Since she was an infant, Anuri's very identity has been curated, chronicled and monetised by her parents. Every decision - from what she would wear and how she would style her hair to the interests she would pursue - was made for her in order to cement her brand and delight an anonymous audience of millions. As a teenager, Anuri finally pushed back and broke free of her gilded digital cage, only for her stepmother to create a new star attraction in Anuri's image: her little half-sister Noelle. Anuri is desperate to save her sister from a life lived in front of (and for) an audience before it warps her childhood, amd her family, like it did Anuri's.

The superbly titled Allow Me to Introduce Myself, the second novel by Nigerian-British author Onyi Nwabaneli is a fascinating, nuanced examination of identity and family in the social media age.

At the time of publication, the tide seems to be turning, with more and more 'ordinary' parents - as well as celebrities and content creators - opting not to show their children's faces on social media at all, let alone use them for content. Allow Me to Introduce Myself lets the reader imagine how those children we have all seen being used to shill toys, clothing, beauty products and holidays might one day feel about the content they have been used to create and the parents who milked their chubby cheeks and gap-toothed grins for all they were worth. We might take pause to content we consume (or create) and the context in which it might have originated in. The book also begs the question of who owns the content - the parent who created it or the child who was the subject of it?

The novel explores the potential long-term impact of a childhood like this through Anuri's dysfunctional approach to relationships and friendships. So used is she to being rewarded for perfection and compliance with love and approval, that she can't accept the idea of a love that doesn't need to be earned, instead showering her friends with gifts and extravagant gestures in order to assure herself of their continued devotion. Instead of providing constant, unconditional love, Anuri's parents left her second guessing 'where her parents' love ended and the love of the life she funded began'. This arrested development also extends to Anuri's attitude to her health, as well as any interaction with a new person, so reconciled is she to people meeting her with preconceived ideas of what she will be like. Even her work, making candles and doing hair, reflects a desire to strive for an unattainable perfection.

Nwabaneli doesn't shy away from the implications of Anuri's white stepmother exploiting her Black stepdaughter and mixed-race daughter, adding another facet to the conversation about influencers monetising their children. Anuri remembers being cajoled into performing for the camera with the question "don't you think it's important to show other little girls like you that they're beautiful?" and darkly notes that 'to sacrifice a child on the faux altar of progressiveness was still a sacrifice.'

It is an interesting decision to include chapters from Ophelia's point of view, but it does help to balance the narrative by giving Anuri's nemesis the opportunity to explain her motivation for pushing Anuri - and then Noelle - into the spotlight, a motivation which is tangled up in a difficult childhood and an uncertain marriage. Anuri's father is held accountable to, with Nwabaneli posing questions about the damaging effects of harmful action versus harmful inaction and complicity.

Standing in stark contrast to Anuri's father, Anuri's potential love interest, Christian, and best friend, Loki, are quintessential soft boys, providing a soothing balm to the ubiquitous portrayals of toxic Black masculinity.

An original, timely novel with a gripping storyline and a host of layered, thoughtfully drawn characters, Allow Me to Introduce Myself is a stand-out 2024 release for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli is a sharp, witty, and thought-provoking novel about the pressures of living in the shadow of social media fame. Anuri, the protagonist, has spent her life under the scrutiny of her stepmother Ophelia, a ‘mumfluencer’ who documents every detail of their family life for her vast online following. Now, at twenty-five, Anuri is struggling with a life that appears perfect on the surface but is filled with hidden turmoil—alcoholism, insecurities, and a lack of direction. The novel takes a darkly humorous look at the toxic side of social media, as Anuri attempts to reclaim her own identity and prevent her younger sister from falling into the same trap. Nwabineli’s writing is sharp and insightful, offering a fresh and bold perspective on identity, family, and the illusion of perfection online.

This is such a good look at the effects of putting children in social media limelight. It really makes you think about consent and autonomy for the young children used for content.

This book tackles a subject that I believe to be long overdue and it does so brilliantly.

