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What Happens Online: The new teen comedy from an award-winning author
Online, Fred goes by Existor@stmarks. His alter ego is the best gamer around - constantly on a winning streak, with tonnes of followers, and the confidence to go with it.
But offline, Fred's life is miserable. His dad's always working, his mum's struggling, and at school, everyone looks straight through him. Until Existor's notoriety spreads to his school, and Fred sees an everyone listens to what Existor has to say, so why not use that?
Soon, Fred is coming up with outlandish rumours about his classmates, and everyone's lapping it up. His bullies are shunned, and people are finally taking notice of him. But it's a slippery slope and Fred struggles to keep track of all the stuff he's posted as his lies start to wreak unexpected havoc.
Fred will have to answer for his crimes against reality, but will he ever find someone to like him for who he really is?
But offline, Fred's life is miserable. His dad's always working, his mum's struggling, and at school, everyone looks straight through him. Until Existor's notoriety spreads to his school, and Fred sees an everyone listens to what Existor has to say, so why not use that?
Soon, Fred is coming up with outlandish rumours about his classmates, and everyone's lapping it up. His bullies are shunned, and people are finally taking notice of him. But it's a slippery slope and Fred struggles to keep track of all the stuff he's posted as his lies start to wreak unexpected havoc.
Fred will have to answer for his crimes against reality, but will he ever find someone to like him for who he really is?
Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 23, 2025
Just simply my favourite. I’ve fallen in love with Fred and I laughed all the way through.
July 22, 2025
What Happens Online was such a fun read. I'm 14 myself and found I could really connect with the main character, Fred Rako. The humor was peak, the writing witty, the storyline just beautiful, and I enjoyed it through and through! :) this is the first Nathaneal Lessore book I've read, and I'd love to read his other works. Definitely recommend this, but if you're not familiar with nowaday slang, be ready to search a ton of them up lol
May 28, 2025
Nate has done it again as always Lessore knows how to write characters that make you laugh and feel the emotions I loved Fred Rako he did make decisions as a fourteen year old that didn’t always hit but I loved how funny and sweet he was especially his little brother Taien got my heart many times he’s just so cute the one I couldn’t stand was Ezra but as time went on throughout the book I felt for him because of the struggles the Rako family were going through after the death of their grandma Lessore knows how to write in a way you feel for his teenage fictional boys and I adored the south east London reference as someone I’m from the south east as well seeing it in a book makes me feel home and seen I can’t wait to see what else Lessore writes next
April 22, 2025
Two identities, two lives - will double personas solve his problems?
4.5 stars
Lessore is one of my newest favourite YA authors, loved all his novels so far, his voice and style, his sense of humour. This for me isn't as strong as the others but still an excellent main character and read.
Fred is ignored at school - at best. Bullied at worst. His mum is depressed following the death of their much-loved grandma, his youngest brother desperate for attention, and middle brother angry. With their dad about to go away for work for several weeks, 14-year-old Fred is prepared to step up and help out.
But he's also needing to vent his own frustrations... and he does this in his online persona Existor. Talented gamer with a witty one-liner ever-ready, it's like he's another person. A better person, one who's respected.
When Fred realises that other kids at school look up to Existor, even those bullying him, he decides to use his privileged position to get some payback and possibly help his real-life self gain some popularity and friends.
It's a valuable look at the difference between real-life living and what we create for ourselves online, and how the two really aren't the same thing. Seeing Fred's family struggling is heart-breaking, how they are all trying to cope and get by. Watching Fred do his best, though still young, but missing so much, with his own worries, feels pretty real.
There are some lovely characters here, Fred's library friends are particularly sweet, and the banter is fun. There's one character who surprised me, though I didn't find I believed the 'twist' there. Still, what do I know, I'm a 44 year old Mum and bookworm.
A great example of the 'getting yourself in it deeper' category, the storytelling lies and 'finding your true self' genre. All gets wrapped up quite neatly, but there's a good story with excellent intentions and setting at its heart.
For ages 11 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
4.5 stars
Lessore is one of my newest favourite YA authors, loved all his novels so far, his voice and style, his sense of humour. This for me isn't as strong as the others but still an excellent main character and read.
Fred is ignored at school - at best. Bullied at worst. His mum is depressed following the death of their much-loved grandma, his youngest brother desperate for attention, and middle brother angry. With their dad about to go away for work for several weeks, 14-year-old Fred is prepared to step up and help out.
But he's also needing to vent his own frustrations... and he does this in his online persona Existor. Talented gamer with a witty one-liner ever-ready, it's like he's another person. A better person, one who's respected.
When Fred realises that other kids at school look up to Existor, even those bullying him, he decides to use his privileged position to get some payback and possibly help his real-life self gain some popularity and friends.
It's a valuable look at the difference between real-life living and what we create for ourselves online, and how the two really aren't the same thing. Seeing Fred's family struggling is heart-breaking, how they are all trying to cope and get by. Watching Fred do his best, though still young, but missing so much, with his own worries, feels pretty real.
There are some lovely characters here, Fred's library friends are particularly sweet, and the banter is fun. There's one character who surprised me, though I didn't find I believed the 'twist' there. Still, what do I know, I'm a 44 year old Mum and bookworm.
A great example of the 'getting yourself in it deeper' category, the storytelling lies and 'finding your true self' genre. All gets wrapped up quite neatly, but there's a good story with excellent intentions and setting at its heart.
For ages 11 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
October 24, 2025
What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore was… a rough ride.
And I say that as someone who genuinely enjoyed King of Nothing - a smart, funny, and heartfelt book that kids in my library still rave about. Sadly, this one misses the mark by a wide margin.
Let’s start with the humour. There’s silly, there’s slapstick, and then there’s whatever this was. Far too many toilet jokes - the kind that make you check the cover to see if you accidentally picked up something meant for a much younger age group. By the time I hit the “dying cat dragging itself away after an accident” line, I was dangerously close to DNF territory.
The main character? Painfully frustrating. He makes bad decision after bad decision, often for reasons that make absolutely no sense. I kept waiting for some genuine growth or self-awareness, but it doesn’t properly arrive until about three-quarters in - and by that point, I’d run out of patience.
The story does have good intentions. It wants to talk about online behaviour, digital identity, and how social media can twist the way we see ourselves and others - all valid, timely themes for a middle-grade audience. But the delivery is so heavy-handed and the humour so forced that the message gets lost under layers of cringe.
I can see a handful of younger readers enjoying the chaos and toilet humour, but for anyone who loved the sharp wit and emotional intelligence of King of Nothing, this will feel like a downgrade.
⭐️⭐️/5 - generous points for effort and pacing, but the tone is off, the jokes are overdone, and the moral is delivered with all the grace of a brick to the head.
And I say that as someone who genuinely enjoyed King of Nothing - a smart, funny, and heartfelt book that kids in my library still rave about. Sadly, this one misses the mark by a wide margin.
Let’s start with the humour. There’s silly, there’s slapstick, and then there’s whatever this was. Far too many toilet jokes - the kind that make you check the cover to see if you accidentally picked up something meant for a much younger age group. By the time I hit the “dying cat dragging itself away after an accident” line, I was dangerously close to DNF territory.
The main character? Painfully frustrating. He makes bad decision after bad decision, often for reasons that make absolutely no sense. I kept waiting for some genuine growth or self-awareness, but it doesn’t properly arrive until about three-quarters in - and by that point, I’d run out of patience.
The story does have good intentions. It wants to talk about online behaviour, digital identity, and how social media can twist the way we see ourselves and others - all valid, timely themes for a middle-grade audience. But the delivery is so heavy-handed and the humour so forced that the message gets lost under layers of cringe.
I can see a handful of younger readers enjoying the chaos and toilet humour, but for anyone who loved the sharp wit and emotional intelligence of King of Nothing, this will feel like a downgrade.
⭐️⭐️/5 - generous points for effort and pacing, but the tone is off, the jokes are overdone, and the moral is delivered with all the grace of a brick to the head.
May 13, 2025
Existor@stmarks bosses his online persona built around his gaming. His subscribers wait for him to come online and as soon as he enters the game, his messages light up, filled with adoration and respect for Existor, his skills and his witty oneliners.
In the real world, Existor is Fred. And Fred is largely invisible. If anyone does notice him, it’s to pick on him. How can there be such a disconnect between Fred and his popular online presence. How does he bridge the gap?
Meanwhile, life at home is really hard. Dad’s away for work. The family is reeling after a hard loss and Fred’s mum is spiralling. Fred has to step up but does he have what it takes?
What Happens Online has the now signature hallmarks of Nate Lessore’s writing. He blends toilet humour with topical issues seamlessly, his characters navigating the pitfall-laden territory of a distinctly contemporary adolescence.
Gaming/online behaviour are hot topics for schools, parents and tabloid newspapers. I liked how Lessore acknowledged the pleasure kids derive from the pastime and balanced this with the impact of more negative online behaviours.
I’m certainly not the target demographic but I loved it. And I love that Lessore, and authors like him, are writing these brilliant books for t(w)eens that broach difficult subjects with heart and humour.
4.5 stars.
In the real world, Existor is Fred. And Fred is largely invisible. If anyone does notice him, it’s to pick on him. How can there be such a disconnect between Fred and his popular online presence. How does he bridge the gap?
Meanwhile, life at home is really hard. Dad’s away for work. The family is reeling after a hard loss and Fred’s mum is spiralling. Fred has to step up but does he have what it takes?
What Happens Online has the now signature hallmarks of Nate Lessore’s writing. He blends toilet humour with topical issues seamlessly, his characters navigating the pitfall-laden territory of a distinctly contemporary adolescence.
Gaming/online behaviour are hot topics for schools, parents and tabloid newspapers. I liked how Lessore acknowledged the pleasure kids derive from the pastime and balanced this with the impact of more negative online behaviours.
I’m certainly not the target demographic but I loved it. And I love that Lessore, and authors like him, are writing these brilliant books for t(w)eens that broach difficult subjects with heart and humour.
4.5 stars.
January 9, 2026
I am not the target audience for this book and I found it a bit of a slog to get through. It didn't help that I found the main character irritating, both for his tendency to talk too much and overshare and because of his poor decision making. He doesn't seem to grow or change until almost the end of the book. Even when he is given a chance to be honest, he continues to lie. It made it harder to root for him than it should have been.
I also thought it took a long time for the events mentioned in the blurb to start happening in the book. It's two thirds of the way into the book before he seems to start channelling his online persona. Up until that point there's a lot of very juvenile humour with a side of spreading rumours online and dealing with problems at home and at school. I like that the book shows the impact of bullying and grief, and how different people deal with it. But I think the story would have been more engaging if the set-up had been a little more concise. Plus then there could have been more about how things were resolved, and how they would be better dealt with in future. Both of which felt glossed over.
The slang didn't feel as impenetrable to me as it did in Steady For This. I like the idea of young readers being able to see themselves represented in books but I think it is easier for readers outside those backgrounds to engage with them too if they can work out what is meant from context. I thought What Happens Online did a better job of this.
Not for me, but I am sure there will be young readers who really enjoy it.
I also thought it took a long time for the events mentioned in the blurb to start happening in the book. It's two thirds of the way into the book before he seems to start channelling his online persona. Up until that point there's a lot of very juvenile humour with a side of spreading rumours online and dealing with problems at home and at school. I like that the book shows the impact of bullying and grief, and how different people deal with it. But I think the story would have been more engaging if the set-up had been a little more concise. Plus then there could have been more about how things were resolved, and how they would be better dealt with in future. Both of which felt glossed over.
The slang didn't feel as impenetrable to me as it did in Steady For This. I like the idea of young readers being able to see themselves represented in books but I think it is easier for readers outside those backgrounds to engage with them too if they can work out what is meant from context. I thought What Happens Online did a better job of this.
Not for me, but I am sure there will be young readers who really enjoy it.
May 13, 2025
Seriously...another fantastic book from Nathanael Lessore! Man is on such an epic roll!!
Fred is a loner and a nobody in school. After school, he is the coolest and funniest online gamer, followed by everyone, Existor@stmarks has the best comebacks. At home, things are rough. Mum is struggling with grief after the loss of her mum and dads job takes him away from the family. Fred shoulders lots to make sure he and his younger brothers stay afloat.
In a bid to get his own back on the cool crowd, he uses his online persona to post lies and rumours on social media, while perhaps upping his own profile a little. He gets what he thinks he wants but realises he is sacrificing his own integrity........and perhaps a new friend too.
Lessore is the king of British YA fiction, there's no two ways about it. Excellent humour while dealing with massive issues, nails the voice of the contemporary teens and hold the reader from start to finish.
Fred is a loner and a nobody in school. After school, he is the coolest and funniest online gamer, followed by everyone, Existor@stmarks has the best comebacks. At home, things are rough. Mum is struggling with grief after the loss of her mum and dads job takes him away from the family. Fred shoulders lots to make sure he and his younger brothers stay afloat.
In a bid to get his own back on the cool crowd, he uses his online persona to post lies and rumours on social media, while perhaps upping his own profile a little. He gets what he thinks he wants but realises he is sacrificing his own integrity........and perhaps a new friend too.
Lessore is the king of British YA fiction, there's no two ways about it. Excellent humour while dealing with massive issues, nails the voice of the contemporary teens and hold the reader from start to finish.
September 21, 2025
I ENJOYED THIS SO MUCHHH! i'm not the target audience but wow i was having the time of my life giggling at my phone today LOL. fred was both weird as hell but SO FUNNY. i loooved his growth so much like yes be yourself as unashamedly as you can be!!! when he ditched tara my heart broke bc NO she's the best friend you could have and ur throwing it away for popularity?! but he's only fourteen so i kinda understand... his relationship with his family also grew i swear i was shouting for him and ezra to just TALK! when taien said he also wants to be a silly boy like his brothers AGH THAT WAS SO CUTEEE i love them all. his friendship with jackson at the end was also really nice to see!! i'm glad fred has friends he can geek out as much as he wants with ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
I didn't like this book. I found it difficult to get into to begin with, and it didn't really keep my focus as I went through. All the slang phrases just made me confused because I didn't understand any of them. And I felt like maybe I was the wrong audience for this book honestly.
~
Something else that really got under my skin is the casual reference to a particular wizarding series. It's well documented that the creator isn't very accepting, and that references to that IP are considered to be support for those views. So that felt kinda uncomfortable for me.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
~
Something else that really got under my skin is the casual reference to a particular wizarding series. It's well documented that the creator isn't very accepting, and that references to that IP are considered to be support for those views. So that felt kinda uncomfortable for me.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
April 10, 2025
Once again Nathanael shines a light on issues facing teenagers, particularly bullying. I enjoy the way he writes using the more youthful lingo. The thing I have particularly liked about his books though, is the mix of humour with the serious. This story is a bit lacking in that humour, I did find it a bit harder to read because of that. Fred’s life just seemed to be bad all round. I did love the portrayal of the school librarian - shout out librarians!
May 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this short book. It had some really good lessons about solving family problems and what to do and what not to do when being bullied. I really liked the mc, Fred. He really thought he knew what he was doing by using his online persona to help in his real life but when it all went tits up, he learnt his lesson and I liked how he set things right in the assembly. If you're after a nice easy read with some good humour, then pick this one up.
June 1, 2025
although I have cringed through most of this book and even the ending I would have thought a better way of doing it. I'm an adult not a 14 year old year 9 (worst year ever for everyone). It's another Lessore moral message book. sadly his books with age as kids slang changes (a bit like Judy Bloom has) but hopefully there will be more books to giggle and cringe through in time
November 5, 2025
I'll read anything by Nathanael Lessore. He produces the right amount of male teen angst and humour with an aside of mistakes and life lessons. Exactly the right combinations for our boys.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
July 4, 2025
A well written tale of how crushing school bullying and loneliness can be. Liked the dialogue between the family members.
July 8, 2025
this is soooo funny and charming. really recommend
July 17, 2025
It's not my thing but it may be yours if you like secret double sided and identity crisis this is your jam 🤙😂
August 2, 2025
I enjoyed this one. Could
Of ended better though
Of ended better though
January 20, 2026
Awww this was so good. I love this author.
Fred was a character. An exceverted introvert! I loved him.
Fred was a character. An exceverted introvert! I loved him.
January 26, 2026
the book got better the further you went on
September 22, 2025
Loved this and what is had to say. Really funny and poignant
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews