Spoiler free review
⭐️⭐️.5/5 (2.5)
No spice

This ARC was provided for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley and Publishers.

Leonie has the perfect life. Someone wants to take it away. Leonie is living her best life. Still in her twenties, she’s beautiful, successful, and has just met Markus, the man of her dreams. But Leonie has a secret. Ten years ago, she was involved in an accident in which another driver died. Leonie shouldn’t have been behind the wheel that night – no license, no insurance – so she fled the scene. And ever since, she’s been struggling to deal with the terrible guilt. Now, as her wedding to Markus draws near, it seems someone is out to get her.

Despite the plot holes and loose coverage over very key information that needed explaining, the storyline is unique (to me), so it was a fun read.
I did, however, dislike the final twist. That wasn't necessary, in my opinion, and I felt added no value to the ending.

This book does have a closed ending, and you are left with all the answers to seek throughout the book. The characters have depth and are likeable.

If you are looking for a quick, fast-paced read and enjoy thrillers, this one is for you

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book. This book was a pretty solid 4 for me. There were times where the story dragged a bit and didn't always make the most perfect sense, but it kept me guessing and kept me interested until the end. Some things felt a tad rushed, but the overall tension and story made it interesting. The main character was likeable and even though I could guess where a couple of relationships in her life were headed, the plot unfolded nicely.

The twists were very exciting throughout the book. The first few pages made me want to finish in one sitting. The book had drama and revenge which I liked.

Make Her Pay is an interesting and twisted tale of deception and revenge! After an incident when she was just a teenager, Leonie is finally beginning to find her own way in the world. Just as everything seems to be going right for her she finds herself on the verge of losing everything. If you like fast-paced mysteries full of deceit and intrigue, you'll enjoy Make Her Pay!

Once again, Miranda Rijks does not disappoint. Make Her Pay is a quick read that checks all the boxes.
I flew through the short chapters and was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how Leonie was going to get through the predicament upon her. I liked it!
This title, Make Her Pay, had expired/disappeared from my shelf before I had a chance to read it.
My rating of 4 stars was initially based on my anticipation; without having read it before the ARC expired..
I was very disappointed that I missed it, as I really like how Miranda Rijks writes and have enjoyed previous titles. As soon as I was able to read it after publication I did. I still give it 4 stars.
I look forward to Miranda Rijks’ next books.
Thank You to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for initially providing me with an ARC of Make Her Pay.

I really enjoyed this book! It kept me on my toes the whole time I was reading and never knew what to expect. Just when I thought something was going to happen the next chapter came and a twist was thrown in!

Slightly predictable on some levels but on others I was so surprised. Loved it and will definitely recommend.

Sad it finished so fast though as I would have loved to have seen what happened next.

This one was definitely a fun story, it was definitely predictable and forgettable. I still believe a lot of people will enjoy this one if you suspend disbelief a little in regards to the twists and turns.

I loved this one, it was twisted and kept me guessing. I have loved all of Miranda's books, while this wasn't my most fave of hers , it was really good !

This was my first book by this author, and I will definitely be checking out her backlist.

Wow, what a thriller! I was invested in the story from the beginning to the very end. It speaks to an author's ability to write villainous characters that you can empathize with to a certain extent.

The multiple POVs are so well done that when that major twist came along, I was very shocked!

I think an epilogue would have been a nice touch; I would have liked a bit of Sam's complicated history with their dad to come out as well.

A quick but wonderfully written psychological thriller! This is the first of this author I have read (thank you NetGalley) but I will certainly be returning for more.

I throughly enjoy the traumatized family trope, and ran along the lines of domestic thriller but with a twist that I didn’t expect.

What a page turner!
I really loved this book. It was a fast read that had me guessing a few times.
The ending was a bit abrupt, but other than that it was fantastic!

Leonie has the perfect life. Someone wants to take it away. Leonie is living her best life. Still in her twenties, she’s beautiful, successful and has just met Markus, the man of her dreams. But Leonie has a secret. Ten years ago, she was involved in an accident in which another driver died. Leonie shouldn’t have been behind the wheel that night – no license, no insurance – so she fled the scene. And ever since, she’s been struggling to deal with the terrible guilt. Now, as her wedding to Markus draws near, it seems someone is out to get her. It’s little things at first – botched work appointments, a cancelled bridal dress - but it soon escalates into a terrifying campaign which threatens her business, her family and even her life. Leonie, caught up in a relentless nightmare, has no idea why anyone would set out to destroy her. Until she realizes there’s a link to the accident that happened all those years ago. Someone knows what she did. Someone is determined to make her pay.

This is my 11th or 12th novel by Miranda so I may be a little biased, but I just can't get enough of her novels. Fast paced story lines, just enough details to keep you engaged and just the right length before wrapping it up with a little twist!

Thanks NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Miranda Rijks for the ADC.
Publication December 10, 2023

From the first chapter this book pulled me in. I knew from the first few chapters that it was a revenge story but I still was very interested into were the story was heading. It was a fast paced page turner that wanted me to read more and more. Lots of twist and turns to keep the reader interested. I loved it .

