When Maggie Lathrop wins reality TV show LoveShack her life becomes a fairy-tale overnight. She’s beautiful, she’s rich and she’s now married to one of America’s most eligible men.
So when she is found murdered in an LA warehouse, her death evokes an outpouring of grief from millions of adoring fans.
Who would want to kill America’s favourite sweetheart?
With the FBI at a loss for leads, Maggie’s sister Emma becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth.
But the closer she gets, the more cracks start to appear in Maggie’s TikTok-perfect veneer.
Someone is hiding a secret, and they’ll do anything to keep it buried.
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*
Publication Date: May 22nd, 2025
No comments:
Post a Comment