Not being on Instagram or Facebook, I was amazed that influences exist! None of the characters were likable. While not a real "whodunit", it was an interesting look into the downside of social media.

This was a BOTM selection. While I don't think it was awful, I am surprised that this would be included in what has always had such a longstanding, influential reputation. ( )

A good concept and well written modern novel. Too slow for me to rate higher but great plot! ( )

A fascinating yet very realistic look into being a social media influencer. Loved the look at the various aspects that came alongside--Emmy's "pod" of Instamums, the commentary on how Instamums are different from the US to the UK to Aus, the moments where Coco broke from the mould, and of course the dark side. And it's incredibly creepy to realise that this book was written by a husband-and-wife duo!

Don't mistake this book as fluffy: it gets very gritty at points, and has a constant element of creepy vulnerability running right through it. There's a slight twist to this at the end that might be less of a twist and more of a bow tied neatly around the package to keep the main plot nicely together, though I wished that a subplot had also been pulled in. Though I felt at moments that it focused too much on the more dramatic elements and not enough on the more personal elements, like Emmy's backstory, this was an easy read to run through. ( )

Cute & quirky story, love the way the magical world was embedded into modern day. The complexity of the mystery was also great.

There were a few plot holes that weren't resolved or followed up on so that was a bit disappointing. Some of the ignorance in the town was also a bit over done. Like the sheriffs personality.

The very last twist didn't really make sense, and left me with an ugh feeling, with how divorces work it was really a moot point but seems to now be made into a plot twist.

I would continue in the series & recommend it to cozy readers. ( )

Do not bother. This was easily one of the worst books I have read in a long time. ( )

Thank you Goodreads FirstReads for my ARC.

Don’t believe everything you read and/or watch online!

Emmy is an influencer, a British Instamum. Her Instagram, @the_mamabare, has a million-plus followers. Married to Dan, a has-been novelist and mom of Coco(3) and newborn, Bear. As is the case with many influencers/bloggers, her real life(much of it, according to Dan, exaggeration or outright fiction), was fodder for her posts.

Of course, there are risks to exposing one’s personal life online. Most followers interact via likes, comments, and shares. But there are also those who are…pathologically obsessed. Unbeknownst to her, Emmy has one such follower.

And there’s also the detrimental effect on family dynamics and lack of privacy. Every special occasion is an opportunity to organize an event. Publicity and spectacle become the priority. Gone are sentimentality and the creation of cherished memories with loved ones. Marital and family conflicts no longer remain behind closed doors.

Despite the risks and personal costs, Dan admits that being an influencer is a 24/7/365 job. Emmy works hard at it and excels at it. And it’s not like he and the kids don’t enjoy the rewards.

This book took me longer than expected to read. I liked it enough to finish. The end was, in a word, …ironic. I feel it could have been shorter. Too wordy for me. The blurb, trendy topic, and alternating perspectives appealed to me. It opened my eyes to the pressures and drawbacks of being a social media influencer. There is a high price to pay for all the perks of free stuff. ( )

Sometimes a thriller, sometimes a commentary on social media, it works, I wanted more thriller, the influencer parts might be out of date quickly ( )

3.75 stars. This is not the usual genre of books that I read but I was mostly drawn to it because I recently quit Instagram. I quit because it has turned into a toxic wasteland of fake lives and trolls and this book captured it to a 'T'. I actually detested the main characters in the book and was rooting for the antagonist to ruin them. ( )

Followed by Millions, Watched by One

To her adoring fans, Emmy Jackson, aka @the_mamabare, is the honest “Instamum” who always tells it like it is.

To her skeptical husband, a washed-up novelist who knows just how creative Emmy can be with the truth,

To one of Emmy’s dangerously obsessive followers, she’s the woman that has everything

but deserves none of it.

As Emmy’s marriage begins to crack under the strain of her growing success and her moral compass veers wildly off course, the more vulnerable she becomes to a very real danger circling ever closer to her family.

People Like Her explores our desperate need to be seen and the lengths we’ll go to be liked by strangers. It asks

What

and who

we sacrifice when make our private lives public, and ultimately lose control of who we let in. . . .

Thank you, Goodreads and Harper for the chance to read People Like Her!

“{I have a feeling something terrible is about to happen}”

“{I have an awful feeling it is all my fault.}”

I don’t think I have actually ever read a book about Instastar {instagram star or any other social media sites} or even about an influencer. So, this book was a little different for me. It says that it is a thrill. I don’t think I really agree with that. I thought it was more a suspenseful mystery. Some of the things that happen are scary to think about actually happening. But really, it's a good reminder. There are so many people putting their lives out there for everyone to see. We all say at some point “That won't happen to me.” But all in all, it was an ok book. I was able to finish the book just not as fast as I usually would. For some reason I just couldn’t get into it for long periods of time. So, I had to read a little and come back later. Happy reading everyone!

{“This is not about revenge. This has never been about revenge; it is about justice. And when it is over, all I want to do is close my eyes, and know that I have done what needed to be done, and rest.}”

“{Goodbye, Emmy.}” ( )

Amazing debut!

I found the premise interesting and unique. And once I started reading it I was hooked.

The plot is well written and it is so current. The main character Emmy, who is an influencer, and her husband, Dan, a novelist are both unlikable in a good way. It aptly covers the benefits and dangers of social media.

It actually got me thinking about the lifestyle of the various social influencers that exist. What seems like a simple job actually requires quite a lot of planning and detailing. And also, sometimes the trolls that they face are quite scary.

This book has a slight dark side in the form of the follower who is in search of revenge, which made it even more enjoyable, along with all the twists and the chilling conclusion.

Overall, an engaging read!

Thank You to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC! ( )

The blurb:THE INFLUENCER
I need to be liked. It’s my job

My personal brand is built on honesty.
Family, friendship, cheering other mothers on when things get tough.
Doing it together - telling it like it really is – that’s what @the_Mamabare is all about.

THE HUSBAND
I just want a quiet life

Her adoring followers feel like they understand my wife.
My wife certainly understands them.
I know she is beautiful, smart, ambitious, charming.
But she’s also a liar.

THE FOLLOWER
I want revenge

The filter's about to drop.
I’ve been watching you and your family very closely.
You've ruined my life.
Now I'm going to ruin yours.

The characters were quite unlikeable but I still enjoyed the book. The instagram "star" was exactly as you would expect full of her own self importance but I was shocked by how every action was carefully orchestrated nothing was as it seemed. . As the story progresses we learn that not everyone is an adoring fan.......
I didn't guess the ending which is always great. I would like to thank Netgalley, Harper Books and the authors for giving me an early copy of 'People Like Her' ( )

This was an enticing read, I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed the take of IG culture and understanding some of it. I enjoyed most of the characters ( as much as you really can). The one thing I didn't like was the underlying reason for the vendetta- I found it far-fetched and almost borderline offensive. ( )

December BOTM

December BOTM

I was anticipating a lot more from this "thriller." I liked the story-building, the descriptions of the influencing business, and the portrait of the family on the brink but the thriller aspect was buried and partially nonsensical. People Like Her shows the ugly side of what really goes on behind the camera in influencer's life and shows the strains in a couple's relationship as they try to manage two young children, Mamabare's perfect online persona, and her millions of followers. One of their followers seems to be trying to follow a little too closely although her occasional narration doesn't add much to the story other than confusion. The story is told through alternating viewpoints - the wife, husbands, and the creepy stalker lady. It had a lot of potential and it wasn't awful - it just wasn't my favorite either. I wanted a little more drama and excitement at the end I suppose. ( )

I hated every single person in this book. But despite that, this book was unputdownable! I defiantly recommend this book to anyone who likes learning about Social Media stars and mystery lovers.

If this is what it is really like to be a big-time 'influencer' (and do we put freebie book reviewers into this category LOL!?), I'm happy that I don't follow anyone big-time!

This book deals with Emmy, the influencer, her author husband, and their two kids. You will find out just what a big-timmer will do to get there, how their family life changes as the BLOG grows, and what it takes to stay there, but you will also find out just what it's like to be hated and have someone plan an act of revenge.

As I said, NONE of the characters are likable ( well, maybe baby Bear!), but the story is riveting.

You may have a bit of trouble with the story's rhythm (I'm not sure if that is the correct word?) since interspersed within Emmy and Dan's part is blended the 'bad guys' ramblings.

I really did love this book, even though I couldn't feel anything but loathing for the characters. As I said, I couldn't put this book down.

*ARC supplied by the publisher and author...yes I know -the irony of it all! LOL!!! ( )