I was excited for this one! The concept and book cover drew me in. However, it just didn't resonate with me. I found myself bored halfway through and not invested in any of the characters. The big reveal left me scratching my head.....not because I didn't understand it but because I didn't like it.

I still gave it a 2 🌟 because it was an easy read and a good concept. It just fell a little flat for me 🤷‍♀️

Smile for the Cameras by Miranda Smith is a fast-paced, nostalgic thriller that’s perfect for fans of 90s slasher films. The story follows Ella, the "Final Girl" from the cult classic Grad Night, who is reluctantly reunited with her former castmates 20 years later for a documentary. While Ella hopes to move on from the trauma of her past, the isolated set soon brings back haunting memories—and new dangers.

Told through alternating timelines and interspersed with scenes from the original movie’s script, the book cleverly builds suspense and keeps the reader guessing. The first half can feel a bit slow, as it teases out the past without fully revealing the dark secrets of what happened on set. But once the action picks up in the final 25%, the twists and revelations hit hard, making the payoff well worth the wait.

Though the pacing falters at times, the atmospheric setting and unpredictable twists keep you hooked. Ella’s character grows on you, and by the end, her journey is both gripping and satisfying. The writing is sharp, and the unique structure adds an immersive, cinematic touch. Fans of twisty thrillers and nostalgic slasher films won’t want to miss this one—it’s a quick, engaging read with a fantastic, unpredictable ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the slasher book of my DREAMS! It was like Friday the 13th, scream 3, and I know what you did last summer rolled into one marvelous book! Slice & dice, unreliable narrator, locked door location, and I twist I wasn’t even CLOSE to guessing! ugh this was SO GOOD.

I definitely enjoyed this book because I love all things slasher movies. This was a cast of people who were working on a 90s slasher film, and there was a horrible secret they held between them. Fast forward to the present and they all gather in a cabin in Tennessee for a reunion, but the cast members start dying off like they did in the movie. Their secret is out. While the beginning was a bit slow, it did pick up and the twists were fabulous. A great thriller read!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC before its publication in June 2025. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved how the chapters seamlessly alternated between the present day and the past during the movie’s filming, adding depth to the story. Including the script from the original ‘90s slasher film was a fantastic touch. The short chapters made for a fast-paced read, but it was around the 48% mark that I was completely hooked—I couldn’t put it down! The first major twist was so unexpected that I went back to reread, convinced I had missed something, only to realize it was a genuine, well-executed surprise. The final twists left me absolutely stunned. I truly admire the author’s unique writing style and her ability to keep me guessing. Some characters genuinely made my skin crawl, adding to the eerie atmosphere. I highly recommend this book to fans of shocking twists and classic ‘90s slasher films! I'm eagerly anticipating the final publication in June 2025! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy—especially a signed one by the author.

Unfortunately this book just didn’t work for me. The writing was very basic and I didn’t like any of the characters. The twists and reveals were not hard to figure out.

Engaging, entertaining, and atmospheric. A recommended first purchase for collections where horror is popular.

This book was very easy to read and the chapters flowed nicely. I especially liked the script chapters, those were fun. The ending didn’t quite work for me. It wasn’t believable and each new twist was less plausible than the last. I’ll read more from this author though because the writing is great.

Well, that was a wild ride. The dual timeline and movie script scenes had me a bit confused at times, but this was a very entertaining story. Only reason it wasn’t 5 stars for me is because I knew right away who the killer was. Although, I will say there were a few things that had me yelling at the book. So, if you’re in the mood for a fast past thriller, that feels like you’re watching a 90s slasher I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. That said, the beginning was kinda slow for me. The whole time we are reading to find what happened 20 years ago but it felt like it took forever for the reveal. The past and present timelines along with scenes from the actual screenplay was a cool touch. The ending definitely revived the story for me. I thought I knew the twist but I wasn’t even close! Overall this was a solid read so I’m giving it 3.5 stars (rounding down to a 3). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc for my honest review! Smile for the Cameras will be available to read on June 24, 2025!

I enjoyed reading this.

It was a fun mix of movie scenes and a now and than time line. And a twisted i did not see coming!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARC of this novel

If there is one thing I like it is cheesy horror and this book falls under that for me. We follow final girl Ella as she confronts her past which has become her present. I enjoyed this novel because it was fun and an easy read. I was able to zoom through it in a day which I feel like I can never do anymore. The novel is perfect for movie fans of Scream, Cabin fever and the Cabin in the woods and books like I’m not dying with you tonight. It was a lot like a lot of other slashers but I enjoyed the back and forth between present and past as well as the script aspects. I am becoming a huge fan of the horror movie turned real life trope. I think it’s the right amount of cheesy, fun and spooky.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was fun! I love a good slasher and it had a few twists I honestly didn’t see coming!

When I read the synopsis of this book (after being pulled in by the cover and title) I really thought it was for me. As an avid horror fan who has seen more than their fair share of horror films, any spooky books that extend into the world of horror movies are my favorites. Some of them are more well done than others and though I had high hopes for this book it didn't completely hit the mark.

There were aspects of this book that I really enjoyed. It was fast-paced and interesting with a well rounded in-world horror franchise that made it believable, right down to the spunky co-star who reminded me a lot of Tatum from scream. The problem there is that the depth lent to Aries was missing from some of the other characters. The emotional connections weren't as fully developed and it made it harder to believe some of the choices made.

I will give this book credit that I didn't see the twist coming but that felt more because I didn't have a strong enough connection to any of the characters to really figure out the emotional heft behind their reasons for their actions.

All that to say I would read another book by Miranda Smith and I had a good time reading this one.

Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a book! This is the first Miranda Smith novel I’ve read, but I’m certain it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this story. I’ll admit that the first half felt a bit slow. I got into the book just fine, but from about 25%-60% I wasn’t as interested. That all changed the last 40% of the book though! I found myself unable to stop turning the (digital) page until I reached the end. While the final reveal is typical of the genre, I was not expecting…[minor spoiler alert]

the twist about 2/3rds of the way through!

I was very pleasantly surprised and cannot wait to read this one again knowing everything now. I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of the horror genre, especially slasher fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Absolutely loved the classic horror film vibes of this book!

Unfortunately, the twist was just odd and I was really put off by the random sexual content, that alone almost made me quit reading several times.

I enjoyed the premise of this novel but, for some reason, I was bored and found my mind wandering while reading.

I enjoyed this! It was a quick read and kept me guessing til the very end.

Ella became famous from her leading role in the horror flick Grad Night. Now, the original cast and crew are getting together for a reunion show but Ella just wants to forget the terrible things that happened on set. She reluctantly agrees to participate, despite her gut feeling that she shouldn’t. Cast and crew then begin showing up dead just like in the original film. Ella fears she may not escape with her life this time around.

This was a fun and quick read. I enjoyed the back and forth timelines and felt like that added a layer of suspense. I do feel like the ending just didn’t quite gel with me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Books for this advanced e-copy in exchange for this honest review.

Such a good book!!! It was creepy, eerie, uncomfortable, and it really had me kept on the edge of my own chair!! I think it was so interesting, and it was a great concept for a book. I think it was very well done!!

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