3.5 stars-I was a huge fan of Imposter, the author’s first novel. This one did not hit the same notes for me. The plot had promise and seemed interesting, but in the end was just ok. I did not particularly like the characters or how they acted, and (I’m sorry if I offend anyone with this comment) but who would be okay will being called girl? So many times, Megan girl….over and over. That was just barf for me. The ending was again, just ok. Overall, just meh for me. Still not giving up on the author…Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will ready anything by Bradeigh Godfrey. Just like her book last year, I also read this one in a day. She pulls you in with her writing from the beginning. I just got done watching The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV after reading that book last year and this gave me the same vibes which make me so happy. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend!!!

Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️An unputdownable thriller about a popular social media influencer, known for sharing her life with the world, and her marriage to a recluse and private single dad who likes to live off the grid and is hiding a secret past.

You will start off thinking the story is predictable, but half way or so through you will second guess everything! I loved the pacing and how the book was told through multiple POVs. This built a great narrative and allowed for many twists. The social media part felt all too real and is definitely a growing theme with newer psychological thrillers (e.g., Dark Corner, The Personal Assistant), but Bradeigh added a unique angle to it to make the story stand out. I will say I was looking for a bit more answers at the end with one big reveal, but I loved how the other two narratives closed out! Overall, a really great summer binge and strong follow up to Imposter.

Read if you like:
-Psychological thrillers
-Social media/ IG influencers
-Multiple POVs
-Cat and mouse stories

Thank you Blackstone and Bradeigh for the ARC! Pub 8/29/23

4.5 stars

Synopsis: Molly Sullivan is a 31 year old influencer. She built her platform being a single mom who was navigating dating. Newly engaged, she shares a photo of her new fiancé, Scott, and is caught off guard by his negative reaction. To keep the peace, she removes the post and assures Scott that he and his 10 year old daughter will stay out of the media spotlight. As we know, once something is on the internet, though, it is never really gone (even if you've deleted it). Liv Barrett sees this picture during its brief appearance on Molly's page and is certain that he's the man who killed her sister and kidnapped her infant niece nine years ago. The police are skeptical, so Liv inserts herself into Molly's world, hoping to gather evidence against her fiancé. Soon Molly learns that her husband has deeply buried secrets, and someone seems to be watching her...

Thoughts: Bradeigh is extremely talented at sucking me into her thrillers. From the first page, I was hooked. Her background as a physician adds to the story, and I liked the shifting perspectives and integration of social media. At less than 300 pages, I felt that the ending seemed a bit rushed, and I wonder if an additional 50 pages would have allowed for more time and room to reach a resolution. Still, this was a totally bingy read that would make for an excellent poolside escape.

Molly is an Instagram sensation with thousands of followers. She is newly married to a man she truly doesn't know. During her engagement, she posted a pic of her and Scott, her now husband. But, what she doesn't know is that Scott is really Sam.

Liv is the sister of Kristina, whom is the mother of Gabriela (Ella), whom is the daughter of Sam. (Are you keeping up 😀?)
Kristina was murdered nine years ago butthey haven't found her killer. Sam kidnapped his daughter, ran and disappeared. But why?!!?

Liv saw the pic and knew instantly this was then who killed her sister. She went to where he now lives his life to get justice. HELLO TO DURANGO!
But life isn't what it seems. She befriends Molly to get close to Sam and Gabriela. But plans change.

Hold onto your seat as you dive into this twist. You won't regret it.

A great concept - Molly is a super influencer and has been sharing her entire life with her followers for years. But when she marries a private man and when she posts about the wedding she is shocked by his reaction. Turns out that Scott has a lot of hide as someone from his past sees the posts and begins using them to get close to the new family and to find him. A great cautionary tale about social media and stalking as well as a thriller that will keep you guessing!
#BlackstonePublishing #TheFollowers #BradeighGodfrey

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Bradeigh Godfrey presents both the positive and negative sides of social media as she tells the story of Molly, a social influencer who has used social media to change the trajectory of her life. There are two stories going on in the novel; the story of Molly and the stresses of "living online" within her new marriage and the story of Liv, a migratory physical therapist who is looking for her kidnapped niece. The stories begin to entangle when Liv realizes that Molly's new husband is her sister's ex-boyfriend, who has been off the grid since her sister's murder and niece's kidnapping. Godfrey spins a tangled web as not only Molly and Liv intersect, but those in their orbits are caught in this messy situation. Godfrey is careful to develop the two main characters which allows the reader to be surprised by the supporting cast. She includes many twists and turns to keep the reader engaged in the mystery. Also, Godfrey includes the trolls and the supporters of Molly and their comments in short interludes between the chapters. These interactions help the audience feel the insecurity of Molly, and the difficulty she has trusting her own opinions.

Book Title: The Followers
Author: Bradeigh Godfrey
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: August 29, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 293

Molly Sullivan is a thirty-one year old mother of four year old Chloe and is influencer with two-point-seven million followers; she loves to make post including some things that are very personal. She recently posts a pic of Scott Wander whom she recently married.
Liv is a Physical Therapist who enjoys following Molly. When she sees new husband Scott’s picture, she immediately see that he looks like Sam Howard her sister Kristina’s ex-boyfriend. It is of the belief that Sam murdered her sister ten years ago and took their baby daughter Gabriela,

Liv immediately starts her own investigation.
Story has twists and turns I certainly didn’t expect.
At first, I thought the story was so predictable ~ glad it wasn’t’.

Turned out better than expected,

Want to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for granting me the pleasure of reading this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 29, 2023

This book had me gripped from start to finish. Just when I thought I had figured it all out, I was hit with a twist I didn’t see coming that had me gasping out loud. I can’t wait to read more of Bradeigh’s work.

Wow! I really loved this book. It’s fun to read thrillers that involved social media! I couldn’t put this down and the twist at the end shocked me I had zero clue!!! Will definitely recommend this to friends!!

I enjoyed the thrills and vibes of this book. It was a quick paced easy read with good plot flow. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, especially the 2 very likeable main female characters. I did not see the twist coming and I loved that it was not very predictable. I really enjoyed the different narration changes from the start of the chapters to the message boards and texts. I felt that the ending was realistic and wrapped up well. I loved the incorporation of social media and how it can be both good and bad. This will have you thinking twice about what you put on social media. I will have to check out her first book. Thanks to Bradeigh Godfrey, NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I look forward to reading what Bradeigh writes next!

The Followers
By Bradeigh Godfrey
Pub Date: August 29, 2023
Blackstone
Thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I love the way Godfrey writes. This is a thriller about the influencer culture, parasocial relationships, and the secrets we keep from those we love most.
I did not see the twist coming in this book and I loved it.
Definitely add this to your Must read list.
5 starsc

This is a heart-pounding novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. The author skillfully crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns, ensuring an enthralling reading experience.

The story introduces readers to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. As the plot unfolds, their lives become intertwined in a high-stakes game of danger and deceit. The author expertly maintains a sense of suspense throughout the book, keeping readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to create a palpable atmosphere of tension and unease. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail transport readers into the world of the story, making them feel as if they are right alongside the characters, experiencing the thrilling events firsthand.

I think I need to stop reading mystery thrillers where people who post on social media become targets. I'm one more book like this/Dark Corners/The Last Word away from giving up bookstagramming forever on the fear of death hahah. This book was pretty good! I love a good influencer mom with a significant other with a dark past. It brings me all the drama and excitement I love in either a YA or a reunion mystery/thriller. This book was told from the perspective of the mom who is an influencer, the sister of a deceased who believed the moms husband killed her sister and abducted her niece years earlier, and an unidentified third party. Perhaps my biggest issue with the book was the lack of effort put into the unidentified third party. The quick chapters (like 2 para max) written from their perspective were basically "I'm coming for you". It felt a bit like a cheap prologue where the prologue doesn't add anything but the writing lacks the necessary suspense so a prologue is added so you might feel suspense when you read where otherwise there is none.

Bradeigh Godfrey returns with THE FOLLOWERS, a cat-and-mouse page-turner that will have you reconsidering your own social media footprint. When a popular influencer posts a photo with her brand new husband, she has no idea of his hidden past, or the dangers her post will bring to their doorstep. A chilling and whip-smart look at the dark side of the digital world— absolutely binge-worthy.

Molly is an influencer in love....she is so used to sharing her personal life that a photo of very private fiance is no issue. Until it is. Scott is running from a past decision and now all he loves is at risk.

Liv glimpse's the familiar face in shock. Then she finds Molly....and Scott....and her niece who disappeared at 11 months. Missing from an apartment where her mother was murdered.

Secrets are uncovered and the reader is kept guessing. An enjoyable read that sucked me in.

Absolutely loved this read! It kept me engaged, couldn't put it down. The only note that I had were there being some grammatical errors that took me out of the space of being in the book, but otherwise, phenomenal.

Perfect for thriller fans! I loved the multiple formats and multiple points of view. This one kept me guessing!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this piece!

I absolutely adored The Followers and its sharp take on influencer culture, as well as quite an engaging mystery. I found myself rooting for both Liv and Molly and was constantly intrigued by the twists along the way. Would love to see this as a movie!