Payback is the third and final novel in Kristen Simmon's Vale Hall Trilogy. If you love following the actions of young con artists, then this series is perfect for you.

Brynn Hilder hit the jackpot when she was offered entrance to an exclusive school. One that not only accepted her past as a con artist, but encouraged her to continue with that life. Now, she's learned that when something looks too good to be true – it's because it isn't.

Her life, the life of her family and friends, are all on the line. And will continue to be in danger for as long as Dr. David Odin has power. He may be training a school full of hustlers, but that's only because he's the best of the best when it comes to deception and power plays.

It's going to take everything Brynn has – every single one of her allies – in order to take him down. And even then, the fight will almost certainly cost them.

“Time's ticking. I can feel the rush in my blood, urging us to hurry.”

Guys, Payback is the absolute perfect ending to this trilogy! It leaves no open plot arcs. It's all perfectly wrapped up, with a neat little bow on top. All while throwing some seriously shocking twists out along the way.

It was easy to get invested in Brynn's story, right from that very first book. Ever since then, I've been rooting for her, alongside all of the other readers out there. Well, Payback helped to push her character to new heights.

It also, somehow, managed to raise the stakes even higher. It was impressively done, all while leaving plenty of room for surprise and suspense. It's everything I could have hoped for in this finale, and then some.

Really, my only regret is that we won't get to continue following Brynn's adventures. As we all know that she's going to find a way to get herself in more trouble in her path through life. It's sort of her wheelhouse, at this point.

* I received an e-arc from Netgalley and the author in exchange for an honest review*

Epic conclusion to an amazing series! These books are definitely underrated and I hope that with Payback’s release, that more people pick them up. There were so many twists and turns, and definitely some surprises! If you like a good mystery, you definitely want to binge this series.

Vale Hall is a school for con artists and things get even more complicated in this conclusion. I often found myself on the edge of my seat, hoping for the best for these characters I’ve come to care so much about. Together, Brynn Hilder and her friends must overcome doubt, lies, and betrayal to unearth the truth. They must take on the biggest con artist of them all, the man who’s responsible for bringing them all together in the first place.

This book wrapped things up perfectly, and even better than I expected. Please do check it out! It’s releasing on February 2, 2021, so be sure to add it to your TBR. There’s still a little time left to preorder or request at your local library as well.

Payback was so intense and so good and OMG I love these character so much!!! I love Brynn and I love how much she's grown from book one and how by the end of Payback, she's really become the person she wants to be. There were some slip-ups in this book and she lost her way/forgot to trust her people, but in the end, she grew from it. I loved all of the twists that Kristen Simmons threw in- there were some I saw coming, but so many that I had no idea were on their way! In general, I love the idea of Vale Hall and not only teaching students the necessary core subjects, but having them learn all about the art of the con in order to move forward in the world. David Odin was so slimy in all of the books, so having Brynn and her friends work to take him down was so compelling and made me keep wanting to read. There was never a point in time in this book where I wanted to stop reading or put down the book- it was all so good and so perfectly paced! If you haven't read Payback (or any of the Vale Hall books really), you should pick it up ASAP!

Seriously good! So many twists I didn't see coming and a very satisfying ending to a trilogy about cons and lies and friendships and love. These books have so much going on and now that book 3 is out in just a few days, I highly recommend reading them all back to back. If you liked Jennifer Lynn Barnes' The Naturals or Fixer series, you should read this. If you like books about crimes, boarding schools, and whodunits with a strong focus on friendships and coming-of-age, you should read this series. My least favorite part was the small bit of a love triangle in the second book because I hate love triangles, but the drama was necessary to the overall plot.
This whole series is very well done and everything in this last book has escalated to a higher level of danger and intensity with so many loose ends getting tied up in this finale. I really wasn't sure how it was all going to come together and how many of my favorite characters were going to make it out but I'm very happy with the conclusion. These characters have been through so much and have been given time to grow and develop and make mistakes and overcome them and the whole journey was very worthwhile. This is one of the more underrated series I've read and I really hope more people will pick up these books.

Whew! That was a wild ride! It’s so hard to explain this book (and series) without spoiling everything, so I’ll just go with this: pick this series up if you’re looking for a exceptionally written series that’s filled with fantastic (and not so fantastic) characters, a truly exciting plot that keeps you guessing, and so many twists and turns that it leaves your head spinning.

This really was an excellent finale to a great trilogy.

A rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. I could not put it down. I loved every moment of this conclusion to the final book in the Vale Hall series. With so many twits and turns, you never knew what was truth and what was a con. I read the first two books a year ago and was worried that I would forget, but I was drawn right back into the story at top speed. I have read nearly everything Kristen Simmons has written (one book to go) and would read pretty much anything she writes. I am so glad I had the chance to read and review this book. If you have read the first two books, this final installment is a must read. If you haven't read any of them, time to get started...

A dramatic conclusion to an amazing series!! it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!!!! I loved the story and the characters so much!!

What an amazing end to a wonderful series! Simmons delivered on a twisty, turny series that will have you second guessing what you think is going to happen next!

The characters, the plot, the writing - all amazing and I can't recommend this series and author enough.

I'm really, really looking forward to whatever Kristen writes next!

A solid conclusion to a very twisty trilogy! Payback wraps up all the plot threads we've been working up to in a satisfying way, and you get a solid dose of the romance you've probably been wanting more of as well.

It's hard to say much this far into the series, but while the beginning was a little slow to get going and the pacing occasionally could have been tighter without so much of being in class at Vale Hall, overall I thought it was great and had some twists I was not expecting. For much of the book I was on the edge of my seat, worried whether my favorite characters would make it through alive or unscathed! The danger levels are high, but it's time for payback. If you haven't tried the series yet, I definitely recommend it. Vale Hall is a school for teen con artists, but things get very complicated...

I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Now that Brynn knows the lengths to which Dr. Odin will go to maintain his power and control, she also knows that she and her friends need to take him down. Their safety and their families' safety depend on it. They set out to recruit both current and former students so they can come up with a plan to reveal his true face to the world. It's the only way they can think of digging themselves out of the trap he's set for them.

This third volume of the Vale Hall series is as fast-paced and as fun as the first two. From the start, Brynn and her friends are hard at work planning and lying their way toward freedom. They remain as lovable as ever and their relationships as excellent in the face of changing obstacles and suspect loyalties. Sure, sometimes the world's logic is a little silly, but the story and the characters are engaging nonetheless. I love stories filled with twists and turns, con artists, and strong relationships. This series delivers. I'm sorry to be done with it, but I know I'll revisit!

Payback is another great Vale Hall story. I have enjoyed the evolution of the characters and I liked the addition of old students at Vale Hall into this book.

Can Brynn and her friends pull off the ultimate con and get out with their lives? In this thrilling conclusion to the Vale High series, Brynn and her friends are tested to the limit as lives are at stake and they all have to come together to con the ultimate man and beat him at his own game, the man who brought them all there together and holds all their lives in his hands, Dr. Odin. The book is a constant thrill ride of cat and mouse games and attempts to take down Dr. Odin all while maintaining their covers. Friendships, romances, and trusts are all tested, but with a few surprising turns people can surprise you. I had such a blast reading about Brynn and her friends, I loved all of them, even Geri who grew on me. The story was a great conclusion to this amazing trilogy. I can say happily that this is a must read for anyone who enjoys action, cons, and life staking stories that have friendship and romance in them. Brynn has been a character I’ve liked since the first book and seeing her grow into someone who is accepting love and building relationships and having a family of her own was a wonderful experience.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was an amazing novel in this series. I loved the characters, their growth, and the action! Well-done!

This book was amazing! I was completely dizzy while reading it. There were so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. I cannot recommend this series enough! Absolutely 5 stars!

Can I just say I don’t understand why people aren’t talking more about this series! This was one of the best wrap ups to a Trilogy that I have ever read! The twists and turns in this book sent my emotions through the roof! I screamed, I laughed, I cried, and more with this book! I feel more and more in love with these characters and I’m a little sad that I’m done with the book as well! I’m soo happy I already preordered this book and I can’t wait to reread this series over and over again! If you haven’t read this series I highly recommend you do! If you don’t know what this series is about all I’m going to say is “School for Con Artists with hints of Norse Mythology!”

It’s always sad to see a series end that I enjoyed reading. It’s been a wild journey of manipulation, secrets, and a whole lot of conning to get to this ending but it was definitely worth it! I think this series is quite underrated and if you haven’t heard of it and want a review, you can find them on goodreads or on my blog. (Book #1 and Book #2)

The main character, Brynn, has been through a lot in these books and she definitely put all of the skills she has learned to good use in this last book for the biggest con ever. There is a lot I admire about her. One of those things being her strive to not give up even when it seems like all hope is lost. She puts her game face on and keeps going no matter the danger she puts herself. Even though she may have not liked everyone she went to school with from the beginning, she still wants what is best for them all. I loved reading about her growth.

There is one major relationship in this series and then others that are minimal but still cute. When it comes to the relationship of Caleb and Brynn (the major one), I always enjoyed the page time they had. It hadn’t always been easy for them but they made it work even if the worst of conditions. I also liked how much Caleb trusted her even when it seemed like she had changed her mind on things. He is pretty great.

When it came to the plot, as with the other two books there are plot twists that I didn’t see coming. One was a real big surprise but I’m really happy about it. I think it added to all of the mystery and took it up one more notch. I don’t feel like the ending was rushed and was satisfying to see the biggest con artist get what he deserved! Plus, there is an epilogue and I liked seeing how everything went a year later.

Overall, it was enjoyable! I’ll be sad to see these characters go but am looking forward to whatever this author writes next.

With it’s clever, fully-fleshed characters and many unexpected twists, I’ve been a fan of this series from the first book. I’m sad to leave Vale Hall, but very pleased with how this adventure ends.

Even though it’s difficult to know who to trust at times since most of them are trained cons, I adore these characters. Brynn makes the statement that she’s finally found her family, and that’s exactly how it feels with these friends who offer unconditional support through some harrowing and life-threatening situations. I’ll miss all of them. I’m grateful to the author for the epilogue that allows the reader a glimpse into what the future holds for these characters.

Taking on Dr. O, the man who brought them all together, is their ultimate challenge, and the author strips away every last hope from them. I had no idea how they’d pull this off. And the secrets that are revealed! Some are pretty shocking and offer an exciting turn of events. When all is said and done, it’s an intricately layered plan that pulls elements in from several areas and plays out like a scene from Ocean’s Eleven. I loved every minute of it.

With a complex plot, a deep well of secrets, and fully developed, magnetic characters, this is a series I’d highly recommend to thriller/suspense fans. I’d be all in if the author decided to do a spinoff featuring some of these characters (Henry and Grayson especially!).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love Kristen Simmons and all of her books. This series reminds me a lot of Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Payback does a great job of wrapping up loose ends, while not being boring and dragging out certain scenes.

My only issue is the sex scene. I would love to recommend this book to my students, but for middle schoolers it is a bit too mature. Definitely high school and up.

Oh my gosh. I just finished this, and I seriously have no idea what to say. This book was absolute perfection. Perfect characters, perfect plot, and the perfect resolution to this series. I know that even if I read this every day for the next three months, I would still be discovering new nuances and twists. Seriously, if you haven't read this series, please pick it up. It's one of the best I've read over the past year.

Payback is the epic conclusion to the Vale Hall series. In it, Brynn and the rest of her gang have learned hidden truths, and taken on their biggest challenge of all: conning Dr. Odin. Secrets are unfolded, and revenge is the name of the game. A journey of deceit, finding love, and discovering the truth, this book will not disappoint!

Somehow, this book took a cast of ten characters, and gave every one of them development. Seriously, I loved them all! Grayson has been my favorite since book one, and although I can't say too much because spoilers, I loved his resolution. Talk about character development! His arc was by far the most complicated of any character, and I love him with my whole heart. Also, his romance with Henry was seriously adorbs!!!! Every time they were on the page together, I was grinning like a maniac, because I loved them so much. I would buy an entire book on them alone, they were so soft and blushy and a happiness boost by themselves.

