Best Served Cold by Tawdra Kandle (4 stars)

About Best Served Cold
(from GoodReads)

Sometimes revenge is the only choice

Julia worked for weeks planning the perfect surprise birthday party for her boyfriend, Liam, but that night, she was the one who got the biggest shock. He broke up with her in front of all their friends, humiliating her in the process.

Clearly revenge was in order.

The plan is simple. Make him jealous, win him back, and then crush his heart. Fair is fair. However, there is one little hiccup, and he has curly brown hair and dimples.

Jesse is everything she wants. With him, she could almost forget her bruised heart. Almost. Julia has one choice: let Liam walk away after everything he did, or lose a chance at love in pursuit of payback.

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Review

Poor Julia. She plans a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend of almost a year, Liam, and he pays her back by groping a new girl just as everyone yells, "Surprise!" First, she's devastated. Then, she decides to get even. 

Deep in revenge plans, she almost misses the chance for new love with Jesse. Just as she considers abandoning Liam's comeuppance, he messes with someone else--someone who really matters to her. Can Julia walk away from teaching Liam a lesson? 

I felt very connected to Julia. She's had her heart broken, but she didn't crumble. Instead, she wanted to teach Liam a lesson so he wouldn't do it again. Any woman who ever nurtured a broken heart would understand. But her original plan had a get-Liam-back component that didn't make sense after the pain he caused. Plus, I wanted her to let go of the revenge plans once Jesse came into her life (even when Liam screws up again); I wanted Julia to make a clean break. 

For me, a good book is defined by my connection to the characters, and I think the paragraph above sums up how attached I became. Thanks to an interesting story, the characters were able to mature. Plus, the romance between Jesse and Julia was sweet and sexy. Just as importantly, it was allowed to grow at a realistic pace.

A note: I've read a lot of New Adult books lately that were way too focused on erotica-light sex instead of a sweet romance, and I was thrilled that this book did not go that route. It focused, instead, on romance with heat. 

If you have considered trying a book in the New Adult genre, this would be an excellent choice. It's an enjoyable mix of romance and coming-of-age.

Rating: 4 stars

About the Author
(from her website)

I am a writer.

After years of concentrating on non-fiction, mostly parenting and homeschool related articles, I realized a dream and finished my first full-length novel in 2008.

THE KING SERIES is a quartet of Young Adult paranormal romance books. Since the publication of FEARLESS in December, 2011, I have released the rest of Tasmyn’s story as well as an adult contemporary romance (THE POSSE), a New Adult contemporary romance (BEST SERVED COLD) and two short stories.

In my non-writing hours, I am a mother of five (four biological, one in-law) and a wife of one. I homeschool the youngest one, since all the others have flown the coop, figuratively if not literally. I also have. . wait for it. . .five cats and one sweet puppy.

Writing, reading and traveling are my passions.  I love and will devour anything by Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovitch, Stephen King, Anne Perry, Julia Spencer-Fleming. . .there too many books and not enough time!

Find out more on her website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.