hate. Even in the end, she never redeemed herself in my eyes. Nothing she did could make me like her. Why would you try to ruin someones life because of something they did to you when you were both children? Grow the hell up. Throughout the story she kept on reminding herself that she was a grown woman but intellectually she was not. Only children acts and thinks the way she does.
I hate Christina. She is a lowlife, sleazy, conniving, immature, selfish, heartless, inconsiderate, insensitive person. I see that many people view her as being strong, feisty and shit like that. To me, she's not. She's just a bitter woman who deserves no sympathy and she certainly doesn't deserve Bill.
What he did to her years ago was awful but grow the hell up. They were both kids. He grew up. He turned into a strong, kind, caring man. And Christina? She grew up into a bitter, unloveable witch. She though she knew everything about everything but she knew nothing at all. She's just full of shit. I hate her. I don't care that she loved Bill. If you really love someone you don't set your heart out on destroying them. And even when she realized she loved him she didn't stop. She cost this book three stars. She's one of the worst heroine's I've ever had the misfortune of reading about.
Now unto the good...
Bill
I hate what Bill did to Christina. It was an awful thing to do but he really redeemed himself. This was something he did when he was a child. He wasn't the monster Christina made him out to be.
Bill did some cunning things too as the story progressed but nothing big enough to warrant any of the resentment and misfortune that witch Christina brought down on him. He didn't deserve it. I just kept on wishing for some other woman to come out of nowhere and sweep him off his feet. I wanted him to be happy. And Christina... she could just suffer and wallow in self misery for the rest of her lonely, pathetic, bitter, miserable life.
Other than the bitter woman, the story was alright. It had some funny moments, and Bill and William's back and forth rants were amusing to read. Overall, I give this book two stars.
Now, let's talk about the bad...
Christina
Just reading about her pisses me off.
What Bill did to her was sad but not enough for her to do what she did. Her actions were completely unjustified. This was for something that happened like a decade ago. I disliked Christina from the beginning but as her plots and schemes grew, my dislike fostered into hate. Even in the end, she never redeemed herself in my eyes. Nothing she did could make me like her. Why would you try to ruin someones life because of something they did to you when you were both children? Grow the hell up. Throughout the story she kept on reminding herself that she was a grown woman but intellectually she was not. Only children acts and thinks the way she does.
I hate Christina. She is a lowlife, sleazy, conniving, immature, selfish, heartless, inconsiderate, insensitive person. I see that many people view her as being strong, feisty and shit like that. To me, she's not. She's just a bitter woman who deserves no sympathy and she certainly doesn't deserve Bill.
What he did to her years ago was awful but grow the hell up. They were both kids. He grew up. He turned into a strong, kind, caring man. And Christina? She grew up into a bitter, unloveable witch. She though she knew everything about everything but she knew nothing at all. She's just full of shit. I hate her. I don't care that she loved Bill. If you really love someone you don't set your heart out on destroying them. And even when she realized she loved him she didn't stop. She cost this book three stars. She's one of the worst heroine's I've ever had the misfortune of reading about.
Now unto the good...
Bill
I hate what Bill did to Christina. It was an awful thing to do but he really redeemed himself. This was something he did when he was a child. He wasn't the monster Christina made him out to be.
Bill did some cunning things too as the story progressed but nothing big enough to warrant any of the resentment and misfortune that witch Christina brought down on him. He didn't deserve it. I just kept on wishing for some other woman to come out of nowhere and sweep him off his feet. I wanted him to be happy. And Christina... she could just suffer and wallow in self misery for the rest of her lonely, pathetic, bitter, miserable life.
Other than the bitter woman, the story was alright. It had some funny moments, and Bill and William's back and forth rants were amusing to read. Overall, I give this book two stars.
October 16, 2012
Totally loved this book from page 1.
Revenge. Is it sweet or is it a dish best served cold? I loved the smart witty comments and humor in this book. I had a smile most of the time I was reading this book.
I totally understand the motive behind Christina and I wondered if I would do the same. She had a opportunity to humiliate Bill who humiliated her in high school. But by second chapter you began to sympathize with Bill. William is a overbearing father where as Bill is a ex-drunk who lives to spend his father's money.
This books has sex, lies, secrets and love. What else do you need? I loved all the characters but by the end of the story you remember the quote "Those who plot the destruction of others often fall themselves". Christina falls in love with Bill and forgives him for her humiliation but is afraid to reveal the truth. Bill realized that he loves Christiana and wants to marry her. But when the truth is revealed, you realize that love just doesn't conquer all. But with the happy ending you were looking forward to, this book was a total romance lovers haven.
Revenge. Is it sweet or is it a dish best served cold? I loved the smart witty comments and humor in this book. I had a smile most of the time I was reading this book.
I totally understand the motive behind Christina and I wondered if I would do the same. She had a opportunity to humiliate Bill who humiliated her in high school. But by second chapter you began to sympathize with Bill. William is a overbearing father where as Bill is a ex-drunk who lives to spend his father's money.
This books has sex, lies, secrets and love. What else do you need? I loved all the characters but by the end of the story you remember the quote "Those who plot the destruction of others often fall themselves". Christina falls in love with Bill and forgives him for her humiliation but is afraid to reveal the truth. Bill realized that he loves Christiana and wants to marry her. But when the truth is revealed, you realize that love just doesn't conquer all. But with the happy ending you were looking forward to, this book was a total romance lovers haven.
August 14, 2011
I liked the idea of the plot but the writing was HORRIBLE!!!!! i don't understand how a writer with so little a talent got published? who the hell did she bribe or buy to get a book published??
I give it a .5/5
DON'T read it it's NOT worth the headache!!!
I give it a .5/5
DON'T read it it's NOT worth the headache!!!
July 11, 2011
Great storyline (would make a great movie), but the bad writing is incredibly distracting.
July 25, 2011
The best 86p that I have ever spent. Such a great book well worth the read.
March 23, 2019
I read somewhere that this story was originally a screenplay that was turned into a book, and I can tell. There are so many deviations from one persons POV to another that it can give you a bit of whiplash. Especially listening to it, I was often thinking, who is this now?
It wasn’t just the two main characters either. There was the maid, Bill’s father, his mother, Christina’s bestie, Jenny, and I think Bill’s bestie Jack had a moment. And there was no headed up when a new POV would appear.
That being said, there were several really funny moments, and I’m a fan of the narrator, so those things kept me on track. I did jump ahead after skimming a few chapters just after Bill and Christina got together. But all-in-all it was kinda enjoyable.
It wasn’t just the two main characters either. There was the maid, Bill’s father, his mother, Christina’s bestie, Jenny, and I think Bill’s bestie Jack had a moment. And there was no headed up when a new POV would appear.
That being said, there were several really funny moments, and I’m a fan of the narrator, so those things kept me on track. I did jump ahead after skimming a few chapters just after Bill and Christina got together. But all-in-all it was kinda enjoyable.
March 6, 2014
Her perfect revenge: I did not enjoy this book at all. I’m not sure why it was called a laugh out loud Romance? The first 10% is absolute misandry. What a pathetic character this author is creating, I know, I know, Mara is creating a terrible story so that she can work magic at the end, but even with the sad events that happened to the main character, I have no sympathy for her, (for instance, she slams her beater into the back of a Ferrari and smashes it, then stands there laughing about it, and is upset when the owner of the Ferrari says it may cost $40k to fix. She has been tailing this man, she hates him, and knows he is rich, why would she not think it would cost big bucks to fix it? And she is driving without insurance?)
On one page, she tells her fake fiancé he can go out with whomever he pleases, then on the next page, she is upset because he came home late, she assumes he is on a date (he is at AA meeting) so she is mad at him for not coming home. I was blaming the characters for being so unstable, but finally realize it is Mara’s fault. I think she will be a good writer with practice, and if she gets therapy for her characters.
On one page, she tells her fake fiancé he can go out with whomever he pleases, then on the next page, she is upset because he came home late, she assumes he is on a date (he is at AA meeting) so she is mad at him for not coming home. I was blaming the characters for being so unstable, but finally realize it is Mara’s fault. I think she will be a good writer with practice, and if she gets therapy for her characters.
January 8, 2018
It is a miracle that I managed to finish this book. It was sheer stubbornness that forced me to read every page.
This was one of the worst books I’ve ever read, and I despised the main characters. Honestly, I think I hated Christina more than Bill. One of most poorly written books I’ve ever read.
Spare yourself.
This was one of the worst books I’ve ever read, and I despised the main characters. Honestly, I think I hated Christina more than Bill. One of most poorly written books I’ve ever read.
Spare yourself.
January 6, 2018
Loved it!
This book was great! It was romantic and funny and witty. The story was great and I loved the character development. I definitely recommend it!
This book was great! It was romantic and funny and witty. The story was great and I loved the character development. I definitely recommend it!
February 12, 2019
Loved loved loved! I laughed, I cried! I could not put this book down!!
Shelved as 'reluctant-dnf'
February 19, 2022Another book I've had on my my Kindle since 2011 which I really have no interest in reading. This one I actually tried to read in July 2020 (on its ~ 9 year anniversary) and made very little headway.