And talk about showcasing female friendship!! Geri got so much development in this one, and I loved it. Instead of simply villainizing her like so many other authors do to female characters, we got redemption! I loved watching all of her schemes coming to fruition, and she was a great inclusion to this series!

Ok, I promise I'm done with raving about characters for the time being, so lets rant about the plot now! This book may just be the twistiest I've read. Every chapter, some new scheme or plan was being developed, and they all combined perfectly. Not in an unrealistic perfect way, just in a heart-stopping climax sort of way. I can totally see myself rereading this over and over again, it's just that thrilling. I'm not even a fan of thrillers, but I loved this.

I'm still not the hugest fan of Caleb and Brynn's romance, but Henry and Grayson made up for it. Brynn and Caleb were just too tame, too normal for me. Nothing about them made me hunger for more. I'm not complaining, it just didn't interest me all that much.

I'm still a bit thrown off by the utter excellency of this book, so I apologize if my review is a bit scattered. This book is literal perfection though, and I want everyone to read this as soon as they can! It's full of twists and conflicted characters, which are all the things I look for in books, so this was right up my alley.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kristen Simmons for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley & Tor Publishing for sending me an ARC of Payback by Kristen Simmons. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. Wow wow WOW.

I first picked up The Deceivers (the first Vale Hall book) in April. The pandemic was heavily setting in and my mind was running out of the energy to count lint for the 300th time. Vale Hall truly is one of my favourite contemporary series I have ever read.

The Vale Hall series follows Brynn, a poor girl from the rough neighbourhood of Devon Park in her city. She runs cons and odd jobs to stay afloat and alive, finally thinking she has a chance at getting out when she is recruited to attend a secret private school specializing in hustles, schemes and overall mayhem. The school is led by Dr. Odin, a mysterious and powerful man who will stop at nothing for what he cares about. In the third book we start by seeing Brynn at her most defiant, completely determined to restore the justice and happiness that was ruthlessly taken from so many around her.

For the first two books in series I actually think it was quite funny how I thought "well after the first two books, there's nothing Simmons can do to shock and shake it up even more, I'm onto her!! I know what she's up too!" oh boy how wrong I was...

Every time I thought I knew what was going on, I actually had NO IDEA what was going on and what was to come. Each new cliffhanger, development and deceit made me wants to keep reading even more. I cannot even imagine the amount of planning, outlining and webbing went into the twists and turns, that alone deserves a medal, the storyline never failed to shock and intrigue me.

I really loved how completely 3D each of the characters were, all with their own personal motivations and views. especially in the third book where it is so easy to throw away side characters and world building in favour of a romance or a one dimensional plot. It's really simple to focus too much on the main character so that the other characters and side plots fall short, especially in such a plot rich book like this one. Also would love to take a moment for the inspiration from Norse mythology, I thought that was such an amazing incorporation and the symbolism made things so much more fascinating. Overall it's so beautifully easy to see bits of yourself in every plot, character and hatred for final exams, the stakes only felt more elevated and motivating as I could resonate.

Parts of me were looking for a bit more diversity in the series but I did appreciate Simmons exploring Brynn's columbian heritage in this last book, making it a part of who she was and appreciating the culture.

This final book and it's conclusion to me wasn't just about a girl who got into some school and found herself in all kinds of mayhem. It was a reflection about us as people. Our greed, grief, personal angends and mostly, our hatred and letting go of it. "By giving something hate, we give it power". Brynn might have gotten out of Devon Park in the first book, but she never really even gave herself the chance to leave her anger behind until now and her character arc truly is phenomenal. I was genuinely tearing up after finishing the epilogue, the last line being truly one of my favourites just by how much I deeply felt the words. So while I go print out all my favourite quotes from this book and rave about them for eternity, I'm sad to be leaving Vale Hall but it truly was a wonderful wonderful time.