Ten influencers who are on edge of being cancelled were selected to visit a posh island owned by an independently wealthy person with a vested interest in the influencers. Of course, as soon as the teens are deposited on the island, the organizer of the event is called away to an "emergency," leaving the kids alone. Almost instantly, the bodies start piling up, the teens become suspicious of one another, and finally - FINALLY - determine they are being played.

I feel like there is a new genre I'm not aware of - "Influencer Horror" or "Social Media Suspects." I'm not really a fan because those I've read are so scripted and predictable. I think if you are a teen who wants a horror feel without being extremely graphic, this title (and imaginary genre) is for you. I found this book extremely implausible for a variety of reasons and had a difficult time keeping the characters straight. For me, there wasn't a distinctive enough "voice" for each character, so each chapter took a minute for me to realize who was talking and their role in the whole scenario.

This might be a good pick if a high school librarian is looking to round out their collections, but I can't recommend this as a highlight or definite purchase recommendation.

This book follows ten influencers who are invited to a private island to film a reality show called IRL. They are separated from their devices and put up in a house that has cameras in almost every room. They quickly learn that the Sponsor of the show knows lots of their dirty secrets and won’t hesitate to share them with the world, and that being cancelled might mean more than just losing followers.

I struggled with my rating on this one because I really loved the characters but felt just so-so about the overall plot.

I love the private island and the cutoff from the world in a way that makes sense. The characters, even though they are all influencers, feel fleshed out and different from one another. They were also all kind of terrible but I also felt empathetic for them at times, and I love books that gave characters like that.

The idea of the plot was good, but the climax at the end fell flat for me. I didn’t feel overly surprised or invested in the reveal. The reasons for bringing the specific influencers to the island were a mix of strong and weak.

This one was a good time but not something that I’ll be hurrying to read again. Highly recommend the audiobook, which has a cast of characters and really helps distinguish them.

In a world where social media rules and influencers are the new celebrities, Olivia Forley’s People to Follow delivers a riveting look at the highs and lows of digital fame. This novel is sharp, juicy, and utterly unputdownable—a must-read for anyone who’s ever scrolled endlessly through Instagram or questioned the curated perfection of online lives.

The story revolves around a group of influencers brought together on a remote island for a brand campaign. What begins as a glittering opportunity soon spirals into chaos as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and the line between real life and online personas blurs. Forley masterfully captures the pressures of maintaining a flawless image while subtly exploring the darker side of validation, envy, and the cost of living life in the spotlight.

The characters are deliciously messy—some you’ll root for, others you’ll love to hate. Each perspective feels authentic, reflecting the complexities of social media fame and its impact on mental health, relationships, and self-worth. The pacing is tight, with twists that keep you guessing, though the ending might leave you wanting a bit more closure.

Beyond the drama, People to Follow raises important questions: How much of what we see online is real? And at what point does authenticity become just another performance?

This was a really unique plot for a novel and honestly kept me guessing the whole time. I love a good mystery/suspense novel although they do tend to get predictable, except for this one. The plot twists genuinely surprised me and I honestly couldn't put this book down. Would highly recommend!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I didn’t immediately realize this was intended for a YA audience. Unfortunately, the characters felt a bit one-dimensional, and I found myself mixing them up. In the end, I struggled to connect with any of them.

Creepy book! It’s unnerving how much influence social media has over our lives today. I miss the times when the streetlight was my dinner bell, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who does. It’s obvious these kids did not have much of a parental figure in their lives as proven by their actions and selfishness throughout this book. I didn’t hate the book. I feel the message was a good one, but I hated all the characters.

I love the concept of this book, which is reminiscent of And Then There Were None, but it is set up against the gilded backdrop of reality TV. It's a strong YA thriller.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I think I'm just a little too old for this one. I found all of the characters exhausting, which really took me out of the story. I love books about influencers and reality television, so it seemed like a great fit for me, but the plot just got to be too campy for my taste. I think I may also be burnt out on locked room mysteries, so I don't blame the book for that. Overall, I would recommend this to someone in the YA age range, but I think anyone older will have a hard time getting into it.

Fun and fast-paced with characters that you love to hate but still end up hating. A smart look at the price of social media fame and what it means to have a large platform. The twist was well done and I found myself wanting more in the end.

I do think the book has some pacing issues, but so many details throughout the novel worked themselves out in the end.

I think ultimately, I'm too old for this book. An interesting take on the locked room mystery, 10 influencers are tricked into staying on a private island to shoot reality TV. What they don't realize is someone lured them here for more sinister purposes. The mystery was interesting, and if you love watching characters try to figure out which one of them might be a killer, you'll probably enjoy this one. I struggled with the cultural aspects of it, not being of the TikTok generation (and having spent approximately 10 total minutes on TikTok). There was some interesting commentary on the lifestyles of young influencers and the dangers of influencer culture and child-fame. Overall, it was enjoyable, but not a wow for me.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and Olivia Worley for free e-ARC of People To Follow in return of my honest review.

“People To Follow” presents an intriguing premise that explores the intersection of social media fame and real-world consequences. Set on a remote Caribbean island, the story follows ten teen influencers who are thrust into a high-stakes reality show that quickly devolves into chaos when one of their own is found dead. The concept of influencers unplugging from their curated online personas adds a fresh twist to the typical murder mystery, inviting readers to consider how fame and pressure can lead to dangerous situations.

The characters are a mix of familiar archetypes from the social media landscape, such as the impulsive Instagram model, the reformed child star, and the disgraced TikTok celebrity. While their distinct personalities create entertaining dynamics and conflicts, they often feel more like caricatures than fully realized individuals. This lack of depth makes it challenging to form a strong emotional connection with them, which detracts from the overall impact of the story.

As the plot unfolds, the tension ramps up with the arrival of a mysterious antagonist known as the Sponsor, who threatens to expose the influencers' darkest secrets. The suspense keeps the pages turning, and the setting provides a captivating backdrop that enhances the feeling of isolation and danger. The twists and turns are engaging, and there are moments of genuine intrigue as the characters navigate their treacherous predicament.

However, despite the entertaining premise and fast-paced narrative, “People To Follow” ultimately feels like it lacks the depth and complexity that would make it truly memorable. The themes of authenticity versus performance in the age of social media are present but not explored as thoroughly as they could be. The resolution, while satisfying, doesn’t leave a lasting impression, and the characters' arcs feel somewhat unfulfilled.

Overall, “People To Follow” is an enjoyable read for those looking for a light, suspenseful escape. It offers an entertaining glimpse into the world of influencers and the darker side of fame, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of a standout thriller. If you're in the mood for a quick, engaging story that keeps you guessing, this book fits the bill, but don’t expect it to linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page.

I really like the new influencer trope, so I was excited to see a thriller based on influencers. However I think when I requested this one I didn't realize this was YA and YA thrillers aren't usually for me, lots of cheese and some fluff. I think this one may make a really good movie or limited series.

This thriller follows 10 influencers that are invited to a remote island to film a reality show, but have to leave all technology behind. When one person ends up dead and the production company doesn't show up, they have to figure out who the killer is before they all wind up dead.

While I did find the ten characters hard to keep track of at first (I ended up making a character map) once I got a handle on the characters, the pace of the book really worked well for me and it was a quick, fun read.

Thank you St Martins Press and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Holy Crap... at first I thought it was just going to be a rip-off of Glass Onion: Knives Out since Cole was very very similar to the fitness guy who died in that movie. For the first half of the book, it felt like I was too old to be reading this as a college student but honestly, I don't think that anymore. I think the whole high school getting drunk party they had the first night on the island made me feel that way. Once Aaron died, I was so invested that I finished it in one sitting. I actually gasped out loud a few times in the second half. Overall I enjoyed this book even though the beginning was a little slow-paced. It's an easy read and got me out of a reading slump. Is it my favorite book of all time? No, but would I recommend it to someone who wants an easy read? For sure. This author is definitely one I want to look more into now!

About the Characters...
I wish we got to learn more about Aaron, Graham, and Corinne. They all felt one-sided to me. I hated Cole immediately and was happy he was gone even though it was predictable he'd be dead. The characters did not have much to them, which made this feel more for a younger audience too. I wish Kiara's "bad thing" was more extreme or talked about more. She seemed to be the saint the whole time and then the ending glosses over her too quickly. Again, I enjoyed the book but probably won't pick it up again or think about it too much.

I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. There were a lot of characters and they all blended together where you could hardly tell them apart. In addition, I felt they were all a little too calm for everything that was happening in this book. Overall, not a big fan.

This could 100% be turned into one of those cheesy slasher thriller movies and become like a cult classic.

10 influencers are invited to an island where they are completely unplugged for a reality TV show. One ends up 💀 and the drama begins!!

The characters all fit into a different type of stereotypical style social media influencer, and they all have something to hide that could get them cancelled. If they don’t do what the sponsor says, their secret is released on social and they’re next 💀.

I was NOT expecting who the villain was, or what their motive was, so I read this in one day so I could know 😂.

Aside from who the villain was, the plot felt very expected, like it’s the usual formula for these type of books/movies, and I felt like the end got a little preachy on the impact of social media influencers. But aside from that, this was a fun quick read.

Thank you @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

As a social media professional this one stuck out to me! I felt it was interesting but a bit long. It was just alright!

This book is a charming tale of unexpected love. The setting is vibrant and enchanting, making it easy to get lost in the story. The protagonists start off as unlikely pairings, but their journey together is filled with sweet moments and growth. It’s a lovely reminder that love can blossom in the most surprising situations!

This book was fine. I thought it was going to read like a ya almost new adult thriller but it read more like a straight ya. It’s on me Endor requesting this book knowing it was ya and that I may find it too young. Even though I did, I still found the story to be somewhat enjoyable.

A YA thriller that is a modern day spin on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. While I do enjoy many YA books, this one did not resonate with me as much as otherwise. The characters are teen influencers, of the “privelaged” type and I don’t tend to follow influencers of this type. That being said, I think this book would be great for someone who does enjoy that world or engages with it in some manner. It’s well written, has multiple POVs, snd is a good book for what it is and for those who enjoy that ! Truly I am just not the right demographic for this books, I recommend this book for the right audience including young readers