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Such a Bad Influence
A razor-sharp debut about what happens when one of the first child stars of the social media age grows up . . . and goes missing.
Hazel Davis is drifting: she’s stalled in her career, living in a city she hates, and less successful than her younger sister @evelyn, a lifestyle influencer. Evie came of age on the family YouTube channel after a viral video when she was five. Ten years older and spotlight-averse, Hazel managed to dodge the family business—so although she can barely afford her apartment, at least she made her own way.
Evie is eighteen now, with a multimillion-dollar career, but Hazel is still protective of her little sister and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend and influencer frenemies, and their opportunistic mother. So when Evie disappears one day during an unsettling live stream that cuts out midsentence, Hazel is horrified to have her worst instincts proven right.
As theories about Evie’s disappearance tear through the internet, inspiring hashtags, Reddit threads, and podcast episodes, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of her sister’s world to untangle the truth. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else . . . doesn’t she?
Hazel Davis is drifting: she’s stalled in her career, living in a city she hates, and less successful than her younger sister @evelyn, a lifestyle influencer. Evie came of age on the family YouTube channel after a viral video when she was five. Ten years older and spotlight-averse, Hazel managed to dodge the family business—so although she can barely afford her apartment, at least she made her own way.
Evie is eighteen now, with a multimillion-dollar career, but Hazel is still protective of her little sister and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend and influencer frenemies, and their opportunistic mother. So when Evie disappears one day during an unsettling live stream that cuts out midsentence, Hazel is horrified to have her worst instincts proven right.
As theories about Evie’s disappearance tear through the internet, inspiring hashtags, Reddit threads, and podcast episodes, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of her sister’s world to untangle the truth. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else . . . doesn’t she?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 1,473 reviews
March 17, 2024
Sorry to all the other books, but this one was my #1 most-anticipated of the year, and WOW it delivered.
The book follows the investigation around a second-generation influencer who disappears during a live stream. Told through the POV of her social-media-skeptical older sister as she tries to piece together what happened. This book had so many surprising twists and turns that had me glued to my seat (honestly, finished it in a single day; cancelled plans to make it possible; IYKYK). And MY GOD... the ending!!! Masterful!
There is so much incredibly thoughtful commentary around social media and influencer culture. People are going to be talking about this one! (Also fully approved for thriller scaredy-cats like me... it's more unsettling re: internet culture than outright scary!)
The book follows the investigation around a second-generation influencer who disappears during a live stream. Told through the POV of her social-media-skeptical older sister as she tries to piece together what happened. This book had so many surprising twists and turns that had me glued to my seat (honestly, finished it in a single day; cancelled plans to make it possible; IYKYK). And MY GOD... the ending!!! Masterful!
There is so much incredibly thoughtful commentary around social media and influencer culture. People are going to be talking about this one! (Also fully approved for thriller scaredy-cats like me... it's more unsettling re: internet culture than outright scary!)
June 11, 2024
5 ⭐️
SUCH A GOOD BOOK?!??
Immediate words that come to mind after just finishing this book: addictive, electric, propulsive, unputdownable, insightful, gripping, deliciously entertaining, thought provoking and WOW so well written.
I truly can’t believe this is a debut novel?! I am a Bad On Paper/Olivia’s Substack fangirl so I truly could not wait to pick this up. I knew it would be good but not THIS good.
The slow burn thriller vibes were vibing, and the last 30% had me in an absolute chokehold to the point that I was just sitting at my desk staring into space with my jaw on the floor while listening to the audiobook. Olivia had me on my toes and questioning who I was rooting for the entire time, and I easily could have listened to 7 more hours of this book.
Being a content creator, the questions that were being touched on about the influencer era were so interesting and I want to go back to my Kindle version to highlight and discuss so many things. This would make SUCH a good book club pick. The audio was so well produced (podcast clips, reddits, etc) so highly suggest ear reading for this one!
Olivia, you really did that. So wildly impressed 👏🏼
SUCH A GOOD BOOK?!??
Immediate words that come to mind after just finishing this book: addictive, electric, propulsive, unputdownable, insightful, gripping, deliciously entertaining, thought provoking and WOW so well written.
I truly can’t believe this is a debut novel?! I am a Bad On Paper/Olivia’s Substack fangirl so I truly could not wait to pick this up. I knew it would be good but not THIS good.
The slow burn thriller vibes were vibing, and the last 30% had me in an absolute chokehold to the point that I was just sitting at my desk staring into space with my jaw on the floor while listening to the audiobook. Olivia had me on my toes and questioning who I was rooting for the entire time, and I easily could have listened to 7 more hours of this book.
Being a content creator, the questions that were being touched on about the influencer era were so interesting and I want to go back to my Kindle version to highlight and discuss so many things. This would make SUCH a good book club pick. The audio was so well produced (podcast clips, reddits, etc) so highly suggest ear reading for this one!
Olivia, you really did that. So wildly impressed 👏🏼
July 10, 2024
Hazel Davis is drifting: she’s stalled in her career, living in a city she hates, and less successful than her younger sister, @evelyn, a mega-popular lifestyle influencer. Evie came of age online, having gone viral at five years old for a heart-tugging daddy-daughter dance. Ten years older and spotlight-averse, Hazel managed to dodge the family YouTube channel—so although she can barely afford her apartment, at least she made her own way.
Evie is eighteen now, with a multimillion-dollar career and unlimited opportunities, but Hazel is still protective of her little sister and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend and influencer frenemies, and their opportunistic mother. So when Evie disappears one day—during an unsettling live stream that cuts out midsentence—Hazel is horrified to have her worst instincts proven right.
As theories about Evie’s disappearance tear through the internet, inspiring hashtags, Reddit threads, podcast episodes, and scorn, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of her sister’s world to untangle the threads of truth. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else…doesn’t she?
Such a Bad Influence is so hard to describe. From the character-driven plot to the constant low-level suspense, I was wrapped up in the mystery of it all from the start. At the same time, however, this was a very long, slow burn for most of the novel. Much more family drama, mystery, or suspense than thriller (which is how it was billed), the pluses were many—even though there were some downsides as well.
Starting with the positives, the characters were pure gold. Fully fleshed out and authentically real, each had their own foibles and flaws that came alive on the page. From the down-on-her-luck narrator to the manipulative mother, the glimpses of not only this family—but the missing influencer as well—felt genuine as could be. Along with that was a juicy dysfunctional family dynamic that kept the plot charged and aimed perfectly for maximum drama.
Speaking of the plot, I absolutely loved the format. Sprinkled with podcast transcripts, Reddit posts, and the like, it brought the storyline utterly to life. I don’t know about you, however, but I expect a thriller to have propulsive writing and unending foreboding. This book, while filled to the brim with an enthralling mystery, was missing much of that pull. But maybe it was just my expectations that hampered my enjoyment a bit.
The biggest success of this book, though, was how brilliantly it critiqued social media, our reliance on it, and the damage it may be doing in the long run. On top of that it touched on topics such as ownership, autonomy, and the right to privacy. For that reason alone, it would make a dynamite book club pick. Add in the finely layered plot and surprising twists and turns, and it would be quite the conversation starter for all those concerned.
Now for the bad news, however. Unfortunately, I just expected so much more. More shocks. More thrills and chills. More moving parts. To be frank, most of the action occurred in just the last 100 or so pages—and even that wasn’t extensive. But it was the big reveal and irritating conclusion that bugged me the most. I can’t say much more, but on one hand they felt anticlimactic and the other they were just displeasing.
All in all, however, I still flew through this one all things considered. Thought-provoking but not missing even an iota of entertainment, I got spellbound by the characters including one I quite loved to hate. I mean, there was even a deftly drawn sense of humor. So if you like a book with a somewhat slower pace and themes that make you think, this one’s for you. Just don’t go by the thriller label. At least for me, that just wasn’t there. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Olivia Muenter and Quirk Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 4, 2024
Trigger warning: disappearance of a sibling, eating disorder, trolling, gaslighting
Evie is eighteen now, with a multimillion-dollar career and unlimited opportunities, but Hazel is still protective of her little sister and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend and influencer frenemies, and their opportunistic mother. So when Evie disappears one day—during an unsettling live stream that cuts out midsentence—Hazel is horrified to have her worst instincts proven right.
As theories about Evie’s disappearance tear through the internet, inspiring hashtags, Reddit threads, podcast episodes, and scorn, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of her sister’s world to untangle the threads of truth. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else…doesn’t she?
Such a Bad Influence is so hard to describe. From the character-driven plot to the constant low-level suspense, I was wrapped up in the mystery of it all from the start. At the same time, however, this was a very long, slow burn for most of the novel. Much more family drama, mystery, or suspense than thriller (which is how it was billed), the pluses were many—even though there were some downsides as well.
Starting with the positives, the characters were pure gold. Fully fleshed out and authentically real, each had their own foibles and flaws that came alive on the page. From the down-on-her-luck narrator to the manipulative mother, the glimpses of not only this family—but the missing influencer as well—felt genuine as could be. Along with that was a juicy dysfunctional family dynamic that kept the plot charged and aimed perfectly for maximum drama.
Speaking of the plot, I absolutely loved the format. Sprinkled with podcast transcripts, Reddit posts, and the like, it brought the storyline utterly to life. I don’t know about you, however, but I expect a thriller to have propulsive writing and unending foreboding. This book, while filled to the brim with an enthralling mystery, was missing much of that pull. But maybe it was just my expectations that hampered my enjoyment a bit.
