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Follow Her
Some call her a cult leader. Others, their salvation. I used to call her my best friend…
Ten years ago, seventeen-year-olds Katie and Frida spent a heatwave summer together on a tidal island and they haven’t spoken since. Katie has tried hard to forget about what happened, all while watching Frida rise to fame as a spiritual influencer with millions of devoted followers.
But then a photograph a group of girls bathed in summer light, white t-shirts glowing against marsh water. One figure is the celebrated Frida Rae. One is Katie. The others are girls whose dead bodies recently washed up near the island.
As a determined journalist starts asking questions, Katie’s carefully constructed life as a doctor’s wife and a mother begins to crack. Forced to recall her time with Frida, she is drawn back into a world of obsession, toxic first love and deadly secrets. Frida has many victim, friend, spiritual leader. But how far will both women go to protect their image—and whose story will the world believe?
Ten years ago, seventeen-year-olds Katie and Frida spent a heatwave summer together on a tidal island and they haven’t spoken since. Katie has tried hard to forget about what happened, all while watching Frida rise to fame as a spiritual influencer with millions of devoted followers.
But then a photograph a group of girls bathed in summer light, white t-shirts glowing against marsh water. One figure is the celebrated Frida Rae. One is Katie. The others are girls whose dead bodies recently washed up near the island.
As a determined journalist starts asking questions, Katie’s carefully constructed life as a doctor’s wife and a mother begins to crack. Forced to recall her time with Frida, she is drawn back into a world of obsession, toxic first love and deadly secrets. Frida has many victim, friend, spiritual leader. But how far will both women go to protect their image—and whose story will the world believe?
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2026
417 people are currently reading
3219 people want to read
About the author
Anna Stothard
8 books68 followersAnna Stothard was born in London and studied English Literature at Oxford University before completing a Screenwriting MFA at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. She is the author of five acclaimed novels, which have been translated into multiple languages and published around the world. Her writing often explores themes of identity, belonging, and obsession. Anna now lives and writes by the sea on the west coast of Guernsey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 17, 2026
omg this just dragged on and on and on. Im still wondering what the storyline was really about. Nearly DNFd it several times. Very slow and boring
January 11, 2026
I feel a bit frustrated by this book. The premise is good and would make a good tv series, but the ending is a bit of a nothing ending for me.
January 26, 2026
Very different read!
A young woman, trying to escape some personal problems, meets up with a very young ‘psychic’. She only plans to stay with her for a very short time, but that doesn’t quite happen… and soon, a lot of time has gone by…
And her life has completely and totally changed!
‘Zoe’ is not happy in her current predicament. Her Mom has moved on and is with another man. Zoe works in technology. She’s very good with computers. But she’s concerned that she’ll have to move out if her Mom keeps this up… and can she really afford to be on her own?
Then she meets Frida. And Frida is very free-spirited. She lives a totally different life… basically living off the land… and the small amount of proceeds she makes doing her psychic routine.
She’s not really concerned though, as her grandfather is elderly and very sick… and, he’s leaving her the mansion she is currently living in…
So when Zoe meets up with Frida and her entourage… well, she’s not that impressed. But, she sees a freeness, a lightness… something she herself doesn’t have, and she likes it…
And soon she is helping her to promote her business….and so much more.
She becomes an integral part of the fabric of Zoe’s life…
But, is this actually a good thing, or a bad thing?
It was so nice to see Zoe grow and finally have a bit of confidence in herself… just a bit sad that she had to rely on others to get there…
This is told from Zoe’s POV and in the form of an interview… and the twists that come up towards the end? Well you kind of feel like you knew something was coming… but then again, you also feel a bit blindsided…
I enjoyed this one!
4 bold, beautiful, psychotic (as opposed to psychic) stars for me! ⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
#FollowHer by @AnnaStothard and narrated nicely by @BillieFulfordBrown.
It has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET! But, it’s coming out soon… on 2/1/26! So, look 👀 for it then!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BrilliancePublishing and #BrillianceAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
A young woman, trying to escape some personal problems, meets up with a very young ‘psychic’. She only plans to stay with her for a very short time, but that doesn’t quite happen… and soon, a lot of time has gone by…
And her life has completely and totally changed!
‘Zoe’ is not happy in her current predicament. Her Mom has moved on and is with another man. Zoe works in technology. She’s very good with computers. But she’s concerned that she’ll have to move out if her Mom keeps this up… and can she really afford to be on her own?
Then she meets Frida. And Frida is very free-spirited. She lives a totally different life… basically living off the land… and the small amount of proceeds she makes doing her psychic routine.
She’s not really concerned though, as her grandfather is elderly and very sick… and, he’s leaving her the mansion she is currently living in…
So when Zoe meets up with Frida and her entourage… well, she’s not that impressed. But, she sees a freeness, a lightness… something she herself doesn’t have, and she likes it…
And soon she is helping her to promote her business….and so much more.
She becomes an integral part of the fabric of Zoe’s life…
But, is this actually a good thing, or a bad thing?
It was so nice to see Zoe grow and finally have a bit of confidence in herself… just a bit sad that she had to rely on others to get there…
This is told from Zoe’s POV and in the form of an interview… and the twists that come up towards the end? Well you kind of feel like you knew something was coming… but then again, you also feel a bit blindsided…
I enjoyed this one!
4 bold, beautiful, psychotic (as opposed to psychic) stars for me! ⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
#FollowHer by @AnnaStothard and narrated nicely by @BillieFulfordBrown.
It has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET! But, it’s coming out soon… on 2/1/26! So, look 👀 for it then!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BrilliancePublishing and #BrillianceAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
February 9, 2026
& @brilliancepublishing #partner for the ALC
Follow Her
< @
Psychological thriller | lgbtq+
“‘You hide your fear behind humour. If you want a different outcome, control your habits. You have the power to reinvent yourself and to be something other than what your parents expect,’” (p. 17).
Frida Rae used to belong to her - Zoe. They were as close as anyone could get to another person, lovers even, but with that closeness also come secrets. And secrets when you become a famous guru aren’t the best thing to have. But that all happened 10 years ago and their relationship has since faded.
Until now…
It’s an ordinary day for Zoe when a man approaches her. What he says next changes everything. The bodies of two girls, which both Zoe and Frida used to know, have been discovered. He’s a journalist and he wants to talk to Zoe.
🎧:
The story alternates timelines changing between the now and then. And while the chapters are quite long themselves, they are divided up into parts so it doesn’t make the story drag.
I loved this book. It pulled me in from the start and held my full attention until the very end.
The psychic stuff was pretty interesting. Being deep in convo and then hearing: CREDIT IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE BUY MORE CREDIT.. was just priceless.
Recommend this one.
Follow Her
< @
Psychological thriller | lgbtq+
“‘You hide your fear behind humour. If you want a different outcome, control your habits. You have the power to reinvent yourself and to be something other than what your parents expect,’” (p. 17).
Frida Rae used to belong to her - Zoe. They were as close as anyone could get to another person, lovers even, but with that closeness also come secrets. And secrets when you become a famous guru aren’t the best thing to have. But that all happened 10 years ago and their relationship has since faded.
Until now…
It’s an ordinary day for Zoe when a man approaches her. What he says next changes everything. The bodies of two girls, which both Zoe and Frida used to know, have been discovered. He’s a journalist and he wants to talk to Zoe.
🎧:
The story alternates timelines changing between the now and then. And while the chapters are quite long themselves, they are divided up into parts so it doesn’t make the story drag.
I loved this book. It pulled me in from the start and held my full attention until the very end.
The psychic stuff was pretty interesting. Being deep in convo and then hearing: CREDIT IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE BUY MORE CREDIT.. was just priceless.
Recommend this one.
February 7, 2026
The story of Katie told in the present day with reminiscence on a past life spent in the company of beguiling psychic Frida and a hotchpotch of friends/followers.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the descriptions setting the environment. The story really worked being set in the UK which I actually wasn’t expecting. At times I found the book quite a sensory experience for that reason.
I thought the nature of the group and the understanding of how entwined and beholden to Frida they all were was nicely put without being predictable. I also liked the mystery aspect and the ending was satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
I really enjoyed this story and loved the descriptions setting the environment. The story really worked being set in the UK which I actually wasn’t expecting. At times I found the book quite a sensory experience for that reason.
I thought the nature of the group and the understanding of how entwined and beholden to Frida they all were was nicely put without being predictable. I also liked the mystery aspect and the ending was satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
January 21, 2026
Literally nothing happened? It dragged on and there was definitely some story somewhere but I flew through it and can’t really say I read anything.
Review of advance copy
Paragraphs and sentences repeated at random throughout - poorly edited. story itself was gripping but not well written, not really believable and too much focus on describing smells all the time!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Id rather join a cult than finish this. I did get to 65%... again cult.
I would say the pace was slow but that would give it too much credit. Mind you, cult books that are done right, can have a slow build.
I enjoy a book that builds. It is like going up the first hill of a roller coaster.
But this isn't it.
I would say the pace was slow but that would give it too much credit. Mind you, cult books that are done right, can have a slow build.
I enjoy a book that builds. It is like going up the first hill of a roller coaster.
But this isn't it.
February 3, 2026
Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I had a really hard time getting through it, largely because Frida came across as pretentious, grating and too woo woo. I honestly struggled to believe she could be a cult leader—I couldn’t imagine lasting even a few minutes around someone like that. I was genuinely intrigued by the description, but the story ultimately didn’t captivate me in the way I’d hoped.
Thank you @NetGalley and @BrillianceAudio for providing me with this pre-release audio version of “Follow Her” in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #FollowHer
Thank you @NetGalley and @BrillianceAudio for providing me with this pre-release audio version of “Follow Her” in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #FollowHer
February 24, 2026
Very interesting but plot was all over the place.
January 22, 2026
A restrained, psychologically attuned novel that resists urgency in favor of atmosphere, inviting the reader to sit inside uncertainty rather than sprint toward revelation. What begins behind the perceived safety of computer screens, slowly draws the narrator toward a remote island and its carefully contained social circle, one that orbits around the curiously radiant Freida. Revered for her insight, her intuition, her near-mystic attentiveness to others, this mysterious young woman is offering promises that contain multitudes. Told across dual timelines, a chance encounter fractures into something more insular and unsettling: a world where devotion operates as currency, and reverence shades almost imperceptibly into control. Stothard is uninterested in spectacle; her focus is the slow mechanics of belief— how it is cultivated, how belonging seduces, and how curiosity, left unchecked, can calcify into obedience.
Anna Stothard’s prose is quietly exacting, attentive to the smallest human tells— a specific cadence, a laugh, a fingers-only wave that reveals more than confession ever could. Her characters are rendered with an intimate emotional precision, as if each feeling has been handled, weighed, and placed deliberately on the page.
This is very much a slow burn, layered with withheld information and quiet manipulations that demand patience. The novel unspools through omission as much as disclosure, inviting the reader to piece together its many secrets gradually, sometimes uncomfortably so. That deliberate pacing may frustrate readers looking for swift answers, but for those willing to surrender to its rhythm it offers a chilling study of power, intimacy, and the subtle violence of being chosen. So, relax. Breathe in.
Have a Twix.
Anna Stothard’s prose is quietly exacting, attentive to the smallest human tells— a specific cadence, a laugh, a fingers-only wave that reveals more than confession ever could. Her characters are rendered with an intimate emotional precision, as if each feeling has been handled, weighed, and placed deliberately on the page.
This is very much a slow burn, layered with withheld information and quiet manipulations that demand patience. The novel unspools through omission as much as disclosure, inviting the reader to piece together its many secrets gradually, sometimes uncomfortably so. That deliberate pacing may frustrate readers looking for swift answers, but for those willing to surrender to its rhythm it offers a chilling study of power, intimacy, and the subtle violence of being chosen. So, relax. Breathe in.
Have a Twix.
January 9, 2026
Kindle book
2026 New Year’s resolution is to finish all books I start. This nearly broke that. This was very boring.
2026 New Year’s resolution is to finish all books I start. This nearly broke that. This was very boring.
January 25, 2026
Follow Her by Anna Stothard was a tense, fast-moving listen that kept me pretty interested. The premise was compelling and the atmosphere stayed consistently uneasy, which worked well for the story. While some plot developments felt a bit familiar and a few character choices stretched believability, the pacing kept things moving and made it hard to stop listening.
The audiobook narration was a definite strength. Billie Fulford-Brown did a great job, delivering an emotionally grounded performance that added depth and urgency to the story. Her narration helped smooth over some of the weaker moments and kept me invested through to the end.
Overall, this was an enjoyable thriller that didn’t completely wow me but was solid, engaging, and worth the time—especially in audio format. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing the ARC.
February 6, 2026
Omg. OBSESSED.
Review of advance copy
Recieved a free copy via Amazon First Reads Scheme.
This book was a tense, edge of your seat story about friendship, religion and faith.
I started and finished this novel in a day and couldn't put it down! The characters are fully fleshed out and feel real, although the story felt slow to build, it quickly gained momentum and captured my interest throughout.
This book was a tense, edge of your seat story about friendship, religion and faith.
I started and finished this novel in a day and couldn't put it down! The characters are fully fleshed out and feel real, although the story felt slow to build, it quickly gained momentum and captured my interest throughout.
January 31, 2026
Follow Her - Anna Stothard
⭐️⭐️
2/5
I dunno if it’s the book or me, but this was just long and boring and put me into a right reading slump. The actual storyline had such good potential and something kept drawing me back but then nothing actually happened so was a bit disappointing for me.
Katie finds herself drawn to a girl called Frida who claims to be a psychic. They spend a summer together on an island ten years ago but haven’t spoken since.
📚📖🐛
.
.
.
.
#bookstagram #booktok #books #reading #bookreview
⭐️⭐️
2/5
I dunno if it’s the book or me, but this was just long and boring and put me into a right reading slump. The actual storyline had such good potential and something kept drawing me back but then nothing actually happened so was a bit disappointing for me.
Katie finds herself drawn to a girl called Frida who claims to be a psychic. They spend a summer together on an island ten years ago but haven’t spoken since.
📚📖🐛
.
.
.
.
#bookstagram #booktok #books #reading #bookreview
March 2, 2026
Follow Her by Anna Strothard is an eerie, mesmerizing read, about a young woman wracked with anxiety who finds a sense of peace and belonging when she meets Frida Rae, a spiritual leader, set on an atmospheric island off the coast of Essex, England. Readers who enjoyed The Girls by Emma Cline will find Follow Her to be an intriguing read.
Seventeen-year-old Katie is highly anxious, lonely, and existentially bored. She is addicted to pills and disconnected from her family, working at a social media company by day and learning to code at night. She has no friends and feels left behind. Then Katie opens an ad for a ethereal teenage girl giving psychic readings on a website called AuraLine. And that is how she enters Frida’s orbit. Katie doesn’t know that by making a new friend, she’ll become involved in a cult. Frida invites her to the “island.”
The story is told in present day, when Katie is married, a mom with two kids. A journalist reaches out to her in an intimidating way, showing her photos of Katie and Frida with two missing young women, Ava and Grace. Ava and Grace’s bodies have been found. Throughout the book, Katie looks back on the intense five-month time period in which she lived with Frida and her friends on the island, mostly cut off from the outside world, as it turned from a meditation retreat to a sketchy cult.
On the island, their days are filled with meditation, swimming, walks in the forest, and eating healthy food. Frida helps Katie overcome her addiction to benzos and it seems Katie’s panic attacks calm for a while, even if Frida’s methods were manipulative. Katie is deeply in Frida’s thrall and they fall in love.
Yet Katie has doubts about Frida’s connections to the spiritual world and her claims of being a psychic. More information about Frida’s past is revealed, all while the number of “visitors” and “clients” grows. The place feels more cult-like as they begin to take donations, fear questioning Frida, and become cut off from society even more.
Ultimately, Katie was the creator of the Frida Rae social media brand, because she started the account, filming Frida’s “speeches” and interactions with “clients,” researched clients, and shared information with Frida, while also doing the logistics that can make a social media account take off, such as liking, tagging, knowing when to livestream, who to follow, and what to post.
My Thoughts
Some of the reviews I read mentioned the book is slow or there was not enough plot. In my opinion, this was a case of having unclear expectations about the novel. Some sources mentioned that Follow Her is a psychological thriller, but if you go in expecting a slower pace, rather than a thriller, with a strong, atmospheric setting and focus on character development and the subtle interplay of power and belief, then you will be more satisfied with this novel.
I felt mesmerized while reading, like I was truly spending time in that setting, the isolated island in the marshlands where the river meets the sea, in a cottage with daily meditation, full of lost teens and runaways. Overall, I think the novel might be considered literary suspense.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seventeen-year-old Katie is highly anxious, lonely, and existentially bored. She is addicted to pills and disconnected from her family, working at a social media company by day and learning to code at night. She has no friends and feels left behind. Then Katie opens an ad for a ethereal teenage girl giving psychic readings on a website called AuraLine. And that is how she enters Frida’s orbit. Katie doesn’t know that by making a new friend, she’ll become involved in a cult. Frida invites her to the “island.”
The story is told in present day, when Katie is married, a mom with two kids. A journalist reaches out to her in an intimidating way, showing her photos of Katie and Frida with two missing young women, Ava and Grace. Ava and Grace’s bodies have been found. Throughout the book, Katie looks back on the intense five-month time period in which she lived with Frida and her friends on the island, mostly cut off from the outside world, as it turned from a meditation retreat to a sketchy cult.
On the island, their days are filled with meditation, swimming, walks in the forest, and eating healthy food. Frida helps Katie overcome her addiction to benzos and it seems Katie’s panic attacks calm for a while, even if Frida’s methods were manipulative. Katie is deeply in Frida’s thrall and they fall in love.
Yet Katie has doubts about Frida’s connections to the spiritual world and her claims of being a psychic. More information about Frida’s past is revealed, all while the number of “visitors” and “clients” grows. The place feels more cult-like as they begin to take donations, fear questioning Frida, and become cut off from society even more.
Ultimately, Katie was the creator of the Frida Rae social media brand, because she started the account, filming Frida’s “speeches” and interactions with “clients,” researched clients, and shared information with Frida, while also doing the logistics that can make a social media account take off, such as liking, tagging, knowing when to livestream, who to follow, and what to post.
My Thoughts
Some of the reviews I read mentioned the book is slow or there was not enough plot. In my opinion, this was a case of having unclear expectations about the novel. Some sources mentioned that Follow Her is a psychological thriller, but if you go in expecting a slower pace, rather than a thriller, with a strong, atmospheric setting and focus on character development and the subtle interplay of power and belief, then you will be more satisfied with this novel.
I felt mesmerized while reading, like I was truly spending time in that setting, the isolated island in the marshlands where the river meets the sea, in a cottage with daily meditation, full of lost teens and runaways. Overall, I think the novel might be considered literary suspense.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 24, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Anna for this advance copy 🙏
📃 Summary: Teenagers Katie and Frida meet on the Tube on an early December morning. They do not know it then, but their lives are about to change forever: one will become a famous health and spiritual guru, with millions of followers; the other will change her name and hide in a small coastal town in Yorkshire.
When, out of the archives, a photo of four girls emerges - two of whom have been missing for over a decade - the foundations of Frida and Katie's carefully designed worlds begin to shift. Credentials and marriages are suddenly on the line and threaten to burst the invisible protective bubbles, which they have been building since that fateful encounter.
Can they succeed in keeping their secrets tucked away, or is a nosey journalist about to unearth that which should have always stayed buried?
👌 What I enjoyed: If you have read any of Anna's previous novels, you will concur that she is a master of a slow-paced story. The build up in 'Follow Her' will keep you turning the pages, questioning whether what you are given an objective representation of events, or whether our protagonist simply offers an interpretation. Sometimes, you will side with her, trustin her side of the story, and at times, you will doubt the validity of her statements. Often but not always will you will symphathise with her. You will sense something is off - a sinking island, an abandoned cottage, a curt nurse - but for a while all will be shrouded in mystery.
'Follow Her' is written in a dual timeline; this is a writing tool, which has historically worked for me, and my experience with this book's own is no exception. One minute we follow seventeen-year old Frida and Katie and the next it is present day. Both timeframes maintain tension and momentum, with their respective set of dubious characters and undercurrents of danger and suspense. Unfortunately, I find that some writers do not write convincingly in multiple temporal dimensions. Generally, one comes on top. I would say they are on par here.
Lastly, the writing style of 'Follow Her' is, for the most part, a joy. It's elusive and fluid, simple but engaging. There's a good mix of dialogue and description, and the incorporation of other media is a stylistic choice I can get on board with.
👎 What I would have liked done differently / better / not at all: Even though I'm somebody, who likes both open and rather 'closed' endings, for this book specifically, I wish better closure were given to the reader, a few more loose ends tied. But this is my personal preference. If you don't care about neat conclusions or require to have all the questions answered, I reckon you'll love it.
📃 Summary: Teenagers Katie and Frida meet on the Tube on an early December morning. They do not know it then, but their lives are about to change forever: one will become a famous health and spiritual guru, with millions of followers; the other will change her name and hide in a small coastal town in Yorkshire.
When, out of the archives, a photo of four girls emerges - two of whom have been missing for over a decade - the foundations of Frida and Katie's carefully designed worlds begin to shift. Credentials and marriages are suddenly on the line and threaten to burst the invisible protective bubbles, which they have been building since that fateful encounter.
Can they succeed in keeping their secrets tucked away, or is a nosey journalist about to unearth that which should have always stayed buried?
👌 What I enjoyed: If you have read any of Anna's previous novels, you will concur that she is a master of a slow-paced story. The build up in 'Follow Her' will keep you turning the pages, questioning whether what you are given an objective representation of events, or whether our protagonist simply offers an interpretation. Sometimes, you will side with her, trustin her side of the story, and at times, you will doubt the validity of her statements. Often but not always will you will symphathise with her. You will sense something is off - a sinking island, an abandoned cottage, a curt nurse - but for a while all will be shrouded in mystery.
'Follow Her' is written in a dual timeline; this is a writing tool, which has historically worked for me, and my experience with this book's own is no exception. One minute we follow seventeen-year old Frida and Katie and the next it is present day. Both timeframes maintain tension and momentum, with their respective set of dubious characters and undercurrents of danger and suspense. Unfortunately, I find that some writers do not write convincingly in multiple temporal dimensions. Generally, one comes on top. I would say they are on par here.
Lastly, the writing style of 'Follow Her' is, for the most part, a joy. It's elusive and fluid, simple but engaging. There's a good mix of dialogue and description, and the incorporation of other media is a stylistic choice I can get on board with.
👎 What I would have liked done differently / better / not at all: Even though I'm somebody, who likes both open and rather 'closed' endings, for this book specifically, I wish better closure were given to the reader, a few more loose ends tied. But this is my personal preference. If you don't care about neat conclusions or require to have all the questions answered, I reckon you'll love it.
February 8, 2026
📚Follow Her
✍🏻Anna Stothard
Blurb:
Some call her a cult leader. Others, their salvation. I used to call her my best friend…
Ten years ago, seventeen-year-olds Katie and Frida spent a heatwave summer together on a tidal island and they haven’t spoken since. Katie has tried hard to forget about what happened, all while watching Frida rise to fame as a spiritual influencer with millions of devoted followers.
But then a photograph a group of girls bathed in summer light, white t-shirts glowing against marsh water. One figure is the celebrated Frida Rae. One is Katie. The others are girls whose dead bodies recently washed up near the island.
As a determined journalist starts asking questions, Katie’s carefully constructed life as a doctor’s wife and a mother begins to crack. Forced to recall her time with Frida, she is drawn back into a world of obsession, toxic first love and deadly secrets. Frida has many victim, friend, spiritual leader. But how far will both women go to protect their image—and whose story will the world believe?
My Thoughts:
A slow burn about a lost teenage girl and the enigmatic fortune teller teen she meets, who people flock to. What begins as a chance encounter unfolds into an eerie, insular world where devotion is currency and reverence blurs into control. Stothard is less interested in spectacle than in process— how belief is cultivated, how belonging becomes seductive, and how easily curiosity can harden into obedience..‘Zoe’ is not happy in her current predicament. Her Mom has moved on and is with another man. Zoe works in technology. She’s very good with computers. But she’s concerned that she’ll have to move out if her Mom keeps this up.The story of Katie told in the present day with reminiscence on a past life spent in the company of beguiling psychic Frida and a hotchpotch of friends/followers.
Thanks NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Author Anna Stothard for the complimentary copy of "Follow Her" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#AnnaStothard
#FollowHer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Sexual content, Pregnancy and Terminal illness
✍🏻Anna Stothard
Blurb:
Some call her a cult leader. Others, their salvation. I used to call her my best friend…
Ten years ago, seventeen-year-olds Katie and Frida spent a heatwave summer together on a tidal island and they haven’t spoken since. Katie has tried hard to forget about what happened, all while watching Frida rise to fame as a spiritual influencer with millions of devoted followers.
But then a photograph a group of girls bathed in summer light, white t-shirts glowing against marsh water. One figure is the celebrated Frida Rae. One is Katie. The others are girls whose dead bodies recently washed up near the island.
As a determined journalist starts asking questions, Katie’s carefully constructed life as a doctor’s wife and a mother begins to crack. Forced to recall her time with Frida, she is drawn back into a world of obsession, toxic first love and deadly secrets. Frida has many victim, friend, spiritual leader. But how far will both women go to protect their image—and whose story will the world believe?
My Thoughts:
A slow burn about a lost teenage girl and the enigmatic fortune teller teen she meets, who people flock to. What begins as a chance encounter unfolds into an eerie, insular world where devotion is currency and reverence blurs into control. Stothard is less interested in spectacle than in process— how belief is cultivated, how belonging becomes seductive, and how easily curiosity can harden into obedience..‘Zoe’ is not happy in her current predicament. Her Mom has moved on and is with another man. Zoe works in technology. She’s very good with computers. But she’s concerned that she’ll have to move out if her Mom keeps this up.The story of Katie told in the present day with reminiscence on a past life spent in the company of beguiling psychic Frida and a hotchpotch of friends/followers.
Thanks NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Author Anna Stothard for the complimentary copy of "Follow Her" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#LakeUnionPublishing
#AnnaStothard
#FollowHer
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⚠️Trigger Warnings: Sexual content, Pregnancy and Terminal illness
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"But everyone you love leaves parts of themselves in you. The way they wave with just their fingers, or bite their lip when they concentrate. There's no escape from these little ghosts left inside us, how we sigh, or come, or lick our fingers. Our bodies remember."
Oh man I loved this creepy lil audiobook. Our FMC is an anxious lil high school drop out called Katie (UM HELLO????????) After her anxiety has left her lonely and addicted to pills, she has a fateful encounter with a manic pixie dream girl on the tube. Except she smells like a swamp. After going against her better judgement, Katie (under the fake name 'Zo' gets more involved with Freaky Frida and her rag tag band of runaways on an isolated island that's cut off from the rest of the world whenever the tide comes in. Katie becomes more obsessed with Frida, building her social media empire to share her message to the wider world, but before she knows it, she's neck deep in the cult of Frida.
This book is so haunting. The way it's written had me peeking over my shoulder along with Katie, wondering who could be watching. The origin of Frida and her 'powers' are written with just enough fact and just enough vagueness that she is genuinely an enigmatic and mythical figure. I was drawn to her story, I wanted to know more about her and learn more about her - just like the sycophants in the story. The author has a real gift for depicting seemingly normal spaces/scenes in just a *slightly* off-kilter way, so it feels eerie and unsettling even if you can't pinpoint why.
Also, huge credit to the audiobook narrator with this one, her characterisation of Katie and Frida really elevated this story.
Oh man I loved this creepy lil audiobook. Our FMC is an anxious lil high school drop out called Katie (UM HELLO????????) After her anxiety has left her lonely and addicted to pills, she has a fateful encounter with a manic pixie dream girl on the tube. Except she smells like a swamp. After going against her better judgement, Katie (under the fake name 'Zo' gets more involved with Freaky Frida and her rag tag band of runaways on an isolated island that's cut off from the rest of the world whenever the tide comes in. Katie becomes more obsessed with Frida, building her social media empire to share her message to the wider world, but before she knows it, she's neck deep in the cult of Frida.
This book is so haunting. The way it's written had me peeking over my shoulder along with Katie, wondering who could be watching. The origin of Frida and her 'powers' are written with just enough fact and just enough vagueness that she is genuinely an enigmatic and mythical figure. I was drawn to her story, I wanted to know more about her and learn more about her - just like the sycophants in the story. The author has a real gift for depicting seemingly normal spaces/scenes in just a *slightly* off-kilter way, so it feels eerie and unsettling even if you can't pinpoint why.
Also, huge credit to the audiobook narrator with this one, her characterisation of Katie and Frida really elevated this story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Anna Stothard for the ALC of Follow Her by Anna Stothard.
The story is a dual timeline first person POV following protagonist Katie (known as Zoe) who gets embroiled in a cult run by Frida a new age "psychic" who Katie stumbles across online when she is down on her luck. The timelines follow her meeting Frida and unknowingly joining the cult and the present where someone is trying to investigate the deaths of two girls.
The characters and plot are well developed. Though I did get lost a little at times with the audio, it was mostly easy to follow the story along. The intermittent sound bites by Frida really illustrate how much she is in Katie's head throughout the book showing the power of her and I loved this narrative tool in particular. The unravelling of the plot came at a good pace and you can see how slowly Katie fell into the web of lies. We do not discover how she escaped until well into the book which adds intrigue nor do we discover what happened to the girls until well into the story and this is a great as some thrillers reveal it all a bit too soon! The story was believable and suitably dark.
Be aware there are themes of coercive control and miscarriage amongst some other dark themes.
The narration was well done. As with all female narrators, the males sounded at times a little silly but otherwise very good job. Frida's interjections in particular were so well done!
Overall great book, I was very gripped throughout. One to read if you're a fan of authors like John Marrs and Freida McFadden
The story is a dual timeline first person POV following protagonist Katie (known as Zoe) who gets embroiled in a cult run by Frida a new age "psychic" who Katie stumbles across online when she is down on her luck. The timelines follow her meeting Frida and unknowingly joining the cult and the present where someone is trying to investigate the deaths of two girls.
The characters and plot are well developed. Though I did get lost a little at times with the audio, it was mostly easy to follow the story along. The intermittent sound bites by Frida really illustrate how much she is in Katie's head throughout the book showing the power of her and I loved this narrative tool in particular. The unravelling of the plot came at a good pace and you can see how slowly Katie fell into the web of lies. We do not discover how she escaped until well into the book which adds intrigue nor do we discover what happened to the girls until well into the story and this is a great as some thrillers reveal it all a bit too soon! The story was believable and suitably dark.
Be aware there are themes of coercive control and miscarriage amongst some other dark themes.
The narration was well done. As with all female narrators, the males sounded at times a little silly but otherwise very good job. Frida's interjections in particular were so well done!
Overall great book, I was very gripped throughout. One to read if you're a fan of authors like John Marrs and Freida McFadden
January 14, 2026
“Follow Her” is not my first Anna Stothard read, and in no way will it be my last. When I heard she had something new coming out, I got quite excited, having loved my time with “The Pink Hotel” last year.
This book is nothing like what I might have expected from the author… in a very good way. Having grown up in a religious home and being extremely aware of cults as a child because of that, there has always been that extra bit of interest in them for me. Interest in them, not in joining one per se, but in the structure, attraction and mindset. Without trying to give away anything, how Anna Stothard puts some modernity into this storyline felt realistic and believable.
Her character development remains rich and balanced. The way she uses previous life events in a way that isn’t clunky or confusing is remarkable.
I did get the advanced audio version of this and this may be the first book I have taken in with this narrator. Billie Fulford-Brown did a spectacular job with this. There was one specific point in the book of a really emotional-filled dialogue between characters and Billie Fulford-Brown had me tearing up during it. I’m so glad I got to experience this solid read in that way and format.
This book is nothing like what I might have expected from the author… in a very good way. Having grown up in a religious home and being extremely aware of cults as a child because of that, there has always been that extra bit of interest in them for me. Interest in them, not in joining one per se, but in the structure, attraction and mindset. Without trying to give away anything, how Anna Stothard puts some modernity into this storyline felt realistic and believable.
Her character development remains rich and balanced. The way she uses previous life events in a way that isn’t clunky or confusing is remarkable.
I did get the advanced audio version of this and this may be the first book I have taken in with this narrator. Billie Fulford-Brown did a spectacular job with this. There was one specific point in the book of a really emotional-filled dialogue between characters and Billie Fulford-Brown had me tearing up during it. I’m so glad I got to experience this solid read in that way and format.
February 4, 2026
Follow Her is a twisted cult thriller that unfolds in two different timelines: ten years ago and present, from Katie's perspective.
The plot weaves interesting elements like crosswords, tarots, and spirituality, leaving me questioning and suspecting characters. I loved how the author described the island. It added an atmospheric touch.
The story is slow burn, taking its time to show how Frida turns to a popular spiritual influencer. The last few chapters were quite long, which made me skim a few parts, but the pacing kept me from being hooked. Even the revelation fell flat for me; I was expecting something darker and twister.
While the ending didn't fully satisfy me, I understood why Katie made her choice. It also left me more questions than answers, fitting the book's mysterious tone.
Overall, Follow Her is a compelling read for beginners for anyone who enjoys thrillers with a cult twist.
Thank you, NetGalley & Anna, for the ebook & audiobook.
The plot weaves interesting elements like crosswords, tarots, and spirituality, leaving me questioning and suspecting characters. I loved how the author described the island. It added an atmospheric touch.
The story is slow burn, taking its time to show how Frida turns to a popular spiritual influencer. The last few chapters were quite long, which made me skim a few parts, but the pacing kept me from being hooked. Even the revelation fell flat for me; I was expecting something darker and twister.
While the ending didn't fully satisfy me, I understood why Katie made her choice. It also left me more questions than answers, fitting the book's mysterious tone.
Overall, Follow Her is a compelling read for beginners for anyone who enjoys thrillers with a cult twist.
Thank you, NetGalley & Anna, for the ebook & audiobook.
February 8, 2026
I was hooked the whole time, but with the ending I was expecting more. I wanted there to be more of an explanation about Jackson, Elena, and Frida? Like I wanted to hear Jackson’s perspective on if he even wanted Frida there or not. There were some inconsistencies. Like at one point she had 100k followers and then went back down to 30k but was supposed to be steadily rising. Also Zoe/Katie lost her glasses and couldn’t see but then read several books? And we never find out if Frida actually has a gift. She did psychic things sometimes but other times got information from Katie. I wish she would’ve been a complete fraud or actually gifted. If she was truly gifted she wouldn’t need to be a fraud. And if she was a fraud she wouldn’t have been able to predict the star birthmark. Idk I have mixed feelings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2026
More like 3.5/.75. Not quite a 4, but well over a 3. (I do wish Goodreads had a .25 system for stars.)
*****SPOILERS***** DO NOT READ PAST HERE FOR MORE
.Won this book in an amazon giveaway. Read it right away as I only think that is fair. It definitely grabs you right away, has a great story line, characters and plots. I think what it was missing for me was a little harsher follow through on the fear and destruction left when Zo leaves. I wasn’t getting real true fear from her, more like annoyance & frustration. A sense of looking backwards sure but no actual fear. Some Further insight into Friedas background instead of so interspersed would have made it a little more concise about her. The fact that Katie/Zoe never told her husband any of it seemed far fetched. The basically unresolved ending left me wanting more. An epilogue with some consequences would have been nice.
*****SPOILERS***** DO NOT READ PAST HERE FOR MORE
.Won this book in an amazon giveaway. Read it right away as I only think that is fair. It definitely grabs you right away, has a great story line, characters and plots. I think what it was missing for me was a little harsher follow through on the fear and destruction left when Zo leaves. I wasn’t getting real true fear from her, more like annoyance & frustration. A sense of looking backwards sure but no actual fear. Some Further insight into Friedas background instead of so interspersed would have made it a little more concise about her. The fact that Katie/Zoe never told her husband any of it seemed far fetched. The basically unresolved ending left me wanting more. An epilogue with some consequences would have been nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Seventeen-year-old Frida toes the line between wellness guru and cult leader, with our FMC, Zoe, somewhere between worship and disbelief. I like the inclusion of social media to gain attention and followers. Very influnecy. Influencers do have cult followings. I really enjoyed the setting, on an island, with a causeway that leaves you trapped for half the day. I am a sucker for flower crowns and animal masks. Nothing too crazy happens, but you are left wondering if you can chalk everything up to coincidence. I think it’d be fairly easy to be pulled into this type of commune/cult community.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author, Anna Stothard, for the eARC! I really enjoyed it! Pub date Feb 1, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the author, Anna Stothard, for the eARC! I really enjoyed it! Pub date Feb 1, 2026
February 4, 2026
Katie’s past in a teenage cult resurfaces when bodies are found and a photograph comes to light.
I listened to the audiobook and did enjoy the narrator. While Katie is our main character, she also did a good job voicing Frida with a spiritual, zen-like vibe.
Overall, though, I found this one to be a bit slow and anticlimactic. About halfway through, I realized I didn’t really care what was happening anymore. Then when it ended, I was like… wait, that’s it?! And not because I wanted more, but because nothing really felt wrapped up.
If you like cult-related stories, you might enjoy this one. It just wasn’t a favorite for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced listening copy.
I listened to the audiobook and did enjoy the narrator. While Katie is our main character, she also did a good job voicing Frida with a spiritual, zen-like vibe.
Overall, though, I found this one to be a bit slow and anticlimactic. About halfway through, I realized I didn’t really care what was happening anymore. Then when it ended, I was like… wait, that’s it?! And not because I wanted more, but because nothing really felt wrapped up.
If you like cult-related stories, you might enjoy this one. It just wasn’t a favorite for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced listening copy.
January 14, 2026
Compelling
When a hard-working mother of two is approached by a shifty character, intrigue is born. He brings with him photos and memories of a past she has tried to forget. As she worries about the threat to her current life, she can’t help but wonder about the people she left behind.
There is tension and intrigue as the author skilfully draws us into the main character’s past. There is a sense of joy and support, yet hints of manipulation and possibly danger. There is something of a twist yet the end doesn’t quite live up to the buildup and feels a little too neat.
A fascinating take on the susceptibility to cults, particularly when magnified by the use of social media.
When a hard-working mother of two is approached by a shifty character, intrigue is born. He brings with him photos and memories of a past she has tried to forget. As she worries about the threat to her current life, she can’t help but wonder about the people she left behind.
There is tension and intrigue as the author skilfully draws us into the main character’s past. There is a sense of joy and support, yet hints of manipulation and possibly danger. There is something of a twist yet the end doesn’t quite live up to the buildup and feels a little too neat.
A fascinating take on the susceptibility to cults, particularly when magnified by the use of social media.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced copy of Follow Her from Netgalley in exchange for my review. Follow Her will be published 02/01/2026.
I really struggled with the storyline and it was so disappointing because I do usually really love cult based books. I think they can occasionally be done really well with a slow lead-in but Follow Her didn’t seem to ever really build up. Perhaps the withheld information was intentional but it felt really frustrating as a reader.
The topic of a social media cult has a lot of promise and I would encourage the author to write more into that. Unfortunately, the characters weren’t captivating and the story felt a bit all over the place.
I really struggled with the storyline and it was so disappointing because I do usually really love cult based books. I think they can occasionally be done really well with a slow lead-in but Follow Her didn’t seem to ever really build up. Perhaps the withheld information was intentional but it felt really frustrating as a reader.
The topic of a social media cult has a lot of promise and I would encourage the author to write more into that. Unfortunately, the characters weren’t captivating and the story felt a bit all over the place.
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