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The Imposter: An Addictive Psychological Suspense
She's in your life. But do you know why?
(full description coming soon)
(full description coming soon)
248 pages, Paperback
Published August 21, 2024
1619 people are currently reading
5113 people want to read
About the author
Adriane Leigh
58 books2,778 followersis a USA Today bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. With appearances in publications such as Vogue Magazine and The Montreal Gazette, the award-winning author, in addition to writing, founded RARE: Romance Author & Reader Events, a community of internationally-renowned book conventions that draw thousands of readers and #1 bestselling authors to events around the world each year.
She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
October 23, 2024
A sequel that's better than the first is hard to do but Adriane Leigh executed it flawlessly.
August 26, 2024
Thank you ever so kindly to @booksprout and @adriane.leigh.writer for the review copy! And to my reading buddy @accio_literary_escape for flying through this one with me!
Holy anticipation, Batman! I dove right in after much anticipation following THE INFLUENCER (seriously, what a BANGER that was!), and wow—it turns out, Shae still cray! But like, next-level cray. The narcissism is on point once again—man, this woman is really something!
This was another cliff-ending binge read that I couldn’t put down, but a couple plot points didn’t fully deliver for me and were left hanging by the end. Hopefully we’ll see those tied up in book 3. While I was less invested than I was with THE INFLUENCER, this was still an absolutely enjoyable read, and I’ll be waiting impatiently for the next installment!
Holy anticipation, Batman! I dove right in after much anticipation following THE INFLUENCER (seriously, what a BANGER that was!), and wow—it turns out, Shae still cray! But like, next-level cray. The narcissism is on point once again—man, this woman is really something!
This was another cliff-ending binge read that I couldn’t put down, but a couple plot points didn’t fully deliver for me and were left hanging by the end. Hopefully we’ll see those tied up in book 3. While I was less invested than I was with THE INFLUENCER, this was still an absolutely enjoyable read, and I’ll be waiting impatiently for the next installment!
December 3, 2024
Another unhinged book that was a blast to read. And that final twist! OMGGGGGG!!
This book we get more background on Shae’s life when she was a child and some of the traumas that helped shape her into who she is.
Always enjoy a good imposter story. And can’t wait for the next book in this series.
This book we get more background on Shae’s life when she was a child and some of the traumas that helped shape her into who she is.
Always enjoy a good imposter story. And can’t wait for the next book in this series.
August 27, 2024
I have been (im)patiently waiting the follow up to Adriane Leigh's The Influencer since I read it earlier this year. It was definitely worth the wait! The Imposter was definitely a page turner and ended on another intriguing cliff hanger with an ending I didn't see coming.
The Imposter lends some insight and background into Shae's mental state. Her obsessions and delusions make for an easy, un-put-downable read. I can't wait to see how things are continued and tied up in the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Imposter lends some insight and background into Shae's mental state. Her obsessions and delusions make for an easy, un-put-downable read. I can't wait to see how things are continued and tied up in the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
Just too far fetched for me.
Just too far fetched for me.
February 25, 2025
The plot twist in this book was wild. I started reading it the second I finished the first book for how crazy the first book finished.
Truly suspenseful the whole book and not being able to guess what was going to happen next
Truly suspenseful the whole book and not being able to guess what was going to happen next
March 3, 2025
Shae is craaaaaazy
Now that Shae has become Kelly and has a whole new obsession… we get to see her truly cray cray out in the open.
This book was pretty straight forward that she wanted revenge for her teen years - but we get more backstory in flashbacks and insight thru Kelly’s real notes.
There is a twist at the end that makes me ask a lot of questions but hoping the next book answers them.
Now that Shae has become Kelly and has a whole new obsession… we get to see her truly cray cray out in the open.
This book was pretty straight forward that she wanted revenge for her teen years - but we get more backstory in flashbacks and insight thru Kelly’s real notes.
There is a twist at the end that makes me ask a lot of questions but hoping the next book answers them.
March 26, 2025
4.5 🌟
Reviews for this were so hit and miss but I am ADDICTED. Normally need to take a break between series and read something else but I’ll be bingeing this right to the end. I can’t believe the second book is even better than the first! Didn’t see the ending for this one coming at all..
Reviews for this were so hit and miss but I am ADDICTED. Normally need to take a break between series and read something else but I’ll be bingeing this right to the end. I can’t believe the second book is even better than the first! Didn’t see the ending for this one coming at all..
February 24, 2025
she’s still insane and it’s fascinating
March 30, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. I think it was better than the first in this series because we get to learn more about Shae and her family history. I’m excited for the third book!
April 21, 2025
Honestly, I’m glad I decided to read this series despite the bad reviews.
I believe I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Lastly, a nice little twist at the end.
Ps. There is a maaaajor clinical diagnosis error in this book.
Love,
A Licensed Professional Counselor
I believe I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Lastly, a nice little twist at the end.
Ps. There is a maaaajor clinical diagnosis error in this book.
Love,
A Licensed Professional Counselor
April 21, 2025
Loved this book actually loving this series now wasn’t sure with the first book but this one has wanting me to read more. On to the last book of the series !!
September 8, 2025
Great thriller. The wild ride continues! Looking forward to book 3!!!
October 10, 2025
it's absolutely terrifying how insane the MC is.
July 14, 2025
Surprisingly better than the first book. Still super twisted and fucked up. Cliff hanger ending so starting the third and final book immediately to wrap this saga up ASAP.
February 14, 2025
Ending? Woah. Literally said, “Shut. Up,” out loud to an empty room. IYKYK. On to book three for me!
January 4, 2025
Loved how this one picked up exactly where the other one left off. I enjoyed this one too, although not as much as the first. Now, sadly, I have to wait until The Intruder comes out on August 11. That is simply too far away to see what Shae is up to next. All I know is I hope Taylor comes back in the next one...and I think Shae's character probably hits really close to home for a lot of females out there. Stating for a friend. 😳
Favorite quotes: 1. "The worda they threw at me linger in the air, ghosts that refuse to be silent. But I open my book again, forcing myself to focus on the words, on worlds where right triumphs and bullies are just villains waiting to be defeated" (Leigh 49).
2. "...home looks like it fell out of a fairy tale, so what happened to their happily-ever-after?" (Leigh 74).
3. "But paranoia, like wine, only needs a little to get you going--a sip, a glimpse, and you're off to the races" (Leigh 101).
4. "There are two types of people in this world, those who follow the pack and those who lead with bold, reckless abandon, refusing to leave their lives to chance" (Leigh 136).
Favorite quotes: 1. "The worda they threw at me linger in the air, ghosts that refuse to be silent. But I open my book again, forcing myself to focus on the words, on worlds where right triumphs and bullies are just villains waiting to be defeated" (Leigh 49).
2. "...home looks like it fell out of a fairy tale, so what happened to their happily-ever-after?" (Leigh 74).
3. "But paranoia, like wine, only needs a little to get you going--a sip, a glimpse, and you're off to the races" (Leigh 101).
4. "There are two types of people in this world, those who follow the pack and those who lead with bold, reckless abandon, refusing to leave their lives to chance" (Leigh 136).
January 28, 2025
I liked this one better than the first. I’ve never had a main character make me so inexplicably angry though 🤣
September 20, 2024
can’t get enough of Shae!
Adriane Leigh really knows how to bring the books together! I just can’t get enough of Shae! The twits and turns I don’t see coming (although the first book was better in that subject, this one still didn’t disappoint). I’m ready for the next book!
Adriane Leigh really knows how to bring the books together! I just can’t get enough of Shae! The twits and turns I don’t see coming (although the first book was better in that subject, this one still didn’t disappoint). I’m ready for the next book!
August 31, 2024
Another twisted tale from Adriane Leigh that will keep you riveted to your kindle. The Imposter picks up after The Influencer and must be read in order.
Shae set herself up to find a new life.....the one she's assumed that of her therapist. As luck would have it, while making the best of her new life as Kelly a couple from her past would stumble back into her life. The question now......is what would Shae do?
It's as if the universe is trying to help her right all her wrongs.
As Kelly, she befriends the couple under the guise of helping them. But she's truly just helping herself to all the things she wants and will not be deterred.
This book flips between past and present to give you a deeper understanding into Shae's childhood. Adriane also leaves some looose threads throughout that I am sure will be pulled in the third installment of this series, The Invader.
There was definitely a nice twist at the end and I can't wait to see where we go from here. Where will Kelly {Shae} end up and will she be able to move on without any lingering complications? Stay tuned for more.
Shae set herself up to find a new life.....the one she's assumed that of her therapist. As luck would have it, while making the best of her new life as Kelly a couple from her past would stumble back into her life. The question now......is what would Shae do?
It's as if the universe is trying to help her right all her wrongs.
As Kelly, she befriends the couple under the guise of helping them. But she's truly just helping herself to all the things she wants and will not be deterred.
This book flips between past and present to give you a deeper understanding into Shae's childhood. Adriane also leaves some looose threads throughout that I am sure will be pulled in the third installment of this series, The Invader.
There was definitely a nice twist at the end and I can't wait to see where we go from here. Where will Kelly {Shae} end up and will she be able to move on without any lingering complications? Stay tuned for more.
August 25, 2024
4.25stars-THE IMPOSTER is the second instalment in Adriane Leigh’s contemporary, adult, dark, psychological thriller focusing on Mia Starr aka Shae Halston aka Kelly Fraser. THE IMPOSTER should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one THE INFLUENCER.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person perspective (Shae/Kelly) THE IMPOSTER follows Shae Halston aka Dr. Kelly Fraser, a persona she assumed after attempting to kill the woman in question. Shae Halston is the former social media influencer known as Mia Starr but the unreality of Mia’s online presence was in complete opposition to the reality of Shae’s own life. As Shae succumbed to the demons that were controlling her life, Shae, now known as Dr. Kelly Fraser was about to come face to face with her past, a past she continues to blame for much of her spiral downward.
The world building focuses on the Shae aka Kelly’s new clients, a married couple whose relationships struggles begin to worsen with Kelly’s interference. A missing wife, a husband who suspects something is wrong, and a series of anonymous texts laying blame on Kelly Fraser, force the leading heroine to take action, setting off on a new adventure towards fulfilling her need to avenge the past.
THE IMPOSTER is a complex, dark and dramatic look at mental and emotional abuse and illness; murder and vengeance, secrets and lies, betrayal and mistrust. The premise is suspenseful and melodramatic; the characters are tragic and desperate. THE IMPOSTER ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person perspective (Shae/Kelly) THE IMPOSTER follows Shae Halston aka Dr. Kelly Fraser, a persona she assumed after attempting to kill the woman in question. Shae Halston is the former social media influencer known as Mia Starr but the unreality of Mia’s online presence was in complete opposition to the reality of Shae’s own life. As Shae succumbed to the demons that were controlling her life, Shae, now known as Dr. Kelly Fraser was about to come face to face with her past, a past she continues to blame for much of her spiral downward.
The world building focuses on the Shae aka Kelly’s new clients, a married couple whose relationships struggles begin to worsen with Kelly’s interference. A missing wife, a husband who suspects something is wrong, and a series of anonymous texts laying blame on Kelly Fraser, force the leading heroine to take action, setting off on a new adventure towards fulfilling her need to avenge the past.
THE IMPOSTER is a complex, dark and dramatic look at mental and emotional abuse and illness; murder and vengeance, secrets and lies, betrayal and mistrust. The premise is suspenseful and melodramatic; the characters are tragic and desperate. THE IMPOSTER ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
December 10, 2024
This one is actually book two in the series. Yes, you need to read the first book to be able to enjoy this one, the first one is called The Influencer. And yes, there will be book three and book four. And yes, I can’t wait to read the next two books already!
Shae is even more unhinged than she was in the first book, but then… the final twist. And, as it turns out, she might be the hinged (is that even a word? I hope it isn’t, and I hope I have made up a new word) one, at least when it comes to her life and the people in her life.
As much as I love all the book crazies and live for reading more and more unhinged book crazies into my life, I also live for books that somehow take it a step further and turn the story into a subtle reminder that not all crazies are created equal. Some crazies are only as crazy as their family members have been, as crazy as their environment and their friends have been. Some are only as crazy as they had to be in order to make it out alive, literally and figuratively. Also, the book title? It, too, is not as it seems. Who was the real imposter here, huh?
May I have your attention, please?
May I have your attention, please?
Will the real Imposter please stand up?
I repeat, will the real Imposter please stand up?
We're gonna have a problem here.
Never mind me here, I just have this made-up remake of a song now playing on repeat inside my head, thank you very much.
And now, please, do yourself a favor and consider adding some flavor to your life, to your bookshelf, and to your Kindle, and look up both The Influencer and The Imposter by @adriane.leigh.writer
K, thnx, bye, see ya.
Shae is even more unhinged than she was in the first book, but then… the final twist. And, as it turns out, she might be the hinged (is that even a word? I hope it isn’t, and I hope I have made up a new word) one, at least when it comes to her life and the people in her life.
As much as I love all the book crazies and live for reading more and more unhinged book crazies into my life, I also live for books that somehow take it a step further and turn the story into a subtle reminder that not all crazies are created equal. Some crazies are only as crazy as their family members have been, as crazy as their environment and their friends have been. Some are only as crazy as they had to be in order to make it out alive, literally and figuratively. Also, the book title? It, too, is not as it seems. Who was the real imposter here, huh?
May I have your attention, please?
May I have your attention, please?
Will the real Imposter please stand up?
I repeat, will the real Imposter please stand up?
We're gonna have a problem here.
Never mind me here, I just have this made-up remake of a song now playing on repeat inside my head, thank you very much.
And now, please, do yourself a favor and consider adding some flavor to your life, to your bookshelf, and to your Kindle, and look up both The Influencer and The Imposter by @adriane.leigh.writer
K, thnx, bye, see ya.
April 14, 2025
🤍𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻 🤍
Stars: 4.5⭐️
Genre: psychological suspense
Publication Date: August 21, 2024
Blurb: Shae is now Kelly. She jumps right into Kelly’s life and begins taking on Kelly’s clients. One day a couple coming knocking on her door for a session that was scheduled already by the real Kelly. Only problem is Shae recognizes them from her past… will she be able to maintain being Kelly or will the faces from her past come crashing down on her little game?
Opinion: I have to say I do enjoy this book alot more than the first. This book had more to do with shaes past and figuring out why she is the way she is. I felt like being able to read the entries from her sessions with Kelly I was able to understand Shae and how her mind works.
This novel really took me by surprise, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was. I wish I could say I read it quick but, my baby has been sleeping through the night so I haven’t been able to get much reading done as I usually was able to read through novels during her night feeds but, if I had the time I 100% would of finished this book in one sitting. It was suspenseful and just attention grabbing and thats what I love in novels.
Adriane and the cliff hanger last sentence of the book 🤯 I need to immediately read the third instalment of this series to continue on with Shae and her “healing story”.
Read if you like:
🌸mind games
🌸past/present timeline
🌸 cliffhanger endings
Stars: 4.5⭐️
Genre: psychological suspense
Publication Date: August 21, 2024
Blurb: Shae is now Kelly. She jumps right into Kelly’s life and begins taking on Kelly’s clients. One day a couple coming knocking on her door for a session that was scheduled already by the real Kelly. Only problem is Shae recognizes them from her past… will she be able to maintain being Kelly or will the faces from her past come crashing down on her little game?
Opinion: I have to say I do enjoy this book alot more than the first. This book had more to do with shaes past and figuring out why she is the way she is. I felt like being able to read the entries from her sessions with Kelly I was able to understand Shae and how her mind works.
This novel really took me by surprise, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was. I wish I could say I read it quick but, my baby has been sleeping through the night so I haven’t been able to get much reading done as I usually was able to read through novels during her night feeds but, if I had the time I 100% would of finished this book in one sitting. It was suspenseful and just attention grabbing and thats what I love in novels.
Adriane and the cliff hanger last sentence of the book 🤯 I need to immediately read the third instalment of this series to continue on with Shae and her “healing story”.
Read if you like:
🌸mind games
🌸past/present timeline
🌸 cliffhanger endings
June 2, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Lifetime movie married a psychological thriller and raised a child named Shae Halston... well, wonder no more.
This book is a juicy, fast-paced ride where the main character is equal parts charming, chilling, and completely unhinged. Shae escapes a life sentence (casual), reinvents herself as a totally qualified couples therapist (no notes), and proceeds to unravel both her patients' lives and her own with the finesse of a cat knocking everything off a shelf because “why not?”
The twists come quick, the tension is thick, and Shae’s descent into obsession is as fascinating as it is disturbing. Just when you think she's reached peak villainy, she digs deeper—and honestly, I'm a little impressed (and a lot alarmed).
If you like your thrillers with a side of chaos and a main character who’d probably poison your tea while asking about your childhood trauma, this one’s worth a read.
Just... maybe don’t take any therapy advice from Shae.
This book is a juicy, fast-paced ride where the main character is equal parts charming, chilling, and completely unhinged. Shae escapes a life sentence (casual), reinvents herself as a totally qualified couples therapist (no notes), and proceeds to unravel both her patients' lives and her own with the finesse of a cat knocking everything off a shelf because “why not?”
The twists come quick, the tension is thick, and Shae’s descent into obsession is as fascinating as it is disturbing. Just when you think she's reached peak villainy, she digs deeper—and honestly, I'm a little impressed (and a lot alarmed).
If you like your thrillers with a side of chaos and a main character who’d probably poison your tea while asking about your childhood trauma, this one’s worth a read.
Just... maybe don’t take any therapy advice from Shae.
January 27, 2025
3.5⭐️
The very end of this book is honestly great, it was a good plot twist! I will say I think this book felt like it had some inconsistencies with feelings towards the little sister and about other smaller details such as time jumps and the significance of certain belongings so that made things a little confusing. In addition, the main plot of our story feels unfinished here in terms of what happens to Isaac and the nosy neighbor. I am hoping and assuming they get addressed in book 3, although I was expecting them to be addressed kind of how the Bishop situation in book 1 was addressed. All in all it was entertaining but I don’t think it was as good as the first book even though it was more salacious and we got more into the nitty gritty of the back story.
The very end of this book is honestly great, it was a good plot twist! I will say I think this book felt like it had some inconsistencies with feelings towards the little sister and about other smaller details such as time jumps and the significance of certain belongings so that made things a little confusing. In addition, the main plot of our story feels unfinished here in terms of what happens to Isaac and the nosy neighbor. I am hoping and assuming they get addressed in book 3, although I was expecting them to be addressed kind of how the Bishop situation in book 1 was addressed. All in all it was entertaining but I don’t think it was as good as the first book even though it was more salacious and we got more into the nitty gritty of the back story.
February 18, 2025
Just not realistic
I don’t mean realistic in that this could happen. I just mean the scenes were set up pretty bad. In both cases where the main character is hurting other people it’s just not realistic. Both of those ppl could have easily overpowered her and it made it hard to follow the story. I mean Isaac was in his basement with his hands zip tied in front of him with a work bench and needle nose pliers close by and he couldn’t escape from the zip ties or his own unlocked basement? Like come on! The escape scenes in both book 1&2 were just so unlikely. It could have been done better. I wish I could say better things. The book could have been so much better if those things were corrected.
I don’t mean realistic in that this could happen. I just mean the scenes were set up pretty bad. In both cases where the main character is hurting other people it’s just not realistic. Both of those ppl could have easily overpowered her and it made it hard to follow the story. I mean Isaac was in his basement with his hands zip tied in front of him with a work bench and needle nose pliers close by and he couldn’t escape from the zip ties or his own unlocked basement? Like come on! The escape scenes in both book 1&2 were just so unlikely. It could have been done better. I wish I could say better things. The book could have been so much better if those things were corrected.
August 28, 2024
Shea has really upped her crazy. There are glimpses into the neglect and abuse she endured as a child. When she finds an opportunity to get revenge for something in her past, she runs with it. I don't want to give up anything too specific, but this is an incredible in this followup to The Influencer. There is a cliffhanger, which was expected. I'm not sure what to expect with the next book, but I'm looking forward to it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2025
After the first novel, Leigh kept the momentum going! The end of ‘The Influencer’ was brutal and I was interested to see where Leigh would take Shae, freely walking out of the psych facility as Kelly. In this novel, we see Shae actively living Kelly’s life, seeing her clients and molding herself into Kelly’s shoes. Before long, she finds the opportunity to extract more revenge on a long lost, but not forgotten highschool romance. As the plot develops, Shae’s actions continue to be diabolical and twisted as she wreaks havoc on Brianna and Isaac’s life!
December 29, 2025
Twisted -
I don’t often review a book, however, I feel I must. This book took me a little bit longer to read because of different things happening during the last couple of months.
Whenever I came back to the book, I only had to turn the Page once to be able to pick back up where I left off without disruption.
This book keeps you guessing what could be happening next and just when you think you might know, you don’t. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat at times wondering where she’s going next.
Looking forward to starting the third book in the series.
I don’t often review a book, however, I feel I must. This book took me a little bit longer to read because of different things happening during the last couple of months.
Whenever I came back to the book, I only had to turn the Page once to be able to pick back up where I left off without disruption.
This book keeps you guessing what could be happening next and just when you think you might know, you don’t. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat at times wondering where she’s going next.
Looking forward to starting the third book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews