I had never hated myself more. Or felt more truly myself.

"Where Are You, Echo Blue?" by Hayley Krischer is a compelling page-turner that explores the dark side of celebrity culture, child stardom, and the obsessive nature of fandom. This smart and juicy read weaves together the lives and perspectives of both celebrity and fan, offering a fresh take on the price of ambition.

The story follows Goldie, an ambitious young journalist whose big break comes when Echo Blue, a famous child star from the nineties, mysteriously disappears just before a highly publicized television event on New Year's Eve, 1999. Goldie, a lifelong fan of Echo, is determined to uncover the truth behind her idol's disappearance. Her investigation takes her deep into Echo's troubled life, filled with parental conflicts, rehab stints, and toxic relationships. As Goldie gets closer to the truth, she begins to question her own role in Echo's downfall.

Krischer alternates between Goldie's frantic search and Echo's tumultuous past, creating a thought-provoking dual narrative. The novel shines in its exploration of the darker aspects of fame and the pressures faced by those who grow up in the spotlight. Echo's story is reminiscent of real-life child stars like Drew Barrymore and Lindsay Lohan, adding a layer of authenticity to her struggles. Goldie's character, though sometimes frustrating in her relentless ambition, is ultimately relatable and human, reflecting the complicated relationship between fans and their idols. Krischer doesn't shy away from highlighting the exploitation and objectification that often accompany fame, making the reader reflect on their own complicity in this culture.

While the ending may feel a bit too conclusive for some, it provides a satisfying resolution to both Echo's and Goldie's arcs. The novel's strength lies in its ability to keep the reader hooked until the very end, blending suspense with emotional depth.

In summary, "Where Are You, Echo Blue?" is a compelling read that offers a nuanced look at the complexities of fame and the cost of ambition. With its sharp prose and well-drawn characters, Hayley Krischer has crafted a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Highly recommended for those interested in stories about the impact of celebrity culture and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for providing an early copy of this book.

Famous child celebrity all grown up, Echo Blue, had disappeared. Goldie, a New York journalist, jumps at her chance to find her and cover the story. Echo shaped her childhood and became important to her through the screen and media.

A very unique read, it takes us into the very real world of celebrity worship. I loved how this has both perspectives, the journalist obsessed with the celebrity and the celebrity herself. They both grew in ways I was not expecting. I found myself really rooting for both of them, despite Goldie’s lack of ethics. She grew on me in the end.

“Fame is a sickness that torments you, like a compulsion that refuses to shut off. Fame isn’t real; it’s a fixation. It’s a need for acceptance and empty love. It’s a weakness, a hole that you can’t stop filling.”

Where Are You, Echo Blue? Comes out 7/16.

Where Are You, Echo Blue? is told in two timelines. In one timeline, we follow Echo Blue, who is the daughter of two celebrities. Her mother is a recluse after having been a child star and her father is busy dating and traveling around the world to film movies, so Echo tries to connect with him by becoming an actor herself. She struggles with growing up in the public eye and having to deal with the paparazzi culture of the 90s. This all leads up to her appearance on New Year's Eve in 1999 where she is doing the countdown, but instead vanishes without a trace. The other half of the story is dedicated to Goldie, a fan of Echo's, and a reporter who decides she's going to be the one to find Echo Blue. Goldie's sections were very chaotic and stressful. She was really irrational at times, which I understand was the point, but it was kind of over the top. She definitely learns her lesson and grows as a character, which was good. I really enjoyed Echo's portions of the book, as it was really interesting to see her trying to connect with the people around her and struggling to do so because she was just a kid. This was definitely an enjoyable read discussing child celebrity and celebrity worship.

Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

4.75 stars- wow! I am surprised that I liked this as much as I did. Engaging, fast paced, and fresh take for a story set in the beginning of the millennium. I loved the dual reverse timelines and felt that the pacing of how and when the story unfolded was perfect and kept me hooked, I was dying to know what happened. I enjoyed the character development and felt that both Goldie and Echo were complex and well developed characters. This story is an effective criticism on parasocial relationships, something I have found myself considering more and more with the advancement of social media, peoples obsession with celebrity, and the feeling that you really know a celebrity in a meaningful way. Really loved it!!!

Thank you, Dutton, for the review copy of Where Are You Echo Blue?

I enjoyed this book a lot once I got further into it. Initially, I found the beginning challenging as the main character, Goldie, felt overly intense. Her fandom and parasocial approach to Echo Blue made me uncomfortable, but I realized this might have been the author’s intention. The book highlights how intense fandom and the pressures surrounding celebrities can be overwhelming, especially for young adults just stepping into adulthood. I applaud the author for creating this discomfort and allowing Goldie to discover that her obsessive focus on Echo Blue was part of the problem that Echo wanted to escape.

The story also delves into other interesting themes, revealing more about Goldie’s interest in Echo Blue and drawing parallels between the two characters. This adds depth to the narrative and reminds readers that behind a celebrity’s life, there is often trauma and hurt that many people can relate to.

This was honestly unlike anything I've read, and I'm still a bit torn on what I think. Some of the tropes:
-Takes place in 2000
-Dual perspective
-Child stars (whose parents were also stars)
-But she grew up and went missing!
-Our other main character wants to find her!
-Celebrity worship
I think the celebrity worship is what made this kind of uncomfortable for me to read; our main character, Goldie, is writing an article about her childhood idol. The idolization she has for Echo is more intense than just a general love, so exploring Goldie's idolatry while she is, too, was interesting, but it did get intense at times. This book explores the roles women have had to play in Hollywood, what it's like to be a legacy actor, the treatment of child actors, and more. I like this and I would recommend it, but I don't think it's for everyone.

This is a well written book, but I didn't think the overall story was very memorable or original. It felt like a retelling of child star Tatum O'Neal turbulent life/upbringing. This is definitely a fun and breezy summer read, but I was hoping for a little depth and substance. This book would've been right up my alley back in my mid-20s, but I've outgrown this genre a long time ago. Which is why I felt the synopsis was misleading. A middle of the road novel. The author has potential, so hopefully her next novel will be a little more daring and unique.

I enjoyed this a lot -- Echo Blue is almost the same age as me in the book so I could understand the context. The author did an amazing job writing dual POV and I was intrigued! I didn't know how it would end but I loved how it did end. If you have ever been a true fan of someone, you will understand this book. I would definitely recommend!

Where Are You, Echo Blue? comes out next week on July 16, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!


I thought of my mother warning me about how pot could be laced with absolutely anything, and I considered vomiting up the cookie, but it had been a while and I wouldn't be able to get it up. I didn't want to go through my whole life thinking everything was dangerous. No, I had to embrace this moment. It was going to be a ticket for my new life. I was going to find Echo. I would charm Jamie Blue. I was going to be on one of those "twenty-three under twenty-three" lists. I was going to go in a hot tub, and I was going to casually interview Jamie Blue just to prove my mother wrong. Spite was a powerful intoxicant.

A page turner told alternately by a celebrity who disappears and the journalist who is hunting for her. Goldie has worshipped Echo Blue since she was a teen- something which caused her no end of problems, but she never knew about Echo's problems. Her problems with her mother, her father Jamie, her life in general-all of which led her to bail on an appearance. It's a story of fathers and daughters, of celebrity, of teen actors, of friendship, of despair, and of fandom. Goldie's plan to find and write about Echo morphs over time and this becomes as much about Goldie as it is about Echo. These are terrific characters, as is Belinda, one of only two people who was kind to Echo, the other being, surprisingly, her agent. Krischer has said she used the bones of Tatum O'Neal's life and yes, those familiar with O'Neal will see, well, echos but she's created a real world here. And kudos to her for thanking O'Neal and other young women (Britney Spears among them). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I enjoyed this very much- great read.

Young journalist Goldie Klein has been a zealous fangirl of child actor Echo Blue ever since her film debut. Goldie has been floundering a bit at work, but when Echo goes missing, Goldie takes her chance and starts to search for Echo. The book alternates between Goldie and Echo, with Echo’s part covering her childhood to adulthood.

I thought this was a pretty entertaining read and I especially liked the sections with Echo. It was interesting to hear about being a child actor. Goldie is pretty unrelenting in her search for echo, and the ending is overall very fulfilling. In some ways, The book remind me of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC.

I love books that explore the ways that fame and fandom impact young women, both in fiction and non-fiction. So I was really looking forward to this book when I learned it was about a young reporter trying to figure out what happened when the starlet Echo Blue mysteriously disappeared on New Year’s Eve right before the turn of the millennium.

This is a fascinating story of both the reporter Goldie and Echo Blue. I loved how the book was exploring Goldie’s fandom and love of Echo while also showing what was really happening with Echo behind the scenes that the general public didn’t see. This is a story of becoming famous at a young age, what it means to grow up in the spotlight, strained parental relationships, feeling lost, obsession, and looking for meaning in the wrong places.

The story alternates between following Goldie as she’s working on her story and flashing back to show Echo’s account of her life. Sometimes in celebrity narratives like these it can be hard to care about the reporter because the famous person’s story is way more fascinating. However, in this book I cared about both plotlines and felt like the author did a good job of balancing the narrative.

I’d definitely recommend this book for people who enjoy stories about young starlets and how Hollywood has treated them unfairly over the years. Or for people who enjoy exploring celebrity obsession and how being a fan impacts people’s lives. It’s a nuanced story full of complicated characters and personal growth.

“Hollywood” is a theme in books I tend to gravitate towards and when I read the synopsis for Where Are You, Echo Blue? My interest was immediately piqued.

I went audio route for this one and really enjoyed it. Dual narrators made Echo (famous child star of the 90s) & Goldie (a young journalist) come to life… it felt like listening to a podcast on my fav celeb. I thought for another Hollywood Story this one gave a unique and fresh perspective to the niche genre. The ending was very satisfying IMO which made up for some of the parts that may have dragged a bit through the middle.

This one would make for a great Bookclub pick… discussions about celebrity worship, women in a male dominated industry and the pressure to always be ON for your fans.

Thank you PRH Audio & Dutton
Releases 7/16

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/

Where Are You, Echo Blue? is a stunning and intricate look into the life of child stars. I loved the way Hayley Krischer was able to weave a story together between child star and journalist in a way that felt so real and trusting.

The story begins when we learn of Echo's disappearance and her impact on the world through the eyes of a super fan turned journalist named Goldie. The immediate intrigue of wanting to know what happened to Echo now makes much more sense as aren't we all a little enthralled by the idea of a missing celebrity?

This novel is brilliantly written as it continues to draw you in as it switches between the real-life of Echo Blue and the surface-level story the rest of the world believes to be true about her life. It might seem like a stereotypical, "Well duh, child stars lives aren't as easy as they seem," but when have we truly put that thought into practice? Where Are You, Echo Blue? takes place during the '90s and yet we continue to treat child stars like animals. Like they are grown adults that we can devour and surround with fame and paparazzi. There is something so beautiful and honest about this book that I have not found in many past celebrity fiction novels. As the past of Echo is revealed and we continue to solve the mystery alongside Goldie, it will be hard for readers to not connect the two in some way. Although they have never met, their stories feel familiar with each other as they both struggle with a father who ruins their mental stability, and are trying to find their true callings.

Goldie is a powerful character as she learns through her search for Echo that she is part of the problem and I think that is a hard thing to admit to yourself. As civilians, we cannot possibly understand the constant pressure of the world when every move you make is public, especially when you are young and in the spotlight. Overall, this is a beautiful and raw look into the world of being celebrity-obsessed, It shows what it does to the celebrity and what it does to the mind of those who create false realities of who these celebrities are and how they fit into our lives.

TW: Domestic Violence, Abusive Parents, Death, grief

A very interesting concept for a story as someone who grew up with celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears in the limelight. I appreciated the non-linear timeline, the idea of following an obsessed journalist, set in the 2000s/but also late 90s, the mystery, and the desire to publish a big, career-breaking story. This story definitely is reminiscent of the vibe of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six, and yet the author makes it her own. The only thing I really didn’t like was the Goldie sex scenes. I think they could’ve been cut and the story would’ve still been the same.

I felt like Goldie was a somewhat unreliable narrator, which is interesting as she is a journalist - definitely flirting with the moral dilemma of ethics while hunting down sources. As a journalist, it was kind of hard to read and not judge her, but I don’t think she’s meant to be a super likable cheater for most of the book.

I had read Hayley Krisher’s YA What Happened to Ali Greenleaf and I see similarities in her writing she carried from her YA to adult debut. Definitely an author to watch!

Thank you to the author, Dutton and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

What is the balance between obsession, celebrity culture, feeling like we know them and simple admiration?

We explore this in Where Are You, Echo Blue. What a totally addicting story!

"A smart, juicy, and page-turning novel about celebrity, fandom, and the price of ambition following a journalist's obsessive search for a missing Hollywood starlet.

When Echo Blue, the most famous child star of the nineties, disappears ahead of a highly publicized television appearance on the eve of the millennium, the salacious theories instantly start swirling. Mostly, people assume Echo has gotten herself in trouble after a reckless New Year's Eve. But Goldie Klein, an ambitious young journalist who also happens to be Echo's biggest fan, knows there must be more to the story. Why, on the eve of her big comeback, would Echo just go missing without a trace?

After a year of covering dreary local stories for Manhattan Eye, Goldie is sure this will be her big break. Who better to find Echo Blue, and tell her story the right way, than her? And so, Goldie heads to L.A. to begin a wild search that takes her deep into Echo's complicated life in which parental strife, friend break ups, rehab stints, and bad romances abound. But the further into Echo's world Goldie gets, the more she questions her own complicity in the young star's demise...yet she cannot tear herself away from this story, which has now consumed her entirely. Meanwhile, we also hear Echo's side of things from the beginning, showing a young woman who was chewed up and spit out by Hollywood as so many are, and who may have had to pay the ultimate price.

As these young women's poignant and unexpected journeys unfold, and eventually meet, Where Are You, Echo Blue? interrogates celebrity culture, the thin line between admiration and obsession, and what it means to tell other peoples' stories, all while ushering us on an unruly ride to find out what did become of Echo Blue."

A fictional yet all to realistic look into what celebrity did to female stars at the turn of the century.

i think this was a really intriguing examination of parasocial relationships and how we as a society view the rich and famous. i liked it but it felt like it was missing something. i just needed a little more intimacy with goldie and echo as characters.

thank you to netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun, nostalgic feeling story. The where is she missing 90s/2000s child actor, very Face on the Milk Carton vibes, Carson Daily. I loved the little bit of mystery and solving along with the main character about what happened to Echo Blue.

Everyone is obsessed with celebrities. We all read People while sitting in a doctor's office. We all take a gander at Page Six during our lunch break. We have to know what Paris, Kim, or Lindsay did today. It's part of the culture. We obsess over these people, we put them on a pedestal, holding them to an unreasonable standard.

Where Are You, Echo Blue by Hayley Krischer is the story of one woman's obsession with Echo Blue, a child star, with celebrity parents. Echo was famous from the day she was born. She started acting at 11, and immediately was a star. She won a Oscar before she even turned 18.

Goldie is a journalist at the turn of the millennium. She's loved Echo Blue for most of her life. In fact, she loved her so much that her parents sent to her to a doctor as her obsession was worrisome.

New Years Eve 1999, Echo is scheduled to appear with Carson Daly. She no-shows and thus restarts Goldie's obsession. She wants to know where Echo is and will not stop until she finds her.
---
Hayley Krischer has written a story of obsession and redemption. Both women are in transitional periods in their life and both need to grow up. They need each other more than they know.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Where Are You, Echo Blue? is almost equal parts entertaining and unsettling. This is not your standard child star goes bad story, there’s more to it than that. I found Goldie’s obsessive search for Echo really interesting but also sad and strange. Was she supposed to be sympathetic or was she supposed to be stalker-lite? Was she trustworthy or crazed? When I finished the book, I wondered about the ending, whether it was actually fair to Echo or not, if it was actually still exploitative. This was well-written and well-paced. I enjoyed it very much and it really made me think. Highly recommend!

My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for an advance reader’s copy.