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Follow Her
Not yet published
Expected 1 Feb 26Some 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
Expected publication February 1, 2026
176 people want to read
About the author
Anna Stothard
8 books50 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
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.
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 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.
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
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
(Copy received via Amazon First Reads)
This was an absorbing read. The story jumps between two time frames, building and revealing a mystery through what happened in the past and its current influence. Each time the truth seems to be revealed, a shift sends you down an alternate path.
Great writing and engaging characters make it easy to read in big blocks. The use of social media and recent history anchor it firmly in the now in an unforced way, but also serve to support the timeline of the overall story.
This was an absorbing read. The story jumps between two time frames, building and revealing a mystery through what happened in the past and its current influence. Each time the truth seems to be revealed, a shift sends you down an alternate path.
Great writing and engaging characters make it easy to read in big blocks. The use of social media and recent history anchor it firmly in the now in an unforced way, but also serve to support the timeline of the overall story.
January 12, 2026
Got from Amazon first reads before release.
The concept was incredibly interesting. The writing was descriptive and engaging in parts however at times it made it clunky and hard to follow. Some parts seemed like repetition.
Some parts of the plot could have been delved into a little bit more and other parts were completely over-done. I thought the theme of cults and power was explored really well without sensationalising it too much. Some interesting ideas left ambiguous which was a realistic approach to the secretive topic of cults etc.
Overall I would say, give it a read
The concept was incredibly interesting. The writing was descriptive and engaging in parts however at times it made it clunky and hard to follow. Some parts seemed like repetition.
Some parts of the plot could have been delved into a little bit more and other parts were completely over-done. I thought the theme of cults and power was explored really well without sensationalising it too much. Some interesting ideas left ambiguous which was a realistic approach to the secretive topic of cults etc.
Overall I would say, give it a read
Review of advance copy
Thank you Amazon for my free January "Kindle First Reads". A difficult one, this. I'm not sure "enjoyed" is the right word. The content was not pleasant at times but for me it felt very real. Viral internet growth, the power that comes with that, alongside some very interesting insights into cult following - how the desires of people can develop and manifest into absolute belief. A huge implication around manipulation throughout, alongside desire, sadness, abuse and cruelty.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I downloaded Follow Her. Another fantastic book by Anna Stothard. From the moment I picked it up, I struggled to put it down. The descriptions are incredible, I can picture every scene. This is a fabulous cult story with a difference! It covers the origins of a cult and the fine line between love and worship. It’s funny, dark and human! Can’t recommend highly enough.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Uff-da. That was not a bang-up start to the year! Narrator is a great fit for vibe of the story, and is perhaps the highlight of the entire title; however, the overall book is…not great. The plot is a lot of nothing, that unfortunately goes nowhere. I kept hoping for *something*, but just NOPE. Bummer, dude.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a great read. The depiction of the tidal island is beautifully atmospheric and the characters so intricately woven together - you really feel like you are in a cult. Really enjoyed the relationship between the two main protagonists too. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy
Really enjoyed. Super compelling subject, page turner, with lots to talk about. I'm going to recommend this for my book club!
Review of advance copy
started off a bit clanky but gained confidence in itself over time. really developed a sense of dread/fear and concern over what was going on etc. i really really loved grace's character
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.
Review of advance copy
Unsure how I felt about it slow and didn’t flow at first picked up towards the end. Read through Amazon first reads
Review of advance copy
Amazon First Reads- read in a single day, practically a single sitting. Very captivating!
January 13, 2026
I liked this and I don’t understand the hate so far ! 3.75 ⭐️ but I round up on Goodreads. The ending fell a little flat I will admit
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews