What do you think?
Rate this book
Books, Boys, and Revenge
When fifteen-year-old Kayla Dexter "gets dumped" by her best friend since third grade, she reinvents herself using books, boys, and revenge.
Kayla is intense, sincere, and sincerely intense. She’s thrilled to be starting tenth grade at La Jolla Prep Academy, even though she doesn’t have nearly as much money as her classmates. Thankfully, Kayla’s best friend Amanda Swenson helps her blend in.
But when Kayla unintentionally offends new girl Victoria Lancer, she discovers just how mean high school girls can be. Kayla’s rise to YouTube stardom happens in the worst possible way. The cruelest part is that Amanda sides with Victoria.
Kayla’s circumstances change for the better when she dates Logan Robinson, a junior who brings an instant group of friends with him. But a disastrous night at Winter Formal helps Kayla discover something important: the only hero she needs is herself.
So with her diary in one hand and a pocket recording device in the other, Kayla captures all of the moments that matter. Victoria better watch out! Kayla’s line between justice and revenge is thin. When La Jolla Prep Academy hears what’s on Kayla’s computer, everyone will take notice… including Amanda.
Kayla is intense, sincere, and sincerely intense. She’s thrilled to be starting tenth grade at La Jolla Prep Academy, even though she doesn’t have nearly as much money as her classmates. Thankfully, Kayla’s best friend Amanda Swenson helps her blend in.
But when Kayla unintentionally offends new girl Victoria Lancer, she discovers just how mean high school girls can be. Kayla’s rise to YouTube stardom happens in the worst possible way. The cruelest part is that Amanda sides with Victoria.
Kayla’s circumstances change for the better when she dates Logan Robinson, a junior who brings an instant group of friends with him. But a disastrous night at Winter Formal helps Kayla discover something important: the only hero she needs is herself.
So with her diary in one hand and a pocket recording device in the other, Kayla captures all of the moments that matter. Victoria better watch out! Kayla’s line between justice and revenge is thin. When La Jolla Prep Academy hears what’s on Kayla’s computer, everyone will take notice… including Amanda.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2017
53 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Louise Cypress
16 books314 followersLouise Cypress believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. She has never met a vampire, but she has been to a Love Sucks concert on Valentine’s Day. Louise can often be found curled up with a romance novel on Saturday night, diet soda in hand, secretly wishing bustles were back in fashion. Louise lives in San Diego, California, where the beach is crowded and summer is immortal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 12, 2020
**Read for Jordan Ford's Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Prompt 16: A book you haven't read yet that's been on your shelf/e-reader for more than six months **
I think Kayla reads more as someone between 13-15 in some of her thoughts and reactions, despite the vocabulary usage (which has nothing to do with it regardless), than 15 going on 16. But that's based on my high school experience, I can't speak for every human. Although I have to ask: How are Kayla's book essays oh so great when she summarizes the plots so crudly?
There is bullying, and cyber bullying particularly, which actually upsets me in a whole new legal matter. We have rights to our own image, and in cases where the photo's subject circling around is a minor, the case is aggravated. These matters should always have legal repercussions so people learn from a young age to basically BEHAVE like decent human beings because actions have consequences.
The mc is a judgemental buttcheek. It does not help her case at all, since I can see one of her internal comments popping out at some point and potentially hurting someone. She also claims she does not wish to comform to the status quo, while her inner self reflects its influence - which I can understand, we are spoonfed these moronic notions from infancy - in even the pettiest of things. And that is the part I judge. Her internal commentary is just jeez. Example: the muscular sports girl who apparently "needs" to shave because her forearms are hairy.
Which leads me to another point: why do women authors, who know what's like to live with this bs, choose to perpetuate these notions in their younger characters, and therefore younger audience, when they could help change mindsets?
Kayla's mother has real issues. She threw away gifted tea leaves like a lunatic, and that is a crime against humanity (no, seriously I hate waste and wtf lady). They're not "random herbs", you're just ignorant about their existence and properties. What a lack of common sense. And she doesn't have her back at all. How is one supposed to make peace with their active bullies who are in a campaign against you in collusion with an adult? Bullying =/= small fight with friends, lady!!
