This was so much fun! It sucked me in and wouldn’t let go! The narration was amazing and the plot was unique. I highly recommend this read. I devoured this and it’s an easy read. I was not bored a single second during this audiobook.

I was a little apprehensive- this thriller warns the readers of the potentially triggering subject - eating disorders. I gave myself grace and decided to stop if it was too much for me…..

It was not - in fact I feel so inspired! Ladies this book speaks loudly and so joyously with such sincerity and truth

Influencer Gemma has transformed herself from the fat “before” to the washboard abs “after”

Meanwhile, Ashley is desperate not to be fat, constantly shamed by media, strangers, even her mother

This lighthearted story is told through multiple POVs over the countdown to the Ms Olympia contest… where the contestants keep turning up dead!

This was such a fun, quick and easy read. I admire how popcorn fun this was, but still managing to capture the many issues and judgements made to women’s’ bodies

I suspected everyone at one point or another of being the serial killer - so many outrageously awful people!

The audiobook was great, and I especially loved Gemma - her intonation was adorable and I loved listening

The slapstick humor worked well and arriving at the competition was thrilling! I loved the twists and the ending made me feel great! This was an awesome inspiring, kickass, light thriller!

Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobook for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

I am glad the Bodies to Die For started with a warning. It was needed. It was on okay storyline, but seemed to tie up too neatly, too quickly.

This story was really unique and different. I appreciated the trigger warning at the beginning, because if someone is struggling with issues around weight or eating disorders, this one would be difficult for sure. I was intrigued by the two extremes, with the one storyline about the fitness influencer, and the other about a heavier woman battling expectations around her body. Despite some of the extremes, I would classify this one as a cozy mystery that still felt fun and light, despite some of the heavier themes.

Interesting to see how Gemma and Ashley's storylines would come together, did not see the reveal coming!

Story reminded me of Miss Congeniality but from the perspective of the contestants, even had the bomb explode at the coronation scene. i enjoyed following Gemma through her journey to independence and acceptance of Fat Gemma, and her shifting relationships with her husband and the guy she was cheating with, all while dealing with a serial killer murdering her fellow beauty contestants and friends.
It was hard to listen to the constant body shaming and disgust for fat bodies (under the guise of "concern for your health!")

Great voicework by Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel. I look forward to more titles by this author!

Thanks NetGalley for the free advanced copy

Thank you to Netgalley, Lori Brand, and Blackstone Publishing-audiobooks for an advance copy of Bodies To Die For in exchange for an honest review. This was a new and refreshing whodunit story that was set in the competitive fitness world. We meet Gemma, who turned herself into a competitive fitness model/competitor who desperately wants to win an upcoming contest. At the same time, we meet Ashley who is overweight and sick & tired of the diet industry and what it stands for. Throughout the story, we meet many other characters who cross paths with our two main characters and somehow may be part of a series of murders that is happening to other fitness models. This one had me questioning every character until the end and I as happy with how the story wrapped up. The narrator has me fully immersed in the story and drew me in from page one. I think this narrator would do a fantastic job keep any listener engaged in the story. This quote is from the goodreads synopsis but it really hits to the core of what this book represented to me so I had to share it. "Bodies to Die For takes a hard look at social media, the $70 billion diet industry, and the war on women's bodies--the wars we wage with each other, and with ourselves." I hope you take a chance on this book and give it a go because it was so so good! This is out now!

I wasn’t too entirely sure how much I would like this book as someone who has been self-conscious about my weight, but I loved it! From the story to the narration, it kept me intrigued, kept me guessing, kept me entertained! I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
I am not sure how I feel about this book this novel was just so so. I found the two main characters just down right annoying mostly just the one over the other. But I found the one to be absolutely hateful, mean and doing absolutely horrible stuff all because she is jealous of people who are body influencers. I listen to about 60% and just found that nothing was happening an the story was still not going anywhere so it was a pass for me. It is a shame because I was really looking forward to this one.

This was such an enjoyable thriller. I loved that it played with themes of body positivity and toxic diet/fitness culture. I am already passionate about these topics but I loved how the author played with these ideas, weaving them brilliantly into a smart, twisty novel.

