People to Follow: 👍🏼☀️📲

Thank you so much @wendesday [partner] for my gifted copy!

“I really wish he’d made it a little easier for us to be sad for him.”

This is how you do insufferable people correctly. They were insufferable, but they weren’t insufferable in the way that you don’t want to read anymore.

I love a good locked room mystery. Remote island?! Catnip to my soul! Influencers behaving badly? Oh yes sign me up! The characters I actually liked were easy to cheer for to hope they got out ok!

This is definitely popcorn thriller worthy and really was fun to read. It gives you ATTWN vibes, but the twists at the end were so good.

If you’re wanting a fun summer locked room mystery with influencers behaving badly, this is the one for you! I really loved the snark as well in this one.

Out now!

I am a huge fan of isolated thrillers especially those that take place on islands. This does a good job of discussing influencers.

People to Follow by Olivia Worley is a fast-paced thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish, but ultimately falls short in its execution and character development. The story follows a group of social media influencers who find themselves trapped on a remote island while a deadly game plays out around them. As the influencers are picked off one by one, the tension rises, but the story takes some troubling turns that might not sit well with every reader.

The setting is a standout element, with the isolated mansion and looming tropical storm creating a tense, eerie atmosphere. The book keeps the suspense high as the influencers’ dark secrets slowly unravel, but I found the pacing to be a bit uneven. The beginning of the story felt slow and struggled to hook me, but once the first body was discovered, things really picked up. The mystery kept me intrigued, and I couldn’t help but turn the pages to see who would be next.

However, my enjoyment was dampened by the characters. None of them were particularly likable, which is clearly the point, but I found it hard to connect with any of them. The constant use of modern slang and “like” filled dialogue made them come off as shallow and bratty, and it felt like the author was trying too hard to capture the essence of Gen Z culture. While I understand the need to portray these characters realistically, it became exhausting to read and detracted from the overall experience.

The mystery itself was solid, with plenty of twists and turns, but the reveal was a bit chaotic. By the time everything unraveled, it felt a bit anticlimactic, as if the buildup was more satisfying than the actual resolution. The ending, though shocking, left me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more depth to fully wrap up the story. The author did a good job keeping me on my toes with unreliable narrators and secrets being uncovered, but the final payoff didn’t quite live up to the tension built throughout the middle of the book.

Overall, People to Follow is a quick read that will appeal to fans of thrillers and mystery, especially those looking for a fast-paced story. While it had some great twists and an engaging premise, the character development and resolution left much to be desired. It's not a book I would revisit, but it does show promise for Olivia Worley's future works. 3 stars.

Ten influencers are brought to a remote island to film a reality TV show, but when one of them winds up dead, secrets and lies start to be revealed. This was an interesting look into the lives of influencers and the dark side of what it takes to create content for a living. This was definitely one of those highly entertaining thrillers and I did keep wanting to listen. There are ten characters, but as bodies start to drop, it becomes clear which ones are the major suspects. They all have secrets and are all hiding something nefarious. To be honest, I didn't love any of the characters and did hope for more development from all of them. But, because they are all unlikeable characters, I did have fun trying to figure out who the murderer was and what their motivations were. Overall, this was a fun thriller with a lot of drama. I liked the audiobook and thought it was an entertaining read!

People to Follow is a thrilling locked room mystery full of lots of drama and annoying characters. Locked room thrillers are my favorite. Deserted on an island with a killer? Sign me up! (Not literally, though.) I struggled keeping track of all the characters at the beginning, but I loved the multiple POVs, and eventually it all worked out. I thought the characters were a bit older, so I was surprised that they were all baby teenagers. But that explains why they were so annoying to me. 😆 I couldn’t stand the way Elody talked. The whole book was pretty action packed, and I didn’t end up putting it down. I read it in one sitting. The drama kept me hooked until the very last page. Everything was wrapped up rather neatly, too. Highly recommend this for fans of YA locked room type thrillers

People to Follow by Olivia Worley had such a fun premise—social media influencers trapped on a remote island with a killer on the loose—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read an early copy.

I think I was the wrong audience for this novel. I love mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie, I love pop culture, and I love YA. On paper, this should have been perfect for me. But between the overuse of cliches and a cast of unlikeable characters, I struggled to stay invested. The influencer angle was interesting, and the social commentary had potential, but it often felt more forced than insightful.

That said, I think readers who enjoy fast-paced, drama-filled thrillers with over-the-top twists might have a better time with this one. It reads quickly, and there’s certainly no shortage of secrets and betrayals. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Picture And Then There Were None, but make the island tropical, modern, and switch the cast to all influencers, and you have this book. It is a YA book, and I am an elder millennial, so the language used in the book took some getting used to for me. I thought it was an interesting take on the locked room thriller genre, and I liked the commentary on influencer culture, white privilege, and gender dynamics.  I kept confusing all of the characters in the early chapters (there were so many), but eventually, I was able to mostly keep them straight. Although I didn't love this book and thought it was probably a bit drawn out, I still enjoyed it overall. 3.5 stars

People to Follow by Olivia Worley offers a timely look at influencer culture, blending mystery with social commentary. The premise—social media stars trapped together under suspicious circumstances—has all the makings of a gripping thriller.

However, while the setup is intriguing, the execution falls short. The pacing drags in places, the characters feel more like stereotypes than fully developed people, and the twists lack the punch needed to keep the suspense high. Though the commentary on the dark side of internet fame is thought-provoking, it often gets lost in predictable plot turns.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of People to Follow by Olivia Worley in exchange for my honest review and opinions. I found this to be an entertaining book (YA) which didn't really bother me. Loved all the crazy twists and turns that kept my interest all the way to the very last page. Fun read!

The cover of this book is perfection. I really don’t care for books written with influencers are the main characters. It always feels like a copy & paste. This reminded me of The Island by Natasha Preston. It was just ok for me.

Super fun YA thriller. As an And Then There Were None fan, this absolutely held up! Worley did a great job at capturing the gen-z/influencer essence and voice.

Fun and juicy, with a lot of brains and wit for a YA novel! Olivia Worley has a little something to say about our modern influencer culture, and she has fun doing it in People To Follow. I likewise had fun reading about the characters and their various secrets as they filmed a reality show that turned deadly. This is Traitors meets Survivor meets murder. An Instagram-worthy guilty pleasure with some interesting and valid points to make about our culture.

Influencers are the perfect subjects for a thriller because they're all so deeply annoying. The ones in this book are teens, so I wasn't actively wishing death on them or anything, but--yeah. We have what is basically And Then There Were None where the characters stuck on an island together are all social media stars. There are so many of them that I had a hard time differentiating the characters until 3 or 4 chapters in, but eventually I got hooked. Not a book I'll read twice (or admit to many people I read at all) but this was a fun YA thriller.

People To Follow is the exact kind of mystery I was looking for. I adore reality tv competitions, murder mysteries and teen dramas so this was an exquisite mix of everything I needed! This is the first Olivia Worley book I have read and I know that after joining her on the bloody twists and turns of People it will not be the last!

this was different than any other thriller/mystery i’ve read before. the overall idea and aspects of the book were a bit cringe but for a younger audience (which this is intended for) i think it is a lot of fun!

I usually don’t enjoy YA thriller/mysteries but this one pleasantly surprised me.

The life of an influencer is something I could never want. Especially if it results in a situation like this book. Honestly as much as this was a thriller, it was eye opening as I’m sure shady things go on in influencer culture everyday. The characters I this were so intertwined and connected it made guessing the ending really tough. I will say I binged the audio because of the multiple narrators.

This book offers a fast-paced and engaging story that fans of teen drama and mystery will likely enjoy. Its resemblance to And Then There Were None adds an intriguing element to the plot, creating a sense of suspense and curiosity. The story moves quickly, making it an easy and fun read, perfect for those looking for something light yet entertaining.

That said, the plot itself feels a bit rushed at times, with some points lacking significance. While the large cast of characters added complexity, it also made it challenging to keep track of everyone. A few characters stood out with solid development and compelling arcs, though others felt flat or intentionally irritating. The frequent point-of-view switches occasionally disrupted the flow but also kept the narrative dynamic.

The island setting provided a suitable backdrop for the story, though it didn’t leave a particularly lasting impression. The book had a "reality TV gone wrong" vibe that, while occasionally tedious, adds to its charm for readers who enjoy high-stakes drama.

Overall, this book may not be groundbreaking, but it’s a fun, quick read with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages. It’s an ideal pick for younger readers or anyone seeking an entertaining escape into a suspenseful teen drama.

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?