Reality Turns Toxic..
The unbelievably toxic world of reality television is explored in all its gore in this twisting and turning murder mystery. When Maggie wins ‘Lovestruck’, her life is changed, seemingly overnight - so, when she is found murdered a wave of grief from adoring fans and followers ensues. The FBI seem at a loss to solve the case, so enter Emma, Maggie’s sister, who soon becomes obsessed with finding the truth. Pacy and engaging and with a well drawn cast of characters this is a one sit compelling read.

4
When a famous reality star is killed, her sister has an obsession with wanting to find the person behind it.

The book flows through the dark sides of reality tv and shows the behind the scenes drama with glances into each episode. It shows how both producers and cast mates get into drama that will forever affect their lives .

The book is a extremely modern page turner and perfect for fans of shows like Love island- or any romance reality tv, since it has mysterious twists and turns. The story is a true Who-Dun it and personally kept me guessing until the very last moment .

I do however think the ending was slighty contrived but the novel was still enjoyable regardless

People Pleaser really took me by surprise - this book’s short chapter point of views are obsessively psychological and deceptive, and yet so so easy to read. I was completely hooked from the first short chapter.

The novel unfolds and predominantly follows Emma whose famous reality star sister, Maggie, was murdered. Now a cold case, she’s trying to find out who really felt the need to get rid of her, and why. Was it Maggie’s reality TV love-match Theo? The screenwriter for the show Amanda? Someone else?

The novel interweaves these tricky collective narratives into an addictive murder-mystery. Whilst I didn’t entirely know what the title would mean I was letting myself in for, Catriona Stewart’s handling of pace, her deft prose, and her ability to withhold information from the reader makes this such an interesting, deep, but easy read.

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart is a sharp, insightful exploration of self-identity, relationships, and the complexities of living for others’ approval.

Overall, People Pleaser is a beautiful, thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who finds themselves on social media more than they'd like.

I think the premise of this book is great but the execution is lacking. The ending wasn’t a real shock and it took a slow journey to get there. However, that being said I flew through this book and it was an easy evening read!

Emma, who recently lost her sister to murder, is chronically online which helps her solve the crime. She’s bitten off more than she can chew in the process… do you really know the people closest to you?

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC!

People Pleaser is an exciting, glamorous mystery that will keep you on your toes. Stewart expertly weaves a world with a cast of secretive, nefarious characters and I was left guessing until the very end. I would heartily recommend this LA adventure.

Maggie, a star who rose to fame after starring on LoveShack, is found dead in a warehouse and the police are left stumped, declaring it a cold case. Maggie's grieving sister Emma is unsatisfied with this result and takes the investigation into her own hands. She is joined by her roommate, Jill, and the original creator of LoveShack, Amanda, in her detective endeavours.

Emma, Jill, and Amanda are all wonderful eccentric and vivid central characters. Although they are not always likeable, I was rooting for them throughout the novel. Each character has their own backstory, career aspirations, and motives for cracking the case. Moreover, every few chapters we are treated to flashbacks from Maggie's point of view before her death. This helps both build the suspense in finding Maggie's killer and gives the audience an insider look into the toxic effects the Reality TV lifestyle had reaped upon Maggie.

As our protagonists' tireless investigations lead them from LA to London, a range of famous LoveShack characters have secrets come to life and the truth slowly unfolds. The novel does not shy away from the misogyny, racism, drug abuse, and sexual assault culture found in Hollywood. People Pleaser shows the ugly underbelly of Reality TV, brand deals, and social media influencers.

Stewart's People Pleaser is a vibrant, clever adventure that is deliciously entertaining while also commenting on the dark side of fame, tv, and social media. This is an exhilarating page-turner that will delight those that wonder about the perverse effects of shows like Love Island and The Bachelor.

*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

In People Pleaser, Catriona Stewart crafts a riveting murder mystery that dives into the glamorous yet toxic world of reality TV fame. The story centers around Maggie Lathrop, who skyrockets to fame after winning the reality show LoveShack, becoming America’s sweetheart almost overnight. But the fairytale comes to a chilling end when she’s found murdered in an abandoned LA warehouse, leaving fans devastated and authorities scrambling for answers. Maggie's sister, Emma, takes it upon herself to uncover the truth behind Maggie's untimely death, quickly discovering that her sister’s "perfect" life might have been anything but.

Stewart uses alternating perspectives to piece together Maggie's rise and fall, contrasting her seemingly flawless public image with the complicated reality behind it. The book’s structure allows readers to explore Maggie’s world from multiple viewpoints—fans, friends, and Emma herself—each adding depth to the mystery and slowly revealing the cracks in Maggie's TikTok-polished persona. Through Emma’s investigation, we see how fame has warped relationships and obscured the truth, setting up a gripping exploration of identity and the price of popularity.

What makes People Pleaser stand out is its layered critique of fame culture and social media. Stewart's portrayal of Maggie as a "people pleaser" feels painfully relevant, examining the lengths people go to maintain an image and the toll it takes on their personal lives. Emma's journey to uncover the truth also becomes a story about understanding who Maggie really was—a woman torn between the demands of her fans, her own insecurities, and the darker forces of the entertainment industry. The twists are unpredictable, though the final reveal might be polarizing; Stewart leaves readers with an ambiguous take on justice and closure.

This novel is a page-turner that combines mystery with social commentary, making it a thought-provoking and timely read. If you're a fan of thrillers that take a deep dive into contemporary issues like fame, identity, and the hidden realities of social media, People Pleaser will grip you from start to finish. Catriona Stewart has crafted a captivating tale that’s as entertaining as it is unsettling, leaving readers questioning the stories they see on screen and the ones left untold.

I enjoyed this book. Light fun reading. The story moved at a great pace and even though a bit predictable, very enjoyable and I can't wait to read more from this author

Maggie, the much loved star of loveshack is found dead, due to police incompetence her sister Emma takes over solving her murder.

While this book is full of tropes, it’s a very strong plot with good different POV’s. I admit it was a little hard to love because I couldn’t gel with the main characters but it’s a solid book with a very good mystery.

Wow! I absolutely binged this!

I wasn’t expecting much from the characters as they were mostly reality TV stars/influencers and usually portrayed to be very shallow. But I have to say, the author really gave them depth & purpose!

Each little storyline within the book was easy to follow and really engaging.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Amazing!!! I absolutely loved this book and I’m so grateful I was given the chance to read the ARC before publication. Really relevant and modern storyline relating to a lot of life nowadays, will definitely be picking up more books from this author! Highly recommend!

"People Pleaser" by Catriona Stewart was a wild ride that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the glamorous yet treacherous world of reality television and the darker side of fame that this story explores. The character of Maggie Lathrop, who is crowned the winner of a hit dating show, immediately captures your attention as a quintessential "Kansas sweetheart" whose life suddenly turns fantastical. You think she has it all—a stunning mansion in Los Angeles, a handsome husband, and a circle of glamorous friends—but things take a dark turn when she's found murdered, and the façade begins to crumble.
What I really appreciated about this book was how Stewart cleverly interwove a twisting plot full of lies, secrets, and revelations. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story would take a turn, and I found myself gasping more than once. Every time a clue was revealed, I would second-guess my theories, which I think is a true testament to Stewart's writing. A compelling mystery should keep you on your toes, and "People Pleaser" certainly did just that.
The narrative is structured beautifully with multiple points of view, including that of Maggie herself, as we get flashbacks from her time on "Loveshack." Each character brought their own dimension to the story, and I was genuinely invested in what they had to say. Emma, Maggie's sister, and her best friends, Jill and Amanda, took centre stage in the investigation when the police declared Maggie's case a cold one. Their determination and camaraderie added a heartfelt layer to the mystery, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.
One aspect of the novel that struck me was the characterisation. I’ll be honest: I didn't really like Maggie. She was portrayed as a "people pleaser," and while I felt sorry for her, I couldn’t help but question whether that label truly encapsulated who she was. This ambiguity made the story even more engaging—Stewart invites readers to form their own opinions about Maggie and her motivations, which kept me contemplating long after I had put the book down.
I also appreciated the dynamic of police incompetence, which is often overdone in thrillers. However, here, it felt realistic—not just a plot device to drive the narrative but a fitting element of the story’s context. It added urgency to Emma’s mission to uncover the truth, elevating the stakes and making the narrative even more gripping.
"People Pleaser" is more than just about uncovering who murdered Maggie; it’s an insightful exploration of the human psyche, fame, and the hidden struggles behind a picture-perfect life.

A new reality TV whodunnit set in the midst of the realities of 2020s social media - 4*

Reality TV murder mysteries must be a new genre in itself because I've now read four of this type this year.. This was the first of that genre I've read where it is set in the 2020s - TikTok is mentioned too frequently for this book to be set in the 2010s. Now, this book baffles me because it has a lot of the tropes that I usually hate, but for some reason in this book, I don't.

1, Multiple POVs. I usually can't keep track and hate switching POVs with each of the characters but I don't in this novel. The plot line is so strong. You don't really care who tells you what happens as the mystery is so strong.

2. No likeable main character. To me, characters are everything (and normally trump the plot) but in this novel it made sense. This novel centres around Maggie, who is sold as a "people pleaser" and I don't think I truly liked her. I felt inherently sorry for her and I feel she did "people please" to an extent, but was she really a "people pleaser"? Perhaps, that's for you - the reader - to decide.

3.A murder mystery where the police are incompetent. Again, I normally find this overexaggerated and unrealistic but it fit in this book. This book wouldn't make sense without it.

I don't know how to summarise my feelings for this novel... I really don't. I was a little disappointed by the murderer reveal. (No spoilers!) Despite this, I still really enjoyed this and I feel this story is more than who murdered Maggie.

A fun mystery, which looks at the reality of fame and the effect it has on the people around you. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to mystery fans

This book! This freaking book! It was so good.

A murder mystery about a reality tv star, in this day and age it’s more normal than not.

Maggie the star of “loveshack” is found dead but to her sister agony the police declare it a cold case as they don’t have a prime suspect. Emma and her best friends Jill and the creator of “loveshack” Amanda have to solve this themselves.

We read this story from their POV and Maggie herself as flashbacks from during and after the reality tv show as aired. I did find predict the ending but I’m not mad about it as it was exceptionally good and would honestly recommend this book when it’s released.

So happy I got a ARC of this! Thank you!

A really fun mystery, with multiple perspectives in a Reality TV/Love Island- esque universe. It was intriguing, twisty and the characters were so easy to like and difficult to suspect.

Thanks for giving me a copy of that book. It was really fun to read! I liked how it mixed up reality TV and crime. I’ve watched Love Island UK since it started, and I thought this book was a cool way to see what it might be like behind the scenes. I guessed who did it, but the book was still really exciting and kept me reading. It was exactly what I wanted to read

An intriguing concept, a mash up of romantic reality TV and crime thriller tropes, that fails to deliver on its initial promise. It is told across four viewpoints, from murder victim Maggie and her experience on the dating show LoveShack, to her sister Emma, tirelessly attempting to discover the truth behind the case. The author is trying to ask some thought provoking questions about the effect of reality TV upon its stars, and the price you pay for fame, but it just felt heavy handed and staid throughout. Couple that with some really clunky dialogue and characterisation and, though there is enough here to prove a page turner for many, it just didn't hold my attention

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed this twisty thriller which blended two of my favourite basic girl interests: reality tv and crime. I’ve watched love island uk since the start and really enjoyed the vapid, shallow look at behind the scenes of these types of shows. I did guess the twist, but I was super hooked on this book and found it to be a real page turner! It was exactly my type of story.