Book: Upgraded by Abby Millsaps
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
ARC REVIEW
Upgraded by Abby Millsaps
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Poor Evangeline. She starts this book getting cheated on by what might be the worst boyfriend alive, but thankfully, that disaster eventually leads her to Alaric—his father. And honestly? That's a massive upgrade.
I really felt for Evangeline throughout the story. She's a neurodivergent woman trying to build a life for herself, maintain meaningful friendships, and recover from a relationship that did a number on her self-esteem. Her ex made her feel like she was too messy, too much, and too difficult to love, when in reality, those imperfections are what make her feel so relatable and human. Despite everything she's been through, she continues to approach life with optimism and determination, which makes her incredibly easy to root for.
I liked Alaric a lot. He's stepping into a new leadership role with his Formula 1 team and genuinely wants to do right by both the team and the people who depend on him. While he's immediately attracted to Evangeline, he tries to keep his distance because he believes pursuing anything could negatively impact her future and career goals. What I appreciated most was the way he cares for her. Even before their relationship turns romantic, he's attentive, supportive, and protective, without ever treating her as if she's incapable of taking care of herself. It feels like a genuine partnership rather than a rescue.
For me, the age gap never felt like an issue. Evangeline is a fully grown adult when they meet, and their relationship feels mature and balanced throughout the story. Their connection is built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding, which made it easy to get behind them as a couple.
One thing to note: there are a lot of secondary characters. At times, it was a little difficult to keep track of everyone, but Abby Millsaps does warn readers in the author's note. Keeping the Elite Eight and Even Better Eleven lists handy definitely helped.
This is my third Abby Millsaps series, so by now I know to expect chaos, drama, and a wild ride—and she delivered once again.
Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for providing an ARC!