Author: Kristen Simmons
Series: Vale Hall #3
Publisher: Tor Teen
Released: February 2^nd, 2021
Received: NetGalley

I received a copy of Payback in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Payback is the third and final novel in Kristen Simmon’s Vale Hall Trilogy. If you love following the actions of young con artists, then this series is perfect for you.

Brynn Hilder hit the jackpot when she was offered entrance to an exclusive school. One that not only accepted her past as a con artist, but encouraged her to continue with that life. Now, she’s learned that when something looks too good to be true – it’s because it isn’t.

Her life, the life of her family and friends, are all on the line. And will continue to be in danger for as long as Dr. David Odin has power. He may be training a school full of hustlers, but that’s only because he’s the best of the best when it comes to deception and power plays.

It’s going to take everything Brynn has – every single one of her allies – in order to take him down. And even then, the fight will almost certainly cost them.

“Time’s ticking. I can feel the rush in my blood, urging us to hurry.”

Guys, Payback is the absolute perfect ending to this trilogy! It leaves no open plot arcs. It’s all perfectly wrapped up, with a neat little bow on top. All while throwing some seriously shocking twists out along the way.

It was easy to get invested in Brynn’s story, right from that very first book. Ever since then, I’ve been rooting for her, alongside all of the other readers out there. Well, Payback helped to push her character to new heights.

It also, somehow, managed to raise the stakes even higher. It was impressively done, all while leaving plenty of room for surprise and suspense. It’s everything I could have hoped for in this finale, and then some.

Really, my only regret is that we won’t get to continue following Brynn’s adventures. As we all know that she’s going to find a way to get herself in more trouble in her path through life. It’s sort of her wheelhouse, at this point.