The biggest success of this book, though, was how brilliantly it critiqued social media, our reliance on it, and the damage it may be doing in the long run. On top of that it touched on topics such as ownership, autonomy, and the right to privacy. For that reason alone, it would make a dynamite book club pick. Add in the finely layered plot and surprising twists and turns, and it would be quite the conversation starter for all those concerned.
Now for the bad news, however. Unfortunately, I just expected so much more. More shocks. More thrills and chills. More moving parts. To be frank, most of the action occurred in just the last 100 or so pages—and even that wasn’t extensive. But it was the big reveal and irritating conclusion that bugged me the most. I can’t say much more, but on one hand they felt anticlimactic and the other they were just displeasing.
All in all, however, I still flew through this one all things considered. Thought-provoking but not missing even an iota of entertainment, I got spellbound by the characters including one I quite loved to hate. I mean, there was even a deftly drawn sense of humor. So if you like a book with a somewhat slower pace and themes that make you think, this one’s for you. Just don’t go by the thriller label. At least for me, that just wasn’t there. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Olivia Muenter and Quirk Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 4, 2024
Trigger warning: disappearance of a sibling, eating disorder, trolling, gaslighting
July 7, 2024
so disappointed in this book. it was repetitive and too slow paced for my liking.
definitely a commentary on social media and influencers, but would I consider it a thriller? I don’t think so. it’s mostly drama with some suspense sprinkled in.
the plot started to thicken and speed up at around 80% and that is just unacceptable.
and that ending? don’t even get me fucking started! truly despise a last minute, last paragraph twist with no explanation whatsoever.
definitely a commentary on social media and influencers, but would I consider it a thriller? I don’t think so. it’s mostly drama with some suspense sprinkled in.
the plot started to thicken and speed up at around 80% and that is just unacceptable.
and that ending? don’t even get me fucking started! truly despise a last minute, last paragraph twist with no explanation whatsoever.
June 9, 2024
Such a Bad Influence? More like Such a Boring Plot
June 5, 2024
Happy pub day gorgeous!!! 😍 This cover!!!🔥🔥🔥 Right?! Thank you soo much to @quirkbooks for this gifted copy!!! OMG that ending!! 😳🤯🤯🤯🤯 I had to go back and reread the ending… just to make sure!! 😳 Wow!! 👏👏 Totally 💯 blindsided me!!
Okay guys… this book was totally addictive! I mean hellloo it’s about an influencer…. I am always intrigued… Listen to this…
Evie is … an IT girl…👱♀️… you know.. EVERYONE want to be her.. and EVERYONE thinks they know her..😉.. She’s only just turned eighteen and she has MILLIONS… 💰… She is an influencer.. yep… right here on The Gram. How is she only eighteen and known so well?!! Her mom.. yes her mom encouraged her to stop at NOTHING… to become an internet sensation. 😬… Hmm 🤔 kind of.. creepy.. Just saying.🤷♀️
When Evie goes missing… there are plenty of sketchy suspects… her boyfriend of course being one… 🤷♀️… and all her creepy dude followers that have been “liking” her… for a very long time. 🤨
Holy crap this will get you thinking 🤔… Just how far you will go… to get a taste of fame… 😍…Such a fantastic debut!! I seriously can’t stop thinking about that ending!! So clever! I had no idea if our girl Evie was dead or alive… again.. wait for that ending! Twisted… addictive and a bit creepy… I enjoyed this wild ride! 👏
❤️❤️❤️ Is this on your TBR??
Okay guys… this book was totally addictive! I mean hellloo it’s about an influencer…. I am always intrigued… Listen to this…
Evie is … an IT girl…👱♀️… you know.. EVERYONE want to be her.. and EVERYONE thinks they know her..😉.. She’s only just turned eighteen and she has MILLIONS… 💰… She is an influencer.. yep… right here on The Gram. How is she only eighteen and known so well?!! Her mom.. yes her mom encouraged her to stop at NOTHING… to become an internet sensation. 😬… Hmm 🤔 kind of.. creepy.. Just saying.🤷♀️
When Evie goes missing… there are plenty of sketchy suspects… her boyfriend of course being one… 🤷♀️… and all her creepy dude followers that have been “liking” her… for a very long time. 🤨
Holy crap this will get you thinking 🤔… Just how far you will go… to get a taste of fame… 😍…Such a fantastic debut!! I seriously can’t stop thinking about that ending!! So clever! I had no idea if our girl Evie was dead or alive… again.. wait for that ending! Twisted… addictive and a bit creepy… I enjoyed this wild ride! 👏
❤️❤️❤️ Is this on your TBR??
December 13, 2023
OH MY GOD?? THAT ENDING?!??
Olivia Muenter you are a legend
Olivia Muenter you are a legend
June 4, 2024
Perfect for those who enjoyed the docuseries “Quiet on Set” or celebrity memoirs about growing up in the spotlight, this is a story set in our social media/influencer heavy culture; a “Gone Girl” for our current times. It follows Hazel who is trying to find her 18-year-old sister Evie, who has been a social media star since a video of her went viral at the age of 5, after she goes missing during a livestream. Hazel, who has watched her little sister live her life in the public eye, while keeping herself out of everything, must work to figure out what has happened to her sister and if her public life contributed to her disappearance. Engaging and a fast read, with an ending they won’t see coming, readers will be engrossed into figuring out what is going on.
-Madeline C.
-Madeline C.
June 27, 2024
This book had so much potential but my goodness was it boring! I kept waiting for the plot to speed up and offer true suspense but it never came.
Such a Bad Influence approaches the reality of aging child social media influencers who are realizing their whole lives have been broadcast to the world by their parents. Of course, this is a hot topic and one that interests me so I couldn’t wait to dive into this book. Unfortunately, the plot didn’t hold up and for the record- this should not be considered a thriller.
Evie has lived most of her life in front of the camera. Her mom is the classic “momager” (mom and manager) living out her dreams through her kid and addicted to the social popularity and money that comes from the numerous brand deals she’s garnered for herself and Evie. As Evie matures she realizes that almost everyone around her is invested in her fame and money and she’s looking for a way out.
When she suddenly disappears from home and social media her sister Hazel becomes distraught looking for her and we’re taken on a journey with her to find Evie. The journey is boring, nothing really happens, and reading this was a waste of time.
One star for the premise, another for the interview/podcast structure but this was a terrible read.
Such a Bad Influence approaches the reality of aging child social media influencers who are realizing their whole lives have been broadcast to the world by their parents. Of course, this is a hot topic and one that interests me so I couldn’t wait to dive into this book. Unfortunately, the plot didn’t hold up and for the record- this should not be considered a thriller.
Evie has lived most of her life in front of the camera. Her mom is the classic “momager” (mom and manager) living out her dreams through her kid and addicted to the social popularity and money that comes from the numerous brand deals she’s garnered for herself and Evie. As Evie matures she realizes that almost everyone around her is invested in her fame and money and she’s looking for a way out.
When she suddenly disappears from home and social media her sister Hazel becomes distraught looking for her and we’re taken on a journey with her to find Evie. The journey is boring, nothing really happens, and reading this was a waste of time.
One star for the premise, another for the interview/podcast structure but this was a terrible read.
August 1, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4 for GR! i enjoyed this audiobook—highly recommend that format as i likely would have DNF’d the physical due to sloooow pacing.
read if you like: influencer plots/storylines, character driven novels, shocking endings, slow burn plots, full-cast audio narration
the full cast audio was really fun! the pacing was all over the place but the audio really helped keep me going. i ended up finishing pretty quickly bc i was so determined to figure out what happened to miss Evie 😂 and the ending was 1000/10! like the entire book for me was a hard 3 but the ending was a 5 👏🏼 bravo to the author on that ending and plot as her debut. i will certainly read more of her work!
this book is more slow burn family drama + mystery than anything else. if it’s marketed as a suspense or thriller then it will mess with your expectations and likely let you down!
without spoiling too much, this story follows the life of an influencer that has been famous and in the public eye since she was 5 years old 😅 even though it’s a bit overdone, i do typically enjoy the influencer storyline because i feel they are very relatable and interesting to readers. it’s always a bit refreshing to read something that helps you take a step back and think about WHY we all act and think the way we do with what we share online and who we follow.
i feel like the author took a different spin on the overdone influencer storyline by following an influencer who has been famous since she was so young… especially since we’re seeing that as a huge trend right now with current popular influencers (millennials / GenX) putting their children online. and like… celebrities making instagrams for their children before they’re born?!?! it will ALWAYS be creepy to me 😅😅😅 felt like the author brought light to that and “poked fun” at it which resonated well for me.
i think the pacing was off for me bc the disappearance and drama happens so early on, so then the entiiiiiiiire book i was left wondering what happened and who is / isn’t in on it. truly it was like 65% in and i was begging for something to happen!
TLDR; a fun, easy audiobook and an ending worth the wait!
read if you like: influencer plots/storylines, character driven novels, shocking endings, slow burn plots, full-cast audio narration
the full cast audio was really fun! the pacing was all over the place but the audio really helped keep me going. i ended up finishing pretty quickly bc i was so determined to figure out what happened to miss Evie 😂 and the ending was 1000/10! like the entire book for me was a hard 3 but the ending was a 5 👏🏼 bravo to the author on that ending and plot as her debut. i will certainly read more of her work!
this book is more slow burn family drama + mystery than anything else. if it’s marketed as a suspense or thriller then it will mess with your expectations and likely let you down!
without spoiling too much, this story follows the life of an influencer that has been famous and in the public eye since she was 5 years old 😅 even though it’s a bit overdone, i do typically enjoy the influencer storyline because i feel they are very relatable and interesting to readers. it’s always a bit refreshing to read something that helps you take a step back and think about WHY we all act and think the way we do with what we share online and who we follow.
i feel like the author took a different spin on the overdone influencer storyline by following an influencer who has been famous since she was so young… especially since we’re seeing that as a huge trend right now with current popular influencers (millennials / GenX) putting their children online. and like… celebrities making instagrams for their children before they’re born?!?! it will ALWAYS be creepy to me 😅😅😅 felt like the author brought light to that and “poked fun” at it which resonated well for me.
i think the pacing was off for me bc the disappearance and drama happens so early on, so then the entiiiiiiiire book i was left wondering what happened and who is / isn’t in on it. truly it was like 65% in and i was begging for something to happen!
TLDR; a fun, easy audiobook and an ending worth the wait!
June 8, 2024
To all the girls who saw their lives flash before their eyes in a Zara fitting room: I hope that your prosecco is always bubbly and your favorite moisturizer never out of stock.
July 24, 2024
more like such a boring book
focuses more on conversations surrounding influencer/mommy vlogger culture and ethics rather than on the actual mystery, but even these conversations are mild and surface level
was really excited to see reddit snark pages incorporated into a mystery but it ended up being more like filler
and as far as actual thrill or suspense? nada
should have dnf’ed at 50% when i initially thought to, but i had to see it thru for the ending, which was lukewarm at best and not worth the time
in fact, most real-life influencer scandals are more interesting than this
thank you librofm for the ALC ♡
focuses more on conversations surrounding influencer/mommy vlogger culture and ethics rather than on the actual mystery, but even these conversations are mild and surface level
was really excited to see reddit snark pages incorporated into a mystery but it ended up being more like filler
and as far as actual thrill or suspense? nada
should have dnf’ed at 50% when i initially thought to, but i had to see it thru for the ending, which was lukewarm at best and not worth the time
in fact, most real-life influencer scandals are more interesting than this
thank you librofm for the ALC ♡
Shelved as 'dnf'
May 22, 2024Dnf at 21%. Missing girl and then nothing but insight into influencer life. Interesting at first but let’s move on with the story.
July 20, 2024
18-year-old Evie has been in the spotlight ever since a video of her dancing with her dad went viral when she was five. Now, thanks to the determined efforts of her stage mother, she’s a seven-figure-earning influencer with millions of followers and a hot YouTuber boyfriend. Her much older sister, Hazel, leads a very different life. She’s a freshly unemployed journalist living in a shitty apartment in Vegas. Still, the sisters have always been close…or as close as two young women who are 10 years apart in age and worlds apart in lifestyle can be. And when Evie goes missing, no one is more determined to find her than Hazel.
I was fully prepared to give this book five stars. It was super intriguing with well-developed characters, and raises some interesting questions about the ethics of family blogging. However, the big twist disappointed me. It was a major, ambitious detour that wasn’t fleshed out as well as it could have been and ultimately felt like a missed opportunity.
Still, if you’re a thriller fan, I think this book is well worth your time. It’s smart, funny and creepy. Highly recommend it as a beach read.
I was fully prepared to give this book five stars. It was super intriguing with well-developed characters, and raises some interesting questions about the ethics of family blogging. However, the big twist disappointed me. It was a major, ambitious detour that wasn’t fleshed out as well as it could have been and ultimately felt like a missed opportunity.
Still, if you’re a thriller fan, I think this book is well worth your time. It’s smart, funny and creepy. Highly recommend it as a beach read.
June 15, 2024
Obviously I had to read this since I love Olivia’s podcast, Bad on Paper. However, this book kinda sucked. The beginning was boring and I couldn’t focus. And then the rest of the book just got too ridiculous. It was not what I was expecting at all and I’m a little disappointed.
June 6, 2024
5⭐️ I’ve been a massive fan of Olivia’s writing for years and it was an absolute treat to read her debut novel because her personality, wit, and voice all jump off the page in the very best way. If I didn’t know who wrote this, I would still know who wrote this. Olivia’s writing is beautiful and her razor sharp commentary on social media, influencers, and the dark side of the internet is timely and thought provoking.
This is not your typical cookie-cutter thriller with cheap thrills and predictable twists. It’s a deliciously slow burning and thoughtful mystery with complex characters, unsettling themes, and an ending that you’ll be thinking about for a very long time.
I have so much to say about this gem of a book but I don’t have the words to adequately express how perfect it was. The thing is, because I know Olivia, there was no doubt in my mind that SABI would be one of the most well written books I read this year. The fact that I was also blown away by the flawlessly executed (and incredibly addictive) plot, the compelling characters, and the juicy twists just goes to show how wildly talented Olivia is. I am so excited to see what her future as an author holds!
My only complaint is that I wanted to read about Hazel and Evelyn for 200 more pages.
📚♣️My book club is reading this in June and not to toot my own horn BUT I think it’s my best pick yet. I’m desperate to talk about SABI with more people and I just know it will spark a juicy conversation!
🥳PUB DAY: JUNE 4th!
Thank you to quirk books for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own.
This is not your typical cookie-cutter thriller with cheap thrills and predictable twists. It’s a deliciously slow burning and thoughtful mystery with complex characters, unsettling themes, and an ending that you’ll be thinking about for a very long time.
I have so much to say about this gem of a book but I don’t have the words to adequately express how perfect it was. The thing is, because I know Olivia, there was no doubt in my mind that SABI would be one of the most well written books I read this year. The fact that I was also blown away by the flawlessly executed (and incredibly addictive) plot, the compelling characters, and the juicy twists just goes to show how wildly talented Olivia is. I am so excited to see what her future as an author holds!
My only complaint is that I wanted to read about Hazel and Evelyn for 200 more pages.
📚♣️My book club is reading this in June and not to toot my own horn BUT I think it’s my best pick yet. I’m desperate to talk about SABI with more people and I just know it will spark a juicy conversation!
🥳PUB DAY: JUNE 4th!
Thank you to quirk books for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own.
June 12, 2024
1.5 🌟 Social commentary on influencers / momagers, rather than a mystery/thriller.
Well written and the narration was good but unfortunately the story was boring with lots of navel gazing from our mc and not a lot actually happening.
I very nearly quit at around half way but I wanted to know the ending and couldn’t find it in any reviews so persevered.
To save anyone else the same experience, I’m spoiling the ending below as best I can remember it…
Evie was alive and well. She’d heartlessly joined a sort of detox cult for influencers without telling her sister. Hazel visited but left her there (finding her through one of Evie’s obsessed fans who it turned out had been a confidante/therapist for her).
For an epilogue 2 years later Evie left and they wrote a book but Evie’s internal thoughts showed she hadn’t recovered from her influencer lifestyle.
Well written and the narration was good but unfortunately the story was boring with lots of navel gazing from our mc and not a lot actually happening.
I very nearly quit at around half way but I wanted to know the ending and couldn’t find it in any reviews so persevered.
To save anyone else the same experience, I’m spoiling the ending below as best I can remember it…
Evie was alive and well. She’d heartlessly joined a sort of detox cult for influencers without telling her sister. Hazel visited but left her there (finding her through one of Evie’s obsessed fans who it turned out had been a confidante/therapist for her).
For an epilogue 2 years later Evie left and they wrote a book but Evie’s internal thoughts showed she hadn’t recovered from her influencer lifestyle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
July 16, 2024DNF @ ~20%: may go back to this someday bc i really enjoy olivia's content but DNFing for now bc i just wasn't really vibing with the plot
July 2, 2024
Books about or surrounding social media and influencers are not something I typically have any interest in reading, but I started the audiobook of Such A Bad Influence and wanted to see how it ended. I don’t regret that decision, but it definitely disappointed me.
The reason I avoid social media as a topic is simple. We’ve had the same discussions for a decade and no one has anything new to say on the topic. It’s the same for this book. When the book isn’t focused on Hazel, you get snippets of podcasts and comments on online discussions boards talking more broadly about social media. I really enjoyed the voice actors for those parts. The podcasters were especially great at mimicking the way so many true crime podcasts speak.
I have to agree with other reviews that the overall plot is anticlimactic and a slog. When you get to the end and look back, it seems obvious how pointless most of the early and middle chapters are. I found the reveal of where Evie went to be incredibly underwhelming and super odd. To me, Hazel never would have left her sister with the cult/MLM group. The entire book is her putting her life in “danger” to find her sister.
The ending also left me with more questions than answers. Why did Evie throw Hazel under the bus? Were they never really that close? Is the author trying to show us that Evie is too far gone into the world of influencer drama? Does she just do it because she can? It feels like we’re meant to draw some of our own conclusions but it’s so vague and not set up that I’m just left confused. Maybe I missed something but it felt like the author wanted a big twist at the end.
The reason I avoid social media as a topic is simple. We’ve had the same discussions for a decade and no one has anything new to say on the topic. It’s the same for this book. When the book isn’t focused on Hazel, you get snippets of podcasts and comments on online discussions boards talking more broadly about social media. I really enjoyed the voice actors for those parts. The podcasters were especially great at mimicking the way so many true crime podcasts speak.
I have to agree with other reviews that the overall plot is anticlimactic and a slog. When you get to the end and look back, it seems obvious how pointless most of the early and middle chapters are. I found the reveal of where Evie went to be incredibly underwhelming and super odd. To me, Hazel never would have left her sister with the cult/MLM group. The entire book is her putting her life in “danger” to find her sister.
The ending also left me with more questions than answers. Why did Evie throw Hazel under the bus? Were they never really that close? Is the author trying to show us that Evie is too far gone into the world of influencer drama? Does she just do it because she can? It feels like we’re meant to draw some of our own conclusions but it’s so vague and not set up that I’m just left confused. Maybe I missed something but it felt like the author wanted a big twist at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 16, 2024Leaving off the star rating because I can't narrow it down right now.
I was fascinated by the social media elements of this novel. Being someone who spends too much time scrolling, this book had me looking inward and examining some of my thoughts and behaviors. In the beginning, I was interested in the sudden disappearance of social media sensation, Evie Davis, but the more I got to know her as a character, the less I cared what happened to her. Evie's self-absorbed mother is an easy villain, but it was the MC, Hazel, whom I most disliked. Despite declaring she'd do anything for her sister, she backed down in the face of any opposition. Her weakness was aggravating, and while I was delighted by the twist in the end, I still wished I'd had one character to root for.
All that being said, this book made me think, and when an author's words get under my skin like that, they're doing something right.
I was fascinated by the social media elements of this novel. Being someone who spends too much time scrolling, this book had me looking inward and examining some of my thoughts and behaviors. In the beginning, I was interested in the sudden disappearance of social media sensation, Evie Davis, but the more I got to know her as a character, the less I cared what happened to her. Evie's self-absorbed mother is an easy villain, but it was the MC, Hazel, whom I most disliked. Despite declaring she'd do anything for her sister, she backed down in the face of any opposition. Her weakness was aggravating, and while I was delighted by the twist in the end, I still wished I'd had one character to root for.
All that being said, this book made me think, and when an author's words get under my skin like that, they're doing something right.
January 30, 2024
Such A Bad Influence will take you on a ride that you will finish and immediately want to go again. Lucky for you there are no hourslong lines to wait in, but you may want to pack snacks because you’re likely to be glued to your couch/bed/reading locale of choice as you devour it (speaking from personal experience here).
I am amazed at how much richness can be packed into one novel (a debut, at that!). Olivia manages to give the reader so much to think about and reflect on - consumerism and influencer culture, ownership, privacy, and autonomy in the age of social media, body image, family dynamics - without sacrificing the things that make this a truly fantastic reading experience: a compelling, perfectly paced plot, complex characters and relationships, a mastery of words that will take your breath away, and a sense of humor that brings these characters to life and gives levity to even the book’s darkest moments. Lovers of thrillers and scaredy cats alike (no jump scares here, people) will appreciate this book for all of those things and then some.
This book, despite its name, won’t influence you to feel a particular way about any of it, and certainly doesn’t pretend there are easy answers. Rather, it allows readers to unpack its questions for themselves. I personally will be thinking about the themes of this story for a long time to come, not to mention the juicy twists and incredible ending. I cannot wait to read more by Olivia!
(PS I also really want an August/Kira spinoff)
I am amazed at how much richness can be packed into one novel (a debut, at that!). Olivia manages to give the reader so much to think about and reflect on - consumerism and influencer culture, ownership, privacy, and autonomy in the age of social media, body image, family dynamics - without sacrificing the things that make this a truly fantastic reading experience: a compelling, perfectly paced plot, complex characters and relationships, a mastery of words that will take your breath away, and a sense of humor that brings these characters to life and gives levity to even the book’s darkest moments. Lovers of thrillers and scaredy cats alike (no jump scares here, people) will appreciate this book for all of those things and then some.
This book, despite its name, won’t influence you to feel a particular way about any of it, and certainly doesn’t pretend there are easy answers. Rather, it allows readers to unpack its questions for themselves. I personally will be thinking about the themes of this story for a long time to come, not to mention the juicy twists and incredible ending. I cannot wait to read more by Olivia!
(PS I also really want an August/Kira spinoff)
August 28, 2024
I am having a next-to-impossible time coming to a rating for Such a Bad Influence by debut author Olivia Muenter, and I don't even know if this one will stick. I loved all of this book until the very end which sent me into a spiral that made it hard for me to figure out what I felt. I didn't have any of the issues other readers had with repetition or being disappointed in one of the reveals, and if anything, my only other complaint is I think it could have been a bit shorter. THAT ENDING THOUGH!! *Shakes fist*
I loved the use of mixed media in the book as well as the spotlight on how being a social media star can impact a family. This is ALL about social media and what it means to be an influencer, and maybe even more so than the actual mystery itself. I also adored the audiobook which is narrated by a full cast and is way too many to name, but trust me when I say they were all excellent. I fully believe the audio is the way to go with this one.
Back to the ending, I actually had to read it with my eyes because I thought I missed something, and it just makes me so mad. It also didn't quite make sense to me and left me even more frustrated. Do I recommend this? Maybe... Probably? I'm not sure. But don't let me stop you if you think it sounds good, and you best believe I will still read any other book this author writes.
I loved the use of mixed media in the book as well as the spotlight on how being a social media star can impact a family. This is ALL about social media and what it means to be an influencer, and maybe even more so than the actual mystery itself. I also adored the audiobook which is narrated by a full cast and is way too many to name, but trust me when I say they were all excellent. I fully believe the audio is the way to go with this one.
Back to the ending, I actually had to read it with my eyes because I thought I missed something, and it just makes me so mad. It also didn't quite make sense to me and left me even more frustrated. Do I recommend this? Maybe... Probably? I'm not sure. But don't let me stop you if you think it sounds good, and you best believe I will still read any other book this author writes.
July 8, 2024
It took me quite a while to get into this one, and to be honest, about halfway through I contemplated abandoning it, but I am glad I stuck with it, because suddenly, it really picked up and grabbed my attention. I would classify it as a novel of suspense rather than a thriller, but it definitely entertained and bought up some topics that feel very relevant to today. Looking forward to see what this promising author comes up with next!
July 2, 2024
What a tremendous start and premise to an overall underwhelming ending! If this book had finished as strong as the first 3/4 of it, I would’ve rated it 5+ stars and shouted it from the rooftops, but the rushed ending with loose ends really left me disappointed.
October 19, 2024
I truly enjoyed this one. I listen to Olivia's podcast "Bad on Paper" with Becca Freeman, so I knew I would read this immediately, but even given my "relationship" with the author - I really ENJOYED this one.
Evie Davis is a child influencer (run by her momager Erin) and has parlayed this into a lucrative social media platform as an adult. She goes missing suddenly and her mom and sister quickly try to figure out with happened, as well as all of social media!! I loved the mixed media aspect of this novel. Chapters mixed in with reddit threads, emails, IG posts and a gossip girl-esque newsletter.
I loved how Muenter brought in moral values and the dark underbelly of social media pressure and shady business endeavors. I really appreciated this story and will definitely pick up more from Olivia in the future.
Evie Davis is a child influencer (run by her momager Erin) and has parlayed this into a lucrative social media platform as an adult. She goes missing suddenly and her mom and sister quickly try to figure out with happened, as well as all of social media!! I loved the mixed media aspect of this novel. Chapters mixed in with reddit threads, emails, IG posts and a gossip girl-esque newsletter.
I loved how Muenter brought in moral values and the dark underbelly of social media pressure and shady business endeavors. I really appreciated this story and will definitely pick up more from Olivia in the future.
August 22, 2024
Rounding up to 3 because the audiobook was very entertaining with a big cast of narrators. Story was more like a 2.5 ⭐️ The story was intriguing at the beginning with the mystery of the missing girl, but all the influencer stuff was soooo over the top. Don’t you dare talk about my girl Ballerina Farm! Lots of cliches and the ending was absolutely stupid.
July 7, 2024
I just got this book and the Audio 🎧, but hadn’t heard anything about it. Wow, this is the type of book that is hard to put down! It had a lot to say, both about The Influencer Culture, and the Relentlessness of Social Media. It made me feel for so many young people who have been exposed to this their entire lives. Everything is being marketed or positioned for consumption. It is tricky since influencers you do not really know, but the point is to make you feel invested in their lives. This had creepy vibes to all the Reality Families that crumbled while having their children grow up being filmed. Yet, it is hard to resist. True Crime Reporting comes in when a top influencer goes missing. So, that was a lot to think about, but the book also was a psychological thriller, with twists and turns that left me uncertain what would happen next. The Ending, I was Surprised. This is going to be a book that is going to be talked about. It is different and timely and just had to finish it. This is the author’s debut, so congratulations 🎉.
June 3, 2024
I liked it! It was a well written mystery that had me committed. The entire thing is driven by what happens to this social media influencer. Her rise to fame and her demise. There’s even a podcast in this story and it did a great job telling me about her.
This book will make you stop and question everything you thought you knew about social media. Because we already know don’t we? Is it safe? No! And still…, we’re so addicted to it??!
I loved disliking most of these characters and I didn’t want to put it down. The author did a great job and gave me a little bit of a Gillian Flynn vibe.
Thanks Quirk Books via NetGalley.
This book will make you stop and question everything you thought you knew about social media. Because we already know don’t we? Is it safe? No! And still…, we’re so addicted to it??!
I loved disliking most of these characters and I didn’t want to put it down. The author did a great job and gave me a little bit of a Gillian Flynn vibe.
Thanks Quirk Books via NetGalley.
June 8, 2024
Oh that ending???
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