As a lifelong victim of diet culture who now knows better, I enjoy books and podcasts that dive into why diets don’t work and why they’re harmful.

Bodies to Die For is a novel that touches on this harm, but that’s not the main focus. This is a murder mystery slash social commentary on the extreme things people are willing to do in the name of being thin — waist trainers, Biggest Loser type competitions with dangerous trainers, consuming untested products that make big claims.

“Fit girls” are getting murdered. Who did it? The two main characters, Gemma and Ashley, alternate POV throughout. Gemma is a former fat girl turned bodybuilder who is hungry and unhappy, and Ashley is a fat woman learning to accept her body but in doing so got mixed up with the wrong people. There are some chapters told from side characters and I liked those the most. Throw in an unhinged client, a creepy stalkerish fan, a jealous competitor, and a domestic terrorist and you get a jam packed story that keeps you guessing.

Despite all that, I didn’t love it. I liked it, and I’m glad I finished but found that the middle dragged. I skimmed some middle sections but by the end was absorbed once again. I also hope the messages of fat acceptance didn’t get overshadowed by the actions of Lydia and her group because they’re important messages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

This thriller debut is so unique and wild! I was hooked from page one and I couldn’t devour it fast enough. This gave insight on what fitness folks deal with on a daily based and let me tell you I don’t have that kind of will power, but it was so moving and inspirational. While there was bread crumbs sprinkled though, my mind was going in ten directions trying to figure out who the killer was and man would I have never figured it out.

I can’t wait to see what Brand comes up with next and I have to thank her so much for getting me an eARC! I highly recommend this book but before you grab it make sure to check out the trigger warning.

****Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing, Lori Brand, and Kaye Publicity for my gifted copies!

I relished every delusional minute of this debut!

"Bodies to Die For" surprised me with its engaging narrative and rich character rivalries. The book's portrayal of the intense world of women's weightlifting, where every ounce counts and the stakes are high, hooked me quickly. The narrative artfully delves into the lives of driven women, bringing to life the cutthroat environment they navigate.

This book is not just a thrilling murder mystery but also a thought-provoking exploration of societal issues. As the search for the killer unfolds, the book delves into topics like diet culture, fat shaming, and infidelity, prompting the reader to reflect on these issues as well.

While the book started a bit slow, it quickly escalated into a whirlwind of chaos and drama that I couldn't get enough of.

Thanks to the author and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to experience this riveting read through ebook and audiobook ARCs provided via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

#BodiesToDieFor #LoriBrand #Debut #BlackstonePublishing

I absolutely loved this book! "Bodies to Die For is a fast paced mystery that dives into the world of Women's Competitive Bodybuilding. This is such a unique concept and unlike any book I've ever read. Issues with weight can be seen all over social media these days! Weight is a hot topic, whether it's fat-shaming, promoting new fad diets, content for weightloss drugs, or fat activists who promote
self-love and body positivity. As someone who has always struggled with my weight, I found parts of this book so relatable! I especially loved the balance between the storyline and social commentary about weight and self-image.
The main characters, Gemma and Ashley, couldn't be more different, but are equally relatable and loveable. Short chapters are mixed with multiple POVs to create this quick paced read that's hard to put down. If you're looking for a beach read or quick summer read that's sure to entertain you, then add this book to your list ASAP.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book officially publishes on 6/11/24!

To me, this book would be a great beach read, as it’s a cozy mystery and is easy to read most of this in one sitting. I would note that this book is definitely more of a mystery than it is a thriller, although the author did throw in a few twists at the end. Giving this one 3 stars mostly because of the ending and the character development. As the story progressed, the two main characters seemed to be almost over the top in their viewpoints. Also, within the last third of the book, readers are introduced to 4 new POVs, which was a little jarring. Overall though, from a cozy mystery lens I definitely enjoyed this one. If you decide to pick this one up please check any relevant trigger warnings before doing so due to the subject matter.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Lori Brand for this ARC.

As a woman, I am bombarded with messages about my body hundreds of times a day. Don’t eat that. Eat this. Don’t wear that. Wear more of that. It’s honestly exhausting, which is why I’m pretty much a hermit.

When I saw that Lori Brand had written a book about fitness influencers, the Olympia (basically the Super Bowl of bodybuilding), and fat activists, I knew I needed to read it.

