Revenge is best served cold

Synopsis

Don’t get mad. Get even.

Kate Whitaker has always believed in love, but when a stranger named Willem shows up on her doorstep, the news he has to share isn’t as exciting as his god-like looks might suggest. He’s come to tell her that Kate’s fiancé is also engaged to his sister.

Kate doesn’t know how she didn’t see the red flags: Jon’s work as an airline pilot having him flying around the globe, the postponed dates, the huge rock of an engagement ring that isn’t her style at all.

Overcome with fury – and entranced by the Nordic god’s piercing blue eyes and quiet allure – Kate agrees to accompany Willem to his hometown of Amsterdam to help break the news to his sister. Yet what begins as a simple gesture of support soon twists into a deliciously devious plan to get back at Jon.

Kate is drawn into a world of retribution, revenge and – unexpectedly – romance. Because sometimes the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else…

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about broken trust, sweet revenge, and the surprising places we find love. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Emily Henry.

My review

Kate Whitaker does not know what to believe when a complete stranger is at her door. Especially as that stranger, Willem, claims that Kate’s fiancé is already engaged to his sister. Of course Kate is wary of those claims, even if with Jon being an airline pilot things aren’t always easy. But with clear evidence, it’s clear that Willem is telling Kate the truth. Now Kate is plotting on revenge, but first she must do something else: go to Amsterdam with Willem, and inform his sister of Jon’s real nature. In Amsterdam Kate quickly bonds with Willem, while he is showing her around. And even when a new victim of Jon’s shenanigans arises, the pair work together to stop Jon for once and for all. But revenge is not all that is on their mind, because the more Kate and Willem are together, the more the attraction grows. But Kate cannot possibly fall that easily again for a man, can she? Even if he looks like a Nordic God and is just an amazing person in general.

Yup, I started this book with one of the biggest smiles possible. Not only because it is a book of the amazing Sandy Barker, but also because I would return to the wonderful people of the Ever After Agency!

This book though not only does start off differently than the other books of the series, but is also works in a complete different way. Because Kate’s goal is not to find love, but to get even with her ex – fiancé. And while I had all the faith in Sandy and her writing abilities, I was also very curious how this story would be evolving and how the Ever After Agency would be involved, as this for sure isn’t what they normally do.

I felt sorry and I even pitied Kate at the start of this book. Because it must be terrible to not only discover that your fiancé has been lying to you, but to discover it by a stranger at your door. I can imagine her shock and the devastation.

Yet it couldn’t have been easy to agree to go with Willem to Amsterdam to break the same news to his sister. That shows that no matter how devastated Kate is herself, she is concerned about other people. And that she wants to do the right thing, no matter how difficult it may be.

She has an imminent complicity with Willem, they connect immediately, despite the circumstances they meet.

Willem… as a Belgian, my standard settings are to like the inhabitants of the Netherlands. But Willem could be even French, Chinese, African, Australian, I don’t care, as he is just a great person. He is perhaps a bit overbearing towards his sister, but it is also all done because of love. He is very protective of her, something very recognizable, as I have the same protective brother! Although I doubt he would go as far as Willem in order to protect me 😊.

But he is not only protective of his sister, as he gets to know Kate better, he shows her the same protective streaks. What a man he is! Can I get his address in Amsterdam please?

Of course as Kate has just ended her relationship with Jon one – sided, the last thing she is looking for is a new romance. But when ever did love stop because it wasn’t the supposed right time? And don’t we often say that love comes on your path in the most unexpected times and ways?

So I absolutely loved seeing Kate and Willem together, on a joined quest that is bringing them more and more together over time, in different places too.

Yet I still had one major question: how would the Ever After Agency, and the lovely Poppy fit in with the whole story?

Because let’s be honest, it is her job to match people, and not help with revenge plans. However, this is also a peculiar situation, and the sense of right and wrong is very strong with Poppy. And as there is a friendship being formed with Kate, Poppy just want to help out.

I liked reading how everyone in the agency, not only Poppy truly sympathizes with Kate and her situation, and they all want to help her out, within the lines of legality of course.

I need to say one thing, that isn’t that important in the story at all, but as a Belgian, sharing many recipes and dishes with our neighbours, I was over the moon with the appreciation of bitterballen! BITTERBALLEN FOR LIFE! 😊

Saying that I devoured this book, is an understatement. Is there a superlative of devouring? Well, whatever that word is, I did that! 😊

Sandy Barker showed us once again what an amazing author she is, adding a wonderful story to an amazing series. And with changing the storyline, she shows us not only her talent, but also that love comes in whatever form and shape it wants to come.

And my application for the Ever After Agency is still valid, as I want to find my perfect match with the help of Poppy! 😊