Anuri moved from Nigeria as a baby, with her father, following the death of her birth mother. Unable to cope with the demands of parenting whilst consumed with grief he relies on help from his sister and Ophelia, a trainee nurse. Ophelia loves Anuri and soon loves Nkem too. They marry. Deciding to post updates on Anuri online, Ophelia sells it to Nkem as a way for Anuri's grandparents to feel connected as they still live in Nigeria. But this soon becomes something much more. Every milestone is documented and her posts are soon monetised.

When Anuri reaches teenage years she refuses to allow her invasion of privacy to continue and this fractures her relationship with her parents.

When Anuri sees the same thing happening with her little sister Noelle, and the effect it's having on her, she sets out to fight Ophelia with legal battles and it will take every ounce of strength she has to not back down. Buoyed by the love and support of her two best friends, Anuri is still deeply affected by her childhood and the feeling that her father chooses his wife over his children's safety.

This book will start debates and ask important questions about online safety. Children don't have control over what their caregivers post, and I often wonder how insidious the effects are on these children.

'Validation and praise could be dangerous and addictive...and when popularity translates into financial returns the drug becomes more potent'.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Fascinating new perspective, meticulous in its detail. This captivating debut skillfully weaves humor, emotion, and relatable characters into a compelling narrative. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery is both poignant and inspiring. Nwabineli's writing is sharp and engaging,

⚠️ CW: Please do check if you like to know these in advance of reading

I've read a few books which have been centred around social media and the impact of its use and sharenting, and if I'm honest, I haven't really enjoyed them. Many of them felt as though the storyline and/or characters lacked depth, which, in turn, meant their message fell flat.

Enter 'Allow Me to Introduce Myself': the exception.

Nwabineli employs such a beautiful writing style in this, with rich language and metaphors that allow readers to really step into the characters’ mindsets and feel the impact of certain words and actions. Honestly, her command of language is just…*chef’s kiss*! I really empathised with the characters' different experiences of grief and had to give myself time to really process what I read sometimes.

Whilst the main perspective is Anuri's, we also get the perspectives of the other characters, which I think works really well. It was good to get some backstory about Nkem's relationships with both Kaneine & Ophelia and I appreciated that Ophelia and Nkem were multifaceted and weren't just fully villainised (they defo get a huge sideeye though 👀).

Even though there is commentary about the dark side of social media and sharenting, findom, and the impact of addiction, this is balanced well with humorous and hopeful moments that help lighten the tone.

One of my favourite things about this book is the display of friendship and positive familial relationships. I loved Anuri’s relationship with her aunt and grandparents, as well as her friendship with Simi and Loki. Through these relationships, Nwabineli shows the importance of having a support network and how having this can provide us with solace, safety and sanctuary, and help pull us back from the edge.

By no means is Anuri perfect, and she can be her own worst enemy at times, but you can't help but root for her anyway and be glad that she’s claiming her power back, whilst trying to protect her sister. AMTIM also acts as a strong reminder that there can be so much more behind some of these final posts.

Synopsis: Every second of Anuri's life has been documented on social media. Now, it's time to take back control.
Anuri's stepmother, Ophelia, is the ultimate 'mumfluencer'. Throughout Anuri's childhood, she catalogued every minute, milestone and carefully curated family outing on social media, cultivating a devoted - and sizeable - following.
Now twenty-five years old, life looks pretty perfect on the outside. Ophelia's fans could be forgiven for wondering why Anuri spends much of her time insulting men online for money, battling the call of alcohol, running from a PhD application, and reminding herself that she is now allowed to choose her own outfits. But when she sees her little sister being pushed down the same rocky path by Ophelia, she decides to take back control. Her stepmother, however, isn't giving up without a fight.

Review: I was in desperate need of a brilliant read, and this absolutely delivered. I soaked up every sentence and was completely enamoured. I’m almost at a loss for words to be honest. It was unique and something we’ve never seen in literature before, but so relevant to technology, influencers, and the ethics of posting a child online.
My sincerest thanks to oneworld publications, magpie books, and onyi nwabineli for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (honestly five stars is not enough!)

An exploration of the dangers of social media, this book delves into the life of Aṅụri, who finds herself in a battle against her stepmother’s excessive use of social media, while she engages with it in ways that many might deem questionable.

This narrative is exceptionally relevant to contemporary times, encapsulating the era of influencers, and the pervasive monetisation of virtually every aspect of life. The story reflects the complexities of navigating a world where social media dominates personal and professional realms, highlighting the often blurred lines between authenticity and performance.