I absolutely loved that this was a thriller combined with social commentary about weight, self-worth, and self-image. Both Gemma and Ashley, the FMCs, had my heart from the beginning. While vastly different, with one being a fitness influencer and the other being sucked into a Fat Activist cult, both women were struggling with where they fit into the world that has so many opinions about women’s bodies.

Overall, this was a very quick read for me. Brand did an excellent job of combining short chapters with multiple POVs, giving me a full picture of what was happening in each character’s life. As soon as the first fitness influencer was murdered, the tension skyrocketed, and I certainly was pointing fingers at multiple suspects.

Similar to how Gemma propels herself toward the Olympia stage, the pace barrels forward until the ending, which will leave you satisfied.

I absolutely loved how Brand combined important social issues with a whodunnit. If you like thrillers, short chapters, and a quick pace, make sure to pick this one up!

Get ready my friends. Pub day for this beauty is 6-11-24!
Author Lori Brand has knocked this one out of the park. This one is set around the fitness industry, body building and bikini contests. The work that goes into eating, workouts and competition is all in here. Social media can be deceiving and once you enter this cut throat world of competition, can you ever leave? I love this as a thriller, but there are so many underlying issues in this book that are real. For example, what social media tell you v. how you feel; social media posts v. real life; how women feel about themselves and what is expected (I could go on) This is a cutthroat thriller that explores the dark side of body building and women’s competition. I think this would make a great summer read, a buddy ready and a book club read for sure!
Brief Summary-
This psychological thriller centers around Gemma who was once “over weight” and now is now competing in a bikini competition. You follow Gemma as she gets ready for her completion but she can’t get “fat Gemma” out of head and she thinks “Fat Gemma” is going to ruin her chances to win. But when all the other fit models are being murder around her, Gemma fears she might be next.

Content Warnings
Eating Disorders
Fat Shaming
Binging & Purging
Stalking
Things I love
Multiple POV’s
Women Behaving badly – and totally unhinged
Competitio
True facts about those who compete

A unique thriller that immerses you in the world of women's bodybuilding. Fascinating insider details bring the story to life. This is a highly entertaining summer read that asks nuanced questions about the battle over how women should look and feel about their own bodies.

Read if you like:
😏 Satire
🏋️ Fitness Competitions
🤳🏻 Social Media Influencers
👯‍♀️ Social Commentary about Women
#️⃣ Numerous POV

What I appreciated the most was the social commentary that looked at the way women are pinned against each other from breaking down and commenting on others appearances, what they wear, eat, don’t eat, weigh, or don’t weigh because that truly provided an important message in this day and age of social media comparison and commentary about women, their choices, and their bodies.

I feel like in general, this is a book you have to suspend your belief for and acknowledge that it has a slower burn pace, but if you are good with those things, then I think you will enjoy this, especially if you enjoy satire along with a very serious topic.

All in all, I really appreciated what this author did, especially as someone who grew up in the age of The Biggest Loser and was in middle school when MySpace rankings of your friends and then Facebook came online which caused a greater perpetuation of the way that women, their worth, and value are evaluated based on their weight and outward appearance.

Thank you so much to Blackstone for my ALC & ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone, and Ms. Brand for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This is the second book I've read this month that was a complete surprise, a departure from the norm.

Who would expect a suspense/murder mystery/thriller set in the worlds of female competitive body building, fitness influencers, and "fat pride" activists? I really enjoyed the two main characters, Ashley and Gemma. There are a number of great supporting characters but Ashley, the plus-size digital systems engineer who's tired of the relentless pressure and judgment, and Gemma, the bodybuilder who is just as tired and pressured, are absolutely terrific. Someone is killing "Fit Girls" - but who? Craig, the owner of a fitness products company who is too good to be true? Rick, the bodybuilding coach who may or may not have bludgeoned someone almost to death for quitting his team? Anita, the conniving bodybuilding contestant who's in it to win it? Lydia, the fat revolution leader who despises "diet culture sluts" and will stop at nothing to bring them all down? Andrew, the cyberstalker, or Kylie, the needy, unhinged client?

You know right at the building that someone dies, and the buildup to WHO and HOW and WHY, etc, etc, is gripping. POV alternates between main characters Ashley and Gemma, occasionally detouring to side characters to build tension. The dialogue is snappy and the plot is tense: Gemma's inner turmoil, especially, is gripping.

What really grabbed me, though, was the thoughtfully depicted clashing arguments between the "Fit Girls" and the "Fat Activists". Quite clearly the author gave her characters' viewpoints a lot of thought and consideration and they seem fairly represented. It seemed to clear to me how both sides could come to their respective conclusions and viewpoints. Not something you usually expect in a suspense/thriller.

