Maybe I’m just feeling a little YA burnout after prepping for our Summer Reading Program, but Payback Girls didn’t quite hit the mark for me—though I really wanted it to. That said, it’s not a bad book by any means. I actually appreciated a lot about it, especially the strong minority representation. The depiction of a Black student navigating life as the only person of color at school is something many readers will recognize as an all-too-real experience, and it’s great to see that reflected here.

The premise is juicy—three girls discover they’ve all been dating the same guy, and just as they start to confront the situation, he turns up nearly murdered. Suddenly, they’re the prime suspects. The setup promises high drama, twists, and tension, and for the most part, it delivers. The characters are well-drawn and distinct, and the emotional stakes are clear.

Where the book lost me a bit was in the pacing. Some parts flew by, while others dragged more than I expected. I kept waiting for the story to really take off, and it never quite did. It had all the right ingredients—interesting characters, a timely premise, and real-world relevance—but somehow the finished dish didn’t pack as much flavor as I hoped.

Overall, Payback Girls is a solid read with an important voice, even if it didn’t fully live up to my expectations.

This one was a doozie for me. I was so annoyed with these characters but I was still cheering them on. This was big for me, because let me tell you, the way I yelled at them for getting themselves into this mess anyway was getting on my nerves. Because why in the world did y’all care about this terrible person anyway?

This was another book where the main characters had me yelling at them because they were dodging red flags like they were invisible. I got so mad at them for letting these people walk all over them. Because it wasn’t just regular bullying. Oh no it was bullying plus a side of racism mixed in. And they were still trying to hang/be with them. Each of these girls deserved so much better than this.

The plot or mystery was just ok. I figured out who it was as soon as this person was introduced! The only reason I didn’t DNF it was because I wanted to see if I was correct. And I was. There were also some places where this book dragged a bit. It felt like nothing they were doing was helping and everything they WERE using to gain some clues or something still were hung up on whether or not THEIR boyfriend would make it. And let me tell you, it was annoying lol

Although I didn’t like the girls fighting over the guy, I did like the way they evolved and came together. They were a hot mess in the beginning and I don’t mean that in a good way. I wish there was a bit more thriller to this one, but for the most part it was still good.

Fast paced! Couldn’t put this one down. Read it all in one day. Do not let this one sit on your to be read shelf!!

This was exactly the amount of female rage I needed right now. I loved this and the girls. It was like a roller-coaster in book form, and I highly recommend for everyone who feels angry at the world right now.

SO many ARCs and just not enough time. Then again, I knew that before I requested this one. Here's Alex Travis's "The Payback Girls."

["His first mistake was underestimating them.

Senior year is going to be perfect. Meghan won't settle for anything less. She's already crushing her classes and dating the star of the basketball team. Nate's friends have been less than welcoming, but it's never easy being one of the only Black kids at a mostly white prep school. Still, Meghan did not expect the scene at pep rally.

Robin and Bria dated Nate too. are dating him. He never broke up with them, and Meghan is furious.

When Nate is found bloodied and unconscious in the locker room after the big game, suddenly the three teens are prime suspects—and a tenuous alliance may be the only way to clear their names. Except Meghan doesn't remember everything that happened that night, and she's starting to have feelings for one of the exes. One thing is for the more clues they uncover, the more Meghan, Bria, and Robin each look responsible…"]

I read this blurb, and I needed it. "John Tucker Must Die" (if you haven't watched this 2006 movie, you're missing out), but John Tucker ends up almost dead. Plus some queerness sprinkled in there. I was sold.

LOVED the female rage in this. Revel in your anger. Don't let people push you around and make you a victim. You own your agency, and if they threaten to take it from you, push back. These girls did just that. It was powerful as fuck. Especially adding in the race aspect.

Just as powerful was the female friendship in this one. Thought it was rocky most of the novel, they stuck together. Meghan's sisters on the other hand? Loyal as fuck, perfect representation of female empowerment and support.

