Skye Walker grew up homeless and on the streets. That’s all changed since becoming a successful influencer!

Now she has the following, the money, and anything she could ever wish for.

She sets out to help charities as a way of giving back to the community, but this latest one isn’t going exactly according to her plan.

Loved the premise of this book and particularly liked how this author alternated between Now and Then through a series of flashbacks and also told through multiple points of view. While there was a twist, if you’re a mystery reader like me, you’ll see it coming, too, but it was executed very well! Overall an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Skye Walker is a social media influencer phenom. She has made her career off her back story of being homeless and helping people realize they can lead a better life. Nathan runs a charity that helps the homeless that he created when his wife passed. Nathan is shocked when Skye wants to work for him. It’s almost too good to be true and in this case, things are definitely not what they seem. When Skye gets more involved in Nathan’s life than he thinks necessary, he must figure out what is really going on behind her influencer facade.
The Influencer by Miranda Rijks was a fast paced, engaging read. Although I figured out the twist very early on in the book, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. While there weren’t many likable characters, it was fascinating to see how an influencer can effect so many people and situations. The Influencer left me wanting more and I can hope for a sequel!

I have read most books from this author and usually thoroughly enjoy them all but sadly I couldn't get on with this one and I couldn't finish it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I am super thrilled to have found this amazing book with a plot that was wickedly intriguing. For someone like me who is still learning my way around social media, this book was also an eye-opener and not in a good way.

44-year old widower, Nathan, runs Sacha's Sanctuary, a charity for the homeless, in memory of his late wife. When social media influencer, Skye decides she wants to support his work, despite his own misgivings about her, Nathan agrees, as it would benefit the charity and help many people. Skye breezes into his life with all the subtleness of a steamroller, thereby upending his peace and causing cracks in his personal life.

Skye is a character that you would love to hate. Her single-minded determination to get what she wants is impressive on the outset; not so much when you realise she has a sinister motive. The author describes Skye perfectly - wily and manipulative like a wild cat. The story is told from Nathan's and Skye's POVs and Skye's flashbacks from ten years ago. I loved the plot twists in the book. The writing was crisp leaving not a dull moment in between. Compared to Nathan who seemed kind of wishy-washy, I loved the tenacious Skye, bad though she may be.

I would have loved to have more of Marie in the book, as she was an astute and strong character, but her storyline was cut short abruptly.

Overall,a fast-paced story with a brilliant narrative and interesting characters, this was one heart-thumping read that I greatly enjoyed.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Published: April 25, 2021
Inkubator Books
I received a copy of this book for free and leave my review voluntarily.

Miranda Rijks is possibly the most fascinating woman alive. She studied handwriting analysis and published a self-help book shortly after. She writes about what she knows and infused everything she creates with tidbits of her personal history. She enjoyed creating works of fiction about the things that fascinate her the most, and after surviving a rare form of cancer, she embraces her life and enjoys every moment.

“But at the same time, I feel as if I’ve just walked straight into the sticky fibres of a glittery web.”

Nathan is a widower with two teenage daughters who is about to marry the second love of his life. He founded a charity in his beloved wife's name and has dedicated his life to building a better world for those who struggle. Skye is a social media superstar. She is the hottest influencer, and when she shows interest in working with Sacha’s Sanctuary, everyone starts talking about how great it will be until it isn’t.

Holy. Buckets. This was a ride from start to finish. I loved how this story was told. The character development and buildup was so brilliantly done. Something I enjoy about Miranda’s writing style is the story gets more intense the closer you get to the end.

The characters in this novel were excellent. Everything unfolds so dramatically, and the twists are insane. I loved the aspect of using social media influencers as the center of this story. Especially compared to the charity aspect with Nathan’s angle.

While I had ideas about how the twist would play out, I was only partially correct. You will never see the ending coming. Wowza. Miranda knows how to slap you in the face then kick you in the shins.

Everything about this story was well played and carefully controlled. This book would make an excellent mini-series. It is so twisted and dark, yet dressed up and masked as anything but.

Get ready to have your face ripped off cause plan B is deadly.

I think this is the first book I’ve read where I equally enjoyed both the present story being told as well as the flashback chapters. Always love this author and The Influencer is another great psychological thriller! Can’t wait for her next book.

3.5 stars
The Influencer by Miranda Rijks is a tightly written psychological suspense novel in which Fatal Attraction meets today’s Social Media Manipulator. Early on, the reader is hooked by a fatal plane crash, suspicious but unexplained. Subsequently, in “then” and “now” timelines, the lovely young family of Nathan, Isla and Chloe are introduced, along with Skye, the Influencer. The story is largely character driven, as the reader learns about Skye’s past and observes Skye as she inveigles herself in the lives of Nathan and his children. There is underlying uneasiness and suspicion among all the cast and, as a reader, I was entertained by the way the story unfolded, although unsurprised most of the way. There is, however, an exciting denouement and a great twist to end the tale.
I liked the author’s direct, down-to-earth narrative style and she shows a flair for layering the story and inserting clever details of the character’s thoughts and motives. I would definitely read more books by this author.

Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the e-ARC of The Influencer in exchange for an honest review.

Greats: This was quite a ride. The story flowed smoothly, the misdirection was well done and the narrative flips and time jumps were well placed.

Not-as-greats: The villainy was a little far fetched, the penultimate happening raises some questions, and some characters could have been utilized better.

Overall, The Influencer had me glued to the story, this was a well-executed thriller.

When internet celebrity, Skye, swoops in and announces that she will be to promoting Sacha's Sanctuary, the charity he established in the name of his late wife, Nathan is quickly overwhelmed. His two teenage daughters idolize the woman, and her endorsement is bringing in huge donations, so he goes along with her plans. After all, his whole goal is to help the homeless and that's what they're doing. Skye lacks boundaries and is causing all kinds of chaos in his home life, but maybe it's all worth it? The book alternates between the present and Skye's past as a homeless teenager and it's a fast paced, fun thriller that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

I just LOVE this authors books! Every single book I have read has left me feeling OMG....WOW another 5 Star book!! Hang on tight totally amazing.
Highly Recommend

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of The Influencer in exchange for my honest review.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I finished this in one day. From the beginning, I knew something was off about Skye. Everyone changes as they grow up, but Skye is different. The toggle between the present and past does give me a good background to the characters. This is a fine example of you can't believe everything you read on social media. Skye is the only well-rounded character. Nathan, even as the main character, the storyline lacks a certain flair. His character is more decorative than add to the story.

Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The bad guy is a touch over the top and the ending is a little abrupt, but, all in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this fast-paced and occasionally suspenseful read.

I always know ahead of time that if I am starting a book by Miranda Rijks that I am getting nothing done that day. This book was no exception, I could not put it down. Excellent psychological thriller about a social influencer that worms her way into a mans family and insists on becoming a part of it. When Skye contacts Nathan about helping his charity that benefits the homeless, he is happy for the help, even though he has never heard of her. Nathan’s daughters are a totally different story, they love Skye and all she represents as a social media influencer. As Skye becomes closer to the family, it becomes more apparent just how unhinged she really is. Full of twists and turns, this book is impossible to put down.

The book was pretty good, the premise was interesting, the writing was a little flat for me. I guessed the twist but not the ending. the ending was the best part of the book, but even that didn't fully make sense

Morally gray characters especially the homeless-to-the-influencer.

A plot based on what it takes to become a powerful social media influencer and what it's like behind the glamourous happy perfect smiles and updates.

The writing is engaging and the characters are there to make you dislike them more the more you read about them. And there, the fun starts for such stories.

The first half is a bit slow but we all need it for the crazy turn towards the second half.

The plot gets pretty unpredictable and get ready for some shady news towards the end. That ending sounds like another story is coming up!

The suspense of Skye was kept well till the last few chapters which I appreciate.

Oh, and the mind games.

Be ready for it.

Thank you author and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

Wonderful! So wicked, twisted and enjoyable. Skye is a narcissistic psychopath influencer that I adore because psychopaths can be very likable. There are some plot holes and this is not going to win a Pulitzer prize but is si good. My second book by this author and I'm going for more. The author writes such good villains that you feel Bad for them and Even rule for them too. The ending was great. Didn't like Nathan's character such a bland protagonist and I wish he had a different ending since I didn't like him. Maybe that's why I liked the ending so much. So twisted!

𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓? 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕. 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏? 𝑼𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒚.

Skye appears to be a true rags to riches story...born to an absent father and an addict mother, she spent much of her life in foster care, bouncing from home to home, until a chance meeting with a girl her age turned her life around. From the kindness of others, Skye was able to provide for herself and turn herself into an internet celebrity as an influencer with the power to make or break a business. She sets her sights on Nathan, determined to help with his charity...but what's in it for Skye? Is this an altruistic gesture or something more sinister? Soon she is insinuating herself into Nathan's life and cozying up to his two daughters, who are starry-eyed with fame. After a series of troubling events, Nathan attempts to distance himself from her, but he has no way of knowing what his dismissal of Skye will set into motion. Events move at a frenetic pace to the shocking climax, which completely took me by surprise. No sooner had I caught my breath from what I thought was the concluding twist, Miranda had *one* more up her sleeve.

This dark tale of passion and vengeance is NOT to be missed. A truly stellar read!

I absolutely adore Miranda's books and this one has to be my favourite yet. A story of rags to riches and the power of social media. Skype starts off her life in care and ends up a successful celebrity. Nothing or no one will get in her way. What she wants, she buys. However, as always there's a twist and the ending..... can we have a follow on please Miranda to see which path Isla takes

So relevant for today's world. I loved it even though the writing wasn't totally for me. I think it explored the reality of social media and what happens when the veil is lifted.

Omg! What the heck did I read?! Wow this book was awesome! It had some freaky twists and turns that I did not expect until close to the end! Wow what a great book!! IT was filled with intrigue, suspense, action, and it was very thrilling!! I didn't expect this kind of book when I read the description! You definitely have to read this one to see what I'm talking about! Wow its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! And a big thank you to Miranda Rijks ! For your amazing words! This is my first book by this author and it definitely won't be my last!