Revenge of the Sunshine
Author: Jackie Lau
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
When Zoe’s afterwork plans are cancelled, she goes home to find her best friend (and roommate) Macy and Zoe’s boyfriend Clifton having sex in the kitchen. Zoe is furious, especially with Macy, her closest friend for 23 years. In a fit, she leaves with Clifton’s phone. After a while, she hatches a revenge plan, which involves fake-dating Clifton’s older brother, Bennett.
Bennett doesn’t get along with Clifton, who believes their parents like Bennett better. He agrees to Zoe’s plan to get his parents off his back regarding settling down, but he also has a few issues with Clifton and wouldn’t mind seeing him get some payback. When Bennett finds out Zoe doesn’t have a place to live, he offers up his guest room.
Revenge of the Sunshine is a wonderful story about finding love after hurt and loss. Sure, forced proximity and fake dating bring them together in a way they never would have on their own, but that’s what makes it special. And I love that both Zoe and Bennett realize how wonderful and perfect things could be and take a chance.
Both Zoe and Bennett are from immigrant families who place a high priority on marriage and settling down. And since both are in their 30s, they are feeling pressure from their families to do so. What starts out as a means to an end turns into a valued friendship and more. Bennett teaches Zoe that she’s special and should be treated as such, while Zoe stirs up feelings in Bennett he hasn’t experienced in fourteen years. She’s gentle and allows him time to share his past on his own terms. I love how organic their love develops. Sure, they are attracted to one another from the start, but they keep their distance and only after time, do they allow for more.
While I absolutely adore Zoe and Bennett’s journey to love, it is made all the better due to the supporting cast of characters. Each has good friends that provide a listening ear and solid advice. I was stuck by Zoe’s honesty in what could have been an awkward situation. I love that neither character has to hide their true feelings from their friends. I also appreciate the role of Zoe’s brother as he helps her process her breakup and loss of a best friend.
By the end of Revenge of the Sunshine, both characters have grown so much and I love how it all works out. Sometimes it’s not the big gestures, but the heart-felt words that mean the most.
My Rating: A Loved It
Jen
About the Book:
One brother did her wrong. The other will do her right.
I’m a cheerful and forgiving person. But when I catch my boyfriend sleeping with my roommate, I have something new on my revenge. How can I make his life as miserable as possible?
By dating his older brother. Well, pretending to date.
Bennett Chung, the CEO of a successful Asian grocery chain, has his own reasons for agreeing to my plan. He even takes it a step further by offering me his spare bedroom. Just until I find a new apartment.
Bennett is set in his ways, works too much, and won’t tell me anything about his past. He could really do with a bit of fun.
But as I continue to get on his nerves, I start to find him…charming? Attractive? That can’t be right.
This was just supposed to be a temporary arrangement, but now, I’m not so sure…
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Publisher: Jackie Lau
Series: Love & Spite #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley