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The Payback Girls
Why get over your cheating ex when you can get even? John Tucker Must Die meets One of Us Is Lying in a gripping, page-turning debut thriller.
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. Correction: 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 the more clues they uncover, the more Meghan, Bria, and Robin each look responsible…
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. Correction: 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 the more clues they uncover, the more Meghan, Bria, and Robin each look responsible…
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2025
44 people are currently reading
8779 people want to read
About the author
Alex Travis
2 books54 followersAlex Travis was born in New York and made her way to Northern Virginia to begin her daytime career as a full-time school psychologist. She has a BA in psychology from University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Maryland. Alex wrote her first book at the age of 11, and has been losing herself in fictional worlds of her own creation since then. Alex makes her home in Virginia with her husband, an outrageous collection of Funkos, and too many books to count.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
March 25, 2025
The Payback Girls by Alex Travis proves that revenge is a dish best served with a side of scandal, suspense, and sisterhood. This YA thriller delivers on its John Tucker Must Die meets One of Us Is Lying promise, because if you're going to get played, you might as well flip the script.
Meghan thought she had senior year all figured out, great grades, a star athlete boyfriend, and a future as bright as a Friday night stadium. But then plot twist! Nate isn’t just her boyfriend. He’s also dating Robin. And Bria. At the same time. When Nate turns up beaten and unconscious after the big game, all three girls find themselves caught in a web of suspicion, secrets, and betrayal. The problem? Meghan doesn’t remember everything that happened that night. And the deeper they dig for the truth, the more it looks like one of them might be guilty.
The mystery kept me turning pages faster than a last-minute study session before finals, but I did struggle a bit with how much Meghan still cared for Nate even after discovering his triple life. Still, the story’s gripping twists, strong female friendships, and layered discussions of privilege, racism, and power dynamics made it a standout. The book does an amazing job portraying diverse, well-rounded characters, from Black, LGBTQ+, and both privileged and underprivileged backgrounds, without reducing them to stereotypes.
If you're a fan of YA thrillers with messy scandals, unapologetic empowerment, and a touch of karma coming in clutch, The Payback Girls is a must-read. It delivers drama, twists, and a reminder that when accusations fly, you don’t back down, you fight back.
Would definitely recommend it to my fellow YA thriller lovers!
💜🧡💙🖤❤️-five out of five! Must read!
Meghan thought she had senior year all figured out, great grades, a star athlete boyfriend, and a future as bright as a Friday night stadium. But then plot twist! Nate isn’t just her boyfriend. He’s also dating Robin. And Bria. At the same time. When Nate turns up beaten and unconscious after the big game, all three girls find themselves caught in a web of suspicion, secrets, and betrayal. The problem? Meghan doesn’t remember everything that happened that night. And the deeper they dig for the truth, the more it looks like one of them might be guilty.
The mystery kept me turning pages faster than a last-minute study session before finals, but I did struggle a bit with how much Meghan still cared for Nate even after discovering his triple life. Still, the story’s gripping twists, strong female friendships, and layered discussions of privilege, racism, and power dynamics made it a standout. The book does an amazing job portraying diverse, well-rounded characters, from Black, LGBTQ+, and both privileged and underprivileged backgrounds, without reducing them to stereotypes.
If you're a fan of YA thrillers with messy scandals, unapologetic empowerment, and a touch of karma coming in clutch, The Payback Girls is a must-read. It delivers drama, twists, and a reminder that when accusations fly, you don’t back down, you fight back.
Would definitely recommend it to my fellow YA thriller lovers!
💜🧡💙🖤❤️-five out of five! Must read!
May 8, 2025
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
The Payback Girls by Alex Travis
NOW AVAILABLE
Thoughts
Even though the synopsis caught my eye, I still wasn't sure if I would be completely invested, however this fast paced suspenseful page turner had me hooked! If you like "one of us is lying" vibes then be sure to give this a go. I also loved how the girls eventually came together instead of "going against each other over a guy". I really enjoyed how the author didn't just focus on one character and gave the girls space to develop as characters -- opening up about their insecurities and reflecting on their behaviours
Plot Summary
After realising they've all been manipulated and hurt by the same charming but deceitful guy, a group of girls team up to expose him and take control of their narrative. Each member brings something unique to the table, from brains to boldness, and as they set their plan in motion, they discover that revenge isn’t always as straightforward—or as sweet—as they expected.
Thanks RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC
The Payback Girls by Alex Travis
NOW AVAILABLE
Thoughts
Even though the synopsis caught my eye, I still wasn't sure if I would be completely invested, however this fast paced suspenseful page turner had me hooked! If you like "one of us is lying" vibes then be sure to give this a go. I also loved how the girls eventually came together instead of "going against each other over a guy". I really enjoyed how the author didn't just focus on one character and gave the girls space to develop as characters -- opening up about their insecurities and reflecting on their behaviours
Plot Summary
After realising they've all been manipulated and hurt by the same charming but deceitful guy, a group of girls team up to expose him and take control of their narrative. Each member brings something unique to the table, from brains to boldness, and as they set their plan in motion, they discover that revenge isn’t always as straightforward—or as sweet—as they expected.
Thanks RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC
May 6, 2025
If One of Us is Lying, Pretty Little Liars & What Lies in the Woods had a baby, it'd be this book!!
What it's about -
Meghan, Bria & Robin, the only Black girls in their senior year of high school find out that their boyfriend had been cheating on all three of them at the same time! And the very next day they walk away from him in anger, it's revealed that he's unconscious in the hospital & the three of them are the suspects. If they want their names to be cleared, they need to go against their wishes & join hands to find out what really happened to Nathan & who's responsible for his condition.
What to expect -
📌YA mystery
📌Rich kids and their drama
📌Temporary amnesia
📌Fighting over a guy to uniting against him
📌LGBTQ rep
📌Commentary on racism & being a Black girl in a white dominant society
Meghan happens to be the new scholarship student & the only Black girl with no rich parents and ever since she fell in love with the star of the basketball team, Nathan, she has been facing a lot of bullying & harassment. Even though she was treated worse by everyone else, she loved him a lot & cared about him. But she doesn't have any memory of the day after Nathan revealed he has been cheating on her, so could she be the culprit?!!
Robin, the queen bee of the school & the captain of the field hockey team has everything she wanted - rich parents, doting teachers & a boyfriend who adores her (or so she thought until it was revealed he was cheating on her with Bria & Meghan). Could the girl with a short temper & the hockey stick finally lose it & take it out on her boyfriend?
Bria, the firecracker & the class president wants to be a lawyer & has everything about law memorized already. She doesn't hesitate to voice her opinions against bigotry & racism or call people out for treating her and others worse. But everything is politics for her, so could she have orchestrated such a reveal to garner her more sympathy & spotlight?!!
All three of them look suspicious, so it was interesting to see things from their perspective & find out later who the perpetrator was. And it was even more intriguing to see them all team up to find out the truth cuz they all have different opinions & are equally headstrong & independent. What bothered me a bit was how easily they fought with one another & immediately went to being friends cuz trust me these girls didn't even bother to talk before this incident happened, so how could they just easily turn friendly?!! (but if we think this from the teenagers pov, it is understandable that you'd team up when needed & break things off when your needs are met, so it isn't that unbelievable but still it bothered me a bit)
Also their boyfriend cheated on them but they still care about him & even cry over him, like wth girls?!!!(I don't think I'll ever understand teenage girls🤭🙈) I'm only giving it 3⭐ cuz the later part definitely lost me a bit & there were too many characters to keep in mind😭😭
Apart from these points, I really loved this book for its commentary on racism & its stand on how important it is to treat everyone equally no matter their color or status. And the author's writing was approachable but still packed a lot of punch, so I'm quite excited to read more of her works. And the narrator for the audiobook (Tamika Katon- Donegal) was just as amazing, and she made this listening experience much better!!!
Overall, if you're looking for a quick YA read that also addresses some real-world problems & has interesting characters, you have to check this one out!
Thanks a lot to Recordedbooks for the ALC through NetGalley!!!🙏🏻💜
What it's about -
Meghan, Bria & Robin, the only Black girls in their senior year of high school find out that their boyfriend had been cheating on all three of them at the same time! And the very next day they walk away from him in anger, it's revealed that he's unconscious in the hospital & the three of them are the suspects. If they want their names to be cleared, they need to go against their wishes & join hands to find out what really happened to Nathan & who's responsible for his condition.
What to expect -
📌YA mystery
📌Rich kids and their drama
📌Temporary amnesia
📌Fighting over a guy to uniting against him
📌LGBTQ rep
📌Commentary on racism & being a Black girl in a white dominant society
Meghan happens to be the new scholarship student & the only Black girl with no rich parents and ever since she fell in love with the star of the basketball team, Nathan, she has been facing a lot of bullying & harassment. Even though she was treated worse by everyone else, she loved him a lot & cared about him. But she doesn't have any memory of the day after Nathan revealed he has been cheating on her, so could she be the culprit?!!
Robin, the queen bee of the school & the captain of the field hockey team has everything she wanted - rich parents, doting teachers & a boyfriend who adores her (or so she thought until it was revealed he was cheating on her with Bria & Meghan). Could the girl with a short temper & the hockey stick finally lose it & take it out on her boyfriend?
Bria, the firecracker & the class president wants to be a lawyer & has everything about law memorized already. She doesn't hesitate to voice her opinions against bigotry & racism or call people out for treating her and others worse. But everything is politics for her, so could she have orchestrated such a reveal to garner her more sympathy & spotlight?!!
All three of them look suspicious, so it was interesting to see things from their perspective & find out later who the perpetrator was. And it was even more intriguing to see them all team up to find out the truth cuz they all have different opinions & are equally headstrong & independent. What bothered me a bit was how easily they fought with one another & immediately went to being friends cuz trust me these girls didn't even bother to talk before this incident happened, so how could they just easily turn friendly?!! (but if we think this from the teenagers pov, it is understandable that you'd team up when needed & break things off when your needs are met, so it isn't that unbelievable but still it bothered me a bit)
Also their boyfriend cheated on them but they still care about him & even cry over him, like wth girls?!!!(I don't think I'll ever understand teenage girls🤭🙈) I'm only giving it 3⭐ cuz the later part definitely lost me a bit & there were too many characters to keep in mind😭😭
Apart from these points, I really loved this book for its commentary on racism & its stand on how important it is to treat everyone equally no matter their color or status. And the author's writing was approachable but still packed a lot of punch, so I'm quite excited to read more of her works. And the narrator for the audiobook (Tamika Katon- Donegal) was just as amazing, and she made this listening experience much better!!!
Overall, if you're looking for a quick YA read that also addresses some real-world problems & has interesting characters, you have to check this one out!
Thanks a lot to Recordedbooks for the ALC through NetGalley!!!🙏🏻💜
March 31, 2025
Intense, propulsive, and thought-provoking, I loved this fresh take on the revenge trope. Kept me up late reading!
April 14, 2025
I am so sorry but I did NOT like this book AT ALL.
This was so incredibly annoying (the story as well as the characters).
This reads extremely YA...in a bad way. It reads as very immature, and yeah, kids are immature. We all know that. Kids can be so dumb and naive and mean and immature, but this took it to a whole other level. Maybe because I was never like these characters at that age, but I would be insulted if I read this book at the age these characters are. And yes, I am aware that some of the characters in this book are supposed to be stereotypes of kids you'd find in high school, but it wasn't done in a way that sat well with me.
I also had a terrible time in high school with being bullied, so maybe that trauma is coming out a bit.
I don't know. This book just was not for me. I found myself skipping through the audiobook because I found these characters that unbearable. Sorry if this is extreme, it's just how I felt when reading it. I didn't enjoy it at all. I can see potential here, but this wasn't executed in a way that would've been tolerable for me. And that's disappointing because I thought I would really like this based on the blurb. I think the blurb was a bit misleading maybe? And that's why there's such a disconnect for me in terms of concept to execution?
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was so incredibly annoying (the story as well as the characters).
This reads extremely YA...in a bad way. It reads as very immature, and yeah, kids are immature. We all know that. Kids can be so dumb and naive and mean and immature, but this took it to a whole other level. Maybe because I was never like these characters at that age, but I would be insulted if I read this book at the age these characters are. And yes, I am aware that some of the characters in this book are supposed to be stereotypes of kids you'd find in high school, but it wasn't done in a way that sat well with me.
I also had a terrible time in high school with being bullied, so maybe that trauma is coming out a bit.
I don't know. This book just was not for me. I found myself skipping through the audiobook because I found these characters that unbearable. Sorry if this is extreme, it's just how I felt when reading it. I didn't enjoy it at all. I can see potential here, but this wasn't executed in a way that would've been tolerable for me. And that's disappointing because I thought I would really like this based on the blurb. I think the blurb was a bit misleading maybe? And that's why there's such a disconnect for me in terms of concept to execution?
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
August 14, 2025
1.5
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway*
I did not enjoy this one. Had to listen to the audiobook or I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. Extremely juvenile and unrealistic. I didn’t like a single character. Why would we care if he’s this horrible boyfriend when all the girls clearly don’t care they’ve been cheated on? I still don’t understand what the point of the book is.
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway*
I did not enjoy this one. Had to listen to the audiobook or I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. Extremely juvenile and unrealistic. I didn’t like a single character. Why would we care if he’s this horrible boyfriend when all the girls clearly don’t care they’ve been cheated on? I still don’t understand what the point of the book is.
October 29, 2024
YA thriller with Black & LGBTQ+ rep! I struggled with how much our main character still cared for this guy after he was cheating on her with two other women, but besides for that I’d recommend to my YA thriller friends! Also, amazing sisters
May 4, 2025
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to “The Payback Girls”! I really enjoyed this audiobook. I loved the narrator and the writing style of this book. Meghan finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with two other girls in school and then all sudden Nate is found bloodied and unconscious. Meghan’s needs to find the murder before it gets pinned on her. I loved seeing Meghan, Bria and Robin start to form a sisterhood with each other. The ending of this book had me surprised but also not surprised when the reasoning behind the attack on Nate was explained. If you love a YA thriller with black and LGBTQIA+ representation, found sisterhood and girls being a total badass then I think you’ll love this book! Thank you again to NetGalley!💕📚
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to “The Payback Girls”! I really enjoyed this audiobook. I loved the narrator and the writing style of this book. Meghan finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with two other girls in school and then all sudden Nate is found bloodied and unconscious. Meghan’s needs to find the murder before it gets pinned on her. I loved seeing Meghan, Bria and Robin start to form a sisterhood with each other. The ending of this book had me surprised but also not surprised when the reasoning behind the attack on Nate was explained. If you love a YA thriller with black and LGBTQIA+ representation, found sisterhood and girls being a total badass then I think you’ll love this book! Thank you again to NetGalley!💕📚
April 17, 2025
4.5 stars.
Loved this one! Aside from the mystery plot, this book had such a strong females backing females vibe, and it also was not quiet about racist assholes. I do have to admit that I didn't suspect the actual bad guy, and that never happens to me. Another extremely powerful YA book that readers of any age can enjoy and respect.
Loved this one! Aside from the mystery plot, this book had such a strong females backing females vibe, and it also was not quiet about racist assholes. I do have to admit that I didn't suspect the actual bad guy, and that never happens to me. Another extremely powerful YA book that readers of any age can enjoy and respect.
July 3, 2025
I feel like I’m drawn to a book more and more by the cover and the vibes than I am by the synopsis. There’s something to be said about the cover telling you all you need to know about a book. It’s definitely what sells it.
The Payback Girls is inspired by John Tucker Must Die, which I didn’t know until I started reading it. I love books that inspired by cult classic movies, especially when they’re ones l love. Seeing as how the story is all about getting back at a cheating ex, you better believe I’m going to enjoy it!
3 girls (the ONLY 3 black girls in their grade) all find out that their boyfriend (star of the basketball team) has been seeing them all at basically the same time. But on the same night they learn all about each other, their boyfriend is knocked out with blunt force trauma and sent into a coma. Three items are all found next to the body, each one linked directly to one of the girls.
This becomes less a revenge plot and more of a mystery to exonerate them from being charged with his attempted murder. While each girl has plenty of reason to want him to pay for hurting them, none of them want him dead.
Like I said, I love a remix retelling of a story I enjoy, but what makes it 1000 times better is when it has a queer storyline. Going into this, I knew it was categorized on GoodReads as “lesbian” and “lgbtq.” So I expected something. I just didn’t know it would be two of the girlfriends finding out they liked each other more than the man… boy, actually. But you get it. I’m not ruining anything by saying that, because they have chemistry from the very beginning. You feel the connection and know what’s coming.
I really enjoyed this, but I’m biased. Queer mystery, thrillers, and horror are what I’ve been loving lately. So this scratched an itch that I’ve been needing to be scratched for a week or so. You know the feeling when a book really hits the spot. That’s this one for me!
The Payback Girls is inspired by John Tucker Must Die, which I didn’t know until I started reading it. I love books that inspired by cult classic movies, especially when they’re ones l love. Seeing as how the story is all about getting back at a cheating ex, you better believe I’m going to enjoy it!
3 girls (the ONLY 3 black girls in their grade) all find out that their boyfriend (star of the basketball team) has been seeing them all at basically the same time. But on the same night they learn all about each other, their boyfriend is knocked out with blunt force trauma and sent into a coma. Three items are all found next to the body, each one linked directly to one of the girls.
This becomes less a revenge plot and more of a mystery to exonerate them from being charged with his attempted murder. While each girl has plenty of reason to want him to pay for hurting them, none of them want him dead.
Like I said, I love a remix retelling of a story I enjoy, but what makes it 1000 times better is when it has a queer storyline. Going into this, I knew it was categorized on GoodReads as “lesbian” and “lgbtq.” So I expected something. I just didn’t know it would be two of the girlfriends finding out they liked each other more than the man… boy, actually. But you get it. I’m not ruining anything by saying that, because they have chemistry from the very beginning. You feel the connection and know what’s coming.
I really enjoyed this, but I’m biased. Queer mystery, thrillers, and horror are what I’ve been loving lately. So this scratched an itch that I’ve been needing to be scratched for a week or so. You know the feeling when a book really hits the spot. That’s this one for me!
April 12, 2025
(2.75 ⭐️) I thought this was a really interesting concept that ultimately needed some more editing. There was some really great content here, especially exploring Meghan, Robin, and Bria’s different personas/projected stereotypes as the only Black girls at their school, but I think it needed to be simultaneously more fleshed out and tightened up more. I hope to read more from this author though because I see huge potential.
***I received an ARC from SourceBooks for free and am leaving an honest review***
***I received an ARC from SourceBooks for free and am leaving an honest review***
November 1, 2025
The plot was kind of interesting but the end was really random and I just thought the writing was bad in general
November 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing this book, with my honest review below.
I confess the reference to John Tucker Must Die in the blurb had me eager to read The Payback Girls, since I always felt that movie had a great concept it didn’t fully deliver on. My hope was that this book would be my chance to see that happen, and rest assured that it was, in a style befitting the idea.
The plot focuses on three very different teen girls:
Meghan who is new to school, an ace scholar, and had to leave her last public school for a private one where she recognizes she is not as well heeled for the others. Meghan finds her chance at fitting in with Nate, the star basketball player of the team, but his friends and teammates are not welcoming. Thanks to the mystery of why she left her other school, Meghan is a wildcard in the story.
Robin, who is a star athlete in her own right and had previously been the long term girlfriend of Nate. She’s sharp but also suspicious as a result of everything she seemingly lies about.
Bria, who is president of her class, and like the other girls sharp as a Japanese knife. Bria had dated Nate for a few months, inviting a scandal when it was thought that she was the ‘other woman’ to Nate and Robin.
These ladies all still have a current thing with Nate and when it comes out the dominos fall rather quickly, with Nate suddenly in a coma and all three in the spotlight as suspects, at least by their schoolmates.
While the driver for the mystery is who hurt Nate, the book is especially good as a story about female dynamics (especially amongst younger woman), being black amongst a privileged set of white people (these girls are the only black woman at their school), racism and ignorance, and sisterhood. Everything was done phenomenally with the pacing and plot turns, and I loved seeing the relationships between these young women as much as I did trying to figure out the mystery.
Appropriate for young adults but as appealing for general readers, The Payback Girls is everything I wish John Tucker Must Die was and more.
I confess the reference to John Tucker Must Die in the blurb had me eager to read The Payback Girls, since I always felt that movie had a great concept it didn’t fully deliver on. My hope was that this book would be my chance to see that happen, and rest assured that it was, in a style befitting the idea.
The plot focuses on three very different teen girls:
Meghan who is new to school, an ace scholar, and had to leave her last public school for a private one where she recognizes she is not as well heeled for the others. Meghan finds her chance at fitting in with Nate, the star basketball player of the team, but his friends and teammates are not welcoming. Thanks to the mystery of why she left her other school, Meghan is a wildcard in the story.
Robin, who is a star athlete in her own right and had previously been the long term girlfriend of Nate. She’s sharp but also suspicious as a result of everything she seemingly lies about.
Bria, who is president of her class, and like the other girls sharp as a Japanese knife. Bria had dated Nate for a few months, inviting a scandal when it was thought that she was the ‘other woman’ to Nate and Robin.
These ladies all still have a current thing with Nate and when it comes out the dominos fall rather quickly, with Nate suddenly in a coma and all three in the spotlight as suspects, at least by their schoolmates.
While the driver for the mystery is who hurt Nate, the book is especially good as a story about female dynamics (especially amongst younger woman), being black amongst a privileged set of white people (these girls are the only black woman at their school), racism and ignorance, and sisterhood. Everything was done phenomenally with the pacing and plot turns, and I loved seeing the relationships between these young women as much as I did trying to figure out the mystery.
Appropriate for young adults but as appealing for general readers, The Payback Girls is everything I wish John Tucker Must Die was and more.
December 20, 2024
The Pay Back Girls, by Alex Travis
3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
TRIGGER WARNINGS-
.
.
.
Violence, drinking, racism, bullying, death, murder
Three senior girls, Meghan, Bria, and Robin find out that their football star boyfriend was cheating on them, all three of them, with each other and to make matters worse he was later found bloodied and unconscious in what appears to be an attempted murder. Now everybody thinks that one or all of them did it as scorned lovers. With Nate in a coma the girls set out to prove their innocence.
I found that it grabbed my attention at some parts, (mostly towards the end), but it lost my attention a lot during the beginning. It was overly descriptive at times and the pace moves kind of sluggish here and there but the events seem to go fast and it’s a bit…like jumpy???- like they weren’t friends, Meghan didn’t hang with them at all- too boom! they’re friendly-ish and teaming up. It bothered me that they were still pining after Nate even when they found out he was a serial cheater, (how he managed to date 3 girls at once and they never found out plus his other side affairs…) I also found it bothersome that Meghan seemed to just skirt over and forgive Robin so easily for using her cause she had a crush on her…
I like that the book had strong, positive characters that were black, privileged/underprivileged, and LGBTQ+ and that they were seen in a positive light. Even when they were underprivileged like Meghan, her sisters and her mom, they were still portrayed as educated-her mom being a nurse, even though they were severely under privileged compared to Meghans schoolmates both black and white.
Overall it was a good read and I’d recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
TRIGGER WARNINGS-
.
.
.
Violence, drinking, racism, bullying, death, murder
Three senior girls, Meghan, Bria, and Robin find out that their football star boyfriend was cheating on them, all three of them, with each other and to make matters worse he was later found bloodied and unconscious in what appears to be an attempted murder. Now everybody thinks that one or all of them did it as scorned lovers. With Nate in a coma the girls set out to prove their innocence.
I found that it grabbed my attention at some parts, (mostly towards the end), but it lost my attention a lot during the beginning. It was overly descriptive at times and the pace moves kind of sluggish here and there but the events seem to go fast and it’s a bit…like jumpy???- like they weren’t friends, Meghan didn’t hang with them at all- too boom! they’re friendly-ish and teaming up. It bothered me that they were still pining after Nate even when they found out he was a serial cheater, (how he managed to date 3 girls at once and they never found out plus his other side affairs…) I also found it bothersome that Meghan seemed to just skirt over and forgive Robin so easily for using her cause she had a crush on her…
I like that the book had strong, positive characters that were black, privileged/underprivileged, and LGBTQ+ and that they were seen in a positive light. Even when they were underprivileged like Meghan, her sisters and her mom, they were still portrayed as educated-her mom being a nurse, even though they were severely under privileged compared to Meghans schoolmates both black and white.
Overall it was a good read and I’d recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 17, 2024
Book:
THE PAYBACK GIRLS by Alex Travis
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the Earc (April)
Review:
4⭐
Meghan is dating Nate, but...so are Robin and Bria. When Nate is found after an attack, Meghan, Robin, and Bria are the suspects---he was dating each of them afterall. Meghan doesn't think she did it, she can't remember that night. But the clues point to her---the clues point to all of them.
THE PAYBACK GIRLS started off with drama that never seized to exist. Bullying, racism, cheating, fights, and an attack---all in the first few chapters. The drama hooked me, but as the mystery unfold, I was kept on my toes, thumbing through the pages trying to gather the evidence to push me in the direction of the whodunit.
The questions that arose were ones that I didn't have the answers too, ones that the answers to were shocking to say the least. (Who attacked Nate? Who's behind that account? Etc.?) This book delivered the plot twists and kept delivering them. From the halfway point and onward it was twist after twist, revelation after revelation. Let me tell you, I gasped at the whodunit it. Blindsided, never would have seen that coming. It was crazy and, wow, that explanation made it crazier.
THE PAYBACK GIRLS was a thrilling mystery that delves into racism, cheating, and scandals. It shows empowerment and not backing done as accusations surge. It offer some semblance as Meghan, Robin, and Bria learn to stand with each other even though they don't know if one of them hurt Nate. Definitely a must read
THE PAYBACK GIRLS by Alex Travis
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the Earc (April)
Review:
4⭐
Meghan is dating Nate, but...so are Robin and Bria. When Nate is found after an attack, Meghan, Robin, and Bria are the suspects---he was dating each of them afterall. Meghan doesn't think she did it, she can't remember that night. But the clues point to her---the clues point to all of them.
THE PAYBACK GIRLS started off with drama that never seized to exist. Bullying, racism, cheating, fights, and an attack---all in the first few chapters. The drama hooked me, but as the mystery unfold, I was kept on my toes, thumbing through the pages trying to gather the evidence to push me in the direction of the whodunit.
The questions that arose were ones that I didn't have the answers too, ones that the answers to were shocking to say the least. (Who attacked Nate? Who's behind that account? Etc.?) This book delivered the plot twists and kept delivering them. From the halfway point and onward it was twist after twist, revelation after revelation. Let me tell you, I gasped at the whodunit it. Blindsided, never would have seen that coming. It was crazy and, wow, that explanation made it crazier.
THE PAYBACK GIRLS was a thrilling mystery that delves into racism, cheating, and scandals. It shows empowerment and not backing done as accusations surge. It offer some semblance as Meghan, Robin, and Bria learn to stand with each other even though they don't know if one of them hurt Nate. Definitely a must read
June 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this!! Loved all of the layers to the ending and how everything was wrapped up!
I did, however, clock who it was 🤪🏆
I did, however, clock who it was 🤪🏆
November 28, 2025
Overall it was a good read for me. I did have to push through at times because some of the scenes and info was a little far fetched for me. I did enjoy the perspective of the main character working to change the "traditional" Black girl image that is widely portrayed.
March 30, 2025
First thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Second, OMG what did I just read???
The twists and turns plus the good lord who attacked Nate? Throughout the whole book I couldn't figure it out until it was finally revealed.
Poor Meghan, Bria and Robin, no girl ever wants to find out the things that they did but of course it brings them closer to each other and connect them into a really good friendship.
There were a lot of things that happened in this book that I remember happening at my own high school. The bullying, the drama, the rumors and the relationships. It was a typically high school drama book.
Second, OMG what did I just read???
The twists and turns plus the good lord who attacked Nate? Throughout the whole book I couldn't figure it out until it was finally revealed.
Poor Meghan, Bria and Robin, no girl ever wants to find out the things that they did but of course it brings them closer to each other and connect them into a really good friendship.
There were a lot of things that happened in this book that I remember happening at my own high school. The bullying, the drama, the rumors and the relationships. It was a typically high school drama book.
March 20, 2025
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!
November 24, 2025
"John Tucker Must Die meets One of Us Is Lying."
I wish that the MC didn't constantly, even until nearly the end, think that one or both of the other two girlfriends might be the attacker. Hell, she even gaslights herself into thinking that *she* is the one at fault. It was very obvious who the actual attacker was, at least to me. Also, for so many characters and suspects, basically no one had a real distinct personality.
These three black girls (and are clearly the *only* three black girls at this school) are harassed and one of them is physically assaulted by the group of mean girls. Because they're all dating the same "biracial" guy (he specifically won't acknowledge that he's mixed / also black, which is clearly its own thing).
This shouldn't be called "The Payback Girls" because they don't get any actual revenge on him at all. They were just getting cheated on with various degrees of knowledge about it. They jokingly say they should drug him so he will be worse at basketball, but then thankfully remember that he's a black man and a drug charge is something they don't want to touch.
Read by Tamika Katon-Donegal. #booksin25
I wish that the MC didn't constantly, even until nearly the end, think that one or both of the other two girlfriends might be the attacker. Hell, she even gaslights herself into thinking that *she* is the one at fault. It was very obvious who the actual attacker was, at least to me. Also, for so many characters and suspects, basically no one had a real distinct personality.
These three black girls (and are clearly the *only* three black girls at this school) are harassed and one of them is physically assaulted by the group of mean girls. Because they're all dating the same "biracial" guy (he specifically won't acknowledge that he's mixed / also black, which is clearly its own thing).
This shouldn't be called "The Payback Girls" because they don't get any actual revenge on him at all. They were just getting cheated on with various degrees of knowledge about it. They jokingly say they should drug him so he will be worse at basketball, but then thankfully remember that he's a black man and a drug charge is something they don't want to touch.
Read by Tamika Katon-Donegal. #booksin25
April 15, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been so addicted to YA Mystery/Thrillers lately, like 👀🍿 I’m so nosey lmfao. I lowkey knew who it was, but the way Alex redirected everything was 🤌🏽 Like yessss, keep me guessing lmfaoo. I loved each character too, their personality really shined through Tamika’s narration. The whole being a girls girls narrative was so strong, even though they weren’t friends. I was fr rooting for them the whole time though & the way it ended just 🥰 I love when the girlies win lol. Moral of the mf story? DON’T CHEAT. The ones who can’t relate are the lucky few lol!! Also, Bria’s sister? That was foul. Good intentions at first, but wrong… I felt so bad for Bria. Meghan’s sisters on the other hand? RIDE ORRRR DIEEEES frfr 🫡
Overall, this was such a fun time. I hope Meghan & Robin are happy 🤍 And I hope their friend group of 3 overcomes all odds!! The dark humor at the end?
Same Bria, SAME lmfao. In the end… I just fr can’t believe he did it. I mean, I can ‘cause he was at the top of my list lmfao, but damn… Say it ain’t so 💔 He seemed like such a good kid, but that’s what they all say 🌚 lmfaoo.
“Nate may have been #9, but he will always be #1 in our hearts.” - Coach
Hardest line in this book fr ☠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been so addicted to YA Mystery/Thrillers lately, like 👀🍿 I’m so nosey lmfao. I lowkey knew who it was, but the way Alex redirected everything was 🤌🏽 Like yessss, keep me guessing lmfaoo. I loved each character too, their personality really shined through Tamika’s narration. The whole being a girls girls narrative was so strong, even though they weren’t friends. I was fr rooting for them the whole time though & the way it ended just 🥰 I love when the girlies win lol. Moral of the mf story? DON’T CHEAT. The ones who can’t relate are the lucky few lol!! Also, Bria’s sister? That was foul. Good intentions at first, but wrong… I felt so bad for Bria. Meghan’s sisters on the other hand? RIDE ORRRR DIEEEES frfr 🫡
Overall, this was such a fun time. I hope Meghan & Robin are happy 🤍 And I hope their friend group of 3 overcomes all odds!! The dark humor at the end?
Same Bria, SAME lmfao. In the end… I just fr can’t believe he did it. I mean, I can ‘cause he was at the top of my list lmfao, but damn… Say it ain’t so 💔 He seemed like such a good kid, but that’s what they all say 🌚 lmfaoo.
“Nate may have been #9, but he will always be #1 in our hearts.” - Coach
Hardest line in this book fr ☠️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
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
["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
April 15, 2025
*Review listeners copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
As a millennial, I absolutely loved John Tucker Must Die, so when I saw that was a comparison in the blurb, I HAD to request this one. This is definitely a modernized version, but a good modernized version.
Meghan, Bria, and Robin are very strong leads. They all secretly shared a boyfriend and didn't know it until said boyfriend winds up attacked and in a coma. Automatically, all three are the prime suspects.
The story has themes of racism, bullying, and everyday issues that come up in high school. The story flowed very naturally and I thought it was really well written. The whodunnit was really good because I didn't have a clue until the end and even then there was still some guessing.
Thank you to RB Media, Alex Travis, and NetGalley for the review copy!
As a millennial, I absolutely loved John Tucker Must Die, so when I saw that was a comparison in the blurb, I HAD to request this one. This is definitely a modernized version, but a good modernized version.
Meghan, Bria, and Robin are very strong leads. They all secretly shared a boyfriend and didn't know it until said boyfriend winds up attacked and in a coma. Automatically, all three are the prime suspects.
The story has themes of racism, bullying, and everyday issues that come up in high school. The story flowed very naturally and I thought it was really well written. The whodunnit was really good because I didn't have a clue until the end and even then there was still some guessing.
Thank you to RB Media, Alex Travis, and NetGalley for the review copy!
April 21, 2025
2 Stars
Picked up this book immediately when it was compared to John Tucker Must Die, but sadly the book missed the aspects of why people loved that movie.
Book is a classic who did however a huge plot of the story was the characters hardships of being the only black girls in their grade in a very privileged district.
Felt like the book was written very well and the main plot of which girlfriend did it was great but I felt that it was missing banter and a good plot twist. When reading YA I really expect the humor to be amazing especially if it’s compare to John Tucker Must Die but it didn’t have any that. Story was just flat and the twist or the person that ended up being the bad guy was not at all a surprise and felt disappointed at the end.
I did like the characters arcs for all three of them at end. I liked that they didn’t stay one dimensional or who they thought they were suppose to act like.
Overall not it was an okay book but if it was a bigger book I would have probably DNFed it.
Picked up this book immediately when it was compared to John Tucker Must Die, but sadly the book missed the aspects of why people loved that movie.
Book is a classic who did however a huge plot of the story was the characters hardships of being the only black girls in their grade in a very privileged district.
Felt like the book was written very well and the main plot of which girlfriend did it was great but I felt that it was missing banter and a good plot twist. When reading YA I really expect the humor to be amazing especially if it’s compare to John Tucker Must Die but it didn’t have any that. Story was just flat and the twist or the person that ended up being the bad guy was not at all a surprise and felt disappointed at the end.
I did like the characters arcs for all three of them at end. I liked that they didn’t stay one dimensional or who they thought they were suppose to act like.
Overall not it was an okay book but if it was a bigger book I would have probably DNFed it.
May 28, 2025
Okay... what just happened?
I flew through this book like my life depended on it and now I’m sitting here stunned, trying to process the absolute rollercoaster Alex Travis just put me on. Twists? Everywhere. Betrayals? Check. Revenge? Served cold, and with style.
The Payback Girls is wild in the best way—dark, addictive, and full of characters you don’t know whether to love, hate, or fear (sometimes all three at once). Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story flipped again and left me reeling.
If you're into messy friendships, fierce girls, and jaw-dropping plot twists, this one needs to be on your TBR. I still don’t know who I trust... and honestly? I kinda love that.
I flew through this book like my life depended on it and now I’m sitting here stunned, trying to process the absolute rollercoaster Alex Travis just put me on. Twists? Everywhere. Betrayals? Check. Revenge? Served cold, and with style.
The Payback Girls is wild in the best way—dark, addictive, and full of characters you don’t know whether to love, hate, or fear (sometimes all three at once). Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story flipped again and left me reeling.
If you're into messy friendships, fierce girls, and jaw-dropping plot twists, this one needs to be on your TBR. I still don’t know who I trust... and honestly? I kinda love that.
April 17, 2025
3.25/3.5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed the premise of this book! I loved the creepy, almost confusing vibe of the book. It had a really interesting plot, but also a plot line that has been done before.
I enjoyed the characters as well and felt like they were definitely flawed but still enjoyable to read. I didn’t enjoy that they all felt super hung up on Nate after they found out he was a serial cheater BUT i think it’s easy to forget these girls are high schoolers and i think that at that age girls are quick to forgive their ‘dream guy’.
I had a good time. It was an enjoyable and fast read.
Narration on the audiobook were done well. It kept my attention from start to finish.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book! I loved the creepy, almost confusing vibe of the book. It had a really interesting plot, but also a plot line that has been done before.
I enjoyed the characters as well and felt like they were definitely flawed but still enjoyable to read. I didn’t enjoy that they all felt super hung up on Nate after they found out he was a serial cheater BUT i think it’s easy to forget these girls are high schoolers and i think that at that age girls are quick to forgive their ‘dream guy’.
I had a good time. It was an enjoyable and fast read.
Narration on the audiobook were done well. It kept my attention from start to finish.
May 4, 2025
I loved this! It very much reminded me of John Tucker Must Die!
But honestly who doesn’t have a good YA thriller with black and LGBTQ+ representation!?
We follow 3 teenage girls, who are all very different.
-Meghan who is an ace scholar
-Robin who is a star athlete
-Bria who is president of her class
The only thing the 3 have in common is Nate.
This is a thrilling mystery that dives into racism, cheating, and lots of scandals. Plus who doesn’t love unapologetic empowerment with a side of karma!
But honestly who doesn’t have a good YA thriller with black and LGBTQ+ representation!?
We follow 3 teenage girls, who are all very different.
-Meghan who is an ace scholar
-Robin who is a star athlete
-Bria who is president of her class
The only thing the 3 have in common is Nate.
This is a thrilling mystery that dives into racism, cheating, and lots of scandals. Plus who doesn’t love unapologetic empowerment with a side of karma!
April 22, 2025
I loved the representation—where was this when I was a teen?! I wish I’d had stories like this growing up 🥺 The social media portrayal hit hard…especially seeing how fast things can spiral online. The thriller/mystery aspect was a bit far-fetched at times, but I was still hooked because I cared about the characters. Overall, it’s not perfect, but it’s doing something important—and I’m so glad it exists.
April 17, 2025
This was so so good it was like John tucker must die which I loved but more grown up series and dark I loved that it also focused on p.o.c that's amazing what wasn't amazing was the casual racism our main characters had to endure. And this book did not end the way I thought it would
July 13, 2025
This was so good, gave good girls guide to murder books! I couldn’t put it down- intrigued the whole time. Kinda saw the twist coming but it was still so freaking good!
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