What was that ending though???? I feel like the rest of the story was wonderful and then they pulled an ending out of the hat and that was what was written in.

This was my first novel by Tiffany D. Jackson and while I liked it, I didn't love it. I think the themes in this story are very important especially interracial relationships, issues with parents and feeling the need to belong.

The writing itself was wonderful; I didn't find myself getting bored at all. Which, at times, can be my biggest downfall.

This was a tough book to get through, not because it was bad (it wasn't - I'm really glad to have read it) but because every few pages I wanted to grab the girls by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. The flags were scarlet and blinding, the indoctrination almost textbook. But it wasn't inauthentic, for the most part; Jackson sets the girls up so that the reader understands exactly how they could respond to Devonte the way that they do. It was hard to watch them deteriorate, but I still raced through this in two sittings.

I do wish there had been more clues to the final, big twist throughout the rest of the narrative. Especially since this was a first person narrative. I could pick up the clues enough to have guessed a few of the reveals, but the last one definitely got me. It felt like an entirely different character had taken hold of the story to tell the end of it. I love solving puzzles in novels, so I would've liked to have been more involved in the build up for this reveal too. Especially because it left soooo many questions afterward!

My girl eats every single time. She has been one of my favorite authors for YEARS and her new books just reminds me of why I continue to rave about her.

All in all, this started off a little rocky for me but once we get to the fifth chapter, shit starts to hit the fan and after that, it’s impossible to look away. I wasn’t expecting this to take a the turn it did. From lessons about the history of black culture to the creation of a college campus cult?! It went off the rails and I was just floored by how the story unraveled. I was even impressed with all of the supporting characters and how together, they created a palpable tension.

Jordyn really was insufferable in the beginning but she gained the utmost respect from me toward the end. My only complaint with this story is that after an almost impeccable buildup, the ending just fell kinda flat for me. It was something I could have seen coming. I also was left wanting so much more as far as Kammy’s disappearance and the outcome of that investigation. I could have easily used 50 additional pages because I have so many questions! Besides that, the book was phenomenal which is no surprise to me and I hope others truly love it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my second TDJ ARC I’ve received within the past two days and, like the first one (Blood in the Water), I devoured it in a little over three hours. I’m undeniably a fan of TDJ’s work—Monday’s Not Coming will forever be a book that haunts me (in a good way)—but The Scammer… I’m not sure how I feel.

On one hand, this book hooked me much faster than Blood in the Water. I want to say I was maybe 30ish pages in when I thought, “Okay, tell me more.” It still didn’t pull me in as quickly as Monday’s Not Coming or The Weight of Blood, but compared to her middle grade novel, which took about 90 pages to reel me in, this one was promising and had me intrigued early on.

I appreciated the subtle breadcrumbs that pieced things together. Without giving away spoilers, the puzzle pieces made sense—but the ending? I’m conflicted. Yes, there’s a twist, but I don’t feel like the story fully set the stage for it. Some of the protagonist’s actions didn’t align with how it all wrapped up. Sure, there were moments I wanted to yell at Jordyn and shake some sense into her (and the rest of them), but I understood she was written to be a naive college student “addicted to being a part of something bigger than you,” so I let it slide. Still, I wish the story had given her more space to become the character the twist needed her to be. Maybe the inner dialogue and all the books she read were supposed to build that arc, but it didn’t all connect until the very end—and even then, I just wanted a few more breadcrumbs earlier to make the twist land harder. I wanted to say, “Damn, Gina!” but instead, I blinked.

Another area that felt a bit off: the synopsis. It mentions a girl going missing and the lone white student helping to find her. That moment doesn’t happen until 50-60 pages before the end, and even then, the story doesn’t really dive into the missing appearances—yes, plural—of two characters. That part didn’t line up with the summary. I felt like Claudia during this arc because it seemed like no one cared the characters were gone. But maybe that feeling was intentional—another layer pointing to how missing Black individuals are often overlooked. I promise I didn’t steal that from Devonte or sip his tea (you’ll get it when you read the book). Still, I wish that storyline had been explored more and introduced earlier. We knew so much about Devonte already that we could’ve paused on him to deepen the plot around the other characters.

