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Allow Me to Introduce Myself
Every second of Anuri’s life has been documented on social media. Now, it's time to take back control.
Anuri's stepmother, Ophelia, is the ultimate 'mumfluencer'. Throughout Anuri's childhood, she catalogued every minute, milestone and carefully curated family outing on social media, cultivating a devoted - and sizeable - following. Now twenty-five years old, life looks pretty perfect on the outside. Ophelia's fans could be forgiven for wondering why Anuri spends much of her time insulting men online for money, battling the call of alcohol, running from a PhD application, and reminding herself that she is now allowed to choose her own outfits.
But when she sees her little sister being pushed down the same rocky path by Ophelia, she decides to take back control. Her stepmother, however, isn't giving up without a fight.
Put away your phone and get ready to rethink your 'harmless' social media habit, in this darkly hilarious page-turner from an exciting new voice.
Anuri's stepmother, Ophelia, is the ultimate 'mumfluencer'. Throughout Anuri's childhood, she catalogued every minute, milestone and carefully curated family outing on social media, cultivating a devoted - and sizeable - following. Now twenty-five years old, life looks pretty perfect on the outside. Ophelia's fans could be forgiven for wondering why Anuri spends much of her time insulting men online for money, battling the call of alcohol, running from a PhD application, and reminding herself that she is now allowed to choose her own outfits.
But when she sees her little sister being pushed down the same rocky path by Ophelia, she decides to take back control. Her stepmother, however, isn't giving up without a fight.
Put away your phone and get ready to rethink your 'harmless' social media habit, in this darkly hilarious page-turner from an exciting new voice.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
May 11, 2024
And possibly more stars ...
This book absolutely knocked me for six. I'd been reading a few books but this was the one I looked forward to most. Then I got to two thirds through and had to stay up half the night to finish because I couldn't bear not knowing the outcome.
We follow the story of Ańụrị and her step-mother Ophelia. Anuri's birth mother died when she was born and Ophelia, first her nanny then her step-mother had fallen I'm love with the little girl before falling for her father. Yes, wonderful, everything is happy happy.
However we meet Anuri much further down the line. She has rejected both parents and now just wants a relationship with her half-sister Noelle. She is also desperate to rescue her little sister from the pain she has gone through in her formative years.
And why all this pain? Because Ophelia has curated Anuri's image almost since birth and now has a thriving social media mumfluencer presence at the expense of her daughters wellbeing. Anuri wants it all to go away and she doesn't want Noelle to suffer either because it's looking very much to Anuri like Noelle's online presence will be even more profitable.
To add to the distress, her father Nkem only ever backs his wife. In not dealing with the grief of loss he also rejected the child of his late wife. Anuri has lost out all ways.
Thankfully she has good friends, a stubborn nature and a determination to get hers and Noelle's images off the internet for good. It won't be easy and for every thrust she makes, Ophelia parries.
There are dirty tricks galore which all serve to feed in to Anuri's deteriorating mental health. But with the arrival of a cease and desist order at Ophelia's door what will be the outcome of a potential court case?
This book will make you sit up and think about all those "innocent" pictures that are posted. Who owns the right to your image? And what if you are a child? Can you say no? And what happens when you do?
To say I yelled at the parents a lot would be an understatement. This book is horrific in that this is an extreme example but it certainly makes you think about the laws surrounding the use of images - and where they might end up if they are of a small child.
Brilliant. Excellent writing. Gripping story. I'd recommend this to anyone even if you know nothing about social media it still brings up a whole host of parenting, self-esteem, child "abuse" and mental health issues.
Thankyou so very much to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications for the advance review copy.
This book absolutely knocked me for six. I'd been reading a few books but this was the one I looked forward to most. Then I got to two thirds through and had to stay up half the night to finish because I couldn't bear not knowing the outcome.
We follow the story of Ańụrị and her step-mother Ophelia. Anuri's birth mother died when she was born and Ophelia, first her nanny then her step-mother had fallen I'm love with the little girl before falling for her father. Yes, wonderful, everything is happy happy.
However we meet Anuri much further down the line. She has rejected both parents and now just wants a relationship with her half-sister Noelle. She is also desperate to rescue her little sister from the pain she has gone through in her formative years.
And why all this pain? Because Ophelia has curated Anuri's image almost since birth and now has a thriving social media mumfluencer presence at the expense of her daughters wellbeing. Anuri wants it all to go away and she doesn't want Noelle to suffer either because it's looking very much to Anuri like Noelle's online presence will be even more profitable.
To add to the distress, her father Nkem only ever backs his wife. In not dealing with the grief of loss he also rejected the child of his late wife. Anuri has lost out all ways.
Thankfully she has good friends, a stubborn nature and a determination to get hers and Noelle's images off the internet for good. It won't be easy and for every thrust she makes, Ophelia parries.
There are dirty tricks galore which all serve to feed in to Anuri's deteriorating mental health. But with the arrival of a cease and desist order at Ophelia's door what will be the outcome of a potential court case?
This book will make you sit up and think about all those "innocent" pictures that are posted. Who owns the right to your image? And what if you are a child? Can you say no? And what happens when you do?
To say I yelled at the parents a lot would be an understatement. This book is horrific in that this is an extreme example but it certainly makes you think about the laws surrounding the use of images - and where they might end up if they are of a small child.
Brilliant. Excellent writing. Gripping story. I'd recommend this to anyone even if you know nothing about social media it still brings up a whole host of parenting, self-esteem, child "abuse" and mental health issues.
Thankyou so very much to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications for the advance review copy.
October 15, 2024
Fresh, timely, interesting and unforgettable
Onyi Nwabineli writes an amazing book that I cannot stop thinking about. In Allow Me To Introduce Myself we meet Anuri who wants independence. Her mother died during child birth and her father in an effort to curb his grief moved to London with Anuri, hired Ophelia, a nurse to take care of her. Ophelia falls in love with Anuri, accepts her as her own and in a few months she marries Anuri’s father. Ophelia starts posting Anuri on her social media and her platform takes off. In no time she’s got millions of followers, brand sponsorships and Anuri is a household name in London. Anuri at age six expresses to her father and stepmother that she doesn’t want to be filmed but everything is too far gone.
Anuri realizes that her school friends don’t have someone walking behind them trying to take photos. They don’t have multiple attempts at being kidnapped just because they have a social media profile. Now that she is an adult, Anuri she wants all the content down and for her stepmother and father to stop using her very young half sister as content. She takes her family to courst, but what happens when they fight back?
I really enjoyed this book, I think Onyi Nwabineli is an excellent writer, and she tackles a subject that we keep reading about in media. The story is layered with themes of agency, mother-daughter relationship, motherhood, father-daughter relationship, friendships, redemption, forgiveness and love. I particularly love how friendship was explored because sometimes we read books about friends and it feels forced, but Onyi really writes about how friends can be a safe space for difficult conversations, emotional security and a way for us to grow.
