"The Most Famous Girl in the World" offers a captivating and campy narrative inspired by the real-life story of the infamous Anna Delvey, a con artist whose audacious exploits captivated the public imagination. Poppy (book Anna) is release from prison and its wildly more famous than before. Rose, our main lead, is the one who put her in prison with her article. Through a series of events, mostly Rose's obsession with Poppy a whirlwind of event lead to twist and turns that are somewhat expected but just as entertaining. The chaotic environment serves not only to entertain but also to critique societal obsessions with fame and wealth. Overall, this novel is highly recommended for those seeking a quick yet thought-provoking read.

This one had a slow start for me. I found Rose to be exhausting and frustrating as a main character. But over time, I found myself interested in just how obsessed she was with Poppy. Poppy is of course based on the famous true life fake socialite, Anna D. Once Rose met Simon, the book did pick up for me. The ending left me shocked and wanting to read the next one. Because there will be a next one right?!?! 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Most Famous Girl in the World" by Hariri-Kia fell short of my expectations, primarily due to its lack of depth and the difficulty in suspending disbelief. I had anticipated a more literary exploration of para-social relationships and the fickle nature of public opinion, but instead, the plot veered into the absurd, making it hard to take seriously. While it may appeal to fans of books like Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley or Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou, it wasn't quite for me. The initial intrigue of the plot quickly fizzled out, and I was left wishing for a deeper examination of why the protagonist, Rose, is so obsessed with Poppy, the central celebrity figure.

The writing felt overly quirky, and the characters came off as trying too hard, making them feel one-dimensional. Rose’s dysfunction, in particular, grated on me, and while there were moments when the author delved into serious themes in compelling ways, these moments were overshadowed by the chaotic tone of the rest of the book. The ending, unfortunately, only added to my frustration. In the end, this book might be a fun ride for readers looking for something more lighthearted and eccentric, but for those expecting a more thoughtful narrative, it may fall flat.

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Most Famous Girl In The World
By Iman Hariri-Kia
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚MY REVIEW:

This satirical, cat-and-mouse, psychological thriller was SUCH a fun read that took me on a wild ride: I laughed out loud, I was intrigued by the ongoing cat-and-mouse chases going on throughout the book, I didn't expect the spicy scenes in the middle, and the twists kept on twisting for the whole read.

First, this has the absolute BEST first line I've ever read in any book, and it'll be tough to find a better first line... EVER. #iykyk 😂😂

Second, there is just something compelling for me when there's an unreliable narrator in a cat-and-mouse thriller. The suspense levels rise and the uncertainty creates a sense of feeling riveted that keeps me reading page after page as quickly as I can.

Third, I really enjoyed the perspectives and plotlines being told by our twenty-something-year-old main characters. The satirical views of social media and society's glorification of influencers - sometimes for all the wrong reasons - were really enjoyable storylines, especially since they were interwoven into the framework of news outlets and interactions with federal & international law enforcement agencies.

And lastly...THAT ENDING THOUGH. What in the actual hell?! You won't find spoilers in my reviews, friends, but I can say there was a massive twist that I did NOT see coming!! 😳😳 If you have read this book, please DM me so I can process this ending with you for a minute. (No spoilers in the comments, please!)...I mean it when I say this: I. WAS. SHOOK. #sendabookbuddy

I really enjoyed this story! If you're a fan of thrillers with cat-and-mouse vibes, unreliable narrators, social media influencers, and crazy endings...you're sure to be a fan of this book too. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I'll be pondering that ending for a while...🤯🤯🤯

#TheMostFamousGirlInTheWorld #ImanHariraKia #SourcebooksLandmark #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #satire #catandmousethriller #thrilleraddict #satiricalthriller #thrillerlover #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs

Can we just have a moment for this cover?! I did it for the cover and I'm sure I'm not alone.

For fans of Inventing Anna and Cover Story, The Most Famous Girl in The World is about another high society con artist- except this story is told from the perspective of the journalist who exposed and then became obsessed with her. Oh, and no one in this story is stable.

Rose is the first person to realize what Poppy Hastings really is and makes it her mission to expose her. When Poppy is caught and arrested for her fraud, Rose ends up sensationalizing Poppy and turns her into a celebrity that people are rooting for. Rose is a woman possessed and she just can't seem to let Poppy go; when she thinks Poppy is committing more serious crimes, Rose makes it her mission to catch Poppy for good, no matter what it costs her.

