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Obsession Collection #6
Just a Girl
Social media can be a dangerous game. A young woman’s world teeters on the verge of implosion when trolls push too far in this disturbing short story from New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Cole.
Tiana Carter has just started college and is determined to make the most of it. She’s thrilled to be posting videos about dorm-room cooking and campus fashion for a small but loyal band of followers. When she dips into the online dating pool, her first swipe right raises a huge red flag. Tiana’s polite rejection is met with scorn, and now a group of self-proclaimed “high-value men” are hell-bent on ruining her life.
Just a Girl is part of Obsession, a collection of compulsively readable short stories about people pushed to their extremes. So addictive you won’t be able to put them down—read or listen to each story in a single sitting.
Tiana Carter has just started college and is determined to make the most of it. She’s thrilled to be posting videos about dorm-room cooking and campus fashion for a small but loyal band of followers. When she dips into the online dating pool, her first swipe right raises a huge red flag. Tiana’s polite rejection is met with scorn, and now a group of self-proclaimed “high-value men” are hell-bent on ruining her life.
Just a Girl is part of Obsession, a collection of compulsively readable short stories about people pushed to their extremes. So addictive you won’t be able to put them down—read or listen to each story in a single sitting.
127 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2023
1206 people are currently reading
4845 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Cole
42 books6,468 followersAlyssa Cole is an award-winning author of historical, contemporary, and sci-fi romance. Her Civil War-set espionage romance An Extraordinary Union was the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award’s Best Book of 2017 and the American Library Association’s RUSA Best Romance for 2018, and A Princess in Theory was one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2018. She’s contributed to publications including Bustle, Shondaland, The Toast, Vulture, RT Book Reviews, and Heroes and Heartbreakers, and her books have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Library Journal, BuzzFeed, Kirkus, Booklist, Jezebel, Vulture, Book Riot, Entertainment Weekly, and various other outlets. When she’s not working, she can usually be found watching anime or wrangling her pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 809 reviews
October 11, 2023
FINALLY. After three absolute stankers from this series, I found one that actually elicited some emotions. This is composed of mixed media including auto-generated tiktok captions, social media comments, instagram posts, emails, texts, discord chats etc. I legit felt helpless watching Tiana's situation become increasingly bleak. While the story itself is nothing new, Alyssa did a fantastic job showing just how delulu these alphatwats are. I would've liked to see her explore the pick me (divine feminine) side of things as well because women not being for women is less discussed in these types of narratives. Anyways, the 3.56 shocks me but 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
December 2, 2023
Obsessive online toxicity and harassment. I’d suggest only reading this if you’re young and/or heavily into socials. I’m too long in the tooth to care very much and it bored me to tears. Sorry!!
July 29, 2023
😳
I was stressssssssed reading this novella. It felt too real how social media bleeds into irl and internet safety is crucial. Literally one day you go from sharing parts of your life to connect with people, to creepy comments escalating into being doxxed. Oh and the police having to wait until you're hurt is really messed up. My anxiety atm is tap dancing because yeah this was a lot. Alyssa Cole is truly a master 🙌🏾
I want an epilogue for closure on the weirdos and the identity of C stranger.
Also we stan Granny, she's a bit of funny reprieve in this very stressful dynamic
CN: internet harassment, misogyny, doxxing, racial comments/microagressions, transphobic comments, horizontal sexism,
I was stressssssssed reading this novella. It felt too real how social media bleeds into irl and internet safety is crucial. Literally one day you go from sharing parts of your life to connect with people, to creepy comments escalating into being doxxed. Oh and the police having to wait until you're hurt is really messed up. My anxiety atm is tap dancing because yeah this was a lot. Alyssa Cole is truly a master 🙌🏾
I want an epilogue for closure on the weirdos and the identity of C stranger.
Also we stan Granny, she's a bit of funny reprieve in this very stressful dynamic
CN: internet harassment, misogyny, doxxing, racial comments/microagressions, transphobic comments, horizontal sexism,
September 14, 2023
This short story is the final one in the Obsession collection.