Beyond its examination of social media, the book also tackles profound themes such as grief, love, friendship, therapy, and family dynamics. Aṅụri’s journey is multifaceted, providing a deep look into her struggles and triumphs. The portrayal of her relationship with her grandparents is particularly touching, offering a sense of grounding and continuity amidst the chaos of her digital life. Their wisdom and support are pivotal in her development and coping mechanisms.

The narrative is primarily told from Aṅụri’s perspective, offering an intimate look at her thoughts and feelings. However, including chapters from her father's and stepmother’s viewpoints enriches the story, providing a more rounded understanding of the familial tensions and individual motivations.

These additional perspectives create a more complex and empathetic portrayal of each character, showing that their actions and decisions are influenced by their own experiences and emotions.

Aṅụri’s father offers insight into his challenges and attempts to balance his love for his daughter with his relationship with his new wife. Meanwhile, the stepmother’s chapters reveal her struggles with identity and the pressures of maintaining a perfect image on social media. These perspectives highlight the impact of social media on different generations and relationships, emphasizing that its influence is far-reaching and multifaceted.

Thank you so much to the author - Onyi Nwabineli as well as Camilla at Tandem Collective and the team at One World Publications for running this read-along!

Such an incredible read! At times unnerving, exploring the trauma caused by living our lives through social media, particularly with how children can be so easily exploited by their parents. However, on a lighter note, this book showed the value in chosen family and how important these people are in life.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I was drawn to this book as it's about the child of a mum influencer and examines the impact this has on someone. I feel like we are just coming to the time where the first children of “mummy bloggers” are all grown up and can speak out. I've not read a huge amount about it in real life but this book certainly raises interesting questions.

Anuri is the main character but there are also points of view from her step mother Ophelia and father Nkem which added different aspects to the story. We are able to see the effects of Anuri’s childhood being shared with millions of viewers on her as an adult, now estranged from her parents and focussed on saving her younger sister from the same childhood she had.

I thought it was interesting that Ophelia, despite seeing the outcome with Anuri, would then put her other daughter through the exact same thing.

Whilst I felt the book was overwritten at times with unnecessarily flowery language, and hated some of the things Anuri did (can we talk about how she treated Christian please!), I did enjoy this book and was happy with the ending. I loved Anuri's found family and reading the parts featuring these characters were the most enjoyable for me.

I’ve enjoyed reading this book! It’s an insightful exploration of consent and growing up while being meticulously documented in social media. The narrative delves into the pressures and invasiveness of constant online exposure not just protagonist but also for her little sister. It was quite a compelling read. I must say, i disliked the momfluencer despite reading about her “inner thoughts and feelings”.

I really wanted to love this book and was excited to jump in. The topic is so intriguing and I loved that we got to see it unfold from so many different POV's. Unfortunately, I didn't get on with the writing style. It felt unnecessarily flowery in places making it long winded and I found myself getting lost in what was being said. I had to go back and reread several paragraphs because I forgot what was being talked about. It just got a bit tedious to read and I ended up DNFing.

I wont be reviewing anywhere else as I did not finish it.

*Minor spoilers*

I was such a huge fan of Someday, Maybe, Onyi Nwabineli's first novel and I had high hopes for this novel - and Onyi did not disappoint.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself follows Anuri, a former online child star, whose regular appearance in her stepmother's social media posts helped build her following and fortune. Now an adult, Anuri is partially estranged from her family, and when she sees the same pattern developing with her younger half-sister and her stepmother, she decides she needs to intervene.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was able to cover so many themes including the toxic effects of social media on children, alcoholism, parasocial relationships, and the effects on family relationships when children are seen as a commodity. I really enjoyed the parts of the books that focused on Anuri's friendships with her two best friends; Simi and Loki. I did find it a little harder to really be invested in the love interest character, although that wasn't a huge detractor for me in terms of my interest in the book. It would have also been nicer to delve a little more into the concept of parasocial relationships, although this was slightly touched on the book, but nonetheless, it was a great read.

Thank you to Oneworld and Magpie for the ARC.

