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Close Relationships with Strangers
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Expected 23 Jun 26Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler meets Ryan Gosling in Drive, Close Relationships with Strangers follows a Las Vegas wildlife photographer who moves to Los Angeles to become a paparazzo and in the process loses his relationships, his morals, and eventually his tether to reality.
Every paparazzo has their white whale, for Ben, that person is movie star Jack Whitlock.
Reviled by celebrities and the public, Ben is one of the last remaining paparazzi scouring the streets of Los Angeles. Amateurs with camera phones, social media, and a lack of bonafide stars have slowly killed a once essential role in the Hollywood apparatus. Jack Whitlock is one of the last remaining A-listers, and Ben has followed his career since the years he spent bussing tables at a diner in Las Vegas where his most popular movie once filmed a scene.
When Jack Whitlock is suddenly embroiled in a sex scandal, Ben begins his pursuit, eager for both a big paycheck and a chance to be close to the elusive star. Along the way, he is haunted by mistakes from his the photos he took of a pop star that have led to death threats, the ghost of his failed relationship with a burlesque dancer named Ellory, and his abandoned dream of being a wildlife photographer.
Searing and propulsive, Close Relationships with Strangers is a behind the lens tour-de-force through the streets of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the desert in between, as readers follow Ben, unrelenting, obsessive, and wry, on a quest that will lead either to his redemption or demise.
Every paparazzo has their white whale, for Ben, that person is movie star Jack Whitlock.
Reviled by celebrities and the public, Ben is one of the last remaining paparazzi scouring the streets of Los Angeles. Amateurs with camera phones, social media, and a lack of bonafide stars have slowly killed a once essential role in the Hollywood apparatus. Jack Whitlock is one of the last remaining A-listers, and Ben has followed his career since the years he spent bussing tables at a diner in Las Vegas where his most popular movie once filmed a scene.
When Jack Whitlock is suddenly embroiled in a sex scandal, Ben begins his pursuit, eager for both a big paycheck and a chance to be close to the elusive star. Along the way, he is haunted by mistakes from his the photos he took of a pop star that have led to death threats, the ghost of his failed relationship with a burlesque dancer named Ellory, and his abandoned dream of being a wildlife photographer.
Searing and propulsive, Close Relationships with Strangers is a behind the lens tour-de-force through the streets of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the desert in between, as readers follow Ben, unrelenting, obsessive, and wry, on a quest that will lead either to his redemption or demise.
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Simon & Schuster #SimonBooksBuddy and Netgalley for the gifted copy of this e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📱Close Relationships With Strangers📱
Author: Krista Diamond
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Close Relationships With Strangers is a gritty and compelling debut novel from Krista Diamond coming in June 2026 from Simon & Schuster. This contemporary fiction read pulled me in with its character-driven story about a paparazzo's unhealthy obsession with getting the perfect shot of the rich and famous.
Diamond's writing was so authentically captivating as she shared Ben's story, and the pacing throughout the book really kept me intrigued. For me, this was a pretty fast read.
Ben is a Las Vegas photographer who moves to Los Angeles to become a paparazzo. In the process, he loses his relationships, his morals, and eventually even loses his tether to reality. The story is told in dual timelines of past and present as we learn about the man Ben was before, the choices he made in those moments, and the subsequent scandal that followed him as a result of his choices. The reader sees the slow unraveling of his life as he becomes more and more unhinged in his obsession to capture that one money-making shot of a Hollywood icon.
Reading about Ben's life unraveling was a lot like driving past a terrible car accident -- you don't want to look, but you can't help yourself. As unhinged as Ben was becoming throughout the pages, there was something about him that had me rooting for his success too -- and I attribute that to Diamond's genuine writing style. There were so many times I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him back to reality, yet his character still captured my heart.
This book is listed as both general fiction and as a thriller. While Ben is definitely an unhinged character, I don't think I'd really call this one a thriller. There are hints of psychological suspense with regard to the train wreck of Ben's life, but this one is definitely more contemporary or general fiction than thriller. The ending of this book feels abrupt and normally I'm not a fan of that kind of ending. But in this book, it really worked and seemed a perfect fit for the main character's descent into a truly unhinged perspective.
If you enjoy character-driven storylines, slow descents into unhinged obsessions, or fictional stories adjacent to the glitzy lifestyles of Hollywood's rich and famous, you will really enjoy Choose Relationships With Strangers. Diamond's well-written and authentic debut has me excited to see what she will bring us next -- don't miss this book when it publishes in June. And it's available to request on Netgalley now!
#CloseRelationshipsWithStrangers #KristaDiamond #SimonBooksBuddy #SimonAndSchuster #gifted #eARC #Netgalley #contemporaryfiction #debutnovel #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📱Close Relationships With Strangers📱
Author: Krista Diamond
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Close Relationships With Strangers is a gritty and compelling debut novel from Krista Diamond coming in June 2026 from Simon & Schuster. This contemporary fiction read pulled me in with its character-driven story about a paparazzo's unhealthy obsession with getting the perfect shot of the rich and famous.
Diamond's writing was so authentically captivating as she shared Ben's story, and the pacing throughout the book really kept me intrigued. For me, this was a pretty fast read.
Ben is a Las Vegas photographer who moves to Los Angeles to become a paparazzo. In the process, he loses his relationships, his morals, and eventually even loses his tether to reality. The story is told in dual timelines of past and present as we learn about the man Ben was before, the choices he made in those moments, and the subsequent scandal that followed him as a result of his choices. The reader sees the slow unraveling of his life as he becomes more and more unhinged in his obsession to capture that one money-making shot of a Hollywood icon.
Reading about Ben's life unraveling was a lot like driving past a terrible car accident -- you don't want to look, but you can't help yourself. As unhinged as Ben was becoming throughout the pages, there was something about him that had me rooting for his success too -- and I attribute that to Diamond's genuine writing style. There were so many times I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him back to reality, yet his character still captured my heart.
This book is listed as both general fiction and as a thriller. While Ben is definitely an unhinged character, I don't think I'd really call this one a thriller. There are hints of psychological suspense with regard to the train wreck of Ben's life, but this one is definitely more contemporary or general fiction than thriller. The ending of this book feels abrupt and normally I'm not a fan of that kind of ending. But in this book, it really worked and seemed a perfect fit for the main character's descent into a truly unhinged perspective.
If you enjoy character-driven storylines, slow descents into unhinged obsessions, or fictional stories adjacent to the glitzy lifestyles of Hollywood's rich and famous, you will really enjoy Choose Relationships With Strangers. Diamond's well-written and authentic debut has me excited to see what she will bring us next -- don't miss this book when it publishes in June. And it's available to request on Netgalley now!
#CloseRelationshipsWithStrangers #KristaDiamond #SimonBooksBuddy #SimonAndSchuster #gifted #eARC #Netgalley #contemporaryfiction #debutnovel #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
February 2, 2026
4.75⭐️ Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Wow! If you’re a fan of Brat, Yellowface, or Big Swiss— this is a great read for you!
Close Relationships With Strangers is one man’s journey of replacing one obsession with another to the point of letting it become a manic episode. This is my favorite type of thriller where nothing specifically “happens,” just continuous stress and anxiety over the unlikable main character’s poor life choices. I feel like this will be a hit!
Close Relationships with Strangers comes out this June.
Wow! If you’re a fan of Brat, Yellowface, or Big Swiss— this is a great read for you!
Close Relationships With Strangers is one man’s journey of replacing one obsession with another to the point of letting it become a manic episode. This is my favorite type of thriller where nothing specifically “happens,” just continuous stress and anxiety over the unlikable main character’s poor life choices. I feel like this will be a hit!
Close Relationships with Strangers comes out this June.
Read
April 28, 2026loved. i think you might like if you liked emma cline's the guest
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There are few things I love quite as much as a story about fame. Dealing with how it changes people, the power that comes with it, how easily it can be lost, what people will do to get it. And Close Relationships with Strangers does a really excellent job of showing us how the pursuit of fame can cause us to completely lose our minds.
Ben’s journey to try and get photos of Jack Whitlock is fascinating. He’s willing to do anything, willing to destroy the few relationships he has in his life in the singular pursuit of one specific celebrity, one person that seems like the key to everything. We bounce between two timelines, one in the present and one in the recent past, watching as we find out how Ben landed where he is now. In the present timeline, he’s being haunted by the repercussions of something he did, and we get whispers and hints of what it was and why it would mean he’d be the subject of death threats and stalking.
For a reveal that was built up for so much of the book, I found the actual thing that he did to be underwhelming. It feels strange to say about something that is so major, but it just didn’t ring true to me that it’d have the kind of repercussions that it does. It’s an interesting statement about stan culture and celebrity obsession, I guess, but it didn’t really work for me.
I also struggled a bit with the pacing. Early on it was easy to get sucked in, to really feel like we were in Los Angeles and Las Vegas with Ben, but as we swapped between timelines and got deeper into this convoluted story, I started to lose focus. The long stretch with Ellory lost me in particular, as much as I did really like her character.
This was an interesting enough read, and I don’t regret giving it a go! I love a bummer of a book and this certainly fits that bill. I also appreciate a big swing, even if it ultimately ends up being a bit of a miss for me. 3.5 stars, rounded down because I really needed just a little bit more from that ending and the climax of the story in general. This will probably hit for you if you love things like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Nightcrawler and like when your thrillers are a little more muted.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC!
Ben’s journey to try and get photos of Jack Whitlock is fascinating. He’s willing to do anything, willing to destroy the few relationships he has in his life in the singular pursuit of one specific celebrity, one person that seems like the key to everything. We bounce between two timelines, one in the present and one in the recent past, watching as we find out how Ben landed where he is now. In the present timeline, he’s being haunted by the repercussions of something he did, and we get whispers and hints of what it was and why it would mean he’d be the subject of death threats and stalking.
For a reveal that was built up for so much of the book, I found the actual thing that he did to be underwhelming. It feels strange to say about something that is so major, but it just didn’t ring true to me that it’d have the kind of repercussions that it does. It’s an interesting statement about stan culture and celebrity obsession, I guess, but it didn’t really work for me.
I also struggled a bit with the pacing. Early on it was easy to get sucked in, to really feel like we were in Los Angeles and Las Vegas with Ben, but as we swapped between timelines and got deeper into this convoluted story, I started to lose focus. The long stretch with Ellory lost me in particular, as much as I did really like her character.
This was an interesting enough read, and I don’t regret giving it a go! I love a bummer of a book and this certainly fits that bill. I also appreciate a big swing, even if it ultimately ends up being a bit of a miss for me. 3.5 stars, rounded down because I really needed just a little bit more from that ending and the climax of the story in general. This will probably hit for you if you love things like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Nightcrawler and like when your thrillers are a little more muted.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Close Relationships with Strangers follows Ben, a Las Vegas native with an affinity for wildlife photography, who moves to Los Angeles to trade photographing wildlife to shooting celebrities as a paparazzo. As Ben becomes more and more embroiled in this world, his real motivations and obsessions slowly start to unravel his life.
While is sort of a plot happening here, the real focus is heavily on Ben and how he has allowed his obsession with Jack Whitlock, a famous movie star now embroiled in scandal, to take over ever aspect of his life. Ben is an incredibly intriguing focal point in this story, and his spiral into more and more unhinged behaviors really drove the book along.
Where I lost a little bit of interest was in the pacing. We jump between Ben the Las Vegas busboy, figuring out his first relationship and moving to LA to become a paparazzo, and then Ben the actual paparazzo who has done something rather terrible and is now solely focused on getting a photo of Jack Whitlock. While the relationship between Ben and Ellory worked to show his previous humanity and highlight how truly unraveled he was becoming in the later timeline, it dragged out a little as they went on hikes and seemed to have the same conversation about Ben's new career path.
Rather in the same vein, with so much buildup around Ben's descent into obsession, the ending was incredibly abrupt. When I saw the author acknowledgements on the very next page, I had a moment of 'oh, that was it?' and had to go back to make sure I did not actually miss something. While I would consider this read a 3.5 overall, I ultimately rounded down due to this letdown of an ending.
Overall, this was a compulsive read. For most of it, I feel like the comp to Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler is an accurate one; I'd also dare to say there are some elements that reminded me of Fight Club, in a way. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eArc of this book!
While is sort of a plot happening here, the real focus is heavily on Ben and how he has allowed his obsession with Jack Whitlock, a famous movie star now embroiled in scandal, to take over ever aspect of his life. Ben is an incredibly intriguing focal point in this story, and his spiral into more and more unhinged behaviors really drove the book along.
Where I lost a little bit of interest was in the pacing. We jump between Ben the Las Vegas busboy, figuring out his first relationship and moving to LA to become a paparazzo, and then Ben the actual paparazzo who has done something rather terrible and is now solely focused on getting a photo of Jack Whitlock. While the relationship between Ben and Ellory worked to show his previous humanity and highlight how truly unraveled he was becoming in the later timeline, it dragged out a little as they went on hikes and seemed to have the same conversation about Ben's new career path.
Rather in the same vein, with so much buildup around Ben's descent into obsession, the ending was incredibly abrupt. When I saw the author acknowledgements on the very next page, I had a moment of 'oh, that was it?' and had to go back to make sure I did not actually miss something. While I would consider this read a 3.5 overall, I ultimately rounded down due to this letdown of an ending.
