I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

"The Bright Side of Going Dark" by Kelly Harms is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of modern life, the allure of anonymity, and the power of self-discovery. Through the eyes of its relatable protagonist, Mia Bell, Harms invites readers to delve into the shadows of online anonymity and emerge into the light of authentic connection and self-acceptance.

The story follows Mia, a successful blogger who has built her career on sharing every aspect of her life with her online followers. But when Mia finds herself at a crossroads, grappling with the pressures of fame, the weight of expectation, and the fear of judgment, she makes the bold decision to disappear from the digital world and reclaim her sense of self.

What unfolds is a journey of self-discovery and transformation as Mia navigates the challenges of living offline in a world that's constantly connected. As she explores new hobbies, forms genuine connections with the people around her, and confronts her own insecurities and fears, Mia discovers the true meaning of happiness and fulfillment.

Harms's writing is both witty and heartfelt, with a keen understanding of the human condition and a knack for capturing the complexities of modern life. Through Mia's journey, she explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels overwhelming and chaotic.

What sets "The Bright Side of Going Dark" apart is its timely exploration of the pitfalls of online culture and the importance of finding balance in an increasingly digital world. As Mia grapples with the consequences of her own online persona and the impact it has on her relationships and sense of self-worth, she offers readers a powerful reminder of the value of disconnecting, unplugging, and embracing the beauty of the present moment.

In conclusion, "The Bright Side of Going Dark" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read that will appeal to anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of online life or longed for a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them. With its engaging storyline, relatable characters, and poignant message, Kelly Harms has crafted a novel that shines a light on the importance of embracing authenticity and finding joy in the simple pleasures of life.

You got to love a good influencer plot twist. Trying to reach out to her sister by impersonating influencer Mia Bell, Paige Miller bites off more than she can chew. It’s a great morality tale that she learns in humiliating fashion. It’s is grass is not always greener modern twists that readers will appreciate.

Thank you for this arc copy of this book. It wasn't; my type of book but others may like it. I did enjoy the cover picture though.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

I loved The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms and was really excited to read this one. It was good and would be a carefree summer read. It addressed some big ideas about social media and how we use it. The book really made me stop and think, which I wasn’t expecting.

I tried, I really tried with this book, but alas I could not find my way in it. Perhaps just a mismatch between reader and book.

I picked up The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms because The Overdue Life of Amy Byler is one of my favorite books. Byler is extremely adept at painting a portrait of the modern woman and the uphill battles she faces. Add social media to the mix, and most women are over it! Readers will relate to both Mia and Paige and will be looking for Harms' next book to go on sale.

This book had it all for me. The social media edge, left me feeling as if maybe I spend too much time on my phone. Luckily I do limit it a lot when I am home. Not only did the story grab me, it kept me. First there was MIa, then Paige, and boy did I just love them both. I was happy and sad and in the end, just hopeful and maybe thinking a little about my time spent online.

4 stars for me. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Women's Fic.

The Bright Side of Going Dark is a wonderful story of two women trying to figure out how to move forward and live. Told in dual POVs, it follows Paige and Mia who both suffer a tragedy that knocks them off their paths and forces them to reconsider their choices. This story centers around social media and forces you to think about how it influences our world as the characters deal with it impacting theirs. Paige and Mia’s story is very relevant to today’s society and is a fantastic read!

It’s so well-written, but somewhat hard to read as someone who deals with depression/anxiety myself. It’s so well-written, but somewhat hard to read as someone who deals with depression/anxiety myself. I'm halfway through this book and it is really thought provoking. Also I feel as if I’m in an ironic place by posting about this Kindle book about social media ...on a social media platform

I received an e-ARC of this in a bookstagram giveaway. This book reminds me of how sometimes we all need to just disconnect from our phone and social media sometimes. If you need a story to remind you of this, pick this up.

I had high hopes for this novel after reading The Overdue
Life of Amy Byler. I love Kelly's writing style and how
easily her words flow.
I won't rehash the plot that is easily accessed online. I will
tell you that I loved the characters and related a lot to Mia.
Mia lives her life in the spotlight as a social media
influencer and I think it's something relatable for most of
us today, regardless of our follower count. Her life
changes in an instant and she's faced with two paths; her
old life or a new turn.
While reading this book I felt inspired to reduce my social
media usage. I deleted my FB and worked hard to limit
the amount of time spent on my phone. We get so
consumed that we miss what's happening around us.
Give this book a read. It's funny, hard-hitting and so
relatable to anyone with a smart phone today.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my review. My rating
is 100% authentic.

A surprisingly poignant read, I was expecting something all fun and light and while it was, it was also thought provoking too. I also loved the humor too and s can’t wait to read more from the author.

DNF -did not finish. I decided not to keep reading this novel because I did not connect with the writing and plot. Thank you, netgalley and publisher for the early copy.

3.5 rounding down
This sat on my tbr shelf for quite a while and when I finally sat down to read it, I was pleasantly surprised by how fast and easy of a read it was. However, I struggled to connect with the characters in a meaningful way. It definitely feels like a fluffier read that lightly touches on heavier topics, but I feel like I needed a bit more.

I'll cut to the chase with my review on this one - I struggled to relate to the story, probably because I'm pushing 50 and social media influencers just aren't my cup of tea (and I don't understand how others can be so obsessed with someone on IG or TikTok). It took me a while to get into the book, and while I felt the last 25% or so was pretty good, overall it was just an OK read for me. Both Mia and Paige were eye-rolling characters in my opinion.
Thanks to Kelly Harms, Lake Union and NetGalley for the ARC. 2.5 stars.

The Bright Side of Going Dark is an interesting and well-written story about a social media influencer who begins to question her rather shallow lifestyle. While she takes a break, another woman who works for the social media company ends up pretending to be her... and our story springboards from there!

I really liked this book - it feels very relevant and timely to our current generation/situation with regards to social media and it's over-use. It reminded me a bit of We Just Clicked by Anna Bell if anyone has read that one, but I actually much preferred that. It's a light read in many respects, but still covers some very interesting and relevant topics.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2021 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2021/02/2021-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Kelly Harms' new novel, The Bright Side of Going Dark, tells the story of a social media influencer who begins to question her lifestyle, and a woman who works for the social media company who ends up pretending to be her on social media. It's a timely story, and I liked the characters very much.