How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex

by Maggie Dallen, Liz Krane (Narrator)

Am I really going to kiss my boyfriend's best friend? Yes. Yes, I am.

I caught my boyfriend cheating on me with his best friend's girl.

Now his best friend and I have a plan to play them like they played us.

There's only one problem. Everyone knows Zack and I can't stand each other.

The uptight princess and the slacker bad boy? No one will believe we've suddenly fallen in love.

But Zack says we don't need to sell love, just lust.

And that, it turns out

That we can do.

So I tell him I'm in. I'm down to make my ex pay.

His smile turns wicked as he wraps his arms around me. That's my girl.

I'm not your girl, I say.

His eyes darken and he tugs me close. You're not his either.

How to Get Revenge is a standalone YA/NA romance with no cliffhanger and a guaranteed HEA. It has all the bad boy/good girl goodness and childhood friends-to-enemies vibes. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Emma Lord!

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Young Adult, Fake Dating, Contemporary Romance, High School, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published April 18, 2024

Reviews

[Charity (TAKING A BREAK) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW/CW: This read is pretty tame, but it does center around the topic of cheating and if that's a big no for you than yeah, don't read it lol.

- friends-to-lovers
- clean
- some stereotypical characters
- summer romance
- fake-dating trope
- dual POV

I know I said don't ever recommend me anything with cheating, but I'll accept this. I don't like Grayson anyway so as the reader it was more like "Good riddance! Lets get the show on the road!"

There's something about High School romances with characters having middle grade pettiness that I absolutely love. The drama/banter in here is elite and I love it. This is also supposed to be an enemies-to-lovers situation, but I honestly never got that vibe from the characters. Despite how hard the author tried to make it seem like they hated each other it just felt like harmless bickering, but nothing suggesting they actually hated one another. Just two old friends who grown apart and question 'what happened to the old you?'

Little Miss Bailey Smurfette Tucker lives in a world of striving for perfection because to her she has to be perfect to either be liked or to get attention that her parents are too busy to give her. This was a theory she said herself and honestly it made sense. Her desire to be great at everything probably filled some void she had, and I can also kind of see that being the reason she's so blinded by her relationship with Gray.

Zack is the "badboy" in the story, but he came off as a class clown type of character. He doesn't put much energy into his life as he feels like he doesn't have to, because what's the point? He has some fear he'll be like his dad. This is where him and Bailey are different. While Bailey puts in effort to care about what people think or make sure she's doing enough to secure herself a future, Zack does not. Zach cares about his mom and paying the bills and letting loose.

I loved how both characters seemed to balance each other out. They may have grown apart, but it was perfect because Bailey needed someone to tell her nothing in life is ever perfect, but also Zach needed someone who believed in him. It was like a super small found family moment for them.

The book has you questioning what exactly happened to their friendship (apart from growing up), but when Toni's character is introduced, you get a glimpse of what exactly happened. It wasn't anything major either. Something that really could have been prevented if there had been any type of communication and braincells involved but they are teens in a teen world - fuckups happen. Shit happens. I get it.

As for Grayson, his character is narcissist. He basically targeted Bailey, (this is the vibe I got), because she would be the perfect "white picket fence dream" for his future. He see's himself going really far in life, and Bailey is someone who not only looks good on the outside but also on paper. She's easy to fool and from what I gather she wasn't much of a "cool crowd" type before they dated so to him it was possibly easy to manipulate her. As well as distance her from her friends without her catching on, because Bailey seems like the type to pick up on clues like that.Not sur eif this is a spoiler but putting it anyway: Cause she does mention later on how she never saw through his lies until after he was exposed, and when he tries to "baby" his way back into her life his mask shatters. At least for her. Took a while for the others.

Not to mention, Grayson was a shitty friend. Even if he targeted Zack and only kept him around for personal reasons, he was a shitty friend to pretty much everyone. Made that ending sooooo much more perfect.

Kick rocks Grayson!

There wasn't enough groveling from him anyway, kick him to the curb. "She'll be back with me" but yet makes little to no effort to ensure it happens. *eyeroll*

I gave 4 stars because it's a cute High School romance with some great drama. Not a big serious read, but it's more of a lighthearted and fun type.

[Yesmina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what to do! I don't like YA or know what a YA should entail. So I'm not going to be judgy because I don't like the genre. But I feel like this should've been so much better. And a lot of points should've been executed better too.

First of all: the author claimed this is an Enemies To Lovers with Fake Dating trope. Probably after reading the premise you'll run and purchase the book. But halt!

So FMC's boyfriend cheated on her with his best friend's girlfriend. That best friend is the MMC and he's the boy next door to FMC. However they hate each other. Yet they have to join forced and exact their revenge and ultimately fall in love.

Nonetheless, they are not really enemies. At best they did not tolerate each other because they had misunderstandings. And the Fake Dating came much later because the FMC wanted first to stay with her cheating boyfriend while making him jealous flirting with MMC.
She avoids confrontations even though she's right to put her cheating boyfriend in his place. And I did not like that.
Plus, the romance is veryyyyy low-key. There are no big intense emotions and I felt the MCs are better friends than lovers.

[Kate McMurry · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read 11/8/24: 5 stars

Terrific, PG, dual-POV, YA, dramedy romance

Bailey and Zack have been next-door neighbors since earliest childhood and were BFFs until two high-impact events destroyed their connection at the beginning of their freshman year in high school:

First, Zack's bum of a father deserted him and his mother, which devastated Zack and destroyed his self-esteem. Second, Bailey began dating handsome, charismatic, wealthy Grayson, and Zack simultaneously became Grayson's BFF instead of Bailey's, which created an odd threesome that has lasted for the past three years. Until the day that Zack witnessed Grayson making out with his girlfriend and, soon after, informs Bailey of their devastating, mutual betrayal.

Due to her unhealthy relationship with Grayson for the past three years, during all that time, Bailey has been a people-pleasing doormat. But she is finally awakened from that ignoble status by the icy deluge of recognition that Grayson has played her for a fool. Because she has yet to feel comfortable with surrendering her virginity to him, Grayson has apparently decided it is his misogynistic prerogative to have sex with multiple girls behind her back to satisfy his sexual itch. Zack's girlfriend is just one in a long string of girls that Grayson has used and discarded. Zack comes up with the idea that he and Bailey can jointly get revenge on Grayson by pretending they are dating.

I was fully engaged with this story from the start. "Fake dating" is one of my favorite romance tropes, as is "boy next door," "opposites attract," and "enemies become lovers." This novel brings together all four in a highly entertaining dramedy, which is satisfyingly told from the dual, first-person POV of both Bailey and Zack. Each is a highly sympathetic protagonist whom we deeply get to know over the course of the story. I was completely convinced of the highest achievement of any romance novel, that the two lovers are soulmates, who bring out the best in each other and will bring each other a lifetime of happiness.

Interestingly, though MD typically writes G-rated romance, whether YA or adult, I would classify this novel as PG on three counts: It contains quite a bit of cussing, there are several scenes of wild, drunken, teen parties, and though nothing is described (or actually happens) beyond kissing, the kissing scenes are quite sensual, and there is frequent, risque, flirtatious repartee between Bailey and Zack.

Second read 9/1/25: 3 stars

This time around I did not enjoy this story nearly as much. Multiple issues with character motivation stuck out for me and interfered with my ability to suspend disbelief:

1. Grayson is presented throughout this novel as a rich, handsome, privileged narcissist, whose only relationships, other than Bailey and Zack, are with teenagers who, even though equally good looking and rich, kiss up to him. I can understand why he would choose Bailey as his girlfriend, because she acts like a woman from the 1950s. She is beautiful, worships him like the deity he believes himself to be, and lives to please him. (Other than magically having the backbone to date him for three years and not have sex with him, which I find completely unbelievable for someone as spineless as she has been throughout her relationship with Grayson. I don't find her claim remotely realistic that he has never pressured her for sex.) However, it makes no sense to me that Grayson would pick someone like Zack to be his BFF. Zack is consistently described as someone who is nobody's sycophant, and the two of them are from polar opposite socioeconomic situations.

2. It is illogical that Zack would be utterly shocked when he stumbles upon Grayson making out with his girlfriend. During the three years Zack had been Grayson's BFF, if everyone but Bailey knows that Grayson has been cheating on her from day one of their relationship, there is no way Zack wouldn't have known it too. He would have viewed, up close and personal, that Grayson not only cheated on Bailey but, among the hordes of willing females he has preyed upon, he has inevitably had sex with multiple girls who had boyfriends, well before he frolicked with Zack's girlfriend.

3. I can accept that a handsome, wealthy boy like Grayson might inspire crushes in the hearts of plenty of clueless teenage girls. But what I don't find believable is that anyone besides someone who is severely psychologically damaged would willingly sign up to be Grayson's latest, temporary sex toy. Especially given the fact that supposedly everyone at their school but Bailey knows that Grayson is a promiscuous jerk, who has demonstrated over and over again that Bailey is the only girl to whom he has extended the "privilege" of being his girlfriend (AKA chief toady). It is particularly poorly motivated that Grayson supposedly has managed to have sex with every beautiful, popular girl on the cheerleading squad. That they would line up to satisfy his sexual itch, one by one, like Grayson's own personal harem, sounds like the sleazy plot for a porno film and is just as unrealistic. I recently reread "Catching Jordan" by Miranda Kenneally from 2011 in which the same trope appears for the actual love interest, Sam Henry. I liked that book the first time I read it, mainly because of Jordan's athletic prowess, but on reread, I was extra disappointed that Jordan ended up with Sam because of his promiscuity. The obnoxious trope of the "virgin and the manwhore" has been around in adult romance since the early 1970s, and it's frustrating that it has increasingly crept into YA. Even in books by an author like Maggie Dallen, previously known for writing G-rated books.

[crystal niche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, boy/girl next door, love/hate relationship. I can’t even remember the boyfriend’s name in the story because I couldn’t stand him. Zack and Bailey were too cute together. I even loved Bailey’s sister.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Reread 4/2025. Still in my top 5 romance books. Love the banter and the funny, flirty, teasing, confident MMC.}

Oh. My. Gosh.
This was the cutest book EVER.
Like, I loved it. LOVED IT.
I can’t even express how much I loved it.
Prepare yourself. I’m about to gush.


Plot- The entire REVENGE premise was wickedly delightful. I was SO here for it. The way everything worked out, from start to finish, was PERFECTION.
This was “fake dating” done right- without overdoing it. No official terms, silly rules, or lengthy “but it’s fake” dilemmas. Everything was completely ORGANIC and believable.
I also loved the slow burn. This was “enemies to lovers” done right.
Chef’s kiss.


Writing- Fantastic! Engaging!
Dual POV with unique voices, and inner dialogue that was never a drag.
It balanced light/ serious and never felt shallow or juvenile.
And even tho the FMC had panic attacks sometimes, it was dealt with in a way that wasn’t annoying to me. In other words, her anxiety wasn’t the main event or used as a trope, if you know what I mean.
Just all-around entertaining writing that I ate up.

Also, Zach had the best sense of humor!! I LOVED his banter. This book was funny because of him and his teasing. This type of humor is so much better than cheesy rom-com/slapstick humor.

“It’s time we figure out our game plan. We need to focus.”
“I love it when you talk sexy, Smurfette.”
“Shut up.”
“Seriously. Nothing turns me on more than that businesslike tone of yours.” He makes his voice all breathless like he’s doing a bad Marilyn Monroe impersonation. “Focus,” he says. “Game plan.”
I will not laugh. “Are you through?”
He half turns so he’s facing me and walking backwards as we head out onto the dock. He points a finger in my face. “See? There it is. My sexy librarian.”
“You are such an idiot.”



Characters- Holy cow. These two characters were so relatable and awesome. I LOVED THEM SO MUCH.

Bailey’s character arc was very well done. She went from insecure (but not THAT insecure) and heartbroken to strong, clear-headed, and well-adjusted! But it’s important to note that she was never maladjusted or pathetic or super insecure. And she never made me feel aggravated. Her decisions were great!
She was always awesome at the core, she just became a BETTER version of herself, with Zach’s help.

And I loved the character arc for Zach- his transformation from brooding slacker to 100% smitten and happy and motivated was honestly… *sigh* I can’t even.


Romance-
So, so good. Chemistry OFF THE CHARTS.
Romantic climax was the best! And definitely a HEA, which is hard to do in a high school romance.
They were so perfect for each other and happy at the end. Plus I massively loved the epilogue.
I’m still on cloud nine! So, so good!


Side note: Btw, I loved that she had high personal standards without ever coming across as judgy or lame. She generally tried to wear one piece swimsuits, not swear, avoid alcohol, and didn’t have sex. I really appreciated that the author showed that she could choose high standards and still be totally awesome and cool (without pretending to be perfect, which was part of her growth arc), and have a supportive boyfriend that loved her in spite of and BECAUSE OF who she was.

From the epilogue:
“Hey, beautiful.” His gaze rakes over me. I still prefer one-pieces that actually cover my butt, and last summer Zack said he prefers them too—so no one else could see what’s his.
I’m not yours, I’d said, all righteous indignation.
Sure you are. Then he’d pulled me into his arms and dipped me like we were in some old movie. Just like I’m yours.



Content-
Language- lots of mid-level swearing, but no f-words which I REALLY appreciated. Instead, the author used “freakin’” sometimes or even “effing” a few times from Zach’s POV and it was perfect. Esp since this is YA.

Substance abuse- underage drinking at parties, which is normalized. Side characters getting drunk.

Spice- no sex scenes but still PG-13. Some swoony makeouts but no wandering hands. Some teenage talk about sex; some crude language/jokes; lots of Zach thinking how sexy Bailey looks. Many of their peers sleep around, which is normalized. There’s no history given on whether the MMC is a virgin or not (which I appreciate). The FMC is a virgin and gets crap about it, and is also called “whore” and “slut” once by mean girls. As for that, the double standard for boys and girls is appropriately addressed without becoming an entire issue unto itself. (Very well handled, I’ll add!)

Cover- cute (cheesy title, tho)
Format- KU

*THANK YOU to Kate, my awesome GR friend, whose 5-star review prompted me to read this!

[xoxo_lils · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was so fun, and a nice palette cleanser. We love a good fake date/enemies to lovers romance. I read this book SO FAST TOO. Definitely recommend if you just need a fast, light read.
3.5 stars. 🫡
HAPPY READING!!

[Aaliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I feel like so many people can relate to this. The heartbreak, the worry, the drama, feeling so lost. Bailey was one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read about. She wanted revenge but she was also so very scared. Her whole world got turned upside down but she was still so very strong. The banter was also amazing. I couldn’t stop kicking my feet and smiling. I probably looked insane but this book filled a hole in my heart that I didn’t know was there. Totally recommend. Such a fast read and I have never been as happy as I am now.

[Rachel Santillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know how I came about this book and started reading it but once I started, I figured it’s short, why not. It was a little too young for me, it’s a cute HS romance, and that’s about it.

[Shahed Zoldyck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is amazing and heartwarming read! The story follows a girl who fakes dating her ex’s best friend to get revenge after he cheats on her with the mmc’s gf. But things get complicated when she and Zack start falling for each other.

ZACK BY THE WAY IS TOTAL HUSBAND MATERIAL✨✨ KIND, SUPPORTIVE AND JUST AMAZING
This book gave me a little butterflies with their unexpected romance

Tropes
Fake daring
Enemies to lovers

It’s a solid 4/5 stars for me super entertaining and sweet. Highly recommend for a light
feel good read

[Susan Christ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Really cute.

[Melissa Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, fun romance

This was such an entertaining read. I love Zach. What a great character! Bailey was awesome too and I loved them together.
They had a great dynamic… and I’ve been left with a big smile on my face 😁

[Pitoufa's Bookish Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read a YA book in a long time. Gotta say I had fun listening to the audiobook for this one ❤ Fake dating is among my favorite tropes ever! Zack and Bailey formed an alliance to take revenge on one common enemy who'd all but decimated their trust.

Zack was pretty laid back and used sarcasm as a coping mechanism for his unresolved feelings of anger and betrayal 💔 after experiencing the departure of his father, he couldn't come to terms with that fact, and that only caused him to shut himself up to the outside world, pushing everyone away, including Bailey, his childhood friend. Years later, he only let one person get close enough, and that was his best friend who became Bailey's boyfriend, and ended up stepping on his pride and making him regret ever opening up 😞

Bailey, on the other hand, was described by Zack as a "pick-me-girl". She believed perfection would guarantee her a solid relationship and approval from everyone. For years, Bailey only lived to please others: her parents, her boyfriend, and the group of friends she met by being in his circle, and the worst part was that she didn't even realize she was miserable 💔 I think many of us know what being a people-pleaser can do to a person's mental health. Bailey later discovered that her life couldn't be farther from what she perceived it to be, and Zack helped her break the toxic cycle she was drowning in.

I did not approve of Tony's, Bailey's old bestie, decision to keep her knowledge of Grayson's cheating to herself just because she and Bailey had drifted apart. I get that it hurt her feelings to be left aside, even if it was not intentional on Bailey's part, but not telling her about what she knew was just crass 😒 if I learned about a girl who I used to consider my best friend getting cheated on by her partner, I'd make sure to let her know regardless of our current friendship status.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex is a nice YA read.
There's a bit of drama and at first I didn't fully understand while they wanted to manage the revenge the way it did, but it was nice reading it.

Bailey and Zack's relationship was really cute to read while it grew and blossomed. Their chemistry was quite nice.

[Deidre Smallwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I unwittingly started reading this not realizing it is YA. It was a cute story and a nice, easy read. I just found it juvenile for my tastes because the characters are in high school, although I realize I’m likely not the intended audience. Janie is the real hero of the book though, the comically wiser younger sister.

