Rachael Allen

Don't get mad, get even! In this poignant and hilarious novel, Rachael Allen brilliantly explores the nuances of high school hierarchies, the traumas sustained on the path to finding true love, and the joy of discovering a friend where you least expect. In the small town of Ranburne, high school football rules and the players are treated like kings. How they treat the girls they go to school with? That's a completely different story. Liv, Peyton, Melanie Jane, and Ana each have their own reason for wanting to teach the team a lesson—but it's only when circumstances bring them together that they come up with the plan to steal the one thing the boys hold sacred. All they have to do is beat them at their own game.

The Revenge Playbook

Alexa M

Sven Test

This review was first published on Latte Nights Reviews.

This book makes girls feel empowered. I know when I read it, I felt like I could do anything. I have to say that I was hooked just by reading the dares that appeared on the first two pages. Knowing how worshiped these football players were and how everything they did, including bad or slacking in school, everyone would just turn a blind eye and let it pass, even the teachers! This aggravated me so much because the reality is that this happens nowadays and it is so unfair. The football team downgrades women's worth and pretty much diminishes them but we see four girls that have never been friends, except for two of them, join forces to try to bring down the football team to stop the slut-shaming, bullying, etc.

Rachael Allen did a fantastic job in writing this story. I believe she took a risk and she has succeed. I say risk because not many people are willing to put a story like this out there but she did and this gives you hope that you can also take a stand, make a change and fight for yourself and others. Even with the message included, this story is amazing and fun. Reading about the four girls doing the dares was hilarious. The supporting male characters, not the mean ones, were also a great addition to the story and also shows that not every guy in this world has ill-intent on others. What I wish I had gotten was an epilogue. The story ended on a good note but I felt something missing of it—a bit more closure, I would say. Nonetheless, I really recommend this book if you are looking for an empowering story with positive message and it is also fun and very enjoyable.

Chelsea Hunter

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
.

It's been awhile since I picked up a YA title and I picked this one off my shelf on a whim over the weekend. I picked a good title to start back into YA with. I really enjoyed this story. 

Upon first picking up this book, I expected a cute, lighthearted read that didn't get to serious. I couldn't have been more wrong. Rachael found a way to tackle the hard-hitting topics of rape culture, slut-shaming and preferential treatment of athletes, but without making it too overwhelming or preachy. I also loved how straightforward this book spoke of virginity and sex. It definitely pulled me in from page one and kept me hooked from the duration. There were funny moments and ones that left me a little teary-eyed.

Told from the perspective of four girls who'd been "wronged" in one way or another by guys on the football team it could've been confusing or hard to follow, but it was anything but. I really wound up connecting with each of the girls' stories in one way or another and definitely wanted the best for them. Of course, I also wanted them to get back at/even with the guys who were getting away with being arrogant douchebags, too. (One specifically and trust me when I say you'll know him when you meet him.) There was also a little romance in this book and it made me all smiley-happy. 

The Revenge Playbook was a great read. I feel like it could really speak to the audience it was directed to, but can easily be enjoyed by adults who enjoy young adult books as well. In addition to taking on the tough topics I mentioned above, it also had a great focus on friendship and a "girl power!" message. Totally enjoyable. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

3.5 stars!

The Revenge Playbook is told through alternating POVs of the four main characters in this story. Usually I have trouble with alternating points of view when there are more than two, and honestly at first I did have a bit of trouble remembering which girl was which. But after a few chapters I was already connecting with each of these girls and was able to follow the story without a problem.

The whole "list" thing that the football team came up with was really infuriating. I'm sure almost every reader of this book will feel the same way. To think that these guys put together this kind of list is really insulting. I'd embarrass the football team myself to get back to them for the list alone, never mind the actions that were taken related to the list. Not cool, guys. Not cool.
 

  

 
This group of girls wouldn't normally have been friends, but they were all drawn together for a common cause: revenge on the football team. Ana, who was a bit of a geek; Liv, the lively, outspoken dance fanatic; Melanie Jane, the gorgeous pageant princess; and Peyton, the shy and sensitive sweetheart, all in one way or another were screwed over by the football team unfairly. Each of these girls wanted them to get what they deserved. And they realized that together they could attempt sweet, sweet revenge.

I loved the "girl power" message in this book. There were terrible things that happened to these girls, some worse than others, and instead of letting it get the better of them, they all decided to seek revenge instead. Maybe not the best, smartest and healthiest idea out there, but I loved the bond they formed while working together at a common cause. Go girls!

 

  

 
I've read a couple other books with a similar vibe, but this one really stood out to me. I also was very satisfied with the way it all came together in the end. A fun, quick read for a lazy Saturday afternoon. I think a lot of people will find these girls entertaining, this story a lot of fun, and the friendships formed very encouraging. Standing up for yourself, being the bigger person, and forgiveness are all strong messages in this book that many teenagers will benefit from reading.

(Thanks to HarperTeen for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!