Two pages into this book and I knew I was going to like- no, love - this story. It didn't not disappoint.
The Payback is revenge fantasy in literature form and satisfies a sense of fairness in an unjust world. The burden of student debt is an all too common burden for people and this story strikes a relatable cord with the reader. Everyone can sympathize with the main character, Jada, and her friends.

I found myself rooting for them to complete the mission. And although, things doesn't go as planned, I cheered at the satisfying ending.

A 5 star story worthy of a 5 star review.

Kashana Cauley wrote a strong novel and was hooked from the first page. It had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. The characters had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed the way they worked in this storyline. I was invested in the message and worked well overall.

Not a fan of this book. The characters were good but the plot was not what I expected. The debt Police felt a little like overkill and just weird. This played towards race more than I thought it would.

The Payback is not what I expected, but I loved it. A true dark comedy, it acerbically shines a light on the tragedy of contemporary capitalism.

The book grabs your attention right from the start: Jada Williams, a former Hollywood costume designer turned mall employee, is drowning in student debt when the terrifying Debt Police (yes, that’s a thing here) come knocking. What’s a girl to do? Rally two coworkers and plot an audacious revenge heist, obviously.

This book was a joy to read, but not an easy one—and I mean that in a good way. Cauley masterfully balances humor and sharp social commentary, delivering moments that made me laugh out loud alongside others that left me reflecting deeply on the structural inequalities embedded in American society. Her portrayal of how systems disproportionately disenfranchise people, particularly people of color, is both unflinchingly honest and profoundly thought-provoking. It’s the kind of book that engages both your sense of justice and your sense of humor, often at the same time.

What stuck with me most is how The Payback feels both wildly inventive and deeply grounded. It’s hilarious, but there’s also so much heart here. Cauley gets what it feels like to be stuck in a system that wasn’t built for you and what it takes to dream of breaking out.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

I finished this one a few days ago, and I have been thinking about it since. I have never read anything quite like this- it is (kind of?) speculative fiction, kind of a heist caper, and kind of a satire- it has important things to say about society, race, class, and predatory capitalism-but is never preachy.
The writing is so witty. The characters are relatable, and up against it. How can you not relate to a story about women being pushed too far (especially at this specific point in time)?
I do not want to say too much, because I would hate to spoil it, but this is a wild ride. I was emotionally invested in the characters' struggles immediately and as things began to escalate, even more so. The ending wraps in a satisfying way; along the way you will laugh out loud, possibly cry a bit, then become enraged, and finally, feel relieved and vindicated.
This was an intense (sometimes) difficult read for me-I definitely cannot call it a "feel good" or "comfort read". Does not mean you should not read it, I highly recommend this one. It is not a perfect book, but you will not be bored.
Highly recommend.
PS I am off to look for this author's earlier work.

The Payback by Kashana Cauley (author of The Survivalists) is a brilliant blend of black comedy and speculative fiction that delivers biting commentary on race, capitalism, and the struggles of modern working life.

Meet Jada Williams, a woman with an uncanny ability to assess people’s fashion needs and measurements at a glance—a talent that once made her a rising star in Hollywood’s costume design world. But those days are long gone, asJada finds herself stuck in a minimum wage job at the Glendale mall.

When her boss dies at work and Jada is unceremoniously fired, she’s left dodging the brutal Debt Police—pink-badged enforcers who humiliate and attack citizens unable to pay off their mounting debts. Refusing to succumb to despair, Jada ropes in her coworkers to hatch an audacious heist: a plan to erase their crushing student loans and take control of their lives.

What follows is a sharp, darkly humorous exploration of friendship and survival. Jada and her two partners-in-crime grow closer as they navigate a dystopian world that feels uncomfortably familiar. Cauley dissects the predatory nature of capitalism with wit and precision, creating a story as thought-provoking as it is laugh-out-loud funny.

The Payback is more than a heist novel—it’s a searing critique of systemic inequality and an ode to the power of resilience and community. With its unforgettable characters and razor-sharp prose, this is a must-read for fans of smart, socially conscious fiction.

#Atria #ThePayback #KashanaCauley

The pacing in this book is so slow. About 43% in, I realized that nothing had really happened yet. Took another 5-10% before any action started. And action is a bit of an exaggeration.

Honestly, if this wasn't an ARC, I would have DNF'd before this point. Since it's an ARC, I pushed through.

I will sheepishly admit that I originally thought this book was a straight up comedy. It's a dark comedy, which would have made a difference in my approach had I realized this before starting to read the story.

The debt police are a bunch of astrology-lovers & gemstone-loving moon-healers who love to talk about the most ridiculous topics, while actively & brutally beating people up for not paying their student debt. The severe violence was only appalling to me. The cop uniforms get more & more turquoise as the story progresses, which is meant to be funny, but I couldn't get past all the terrible stuff.

Overall, the story was just really weird and, as mentioned above, incredibly slow-moving. The book could have been really good if tackled differently. The author was trying to show how Black women are vulnerable in a society that hates them. But this was overshadowed by the funny bits which felt inappropriate. I guess dark comedy just isn't for me.

I did enjoy the relationship between the three Black women co-workers & the evolution of their friendship. The interactions felt genuine.

Immediately after finishing the book, I gave it 2 stars. But the more I think about it, the more I think it deserves 3.