Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Payback
SERIES: Firsts and Forever Stories #10
AUTHOR: Alexa Land
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 209 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 16, 2023
BLURB:
What do you do when your ex-boyfriend breaks your heart? You get revenge, of course.
It wasn’t just that my ex cheated on me. He also humiliated me and treated me like dirt. But I know how to get back at him.
All I have to do is catch the eye of Malcolm Sterling—my ex’s dad, who happens to be a sexy, single silver fox. Since we’ve never met, he’ll have no idea who I am when I make my move. My goal? Arrive at a swanky, upcoming family wedding on Malcolm’s arm, and watch my ex totally fall apart.
But Malcolm may prove to be more than I bargained for–and he might just have a plan of his own.
REVIEW:
Payback is, yet again, a delightful romance set in the Firsts and Forever Stories world. It’s an age gap love story all about seeking revenge on an ex-boyfriend.
We met Daniel as Timothy’s bestie in Boyfriend by the Hour. He recently caught, Brad, his bastard of an ex boyfriend, in bed with another man and now seeks vengeance. How? He goes about seducing the ex’s father, Malcolm. You’ll know right away that Daniel’s plan is going to crash and burn. Everything that could go wrong does.
“I never in a million years thought a freaking Tom and Jerry cartoon would slip through and end up wreaking havoc.”
Daniel has lost confidence and has become insecure, but he displays a lot of courage when he meets Malcolm. You’re going to fall in love with Mal right from the get go. He’s a kind and generous man intrigued by the charming, much younger Daniel. You’ll be desperately hoping Daniel doesn’t break his heart.
“Malcolm was absolutely wonderful, one of the very best people I’d ever met in my life. I’d developed real feelings for him, and he’d trusted me and opened up to me. This was how I repaid him? Shame and guilt washed over me.”
Alexa’s humor shines through, particularly with how Daniel and Malcolm meet at a party and in the one-liners she’s always adept at slipping in. This time she had me especially laughing at lines in the gym with Hal and on the boat with Malcolm.
One lovely aspect of the book is Alexa’s world building. Most of the book is set on a remote, private island of the coast of British Columbia, which she brings to life with her beautiful imagery. I would love to escape there for a week or two.
All in all, this is a sweet and humorous novel with Alexa’s great style of crafting a story with a creative plot and lovable leading men. It’s a perfect length and tone for a satisfying beach read. You can’t go wrong giving Payback a try.
RATING: 
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