The Sweetest Revenge

by Michaela Sawyer

He's my dead best friend's older brother, who still blames me for her death, and now my mother gave him something new to hate me for... destroying his family.


This book is a dark, unconventional romance that is not suitable or enjoyed by all readers. Please check the author's website for content warnings before reading.

Genres: Hockey, Dark Romance, Sports, Enemies To Lovers, College Romance

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Melluvsbooks]

DNF@8% - the hero POV is unfortunate, making him seem like a tool - he’s a melodramatic moron - bully books are better when we don’t get in heros head until well into the book (if at all), IMO 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Valentina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been so good but was just the usual. I did like the characters, but all the threat of revenge was just that; nothing was really followed through on these threats. Zaiden played the bad boy but was really crazy about and protective of Ariella. Sure, he bullied her a bit, but was really just staking his claim on her.

None of the dark themes, the triggers, were really realized. A blow job and you’re getting wet? That’s not non con. They hadn’t even had sex by 50% of the book. A lot of teasing — kisses, touching, but no follow through, and certainly no force.

I would consider this vanilla and entertaining for those new to bully romance, or those who like light bully with safe themes. It didn’t live up to the dark triggers or spice level for me, but it is not a bad book.

[Jillian Bland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Zaiden was honestly so icky to me. The blowjob scene was so gross and they played it off the next chapter like it’s okay because it turned her on, like babe, no. I know it said bully romance and maybe that’s why I’m just not into it but if a man ever did that to me I would never even look at him again. The whodoneit was actually pretty good though. I guessed it was Ari’s mom at first so I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t and was actually Zaiden’s mom. It was a twist I didn’t see coming. Also it’s definitely great writing because I missed Kacie and she wasn’t even a character we met in this book! They made her so likable and miss-able.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a revenge romance, misleading

This book was not a revenge romance. The blurb was completely misleading. There was revenge but that only accounted for part of the book. Zaiden was so disgustingly awful to her. He never actually redeemed himself, nor did he care to. And Ari, what a disappointment.
This book was a mish mash of genres. I'm not quite sure what her intentions were for this but it was a miss.
I have enjoyed other books by this author but, wish I passed on this one.

[Samantha Case · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bully Stepbrother

I don't mind the whole stepbrother trope since these two weren't raised together. Parents marrying when the characters are adults is completely different from being raised together. So that didn't bother me.

MMC doesn't grovel. His anger is misdirected and he doesn't properly apologize in my opinion. The FMC suffers from BBS multiple times. A lot of their choices and decisions are downright childish and aggravating. As is the overuse of TTDLAGG during spicy scenes.

The greatest transgression is the poor editing. So many issues. 3 Stars.

[CharmeineC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star review for me- several typos and errors in punctuation. For me as an author, this is really distracting and all I think about is fixing the typos. Could use another round of edits.

Kaiden isn't likeable. Like at all. The whole party scene where he forces her on her knees doesn't make any sense. I don't know. Maybe I just need a break from bully books. If the football team really had a claim on the girls, a fight would have stopped it.

[KayBeReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent book. I almost DNF’d it because it wasn’t drawing me in. I’m glad I stuck with it and finished the book. It definitely was a few surprises in it that I wasn’t expecting. Zaiden, he didn’t care he knew what he wanted and went and got it. Ari had some spunk but she was a sucker for her man. This was the first book I have read by this author and I would read another.

[Nell · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf at 28%. I just got the ick. I recently finished an amazing Revenge book and this one is just kind of lacking unfortunately. The speech feels like it was written rather than spoken so it takes the immersion out. I didnt like any of the characters and it all felt flat to me. I just couldn't get into it.

[Bet-C · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book

I couldn’t put this book down. I’ll definitely read it again. Loved the suspense and chemistry. Zaiden’s need to protect Arielle even when he hated her, he protected her and loved her. Lots of twist and turns to find Kaci’s killer. This book is a Must read.

[TheBookishK9RN · Rating 5 out of 5]

suspense and spice

This was a spicy dark romance with lots of suspense. The characters were well developed and the storyline was full of surprises. The bullying was just enough as the MMC was too in love to push too far.

[Bri Alfonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

Honestly this was a great book. The plot was engaging and the twist at the end was what really made me love the book. I love dark romance thrillers and this was right about my alley.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

All That I Wished For

Loved this story and all the characters! It was full of surprises and smokin hot too. The main characters were mesmerizing and the story was thrilling. This book is crazy good and I want to read more from Michaela Sawyer!!!

[Loz B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited for this but I have been forcing myself to try and keep reading it but I just don’t like Zaiden at all 😫. I want to know the why for his anger against Ari but just can’t read anymore to find out. I’m almost halfway through

[Sam Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Was drawn in by the cover.

The characters were well developed and the storyline was full of twists and turns. The bullying side of things was done well so as not to put you off the MMC.

Would recommend!

[Elena Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it at first but it really bothered me how casually they all went with rape stuff. Bullying and rape are very different things. The blowjob scene just went too far also mostly because it didn't need to be in front of everyone.

[Rachelle Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the suspense! Easy read and couldn’t put down. Another great book by Michaela!

[Joannak · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶 🌶 🌶

[Mandy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book!

I loved this book so much! The plot & spice were amazing and the twist at the end knocked me off my feet! I’m definitely a Michaela fan for life!

[Reading With April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, wasn't that quite the ride. All kinds of little twists and turns, and I loved it.

Spice 🌶🌶🌶

[Della · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book!

This book is incredible ! Lots of twists and turns. This book will keep you on the edge and trying to figure out who did it.

[Tali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of likeable elements but all the auxiliary elements ruined it and made it unbelievable and, too often, unbearable.

[Cynthia Manzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

[L. Leigh | Writer 📄📓 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!