Just for Clicks is a smart YA novel about twins who have grown up on the internet. I’ve always been fascinated with twins. Growing up with a brother who was only a little over a year older than me, we were always pretty in sync until our pre-teen years, where angst sets in. At the heart of this novel is a story about siblings and family with a bit of a twist. I love that Kara McDowell incorporates the internet into this classic story. Although I’m far from being a teenager, I did grow up in a time when my growth can be tracked by likes, follows, comments, and a never ending train of selfies. What I can’t imagine is having all of that controlled by my mom. Would that have been better? More stressful? Kara creates a world I was happy to explore (and Raphael Luna is just a dreamboat love interest). It’s a little scary and a little heartbreaking at times, and towards the end, it all begins to be a little less teeny-bopper fun and it gets a little more real, which I appreciated. I wouldn’t reread this, but I think this is an excellent book for YA girls to read. The story highlights the importance of family, respecting yourself, and keeping people in your life who you have a genuine connection with and who root for you.

This book was full of laughs, delight and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a book and is looking for a great read.

I loved this book!! What an unexpected surprise! The voice was fantastic, the story was thought-provoking and filled with just the right amount of drama, and I super loved Rafael from the start! I also related so so deeply to some of the romantic situations Claire found herself in- we're both terribly awkward hahah. The ending felt a little fast but I read this in a day and enjoyed it SO much. It reminded me of an emma Mills or Jenn bennett book, which is the highest compliment I can give. Longer review to come on the blog.

A book about kids growing up in the spotlight, just because their mom blogged about them, was interesting. How they develop their own social media careers or go the opposite direction. Claire is not thrilled about her social media life. Her sister Poppy lives for it.
Okay, I'm not going to summarize the book, because you can read it in other places. I'm just going to tell you how I felt about the book and if you should read it.

How did I feel about this book?
Well, it was a bit slow to get into, to be honest. I liked Claire enough and Rafael made me want to keep going, because he was sweet and a bit weird (no technology..?!). It's very closely narrated - we feel and live through Claire, which means some of the characters get to be one-dimensional, which is a shame. I liked reading about their growing relationship (starting as friend is the best) and Claire's struggles with wanting a normal life.

Kind of a fluffy read, but with some important stuff to think about. I also love a book what has more than your regular text-flow - so mail and texts and so on in between the chapters were great.

Should you read it?
Yeah, I think you should.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an review this ARC! The words and thoughts are entirely my own.
/ Denise

This book was really good. I enjoyed it a lot. Social media is part of our lives now. I see lots of people share too much on social media. Kara McDowell wrote this subject really good. It was actually really fast paced book but i couldn't read on my e reader. I don't know it happened only me but the format was weird so i had to read on my computer.

Just for Clicks
by Kara McDowell
Amberjack Publishing
Teens & YA
Pub Date 29 Jan 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Just for Clicks Through Amberjack Publishing and Netgalley:


Claire and Poppy are twins who became accidental social media stars, from the time they were babies their Mom blogged about them. They have been viral stars since they were babies. They are teens now and expected to build their own brand. They enjoy attending NY Fashion Week and they love receiving Fanmail but dealing with internet trolls and would be kidnappers they find maddening.


Poppy takes more to the spotlight than Claire. She’s more interested in the behind the scenes aspect, coding and dealing with technical issues.


When Claire discovers her Mom’s handwritten journals, not the happy blog postings but the ones that reveal a dark secrets.


I give Just For Clicks five out of five star!


Happy Reading!

Initial Excitement & Summary
I was sold on the premise of this one right from the beginning because it's weirdly something I think about a lot. Let me first say that people can make their own decisions and this is just MY opinion - but I can't imagine sharing so much about my children online without their consent. I can see posting some pictures or talking about a few things, but having them reach a certain level of fame before they're old enough to make their own decisions? That's hard for me to figure out. One of my favorite YouTubers has said that she won't feature her children on her channel until they're old enough to understand and decide for themselves, which is probably what I'd do (aside from some pictures here and there). But I digress! The storyline fascinated me because it's definitely going to be an area of contention going forward, as more and more people live SO much of their lives online. This book focused on twin daughters of a famous fashion blogger and how they were essentially pressured into creating their own vlog channel and following in their mother's footsteps.

