Whoa...So much juicy drama!! I stayed up way too late reading this one because it was twisty and fun, and I could not make myself put it down. You Will Never Be Me follows two "momfluencers", Aspen and Meredith. They were best friends and then once Aspen got more popular than Meredith, they had a big drama-filled falling out. The two of them go to crazy lengths they go to stay relevant and grow their followings. Buckle up for a dark and twisty ride as this one unravels! The characters are very unlikeable, they are spiteful and selfish, but were well developed and perfect for this book. 4.5 solid stars for this one. This is my 4th book from Jesse Sutanto, I really like her writing and she is becoming one of my must-read authors! Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thank you, Berkley, and NetGalley, for an ARC in return for my honest review.

This book was a deep dive into the dark, twisted world of social media influencers. As an avid reader of thrillers, I found this book to be a refreshingly gritty and absorbing tale, much like watching a train wreck you can’t turn away from. The story focused on Meredith and Aspen, two influencers whose friendship crumbles under the weight of jealousy and competition. Meredith, once the mentor, is now overshadowed by Aspen, the rising star. We see themes of envy and betrayal, crafting a narrative that feels both raw and disturbingly real.

The pacing of the book was like a slow-burning fuse leading to an explosive climax. Initially, the story unfolded at a measured pace, allowing us to delve into the complex lives of the characters. But just when you think you have the plot figured out, Sutanto threw in a grenade that leaves you reeling and desperate to keep reading. Meredith and Aspen are not your typical heroines. They are flawed, often unlikeable, and their actions are driven by a mix of insecurity and ambition. This portrayal adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, reminding us that the veneer of social media perfection often hides a far darker reality.

The writing was sharp, cutting through the superficiality of influencer culture to reveal the underlying human drama. The book’s climax, like a well-placed crescendo in a symphony, is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers pondering the true cost of fame. Seriously, this was as compelling as it was unsettling. It’s a cautionary tale about the perils of social media, wrapped in a gripping thriller that will keep you hooked until the very last page.

Influencers, frenemies, and a toxic marriage combine to create an original unputdownable thriller! I loved every unpredictable moment of this tale of influencer obsession and friendship gone wrong. “I'm stalking my best friend. There's no use denying it.” Faking for “the gram” or being “Insta” friendly was a deadly driving force that made this book unique and addictive. I enjoyed getting a glimpse inside the world of creating internet content at any cost for the euphoria of a like and sponsorship. This is the first book I have read by this author but definitely won't be the last. Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for my copy.

I don't pay a lot of attention to influencers, but it was interesting to learn about them (and I have no idea how much of the content in this book was accurate). I've said it before, but this author could write a textbook and I'd devour it! Her thrillers are dark and twisty. I like the early reveal and then the adventure she takes the reader on to see how things will wrap up.

Thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for the eARC for You Will Never Be Me @jesseqsutanto in exchange for an honest review!

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Publication Date:August 20, 2024
Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 How far would you go to exact revenge when you feel wronged? Meredith takes Ryleebelle under her wing…and transforms her into the brand now known as Aspen. Aspen’s job as an influencer has taken over all aspects of her life and it’s as if she has left Meredith in her dust as her followers increase almost exponentially. Is it really stealing her daughter’s iPad if it’s her goddaughter? The morally ambiguous question begins it all (though I’m fairly certain this is not a gray area of morals). A delightfully twisty story unfolds, leaving us all to question where reality ends. You Will Never Be Me is an absolutely gripping read that leaves the reader with just the right amount of unease to keep turning the pages furiously!


Review is posted on Goodreads and final review will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date.

Jesse Sutanto is an amazing author who writes fantastic books in multiple genres.
I loved everything about this intriguing thriller. It’s well written and engaging with great character development.
Always a fan of past/present timelines; Meredith and Aspen’s toxic/dysfunctional relationship was so intense - such shallow/hateful women you love to hate! I learned so much about social media and the cutthroat world of influencers. This novel is SO much more than a thriller; halfway through there’s a jaw-dropping, shocking twist & they just keep coming with a fantastic ending!!Highly recommend to all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

2024 API Month

To all the people out there that hate on my one and two star reviews, and constantly tell me not to read genres I don't like, 1. Fuck you, and 2. This book, and others like it, are reasons why I continue to try genres I don't like.