Overall, this was a compulsive read. For most of it, I feel like the comp to Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler is an accurate one; I'd also dare to say there are some elements that reminded me of Fight Club, in a way. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eArc of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a unique book, as I haven't really thought much about the paparazzi and the things they do to get the pictures they were looking for. II am almost glad I didn't know, though, as I thought our protagonist Ben made a lot of shockingly terrible decisions. Ben moves from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, basically dropping everything he knows to chase his dream. He is totally obsessed with a particular actor and keeps following the trail of a newly broken scandal. The writing is really descriptive and I could picture myself in the surroundings, but ultimately found the whole story kind of depressing, but maybe that was the point.
Not only were many of Ben’s decisions difficult to follow, but his fixation on this actor also felt unexplained. I never developed a clear sense of his motivation related to that one particular person. He came across as a shallow character overall, though I did enjoy reading about his dynamic with Ellory. Despite my thoughts on Ben, I feel like the story itself was interesting and definitely uncovered happenings in LA that I knew nothing about coming in. I thought the ending of the book fit with the rest of the story but didn't exactly wow me.
Overall, I appreciated that this was a unique read but maybe my lack of connection to the main character was what kept me from liking it more. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not only were many of Ben’s decisions difficult to follow, but his fixation on this actor also felt unexplained. I never developed a clear sense of his motivation related to that one particular person. He came across as a shallow character overall, though I did enjoy reading about his dynamic with Ellory. Despite my thoughts on Ben, I feel like the story itself was interesting and definitely uncovered happenings in LA that I knew nothing about coming in. I thought the ending of the book fit with the rest of the story but didn't exactly wow me.
Overall, I appreciated that this was a unique read but maybe my lack of connection to the main character was what kept me from liking it more. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
For me, this was four stars - maybe even five - right up until the end. I loved the slow descent into obsession, the endless justifications about why what he was doing was okay. Watching Ben's whole life fall apart because of his singular pursuit of Jack Whitlock was like watching a car crash in slow motion. And what he did to try to get what he wanted gave me that sick feeling when you know you're watching someone in a downward spiral. It just got better and better.
The dual timeline got confusing towards the middle but I learned to live with that. This was a compulsive story that I just could not stop reading. And I love an unreliable narrator.
HOWEVER
That said I would definitely read the author's next book because this was 99% amazing.
The dual timeline got confusing towards the middle but I learned to live with that. This was a compulsive story that I just could not stop reading. And I love an unreliable narrator.
HOWEVER
That said I would definitely read the author's next book because this was 99% amazing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unsettling and incredibly well-written. Close Relationships with Strangers pulled me deep into the world of paps and celebrity obsession. Ben is a fascinating protagonist. He is somehow both repellent and oddly sympathetic, which puts him in the anti-hero category, which I always find hard to look away from and also somehow hard to keep going. His slow unraveling was sooo compelling to read!
Krista Diamond - a debut author, can you believe it? - is very good at creating a vivid sense of place and a lived-in first-person voice. Truly makes you think about parasocial relationships and obsessions in a new way. Kind of.
That said, the pacing was not great for me, and the ending kind of came out of nowhere and felt underdeveloped. I wanted more out of our protagonist before he was... all that. It also creeped me out a bit too much and I am unlikely to think about it beyond all the parasociality and obsession.
Overall, it's a super dark but super engaging book that I still cannot believe is a debut.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Krista Diamond - a debut author, can you believe it? - is very good at creating a vivid sense of place and a lived-in first-person voice. Truly makes you think about parasocial relationships and obsessions in a new way. Kind of.
That said, the pacing was not great for me, and the ending kind of came out of nowhere and felt underdeveloped. I wanted more out of our protagonist before he was... all that. It also creeped me out a bit too much and I am unlikely to think about it beyond all the parasociality and obsession.
Overall, it's a super dark but super engaging book that I still cannot believe is a debut.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Bless you, NetGalley, for coming through with this advanced copy. I’ve enjoyed the author’s short works and followed her on insta long enough to be very excited for this book. As someone with an appreciation for Vegas (where I read the book thanks to the holidays with the fam), fictional characters’ descents into madness, and juxtapositions (in this case wildlife and celebrities), I loved this book.
I also recommend it as an example of well done 1st person POV. 1st is not my favorite, and this book made me realize why — most 1st person narrators feel very disembodied, disassociated from the environment they’re describing. That is very much not the case here, and Ben’s POV is very lived in and engrossing.
