📖 Synopsis:
Charlotte Goh is balancing two identities. Devoted Korean daughter and ambitious NYC fashion influencer. When her family’s financial struggles intensify, she turns to social media, hoping it will provide the security they desperately need. But navigating the influencer world isn’t easy, especially when she witnesses racism within the community and later finds herself accused of betraying it. Along the way, she’s torn between her childhood best friend, Steven, and a Hollywood heartthrob, all while trying to stay true to herself and her cultural identity.

💭 My Thoughts:
This YA contemporary novel explores identity, family expectations, and the highs and lows of social media fame. The cultural elements were thoughtfully woven into Charlotte’s journey, highlighting the challenges of being a second-generation Korean American. Then being an influencer, showing both the glamorous perks and ethical dilemmas that come with online success.

At times, the pacing felt a little slow, and certain moments could have been bridged more smoothly. However, the emotional depth, particularly Charlotte’s struggles with family obligations and self-worth, made for a compelling read. Her internal conflict, balancing personal ambition with cultural expectations, felt authentic. The romance subplot added another layer to Charlotte’s story.

Overall, Bad Influence is a thought-provoking and timely read about the cost of social media fame, the pressures of family duty, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Definitely worth picking up when it releases!

I love this book! It was fun and had such a good pace. If you're a fan of YA definitely read this one. Thanks for the ARC.

If being the child of immigrant parents could be any better captured, I'm not sure how. Claire Ahn perfectly encapsulates the frustrations, fears, and love that comes from being loved in the untraditional ways that only immigrant parents can give. I cried two different times reading this because I felt so deeply within how Charlotte feels thrust between wanting to be the good older sister and daughter vs being influential and cool in one of the biggest and chicest cities in the world.

Bad Influence was an unexpected joy! It follows Charlotte Goh as she navigates the world of social media to help her family through hardship.
This was a beautiful story of family and friendship. I loved seeing what the Goh family was going through and the community that they fostered with Steven, Charlotte’s best friend, and his mom.
Charlotte spends her time in two worlds, and it is heartbreaking to watch her navigate the new upper-class friends while drifting away from the family she was trying to help.
Bad Influence is a beautiful novel about growing up, and I think it speaks volumes about the way teens and young adults are navigating the world through social media today. I wish I’d had this when I was sixteen, and I hope it reaches the people who need it most.

If you are looking for your next romcom, check out Bad Influence by Claire Ahn. This was an enjoyable read.

Wow this book was very good. a very strong story and the plot was very interesting and unique especially the characters. thank you so much for the arc. i really enjoyed it

strong story with very interesting characters and very well-plotted ideas. i really felt for them. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Claire Ahn wrote a great story and made characters that I cared about what was happening to them. The overall feel worked in the young adult genre, it had that overall feel that I was looking for. I enjoyed the look into Charlotte’s world and getting to know her and the rest of the characters. Claire Ahn has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!