"Allow Me To Introduce Myself" follows former child social media star Aṅụrị’s attempt to navigate adulthood on her own terms. The central theme is the potentially damaging impact that placing minors on social media poses. This topical issue is explored with compassion, through the burgeoning conflicts Aṅụrị experiences in the unchartered waters of life outside the incessant microscopes of camera lens’ and online followers.

‘We are less alone amidst imperfection.’

The main character goes through internal struggles which are reflected in her relations with her family, friends, and in business. The central conflict in the novel is between Aṅụrị’s and her step-mother Ophelia. Aṅụrị wants to ensure her young sister Noelle does not fall victim to the same pressures she had to endure, whilst mummy-blogger Ophelia is adamant about maintaining control over her (biological) daughter’s thriving online persona. Father and husband Nkem completes this portrait of a family at a crossroads - he is frustratingly aloof, caught in the midst of the unfolding tension. As the story progresses readers are shown the ways in which parents can obscure internet fame to garner financial gain while harbouring a latent motivation to live vicariously through their children.

Full review available here: https://www.hararebookclub.com/home/allow-me-to-introduce-myself

Allow me to introduce myself'

I loved the premise of this book. It tackled a gray area that is becoming more and more prevalent in our society and I commend the writer's bold choice in addressing this topic.

'Allow me to introduce myself' tells the story of Anuri, as she deals with the aftermath of having her whole life chronicled online by her stepmother Ophelia. The author takes us through Anuri's battle with Ophelia to get all the content taken down, her concern for her little sister, who is now the subject of Ophelia's blog, her inability to lead a normal life, her alcohol addiction and the difficult emotions she has to regulate.

I loved the portrayal of friendship. Anuri's friends, Simi and Loki are her lifeline, and it's beautiful to see friendship centered in a novel the way romantic relationships typically are.

I however feel like the book could have been much better written and edited. The language was unnecessary flowery in some places and it was just tedious to read at some point.

It has a great plot and could have been so much more, but I really struggled with how it was written/ the writer's style.

Overrall, I'll be giving this 3/5. Thanks to the publishers for an ARC.

An interesting novel about mumfluencers and the ethics of using your child's images to sell yourself and your lifestyle (and products). There were some very good points here, I need to stop requesting books about women in their mid-20s dealing with stuff, though; I'd have been more interested if it had all been set when she was a bit younger. A good and powerful new voice in fiction.

And possibly more stars ...

This book absolutely knocked me for six. I'd been reading a few books but this was the one I looked forward to most. Then I got to two thirds through and had to stay up half the night to finish because I couldn't bear not knowing the outcome.

We follow the story of Ańụrị and her step-mother Ophelia. Anuri's birth mother died when she was born and Ophelia, first her nanny then her step-mother had fallen I'm love with the little girl before falling for her father. Yes, wonderful, everything is happy happy.

However we meet Anuri much further down the line. She has rejected both parents and now just wants a relationship with her half-sister Noelle. She is also desperate to rescue her little sister from the pain she has gone through in her formative years.

And why all this pain? Because Ophelia has curated Anuri's image almost since birth and now has a thriving social media mumfluencer presence at the expense of her daughters wellbeing. Anuri wants it all to go away and she doesn't want Noelle to suffer either because it's looking very much to Anuri like Noelle's online presence will be even more profitable.

To add to the distress, her father Nkem only ever backs his wife. In not dealing with the grief of loss he also rejected the child of his late wife. Anuri has lost out all ways.

Thankfully she has good friends, a stubborn nature and a determination to get hers and Noelle's images off the internet for good. It won't be easy and for every thrust she makes, Ophelia parries.

There are dirty tricks galore which all serve to feed in to Anuri's deteriorating mental health. But with the arrival of a cease and desist order at Ophelia's door what will be the outcome of a potential court case?

This book will make you sit up and think about all those "innocent" pictures that are posted. Who owns the right to your image? And what if you are a child? Can you say no? And what happens when you do?

To say I yelled at the parents a lot would be an understatement. This book is horrific in that this is an extreme example but it certainly makes you think about the laws surrounding the use of images - and where they might end up if they are of a small child.

