The Sweetest Revenge
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Lizzy Dent

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Her past is a mess. But her present is about to get delicious.

Amy is more than one disastrous night of drunken revenge on her boss/ex-boyfriend’s Audi—the night that tanked her rising TV producer career and led to a hasty move to London for a fresh start. She is thirty years of awesomeness. At least, that’s what Amy tells herself every morning before trekking to her mediocre job making trailers at a failing British TV channel.

Two years later, she’s finally starting to believe it. Sparks are flying between her and Jake, her handsome new downstairs neighbor, and there’s a competition at work that just might get her career back on track while bringing her and Jake even closer. But then, in a twisted turn of fate, her past and present are about to epically, hilariously collide.

My Thoughts: A am little behind on reviews due to have surgery in May and finishing my Master’s Degree in June, so I did the audiobook on this one. Brittany Pressley is the narrator for the audiobook and she is one of the best and I just LOVE listening to her voice. Amy Duffy, a developmental executive for TV is supposed to he on the way to her cousin’s wedding when her then boyfriend drops a bombshell, many shots later, a missed wedding, Amy does the most embarrassing thing, which is captured on video that goes viral. She escapes to London to reinvent herself working for a small time studio. After a merger is announced, her boyfriend that she fled from is now a ‘consultant.’ Her neighbor is also fleeing from his life. A meet cute brings these together in unspectacular fashion as she works hard to regain her composure. This follows a friends to lovers and next door neighbor trope.

The story is narrated by both Amy and Jake, it their perspectives. Amy has been in London for two years and now has the opportunity for promotion into a role similar to the one in NY before her life exploded. Her neighbor, Jake, also running from an embarrassing event, is a writer that has given up. This new project involves a writing project, so the two (Amy & Jake) team up together, spend an absorbent amount of time together… When Amy’s former boyfriend, Chris, is the one that decides her fate on the promotion, will that explode? Or end blissfully? The characters were developed well with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and intriguing. The characters were likable and relatable. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, swoony, and kept me engaged. The flow worked well and the pace was a little slow in the beginning and the ending felt a bit rushed.

Content warning of f-bombs and the c** word for those that would take offense. This is a closed door romance, otherwise. The synopsis gives a little too much away, so I took out one part of it. If you can go in blindly, it really is the way for this book. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and I have loved other works by Dent. I would recommend this quick read/listen to other readers.

Lizzy Dent is a new-to-me author and one I will be reading more from.

Banter & Bark
Heart & Hilarity
Sweet & Swoony
Revenge & Regret

Dive in for the hilarity but settle in for the heart. A solid story of growth, family, friendship, and love.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing the eARC!

Following a viral incident fueled by a night of drinking, Amy makes a decision to relocate to London, seeking refuge from the humiliation. She intends to continue her career in television, albeit in a more junior capacity. Regrettably, her plans take an unexpected turn when her company undergoes a merger, bringing in her former boss (and ex-boyfriend) Chris as her new temporary supervisor. Concurrently, Amy finds herself with a new neighbor named Jake. He, too, is evading his own embarrassing past, having participated in "Fantasy Island," a reality TV show.

In my view, this book is an incredibly charming, swift, and uncomplicated read. It led me to contemplate the idea of escaping from New York to London at least once!

This was such a well written thought out book. I really enjoyed everything about it. Amy Duffy had it all. The career and the boyfriend, which happened to be her boss. Some things didn’t work out for her and she took her revenge. She ran away to London only to run into and find out her ex boyfriend is her boss again. This book had it all. Revenge, new love, and everything in between!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, GP Putnam's Sons, for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Lizzy Dent. 4.5 stars!

Amy knew she shouldn't be dating Chris, her boss and the one who had the power to green light her TV series project. When they were heading to her cousin's wedding where she was to be a bridesmaid and Chris was to meet her family, he dropped a bomb on her. She missed her train and ended up spending her time in a bar getting drunk. In that state, she pulled a stunt that was caught on video and went viral. Shamed, she fled to London where her best friend Maggie lived. She got a job making trailers that she wasn't happy in, and was to ashamed to go to NY to see her family. Then she meets Jake, her new neighbor, and sparks seem to fly. There's a competition at work and a new job on the line and it turns out that her and Jake could collaborate. But then Chris is hired as her new boss.

This was just a fun story. Amy is kind of a train wreck with the best of intentions and a good heart. She just can't seem to catch a break. I really liked the characters of both Amy and Jake, and appreciated them taking their relationship slowly. This would be the perfect rom com - no steamy sex scenes but there is some language that feels out of place. It's about second chances, owning your mistakes, moving on. I enjoyed Dent's The Summer Job and this one was a fast, fun read as well.

In Lizzy Dent’s third novel, we meet hardworking NYC-based television executive Amy Duffy. Unfortunately, we meet her on one of the craziest days of her life. Her boss/boyfriend (never a good combo!) gives her some really bad news just before they’re supposed to attend her cousin’s wedding and she ends up self-soothing with alcohol and going viral while attempting to get revenge on him. Fast-forward two years to London, where Amy fled to after “the incident”. Amy hasn’t forgiven herself for making a fool of herself, and is now working at a job she’s seriously overqualified for and basically hiding out. A new neighbor, Jake, moves into the flat above her, and it turns out he’s also hiding from a huge embarrassment. They find out they each have skills that can help one another - but will this be enough for them to move on from their past mistakes, and show those who wronged them just how sweet success can be?

This is the second novel I’ve read by Lizzy Dent, and I’ve liked them both. She clearly has a lot of television experience and really used that to set the scene of Amy’s workplace, and later on, the work that she and Jake do, I had a hard time remembering that Amy was American and not British - I thought the language and phrases she used sounded just like that of her coworkers. I also felt that the ending in relation to Amy’s job and future plans wrapped up kind of quickly and would’ve liked some more explanation there, I liked the character development and overall plot, and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun read :)

Let me start by saying this is going down as one of my favourite 2023 reads. Lizzy has created not only fully fleshed out characters, but characters you want to be friends with, you want to hug, laugh and cry with - I truly wanted to be up there on the rooftop with Amy and Jake exploring Dry Bones! (Lizzy I would love to read this one day, and Trader Town!)
The storyline is heartwarming and funny, with some unexpected moments along the way. The fast paced nature and limited time nature of the plot had me turning pages so quickly racing to find out what happens at the end.
Whilst I personally haven’t worked in production or television, there’s a period in my past where I was often in the Carnaby area of SoHo, normally waiting outside Turner Broadcasting (where Lizzy previously worked!) waiting for the partner at the time (who also worked there), so I felt instantly at home in the world where fictional TV Studio CTV is based. Lizzy did a fantastic job of bringing the community, people, locations and lifestyle to life - bringing us all into a world of high stakes, high pressure, but exciting opportunities!
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I loved the growth that Amy went on through the book, from a very tough start where her world fell apart & she did the only think she could and ran, through her building a new life for herself in London, her past catching up on her and finally her finding the confidence & self belief to stand up for what’s right and what she deserves. The revenge was definitely sweet, but the happy ever after ending was even sweeter. I enjoyed the romance being almost a forced slow burn, close proximity dilemma - I think Jake could make even the most determined person swoon and buckle at the knees - Amy did good!

My favourite part has to be the paddling pool for downright laugh out loud moments, closely followed by the boat scene with Amy and Jake for all the butterflies and warm fuzzies.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a feel good summer read where you know where the story is going, but you’re there for the laughs and emotions along the way.

Thank you so much for an ARC of this in return for an honest review. It truly was a marvellous read and I will be recommending to as many people as I can.

I was intrigued by the premise of this one. I love a good revenge story, especially when terrible people get what they deserve. However, it just fell a little flat for me.

My major issue is I never really bought that the incident that caused her to move to London and give up her family and her life would cause that much drama. Yes, it was embarrassing, but not enough to leave everything behind.

My other issue was that as much as I like Amy and Jake, I never thought of them as a couple. They were great friends, helping each other through tough times. Their chemistry never went past friendship for me. I think a lot of it had to do with Amy. She still has a lot of growing up to do.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were entertaining and the romance was fun. I just felt like it could've done a bit more, a couple things seemed not fleshed out to me. I also thought that Amy sounded from the UK and not the US. I know she's lived there for two years, but the way she talked and texted did not sound like an American, which pulled me out of the story a bit. I also thought that she overreacted from the beginning of the drama, which I get was kind of the point, but it seemed really immature to me, but maybe that's just me. All in all, a decent read. Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC!

"The Sweetest Revenge" by Lizzy Dent is a hilarious and heartfelt journey that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, laughter, and the unexpected twists of life. This novel is a perfect blend of humor, self-discovery, and the complexities of finding one's path.

Dent's writing style is witty and engaging, immersing readers in a world of witty banter, relatable characters, and endearing moments. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward navigating the challenges of life and love is both entertaining and heartwarming.

At the heart of the narrative is a lighthearted exploration of personal growth, second chances, and the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone. The author skillfully weaves together elements of humor and emotional depth, creating a narrative that resonates with readers on multiple levels.

"The Sweetest Revenge" successfully balances humor with moments of genuine emotion, resulting in a narrative that is both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving. The themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the transformative power of unexpected connections add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "The Sweetest Revenge" is a delightful and entertaining read that offers a perfect mix of laughter and romance. If you're looking for a book that delivers both comedic moments and heartfelt insights, this novel is a wonderful choice that will leave you thoroughly entertained and touched by its message.

So. Much. Fun. They had me at bridesmaids meets Emily in Paris, and this book did not disappoint. This was so enjoyable to read!

