Well, if this book won’t make you think twice about what you post on social media I don’t know what will! “Follow Me” by Kathleen Barber is a great psychological thriller that really shows the scary parts of posting your daily life to social media.

Audrey Miller just moved to Washington, DC to pursue a new job she’s been wanting! Besides being a social media artist she is also an Instagram star to hundred of thousands of followers where she posts her daily life. When she moves to town she only knows two people: an ex-boyfriend and a former sorority sister. Unbeknownst to her, her move has brought her within striking distance of someone who’s obsessively followed her social media presence for years. They are no longer content to simply follow her from a distance, but instead wants Audrey to be his and his alone.

This book has been talked about for awhile, so I figured it was a perfect time to check it out. It is told three POVs - Audrey, Cat, and “Him.” I have to admit Audrey is not a well-liked character. She is for sure self-involved in herself and very much obsessed with documenting her daily existence. Even when this stalker begins to appear, she still posts on Instagram her daily outings. This was making my blood boil! ha.

I have to admit I did figure out who the stalker was quickly, however, was surprised who may have been the accomplice to the cause. The book also leaves a questionable ending where maybe a potential to a sequel.

I felt this book was the “You” of social media. The creepy stalker guy who becomes so obsessed with a girl that he can’t leave her alone. I personally enjoyed this book way more than “You.” Overall, it is a good psychological thriller and a quick read. PS: I will be covering up my webcams after reading this book!

Follow Me by Kathleen Barber
This was a very thought provoking novel. In this day and again of digital and social media, it is important for bloggers, authors, etc. to have followers. Who is trending? Who has the most followers? Are they now an “Influencer”? The younger generation checks multiple times a day to see how many likes they have on a post or a picture. How much information is too much to put out there? Are they building a virtual profile of you and your life? Not everyone is as they seem.
You decide to make a big move to another city for a job. One you know you will be fabulous at. It is right up your alley. But a follower here has somehow figured out where you live. He leaves things at your door. He has made entry into your apartment. It’s getting creepy. Can you figure it out before it’s too late? Especially when he knows you so well.
Pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

Instagram influencer Audrey lives a charmed life online, but reality is a different story. After her roommate and former BFF declares Audrey must move out so her boyfriend can move in, she leaves New York for a job in DC. The apartment she arranged sight unseen comes complete with a creepy neighbor, shoddy security, and a window that allows alley dwellers a peek into her boudoir. She loves her museum job, but the new exhibit showcases the murder of a young woman who reminds her too much of herself. Her work puts her square in the path of two more creepers, a handsy coworker and a patron who takes a disturbing interest in both Audrey and the ghoulish exhibit. On the bright side, Audrey’s college boyfriend Nick and sorority sister Cat are close by, and the new guy she’s dating feels like a perfect match. Yet, for someone who plasters the internet with the shiny parts of her life, she can’t help by be freaked out by the indications that one of her fans seeks and all access pass to Audrey.

FOLLOW ME, a deliciously disturbing read, has three point of view characters, self-absorbed Audrey, workaholic lawyer Cat, and Audrey’s unidentified stalker. One of the coolest parts for me was seeing Audrey and Cat’s friendship through the unique perspective of both women. This adds insight into the degradation of Audrey’s other relationships. Despite her narcissism and naïveté, I found Audrey likable. She works hard on her personal brand and that of the museum, which earns her career kudos. I admire how she bravely deals with unwanted suitors and potential stalkers alike. She ultimately wants to be seen and be loved, but on her terms, which she actively enforces.

The parallels between Audrey and the murdered woman depicted in “The Life and Death of Rosalind Rose” exhibit add an ominous mood.

The author gives the reader lots to unpack from the dynamics of female friendship to privacy in the internet age to the objectification of women and obsession. The suspects for Audrey’s stalker are plentiful, which helps drive the pacing. The remote administration tool software which is cited as the inspiration for the story makes for a disturbing cautionary tale.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., for providing an Advance Reader Copy.

People like Audrey would make you believe everyone on the internet is living their best life. Pushing a million followers and a new gig curating the social media behind an upcoming art exhibit’s release at the Smithsonian, Audrey has manufactured an enviable lifestyle for the masses on social media. Maybe she has put too much of her life out on the interwebs. Unexpected flower deliveries might be a little creepy when only a couple of people are supposed to know your new address, but open apartment doors and someone watching through your bedroom window are an entirely different situation.

So this was simply a great way to spend a few hours. Saturday was spent at the ball fields for the inaugural “Blue/White Scrimmage,” but Sunday I was freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and it was so nice outside I decided to haul all of the deck furniture out of storage and get it set up – by myself. Then I sucked this puppy up like an Instagram influencer does Rosé. Again, not a lifechanger of a book – simply a delicious timesuck with a not-so-likeable potential victim as an added bonus for a creep like me. I breezed through this in a couple of hours. These social media stories have definitely become my jam recently. I’m obsessed with people’s obsession with followers and likes and sharing every detail of their lives with strangers. And yes I’m well aware of the fact that I post fairly religiously to this (nerdy, but still) social media site as well as a Bookstagram account so I may indeed be the pot calling the kettle black. I just hope if I’m as vapid and awful as Audrey someone wants to off me too.

This was my first Kathleen Barber, but it certainly won’t be my last. And for a little teeny bit of my own oversharing – turns out this author is from my hometown. To that I say . . . .

YOU GO, GLEN COCO.

Well, that was creepy! And yes, I did put a sticker over my webcam on my computer just after starting this book.
I watched an interview with the author on an online book club about her debut book, and on it, she plugged the released of Follow Me. It sounded so interesting that I had to try it out, and I'm so glad I did.

It has some YOU feels, but not nearly as disturbing since it doesn't take place solely in the stalkers mine, although his narrative voice does remind me some of Joe. He isn't as charming though. The book follows a social media influencer being stalked. She isn't as awful as YOU's Beck either.

I found the characterization done well though I didn't get why Cat and Audrey were friends at all. That friendship just didn't make sense to me. And also the author repeated the same usage of certain phrases. Apparently all guys in the author's universe lick their lips when looking at a woman. Or at least at Audrey.

Also, the foreboding sense of being watched is done well even from the beginning, but almost too well. It's like Audrey is super paranoid from the very beginning, feelings eyes watching her, and yet it seems to have come out of no where since she is Instafamous and shares everything online. Her paranoia seems to appears out of nowhere. But she isn't paranoid enough to take any action, for a VERY long time. Like, she doesn't even stop posting details of her life. That part just didn't quite seem realistic to me.

But all in all, it was a good read.

Follow Me will have you second guessing about sharing too much of your life on social media.

I found this to be an enjoyable read and have recommended it to friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it in exchange for my review.

This was a fast paced predictable read. The characters were very one dimensional and it makes it hard to care for any of them. I did like the multiple points of views.

The premise for this book had so much potential but ended up just being an okay book for me. It was entertaining and kept me reading but seemed a little all over the place to me. I felt like it was choppy and lacked cohesion. While I love a thriller that keeps me guessing, this one left me wondering why certain characters and parts were even included.

This was a compelling and cautionary tale. Someone is obsessed with Audrey. This person has been following everything she does online via her very public Instagram profile. He knows almost everything about her and he thinks he’s found a way to keep an even closer eye on Audrey.

The story is told from multiple points of view. We hear from Cat, Audrey, and "him". I liked the alternating points of view and found this book to be gripping. I thought this was a very entertaining and thought-provoking read. If I hadn’t done it already, this book would have me jumping to cover up all of the webcams in my home!

Follow Me is a cautionary tale for people who live their life for / document their life on Instagram, Facebook and other such social media sites. Audrey, the main character, lives for Insta and how many followers she has. She sets her photos up just so in order to display her "best life" for her followers.

Unfortunately she acquires one too many followers - one that can't seem to disengage. As the book goes on we see how skilled Audrey is at making something seem awesome, only to find out that the latest perfect picture was taken in only one small corner of her room - the one that is set up to be Insta-worthy while the rest of her place is still in boxes.

Her "best life" attracts the wrong person and things begin to get strange. There are a few interesting twists and turns, leaving the reader wondering who the person is that can't let go. I had a few candidates, but was surprised by the ending.

Interesting story and one I'd definitely recommend. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. My thoughts are my own.

I loved Kathleen Barber's debut novel Are You Sleeping. (my review) Social media was a large part of that book and this latest, Follow Me, does as well.

Follow me can be taken literally as following someone down a hallway. Or....in today's age of online everything, your first thought might have been following someone on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Audrey Miller is an influencer on Insta, with over a million followers that eagerly await Audrey's next post. On the plus side, her social media savvy has landed her a dream job promoting an art gallery's exhibits. She rents an apartment unseen, moves a new city and reconnects with an old friend. And....lets all her followers know every step she's taking, every place she's been and more. Lots of followers for sure, but one of them has taken things to a new level - stalking.

Follow Me in told in three voices - Audrey, her old friend Cat and Him. We know the stalker is a man, but it could be any of the suspects Barber gives us to choose from - creepy guy at the apartment building, old flame, sketchy co-worker, new friend or random stranger. I honestly had no idea who the final aha was going to be. I was quite surprised by the final reveal. Barber does a great job of keeping the listener guessing.

I had a hard time liking Audrey and her somewhat narcissistic personality. Okay, maybe a bit more than somewhat. She's a bit of a user. But it absolutely works in this plot. There are a number of times she disregards the danger in front of her and blithely carries on - the equivalent of a movie 'don't go in the basement'. But again, integral to the plot. Good friend Cat has her own issues, but I shared her frustration with Audrey. And that brings us to the third voice - Him. Wonderfully (and frighteningly) drawn! His obsessions, delusions and stream of consciousness thinking are terrifying.

Make sure you listen to the author's notes on writing this book - absolutely creepy. And the most alarming thing? This is completely plausible.

Everything about this story is infuriating, but again, I do not feel that this book was made for my age range. That being said, it was very well written, and anything that can make me feel anything so passionately has to be given credit. To feel nothing at all would mean it was awful.

My frustration is mainly with the main character. I don't think she's very bright. Definitely naive to think that she can plaster her entire life online and not have consequences. Why she puts up with any of the stuff she does, brushing off advances and people breaking into her home, shows so much immaturity that it's painful. Again, documenting your entire life on social media, just the constant need to post and what to post next, it's annoying.

However, the story was good, if not a cautionary tale, a successful whodunnit story.

Fun, quick and great way to spend a few days stuck at home. I love the social media aspect of it. Although I was able to figure out a few of the twists before hand it didn’t take away from its entertainment factor.

2.5 stars. This was entertaining to read, but not very original or riveting. The mystery of figuring out the identity of the stalker was pretty easy to see.

This was a creepy look into the dark side of social media and the obsessive fan of an influencer with a large following.
This book well developed bringing to life the anxiety and fear the MC feels as she becomes a of a victim of her own transparency.

We see the life of an online celebrity terrorized by a stalker who uses her social media account to follow her every move leaving you to wonder how much of our daily routine should remain unspoken.

I highly recommend this book the plot and character development is excellent.

I received this book from NetGalley and Pocket Book Reads for an honest review.

Man oh man this book was creepy! Such an interesting look at social media and "influencers". I was able to predict the "twist" but I still found this book very entertaining.

I thoroughly enjoyed Follow Me, a thriller clearly aimed for millennials
and focused on what happens when a girl with a seemingly perfect Instagram life attracts a follower who is determined to get to know her no matter what. It's a interesting look at what happens when we expose our entire lives for everyone to see. What does it mean to cultivate your life to make it look more appealing to others ? What does it mean when you're not even sure of who you are but yet you have to create a brand? And finally, and most terrifying of all, what happens when you attract someone who doesn't understand that the life you project is not necessarily the life you lead, and how do you stay safe when they become disappointed?

This Gen Xer thoroughly enjoyed this by turns gripping and weirdly funny (the dilemma of how to post! The pictures taken! Seems exhausting) thriller, and I definitely recommend it for someone interested in a very now/2020 focused thriller.

Social media influencer Audrey Miller moves to Washington, DC to work in content creation for the Hirshhorn Museum. Audrey misses the glamour of New York, but has an ex-boyfriend, an old college sorority sister, and her 1 million followers to keep her company. Audrey doesn’t know this yet, but she also has an obsessive fan in DC who’s getting closer - both physically and virtually.

Well this was definitely eye-opening to dangers of the internet that I’d never given much thought to! Yikes! This eerie story about stalking and obsession was multilayered. There was the obvious stalker element, but there was also obsession between friends, obsession through and with social media, and self obsession. There were enough questionable characters that I really had no idea who the stalker was until the very end. I’m glad I read this one, but didn’t completely love it. Would recommend if you want a mystery that’s a little different.

My favorite part of this was the setting! I live in DC and recognized the coffee shops, restaurants, Pilates studios, and art exhibits. It was fun to see my neighborhood play a role in this story.

Follow Me is a thriller, which is not my usual genre. I was attracted to the subject matter because I often think about how much people share online and wonder if it ever backfires in unfavorable ways. I found it difficult to engage with the characters, but I am not sure if that was due to the suspense element and the nature of our lives during the corona virus scare. If you like a suspenseful thriller, you may enjoy this book. There were nice twists and turns and the ending was intriguing.

I really enjoyed this book - I always seem to love thrillers that revolve around social media. Parts of this book were a bit predictable in places but I thoroughly loved it nonetheless. I have seen this compared to You but although there are some similarities -you can’t be expecting it to live up to You. I look forward to reading more books by this author.