I will say this is an amazing premise but the execution was a little shaky. Some parts felt overwritten, the switch between POV felt choppy, so too between the present and the past. I also had a bit of difficulty trying to follow along and I had to re-read certain parts just to get a proper understanding. Overall, I did enjoy this and I will read what the author writes next.
Onyi Nwabineli writes an amazing book that I cannot stop thinking about. In Allow Me To Introduce Myself we meet Anuri who wants independence. Her mother died during child birth and her father in an effort to curb his grief moved to London with Anuri, hired Ophelia, a nurse to take care of her. Ophelia falls in love with Anuri, accepts her as her own and in a few months she marries Anuri’s father. Ophelia starts posting Anuri on her social media and her platform takes off. In no time she’s got millions of followers, brand sponsorships and Anuri is a household name in London. Anuri at age six expresses to her father and stepmother that she doesn’t want to be filmed but everything is too far gone.
Anuri realizes that her school friends don’t have someone walking behind them trying to take photos. They don’t have multiple attempts at being kidnapped just because they have a social media profile. Now that she is an adult, Anuri she wants all the content down and for her stepmother and father to stop using her very young half sister as content. She takes her family to courst, but what happens when they fight back?
I really enjoyed this book, I think Onyi Nwabineli is an excellent writer, and she tackles a subject that we keep reading about in media. The story is layered with themes of agency, mother-daughter relationship, motherhood, father-daughter relationship, friendships, redemption, forgiveness and love. I particularly love how friendship was explored because sometimes we read books about friends and it feels forced, but Onyi really writes about how friends can be a safe space for difficult conversations, emotional security and a way for us to grow.
I will say this is an amazing premise but the execution was a little shaky. Some parts felt overwritten, the switch between POV felt choppy, so too between the present and the past. I also had a bit of difficulty trying to follow along and I had to re-read certain parts just to get a proper understanding. Overall, I did enjoy this and I will read what the author writes next.
June 12, 2024
I really wanted to love this one. I was looking forward to Nwabineli’s critique of family vlogger/mom influencer type content. and while it was definitely there, it also felt fairly reserved.
throughout the book the author touches on topics like adults forming parasocial relationships with kids online, the importance of children being able to consent, and even the validation/need to be consumed that parents like ophelia thrive off of. but those points are so brief they end up feeling like occasional one liners. the audience isn’t given a chance to sit with it before you’re redirected to the central plot line. which would be fine except I didn’t find myself wanting to go back to anuri (the main character). in part because too much time was spent on her found family and too little on anuri’s character development.
the plot meanders along and ultimately comes to a very anticlimactic end. I wish more time was spent on the social commentary because that’s what makes the book interesting! instead of isolating that commentary to inner dialogues, it would have been much stronger weaved into the character’s interactions with each other so we could get more depth.
personal enjoyment aside, I think this was a solid effort that’ll hopefully prompt people to re-examine their relationship with social media.
thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.
throughout the book the author touches on topics like adults forming parasocial relationships with kids online, the importance of children being able to consent, and even the validation/need to be consumed that parents like ophelia thrive off of. but those points are so brief they end up feeling like occasional one liners. the audience isn’t given a chance to sit with it before you’re redirected to the central plot line. which would be fine except I didn’t find myself wanting to go back to anuri (the main character). in part because too much time was spent on her found family and too little on anuri’s character development.
the plot meanders along and ultimately comes to a very anticlimactic end. I wish more time was spent on the social commentary because that’s what makes the book interesting! instead of isolating that commentary to inner dialogues, it would have been much stronger weaved into the character’s interactions with each other so we could get more depth.
personal enjoyment aside, I think this was a solid effort that’ll hopefully prompt people to re-examine their relationship with social media.
thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.
February 26, 2024
A tack-sharp beautifully told tale of self agency and reclaiming your power. Nwabineli creates deeply drawn characters, uses perfect metaphors, and possesses an immersive storytelling style that never releases its grasp on you as you journey into the darkest recesses of her characters. Nwabineli is the queen of flawlessly blending serious topics with witty contemporary prose. Her way with words is an incredible gift.
March 30, 2024
I really enjoyed Onyi's first book and was excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately it just didn't hit for me.
There was a lot going on: multiple characters POVs, timelines present and past, characters with questionable depth and a protagonist who was also largely her own antagonist.
I do admire that Onyi strived to tackle a difficult topic and one that's largely very much a grey area. I would have loved to have seen this book tidied up a bit more, with the characters chopped down a bit, more strong POVs from Anuri, Ophelia and Nkem at a regular cadence & a bit more of a grounded approach to Anuri's decisions.
Not a bad book, I just don't think it was for me this time.
There was a lot going on: multiple characters POVs, timelines present and past, characters with questionable depth and a protagonist who was also largely her own antagonist.
I do admire that Onyi strived to tackle a difficult topic and one that's largely very much a grey area. I would have loved to have seen this book tidied up a bit more, with the characters chopped down a bit, more strong POVs from Anuri, Ophelia and Nkem at a regular cadence & a bit more of a grounded approach to Anuri's decisions.
Not a bad book, I just don't think it was for me this time.
October 3, 2024
“Ańųrį wondered whether or not these parents understood that kids are autonomous little beings; that they are tiny humans developing their own personalities and forging together likes they would go on to live independently of their families”
Onyi writes so poetically. Her choice and arrangement of words kept giving me such good pause! So breathtaking.
This book was such a brilliant layout of the turn a child’s life can take when they’re not given agency in their childhood, or given the freedom to express their own desires, pet peeves, the very things that formulate their humanity! It was so sad to see Anuri struggle with decision making, advocating for herself to a degree, all because those choices were taken from her at such a young age.
I’ve never had to really think about the impact of social media on children since I’m not a parent but wheeew, this book provoked a whole lot of mental bullet points for me.
I think the thing that aggravated me the most was Nkem’s inability to stand up to Ophelia and protect his own daughters! I understand grief can truly alter one’s brain chemistry but refusing to literally carry out your parental duties is extremely ridiculous. All the while refusing any psychological help because “men don’t sit down with strangers to talk about their problems”🙄 I look forward to the day most African men finally start embracing therapy.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that while I HATED what Ophelia turned into and how she commodified Ańųrį and Noelle. It all stemmed from emotional neglect by her parents because they basically forgot to love her while they mourned their other lost child. Ophelia subconsciously created an ecosystem online seeking the validation she never received as a child. Her mistake was dragging babies into it and then never fully taking ownership of the trail of destruction she caused.
I loved Ańųrį’s small community. Her best friends Loki and Simi who truly are the definition of dedication & love, her lawyer turned friend Gloria, her therapist Ammah. I love that she finally let Christian in because he was so wonderful, charming, resourceful & great at handling her darkness while also commanding her respect.
Ańųrį’s participation in findom was shocking but not surprising given her relationship with her dad & her lack of voice for years of her life.
I really could go on and on with this review but I’ll end by just giving Onyi her flowers because this book is brilliant!!! I LOVED IT!
Onyi writes so poetically. Her choice and arrangement of words kept giving me such good pause! So breathtaking.
This book was such a brilliant layout of the turn a child’s life can take when they’re not given agency in their childhood, or given the freedom to express their own desires, pet peeves, the very things that formulate their humanity! It was so sad to see Anuri struggle with decision making, advocating for herself to a degree, all because those choices were taken from her at such a young age.
I’ve never had to really think about the impact of social media on children since I’m not a parent but wheeew, this book provoked a whole lot of mental bullet points for me.
I think the thing that aggravated me the most was Nkem’s inability to stand up to Ophelia and protect his own daughters! I understand grief can truly alter one’s brain chemistry but refusing to literally carry out your parental duties is extremely ridiculous. All the while refusing any psychological help because “men don’t sit down with strangers to talk about their problems”🙄 I look forward to the day most African men finally start embracing therapy.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that while I HATED what Ophelia turned into and how she commodified Ańųrį and Noelle. It all stemmed from emotional neglect by her parents because they basically forgot to love her while they mourned their other lost child. Ophelia subconsciously created an ecosystem online seeking the validation she never received as a child. Her mistake was dragging babies into it and then never fully taking ownership of the trail of destruction she caused.
I loved Ańųrį’s small community. Her best friends Loki and Simi who truly are the definition of dedication & love, her lawyer turned friend Gloria, her therapist Ammah. I love that she finally let Christian in because he was so wonderful, charming, resourceful & great at handling her darkness while also commanding her respect.
Ańųrį’s participation in findom was shocking but not surprising given her relationship with her dad & her lack of voice for years of her life.
I really could go on and on with this review but I’ll end by just giving Onyi her flowers because this book is brilliant!!! I LOVED IT!
May 17, 2024
Allow me to introduce myself'
I loved the premise of this book. It tackled a gray area that is becoming more and more prevalent in our society and I commend the writer's bold choice in addressing this topic.
'Allow me to introduce myself' tells the story of Anuri, as she deals with the aftermath of having her whole life chronicled online by her stepmother Ophelia. The author takes us through Anuri's battle with Ophelia to get all the content taken down, her concern for her little sister, who is now the subject of Ophelia's blog, her inability to lead a normal life, her alcohol addiction and the difficult emotions she has to regulate.
I loved the portayal of friendship. Anuri's friends, Simi and Loki are her lifeline, and it's beautiful to see friendship centered in a novel the way romantic relationships typically are.
I however feel like the book could have been much better written and edited. The language was unnecessary flowery in some places and it was just tedious to read at some point.
It has a great plot and could have been so much more, but I really struggled with how it was written/ the writer's style.
Overrall, I'll be giving this 3/5. Thanks to the publishers for an ARC.
I loved the premise of this book. It tackled a gray area that is becoming more and more prevalent in our society and I commend the writer's bold choice in addressing this topic.
'Allow me to introduce myself' tells the story of Anuri, as she deals with the aftermath of having her whole life chronicled online by her stepmother Ophelia. The author takes us through Anuri's battle with Ophelia to get all the content taken down, her concern for her little sister, who is now the subject of Ophelia's blog, her inability to lead a normal life, her alcohol addiction and the difficult emotions she has to regulate.
I loved the portayal of friendship. Anuri's friends, Simi and Loki are her lifeline, and it's beautiful to see friendship centered in a novel the way romantic relationships typically are.
I however feel like the book could have been much better written and edited. The language was unnecessary flowery in some places and it was just tedious to read at some point.
It has a great plot and could have been so much more, but I really struggled with how it was written/ the writer's style.
Overrall, I'll be giving this 3/5. Thanks to the publishers for an ARC.
Read
August 18, 2024DNF unfortunately
February 26, 2025
4.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed this one! The writing was beautiful, with a great flow and so many moments that made me pause and think. It was such a thoughtful and powerful read, especially when it came to the way it looked at mommy bloggers and how their kids deal with the aftermath as they get older. That part felt really insightful and hit home for me.
The main character was definitely well-written, and I loved the relationship she had with her father, it felt genuine and complex. Some of the other characters weren’t as fleshed out for me, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story overall.
This book probably won’t be for everyone as there’s a lot of focus on social media, motherhood, and personal identity, which might not resonate with everyone. But if you’re into stories that dig deep into those themes with some real emotional depth, I think you’ll really like this one!
The main character was definitely well-written, and I loved the relationship she had with her father, it felt genuine and complex. Some of the other characters weren’t as fleshed out for me, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story overall.
This book probably won’t be for everyone as there’s a lot of focus on social media, motherhood, and personal identity, which might not resonate with everyone. But if you’re into stories that dig deep into those themes with some real emotional depth, I think you’ll really like this one!
dnf
July 1, 2024I hate to do this & I hope I don't sound ridiculous but this book just didn't do it for me... DNF at 24%. so I won't be giving this a star rating!
Considering that I RAVED about her last book, I really expected a great story - and the premise sounded good BUT even with beautiful writing, I didn't care AT ALL about the main character.
As much as I can agree with the idea that exposing your kids on social media so early can be detrimental, I really wanted to say, just get over it & move away from these people!!
Considering that I RAVED about her last book, I really expected a great story - and the premise sounded good BUT even with beautiful writing, I didn't care AT ALL about the main character.
As much as I can agree with the idea that exposing your kids on social media so early can be detrimental, I really wanted to say, just get over it & move away from these people!!
October 16, 2024
2.75 🫡
well i finished it.
i feel like i might be really unfair to this book and maybe overly harsh but we (me and the writing) just did not get on.
at first it was ok, and i first thought that the writing was interesting, perhaps even compelling. but then it kept going. and going! there was something about this that felt so bloated. full of fluff that i suppose (to a certain extent) provided some more character depth and world building but at a certain point felt labourious to read and mind numbingly useless. good 50-75 pages could have been cut from this, and perhaps helped with the inconsistent pacing (which started off promising, became painfully slow, but wrapped up incredibly quickly). the lack of a discernible plot wasnt an issue per se but this felt very aimless to me at times — rather than a fully realised story it came across as pretty words on a page. which would be fine if that was what the book was going for but i don't think it was?
its a bit frustrating bc the writing honestly negatively coloured everything else i kinda liked. for eg i really enjoyed the found family aspect (anuri, simi, loki) and the concept of ophelia and nkem as soft antagonists (although i think ophelia could have been fleshed with a bit more depth). despite being told, i also felt like we rarely got a glimpse into how anuri and noelle interacted and understood their relationship a bit more. otherwise, the characters felt full and whole.
did not gaf for christian. thats enough said there.
