I really had high hopes for this book going in, but by the time I hit the halfway mark, I was truly bored. I found most of the chapters unnecessarily and the characters repetitive.

Kudos to the author still! I did enjoy the creepy, stalker-ish parts that were involved and the writing style, but this one just didn’t hit it for me.


Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Charlotte Duckworth for this eARC!

22nd March 2020
2 stars

Violet Young was a hugely popular journalist-turned-mummy-influencer, with three children, a successful husband and a million subscribers on YouTube who tune in daily to watch her everyday life unfold.
That is until all her social accounts are deleted and Violet seems to have just vanished.
This book is told from The husbands point of view before his marriage to Violet up until present day, we follow two of violets followers, Yvonne who is happily married but struggling to conceive and Lily who is a single mother who has a slight obsession with Violet and her life.

This book was rather dull for me, I didn't really like any of the characters which I think was the purpose of this books. I also kept waiting for this big mystery to be revealed as to why Violet deleted all her social accounts and dropped off the radar. This book did have me keep turning the page, I had all these different theories and then when it was revealed at the end it just didn't make much sense to me and felt too rushed nd I was hugely disappointed.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!!

I knew I would enjoy this book since I first read the plot. I couldn't put it down!! I just really, really, really needed to know what happened to Violet. I feel kinda close to this universe, because I do worry about my favorite vloggers deleting their social medias and disappearing overnight. That would be so scary. This story is crazy, but sadly I can totally imagine it happening in real life. People like Lily, Yvonne and Henry really exist too.

I apologize that I wasn't able to post my feedback before the pub date, but I'm glad I had this story to read now and take my mind somewhere else. So, thank you.

This book's synopsis definitely grabbed my attention. Being in a society that is essentially run by social media, these types of books really show the dangers of what can happen in real life. However, a lot of these books are coming out, especially within the last few years. After reading them all, they all start to sound the same mystery wise. Someone disappears, they have a social media presence..yadda yadda.

I didn't hate this book. I really didn't. I thought learning about Violet and what happened to her and why she deleted her social media without a trace was pretty interesting. I just think that the background details just were kind of meh. I didn't feel any specific way towards that, but I did enjoy the thrilling aspect of it. This honestly could've been classified more as a thriller than a mystery in my eyes.

My favorite part about this book was that two fans were trying to figure out the mystery of what happened to their favorite Youtuber. Usually, watching the news or reading a story about it, if something happens to someone with a social media presence, it's a crazed fan that did something to them. Don't get me wrong, these two were definitely obsessive over Violet, but it was nice to read something that wasn't like the others in that aspect. I really liked the difference of story there.

The difference in point-of-views had me a little confused at times. Throwing Violet's husband in there to separate things was very smart on Charlotte Duckworth's part because I was able to distinguish the multiple feelings of this story.

Overall, this was interesting but it didn't WOW me. The writing was alright, there were definitely some attention-grabbing parts, but I just didn't have the best time with this novel. The conclusion was just alright, but if you're looking for a fast-paced story to read while you're staying inside, this is a good one that'll take up a day!

Unfollow Me had me gripped from the beginning and I loved every second of it.
Brilliant characterisation, well paced and topical, this is a psychological thriller not to be missed. Set in the world of social media the premise for this novel centres around social influencer Violet and some of her followers. Exploring our current obsession with these media types, some of whom gain huge followings and celebrity type status I found this thriller to be an accurate reflection of a world where so many choose to live very public lives. Reality and fiction become indistinguishable and it seems you become fair game for trolls and the like when you invite anyone and everyone to comment and pass judgement on everything you post.
This is the position Violet puts herself and her family in by sharing her idyllic life online. Two women, Lily and Yvonne are particularly obsessed with Violet’s perfect life with her three perfect children and her perfect husband Henry. It’s almost like their daily guilty pleasure to sneak a look at the latest goings on in Violet’s life, a chance to escape their own worries. They would swap places with Violet in a heartbeat, convinced the grass is greener on the other side. But is it really as perfect as Violet would have them believe?? When seeking their routine fix one day, Lily and Yvonne are alarmed to discover Violet has shut down all her social media accounts and are desperate to know why. Immediately suspicion turns to Henry and so begins unbelievably determined efforts on their behalf to get to the bottom of this.
I found the behaviour of Lily and Yvonne astounding but their actions made the narrative all the more addictive to read,trying to guess their next moves. I also felt sad that their obsession was in control of them, forcing them act out of character in pursuit of the truth. Part of me wanted to shake them, yelling at their ridiculous behaviour,questioning why they held Violet in such high esteem but as the narrative progresses it’s clear these people are linked in ways that I couldn’t have imagined.
The narrative is deliciously rife with revenge,lies, subterfuge and stalker like behaviour painting these women in a very unfavourable light although I must say Henry doesn’t fare much better. Certainly they are conniving, manipulative, jealous and devious beyond words and prove to be not very likeable characters. I wouldn’t want either of them in my circle of friends if that’s the way they treat other women!
Cleverly written and well plotted without a doubt. I liked with the style with the reader hearing from the perspectives of Henry, Lily and Yvonne, switching between all three and only hearing from Violet in the final pages. Interspersed with their narratives are threads from online chats between Violet’s followers, concerned for her whereabouts and safety which only serve to fuel suspicions like Chinese whispers.
This is a brilliant and compelling read which I highly recommend and my thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.

This book! Let me just say that this book is exactly why I don’t like social media. It did pull me in and keep me engaged. I read it in one sitting.

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Youtube influencer Violet is Blue shuts down all of her social media accounts and her successful channel many of her followers are confused and lost by her sudden disappearance. What could have happened to her? Is she okay? Her husband Henry has posted a few times but barely at all. For Lily and Yvonne the disappearance of Violet has become a bit of an obsession. Each woman begins to start her own investigation into what happened to Violet.

Funny, twisted and fresh! This book was so much fun to read even though there were some really messed up characters. I will admit that I like to Youtube videos and I have totally seen some fans that have become a bit obsessive so that made this book even more interesting. Both Yvonne and Lily are interesting characters and you may find your allegiance changing as the novel goes on. Pick this up, you will be pleasantly surprised.

This was a story about a social media influencer gone missing, her husband, some fans/trolls and secrets and lies. It sounds amazing, but it just didn't hold my attention. It was told from different perspectives and it just didn't come together for me. The characters were so so and the ending was odd. It wasn't a horrible book, but it isn't one I will remember either. A 3 star read for me.

EXCERPT: GoMamas

Topics >Mummy Vloggers>Violet is Blue>Violet's Whereabouts

Horsesforcourses
So guys, a friend of a friend knows Violet's next door neighbour. Apparently on Saturday evening she heard Violet and Henry screaming at each other. Like properly screaming, through the walls. It was so bad it woke up this woman's newborn. Then - and this is the best/worst bit - an ambulance arrived. She couldn't see who it was for and she didn't want to go outside and stare like a horrible rubbernecker. But still! WTAF has happened?

Sadandalone
Oh my god!!!!

Bluevelvet
I'm really upset to hear this. I thought they were rock solid.

Horsesforcourses
Do you remember earlier in the year though? All that business with Mandy? Maybe something did happen, she lost her temper and...

Neverforget
Who knows what goes on behind closed doors...?

Bluevelvet
Did your friend find out any more, Horses?

Horsesforcourses
Yes, she said she hasn't seen Violet since. But, weirder still, there's been some other woman there, coming and going with shopping and stuff. Letting herself in with a key. It's not the cleaner. She's never seen her before, doesn't know her name. It's just SO weird now, Violet's been missing for four days and there's been nothing. Not even a statement from her management.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: I loved the beginning of this book. It had the potential to be an exciting read. Instead it became repetitive and a little boring in places. I didn't feel anything for any of the characters - but then that may have something to do with the fact that I don't understand people who choose to live their lives on social media.

The story is told from three points of view: Henry, husband of Violet; Lily, solo mum, avid but sometimes jealous fan of Violet; and Yvonne, struggling with infertility issues.

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike this book, I just found it an average read. It has all the ingredients for a better than average read: the disappearance of a 'public' figure; three unreliable narrators; manipulative characters; infidelity; secrets and lies. But it never quite all came together for me. The ending felt contrived and left me feeling shortchanged.

On the positive side, this is a quick and easy read.

😏🙄🤔

'Holding on to anger is like drinking poison.'

#UnfollowMe #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Charlotte Duckworth has spent the past fifteen years working as an interiors and lifestyle journalist, writing for a wide range of consumer magazines and websites. She lives in Surrey with her partner and their young daughter.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Unfollow Me by Charlotte Duckworth for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage

This isn't my typical read. After reading the snippet i wanted to read it. It held my interest all of the way through. It was a good read. I would read more by this author as i enjoyed the writing style.

3.5 stars

Unfollow Me by Charlotte Duckworth is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Violet Young has disappeared, and her fans want to know what happened.  Violet is a really popular journalist, who now vlogs about her post-natal depression and her three children.  She has a massive following...and no one has heard from her.  All of her social media accounts have been deleted.

Henry is Violet's husband, and a creative director for a men's magazine.  His back-ground is a little sketchy.

Lily is a single mom, and an avid follower of Violet.  She may be losing her job, and has a bit of a problem with alcohol.

Yvonne and her husband Simon are trying to get pregnant.  She too is a devoted follower of Violet.  She has a skeleton or two in her closet, and she has not even told her husband.

GoMamas is a chat room for all things Violet.  Most of the chat these days center around the missing woman.



My Opinions:  

I seem to be reading a lot of books about social media and the dangers of revealing too much about oneself.  This is a prime example...and a little scary.  The book is also about obsession, lies, and manipulation...and that's a little scary too.

The story is told from the perspectives of her fans, and eventually Henry.  It helped keep the pace moving, and the stories straight.

However, it somehow lacked excitement.  There was no thrilling reveal....I had easily predicted everything. As well, the characters were a little blah...none of them really likable.   But I'm not really knocking it.  I enjoyed most of it.

The writing was fine, the premise good, and it was compelling enough to keep you turning the pages.  It was a good book.

"I read that. I loved that. Why haven't I reviewed that?" Was how my internal dialogue just went!! I have no clue how this fell through the cracks of my NetGalley but I absolutely devoured this book. Love reading about women and their complicated relationships, particularly with each other and their children. It's a fun thriller that you should definitely read!!!

DNF at 40%. I’m having a really hard time feeling connected to any of the narrators and keep getting confused about whose perspective I’m reading at any given point. I am curious about why Violet took down her pages - but not curious enough to continue reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

I was excited to read this book. It didn’t meet that expectation. I didn’t click with the characters.

Self quarantine day number 3, (maybe). Thanks to #netgalley and #charlotteduckworth for this amazing and sit on the edge of your seat book. Y'all. I started #unfollowme last night and in less than 12 hours I have finished it. We follow #Violet a mommy blogger who is relatable. #yvonne and #lily whose tales become interwoven with the mommy vlogger. How? Well. Buckle up people because oh. Mah. Gah. I couldn't quite figure out where the author was going. This tale is so impeccable and well done. The only thing I'm sad about is that it ended 😂 #letsbereal. This is a definite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ we have suspense. Intrigue. Love. EVERYTHING you want and need for a book. #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookreview #bookreader #crookedlane #coronavirus #daythree #thankgodfornetgalley🙌 #readersofinsta

“Without an audience, without an audience like me watching, then what are you?” Soon Violet will be wishing for single mother and obsessed fan Lily and mum wannabe Yvonne to “Unfollow Me”.

When Violet, a successful mommy vlogger suddenly stops vlogging, her fans imagine all kinds of catastrophes. But the truth is both more complicated and worse in this new “social media is bad” psychological thriller.

None of the characters were sympathetic. Usually I’m fine with that if one of the characters is evilly unsympathetic or has a new point-of-view. Unfollow Me has neither of these exceptions. I was not ensnared in the characters’ lives. I’m not sure why. The mystery plot twisted a bit but not enough to make up for the character issues. 3 stars. If you are a mommy blogger or fan of one, you may enjoy this more than me.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unfollow Me is the story of Violet, a YouTube influencer with a million followers. She posts daily about her family and children. When she suddenly disappears from YouTube and deletes all of her social media profiles, her many obsessed fans are left wondering what happened to her. We watch the story unfold through the eyes of her fans, whose endless speculation soon turns too stalking. Why is Violet’s husband spotted visiting a local hospital? Why did a neighbor say she heard screaming at Violet’s house the night before the YouTuber disappeared? This is a novel about unhealthy obsessions...and the unintended consequences of bad choices. I’m not a fan of graphic sexual content, and Unfollow Me has a few of those scenes. Also—trigger warning—this book deals with the topics of abortion and pregnancy loss, so if those are difficult issues for you, it’s probably best to avoid this one. Overall, this book hooked me in the beginning with its unique premise, but lost me with the issues mentioned above.

“I’ve never met any of them – don’t even know what they look like – but they know more about this than anyone in my real life.”

Social media is a topic that is becoming more popular in crime fiction, and without physical boundaries it lends itself to some very intriguing stories. I often wonder about the potential consequences of sharing our lives so freely with random strangers, so the premise of this book instantly drew me.

Violet Young is a “mummy blogger”, a YouTube sensation whose honest (or not so honest) account of her post partum depression and the trials of motherhood have earned her thousands of followers on social media. One day she has vanished into thin air, her Instagram account has been deleted and all her former blog posts have gone. Her followers are devastated and worried – what has happened to Violet? And: how dare she do this to them?

From here, the story unfolds through three different POVs: Lily and Yvonne, who are devoted Violet fans, and Henry, who is Violet’s husband and a bit of a social media star himself. It soon becomes obvious that they are all hiding something, which for the women may be the root of their obsession with Violet, and for Henry something more sinister altogether.

Even as someone who has an Instagram account and a book blog, I found Lily’s and Yvonne’s addiction to Violet’s social media accounts fascinating in a horrified kind of way. Both women’s grief and outrage over finding Violet gone were something to behold, and were definitely on the boundary of being a mental health issue.

Even though I was drawn very quickly into the story, and found the whole premise fascinating, I didn’t end up liking the book as much as I thought I would. The story slowed significantly in the second half, and after the initial build up of intrigue I found the ending a bit lacklustre and unoriginal. I also quickly tired of Lily and Yvonne, who became more and more unlikeable and strange as the story progressed.

I did, however, like the theme of addiction to social media accounts portraying the “perfect family”, even where reality is very different. This would make for some great bookclub discussions, especially relating to the ethical minefield of using your children to become a social media “influencer”. Do your kids have a right to privacy? Will this exposure of their personal lives have lasting consequences for them in later life? I would have liked to talk about these issues with my friends.

In summary, UNFOLLOW ME had some interesting concepts and good material for discussion in a book group, even though I was ultimately a bit disappointed in the book’s conclusion. Young mums may find that they better relate to the themes of motherhood, IVF, post partum depression and the ethical issues surrounding your children’s featuring on social media. I think that this book would appeal more to a younger crowd and that my experience was partly related to the generational gap. All in all a quick entertaining read and an interesting modern day topic.

This is my first book by Charlotte Duckworth and I loved it !There are many twists and turns and several POVs.. The twists keep you guessing. A psychological thriller with some humor thrown in. It’s a fascinating look at the all engulfing and sinister nature of social media. Obsessions with following a vlogger with daily videos on YouTube and millions of subscribers..What happens when they are no longer there? Her fans want to know what happened and what they discover ? I was pulled in from the beginning ..The ending is brilliant and I would recommend this as one to read.
Thanks to the author, Charlotte Duckworth, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this digital ARC that I enjoyed reading for my honest review.

What happened to Violet Young?

Not having read The Rival, I had absolutely no expectations from Unfollow Me, other than what I had gleaned from the very promising synopsis.

In this gripping tale that delves into the modern inclination towards social media, blogging, and celebrity influencers, Violet Young is an ex-journalist turned mummy-vlogger with a huge following throughout various social media platforms. One day, without explanation, all of her accounts appear to have been suddenly deleted. A group of her followers on the GoMamas forum ruminate on what may have happened and this is gradually revealed through three narratives; those of Yvonne, Lily and Henry.

Photographer Yvonne, 40, is married to Simon who is younger than her, and they desperately want to have children, however, they have some fertility issues. Young widow Lily is a single mother with a 3-year-old son. She is an obsessive follower of Violet and has been suffering with depression. Henry is Violet’s handsome and devoted husband. Although there is much made of the mystery of Violet’s whereabouts, the novel also delves into the lives of its narrators. As the story unfolds via the alternating chapters, the reader becomes privy to the characters' deep and dark secrets, as well as how their lives are connected.

Unfollow Me is a delightfully absorbing story. I just had to figure out what was going on, and the one-liner funnies along the way added so much levity to this thriller that made it all the richer for me. Yvonne, in particular was incredibly droll, adding comedic notes to what otherwise might have been a rather sombre read. My desire to know how things closed out was so great that I finished Unfollow Me in one sitting and I definitely fell victim to 'just one more page' syndrome!

I loved Unfollow Me so much that I have been inspired to read The Rival, and I have also discovered another author, Charlotte Duckworth, to add to my list of favourites.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.