Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved Kathleen Barber's debut and this did not disapoint. Great story, keeps you hooked from the start.

I could not put down Follow Me by Kathleen Barber. It's tense, chilling and filled the void left by YOU in my life, without being repetitive. The was my first read by the author and I can't wait to read more.

Told from the alternating POVs of Cat, Audrey, and the voice of a stalker known only as 'Him', we are introduced to social media influencer Audrey and her friend Cat, who has lived in the shadows and seems to be hiding her own secrets. .

The POVs were so well done. I was constantly going back and forth trying to figure out which character was "Him." The tension was palpable throughout the novel and it kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was a good read overall, especially the last few chapters were pretty captivating and edge-of-the-seat gripping, but I feel like it was a little bit too similar to You and Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes, and the comparison didn't do it any favors (Joe is better). I also have to admit that what initially drew me in, was the foreword, in which the author talked about the practice of keeping online slaves and the darkest corners of dark web. I was disappointed to see how little of the plot revolved around this - the plot could have been so much deeper and creepier if only we focused a bit more on the stalking itself and the mind games! That's just my personal opinion of course, but it felt like a waste of a great premise.

Audrey was a pretty annoying, self-absorbed character. Cat surprised me in many ways throughout the plot and I felt like she felt more authentic than the main character. The rest of the cast was just OK.

This wasn't a bad read by any means, but I wish it was darker and creepier.

I enjoyed this book! It was well written, but it took me a while to read it because I found it a little slow in the beginning. The 3 POVs made it enjoyable to read as we got to see various perspectives of the same plot, especially the “HIM” POV. This point of view brought the “creepy” factor to the book & I enjoyed guessing who this person was!

This book hit the right balance of cautionary tale without being preachy and just the right level of creepy. I kept going back and forth on who I thought the stalker was, and while the person it was did make my list, it wasn't my number one suspect. While the main character was perhaps not the most likable person in the beginning, I found myself becoming more sympathetic towards her as the book went on. Probably my favourite fiction book of the year so far.

This is an interesting book, exploring social media, influencers, how real (or not) they are, how we look at them, and the real life consequences, especially given technology.

I enjoyed this book well enough, but didn't love it. I thought it would be more intense and less repetitive. It just seemed some of the relationships were going in circles.

The book is told from 3 points of view: Audrey, a social media influencer, her friend Cat, and Him, the stalker.

Audrey was what I suppose a young woman trying to become an influencer might be like. I did find her annoying at times, though, especially around her own personal security (no spoilers but the situation around where she lived felt like something I would definitely not put up with).

Cat's insecurity wore on me, though I did enjoy trying to figure out who He was.

Overall, I guess I thought the book would be more intense, though I did enjoy it. This is probably a case where this just wasn't the right book for me because I can see how it would appeal to others.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

The premise of this book doesn't sound like anything new however barber does add something a little different with our stalker sge left me a little rattled and paranoid so putting a sticker on my computer camera. I applaud her for being able to do that because books don't normally rattle me to the point if paranoia.
I really wanted to love this one, but i was left feeling dissappointed, with uninteresting characters, and a book that didn't really get a groove.

I had heard about this one before I had a chance to read it. This one was great and really hit home since I am very addicted to social media! I really enjoyed having the mystery guys point of view! Really made it interesting seeing different POV’s.

I enjoyed this book. It was well written and fast paced. The main character is super narcissistic, the secondary characters are all crazy. This book was great.

It hit a little to close to home for me especially in the last chapter. I enjoyed reading this and would counting to read this authors books. Great job. It was a great distraction from the current events.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @34% (plus last 10% of the novel)
2020; Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster Canada

I loved Barber's first novel Are You Sleeping and was SO excited to see that she had written a new book. Her last suspense mystery involved podcasting and social media, and I wondered if that would be the case for her newest release. In Follow Me, Barber looks at one of the (creepy and sinister) worst case scenario behind being very active on social media. All the things we post about ourselves seems like a way to reach out to others, but what happens when someone takes that to the extreme of stalking. I could not wait to hate Audrey! I mean that in a positive way. I thought she would be a juicy yet superficial character with heart. Yet she seems very vague and dull. She seemed like the first person voted off a reality show that is still trying to capitalize on 15 minutes of fame. Her "friend" Cat, I can barely even remember now. I could not describe her if she went missing and my description would save her life. And "Him", well, he fit the mold of the incels you hear about on true crime podcasts. I liked the premise but the story did not help me progress further than 34%. I think I got that far because of listening to it on audio, while hearing all about Covid-19, and wondering if I would be able to work from home. This book had rave reviews so I decided to read the last 10 percent of the novel (in ebook format) to see if the ending blew me away of redeemed the book. (view spoiler). Spoiler alert: I am glad I stopped where I did.

I hate writing negative reviews, especially when I enjoyed previous novels by the author. I used to not write DNF reviews unless I was a certain amount in the novel. Now I write reviews for all books I pick up and attempt t o read. Sometimes, it is just my mood, but most times this is how I feel when I read the novel. I feel like stating my honest opinion is the only way I personally can review books. I never want to make an author feel bad or upset. I am a sarcastic person, but try to reign that in for my reviews. I am not trying to get likes on my reviews by being "funny and catty", but share my honest experience with a novel. You will see a lot of "see the higher rating reviews" in my review because others have loved a book that isn't work for me. And, for me I look at high and low and midway reviews when I am trying to see if a book will work for me. Somewhere in all those reviews will be how I think it will be for me. Sorry for this long rambling, but I take my words seriously.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

Damn! Follow Me really makes you stop and re-evaluate what you're sharing on social media ... and gives you a mad craving for animal crackers ;)

Fast paced and well written. Creepy vibes ... don't read this one in the dark. I enjoyed the three different perspectives between Audrey (Instagram influencer), Cat (Audrey's awkward friend) & Him (creepy stalker) ... short, very entertaining chapters that will keep you flipping pages.

Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my review copy!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for a copy of Follow Me by Kathleen Barber for an honest review.

Follow Me has 3 perspectives. Audrey is a well liked social media manager by day and Insta influencer by night. Cat, her awkward friend who works hard and has trouble making friends. And “Him”, the man obsessed with Audrey and who stalks her on Instagram and when she moves near by, becomes increasingly obsessed.

Follow Me is quite fast paced. The three perspectives have very different tones so it keeps the whole read fresh and easy to keep separate in your mind. I liked that the author gave a few choices for who you think the stalker might be, I had a few thoughts and ended up being right, but it really could have been anyone! Great example of the dangers of living your whole life on social media could affect you and other people’s perception of you.
CW: stalking

3.5 stars

Follow Me by Kathleen Barber is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster Canada, 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)

Audrey Miller just moved from New York to Washington DC to take her dream job in a museum.  In her spare time, she is an egotistical Instagram star, with over a million followers.  Everyone wants to follow her...she even has a stalker.  She also has an on-again/off-again relationship with her old boyfriend Nick -- who she thinks is too self-absorbed.  And then there is her new boyfriend Max.

Cat, a budding lawyer, shared a dorm room with Audrey in college.  She is still introverted, and being manipulated by Audrey is still a problem.  Her lack of confidence is over-whelming.  Cat is in love with Connor, who barely knows she is alive.  She also has a past that she really wants to forget.

Audrey is becoming more frightened as her small basement apartment has attracted the attention of the landlord's creepy grandson.  She is also more aware that her online behaviour may be what attracted the stalker.  But is she willing to change?

 

My Opinions:  

It is really difficult to enjoy a book where you do not like, and cannot relate to,  ANY of the characters.   I use social media, but I am not a fanatic, so maybe that may be the problem.

The actual premise of the book is good.  An egotistic/narcissistic young woman who thinks she is the next Goddess of Instagram, and who manipulates everyone around her, is being stalked.  Normally, you would feel some apprehension and fear for the woman.  Unfortunately, she is so self-centered that she is really annoying, and I didn't care if a serial killer murdered her or not.   Her best friend has the self-esteem of a mouse, and is so annoyingly introverted (and I am an introvert, so I can judge), that I was hoping someone killed her too.

Although the book showed how easily someone can be stalked through social media, I felt it was a little over-done.  Perhaps if these were teenagers....but I certainly hope young women have a little more sense.  Then again, what do I know.  I'm ancient.  I blog about books, and anyone that wants to follow me can do so, but I admit to checking out their profile when someone does start following me.

Now, I know a lot of that was critical.  However, the last quarter of the book shot my opinion from two stars to three and a half stars.  Even though I knew who the stalker was, and even though I knew some of the other elements, I absolutely loved the ending.  Kathleen Barber took what was an annoying read to something quite enjoyable (if only at the end).

This will not stop me from reading more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kathleen Barber and Simon & Schuester Canada for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy books right now about social media and how dangerous it can be to reveal too much and this is exactly what this book is about. I was totally interested in who in this novel was stalking Audrey and I loved how creepy the entire novel was. There was tons of action in this novel and I flipped through it pretty quickly to see what was going to happen to Audrey in the end. I loved that this novel was kind of a cautionary tale on how much to share online!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you @simonandschustersca for my review copy of Follow Me by Kathleen Barber❤️ Holy smokes was this ever a fast read for me! This story explores the dark side of the web and how scary the internet can be in the wrong hands. Audrey, a social media influencer has been sharing her life for years online and has a gazillion followers. She moves to Washington, DC for her new job and rents a shabby basement apartment much to her friends disapproval. Not too long after moving in, she starts to hear sounds in the night and even someone possibly outside her window. What she doesn’t know is that she has had a stalker following her every move virtually for years and now things are about to change. Unbeknownst to Audrey, she has moved to her stalkers home town and he takes it as destiny to finally meet....
⠀
If you loved YOU by Caroline Kepnes, then you will devour Follow Me. Told from different POV’s including the stalker, this book will keep you entertained from beginning to end. The technology and terminology used was so accurately described, I was impressed by the author’s in depth knowledge. I especially loved when she poked fun at how those who pretend to live a luxurious life for the camera versus what their lives are really like offline. Although I couldn’t ever be friends with an Audrey type, I liked how flawed she was as it made for a good read. I questioned some of her decision making but that’s what made her human and this whole story so plausible. I couldn’t put this one down and I know you won’t either if you read it. Remember to put a piece of tape or a sticky note on your camera on your devices before you go to sleep boys and girls. You never know who’s watching 👀 🎥 ❤️
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An entertaining, albeit predictable read.
This book has the usual cast of characters, the same story line, and the same outcome. Unfortunately this genre is getting increasingly difficult to write, and I'm always pleasantly shocked when I can't predict the twist.
Alas, not the case with this book.

But still they are always entertaining enough.
I did like the writing style of this book, The back and forth chapters between the two friends and "him" the stalker, I thought it was really clever.

First I would like to thank @Simonandschuster, @Gallerybooks @netgalley and the author for the Complimentary copy of this book.



I enjoyed the concept of this book and thought that the plot was very clever, It really made me think as in this world of social media we are all guilty of oversharing and glamourizing our lives at some point.

It is a scary feeling to know that we are giving someone the ability to view our lives and the ammunition to use what we share against us and to get close to us.

This book moved at a great pace and kept me thoroughly engaged with the characters, Even though I had love/hate feelings towards Audrey, Her character was written as a Narcissist but also a vulnerable woman who has a hard time being alone. The story kept me guessing right until the end and had a creepy ending which I LOVED.

I definitely recommend this book and it’s a 4 star read for me.

I had a hard time reading this one and I actually quit about halfway because it just kept me interested and I really found I didn't really care to even finish it.

I know some might enjoy this one but it just not one I really got into.

"Self-absorbed to the point of boring," and "what doesn't kill you makes you interesting no stronger." That's has been my experience with social media and a bit with this story as well.

The premise to this story sounds like nothing new however Kathleen Barber does add something a little different here with our stalker that left me a bit rattled and putting a sticker on the camera for my computer. I am not easily rattled that way, so I have to applaud her for bringing that creep to the story for me.

So here I am again really wanting to love a book but left wondering where my groove is. I thought I would be entertained but was left disappointed with the uninteresting characters, kind of like every time I go on social media. Big sigh!!

Well, this one was a wilder ride than expected! This book has three POVs; Cat, Audrey and "Him." Cat is awkward, Audrey is just a little bit obnoxious. Him is, well, damn creepy. I'm not going to lie but I looked at my webcam on my computer a couple of times while writing this and then stuck some tape over it.... Anyway, this book had characters that were a little bit annoying and unlikable, but that's the way I like my characters. It also had that little twist at the end which is always welcome to make my heart skip a couple of beats.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.