That said, I loved the love connection in this book! TDJ consistently nails this aspect in her writing. The timing, the build-up, and the authenticity of the relationship? Five stars. I hope she explores more of this in future books. Maybe something inspired by Reesa Teesa—only twisted into a thriller? Just saying!

All in all, this book wasn’t bad. A few areas needed refinement, but when it worked, it really worked. For TDJ to drop two books in one year? That’s impressive. I’d give this one 4/5 stars for sure.

Can’t wait for her next release. Already preordered this for my classroom library!

Tiffany D. Jackson is a powerhouse modern YA author, so I was excited to receive this ARC of her book The Scammer. Let's start out by saying like all of her books, Jackson does not shy away from a range of difficult topics, so this one, as always, comes with the idea of knowing what you're reading about before you get into it because it's very emotional and touches on topics that may be triggering for some people.

The story follows Jordyn, an incoming college freshmen who is leaving her Connecticut private school town to go to a historically black college in DC. Jordyn's family doesn't approve of her leaving, so she is very cut off, and the reader knows something has happened with her brother, but we don't quite know what yet. Jordyn immediately bonds with her new roommates and enjoys her time on campus, but then one of the girl's brother's is released from prison and starts living with them. Devonte starts to build a following and influence over the girls and others, and Jordyn gets wrapped up in a life she's not sure she wants.

This story is many things: it's a coming of age story about a young girl leaving her home and going out on her own. It's about wrestling with many racial issues current and historic. It's about the influences older people can have over young people on a college campus. But it's ALSO a mystery and there is QUITE a turn that I don't want to spoil. The end wraps up great, and it's really an excellent book. It will keep readers engaged all the way through. Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for this ARC!

I am a huge Tiffany D Jackson fan and was so excited to see she did another book. Her horror novels are my fav, so I was curious how this title would measure up. Although I enjoyed it, the ending felt a little too far-fetched for me. It really came out of left field and it seemed like we were supposed to believe that the scammer was so believable that she got sucked in too. It just didn't land for me. I was happy to go along with the first 3/4 and it was an interesting look at how a cult can get a foothold, but the ending and the twist fell flat for me. I absolutely loved the look at a historical black college, but this title was uneven for me. Regardless, I think young adults will gobble this story up and am excited to share it with them.

Jordyn is "a freshman girl whose college life is turned upside down when her roommate’s ex-convict brother moves into their dorm and starts controlling their every move."

I've heard amazing things about Tiffany D. Jackson, and the description of this book immediately caught my eye. College and cults, say less, I'm in. This definitely delivered on the intrigue and creepiness, and really did a good job developing all the characters in a believable way even when the situation was borderline unbelievable. I will say, for me the twist at the end did bring the book down for me from a 4.5 to 3.5 star. I felt like it introduced too many plot holes and was a twist for having a twist sake, instead of making sense for the story.

Still, this book was an incredibly interesting read.

3.5 stars

My jaw is currently in my lap as I type this. This book took me on a ride. I spent so much of the story irritated at the characters and wanting to strangle them through my Kindle only to have my wig snatched at the end. 😅 This was such an intense, exhilarating, emotional roller-coaster of a story and I enjoyed every minute of it. Tiffany managed to evoke emotions from me that I didn't know existed. So far this is my fave that I've read from her. Bravo!

I love Tiffany Jackson books…. I really tried to love this book as well. But I couldn’t quite love it like I love some of her previous works. I did love that a myriad of controversial topics were explored in this story including safety on college campuses, the quality of HBCUs vs PWIs, conspiracy theories, interracial relationships, disconnected parents, young adult naivety, the need to belong, and the list goes on.

I also loved the descriptive writing of the author and how well-researched this story appeared ranging from the HBCU culture to the conspiracy theories to the behavior of sociopaths. I felt like I was walking right alongside Jordyn throughout the story and could literally visualize the settings.