The story is written as transcripts of videos and podcasts from social media. The form is a bit unusual, but it is nice and shows us what can happen when a lot of people become involved in discussions on social media in the Internet.
The story is written as transcripts of videos and podcasts from social media. The form is a bit unusual, but it is nice and shows us what can happen when a lot of people become involved in discussions on social media in the Internet.
September 16, 2024
✯ ✯ ✯ 3/5 stars ✯ ✯ ✯
this one wasn’t my favorite, but it was definitely interesting. it shows how scary social media can be and is heavy on the topic of toxic masculinity and harassment. this book actually made me angry so, do with that what you will
this one wasn’t my favorite, but it was definitely interesting. it shows how scary social media can be and is heavy on the topic of toxic masculinity and harassment. this book actually made me angry so, do with that what you will
September 15, 2024
WHEW!!! Honestly as a content creator, this felt all too real. Like something that could easily happen and maybe has. Just a Girl is a creepy short story about a girl who posts gross messages from a guy on a dating app and is then targeted by incels. It's really well written and Alyssa Cole clearly did her research to get many of the details to be so believable. And it's an important conversation about how online harassment can have real world implications.
August 17, 2023
Agh. This is the wokest shit I’ve ever read. From the Covid vax, to toxic masculinity- not feeling it.
October 31, 2023
Ok! I'm not sure entirely how I want to rate this. I'm feeling like a high 3, 3.75ish for a few reasons:
1.) The story was so captivating!! Definitely not an original one, internet bullies are VERY real and present every second of every day. But I could feel Tiana's rapidly growing fear throughout this read, and felt so helpless that I couldn't do anything to help her.
2.) Felt v relevant to the times, especially with the Barbie messaging this year. An entirely extreme case of the patriarchy taking over, but wow the way my blood boiled!!!!
3.) I didn't love the way this short story was formatted. It's part of why I didn't like Yellowface, though at least that one had its social media posts inserted into the book, vs being the whole book. This whole story was a TikTok/Instagram/Discord/Podcast transcription, texts between groups, etc that was on the annoying side to sift through. Made it a quicker read though!
After reading this whole Obsession collection, here's my final ranking:
1. ) People Like Them
2.) Just a Girl
3.) The Mosquito
4.) The Heart of a Mother
5.) Murder at the Royal Ruby
6.) Slot Machine Fever Dreams
Would definitely suggest the Creature Feature collection over this one!
1.) The story was so captivating!! Definitely not an original one, internet bullies are VERY real and present every second of every day. But I could feel Tiana's rapidly growing fear throughout this read, and felt so helpless that I couldn't do anything to help her.
2.) Felt v relevant to the times, especially with the Barbie messaging this year. An entirely extreme case of the patriarchy taking over, but wow the way my blood boiled!!!!
3.) I didn't love the way this short story was formatted. It's part of why I didn't like Yellowface, though at least that one had its social media posts inserted into the book, vs being the whole book. This whole story was a TikTok/Instagram/Discord/Podcast transcription, texts between groups, etc that was on the annoying side to sift through. Made it a quicker read though!
After reading this whole Obsession collection, here's my final ranking:
1. ) People Like Them
2.) Just a Girl
3.) The Mosquito
4.) The Heart of a Mother
5.) Murder at the Royal Ruby
6.) Slot Machine Fever Dreams
Would definitely suggest the Creature Feature collection over this one!
December 29, 2023
I decided to close out the year with this Amazon Original Obsession series on Kindle Unlimited.
I loved Alyssa Cole's book When No One is Watching.
If you enjoyed that novel, you'll enjoy this because she has such a firm grasp on the way people use apps and social media. Remember in, When No One is Watching, the neighbors chat on that Neighborhood app? My favorite parts in the book.
Just a Girl is a story told entirely through DMs, TikTok video transcripts, emails, texts, and social media posts/comments. It reminds me a lot of that movie that recently came out called, Missing (if you enjoyed that film).
You'll blow through these 100+ pages and feel a wide range of emotions-- anxiety, frustration, and fear. Everything is so realistic. You've seen this shit. You've read comments and escalation on the internet just like this.
I loved Alyssa Cole's book When No One is Watching.
If you enjoyed that novel, you'll enjoy this because she has such a firm grasp on the way people use apps and social media. Remember in, When No One is Watching, the neighbors chat on that Neighborhood app? My favorite parts in the book.
Just a Girl is a story told entirely through DMs, TikTok video transcripts, emails, texts, and social media posts/comments. It reminds me a lot of that movie that recently came out called, Missing (if you enjoyed that film).
You'll blow through these 100+ pages and feel a wide range of emotions-- anxiety, frustration, and fear. Everything is so realistic. You've seen this shit. You've read comments and escalation on the internet just like this.
October 19, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
The story is told in found footage format which was quite effective to make the reading experience quite anxiogenic. The story comes across as way too plausible for comfort.
The story is told in found footage format which was quite effective to make the reading experience quite anxiogenic. The story comes across as way too plausible for comfort.
January 8, 2024
Social Media and Obsession
Alyssa Cole is a new-to-me author, and she kept me engaged. The story is told through various social media posts. It is a unique style that may not be for everyone, but I found myself completely hooked.
The short story follows Tiana, who finds herself in hot water after sharing an inappropriate response from a dating site on TikTok. The person who sent the message, along with his followers, become obsessed with harassing Tiana, leading her to see the dark side of social media.
This is another short story from the Amazon Obsession Series. It was very entertaining and kept me engaged from start to finish.
#JustAGirl #AlyssaCole #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMe #HonestReview #LoveToRead #BookAddict #ThrillerBookLovers #BookReviewer #Thriller #LoveBooks #AmazonPublishing #KindleUnlimited #ShortStory #ObsessionSeries #ThrillerBookLoverPromotions #ThrillerFriendsUnite #ThrillerObsessedBookishClub #Bookstagrammer #BookReels #SocialMedia #DatingApp #Obsession #AmazonOriginal
Alyssa Cole is a new-to-me author, and she kept me engaged. The story is told through various social media posts. It is a unique style that may not be for everyone, but I found myself completely hooked.
The short story follows Tiana, who finds herself in hot water after sharing an inappropriate response from a dating site on TikTok. The person who sent the message, along with his followers, become obsessed with harassing Tiana, leading her to see the dark side of social media.
This is another short story from the Amazon Obsession Series. It was very entertaining and kept me engaged from start to finish.
#JustAGirl #AlyssaCole #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMe #HonestReview #LoveToRead #BookAddict #ThrillerBookLovers #BookReviewer #Thriller #LoveBooks #AmazonPublishing #KindleUnlimited #ShortStory #ObsessionSeries #ThrillerBookLoverPromotions #ThrillerFriendsUnite #ThrillerObsessedBookishClub #Bookstagrammer #BookReels #SocialMedia #DatingApp #Obsession #AmazonOriginal
November 9, 2023
Ugh no.
June 9, 2025
Story 3.5 stars**
Audio 4.25 stars**
Narrator Kimberly woods
Audio 4.25 stars**
Narrator Kimberly woods
August 7, 2023
Reads as comments/blog posts
At first I didn’t think I’d like that this was written as feed or TikTok type posts with user comments, also some threads of texts included. But I admit I did follow along just fine once I got used to it and enjoyed this read about a female college student who posts about an anonymous male who reached out through a dating app and the inappropriate questions he was asking her. That lead to online harassment and even more. Don’t want to give away spoilers but definitely enjoyed and would recommend!!!
At first I didn’t think I’d like that this was written as feed or TikTok type posts with user comments, also some threads of texts included. But I admit I did follow along just fine once I got used to it and enjoyed this read about a female college student who posts about an anonymous male who reached out through a dating app and the inappropriate questions he was asking her. That lead to online harassment and even more. Don’t want to give away spoilers but definitely enjoyed and would recommend!!!
October 26, 2023
Another Amazon free short story- and this one was good. It had me feeling like a teenager with all the toc toc talk and messages between characters. Very good short story tho. Kept me wondering what would happen next!
