Member Reviews

This was a fun read with a lot of super unlikeable characters. When Ella is hired for a new job that she feels is a dream come true, she starts to settle into her new life and feels that she has turned over a new leaf. However, one day she goes to work and the entire place is gone and boarded up with no notice or context. While she sets out to figure out what is going on, she encounters multiple potential villains in believable red herrings. You also get chapters from Harriett and Nisha who are embroiled in their own drama.

As I said, none of these characters are likable and if you are OK with that, this is a really good story. I found it really fascinating to see how these people were able to rationalize doing terrible things- really makes you wonder about people! There isn't much more I can write without giving away any spoilers, but I'll just say that the plot is riddled with twists and turns and even when I thought I had something figured out, there would be a new surprise. I don't know that I loved the ending, and felt that I had to suspend my disbelief a bit, but I do think it worked with the rest of the story.

Overall, this was a wild ride and I'd recommend to those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

We all know that revenge is a dish best served cold, on fine bone china - but this tale takes the cake!

We are introduced to Ella Leonard front and centre - she is our first ... victim. Why is someone targeting Ella in such a despicable way, what has she done to merit such unwelcome attention. As Ella's life unravels, no clue is yet to be given.

Enter Harriet, an old friend of Ella's, who steps in to assist Ella in getting back on her feet. But as the narrative draws onward, we are left wondering if Harriet herself is all she seems. Harriet has a secret .. or two ... which are revealed to the reader, and here we learn of Nisha - nemesis and tormentor of Harriet.

The lives of these three women have intertwined over many years, and it is not until they begin to converge in the present, that the secrets and reasons behind their acts of revenge become clear. The pace certainly picks up from this point.

The short sharp chapters of first person narrative keep the reader immersed - but we are left asking ourselves, who do we cheer for when all three consider themselves victims and all are just as unlikable as their past and present lives are linked. Everything comes full circle, but we are left wondering at what cost - who ultimately gains from their revenge - and who is left with nothing. The conclusion is a little convoluted but in the overall scheme of things, why not!

Was this review helpful?

My jaw is quite literally on the floor, prepare to be shocked.

The amount of twists that just kept on coming like i honestly need a moment to think about this book. The revenge plot has me floored literally.

Told in three POV'S of Ella, Harriet and Nisha. Each of them have secrets and a past that we learn more about as the book progresses. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and the actions they were doing but i was very invested in how they each came about one another but the twists that kept on coming. Full of an unlimited amount of mystery and of course moments you definitely won't see coming at all.

The ending i saw coming especially after the whirland of the whole book. I wish i could erase my memory just so i can go back and read the revenge plot for the first time. The author is such a talented author and i can't wait to see what they come out with next. Every book is a must read especially this book, you won't regret it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book was good and I had a decent time with it. I think this book would be a perfect holiday read. However, I have read better and could see a lot of the twists coming.

Was this review helpful?

This book was about 3 main characters seeking revenge on each other. I thought it was ok. The end had many twists and turns, but many were predictable.

Thanks to Netgalley for this EArc

Was this review helpful?

Ella Leonard thought her life was on the turn for the good. She has just get up a coffee shop having moved to a new town.
Then on arriving to work on morning she finds the business gone. Everything has been emptied and there’s no sign of anything. Next to go is her flat. Then every job she goes to takes a turn for the worst.
Has someone got it in for her. Who could hate her that much?
She reaches out to an old friend for help.
Harriet her old friend also has issues. She’s being blackmailed. But what is the reason. Can the two sort out their lives and begin to move on.

Jackie Kabler has given us two interesting characters in Ella and Harriet. Both naive.in their own ways.

Was this review helpful?

Jackie Kabler’s latest thriller pulls readers into a suspense-filled spiral from the very first page. Ella Leonard’s life unravels in a chilling sequence of events, with each shocking twist raising the stakes and keeping you guessing until the end. With gripping suspense and expertly timed reveals, this is a psychological thriller that will have you turning pages long into the night.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Was this review helpful?

Ella arrives to work on a normal Monday morning, she's running a little later than usual and she has a delivery due at 7am. But when she arrives at the cafe all is not as it should be, the shop sign has gone, the specials board is gone and even the bin is missing. As she looks through the small window the cafe is completely empty, everything has vanished. There is no sign of a break in and when she tries her key in the door it doesn't work.... the lock has been changed.

Ella's life takes another turn as she finds herself turfed out of her flat and with no where else to go she is forced to sleep in her car. She has limited cash and is unable to get hold of her employer to find out what the hell is going on.

Ella decides to get back into contact with and old friend to see if she can help her out and its from here that things start to take a dramatic turn.

This story starts out with just Ella but eventually becomes to be told from three different POV's.

There are so many plot twists that this story will keep you guessing and have you gripped until the end.

I really enjoyed this thriller. It was well written and easy to read. The characters were all likeable and I honestly didnt thing the ending would be as it turned out.

Was this review helpful?

The Revenge Plot by Jackie Kabler

When Ella Leonard arrives at work one Monday morning, she’s stunned.
The place isn’t just shut – it’s gone. Boarded up, closed down.
Days later, she gets home to find she’s been evicted from her flat, her belongings piled on the doorstep.
Who is doing this to Ella and why ? As the title suggests someone could be out for revenge and,Ella doesn't know why..
First time read for this author for me and whilst I enjoyed it and would read other books by this author I couldn't quite like and therefore sympathise with the main character Ella , I ended up thinking of she were my friend I'd be giving her a talking to a stop her from being a little naive .

Was this review helpful?

This started off interesting but as it went on it became rather inconceivable. Plus what happened at the very end I saw coming a mile off!

I did enjoy reading it but it's not the best of her books. If you are new to this author I'd recommend reading The Vanishing Class of 3B instead.

Was this review helpful?

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as previous ones by this author unfortunately although I will definitely give more of their books a go in the future.

This is an intense read about revenge and how sone people will go to ultimate lengths to seek it. And makes you question can you really trust anyone. It was a fast paced read with lots of twists and turns and surprise moments.

Was this review helpful?

Ella arrives at her job which she has been working at for a month to find the place locked, cleared out, totally empty and her new boss has ghosted her. She finds herself evicted from the apartment that came with the job. Her whole life is falling apart. Who can she turn to?

Parts of it I loved but it did try to be too clever and have one too many twist. I guessed from early on what was happening but then layer upon layer was added on & at times I was struggling to keep track.

It’s a good read, nice for a holiday

Was this review helpful?

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
What a whirlwind of a story!! What a shocking morning when Ellie goes to work only to find her building boarded up. She heads to her apartment to find the locks changed and her stuff all outside the door. What is going on? Each job she takes seems to have the same results. Someone is messing with her but who?

Was this review helpful?

Jackie Kabler's The Revenge Plot is an engrossing tale centered around Ella Leonard, whose seemingly ordinary life takes an unexpected turn when her workplace abruptly shuts down, leaving her without a job. As if that wasn't enough, she soon discovers she has been evicted from her home, with her belongings unceremoniously dumped on the doorstep. It quickly becomes apparent that these events are not mere coincidences – someone is methodically dismantling every aspect of her life.

The narrative is filled with suspense as the mystery of who is targeting Ella and why deepens with each passing chapter. The tension builds steadily as the protagonist finds herself in increasingly dire situations, making it difficult for readers to put the book down.

Ella Leonard is a well-developed character whose determination and resilience shine through despite the chaos that surrounds her. Her emotional journey is characterized by moments of vulnerability, coupled with incredible displays of strength as she grapples with the loss of control over her life. While Ella's struggles take center stage, the antagonist remains shrouded in mystery for much of the novel, contributing to the unsettling atmosphere.

The themes explored in The Revenge Plot resonate strongly with readers. Issues of identity, trust, and the desire for revenge form the backbone of the narrative, prompting readers to consider how quickly one's sense of stability can be shattered by external forces. In today's fast-paced world, where uncertainty and upheaval often dominate personal and professional lives, these themes feel especially relevant. The novel also explores questions of justice and morality, challenging readers to reflect on the lengths one might go to when pushed to their breaking point.

