Camryn Lane is a high school counselor who is celebrating the release of her first published fiction novel - only to be targeted by an online troll, who moves swiftly from negative reviews and false accusations online to real-life threats and malicious meddling in Lane's personal life.

I wanted to like this book - the writing is solid and well-paced - but it just fell flat for me. Also, I did not like the protagonist; it's hard to root for a character who behaves irrationally and seems immature. Her relationships with her family and friends, the way she spoke to them, and the way she treated them did not evoke sympathy or even empathy.

On a positive note, it was a quick read - I finished it in one night. I do think this will do well with fans of Harding's last novel, The Drowning Woman, and with fans of the currently popular domestic suspense genre... It was just a miss for me. (Yes, I do see the irony of posting a not-so-glowing review for a novel about an author receiving a negative review).

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

Author Robin Harding has yet again written another captivating read that kept me glued to the pages.

For any aspiring writer, Camryn, this would be your dream come true after years of rejection. Her first novel is finally published and what is supposed to be a celebration turns ugly and personal. Who is this mystery reviewer leaving bad reviews that quickly escalates into something personal. For Camryn her emotions get the better of her, doing things out of character.

I enjoyed this book, though I had my suspicions, they would get blocked with the twists that came within the pages. As a devoted guidance couselor Camryn struggles with the accusations. Going through a messy divorce, could it be the ex husband, jealous teachers or friends, students? A quick read with shortish chapters.

I finished this in a day and half. Look for it on shelf’s in a months time.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

I realize that giving a low rating to a book about an author who gets a low rating on her book and then her entire life spirals out of control is… not a great look, but I really struggled to get through this and ended up skimming the last third. I think I just disliked Camryn too much to care? Also, the book within a book was a fun idea, but Burned Orchid or whatever it was called was very much not a good book, and I found it distracting.

Anyway — Loads of other reviewers have LOVED this, and I was kind of an outlier on The Drowning Woman as well, so I think Harding may just not be for me?

I'll read anything Robyn Harding writes. She has a way of taking seemingly everyday people and situations and turning them into frightening or toxic nightmares. Online hate and doxxing is a very timely and scary occurrence and I'm glad she tackles this in her latest. I tore through this and could imagine myself in the same situation. Her terror was very visceral and I felt Camryn Lane's panic come through. The book within a book was clever, although I found myself skimming the "Burnt Orchid" sections to get to the main storyline. Including the book was necessary though to tie everything together. The "who" behind the hatred was not at all what I had guessed. Another standout from Harding!

I love this psychological thriller because of the unreliable narrator and the domestic drama between the main characters. Harding hooks readers from the very beginning and keeps them On their toes the whole time. This one reminded me of Gone Girl with the epic twists and turns. It would make an amazing movie too.

As soon as I saw this was about an author receiving a one star review I was in. If you’re all involved in the bookish community you’ve seen authors get review bombed before and it’s craziness so naturally I was curious how the author would use this as a plot point. She put her own unique spin on it, this was less thriller and more character driven domestic suspense but I liked it. Just don’t expect super exciting and tense pacing, more of a steady build up with lots of sly reveals and secrets. I actually felt sorry for Camryn throughout most of the book, all of the events taking place made her rightfully distrusting of everyone in her life and her loneliness was apparent. The author included sections from Camryn’s book, Burnt Orchid and I’m always down for a book within a book bit of cleverness. The ending did get a little over the top but it was fun so I didn’t truly mind. Overall a fun read and a great option for poolside reading this summer!

This is one of those books that captivated my attention and kept me reading. The premise is great --especially for readers and authors! Camryn Lane's debut novel "Burnt Orchid" has finally been published and she's celebrating with friends and family... then she gets a message that accuses her of using real life stories from her job as a high school counselor and exploiting them in her book. And that's just the beginning of the hate. Her books start getting one-star reviews. Her agent and publisher tell her not to engage with anyone. But of course, Camryn can't help herself and feels the need to defend herself against the haters. Big mistake.

There were so many potential 'haters' in Camryn's life, you don't know who could be doing this to her. She starts suspecting everyone, pushing them away in the process. Soon she will have no one in her life and no one on her side. I really felt for Camryn. She did go a little overboard trying to figure out who was harassing her, but it was still a crazy read.

Doing what we do as reviewers, this book was particularly interesting because we’ve all seen that one bad review or heard about a scandal involving an author sabotaging their own career. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 showcases how this can impact the writer and the potential reasons these things happen at all. Harding can write a mean thriller, that’s for certain. I had no idea who was behind everything because the possible suspects were everywhere and the webs of deceit were large. Camryn was a sympathetic character that I was rooting for the whole time and I was happy to see how the book played out. Another excellent book by Harding!

This was an unputdownable book! Although a touch long and reminded me a bit of "The Series of Unfortunate Events," this book was propulsive and I couldn't stop reading it! I have been a long-time fan of Harding's work, and this one definitely didn't disappoint!