i also dont think my issue with the writing was necessarily a matter of skill; i just did not mesh well with the style. in fact i would say i almost hated it. one particular sentence (genuinely half a page long) made me rage aloud for a bit. i am aware of stylistic choices. i am also allowed to hate them. 🥴
in full, i feel so so conflicted about this :((( i didnt like it but i also didnt not like it ??? i don't think i've been so confused on my feelings about a book in some time. guess that means its time to go read other reviews so they make my mind up for me!!!
well i finished it.
i feel like i might be really unfair to this book and maybe overly harsh but we (me and the writing) just did not get on.
at first it was ok, and i first thought that the writing was interesting, perhaps even compelling. but then it kept going. and going! there was something about this that felt so bloated. full of fluff that i suppose (to a certain extent) provided some more character depth and world building but at a certain point felt labourious to read and mind numbingly useless. good 50-75 pages could have been cut from this, and perhaps helped with the inconsistent pacing (which started off promising, became painfully slow, but wrapped up incredibly quickly). the lack of a discernible plot wasnt an issue per se but this felt very aimless to me at times — rather than a fully realised story it came across as pretty words on a page. which would be fine if that was what the book was going for but i don't think it was?
its a bit frustrating bc the writing honestly negatively coloured everything else i kinda liked. for eg i really enjoyed the found family aspect (anuri, simi, loki) and the concept of ophelia and nkem as soft antagonists (although i think ophelia could have been fleshed with a bit more depth). despite being told, i also felt like we rarely got a glimpse into how anuri and noelle interacted and understood their relationship a bit more. otherwise, the characters felt full and whole.
did not gaf for christian. thats enough said there.
i also dont think my issue with the writing was necessarily a matter of skill; i just did not mesh well with the style. in fact i would say i almost hated it. one particular sentence (genuinely half a page long) made me rage aloud for a bit. i am aware of stylistic choices. i am also allowed to hate them. 🥴
in full, i feel so so conflicted about this :((( i didnt like it but i also didnt not like it ??? i don't think i've been so confused on my feelings about a book in some time. guess that means its time to go read other reviews so they make my mind up for me!!!
May 19, 2024
3.5 stars. Where to even start with this one! The cover? STUNNING. The premise? I was SO intrigued. I think the subject of the prevalence of children shown on social media/mommy bloggers will continue to be a hot topic for years, especially as technology continues to change and grow.
Unfortunately, I think where this one lost me a bit was the writing style. I just never felt immersed in the story and multiple times to go back and reread paragraphs that I had just read because it wasn’t making sense.
I did really enjoy seeing the character growth of Anuri and loved her friendship with Simi and Loki.
Thank you so so so much NetGalley and Graydon House for the ARC!!
Unfortunately, I think where this one lost me a bit was the writing style. I just never felt immersed in the story and multiple times to go back and reread paragraphs that I had just read because it wasn’t making sense.
I did really enjoy seeing the character growth of Anuri and loved her friendship with Simi and Loki.
Thank you so so so much NetGalley and Graydon House for the ARC!!
March 16, 2025
3.5 stars
May 28, 2024
3.75 - thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ebook ARC of this book!
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I thought it was a very important and relevant topic in today’s society with the normalization of “mommy bloggers” who grossly exploit their children.
Anuri was such a strong female lead and I was entertained by how she chose to handle the repercussions of her stepmother’s decisions and her approach to handling her little sister’s uncomfortability loving through a similar situation.
Throughout, I really felt that Anuri’s friends were a great source of support for her journey to finding herself after her childhood was quite literally stolen.
For me, there was a bit of a disconnect with the writing style. I found myself rereading paragraphs because I wasn’t quite absorbing what I had read. Something about the flow of the writing was just not clicking for me.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I thought it was a very important and relevant topic in today’s society with the normalization of “mommy bloggers” who grossly exploit their children.
Anuri was such a strong female lead and I was entertained by how she chose to handle the repercussions of her stepmother’s decisions and her approach to handling her little sister’s uncomfortability loving through a similar situation.
Throughout, I really felt that Anuri’s friends were a great source of support for her journey to finding herself after her childhood was quite literally stolen.
For me, there was a bit of a disconnect with the writing style. I found myself rereading paragraphs because I wasn’t quite absorbing what I had read. Something about the flow of the writing was just not clicking for me.
June 23, 2024
Onyi Nwabineli has constructed a scathing rebuke of “momfluencer” culture and the devastating damage it can wreak on the young children in front of the camera. I found this book to be prescient: we are currently teetering on a precipice in which many of the children from the original YouTube momfluencer boom are reaching age of majority, and I can only expect the fallout will be similar if not identical to what Nwabineli has imagined here. What happens when a child’s image becomes the primary source of families income? How do courts handle issues of consent and abuse when a parent forces a child to perform for content they aren’t interested in being a part of? What protections do parents owe to their children when it comes to protecting their image from online predators? Nwabineli showcases both sides of these challenging questions, undoubtedly siding with the protagonist, Anůri, in her fight to take back autonomy and rescue her half-sister from her stepmother’s influencer empire, but we also hear from her step-mother, Ophelia, and her stoic but non-interfering father Nkem on the thoughts and emotions that shape their actions.
An added layer of complexity is Anůri’s status as a Nigerian-born Black child being raised by a White stepmother, highlighting the racially exploitative nature of Ophelia’s actions, using Anůri and then Noelle as a vehicle to publicly promote herself as a “good” White person and parent, even going as a far as to create and profit from a line of hair care products for Black children, among other things. Is this in of itself racist? Debatable. Does it take away money and influence from Black parents and creators? Most definitely! Does it position her Black children as unwitting props in pursuit of racial absolution? Also likley! Through Ophelia, Nwabineli explores the insidious, often unconscious racism perpetuated by White content creators who seek recognition and celebration for caring for their Black children in a way that should be the norm (hello, Kardashians) and the abuse perpetuated by any parent who burdens their child with the family’s livelihood.
An added layer of complexity is Anůri’s status as a Nigerian-born Black child being raised by a White stepmother, highlighting the racially exploitative nature of Ophelia’s actions, using Anůri and then Noelle as a vehicle to publicly promote herself as a “good” White person and parent, even going as a far as to create and profit from a line of hair care products for Black children, among other things. Is this in of itself racist? Debatable. Does it take away money and influence from Black parents and creators? Most definitely! Does it position her Black children as unwitting props in pursuit of racial absolution? Also likley! Through Ophelia, Nwabineli explores the insidious, often unconscious racism perpetuated by White content creators who seek recognition and celebration for caring for their Black children in a way that should be the norm (hello, Kardashians) and the abuse perpetuated by any parent who burdens their child with the family’s livelihood.
May 28, 2024
3.75/5
Gifted by the publisher
Ever since childhood, her influencer stepmother has chronicled and monetized Anuri's life. While she finally finds some semblance of independence and freedom, Anuri must do more to stop the same from happening to her younger half-sister.
MYSELF presents a provocative exploration of momfluencers exploiting their kids, delving into the ethics behind this troubling phenomenon. What are the lines between making money to give a child a "better" life vs. using the child as the primary source of income to the point they lose their childhood? Along the same lines, MYSELF also tackles our own dependence on social media and how we, as viewers, might be contributing to the continued exploitation of child influencers. These themes are timely and engaging, making the premise of the story quite compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of MYSELF is the portrayal of a white stepmother who monetizes her adoption of a Black child under the guise of kindness. This theme exposes the insidious white savior complex, which was both fascinating and enraging to read. Nwabineli brilliantly examines how the internet amplifies racial dynamics in a family of mixed heritage, and often, only white individuals benefit from social media monetization.
The themes of grief, particularly how men and fathers can become completely paralyzed by it, and consequently neglect childcare responsibilities, are also touched upon. This exploration of grief and its impacts on family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, though it could have been developed further.
While the topics are stimulating, I wish MYSELF had delved deeper, particularly into Anuri's emotional turmoil and how her days as a child influencer affected her relationship with Dad. Too many secondary storylines also muddle the central message and detract from the emotional depth that MYSELF could have achieved.
Despite this, I can see MYSELF being a great book club choice or beach read. It offers a mix of light and thought-provoking topics that keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming or too emotionally draining. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking profound emotional depth, MYSELF provides an accessible read that will undoubtedly spark exciting conversations.
--
notes
I really like the premise of momfluencers exploiting their kids and the discussion of the ethics behind this phenomenon. Another fascinating aspect is our own dependence on social media and whether we’re contributing to the continued exploitation of child “influencers”
The execution of the book left much to be desired. There are too many secondary storylines that muddled the central message and detract from the emotional depth this book could’ve had.
I think this book is one that will generate a lot of discussions in book clubs and perfect as a beach read / for readers who want some interesting social commentaries that don’t go too deep or emotionally draining.
Gifted by the publisher
Ever since childhood, her influencer stepmother has chronicled and monetized Anuri's life. While she finally finds some semblance of independence and freedom, Anuri must do more to stop the same from happening to her younger half-sister.
MYSELF presents a provocative exploration of momfluencers exploiting their kids, delving into the ethics behind this troubling phenomenon. What are the lines between making money to give a child a "better" life vs. using the child as the primary source of income to the point they lose their childhood? Along the same lines, MYSELF also tackles our own dependence on social media and how we, as viewers, might be contributing to the continued exploitation of child influencers. These themes are timely and engaging, making the premise of the story quite compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of MYSELF is the portrayal of a white stepmother who monetizes her adoption of a Black child under the guise of kindness. This theme exposes the insidious white savior complex, which was both fascinating and enraging to read. Nwabineli brilliantly examines how the internet amplifies racial dynamics in a family of mixed heritage, and often, only white individuals benefit from social media monetization.
The themes of grief, particularly how men and fathers can become completely paralyzed by it, and consequently neglect childcare responsibilities, are also touched upon. This exploration of grief and its impacts on family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, though it could have been developed further.
While the topics are stimulating, I wish MYSELF had delved deeper, particularly into Anuri's emotional turmoil and how her days as a child influencer affected her relationship with Dad. Too many secondary storylines also muddle the central message and detract from the emotional depth that MYSELF could have achieved.
Despite this, I can see MYSELF being a great book club choice or beach read. It offers a mix of light and thought-provoking topics that keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming or too emotionally draining. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking profound emotional depth, MYSELF provides an accessible read that will undoubtedly spark exciting conversations.
--
notes
I really like the premise of momfluencers exploiting their kids and the discussion of the ethics behind this phenomenon. Another fascinating aspect is our own dependence on social media and whether we’re contributing to the continued exploitation of child “influencers”
The execution of the book left much to be desired. There are too many secondary storylines that muddled the central message and detract from the emotional depth this book could’ve had.
I think this book is one that will generate a lot of discussions in book clubs and perfect as a beach read / for readers who want some interesting social commentaries that don’t go too deep or emotionally draining.
July 5, 2024
Where do I start? I was so excited to read this after reading the synopsis. The step-daughter of an influencer wanting to live a life outside of the spotlight? These are new territories as we see social media only grow bigger every day. One might argue that Anuri is the more influential one, considering that's who Ophelia's audience really wants to see. I thought the story was really promising but unfortunately it did not live up to the hype. The plot had so much potential and I feel it didn't follow through. In the end I was left disappointed with the execution and an okay read that could been phenomenal.
May 31, 2024
"Allow Me To Introduce Myself" follows former child social media star Aṅụrị’s attempt to navigate adulthood on her own terms. The central theme is the potentially damaging impact that placing minors on social media poses. This topical issue is explored with compassion, through the burgeoning conflicts Aṅụrị experiences in the unchartered waters of life outside the incessant microscopes of camera lens’ and online followers.
‘We are less alone amidst imperfection.’
Our humanity exists beyond perfectly curated and manicured internet profiles. In all her flaws and imperfections, Aṅụrị is a protagonist who is easy to get behind! Nwabineli gives a realistic retelling of a young woman seeking healing from destructive coping mechanisms.
The central message of "Allow Me To Introduce Myself" is fairly evident, Nwabineli does a good job in encouraging the reader to rethink their own online (and offline) behavioural patters. While this book is an easy read, I feel it could have been more concise. The different moving parts and POV sections made the unfolding story somewhat disjointed.
I would recommend Allow Me To Introduce Myself to anyone looking for an easy to reach, enjoyable summertime read.
Full review available here: https://www.hararebookclub.com/home/a...
Thank you to One World Publications for providing Harare Book Club with an advance reviewer's copy.
May 28, 2024
All Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli
Thank you so much @htp_hive @htpbooks @graydonhousebooks #thehive #thehiveinfluencer #influencerprogram #htpbooks for the ARC
Blurb:
Through biting wit and heartfelt introspection, this darkly humorous story dives deep into the deceptive allure of a picture-perfect existence, the overexposure of children in social media and the excitement of self-discovery.
My thoughts:
Once I read the premise of this story, I was hooked and knew it was a book I needed to read. I was not disappointed either. It’ll have you taking a look inward and thinking about your social media usage and how often you post or don’t post your kids on the internet (if you have them). But on top of that, you also get a story of found family and even new love. With multiple POVs we get to read what’s going on in everyone’s head and really get to be put in their shoes. I enjoyed this story and it’s one is recommend. It’s one I’ll probably think about often, especially because I have children of my own. Allow Me to Introduce Myself is out today, 5/28/24!
Happy reading 📖
Thank you so much @htp_hive @htpbooks @graydonhousebooks #thehive #thehiveinfluencer #influencerprogram #htpbooks for the ARC
Blurb:
Through biting wit and heartfelt introspection, this darkly humorous story dives deep into the deceptive allure of a picture-perfect existence, the overexposure of children in social media and the excitement of self-discovery.
My thoughts:
Once I read the premise of this story, I was hooked and knew it was a book I needed to read. I was not disappointed either. It’ll have you taking a look inward and thinking about your social media usage and how often you post or don’t post your kids on the internet (if you have them). But on top of that, you also get a story of found family and even new love. With multiple POVs we get to read what’s going on in everyone’s head and really get to be put in their shoes. I enjoyed this story and it’s one is recommend. It’s one I’ll probably think about often, especially because I have children of my own. Allow Me to Introduce Myself is out today, 5/28/24!
Happy reading 📖
February 19, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
💬 “To approach a thing with trepidation, expecting judgement and instead finding the sweetness of acceplance is to understand a little more how deeply you have been cut and how much longer it will take to see yourself as someone worth adoring.”
💭 Powerful and sharply-observed, ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF is a unique coming of age story about a child turned social media star, brought up in the spotlight by her influencer step-mother.
Anuri childhood passed by in the flurry of carefully curated photoshoots, meticulously planned outfits, and high grossing brand deals. And her stepmother, Ophelia, was the mastermind ‘mumfluencer’ behind it all. But now Anuri’s grown up, she’s struggling in more ways that one - she’s drinking excessively, avoiding her PhD application, and spending her time insulting paypigs for money. But her biggest concern is how to save her little sister from being pushed down the same path as she was. However, preventing this isn’t going to be easy and Anuri knows a battle is waiting to be fought.
I absolutely raced through this one. It perfectly mixes strong character development with its drama fuelled plot. It also explores social media and consent in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. Nwabineli looks at how social media, something heralded as having the ability to connect us all, can actually end up splitting us apart - even from the ones we love most.
Although the novel is full of tension and difficult conversations, there are also some more tender moments of love within its pages. I absolutely adored reading about Anuri and her two best friends. There were some beautiful, tender moments between them but also plenty of funny, quick-witted humour which genuinely made me laugh out loud.
If complicated family dynamics and thought-provoking reads about social media are something you enjoy, this book is for you. With rich, relatable characters and plenty of drama, this will keep you hooked until the very end. I loved ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSLEF and can’t wait to see what Nwabineli writes next.
💬 “To approach a thing with trepidation, expecting judgement and instead finding the sweetness of acceplance is to understand a little more how deeply you have been cut and how much longer it will take to see yourself as someone worth adoring.”
💭 Powerful and sharply-observed, ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF is a unique coming of age story about a child turned social media star, brought up in the spotlight by her influencer step-mother.
Anuri childhood passed by in the flurry of carefully curated photoshoots, meticulously planned outfits, and high grossing brand deals. And her stepmother, Ophelia, was the mastermind ‘mumfluencer’ behind it all. But now Anuri’s grown up, she’s struggling in more ways that one - she’s drinking excessively, avoiding her PhD application, and spending her time insulting paypigs for money. But her biggest concern is how to save her little sister from being pushed down the same path as she was. However, preventing this isn’t going to be easy and Anuri knows a battle is waiting to be fought.
I absolutely raced through this one. It perfectly mixes strong character development with its drama fuelled plot. It also explores social media and consent in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. Nwabineli looks at how social media, something heralded as having the ability to connect us all, can actually end up splitting us apart - even from the ones we love most.
Although the novel is full of tension and difficult conversations, there are also some more tender moments of love within its pages. I absolutely adored reading about Anuri and her two best friends. There were some beautiful, tender moments between them but also plenty of funny, quick-witted humour which genuinely made me laugh out loud.
If complicated family dynamics and thought-provoking reads about social media are something you enjoy, this book is for you. With rich, relatable characters and plenty of drama, this will keep you hooked until the very end. I loved ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSLEF and can’t wait to see what Nwabineli writes next.
July 23, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
Very glad we’re starting to talk about the effects of family influencers & the effect it can have on the children they force into the spotlight.
Following Anuri’s journey as she tries to put that life behind her while also shielding her sister from it really showed how invasive and toxic that lifestyle was. Anuri’s friends were a true definition of a support system and I really appreciate the journey as they tried to help her navigate through everything.
Overall solid read! Writing was fresh & funny, especially between the friends. Hoping this continues to amplify the protection & laws for kids forced into this lifestyle.
Very glad we’re starting to talk about the effects of family influencers & the effect it can have on the children they force into the spotlight.
Following Anuri’s journey as she tries to put that life behind her while also shielding her sister from it really showed how invasive and toxic that lifestyle was. Anuri’s friends were a true definition of a support system and I really appreciate the journey as they tried to help her navigate through everything.
Overall solid read! Writing was fresh & funny, especially between the friends. Hoping this continues to amplify the protection & laws for kids forced into this lifestyle.
March 11, 2024
The premise of this book was really great, but I don't know what it is about this author but I just can't connect to her writing style. The introduction was so confusing and clunky, I had to reread it several times. Once I got through it, the characters and the plot came together. Anuri's relationship with Ophelia didn't make sense. Was Ophelia a villian?
May 20, 2024
Somewhere around 3.75 stars for the sophomore novel from the author of Someday, Maybe, a book I loved. Still processing how I feel about Allow Me to Introduce Myself. Full review to come.
September 16, 2024
This book delivers a powerful message about the devastating and often invisible consequences of growing up as a child influencer in the social media era.
Anuri’s story is particularly complex. She’s the daughter of Nigerian parents, lost her mother in childbirth, and her father remarried Ophelia, a white woman he had hired as Anuri’s nurse.
Initially, Ophelia started a blog to share pictures and updates of Anuri with her extended family, or so she claimed. But as the blog gained popularity, so did the publicists, photographers, makeup artists, and social media deals.
This raises an important question: Where do we draw the line with child influencers? How can they consent to having their lives and faces monetized from their first steps to their tantrums, every milestone captured and shared online?
As an adult, Anuri grapples with the fallout of her childhood as an influencer: she struggles with alcoholism, severe anxiety, panic attacks, and anonymous online relationships with men who have humiliation kinks.
The character I disliked the most in this book was Anuri’s father. What a pathetic, timid and utterly useless excuse for a father. While I understand he was grieving his late wife, Anuri’s mother, his actions were questionable when he met and eventually married Ophelia. His lack of intervention as Ophelia posted every detail of Anuri’s childhood, despite her discomfort, was deeply upsetting. It was bad enough that he basically ignored and abandoned Anuri, but to watch the same cycle repeat itself with Noelle???
On a brighter note, I admired the supportive community Anuri managed to build around herself: Simi, Loki, Aunt Nneoma, her grandparents, Christian, and even her lawyer, Gloria, and her therapist, Ammah.
I did struggle with the writing style, having to reread some paragraphs a couple of times to make sense of them, but overall, this was a brilliant read and it highlights the urgent need for society to reflect on and address the harm done to children thrust into the limelight. We must consider better ways to protect these children, as we clearly aren’t doing enough.
Anuri’s story is particularly complex. She’s the daughter of Nigerian parents, lost her mother in childbirth, and her father remarried Ophelia, a white woman he had hired as Anuri’s nurse.
