Ventura is so good at writing characters that you want to get to know while also thinking they are off their rocker.

Cleo is obsessed with fame and actually achieved it. We follow her from her humbler beginnings to her dating of other famous people. The writing is quite sly and you need to read closely to see just how gastly she is! Lots of throw away remarks that really illuminate her personality.

The twist was a lot of fun but the book would have been ok just as a character study of an odious woman.

Thank you to Net-Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I just finished and I really don’t know what to say. I am usually very intrigued by an unlikable female lead and trust me this lead is unlikable, but the gratuitous details of all the trappings of fame became repetitive. I like Ventura’s writing style quite a bit so I was excited to see where the story goes but the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying.

Maybe I just need to let the story marinate for a while.

⭐️4.5 stars⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for this ARC.

I devoured this book. Make Me Famous is about a self-described narcissist, Cleo, whose entire existence revolves around success and fame. She is cunning, inexhaustible, and unnervingly brilliant. She's the type of woman you love to hate and can't help but admire, which makes her the perfect superstar character. Ventura puts you deep into the crevices of Cleo's dark, twisty, and determined mind. You're a fly on the wall for every calculated step into stardom.

The first half was stronger than the second half, in my opinion. Some of the celebrity scenes seemed a bit too on-the-nose and referential to current scenarios, which took me out of the story a bit.

But the ending... THE ENDING. I never could have seen coming. It was shocking, satisfying, and completely diabolical (in true Cleo fashion). I will be raving about this book for a long time to come.

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217223430-make-me-famous

Cleo isn't like your typical main character. She is a genius, has a way of thinking that I find it crazy, and a perfectionist who truly willing to do anything to be famous. You could say she's a bit unhinged (okay, maybe not just a bit). But that's what makes her interesting. It's really 'fame or death' and she's absolutely relentless about it. She's crazy, but in the best (and worst) way.

I gave this book 3.5 stars, rounded down, because ... it's not that this book was boring, but it just didn't keep me fully hooked either. Maybe it's because I'm not into stories that focus more on flashbacks than what's currently happening to her. I'm not sure. Either way, this is just my own opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for the copy of the ARC.

Loved the first one I read from this author and loved this one too. Such an interesting perspective and story.

Ok Cleo tweezing your legs is crazy. Asking someone to leave the room because they are drinking coffee too loudly is justified though, I get it, girl. Incredible pacing as always, but I was always kind of left feeling like nothing was happening. Love a delulu main character but also never felt like the stakes were high enough. I think my issue with the ending was it should have felt really dreadful and scary but (no spoilers) ended up being a little silly. I have to admit my expectations were maybe a bit too high after loving My Husband so much, so if you’re new to Ventura maybe start with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for the eARC.

really enjoyed Maud Ventura's previous novel, My Husband, and was hoping for another similarly off-kilter protagonist. I also couldn't help but think about another recent read, She's a Lamb!, about another woman completely obsessed with stardom. But this book may have suffered from reading it so close to that one, because where She's A Lamb's Jessamyn was delusional and unhinged, but an absolute DELIGHT to watch, Cleo Louvent, the protagonist of this book was just...boring. She really wasn't deluded, she was ruthless and cruel, but she had a plan to become famous and checked off the boxes as she did what it took to get there. And what it took to get there was, sadly, not that interesting.

Now, I threw in the towel around halfway through when I could not take the dull as dishwasher details of Cleo's life. I did scan through the rest and it does look like the story becomes at least a bit more salacious. It was too late for me, the story had already lost me by that point, but more patient readers might experience more of a payoff. (If you're looking for a really unhinged romp though, go read She's A Lamb!)

3.5 ⭐
I loved the authors other book 'My Husband' so was excited to receive an ARC for this release.

The writing itself was very addictive and I binge read the last half in a few hours. The protagonist is a very complex character. I went through phases of rooting for her and then phases of wishing she'd get her ass handed to her.

A quick and nasty little read about the depths some people are willing to go to for fame and fortune.

Maud Ventura’s Make Me Famous is a compelling exploration of the dark side of celebrity, and the lengths one woman will go to achieve her dreams. The novel centers on Cléo, whose lifelong obsession with fame leads her to become a global superstar. Ventura masterfully portrays Cléo’s ambition, narcissism, and the isolation that comes with a life lived in the spotlight.

The strength of the book lies in its unflinching examination of Cléo’s character. She is not always likable, but she is always fascinating. Ventura’s writing is sharp, witty, and insightful, capturing the complexities of a woman driven by a singular, all-consuming desire. The narrative is propulsive, and the reader is drawn into Cléo's world, even as they may be repelled by her actions. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of fame, the sacrifices it demands, and its impact on one's sense of self.

While the novel is a page-turner, at times the pacing felt slightly uneven. However, the shocking and satisfying ending more than makes up for any minor flaws. Overall, Make Me Famous is aRecommended for those who enjoy character-driven narratives with a dark edge, and anyone who has ever been curious about the price of fame.

This follows Cleo, a woman who from a young age has dreamed of being famous, as she climbs the rank of celebrity at any cost. Maybe I just don’t enjoy books about famous people anymore because this was BORING. It was so repetitive and uninteresting. Idk what it says about me, but I wanted her to be much more devious! The end is supposed to be a big mic drop plot twist but it was actually really dumb. Go read the authors debut novel ‘My Husband’ instead!

Intense and immersive character study of a rising star!

Cleo is a thirty three year old narcissist who has systematically and ruthlessly pursued fame and fortune. She determined as a small child, raised by boring academic parents, that she would one day become famous. This story begins with her taking an expensive vacation to a tropical island, far away from fans and paparazzi. Much of the story is spent inside Cleo’s mind, following her relentless path to becoming a superstar. But a few months before her much needed vacation, things take a dark turn. And the ending shocked me into fits of giggles. Pretty entertaining!

I read this book in one sitting. It grabbed my attention and did not let go until that surprise ending.

Thank you Netgalley, HarperVia, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on May 13, 2025

Make Me Famous by Maud Ventura is a book that follows Cleo, a woman who is determined to be famous and her rise to the top. But what happens when she gets there?

I read and really enjoyed My Husband by this author so I was really interested in what she would come out with next. I think this book was good but I didn’t love it as much as My Husband but I do think this one will be a book that a lot of people enjoy (if they like this type of story).

Cleo is such a good character because she is the best at being the worst. She is selfish, self centered, and vain. She as a superiority complex that had me staring at my ereader, eyes wide more than once. She also feels so real. Everyone knows someone like Cleo (and if you don’t, you are probably the Cleo).

My biggest issue with this book is it felt like a lot of telling and not showing. Which fits with this author’s writing style from her previous book so I think it’s just how she likes to write. But the scope of the first book was much smaller so it worked a lot better. This book follows a character’s rise to pop stardom and I just felt like it didn’t show enough.

I did enjoy this and I know the kind of reader I would recommend this to. It just wasn’t the perfect book for me. I’ll still read whatever this author writes because her character work is impeccable.

I haven't read Maud Ventura's previous novel but I am RUNNING to read it after this.

Cléo is such a memorable protagonist because she's an absolutely terrible person. She's a narcissist, she's mean, she's petty, has an insane superiority complex and zero empathy. And yet, I was captivated by her. (And according to Cléo, why wouldn't I be? She's the best, of course I'd be captivated.)

The novel traces Cléo's rise to fame - her humble beginning, her unshakeable belief that she is better than everyone and deserves to be famous - all within the frame narrative of her going on an isolated island retreat. The real draw here is Cléo and her intense desire for fame, and once she gets it, her dissatisfaction with being famous. Watching her plot out every move, calculate her actions, and position herself to her best advantage is honestly impressive. However, Cléo gradually becomes her own worst enemy, and the ending actually made me gasp.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC !

Make Me Famous is a parable about the dangers of seeking happiness outside oneself—of being trapped in a gilded cage, surrounded by gold but consumed by permanent dissatisfaction.

At its core, the lesson is this: happiness can be found—or lost—in any circumstance, depending on how we interpret our lives and define success. (With obvious exceptions, of course.)

At one point, the narrator, Cleo, admits she isn’t inherently a monster—the situation made her one. The story illustrates how money and fame can unravel a person who lacks a strong sense of self, especially when the pursuit of fame overshadows genuine passion or love for one’s craft.

This is Cleo’s reflection on her career, her relationships, and how all of it—especially her relationship with herself—has been unalterably changed by fame.

Because in the end, what does fame matter if you’ve become someone even you don’t recognize?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was a fascinating read, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed about this type of book. The plot was everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the way it was used in the genre. Maud Ventura was able to create a strong storyline and characters that I was looking for and was invested in what was going on. I thought the plot was everything that worked in this genre and am excited to read more from the author.

DNF at 15%. Like other reviewers, I loved Ventura’s book My Husband. I was totally sucked into the MC’s obsession and flew through the book. While there’s similarity to My Husband here, this one isn’t working for me.

This book is about a young woman who becomes a famous pop star. In the present day she’s on a bizarre vacation, but after establishing that the book becomes the story of her rise.

I think one of the problems for me was the way she was reflecting on her whole past. She summarizes and skips swaths of time. The result is that it’s less urgent and intense than My Husband.

It’s still worth a shot if you enjoyed My Husband or if you can appreciate an unlikable protagonist being awful!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3.5! Really interesting book with the most unlikeable main character. Her narcist behavior was fun until it was completely out of touch.

This book should be a must read for anyone aspiring to become famous. It's actually a roadmap of how NOT to behave.

I don't think I've ever encountered a more unlikable main character in any book I have ever read. She had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I think she might have even suffered from mental illness. But the ending made all of this worthwhile. One of the best endings EVER!

I really enjoyed reading this book! The way that it was set up and then twist at the end. The FMC was unbearable and I found myself not liking her but that’s why this book was really good. That was the point and it kept me turning each page.

If you're looking for a true glimpse into wild celebrity antics, skip this and dive into a real memoir or even Kanye's tweets. Both offer a much more entertaining and unfiltered look at celebrity chaos