May 17, 2024
My new favourite of the collection!
A contemporary story told solely through social media about a pile on by a group of incels against a young woman who "offended" them. It highlights the scary side of social media and the internet, and the fear and malice really come through the pages.
It reminds the reader how careful we all have to be online, and how little help is out there still if we ever engage with the wrong accounts...
I am going to look into this author more now.
A contemporary story told solely through social media about a pile on by a group of incels against a young woman who "offended" them. It highlights the scary side of social media and the internet, and the fear and malice really come through the pages.
It reminds the reader how careful we all have to be online, and how little help is out there still if we ever engage with the wrong accounts...
I am going to look into this author more now.
Read
July 26, 2023This story didn’t work for me. I’m bummed, I read all 6 of the ‘Obsession’ collection of short stories in the order Amazon put them in, so this was last, and it wasn’t the best way for the book to end for me since it unfortunately was my least favourite of the 6. Also, I didn’t think the mixed media formatting really worked super well as an audiobook or ebook, really.
Okay so on to my thoughts about the actual story, it’s scary that things like this happen to people. I’m in my early 30s so I’m quite a bit older than the main character, but regularly use apps like TikTok and Discord, but this story and the way the characters talked/wrote seemed very young to me, so maybe I just had a hard time connecting to the story.
Okay so on to my thoughts about the actual story, it’s scary that things like this happen to people. I’m in my early 30s so I’m quite a bit older than the main character, but regularly use apps like TikTok and Discord, but this story and the way the characters talked/wrote seemed very young to me, so maybe I just had a hard time connecting to the story.
March 15, 2024
I’m in a reading slump and needed something super short and interesting to read. This did the trick! Very interesting take on social media, what is oversharing, boundaries on the internet, and a gender study.. kind of, as well.
If you aren’t into Tik Tok and social media this is not for you. It’s basically told electronically.. through social media posts, texts, etc…
Perfect if you need something super quick and intriguing to read. I finished it on KU in about 30 minutes.
I really enjoyed this!
If you aren’t into Tik Tok and social media this is not for you. It’s basically told electronically.. through social media posts, texts, etc…
Perfect if you need something super quick and intriguing to read. I finished it on KU in about 30 minutes.
I really enjoyed this!
February 11, 2024
This book had me drawn in from the very beginning. People are crazyyyyyy!!!
July 11, 2024
A Postcard from Outlier Island 🏝️📨 📪
Review of the Amazon Original Story ebook (July 23, 2023) released simultaneously with the Brilliance Audio audiobook.
Not my style at all. The only reason this short story is a novella length of 124 pages is because it is written in text messages and online comments spread generously throughout the pages. It is probably 40 pages of "real" content. A college student on various social media is victimized by a gang of incels & misogynists. It turns into a troll fest with hate messages. The subject matter is repulsive enough, the format just become wearisome to read at length.
Alyssa Cole is a romance, contemporary and historial fiction writer who has published over 20 novels, the most popular of which is When No One Is Watching (2020).
Trivia and Links
Just a Girl is the 6th of 6 short stories making up the psychological suspense series Obsession, released simultaneously on July 23, 2023 as eBooks by Amazon Originals and as audiobooks by Brilliance Audio. The Obsession collection is described as “Lust. Revenge. Greed. Hunger. Desire doesn’t care if you’re at the bottom of the ladder or the top of your game. Six masters of psychological suspense craft tales about people crossing moral lines in pursuit of their deepest desires. In these short stories, even the most mild-mannered characters can spin out of control when passion is at play. Hold on tight—there’s no turning back.”
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Kindle short stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
Review of the Amazon Original Story ebook (July 23, 2023) released simultaneously with the Brilliance Audio audiobook.
Not my style at all. The only reason this short story is a novella length of 124 pages is because it is written in text messages and online comments spread generously throughout the pages. It is probably 40 pages of "real" content. A college student on various social media is victimized by a gang of incels & misogynists. It turns into a troll fest with hate messages. The subject matter is repulsive enough, the format just become wearisome to read at length.