I notoriously hate domestic thrillers. I hate every character in this book, and yet, loved it fiercely. I was two hours out from finishing last night, thought I'd stop at one, and then I couldn't stop.

Meredith and Aspen are momfluencers in LA. Gag me. I live in LA, and this is the worst kind of influencer, of which there are many. I will keep my green juice. You keep your Live, Laugh, Love sign. No, I don't think your décor is cute. Yes, I'm a hater.

So I've wanted to give Jesse's books another try. I didn't like Dial A for Aunties, because while I don't love cozy mysteries, some work for me. What will never work for me is second chance romance, which was the other category.

I know thrillers are inundated with twists, and I won't say I'm entirely surprised at the way this one turned out, but I loved it all the same. Maybe this won't be new if you only read thrillers. But the touch of Asian Americanness made it all the more palatable to me, as it is usually a very upper middle class white genre.

I’m consistently blown away by Jesse Q. Sutanto. This is yet another book with compelling, imperfect characters that you just need to know more about. It’s kind of rare for characters themselves to be page-turners rather than, or in addition to, plot, but that’s what we have here! I loved the main characters’ complicated friendship, shall we say.

Five stars! I loved this one so much! Jesse Q. Sutanto pulled the rug out from under me w the twists (I want to say more but also spoilers…)
This was a fast read that kept me guessing with each chapter.

The life of an influencer, living their life online and inviting people into every aspect of their personal lives. Meredith is fully of jealousy when Aspen becomes more popular and famous than her. That the thing about social media: people take it way to seriously, and Meredith was proof of that.

This is my first book by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and it won't be my last! Fun, dark, twisty tale of how two social media friends rise and fall in popularity, and the twisted things they do to one another along the way. I loved how the author alternated between past and present, and how we got to really understand WHY the two characters were doing what they were. This felt like a fresh take on toxic friendships and the influencer life--so many books use these as plot points, but this is the first one where I've been riveted.

When rising influencer Meredith takes dowdy outcast Aspen under her wing, she doesn’t expect Aspen’s online popularity to eclipse hers. Eight years later, Aspen has millions of followers as one of the industry’s top momfluencers while Meredith’s star is fading. After an explosive fight, the two former best friends part ways…until Meredith begins stalking Aspen and sabotaging her life.

This book was GREAT! There is a twist at about the halfway mark that pushed it into instant five-star territory for me. The characters are catty in a fun way, which made the book feel a bit like talking to that deliciously gossipy friend who’s a bit of a bad influence. This book was infused with wit without drifting into satire territory. And the ending was flawless! I definitely recommend this for your next creepy read.

You Will Never Be Me follows two momfluencers - Meredith Lee and Aspen Palmer. The two used to be inseparable until Aspen found her niche in social media and outgrew the friendship. When Meredith starts stalking Aspen, it becomes clear nothing will ever be the same for the two.

None of these characters are good people, but their drive and ambition carry the story forward in delicious and toxic ways. The book touches on the difficulties of motherhood, authenticity on social media, cancel culture, jealousy, and friendship. Several moments in the book had me gasping out loud and turning back a few pages to do a double take on what went down. I read the book in one go and couldn’t put it down.

I enjoyed You Will Never Be Me a bit more than Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Dial A for Aunties. Possibly because I’m enjoying thrillers a little more than romance right now. Sutanto definitely nailed it with momfluencers. I really liked how she captured the visuals and text of TikToks, Reels, and other social media.

This book gave me some Killing Eve vibes. And the dynamic between Meredith and Aspen felt a little like June Hayward and Athena Liu’s dynamic in R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface.

I’m still thinking about these characters after finishing the book. I waver a bit with my feelings over how the final act unfolded. While I have mixed feelings about the final chapters (I’m not sure how much I like the ending of the book), the journey getting there was thrilling and a lot of fun.

This book got me out of a reading slump, I was completely hooked from the very first chapter.

Aspen & Meredith have been best friends for years, making their own names as influencers with Meredith acting as a mentor to Aspen. But when Aspen surpasses Meredith, it puts a wrinkle in their relationship.