So what I didn’t love… While the plot twist was great (I certainly didn’t see it coming), the build up to it felt ill-conceived and left me irritated. The story was told solely from Jordyn’s perspective. We were privy to her thought process and emotions throughout the book only to find out that they were disingenuous. The author could’ve done a better job of keeping this character authentic. She did not which makes the plot twist less impactful and believable. It underwhelmed me and made feel deceived (and not in a beguiling way). Was Jordan lying to herself throughout the book? Or, was she just lying to the reader? In addition, I would’ve love more development for some of the minor characters. It would’ve made their behavior a bit more believable.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books for the e-ARC. I would recommend this book for young adults especially those graduating high school and planning to attend college. This books pulls from reality and some of the events could certainly occur if there isn’t a strong sense of self-awareness.

Thank you Netgalley and Quill Tree Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Tiffany D. Jackson once again proves she’s a master of socially charged thrillers with “The Scammer,” a gripping, uncomfortable, and emotionally charged YA book that dives deep into manipulation, vulnerability, and the dangers of unchecked power.

Set at Frazier University, which is a fictional HBCU modeled after Howard, "The Scammer” follows freshman Jordyn Monroe as she begins what should be a joyful and formative college experience. Having chosen Frazier over Yale for reasons that slowly unravel throughout the novel, Jordyn is isolated from her family and clinging to the new friendships she finds with her roommates. When Vanessa’s older brother Devonte shows up, recently released from prison, everything changes.

At first, Devonte appears charming and helpful as he’s cooking, cleaning, and opening the girls’ eyes to racial injustices. But his influence quickly morphs into something darker. Jackson brilliantly portrays the psychological and emotional traps that make college freshmen, especially those dealing with family estrangement and their developing identity, susceptible to manipulation. Devonte doesn’t just control the environment; he isolates the girls, spreading false information, controlling their actions, and using cult-like tactics to maintain power. His character is unlikable and deeply unsettling, crafted with a chilling realism that mirrors actual cult leaders and manipulators.

What makes “The Scammer” so powerful is its brutal honesty. Jackson doesn’t pull punches when addressing topics like racism, conspiracy theories, disordered eating, physical and emotional abuse, or the way broken family dynamics can leave young people without a support system. The book is partly inspired by the real-life Sarah Lawrence cult case, and the parallels make the story even more disturbing—and believable.

Jordyn’s character arc is one of the book’s strongest elements. She begins as naive and eager to belong, but her journey toward self-awareness and agency is compelling and emotionally satisfying. The book delivers a shocking twist that recontextualizes everything you thought you knew about Jordyn, and it's one that fans of psychological thrillers will relish. I will definitely be re-reading the book soon so I can read it with this angle in mind.

That said, “The Scammer” is not an easy read. It’s often frustrating to watch how easily the characters fall for Devonte’s manipulations. At times, you may want to yell at the page, especially with how blatant these lies are that the girls are risking their lives by believing Devonte, like how one character even threw away her insulin because of Devonte’s lies. But this frustration is purposeful: Jackson forces us to examine how real these situations are and how easily anyone, especially vulnerable young people, can be pulled into toxic dynamics. The emotional payoff and thematic depth make the journey worthwhile. A light romance offers moments of relief without distracting from the tension.

Overall, “The Scammer” is a fast-paced, jaw-dropping book that combines social commentary with suspense in a way that only Tiffany D. Jackson can. It’s a cautionary tale, a character study, and a wake-up call, perfect for anyone drawn to stories of power, control, and survival.

OK when I heard the premise for this I was like AAAA bc I love Tiffany D Jackson and I loved reading/watching about the Sarah Lawrence cult so like, perfect. Synergy.

And I loved like 95% of the book-great adaptation of the Sarah Lawrence cult concept to an HBCU, loved the characters, etc.

And then the final 5% of the book.....

NO, no, you cannot deliver THAT kind of twist from a first-person narrator! Why was she keeping all that a secret from HERSELF?! Needed to be 3rd person narrator if you wanted that imo!!!! aaaaaaaaaa

“How they [monsters] have the power to manipulate, the power to persuade, the power to siphon the life out of you.”
🏫
Jordyn has shocked her parents and now ex-boyfriend when instead of attending Yale, she switches last minute to an HBCU in DC. She is ready to leave her past behind her and start fresh by making new friends with her suite mates. When one of her roommate’s brothers is released from prison, the girls agree to let him stay with them while he gets back on his feet. Devonte is older and shares wisdom from his vast travels and jobs he’s had along the way, but he soon starts changing his personality and charming turns to controlling. Soon all the girls are under his power, doing things they never thought they would otherwise. When one of the girls goes missing, Jordyn finally starts to wake up to the power Devonte has over them.
🏫
This is TDJ’s first YA book since having her daughter and you’ll notice it’s a slight deviation from her other thrillers. This one reads more like a cautionary tale since she got inspiration from a true story, but it still includes the usual twists and turns we have come to associate with Jackson’s books. I’m thrilled I was able to be a part of her Margaret Edward’s award and it’s novels like these that are going to keep her on the pulse of teen literature. This one is upper YA, potentially new adult since it’s set in college. It reminded me so much for Death in the Jungle by Candace Fleming (since it does deal with cultish behavior), as well as Dear Manny by Nic Stone because it also addresses race in the college setting. This #thriller releases October 7. Preorder now!

CW: cult, racism, microaggressions, physical assault, sexual harassment, parental abandonment, death of a sibling, suicide, grief, emotional abuse, gaslighting, slut shaming, body shaming, eating disorder, death, missing person, police brutality

I adore Tiffany d Jackson so I knew I would love this! A great thriller with some heavy topics thrown in, expertly balanced so it never feels preachy, really enjoyed reading this, it was pacy and the writing kept me hooked until the end!

Tiffany D. Jackson never disappoints! This book was thrilling and profound at the same time! I found not put it down and was on the edge of my seat. Another home run!!!!

4.25
I love anything Tiffany D Jackson writes and this was no exception. Jordyn is going to an HBU much to the chagrin of her parents. She never had a lot of friends in high school so when she becomes insta friends with her college roommates she will do anything to keep that friendship including allowing her roommate Vanessa’s brother to come stay with them after his stint in prison. Devonte is charismatic. He starts by cooking and cleaning and sharing his stories about his time in the music industry. Then he becomes controlling but by then the girls are under his control. Jordyn eventually comes to her senses but leaving isn’t as easy as she thought it would be.
This is inspired by a true story at Sarah Lawrence university. Even though we know what happens she manages to add some twist and turns I didn’t see coming. I was sucked in immediately and read this in one sitting. My only complaint is I wanted to know what happened to Kammy and Legendary.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing me this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Scammer by Tiffany D Jackson follows a group of college freshman. The main female character of this book name is Jordyn. And her parents cut ties with her because.
Jordyn picked Frazier over Yale. She's going to college to become a lawyer a dream of her parents. In Jordyn dream she sees herself as a writer. As Jordyn begins to get comfortable with her roommates. Her roommate Vanessa asks the girls to allow her her older brother to live with them.
Vanessa's brother starts off being kind to the girls. That kindness goes out the window. And he beings to control everything the girls do. By telling them what they can't eat. This book had some many twists and turns in it. After reading this book I will say I was quite surprised about the ending. For the rating of this book l'll give it a five out of five stars.

I am a huge fan of Tiffany D. Jackson. I find her stories to be enlightening and thought provoking and this book was no exception.

The story follows Jordyn navigating college life and she is thrust right in there. She has roommates who seem to be a sisterhood but when one of their brothers turns up everything gets thrown into chaos. I enjoyed the characters of Nick and Jordyn and seeing how their relationship develops.

While I really enjoyed the book the last reveal/twist had me scratching my head and left me wondering and not in a great way.

I just finished The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson, and I’m still reeling from the way this story unfolds. Jordyn, fresh out of high school, is stuck between her parents’ dreams of her going to Yale and her own plan to honor her late brother Kevin’s legacy by attending an HBCU, Frazier University. This alone would be a lot for any new college student, but Jackson takes it to another level by weaving in grief, manipulation, failed friendships, and the constant battle for autonomy.

This was my 3rd time reading a book by Tiffany D. Jackson, and let me just say—I get the hype. Her writing is immediate and engaging, and she doesn’t shy away from the dark realities that come with grief and the loss of control. The plot moves at a steady pace, and I was hooked early on, needing to know what would happen to Jordyn.