Thanks again to NetGalley for the ARC and now I gotta add Close Relationships with Strangers to my preorder list. 🥹
I also recommend it as an example of well done 1st person POV. 1st is not my favorite, and this book made me realize why — most 1st person narrators feel very disembodied, disassociated from the environment they’re describing. That is very much not the case here, and Ben’s POV is very lived in and engrossing.
Thanks again to NetGalley for the ARC and now I gotta add Close Relationships with Strangers to my preorder list. 🥹
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had no idea what to expect with this book, but it really took me by surprise. I have never given much thought to paparazzi or their relationship with celebrities. I really enjoyed following our MC Ben and his descent to get the perfect photo. I typically dislike non-chronological storytelling, but I loved the way it was done in this book. I loved how character-driven the story was as well and was obsessed with Ben and Ellory's complex relationship. The writing style was everything - I couldn't stop reading and felt like I was in the desert. This was written in a detached style, yet somehow everything felt still intense at the same time. I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, but definitely a very well-done lit fic novel.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Just finished Close Relationships with Strangers by Krista Diamond and it was such a quietly powerful read. This story really leans into the idea that the people who pass through our lives sometimes briefly can still leave a lasting impact. It explores connection, loneliness, and the unexpected ways relationships form in a world where everyone is carrying something. I loved how character-driven it is. The moments feel real, a little messy, and very human. It’s not overly dramatic, but it lingers with you in that thoughtful, reflective way long after you finish. If you enjoy introspective stories about human connection and the in-between moments of life, this one is definitely worth picking up.
March 21, 2026
Close Relationship with Strangers by Karen Diamond tells the story of Ben a wildlife photographer turned paparazzi photographer. He moves to Los Angeles and eventually finds a big story. Ben has an obsession with Jack Whitlock who is currently the latest scandal.
This read gave interesting insight to Hollywood and paparazzi lifestyle. Ben is definitely flawed. He becomes obsessed with his job and loses his relationships, especially the one with his girlfriend.
It was a good read. It kept me interested to see what would happen. Some of the events like moving to LA, the death threats and the ending left me going hmmm.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC.
This read gave interesting insight to Hollywood and paparazzi lifestyle. Ben is definitely flawed. He becomes obsessed with his job and loses his relationships, especially the one with his girlfriend.
It was a good read. It kept me interested to see what would happen. Some of the events like moving to LA, the death threats and the ending left me going hmmm.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC.
January 29, 2026
This was such a good portrayal of a person being so obsessed with a celebrity that it completely overtakes their life.
But what happens when your livelihood depends on finding that celebrity and taking the perfect shot? I loved this book! Diamond’s writing is so immersive that you feel like you are really looking at Ben’s life through a lens and you just want to know how it all ends.
Read this!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
But what happens when your livelihood depends on finding that celebrity and taking the perfect shot? I loved this book! Diamond’s writing is so immersive that you feel like you are really looking at Ben’s life through a lens and you just want to know how it all ends.
Read this!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I didn't enjoy this in the least. I found it pointless and a little strange. Obsessive behaviour can make for a gripping, compulsive read, but this was needy and frankly a bit childish.
I'm sure the premise is true, but the idea that people actually behave this way is quite sad. A bit of editing and tightening of the grammar is also in order. Not my cup of tea at all.
I'm sure the premise is true, but the idea that people actually behave this way is quite sad. A bit of editing and tightening of the grammar is also in order. Not my cup of tea at all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was sucked in from page one, the writing was incredible. I did want the story to go deeper though. It ended out of nowhere. I would've enjoyed learning a little more about Ben prior to Ellory, LA, and his obsession with Jack Whitlock, too.
I would recommend this, but I was not satisfied with the ending, so 3.5 rounded down.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC!
I would recommend this, but I was not satisfied with the ending, so 3.5 rounded down.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Omg this was an exhilarating read!! Always loved reading books about obsession and its effects on one's psyche! The premise reminded me of one Black Mirror episode, so I picked it up and wasn’t disappointed! The pacing just made me more tense for each chapter, and the ending seemed very fitting! Loved exploring themes surrounding the paparazzi life and Ben’s character!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
nightcrawler (2014) meets in a lonely place (1947). bleak but chic !
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A well written novel with an interesting. I don’t think I fully connected to the characters but I definitely appreciated the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The feel bad read of the summer! Made me crave L.A. in spite of all its darkness. V unputdownable
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews