The Revenge Paradox

by Regina Buttner

“Deception, family drama, and more secrets than I could count permeate the pages of this gritty portrait of an untapped slice of Americana.” –Dan McDowell, award-winning author of When She Comes Knocking

Revenge has a way of backfiring sometimes.

College dropout-turned-Amazon reseller Rudy Hodgens vows revenge when his parents evict him for refusing to get a real job and generally being a slacker. If it weren't for his friend Fudgie offering him a place to crash, he'd be on the street. Good thing he stole his stepfather's gun before he moved out.

Rudy thinks he's onto a promising new business venture when he sells the gun to a shady acquaintance who’s eager for as much illicit merchandise as Rudy can supply. Plus there's Laci, the alluring pink-haired girl he recently met at the bus stop. They begin dating, and Laci persuades Rudy to return to school. All of a sudden, life's looking up.

But the stolen gun triggers a chain of events that threaten to derail Rudy's newfound happiness, and his desire for vengeance takes a violent turn. Only Laci can save him from his worst impulses, but there's a catch—Laci's secretly out for revenge too, and Rudy's standing in her way.

Genres: Contemporary

241 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2024

About the author

Regina is a registered nurse-turned-writer who was raised in beautiful upstate New York, where she spent many happy hours exploring the back roads and small towns of the Adirondack mountain region. She recently traded the cold, snowy winters for the endless summer of sunny southwest Florida, where she enjoys strolling the sandy beaches, paddling among the mangroves, and teaching tricks to her crafty little corgi, Pekoe. Her new domestic suspense novel THE REVENGE PARADOX is set in her hometown of Syracuse, New York.

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @reginabuttnerbooks for the gifted copy

TITLE: THE REVENGE PARADOX
AUTHOR: REGINA BUTTNER
PUB DATE: 10.24.24

Revenge has a way of backfiring sometimes.
College dropout-turned-Amazon reseller Rudy Hodgens vows revenge when his parents evict him for refusing to get a real job and generally being a slacker. If it weren't for his friend Fudgie offering him a place to crash, he'd be on the street. Good thing he stole his stepfather's gun before he moved out.

But the stolen gun triggers a chain of events that threaten to derail Rudy's newfound happiness, and his desire for vengeance takes a violent turn. Only Laci can save him from his worst impulses, but there's a catch—Laci's secretly out for revenge too, and Rudy's standing in her way.

THOUGHTS:

A quick read that is a twisty thriller told in multiple POVs which I enjoy reading about. There is family drama, secrets, and lots of suspense. There is nothing like a good revenge story and this one was a fun read.

QOTD: “The revenge paradox …”

#therevengeparadox #thrillertuesday #thrillers

[Zelda Kimble · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: received free copy of this book.

I disliked every character, and all of the “twists” this book had were pretty lame. There is very little revenge that actually takes place and it is not a page turning thriller- it’s limp. The multiple POV’s added very little to the story, often repeating what was already said. I’ve read more interesting family drama stories on Reddit, this book was unfortunately not for me.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced family drama. Talk about characters that can't get out of their own way! The dysfunction in this family rivals anything I've ever read. While reading you can't help but yell at the pages - don't do that! Buttner uses a story out of the headlines for a backdrop. Her imagination does a the rest, and she does a good job with character development and how holding a grudge (and guilt) can drive people to make one mistake after another. Ending is good. Great read!

[Kay Smith-Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first moments in family court, I was in. With a skeptical judge, a conflicted set of parents, and a defiant son who has completely misread his situation, Buttner sets up an all too relatable scenario in the Revenge Paradox world of relatable malfunction: parents that shouldn’t be parents, a system that is failing the ones in their care and love-starved children grasping for any foothold. Laci may have been my favorite character. But it’s Rudy, a vulnerable protagonist you can like and dislike in equal measure, as he rushes down a path of payback that keeps the reader turning the pages. Fast forward to the riveting action that pushes the story to the final slice of bacon at the coffee shop. A bounty of complicated characters (Lacie, Fudgie, Mitchell, Debra) are all suspect until Rudy’s grandmother coughs up the final clues. A confession you won’t see coming. Well done, Ms. Buttner!

[L.C. Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one heck of a great read. The story, told in multiple POV, flows with wonderful characters who aren't exactly perfect. This family drama clearly shows how holding a grudge or guilt can make you do unthinkable things. As the reader reads The Revenge Paradox, he will root for Rudy, the main character but at the same time will want to choke him as he makes unthinkable mistakes. He will feel the same way about the other characters. The story quickly escalates to a riveting end that will shock you. Give this book a read. I highly recommend it.
The reason I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5 star is because the story is written in the present tense, something I'm not comfortable with. However, even though it was written that way, I still immensely enjoyed the story. I'll definitely read more books by Regina Buttner.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE REVENGE PARADOX was a very interesting psychological thriller. Told from several different POVs, I really could really get into the character’s and wanted to read more about them. The dysfunctional family also kept things interesting and will keep you guessing about what is coming next. The ending was great and I can highly recommend this one!

Many thanks to Regina Buttner for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had really great potential, but it fell short for me. I was very underwhelmed. The characters were just ok. For a psychological thriller, the plot twists were really predictable. The most exciting part happened about 3 chapters from the end, which left the ending kind of blah.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that grab you from the first pages and won’t let you go until the very end. Even when I knew that it was all a recipe for disaster and what was coming, I just couldn’t stop reading.
A suspenseful read, full of twists and family drama that you won’t be able to put down.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This drama/suspense thriller is full of secrets, lies, and family dysfunction. It's told from multiple perspectives so you get a really clear picture of what happened and why. The puzzle pieces gradually fall into place as the secrets come out and lead to a unexpected ending. With short chapters, a fast pace, and unfortunate characters this novel will keep you on your toes and the pages turning.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
Thanks to the author for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, the book fell a bit flat for me. On a positive note - it was a very quick and easy read and I liked Buttner’s use of multiple narratives (it kept the story moving along quickly). It took about 70 pages for me to finally get into the book and I had to push myself those first 70 pages to continue reading. None of the characters were particularly likable or that interesting, so I wasn’t that invested in their storylines. The most likable character was Fudgie (main character’s best friend) but he wasn’t that prominent in the story. The plot twists were pretty predictable, especially given the multiple narratives. And I felt like the route Buttner took with some of the plot twists just fell flat (especially the whole Debra and Rudy’s mom situation). The climax of the book was somewhat interesting, but again just pretty predictable. I definitely felt like Buttner could have done more with Debra’s character. I felt like her character, and many others, weren’t very well developed. Overall, this book was just a bit lackluster for a psychological thriller.

[David Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting read. A lot of the well fleshed out characters are unlikeable but that doesn't stop you from rooting for them. Rudy makes some unthinkable decisions but you hope he learns? from them moving forward. Laci is the most likable character but even she has curious intentions. Together they seem good but with these types of characters, is anything really good? It may not sound like it from what I've written here but the story is actually well laid out with a fairly quick pace. If you enjoy stories with multiple POV's and questionable characters, I can highly recommend this one

Thank you to the author, Black Rose Writing and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.

[Barbara Waldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Revenge Paradox is an entertaining read with several twists and turns that the reader doesn't see coming. The characters are well developed and interesting and the book is well written.
Rudy, the main character, is drifting from one misadventure to another. He has been evicted from his parents' home because he has no job and refuses to get one. In a fit of pique he breaks into his parents' home by breaking the glass on the back door slider and steals one of his father's guns after he has been thrown out. He sells the gun to a hoodlum, hoping to get paid half the money once his contact sells the gun. The gun plays an important part in the story later in the book as it changes hands a few times.
After being evicted, Rudy is offered a couch at a friend's, Fudgie's, apartment where he lives throughout the entire book. His friend, Fudgie, is the one person who has no agenda and isn't out for revenge.
One day Rudy meets a girl, Laci, at a bus stop and over time they become close. She convinces him to go to school to learn HVAC. Laci also attends the same school and they study together and spend a lot of time in each other's company. Life is looking up for Rudy. He has a girl friend and the promise of a good job once he finishes school.
Then things start to go downhill. Rudy's mother, Debra, sees a boy standing outside the back of their home and she identifies the boy as the one who broke into the house. He also has Mitchell's, Rudy's father, gun on him. She calls the police and has him arrested. It turns out the boy is Laci's brother.
After this, events unfold that quickly spin out of control. Every character has an agenda of revenge, as suggested in the title, and the plot goes in several directions all at once. The reader is in for unexpected surprises in the last quarter of the book.
The book is entertaining and fun to read. The characters have depth, which makes the book interesting.

[Paulette Mahurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After lapping up the first few chapters, I’m aware the title fits perfectly. Written from multiple POVs, the story starts with down-on-his-luck unemployed Rudy, the protagonist, a defendant in an eviction case his stepparents brought against him. Right away the target of his revenge is clear: his stepparents; Mitchell, a sleep-deprived security guard at a hospital who pulls a lot of overtime and has a history of nightmares from tour of duty in Iraq, and Debra his second wife. Animosity wreaks from the page. The Judge reads him the riot act along with the judgement with the moveout date. When his friend Fudgie, a Jiffy Lube employee, offers Rudy a place to sleep on his couch in his cluttered apartment, Rudy needs money to buy food, etc. He comes up with the plan to steal Mitchell’s Glock while moving out; something to sell for living expenses. But is it wise to steal from a tough Iraq vet? That doesn’t stop Rudy, who obsesses over how to get even with his stepparents while stealing the gun. He sells it to a sleazy character, and in a turn of events meets a girl, Laci, and his life seems to be improving. But, what surprises are ahead for Rudy, and what happens with the gun, with Laci? No spoilers, but suffice it to say this tightly-written story doesn’t let up as I flip page after page, through the untangling paradoxical mess Rudy has gotten himself into, right down to the satisfying ending that ties all the loose ends together. I especially liked the different POVs, which gave deeper views into each of the characters narrating, and it is chocked full of a cast of unique characters playing against each other, making this an enjoyable read I recommend.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🏠 still live with your parents
😠 enjoy getting revenge
👀 love multiple POVs
📦 ever worked for Amazon

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Revenge has a way of backfiring sometimes.
College dropout-turned-Amazon reseller Rudy Hodgens vows revenge when his parents evict him for refusing to get a real job and generally being a slacker. If it weren't for his friend Fudgie offering him a place to crash, he'd be on the street. Good thing he stole his stepfather's gun before he moved out.

Rudy thinks he's onto a promising new business venture when he sells the gun to a shady acquaintance who’s eager for as much illicit merchandise as Rudy can supply. Plus there's Laci, the alluring pink-haired girl he recently met at the bus stop. They begin dating, and Laci persuades Rudy to return to school. All of a sudden, life's looking up.

But the stolen gun triggers a chain of events that threaten to derail Rudy's newfound happiness, and his desire for vengeance takes a violent turn. Only Laci can save him from his worst impulses, but there's a catch—Laci's secretly out for revenge too, and Rudy's standing in her way.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

The Revenge Paradox is a twisty thriller with multiple POVs which keeps you on your toes while trying to figure everything out. The characters are all highly unlikable, which made them feel a little more real for me. The only character without a thirst for revenge was Fudgie, so I was often finding myself siding with him to play a more neutral role. The story’s pacing is fast with short chapters, and we see a lot of twists near the end! Read this if you enjoy more realistic thrillers!

[Amy Shook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @reginabuttnerbooks for including me on this tour!

If you are looking for a family drama with dysfunction and secrets look no further! This is a very fast paced drama told from multiple perspectives.Especially at the end I couldn’t stop turning the pages because build up of tension was so intense! I was worried there wouldn’t be a character to root for but as you learn more about the characters their motives become a little more clear…I am a firm believer that you can liike a book without liking the characters because the story is that good! This book really made me think about gun control and how it can escalate disagreements too quickly.

𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀:
College dropout-turned-Amazon reseller Rudy Hodgens vows revenge when his parents evict him for refusing to get a real job and generally being a slacker. If it weren’t for his friend Fudgie offering him a place to crash, he’d be on the street. Good thing he stole his stepfather’s gun before he moved out.
Rudy thinks he’s onto a promising new business venture when he sells the gun to a shady acquaintance who’s eager for as much illicit merchandise as Rudy can supply. Plus there’s Laci, the alluring pink-haired girl he recently met at the bus stop. They begin dating, and Laci persuades Rudy to return to school. All of a sudden, life’s looking up.
But the stolen gun triggers a chain of events that threaten to derail Rudy’s newfound happiness, and his desire for vengeance takes a violent turn. Only Laci can save him from his worst impulses, but there’s a catch—Laci’s secretly out for revenge too, and Rudy’s standing in her way.

[Julie B. (readingonthebrink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎵"...I'm done with the feelings
that I've known in paradox
(Lost in paradox)
I'm maybe crazy enough to
break myself inside my head
'Cause lately I couldn't find these answers to live by instead
Some will call it giving up,
I just call it
getting lost in my own revenge..."🎵
~Paradox by Survive Said the Prophet

Ami Ayalon was quoted as saying, “In moments of pain, we seek revenge.” And from the very first pages of Regina Buttner’s upcoming domestic thriller, The Revenge Paradox, there are no truer words.

Told from multiple POV’s in real time, I devoured this novel in one sitting, as Buttner not only builds each character’s development, but the familial drama, the back story, and the tension with each chapter. I loved that each character had both a tragic flaw as well as a tenderness or a strength within themselves. I also really liked how Buttner incorporated compassion for memory-care/dementia patients and their families. With the ease and authenticity of the dialog, along with the impact of the novel’s present tense, I felt like I was actually watching it versus reading it! If you are looking for an quick read, complete with secrets, family drama, multiple POV’s and a tidy ending, this book is for you!

Thank you to @reginabuttnerbooks and @suzyapprovedbooktours for my gifted physical copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gail Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Revenge Paradox is a well-crafted story about the secrets and lies that can tear a family apart. Told from several different points of view, we meet Rudy, a 25 year old slacker whose 'failure to launch' gets him evicted from his step-parents' basement; step-dad Mitchell, a hospital security guard who works nights but worries about his wife's safety and wants her to arm herself against intruders; and Debra, the old before her time step-mother who longs for a peaceful, happy family to relieve her of the crushing guilt that she bears. This is a family in crisis and things are about to go from bad to worse.
Desperate for cash and couch-surfing at his only friend's apartment, Rudy concocts a hare-brained scheme designed to exact revenge on his step-parents for their cruel treatment of him, involving a stolen gun and a drug-running street gang. Complications arise when Rudy falls for a young woman with a boatload of secrets of her own. Is he willing to suffer the consequences of his behavior in order to protect his new girlfriend? Can Mitchell and Debra's marriage survive when decades old secrets are finally revealed? You'll be turning pages and staying up way too late once you start reading. I highly recommend this book by Regina Buttner.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thriller of how one action can have so many reactions. Rudy has just been legally evicted by his stepparents and as he is leaving he makes one rash decision that he feels was justified for his needs at the time. He rooms with a friend for the time being and works to get things in order when he meets Lacie. She comes from a hard background and understands Rudy. She helps Rudy to better himself with schooling and a degree but things are still not going well with his family relationship even though his stepmother often reaches out to check on him. But when Lacie's brother gets in trouble for something he did not do, the consequences seem harsh and Lacie knows she is the only one who can help him. As she tries to get to the bottom of the truth to prove her brother's innocence, it becomes a tangled web that leads back to a decision made by someone she trusted and loved. As everything seems to spiral out of control Lacie and Rudy both must make some hard decisions and face the truth of the actions that were made. This was a quick read! Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family drama story told in multiple POV, was quick read for me!
Rudy has been evicted from his parents home, he refuses to get a job, after being thrown out he goes back and breaks into his parents home by breaking the glass of the back door slider and then steals one of his father's guns. He sells the gun to a shady character in hopes to get paid half the money once his contact sells the gun. This gun will play a huge part of the story. Rudy is soon offered a couch at a friend's, Fudgie's, apartment where he is going to live throughout the book. One day while waiting for the bus he meets a girl named Laci, we watch as these two become close. She soon talks him into going to school for HVAC, laci even attends the same school and they study together. Rudy begins to see a future for himself.
One day Rudy’s mothers sees a boy standing outside her him and identifies him as the person who broke into the home, and they find Rudy's father, gun on him. She calls the police and he’s arrested. It soon turns out the boy is identified as Laci's brother. Soon we find the story unfolding and spinning out of control. Revenge plays a role in each characters motive.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-five-year-old Rudy Hodgens gets kicked out of his stepparents' home, and he vows to seek revenge on them. Never mind that he refuses to get a real job and is a freeloader.

