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American Spirits
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Expected 14 Apr 26A love letter to pop music, American Spirits charts an icon’s fall—and an obsessive fangirl’s rise.
Thirty-eight-year-old Blue Velour has finally achieved the critical acclaim she’s long been chasing. Over the last decade, she’s released six studio albums to mixed reviews, landing her somewhere between performance artist and niche legend. But her latest album, Blue’s Beard—a cheeky reference to the subreddit fanatically dedicated to her suspected secret relationship with longtime producer Sasha Harlow—has rocket-launched her reputation. Blue hires nerdy superfan Rose Lutz as her assistant to handle the pressures of the upcoming tour.
When the pandemic shuts down the tour, however, Blue decides to hole up in the redwoods with Sasha to make another album. An aspiring singer herself, Rose is frothing at the mouth to be isolated in a cabin with these two legends, but what begins as a creative retreat spirals into a flurry of chaos and betrayal—culminating in a tragic act that changes their lives forever.
Smart, entertaining, and edgy, American Spirits is a compelling exploration of the dark side of fame.
Thirty-eight-year-old Blue Velour has finally achieved the critical acclaim she’s long been chasing. Over the last decade, she’s released six studio albums to mixed reviews, landing her somewhere between performance artist and niche legend. But her latest album, Blue’s Beard—a cheeky reference to the subreddit fanatically dedicated to her suspected secret relationship with longtime producer Sasha Harlow—has rocket-launched her reputation. Blue hires nerdy superfan Rose Lutz as her assistant to handle the pressures of the upcoming tour.
When the pandemic shuts down the tour, however, Blue decides to hole up in the redwoods with Sasha to make another album. An aspiring singer herself, Rose is frothing at the mouth to be isolated in a cabin with these two legends, but what begins as a creative retreat spirals into a flurry of chaos and betrayal—culminating in a tragic act that changes their lives forever.
Smart, entertaining, and edgy, American Spirits is a compelling exploration of the dark side of fame.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 14, 2026
9555 people want to read
About the author
Anna Dorn
6 books935 followersAnna Dorn is the author of Perfume & Pain, Exalted, Bad Lawyer, and Vagablonde. She was a Lambda Literary Fellow and Exalted was a finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize. Her next novel, American Spirits, is forthcoming from Simon & Schuster. She lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 20, 2025
i loved writing this book so much i hope it's not terrible <3
November 3, 2025
The second that I started this, I was all in. It reads like a Reddit thriller crossed with Lana del Rey Tumblr culture, and is completely un-put-downable.
Blue, a thirty-eight year old pop star at the top of her game, impulsively hires a woman named Rose to be her assistant - what she doesn't realize is that Rose is the founder of a crazed Reddit forum, dedicated to figuring out whether or not she's romantically involved with her music producer (a woman named Sasha). Shortly after her new tour begins, the COVID-lockdown is initiated, leaving the three of them at a remote cabin together, collaborating on a pandemic album, much like ~Folklore.
This was a total rollercoaster, with each page growing more twisted, more frantic. Every character in here has an unknowable self, lurking beneath the surface, giving the whole thing a shimmery, if not deranged feel to it. And the ending? Not to be dramatic, but I would do anything to read that for the first time, again.
An incredible book that I am already looking forward to reading again.
Blue, a thirty-eight year old pop star at the top of her game, impulsively hires a woman named Rose to be her assistant - what she doesn't realize is that Rose is the founder of a crazed Reddit forum, dedicated to figuring out whether or not she's romantically involved with her music producer (a woman named Sasha). Shortly after her new tour begins, the COVID-lockdown is initiated, leaving the three of them at a remote cabin together, collaborating on a pandemic album, much like ~Folklore.
This was a total rollercoaster, with each page growing more twisted, more frantic. Every character in here has an unknowable self, lurking beneath the surface, giving the whole thing a shimmery, if not deranged feel to it. And the ending? Not to be dramatic, but I would do anything to read that for the first time, again.
An incredible book that I am already looking forward to reading again.
August 12, 2025
Rich and luscious.
An in-depth look at the complexity of mixing work and sex. Riveting and addicting.
Loved the use of a Reddit obsessive group of fans as a mirror - fans forgetting celebrities are people, have a right to privacy. And make mistakes.
An excellent look at the pressure, the cost of sobriety, reasons to a decent person.
An in-depth look at the complexity of mixing work and sex. Riveting and addicting.
Loved the use of a Reddit obsessive group of fans as a mirror - fans forgetting celebrities are people, have a right to privacy. And make mistakes.
An excellent look at the pressure, the cost of sobriety, reasons to a decent person.
July 21, 2025
need to hear “a vape cartridge named desire”
Want to read
June 11, 2025when anna shared a snippet of this book at a chevalier's books reading, she mentioned how lana del rey-coded it is. it is all i needed to know to hook me in.
instant will-read.
instant will-read.
August 7, 2025
What in the parasocial relationship did I just read?! (in a good way)
American Spirits is an ode to pop music, pop culture, and “the ultimate woman, Lana Del Rey.” It is very cool girl, very Lana-coded. It’s for the girls and the gays that just “get it,” and especially those that love the internet, chain smoking, and self sabotage!
In the novel, we get to follow the POVs of two unhinged women battling to be the main character, Blue and Rose; Blue is a successful pop icon and Rose is her biggest fan/wannabe. While they seemingly land on quite opposite ends of the unhinged woman spectrum, when their worlds collide, they might actually be more similar than they appear on the surface, especially when it comes to their mutual interest in producer Sasha Harlow. What follows is a sharp, satirical tale of obsession, love, and the lengths one will go for clout.
Short, alternating perspective chapters with Reddit posts thrown in the mix makes for an engrossing read. Anna Dorn always delivers lesbian greatness, and this novel is no exception, with some fun nods to her previous novels thrown in (what a great detail)!
Thank you so much to Anna Dorn for writing this, and to Net Galley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for allowing me to receive this ARC.
American Spirits is set to release April 14, 2026, and this is one party you definitely don’t want to miss!
American Spirits is an ode to pop music, pop culture, and “the ultimate woman, Lana Del Rey.” It is very cool girl, very Lana-coded. It’s for the girls and the gays that just “get it,” and especially those that love the internet, chain smoking, and self sabotage!
In the novel, we get to follow the POVs of two unhinged women battling to be the main character, Blue and Rose; Blue is a successful pop icon and Rose is her biggest fan/wannabe. While they seemingly land on quite opposite ends of the unhinged woman spectrum, when their worlds collide, they might actually be more similar than they appear on the surface, especially when it comes to their mutual interest in producer Sasha Harlow. What follows is a sharp, satirical tale of obsession, love, and the lengths one will go for clout.
Short, alternating perspective chapters with Reddit posts thrown in the mix makes for an engrossing read. Anna Dorn always delivers lesbian greatness, and this novel is no exception, with some fun nods to her previous novels thrown in (what a great detail)!
Thank you so much to Anna Dorn for writing this, and to Net Galley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for allowing me to receive this ARC.
American Spirits is set to release April 14, 2026, and this is one party you definitely don’t want to miss!
September 9, 2025
Suddenly I’m 15 years old listening to Lana Del Rey, scrolling Reddit, sneaking a cig and watching Gaylor conspiracy videos! oh wait that’s the vibes this book gives. Ridiculous, unhinged, chaotic, pop music stan culture on crack. Iconic and the girls and gays who love this book will just get it. ILY Anna you crazy girl.
September 29, 2025
5⭐️ 3🌶
Wow, this book is step ahead. Hats off to the author. This is my first novel of hers. It definitely won't be the last.
She's able to craft a twisted tale, much like a high-rise water slide. Each step you take leads to a higher level of intrigue and betrayal. Platform after platform twists the views of the main characters, making you dizzy and filled with dread, but turning around and going back isn't an option. When you reach that top level and descend into the slide, knowing there's no way out, you're in too deep. You can close your eyes, but the pressure won't let up until you start the descent. The twists and turns thrash you about as the plot jettisons you to a knowing splash into the deep end. You hold on for dear life through every crazy drop and feel your stomach bottom out, praying that you make it through unscathed, knowing it's an unlikely outcome.
Her ability to bring you along this ride and evoke the time before the pandemic and the fever and unknowingness that took over during this time, all while crafting a cautionary tale of celebrity obsession, addiction fandom, and capturing the raw id of bipolar mania is a master class. This story takes place over several years, but time flies when you're watching this train crash play out.
I don't want to give too much away. The main characters, Blue, Rose, and Sasha, are all flawed. No one has moral superiority, but that is what makes this so delightful.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review. I want to thank Netgalley and Simon publishing.
Wow, this book is step ahead. Hats off to the author. This is my first novel of hers. It definitely won't be the last.
She's able to craft a twisted tale, much like a high-rise water slide. Each step you take leads to a higher level of intrigue and betrayal. Platform after platform twists the views of the main characters, making you dizzy and filled with dread, but turning around and going back isn't an option. When you reach that top level and descend into the slide, knowing there's no way out, you're in too deep. You can close your eyes, but the pressure won't let up until you start the descent. The twists and turns thrash you about as the plot jettisons you to a knowing splash into the deep end. You hold on for dear life through every crazy drop and feel your stomach bottom out, praying that you make it through unscathed, knowing it's an unlikely outcome.
Her ability to bring you along this ride and evoke the time before the pandemic and the fever and unknowingness that took over during this time, all while crafting a cautionary tale of celebrity obsession, addiction fandom, and capturing the raw id of bipolar mania is a master class. This story takes place over several years, but time flies when you're watching this train crash play out.
I don't want to give too much away. The main characters, Blue, Rose, and Sasha, are all flawed. No one has moral superiority, but that is what makes this so delightful.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review. I want to thank Netgalley and Simon publishing.
August 2, 2025
Gauzy and indulgent and absolute perfection.
I love a problematic, delusional, and self-destructive main character but in the very precise way that Anna Dorn knows how to craft.
Anna Dorn is my national anthem and she can take me for all that I’ve got.
I love a problematic, delusional, and self-destructive main character but in the very precise way that Anna Dorn knows how to craft.
Anna Dorn is my national anthem and she can take me for all that I’ve got.
August 1, 2025
WTF (complimentary)
first of all, I devoured this.
second of all YESSS this book was so delicious.
I truly never knew what to expect at any moment, and in true anna dorn fashion the ending is totally and completely batshit crazy (once again, complimentary).
also, perhaps the beginning of the anna dorn cinematic universe 👀👀 love all the little hints and references to her past characters.
such a cool way to explore the theme of fan/stan culture, queer speculation, and the violence that can come along with it.
so trippy and beautiful.
also, “a vape cartridge named desire” is an unreal name for a fake song and I highkey need the lyrics.
I feel like rose on the subreddit writing this review LOL. this one will definitely stick with me.
first of all, I devoured this.
second of all YESSS this book was so delicious.
I truly never knew what to expect at any moment, and in true anna dorn fashion the ending is totally and completely batshit crazy (once again, complimentary).
also, perhaps the beginning of the anna dorn cinematic universe 👀👀 love all the little hints and references to her past characters.
such a cool way to explore the theme of fan/stan culture, queer speculation, and the violence that can come along with it.
so trippy and beautiful.
also, “a vape cartridge named desire” is an unreal name for a fake song and I highkey need the lyrics.
I feel like rose on the subreddit writing this review LOL. this one will definitely stick with me.
Want to read
June 21, 2025Anna Dorn is the chaotic queer author we all need in our lives.
August 22, 2025
American Spirits by Anna Dorn is the literary equivalent of a 350-page tabloid article—entertaining but lacking substance.
American Spirits centers around a cult pop star named Blue Velour defined by her brash (some might say problematic) public persona and grungy, hyper-feminine aesthetic. Many of Blue’s fans are convinced that she’s in a sapphic relationship with her producer, Sasha. One superfan named Rose creates a subreddit called r/BluesBeards dedicated to uncovering hints that Blue and Sasha are deeply in love. Rose’s obsessiveness pays off when she learns that Blue is hiring a personal assistant. She gets the job and soon finds herself enmeshed in Blue’s life. When the pandemic leads Blue, Sasha, and Rose to isolate together in a luxury cabin in northern California, their unmitigated desires and ambitions lead to explosive results.
Anna Dorn loves to write about toxic, obsessive sapphics. American Spirits takes that theme and dials it to 100. This book is nonstop toxic female drama nestled in the context of obsessive fan subreddits like r/GaylorSwift, a subreddit dedicated to uncovering “hints” and “Easter eggs” that Taylor Swift is actually a lesbian. I’ll admit that the story drew me in; it’s propulsive and pulpy in Dorn’s signature style.
But at the end of the day, I grew tired of the drama, especially in the absence of deeper thematic exploration. Much like the devoted fans of Blue Velour who dissect her lyrics to shreds for supposed hints at sapphic love, one could spend considerable time analyzing how American Spirits comments on fame and fan culture—but does such commentary really exist? Or would we be fabricating deeper meanings out of what is ultimately just a fun, aestheticized piece of entertainment?
In American Spirits, Blue Velour’s unfiltered, self-absorbed, and out-of-touch nonsense (describing Ayn Rand as “the original girl boss”, for example) is part of her charm. These qualities, however, draw ire during the height of the pandemic and George Floyd protests. Blue could not care less about stopping the spread or standing in solidarity with black Americans. She’s casually racist in an ignorant sort of way. Dorn has enough plausible deniability here to deflect accusations of being problematic herself. Blue’s racism is obviously meant to poke fun at how clueless celebrities become lightning rods for scrutiny in culture wars. There is also a frame-narrative, meta-element to the book that further removes Dorn from the story and possible criticisms of it. I noticed a similar pattern in Perfume and Pain, and it makes me somewhat uneasy. I think white authors who write racist characters have a greater responsibility to address and critique that racism, whereas Dorn seems to use it merely as adornment for her protagonists’ royally problematic crowns.
Those who love toxic drama will probably love American Spirits. It kept me entertained for a day or so. However, I’m not convinced that much literary value exists behind the colorful, dynamic smoke show.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2025
I loved this! So much fun, soo dramatic, for chronically online ppl who have good taste in music :) Anna Dorn we need the perfume analysis ty <3
August 26, 2025
Everything Anna Dorn writes is just so FUN! This was a drama filled, extremely online book. I loved the use of Reddit and references to Lana and Tumblr (if you were on Tumblr from 2011-2017, you know). I loved how problematic and self-destructive every character was, and I especially loved the cameos of other characters from Dorn's previous works. I love the focus on parasocial relationships and fan-fic, and the ENDING got me. This is for anyone who loves the internet and insanity.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.
Want to read
August 22, 2025Arc!!!
December 1, 2025
R/AnnaDorn'sIconic ⚫️ posted by u/read.weirdbooks ⚫️ November 2025
AMERICAN SPIRITS HER BEST YET ?!?!?!
OMG, OMG, OMG. Has anyone else gotten their greedy paws on Anna Dorn's latest (and greatest?) novel 'American Spirits'? Or am I suppose to hold in all my thoughts about this book until it's release in April? Because I don't think I can. I will combust.
Okay, so like this book is about two different women (okay well technically three). Blue Velour, who is bit of a wild card and quite self destructive, is a famous singer about to embark on a tour of her new album through small-town America. Rose, a die hard Blue fan, is the creator of subreddit where they analyze everything Blue does and says to figure out all the subtle ways she's trying to tell her fans that she is secretly in a relationship with her producer, Sasha. Rose is given the opportunity to become Blue's new assistant (!!!), which is like a dream come true. But COVID hits, canceling the tour and causing the three women to escape to a remote cabin in the woods where Blue is determined to create a new album. But Rose, who wants to have everything Blue has in life (including Sasha), takes this as an opportunity to get her own foot in the door for the music industry.
I love books about parasocial relationships, especially completely delusional ones where they will try to find meaning in every little thing the celebrity does. This was totally a modern take on the movie "All About Eve". Nobody writes toxic women and toxic sapphic relationships like Dorn.
I was like totally side eyeing the last couple chapters (like Anna wtf is this cheese fest?) But then BAM the final little tidbit! I died. Literally dead. I was soo floored! I never saw it coming I have to admit. Anna you got me good! This is the kind of book you want swiped from your memory to read all over again.
(P.s. if you are new to my reviews please know I swear I don't actually talk like this, I'm replicating reddit posters from the book.
Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the free arc in exchange for my honest review.
AMERICAN SPIRITS HER BEST YET ?!?!?!
OMG, OMG, OMG. Has anyone else gotten their greedy paws on Anna Dorn's latest (and greatest?) novel 'American Spirits'? Or am I suppose to hold in all my thoughts about this book until it's release in April? Because I don't think I can. I will combust.
Okay, so like this book is about two different women (okay well technically three). Blue Velour, who is bit of a wild card and quite self destructive, is a famous singer about to embark on a tour of her new album through small-town America. Rose, a die hard Blue fan, is the creator of subreddit where they analyze everything Blue does and says to figure out all the subtle ways she's trying to tell her fans that she is secretly in a relationship with her producer, Sasha. Rose is given the opportunity to become Blue's new assistant (!!!), which is like a dream come true. But COVID hits, canceling the tour and causing the three women to escape to a remote cabin in the woods where Blue is determined to create a new album. But Rose, who wants to have everything Blue has in life (including Sasha), takes this as an opportunity to get her own foot in the door for the music industry.
I love books about parasocial relationships, especially completely delusional ones where they will try to find meaning in every little thing the celebrity does. This was totally a modern take on the movie "All About Eve". Nobody writes toxic women and toxic sapphic relationships like Dorn.
I was like totally side eyeing the last couple chapters (like Anna wtf is this cheese fest?) But then BAM the final little tidbit! I died. Literally dead. I was soo floored! I never saw it coming I have to admit. Anna you got me good! This is the kind of book you want swiped from your memory to read all over again.
(P.s. if you are new to my reviews please know I swear I don't actually talk like this, I'm replicating reddit posters from the book.
Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the free arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 16, 2025
A Lana Dey Rey inspired drama about the music industry and fandom- love. I adored Perfume and Pain and was pleased to see the same humor in American Spirits.
Pros: All the characters were fully fleshed out and the multiple POVs worked seamlessly. The aesthetic was nailed and I loved the drama of it all. I personally liked the ending and didn't see it coming. If you find Gaylors intriguing, the subreddit created in this book seems to be modeled off that theory.
Cons: The pacing seemed off, as the first 60% was a bit slow before it really picked up. Sometimes reading the descriptions of the music/ articles written about the albums felt tedious but that could be due to my lack of personal interest in it- others may enjoy it.
A solid 3 stars. I much preferred Perfume and Pain and am curious how other will perceive this one!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my review
Pros: All the characters were fully fleshed out and the multiple POVs worked seamlessly. The aesthetic was nailed and I loved the drama of it all. I personally liked the ending and didn't see it coming. If you find Gaylors intriguing, the subreddit created in this book seems to be modeled off that theory.
Cons: The pacing seemed off, as the first 60% was a bit slow before it really picked up. Sometimes reading the descriptions of the music/ articles written about the albums felt tedious but that could be due to my lack of personal interest in it- others may enjoy it.
A solid 3 stars. I much preferred Perfume and Pain and am curious how other will perceive this one!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my review
October 27, 2025
A most anticipated read for me - Perfume & Pain was my fave read of last year and Exalted was stellar as well. The premise of this book was so original and it did not disappoint - I was gripped until the very last page and it left my jaw on the floor. I'm familiar with fandom spaces and shipping culture and I think that made it an even more interesting read for me. An easy 5 stars. Can't wait to pick up a physical copy!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
December 19, 2025
Let me start out by saying I loved Exalted and Perfume and Pain. I am shocked by how much I disliked this.
American Spirits follows a pop star named Blue and her crazy fan base on Reddit. A woman named Rose creates a subreddit dedicated to uncovering hints that Blue and her producer Sasha are in a relationship. Blue needs to hire an assistant and ends up hiring Rose, the creator of the subreddit, without knowing she is an obsessive fan. When the pandemic hits, the three women end up isolated and quarantined together. The story goes from there.
I had many problems with this book. I feel as though we keep getting the same unhinged stalker woman drama stories. I generally enjoy Anna’s writing so I want to see MORE from her. I truly want the best for her and I don’t think this book reflects that.
This is satire on obsessed internet culture, celebrity culture, and just how out of touch celebrities become in general. I LOVE satirical novels and yet I felt like the satire was kind of….okay and? I didn’t feel as though this proved any sort of point. Everything felt very surface level and these characters were unlikeable in a way where I was just annoyed. (Constantly mentioning vaping, music references, how edgy she is for not caring about the pandemic and BLM, etc). There’s a meta aspect to this book that removes the author completely from any sort of backlash and this was something she also did in Perfume and Pain. Again, I want her to do something DIFFERENT. This read like a never ending stream of random thoughts and events happening (it also takes place over 5 years which doesn’t help) and it got to a point where I literally felt as though I were reading an internet thread full of nonsense myself (aside from the fact that there are also Reddit posts in this book). The pacing was entirely off because it starts off as a day by day the first half of the book and then suddenly starts jumping around within the span of FIVE YEARS during the second half.
I am just completely disappointed by this, sorry.
American Spirits follows a pop star named Blue and her crazy fan base on Reddit. A woman named Rose creates a subreddit dedicated to uncovering hints that Blue and her producer Sasha are in a relationship. Blue needs to hire an assistant and ends up hiring Rose, the creator of the subreddit, without knowing she is an obsessive fan. When the pandemic hits, the three women end up isolated and quarantined together. The story goes from there.
I had many problems with this book. I feel as though we keep getting the same unhinged stalker woman drama stories. I generally enjoy Anna’s writing so I want to see MORE from her. I truly want the best for her and I don’t think this book reflects that.
This is satire on obsessed internet culture, celebrity culture, and just how out of touch celebrities become in general. I LOVE satirical novels and yet I felt like the satire was kind of….okay and? I didn’t feel as though this proved any sort of point. Everything felt very surface level and these characters were unlikeable in a way where I was just annoyed. (Constantly mentioning vaping, music references, how edgy she is for not caring about the pandemic and BLM, etc). There’s a meta aspect to this book that removes the author completely from any sort of backlash and this was something she also did in Perfume and Pain. Again, I want her to do something DIFFERENT. This read like a never ending stream of random thoughts and events happening (it also takes place over 5 years which doesn’t help) and it got to a point where I literally felt as though I were reading an internet thread full of nonsense myself (aside from the fact that there are also Reddit posts in this book). The pacing was entirely off because it starts off as a day by day the first half of the book and then suddenly starts jumping around within the span of FIVE YEARS during the second half.
I am just completely disappointed by this, sorry.
August 5, 2025
American Spirits by Anna Dorn is for the fangirls. Blue Velour has put out album after album, working with well-known producer Sasha Harlow (who may or may not also be known for sleeping with many of the artists she works with). Many fans believe Blue and Sasha are together, and the ones that vehemently believe they are together live on r/BlueBeards. Blue has always been impulsive, chaotic and artistic - making passionate and fiery music with Sasha. Blue has made a career out of her music and her stardom, something she always dreamed of. Rose Lutz is an aspiring Blue Velour-level popstar, and also a superfan of Blue. Through the subreddit, Rose snags a job as Blue’s assistant and becomes enmeshed in Blue’s, and eventually Sasha's, lives.
This book masterfully spins a world where chaos is the norm, characters are imperfect and evolving (sometimes for the best and sometimes for the worst), and fame is everything. Rose gets swept up in the whirlwind that is Blue Velour. This novel explores fandom, fame, money, privilege, and an addiction to the spotlight that drives artists to do anything to stay relevant. This book is fun and fast-paced, and fans of Reddit, Gaylor, Larry, or any other ultra-specific subsect of a fandom will love. It reminded me of my days on the One Direction fanpages in my teens. Anna Dorn’s books are steeped in pop-culture references and makes her novels a completely immersive experience for the reader.
This book masterfully spins a world where chaos is the norm, characters are imperfect and evolving (sometimes for the best and sometimes for the worst), and fame is everything. Rose gets swept up in the whirlwind that is Blue Velour. This novel explores fandom, fame, money, privilege, and an addiction to the spotlight that drives artists to do anything to stay relevant. This book is fun and fast-paced, and fans of Reddit, Gaylor, Larry, or any other ultra-specific subsect of a fandom will love. It reminded me of my days on the One Direction fanpages in my teens. Anna Dorn’s books are steeped in pop-culture references and makes her novels a completely immersive experience for the reader.
August 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of American Spirits by Anna Dorn.
I absolutely devoured this book and could’ve read this in one sitting. The writing was very online, and in a good way. I loved the concept and thought that it was tastefully done and the ending that the entire novel was a fanfic… *chefs kiss*
Dorn did a great job of creating the world of Blue Velour, Sasha Harlow and Rose Lutz. I felt very immersed in the setting, and loved all of the pop culture references in the novel.
Out of the books I’ve read this year, this one is my favorite. So GOOD!
I absolutely devoured this book and could’ve read this in one sitting. The writing was very online, and in a good way. I loved the concept and thought that it was tastefully done and the ending that the entire novel was a fanfic… *chefs kiss*
Dorn did a great job of creating the world of Blue Velour, Sasha Harlow and Rose Lutz. I felt very immersed in the setting, and loved all of the pop culture references in the novel.
Out of the books I’ve read this year, this one is my favorite. So GOOD!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
I really should have written this review sooner, but honestly, I have no idea what to say. It was certainly very interesting. In fact, it gave me a somewhat similar vibe to some of the Taylor Jenkins Reid books I've read, in that it follows of fictitious celebrity and their career, and somehow manages to feel very real?
So basically, we have Blue Velour, who'sLana Del Rey this famous singer/songwriter, and then we have Rose, who's a superfan, and the founder of a subreddit dedicated to Blue's supposed romantic relationship with her producer, Sasha. Rose, through an acquaintance made on said subreddit, manages to get a job as Blue's personal assistant, and well, things start happening. Especially when the pandemic yes, that pandemic, it was so weird reading about it lol hits. Blue, Rose, and Sasha retreat to a cabin in the redwoods, where Blue and Sasha begin working on a new album, and let's just say there's some drama. A possible love triangle. I personally love reading about drama, so I found that fun.
Also, it was interspersed with posts from the subreddit at the ends of a lot of the chapters, and I found that interesting too, seeing what the fans were thinking, and how they chose to interpret things. The parasocial relationship was strong with this one. Like, honestly, people, celebrities are people too, yk, let them be.
Now, however, we need to return to that whole Lana Del Rey thing. Because not only is Blue's music described in a way that makes it clear it sounds like Lana's, the whole aesthetic matches, it's claimed she was the inspiration for artists who have claimed Lana Del Rey to be an inspiration to them irl AND she had an album that was controversial because people claimed it glamorized abuse. Sound familiar? I've never been one to read fanfics about real people, but I kinda feel like this could be a Lana Del Rey fanfic? And, I mean, like I said, it was enjoyable, and it's not like it was poorly written, but those similarities were kinda wild to me.
Oh, and what's with throwing shade at Taylor Swift? She is a talented songwriter, and no one is convincing me otherwise. I get that no music is for everyone but come on.
Also, I have no idea what to make of that ending. That like, after the last chapter ending. It really threw me through a loop, and I'm not so sure that I'm a fan.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
So basically, we have Blue Velour, who's
Also, it was interspersed with posts from the subreddit at the ends of a lot of the chapters, and I found that interesting too, seeing what the fans were thinking, and how they chose to interpret things. The parasocial relationship was strong with this one. Like, honestly, people, celebrities are people too, yk, let them be.
Now, however, we need to return to that whole Lana Del Rey thing. Because not only is Blue's music described in a way that makes it clear it sounds like Lana's, the whole aesthetic matches, it's claimed she was the inspiration for artists who have claimed Lana Del Rey to be an inspiration to them irl AND she had an album that was controversial because people claimed it glamorized abuse. Sound familiar? I've never been one to read fanfics about real people, but I kinda feel like this could be a Lana Del Rey fanfic? And, I mean, like I said, it was enjoyable, and it's not like it was poorly written, but those similarities were kinda wild to me.
Oh, and what's with throwing shade at Taylor Swift? She is a talented songwriter, and no one is convincing me otherwise. I get that no music is for everyone but come on.
Also, I have no idea what to make of that ending. That like, after the last chapter ending. It really threw me through a loop, and I'm not so sure that I'm a fan.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
Who knew that Anna Dorn would become the gay terminally online answer to David Mitchell?
(Also, I'm pretty sure we like all the same things, so that definitely helps.)
(Also, I'm pretty sure we like all the same things, so that definitely helps.)
December 24, 2025
immensely readable, thrilling, and riveting. I could not put this one down
October 21, 2025
Nonstop yes.
September 22, 2025
Only Anna Dorn could make a pandemic novel this fun!! I want to listen to a Blue Velour record so badly…maybe I need to start listening to Lana Del Rey again. There’s a twist at the very end that I didn’t entirely love but otherwise this is really a great novel about obsessive fandom. I love a novel that incorporates alternate forms of media, like Reddit posts and music reviews in this case, and I thought Dorn really captured the tone of these so well. If you’ve enjoyed other Anna Dorn novels or books like Big Swiss, or just generally enjoy unlikeable mentally ill queers, definitely pick this one up.
August 21, 2025
PAZ DE LA HUERTA MENTIONED!!!!!
August 19, 2025
Anna Dorn has quickly become one of my favourite writers and I loved this book just as I've enjoyed her other novels! I love books set in LA and I love complex characters like both Blue and Rose. I thought it was clever to intersect worlds (shout out Vagablonde!) and the ending was a bit of a twist I didn't see coming. Would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
August 25, 2025
WE LOVE A TWIST
In all seriousness, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this novel since I read it a month ago. It is sultry and seductive and gets stuck in your head like a song. The characters are messy and queer and not so easily redeemable; it’s clear Dorn loves her protagonists and the community about which she’s writing, which makes her satire feel more… humane? Grounded? The mentor/mentee psychosexual drama of it all!
In all seriousness, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this novel since I read it a month ago. It is sultry and seductive and gets stuck in your head like a song. The characters are messy and queer and not so easily redeemable; it’s clear Dorn loves her protagonists and the community about which she’s writing, which makes her satire feel more… humane? Grounded? The mentor/mentee psychosexual drama of it all!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2025
Oh, boy.
This felt tailor made for me from the description—A superfan becomes the assistant to an enigmatic musician, they end up in lockdown together with an acclaimed producer, things get messy. Somehow, all the mess didn’t make for a compelling story at all. We’ve got three well-drawn characters, plenty of flaws on show, butting up against each other in a very contained space. It should be a recipe for excitement!
Unfortunately, the incredible amount of exposition in the first half of the novel dragged the pacing down to a degree that was excruciating. Rose’s thesis about Blue being inserted into the first portion of the novel was the example that nearly made me put the book down and walk away. But I stuck around! I was just hooked enough by the familiar vibes of the characters, by all the pop culture references (a thing I loved in Dorn’s Perfume & Pain), and by the promise of potential to think it could get better.
Perhaps even more unfortunately, I was starting to vibe with the book again in the last third or so. The final Reddit post, however? Ruined all the goodwill I had for it. Irritating at best. Had it ended just short of that, I would’ve been much happier with the way things ended. It would be much cleaner, and much more satisfying.
Who is this for? Well. Hard to say! If you loved the play Stereophonic but wished you had a version about Lana Del Rey, Jack Antonoff, Lorde, and their other collaborators? This could be for you! If you’re well-versed in that whole landscape, it’s especially fun to pick out all the little references to them.
I really wish I’d enjoyed this more. Two stars, which could’ve been three if the ending hadn’t been such an incredible misstep.
This felt tailor made for me from the description—A superfan becomes the assistant to an enigmatic musician, they end up in lockdown together with an acclaimed producer, things get messy. Somehow, all the mess didn’t make for a compelling story at all. We’ve got three well-drawn characters, plenty of flaws on show, butting up against each other in a very contained space. It should be a recipe for excitement!
Unfortunately, the incredible amount of exposition in the first half of the novel dragged the pacing down to a degree that was excruciating. Rose’s thesis about Blue being inserted into the first portion of the novel was the example that nearly made me put the book down and walk away. But I stuck around! I was just hooked enough by the familiar vibes of the characters, by all the pop culture references (a thing I loved in Dorn’s Perfume & Pain), and by the promise of potential to think it could get better.
Perhaps even more unfortunately, I was starting to vibe with the book again in the last third or so. The final Reddit post, however? Ruined all the goodwill I had for it. Irritating at best. Had it ended just short of that, I would’ve been much happier with the way things ended. It would be much cleaner, and much more satisfying.
Who is this for? Well. Hard to say! If you loved the play Stereophonic but wished you had a version about Lana Del Rey, Jack Antonoff, Lorde, and their other collaborators? This could be for you! If you’re well-versed in that whole landscape, it’s especially fun to pick out all the little references to them.
I really wish I’d enjoyed this more. Two stars, which could’ve been three if the ending hadn’t been such an incredible misstep.
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