And all these teenage girls making menstruation jokes?? Shame on them for being terrible allies and perpetuating these toxic ideas. What is shameful about people who menstruate? It's not some dirty little secret!
I'm just glad I'm done with this.
I think Kayla reads more as someone between 13-15 in some of her thoughts and reactions, despite the vocabulary usage (which has nothing to do with it regardless), than 15 going on 16. But that's based on my high school experience, I can't speak for every human. Although I have to ask: How are Kayla's book essays oh so great when she summarizes the plots so crudly?
There is bullying, and cyber bullying particularly, which actually upsets me in a whole new legal matter. We have rights to our own image, and in cases where the photo's subject circling around is a minor, the case is aggravated. These matters should always have legal repercussions so people learn from a young age to basically BEHAVE like decent human beings because actions have consequences.
The mc is a judgemental buttcheek. It does not help her case at all, since I can see one of her internal comments popping out at some point and potentially hurting someone. She also claims she does not wish to comform to the status quo, while her inner self reflects its influence - which I can understand, we are spoonfed these moronic notions from infancy - in even the pettiest of things. And that is the part I judge. Her internal commentary is just jeez. Example: the muscular sports girl who apparently "needs" to shave because her forearms are hairy.
Which leads me to another point: why do women authors, who know what's like to live with this bs, choose to perpetuate these notions in their younger characters, and therefore younger audience, when they could help change mindsets?
Kayla's mother has real issues. She threw away gifted tea leaves like a lunatic, and that is a crime against humanity (no, seriously I hate waste and wtf lady). They're not "random herbs", you're just ignorant about their existence and properties. What a lack of common sense. And she doesn't have her back at all. How is one supposed to make peace with their active bullies who are in a campaign against you in collusion with an adult? Bullying =/= small fight with friends, lady!!
And all these teenage girls making menstruation jokes?? Shame on them for being terrible allies and perpetuating these toxic ideas. What is shameful about people who menstruate? It's not some dirty little secret!
I'm just glad I'm done with this.
October 12, 2017
Books, Boys and Revenge was so far, my favorite novel of the year.
At first I was not sure I was going to like it becaus of the diary of school girl format. But once open I was set for a bookhangover (I just wanted to read a few page before going to sleep but devored the whole book).
Kayla felt real, like one of my friend telling me their stories. With every entry in the diary I was worrying, laughing, relieved, crying and anxious. What was coming next in this unfair world that is teen years.
Books were always my escape so I kind of read along with Kayla and her uncle. And spending lunch-break with my head hidden in a book did happen to me. It still does from time to time but I don’t hide anymore. I’m more diving and when I come back for a breath I’m always sharing pearls with the people that surround me.
Boys are not really what my life revolve around but I know that sometimes they help us cutting down the drama with more down-to-earth relationship, less gossips (most of the time) and true feelings of kinship.
Revenge is a big world for such a young heroine. Is it really what going past the hurt is supposed to be about? Or is there more meaning behind every action taken against a tormentor.
BBR makes it to the tops of my golden list.
At first I was not sure I was going to like it becaus of the diary of school girl format. But once open I was set for a bookhangover (I just wanted to read a few page before going to sleep but devored the whole book).
Kayla felt real, like one of my friend telling me their stories. With every entry in the diary I was worrying, laughing, relieved, crying and anxious. What was coming next in this unfair world that is teen years.
Books were always my escape so I kind of read along with Kayla and her uncle. And spending lunch-break with my head hidden in a book did happen to me. It still does from time to time but I don’t hide anymore. I’m more diving and when I come back for a breath I’m always sharing pearls with the people that surround me.
Boys are not really what my life revolve around but I know that sometimes they help us cutting down the drama with more down-to-earth relationship, less gossips (most of the time) and true feelings of kinship.
Revenge is a big world for such a young heroine. Is it really what going past the hurt is supposed to be about? Or is there more meaning behind every action taken against a tormentor.
BBR makes it to the tops of my golden list.
June 9, 2018
Cute read
This was such a cute read!!! I felt it was a realistic representation of how teenagers can be today!! I recommend it!
This was such a cute read!!! I felt it was a realistic representation of how teenagers can be today!! I recommend it!
May 14, 2017
Book, Boys and Revenge was a quick read. I liked it enough to finish it, but overall there were just some major factors that stopped me from giving it a higher rating.
So Kayla's supposed to be smart. She's hardworking, she has a full scholarship for her $30,000 school, but then her voice just didn't seem to read as a 15 year old. The majority of the time she sounded 11 or 12 and it just threw off how I saw Kayla. Her voice just didn't seem to hold the maturity of a 15 year old.
My other main problem was, that for a book titled 'Books, Boys and Revenge' there wasn't a whole lot of focus on any of them.
I wasn't expecting this book to be written as if it was a diary. I actually think the diary format limited this book. There are a lot of cases where I've enjoyed the journal format but I don't think it worked here and I feel like the flow of the story might have actually been better without it?
Basically my expectations of what I thought this would be ruined my enjoyment of what it actually was.
So Kayla's supposed to be smart. She's hardworking, she has a full scholarship for her $30,000 school, but then her voice just didn't seem to read as a 15 year old. The majority of the time she sounded 11 or 12 and it just threw off how I saw Kayla. Her voice just didn't seem to hold the maturity of a 15 year old.
My other main problem was, that for a book titled 'Books, Boys and Revenge' there wasn't a whole lot of focus on any of them.
I wasn't expecting this book to be written as if it was a diary. I actually think the diary format limited this book. There are a lot of cases where I've enjoyed the journal format but I don't think it worked here and I feel like the flow of the story might have actually been better without it?
Basically my expectations of what I thought this would be ruined my enjoyment of what it actually was.
May 16, 2017
It wasn't a bad book. It just threw me back into my highschool days. But it does have it's good moments. But it just seemed unrealistic with some of the clique things. It reminded me of mean girls to a degree. But some aspects were good. I just wished I could have liked it more. To top it all off the majority of the book it just seemed like it was bashing libraries to much. Like if you went to one you were a loser. Um... No. It isn't bad to try to be well read. And if she came from a family that wasn't so well off to send her to that $30,ooo school then would it not be better off to utilize one? Even if you got a scholarship?
May 26, 2017
Ah, man. Sucks that I forgot to write a review for this earlier this month.
I remember that this book's storyline was pretty decent, but I can't remember much else.
Oh! The way this was written was very interesting. At first, I thought it was weird, but as I eased into it, I started to love the diary-like format of the book.
I remember that this book's storyline was pretty decent, but I can't remember much else.
Oh! The way this was written was very interesting. At first, I thought it was weird, but as I eased into it, I started to love the diary-like format of the book.
July 18, 2017
Great read!
Loved the main character so much! She was like a muggle version of Hermione Granger, all studious & concerned with social justice.
Loved the main character so much! She was like a muggle version of Hermione Granger, all studious & concerned with social justice.
January 16, 2021
This is a nice story of a 15 year old girl having to deal with bullying and finding her way out of it and into her life.
Kayla isn't perfect to start with, she's gossiping too but only when she's at the recieving end does she realised what harm it can do.
It's also a book about friendship and how things can change when we grow up.
I like the moral of standing up for yourself and there is a strong sense of "stand on your own feet".
The adults don't play a big role in solving the problems, on contrast, they often hinder and even set the ground for more harm by lack of insight which is a bit sad but in a way helping the story of "solve it yourself".
I like the later works of this author and this book could have done with some more editing. It feels very much like the diary of a 15 year old, which is good and authentic but there are also quite constructed elements. Which year group reads all this literature in 1 year?
Kayla isn't perfect to start with, she's gossiping too but only when she's at the recieving end does she realised what harm it can do.
It's also a book about friendship and how things can change when we grow up.
I like the moral of standing up for yourself and there is a strong sense of "stand on your own feet".
The adults don't play a big role in solving the problems, on contrast, they often hinder and even set the ground for more harm by lack of insight which is a bit sad but in a way helping the story of "solve it yourself".
I like the later works of this author and this book could have done with some more editing. It feels very much like the diary of a 15 year old, which is good and authentic but there are also quite constructed elements. Which year group reads all this literature in 1 year?
May 5, 2018
I received a free advance review copy from the publisher.
I really liked it. It's written like a journal so it is a nice quick read. It definitely reminded of of when I was in school. All of the cliques and rumors. I liked how the main character took the high road but still got their revenge. Rather than making sure to ruin someone's life while also destroying your own.
Awesome quick clean read.
I really liked it. It's written like a journal so it is a nice quick read. It definitely reminded of of when I was in school. All of the cliques and rumors. I liked how the main character took the high road but still got their revenge. Rather than making sure to ruin someone's life while also destroying your own.
Awesome quick clean read.
April 8, 2017
I received an ARC from the publishers in exchange for a review.
I gave this book a 3/5 because this book was a gentle read. This book though was all over the place. It's your typical, your group of friends meets another friend. That new friend starts to ruin your life. This book goes over topics of bullying, friendship, love, relationships and finding yourself. The story is in Diary format.
I even feel the title is not suited for this book. Close to the end the story felt rushed. I didn't feel satisfied with the ending.
As a girl who has been bullied myself I felt her pain, so yes I almost cried and I did smile like a dork. There are some topics that I find I like since It's trying to connect to you, My Little Pony, Liberty Kids (10 points for you if you remember this show!), Word Girl, the love for Disney Land and Classic Books.
I was more curious how this book would go I stayed up the first night I began reading it till 1:00 am. (I didn't know)
Finally this is the sentence I knew this book was in it's tail spin. Make sure to always reread your works, "While we waited for him to call the Lancer house and ask for permission to open the gate, I broke out in a sweat and had to flap my arms around so my I wouldn't have pit stains when I finally made it to Victoria's house."
I gave this book a 3/5 because this book was a gentle read. This book though was all over the place. It's your typical, your group of friends meets another friend. That new friend starts to ruin your life. This book goes over topics of bullying, friendship, love, relationships and finding yourself. The story is in Diary format.
I even feel the title is not suited for this book. Close to the end the story felt rushed. I didn't feel satisfied with the ending.
As a girl who has been bullied myself I felt her pain, so yes I almost cried and I did smile like a dork. There are some topics that I find I like since It's trying to connect to you, My Little Pony, Liberty Kids (10 points for you if you remember this show!), Word Girl, the love for Disney Land and Classic Books.
I was more curious how this book would go I stayed up the first night I began reading it till 1:00 am. (I didn't know)
Finally this is the sentence I knew this book was in it's tail spin. Make sure to always reread your works, "While we waited for him to call the Lancer house and ask for permission to open the gate, I broke out in a sweat and had to flap my arms around so my I wouldn't have pit stains when I finally made it to Victoria's house."
April 9, 2017
I received this E book ARC for review by the author and I have to say that I enjoyed it greatly and here's why: it brought me back to my early days of middle school and high school trying to figure out how girl friendship really worked and how to watch what you say because you never know when it could come back to bite you later. Another aspect I enjoyed was that the main character was more thoughtful about certain aspects of life and was more mature than some of the others like admitting she was wrong etc. In fact after reading this book I wanted to hang out with my friends even more than before because I feel that I can be myself in front of them so this book is for all ages not just YA. So I give this book 4 1/2 to 5 stars
April 10, 2017
I received an ARC for my review.
I quite enjoyed this book. It wasn't really my style but Ms. Cypress' writing style saved me. I would recommend this book for younger audiences but if you enjoy books of this nature I think you'd really enjoy this one. It's not too long and drawn out but also it's not too short in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the characters and how they relate to today's issues. If you're looking for a great gift for a young lady this one would be great!
I quite enjoyed this book. It wasn't really my style but Ms. Cypress' writing style saved me. I would recommend this book for younger audiences but if you enjoy books of this nature I think you'd really enjoy this one. It's not too long and drawn out but also it's not too short in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the characters and how they relate to today's issues. If you're looking for a great gift for a young lady this one would be great!
April 10, 2017
I absolutely Loved it!
I received this book as an ARC for my honest review. Kayla Dexter writes to her Diary. As sophomore year starts she will be attending La Jolla Prep on a full scholarship. She will try to blend in with her Payless shoes and knockoff Uggs.
Kayla goes through some extreme turmoil when her friends Victoria, Rachel, Jessica and Amanda start taunting her and making her life absolutely miserable. If she could avoid them it would help but they're all in the same carpool.
Pretty soon she finds out she has no friends and no one to sit with at lunch. At least Logan is nice to her. He's a junior and he is soooo cute.
Poor Kayla goes through a lot very crazy drama brought on by her so called friends.
I would definitely recommend this book! It was uplifting and brought back a lot of high school memories. I couldn't put it down and would love to read a sequel.
I received this book as an ARC for my honest review. Kayla Dexter writes to her Diary. As sophomore year starts she will be attending La Jolla Prep on a full scholarship. She will try to blend in with her Payless shoes and knockoff Uggs.
Kayla goes through some extreme turmoil when her friends Victoria, Rachel, Jessica and Amanda start taunting her and making her life absolutely miserable. If she could avoid them it would help but they're all in the same carpool.
Pretty soon she finds out she has no friends and no one to sit with at lunch. At least Logan is nice to her. He's a junior and he is soooo cute.
Poor Kayla goes through a lot very crazy drama brought on by her so called friends.
I would definitely recommend this book! It was uplifting and brought back a lot of high school memories. I couldn't put it down and would love to read a sequel.
April 10, 2017
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a review. I thought he book was enjoyable. The main character got dumped by her best friend since 3rd grade. One of her old friends then bullies her for the majority of the book. By the end of the book the main character learns to stand up for herself. It was wonderful to see a girl learn to stand up for herself and prove that what she says matters. It gave off a girl power vibe and I liked that. I would definitely recommend it for a younger audience.
May 19, 2017
Books, Boys, and Revenge by Louise Cypress is about Kayla, a sophomore at La Jolla Prep Academy, under a scholarship, in a group named Sophomore Herd until she accidentally offended one of her "friends". Current status: fifteen and friendless.
The story totally got me since I can relate to the protaginst. Not only did she have the same name as mine, we also have the same story. I have even cried at some of the scenes because I've been in those moments too, and I know how awful it felt.
What I love about the story is that it shows that there are still people willing to help someone without receiving something in return. And, they are whom I can call true friends. I wanted to enumerate all their names for I have loved them so much the more I read into the story, but nah, you have to get to know them all for yourself. *wink
“Human beings are often guilty of not being humane.” Yes. All of us have those moments that we aren't acting human at all, but not every time. That's how bullies came into the picture.
"I’m so masochistic that I looked at every single one." That's the thing about people who gets bullied. They still care even if they've been hurt so much. Like in the story, she has the perfect revenge with a perfect evidence, and she even thought twice about exposing it since it would hurt them. Tsk.
I also love how the author inserted all those amazing books in the story, and how it has help our girl get through the experience.
So, entirely, this is about a girl who was bullied, been too fragile and got broken; but learned to stand up. She has found herself and even friends who deserved her. And a boy who would take care of her.
“The only person you need to fight for is yourself.. And the only person you need fighting for you is you. ”
5/5
The story totally got me since I can relate to the protaginst. Not only did she have the same name as mine, we also have the same story. I have even cried at some of the scenes because I've been in those moments too, and I know how awful it felt.
What I love about the story is that it shows that there are still people willing to help someone without receiving something in return. And, they are whom I can call true friends. I wanted to enumerate all their names for I have loved them so much the more I read into the story, but nah, you have to get to know them all for yourself. *wink
“Human beings are often guilty of not being humane.” Yes. All of us have those moments that we aren't acting human at all, but not every time. That's how bullies came into the picture.
"I’m so masochistic that I looked at every single one." That's the thing about people who gets bullied. They still care even if they've been hurt so much. Like in the story, she has the perfect revenge with a perfect evidence, and she even thought twice about exposing it since it would hurt them. Tsk.
I also love how the author inserted all those amazing books in the story, and how it has help our girl get through the experience.
So, entirely, this is about a girl who was bullied, been too fragile and got broken; but learned to stand up. She has found herself and even friends who deserved her. And a boy who would take care of her.
“The only person you need to fight for is yourself.. And the only person you need fighting for you is you. ”
5/5
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews