Social media mysteries and thrillers are my jam, and I loved Olivia’s spin on a missing influencer trope, told through the eyes of an older sister.

The first 30% of this book blew me away. I read it quickly and was heavily invested in the storyline. It dragged for me after that. Many of the twists were too wild for my taste (and I am not someone who struggles with suspension of disbelief).

However, I really enjoyed Olivia’s writing and will be very curious to pick up her next book.

SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE by debut author Olivia Muenter is an interesting social commentary on the consequences of children growing up in the age of mommy bloggers, monetizing one’s life and constantly living with an audience. I found the way the author explored consent, the way people seek to capitalize on tragedy, and influencer culture. Olivia has a large online presence herself and was able to offer a candid critique of the industry.

The novel is marketed as a thriller but I found it to be more of a slow-burn character study. The premise was great and I was hooked from the beginning but the story lost steam around 60% where not much had happened. The pacing felt a bit off for me because for a majority of the story the narrative drive was lacking, but the ending somehow still felt rushed. I also felt the ending felt out of place and not in line with a particular character. While I would have preferred a faster-paced story I believe many readers will still enjoy this book over the summer.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was super addictive and twisty. Surprisingly enough, it did take me a few chapters to get interested in the story. However, once the story grasped my attention, I couldn't put this book down. This book is both a thriller and an examination at child stars and social media influencers. It definitely tackles some hard topics, and at times this book was heartbreaking to read. I feel it might make a good movie one day. I hope Olivia Muenter writes more books in the future because this one was fabulous!


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers & Olivia Muenter for the ARC. Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan-- I definitely wasn't the intended audience for the book & know nothing about influencer culture. 'Such a Bad Influence' explores the dangers of social media and how parents exploit their children by posting their pictures & videos all over the internet--without the consent of their children. There were parts that I found interesting, and made me think about posting pictures of my own kids on the internet. I used to post pics all the time, but now it's only every couple months. A big factor is that I'm lazy. Another factor is I don't care about social media. At all. While I will scroll Facebook & Instagram, I know that I could quit these platforms, but I would miss seeing updates from people I care for, but never see. However, the human interaction piece is so messed up. You can think you know people from all their posts--that you haven't actually seen or talked to since, oh, 2006. 'Friends' that you actively ignore in public. I am extremely grateful that I grew up & was a teenager where we had to use a computer to go on the internet. We had LiveJournal, AIM, and eventually Facebook--but that was when you had to be a college student to be on it & get a code from a member. Oh, how things have changed! I do think this book will relate well with the youth-- I just can't believe kids care so much about people they don't know on the internet. But, we (I) did care about things like NSync vs. Backstreet Boys (BSB sucks), loved JTT, had pictures of Eminem up on their walls. So, while this book wasn't for me, the youth might like it.

Well, hello social commentary! I have been a fan of Olivia Muenter for a while as she was a Philly girl for a bit and I loved getting her dining recommendations. When I saw she was writing a book about a missing influence it went immediately to the top of my TBR. I loved the parallels to real influencers (loved the “fictional” story about an influence locking herself in a high end Mexican hotel room) and definitely could see where Muenter was getting inspiritation from with various snark forums. While this is less thriller and more mystery, I enjoyed the suspense. This would be an awesome book club pick as it is ripe for discussion.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the best book I ever read about influencer culture. It's sharp yet tender, more of a fiction than a thriller.

I don't even use social media all that much, and yet something about the synopsis of this story really sucked me in. Maybe it was the drama of being an influencer from a young age and just up and vanishing that drew me in. The mystery of this was unfortunately a bit predictable, there are a few twists and turns that made me go "huh" but ultimately you can pretty much predict the direction that the story is going to take. The commentary was honestly more interesting to me than the mystery--especially in a day and age where child influencers, family vloggers and the safety of children and teens who are being posted online by their parents is a hot-button topic.
This was a good idea for a story, but I think that the mystery needed to be reworked a bit to give it some movement and a bit more stakes.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Hazel is older sister to famous influencer Evie and observes the life Evie leads, created by their mom Erin when Evie was only 5 years old, at an intentionally careful distance. Now Evie's 18 and living the life her followers envy...or is she? At the center of the story is Evie's disappearance from social media - unheard of from a leading influencer. Hazel's determined to find Evie and while doing so, the conscientiously crafted façade crumbles. What you expect happens with a couple twists you didn't see coming via an enlightening rabbit hole of influencer culture, even if it is fictional.

This was a solid debut about a famous influencer who grew up in front of the camera thanks to her mother and had her whole life shared online and the fallout when she goes missing. Told from alternating POVs this is perfect for fans of true crime podcasts and reality tv and considers questions of consent and child abuse/profiteering. I listened to this on audio and loved the full cast narration and the mic drop ending! Looking forward to more from Olivia Muenter in the future. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter is a very assured debut. The influence of social media is under the microscope in a very well written thriller with a great twist ending.

If you’re looking for a completely different type of summer read, there’s also Olivia Muenter’s SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE, out tomorrow, as well.

SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE, written by writer and podcaster Olivia Muenter (whom I follow and whose podcast Bad on Paper I listen to), is a mystery/light thriller that revolves around two daughters raised in the spotlight of their family’s internet fame, and particularly their calculating, career-influencer mother. There’s 18-year-old Evie, who has leaned into the family trade and amassed a multi-million dollar lifestyle influencing career of her own, and older sister Hazel, who loves her sister dearly but who doesn’t love the cost of her fame. (Fake friends, stalkers, suffocating momager, etc.) One day, Evie goes missing during a disturbing livestream, and Hazel, otherwise unenthused about her own life, commits herself to figuring out where her sister has disappeared to. Kidnapped, harmed, runaway? She sleuths through Evie’s life while reflecting on the sharp double-edged sword that is sharing one’s life on the internet, and resenting their mother for making it a compulsory part of growing up.

As I reflected on this one, I pulled open some of the influencer accounts I follow (Olivia included). What is it about the handful of them that keeps me coming back, even though I know — have reported on — how monetizing one’s following is another way of saying “making oneself into a one-person marketing agency?” There’s a lot of talk about authenticity and relatability in these spheres, but I think it may be more aptly put as a suspension of disbelief. What these — mostly beautiful women — are sharing is the kind of content that feels almost too real, so nearly real that I, as their follower, can lose myself in the narrative of their photos, videos, and stories and willfully pretend that I believe what they’re sharing to be the story of their lives. That’s my drink of choice, anyway: thrifting blips of other people’s lives and temporarily losing my mind in webs of vintage glassware, creative hobbies, and an aspirational intolerance to cringe. I too want to care that little and that much; I too want a sunset glass of wine over rolling hills. I am but a person online.

SABI is an of-the-times novel that asks philosophical questions about parasocial relationships and the commodification of the self in a whodunnit’s clothing. It’s probably not for people who haven’t been extremely online at some point in the last decade, or for people who say things like “I don’t really use social media.” But, good for those people, I love that for them. For the rest of us, suckers for a mystery and some pointed social commentary, clink clink.

This is a thriller about a girl who grew up online in the influencer world, her mother records her every move online from a baby and then When she’s 17 she goes missing. Her sister then goes in search for her.

Sounds like an amazing premise but I felt the plot fell short. It wasn’t thrilling, it was predictable and boring.

It did have a lot of interesting commentary on the world we live in with social media and influences and consent issues with children being shown online by parents.

But I feel like the author had that idea, and tried to work the story/plot around it and it didn’t work. It was soooo boring. There were parts I enjoyed like the comments from people on social media, the emails, and some of the commentary, but other than that the actual plot was boring.

Thanks to netgalley and the author for an arc.

📚 PUBLICATION WEEK REVIEW 📚

Such A Bad Influence By Olivia Muenter
Publication Date: June 4, 2024
Publisher: Quirk Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5 Stars)

📚MY REVIEW:

Such A Bad Influence was a brilliant thriller that simultaneously left me on the edge of my seat and presented a scathing, judgemental look at the world of social media. A phenomenal juxtaposition that was both terrifying and entirely plausible.

What a fun and twisty read this was! From the start of the book when 18-year-old social media darling Evie is suddenly missing, I was intrigued. As the reader was given a deeper look behind the curtain at the unhealthy and toxic relationships between Evie's family members, my intrigue only continued. When Muenter brought in the host of supporting characters within this story, the mysteries deepened and I could not put this book down.

This book was twisty in all the best ways! I really enjoyed the intelligent writing style and the ways in which the layers of the onion were continually peeled back. Just when you thought one revelation was shocking, another secret would be revealed that was at least equally - if not moreso - shocking than the last!

And just when you felt like everything was coming to a satisfying end, there was a final twist that completely left me shook. As in, "wait... WHAT just happened?!" It was one of those twists that's going to rent space in my head for a little bit because it completely changed the way I viewed our main characters in the story. I kinda wanted to applaud as I read the last paragraph.

This is a unique and timely thriller, a must-read for anyone looking for their next bingeable book. Love social media or hate it -- this book will have you thinking. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Quirk Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! Don't miss this one when it comes out June 4th!!

#SuchABadInfluence #OliviaMuenter #NetGalley #ARC #PublicationWeek #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #booklover #bookcommunity #thrillerread #thrilleraddict

Hazel's younger sister has grown up online. Having gone viral as a child, she’s now a teenage influencer with a massive following, and all that comes with it… the good, bad, financially successful, and ugly. And now she’s missing.
Part thriller, part meditation on influencer culture and our part in it as consumers and viewers. I especially think the exploration of how money is earned/managed by and for the children growing up on social media. I really loved this and particularly liked all the references to current social media and influencer culture. I am excited to read more from this author in the future!

Before I say anything else about this book I need to start with this, WHAT. WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! Still screaming.

When I found out Olivia Muenter, co-host of Bad on Paper Podcast, had a book coming out, I knew I needed it immediately. This is a slow-burn, realistic thriller that gets into your head. It makes you wonder about influencers' lives and what could be happening behind the scenes.

I had so many thoughts running through my head while reading this book. What has social media done to us? Where will it be in 10 years? Are any children of social media stars going to end up this way? And of course, Where is Evie?!

I loved the mixed media format that interspersed podcast interviews, Reddit threads, and more. I always feel more invested because it gives a bigger picture and feels like the real world instead of one created for fiction.

Once again, that ending was WILD. I could see this being a great book to discuss in a book club because I know we all have opinions about social media.

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter is a thrilling debut that dives into the complex world of social media stardom, family dynamics, and the darker sides of influencer culture. If you're a fan of Jessica Knoll or r/blogsnark, this book is right up your alley.

Hazel Davis, the older sister who avoided the limelight, is living a less-than-glamorous life compared to her influencer sister, Evie. Evie, who grew up in front of the camera as the child of a family vlogging influencer (Erin), now has a multimillion-dollar career and millions of followers. However, when Evie goes missing during a live stream, Hazel’s protective instincts kick in, and she plunges into her sister’s world to find her.

The plot is a rollercoaster of suspense and unexpected twists, keeping you hooked from the first page to the last. Muenter's portrayal of the impact of social media on personal identity and family relationships is both timely and thought-provoking. The story is interspersed with social media posts, podcast transcripts, and Reddit threads, adding a layer of realism and urgency to Evie’s disappearance.

Hazel's journey to uncover the truth about her sister is filled with tension, emotion, and a few well-placed surprises. The ending is particularly jaw-dropping, leaving readers both satisfied and eager for more.

Muenter's writing is sharp and engaging, with a perfect balance of humor and suspense. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own depth to the narrative. The book's commentary on influencer culture and the pressures of living a public life is insightful and often unsettling, making it a must-read for anyone curious about the realities behind the curated images on our screens.

Thank you to Quirk Books for the ARC. Such a Bad Influence is a compelling debut that promises to spark discussions and linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommended for thriller fans and anyone interested in the darker side of social media fame.

3.5 stars
Hazel is 28, currently unemployed, living in a not-so-great apartment in Las Vegas and wondering if she will ever get the chance to live her dream of being a journalist in New York, when she learns that her 18 year old sister, Evie, disappeared a week ago. Evie lives with their mom in Arizona and has been a very successful influencer for most of her life, when she is suddenly nowhere to be found. Hazel rushes to her mom's house to help find her sister and to find out why she didn't learn about this right away. Hazel and her mom have been estranged for the past year, and have always had a strained relationship, in part due to how Hazel felt about the constant sharing of their lives growing up. Hazel felt like Evie never had a choice about her life being so public, even though Evie claimed to be happy with it. This is a really interesting part of the book as it explores the very real issue of families that share so much about their children online.

Part of the book is about this mysterious disappearance and what Hazel finds while trying to find out what happened to her sister. Even though they were close and were in touch frequently, Hazel hasn't lived at home for 10 years. She had to contact Evie's friends, boyfriend, and rivals to learn as much as she could. Some of the story is told as Hazel's memories of her relationship with Evie, her mom and her dad, which are some of the best parts.

Do we find out what happened to Evie, yes. Do we get a resolution of all the questions that are brought up, not really. While I did enjoy this book, and felt like its was very compelling, there were several loose ends, and some characters and storylines that never went anywhere. While I see other reviewers mention a twist at the end, I felt like it was not a twist, but a continuation of the manipulation that we are shown is part of an influencers life. Who knows, though!

If you like a compelling mystery, with a lot of social media/influencer behind-the-scenes info, this will be an enjoyable read for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book! I have followed Olivia on Instagram for many years and have been really looking forward to her first book. And off the bat, I will say this - the girl can write. This does not feel like a debut novel at all. Nothing about the writing feels forced or awkward, and I already am looking forward to future books from her. So she gets 5 stars from me in that category.

I have mixed feelings about the book overall though, which is too bad because I really wanted to adore it! This is equal parts a suspense/thriller and a commentary on social media, self imagine, and modern culture. And while I think she wrote both parts really well, the actual plot felt a bit off to me.

I loved the suspenseful tone of the book, but as with many thrillers, the big “what happened” reveal fell a little flat for me, including the big twist at the end (although it is a good twist I did not predict). And likely this is just a me problem; maybe I am just no longer into books where you cannot tell who is good or bad, what is real and what is a lie. I truly think others will have no problems with this.

I also thought her approach to discussing the impact of social media on society was brilliant. Olivia has been an “influencer” for years, but you can tell she has her head on straight about the whole thing (which has been obvious through her content for a long time). And because of this, she offers a really unique perspective on this culture. But at times, I felt like the discussion about this bogged down the thriller part of the plot.

Initially, the combination of these two aspects really grabbed me and I couldn’t put it down, but after I was about 50% of the way in, it started to feel a little repetitive.

Overall, this is a 3.5/5 for me, personally. However! I will say! I am overly judgmental of thrillers and think others will probably really, really enjoy this book, and I will very easily recommend it to friends who I know feel differently about the genre than I do.

This book is incredibly relevant to our everyday lives, especially considering you are reading this on Instagram right now! Such A Bad Influence executes a deep dive on social media influencers, especially those that feature their children in their posts.

Evie Davis is uber famous at the age of 18 - like 4 million followers famous. Balanced on the edge of her childhood fame and adulthood - she has never really had the chance to figure out who she is. And she may never get the chance, considering she goes MISSING during a live stream.

Evie’s sister, Hazel, is really the opposite of Evie. Almost no social media presence, and struggling in many senses of the word. After the sketchy live-stream and no one hearing from Evie for days - Hazel must piece together her sister’s past interactions to discover the truth.

Told partially in podcast transcripts and Reddit threads, this one will appeal to anyone on social media. Check this one out if you like thrillers, suspense, and unhinged endings!

**Thank you to Quirk Books for the finished copy of this title as well as the NetGalley ARC!**

I am a sucker for plots related to influencer culture, especially in thrillers. For me, this one lagged a little in the middle and was more focused on commentary about influencer culture than moving the pacing along like the typical thriller I enjoy. I think it would work well for people who maybe enjoy general fiction with some mystery elements, as compared to a die-hard thriller reader. Again, the social media commentary was insightful and interesting, I was just anticipating a faster pace.