Chiara Shaw is struggling with motherhood. She is exhausted, overwhelmed, and lonely. Her twin and only real friend, Adrianne, is falling deeper into her drug use and barely speaks to Chiara anymore. Chiara wins a trip to an exclusive mommy blogger retreat where she hopes to make real connections with moms who are also just trying to get by.

A year later, Adrianne is grappling with the disappearance of her sister. Chiara went to the Instagram mommy retreat and never came back. Dismissed by Chiara's husband and the police, Adrianne decides to infiltrate the retreat and get answers and proof that Chiara was met with foul play.

Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn is one part thriller and one part social commentary. Quinn expertly captures the darker side of mommy bloggers and the toxic belief systems and behaviors that keep Instagram stars afloat while also relieving the pressure of this reality with humor.

It's no surprise to me that before this book is even published (May 2025) it has already been optioned for a movie and is in production. Follow Me was definitely entertaining, but I did find the pacing to be extremely slow for about 65% of the book. Because the two main characters are not together, we have to be told a lot of information instead of shown. If telling the reader information is not done well it can result in too much exposition which Follow Me seems to suffer from in part. I wish there had been a bit tighter editing to be honest. Overall it was a quick and easy read, especially during some parts where I just skimmed quickly.

Ok, it's time to breathe, actually maybe a breath or two because what did I just read? 🤯🤯

I was expecting a cozy mystery because how can a grown woman of twin boys disappear without no trace? But then the story turned, and I was not expecting this dark tale. I say dark because it was definitely too dark for me—after the murder(s) that took place, I had to stop reading and start doing other things (like scrolling through Facebook) to stop my brain from playing the images/movie-like trance it has conjured.

Like this book was crazy, momfluencer kind of crazy. You'll ask how monfluencers and murders relate, and I'll tell you you definitely have to read this book to actually find out the answers. Before diving into this book, know that there are some heavy themes being discussed in this book, which include: drug addiction, postpartum psychosis, gruesome death(s), blind followership to people with some kind of power, and betrayal.

Characters that you can't even root for—aren't they the best 😈 Welcome to the dark side of the momfluencer community 😈

This was such a great book! I love the genre, and I love the themes of social media, influencers, missing person, mystery, and a bit of creepiness. It was a little bit scary, but also had many funny parts. It was entertaining the whole way through.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

i thought this was an interesting take on the current trend of novels about influencers/featuring influencers in some way. also enjoyed the commentary on motherhood and class. love a bay area set book as well, and love the walnut creek slander LOL.

however, i wasn't super gripped by the plot and most of the side characters felt a bit cartoonish. i get that this is a thriller and social commentary so i'm not expecting super deep characters, but these characters felt unreal to the point of being satirical in a way that i wasn't sure the author intended. additionally, i felt like it was just a bit short so the ending felt unearned. i could see this being a very fun tv show though!

it's more of a 3.5 star read but i will round up to four b/c it was a fun read and interesting concept.

I was intrigued from the tagline “Heathers meets the Stepford Wives” and it does not disappoint. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed the tense atmosphere going on with this. Elizabeth Rose Quinn was able to write a strong concept and enjoyed the way it worked and how the characters worked overall with it. I’m glad I got to read this and thought the cult element worked overall.

Initially uncertain about "Follow Me" due to its unique nature, I found myself captivated and unable to set it aside. Adrienne's character and her journey was great, evoking laughter and empathy throughout. While some parts were predictable, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. A big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Follow Me by debut author E.R. Quinn, published by Thomas & Mercer is an intersting read. It took me a minute to get into the story and connect with the characters, sometime they're too much.
All in all an ok read.
Blurb: After her twin sister, Chiara, goes missing at a mom-fluencer weekend, Adrienne Shaw will find her no matter what it takes. They may have been on the outs, but no one comes for her sister and gets away with it.
It’s been a year, the authorities have no answers, and her brother-in-law is useless in the matter. It’s time for Adrienne to take the case into her own hands. Following in Chiara’s last footsteps, Adrienne goes undercover, infiltrating the same influencer retreat as the last thing she wants to be: an Instamommy.
The remote ranch in Northern California is certainly welcoming—in a cult-adjacent kind of way. A charismatic leader, communal crafts, fixed smiles—and a lot of eyes.

Adrienne’s sister Chiara was last seen at a style summit for Instagram moms. The police believe she fled to Canada to escape her post-partum depression and increasing feeling of isolation trying to raise twins. Her DH (darling husband) believes she got turned around and wrecked her car somewhere. Only Adrienne believes that the women at the style summit might be hiding something sinister behind their perfect Insta posts and claims of CoMOMmunity.

The story has already been optioned for a movie by Amazon MGM (and is published by one of Amazon’s own imprints) and I can definitely see why. The book reads much more cinematic than literary, and some of the elements of the plot I wished were a bit more nuanced, or moments where the main character got a bit too lucky (no, not that way) will lend themselves very well to a movie.

I loved the funny, tongue-in-cheek observations about the scary, crazy, overly perfect moms, as well as a few of the moments of darker humour, like describing a murder scene as a “gorgeous autumnal palette” a la something you’d post on Insta. And characters freaking out about the decor mid-fight.

There are also a few snarky gems scattered throughout, like the following:

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the bitches I cannot change, the strength to punch the ones I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Some character quirks land quite well: a character that doesn’t swear but has hilarious stand-ins, like “Corn nuts!” And another super religious character that disparages Jesus like he’s a downer pal, “Not cool, Jesus.”

There were a few times when it felt like the humour was trying too hard (I get it, it’s hard to write humour, and I definitely have tried too hard to do it in my own book at times). For example, the women all seem to hang out in groups where they share the same first letter in their name. Like Jennifer, Jessica, Jaqueline, and Janelle. And Lauren, Lauren, Lauren, and Laurel. I understand what this is trying to accomplish, but it’s just too far-fetched to land for me.

There are some very sweet, tender moments in this story. I love that the husband (despite Adrienne’s opinion of him) is portrayed as very loving, supportive, and happy to be in a marriage and family with Chiara. So many books seem to feature dirtbag dads, it was nice that this one didn’t.

The author also weaved in some poignant feelings about motherhood, isolation, and the relief and importance of being seen, accepted, and supported by a real community. For a book that transforms into a shitstorm of vengeance, it was surprising, but very well done.

The cringe factor at the style event was portrayed spot-on. I felt like I was at my worst nightmare corporate retreat, forced group activity hell. The fakeness and cutthroat nature hiding behind pretend teamwork was realistic as hell. But I loved how it was tempered with little moments of genuine connection and friendship. Felt very real.

There are a few different POVs in this book, and while I do adore a multi-POV the delivery of this one wasn’t as smooth as others. Chapter 1 is super long in Chiara’s POV, then we get a really short Adrienne chapter, then we’re back with Chiara for a good chunk, and then we’re back with Adrienne for the foreseeable future. At one point we are unexpectedly thrown into the detective assigned to Chiara’s case for a short chapter, but are quickly back with Adrienne. The detective’s POV doesn’t come back until so much later, I started to wonder why the author bothered giving it to me at all.

I prefer the POV to be a bit more back and forth/even OR divided up into parts. To build suspense it could’ve actuallyworked as a bit of a then/now unfolding.

It was an interesting choice to spend so much time with Chiara when we know she becomes a murder victim. Not sure if it was intentional to make us really care about what happened to her, or just to set up the style summit for Adrienne, but it worked out okay.

There really wasn’t a lot of unfolding of the mystery. It is kind of obvious who the main suspects are, and while there is a sort of twist near the end, it wasn’t surprising. But I don’t think that’s the point of this book, so I’m good with it. I enjoyed the absolute carnage for the final act, and the almost Hot Fuzz level of absurdity for the motive as well as the dry wit and satire hidden amongst the blood bath.

The writing itself could benefit from a good editing tidy-up. The copy I received did say it was an uncorrected proof sothat may account for it. My biggest pet peeves were:

Paragraphs that were WAY TOO LONG.
Overuse of the parenthesis to add humour. They’d be much more effective without being enclosed outside of the narrative.
A few confusing moments in the first few chapters where the reader seems to be given information that the character doesn’t have, even though we are firmly in 3rd person limited POV.
Too many filler words. “Finally, actually, suddenly, impossibly, at last, etc.” And one time “actually somehow impossibly” in one sentence.
Too many exclamation points used. If the writing is strong enough I know it’s exciting, you don’t need to tell me!(See what I did there?)
It might have been intentional, but I thought it was super weird that Chiara’s husband was never given a name. Noteven when she was thinking about him. It’s always “her husband.” Just strange.
Once it’s tidied up I think readers will enjoy the casual, easy-to-read voice provided.

I had some issues with the plotting in this one. For a fun, carefree movie, it would work fine, but in a book things tend to stick out a bit more. Novelists don’t get to be as lazy as screenwriters who say “Somehow Palpatine returned.”

For example, the style event is at a private ranch. The year Chiara goes there is wifi and cell service. The year Adrienne goes there is absolutely no cell service anywhere. I’m confused as to how a private residence would block cell service for their property.

Another time two characters lock eyes over a piece of evidence, but they would have absolutely no reason to do so other than for the plot to be moved forward. I would’ve enjoyed a more creative approach to clueing Andrienne in that she was stumbling onto something important.

The way the murder is plotted is also a bit far-fetched. A lure is used, but no explanation is given as to how they would ensure their intended victim finds it and no one else at a packed mom style event.

This also leads to confusion about the layout of the ranch, as it seems like Adrienne has to hike a while from her cabin to find the same location Chiara stumbled upon easily the year before.

There is also an instance where one character uses a pumpkin carving knife to attack another and… let’s just say I’m not sure the knife would be as effective as it’s described. I could be wrong, but it made me wonder, and anything that makes your reader wonder is not a good thing.

Another time a character hides from the group inside a scarecrow form, but I fail to see how this would be effective unless her head was covered in some way. It would be completely obvious her face was a real face.

The timeline is unclear from time to time, for example, skipping over details that would explain where characters were,and even references to how long the missing person case takes.

It also felt a bit unrealistic that Adrienne would have the names and terms for all the interior decorating items at the ranch as she is a very rough around the edges character.

So, overall? A super fun, snarky, biting take on fake online presence and the hell of algorithms, mixed in with some real talk about modern motherhood, and a wonderful dash of civility unwinding into carnage.

Yeah, the more I think about this, the more I want to watch Hot Fuzz again. It gives similar vibes. That’s a pretty damn high compliment, by the way.

3.5 stars. After some editing and tightening up some of the plot issues, I’d definitely bump it up, as it has a lot going for it.

Unique and sarcastic book and a little unsettling.
But I loved ot .
Couldn't put I down.
Highly recommend.

This mystery follows twin sisters Chiara and Adrienne, with Chiara going missing after an influencer event. A year later, Adrienne begins her search for answers, diving into the murky waters of influencer culture. While the concept is intriguing, the pacing drags at times, and some elements feel predictable. It’s a decent read, especially for those interested in the darker side of social media and motherhood.

3.75/5⭐️
This book is a mystery about two twin sisters: Chiara and Adrienne. Chiara goes missing after going to an influencer event and after a year with no answers Adrienne goes on the search to find out what happened to her sister.

The concept of the book is good but might be more relatable to someone who’s a mom. It did drag on at times but overall a good read.

Thank you Netgalley for this
ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Follow Me" by Elizabeth Rose Quinn is a compelling journey that draws you into its engaging storyline. The characters feel relatable, and Quinn does a fantastic job of blending tension with emotion. The pacing kept me hooked, with enough twists to keep me on my toes. While some parts were a bit predictable, the writing flows smoothly, making it an enjoyable read. If you’re in the mood for a story that mixes suspense with solid character development, this book is definitely worth a look. Grab your favorite drink of choice (hot matcha 🍵 for me) and get ready for a fun escape!

This one went from 0 too 100 within the last 30 pages. I’m not sure what I expected but that was NOT it. For that reason, I enjoyed it. Toxic social media culture always fascinates me and this was no exception. Albeit extremely far fetched, this story is definitely interesting. The sisters are complex characters within a borderline satirical world. It is an interesting combination.

"**Follow Me**" by Elizabeth Rose Quinn is a dark thriller that expertly blends humor with suspense, drawing comparisons to iconic films like *Heathers* and *The Stepford Wives*. The novel follows Adrienne Shaw, who becomes embroiled in a mission to uncover the fate of her missing twin sister, Chiara, after she disappears at a mom-influencer retreat.

As Adrienne infiltrates this seemingly idyllic but disturbingly cult-like environment, the story cleverly critiques influencer culture and the pressures of modern motherhood. The retreat, located in a remote California ranch, is filled with charming yet unsettling characters, and Quinn’s sharp wit shines through as she captures the eerie dynamics of this group of

Quinn's narrative balances biting humor with darker themes, making it not just a thriller but a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women. The prose is engaging and filled with tension, keeping readers invested in Adrienne's quest to reveal the truth. With its mix of comedic horror and earnest satire, "Follow Me" promises to resonate with anyone familiar with the complexities of motherhood and social media

This novel, already attracting attention for a film adaptation by Amazon MGM Studios, is a must-read for those looking for a thought-provoking yet entertaining thriller

Made me laugh during a lot of parts. I could really relate to the parts about motherhood and really enjoyed seeing myself in those moments and how spot on they were to some of my emotions and experiences. Thank you netgalley and the opportunity to read this ARC.

Snatched this up before it was unavailable! Full review to come soon!