Brilliant. Excellent writing. Gripping story. I'd recommend this to anyone even if you know nothing about social media it still brings up a whole host of parenting, self-esteem, child "abuse" and mental health issues.

Thankyou so very much to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications for the advance review copy.

Anuri’s life until age 14 was spent online. But not voluntarily. Her stepmother has captured every moment and posted regular content, quickly realising she could gain popularity and riches from Anuri’s looks. Because of this the family are now wealthy, live in a beautifully decorated secure home and want for nothing. But then Anuri wanted out. There followed years of bad feeling as she withdrew. But her stepmother was not deterred and used Anuri’s younger sibling instead.
Now Anuri is an adult, living alone, in theory making her own decisions, but is totally unequipped to do so. She is alcohol dependent, in therapy, unable to trust any stranger in case they assume she is her online presence and reliant on her close friends Semi and Loki.
She also wants to protect her sister from experiencing the same as she did growing up, but in order to do so has turned to the law, thus upping the stakes in the family dynamics.
We do get the story from both the stepmother’s and the father’s perspective, the former who is unrepentant, the latter just completely bemused as to how to be a father to 2 young girls and what they need from him. Simi and Loki are wonderful friends and Anuri’s grandparents and aunt are very supportive.
A cautionary, if extreme tale.

Anuri grew up as a child social media star until hitting her teenage years and choosing to live her life away from the lens. As an adult, she had to come to terms with the impact that growing up under public scrutiny has had and continues to have. When she sees her younger sister start to be placed under the same pressures, she decides to put a stop to it once and for all.

This is a really interesting deep dive into the world of social media parental influencers. The main characters are well-drawn and complex, and the writing is engaging.

I did struggle to realize the characters of Ophelia and Noelle in my mind, and I also struggled to relate to Nkem. I didn’t think theee characters were strong enough considering their roles in the book.

With thanks to the publisher for giving me access to this ARC.

A contemporary novel dealing with the impact of objectifying (for commercial purposes) young children in social media, by their parents. The protagonist, Aṅụri is a young woman in her 20s, who struggles with anxiety and depression, resulting from being subjected to just such objectification as a young girl. The breakdown in the relationship between her and her parents, which was her way of setting herself free, continues to haunt her even now. We learn about Aṅụri's life, her friends, her love for her younger sister, and her struggles to deal with loneliness.

Above all, this is one of the most beautifully written books I read in a long time. The author has a magical talent. Some examples: "She watched helplessly as her brother broke into enough pieces to salt the earth", "love was sometimes diluted by speech", "Loki through a wolfish grin in Simi's direction, which bounced off the back of her head and rolled under Aṅụri's sofa", "Aṅụri was not a person to assign meaning to coincidence. What purpose did it serve but to give power to that which was imagined?", "running from yourself requires the kind of stamina that can only be fuelled by self-destruction", "We are less along amidst imperfection", "Arrogance is just another form of confidence and confidence is yet another form of hope, and home [...] could not be easily outstripped", "Her brother was like many men: in possession of an ego that was easily punctured, built around nothing of true value", "To love the tortured was to become tortured yourself", "To approach a thing with trepidation, expecting judgement and instead finding the sweetness of acceptance is to understand a little more how deeply you have been cut and how much longer it will take to see yourself and someone worth adoring".

I enjoyed every moment of reading it, and couldn't let go. The quality of writing was only enhanced by the vivid characters, with their biting dialogue and witty exchanges. The emotional depth and complexity of the protagonists was palpable, making the entire experience gripping and enduring, as well as memorable (though time will tell).

My main issue with this book was the plot. I just found it to be too simplistic - it wasn't bad, but, for such quality of writing, it felt dilutive. Some side plots (especially about Aṅụri and her biological family, and her chosen family - her friends) were captivating, and I could just read more of those. The central narrative, about Aṅụri's dealing with her parents' inability to comprehend the impact of social media presence on young children, felt rather shallow and incredible. Perhaps I'm not close enough to this world myself, but to me it came across as preposterous.

Either way - I'd recommend this book to anyone looking to experience extraordinary writing. Plot aside, this author has such huge potential that it's staggering. I can't wait to read her future work. My rating of 4*, by the way, is a mix of 5 (+) for the form, and 3 for the content.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.