Story & Characters
I like that this story was both fluffy and young while also having some more serious topics involved. Claire is struggling with her identity because her life has been shaped by her mom's blog. She's famous because she's a twin and is forced to participate in vlogs and Instagram posts all the time... even though she doesn't like it. I don't want to get too into spoilers but the synopsis implies that there's a big secret she uncovers. The book got heavy in those places because it causes Claire to second-guess everything. I liked her as a character for the most part, but she made some very stupid decisions by lying and creating misunderstandings. I can cut her slack because she's a teenager, but I wanted to slam my head against a wall every time she did it. Some things were very common sense "don't lie about that" situations.

Poppy and their mother, Ashley, were also frustrating. I think I started to feel for them more toward the end but it was really hard to read most of the book because of them. They were both very into the online presence, signing up for more sponsorship opportunities, etc. and seemed to completely ignore Claire's lack of interest in them. It was abundantly clear that she didn't want any part of this lifestyle and they didn't seem to care about that. Reading the book from Claire's POV definitely made you want to protect her and sympathize with her, but the end of the story explained things better for everyone else. I was left very satisfied with the ending.

I should mention the romance because Rafael was so cute. He was a little too much (i.e. annoying) at the beginning but I warmed to him very quickly. He was a breath of fresh air in this otherwise-kinda-sad story. He and Claire were a good pair and I definitely added him to my book boyfriend list. I wish there was a bit more about his life in general but I think the author did a good job of including HIS thoughts on parenting and family because of his situation.

TL;DR?
This was a really wonderful debut novel that covered a topic that is personally fascinating to me. Should mommy bloggers post a million pictures of their kids growing up without their consent, before they even know what the internet is? How will this affect those kids later in life? I loved pondering these questions while reading because I've always been curious about this topic. If you're looking for a 2019 debut that manages to balance sweet, fluffy moments of first love with heavier topics of finding out who you are and what you want to be, give this one a read.

This is a great look into how social media can affect a family through all years of life. It was a cute book and I liked the dynamic between the characters. My mom is big into social media now and I am glad she wasn't like that when I was young. I have to ask her to not post a ton of pictures of my children because I want them to be able to establish themselves when they come of age.
Fun, cute story. I think teens will like this one.

Just for Clicks is the story of Claire, who along with her twin sister Poppy have been the subject of her Mum's blog since before they were born. Every moment of their lives is documented, and as they've grown that has expanded into their own vlog, trips to New York Fashion week, to being recognised in the streets. It's everything Poppy has dreamed of - influence - and yet Claire hates everything about it and is counting down to the days she can quit.

I was hooked from the very first page.

It's an easy read, well written and well told. The twists were a little predictable, but as with most YA novels it's easy to get swept up into the story and just carried along. It was a book I didn't want to put down, and probably could have devoured it in one sitting if time had permitted.

Aside from the enjoyable nature of the book though, it is also one that raises many questions. So many parents post photos and stories of their kids on social media and blogs and their YouTube channels, but it does raise the question of what are the children's thoughts on this? They are minors, so technically the issue of consenting to these posts is up to the parents. But do the parents always have the best interests of their children at heart? Or are their interests self motivated? Do they just want to most likes, the most retweets, the influence that comes with being known as a blogger?

I've got friends who post every aspect of their kids lives online, and others that refuse to post their children's images simply because they can't consent to it, so where do you draw the line? I think it's a sign of a successful, and relevant book that makes you question these things, and possibly rethink your stance on it.

