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The whole world is at my feet. I love it.

The whole world is at her feet. I hate her for it.

I was raised in wealth by picture perfect parents, and have never wanted for anything. The price I’ve paid to get to where I am has been steeper than I’ll ever let anyone know. But now I’m here, and all I need to do to have the perfect life is take the final step tomorrow. Marriage to a man who worships the ground I walk on. What could go wrong?

She was raised with the wealth that was made at the expense of my family. Behind her parents’ perfect smiles are the monsters who destroyed everything I loved. She’s never wanted for anything, and I couldn’t even get the things I needed. The price my family paid for her happiness is a debt that no amount of money can atone for. And now, I’m here for payback. She thinks tomorrow will be the first step towards her happily ever after. I’ll show her just how wrong she is.

This is an erotic romance that ends with a cliffhanger, but don't worry. A HEA is guaranteed. This book contains content that some might find triggering.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2022

41 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Jade Dare

11 books46 followers

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5 stars
29 (34%)
4 stars
41 (48%)
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12 (14%)
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3 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for animasoul.
288 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2023
Ich gestehe es! Dieses Buch war definitiv eine Cover-Sünde! Aber eine, die ich nicht bereue, denn sobald ich anfing zu lesen, habe ich die Geschichte von Ronnie und Holden regelrecht verschlungen. Ich konnte es kaum aus den Händen legen und wollte unbedingt wissen, wie es ausgeht – und dann war auch das Ende von Band 1 mit einem leichten Cliffhanger da!

Die Geschichte hat mich zu Beginn wirklich überfahren. So richtig wusste ich nicht, was ich erwarten sollte und was genau für eine Story auf mich zukommt. Ehrlicherweise muss ich zudem eingestehen, dass mir Ronnie nicht unbedingt sympathisch war. Ihr Verhalten war… grenzwertig. Aber nachdem ich sie besser kennengelernt hatte, konnte ich es ihr nicht mehr übelnehmen. Sie hat letztlich nur einmal etwas Spaß und Freude im Leben gesucht, was ihr sonst durch ihre Eltern stets verwehrt wird.

Dennoch hatte ich erwartet, dass man Ronnie als eine der Hauptfiguren wesentlich besser kennenlernt. Mehr zu ihrem allgemeinen Hintergrund, wie z.B. Bildung und Freunde. Da sieht es hier regelrecht mau aus und der Figur fehlt hier etwas daran, lebendig und menschlich zu wirken. Sie wirkt teilweise kalt und wie Roboter, der einfach nur vor sich her existiert. Traurig, aber wahr.

Holden ist da schon etwas lebendiger. Er ist ebenfalls nicht perfekt und hat seine Macken. Aber er wirkt menschlich und nicht kalt. Er wirkt im Vergleich zu Ronnie wie ein Vulkan der Gefühle, bei dem ich nicht immer sicher bin, ob man dessen Fokus wirklich auf sich spüren will. Sehr emotional und regelrecht wankelmütig.

Wankelmütig ist auch die Situation in der Ronnie und Holden sich befinden. Es ist spannend und faszinierend zu sehen, wie beiden sich nach und nach einander öffnen, aber immer noch Grenzen ziehen. Grenzen, die man als leider deutlich spürt. Zudem löst die Bindung der beiden ein deutliches Wechselbad der Gefühle aus, was mich sehr an „Ich wünschte, ich könnte dich hassen“ erinnern. Ein ähnliches Phänomen scheint in diesem Punkt zwischen Holden und Ronnie zu entstehen. Irgendwie.

Interessant ist auch die Umsetzung der Geschichte, die mich wirklich gefesselt hat. Auch wenn sie ihre Macken hat, konnte ich gerade wegen der wechselnden Perspektive zwischen Ronnie und Holden das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen. Man hoffte immer wieder, dass man hier gewisse Entwicklungen in dem einen oder anderen Charakter erleben kann. Doch das blieb zum großen Teil leider aus. Charakterlich entwickeln sich die beiden nicht wirklich weiter. Ihr Fokus ist nur auf eins gerichtet, und dafür gehen sie teilweise ziemlich große Risiken ein. Zu Beginn ist es nur Holden. Und dann auch Ronnie.

Doch dann kommt was? Genau, das Ende von Band 1. Da war man gerade so schön im Flow und dann kommt das Ende und man will unbedingt wissen, wie es weitergeht. Hier kann ich allerdings nicht gleich aufschließen und mich an Band 2 wagen, weil ich die angesprochenen Thematiken echt für schwere Kost halte und davon erst einmal einen gewissen Abstand brauche. Aber Band 2 werde ich irgendwann schon noch lesen, denn ich will wissen, ob die beiden ihr Ziel – und wenn ja, wie – erreichen können.

Eine absolut fesselnde Geschichte, die kleinere Macken hat, aber einen nicht loslässt. Selbst nicht, wenn man sie bereits beendet. Wer also von düsteren Themen getriggert wird, sollte von dieser Story lieber die Finger lassen. Es ist schockierend, was hier offenbart wird – auf beiden Seiten.

Hinweis: Das Buch habe ich als digitales Rezensionsexemplar via Booksprout im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension erhalten.
Profile Image for Brittany bookish_britt.
163 reviews6 followers
November 25, 2022
Spicy from beginning to end!!
Holden and Veronica are both incredibly damaged and unexpectedly find comfort in one another.
I love the way they can read each other without a single word.
Ends in a cliffy so definitely plan to grab book 2 immediately to continue Holden and Veronica's story!
Profile Image for Anij.
1,282 reviews11 followers
October 21, 2022
“It feels like nothing makes sense anymore. Certainly not Veronica.”

Oh my goodness. Jade seriously cannot write a bad book! Every time I think they can’t get better they do. She’s incredible. I should be angry with her. This book is a cliffhanger and at only 134 pages she clearly could have waited and just combined this one with the other in the duet into one book. I detest cliffhangers and rarely make exceptions. I didn’t notice her note at the end of the blurb when I got it. I just saw she had an ARC for a new book and jumped on it. Despite the fact that I’m seriously irritated that I can’t get the second part yet I can’t bring myself to reduce the rating not even a little. I just love it too much. And the main reason is specifically Holden. I never thought I’d ever love anyone as much as Jackson, my bbf from Control, but I do. Holden reached into my chest and stole my heart away. I think part of the reason is Holden is such a wounded soul. Watching him and Ronnie is like a privilege, and no, I’m not saying one single word about the plot. Don’t read any reviews that do. This is a book you do NOT want to know anything before. Although to save you the frustration and agony I’m suffering you might want to wait and not read this one until she’s published the other part. It’s really killing me like you wouldn’t believe! While you’re waiting check out some of her other books. There are four others and they are all fantastic! Trust me, you will not be sorry. She’s really that wonderful.
Profile Image for _chroniclesofabookworm_.
185 reviews76 followers
November 29, 2022
💥Overall opinion:
For being such a quick read, it had some seriously spicy scenes and a pretty great storyline. Some scenes felt like a little repetitive but I liked it overall and look forward to reading more in book two.

⛔️Brief Story Summary:
There's a price to pay for being raised by wealthy parents and she was forced to compensate them in ways she never dreamed. His family paid the ultimate price for her to be raised in luxury and he's there to pay them all back. He will seek vengeance on the very monsters that destroyed everything.

⚡️POV: Dual POV (MMC & FMC)

💋Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Betrayal
Revenge
Forced Proximity
Dark Past

💣Main Character Rating:
Veronica - 4⭐️ - I love how strong, smart, resilient, and brave her character is! A few times throughout the book, it felt like she was a little too easy to manipulate and I wanted more backbone from her.

Holden - 4⭐️ - we all love the morally gray villain and boy did his character not disappoint. His tragic past made for a great storyline, but I wish he would've gone to her sooner, especially once things started to change.

🌶Spice level:
3/5

🚫Closure:
I loved the fact that both the MMC and FMC are damaged and they find comfort in each other through the chaos. The angst and tension and passion matched with danger, intrigue, and suspense made the introduction to these characters and this story worth the read!
Profile Image for Dee.
4,877 reviews55 followers
October 16, 2022
This is the start of the Debts Owed Duet just as the titles reads but sometimes vengeance leads to something so much. Holden sexy as all get out anger filled out for vengeance against the family who took everything from him, from his family, and feeling like her parent’s lifestyle was at the expense of this family leaving him to fend for himself well a reckoning is coming, and it will be by his hand. Veronica sweet intelligent jus about to be married and he comes to take her, steal her happily ever after she must pay for her family’s sins against him but he didn’t count on his heart beating again (so to speak) she woke something up in him, she showed him there is more to her than her family’s money but will he believe her, can he walk away from the anger, the hate he has felt for so long and where are the two of them headed (I HATE CLIFFHANGERS-just thought I would put that out there ☹).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chubby Romance Reader .
437 reviews178 followers
November 15, 2022
Freaking loved it!

I seriously enjoyed reading Vengeance! It is my first read by Jade Dare so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Boy, was I glad this was my first read by her! Vengeance was a mixture of hot, dark, sweet, and heartbreaking. It was a perfect mix of plot and spice in my opinion for those that need both! Holden and Ronnie are 2 damaged souls whose lives were forever altered by 2 truly evil people. What first started out as an act for revenge and kidnapping turns into a plan to bring down those that wronged them. Jade made me go through a rollercoaster of emotions especially with some of the foreshadowing done for Ronnie and that cliffhanger about killed me! Holden and Ronnie have their hooks in me that I absolutely HAVE TO read the second part of their story to see if they get their HEA. I cannot wait!
Profile Image for Brittney.
416 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2022
I loved this book so much! This was my first from Jade and it will definitely not be my last. Revenge, spice( lots of spice 🔥) and drama! I could not put it down! Holden is such a beautiful soul with a tragic past and you just find yourself wanting to hug him and give him the world. Veronica has a bad relationship with her parents and awful home life you just find yourself hurting for her. They truly bring out the best in each other despite the way they meet. Absolutely amazing! 10/10! I was lucky enough to receive this book in exchange for an honest review with The Bookish Girls Team from the author.
8,244 reviews57 followers
October 10, 2022
Holden craved revenge and Veronica (Ronnie) his enemies daughter was the perfect target, the night before her wedding should be every girls dream but Ronnie had otherbplans and another man, one that would did as he promised in showing up and derailing her wedding, but that was only the start, if only Ronnie knew what her parents had done would come to her doorstep. This is well written the story and character develope well through and progress the story, which ends in a cliffhanger and craving more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Hollie Senn Bookish Reviews.
390 reviews10 followers
November 25, 2022
Lord you ain’t ready for this book!!!

I loved Holden and Veronica’s story… This book is definitely on the darker side of romance and the spice level is great… Love always comes with a price and Veronica is struggling with how much she’s willing to pay for what has already been set in play of her life and Holden is a whole mood he really doesn’t know what to do with Veronica but obliged the already wheel of life that he’s riding and hold on to his emotions that’s starting to crack. Great book!!
164 reviews
October 13, 2022
Holden seemed to get revenge on Ronnie’s father. He found her to be his perfect target. The night before her wedding but Ronnie had other plans that involved another man. He showed up and put an end to what would have been her wedding. This is the first I had read from this author and I loved it. Thanks for this ARC!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,117 reviews48 followers
October 14, 2022
Holden feels that Veronica had the picture-perfect life with her family while her parents destroyed everything that he loved. Now it is time to get his revenge and he plans on using Veronica to do it. The night before for her wedding he comes to take her and destroy her happily ever after, will he succeed? Fast-paced read with great characters, loads of drama and sizzling chemistry. I look forward to finding out what happens next!
Profile Image for Kayla.
574 reviews
November 18, 2022
Good!

This one is a quick read and yet still manages to be full of tension, passion, and intrigue. I was sucked into this story from the very beginning, wanting to know what lead to everything happening the way that it does, and oof, you certainly come to understand it!

We're left with so many questions at the end of this one and I honestly can't wait to find out where this story goes and if everyone who deserves it gets theirs!
Profile Image for Grace.
204 reviews8 followers
November 21, 2022
This book is so good. I like how Holden is trying to get back what Ronnie parents stole from him. But he finds love with Ronnie. Your heart will break for Ronnie and what her parents have done to her. The way Holden wants to protect Ronnie and love her will make you fall in love with him. The under the stars moment they share is so sweet and spicy. The cliff hanger had me need the second one. I can not wait to see how they burn the bridge of Ronnie's parents house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brandi Exline.
121 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2022
I loved this book. This is a quick read, but the spice and suspense is intense. There is so much spice, and it happens right away. This is an amazing enemies to lovers dark romance. Holden is out for Vengeance against the family that took everything from him. Until he finally gets to Veronica and learns just how hard her life has also been due to her own parents. This was my first read by Jade, and I can't wait to readore from her.
Profile Image for Liana.
420 reviews6 followers
October 13, 2022
Holden is out for revenge and he isn’t bothered who he hurts on the way he thinks all the family are the same however her gets a shock when his plan starts to come together.
Great book keeps you interested really looking forward to the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laura Carter-Alexander.
562 reviews9 followers
October 15, 2022
Holden decides to get back at his enemy by using the perfect target, his enemy's daughter, Veronica. He crashes the bride to be's wedding and sets off a chain of events that will lead to them giving in to the passion between them. But what happens when he discovers just how vile his enemies truly are? And what will he do to keep the woman he loves safe?
Profile Image for Kourtney.
134 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2022
It’s a great palette cleanser.
Keeps you on your toes to what’ll happen next.
It does leave in a cliffhanger as you’ll want to know what happens next.
This story does take a a few twists and turns. It does show that everything isn’t how the picture shows. Behind closed doors things can change and love comes at a price.

