While my most recent read, People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd, was in the suspense wheelhouse, it was a very different change of pace from anything I have read. Sometimes, I find that with so many thriller novels being published, the plots start to look similar. This novel was completely different!
Emmy Jackson, or more informally known to her Instagram followers as @the_mamabare, traded in her Louboutins for house slippers and her career for her children…that is, until she found Instagram. She created her internet based business on down-to-earth, relatable dialogue and that she is “just like all the other mamas out there.” Behind the scenes, though, her marriage is crumbling due to her insincerity and lack of moral compass. To make matters worse, a dangerous threat is circling her family, waiting for the right moment to attack.
This book was witty, sarcastic, and suspenseful, and I couldn’t put it down. Written by a husband-and-wife writing team, People Like Her takes a nose dive into the dangers of Instagram culture and how vulnerable we become when we put our lives out for everyone to see.
Furthermore, I thought the digs at Instagrammers was hilarious. I know that there are some real, down-to-earth influencers out there…and I like to think that I follow some of them! However, we truly don’t know what happens behind the scenes, and how can we tell who is genuine and who is a businessman/businesswoman?
I must admit, though I am guilty of following a vast array of influencers on social media, I believe the culture can be toxic, at times. This book proved my point. Granted, the extremes in this book may not happen in real life, but the the thought that it’s a possibility is frightening!
The only complaint I had was that the ending felt rushed, to me, and I never got a huge confrontation between our villain and protagonist. If you’ve read this book, maybe you felt the same way. It’s difficult to explain without giving the whole ending away, but I would’ve liked to have seen a stronger climax.
Share your thoughts with me if you’ve read this book or plan to!
Books and Bites with Brooke 