The Revenge Playbook by Rachael Allen

The Revenge Playbook
by Rachael Allen
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 16th 2015

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Rate: 4.5 stars (Loved it)

Synopsis:

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.

Brimming with sharp observations and pitch-perfect teen voices, fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Mlynowski are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp tale—by the author of 17 First Kisses—about the unexpected roads that can lead you to finding yourself.

"I'm over it," I say. "I really am. I'm not going to put up with it anymore."

Liv shakes her head. "What are you going to do? Move to another town?"

"No. I'm going to make them play. I don't know how yet, but I'll figure it out."

"We," says Liv. "We are going to make them pay."

The Revenge Playbook is one of my favorite summer reads of this year. It has everything: four girls that never thought they would be friends, boys that you want to punch in the face, football, revenge and a game.

In this book, Rachael Allen brings together four different girls: Melanie Jane, Ana, Peyton and Liv. Each character has her own story to tell, a boy who has mistreated her and a reason to get even. It wouldn't have been the same if we didn't read all four stories from the point of view of the character who needs to tell it. That's why the experience to get to know all four girls becomes even more exciting when you get to read from the four point of views.

What I liked is that all four girls were different, in personality and in their social lives. No matter those differences, they found a way to work together to get even with the boys that hurt them and in the process they became friends. It's amazing to see that transition and to see how the group supports everyone in it and help each other even with their darkest and painful secrets.

I was also happy to learn as I kept reading, that the girls were different from the first impression I got and I started to feel protective over them and my inner-mean-girl was yelling all the time to just punch all the guys in the face and start the well-deserved revenge as soon as possible.

The plot was nothing of the other world, we have seen lots of revenge books, movies and TV Shows (well, hello there Emily Thorne), but Rachael Allen had the ability to grab this idea, turn it up side down and make as have such fun you almost forget about the other stories. I liked that she kept bouncing from the now and before explaining the story in two different timelines: explaining what the girls were doing in the present time and justifying it in the past by explaining how it all came down to that exact moment. And if you're worried about being lost, don't be, because it's well-written and distributed so you don't miss a thing or so you don't feel confused.

What I would say, though, is that I was expecting a more mind-blowing ending than the actual one. It was all flat to me - no goosebumps or anything like that - and since I kept waiting for that exact moment where everything will "explode", I had big expectations. That's all.

As you might have guessed, my favorite moments of this story were when all four girls become friends and some funny moments and quotes come up, such as:

"It's the Cyrus-Swift Phenomenon," I say.

They look at me like I am a lunatic. "The what?"

"The Cyrus-Swift Phenomenon. Taylor Swift has had, like eighteen boyfriends, but everyone still thinks she's really classy because she's just so poised and sweet and appropiate-looking. Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus was with the same guy for practically forever, and people are always calling her a slut. And I'm not saying we should be calling T.Swift a slut instead - even if you do date a lot of guys, you don't deserve that. What I'm saying is when it comes to popular opinion, it's all about the persona. And sweetie, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you're the Miley in this scenario."

Better not say anything about Tay-Tay, Melanie Jane. Back to the book, without us realizing it, Rachael brings poignant topics to the story that makes the reader think over it such as the Cyrus-Swift Phenomenon, about how boys should treat girls, respect, rape and other topics teens need to be aware of. You feel for the characters, frustrated, angry and even insulted. You bring all your girl power out and sympathize with Rachael's characters and it's not something easy to accomplish. 

To sum it up a bit, Rachael did a great job and did it so well that the result was a sweet revenge, an unforgettable friendship and a story that YA lovers need to read this summer. Because this is a book that needs to be read by every girl and bring out their inner girl power, I highly recommend it and warn you that girls don't get mad, they get even.

by Patricia Lopez

or listen it on Spotify

Church - T-Pain & Teddy Verseti

Cool Kids - Echosmith

Ugly Heart - G.R.L.

Bad Blood - Taylor Swift

What The Hell - Avril Lavigne

Gives You Hell - The All-American Rejects

We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister S&M - Rihanna Fighter - Christina Aguilera Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship Bad Girls - M.I.A. Do it Like A Dude - Jessie J Cobrastyle - Teddybears We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus We'll Be Alright - Travie McCoy Better Than Revenge - Taylor Swift Everybody Talks - Neon Trees Bad Reputation - Joan Jett Shake it Off - Taylor Swift Love it - Icona Pop & Charli XCX Part of Me - Katy Perry Run the World (Girls) - Beyoncé

Rachael Allen lives in Atlanta, GA where she's working furiously on her PhD in neuroscience. When she's not doing science or writing YA, you can find her chasing after her toddler and her two sled dogs. Her debut YA novel 17 FIRST KISSES, is forthcoming from Harper Teen. Rachael may or may not have had 17 first kisses...luckily she doesn't kiss and tell.