Thank you Thomas & Mercer 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Elizabeth Rose Quinn's “Follow Me” is a gripping and darkly entertaining thriller that delves into the murky world of social media influencers and the cult-like pressure cooker of motherhood. At the heart of the story are twin sisters Chiara and Adrienne, whose lives take dramatically different paths after Chiara goes missing following an influencer event. A year after her sister’s disappearance, Adrienne, determined to find out what happened, begins her own investigation, uncovering shocking secrets along the way. If you’re in the mood for a unique mystery that focuses on the dark sides of influencer culture and the expectations placed on mothers, you will definitely enjoy this book, though be aware that the last 25% of this book is absolutely unhinged (in a good way) and essentially becomes a slasher, which I was not expecting.

The book kicks off by alternating between Chiara’s experiences at the influencer event and Adrienne’s messy life, which includes drug use. Chiara, a relatable, overwhelmed mother, feels increasingly out of place among the artificial and extreme behaviors of the other "Mom Squad" influencers. These influencers seem to be part of a cult-like group, obsessed with maintaining their online personas to dangerous lengths. While the beginning is somewhat slow to start, as the story takes time to set up the characters and the twisted influencer world, it picks up momentum when Adrienne begins her investigation, which becomes the real driving force of the plot around the 20% mark.

The portrayal of social media’s dark side is one of the book’s highlights, exposing the pressures of curated perfection that often mask deeper issues. The influencer moms, while exaggerated (especially towards the end), are memorable in their portrayal of how far people will go for validation. The competitive, almost frenzied atmosphere among them feels both disturbing and believable, drawing attention to the psychological toll of living life for likes and shares.

Adrienne’s relationship with Bernice, one of the book’s more grounding elements, provides some emotional depth. Bernice acts as a voice of reason amidst the chaos, and their dynamic offers a brief respite from the unraveling madness. The story also occasionally shifts to the detective investigating Chiara’s disappearance, adding a procedural layer to the mystery. However, I did find myself wishing for more from this perspective, as it provides a fascinating contrast to the influencer world but is not explored as fully as it could have been. For example, having the detective investigating these different influencers.

As Adrienne digs deeper into the mystery of her sister’s disappearance, the tension escalates. The last quarter of the book is where things truly go off the rails—"Follow Me” morphs from a psychological thriller into something resembling a slasher movie, complete with wild twists and shocking reveals. The frenetic pace, while entertaining, may feel a bit over-the-top, especially with the Mom Squad characters becoming completely artificial archetypes of mom stereotypes and were extremely overexaggerated. The plot takes several unhinged turns, with the final showdown delivering a spectacle of violence and chaos that’s as thrilling as it is unrealistic. It’s a fun, fast-paced finale, but one that requires some suspension of disbelief.

While the ending is undeniably crazy, it manages to circle back to a satisfying conclusion. The book doesn’t shy away from exploring deeper issues like the pressure to be perfect, both in motherhood and online, as well as the dangers of unchecked social media influence.

“Follow Me” is an engaging read with plenty of twists to keep you hooked, even if some of the plot developments are predictable. Quinn’s writing flows smoothly, making it easy to devour in a few sittings. Despite the exaggerated nature of the influencer moms and the wild ride the book takes toward the end, the underlying themes about the pressures of perfection, motherhood, and social media obsession resonate. If you’re looking for a popcorn thriller with a unique angle on influencer culture and don’t mind a bit of craziness, “Follow Me” delivers a satisfying and entertaining ride.

I loved this book as it has so many things i like:: sketchy people, detectives, secrets, lies, and a secluded location! Chiara is excited to be going to a "mommy-influencer" retreat that will help new moms to rejuvenate and appreciate the role they are meant to assume. But the other women there are a little too "gung-ho" and willing to shout out the responses the leaders ask for. She doesn't "connect" with any of them and wonders why she even came. But when she doesn't return home, her husband worries; after a year he asks her sister, Adrienne to help. Once a drug user, Adrienne has cleaned up her act, but he's not convinced and hopes she can help. But what they discover is not like anything they imagined and may turn you away from anything you aren't sure is real!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Chiara goes missing from an influencer retracted so her sister, Adrienne, infiltrated the group pretending to be like them to attempt to find out what happened. It’s a good book, predictable in parts, I didn’t feel invested in the characters though!

enjoyed the book however some parts were very predictable, the reaction to two of the main characters being drug users was very realistic, the amount of times police fail to investigate as it’s put down to drugs is a lot.

I also enjoyed showing the dark side to social media and the influencer events, honestly the story could have been a true crime one and I wouldn’t have been shocked.

It was well written and flowed nicely which I appreciated as it made an easy read