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Photobomb: A Psychological Thriller
I didn’t plan to get famous.
I just wanted to win the Halleigh Grant.
My sister Mia was always the perfect one—the dancer, the star, the girl everyone adored.
When she died, I thought maybe I’d finally get to be seen.
So I started taking pictures.
And now?
Everyone’s looking.
At the portfolio.
At the boy she left behind.
At what I did.
I told myself it was art.
But maybe it’s a confession.
Photobomb is a razor-sharp psychological thriller for fans of Gone Girl, The Secret History, and Hannibal—a haunting confessional wrapped in obsession, aesthetic violence, and the desperate hunger to be seen.
I just wanted to win the Halleigh Grant.
My sister Mia was always the perfect one—the dancer, the star, the girl everyone adored.
When she died, I thought maybe I’d finally get to be seen.
So I started taking pictures.
And now?
Everyone’s looking.
At the portfolio.
At the boy she left behind.
At what I did.
I told myself it was art.
But maybe it’s a confession.
Photobomb is a razor-sharp psychological thriller for fans of Gone Girl, The Secret History, and Hannibal—a haunting confessional wrapped in obsession, aesthetic violence, and the desperate hunger to be seen.
- GenresAudiobook
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2025
8 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Alexander
134 books1,453 followersSign up to Cassie's newsletter for sexy bonus scenes on all her books here!
US links:
https://linktr.ee/cassiealexander
Hi there! I'm a registered nurse and author. As Cassandra, I wrote the Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir. As Cassie, I've written numerous (and very hot!) paranormal romances, sometimes with my friend Kara Lockharte. I live in the Bay Area with one husband, two cats, and one million succulents.
US links:
https://linktr.ee/cassiealexander
Hi there! I'm a registered nurse and author. As Cassandra, I wrote the Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir. As Cassie, I've written numerous (and very hot!) paranormal romances, sometimes with my friend Kara Lockharte. I live in the Bay Area with one husband, two cats, and one million succulents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 11, 2025
Cassie Alexander has a new fan, as I highly enjoyed this story! My first read from this author but certainly won’t be my last. The level of jealousy & narcissistic behavior by the protagonist in this story, kept me deeply intrigued and my attention never wavered. I was very curious to dive into the world of Lara.
Alternating between past & present, we dive in the mind of Lara and her complex relationship with her sister Mia. Mia (now deceased) was the “it girl” and Lara’s jealousy was palpable as the chapters continued! Not only do we get this POV straight for the source, we also get it in the form of her writing in her journal, so we get the nitty gritty, raw & uncut version of her true feelings toward her sister.
Bunny Warren did a phenomenal job with the narration in this audiobook, she truly brought life to these characters. The perfect amount of pitch and diction & her performance was simply impeccable. In my opinion, YA is one of the harder genres to narrate as you sometimes have to switch back and forth between adult voices & YA voices. Bunny nailed it!
This book would be perfect for fans of YA psychological thrillers, with a delusional FMC. Thank you to Home Cooked Books for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Alternating between past & present, we dive in the mind of Lara and her complex relationship with her sister Mia. Mia (now deceased) was the “it girl” and Lara’s jealousy was palpable as the chapters continued! Not only do we get this POV straight for the source, we also get it in the form of her writing in her journal, so we get the nitty gritty, raw & uncut version of her true feelings toward her sister.
Bunny Warren did a phenomenal job with the narration in this audiobook, she truly brought life to these characters. The perfect amount of pitch and diction & her performance was simply impeccable. In my opinion, YA is one of the harder genres to narrate as you sometimes have to switch back and forth between adult voices & YA voices. Bunny nailed it!
This book would be perfect for fans of YA psychological thrillers, with a delusional FMC. Thank you to Home Cooked Books for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2025
“I told myself it was art. But maybe it’s a confession.”
4.5⭐️ I was completely hooked from the start. Photobomb doesn’t just tell a story—it unravels it, piece by piece, like a polaroid developing in reverse. Listening to the audiobook made the experience even more electric. The narrator nailed the voice of the main character—so sharp, raw, and full of adolescent bravado that I found myself laughing out loud at moments that cut with precision.
This book is intense. Twisted. Brilliant. The pacing is perfectly sinister—slow enough to savor but never dull. Just when I thought I understood the FMC (female main character), she shifted. Morphed. Turned everything upside down. The twists? Absolutely wild. I couldn’t stop listening.
What struck me most was the emotional ferocity of the protagonist—whether it was her passion for photography or her unnerving ability to manipulate everyone around her. It was like watching someone burn their way to recognition, desperate to be seen at any cost.
The premise—publishing her diary without consent—made my skin crawl in the best way. Reading her unfiltered journal entries felt intrusive and intoxicating, like I was spying on something deeply personal and dark. Her narcissistic traits were portrayed with unnerving realism, and the psychological insight was razor-sharp.
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a haunting confession. A psychological puzzle wrapped in aesthetic obsession and ambition. Photobomb is a must-read for anyone who loves characters that don’t just cross the line—they set it on fire.
4.5⭐️ I was completely hooked from the start. Photobomb doesn’t just tell a story—it unravels it, piece by piece, like a polaroid developing in reverse. Listening to the audiobook made the experience even more electric. The narrator nailed the voice of the main character—so sharp, raw, and full of adolescent bravado that I found myself laughing out loud at moments that cut with precision.
This book is intense. Twisted. Brilliant. The pacing is perfectly sinister—slow enough to savor but never dull. Just when I thought I understood the FMC (female main character), she shifted. Morphed. Turned everything upside down. The twists? Absolutely wild. I couldn’t stop listening.
What struck me most was the emotional ferocity of the protagonist—whether it was her passion for photography or her unnerving ability to manipulate everyone around her. It was like watching someone burn their way to recognition, desperate to be seen at any cost.
The premise—publishing her diary without consent—made my skin crawl in the best way. Reading her unfiltered journal entries felt intrusive and intoxicating, like I was spying on something deeply personal and dark. Her narcissistic traits were portrayed with unnerving realism, and the psychological insight was razor-sharp.
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a haunting confession. A psychological puzzle wrapped in aesthetic obsession and ambition. Photobomb is a must-read for anyone who loves characters that don’t just cross the line—they set it on fire.
May 20, 2025
I just finished the audiobook of Photobomb and I didn’t want it to end. I’m finding myself stalking Lara Simon’s Instagram page for more clues about her life after. This book captivated me, horrified me, and felt like a guilty pleasure crime podcast from the perpetrator’s point of view. If you look up the slang word “Delulu”, Lara’s picture would be right there on your internet search. She’s complex, in deep denial, and too smart for her own good.
Cassie has done it again with a phenomenal story that draws the reader so into the mind of the main character that you are left surprised when the book ends.
Cassie has done it again with a phenomenal story that draws the reader so into the mind of the main character that you are left surprised when the book ends.
June 12, 2025
Lara never wanted to be famous. She just wanted the spotlight her sister always had. After Mia's sudden death, Lara finally gets noticed through her photography—photos that begin to raise eyebrows and questions. Everyone's watching now: her judges, her peers, and the boy Mia left behind. But what started as a tribute begins to blur into something darker. Told through Lara’s chilling journal entries, Photobomb is a twisted psychological thriller about grief, obsession, toxic ambition, and the ugly need to be seen. If you're into stories that spiral, this one's for you.
I went into this expecting a dark but emotional read and instead got a full-blown psychological gut punch. Photobomb pulls no punches and neither does Lara. At first, I was rooting for her. I really was, but as her journal went deeper and darker, that sympathy turned into full-blown rage. And imo, that’s the sign of a great book. It made me feel something.
Lara is absolutely self-absorbed. She uses people. She barely registers the pain she causes, and yet watching her unravel felt so real. Her relationship with her best friend especially made my blood boil. The things she said? I had to stop and just stare at the page a few times. I kept thinking, “Girl, what is wrong with you?” and then kept reading because I couldn’t look away.
Even with all that, I loved this book. It’s sharp, twisted, and fast-paced. The whole thing reads like a confessional trainwreck you can’t stop watching. If you like your thrillers gritty, unfiltered, and a little uncomfortable, this is it.
The Vibes It Brings:
📸 Obsession through the lens
📖 Journal-style storytelling
🖤 Unlikeable female protagonist
👯 Sibling rivalry taken to the extreme
🚩 Toxic friendship
💔 Grief and identity crisis
🎭 Hunger for attention
🔪 Twisted psychological tension
😱 Sharp, emotional whiplash
Bunny Warren absolutely nailed this. Their voice gave Lara just the right edge. There was a mix of vulnerability and cruelty that made the performance so believable it was chilling. The narration pulled me deeper into Lara’s mindset, and I think hearing the story made the emotional manipulation hit even harder. Definitely one of those audiobooks where the voice adds to the unease.
Photobomb is messy, bold, and completely unforgettable. Lara isn’t the heroine you root for. She’s the girl you want to shake—but you also kind of get why she’s spiraling. Cassie Alexander doesn’t hold back, and I couldn’t stop listening. If you love morally grey stories with bite, add this to your list now. Just be ready to rage-read your way through.
I went into this expecting a dark but emotional read and instead got a full-blown psychological gut punch. Photobomb pulls no punches and neither does Lara. At first, I was rooting for her. I really was, but as her journal went deeper and darker, that sympathy turned into full-blown rage. And imo, that’s the sign of a great book. It made me feel something.
Lara is absolutely self-absorbed. She uses people. She barely registers the pain she causes, and yet watching her unravel felt so real. Her relationship with her best friend especially made my blood boil. The things she said? I had to stop and just stare at the page a few times. I kept thinking, “Girl, what is wrong with you?” and then kept reading because I couldn’t look away.
Even with all that, I loved this book. It’s sharp, twisted, and fast-paced. The whole thing reads like a confessional trainwreck you can’t stop watching. If you like your thrillers gritty, unfiltered, and a little uncomfortable, this is it.
The Vibes It Brings:
📸 Obsession through the lens
📖 Journal-style storytelling
🖤 Unlikeable female protagonist
👯 Sibling rivalry taken to the extreme
🚩 Toxic friendship
💔 Grief and identity crisis
🎭 Hunger for attention
🔪 Twisted psychological tension
😱 Sharp, emotional whiplash
Bunny Warren absolutely nailed this. Their voice gave Lara just the right edge. There was a mix of vulnerability and cruelty that made the performance so believable it was chilling. The narration pulled me deeper into Lara’s mindset, and I think hearing the story made the emotional manipulation hit even harder. Definitely one of those audiobooks where the voice adds to the unease.
Photobomb is messy, bold, and completely unforgettable. Lara isn’t the heroine you root for. She’s the girl you want to shake—but you also kind of get why she’s spiraling. Cassie Alexander doesn’t hold back, and I couldn’t stop listening. If you love morally grey stories with bite, add this to your list now. Just be ready to rage-read your way through.
June 23, 2025
Beautiful. Broken. Broadcast.
