Such a Bad Influence by Grace Demyan - Fun contemporary with second chances & found family / Books Teacup and Reviews

Such a Bad Influence is an emotional and fun contemporary about second chances, found family, revenge, with the perfect blend of humor, chaos, and tenderness.

Such a Bad Influence

Such a Bad Influence by Grace Demyan

Publication Date : October 21, 2025

Publisher : Lake Union Publishing

Read Date : September 25, 2025

Genre : Contemporary

Pages : 347

Source : Many thanks to author for e-ARC via NetGalley.

Synopsis

In this humorous and heartfelt novel, a blueberry farmer teams up with a teenager in need to start a revenge business. What could possibly go wrong?

In rural Ohio, the last connections lonesome Felicity Lavigne has to her late mom are the blueberry farm she inherited and her mom’s old phone number—which Felicity still calls every day. Until she gets a call back. It’s the number’s new owner, Alex Norse, a surly, homeless teenager who has aged out of the foster care system with no one to turn to except the stranger who’s been leaving rambling voicemails for a dead woman.

Felicity takes Alex in on one condition: She has to help scare off some kids vandalizing the fields. Not only does it work, but news spreads, and soon locals are lining up to solicit justice for their own grievances. Best of all, an unexpected friendship blooms for the two young women, who have found in each other the family they’ve been yearning for.

But revenge has a funny way of getting out of hand, and when things go a bit too far, Felicity and trouble-prone Alex must stick together to confront the heartbreak of their pasts and whatever new calamities may lie ahead.

Review

Such a Bad Influence is a heartwarming, entertaining, and emotional contemporary novel set in Elsewood, Ohio. It follows two women—Felicity Lavigne, a 26-year-old blueberry farm owner still grieving her mother’s death three years later, and 18-year-old Alex, a lonely, street-smart teen who has Felicity’s late mother’s phone number on which Felicity regularly leaves voicemail sharing her emotions and life problems. Listening all voicemails and knowing Felicity a bit through them, Alex sees an opportunity—and deliberately gets herself arrested just so she can call Felicity for help.

Felicity reluctantly helps Alex on one condition: Alex must help her get revenge on the Callaways, the family that’s tormented her and sabotaged her farm for years. One revenge prank leads to another, and soon, the two form “Revenge Incorporated,” a tongue-in-cheek village business helping locals get payback for their own petty grievances. But as their revenge schemes escalate and spiral out of control, Felicity and Alex are forced to face the consequences and decide what kind of people they want to be.

The writing is addictive and fast-paced—I flew through the book in less than 24 hours. Beneath the humor and chaos, the story explores deep themes of grief, loss, abandonment, self-worth, betrayal, and the messy, healing power of unlikely relationships.

Felicity is a meek, soft-hearted woman stuck in her grief. She’s been a shell of herself since her mother’s passing, living in isolation, barely keeping the farm afloat, and refusing help from anyone. Her pain is palpable—you can feel the weight of every unspoken word and lonely day. It’s heartbreaking to watch her struggle, but incredibly satisfying to see her slowly reclaim her strength once Alex enters her life.

Alex is the spark Felicity didn’t know she needed. Though Felicity calls her a friend, the bond between them feels far deeper—more like mother and daughter, or guardian and child. Seeing Felicity transform from a timid recluse to a woman bold enough to throw punches (literally!) and pull borderline illegal pranks was immensely gratifying. Alex coaxes out her fire, while Felicity gives Alex something she’s never had: love, trust, and stability. Their relationship was the emotional heartbeat of the story.

Alex, on the other hand, is everything you’d expect from a scrappy, cynical teenager—brilliant, bold, and a little reckless. She thrives on chaos, has a sharp tongue, and an even sharper mind. Her pranks were clever, often laugh-out-loud funny, but also sometimes toeing dangerous lines. Despite her rough edges and initial manipulative intentions, her growth arc is beautifully written. Felicity’s compassion gradually melts her armor, and it’s touching to see her learn what real care and belonging feel like. And her growing connection with Wade was just the cherry on top.

Speaking of Wade—he’s an interesting one. The former heartbreaker, now mature and quietly devoted, who clearly never stopped caring for Felicity. Their shared past adds tension, and while it’s easy to side with Felicity at first, it becomes equally clear that Wade has changed and genuinely wants to make amends. Despite everything Felicity puts him through in the name of revenge, he keeps showing up for her, selflessly and steadfastly. Honestly, he deserved a medal—and maybe a bit more credit from Felicity.

The romance between Felicity and Wade is a slow burn. There’s undeniable chemistry, but romance takes a backseat to Felicity and Alex’s story. Still, I was rooting for them the whole way through. Felicity’s constant rejection of Wade was frustrating at times, and her reasoning for pushing him away again later felt a little weak—but her eventual growth and realization that happiness is worth fighting for was worth the wait. Her mother would’ve approved.

The small-town backdrop of Elsewood plays a huge role in the story. Between the blueberry farm drama and the “Revenge Inc.” antics, the town’s web of side characters adds both humor and heart. Everyone has their quirks, grudges, and secrets, and while their antics were entertaining, I was honestly annoyed that not a single one of them stood up for Felicity when it mattered. They were happy to use her help but quick to turn their backs in the climax—a betrayal that stung. Mary, Wade’s mother, stood out as an intimidating yet compelling presence and added another layer to the story.

The climax packs an emotional punch. Watching everything crumble for Felicity and Alex was devastating. The revelations about Alex’s true intentions hit hard, but her redemption arc was handled beautifully. Felicity’s determination to protect Alex and reclaim her dignity and her family’s legacy was powerful and moving. The ending was uplifting, tying the story up with hope and healing. My only complaint: I wish the Callaways had truly lost the competition. They deserved a taste of their own medicine.

Such a Bad Influence is an emotional rollercoaster—part small-town comedy, part heartfelt drama—with the perfect blend of humor, chaos, and tenderness. It’s a story about second chances, found family, and how sometimes, the best revenge is simply rebuilding your life stronger than before.