[Jenn Caroca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Dallen nunca decepciona, es todo lo que busco en un lindo libro de romance y es difícil encontrar, no sólo hay romance y risas, también hay dolor, superación, encontrase a uno mismo y muchas cosas más que vivimos en la adolescencia y muchos olvidan, gracias Maggie por otro libro maravilloso.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute refreshing read. It was written very well! The characters were so likable and I was rooting for them each chapter!

[maddison ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Taarini · Rating 4 out of 5]

hit home just that we got no zack myers to our rescue 😭

[Stephanie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story! I didn’t realize when I saw it on my kindle that it was a YA book. It was a quick read.

[Rebecca Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from start to finish. Loved how we saw things through Bailey an Zak eyes. An how we saw her change to the person she wanted to be

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love confession ate

[PH0383 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3!!
I liked this way more than I thought it would
It was a slay!!

[Tammy Conatser · Rating 4 out of 5]

let me start by saying how much i hate Grayson. even when they were together he was nauseating and condescending. love the banter between her and zach. it was really good and had me smiling a lot

[Elisabete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable! Incredibly funny. Overall a great read.

[Momma6 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much swearing

I have read many books of Maggie Dallen, but I didn’t like this book. Lots of swearing and talk of sex. I didn’t read all of it. Don’t know about her other books now…

[Stephanies.books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a yes for me but a maybe for you. 🫶

I really enjoyed reading this book. It held my attention and had me laughing. If it can do that, then I deem it a worthy read. 😏

Zack is the bad boy slacker. He is just skating by without a care. Until his so-called best friend and girlfriend betrayed him. Now he has to break the news to his perfect little neighbor who's dating his now ex best friend.

"𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒐,' 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆. 𝑨 𝒗𝒐𝒘.

Bailey is an overachieving people pleaser. Except when it comes to Zack. The one person she loathes. His never-ending barbs and teasing make her wary of him.

"𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔." 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌. "𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒔. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰'𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖."

You get great insights into who Bailey and Zack are. Can they really pull off this whole revenge plot without hurting each other in the end?

💔 Clean Romance
💔 Young Adult
💔 Frenemies
💔 Bad Boy / Good Girl
💔 Revenge Plot
💔 Boy Next Door
💔 High School

[Lauren White · Rating 1 out of 5]

I…. What was this. Save the brain cells and just skip it. Seriously.

[Book Junkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story but it didn't draw me in!

Bailey and Zack are childhood friends who drift apart although for me it was a bit odd. At first it seemed they drifted apart at a very young age but then later in the story it's clarified that it was freshman year when she started daring Grayson. Grayson is Zack's best friend and cheats on Bailey with Zack's girlfriend so they hatch a plan to pretend to date and get revenge.

I just felt there was something missing that didn't hook me to the story but the premise was good and the writing was good. I found myself skimming a lot of it.

It’s very PG so if you are looking for some spice this is not the book for you.

[Samantha U · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute!!

Really cute light fluffy read!! I enjoyed this book. Zack and Bailey were adorable!! I love how he jumped right in and helped her out when she needed it most! 5⭐️ read!

[Alisa Beatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex” by Maggie Dallen is a stand-alone young adult enemies-to-lovers romance.

Bailey catches her boyfriend, Greyson, cheating with his best friend Zach’s girlfriend. Together, they devise a plan for revenge. The story unfolds as they follow through with their scheme, with lust gradually transforming into love during their charade of a relationship.

Bailey and Zach share a simmering chemistry that predates Bailey's involvement with Greyson. Their genuine connection is rooted in a friendship challenged by misunderstandings and miscommunication. They have a deep understanding of one another; their union was inevitable.

I loved their playful banter and how Zach always had Bailey's back—something Greyson never did. Their time spent together rekindled old feelings, and Maggie Dallen captures the love that grew between them with each scene. The characters are relatable and slightly predictable, but the story remains engaging. Bailey and Zach make perfect sense as a couple, and Dallen expertly conveys the essence of high school innocence.

The narrative is not solely about a revenge plot; it also represents Bailey's personal journey. She discovers her true identity beyond what Greyson expects of her. It reminded me of a Stepford or politician’s wife. For a young adult romance, it addresses important themes that young women often need guidance on like mental abuse, manipulation, and issues surrounding sex and promiscuity. Maggie Dallen hits the nail on the head, transforming these themes into a charming love story rather than an instructional manual.

Overall, it was a sweet, low-angst love story and a refreshing read. I recommend this book to anyone who loves ‘80s pop culture, meaningful messages, and happy endings. I give this title 4 out of 5 stars.