Alyssa Cole is a romance, contemporary and historial fiction writer who has published over 20 novels, the most popular of which is When No One Is Watching (2020).
Trivia and Links
Just a Girl is the 6th of 6 short stories making up the psychological suspense series Obsession, released simultaneously on July 23, 2023 as eBooks by Amazon Originals and as audiobooks by Brilliance Audio. The Obsession collection is described as “Lust. Revenge. Greed. Hunger. Desire doesn’t care if you’re at the bottom of the ladder or the top of your game. Six masters of psychological suspense craft tales about people crossing moral lines in pursuit of their deepest desires. In these short stories, even the most mild-mannered characters can spin out of control when passion is at play. Hold on tight—there’s no turning back.”
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Kindle short stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
September 7, 2024
rate: 4.5/5 stars
I’d read anything Alyssa Cole writes fr
I’d read anything Alyssa Cole writes fr
August 5, 2023
Just a Girl is about a college student named Tiana who got famous on TikTok during quarantine and decided to share some gross text messages between herself and an incel that she matched with on a dating app. Unfortunately for Tiana, things take a disturbing twist and she finds herself on the receiving end of a hate mob that follows her into her real life.
This story is part of a collection of short stories that I found on Kindle Unlimited and this is the first one I read, but I will continue reading them! I really enjoyed this one, it wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was a quick, fun read and it was definitely realistic, which made it super creepy.
The format of this book is in TikTok transcripts, Discord server logs, text messages, and emails, which made it really fast to read, especially considering it's only about 120 pages. I liked this format and I felt like everything about the way that the internet culture in the book was handled was realistic -- a lot of books that feature social media apps and usage can come across as very "hello, fellow kids" but this one didn't.
It was a really unique way to approach the story and I enjoyed it a lot!
This story is part of a collection of short stories that I found on Kindle Unlimited and this is the first one I read, but I will continue reading them! I really enjoyed this one, it wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was a quick, fun read and it was definitely realistic, which made it super creepy.
The format of this book is in TikTok transcripts, Discord server logs, text messages, and emails, which made it really fast to read, especially considering it's only about 120 pages. I liked this format and I felt like everything about the way that the internet culture in the book was handled was realistic -- a lot of books that feature social media apps and usage can come across as very "hello, fellow kids" but this one didn't.
It was a really unique way to approach the story and I enjoyed it a lot!
May 23, 2024
This short story about social media and toxic online interaction is WILD! It's my favorite among the 6 stories in the Obsession collection.
Written in multiple POV as transcriptions of chats, texts, and comments off different social platforms, it took me a few minutes to follow the audiobook, but I think this writing style fits well with the context. The story invoked a range of emotions... annoyance, anger, anxiety, helplessness.
Written in multiple POV as transcriptions of chats, texts, and comments off different social platforms, it took me a few minutes to follow the audiobook, but I think this writing style fits well with the context. The story invoked a range of emotions... annoyance, anger, anxiety, helplessness.
February 10, 2024
Great
I thought this was a timely short story about what happens when a young woman says no to a supposed alpha man. I loved how the flow of the story went and I especially enjoyed the ending. Cluck cluck.
I thought this was a timely short story about what happens when a young woman says no to a supposed alpha man. I loved how the flow of the story went and I especially enjoyed the ending. Cluck cluck.
April 27, 2024
Another mediocre book for this series. Love the concept and formatting of this story, just didn’t like the execution of it!
December 6, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
September 15, 2024
when weak, unintelligent people don’t know who to follow, they listen for the loudest voice - doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong. this was less of a plot-driven story and more of a daily chronicle of what women consistently deal with online.
you know who else is loud and has a low IQ? turkeys. they have a trait called, "predator imprinting," which causes them to identify the first thing they see upon hatching as their mother, their kind. this could be someone intending to harm the turkey or a literal box of rocks, it doesn't matter. regardless of truth, the predator convinces the turkey by their mere presence that there's no reason to be afraid, which removes the defenses of the entire flock. the flock becomes blind. they are a lot like alpha males in this way.
ladies, we eat the turkeys at dawn.
you know who else is loud and has a low IQ? turkeys. they have a trait called, "predator imprinting," which causes them to identify the first thing they see upon hatching as their mother, their kind. this could be someone intending to harm the turkey or a literal box of rocks, it doesn't matter. regardless of truth, the predator convinces the turkey by their mere presence that there's no reason to be afraid, which removes the defenses of the entire flock. the flock becomes blind. they are a lot like alpha males in this way.
ladies, we eat the turkeys at dawn.
July 25, 2023
This was, to be completely honest, the scariest thing that I have read all year.
I normally avoid stuff that comes too close to reality, but I love Alyssa Cole enough that I have it a go.
Oof. These spare, taut few pages were claustrophobic. Terrifying. And closer to home than it should be.
I normally avoid stuff that comes too close to reality, but I love Alyssa Cole enough that I have it a go.
Oof. These spare, taut few pages were claustrophobic. Terrifying. And closer to home than it should be.
August 10, 2023
Wow, what a stressful read! By far, the most tense, frightening read of the Obsession collection. Yikes! And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to check the privacy settings on my social media.
August 18, 2025
Wanting to fill my summer with a mix of novels and short stories, I came upon this collection of short pieces called the Obsession Collection. This short story by Alyssa Cole is told through social media posts and depicts a young woman’s attempt to explore her online identity, while facing a barrage of harassing men who do not like her message. As the story builds, the reader sees the struggles of Tiana Carter, moving things from a social media skirmish to real-life encounters that turn violent. While I found the delivery platform harder to follow, the themes and underlying message was clear. Alyssa Cole delivered and left an impact.
Tiana Carter is a happy college student who wants to share her experiences through social media platforms. What begins as posts about cooking and college life takes a turn when she dips her toe into online dating. After a bad experience, she tells her followers all about it. Her critiques fuel a blowback by men who are put out by her complaints and the banter on social media takes a turn. This progresses into a targeted attack, moving from social media to the ‘real world’. Tiana is determined not to let haters ruin her, while also remaining cognizant to how easily things can move from online to ‘touching grass’. Alyssa Cole impacts the reader with this oddly-presented story.
I enjoy short stories that use various forms to present their themes, which Alyssa Cole did here. Told less through traditional means than by online posts, Cole constructs a narrative that explores how social media posts can shape a story’s development and momentum build through posts and comments. Characters, as much as one can call them that in this piece, an emerge and offer their own backstories through posts and ongoing commentary, though it was hard to connect with any of them. The plot here is found in the building up of resentment and online clashes that turned dark when real world actions took the lead. I am still not sure how I feel about the delivery of this piece, surely the most unique of the six stories in this collection, though its themes cannot be discounted.
Kudos, Madam Cole, for pushing the envelope on how storytelling has progressed.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Tiana Carter is a happy college student who wants to share her experiences through social media platforms. What begins as posts about cooking and college life takes a turn when she dips her toe into online dating. After a bad experience, she tells her followers all about it. Her critiques fuel a blowback by men who are put out by her complaints and the banter on social media takes a turn. This progresses into a targeted attack, moving from social media to the ‘real world’. Tiana is determined not to let haters ruin her, while also remaining cognizant to how easily things can move from online to ‘touching grass’. Alyssa Cole impacts the reader with this oddly-presented story.
I enjoy short stories that use various forms to present their themes, which Alyssa Cole did here. Told less through traditional means than by online posts, Cole constructs a narrative that explores how social media posts can shape a story’s development and momentum build through posts and comments. Characters, as much as one can call them that in this piece, an emerge and offer their own backstories through posts and ongoing commentary, though it was hard to connect with any of them. The plot here is found in the building up of resentment and online clashes that turned dark when real world actions took the lead. I am still not sure how I feel about the delivery of this piece, surely the most unique of the six stories in this collection, though its themes cannot be discounted.
Kudos, Madam Cole, for pushing the envelope on how storytelling has progressed.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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