Now, as he crashes at his friend’s place, Rudy is trying to sell his stuff to make money. He’s hoping to make good money from the gun he stole from his stepfather before he left their house.

This was a fast and furious read for me. I loved the whole premise of “grudges gone wrong” and “payback is a b*tch,” as the stolen gun ignites a startling chain of events.

Told from multiple points of view, the reader begins to see this family is dysfunctional and keeping secrets, and most of the characters are looking for revenge in some manner. I can’t say I found any of the characters extremely likable, but I think that was acceptable for this type of story. Everyone was out for something, and the author kept you guessing until the end. With suspense, twists at every turn and vivid detailing, I was flipping pages to know how this would all play out.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @reginabuttnerbooks for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Victoria Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start, I was interested in each of the characters POVs that were provided. The family dysfunction was quite entertaining and they each did nothing but get in their own way. The entire book you knew something was going on that you just couldn’t put your finger on but you had no problem saying you really shouldn’t do that, but they indeed do it. The ending completely caught me by surprise and Buttner did a great job leading up to it and keeping you on your toes trying to guess the next twist. It was a great view on what guilt and a grudge can make revenge seem like a great idea but lead you down another path.
I gave this a 4/5 stars solely because I love to love a character even if they turn out to be the villain at the end. In this book, you root for Rudy but I just didn’t love him even though I loved his character growth and story. Even in his arc he still would do things where you would say “Ugh Rudy no…” but that is part of what made this book good. Would definitely recommend!

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to dive into a world filled with dark and turbulent suspense where every page turn reveals a new layer of intrigue and mystery. Deception, family drama, and a maze of secrets saturate the pages, creating an intense and mysterious atmosphere. Buttner weaves a web of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning each page to uncover the next captivating, staggering, and unexpected revelation. The twists and turns woven throughout are like hidden trapdoors that lead me deeper into the maze. Then, when I thought I had it figured out, the story took another unexpected detour, leaving me breathless and hungry for more. The characters are complex, flawed, and utterly human, making their choices and actions all the more compelling. "The Revenge Paradox" showcases Regina Buttner at her twisty, mysterious best—a must-read for anyone who craves a thrilling ride through the shadows of secrets and lies.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Revenge Paradox by Regina Butner is an incredible novel that I really enjoyed.

This is a fantastic suspenseful psychological thriller!

We meet Rudy Hodgens who is kicked out of the house by his stepparents. Rudy is legally evicted, and he is angry. Luckily, he is able to stay with a friend. Rudy is determined to get revenge.
He steals a gun from the house and sells it to a gang member.

It looks like Rudy's luck is turning round when he meets Laci, his first girlfriend and he starts to turn things around.

But that gun? There is consequences, and crazy twists and turns. This book was so captivating and there are so many secrets that were revealed.

I read this book in one sitting because it was that GOOD!

The book is an exciting thriller you won't want to miss.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a very dysfunctional family. Rudy is an adult who still lives at home and has no desire to do anything. Stepdad Mitchell has had it and evicts Rudy from his home. Debra, Rudy's stepmother is pretty much a wallflower.

