REVIEW: Sweet Revenge by Cate Masters

Blurb:

From cheerleader to news anchor to…yoga instructor? After Zoe Golden lost everything she thought was important, she found the inner strength to pursue real happiness. The simple life provides everything she needs—except love. Once, long ago, she met a real man, but her insecurities made her deny her heart’s desires. Can Madame Eve find her a guy like the one who got away?

Bruised by rejection and determined to exact revenge…

The sculpted, successful owner of a chain of fitness studios, Ty Hardin can have any woman he wants. Fifteen years and 150 pound weight loss, has changed him beyond recognition. Now the girl who crushed his heart teaches yoga in one of his facilities. Not for long. Before he fires her, he wants one night with her. Wants her to know what she missed out on. But will revenge still be as sweet the morning after, or will it leave a bitter aftertaste?

Zoe and Ty might just be the best thing that ever happened to each other—if they can avoid doing their worst…

~Excerpt~

“Anything look good to you?” He winked and signaled the server.

Seriously? Did his ego know no bounds? She fought a laugh. Oh yeah, you look good enough to eat, Ty. And waitress, could you ask the manager to widen the exit to accommodate Mr. Hardin’s extraordinarily large head?

He glanced over as if he’d rehearsed the move. “I meant on the menu.”

She froze. Of course, you idiot. She fingered her hair, and then folded her arms and rested her elbows on the table to force herself to stop fidgeting. “I, uh, haven’t seen one yet.”

“I thought maybe you’d eaten here before.”

“No.” At this rate, she might not eat here tonight, either. Her insides had twisted into a knot, killing her appetite.

As if on cue, the waitress carried two menus to their table. “Can I get you two something to drink?”

“White wine,” he said. “Bring your best bottle.”

Um, I’d looked forward to a margarita—or five, to get through this night.

When he turned his calculating smile on her, it sent ice down her spine. God, had she ever bashed him on the evening news? If so, her story hadn’t hurt his business. So what was the deal with the attitude? Why did she feel like a mouse in a hawk’s predatorial sights?

He closed the menu with a slap. “Might I recommend the crab special?”

Her stomach clenched tighter. Did it mean something? He made everything sound a tad sinister. Or was this just his normal sunny disposition? If so, she’d stick to being his employee. “It does sound good.”

The waitress returned as if he’d summoned her.

He said, “Two crab specials please.”

What the hell, she hadn’t even scanned the menu. “But—”

He held up a finger. “And some garlic sticks. They’re so tasty.”

Quickly gathering the menus, the waitress disappeared.

Zoe closed her gaping mouth. So rude. Was he testing her? Or just throwing his perfect weight around? Playing more games, perhaps?

Something told her the latter—like his smug smile. The way he poured wine into her glass like he wished it were poison.

Fine. If that’s the way tonight had to go, bring it on.

“Thank you.” Keeping him in her sights, she drained half the glass and set it down. Let the games begin.

Adri’s Review

When Yoga instructor Zoe uses up the little of her saving she has left to book a date with the 1Night Stand Service she wouldn’t of ever guessed she would be set up with Ty—her boss.

When Ty requested a date specifically with Zoe he had one thing in mind… Revenge. The only thing is that he never plans on finding out that Zoe is not the same person she was when he was 16 years old. Ty has spent so long focusing on the hurt of what Zoe’s actions so long ago caused, that he never realizes that because of that one event that at the time hurt so much was the best thing to happen to him.

Much of Zoe’s life changes with the death of her parents, that she is nothing like the girl she’d been in high school. She does have one big regret, the pain she caused the sweetest boy in her class. Will Madame Eve be able to help these two out?

At some points during this story I wanted to kick Ty’s butt for not seeing how his actions were hurting Zoe. Also her strength and need for growth was wonderful.

Happy Reading… Adri