I've probably this 3 times already this. Any romance book that takes me 15 days to get into is probably not going to work ... especially when I have other ones I am more interested in...
I think it's probably time just to admit this is a DNF.
I've probably this 3 times already this. Any romance book that takes me 15 days to get into is probably not going to work ... especially when I have other ones I am more interested in...
I think it's probably time just to admit this is a DNF.
January 20, 2019
DNF - I thought if I put this story down for a while I would come back to it and I'd finish it... I just couldn't get into this story.
December 6, 2017
sappy but good
January 8, 2018
Revenge , lol
This book was fun to read. I had no doubts about the happy ending but it was still able to keep my attention and make me laugh.
This book was fun to read. I had no doubts about the happy ending but it was still able to keep my attention and make me laugh.
January 11, 2017
A Sweet Read
This story was not as funny as I expected, but it was good. The characters had multiple problems with each other, but of course worked them out. The supporting characters were funny and the writing was good. I would recommend this book.
This story was not as funny as I expected, but it was good. The characters had multiple problems with each other, but of course worked them out. The supporting characters were funny and the writing was good. I would recommend this book.
January 19, 2018
Twist and turns
Author has great style of writing romantic comedy. Please write many more. I will be sure to share and read them
Author has great style of writing romantic comedy. Please write many more. I will be sure to share and read them
August 17, 2013
This books is, I think, either one you will love or one you will hate (rather like oysters!) I don't think there is any middle ground with it. Personally I loved it! I laughed out loud so many times that my hubby was giving me strange looks and I had to read him the sections that had caused said reaction and even he then laughed!
OK so the grammar and spelling could have been better (this is usually a huge turn off for me) BUT the story had me so gripped that, for once, I could forgive the author/proof-reader/editor/publisher just this once because I was so engrossed that I stopped noticing the errors quite quickly and it's a nice long book which I also like.
I really think that this is a book that you have to ignore reviews on and decide for yourself and as it's currently free to download on Amazon you will have lost nothing, apart from reading time, if it's not for you!
OK so the story - it's complicated!
Take one geeky looking 14yr old girl in the first couple of weeks of High School, a boy who think far too much of himself, breaks all the rules and spend more time drunk than sober, and add to that the most horrendous prank that anyone could pull and you end up with a young girl who grows up hell-bent for revenge on the jerk, especially as, when her parents find out what has happened they pull her out of the school and send her off to an all-girls boarding school!
So move to present day. Said geeky girl has grown up into a real stunner who is still craving revenge and whilst out on an photo-journalist assignment spots the target for said revenge.
The story then twists and turns more than the scariest roller coaster. In short, it features:
An ecological pressure group who are causing big problems for a major conglomerate owned by said jerk's father.
Jerk's father who is a manipulative, conniving, old git who believes that only he is right and will try and twist anything and everything to serve his purpose no matter who gets hurt along the way and who's biggest desire in life is to have some grandchildren.
A scorned ex-girl friend determined not to be the Ex any longer.
More private investigators than I want to count.
A Ferrari with a huge amount of damage.
A $250,000 diamond engagement ring from Tiffany's that somehow gets lost.
A lot more Tiffany diamond jewellery that doesn't.
The heroine and her plot for revenge that back fires on her big time.
The jerk who isn't all he seems.
Oh yes and rather a lot of sex!
I'll let you make your own mind up but I will definitely be reading it again very soon!
OK so the grammar and spelling could have been better (this is usually a huge turn off for me) BUT the story had me so gripped that, for once, I could forgive the author/proof-reader/editor/publisher just this once because I was so engrossed that I stopped noticing the errors quite quickly and it's a nice long book which I also like.
I really think that this is a book that you have to ignore reviews on and decide for yourself and as it's currently free to download on Amazon you will have lost nothing, apart from reading time, if it's not for you!
OK so the story - it's complicated!
Take one geeky looking 14yr old girl in the first couple of weeks of High School, a boy who think far too much of himself, breaks all the rules and spend more time drunk than sober, and add to that the most horrendous prank that anyone could pull and you end up with a young girl who grows up hell-bent for revenge on the jerk, especially as, when her parents find out what has happened they pull her out of the school and send her off to an all-girls boarding school!
So move to present day. Said geeky girl has grown up into a real stunner who is still craving revenge and whilst out on an photo-journalist assignment spots the target for said revenge.
The story then twists and turns more than the scariest roller coaster. In short, it features:
An ecological pressure group who are causing big problems for a major conglomerate owned by said jerk's father.
Jerk's father who is a manipulative, conniving, old git who believes that only he is right and will try and twist anything and everything to serve his purpose no matter who gets hurt along the way and who's biggest desire in life is to have some grandchildren.
A scorned ex-girl friend determined not to be the Ex any longer.
More private investigators than I want to count.
A Ferrari with a huge amount of damage.
A $250,000 diamond engagement ring from Tiffany's that somehow gets lost.
A lot more Tiffany diamond jewellery that doesn't.
The heroine and her plot for revenge that back fires on her big time.
The jerk who isn't all he seems.
Oh yes and rather a lot of sex!
I'll let you make your own mind up but I will definitely be reading it again very soon!
April 12, 2014
Misleading Description
This is not a laugh out loud romantic comedy. You actually need a laugh to get that moniker and let me tell you: I didn't laugh once.
The first thing that drove me crazy is that it just doesn't make sense. Oh sure I can buy a revenge story for the reasons outlined even I personally think it's kind of lame I do get it, but that's where it stops. Everything that follows is complete crap. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who does decide to read it, but let's just say I don't believe that people are as dumb and one dimensional or as bipolar as this would have you believe and they'd have to be all of those things for any if this to make sense.
There are also a lot of editing issues and they mostly have to do with the backstory. A few better word choices could have fixed those things. Ok there were a lot of grammar issues as well, but I really don't care about those if you can make the actual story pop.
The story spans about 18 months...And that's how long it felt like I was reading this. It's about a third too long and the pacing is horrible. I skipped about twenty or sopages and didn't miss a thing! There is too much useless detail and not enough plot and character development. This reads more like you're telling me a story not spinning a tale. The difference is that anyone can tell a story, but it takes an artist to make it live outside the pages.
There are a lot of missed opportunities for some seriously funny moments- like where Bill's father is concerned and yet he's missing for half of the book which makes no sense since he should be putting the screws to Christina and Bill the whole time evolving as the situation calls for it. It's just a flat story.
The characters are trite and I guess they're likable enough, but I don't care about any if them. That's a horrible shame, especially in a romance novel. You have to connect to them and hope for the HEA. I really didn't care if they ended up figuring it out the end.
The dialogue... oh don't get me started on the dialogue. I don't know who this chick talks to, but I don't know anyone who talks our thinks quite like this. The words come across as play acting or what someone thinks a romance novel should sound like, but not quite how people actually speak. It's not all bad, but there's just this general syrup over all of it that gave it a bad taste.
My biggest complaint is that there could be so much done with this story and I didn't get any if it. It's boring, predictable, way too long and a bit silly.
Kudos for the effort, but a fail in execution.
This is not a laugh out loud romantic comedy. You actually need a laugh to get that moniker and let me tell you: I didn't laugh once.
The first thing that drove me crazy is that it just doesn't make sense. Oh sure I can buy a revenge story for the reasons outlined even I personally think it's kind of lame I do get it, but that's where it stops. Everything that follows is complete crap. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who does decide to read it, but let's just say I don't believe that people are as dumb and one dimensional or as bipolar as this would have you believe and they'd have to be all of those things for any if this to make sense.
There are also a lot of editing issues and they mostly have to do with the backstory. A few better word choices could have fixed those things. Ok there were a lot of grammar issues as well, but I really don't care about those if you can make the actual story pop.
The story spans about 18 months...And that's how long it felt like I was reading this. It's about a third too long and the pacing is horrible. I skipped about twenty or sopages and didn't miss a thing! There is too much useless detail and not enough plot and character development. This reads more like you're telling me a story not spinning a tale. The difference is that anyone can tell a story, but it takes an artist to make it live outside the pages.
There are a lot of missed opportunities for some seriously funny moments- like where Bill's father is concerned and yet he's missing for half of the book which makes no sense since he should be putting the screws to Christina and Bill the whole time evolving as the situation calls for it. It's just a flat story.
The characters are trite and I guess they're likable enough, but I don't care about any if them. That's a horrible shame, especially in a romance novel. You have to connect to them and hope for the HEA. I really didn't care if they ended up figuring it out the end.
The dialogue... oh don't get me started on the dialogue. I don't know who this chick talks to, but I don't know anyone who talks our thinks quite like this. The words come across as play acting or what someone thinks a romance novel should sound like, but not quite how people actually speak. It's not all bad, but there's just this general syrup over all of it that gave it a bad taste.
My biggest complaint is that there could be so much done with this story and I didn't get any if it. It's boring, predictable, way too long and a bit silly.
Kudos for the effort, but a fail in execution.
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