The Sweetest Revenge

May 8, 2023
TV executive Amy Duffy, the endearingly messy heroine of this spirited rom-com from Dent (The Setup), is excited to pitch a show she’s spent four years developing—only for her boss (and boyfriend) Chris Ellis to spitefully torpedo the project. In revenge, Amy gets very drunk and urinates on Chris’s car—a moment that is unfortunately filmed by passersby and posted online, where it goes viral, prompting Amy to flee New York. Fast forward two years, and Amy has made a fresh start at a London production company. When disgraced reality star Jake Jones moves into her building, Amy sees a kindred spirit. Jake, an aspiring writer, is also hiding out from infamy, and the pair bond over their somewhat sordid pasts. After the production company’s business merger, Amy’s in prime position to move into a development deal, leading her and Jake to work up a spiffy proposal for a new show. Sparks fly between these new creative partners, but when Chris unexpectedly reenters the picture, Amy and Jake’s personal and professional hopes hang by a thread—unless Amy can find a way to expose Chris for who he really is. It’s a gleefully over-the-top plot, but anyone who’s ever been screwed over at work will empathize with Amy’s plight. In the end, justice is served most deliciously. This is pure popcorn.

June 10, 2024

An unexpected breakup leads to regrettable decisions, some of which are caught on camera. When Amy's post-breakup video goes viral, she does the only thing she feels she can--she moves across the Atlantic, seeking a new start in a place she isn't known as "that" woman. Her high-powered career as a television producer for a large network is replaced by making promo videos and trailers for a far less prestigious--and failing--British channel. Just when a handsome new neighbor has Amy feeling like her life might be turning around, her ex makes an appearance as her new boss. Adding another title to her vast catalogue, narrator Brittany Pressley takes listeners from New York to the other side of the pond as Amy goes from rock-bottom to finding herself once again. Pressley provides a believable and dynamic performance, bringing the story to life with satisfying and unique character voices. Notably, she captures Amy's personality as she evolves from the shadow of herself back into her more confident self. VERDICT Pressley's charismatic performance makes for an entertaining production that listeners will enjoy. Dent's (The Setup) latest is a solid choice for any audio romance collection.--Amanda L. S. Murphy

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