One of my biggest takeaways was how Jackson really shines a light on how important parental involvement is, even after kids leave home. Jordyn’s parents were so obsessed with appearances and their own expectations that they completely missed how their neglect left her vulnerable. Watching them brush off her feelings and then swoop in only when it affected their image was infuriating. It’s a strong reminder that even though kids turn 18 and head to college, they still need real support, not just financial backing or lectures about family legacy.

Nick was a standout for me. I loved how he showed up for Jordyn, proving that love and loyalty don’t always have to look like some big dramatic gesture—it can be in the quiet ways someone holds you down when the world feels too heavy. And even though he’s not who you’d expect at an HBCU, Jackson made sure he felt like he belonged there, like his presence mattered just as much as anyone else’s.

As much as I enjoyed the story, I’ll admit I had a few moments of frustration with Jordyn. She’s smart—too smart to be falling for some of the manipulation she faced. There were times I was practically screaming at the page for her to tell someone—anyone—what was going on. But at the same time, I get it. Grief can cloud your judgment, and sometimes you don’t see the red flags until it’s too late.

I have mixed feelings about the ending, though. The final twist didn’t really sit right with me. It felt a little out of sync with everything I’d come to know about Jordyn, and it left me feeling like her growth was shortchanged in those last few pages. Still, the rest of the book was so strong that I can’t let the ending ruin how much I enjoyed the ride.

Overall, The Scammer was a gripping, layered read that captured everything I love about college stories—plus the suspense of being manipulated and losing yourself to someone else’s twisted vision. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to see what happens when family pressure and personal grief collide, and how sometimes, finding the courage to speak up is the real fight. Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing definitely has me ready to check out more of her work.

“How addicting it is to be a part of something that’s more than you.”

Ms. Jackson is back and she’s written us an another BANGER (be honest, did you expect anything less?)

The Scammer is a story about the need to belong, grief and identity with nuggets of knowledge sprinkled throughout.

I will say that when I first started reading the writing felt a bit fractured like thoughts weren’t complete. By about chapter 5 though, things started flowing for me again and it was nonstop perfection from then on.

THAT FUCKING REVEAL ✨slow freaking clap✨

Author: Tifanny D. Jackson

Genres: Fiction/AA Fiction/YA/Mystery/Suspense

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary: Jordyn just graduated from high school with her parent's hopes of her attending Yale U. However, Jordyn has her own dreams of attending an HBCU with her late brother, Kevin, whom everyone thinks committed suicide. However, Jordyn has plans of her own while attending Frazier University. While there, Jordyn experiences friendships, failed friendships, manipulation and love all at the same time.

Tropes and Themes: grief, emotional healing, fate and destiny, revenge, fraud, parental neglect.

Character: Nick was one of my favorite characters. He was committed to making sure that Jordyn was safe and secure no matter what situation manifested. I could also tell that the author created his childhood background to be connected that with of African American culture.

Thoughts: This was my first Tiffany Jackson novel. I requested the ARC after hearing many great things about her books. This book was amazing. Medium paced, great character development and the plot was immediately identified. I love how the book continued to build, which made it more chilling. I could not stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next. One of the things that I want to highlight from her book is that parents need to be more involved in their children's decisions. Learn who their friends are and check on them regularly when in college. Just because they are considered "grown" by society, doesn't mean that parental guidance stops. In addition, parents need to realize that their children have feelings, and they also need to be validated whether they like them or not. Allow children to have some autonomy over their career choices and not hold them to expectations of a family legacy. This is where Jordyn's parents were immature. This resulted in her almost being brainwashed into oblivion. She begins to get caught up into illogical thinking and coerced to go against her values and beliefs. When her parents appeared at the school, they did not even give her the opportunity to process anything due to being more worried about their reputation than her safety. I am so grateful for Nick. Although he was not the race that is expected to be attending an HBCU, he empowered Jordyn every step of the way. In the end, I loved their relationship as it was built on true friendship, boundaries, trust and then love.