This book was really good fun to read, fluffy but not too fluffy and it really had you cheering for the main characters! I would definitely recommend this, a chilling weekend on the sofa or a sun lounger, make sure you have this book with you!

This book was so fun to read!

Amy's late for her cousin's wedding when her boss/secret boyfriend decides to tell her that all of her hard work for the past four years at their company? Yeah. He didn't support it and now her pitch is dead. She takes drunken revenge in the most public of ways and when she goes viral for it, she runs.

Now in London, Amy is working at a British TV channel and not living up to her potential but that's okay. At least no one knows her, or her viral video, there. But when Jake Jones moves in next door, she finds a guy who gets her creatively, and understands her public breakdown. Just when things seem to be looking up a change in London leadership threatens Amy all over again.

This book was a slow burn with lots of great moments, a fun look at how television is made, and great side characters. And Amy's revenge had me cheering.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amy Duffy was living in NYC and living her best life in her dream job as a TV producer/writer. When her boyfriend Chris, who worked at the same network, screws her over on a new show then breaks up with her, she goes crazy and damages his car in dramatic fashion.
Unfortunately, someone filmed her and the video became a viral sensation. It seemed like EVERYONE saw the video, so Amy finds a job at a small network In London to get away from NYC.
Everything is going well until a new manager is hired, and Amy is shocked to find that it’s Chris, the guy she left behind. She wants revenge for the things he did to her.
At the same time, Amy meets a handsome guy named Jake who was on a reality show (think Love Island) and was voted off. He’s a private as she is which works out well for them.
Amy wants to know why Chris is In London. Is he trying to hurt her career like he did before? Is he in trouble back in NYC? Can she finally get some revenge for his actions in NYC? She needs to resolve these questions so she can move forward with Jake.

This is a well written and amusing book that I recommend, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of the book, “The Sweetest Revenge” by Lizzy Dent. This is my first experience with Ms. Dent’s writing and I am so glad to have had a chance to read her! This book speaks to any of us who have felt shame and let it lay over us like a wet blanket. The main character, Amy, is in television development and it was interesting to learn about this industry. She makes a poor decision one night that causes her to run to another country and haunts her for two solid years. The male lead is Jake, a writer and reality star failure (sort of). They both find that first impressions are often wrong and maybe they can learn something from each other on what it takes to throw off the shackles of shame and lead an authentic life…and maybe with each other. I really loved this story and look forward to reading more by this author!

I really enjoyed The Sweetest Revenge by Lizzy Dent! This is the second book I’ve read by her. Amy and Jake were such likable characters and the story moved forward with good pacing. I would recommend this book to friends in an instant!

I read this based off the Emily Henry recommendation on the front. This was a cute, quick read that had me giggling throughout. I am interested to see her other work..

Are you after the perfect summer read, that’s plenty full of laugh out loud moments? Then this Lizzy Dent book is PERFECT for you🥰

This book had me in absolute stitches within the first few pages! I mean, the revenge scene with the Audi? Complete comedy gold! Our protagonists are also so well written, and instantly likeable. I really liked Amy’s spirit, and the way she never gave up. I felt like her and Jake really clicked, but my god the slow burn killed me off! I haven’t rooted for a couple in a romance book for a while, until these two came along!🫶

This was my first book by Lizzy and it 100% won’t be my last. It was such a pleasure to meet her at @itsthebookparty this year 🥰

Amy Duffy thinks her life is going in the right direction - she has a great job in TV, she has a fabulous relationship with a TV exec, and she is so close to having her show produced.... until her boyfriend exec decides to can the project and dump her in one fell swoop.  In a fit of rage, Amy unleashes onto her boyfriend's car, and it is caught on camera.  Worse than that, it goes viral.  In utter embarrassment, Amy leaves NYC to join her bestie in London.  Two years later, Amy is still in London and avoiding her family. 

When Jake moves in to Amy's building, she recognizes him from the latest reality dating show drama.  Amy can empathize with Jake's desire to hide out and while the two become close, Amy discovers Jake has written a screenplay.  Intellectual (and physical) sparks fly and the two work together to submit a project to Amy's network.  There's just one problem... Chris, the TV exec who dumped her, is in charge of deciding which program gets made.  Will he mess with Amy's future again?

Jake is easy to love as much as Chris is easy to hate.  This was a fun rom-com with lots of banter.  Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really sweet rom-com. The beginning really intrigued me and hooked me from the get go. I love a good plot with a crappy ex that just needs to have a nice big plate of humble pie..

Amy finds herself in a completely different place in her life after an 'incident' occurs and her ex royally screwing her over. Only to end up falling for her neighbor Jake. I really loved Jake and Amy together. They had hilarious banter. I loved watching these characters grow and see how they figured themselves out.

If you love a sweet rom com, with funny banter, a bit of revenge, and fun characters to read about this book is for you!

Thank you netgally and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.