Initially, Ophelia started a blog to share pictures and updates of Anuri with her extended family, or so she claimed. But as the blog gained popularity, so did the publicists, photographers, makeup artists, and social media deals.
This raises an important question: Where do we draw the line with child influencers? How can they consent to having their lives and faces monetized from their first steps to their tantrums, every milestone captured and shared online?
As an adult, Anuri grapples with the fallout of her childhood as an influencer: she struggles with alcoholism, severe anxiety, panic attacks, and anonymous online relationships with men who have humiliation kinks.
The character I disliked the most in this book was Anuri’s father. What a pathetic, timid and utterly useless excuse for a father. While I understand he was grieving his late wife, Anuri’s mother, his actions were questionable when he met and eventually married Ophelia. His lack of intervention as Ophelia posted every detail of Anuri’s childhood, despite her discomfort, was deeply upsetting. It was bad enough that he basically ignored and abandoned Anuri, but to watch the same cycle repeat itself with Noelle???
On a brighter note, I admired the supportive community Anuri managed to build around herself: Simi, Loki, Aunt Nneoma, her grandparents, Christian, and even her lawyer, Gloria, and her therapist, Ammah.
I did struggle with the writing style, having to reread some paragraphs a couple of times to make sense of them, but overall, this was a brilliant read and it highlights the urgent need for society to reflect on and address the harm done to children thrust into the limelight. We must consider better ways to protect these children, as we clearly aren’t doing enough.
November 29, 2024
★★★★★
I read Allow Me to Introduce Myself on a flight to London, and I couldn’t put it down. The story follows Anuri, a young Black woman grappling with grief, identity, and her place in the world. Things take a dark turn when Ophelia, a white woman, inserts herself into Anuri’s family, exploiting their grief and taking over in ways that left me fuming. Ophelia’s control over Anuri—who is already yearning for the parental love she’s not getting—was infuriating to read, but so vividly written.
The friendships in the story stood out to me the most. Each character had such a strong, unique personality, and their bonds with Anuri felt real and powerful. Anuri herself was so relatable—her struggles, her vulnerability, and the way she tried to make sense of it all stayed with me even after I finished the book.
Onyi Nwabineli captured these complicated relationships and emotions so well. It’s a story about loss, family, and finding your way, and it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
I read Allow Me to Introduce Myself on a flight to London, and I couldn’t put it down. The story follows Anuri, a young Black woman grappling with grief, identity, and her place in the world. Things take a dark turn when Ophelia, a white woman, inserts herself into Anuri’s family, exploiting their grief and taking over in ways that left me fuming. Ophelia’s control over Anuri—who is already yearning for the parental love she’s not getting—was infuriating to read, but so vividly written.
The friendships in the story stood out to me the most. Each character had such a strong, unique personality, and their bonds with Anuri felt real and powerful. Anuri herself was so relatable—her struggles, her vulnerability, and the way she tried to make sense of it all stayed with me even after I finished the book.
Onyi Nwabineli captured these complicated relationships and emotions so well. It’s a story about loss, family, and finding your way, and it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
August 5, 2024
thought provoking 📖
This book serves as a reminder of how powerful social media is and the impact it has on young people. I empathize with the FMC because she didn’t ask to be a social media influencer as a child and she has to fight to have her privacy and protect her younger sister from suffering from the same fate. The author touches on instant gratification, lack of privacy, dealing with public opinion, daddy issues, alcoholism, amongst many other thought provoking topics. My biggest gripe with the story was the way Anuri’s father lacked a real backbone- I kept thinking 🗣️speak up! I understood the “why” behind his behavior but I think some things could have been avoided if he protected Anuri in the beginning. Overall, I applaud Anuri for fighting, it wasn’t pretty but necessary for her true peace of mind. This serves as a reminder that just because you follow people on social media, that doesn’t mean you “know” them. A true word. Good read for me.
This book serves as a reminder of how powerful social media is and the impact it has on young people. I empathize with the FMC because she didn’t ask to be a social media influencer as a child and she has to fight to have her privacy and protect her younger sister from suffering from the same fate. The author touches on instant gratification, lack of privacy, dealing with public opinion, daddy issues, alcoholism, amongst many other thought provoking topics. My biggest gripe with the story was the way Anuri’s father lacked a real backbone- I kept thinking 🗣️speak up! I understood the “why” behind his behavior but I think some things could have been avoided if he protected Anuri in the beginning. Overall, I applaud Anuri for fighting, it wasn’t pretty but necessary for her true peace of mind. This serves as a reminder that just because you follow people on social media, that doesn’t mean you “know” them. A true word. Good read for me.
August 18, 2025
first of all, I really liked the audiobook narrator she slayed. i also thought the concept was very interesting especially after I listened to ruby frankie's memoir.
but here's the thing, it just didn't fully work. there were interesting points made about children online and especially what it means to be black online but none of those points really go anywhere. they are just statements without any exploration that would make the story more interesting. and there were too many distractions within the story - there was the fin dom stuff that added nothing to the story and a lot of time hanging out with her friends then suddenly we are back in the fight with her step mom. the story needed a bit of a trim, more focus, and more exploring.
also anuri doesn't have much growth as a character. the most growth she has is admitting she is an alcoholic but other than that she remains fairly stagnant imo.
overall it was fine 🤷♀️ i didn't find it that special
but here's the thing, it just didn't fully work. there were interesting points made about children online and especially what it means to be black online but none of those points really go anywhere. they are just statements without any exploration that would make the story more interesting. and there were too many distractions within the story - there was the fin dom stuff that added nothing to the story and a lot of time hanging out with her friends then suddenly we are back in the fight with her step mom. the story needed a bit of a trim, more focus, and more exploring.
also anuri doesn't have much growth as a character. the most growth she has is admitting she is an alcoholic but other than that she remains fairly stagnant imo.
overall it was fine 🤷♀️ i didn't find it that special
August 9, 2024
I feel like I should have liked this book more than I did. I really liked the message of this book and the clear point that author was making about children's ability to consent in regards to Instagram and other online media that their parents post about them. With the way that social media is so big these days, this is something that I imagine will lead to potential legislation in the future, especially with predators and such taking advantage of pictures of young children posted by their parents. I think I just really struggled with the writing style, which several other reviewers had mentioned. It was just too flowery in places, and there were sentences that I had to read and reread several times to make sure I was understanding the jist.
I also didn't completely fall in love with Anuri as the main character. I mean, she was incredibly flawed, but it wasn't that, because I've loved many flawed characters before. There was just something that I didn't connect with. tbh, I think she just reminded me in a lot of ways of my first ex, and that made it hard for me to sympathize with her LOL. The whole time I was reading this book, I was thinking about how much like my ex she was in some ways. So really, it's not even the fault of the character (or the author) that I couldn't connect with her, oops. XD (I did also get annoyed with her being unable to see that there was no way she could actually be a good guardian to her sister...definitely would have been better than her parents, but not a good guardian. She was just so bull-headed about the whole thing, and that always irks me in both characters and real people.)
I was sooo frustrated with Anuri's parents as well, they were just terrible parents, and even though I'm sure they had good intentions to start out, they both were willing to bury their head in the sand and pretend that all the potential bad things weren't happening. Ophelia especially was just portrayed as super selfish, and I sort of wish that there had been a bit more balanced approach in portraying the parents. I would have been much more interested to get a look at this situation where it wasn't all so black and white and where the parents weren't immediately cast as villains in Anuri's life (despite the book trying to make the point that she was still sad sometimes about losing her connection with them, etc).
BUT! The found family aspect of this novel was great, of course, because I'm a sucker for found families. I really liked both the community aspect of family (grandparents and aunt) but also the friends and friends' families that took Anuri in as their own. That was probably the strongest part of the novel for me, because they were shown to be such loving people who were 100% there for Anuri through everything going on in their own lives.
Plot-wise, I didn't find the ending anticlimactic as some reviewers have said. I actually sort of liked how Anuri ended up "winning" using the medium (the media) that she'd always hated and tried to eschew. She sort of seemed to learn that just bashing away at something constantly is not always the best approach and that sometimes, you need to embrace something in order to get what you actually want, which is just how life is sometimes.
Anyway, it was a decent read, just not something I loved, but definitely would make for a good book for a discussion or something!
I also didn't completely fall in love with Anuri as the main character. I mean, she was incredibly flawed, but it wasn't that, because I've loved many flawed characters before. There was just something that I didn't connect with. tbh, I think she just reminded me in a lot of ways of my first ex, and that made it hard for me to sympathize with her LOL. The whole time I was reading this book, I was thinking about how much like my ex she was in some ways. So really, it's not even the fault of the character (or the author) that I couldn't connect with her, oops. XD (I did also get annoyed with her being unable to see that there was no way she could actually be a good guardian to her sister...definitely would have been better than her parents, but not a good guardian. She was just so bull-headed about the whole thing, and that always irks me in both characters and real people.)
I was sooo frustrated with Anuri's parents as well, they were just terrible parents, and even though I'm sure they had good intentions to start out, they both were willing to bury their head in the sand and pretend that all the potential bad things weren't happening. Ophelia especially was just portrayed as super selfish, and I sort of wish that there had been a bit more balanced approach in portraying the parents. I would have been much more interested to get a look at this situation where it wasn't all so black and white and where the parents weren't immediately cast as villains in Anuri's life (despite the book trying to make the point that she was still sad sometimes about losing her connection with them, etc).
BUT! The found family aspect of this novel was great, of course, because I'm a sucker for found families. I really liked both the community aspect of family (grandparents and aunt) but also the friends and friends' families that took Anuri in as their own. That was probably the strongest part of the novel for me, because they were shown to be such loving people who were 100% there for Anuri through everything going on in their own lives.
Plot-wise, I didn't find the ending anticlimactic as some reviewers have said. I actually sort of liked how Anuri ended up "winning" using the medium (the media) that she'd always hated and tried to eschew. She sort of seemed to learn that just bashing away at something constantly is not always the best approach and that sometimes, you need to embrace something in order to get what you actually want, which is just how life is sometimes.
Anyway, it was a decent read, just not something I loved, but definitely would make for a good book for a discussion or something!
May 22, 2024
Thank you Graydon House, HTP Books, HTP Hive for my #gifted copy of Allow Me to Introduce Myself! #HiveInfluencer
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐎𝐧𝐲𝐢 𝐍𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
★★★★★
I knew as soon as I read the Dedication page that this book was going to be emotional, and I was right. Nwabineli has such a beautiful way with words and I cannot recommend this book enough. There was so much about this book I loved. The character development was truly remarkable. On top of that, this book was laced with family drama and I thought the author did such a great job of integrating some really difficult topics into the plot.
I loved how this novel was so thought-provoking. It really made me think more about social media and how I personally use it and how it impacts children. There is so much to unpack with this novel and I found myself telling myself I would read one more chapter but then one more turned into 5 more and then before I realized it, I had finished the entire book. I love books that allow me to so easily get lost and this one did just that.
While there were some heavy topics in this book, there were also some tender moments and also some humor and wit sprinkled throughout as well. It was the perfect blend and I can’t wait to read what Nwabineli writes next!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐎𝐧𝐲𝐢 𝐍𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
★★★★★
I knew as soon as I read the Dedication page that this book was going to be emotional, and I was right. Nwabineli has such a beautiful way with words and I cannot recommend this book enough. There was so much about this book I loved. The character development was truly remarkable. On top of that, this book was laced with family drama and I thought the author did such a great job of integrating some really difficult topics into the plot.
I loved how this novel was so thought-provoking. It really made me think more about social media and how I personally use it and how it impacts children. There is so much to unpack with this novel and I found myself telling myself I would read one more chapter but then one more turned into 5 more and then before I realized it, I had finished the entire book. I love books that allow me to so easily get lost and this one did just that.
While there were some heavy topics in this book, there were also some tender moments and also some humor and wit sprinkled throughout as well. It was the perfect blend and I can’t wait to read what Nwabineli writes next!
January 29, 2025
Book Club February 2025
Anuri, now 25, grew up on social media as the stepdaughter of a viral influencer. On screen, she seems to have the perfect life, but in reality she is an alcoholic with serious mental health issues brought on by her childhood. She is recovering with the help of her best friends, Loki and Simi, and therapy when she sees the same patterns of her childhood repeating for her much younger sister, Noelle. This leads to a lot of complicated family dynamics and legal issues.
Nwabineli does an excellent job in this fictional account of showing the complicated world of child influencers. While not all the big questions get answered - i.e. How can it be abuse when nothing that is happening fits with legal definitions of abuse? Do minors have a right to privacy? - she does a great job of laying out why those questions should be asked.
I don't think the plot flows as well as I'd like, and some of the shifts in perspective don't work as well for me as intended. Yet, I think this is an incredibly timely book on a timely topic, and I'm excited to discuss it with my book club.
Anuri, now 25, grew up on social media as the stepdaughter of a viral influencer. On screen, she seems to have the perfect life, but in reality she is an alcoholic with serious mental health issues brought on by her childhood. She is recovering with the help of her best friends, Loki and Simi, and therapy when she sees the same patterns of her childhood repeating for her much younger sister, Noelle. This leads to a lot of complicated family dynamics and legal issues.
Nwabineli does an excellent job in this fictional account of showing the complicated world of child influencers. While not all the big questions get answered - i.e. How can it be abuse when nothing that is happening fits with legal definitions of abuse? Do minors have a right to privacy? - she does a great job of laying out why those questions should be asked.
I don't think the plot flows as well as I'd like, and some of the shifts in perspective don't work as well for me as intended. Yet, I think this is an incredibly timely book on a timely topic, and I'm excited to discuss it with my book club.
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