In The Revenge Paradox right away there were 2 people that I clearly did not like throughout the whole book. I just wanted to take Rudy and tell him what a selfish brat he is. Always with the me me me. Mitchell comes across as a know it all awful man.

But then the story takes it's twists and turns and an ending I did not see coming. Because of this I had to rethink about the people and had to add a couple more to the do not like list. The ending was good and offers some hope for the family..

If you enjoyed this book then you should read Down A Bad Road by Regina Buttner, it's fantastic. Thank you again Regina for another great story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy isn't that ambitious and gets evicted by his step-parents when he isn't doing enough to contribute to the household. He's so angry and steals a gun from his step-father and then sells it to a known criminal. This action puts events into motion that will change the family and the trajectory of Rudy's life.
I loved this twisty tale of how revenge can backfire and how our actions can really affect others now and in the future. I didn't particularly like the characters, except Fudgie, but that didn't detract from me wanting to know how this story unraveled. I figured out who was really to blame early on, but I still was invested enough to keep going for the story to unravel. The writing was excellent, as was the character development. The multiple POV's kept this family drama interesting! I loved it!

[Marisa Dondlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Revenge Paradox by Regina Buttner is a compelling, yet disturbing account of the secrets we keep and the lies we tell the closest ones and ourselves. The story opens at twenty-five-year-old Rudy is being evicted from his house by his step-parents. Set on revenge and in need of money, he steals his step-father’s gun and sells it on the open market. This single act starts a disastrous course of events that unfold at a delicious pace and ultimately result in tragedy. Readers know this can’t end well, yet Buttner’s deft hand crafts twists and turns that will keep you guessing how it ends. After the last page, you’ll find yourself researching other Buttner books because it was just that good. Highly recommend!

[Dawnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of revenge, and family dysfunction told from multiple POVs. We meet 25 year old Rudy who gets evicted from his step-parents home because he doesn't work, and he didn't finish college either. He's just loafing around. Rudy vows revenge for being forced from his home, and having to leave his dog. Rudy steals his father's gun to sell for some much needed cash. The selling of the gun really brings on some twists and turns. He also meets Laci, who convinces him to go to school. It seems like Rudy might be on the right track now with Laci. But, Laci also has her own agenda. This was really good and I liked all the twists and turns that I never saw coming.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

[Christy Cooper-Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long-hidden secrets take an unexpected turn in this suspense novel by Regina Buttner.
Like almost every family, the Batemans have secrets. But someone in the family has a lot to lose if their secret is exposed.
As young Rudy maneuvers the pitfalls of an acrimonious relationship with his stepparents, it becomes clear there is more at stake than his inability to be independent.
When a family secret is exposed it kicks things into overdrive and someone is willing to do anything and eliminate anyone who gets in their way.
A gripping story that builds to a riveting end that won’t disappoint readers.

[Addison Brae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever known someone who could never catch a break in life? This author’s colorful cast of characters in The Revenge Paradox messes up every break they get. Rudy, the protagonist, is the king of bad choices. Sometimes I wanted to hug him because he didn’t know any better and other times I wanted to shake him because he did. Regina Buttner has created the perfect storm in The Revenge Paradox where one decision years ago sets off a tragic chain of events with widespread effects. Filled with secrets, deception, and suspense, The Revenge Paradox is a page-turner that’s difficult to put down until you know what happens next.

[Cindy Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Revenge Paradox is a fantastic book! I could hardly put it down. The Author, Ms. Buttner, wrote this story from the perspectives of all of the characters, one a time, and sometimes showing the same timeline from each character's point of view. Chapter after chapter, you can't wait to get into the next "perspective" because you KNOW it's slightly skewed from what the other character either thought, said, or did. This book truly is a great example of "Perception is Realty". Oh, this was tense, emotional, juicy reading! I loved this book and am definitely sharing it forward to another reader in one of the Little Free Libraries that I maintain.