This was absolutely insane.

I sort of knew what to expect as it’s the fifth book I read by Louise O’Neill, but I still didn’t expect this level of intensity.

This was fascinating, mind-boggling and gasp-worthy. By the halfway point of Idol, I genuinely could not stop reading and by the end, I was gasping at the pages.

O’Neill is a master at crafting complex, unreliable narrators that you struggle to like or hate, and Sam is no exception. I honestly have no better words than complex and unreliable to describe her, and O’Neill really did an amazing job at writing her.

This book definitely won’t be for everyone and it deals with some heavy subjects including sexual assault, drug use and eating disorder, so please be aware of that, but it was definitely a big slap in the face for me. Wouldn’t have hoped for any less from Louise O’Neill to be honest.

Wow what a mind bending read.

Samantha Miller is social media lifestyle guru who has just published a new book that exposes an incident she experienced in her teenage years. The book is an instant hit but then the woman who Samantha shared the experience with shares that she doesn't not remember the events as they are written in Samantha's book and actually she did not consent.

I have read a few books by this author and so I was very much looking forward to this one. I could not make up my mind on who was telling the truth in this book and the unreliable narrator in this really added to the vibe and worked really well. This is such an interesting look at the nature of our memories and how reliable they are. It really opens up the idea that there is always more than one version of the truth and the way you remember something is your truth but the way someone else remembers it is theirs and surely there is the possibility that both are true.

Idol is a compelling and insightful contemporary story that explores current issues through the unreliable narrator Samantha, a phenomenally successful lifestyle and social media influencer. Her books are bestsellers, she has millions of social media followers, and her company is about to be made into a public corporation. Still, when a voice from the past challenges her latest expose, the foundation of her life and reality crumble devastatingly.

Dark and disturbing, many of Samantha's experiences are challenging to read, but they show how she became the person she is. Perception, manipulation and reality are all effectively questioned in this addictive story. Relatable characters draw the reader into a world of judgement and lies. The brilliantly flawed individuals make it hard to like them in many cases.

I like the believability of the story and its contemporary relevance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Superinfluencer Samantha Miller is at the pinnacle of her career. Her advice books are best sellers, her lectures are sellouts and her company is about to launch its IPO. But then something goes terribly wrong, something that may cost her everything.

After Sam writes an online essay about a teenage lesbian affair, her childhood friend Lisa emails a reply accusing Sam of sexual assault. Almost immediately a Reddit post “Samantha Miller is a sexual abuser” follows and cancel culture springs into action. While her manager does crisis control, Sam returns to her hometown to confront Lisa.

A journey of devastating self discovery follows for Sam. Fond of embellishing the truth to attract more followers, Sam now has to confront conflated memories. What is her true relationship with her parents? With Lisa and her husband Josh? How real are her memories of violent rape? And can her reputation survive the truth? As Sam realizes what is true, so does the reader. Idol will have many twists and turns before a sad but satisfying conclusion. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Louise O’Neill for this ARC.

Unreliable/unlikeable narrators, do you love them or struggle? I'm normally in the latter camp, but there was something so compelling about Samantha I just had to keep on reading.
Idol delves into the world of social media, the highs and the lows, the trolls and the adoring fans. Samantha is a spiritual guru / motivational speaker, her latest book is about to be released and she has 3M followers on socials. Unfortunately, a reddit post about an alleged act goes viral and all starts to spin out of control, including Samantha's mental health.
The books flicks between past and present as we follow what Samantha believes to be true and we gradually learn more about what actually happened.
A clever twisty, if somewhat slow burn read that will have you trying to figure out what actually happened all those years ago.

An interesting read, showing the fragility of the fame 'influencers' have. Deals with many themes including memory and truth and sexual assault. I found that my perception of the main character changed throughout the book. All in all I enjoyed this book in spite of the dark themes.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Idol by Louise O’Neill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lifestyle guru Samantha is flying high on success, adored by millions of her ‘girls’ who hang on her every word, but when an anonymous post accuses her of the very things she’s been campaigning against things start to unravel.

It takes place over two timelines, the present where Samantha is trying to come to terms with her situation and the past when the incident took place. The author is very clever in only giving us Samantha’s version of the truth but as the story unfolds that we learn just how unreliable a narrator she is, and that her ‘truth’ might not be the same as everyone else’s.

I’m sure you’ve been seeing this all over at the moment and for good reason. This book has so many talking points; consent, gaslighting, sexual exploitation, cancel culture, social media. Would definitely recommend this intense and gripping read.

However, was anyone else confused by the cover (which I love by the way!) as almost all the book takes place in snowy New England and there’s not a single mention of a swimming pool!?

This was a great novel with a lot of dark underlying secrets, it keot me wondering what was going to happen and the main character I wanted to slap but also could see a lot of online personalities in her personality - The type that say things like OMG I'm so hot.. OMG I am just amazing lol you know the type but really managed to make me want to know more and loved the twists and turns, recommend this book to all.

Samantha is a social media 'influencer' with millions of fans. She publishes an essay of an encounter with her bff from school and her friend denies it happened that way. Samantha needs to salvage her reputation and returns to her hometown to try to fix it.
This was an interesting read on just how someone can believe their own press and how quickly things can fall apart.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book explores the concept of truth, and whether there can ever really be objective truth in a world governed by particular perspectives. O'Neill also deals with the issues of sexual assualt and consent in a delicate way unlike anything I've read before, especially as the accusation is between two women. The way the character of Sam evolves throughout the novel is masterful, and O'Neill painstakingly feeds us information right until the very last page. It made me think a lot, but was also a page-turner, and I think this book will stay with me for a while.

I am in two minds about this book. It is not my normal go-to genre but the subject matter gleaned from the blurb made me curious enough to find out more: a timely twisty new thriller involving the making and undoing of an influencer.

This influencer is Samantha Miller, who has millions of followers on social media and who makes it her business to dish out advice to her followership of young women. This advice is based on her own life experience. The relationship between her and her followers can be described as a strange combination of commercial greed and a particular brand of evangelism that lays bare a navel-gazing self-indulgence that I found quite annoying - but it is probably a fair representation of what being an influencer is all about. Samantha and her audience are feeding off each other revealing a pathetic neediness on both sides. At the peak of her career, Samantha is bathing in media exposure and follower approval that result in high calibre sponsorship deals and a place in the limelight of the rich, wealthy and famous.

Samantha loves her life where she managed to turn all her vulnerabilities into this shiny icon of worship until one day, a blast from the past upsets this delicate balance and sends her into a downward spiral which brings into question everything she thought she was and represented. A chain of events involving the two people she loved most many years ago, catches up with her very publicly. What happens to her is terrible but I really couldn’t muster much empathy.

What I did find really intriguing was how the main protagonists remembered – or reinvented – their past to make it fit with the perceptions they have of themselves or with the image of themselves they want to project to others. How the same events experienced by the same people have been internalised in different ways in order to create a story of their lives that is acceptable to them and others.
All in all, not a bad read – just not quite my cup of tea.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Transword Publishers / Penguin Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fascinating read about; modern culture, social media and it's ability to influence and destroy wrapped up in a young woman's history and friendship.

Samantha is an Idol, Guru who influences / manipulates? young woman through her social media / books and live events. It's at one of these events that she receives some news that could bring her down. What follows is Sam's journey to her past and her attempts to rewrite history. I found it an interesting, easy read, with a cracking end.

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview.

Wow. Just... wow.

This book is... a lot. And one I feel like my review will not do justice, because how I do adequately put into words just how incredible it is? I was hooked right from the start and found it to be such a page-turner despite the heavy subject matter. I read the last 75% in one sitting - a glance at my clock said 2.30am, then 4.40am and before I knew it, it was past 6am.