While I did appreciate the unique take on this ripped from the headlines media plot, I didn't find Rose very likeable AT ALL nor did I think a lot of what transpired was very plausible. In general I don't love when lay people play detective instead of letting the real detectives handle things- this is my pet peeve in books. I also couldn't put my fingers on what genre this was trying to be - maybe like the slapstick version of Cover Story, which fell into Finlay Donovan territory (but in a bad way) where I just didn't know if it was a book about a con artist, a murder mystery or an enemies to lovers romcom. Maybe a rom-con?! Oh, and a spicy rom-con at that- there's a very graphic sex scene with dirty talk that feels like it completely came out of nowhere.

The writing was well done and the plot had promise; though it was whacky, humorous and fast paced, overall this book just wasn't for me, whatever book it was. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I did not finish at 37%. The plot was interesting, but Rose was a really difficult character to root for and ultimately care about.

Unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of this book , I didn’t enjoy the dialogue I felt it was hard to keep my attention.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

{3.75 stars}

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

Have you heard of Anna Delvey? She is a con artist who became a celebrity and went to jail and now is on Dancing with the Stars. This is a fictionalization with a main character Poppy Hastings that is Anna Delvey on steroids. We follow Rose, a budding journalist who was pivotal in taking her down and resulting in her arrest. We join the story as Poppy is getting out of prison and Rose is obsessed with the idea that Poppy is at it again, this time killing off all of the people who contributed to her landing in the clink in the first place. As bodies pile up, Rose and an FBI agent are the only two to connect Poppy to the case. They will do anything to catch her, putting both their careers and lives at risk.

I had a hard time rating this one. I loved the story of Poppy and the insanity of her manipulations - the ending was very surprising, it's worth reading for the last 20%. But Rose was awful and being with her along the way was hard. You struggled to tell if she was an unreliable narrator or an absolute genius with a drug problem and zero self esteem. Either way, it was like watching a train wreck. Also the writing was not for me, it was often crass and amateurish, which I guess is the vibe of GenZ / Alpha but it was off putting at times. I am glad I stuck with it but it was super cringey at times.

Read this if you liked My Friend Anna.

This book was not for me. I struggled really hard to get into it and connect with the MC, but it just felt more as if there should be more showing and less telling with the writing style. I also felt like the pacing was very slow, and at nearly the halfway point I was still waiting for the plot to pick up and something to actually happen that wasn’t the MC finding out about it second hand. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to continue reading and I ended up DNFing it at the 30% mark. If you’re looking for a slow paced thriller then add it to your tbr, but I do not recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my review.

In the novel, protagonist Rose, who had previously unmasked the high society fraudster Poppy Hastings, faces new challenges as Poppy is released from prison. The plot thickens when individuals connected to Rose's initial exposé begin to die under mysterious circumstances, raising questions about Poppy's involvement and the possibility of a deeper conspiracy. Complicating matters is an attractive FBI agent who is also on Poppy's trail. Drawing parallels to the real-life saga of Anna Delvey, the book's timeliness is accentuated by Delvey's upcoming appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars.' The narrative is rife with unexpected developments and a compelling revenge storyline that entices readers. However, the execution of Rose's introspective monologues on identity falls short, seeming contrived rather than organic. The novel does strike a balance between its more explicit elements and the romance, juxtaposed with the outlandish plot and coarse writing style. The conclusion is satisfying, leaving the door open for a sequel that promises to continue this intriguing tale.

Hariri-Kia's sophomore novel serves great promise with mediocre execution. From the beginning, I struggled to adjust to the millennial-style humor and unreliable characters: I was hoping that both would mellow as the story evolved but the writing style especially remained unappealing. I wish this had leaned into the glamour and intrigue suggested by the blurb, however, it transforms into a kitschy rom-com with an over-reliance on contemporary pop culture references. I did enjoy the window into the protagonists life and experience as a second generation Arab-American, but this thoughtful detail wasn't sufficient to counteract the cringey cheesiness of the dialogue and narrative overall.

Ooh! The ending! Cliff hanger! Can’t say I didn’t have my suspicions but still - interesting! This book is a modern satire on pop culture and celebrity culture and is surely not for everyone. But the writing is genuinely funny at times even when you hate the characters. Overall I enjoyed it!

Our protagonist Rose exposed high society grifter Poppy Hastings two years ago, and now Poppy is getting out of prison. All is not well though because Rose’s sources from her first story start dying….is Poppy to blame? Or is there something more sinister at play? And don’t forget the very conveniently hot FBI agent that’s also investigating Poppy too…

This book takes so much inspiration from Anna Delvey, which makes this book uber relevant given that Delvey is going to be on Dancing with the Stars like WHAT. But anyway this book has a bunch of twists and turns and a delicious revenge plot that keeps you coming back for more. I do not think the author executed well on Rose’s monologues on identity - those parts felt really forced. There’s some smut and some romance but it finds a good balance with the absurdity of the plot and the vulgarity of the writing style. The ending was also well done. This is a good escape and I would probably pick up a sequel to see what happens next!

I DEVOURED this book in 24 hours. I literally could not stop reading it. I had to know if Rose was making it all up or if it really was all connected. This was one of the most beautifully written books I've read in a long time. It was so fast paced with so much happening, but you never felt rushed. This TWIST!!! I cannot stop thinking about this. This was an amazing, relatable story about obsession going to far. But was it really too far? Also, the side plot of sobriety is wonderful. I live to see it in fiction, and such an honest look at it too. This book made this author an instant buy for me.

Obviously based on Anna, I’d thought I’d enjoy this. It seemed to be trying too hard. Too hard to be clever. To hard to be funny. Too hard to be shocking. And so on. But I didn’t find it any of these things. It was filled with unbelievable characters that you really don’t care about. No one can put two thoughts together but we are supposed to believe this game is really being played by some sharp people. There wasn’t a character that was bad but fun to read. I cannot figure out why I bothered to finish it.

This was gooood! I couldn't put it down and really loved the interesting characters. I really enjoyed Iman Hariri-Kia's first book and am so glad I got to read this one too!

Thank you NetGalley and Iman Hariri-Kia!

Woof this book was unrealistic to the point of absurdity at times. The cover was very attractive and the first 50 or so pages had me hooked, however it was all downhill from there. A lot of cringey moments that break the fourth wall or suspension of disbelief, despite the writing being energetic. I didn't know Poppy was inspired by Anna Delvey until mid-way, which I know is timely IRL, but based off the summary I thought this was intended to be lit fic à la My Year of Rest and Relaxation, woman-in-turmoil. I enjoyed the Inventing Anna documentary, but this kind of cat-and-mouse turned rom-com thriller was just not for me. I could not stand the main character and there was little redemption for her throughout the book. The cliff hanger ending was one thing, but the epilogue really buried this book, the editor should have cut it entirely.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! The Most Famous Girl in the World comes out September 17!

This is a new author for me & I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style & found the pacing to be kind of perfect. Rose is a millennial Iranian American who, in her journalism job, finds herself obsessed with exposing socialite Poppy Hastings. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, but was also somehow light & enjoyable while depicted darker topics. While having the anticipatory aspects of a thriller, the author is able to articulate a romance subplot extremely well. This book felt like a tangible story of girl power & friendship in a way that I found to be relatable & touching. Overall, the cat & mouse story kept me on my toes & the relatability of the characters kept me invested. I will say - I don’t want to talk about the ending. :-)

I would rate this book a 3.5

I was given the opportunity to read this book early through NetGalley and Sourcebooks. At first I really enjoyed this book and thought that the prior reviews I read for it were misleading because it was charming, funny, and easy to get into. It also is great for people who are interested in people like Anna Delvey who the main antagonist Poppy is clearly based off. I also really enjoyed Rose as a character and the way she spoke about her assimilation to America and her parents and their relationship in general.

Then as the book progressed it focused mainly on the conspiracy group Dunamis and how everything was linked to them. It got a little cloudy for me there. I think incorporating such a big conspiracy, that also could link back to one that is a present day twist and not flush it out enough was a let down. This could also just be of preference of tying up loose strings for me, I mean it does leave a world open at the end to another book of Rose fighting this group and her unfinished business with Simon.

At first I thought the plot twist of Simon was 1. expected due to the paying attention of the tattoo, and also the specifics of such an off tattoo that I knew it had to mean something and 2. was a let down because he just left, I assume so because why would the group kidnap someone in the FBI that is an informant and take all his clothes. He is most likely running away because of the letter and/or getting to close to Rose. Heck I even thought with her getting her nails done at the end that an engagement was coming and a happy ending.

Overall, my thoughts are that this book was very funny and a light read. I think it does tie together pop culture and the way we idolize celebrities and look down on normal people. I think it could have done without the conspiracy or a lighter dose of it lingering in the air. I also think that the spice parts were extremely well written.

Thank you again to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Rose is a journalist obsessed with Poppy Hastings, an influencer she had a hand in getting sent to jail. Rose wrote an investigative piece that only made Rose more famous. Now that she’s getting out, Rose knows she has committed more crimes and is relentless in her research to figure out what else she has done. This leads to some dangerous situations and even working with the FBI. She won’t stop until she proves that this “influencer” is exposed for who she really is.

This was a fun and addictive read that I couldn’t put down. If you love to read about influencers doing bad things with touch of whodunnit, this one’s for you.

I really wanted to love love this book. And I did in pieces, but without spoiling anything, I could see and guess twists that were going or about to happen. And that was disappointing.