#MakeHerPay #NetGalley
A fun read.
Leonie is living her best life. Still in her twenties, she’s beautiful, successful and has just met Markus, the man of her dreams. But Leonie has a secret. Ten years ago, she was involved in an accident in which another driver died. Leonie shouldn’t have been behind the wheel that night – no license, no insurance – so she fled the scene. And ever since, she’s been struggling to deal with the terrible guilt.
Now, as her wedding to Markus draws near, it seems someone is out to get her. It’s little things at first – botched work appointments, a cancelled bridal dress - but it soon escalates into a terrifying campaign which threatens her business, her family and even her life.
Leonie, caught up in a relentless nightmare, has no idea why anyone would set out to destroy her. Until she realizes there’s a link to the accident that happened all those years ago. Someone knows what she did. Someone is determined to make her pay.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for giving me an advance copy.

I loved this psychological thriller. It was my first book by this author and for sure it wont be the last. Such a page turner!!

I do enjoy Miranda Rijks books & this one was quite good! I read it in a few days as I was excited to find out how it was going to end!

Read this if you like:
real estate
wealth
multiple POV
family businesses
controlling parents
twists & turns

This is my first book I’ve read from this author and definitely not my last.
Being haunted by a mistake you’ve made 10 years ago seems terrible doesn't it? Also if this leaves you indebted to your controlling father and you can’t make your own decisions.
I LOVE domestic suspense and thriller books. This one ticks this box for sure.
At first the multiple POVs made it a bit confusing for me as I couldn’t connect them and it didn’t seemed useful, but around 1/3 into the story a surprising turn makes you understand everything!
I enjoyed that there is a lot of action in the book and a lot keeps happening but on the other hand, we jump very quickly in timeline throughout the story which makes some events feel a little too fleeting or you would like to know more about them.
Most of the characters have a suspicious allure around them which makes you as a reader question a lot of things and on the other hand you question how far Leonie will push her luck. I really loved this vibe throughout the story, it keeps you on your toes. But even then, I didn’t see most of the twists coming which is the best feeling! Revenge can be bitter sweet.
The ending felt a bit abrupt which leaves me feeling somewhat unsatiated but all in all I enjoyed this surprising story and I hope to read a few of her other books.

This was a fast paced read that I kept me entertained with a crazy twist that set up the amazing plot! I’ve loved every book I’ve read by #MirandaRijks. She’s quickly become a favorite author of great #thrillers!

Thank you, Miranda Rijks, Inkubator Books, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

Wow. I've read several books by the masterful writer Miranda Rijks, always full of suspense and twists.

But 'Make Her Pay' is undoubtedly my favorite of her books so far.

I can easily envision a gripping movie adaptation of this novel.

I don't know why, but from the start, I pictured Leonie as a young Cameron Diaz. Beautiful, charming, successful.
With the perfect partner Markus, who adores her and buys her expensive gifts.

With parents who, despite her being grown and successful in her career, still exert too much control, especially her father.

Of course, we soon find out why. Leonie’s life hasn't always been so perfect. In fact, she caused a tragedy due to reckless driving. The very tragedy itself is the cause of vengeance and is the reason why someone wants to 'make her pay.'

As the 10th anniversary of this tragedy approaches, Leonie’s life begins to crumble like a house of cards...

I'll stop here with the recap because I don't want to spoil anything. I can only say that the book is excellent. Gripping from the first page, full of events, multiple points of view. A masterpiece.

Secrets unravel one after another, shocks accumulate. Whoever initially seems perfect, kind, and trustworthy - as befitting a true psychological thriller - is not.

The book is filled with manipulation, lies, deceit, and insinuations. The essential message, brilliantly and convincingly presented by the author, is that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Can Leonie trust anyone at all???

Find out for yourself. You must read this book. REALLY.

Miranda Rijks, Make Her Pay, Inkubator Books, December 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Miranda Rijks’ novels have been on my reading list since I reviewed What She Knew in July 2022. Since then I have read several of her novels, including the very disappointing The Lodge in June 2023. What a delight to see that she has moved into far more successful territory with Make Her Pay. This is a clever novel, with an intriguing prologue, a good plot that is plausible enough, characters who have a motivation for their behaviour, and a satisfying resolution.

A person waits for death, and eventually blackness descends. And then Leonie Wilding’s story begins. She is 16, painting her toenails, seated by a swimming pool at her parents’ holiday house in Northumberland. Brenda and Gus Wilding and are described in unflattering tones; to Leone they are wanting both physically and emotionally. Leone is neither in her opinion, and, resentful of the plan to return to London early, that night takes her mother’s car and drives furiously away from their huge party. As a result, she and her father harbour a secret that controls her life to the present day.

Leonie in the present is a successful businesswoman, dependent upon her parents’ good will, in particular her father’s, but achieving some independence with her small staff and her own competence. The secret remains in the background of her interactions with her father, her relationships and her capacity for enjoying her wealthy lifestyle. Also in the present is Carrie. She is covered in scars, physically and mentally, has a slight limp, has lost a baby, husband and well-paying job and is seeking revenge.

Making Her Pay brings together Carrie and Leonie; Markus, a handsome and caring man who charms Leonie; Zac, Leonie’s long-time friend, one night lover and now a member of her staff along with Diane and Erin; and Leonie’s controlling parents. Twists are logical rather than contrived (eluding a pet dislike of mine) and tremendously well placed. Where the novel seems as though it will meander into long explanation (as I have criticised in past reviews of Rijk’s work) Rijk so cleverly introduces a comic twist and, again, one that is plausible. For me, this Miranda Rijks novel is a marvellous move to all that I expected and looked for from reading What She Knew (2022) and The Second Mother. (2022) Making Her Pay is a really good read and I look forward to more like it.