I love how this novel explores the many versions of truth as well as trauma and memory. It starts uncomfortable but important conversations about consent, sexual assault and the #MeToo movement. It's also an acute deep dive into the influencer lifestyle and image, social media toxicity, performative wokeness and cancel culture.

The protagonist is a hot mess but yet there's also something so charismatic about her that you can't peel yourself away from. Sad to say but I could relate to some of her experiences and decisions e.g. fictionalising a real-life account as a coping mechanism.

This is my 4th book by the author and once again, she tackles the most difficult topics with such ingenuity and skill. It's also one of the best books I've read about female friendships. There are lots of crazy, intense moments but also the tender and heartfelt ones.

Dark, haunting, powerful, unforgettable — this is a book that will stay with me for long.

What a thoroughly horrible bunch of characters. I don't think any of them has a redeeming feature, but Sam is foul, absolutely foul. The plot is almost secondary.

The blurb of this book really appealed to me and it definitely lived up to expectations. I flew through it in a day, it was a really quick read but full of substance! Some of the subject matter is difficult to read about but was handled really well by the author. Sam and Lisa were really interesting and complex characters, I didn't quite know what to make of them. I won't say too much about the plot so as not to give away any spoilers but it's full of intrgue and told with a dual timeline focusing on Sam and Lisa's school years and the present day. I really wasn't expecting it to end the way it did but it definitely went out with a bang.

Idol by Louise O’Neill
I give this book 4.25 stars

For Samantha Miller's young fans, she's an oracle, telling them how to live their lives, how to be happy, how to find and honour their 'truth'.
She's written about her sexual awakening as a teenager, with her best friend, Lisa. The essay goes viral.
But then - Lisa gets in touch to say that she doesn't remember it that way at all. It's Sam's word against Lisa's - so who gets to tell the story? Whose 'truth' is really a lie?

A realistic and thought provoking read that tackles tough relevant issues head on.Told between past and present timelines with an unreliable narrative l was sucked right in.Should social influencers be idolised,whose recollections are accurate,what are unhealthy friendships,how do you deal with cancel culture. I loved how this author made a book uncomfortable but believable and totally engrossing at the same time! One l think everyone will be discussing,grab your copy and join the debate .
With thanks to Netgalley, Louise O’Neill and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for my chance to read and review this book

I love a messy protagonist and Idol’s Samantha must be one of the messiest. A wellness influencer gone wrong, she’s unreliable, untrustworthy, and yet completely relatable despite the terrible things she may or may not have done to those closest to her. Idol is yet another compulsive thriller from Louise O’Neill.

I enjoyed this book and would enjoy reading another one from this author. The dual timelines were really well written and it was really easy to visualise.

Second book I’ve read by Louise O’Neill and I’m just as impressed on finishing this one.
I was gripped by the story immediately.

This has dual timelines and an unreliable narrator so you’re left waiting until the very end for the truth revealed.

A very worthwhile read.

This book, I imagine, will split ‘the vote’….
Samantha is a social media guru, loved, adored, cherished by millions of girls who stand by her feminist vocality and vegan lifestyle…until she is accused of sexual assault…by a former female best friend ( Lisa ) and her life becomes, well in the words of one author comment ‘gloriously messy’
I really liked Samantha for the first part of the book then this changed to a rabid dislike of her, but there are reasons for this and I think readers will either empathise or totally loathe her
Same has to be said for all the other characters throughout tbh
There are many triggers, most of the ones you are thinking are there and do form part of the complete story and not just thrown in for effect
A peculiarly sharp and brutally quick ending, I wondered if a chapter had been missed but no, it ends as the rest of the book made me feel, slightly out of kilter and yet wanting just that bit more of the story
A strange book to review and although am giving it lower marks they are good lower marks if makes sense, an unsettlingly unable to pigeon hole book that would recommend you read if you want to shake up your mind a bit!

7/10
3.5 Stars