Ever heard the saying: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound?
Mia and Lara were like that.
If no one saw them, did they exist?
If no one saw their beauty, were they beautiful?
Lara never meant to become famous. (or did she?) She just wanted to step out of her sister’s shadow.
Mia was the perfect one—graceful, admired, adored. Lara? Invisible. Until Mia died.
Now, through the lens of her camera, Lara begins to capture more than just images. She captures attention. Of judges. Of classmates. Of Mia’s boyfriend.
Through journal entries written in the aftermath of loss, Lara recounts the days before and after her sister’s death. She tells herself it’s all art. But maybe… it’s something more. Something darker.
Because sometimes, obsession looks a lot like grief. And sometimes, a photo says more than we’re ready to admit.
I’m actually at a loss for words—Photobomb was brilliant in the most unsettling way. It’s written entirely through 16-year-old Lara’s journal entries, and the voice is so raw, so intimate, it felt like reading a real teen’s mind unravel on the page.
The story flips between past and present timelines, weaving Lara’s grief with her growing ambition—and her increasing detachment from reality. She's mean, manipulative, and narcissistic… yet absolutely magnetic. She is so unlikable that I loved her character. She’s twisted, smart, self-absorbed—and painfully real.
The writing is sharp, honest, and unfiltered. Cassie Alexander doesn’t flinch away from the ugly truths of teenage psychology: the messy feelings, the toxic relationships, the desperate hunger to be seen.
This isn’t your typical YA thriller—it’s darker, deeper, and far more disturbing. But in the best way. Photobomb is the kind of book that lingers, echoing in your mind long after the final page.
A deeply unsettling, deliciously twisted tale of identity, envy, grief, and the dangerous power of being noticed.
Chef’s kiss.
Ever heard the saying: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound?
Mia and Lara were like that.
If no one saw them, did they exist?
If no one saw their beauty, were they beautiful?
Lara never meant to become famous. (or did she?) She just wanted to step out of her sister’s shadow.
Mia was the perfect one—graceful, admired, adored. Lara? Invisible. Until Mia died.
Now, through the lens of her camera, Lara begins to capture more than just images. She captures attention. Of judges. Of classmates. Of Mia’s boyfriend.
Through journal entries written in the aftermath of loss, Lara recounts the days before and after her sister’s death. She tells herself it’s all art. But maybe… it’s something more. Something darker.
Because sometimes, obsession looks a lot like grief. And sometimes, a photo says more than we’re ready to admit.
I’m actually at a loss for words—Photobomb was brilliant in the most unsettling way. It’s written entirely through 16-year-old Lara’s journal entries, and the voice is so raw, so intimate, it felt like reading a real teen’s mind unravel on the page.
The story flips between past and present timelines, weaving Lara’s grief with her growing ambition—and her increasing detachment from reality. She's mean, manipulative, and narcissistic… yet absolutely magnetic. She is so unlikable that I loved her character. She’s twisted, smart, self-absorbed—and painfully real.
The writing is sharp, honest, and unfiltered. Cassie Alexander doesn’t flinch away from the ugly truths of teenage psychology: the messy feelings, the toxic relationships, the desperate hunger to be seen.
This isn’t your typical YA thriller—it’s darker, deeper, and far more disturbing. But in the best way. Photobomb is the kind of book that lingers, echoing in your mind long after the final page.
A deeply unsettling, deliciously twisted tale of identity, envy, grief, and the dangerous power of being noticed.
Chef’s kiss.
June 18, 2025
I love happy endings, so I don’t normally read thrillers, but I’ve really loved many of Cassie Alexander’s other books, so I wanted to give this a try. It was ok, but not really my jam.
Our main character Mia is smart, tough, determined, and creative. She’s also incredibly self-centered, dishonest, manipulative, and probably a psychopath. She shared some interesting ideas about art, but she is all about winning and doesn’t care who she hurts in order to get what she wants. One of my personal quirks is that I strongly prefer stories about characters I can relate to and root for, and Mia is not that. Many of the secondary characters were more relatable, so it was painful to watch how Mia hurts them.
The story was interesting, but there’s not a lot of action. We spend the entire story in Mia’s toxic thoughts, mostly hearing her dictate her diary entries. The author does build some tension and a sense of dread by alternating back and forth between past and present, leaving the reader scrambling to make sense of what’s happening until all is revealed near the end.
The audiobook production was excellent, and the story works well in audio. I enjoyed Bunny Warren’s narration. She has good enunciation and pacing, distinct voices to suit the characters, and the ability to convey the emotions and intensity of this story effectively. This isn’t safe for work or for children, but it was exciting to listen to privately.
This book would most appeal to fans of young adult psychological thrillers who don’t need a lot of action. Note that the book contains teenage sex, violence, and use of drugs and alcohol.
I received a free ARC and an advanced listener’s copy of the audiobook from the author. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
Our main character Mia is smart, tough, determined, and creative. She’s also incredibly self-centered, dishonest, manipulative, and probably a psychopath. She shared some interesting ideas about art, but she is all about winning and doesn’t care who she hurts in order to get what she wants. One of my personal quirks is that I strongly prefer stories about characters I can relate to and root for, and Mia is not that. Many of the secondary characters were more relatable, so it was painful to watch how Mia hurts them.
The story was interesting, but there’s not a lot of action. We spend the entire story in Mia’s toxic thoughts, mostly hearing her dictate her diary entries. The author does build some tension and a sense of dread by alternating back and forth between past and present, leaving the reader scrambling to make sense of what’s happening until all is revealed near the end.
The audiobook production was excellent, and the story works well in audio. I enjoyed Bunny Warren’s narration. She has good enunciation and pacing, distinct voices to suit the characters, and the ability to convey the emotions and intensity of this story effectively. This isn’t safe for work or for children, but it was exciting to listen to privately.
This book would most appeal to fans of young adult psychological thrillers who don’t need a lot of action. Note that the book contains teenage sex, violence, and use of drugs and alcohol.
I received a free ARC and an advanced listener’s copy of the audiobook from the author. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
June 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (because anything less would be a lie)
Let’s get one thing straight: I am unapologetically, irrevocably, ride-or-die for Cassie Alexander. The woman could write a grocery list and I’d inhale it like it was Pulitzer-worthy prose.
So when she teased Photobomb in that gloriously unhinged newsletter of hers (bless), I knew I was about to be dragged into something unholy, chaotic, and brilliant. And.... I was not disappointed.
Photobomb is not just a book. It’s a descent. A psychological nosedive into the obsessive, spotlight-hungry, gloriously messy psyche of a 16-year-old girl armed with a “real” teenage journal and a burning need to be seen. It's Mean Girls meets Gone Girl, but darker and wilder. And wearing lip gloss.
Only Cassie could take adolescent angst and repackage it into something this venomous, this sharp, and this devastatingly compelling. There are no training wheels here—Cassie doesn’t coddle. She writes with the gloves off, baring her knuckles and landing her blows. And oh, do they land.
At various points, I screamed. I flailed. I possibly cursed out my Kindle. And I definitely whispered wtf more times than I care to admit. This book is toxic in the most deliciously readable way. It’s bold, it’s unfiltered, and it is entirely unforgettable.
If you like your thrillers polite and neatly wrapped with a bow, Photobomb will eat you alive. But if you, like me, live for beautifully written chaos, psychological deep-dives, and the electric thrill of not knowing what fresh hell awaits on the next page—this book will absolutely own you.
A masterpiece of madness. Cassie, you magnificent maniac—brava.
Let’s get one thing straight: I am unapologetically, irrevocably, ride-or-die for Cassie Alexander. The woman could write a grocery list and I’d inhale it like it was Pulitzer-worthy prose.
So when she teased Photobomb in that gloriously unhinged newsletter of hers (bless), I knew I was about to be dragged into something unholy, chaotic, and brilliant. And.... I was not disappointed.
Photobomb is not just a book. It’s a descent. A psychological nosedive into the obsessive, spotlight-hungry, gloriously messy psyche of a 16-year-old girl armed with a “real” teenage journal and a burning need to be seen. It's Mean Girls meets Gone Girl, but darker and wilder. And wearing lip gloss.
Only Cassie could take adolescent angst and repackage it into something this venomous, this sharp, and this devastatingly compelling. There are no training wheels here—Cassie doesn’t coddle. She writes with the gloves off, baring her knuckles and landing her blows. And oh, do they land.
At various points, I screamed. I flailed. I possibly cursed out my Kindle. And I definitely whispered wtf more times than I care to admit. This book is toxic in the most deliciously readable way. It’s bold, it’s unfiltered, and it is entirely unforgettable.
If you like your thrillers polite and neatly wrapped with a bow, Photobomb will eat you alive. But if you, like me, live for beautifully written chaos, psychological deep-dives, and the electric thrill of not knowing what fresh hell awaits on the next page—this book will absolutely own you.
A masterpiece of madness. Cassie, you magnificent maniac—brava.
June 19, 2025
She lost her sister. She found a lens. Now she’s ready to make the world watch.
Lara is grieving, sort of. Her sister Mia is dead, and everyone wants her to move on like a normal teen. Instead, Lara grabs her camera, starts a journal, and sets her sights on the Halleigh scholarship. But “processing” turns into photographing, stalking, manipulating, and lying, until her art becomes something unrecognizable.
Mia isn’t just a memory, she’s the obsession. Every photo is about her. Every friend is a pawn. Every breakdown is a calculated act. And Mark, Mia’s perfect ex? Lara wants him too, his heart, his pain, his attention. Davy, her best friend, wants to help, but ends up used and discarded. Again and again.
As Lara’s lies grow, so do her secrets. The night Mia died wasn’t innocent. And the image Lara submits for the Halleigh? It might win her everything, or expose her completely.
Lara transforms from a grieving sister into a self-absorbed manipulator who masks guilt as genius. Mia’s shine dims as we learn the truth behind her curated image. Davy learns to walk away. And Mark? He becomes a symbol of everything Lara can’t control.
A psychological thriller full of suspense and mystery, exploring grief, obsession, manipulation, identity, ambition, jealousy, power, isolation, trauma, performance, perception, control, guilt, violence, and deception. It's about the cost of being seen and what we’re willing to destroy in order to be remembered, and how far a girl will go to escape the shadow of the sister everyone loved more.
Lara is grieving, sort of. Her sister Mia is dead, and everyone wants her to move on like a normal teen. Instead, Lara grabs her camera, starts a journal, and sets her sights on the Halleigh scholarship. But “processing” turns into photographing, stalking, manipulating, and lying, until her art becomes something unrecognizable.
Mia isn’t just a memory, she’s the obsession. Every photo is about her. Every friend is a pawn. Every breakdown is a calculated act. And Mark, Mia’s perfect ex? Lara wants him too, his heart, his pain, his attention. Davy, her best friend, wants to help, but ends up used and discarded. Again and again.
As Lara’s lies grow, so do her secrets. The night Mia died wasn’t innocent. And the image Lara submits for the Halleigh? It might win her everything, or expose her completely.
Lara transforms from a grieving sister into a self-absorbed manipulator who masks guilt as genius. Mia’s shine dims as we learn the truth behind her curated image. Davy learns to walk away. And Mark? He becomes a symbol of everything Lara can’t control.
A psychological thriller full of suspense and mystery, exploring grief, obsession, manipulation, identity, ambition, jealousy, power, isolation, trauma, performance, perception, control, guilt, violence, and deception. It's about the cost of being seen and what we’re willing to destroy in order to be remembered, and how far a girl will go to escape the shadow of the sister everyone loved more.
June 23, 2025
By Cassie Alexander
🎧 Bunny Warren @bunnywarre
🗓️June 30, 2025
This is a dark and disturbing novel about Lara, our FMC and her obsessive behaviour/ relationship with her sister Mia.
The story unravels one piece at a time going from past to present and told through Lara's spine chilling journal entries from before and after her sister's death.
I loved how the audiobook made it sound like I was listening to episodes of the YOU series. Bunny Warren did such an excellent job of capturing the toxic psyche of a teenage girl as she spirals into a dangerous obsession. Listening to her voice pulled me into the story and added an edge which only added to the chilling atmosphere. I absolutely loved it and suggest the audiobook when it's released.
This book deals with loss and grief and the need to be seen. Lara's character is mean, manipulative and self absorbed but in a way, you can also see underneath it all, right or wrong, why she's acting this way. I loved her character and couldn't get enough. I kept wondering who would be here next target
♡ psychological thriller
♡ sister's ex
♡ Morally grey FMC
♡ identity crisis
♡ sister's death
♡ journal style telling
I told myself it was art
But maybe it’s a confession.
4 ⭐
Photobomb is a razor-sharp psychological thriller for fans of Gone Girl, The Secret History, and Hannibal—a haunting confessional wrapped in obsession, aesthetic violence, and the desperate hunger to be seen.
Thank you @homecookedbooks for my advanced copy. My review was voluntary.
🎧 Bunny Warren @bunnywarre
🗓️June 30, 2025
This is a dark and disturbing novel about Lara, our FMC and her obsessive behaviour/ relationship with her sister Mia.
The story unravels one piece at a time going from past to present and told through Lara's spine chilling journal entries from before and after her sister's death.
I loved how the audiobook made it sound like I was listening to episodes of the YOU series. Bunny Warren did such an excellent job of capturing the toxic psyche of a teenage girl as she spirals into a dangerous obsession. Listening to her voice pulled me into the story and added an edge which only added to the chilling atmosphere. I absolutely loved it and suggest the audiobook when it's released.
This book deals with loss and grief and the need to be seen. Lara's character is mean, manipulative and self absorbed but in a way, you can also see underneath it all, right or wrong, why she's acting this way. I loved her character and couldn't get enough. I kept wondering who would be here next target
♡ psychological thriller
♡ sister's ex
♡ Morally grey FMC
♡ identity crisis
♡ sister's death
♡ journal style telling
I told myself it was art
But maybe it’s a confession.
4 ⭐
Photobomb is a razor-sharp psychological thriller for fans of Gone Girl, The Secret History, and Hannibal—a haunting confessional wrapped in obsession, aesthetic violence, and the desperate hunger to be seen.
Thank you @homecookedbooks for my advanced copy. My review was voluntary.
June 19, 2025
Lara just wanted to be seen
This is a brilliant psychological thriller from the POV of Lara, writing in her journal to help her work through her feelings following her sister's death. She alternates between past moments with her sister and the present where everyone's started to take an interest in her.
Lara just wanted some of what Mia had, mainly the boy she was going out with that Lara obsesses over, and the limelight. Though where her sister was a dancer, she just wants to win the Halleigh Grant (for art). She's self-absorbed and manipulative, determined to get what she wants.
A thrilling dark read of her journal with some great added notes and sketches, this is about Lara working through her grief for her sister, her obsession for Mark, her twisted friendship with Davey, her ambitious plan to win the grant and be seen; with some fantastic twists along the way.
I've also listened to the audiobook and Bunny Warren has done a fantastic job at bringing Lara and all the other characters to life. Listening to her I could feel the tension written into the journal, especially the hand written notes.
“I told myself it was art. But maybe it’s a confession.”
I also loved the angle that this has been done in, that this is a personal diary that's been found and published without consent.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a brilliant psychological thriller from the POV of Lara, writing in her journal to help her work through her feelings following her sister's death. She alternates between past moments with her sister and the present where everyone's started to take an interest in her.
Lara just wanted some of what Mia had, mainly the boy she was going out with that Lara obsesses over, and the limelight. Though where her sister was a dancer, she just wants to win the Halleigh Grant (for art). She's self-absorbed and manipulative, determined to get what she wants.
A thrilling dark read of her journal with some great added notes and sketches, this is about Lara working through her grief for her sister, her obsession for Mark, her twisted friendship with Davey, her ambitious plan to win the grant and be seen; with some fantastic twists along the way.
I've also listened to the audiobook and Bunny Warren has done a fantastic job at bringing Lara and all the other characters to life. Listening to her I could feel the tension written into the journal, especially the hand written notes.
“I told myself it was art. But maybe it’s a confession.”
I also loved the angle that this has been done in, that this is a personal diary that's been found and published without consent.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2025
I immediately became engrossed in this story and didn't wan to put it down.
Two sisters, two rivals, one living, one dead.
Lara is obsessed with her dead sister Mia, although she probably wouldn't admit to that. Even after Mia's sudden death she still can't stop thinking about the rivalry. She also can't stop thinking about Mark, Mia's boyfriend whom she swears was stolen from her before they had a chance.
Told through Mia's journal entries, it reads like the series "You" with the narrators dialogue telling us what happened and all their disturbed inner thoughts the whole time.
Lara is completely unlikable and narcissistic yet we cannot get enough of her and what she is going to do and who she is going to manipulate next.
There isn't a character in this book that she didn't leave worse off than they were before she came along.
It's haunting and engrossing and I wanted more to be honest. I completely recommend this book. I listened to the audio and the narration by Bunny Warren was phenomenal. Both the author and narrator were new to me but I'm definitely going back for more.
I give this 4.5!
Two sisters, two rivals, one living, one dead.
Lara is obsessed with her dead sister Mia, although she probably wouldn't admit to that. Even after Mia's sudden death she still can't stop thinking about the rivalry. She also can't stop thinking about Mark, Mia's boyfriend whom she swears was stolen from her before they had a chance.
Told through Mia's journal entries, it reads like the series "You" with the narrators dialogue telling us what happened and all their disturbed inner thoughts the whole time.
Lara is completely unlikable and narcissistic yet we cannot get enough of her and what she is going to do and who she is going to manipulate next.
There isn't a character in this book that she didn't leave worse off than they were before she came along.
It's haunting and engrossing and I wanted more to be honest. I completely recommend this book. I listened to the audio and the narration by Bunny Warren was phenomenal. Both the author and narrator were new to me but I'm definitely going back for more.
I give this 4.5!
June 8, 2025
Photobomb
By Cassie Alexander
Narrated by Bunny Warren
Get ready for a wild ride. Two sisters, complete opposites. One the ballet star, Mia, and one the photographer, Lara. But both have their own issues. But the death of Mia, has left Lara ready to start living. Always feeling like she was in the shadow of her popular, talented sister, she is prepared to win the prestigious Halleigh Grant award for her photography and win the heart of the boy she loves. But does it all work out that way? This is a dark, disturbing path to the past, letting us learn how things were and how they slowly moved through the years. Cassie Alexander had me attached to Lara's journal, wanting to know what was going through her mind and where it all leads. I was glued to this listen and loved it!
Bunny Warren brings out all the narcissism, the jealousy, the love, and the need to be seen with her narration. Each scene brings out another facet of Lara's personality and it is incredible how it she finds each part of her. It's a riveting listen.
By Cassie Alexander
Narrated by Bunny Warren
Get ready for a wild ride. Two sisters, complete opposites. One the ballet star, Mia, and one the photographer, Lara. But both have their own issues. But the death of Mia, has left Lara ready to start living. Always feeling like she was in the shadow of her popular, talented sister, she is prepared to win the prestigious Halleigh Grant award for her photography and win the heart of the boy she loves. But does it all work out that way? This is a dark, disturbing path to the past, letting us learn how things were and how they slowly moved through the years. Cassie Alexander had me attached to Lara's journal, wanting to know what was going through her mind and where it all leads. I was glued to this listen and loved it!
Bunny Warren brings out all the narcissism, the jealousy, the love, and the need to be seen with her narration. Each scene brings out another facet of Lara's personality and it is incredible how it she finds each part of her. It's a riveting listen.
June 29, 2025
Want to spend some time with a person who absolutely, totally, sincerely believes IT.IS.ALL.ABOUT.ME? If so, Photobomb is for you. Nearly everything Lara Simon thinks or says or creates or writes or does is outrageous, but to her it’s as it should be: she’s right, she knows best, she knows what others should do, and she almost always gets what she wants.
The audiobook of Photobomb moves at lightning speed. It’s just one event or thought or plan or action after another. Narrator Bunny Warren grabs your attention with her whiny, petulant, obsessive, jealous, narcissistic delivery and never lets go. The tone, the pacing, the volume – all perfect. You try to understand Lara or begin to feel sorry for her, but then Bunny Warren makes her speak again and you wonder how anything in her life can come to a good end.
Photobomb isn’t just a story about a talented yet spoiled teenager who may or may not be grieving the loss of her sister and who lives in her own little fantasy world where she is The Boss. No, it’s a fast-paced psychological thriller with so many twists and turns you are constantly on the edge of your seat.
If you are looking for something just a little different, something exciting and riveting, then this audiobook is for you. I received an advance listening copy of Photobomb from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
The audiobook of Photobomb moves at lightning speed. It’s just one event or thought or plan or action after another. Narrator Bunny Warren grabs your attention with her whiny, petulant, obsessive, jealous, narcissistic delivery and never lets go. The tone, the pacing, the volume – all perfect. You try to understand Lara or begin to feel sorry for her, but then Bunny Warren makes her speak again and you wonder how anything in her life can come to a good end.
Photobomb isn’t just a story about a talented yet spoiled teenager who may or may not be grieving the loss of her sister and who lives in her own little fantasy world where she is The Boss. No, it’s a fast-paced psychological thriller with so many twists and turns you are constantly on the edge of your seat.
If you are looking for something just a little different, something exciting and riveting, then this audiobook is for you. I received an advance listening copy of Photobomb from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
July 4, 2025
My love of books started with psychological thrillers like this. This one hundred percent did not disappoint me. Our main character Lara is very complex. We get to learn a lot about her and her life through the different perspectives from current times and the past. We learn a lot about her sister Mia as well as the dynamics of their relationship.
What got me was the complexities of the relationship between the sisters and the sheer jealousy. Mia appeared to be that ever popular girl that everyone idolizes. The way that Lara expressed her feelings when it came to her sister was just so captivating that you just wanted to keep reading and reading.
There are parts of this book that just seemed to be sick and twisted in all of the ways that I love. The best part for me was definitely those journal entries. Talk about raw and hardcore. I loved it!!!!!
This book reminded me why I like psychological thrillers so much. I've never personally read a book by this author but if this is her style of writing, I am one hundred percent a fan and this is a five star read for me.
What got me was the complexities of the relationship between the sisters and the sheer jealousy. Mia appeared to be that ever popular girl that everyone idolizes. The way that Lara expressed her feelings when it came to her sister was just so captivating that you just wanted to keep reading and reading.
There are parts of this book that just seemed to be sick and twisted in all of the ways that I love. The best part for me was definitely those journal entries. Talk about raw and hardcore. I loved it!!!!!
This book reminded me why I like psychological thrillers so much. I've never personally read a book by this author but if this is her style of writing, I am one hundred percent a fan and this is a five star read for me.
July 4, 2025
I liked this book.
It had a good storyline, but I felt like it dragged.
The first part and the last chapters were amazing.
I l0ved that you were getting the story from Lara writing in her journal, and the ending idea Lara had was awesome.
I would have liked to have known if she won the scholarship, what people thought of her entry. Did she.... read it, and you'll understand
Lara has always lived in her sisters shadow. Mia was the perfect one, the popular one, the dancer, adored by everyone. But when Mia dies in a tragic accident, Lara finally has the chance to be seen.
Lara is obsessed with getting the right picture for the scholarship. She's obsessed with her sisters boyfriend and will do anything to have him.
There's a twist that you kind of expect, but not until it hits you.
Overall, it was a really good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It had a good storyline, but I felt like it dragged.
The first part and the last chapters were amazing.
I l0ved that you were getting the story from Lara writing in her journal, and the ending idea Lara had was awesome.
I would have liked to have known if she won the scholarship, what people thought of her entry. Did she.... read it, and you'll understand
Lara has always lived in her sisters shadow. Mia was the perfect one, the popular one, the dancer, adored by everyone. But when Mia dies in a tragic accident, Lara finally has the chance to be seen.
Lara is obsessed with getting the right picture for the scholarship. She's obsessed with her sisters boyfriend and will do anything to have him.
There's a twist that you kind of expect, but not until it hits you.
Overall, it was a really good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2025
Psycho in Hiding 5 stars. - Lara is something else. She has a one-track mind with her obsession with Mark and with her need to have the perfect photo for the Halleigh Grant. She’s brilliant with her photography. She’s a user when it comes to her best friend. She’s manipulative and wouldn’t hesitate to cross a line to get what she wants. She is broken but I don’t think she thinks of herself as that. She has no conscience and can’t process feelings. I don’t think she realizes that her feelings for Mark are not love. It’s a chilling story of a young narcissist who is really a psychopath flying under the radar. It was a very interesting story. I like how the author used handwritten notes throughout the book and how she told the story through journal entries. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily chose to review it.
June 11, 2025
This was an original read that's a psychological thriller but also a twisted ride through the past and present that give us a unique view into the life of Lara and her deceased sister, Mia. I have to say that Lara was brilliant. A narcissist that manipulated everyone around her. And not only do we get her POV, we also get the raw journal entries she makes, and that, my dear fellow readers, really made for a haunting and chaotic experience. Do not turn your back on Lara...that's all I'm gonna say ;D Grab this page turner and go on the reading adventure of a life time. You won't be able to put it down. I also have the audiobook and the narrator nailed it! I really can't say enough about how fab this is. Well done!
June 18, 2025
Ok so to be honest I have never ever hated a main character but from the beginning I really had a very VERY strong dislike for Lara. So much so that I wanted to DNF but I could t do that because I was so engrossed in her lunacy!!! This book had me all over the place - I was sad, mad, irritated, feeling sorry for characters, back to down right angry, and then just feeling resigned that there would be no redemption or happy ending. I can’t even say I enjoyed the book because I’m still feeling the effects and it’s not joy I’m feeling but it is so worth the read - especially if you like reading the memoir rantings of a delusional cocky albeit slightly endearing teenager on the brink of either a sharp downward spiral or getting everything she wanted in life.
June 27, 2025
ALC Audiobook Review
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
0.5-1🌶️( only because it do mention sexual/sexuality)
📸YA psychological thriller
When I started Photobomb, I went in blind. I really didn’t even know it was going to be a thriller. At first I was a bit confused. It grasped my attention really fast. Lara is such an interesting character. You can tell from the writing and the narration that she is youngish. I really loved how we got to dive into her mind and experience her thoughts and feelings through her journal entries. This book does jump between present and past events. I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t want it to end. I would love for Cassie Alexander to write more books like this one.
Bunny Warren did a fantastic job narrating this book.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
0.5-1🌶️( only because it do mention sexual/sexuality)
📸YA psychological thriller
When I started Photobomb, I went in blind. I really didn’t even know it was going to be a thriller. At first I was a bit confused. It grasped my attention really fast. Lara is such an interesting character. You can tell from the writing and the narration that she is youngish. I really loved how we got to dive into her mind and experience her thoughts and feelings through her journal entries. This book does jump between present and past events. I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t want it to end. I would love for Cassie Alexander to write more books like this one.
Bunny Warren did a fantastic job narrating this book.
June 20, 2025
Audiobook: My attention was grabbed from the opening paragraphs until the very end of this story. Once the audiobook started, I had to drag myself away to fulfill daily tasks. I was emotionally impacted by Lara Simon as I understood her plight of living in another's shadow; however, it was hard to take her callousness and manipulation of others. I thought Bunny Warren's narration was spectacular as she provided a voice for Lara and managed to convey the story's aura. I was given an advanced listener's copy of the audiobook through Home Cooked Books. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
June 11, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "PHOTOBOMB" Phenominal psychological thriller, haunting, intriguing, chaotic, jealousy, hooks you from the start.
Lara a photographer her sister Mia a well known Ballet Dancer & always feels like she's in Mia's shadow both different as night & day.
Lara journals about her life & thoughts that can be scary & haunting she's someone you don't want to turn your back on.
This is absolutely a must read a page turner to the end, I couldn't put it down waiting to see what happens next.
I highly recommend you so won't be disappointed.
Lara a photographer her sister Mia a well known Ballet Dancer & always feels like she's in Mia's shadow both different as night & day.
Lara journals about her life & thoughts that can be scary & haunting she's someone you don't want to turn your back on.
This is absolutely a must read a page turner to the end, I couldn't put it down waiting to see what happens next.
I highly recommend you so won't be disappointed.
June 30, 2025
✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮ Audiobook Review! ✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮
This psychological thriller is well written, intriguing, and utterly captivating. Lara is such an enigmatic character — narcissistic and clearly a sociopath. The storyline is dark and original, filled with angst, intrigue, and plenty of twists and turns. The pacing is spot-on and keeps you hooked. Bunny Warren delivers a fantastic performance as Lara. Her range of voices is impressive, and she brings the story to life with all the right emotions. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one is definitely worth a listen. #HomeCookedBooks
This psychological thriller is well written, intriguing, and utterly captivating. Lara is such an enigmatic character — narcissistic and clearly a sociopath. The storyline is dark and original, filled with angst, intrigue, and plenty of twists and turns. The pacing is spot-on and keeps you hooked. Bunny Warren delivers a fantastic performance as Lara. Her range of voices is impressive, and she brings the story to life with all the right emotions. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one is definitely worth a listen. #HomeCookedBooks
June 3, 2025
Take two sisters that couldn’t be more opposite and add a boy into the mix and chaos will ensue, especially if one of them is Lara. She is the kind of girl that people always warn you about. One you should stay clear of.
We are treated to her life through the entries in her journal. You get to see the truth of what happened through her manipulations. Lara is a memorable character that will make you think twice and I am interested in seeing what she will do next.
We are treated to her life through the entries in her journal. You get to see the truth of what happened through her manipulations. Lara is a memorable character that will make you think twice and I am interested in seeing what she will do next.
June 12, 2025
I absolutely hooked from the first page of this book. The twist and turns were truly unexcepted. Cassie Alexander keeps you interested by her attention to detail in the book but also online with the Instagram from the perspective of Lara. The book writing style is a lot different than her other books. It also one of the best psychology thriller I have read this year. Cassie Alexander has truly become one of my go to authors. If you love reading thrillers, you should give this book a try.
June 28, 2025
I'm rating this book a 3.5 stars
Photobomb is different, it is read by journal entries. I normally love Cassie Alexander books but this one has me stumped. I don't know what to think. I like the writing style, it's easier listening it. Laura is clearly too obsessed. I can't help it but to pity her, this obsession turns truly sad. This girl is twisted, I love it. Bunny Warren did such a good job bring her characters to life.
Photobomb is different, it is read by journal entries. I normally love Cassie Alexander books but this one has me stumped. I don't know what to think. I like the writing style, it's easier listening it. Laura is clearly too obsessed. I can't help it but to pity her, this obsession turns truly sad. This girl is twisted, I love it. Bunny Warren did such a good job bring her characters to life.
June 30, 2025
Her boyfriend and she wants to win the A gripping and dark psychological thriller about Lara who voices her feelings in her journal after her sister's death. She wants what Mia had including her boyfriend and to win the Halleigh Grant. Lara is unlikeable and narcissistic but compelling and very manipulative. A haunting read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 13, 2025
This is a dark and twisted story about the relationship between two sisters, one living and one dead. Lara has been obsessed with her sister Mia and takes a twisted turn when Mia passes away. This is one book that took me on a crazy roller coaster ride filled with unexpected twists and crazy turns, and I loved it. Great writing and interesting characters made this a great read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
June 3, 2025
I once read that “Envy is a reaction to the perception of injustice, even when no such injustice objectively exists.” It’s not hard to empathize with Lara, knowing that Mia and her parents left much to be desired—but soon, Lara becomes a red flag the size of a church. We all want to be seen and loved, but this book truly leaves us wondering: Are we capable of doing anything to achieve a dream?
June 11, 2025
Lara is a piece of work. A psychotic one. Her journal is the craziest thing that I’ve ever read. Clearly her own family doesn’t realize what they’re dealing with. This could definitely be a Lifetime made for women movie. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
June 15, 2025
I told myself it was art. But maybe it was a confession.
- Photobomb is a razor-sharp thriller for fans of Gone Girl, The Secret History, and Hannibal.
A haunting confessional soaked in obsession, beauty, and the brutal need to be seen. A masterpiece of manipulation. A villain you’ll root for even as she unravels.
- Photobomb is a razor-sharp thriller for fans of Gone Girl, The Secret History, and Hannibal.
A haunting confessional soaked in obsession, beauty, and the brutal need to be seen. A masterpiece of manipulation. A villain you’ll root for even as she unravels.
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