Oh, you want to know about the crime? Because it's a mystery. Makes sense. The suspects list only got longer and longer, the details more convoluted and confusing. People would clear themselves, only to reappear as suspects a few chapters laters. We all suspected the three girls a few times, at least I did. I even suspected the actual culprit a few times (go, me).

#thepaybackgirls #alextravis #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

OMG what did I just read????? The plot twists and turns were something I really needed to read right now. I needed something that was going to keep me on the edge of my seat and keep me guessing who did it till it was revealed. I absolutely love the growth in the friendship between Meghan, Robin and Bria. Nate did them so dirty that I really thought that one of them attacked him at first but once things started rolling I could tell it was none of them, but the who did it was a bit of a shock. But, I also feel bad for Nate he didn't deserve what eventually happened to him, he was just a typical high school boy. The drama, the bullying and rumors are all so typical of high schools these days and it made me feel like I did back in those days for me.

I requested this for consideration for Book Riot's All the Books podcast for its release date. After sampling several books out this week, I decided to go with a different book for my review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc

Hearing that this had John Tucker Must Die vibes and that being one of my favorite movies I was excited for this book. However it didn't live up to the epicness of it. I had a hard time getting into and staying engaged in this book.

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. I love Ya thrillers and this one did not disappoint. Revenge is the best! I got to know the characters and loved the plot.

What a great story! Can't wait to read more by this author!
Thanks Netgalley and to the author for the ARC!

3.75⭐️This drew me in from the start and kept my interest throughout albeit with a few bumps along the road.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

I loved the queer and black female representation that also spoke to social issue of today but without sounding like the author was preaching. It came off for the most part like authentic high schoolers in an atypical situation that only YA thrillers can offer.

The book did get a bit repetitive at times and while it pays a nod to movies like John Tucker must die, it does take place in modern day. The issue is some of the language is not what a teen would say. The biggest stand out was calling a recording a “taping”. It took me right out of the story. I thought maybe the author was an older Gen Xer when I read things of that nature but that doesn’t seem to be the case. There are some other minor similar outdated terms but they didn’t bother me as much.

I liked the tension and suspense despite figuring out who the culprits were. The more surprising aspect was the “why”

I think teens will eat this book up and enjoy the ride. This book comes out April 1.2025.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

I really tired with this one of a barely able to finish. A little to young for me & the girls just seemed petty and down right dumb. How they all dated the same guy is absurd to me….I know that there are people who will love this, that’s the beauty of reading. But it just was not for me.

This is a fascinating look at a private high school when Nate is hit with a hockey stick and is in a coma. Meghan, Bria, and Robin have all been girlfriends of his and vow to get revenge as there is evidence from all three of them at the scene.--and they're pretty sure it was none of them! But Meghan has visions of her last boyfriend who was apparently cheating and she wonders if they are being framed or are they really responsible? It's a race to the finish as we contemplate the ramifications of who is out to get him...or them!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was just ok in my opinion. Perhaps I did not like it because I couldn't connect with many of the characters. That or the fact that I wasn't really involved with sports in high school. It was not a bad read
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

This YA novel gave me strong "John Tucker Must Die" vibes!! This was just an okay read for me because it was a bit of a slog to get through, but I feel like there are others who will absolutely love it!

“The Payback Girls” follows three high school seniors—Meghan, Bria, and Robin—who find out their football star boyfriend, Nate, was cheating on all of them at the same time (Think “John Tucker Must Die” vibes). Things get worse when Nate is found bloodied and unconscious, apparently the victim of an attempted murder. Suddenly, everyone thinks the girls are guilty as scorned lovers, so they team up to clear their names.

The story definitely got more interesting towards the end, but the beginning dragged a bit with too much description. The pacing felt off, sometimes moving too slow but then suddenly jumping ahead—especially when Meghan, who didn’t even hang out with Bria and Robin before, suddenly becomes part of their squad. It felt way too rushed. Also, it was hard to get past the fact that Meghan and the others still seemed hung up on Nate even after finding out he was a serial cheater. Meghan forgiving Robin so quickly for using her because she had a crush on her? That felt way too easy and glossed over.