I would highly recommend this novel to people who are interested in these themes or are simply looking for a fun new novel.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher of the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook. I liked where the book was headed. However, I was left partially unsatisfied. I did not care for the narrator.
The novel shines a small light on the pressures placed by our society for women of all sizes. Sadly, the message gets lost quickly with all of the random commotion coming from the characters.
There were a couple storylines left open, which left me confused. I am on the fence if I would recommend this book.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for the complimentary audio of this book!
 
This book is about exploring the world of fat acceptance, body shaming, fitness, and bodybuilders. Is a psychological thriller/murder that has a lot of twists and turns that will have you guessing until the end when everything comes to light.

It deals with body issues, but it also has a great message about loving how you see yourself.
This was a first for me in reading a book set around the fitness industry, but I think everyone could relate to this book in some way.
 
I like that the setting is in my hometown Orlando.
 
I really like the ending I was very happy for Gemma and Ashley!
 
I enjoyed the audiobook it was told from multiple POVs which I enjoyed. Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel did a great job, and their voices played their parts well.

Bodies To Die For has a lot to say, and the message is important. Unfortunately, the execution of the story fell flat. Short, choppy sentences made me feel like I was hearing a news report instead of listening to a narrative. Also, it was hard to get past the tinniness of Ashley's POV. That's not the author's fault, and maybe it was just my device. Writing a book is a difficult thing to do, so I'm still willing to give the book 3 stars. This one just wasn't for me.

No matter what side you are on fit and fabulous or fat and fabulous, you will defintely be hooked with this new psychological thriller that follows fitness influencer Gemma. Gemma has transformed herself from a Before to an aAfter with an amazing body that most would kill for. This has allowed her to achieve a thriving fitness business and a trophy husband. Gemma has a bikini bodybuilding event coming up where she is expected to come in first. That’s if she’s not killed first by someone who has been targeting other contestants.

Ashley, a talented software engineer, is fat and frustrated. Not because she has tried many diets that have failed, but because the world wants her to shrink. Even her mother is constantly on her to loose weight and find a husband. Ashley falls in with a group of fat activists and feels more confindent and control of her life than ever before. She is finally doing something to fight back the diet culture that is everywhere. That is until they ask her new comrades ask her to break the law.

My thoughts:
I loved the social commentary this book makes with the pressure women feel to look a certain way and on the $70 billion dollar diet industry that profits from women’s insecurities. It also takes a hard look at social media, the dysfunctional relationships among women and ourselves.

None of the characters are entirely likeable but both Gemma and Ashely are fighting for what they believe to be true. Both are strong females and I love the interaction between the two! I recommend adding this to your thriller TBR!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel. This book was so enjoyable, and they did a great job bringing the characters to life. This book had great snark and I absolutely loved it. It was a fun yet gripping suspense mystery, and a social commentary on a very serious subject. Once I got involved, I didn't want to stop listening.
The story is told from two POV. The first main character, we meet is Gemma is a weight loss/health influencer and fitness trainer getting ready for the Bikini Olympia, an annual bodybuilding competition. She’s lost 100 pounds, and documented her journey on Instagram, from a morbidly obese woman to a toned and thin one, through strict diet and exercise. The other is Ashley, a plus-size girl who originally aspired to be like Gemma until she met Lydia, a “fat activist” out to destroy Diet Culture. She soon starts to despise fitness influencers and their unrealistic mentalities. She begins to embrace her body for what it is, eat what she wants, and become a constant thorn in the side of several influencers. She decides to go to the Olympia to protest unrealistic body standards, and that’s when things get crazy. Influencers and weight-loss gurus are being targeted for murder, and both characters are involved with it all.

The story is great, with excellent characters, an original plot and a compelling look at how social media distorts the reality of what a “healthy” body looks like. Is it the larger woman who exercises, is strong and mentally healthy, or the exhausted woman counting macronutrients and working out until she is about to vomit? I loved the plot and the twists it took with the characters and the way the whole story was woven together. It was so much fun to read. I definitely laughed a lot, and at the same time it was pretty thought-provoking on the commentary it laid down. I would definitely recommend this book at a great quick read.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC to review.

I listened to the audiobook of this first, and I was a little disappointed with it. However, I recently received a physical copy of the book and so I reread the last 50 pages or so, and actually had a newfound appreciation for it.
I originally didn't care for many of the characters (straight up hated some of them) and I'm worried it was because of one of the narrators. Some of the characters are probably supposed to be annoying, but the voices made them even more so. (Kylie, Anita, and Andrew were the absolute worst, though.) At least the main characters have a nice transformation arc, so you aren't left hating them. But I definitely felt confused at first because neither Gemma nor Ashley seems to have a healthy relationship with their bodies. Thankfully they eventually get there, but it left me annoyed with them through most of the book.
On to the actual plot and pacing of the book, as this is a thriller and not literary fiction. The whole "fit girl killer" was a fun premise to read about, and I really liked the pacing of the book, as I never lost interest while reading/listening to it. The author did have me going back and forth between a couple possible suspects, so that kept me guessing throughout, too.
Overall, an easy, fun thriller to read.

I loved Bodies To Die For, It had a really beautiful message throughout the story that really resonated with me as a female who sometimes has body image problems that can lower my self confidence. Thank you for your beautiful message in your story!! 😍

I loved this book. It’s a Thriller set in the world of Professional Bodybuilding and it was fascinating! People are dying around them and everyone is wondering who is next! Definitely recommend!

Certainly! Here’s a neutral but slightly unsatisfied review for "Bodies to Die For" by Lori Brand:

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"Bodies to Die For" by Lori Brand offers an intriguing premise with potential for a gripping narrative. The storyline, centered around the dark world of body image obsession and the lengths to which some will go to achieve the perfect physique, is both timely and relevant.

However, the execution falls somewhat short of the mark. The character development feels a bit superficial, making it challenging to fully invest in their journeys. Additionally, the pacing is uneven, with certain sections dragging while others rush through key plot points.

While the book does have its moments of suspense and insight, it ultimately leaves the reader wanting more depth and cohesion. For those interested in the subject matter, it might still be worth a read, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking a thoroughly engaging thriller.

#bodiestodiefir

4 stars

Okay, this is an interesting book. It's not what I'd really classify as a "thriller," but more of a popcorn thriller or a murder mystery. It's also quite humorous. I have no idea if the world of ladies bodybuilding is like this (I doubt it's an accurate depiction), but I can see it now in my head.

I was shaking my head in disbelief over the true-to-life sections, but also because I just kept thinking of the Real Housewives while reading this book. This book and the women in it make those women look like lap kitties.

The social commentary undertones of this book with regards to health v. weight and self-worth are spot on. I really enjoyed the witty way Lori made her point without making it obvious as to what exactly her point is.

There are multiple POVs in this so at first it was hard to keep each of the terrible women straight, but it got to be really easy as the story went on. We get to see both sides of the argument and most of the characters I loved to hate. As they got killed off the tension rose in the story and not knowing who or where or why was killing me. I'd formulate theories and they'd be ruined juts to be possible again. I really enjoyed the journey of this book.

Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel did a fantastic job bringing this characters to life. The writing made them fully formed, but the narrators really did their jobs either making them loveable or hate able.

Thank you, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC.

Diet culture is often a taboo topic for millennials like myself. We grew up entrenched in finding the next best fad and inundated with photoshopped magazine ads that only serve to create an unhealthy dose of body dysmorphia. It goes without saying that this novel piqued my interest immediately. Added bonus of a few murders, radical fat activists, and some pretty deranged stalkers and I was hooked.

Gemma has literally remade her life along with her body. Her new life is bright and shiny and literally available for anyone to peruse through social media. Previously being overweight, she has an incredibly toxic relationship with her weight and with food. Despite struggling with Imposter Syndrome, she offers online and live coaching to women seeking a healthier lifestyle while training as a contestant in a prestigious body building competition.

Along the way, several other influencers with relationships to Gemma are murdered. Her house is broken into and she feels she is unable to trust her husband, boss, or coach. Throw in an arch nemesis that attempts to sabotage her chance of winning the competition and we have a pretty epic psychological thriller.

The scenes and character switches are set up extremely well. I listened to the audio production and enjoyed both the male and female narrators. The flow is easy to follow as well. My only gripe is Gemma is a bit flat overall as a main character and entirely too naive for the whodunit trope.