Camryn Lane is a debut author who has written her first novel, but there is an online troll who has written many one-star reviews about her work. Not only that, but it seems they have escalated and want to ruin her real-life relationships as well. Camryn becomes as obsessed to fight the troll, but at what cost will she go to stop them?

3.5 stars!

The Haters by Robyn Harding follows Camryn Lane, a school counselor turned debut author, during the release of her first book. Unfortunately, what should be a joyous moment becomes ruined when she receives an anonymous email accusing her of exploiting her students. This is followed by a barrage of one star reviews as Camryn tries to figure out who is targeting her and how can she salvage her book?

I love books about authors and books that feature other books but unfortunately unlike a lot of other reviews, this book just didn't work perfectly for me. I think my biggest issue with this book was that Camryn didn't really do anything. She was a very passive participant in the majority of her life, and I spent a lot of this book just hoping she would do something. I also felt like for the reveals and actual plot, the book was a bit too long and could've been cut down.
That being said, it was very fast paced and overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A master of psychological thrillers, Robyn Harding (favorite author) returns following The Drowning Woman (top books of 2023) with her latest electrifying thriller, THE HATERS.

A published debut author and guidance counselor finds herself caught up in a web of hatred and abuse when online trolls begin targeting her new book, career, reputation, and family.

Another knock-out summer sizzler thriller by powerhouse Robyn Harding! A terrifying twisty look of fame, obsession, and the dark recesses of social media.

About...

Camryn is a high school guidance counselor and is so excited about her debut novel, Burnt Orchid. Her favorable New York Times Book Review: "Burnt Orchid is chilling, heart-wrenching, and painfully authentic. Camryn Lane is a brave new voice in fiction."

Burnt Orchid is a story of struggle, redemption, and the desperate lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. The main character, Orchid, was abused and abandoned. She became a criminal and a master manipulator.

However, her excitement about the launch of her debut soon turns into a nightmare of abuse and hatred. Her book has only been out in the world for a short time. She poured her soul into it for almost three years, and it is now sitting on bookshelves.

Camryn, age 44, a high school guidance counselor, writes about her experiences. She is dating a younger guy, Theo and her ex is Adrian. She has a teenage daughter, a best friend, Martha, and her writer's group.

Her excitement soon turns into a terrifying nightmare that threatens to ruin her life. Starting with a one-star review insinuating that Camryn has exploited the traumas of her students as part of the novel.

She cares about young people and will never exploit them. She had steered her story away from real experiences. The hateful, accusatory words snaked into her memory. She is no stranger to abuse, as it is her job to mediate vendettas, break up fights, and soothe disgruntled students.

These insults came from a place of anger—"Mindless garbage." Who is this woman? She contacted PR, and they said that, unfortunately, when you put your work out into the world, not everyone will love it. Should she respond? Her PR should be promoting her book, not dealing with problems and negative feedback.

Everything escalates when she approaches the reviewer. The abuse then multiplies and affects every part of her life. Who is trying to ruin her life? What is their motive? She has no clue whom to trust. How will she escape this nightmare?

My thoughts...

Robyn Harding is an exceptional writer, and I commend her for writing this topical, timely novel. It is a book within a book. It is such a shame that online trolls can make or break books, authors' reputations, incomes, and families and friends after working so hard to get a book published.

The author cleverly explores the underbelly of the book/publishing community and its hatred and abuse. The author brilliantly ratchets up the suspense and tension, keeping you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning to solve this mystery.

Terrifying. Unsettling. Intense. Dark & Twisty!

Razor sharp, THE HATERS is a wild ride—a cautionary tale that cleverly explores the horrific dangers of engaging with online bullies and trolls— a victim of review bombing, online hatred, hacking emails, doxing, cancel culture, and more. Harding expertly captures the menacing and abusive online trolls. SCARY.

Nerve-wracking, insightful, and thought-provoking. Hopefully, this book will make book reviewers think twice about writing hateful and abusive reviews. This is a must-read for book bloggers, readers, authors, content creators, and thriller fans!

Recs...

Fans of Taylor Adams The Last Word (top books of 2023) will devour THE HATERS!

Interview...

Stay tuned for my upcoming July Featured #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Robyn where we go behind this smashing thriller and powerhouse author. (pub day, July 2).

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC for review/interview purposes.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: July 2, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
July 2024 Must-Read Books

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

The Haters was very different than my typical reads. It was a thriller like I am used to, but the aspect of ‘a book within a book’ is different. The Haters is centered around Camryn Lane, a high school counselor who writes a novel. Soon after publishing her novel, she starts to receive bad reviews. The bad reviews start a cascade of dangerous actions and bad decisions.

The book was very odd for me and I found myself extremely annoyed with the characters, but I was compelled to find out who was trying to destroy Camryn, so I kept reading. It was a quick and easy read.

This book was so good and a very interesting plot. This story follows an author who also works as a high school counselor. Her book does very well until someone starts bashing her online and things spiral from there. The book also gives pieces from her book that become relevant later in the ending. The ending was SO GOOD!

Many thanks to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 7/2/24.

I loved that this book was told through the view of an author and what goes through the authors mind when they publish a new book. This was a gripping thriller with short chapters, and I could not wait to see how this was all going to play out. I was definitely surprised by the ending! Authors, book reviewers, and book readers will love this suspenseful thriller!

Camryn Lane should be celebrating the debut of her new book. Instead, she is reading all the negative reviews on the book forum initiated by a reviewer that goes by Ingrid Wandry. Camryn does not know why Ingrid is starting all these rumors and harrasing her about her new book, so Camryn starts to do a little online digging to find out who Ingrid really is, and she could be putting herself and family in danger!

Thank-you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Robyn Harding for the eARC.

I so wanted to like this one, but it was just not for me. I just found the main character so incredibly unlikeable that I genuinely just could not find it in myself to care about her in the least.

I will say, however, that I didn't guess the Big Reveal (I guessed a Little Reveal, but not the Main Reveal), which is honestly quite rare when I read a thriller.

All that being said, I think I know the type of audience that would actually quite enjoy this and know which customers to recommend this to.

The New York Times Book Review has just branded debut author Camryn Lane as a “brave new voice in Fiction”and labeled her novel “Burnt Orchid”, as “chilling, heart wrenching and painfully authentic” (excerpts from the book are included, making this a book within a book)

And, just as Ms. Lane is about to do her first reading, while celebrating with friends and family, an email pings to the author account that her Publisher encouraged her to set up. It feels fortuitous, so she opens it as she is about to step on stage…

BIG MISTAKE

It’s an email from a reader named Ingrid Wandry, accusing her of exploiting the high school students that she counsels in her “day job”-even though the teens in her book are homeless and living on the streets.

After all, aren’t writers always told to “write what you know”?

SOON after-she notices a very articulate and convincing ONE STAR REVIEW on the popular book site- READEM.

The disgruntled reader is ANGRY, and she is getting a lot of attention for her review, which suggests that readers BOYCOTT the book. It appears to be Ingrid again-and soon the TROLL is making the attacks personal.

The site is flooded with one star reviews and the book’s average rating is steadily declining.

Camryn is rattled by the accusations she finds on the site, but her PR team counsels her to NOT engage.

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

As the attacks escalate from online harassment to threats in her personal life, she becomes reckless as she attempts to save her career, and discover the true identity of her accuser.

She doesn’t know who she can trust.

And, this distrust is now jeopardizing her relationships with her daughter, partner, and long time friends.

But, is the troll a random reader-or is it someone she knows? And, why has she been targeted?

Books about “One Star Reviews” are having a moment but this is the BEST one that I have read because the characters are well developed and the relationships felt authentic. I felt Camryn’s anguish as she watched her “life long” dream of becoming an author, coming to end just as it was getting started-helpless to control her own narrative.

The denouement is CLEVER as it ties in Camryn’s book “Burnt Orchid” to her present day struggles, and as it alludes to the kind of book she might write next, if she can salvage her career.

Now, if I were a reviewer on READEM, “Burnt Orchid” would have only earned 3 stars ⭐️ from me-It was ALL TELL, and NO SHOW, and I didn’t find it engaging.

But, Robyn Harding is getting 4.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up for “The Haters”. I was entertained from the first page through the last.

Available July 2, 2024.

Thank You to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

I loved Robyn’s Drowning Woman so I was excited to get to this book! I really enjoyed it, I thought the pacing was great and kept me on the edge of my seat!

The Haters is everything I love in a beach read thriller. It's a fast paced, currently relevant, page-turner.
Camryn is a debut novelist just starting her journey of supporting her freshman work that is gaining accolades. Enter the internet troll that not only gives it a low star rating but seemingly attacks the author for mining her book idea from the high school students she counsels. One of my favorite tropes, book in a book, keeps the chapters fresh and the pages flying by. As the posts become more personal and threatening, Camryn decides she can resolve the problems by appealing to the posters and when that doesn't work, find out who is behind this campaign of cancellation and hate.
Oh and don't get me started on the many characters I loved to hate in this one. Ugh! It wasn't just trying to solve who's behind it all, it's the friends that bail on Camryn, the self-absorbed boyfriend, the evil teenager, those posters that hide behind anonymity. They all kept me engaged and enraged.

I devoured this one in a weekend, sneaking in pages every chance I got. Robyn Harding is now the author I will look to for my first summer read.

Thank you to Novel Suspects and Grand Central Pub for access to an early copy via Netgalley. All opinions are mine.

this was wild! I was glued to my seat and read it very quickly. These teenagers sound absolutely terrifying. I didn't find the side story as necessary or meaningful though? good thriller.

This was my first book by Robyn Harding. I really enjoyed it and the plot was fantastic. The only part that bummed me out was that I predicted the end. I was hoping that I was wrong but it turned out I wasn’t. Really wish there was a bigger twist but all in all I thought it was a great read.