Jane aka Coughy019's Reviews > The Revenge Agenda

** spoiler alert ** Tropes: workplace romance, found family
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: cheating ex, ADHD rep

Hunter has been with his fiance for 5 years. Rush has been with his boyfriend for one year. When Rush shows up at his boyfriend's house to surprise him for their anniversary, Rush and Hunter find out they are dating the same man. Both relationships implode. A month later Hunter shows up to his new job to find that Rush is one of his employees. Awkward.

Hunter's 31. Rush seems a little younger than that. Rush has ADHD and he's unmedicated because the meds mess with him in a way he doesn't like. They talk and realize the only bad guy here is Ian their ex. They want to get revenge on him. And the idea is floated that they hook up or appear to hook up and send a clip to Ian. They make out. And then they make an excuse to do it again. Next thing they know they're developing feelings and dating. The conflict in the story is their relationship is a bit forbidden / awkward because of their shared Acts, and a bit forbidden because of the boss/employee element, and they have to deal with Rush's ADHD and and interfering in Hunter's house hunt.

This was a sweet and funny story. Hunter and Rush were both very likeable characters. They fit well together. The relationship development and steam was nice. It was sweet when they finally got their revenge on ian, but they took the high road to get it. And I appreciate that. Was hilarious how the guy at Ian's office helped them along, cheering on Ian's downfall because he got cheated on by Ian too. I love the found family in the Bertha boys. I'm looking forward to the next book. Xander's story is going to be funny I can tell, probably a little heartbreaking too.

Some notable moments:

Xander is such a sweetie. "Then he sniffs, right by my collar. And again. “You smell just as good in real life.” Ah. I pull back a little. “Xander?” His whole face lights up. “Rush has talked about me?”"

"Hunter’s frozen for five seconds … ten … and then his finger flicks out to jab at the big red button, and when he swings back around toward me, all the earlier amusement is gone. He stalks closer, one hand closes over my waist, and he grips the back of my neck with the other. He tugs me against him, chests meeting, thighs bumping, and as I draw a sharp breath, his mouth slams down over mine."

"“It would mean kissing again.” Anticipation is heavy on my tongue. “Until we get it right. Can’t expect to nail it the second turn. Maybe not even the third.” When I force myself to look up at him, Hunter’s pupils have blown out. “I’m no stranger to hard work.” I tap the side of the console he’s leaning on. “Not much room for activities.” “Back seat?” I don’t bother to answer, just throw open my door, jump out, and tumble into the back."

*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.