Do check your trigger warnings when reading. It does talk about some touchy subjects that were in the past but doesn’t go into graphic details about it.

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Profile Image for Veronica.
515 reviews13 followers
November 23, 2022
So good

This is not my first book by Jade, I love her writing style. This was a quick read, but was still full of suspense and spice. It will definitely keep you intrigued. I was drawn in from the very beginning thinking I knew what was coming. It is part of a duet, I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next.
Profile Image for April.
132 reviews
December 1, 2022
🖤Dark Romance
🖤Forced Proximity/Kidnapping
🖤Enemies to Lovers


𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡 𝔦𝔰 𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔶 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔱. ℑ 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔦𝔱.
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡 𝔦𝔰 𝔞𝔱 𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔱. ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔱𝔢 𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔦𝔱.


I really liked the plot and the development. I just kept feeling like something was missing. The spice was definitely on point from the start! I look forward to reading more of the authors work in the future
Profile Image for Tiana Clark (tianajclark).
70 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2022
This book starts off with a BANG! I’m talking getting down to business within the first two chapters! Loved Holden so much! The plot was great and the spice was spicy! That dang cliffhanger though!! If you like dark romance with suspense but want something quick to read, you absolutely should add this one to your TBR!
2,030 reviews9 followers
October 17, 2022
This is part one of a duet. Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carrie(FantasticallyTaboobooks) Crossty.
172 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2022
Omg did I love this!! I can’t wait to dive into the second part of this duet. I can’t wait to see what vengeance is coming for Veronica’s parents. This was my first Jade Dare book but definitely will not be my last.
Profile Image for Chelsea Chapman Bookish.
317 reviews10 followers
November 25, 2022
Spice from chapter 1😍

Holden can kidnap me any day🥵🥵lots of spice from beginning to end. Both these characters had a very hard past. They work towards the same goal, vengeance, towards the two people who hurt them most. Great book excited to read book 2!
Profile Image for Nikki.
632 reviews17 followers
December 2, 2022
This is the first book in the Debts Owed Duet and the first book I’ve read by this author. First and foremost please check the trigger warnings. Both Holden and Veronica have demons alike, though their families are very different. Veronica had everything she wanted until the night before her wedding. Holden is out for revenge on what her parents did to his family and Veronica will pay the price, or will she? What these two go through next will leave you shocked. The spice is amazing and the twists and turns will leave you turning the pages so fast trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. Full of spice, revenge, suspense, angst, tension, trauma, emotions, drama, love, chemistry, heartache and a cliffhanger leaving you wanting book 2 now!!
Profile Image for Erica.
113 reviews16 followers
November 28, 2022
Nothing is as it seems!

Vengeance never tasted so good! Never a dull moment in the vengeance-seeking enemies-to-lovers dark romance. Suspenseful, spicy and just enough of a cliffhanger to make you want to throw a tantrum. Can’t wait to see how it pans out in book 2!
9 reviews
November 29, 2022
Vengeance

I've really enjoyed this book, tbh, I've found it difficult to put down, particularly when I should have been working today! Still, I'll work tomorrow (today!), and look forward to reading book 2! Btw, there's a lot of well-written sex, very erotic!
Profile Image for Carrie Lamison.
122 reviews3 followers
December 4, 2022
Definitely recommend reading this book it was amazing!! Love the characters and can I just say dangggg the tension in the book lol 😊 I loved reading it and I’m definitely recommending others to read the book as well you will love it!!! Can’t wait for more books ❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Chelsea Cardenas.
383 reviews24 followers
December 4, 2022
This was a great book, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it at first but the chemistry, angst, tension, and spice was so good. Especially in the kind of situation Veronica finds herself in with Holden. And that I’m glad I gave this book a try, I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Imari McClure.
445 reviews
December 5, 2022
I really loved Holden and Veronica's story! When he calls her Ronnie 🥵 iykyk! Holden is out for revenge. It's all he's known and worked towards for years but what if he's wrong about Veronica? How far is he willing to go to for vengeance and will they survive the aftermath?
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