Pretty Revenge

<b>Revenge is best served...</b><br /><br />To what lengths would you go to seek revenge on someone you felt wronged you in the past? Change your life in order to destroy theirs? Is it worth it? When all is said and done will it give you the peace you seek, or destroy you in the end?<br /><br />Kerrie’s life has never been easy. Her parents died very young and the only family left was her grandmother. Kerrie grew up with a white-hot hatred for Jordan, known better in the upper-crust of New York as Jordana. She’s decided now is the time to exact revenge on her arch-enemy.<br /><br />A fun thriller that I toggled back and forth between the written and audio version. I highly recommend the audio, as it included one of my absolute favorite narrator, Erin Mallon. <br /><br />Of course, you’ll need to suspend some believability. If you can manage that you’re in for the perfect summer weekend read.<br /><br />Thank you to Simon and Schuster.<br />

3.5 stars<br /><br />I had a good time reading this one, but it's not the type of story you want to take too seriously. It has a bit of a soap opera like quality and it's best to just roll with it and not get caught up in whether or not a person really would go to extreme lengths just for revenge.<br /><br />The story opens with Kerrie O’Malley, currently unemployed and not that into her boyfriend, making the decision now is the time to finally get even with Jordana Pierson who wronged her so many years ago. So Kerrie does what any sane person would do and packs up and moves to New York City and begins working as Jordana's assistant. And of course Jordana doesn't recognize the person she hired at her wedding planning business is someone from her past because Kerrie is no longer a child, she dyed her hair and got a nose job. (Like I said, just go with it and trust me it's more believable than the current storyline on <i>Days of Our Lives</i> with Kristen just whipping on a mask and pretending to be Nicole and everyone buying it except poor Maggie who everyone thinks is drinking again). So will Kerrie finally get her revenge and utterly destroy everything Jordana has worked for and expose her lies to the rest of the world?<br /><br />The story certainly has some holes in it but it was fun, mindless entertainment which I especially like in the summertime as it's the type of book you are meant to relax with on a chaise lounge by the pool. <br />I like how the story alternated between the perspectives of Kerrie and Jordana. The only slight criticism I have is when I finally learned just why Kerrie is so ticked off at Jordana, I was left feeling underwhelmed. <br /><br />Overall a decent book to keep you entertained for awhile.<br /><br />I won an advance copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.<br />

Kerrie is out of work and not happy with her relationship. She will never forget the one thing that happened in her life that changed everything for her... It all traces back to Jordana. <br /><br />Unlike Kerrie, Jordana has it all. She’s happily married and wildly successful. She also has a closet full of secrets, of which Kerrie is aware. <br /><br />If you love a revenge story, this one is for you! It’s addictively readable, compelling, with twists and turns. I loved hearing from both Kerrie and Jordana because it amps up the tension and suspense. <br /><br />I’ve read and loved Emily Liebert’s other books, but her first thriller is a fun, a touch campy, and an entertaining success and perfect for those beach totes! <br /><br />I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. <br /><br />My review can also be found on instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://www.instagram.com/tarheelreader">www.instagram.com/tarheelreader</a>

Okay... So hear me out: <b>This book bridges the gap of women’s fiction and domestic thriller genres!</b><br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1548172709ra/26955605.gif" width="300" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Let me explain why! The plot isn't geared toward your typical thriller/suspense vibe - no one’s getting murdered and there’s no blood and guts. It plays out as a domestic drama with some twists. Predominantly, you're in it for the revenge game. And on a whole, that's entirely what this plotline is - a <b>huge vengeance cat and mouse game</b>. (There are totally subplots that include family backstories, marital drama, and hints of a love story.)<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1562606007ra/27792127.gif" width="300" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>But what really makes this book is the two main characters - because both Jordana and Olivia are <b>ON POINT!!</b> I just devoured Olivia's character. She's smart, cunning, but still human in all her deception. Liebert wrote her to perfection! She was relatable which was so surprising because my personality isn't driven by one-upping someone. But Olivia made you wanna try and out-smart your biggest nemesis! <br><br>I also appreciated that this wasn't a fluffy ending. There were two critical plot points that could have turned into real "eh" moments - one was a death and the other was the ending. I found both authentic and probable (probability is high on my "well that's a nope" for me scale).<br><br>So my suggestion to you fellow readers is: walk into this book knowing it's domestic drama/thriller. <b>It will be so much more satisfying!</b>

Pretty Revenge by Emily Liebert is being marketed as “a riveting, compulsively readable novel bursting with twists and turns and plenty of suspense.” I, however, have a hard time thinking of this as a thriller or having a ton of twists and turns. It seemed a pretty straightforward case of revenge leaving it more with a contemporary feel or slightly suspenseful drama.<br /><br />Kerrie O’Malley has spent the past eighteen years dwelling on the day she felt her life had been ripped away from her in the blink of an eye. Kerrie’s parents had both died when she was little leaving her with her grandmother raising her. One night Kerrie offered help to a teenage neighbor she looked up to and that became the biggest mistake of her life.<br /><br />Now almost two decades later that teen Kerrie had tried to help is now known as Jordana Pierson. Not only had Jordana married a rich man but she runs her own business and lives a life featured in magazines. After all this time Kerrie has changed her looks and her name and plans to work her way into Jordana’s life for the revenge she deserves.<br /><br />The book started off strong enough with nice writing that flowed well and was easy to comprehend bringing a reader into the story. The thing was though for me I just kept waiting for something shocking or something other than the plan unfolding to surprise me. When finished I also felt the end just kind of fizzled out leaving me with one of those meh, it’s alright feelings.<br /><br />I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.<br /><br />For more reviews please visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://carriesbookreviews.com/">https://carriesbookreviews.com/</a>

Follow Book Nation by Jen for all reviews and recommendations.<br /><br />Reading, Writing and Pretty Revenge with Author Emily Liebert: women’s fiction with a healthy dose of psychological suspense is sure to grab you!<br /><br />You will surely be hooked from the get go when you dive in to Emily Liebert’s upcoming emotional thriller, Pretty Revenge! Eighteen years ago, Kerrie’s life was turned upside down. Hurt by the betrayal and disappointment she once felt, and having never fully recovered, she is stuck in a bad relationship with no job and feeling disappointed. After coming across the person she blames for her sad life on tv, old memories rise to the surface and retaliation becomes her goal. She takes a job and reestablishes her life in the city with the sole purpose of revenge.<br /><br />Jordana is a sophisticated New Yorker who seems to have it all. She is a sought after wedding expert with a handsome, wealthy, successful husband and a beautiful apartment in the best part of town. With dark secrets, she is running from her past while keeping herself busy with wedding plans for her wealthy clients. When the job demands become overwhelming, she hires a much needed assistant who is agreeable to everything she is asked to do and seems to be extremely competent. Focused on the details of expensive weddings and client management, the two women seem to develop a solid working relationship; but are they truly who they say they are, and how well do they really know each other?<br /><br />With women and secrets, lies and deceit, friendships and forgiveness, Pretty Revenge delivers a suspenseful dose of crazy you won’t want to miss! From her bestselling women’s novels focused on complex female relationships to this psychologically thrilling suspense, where we see a slightly darker side of those relationships…Liebert’s new spin is a huge success! Easy to read with humorous, witty language, the novel’s impending dread constantly builds as it brings us to the truth, and appealing to my pollyanna side, we are lead to believe everything will tie up in a bow after the last page – perfect for a weekend away! A most enjoyable read – available July 2019 – preorder a copy so you can have your own Pretty Revenge this summer!<br /><br />Unknown.png<br /><br />Q and A with Emily Liebert<br /><br />You have been greatly successful with your women’s fiction novels, what made you decide to try psychological suspense this time?<br /><br />EL: Writing women’s fiction novels was fun and fulfilling, but—ultimately—I wanted something edgier to sink my teeth into. I started reading a lot of psychological suspense and became motivated to challenge myself to try something new and bigger. With that said, I think both PRETTY REVENGE and the novel I’m writing now still have a women’s fiction element to them. I’m not going too far to the dark side, at least not yet! I also moved publishing houses to Simon &amp; Schuster for these next two books, which I hope will be a major relaunch for me.<br /><br />Are your characters in Pretty Revenge based on anyone you know? Do you think people you know have recreated themselves and are hiding big secrets?<br /><br />EL: I rarely base my characters directly on people I know, but there are always circumstances and stories from my life or from my friends’ lives that meander their way in. I don’t believe I know anyone who’s hidden his/her past life and is pretending to be someone else. I do, however, believe that everyone has at least one secret, some bigger than others.<br /><br />The cheating husband of the woman who appears to have it all is not a new idea…why do you think we love to read about those types?<br /><br />EL: Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason, and I think people relate to them. They see their own lives reflected in the characters and plot. I always say, even if it’s not a revolutionary idea, there’s a fresh spin on it.<br /><br />I was a fan of Kerrie’s from the get go but I felt compassion toward Jordana as her real life was revealed. Who did you root for in Pretty Revenge, Jordana or Kerrie?<br /><br />EL: As the author of the book and the creator of the characters, I have to say I was rooting for both of them in different ways. You think Kerrie is the underdog at first and you understand why she wants revenge. But then, my hope, is that people will realize how broken and vulnerable Jordana is too.<br /><br />Your writing is very witty and fun to read. Do you add descriptive phrases and detail afterward or does it just come out on the page as we see it?<br /><br />EL: I love this question, and I get asked often about the humor in my writing. That is me! I’m funny (if I do say so myself). Also, I think you have to be able to laugh in life, even when it may not seem like the right moment. A big bucket list item for me would be to do standup comedy just once. I imagine it would be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m not sure I’d be able to go through with it, but stay tuned!<br /><br />When you are starting a new book, do you develop your characters first, assigning them a past, present and future, or do you write the storyline and their details develop along with the plot?<br /><br />EL: There’s always a nugget of an idea to begin with and maybe one character who I assign to that. Then, as I start fleshing out the idea, I’ll establish who the 2-3 main characters are and begin defining their personalities. After that, I’d say the storyline and the characters’ pasts/presents/futures unravel together.<br /><br />What 3 books have you read lately that you recommend and what is on your nightstand right now?<br /><br />EL: Three books I’ve loved recently are advanced copies of The Last Time I Saw You by Liv Constantine and The Night Before by Wendy Walker (both pub in May), and Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. On my nightstand are an advanced copy of Jane Green’s The Friends We Keep and Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty.

Revenge can be all consuming, and once Kerrie saw Jordana on the news, she decided to move to New York and take back what Jordana took from her all those years ago.<br /><br />Out of work and with some money from her grandmother, Kerrie, using her new name - Olivia, makes the move and lands an interview with Jordana who owns a wedding planner business that caters to the wealthy and important.<br /><br />Kerrie - the new Olivia - gets the job in a quick and easy interview. Was it too easy? Did Jordana really not know who Kerrie was? <br /><br />After Kerrie was successful at obtaining the job, the excitement wore off almost immediately, and she was worried she didn’t make the right decision.<br /><br />We follow both women as they play their roles and we wonder what had happened between them that made Olivia want to ruin Jordana.<br /><br />Learning about their pasts and their childhoods gave insight into what happened eighteen years ago and what made them who they were today.<br /><br />I actually liked both Jordana and Olivia even though they both were pretending to be someone they were not. <br /><br />I also liked the light story line and learning the ins and outs and stresses of a wedding-planning business for the rich and famous.<br /><br />It took a chapter or two to get me hooked, but PRETTY REVENGE was an enjoyable read despite what I had thought was a sinister-sounding title and cover. I didn't think it was going to be as tame as it was.<br /><br />This book actually was on the delightful side.<br /><br />If you are a fashionista, love New York, wonder how friendships go wrong, believe that you can be happy, and find characters you can love and hate at the same time, you won’t want to miss PRETTY REVENGE. 5/5<br /><br />This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy of Pretty Revenge by Emily Liebert from Goodreads for my honest opinion.<br /><br />A twisted thriller that shows just how far someone will go to get Revenge.<br /><br />Kerrie O’Malley had a terrible childhood and she blames everything bad that has ever happened to her in life to the person who is responsible. Kerrie is in a so so relationship, has no career and has a very boring life. <br /><br />One day, while watching TV, she is shocked when she sees the person she feels is to blame for her horrible life. That person is Jordana Pierson. She is a wedding planner who is rich, beautiful and living it up in New York City. <br /><br />Now Kerrie has a plan. She is going to reinvent herself and organize a plan to take Jordana down. <br /><br />I really enjoyed the different point of views. Seeing how each of them dealt with the pain they were deal in life. The strangest part if you grow to enjoy both characters. But the question it who will win and who will loose.

This one was tricky for me to rate, because it did hold my attention from the very beginning, and I flew through it, but it also felt sort of...icky? The whole premise is centered around Kerry wanting revenge on someone from her past, so she changed her name and identity to make that happen. She lies to everyone, even people who didn't know her in the past and are innocent in this whole thing, and doesn't care whose life she ruins in the process of seeking revenge, so that was tricky. I was rooting for her in the beginning, but ultimately it felt childish and immature, and like she should have moved on in a healthy way a long time ago. <br /><br />That all aside, the book read like a Lifetime movie, and I loved that. It was quick and easy to get through. It kept me engrossed the entire time, wanting to know what happened in the past that got us to this point, and then wanting to know how it would all end. The end did feel a little disappointing - like things ended too easily. I expected something more explosive, especially since this is not a book with twists and turns - it's straightforward, and what you see is what you get. Because of that, I expected more drama at the end.<br /><br />All in all, I rated this one 3.5 stars and rounded up to 4 because I WAS engaged in it the entire time. I'd like to thank Gallery Books for my copy of the novel. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.

I absolutely LOVE a story about revenge.... and I was in LOVE with this cover. <br /><br />This was such a wickedly juicy and fun book to read!! Pretty Revenge is juicy, delicious, and the perfect thriller to have on your side by the summer beachside! <br /><br />Kerrie has been wronged in her life and is determined to get her revenge on Jordan. Kerrie soon moves to NYC to find Jordan to ultimately give her the revenge she deserves. This is where the game plays out between this two women... jumping from dual POV. <br /><br />This was such a fast read for me and devoured in a little over 2 days. I definitely had fun with this one... my only issue was that I was a tad disappointed in how the ending played. I was hoping for a bit more devious revenge feeling.<br /><br />4 stars <br /><br />Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.<br /><br />Publication date: 7/2/19<br />Published to GR: 6/30/19