I thought I was getting a cute little enemies to lovers romance and what I actually got was a romance novel that explored how our experiences shape us and how we see the world, talk about emotional damage!! I also got witty banter, cats plotting to take over the world, and a very cute proposal. To say this novel was way more than expected is to limit how poignant it was. I loved the exploration of how our emotional experiences and baggage can impact us in the present. I absolutely loved the tearing down of walls and how these characters actually learned how to be themselves with each other.


Okay, so what starts as maybe an overzealous revenge plot ended up being so much more. Andrew (Drew) runs into his high school enemy, and the revenge he wants gets waylaid when Justin doesn't even recognize him. Feeling even more jilted Andrew cooks up an elaborate plan for revenge. It doesn't quite go as planned.


I really enjoyed this, if you love romance novels that dive into harder subjects while still remaining light I would recommend this! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jax Calder has done it again! I am in love with these characters and their story had me crying in the club 🥹 I just love Andrew and Justin so much. They are the perfect opposites and I love the way the whole revenge plan was laid out and then thrown aside because dammit he’s actually the love of his life!? chills. The ending was perfection and I just could not put this one down. I can’t wait to read the next one about Leo- just give me moreeeee

The Revenge Game is a light, easy read that leans heavily on familiar rom-com tropes without bringing much new to the table. The story of a former high school outcast plotting revenge on his old bully-turned-closeted coworker has its fun moments, but it mostly follows a predictable path. The characters are likable enough, and there are a few laughs, but nothing really stands out or surprises. It’s the kind of book you enjoy in the moment, then move on from quickly — not bad, just nothing memorable.

Prefacing this review by saying I’m usually not a use fan of the “falling in love with your high school bully” trope but I decided to give this one a try and I’m really glad I did! Sometimes you do judge a book by its cover and this one was adorable.

Andrew/Drew and Justin have a lot of history- and not the good kind. Justin was part of a group of boys that relentlessly bullied Drew in a high school in Texas. Fast forward to adulthood in London and these two meet again…except Justin has no idea who Drew is. What starts out as a revenge plan to get back at his high school bully turns into a lot of laughs, some really sweet, emotional, and heartfelt moments, drama (of course), trauma, and a whole lot of growing up and healing.

My main con for this book is it was slightly too long- I think if you took out 1/5 of it and left the rest, it would have been much better, as sometimes it dragged for a bit and it took me a much longer time to finish than usual because of how long it was.

That being said, this was my first Jax Calder book but it won’t be my last! Can’t wait to read the next in the series, as the ending set it up perfectly.

Another fun and entertaining book from Jax, who has become an author I rely on for a good time. In The Revenge Game, Andrew, a multimillionaire tech genius, sees his high school bully Justin in a pub, halfway across the world from home. Justin has the audacity to not recognize Andrew, who then makes the very unhinged decision to get his revenge by infiltrating Justin's life to humiliate him and wreak havoc. Obviously things do not go as planned.

While Andrew certainly made some wild decisions, he is still very lovable. He's a very three-dimensional character, and you really come to understand why he made the choices he did, even if some were, uh, misguided. Justin, despite being a bully all through high school, is actually very kind and friendly.

Spoiler-Free Highlights:
-Tabitha the tabby cat (my niece is named Tabitha and we call her Tabby and Tabby Cat)
-All of the Texas references
-Sexy trolls
-Inadvertently tricking your coworker into dressing better

Man, this warmed my nerdy little heart. The relationship building was top tier, even if I was angry at Andrew at multiple points. I think that’s the proof of really great writing, though, when you have an actual emotional response to it.
I loved the quick little sighting of Callum and Oliver, though part of me wishes there was interaction with them, but they are my favorite Jax Calder couple. Great, now I need to go read the unlikely heir, again.
I can’t wait for Leo’s book. The hints towards his story have me intrigued

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️


* Hell of a revenge plan
* Violence via fermented grapes lol
* This is some dedication…
* Typical case of internal homophobia
* Okay, but I have a sick desire to see these troll pics. They sound hilarious
* I thought he said he didn’t want to actually hurt Justin? He’s going to get him fired
* Evil genius laugh lol
* Why no milk in earl grey?
* lol bowl crimes. Want to meet Jax Calder in person
* Callum and Oliver!!
* Collectively owned fork. I need to be Jax’s friend
* Wait wait wait. Now you’re going to use sex as revenge? That’s gross
* God, I feel terrible for Justin. This is going to hurt
* Real men don’t eat chicken sandwiches?
* Xander coming in trying to help and just making things so much worse
* Also, suck it Adam
* Cutest proposal of all time


Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review

This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I was all for the revenge plan, could totally see where Andrew was coming from and was cheering him on from the sidelines... until walls started to come down and secrets started to be shared and, as usual, things weren't quite what they seemed to be. My heart broke for both Andrew and Justin, for the unfairness of life and the difficulties it brought them... but also the love. This book was so good, so heartrending and yet heart healing. I absolutely cannot wait for the next in the series!!

