Filter This

A strong read, some really fantastic characters who are well written and developed throughout the plot.

Not my usual sub genre, but this was very enjoyable. Some of the intricacies of instagram bypassed me, which sometimes led to me skipping some paragraphs. I had predicted the end early on, however this was still an enjoyable read and I will look out for the follow up story.

Recommended for a light, easy read which is up to date.

I really enjoyed this novel about how social media can take over your life and the lengths we go to to make our lives instagrammable. The characters are likeable and realistic. This is an easy read along the same themes as The Mummy Bloggers by Holly Wainwright.
Can’t wait to read the sequel!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this. I enjoyed the read overall. Anyone who uses Instagram will be able to relate to a lot of the content in this book and how for some people, Instagram is a livelihood. I preferred the storyline of Shelly over Ali. Shelly’s seemed to be more realistic as at times I found it hard to relate to Ali. Overall though, the book kept me engaged and I will certainly read the follow up book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed reading this book, I was attracted to the book by the description. I feel that any users of instagram would easily be able to relate to this book. Ali Jones comes up with a lie in order to gain instagram followers, I did not find this book at all predictable and I didn’t want to put it down.
This is my first read by this author, if definitely will not be my last. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is a fantastic book! So I'm not into Instagram at all, and generally can't stand the 'influencer' culture, however it's always been somewhat intriguing; how people put their lives on show for the world to see, how people put on a mask of happiness in front of their followers. And what happens when it all goes horribly, publicly wrong?

This novel explores the highs and lows of Instagram and those that fall victim to the hype of the 'perfect' lifestyle. And Sophie White is such a great writer - I was hooked from the very beginning. Sophie's characters are often flawed (Ali especially) but despite how shallow she often seemed, I couldn't hate her. There is emotion, warmth and some heartbreaking moments in this book, along with so much humour and relatable moments. I was cringing along at Ali's shenanigans, and couldn't bring myself to put this book down.

Admittedly I did work out the ending quite early into the book, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying it. Filter This fully focuses on the search for an Instagrammable lifestyle, and there are many Insta-related terms, however even if, like me, you are not into it at all, it's still a fantastic read. I think we all know people who are slaves to social media, and Filter This fully captures that life, and how the innocent search for likes can hurriedly spiral out of control.

I'm really looking forward to Sophie's next novel!

Ali Jones’ life isn’t exactly going to plan; her father is ill and her relationship with her mother can best be described as distant. Instagram provides a much needed creative outlet and a way to regain some control. She wants to be Ireland’s next big influencer, so when a misunderstanding leads her followers to think she is pregnant, she decides to play along. ‘Mummy Influencers’ are a big deal right now.

Shelly Devine has it all; the perfect husband, an adorable daughter, a lust worthy house, and all the important brand sponsorships. But Shelly’s life is far from what she portrays online, for one thing her husband isn’t as keen on their family being used as part of Shelly’s ‘brand’.

Filter This is a witty and poignant look at the people behind the perfectly curated Instagram feeds. In the hands of lesser writer aspects of the storyline may have seemed far-fetched, but Sophie White’s writing is razor-sharp.

I do love a book that features social media influencers and the assorted tricks they use to make their lives looks perfect.

And Shelley and Ali are just two such influencers, both who seem to live on Instagram a lot more than in real life and thus have lost all track of reality.

Especially Ali who capitalises on some misunderstandings that suddenly give her a big boost in followers. I was amused to see just how this comedy of errors for her would pan out,

While at the same time she is also regularly visiting her father who unfortunately no longer recognises his daughter, and all the associated feelings that go with that. In fact if it wasn't for all the light hearted hi-jinx in the rest of the book, this could have been quite a different tone of book.

Meanwhile Shelley not only has her own Insta, but she manages her husbands, who is reluctant to do anything but likes the payoff, and also her 3 year old daughter, who seems almost like an accessory than a daughter initially.

This is a contemporary really up to date story that had me smiling, laughing, gasping at some of the goings on, and generally feeling good about myself.

I did at one point while reading wonder if I should start taking 100s of photos to find the perfect one with perfect lighting, before using filters and editing software to improve it further before posting to my own Insta... but then I remembered life is far too short, so I'll stick with the followers I have!

An incredibly entertaining debut novel and I'm delighted to see at the end of it that there will be a sequel, and it means I don't have to say goodbye to Shelley and Ali just yet, as I need to see what they get up to next.

Thank you to Hachette Books Ireland and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.