Just for Clicks may be Kara McDowell's debut novel, but I'll bet it won't be her last, and I for one am keen to see what she comes out with next.

**I received a copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Just for Clicks was a fascinating look into the effects of social media, what binds families together, and the quest for self-discovery. It feels like Claire's whole life is planned out, whether that be her sponsored outfit posts, her mother's schedule for her day, or her and twin sister Poppy's plans for the future. But as Claire begins to find out more secrets about her mother's past, Claire realizes that she might have more say in her life than she thinks. But what will that mean for her family?

Being someone who puts a lot of their life on social media, I appreciated the ways McDowell doesn't stray away from the dangers and negatives about social media. It's not all free advance read copies, there's the stress, always being 'on', not to mention the dangers. As Claire begins to find out more about her mother's past, she also begins to discover herself, and what she really wants.

Well, that was lovely.

But I have to say this: the start was excruciatingly slow as we got to know our characters. Not much was happening, and the book couldn't hold my attention. It wasn't until the halfway mark when it got really interesting and things seemed to finally be happening. Once I reached that point, I couldn't stop reading. I'm happy I plowed through because it was worth it, but I shouldn't have had to plow through half of the book before I could finally enjoy it. You could argue that that much exposition is necessary to build the story, but I counterargue that you can take out so many parts of the first half while still retaining the heart and integrity of the story.

I gave it 4 stars, though, because the second half of the book is so deliciously good that it earned it and more. There were twists I honestly didn't see coming, and they served the story well and completed the narrative. One thing that I really love about this book is how smoothly the scenes transition from one to the next. I never got confused about what was happening, and I felt like I was right next to the narrator the entire time—the way it was written really makes it feel like you can see the scene, not just words written on a page.

In fact, while the first half was definitely longer than it could've been, the assured writing keeps you going. The writing in this one is, without a doubt, the best thing about it. I felt like I could trust the author while reading the story, because she knew exactly what she was doing and the direction she wanted to take it. Her assured writing is a promise to the reader that this story is worth their time.

And can I just say . . . RAFAEL AND CLAIRE ARE RELATIONSHIP GOALS!!! Haha, yes, I just mimicked the comments Claire is used to getting and rolling her eyes at. But it's true—I absolutely love this couple. Their relationship is so refreshing, because past the halfway mark, they just go at it and talk. And they actually change each other's lives for the better. They started as two teens infatuated with each other and grew to be two (young) adults (a little) wiser and (a little) older. They match each other well, but not because it's fate, or it's meant to be, or what other unrealistic trope so commonly seen in this genre. No, they match each other well because they work for it. They work for their relationship, and it's for that reason that I am 100% confident they will last a long time.

I also really love how the book dealt with PTSD: with sensitivity. Claire's emotions are so visceral that you feel out of breath when she does. There was this one scene where I related so much to her, as I'm sure a lot of other readers will, too, especially in this digital age where it's so easy to feel suffocated. Like Claire, I, too, want to drive up the mountain and watch the sunset, feeling the wind gently brush past me. I will be alone, but I will not be lonely.

Finally, the theme of the Internet being so pervasive and how it affects our day-to-day lives has been consistent all throughout. Its message may seem cheesy to some—the Internet is the greatest irony in that it gives us so many ways to communicate with each other but at the same serves as the biggest barrier to open and honest communication—but it never felt cheesy. It felt honest, it felt sincere, and it felt so real. It's like these characters are really alive out there, and that's a testament to how the author didn't just write these characters—she breathed life into them.

I'll leave you this to think about:

"We all text and blog and email so often that we feel connected, but we were never really communicating honestly with each other."

It was a really cute book. I really liked Claire and Rafael (and Poppy later on). It was a very easy read, but it did bother me how long it took Claire to say how she feels. But maybe that's just because I'm a lot more stubborn than she is.

3.5/5

Oooh! I didn't expect to really like the book!
Especially since the first few chapters just didn't speak to me. I couldn't feel Claire, nor Poppy, not even the obligatory boy-problem there.

But then after 40-50% mark and I couldn't stop reading it in one go. It proved to be a problem since I was overwhelmed with work, so I dedicated today to finish it and put on a review.

Claire and Poppy are twins who grew up under the spotlight of their blogger mum. Now that they're older, they become what we call internet celebrities. They have their youtube channel, instagram sponsorship, and their mum's blog that keep on writing about their 'daily life'.
But of course, none is what it seems.

And I totally get it. As someone who's neither famous nor rich, I still carefully crafted what I put online. It's kind of the unwritten rule: you only post good things, or none at all. Besides, not many (if any!) wants to know our sobs stories, something we reserve deep down or for someone(s) familiar enough.

This is what the book is about. A teenager who wants to (I know this sounds cliche) live a <i>normal life</i> vs her twin and mum who want influence (and the power behind the influence).
There's this family secret that needs to be uncover, a cute boy to add another conflict, and a family who needs to stay on together no matter what.

If there's something I want more from the book, it'd be about the BITES forum (I'm totally stealing Nora Borealis name, it sounds fun). I need to know more about the internet friends and it'd be nice if Claire could have a real friend besides her sister.

Finally, the book entertained me so much and I like to read/hear more from Poppy's side since she is the embodiment of someone who clearly wants the power/influence. Sometimes, it's not about the free stuffs, it's about how you can command others to buy the stuffs that you get for free. Internet is scary that way.

(I received a digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

This was a great book! It's always interesting to read books that deal with internet fame and Kara McDowell did it really well. The family as a whole was super interesting and the romance was adorable. I'd recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Amberjack, and Kara McDowell for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Just for Clicks centers around Claire, Poppy - her twin sister, and their mother. Since they were little girls Claire and Poppy have been vlogging, blogging and doing all sorts of paid sponsorships for their mom’s online brand. The blog started as a way for their mom to share their family moments with friends and also allowed her to support herself and her family after her husband passed away.

I like that the book explores how a well intentioned start can spiral a bit out of control if one doesn’t stop to reevaluate their life choices every so often. Also the contrast between Claire not enjoying the Internet fandom and Poppy loving it, allows for an interesting multifaceted look at the internet life a s career. Neither twin is wrong, just different. It’s nice to see that there’s not the good twin, bad twin dynamic going on. I also appreciated that communication played a big role in the story. Watching the characters learn how to communicate their needs to others was wonderful. And some of the revelations … let’s just say, it keeps things interesting!

There were very few moments that I didn’t enjoy. If I’m being very critical, then some of the miscommunications or non communications became almost annoying after awhile.

But overall, I really enjoyed this fun upbeat look into the behind the scenes world of internet fame as a career. Complex relationships, relatable struggles and a whole lot of fun. Definitely recommend!

Just For Clicks is a quick and somewhat fluffy book that would be great for a beach holiday or summer read. It didn't, however, inspire much thought and I likely wouldn't reread it in a hurry, nor would it be the first contemporary - one of my lesser loved genres - I recommend to anyone. Nonetheless, if what you're after is a fast-paced YA contemporary that offers insights into the tumultuous world of internet fame, YouTube and a slice of family drama, this might be the book for you.

I found the main characters of Just For Clicks - Claire, Poppy, Ashley and Rafael - to be different enough that I could keep track of who they were. Claire, our protagonist, is a young girl who I found more relatable than expected, and I enjoyed some of her witty and humorous remarks, and how she offers a different side to the story of internet fame that so many young people, especially young girls, aspire to have nowadays; I found her refreshing. McDowell clearly didn't allow the apple to fall too far from the tree with Poppy and Ashley, and at times I found both to be a little annoying. Both of their main priorities seem to be their YouTube channel and blog respectively, seemingly caring very little for anything else, even their own family. While I'm a self-proclaimed Kardashians fan, Ashley gave me the wrong kind of Kris Jenner/Momager vibes. She didn't seem to view Claire and Poppy as her daughters first, but her moneymakers. I didn't like this aspect of her character. On the other hand, Rafael was a pleasant character to read about. In today's literary age, you don't too often find a male character, especially a love interest, who isn't dark, tall, handsome and brooding. Instead, Rafael plays the part of a soft, kind sweetheart who will soon capture readers hearts. Like Claire, I found his character refreshing, although perhaps at times, I found myself wishing for more depth, something beyond that 'pure, nice guy'. Perhaps that's just me though. I did, however, like how - for the first time - Claire was put in a position where she had to get to know someone organically and from the start, seeing as Rafael had no mobile phone. Sadly, though, in relation to my earlier point, I couldn't really tell any of the side characters, namely those at the high school, apart.

I didn't find the reveals in this book to be as big as I was expecting to be, sadly. I found them small, and was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, but alas it never came. However, going into this book, I knew it wasn't going to be an all-out family drama out of a soap opera, but a lighthearted book about a girl discovering herself and who she truly is. Just For Clicks has heart, but it's not my next obsession.

Twin sisters Poppy and Claire are YouTube famous due to their mother's mommy blog. They spend their time shooting hair tutorials for their YouTube channel, attending fashion week, shooting sponsorships for Instagram and in between going to school. But Claire has had enough and wants out but she doesn’t want to shatter her sister’s dreams of being the next Kardashians. When Rafael Luna shows up and forces Claire to start questioning her choices and wondering why she doesn’t go after her dreams but her journey of self-discovery leads to skeletons she isn’t prepared for. It’s breezy and fun. I loved the social media aspect of it, the blog post excerpts, the fan mail excerpt, the Instagram comments.

Rafael and Claire quickly become friends but they’re both so awkward it hurts but in a cute I-can’t-stop-smiling-it-hurts way.

The side characters were a bit of a let-down. Poppy’s character felt removed and showed zero empathy for her twin until the very end. Their mother was one of the worst mums’ I’ve read about in Young Adult fiction. She failed to sympathise with Claire and was too focused on the blog and sponsorships to hear Claire screaming that she wanted out.

The book touches a lot on how social media personas don’t reflect their real-life personas, the real effect trolling has on people that you’re sending hate and how it’s okay to detach from the internet sometimes.

This was so much fun! Its approach to social media! I've never read anything like it.Claire, she has been in the eye of the public her whole life -- her mother has accounted for every moment of hers and her twin sister Poppy's lives. While Poppy is all in with being a social media influences, Claire wants out.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing with a copy of JUST FOR CLICKS by Kara McDowell in exchange for my honest review.***

This book was fun but at the same time it pissed me off. Claire and Poppy's mom just really pissed me off. It was so hard to read her without wanting to scream. Poppy annoyed me most of the time and Claire did too. It seemed as if Claire was just going in circles. Rafael was cute, though a bit annoying in places.

There were a lot of twists that I didn't expect and I enjoyed that. This book is good. I would suggest it for the preteen, young-teen group.

I really do liked the fact that it touched on privacy and the dark side of being famous. Even though most of the book was just about Claire being silent on the fact that she hated her world and internet world, this book did have some heart touching moments.

It was a cute and fun read though. The ending of the book was ok for me, I kind of expected more and the end was kind of predictable. The one thing that had me thinking is the fact that since the mom and sister were so fame hungry and ok with all the fame that they would give it up so easily. It just didn't fit right with those characters, I expected some sort of drama/fight to happen that would result in a character development for the two. 3.5 stars for me.

I would like thank Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for the ARC.

This book was like a breath of fresh air! there was nothing too sinster but was revelant in this day and age of social media. Its a great inside look at the life of a teen Instagram influencer (I still can't believe that is a thing!). This was as super cute read!
Thank you NetGally for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.