Jackie Kabler's writing style is accessible and engaging, with short chapters that maintain a brisk pace. Her use of suspense is highly effective, punctuated by twists that keep readers on edge. The tone balances urgency with introspection, providing moments of respite amidst the fast-paced action. However, the narrative structure can feel somewhat formulaic at times, with certain plot points leaning heavily on genre conventions rather than innovative storytelling techniques.

The atmosphere in The Revenge Plot is one of mounting dread and paranoia, which Kabler expertly evokes as Ella's world crumbles around her. Readers can easily visualize the isolation and fear that permeate the narrative, creating an immersive reading experience. While the tension is undeniably palpable, some scenes could benefit from more vivid descriptions to heighten their emotional impact.

In the realm of psychological thrillers, The Revenge Plot manages to stand out by tapping into the universal fear of losing control over one's life. It may not break new ground in the genre, but it succeeds in delivering an entertaining and thought-provoking story. Constructive criticism could be directed towards the development of certain character arcs or the expansion of secondary storylines, which could further enrich the novel.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing the copy of The Revenge Plot by Jackie Kabler. I loved how this book started out to be such a puzzle. Why did Ella’s workplace close down unexpectedly? How will she survive, and will she find out if someone is out to harm her? Then the book took an odd turn that some readers will love as a “twist” but added a new layer of unnecessary complexity that ruined the story for me. I lost interest as the book got more implausible. This would have been an amazing book if the story hadn’t sacrificed simplicity for twists, but people who love “twists” will love this book! 2.3 stars rounded up to 3.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for an early copy of The Revenge Plot. This was a wild read!!!! One trying to outsmart the other and it backfiring. Ella was verrrrry naive, I was like how much more is going to happen to her, then at almost the hallway mark BOOM it was a WHAT????? moment. The ending was heart pounding even though you KNEW!!! Great book. Thank you again..

Was this review helpful?

What a rollercoaster of twists and turns that read was 😍

After a light, not too dark, thriller with 3 POV's, one gradually adding after the other? Are you a Freida McFadden fan? Then this read is for you!

Surprisingly the 3 POV's didn't get as confusing as I first thought they may, it actually added more layers and depth to the story which I really enjoyed!

This was a fast paced read, and just when you think you've figured it out, another spanner is thrown into the works 🕵🏼‍♀️ I did read this book in one night as I really wanted answers, so I would say this is a successfully page turning book, and I would recommend to somebody wanting to read a thriller that's not too dark or has many triggers!

Was this review helpful?

Such a clever and original piece of psychological fiction - I didn't want it to end!

Ella, former self proclaimed diva model is loving her new solitary but wholesome life running a pop up cafe with huge success. All goes well until she goes to open up one Monday morning...only to find the unit all locked up and the contents gone! Ella soon becomes aware that not only has something gone awry, but someone has malicious intent towards her. She reaches out to old friend Harriet in her hour of need and feels her fortunes start to turn, however even with this move back to her home town of London it seems Ella isn't out of the woods just yet! The craziness just keeps coming!

So much happens in this novel and just when you think you know where it is going....cue an epic plot twist! I wish I could unread it just so I could enjoy it all over again!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

A sharp concept let down by an unlikable lead, The Revenge Plot didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the twists and pacing had promise, I found Ella frustratingly entitled and out of touch—especially her judgment toward those on benefits, which felt tone-deaf in today’s climate. Her lack of self-awareness and superiority complex made it hard to root for her, even as her life unraveled. The other women—Harriet and Nisha—offered more intrigue, but their motivations leaned more obsessive than clever. What could have been a darkly satisfying tale of revenge felt more like watching a series of poor decisions snowball. 2.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve enjoyed some of the author’s previous novels so was looking forward to reading The Revenge Plot. I was intrigued by the excellent opening chapters; Ella, a cafe manager arrives at work one morning to discover that her recently opened pop up cafe has been closed down. Her attempts to contact the cafe owner fail and soon she is mysteriously evicted from her flat. I found the first half of the novel compelling and loved the mystery around Ella’s situation as her life begins to rapidly fall apart. However, once the characters of Harriet and Nisha are introduced I felt that the plot fell apart as it became increasingly over complicated and ridiculous with too many plot lines.
I feel that this is probably the weakest novel I’ve read by Jackie Kabler but do look forward to reading more in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Was this review helpful?