While the premise is contemporary and relevant, the novel also explores timeless questions of self-discovery and the search for meaning beyond external validation. Hariri-Kia crafts a compelling narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, making "The Most Famous Girl in the World" a noteworthy exploration of modern identity in the age of the internet. It's a recommended read for those interested in nuanced portrayals of online culture and its impact on individual lives.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of "The Most Famous Girl in the World" by Iman Hariri-Kia. All opinions are my own.

I love this author. Love her tiktoks and her first book so I was super excited for this!! The premise was great and most of the it I really enjoyed but the ending just didn't work for me. I love her writing style though and I cant wait to read her next book!

I really enjoyed this! It kept me turning the pages and interested in what was going to happen. I never saw the twists coming!

In *The Most Famous Girl in the World*, the author crafts a witty and satirical narrative that examines the complexities of fame, guilt, and the unexpected consequences of our actions. Rose Aslani, an ambitious reporter, finds herself spiraling into obsession after the notorious scam artist Poppy Hastings is released from prison. Once a virulent critic of Poppy’s lavish deceptions, Rose now grapples with the fallout of her viral article that inadvertently catapulted Poppy into the limelight.

The plot is both hilarious and engaging, balancing moments of absurdity with deeper themes of accountability and the repercussions of celebrity culture. Rose's character is refreshingly relatable—a first-generation Middle Eastern American navigating her career and personal life while grappling with a mix of guilt and determination. The exploration of her descent into obsession creates compelling tension, as readers are drawn into her quest to expose Poppy's continued deceit.

One quote that stood out to me was: “I’ve created a monster, and now I’m determined to slay it.” This perfectly encapsulates Rose’s internal conflict and her struggle to reconcile her professional ambitions with the moral dilemmas she faces. It's a powerful reminder of how our actions can have far-reaching consequences, often in ways we never anticipated.

The introduction of the rogue FBI agent adds an intriguing layer to the story, as their partnership brings both chemistry and conflict. Their banter is one of the highlights of the narrative, delivering comedic moments that keep the pace lively. A memorable line that exemplifies their dynamic is: “In a world full of grifters, trust no one—not even the guy who looks like he walked off a movie set.”

While the pacing of the novel is generally strong, a few sections felt a tad drawn out, particularly when the narrative repeated details about the fallout from Rose's article. A tighter focus in these areas could enhance the overall momentum of the story. However, the unexpected twists and turns, coupled with sharp humor, ensured that I remained engaged throughout.

Overall, *The Most Famous Girl in the World* is a delightful and thought-provoking satire that calls into question modern society's obsession with fame while providing a thrilling ride filled with unhinged hijinks. I recommend it to readers who enjoy clever commentary on pop culture wrapped in an entertaining package. It’s a clever reminder of the complexities of human ambition and the chaotic landscape of celebrity life.

This book is pure chaos in the best way—The Most Famous Girl in the World reads like if Gone Girl got drunk with The Devil Wears Prada and they decided to ruin the internet together. Iman Hariri-Kia absolutely nails the tone: it’s sharp, unhinged, and somehow both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply cutting about fame, girlboss culture, and how the internet chews people up and spits them out prettier. Rose is a hot mess with a mission, and watching her unravel while trying to take down the woman she accidentally made famous? Chef’s kiss. If you love messy women, media satire, and a little morally gray romance thrown into your takedown of the influencer-industrial complex, you need this on your shelf.

This book doesn’t just tell a story—it creates a whole atmosphere. By the time you reach the end, you’ll realize you’ve been completely absorbed without even noticing. Some books demand attention; this one earns it.

This book was fun and chaotic and addicting. I was dying to know what was happening and who was involved, DESPITE hating the whole Anna Delvey/Elizabeth Holmes scamfluencer angle. I think the glorification of these actually dangerous personalities is SUCH a telling sign that our society is just crumbling... I don't love when a book is overly casual and pop culture infested. Maybe it's because I already consume so much pop culture that I want my books to be like a separation of church and state? That was the one thing about the writing that irked me. BOY IS HARIRI-KIA FUNNY. She knows how to write HUMOR!!!!! I love the friendship between Rose, Steph and Fern. Those were the some of the most real depictions of friendship nowadays that I have seen in writing. THOSE SPICY SCENES. GIRL. I was NOT prepared... I was fully on the public bus, mouth agape, dying to play my own version of Simon Says.... (spoiler, but not really... you could see it from a literal mile away). The pacing was great. I think the mental health and substance abuse angles were very real and depicted well, especially the paranoia and lying that comes with addictions. THAT ENDING????????????????? Yeah, I need a sequel STAT because....wtf.?!?!?!?!?! I need more

Thank you so much for letting me read an ARC of this novel!!! I'm very grateful!!

Rose, a journalist, teams up with FBI agent Simon to bring down the con woman Poppy Hastings, who is suspected of much more than just fraud. The book is darkly humorous and fast-paced, with a shocking twist at the end and a commentary on society's obsession with social media.

Hariri-Kia’s writing is biting—equal parts satirical and self-aware, packed with references to real-life internet culture that make this feel both over-the-top and eerily plausible. Rose is a perfectly unhinged protagonist, spiraling between justified paranoia and self-destructive obsession, making her a compelling mix of relatable and deeply flawed. The dynamic between her and Poppy is deliciously messy, with an enemies-to-obsession energy that keeps you hooked.

While the book leans hard into camp and satire, there’s also something eerily real about its commentary on fame, media, and the way we build up—and tear down—public figures. It’s funny, yes, but also uncomfortably reflective of the way modern internet culture operates.

My only minor critique? Some of the plot twists felt just shy of fully developed, and there were moments where I wanted a bit more depth in Rose’s emotional arc. But honestly, the book is so fun, fast, and full of gasp-worthy moments that it hardly matters.

The Most Famous Girl in the World is an electrifying, razor-sharp novel that perfectly captures the intoxicating highs and devastating lows of fame, identity, and self-worth. Iman Hariri-Kia delivers a deeply compelling story that feels both timely and timeless, drawing readers into the life of a protagonist whose rise to stardom is as thrilling as it is haunting.

The writing is immersive, blending biting social commentary with moments of raw vulnerability. The protagonist’s journey is beautifully layered—equal parts glamorous, heartbreaking, and unflinchingly honest. Hariri-Kia masterfully explores the dark underbelly of celebrity culture, the pressures of public scrutiny, and the personal cost of being idolized by the masses.

What makes this novel truly exceptional is its emotional depth. The relationships—both romantic and platonic—feel authentic and complex, while the protagonist’s inner struggles are rendered with nuance and care. The pacing is pitch-perfect, making it nearly impossible to put down, and the ending lingers long after the final page.

The Most Famous Girl in the World is a must-read—bold, thought-provoking, and utterly unforgettable. A dazzling five-star read!

4 ⭐️

This book was twisty, sarcastic, and perfectly fun in its own way!! Rose was funny and this story hooked me from the first chapter!!!!!

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC!

<i>What the f*ck is this, a rom-com? I thought it was a thriller.</i>
- Rose, our FMC, but also me

Rose Aslani is obsessed with Poppy Hastings, the con artist she exposed who is being released from prison. Life behind bars has only increased Poppy's fame and she's turned into a bit of an "eat the rich" folk hero, lauded by her abilities to scam the wealthy. But Rose suspects (knows!) Poppy is up to something and that her crimes are darker than stealing from the elite. She pairs up with a rogue FBI agent to investigate Poppy and put her back in prison—for good.

This book started as literary fiction, turned into a thriller, and ended up as a rom-com (complete with fake dating!). At no point was it a very good version if any of these. The only throughline was a mess of clichéd writing. I've read enough B-tier rom-coms to know there is an audience for this book, but the marketing was all wrong. Romance is the fifth(!) genre even though it's a (the?) main plotline. It's blurbed as a satire, but it couldn't be further from it. Also, covers do matter! There's a reason why so many reviewers thought this would be literary fiction. There are intentional stylistic choices made for genres that signal to the right readers the books they should pick up.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I'm a sucker for any sort of con artist plot line and The Most Famous Girl in the World is such a fun ride, reminding me of a thinly veiled Anna Delvey story.

I live for pop culture and its place in fiction, and this book delivered something like fan-fic (kind-of), it made me laugh, it made me smile, but it also just made me...exist. I liked it! I didn't love it. I found the characters real, but sometimes over-the-top, but I told myself this is part of how they need to be in this particular setting.

Overall, I recommend for a light read, but I would say there's definitely more out there. It was just--good.

This book is a satirical, witty mix of romance, mystery, and thriller. Rose Aslani, a reporter, is determined to expose the truth behind the woman she made famous—Poppy Hastings, a criminal adored by the public. As Rose digs deeper, her obsession grows, leading her down a spiral of conspiracy.
Rose is blunt, obsessive, and flawed, making her a fascinating, relatable protagonist. Her friends, Steph and Fern, add humor and balance to her intense pursuit of the truth. The ending, though unexpected, fits the story's theme of questioning media truths and works to elevate the plot. If you enjoy dark humor, pop culture, and twists, The Most Famous Girl in the World is a fun and also unpredictable read!

I loved the cover on this book, but was a little disappointed to have access to this post publishing. It did not feel like a priority read book because of the publish date. I saw this book on many shelves.

The storyline was impressive; i really liked how the book started and how the events flowed. I enjoyed main character meeting a FBI agent and the whole romance storyline, even though there were so many moments i skipped. what i mean is - book was loosing its interest by the end of the chapter. whole poppy thing was too long. i didn’t remember any moment from the beginning of the book.

I unfortunately took a little longer than I wanted to finish this book, and that usually isn't a great sign.

The idea was captivating, and I was very interested in the beginning. But throughout the story I started to feel disconnected and a bit bothered by the narrative style, so I lost interest.

It is not bad, but could've been something amazing.

This was,,,WILD!! I joined influencer Eli Rallo's book club, and this was the first book selection. I had been intrigued when it was published last year, but I just never got around to reading it, so I was thrilled for it to be back on my radar. I had a blast reading this and truly flew through it. I can definitely understand why this book is not everyone's cup of tea, but I was pleasantly surprised by it! Is Rose always likable? No, but that's all part of the fun. There's lots of witty moments, even more cringe moments, and surprisingly a lot of heart as the book continues. I wasn't expecting it to turn part romance and part mystery either, so that was fun to discover! I could kind of predict some of the reveals, but I do have to say the ending caught me off guard still. A very juicy book if you're in the mood for women doing bizarre antics and acting psycho (yet still with a redemption arc and a steamy romance) in NYC!!

Thanks to NetGalley, author Iman Hariri-Kia, and Sourcebooks Landmark for a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Iman Hariri-Kia's The Most Famous Girl in the World is a brilliantly crafted coming-of-age story about fame, identity, and self-discovery. With sharp, insightful writing, Hariri-Kia explores the pressures of growing up in the public eye, offering a fresh and poignant perspective on the pursuit of happiness and authenticity. The book is both humorous and deeply moving, capturing the complexities of adolescence and the search for meaning in a world that often values image over substance.

I. like most people, was fascinated by Anna Delvey, so I knew a novel loosely based on her would be one I love. This novel is fast paced, has humorous moments and is a bit campy (the ending!!). It was a great read that had me hooked from start to finish.