The book had some good moments, but the pacing issues and shallow character development made it fall short of what it could’ve been.

The Payback Girls is a fun, drama-filled ride that starts off a bit slow but quickly picks up momentum. Once the story gets going, it’s packed with revenge, friendship, and plenty of satisfying twists. The dynamic between the main characters is a highlight, and their bond adds a lot of heart to the plot.

There are a few moments where it feels a little choppy, and some transitions could have been smoother, but overall, it’s an engaging and entertaining read. If you love stories about strong friendships and well-earned payback, this one is worth checking

🔥 THE PAYBACK GIRLS 🔥
💔 Cheating Ex? Forget Moving On—It’s Time to Get Even. 💔

🎭 High school drama just turned deadly.

Meghan had it all—top grades, the perfect boyfriend, and a bright future. That is, until she finds out she’s not Nate’s only girlfriend.

💥 Turns out, Robin and Bria were dating him too.
💥 Nate’s lies? Exposed in front of the entire school.
💥 And then—Nate is found unconscious in the locker room.

Suddenly, Meghan, Robin, and Bria aren’t just girls scorned—they’re the prime suspects. With gaps in Meghan’s memory and the evidence stacking up against them, the three girls must work together to clear their names.

But as secrets unravel and betrayals cut deep, one question lingers…

🔪 What really happened to Nate that night?

💣 What to Expect:
✨ Revenge, but make it messy
👀 Secrets, twists, and unreliable memories
🎭 Prep school drama with a dark twist
🕵️‍♀️ A mystery where no one is innocent
📖 For fans of John Tucker Must Die & One of Us Is Lying*

💬 Drop a 🔪 if you love dark academia, high school revenge, and twisty thrillers!

#ThePaybackGirls #AlexTravis #HighSchoolThriller #RevengePlot #EnemiesToAllies #DarkAcademia #MessyFriendships #WhoDunnit #PrepSchoolMystery #BookTok #SourcebooksFire

There are parts I loved about this book. I loved the strength of the Black girls as they're portrayed as the villains who attacked the guy who was cheating on them. The Sapphic subplot was interesting but a little strange given the circumstances.

I still had unanswered questions by the end, which is kind of annoying. I suspected the person who did it from the beginning, so I wasn't surprised by the ending. I liked the writing, loved Meghan's sisters, and the highlighted aspect of social media drama and bullying was interesting to read. Solidly entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

While Meghan Landry’s family is part of the middle class and most people would agree that her family is not poor, her acceptance into the school is considered an act of charity by her schoolmates who come from much wealthier families.

That’s one reason why Meghan is bullied at her new school.

Meghan, Robin, and Bria are the only black students at a prestigious private school.That’s not all they have in common. It turns out all three girls had the same boyfriend, Nate, who happens to be the star football player, and his friends don’t approve of Meghan.

That’s the second reason Meghan is bullied.

After all three girls discover their boyfriend has been triple timing them, they plot to get revenge. But before they can put their plan into action, Nate is brutally attacked one night after a football game, and the girls become the prime suspects. To make matters worse, Meghan wakes up in bed with Robin the day after Nate was attacked and doesn’t remember what happened the night before.

That’s the third reason Meghan is bullied at school.

Now all three girls must work together to clear their names even as they suspect one another is responsible for the attack on Nate.

~~~~~~~~~

Wow. This book was better than I had expected. I thought I was going to read another regular mystery. But Alex Travis weaves in several tough situations that many teenagers face these days -- dating violence, bullying, love, racism and the acceptance of one’s own identity.

What I Liked:

Character arc: Meghan, Robin, and Bria felt like real teenagers going through real struggles and by the end of the book, they are changed as a result of their experiences.

The bonding between these three girls during the course of the book. They start out as rivals but learn to rely on one another as a source of strength while also discovering their own voice and agency.

CW: dating violence, some underage drinking