I really, really loved this. A very modern and dark tale of love, influencers, the underbelly of Hollywood, #metoo, and romance shows. I love all aspects of that and this book did not disappoint.

I found the way this story was told really interesting, seeing how the "show" played out from Maggie's perspective, so we discover things at a similar pace as Emma does. I sort of guessed "whodunnit" but it still was a shock when it was revealed. I can't wait to read more from Stewart. Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this book, i'll be recommending it!

The blurb:

When Kansas sweetheart Maggie Lathrop is crowned the winner of America’s most popular dating show, her life is transformed overnight. Suddenly, Maggie has it all: a gorgeous husband, an immaculate Los Angeles mansion, and an entourage of glamorous friends. Despite picture-perfect appearances, the world Maggie has created is shattered after she’s found murdered in a desolate warehouse. As her sister, Emma, attempts to uncover the truth about Maggie’s life, a deadlier side to Hollywood is revealed. Because being beautiful can have the ugliest consequences. . .

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this murder-mystery style crime thriller. The story is told through several pov, and goes back and forth between now and prior to Maggie’s murder.

I enjoyed the character’s- finding out more about each as the story evolved. I had several suspicions about who might have done it throughout the book.

I love the title and the idea around Maggie’s lifestyle and career and how this was could’ve been linked to her murder.

A really interesting concept. Really well written 4⭐️ from me. I am interested to read more from this author. Thank you again Catriona Stewart and Random House Uk, Cornerstone for the advanced copy.

I LOVE reality tv so was excited by this combined with a murder mystery and this book did not disappoint. I guessed the big reveal early on but still found it satisfied and this meant that it was well set up throughout the book rather than rushed at the end.

I found myself wanting to keep reading this book. I just needed to know what happened. Enough information was told to keep you interested but not enough for you to guess.

It was a good book, not my favourite but it was well written. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. Emma was a little irritating as a character. Amanda’s POV was a little random and I thought her link to the other characters was a little weak.

I will say I was shocked at the end at the big reveal. I didn’t guess it at all.

I would recommend this book.

I liked the premise of this novel, a mystery exploring the dark side of Hollywood. However, I am not a fan of reality television and could not engage with the narrative.

This is a fast-paced mystery that dives into the dark side of reality TV. When former *LoveShack* star Maggie Lathrop is found murdered, her sister Emma is determined to uncover the truth, only to realize Maggie’s perfect life was anything but.

Full of secrets, twists and BTS drama, this book is both a gripping thriller and a sharp look at the cost of fame. If you love suspense with a reality TV twist, this one’s for you!

When Maggie is uncerimoniously murdered, it's up to her sister Emma to pick up where the LAPD left off when they called it a cold case.

People Pleaser rotates between Emma, Jill, Amanda and Maggie (past perspective) as we unravel any threads that can give Emma even a smidge of closure. I really liked the weave of the story telling between the four women in this behind-closed-doors look at the reality behind reality TV and the lives of those in the industry. All of the characters are well thought out and not overbearing in their characterisation or tropes.

Though all the women are deeply troubled in their own ways, you really root for them to get better. And seeing their relationships flourish, even through strife, is really heartwarming. As we uncover who killed Maggie, there's a sense of peace and justice.

I was fascinated by the concept of this book and really enjoyed reading it - the format really worked. I did guess whodunnit quite early on from clues the author planted, but it was a satisfying read nonetheless. I would have liked a bit more insight on reality tv as a whole, but that’s just personal preference and I think this will be really popular.

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart is an engaging and relatable read, though it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. The book explores the struggles of navigating relationships, identity, and self-worth, all through the lens of a protagonist who’s spent her life trying to please everyone but herself.

Stewart’s writing is sharp and insightful, and the humour she weaves throughout lightens some of the heavier themes. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery is honest and moving, and there are moments that feel painfully real. However, the pacing felt uneven at times, and a few plot points could have been developed further to pack a stronger emotional punch.

That said, People Pleaser is an enjoyable read with plenty of heart, and it will resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled to find their voice in a world full of expectations. A solid 3.5 stars for its wit, charm, and moments of raw truth.

Maggie, a reality TV star is found murdered, but the police close the case, so her sister Emma and friend Jill start their own investigation, with the help of Jill's demanding boss, Amanda. It is an entertaining read, told in chapters by the various characters including flashbacks to Maggie's time on Love Shack, a reality dating show where she became famous.
It's mostly a murder mystery, with lots of diversions and plot twists. I did guess who the murderer was quite early, but still enjoyed the rest of the book - I could have been wrong!
Recommended

Really enjoyed reading People Pleaser! The pacing, the multiple POVs, the murder, everything was super well thought out. I wish the character of Maggie was slightly less cliche, but I get it's part of the plot. Read this in less than a day, and will be keeping an eye on Catriona Stewart to be able to read her future novels!

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart is a gripping exploration of fame, secrets, and the dark side of reality TV. The story begins with the tragic murder of Maggie Lathrop, a young woman who seemingly had it all. After winning the reality TV show LoveShack, Maggie's life appeared to be a fairy tale—beautiful, wealthy, and married to one of America’s most eligible bachelors. But when she is found dead in an LA warehouse, her shocking murder leaves her millions of adoring fans in disbelief.

The FBI is stumped, and with no clear leads, Maggie’s sister, Emma, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind her sister’s death. As Emma digs deeper into Maggie’s life, she starts to unravel the cracks beneath Maggie’s TikTok-perfect persona. What appeared to be a perfect life is quickly revealed to be far more complex, and Emma soon discovers that someone is desperate to keep Maggie’s secrets buried.

Stewart masterfully immerses readers in the world of reality television, where image and authenticity are often at odds. The book delves into the pressure of living under the constant scrutiny of the public eye and the lengths some will go to protect their secrets. The characters are well-developed, and Emma’s determination to uncover the truth keeps the tension high throughout the story. As the mystery unfolds, readers are led through a maze of lies, deceit, and unexpected twists, making it a true page-turner.

For fans of reality TV, this book provides a fascinating look at the darker side of fame, showing the struggles and sacrifices behind the glossy image presented on screen. The suspense builds steadily, and just when you think you know the truth, Stewart delivers an unexpected conclusion that will leave you questioning everything.

People Pleaser is a compelling mystery that expertly combines elements of suspense with a keen social commentary on fame and its consequences. Whether you’re a fan of reality TV or simply enjoy a well-crafted mystery, this book will keep you hooked from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This follows the sister of a former reality star from a Love Island-esque show as she looks to solve her murder. It's told from a multiple POV which is something I really enjoyed.

I liked Maggie's POV the most as it focused on the show and very lightly touched on her life after the show. I do think none of the characters were massively developed and all of the reality show characters were quite one dimensional (although I've never watched Love Island, so this could be accurate).

The pacing was quite slow, with over half of the book more being about the reality show and the characters' lives and not really bringing forward any theories on who the killer could be. The end also felt quite rushed compared to the rest of the book.

Overall a really fun concept that just needed a bit more action for me.

3.5 ⭐

Fame culture is one of my favourite sub genres in fiction and I loved how much this murder mystery dove into reality TV fame and influencers. These sections were some of the most interesting parts of the story, I especially loved seeing Maggie's shift in personality as the reality show continued.

Characters are such a big part of a story for me and they just didn't hit for me. While the author was successful in making sure actions had consequences and weren't just forgotten about, the characters were a bit one dimensional with their defining trait being a bit overused.

Despite that, it was a fast paced and thrilling story which has some twists along the way which kept me intrigued. It definitely reads like the work of an author who is much more experienced than it being her debut. Because of this, I'll be curious to follow Catriona Stewart's journey and read what she puts out next!!

(Thank you Cornerstone for the review copy of this book!!)

Thank you to net galley and the author for this copy of the arc book.

This was such a fun read. I enjoyed the mystery and didn’t see the ending coming. It’s such a very interesting take on reality TV and how that everything is not as what as it seems. I liked the relationships between the central characters. The writing was easy to read and I read this book in just over 24 hours. This was book was told from various different perspectives, some of them were more interesting than others. Overall a good book. Xxx

This was a fun read. I enjoyed the mystery and didn’t predict the ending. It was an interesting take on reality TV and how it is not what it seems. I enjoyed the relationships between the central characters. The writing was easy to read and I read the book over an afternoon. This would make a great holiday read, it’s fun and not overly complex, whilst still being interesting and gripping.

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart

I enjoyed this book overall. I'm not usually a huge fan of reality TV being portrayed through murder mystery books, but I thought I'd give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised. The reality TV and influencer aspect is not overdone and, in fact, takes a bit of a backseat to the drama apart from during Maggie's POV, which I liked. I enjoyed that the scenes from Love Shack (which, let's be real, is just a rip-off name for Love Island) showed some truth to the way reality TV is staged; from the producers withholding food from the contestants to contestants being forced into uncomfortable or downright scary situation (e.g. the hot tub with Patrick) without any thought for their feelings or safety. Theo even says at one point "I feel like a zoo animal being forced to mate in captivity" which I feel is very true for a lot of these reality TV dating shows and is one of the reasons I won't watch Love Island myself, it all feels very weird. However, I appreciated that the author didn't attempt to make reality TV look like some incredible, easy get-rich-quick scheme but instead let us see the raw truths and dangers behind shows like this.

I also must admit I did enjoy the way some of the characters were written, although I found them each to be rather irritating in their own ways; yet this did allow them to feel more real and fully-formed. The only character I really liked was Maggie, and that was only during the first half of the book before she became famous. In the beginning, Maggie is a sensitive, witty, thoughtful and hard-working young woman who is shown to be deeply caring and protective of her sister; which is the opposite of what many may associate with a stereotypical "influencer". I loved Maggie's biting sense of humour which we see a lot of in her POVs at the start and slightly during the filming of Love Shack. Although, I feel the author perhaps let Maggie as a character down during the latter part of the book, as her personality seems to totally evaporate and she becomes what can only be described as an eye-roll worthy air-head focused on her hair, makeup, fashion etc and this overtakes the real personality we are introduced to at the start. This just felt odd. Of course Maggie would have changed as a person after becoming famous, but instead the character seems to completely lose all sense of self and falls into being this 2 dimensional character with no real fleshed-out personality; perhaps though this was the author's intention? Emma felt very similar as a character; we saw her huge motivation to find justice for her sister and her spiralling depression, but that was as far as her character was taken and we don't really get a sense of Emma's personality (other than her being a "butch lesbian", which I don't feel is something that should be used as a way to dictate someone's personality as that is a huge generalisation) until around halfway through after she begins interacting with Amanda. I liked Emma as a character, and felt sorry for her, but did feel she was a rather one-noted character. Don't even get me started on Amanda; why was her POV even included? She added nothing to the story other than driving me mad with her narcissistic tendencies. The story would have been just as interesting had Amanda just been a background/secondary character as she's not directly involved in the drama really in any way and her participation in the plot felt forced. Jill just seemed like an insecure person who is unable to respect other people's or, in fact, her own boundaries. Some of their flaws did help to make the characters more relatable, yet as a whole I just didn't enjoy this group of characters as much as I feel I could have done.

Right from the very first chapter where we see Maggie gruesomely bleeding out, I found the plot incredibly gripping. There were a few chapters which were slower to read (mainly Amanda's parts) but the majority of this was intense and fast-paced. Emma's investigation into Maggie's death is what spurs the plot forward, and we slowly start to pull together pieces of the puzzle bit by bit. I really liked the multi POV way in which the story was told (minus Amanda's part because WHYYYY?) as it kept the plot from becoming stagnant and allowed us to see more action than would have been possible by just following Emma. It also allowed us to get an insight into each character's internal monologue and sense their personality; it's just unfortunate that their personalities didn't come across as well rounded as hoped. Furthermore, I began to have theories about who the murderer was about halfway through and found it a little disappointing to then be proven right, yet this didn't necessarily detract from the enjoyment I got from reading this book as a whole.

Considering this is Catriona's debut novel, I must say she has done a very good job. I will certainly be looking out for more of her work as I feel this book had a lot of promise and I did enjoy the overall writing style. I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Catriona Stewart for the ARC.

People Pleaser is something that is very much up my street. I enjoyed the premise a lot and the execution was, overall, pleasant to read. I love a mystery that keeps you guessing, and in this case, I never once suspected there person behind the crime. I was trying so hard to piece together what had happened with a whole load of other characters in mind, but it never quite worked. I will say, though, that I wasn't really a big fan of this book's motive, and while it's good in the sense of fitting in with the rest of the story, I do wish it had gone somewhere else. This aside, it's a good book, and I will be recommending it!

3.5

The characters were very distinct and skillfully drawn. The insight into the nastiness of reality television was well done. It's definitely a page-turner and kept me gripped throughout. But given the complexities explored in the story, the ending felt a little simple (not the reveal but resolution) and not tonally similar to the rest of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

"I still have this suspicion that everyone hates me. Which I know is paranoid. Except maybe it's not paranoid?"

^^^ girl, SAME.

Okay, I'm desperately trying to gather my feelings about this book. I've been deliberating over the appropriate star rating for a while and I'm still not sure if I've got it right.

This book is about a girl called Maggie who becomes famous on a reality TV show called "Love Shack" (but come on, we know this is basically Love Island) she is murdered a couple years after the show and the nobody knows who did it. We follow this book through multiple POV's from Maggie's sister Emma, her friend, the creator of Love Shack and interestingly enough, Maggie herself.

Maggie's POV was by far my favourite. She would talk us through episode by episode of her time within the reality show and then her life after it leading up to her murder. As a girl that has always loved watching reality shows this felt like the ultimate *wink wink nudge nudge* from the author who had clearly researched the process and knew some of the inside secrets on how its made. Although I have to be honest, it was a pretty depressing insight into reality shows and the process of making them. At one point a character describes it as "I feel like a zoo animal being forced to mate in captivity" ... yikes.

"Not only was she sad, but she was sick of being sad"

I'm a little disappointed that this book didn't attempt to add much depth to reality show contestants. It seemed to continue perpetuating the image of reality show contestants becoming cold, fake, caricatures of themselves. Maggie had the potential to be an incredibly in-depth complex character, but once she reached fame her personality seemed to be reduced down to caring about nothing more than diet, surgeries, money and social image. I think this book had an ideal opportunity to blow apart the generic stereotype of reality TV contestants, and I honestly think this story would have benefited greatly from that. Seems like a waste opportunity, and a waste of what could have been some pretty interesting characters.

Finally, I'm still trying to understand why Amanda's character was included. Seemed like a whole lot of back story and filler with little gain to the story itself.

"The kind of day that made her want to crawl into a hole or scream into the void or walk into oncoming traffic."

Overall, this was definitely an interesting, thought provoking read, but it could have given so much more.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC ❤️