3.5 rounded to 4

I really liked the Korean aspects of this YA novel. But it was hard to push through. Though I am not the least interested in "influencers" except as a phenomenon, I'd hoped to see develipment of why people follow influencers. Instead, the constant barrage of label talk and fashions made me want to skim, then stop. The characterization took a backseat to the obvious plot trajectory: initial success, frantic effort, total humilation, decision to jettison it all. It seemed a bit too on the nose, making it hard to believe in. Especially as the main romance suffered a bit, feeling almost after the fact.

Still, the descriptions of the food, the Korean customs and attitudes, and the fallout of racism were absorbind, and those aspects got my rating.

Most of this book didn’t work for me. The writing felt choppy and the pacing was off. The characters didn’t really resonate with me either. I thought the influencer elements would be a lot more fun then they turned out to be. I’m sure there are people that would really enjoy this but it wasn’t for me.

Since young adult influencers are experiencing increasing attention on social media sites, I was looking forward to reading Claire Ahn’s latest offering.

Seventeen-year-old second-generation Korean student Charlotte Goh is paving the way as a fashion influencer to help her family financially. Firstly, her keeping them in the dark didn’t overly excite me; however, I understood her reasoning. Not only have digital platforms become a source of parental worry, but I also considered her folks’ cultural thinking and health–I truly loved her dad, hmm … there are mum-daughter issues. Then, trying to keep up with schoolwork, child-minding her little sister, and other responsibilities seemed a lot to take on for a teen.

A fitting title for a novel that would more than likely appeal to GEN Z readers, connecting to some of the characters and more so to Charlotte, was challenging. I felt a hint of jealousy–what her new friends' lifestyles and possibilities were like compared to how her family lived was something she’d have to deal with. Ahn has candidly planted a parental and young people's learning curve by tackling subject matters such as racial bullying, cultural and moral conundrums, and a fixation on growing follower numbers that go hand in hand with excessive phone usage. A new must-watch streaming series with a different premise but concerns teenagers crossed my mind while absorbing this read.

I enjoyed reading about Korean cuisine, their mealtimes–foodies–you’ll love how mouthwatering dishes are served, and the Korean chit-chat was easy to grasp in its context. Yet, I’d have liked to have seen a more fleshed-out romance between Charlotte and her bestie, Steven; fewer truncated sentences and some paragraphs felt rushed and a tad inconsistent.

Bad Influence is indeed thought-provoking, if not without heightened emotional moments.

Thanks to Penguin Group and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this YA about fashion and the world of influencers, although it felt a little on the young side. The characters seemed younger than 17 based on their decisions and how they navigated the world. Overall, though, I appreciate stories on immigrants and most notably, Asian-Americans, that doesn't have to do with trying to get into the college their parents want them to go to. This was fun and sweet and I'll recommend to fans of YA rom-coms.

Seventeen year old Charlotte Goh has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Between studying to keep up her grades, babysitting her three year old little sister, being a confidante for her mother and worrying about her father after an accident left him injured... she’s carrying a lot for a teenager. Classic eldest daughter syndrome.

It’s also clear that they’re struggling financially, so Charlotte decided to try to help. For the last two years, she’s been hiding a secret Instagram account where she’s become a micro-influencer just waiting for her first sponsorship. When she overhears racist remarks at an influencer event and stands up for her friend, herself and their Asian community, she ends up gaining thousands of followers and going viral.

But going viral isn’t always a good thing, and I really appreciated that the author looked at both the good and bad sides of social media/being an influencer, especially at a young age. This book looked at topics surrounding ethics and values when it comes to brand deals, becoming too invested in a follower count, spiraling down the rabbit hole of negative comments, cancel culture, and most importantly, the moments you miss out on when you’re addicted to your phone. There can (and should) be healthy boundaries with social media where you can still be present for the ones you love, and I think this book had some great lessons on this topic for teens that are written in ways they’d be receptive to.

As for the things I didn’t love as much… the pacing was a little too fast and I wasn’t the biggest fan of Charlotte overall. While she’s a young woman, and of course has much to learn, I thought the author could’ve given us more depth and maturity for her character since she was 17 vs. a younger teen and she’s been forced to grow up quickly.

But on the whole, I think it’s a good book for a young audience growing up in the digital age, and they’ll take away some valuable lessons at the end!

Bad Influence by Claire Ahn is a compelling and heartfelt exploration of personal ethics, identity, and the pressures of curated online personas. With empathy and insight, Ahn pulls back the curtain on the illusion of digital perfection, revealing the complexities that lie beneath.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Claire Ahn for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!

I always enjoy reading books where I can immerse myself in another culture and this book did not disappoint. I learned about Korean food, family, and holiday traditions throughout the book.

This book has relatable topics for young adolescence: social media pressure, friendship, romantic relationships, and family struggles.

Plot-wise, I was not super enthralled in the storyline...but appreciated the message for young people and the pull toward social media.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!

3.75 ⭐

I really really enjoyed this book. The writing was romcom material and the story fast paced. My main issue was the main character's decisions, which I get has its purpose, but it got annoying. We should've at least gotten some more insight or inner turmoil about why she was doing all this.

I want to say thanks to NetGallery, the Penguins Young Readers Group and for to get ACR of this book.

📚: Charlotte Goh is trying to be Fashion influence to help with Her family’s financial, also trying to keep her social media world a secret from her family. Charlotte start get more followers after she talking about how she encounter racism during a fashion event. During her journey she met other influencers and celebrity. Now she how choose to stay true to herself or become a new person. Along the way, she also how choose between her childhood best friend Steve or Alan the Celebrity

💭: this my second time read her book. Her first book was “I guess I live here now” which I enjoy reading. Trying not spoiler a lot : l Iove how her first book was daddy issues, now her second book is mommy issues. Both books talking about different issues but manly issues that stay in my head was Charlotte’s relationship with her mom. And I love how when “they talk in Korean”, example; “my dad call out in Korean” and “his mom says defensively in Korean.” Idk why but enjoy that parts. And resason why I give 4.25⭐️ bc scenes will change out of nowhere like one moment she will be at school then next moment she at home. Idk bc my dyslexic or how she wrote it. It feels like I missread it but besides I will enjoy the book.

I definitely will buy this book when it comes out. Probably talking more about favorites parts of book.
Coming out : April 29, 25

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise and the relationship between the two main characters, but the rest didn’t really work for me. The writing was often choppy and the pacing was off and too. I also didn’t care for the FMC or her mother. Charlotte wasn’t convincing when she said she didn’t really like what she did and only did it for her family. Likewise, the mother’s reconciliation wasn’t believable. I liked Steven a lot and wish there was more of him in the book.

Sweet YA novel that will appeal to likely younger teens because the characters can be quite immature, and the story/dialogue very hamfisted and not subtle at all, at times it was hard to suspend my disbelief

Bad Influence is a compelling YA novel that dives into the challenges of family expectations, social media pressure, and self-discovery. Charlotte, the eldest daughter in a struggling household, is used to carrying the weight of responsibility—playing babysitter to her younger sister while also being her mother’s emotional support. As her parents’ financial troubles escalate, Charlotte turns to social media as an escape, throwing herself into the influencer world. But juggling school, family, and her growing online presence proves to be more difficult than she expected, and soon, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel.

Claire Ahn does a fantastic job capturing the reality of teen life, particularly the pressure of being the "responsible one" in a family. Charlotte’s journey is both relatable and thought-provoking, as she struggles with slipping grades, strained relationships, and the consequences of chasing online validation. The romance adds an extra layer to the story, with an engaging contrast between her childhood friend, Steven, and a fresh new love interest.

Overall, Bad Influence is a captivating and timely read, perfect for teens navigating similar struggles. With a strong emotional core and an authentic look at social media’s impact, this book is definitely worth picking up!

A big thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read! I had no idea what was coming next, definitely kept me on my toes.
I really enjoyed the main character, though she did anger me at times. But she pulled through and redeemed herself in my book. It was a first by this author, but I look forward to future readings.

Bad Influence by Claire Ahn is a beautifully layered story that pulls you in with its heart, depth, and a dash of rebellion. From the very first page, I was hooked on the rich setting, the emotional complexity, and the way Ahn explores identity, family expectations, and finding your own path.

The protagonist’s journey is raw and relatable, making you feel every high and low alongside them. And let’s not forget the romance and friendships—so well done! Ahn has a way of making even the quietest moments feel powerful, and the emotional depth in this book hit me in all the right ways.

If you’re looking for a heartfelt, coming-of-age story with a compelling voice, Bad Influence is a must-read. Claire Ahn has definitely earned a spot on my radar!

It was a deeper look into the motivations and complexities of building a social media career and juggling real life. It didn't always feel believable and sometimes I was confused by either the timeline or certain parts of the plot. Overall, it was a quick fun read, even though it touched on some important issues like the intersectionality between the pressures of being an older child and also being from an immigrant family.

I think it could be quite impactful for the target audience (YA).

This was a great YA read with a lot of relatable events. I liked the way the author tied everything together and gave a little of romance as a plus! I thought it was relatable in the aspect of being the oldest daughter and parents expecting so much. For example, Charlotte was a babysitter to her little sister but was also her mother's therapist/confidant. At times, it seemed like Charlotte was the only mature person in the family. Having to deal with her parents fighting all the time because of financial issues, stressed her out and gave her the push to be a social influencer.

Charlotte thought that being able to juggle with everything would be easy, but she soon finds it is not. She finds herself lying to her parents and getting bad grades on her assignments. She puts being an influencer in the front burner and everything soon starts to fall apart.

I like the way the author introduced a new love interest for Charlotte vs. her long-time childhood friend, Steven. The way Claire Ahn connected all events and characters, made this story a good one. I would definitely purchase this book for my teenage daughter; she would absolutely love it!

This is a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me!

Thank you to Penguin Group/Viking Books/Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book for everything but its main plot unfortunately.

I overall found the romance uncompelling and was often quite angry with how Steven treated Charlotte and how she was often said to be in the wrong when he was just being a right ass. I also thought that, for a book that was rooted in the world of fashion, these were some of the worst described outfits I've ever had the opportunity to read.

But I loved Charlotte, and I was rooting for her to end up dating the girl she befriends whose name I'm blanking on. currently. Her family was a lot more interesting to read, and I really enjoyed that element of the book.

This was a great book and I think many students could relate to the character's dilemma. The story focuses on social media and how it can affect young adults. It was also great to see the positive surface effects on a person and the negative effects that could happen. I believe it would give students an inside look as to how being an influence would work and maybe that it isn't all that it seems. I would recommend this for a classroom read and encourage discussions on topics such as social media, family relationships, peer relationships, social influencers, stress, and false advertising. This would also be great for the school library.

This was a good ya book but as a millennial where social media is just really an interesting place these days a lot of the influencer stuff was annoying but I can see how it's applicable for certain age groups. I really enjoyed some diversity in our main characters and they were very well written. So I would recommend this book to younger Generations that enjoy books with social media as a main part in them.

I really wanted to get into this story as the synopsis caught my eye and fit a category I’ve enjoyed in the past. Sometimes the advanced reading copies are formatted in a way that makes it harder for me to get through. This was one of them. The formatting will likely be fixed come final publishing but it was funky and the dialogue/text exchanges and chapter turning over were not smooth or consistent.

The story was paced slow at times, but it was deeper than I expected too making it a decent read. I am also reading a nonfiction story about the age of social media and children so it felt interesting to read this simultaneously. It does read like a YA or high school reactions, but that’s what it is written for.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are mine.