Told in dual POV, this book will have you completely consumed. I was so confused about who I was rooting for here, and honestly I don’t know that I ever came to a clear conclusion on whose side I was on. I would definitely recommend reading this book!!

A fun page turner that I finished in one day. I also liked the examination of social media culture and influencing.

I absolutely devoured this book and all of the deliciously twisted, catty, and gossipy drama that is so well written and perfectly executed! I had to know what happened next as jaw dropping WTF moments just kept coming faster and faster! I was nervous about the ending but it’s absolute perfection! I’m adding Sutanto to my list of auto buy authors!

A fun twisty story of a toxic friendship and the destructive power of social media. Competitive, manipulative, unreliable and often unlikeable women who use their intelligence and creativity to create power and authenticity. Enjoyed the look at a very different way of life

Meredith, a young and promising influencer, met Aspen at a party and was immediately drawn to her unique qualities. She decided to take Aspen under her wing and offered to help her with her social media platform. As time passed, the two grew to be inseparable, forming a bond closer than sisterhood. However, their friendship was put to the test when Aspen's followers grew exponentially, leaving Meredith feeling resentful and jealous of her friend's success.

The book provides a captivating behind-the-scenes look into friendship, family, and the truth behind social media. It features a cast of characters including a devoted husband, twins, babies, a sister, and an assistant, each with a hidden agenda. As the story unfolds, the character's flaws and struggles are revealed, leading to a surprising and satisfying ending.

I enjoyed reading this book, as it was both smart and witty, with a captivating storyline that kept me engaged from start to finish. It offered a unique and insightful perspective on the world of social media and the challenges that come with it. Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining book.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for this ARC.

Meredith and Aspen are best friends and aspiring social media influencers. Meredith, having the higher numbers of the two, has taken Aspen under her wing, giving her tips on how to succeed. Until one day, Aspen surpasses Meredith's numbers, creating a tension that escalates until a blowout fight finally breaks their bond.

This starts right off the bat with Meredith stalking Aspen with the intention of finally figuring out the secret to her major success while also missing her one and only friend. This was written in an addictive way, and I devoured it. About halfway through, things started feeling redundant and a bit drawn out and I started to wonder if this was the whole book, two women competing to be the top influencer and using any means necessary, no matter the cost. However, shortly after, things took a turn, and it picked right back up. The best part about this was the reality of social media and how it affects those who use it. This obsession many people have to stand out and reach those high numbers. Being a bookstagrammer, this really made me think, but it also left me grateful that I use it solely for one reason and never let it affect me or my family. I think for that reason alone, it deserves the four stars I am giving it.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for this ARC.

This was an instant request once I saw who the author was! I’ve enjoyed most of the books I’ve read by Jesse, so I felt no need to read the summary. And honestly, I encourage you to do the same if it’s not too late. The summary spoils the whole book, it’s like those awful movie trailers that give away the best parts. Hope the publisher sees these complaints from the reviewers and rewrites the summary before the publishing date.

Both main characters, Meredith & Aspen, are influencers and besties. They started out as beauty/fashion influencers. Initially, Meredith was more popular so she showed Aspen the tricks of the trade. But once Aspen got married and started a family, she moved into the mom influencer space and took off, surpassing Meredith. This caused trouble in their friendship.

Overall I liked the pacing of the book but the beginning was a tiny bit slow. I did find myself checking the genre tags on Goodreads to make sure it was a thriller and not a contemporary. But around the 50 percent point… “okay here’s the TWIST! Well not twist but turn in the story? Plot thickens? The juicy part? The OMFG part? Jaw drops? Mouth agape? The shock?” -These were my exact annotations, after this I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down!

Warning, there are no likeable characters in this book. Which isn’t a bad thing, in a way it helps soften the ending. But I would have preferred a different ending, I don’t know what that would have been but something different. The ending felt rushed and I think a few additional chapters would have helped.

This was such a great story. Even though this is set in present time, it took me back to Dramageddon days of the mid to late-2010’s when the YouTube Beauty Community started to implode. Shamefully, I used to eat that stuff up. It was my soap operas lol

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. These are my honest opinions.