I also enjoyed the author's clear expertise in the behind-the-scenes world of female competitive bodybuilding. Not an activity for me but it's obvious that blood, sweat and tears go into it. I googled "female bodybuilding competitors" and yes, after looking at a few pictures I can just envision all the permanently stained hotel towels post spray-tan. x_X

Very much enjoyed this one. Like the Swarovski bikinis Gemma wears in competition, it's a little over the top, but it's a LOT of fun.

Gemma is an influencer known for her body transformation. Online, she shows her happy marriage, her perfect body, and her business helping others achieve the same weight loss goals she did. In real life, she's struggling with the competitive world of bodybuilding and that voice of fat Gemma that's constantly in the back of her head. Ashley is a software engineer who has tried all kinds of diets and exercises. She's tired of the pressures that society places on everyone to be skinny to be considered healthy and pretty. She ends up getting mixed up with a group of Fat Activists who fight back against Diet Culture. Soon, Gemma's bodybuilding and fitness friends are turning up dead. Will she be next?

Bodies To Die For is a fast-paced murder mystery set in the world of female body building. It follows Gemma, a body builder and influencer, who motivates others in their weight loss journey but also gets shamed by fat activists. Then there's Ashley, who's struggled with her weight all her life and is tired of being fat shamed by everyone around her. She decides not to take it anymore and join a fat activist group, and promote body positivity. These two women's lives tangle, a murderer starts killing Gemma's bodybuilding friends, and things start to get wild and crazy! I wasn't quite sure where this one was going and didn't have this one figured out at all. I loved every single minute of it. I especially love the fact that this book promotes body positivity no matter what shape or size you are!

3.5 stars.

I almost ran from this book. The blurb of this book sounded like that damn book that I should have never read or reviewed. (view spoiler)
I'm glad I read this one because it was actually good.

Gemma is obsessed with her body, exercise and what she eats. She wants to be Ms. Olympia. I never even knew what Ms. Olympia is then I watched a "Mean Girl Murders" on ID and there it was. Who knew?
Then you have contestants starting to get murdered.

Lots of characters have chapters dedicated to them in this book but it did seem to flow well. The reality between the "fat activists" and the skinny girls seemed realistic and there are so many villains' that I was wanting them all to go down.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

I liked this book. It’s a pretty good thriller but it also touches on themes that are so very important to me, personally.

I am an overweight girly that lost 60 lbs and then gained it back having two babies back to back. So I know how it feels to have to “put your inner fat girl in a cage”, and the feeling that the world determines your worth by the size of your body. This book did a great job tackling body shaming, from both sides, and the toxicity around the entire conversation on social media, and I just really enjoyed those themes.

As for the thriller aspect of this book, I thought it was just okay. There were a lot of characters and a lot was going on, and it all got a little convoluted for me.

Overall, this was a good thriller. The body positivity storyline really carried this one for me, and it is what will set it apart other thrillers.

4.5 stars
I was worried I wouldn’t like a book about diet culture. Oddly enough, I was hooked quickly. It was relatable (no matter your experiences with weight) and had an exciting mystery with murder. I was impressed with Brand for taking such a sensitive subject matter and making it relatable and inspiring while also entertaining the hell out of me.

The mystery involved the diet culture and it’s ruthlessness. There were those that were for it but also those that were against it. Sabotage was not out of the question. Both Ashley and Gemma found themselves over their heads in situations that were out of control on opposite ends of the culture. As the story unfolded, the layers to each character were peeled away revealing the person underneath. This! I love self-discovery in a book. There was something so raw and hopeful with these characters. With quotes such as, “Could I be a warrior?’ and “You don’t fight because you’re strong. You’re strong because you fight.” it was easy to sense both the pressure from society but also the fighter within.

And that end? Fabulous. While I had my suspicions, I did not fully guess the twist which was happy while also being exciting. What a great message this one sends to women everywhere. I had many quotes I loved from this one, check my full review on my blog!

Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and NetGalley for the copy!

The book releases June 11, 2024.

Bodies To Die For by Lori Brand is an intriguing psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of fitness culture and body image. The story follows fitness influencer Gemma and software engineer Ashley as their lives intersect in a deadly battle against diet culture.

Brand's narrative offers keen insights into the pressures of social media and the fitness industry. The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists, though some characters feel a bit one-dimensional. The exploration of body image issues and radical activism adds depth to the thriller aspect.

Overall, Bodies To Die For is a thought-provoking read that keeps you engaged, even if it doesn't fully hit the mark in character development and plot cohesion. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a unique twist on societal issues.

“My power’s turned on; starting right now I’ll be strong.I’ll play my fight song. And I don’t really care what nobody else believes - I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me”…

Fitness influencer Gemma has completely transformed herself - not only physically, but she also has a thriving business and a gorgeous husband. But behind the scenes, the cut throat environment of bikini competitions threatens to destroy her. Meanwhile, software engineer Ashley is frustrated with her failed attempts at dieting and a world that wants her to be a certain size. Then Ashley falls into a radical group of activists fighting back in attempts to destroy diet culture. But when Gemma’s top competitor winds up dead, it's clear things have gone too far.

This book surprised me in the best way possible! I was expecting a psychological thriller (which it very much was), but it also was a very eye-opening look at the fitness industry and at body image in general. I think what I enjoyed most is how Lori Brandt showed every possible side of exercise/diet culture; how it change your life for the good (such as when Gemma first got into shape), the bad (when it becomes an obsession), the ugly (how mean people can be to each other, especially women) and even the deadly! I am far from the level of fitness these competitors are in, but as someone who exercises regularly, I really appreciate what exercising brings to my life. It was fascinating to take a look at all aspects of that in this story, including body positivity (in whatever that means to you!)

And at the center of this all, is a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end! Add in a Rocky reference and you have (in my opinion!) the perfect story.

Thank you to Lori Brandt for the ARC and for chatting with me about your “why” for writing this book! It has been my pleasure to read your story and get to know you a bit :) I can’t wait to see what you write next, but I will be first in line :)

And thank you to Blackstone Publishing and my friends at The Pulse. “Bodies to Die For” releases June 11, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

a 4,5⭐️ thriller!

this psychological thriller/murder mystery has truly been a ride. at some points i was doubting if the reveal of the “villain” would shock me but i did not come out of this book disappointed! this book contains so many well done twist and turns that somehow make so much sense when you finally put everything together. i highly recommend reading this one!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BoackstonePublishing for the book #BodiesToDieFor by #LoriBrand. This book opens up your eyes to how bad body shaming is and I loved reading it. It is such an eye opening subject. Gemma has worked hard to get her body in the shape it’s in, only to realize it’s society that needs to change. And to add to it all, someone is murdering some of her body building friends.

This creative whodunnit will leave you feeling strong AF.

A mystery that has a unique storyline, a positive message to accept and love ourselves and each other?! Take all of my money. Lori Brand understood the assignment. I was highly entertained from start to finish.

WOW, if this wasn’t the BIGGEST🖕🏼to society. I. LOVED. IT!

Synopsis: Fitness influencer Gemma has transformed herself from a Before into an After, complete with washboard abs, thriving business, and gorgeous husband. But social media can be deceiving. Offline, the cutthroat world of bikini bodybuilding may just eat her alive. That's if she's not first devoured by the secret nemesis that lurks beneath her polished surface. Ashley is fat and frustrated. Frustrated with failed diets, biased doctors, online trolls, and even her own mother. Until Ashley falls in with a mysterious and radical group of Fat Activists who are fighting back ... She's never felt so alive. She'll do whatever it takes to destroy Diet Culture, and win the approval of her charismatic leader. When Gemma's toughest rival turns up dead, and more fitness girls fall like dominoes, it's beginning to look like the body image war has gone too far.

Review: Bodies to Die For is a thought-provoking story that dives deep into topics such as body shaming, bullying overweight individuals, and the toxicity of present-day social media all while being a fast paced thriller and adding a deep layer of suspense. Lori brilliantly showcased the effects of body shaming on both physical and mental health, highlighting how cruel remarks can kill a person’s self-esteem and lead to long-lasting emotional scars. How else does one become a Fitness Influencer Serial Killer? I specifically enjoyed the nod to how platforms meant to connect people can become battle grounds for negativity, cyberbullying, and unrealistic beauty standards. We’re in 2024, we all get this. The book also covered topics like eating disorders, verbal abuse, show business, and mental illness. This was shown by an alternating POV structure. Overall, Bodies to Die For was powerful and enlightening, embracing difficult topics with honesty. My favorite part of the book was that it took place in Orlando, FL!

Thank you to Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, Lori Brand, and The Pulse for my eARC. Pre-order your copy now!