Jax Calder is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. When I finished Calder's book "The Unlikely Pair," I immediately went back to the beginning to read it again. This book follows a tech millionaire and the guy who used to relentlessly bully him in high school. What I loved: the character growth, the slow development of the relationship and the PINING (something that Calder does so well). I didn't like the number of deceptions involved and how long they went on for. It really stressed me out and gave me a feeling of dread so unnecessary in a romance novel. Nevertheless, I still read this book in one day a reread the final chapters immediately. I will continue to inhale all of this author's books even though this one was not my number one pick. I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through NetGalley.

<b>I thought I was getting a fun enemies-to-lovers story. Instead, I got emotional damage, cat conspiracy theories, and two boys learning how to heal. It’s tender, messy, and full of heart - and I loved it.</b>

In her latest newsletter, the author shared that she wrote this book while parenting her child through school bullying - something that also resurfaced her own experiences with it. And honestly, that care, that depth? It shows. The way bullying was portrayed here was sensitive but unflinching; heartbreaking without being dramatised, raw without being hopeless. What Andrew went through is shown with the gravity it deserves, and the long-term consequences aren’t glossed over either. I really appreciated that.

What stood out just as much, though, was how Justin was written. Yes, he has a past. Yes, he hurt someone. But this story doesn’t just write him off, but explores his shame, his regret, and his drive to be better and do better. It explains what he did, without ever excusing it. And that nuance was very well done indeed.

And to be fair, Andrew’s revenge plan wasn’t exactly innocent either, so that helped keep the emotional scales from tipping too far in one direction 😅

Their reluctant friendship-turned-something-more was so <i>beautifully</i> done: slow, tender, and so emotionally charged. The shy crushing, the lingering glances, those first hesitant touches as well as their sexual exploration made me feel all the tingles 🥰

Also: there were two awesome cats. I’m a simple woman. Give me emotionally complex boys and some quality feline content, and I’m yours. 😻

That said, it did drag a little in the middle, and it got uncomfortable watching Drew keep the lie going for as long as he did. When the reveal finally came, <b>it hurt</b>. I genuinely wouldn’t have blamed Justin if he hadn’t been able to forgive the deception. But <b>THANK GOD</b> he did because these two are just perfect for each other.

All in all, the book struck a really lovely balance between emotional depth and humour - the witty banter in this was so good - and that epilogue was everything. Can’t wait to see what Leo’s story is gonna be in the next book of the series ☺️


<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this lovely ARC!</i>

Absolutely loved this book! I have a tendency to love Jax Calder's books, and this one was wonderful. The main character, Andrew, was a tech genius and sold his business for a lot of money. He was aimlessly wandering in London, figuring out his next steps, when he unexpectedly ran into his high school bully, Justin, at the pub.  But Justin didn’t recognize him so Andrew decided to plot a revenge game to get back at him for those hellish years. What I loved was how when Justin found his work email acting up with troll porn, the new IT Andrew was a lifesaver in fixing the problem. Despite the past, he couldn't turn his back on Justin.  Justin was a great guy as well.  He had suffered from emotional abuse from his stepdad and hid a huge part of himself. I loved how they got to know each other in small and big ways through spending time with each other.  They formed a close relationship that turned to love. I loved them together. I definitely cheered for them. I loved the location of London and the charming landmarks added a wonderful element to the love story.  I enjoyed the hilarious side characters. Xander was my favorite! I really want the story of Leo. The crumbs of his story were fascinating. The ending was perfect! Overall, it was a lovely, fun, and sweet book! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this story! Both main characters were incredibly well developed, and I loved watching their relationship evolve. The emotional depth was strong, especially with the glimpses into their pasts, which made their journey even more compelling.

The hidden history between them added a great layer of tension, and I appreciated how it unraveled gradually. While the story starts with a hint of revenge, it quickly becomes something much more heartfelt and character-driven.

The writing was smooth and engaging, and I was fully invested from beginning to end. A lovely, emotional read with great character development. I’d definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Jax Calder for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.75*
I recently finished "The Revenge Game" by Jax Calder, an enemies to lovers slow-burn romance featuring the classic jock-versus-nerd dynamic, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey it took me on. Spanning over 400 pages, the novel was surprisingly digestible—so engaging and effortlessly readable that the pages practically turned themselves. Despite its length, it never felt overwhelming or drawn out. I finished it in just two sittings!

That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. While the story had charm and heart, and the character development was both thoughtful and rewarding, the narrative felt a little too smooth, almost overly convenient. The conflict lacked a certain emotional depth or intensity that I tend to gravitate toward—perhaps I was craving more angst or tension, the kind of raw emotional stakes I'm accustomed to in grittier romances.

Nonetheless, I appreciated the overall arc and the evolution of the relationship at the story’s core. It was well-crafted, if somewhat predictable, and the author’s voice was compelling enough that I’d happily read more of their work. Jax Calder has a gift for creating likable characters and heartfelt connections, and I’m curious to see how her storytelling continues to develop in future novels as well as the rest of this new series. I still think my favorite book of Calder's is "Playing For Keeps" though.

I received an ARC on NetGalley to write an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book and was really surprised by it. I had never read anything by the author before, and now I feel the need to read all of her works.

This book is a RomCom with the perfect vibes of a 2000s movie. If you enjoyed "Boyfriend Material" by Alexis Hall, this book is perfect for you.

Andrew was bullied in high school, and now that he is a multimillionaire, he decides to take revenge on the guy who made his life miserable at school: Justin.

But what will happen when revenge turns into friendship and maybe something more?

An addictive plot
Easy to read
A unique sense of humor
A sweet romance.

¡

Based on the title alone, I was hooked. I mean, who doesn’t love a good revenge plot? And boy oh boy was this such a fun read with a decent amount of depth mixed in. Themes like accepting the person you were as part of the journey to the person you are and teenage bullying and anxiety coupled with a side of technological warfare and you have the formula for a pretty good read.

And Jax Calder delivered. I think the main thing I would’ve liked to see more of, though, were the revenge pranks. They happen pretty quickly at the beginning, but they don’t seem to have that much of an effect on Justin. Plus, the pacing in the middle lagged a bit, with Drew constantly vacillating between knowing he should tell Justin the truth and not wanting to ruin the relationship they were building. Yet the emotional payoff of the truth finally coming to light still packed a punch, and the ending was just the cherry on top.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Another great book by Jax Calder.
A book about 2 guys who knew each other from high school, one a bully and one a victim. It was great to see how Andrew came up with all the revenge plans. It confused me first how Justin didn't remember who Drew was but it's all explained and it makes so much sense. It's how 2 people deal with their past, Drew after surviving all that bullying and Justin to finally being able to be himself. I thought it was a great love story and the 2 cats are amazing side characters.
Overall a book I just couldn't put down.
5 stars

AMAZING. Was laugh out loud funny and so whitty. I was giggling and kicking my feet this entire book. A perfect read to get yourself out of any funk!

Thank you, Jax Calder, NetGalley, and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC!

I loved the story, and seeing how deeply they were each falling for each other made it so cute that I instantly knew I was going to fall head over heels for the two of them and root for them. I mean, come on, building an app for a guy you're falling for to help with the trouble he was having since he was a kid?? The cutest and most tugging at my heart strings gesture any could make. I think that they both showed so much vulnerability to each other solidified my love for the story.

I'm going to be honest, I disliked Andrew/Drew from the start. I understand being bullied and it having a lasting effect on you, trust me, I get it. But his whole plot for revenge seemed so childish and petty, and not a cute look for him. But boy, my opinion of him changed as the story went on, and I was rooting for him and practically begging that he come clean to Justin! Like, come on, you're both perfect for each other!

Justin, on the other hand, gave me mixed feelings. On one hand, he was the bully who traumatized Andrew, but on the other hand, we had no idea about what was going on in his personal life. But as I read more, all of that just went to the back, and all I could focus on was how amazing of a person he was now as an adult and all the guilt he felt for what he did and how conflicted he felt for not being able to be his authentic self.

The ending, though! I love sappy endings, and this had that for me. I would put it up there with the sappy endings that I love in all my KDramas. Worth it and very much appreciated towards the end of the story.

this book was a great read! the development of the relationship was well paced, watching drew and justin slowly learn how to be the best versions of themselves for each other was really touching. it had serious moments as well as great comedic moments. and of course any mmc with cats is always a green flag

Jax Calder once again providing some laughs and love! I love that Andrew and Justin were both able to find the safe spaces they always sought as children. The choice to include a Troy Aikman poster brought made my eyes twinkle, as I too had a Troy Aikman poster on my wall in high school! And there was a Callum and Oliver sighting! Made my day!

I had so much fun reading The Revenge Game! Andrew and Justin were both super relatable, with way more depth than I expected. Honestly, who hasn’t wanted the chance to revisit high school moments? That just sounds like a fun time.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t totally sold on Andrew’s obsession with getting revenge on Justin—there were other jerks who seemed just as bad. But his approach was so entertaining, and watching him slowly reconsider everything as he got to know Justin better was really satisfying. Plus, I loved that Andrew was an IT geek who got to shine and save the day.

Justin’s character was handled really well, too. The author balanced his bad decisions with the reasons behind them so that, by the end, you could understand where he was coming from. I’m not saying everyone would make the same choices, but there was definitely more to his story than meets the eye.

This book made me giggle and filled me up. While this is my first book from this author, it won’t be my last.

Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.