Fair warning: I got a little wordy 😅

This book drops March 4, 2025 and I HIGHLY recommend grabbing it as quickly as you can. I want to give Jessica Jude, the author, a tremendously large thank you for honoring me the privilege of my first ARC 💖

Plot: 5/5 ⭐️
Sexual Tension: 5/5 🌶️
Adorableness: 5/5 ☺️

If you’re a fan of Gossip Girl, The Breakfast Club, and Gilmore Girls, you’re in for a treat with this book. The plot effortlessly combines the drama, rich vibes, and quirky references that will transport you straight into a world full of tension, heart, and a dash of rebellion. The Gossip Girl and Breakfast Club influences are undeniable, yet the story stands on its own with characters who feel fresh and real.

One of the highlights for me was the multitude of Gilmore Girls references scattered throughout. It was like a little nod to fans, making the reading experience feel cozy and familiar—like curling up for a movie marathon with your favorite characters.

The romance here is the kind you can’t help but root for. Second chance romance is done wonderfully, and there’s this amazing scene on the beach where Heath shows a side of him that made my heart melt. Heath is a master of self-sabotage, a trait I deeply related to. The struggle of keeping your emotions at bay so you don’t get hurt is something we’ve all faced, and watching him navigate that was heartbreaking but relatable.

Then there’s the weekly poker night, where fresh drinks along with their weekly frustrations are exchanged like cards on the table. The dynamics between the group of friends are full of drama, and I loved seeing how their bonds are tested as the story unfolds.

However, I wasn't the biggest fan of the revenge plotted by the group against the FMC when you compare it to what they had planned for other people who had wronged them. The revenge planned for the FMC seemed a little more calculated, dramatic, and a tad extreme while everything else was petty and small-scale. It was hard to watch the intensity of that conflict play out and had me holding my breath on several occasions. 

That said, the FMC's revenge against her so-called friends, gave me Blair Waldorf scheming vibes (and Blair is my favorite Gossip Girl character, so it was pure perfection in my eyes). The way she took charge and orchestrated a plan to regain control of her life was just brilliant.

And the ending—oh, the ending 😮‍💨 It leaves you with just enough to make you hope for more, hinting at the potential for a second book. But it also leaves the door open for a standalone conclusion that feels a bit cruel, leaving readers hanging with questions. If this turns out to be the end, it’s a bittersweet but satisfying conclusion.