What happens when a girl goes to a spiritual retreat after being dumped by her cheating boyfriend?

The Karma Club: a way to make sure those who do bad also get the bad back at them.

Debut author Jessica Brody’s The Karma Club is a story of girls getting revenge on the boys (and girls!) who’ve done them wrong.

The Karma Club is a readalike to Suzanne Young’s The Naughty List, though it is not an intentionally humorous and at times borders on didactic. The ending wraps up a little too tidily, though that will certainly appeal to a number of readers. The story itself is cleaner, with very minimal language issues.

This is a contemporary book, with references to Facebook and text messaging. Themes include karma and revenge, as well as relationships and how social status can impact those relationships.

Though far from perfect, Brody’s book is an easy read — one I read in an hour on an airplane. It is not a fully fleshed but that will be the big draw for many readers. Reluctant readers may find this a good choice, as well. As mentioned, fans of Young’s book and fans of Elizabeth Eulberg’s The Lonely Hearts Club will find this an excellent reading choice.

The Karma Club publishes in May by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, a Macmillan imprint.

(Is it me or does it seem this is a cover that’s a double? Anyone know its twin?)