What happens when a young lady who has, through constant posting and tireless effort, gains over a million followers on social media, but gets one who follows just a little too closely? We see fandom turn to obsession. In Kathleen Barber's novel Follow Me, Aubrey posts all about her social life and has become a well-known social media influencer. She lands her dream job in D.C., which works out great for one of her online admirers, who couldn't be more pleased that she is moving to his town.
Throughout Follow Me Aubrey's tension builds as the creepy men around her and the creeping online stalker seem to start colliding. There's the handsy coworker who she initially trusted and liked. There's the landlady's creepy son, who lets himself into Aubrey's apartment. There's Nick, the super cool college boyfriend with whom she rekindles a friendship (with benefits). There's the creepy guy who hangs out at the museum where Aubrey works. With the creeping she experiences online, will she be able to find a normal boyfriend?
At first, I thought, "Well, this is going to be predictable and a bit dull." Of course Barber knows better than that. My predictions were wrong, and she took the story in a direction I didn't expect. She accomplished her goal: to keep me eagerly reading to the end. There were things I didn't love about the book. Aubrey makes some dumb decisions. One of the key relational connections was just a little too coincidental. Some of the characters were just a little too cardboard cutout. However, Barber makes up for it with the tension she builds and the way she brings it all around. This is a good beach read or a keep-you-up-all-night-on-a-Saturday-night read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
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