I love a book about influencers or reality shows or any kind of junk food media, particularly when they’re taken to levels of absurdity. All Expenses Paid follows two influencers who are offered a free luxury trip to a Middle Eastern hotel, but have to quickly figure out how much their dignity is worth. It’s Dubai yacht girls meets a very tame Saw.

While the concept was there, the novella itself followed an awkward stream of consciousness narrative with brief, random POVs sprinkled throughout. Everything was told to the audience with little shown to build suspense or scenery. There was so much trying to be crammed into such a short book that neither the characters, the action, nor the scenery worked for me. I would have loved to see this story fleshed out and cranked to 100.

A darkly twisted novella about influencers and the price of fame and fortune.

I’m a fan of Zoe Rosi’s books, from reading her novels Pretty Evil and Someone’s Watching Me, novella (with brilliant audiobook) Courier and now All Expenses Paid. Always something different, fresh and with the power to shock.

All Expenses Paid flows very nicely. Influencers Debbie and Amelia get offered an Instagram dream worthy luxury holiday, All Expense Paid. It sounds too good to be true - what’s the catch?

It’s much more than just the shock value, there’s real character development and progression. It’s works really well as a novella, but part of me wishes it was longer.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lighthouse Books.