Out Of Touch

by Elle Grand

ONE POST TURNED HER INTO AN INFLUENCER...AND A LIAR

Chloé Warner knows the grass isn’t always greener—especially online, where it’s often just fake.

But when her idol, the glamorous influencer Birdie Bay, moves in across the street, Chloé can’t resist getting close. One “accidental” encounter later, the illusion shatters—Chloé catches Birdie in a compromising moment and, unable to resist, exposes her secret on social media under a new FauxEver.

The post goes viral. Chloé tastes her first rush of fame.
But as she dives deeper into Birdie’s glittering world, the line between envy and admiration blurs. Against all odds, a bond forms between them—one that could almost be called friendship, were it not for Birdie’s unawareness that Chloé is the one who ruined her.

Pulled into a universe of filters, influence, and lies, Chloé begins sacrificing pieces of herself to keep FauxEver alive. But when a new anonymous account threatens to expose her—and with it, her hard-won success—she must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect the life and attention she’s come to crave.

308 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2025

About the author

Elle Grand loves stories—reading them, writing them, and hearing them from the people she cares about. She’s a self-confessed phone addict and an overthinker by Virgo nature, which means she’s always three steps ahead of the plot. Her friends call her for advice she knows they won’t take, but she listens anyway.
When she’s not deep into writing another book she’s “completely obsessed with,” Elle can be found spending time with her family or making yet another pros-and-cons list about adopting a cat.

Reviews

[evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Yellowface you will love this!! Each chapter you’re torn between wanting Chloe to learn her lesson and wanting to watch her make another impulsive decision and eat pavement for it. Reading this during Heated Rivalry’s release made it even more riveting to me as I’m reminded of the Deuxmoi social media account that functioned just like Chloe’s FauxForever. I had fun reading this and I hope future readers do too.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloé Warner, a girl who moved to France a couple of years ago and met her boyfriend Daniel, is always up to date with the latest in the social media world. Especially when it comes to influencer Birdie Bay. It just so happens that Birdie moves in across the street from Chloé. Soon they become acquainted, much to Chloé’s liking - perhaps a bit too much.

This book is a perfect depiction of how social media and influencers can really have positive and negative impact on our morals and views in life. We follow Chloé as she wrestles with what’s right & wrong, in regard to other people - especially famous ones.

I was captivated from the very beginning of this book and it was one I certainly did not want to put down. When I had read about halfway through I didn’t understand what could possibly happen from here on that would keep this interesting - MY oh MY was I wrong to question this. There are so many twists and turns, characters you thought you could trust who turns out to be someone completely different.

This story really got me THINKING, in the best way possible. It was light at first glance, but the more you reflect on the message behind it you start to realize just how deep it is, and how much it resembles our society today.

Thank you to the author, and NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read Out of touch before publishing. This ARC was incredible and I can’t wait for others to read it. It’s a strong recommend, enjoy!

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chloe Warner, a photographer living in Paris with her boyfriend, is consumed with the social media world. When she captures her neighbor, influencer Birdie Bay, in a compromising position- she takes it upon herself to share it with the world.
Somehow, she and Birdie eventually become friends but she can never tell Birdie that she is the one who shared those pictures. All of this felt like a lifetime movie waiting to get wrapped up. As Chloe gains social media fame, she is always looking for the next thing to bring about a buzz, that next high, next thing to share. It had crash out, messy tiktok energy, which some people will love.
The pacing was pretty solid through the first two thirds of the movie but I feel like the backend really slowed down.
3.5 stars solidly. I can see this having a good audience.
Out of Touch will be published 12/02/2025 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of Touch “ turned out to be such an unexpected gem. The cover alone had me hooked, but the story inside is even more gripping … sharp, unsettling, and deeply relevant.

Elle Grand delivers a timely exploration of influencer culture and the way social media can warp admiration into something far darker. Chloé is one of the most compelling anti-heroes I’ve read in a while… messy, flawed, unpredictable, and absolutely impossible to look away from. I found myself tense the entire time, waiting for her obsession with Birdie to spiral, and the realism of it all felt uncomfortably close to the world we live in today.

The story has “Gossip Girl energy “in the best (and worst) ways. Chloé, hiding behind her IG handle FauxEver, is always watching Birdie …waiting for the smallest slip so she can post it for clout.

What makes it even more unsettling is how she pretends to be Birdie’s friend. It’s an addiction, and Chloé keeps going back for another fix.

I also appreciate how the book sheds light on the pressures influencers face, the toxicity of online hate, and the reminder that behind every screen is a real human…vulnerable, imperfect, and trying to survive the glare.

As disgusted as I was with Chloé’s choices, I loved how the author gave space to her backstory, especially her fraught relationship with her mother. Those moments hit hard.

“Not mother and daughter, not anymore. Not strangers, either.
Just two people staring at a ghost from their past lives.”

Heartbreaking.

Elle Grand’s writing is razor-sharp, the emotions land exactly where they should, and the commentary lingers long after the final page. If you’re looking for a page-turner with a gripping anti-hero and a chilling look at social media’s darker side, this is one you shouldn’t miss.

Add this to your TBR! You’ll thank me later.🌷

Huge thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Coop for the ARC. This is my honest and heartfelt review.

[Safia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! It was packed with so many twists and turns that keep you completely captivated, always wanting to read more.

The story follows Chloe and her relationship with a famous social media star who moves across the street. Her fascination with Birdie Bay's world slowly turns into something darker as Chloe begins to watch, stalk, and slowly insert herself into the life of her new neighbour.

This book is filled with characters you believe you can trust, until you absolutely can't; every time you assume something about a character, your beliefs will be flipped and twisted, allowing for ultimate shock factor.

What surprised me most about reading this book was how much I found myself rooting for a character who is so clearly in the wrong. Chloe's twisted logic and morally blurred decisions should make her unlikeable, but somehow you end up completely invested in her anyway. The basis of her warped logic makes her decisions understandable enough for you to feel some degree of sympathy, whilst also completely opposing what she is doing throughout the book. I found this balance a real strength in Grand's writing, and it made for an extremely interesting read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me this ARC - I had the most amazing time and could not stop reading :)

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, it's November so I can say this: Out of touch is one of the BEST books that I've read this year!!!!!!!!!

This is a must for everyone that also enjoyed “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang,

Thank you so so so much for Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book. I loved every single page of this.

I don’t have a lot to talk about, because everything is just pure perfection. I adored the characters and how every single one of them is far from being good people, especially Chloé; she’s just so messed up, but also with thoughts and feelings that are so human that at the same time that you are mad with her and her actions, you can also cheer for her - because if you were in the same situation as her, you’d very much likely do the same thing.

I truly hope that this book will be translated and sold in my country in the future, so I can give a copy to all of my friends.

Thanks once again for allowing me the opportunity to read it before its release.

[Amilia Garside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great exploration of social media and the world of influencers, with its portrayal of toxicity. The characters were very well done, and I felt connected to them due to their well crafted backstories. I found the main character insufferable at times, yet I found myself sympathetic towards her. I feel this was definitely the point, and was a very great move from the author. I particularly enjoyed the writing style, and I found myself highlighting many quotes. I would definitely recommend this book, but would encourage people to check any triggers, as this story touches on topics such as eating disorders and stalking. I am very honoured to have received this arc, and would love to read more from this author in the future!

[Aga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for this ARC, coming December 2nd.

If you read just one review today, make it this one - because Out of Touch absolutely slaps you across the face with its messy, spiralling humanity.

Chloe is an aspiring photographer living in Paris when a famous influencer moves in across from her. After a less-than-pleasant first encounter with Birdie, Chloe’s fixation begins. What starts as irritation morphs into obsession, and that obsession becomes poison. Chloe creates a fake Instagram account to “expose” Birdie - her bad habits, her drug use, the curated fakeness of her feed. But the deeper Chloe dives, the more she destroys.

This book is a razor-sharp commentary on influencer culture, parasocial relationships, and the way social media warps our sense of worth. Chloe’s descent is slow, unsettling, and incredibly believable. I kept hoping she’d hit rock bottom and claw her way back to the girl who loved photography… but the further we go, the more unhinged she becomes. It’s tragic, uncomfortable, and exactly the point.

A story worth reading - one that forces you to sit with the discomfort and reminds us just how toxic the online world can be when validation becomes oxygen.

[Danica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole thing feels like scrolling through a chaotic TikTok rabbit hole at 2 am…cringe, funny, dramatic. And low key stressful because you know these girls are making terrible decisions but you can’t look away. Chloé and Birdie are both kind of disasters, but in a way that makes you want to keep reading just to see what ridiculous thing happens next. This was a fun read to split up my TBR.

Xoxo..gossip girl

(Many thanks to NetGalley for the eArc!)

[Lisa Velda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks #netgalley for providing me with an #arc of this book. Wow… all of the characters in this book are seriously messed up and I LOVED IT. The drama… the twists that kept on coming. Didn’t expect to also feel a bit of sympathy for our main character. So much better than expected!

[ReadingwithKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book I will recommend this to everyone I know…. Finally a book that shows what social media is really about….

Thank you net gallery for the book arc

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ty netgalley for the ARC! Absolutely loved this one

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 round up!) A fun and unique novel! Quick paced. Perfect for fans of Emily in Paris and Yellowface
Thank you Net Galley for providing the ARC

[Kelsie Bowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it about internet notoriety that is so desirable to such a large amount of people? Is it just that amid so much noise, it is so easy to feel lonely if we don’t get internet validation? Out of Touch is a fascinating exploration of why we post and what we are trying to get out of it. Is there any enjoyment left in our internet personas and the communities that we have found through the world wide web? Is there any genuineness left on social media when it seems to be the only way to get going if you want to make a living pursuing a creative route, or maybe even other professional avenues?

Chloe is struggling to make it as a photographer. She’s okay financially thanks to support from her father, but she’s not getting the respectable opportunities that she feels she deserves. It makes it even more frustrating when a very popular influencer moves in across the street from her, an individual who can get thousands of likes on photos that don’t have the artistic vision that Chloe’s posts so, which maybe hit 50 likes. Granted, Instagram hasn’t been her focus.

Then she spots Birdie Bay, her influencer neighbor, who has built her following with a health-focused narrative, boasting that she’s vegan and abstains from drugs and alcohol, buying cocaine on the street. She snaps a photo and sits on it for a few days, but decides to anonymously post it after feeling rejected by Birdie. It gets messy then because in the aftermath of the crisis, Birdie opens up a friendship to Chloe.

One of the things that really hooked me into this book is that I thought the bit blow up was going to happen with 50 pages left, so when secrets started coming to light before we were halfway through I was intrigued by the fact that the normal bell curve narrative style wasn’t being followed. It allowed us as readers to really explore social media and influencers in more depth. It gave me time to evaluate things from Chloe’s then Birdie’s, then the other cast of infuencers’, and even Chloe’s boyfriend’s perspectives. My findings? Nobody is right and social media is indeed a façade that we are just going to have to accept with a grain of salt.

The exploration of social media isn’t a wholly new subject, but given how big a part of our lives it is, it warrants being visited through Elle Grand’s lens. The writing is sharp but not heavy, the right amount that I powered through this in a morning

Thanks to Netgalley and th publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Laura Turek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Out of Touch is a compulsively readable novel about influencer culture, parasocial obsession, and the quiet violence of entitlement. Told from the perspective of Chloé, a follower who believes she knows the “real” Birdie Bay, the book slowly morphs from unsettling to genuinely disturbing; not because of a single shocking twist, but because of how calmly it allows its narrator to justify her cruelty.

What makes the novel so effective is its understanding of how parasocial relationships distort power. Chloé’s fixation is framed not as sudden madness, but as something quietly cultivated by access, proximity, and perceived intimacy. As her admiration curdles into entitlement, the line between observation and control disappears, shifting the focus away from influencer hypocrisy and toward the danger of believing that attention grants ownership.

Chloé’s descent unfolds like a slow-motion car crash: horrifying in its inevitability, yet impossible to look away from. Each escalation is clearly signposted and rationalised, creating a sense of dread that comes not from surprise, but from watching harm approach and knowing it will not be avoided. Part of the car-crash quality of Chloe’s arc lies in the bitter irony of her eventual cancellation. After humbling Birdie in order to make her attainable, Chloé is forced into the same position, belatedly recognising the devastation of public judgment. What’s worse is that this is a recognition that arrives without meaningful change.

Crucially, this moment of recognition does not result in growth. Chloe’s fleeting awareness of the harm she has caused never solidifies into accountability, and the novel resists the temptation to frame her suffering as redemptive. Instead, it leaves her suspended between disappearance and further exploitation, unchanged at her core.

I think that in order for me to have enjoyed this book even more, I’d have liked to have been trusted with assumption a bit more. A lot of the information that we could have been drip fed throughout the book to give us subtle insights into what may happen later was delivered right before the crucial moment, which felt slightly underwhelming and made it so that it lacked full shock factor.

Despite this, I did enjoy reading this book and am grateful to have been sent a copy!

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Out of Touch” offers a sharp and unsettling look at the darker side of social media culture — not just the glossy facade influencers present, but the shadows behind it, where insecurity, ambition, and moral compromise collide. The story follows Chloe, a frustrated photographer whose career refuses to take off. When she discovers that Birdie, a well-known influencer, has moved into her neighborhood, Chloe becomes determined to befriend her, no matter the cost. That determination quickly turns into boundary-crossing, obsession, and an invasion of privacy that spirals beyond what she ever intended.
The book raises compelling questions about what online attention is worth and how easily we convince ourselves that questionable behavior is justified if the reward feels big enough. It exposes how social media blurs the line between authenticity and performance and how the desire to be seen can push ordinary people into ethically uncomfortable territory.
“Out of Touch” is a timely reminder that behind every curated feed stands a real person — with vulnerabilities, flaws, and limits — and that the pursuit of quick internet fame can distort not only our perception of others, but of ourselves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Katrin Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of Touch by Elle Grand is one of those rare books I genuinely could not put down. I picked it up during one of the busiest stretches of my year — events, travel, late nights — and still found myself reading it everywhere: on the sofa, between appointments, in cafés, even when I absolutely should’ve been sleeping. That alone says a lot.

What pulled me in immediately were the characters. Elle Grand writes people who feel wonderfully, painfully real: flawed, often unlikeable, but deeply human in a way that makes you understand exactly why they are the way they are. And the plot twists? Wow! Several had me wide awake long after I meant to call it a night.

The setting — the universe of content creators — is fascinating, especially because most of the readers only ever see the polished surface. Here, you get a much closer, messier, and more honest look. The writing itself is sharp and entertaining with a sassy undertone, yet the story still manages to explore themes that go surprisingly deep.

Highly recommended to anyone who loves getting fully immersed in a story, appreciates complex characters, enjoys a clever, twisty plot, and is curious about the world behind the screens. This book reminded me why reading feels essential — like that first really good cup of coffee that just hits right.

[Angus F · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover is what first grabbed me on NetGalley, and the premise sealed the deal. It was giving major Julie Chan Is Dead energy (in the best way) so I knew I had to request it. And honestly? The drama in this book was GIVING. Messy, chaotic, and painfully realistic for the social media era we’re living in.

The pacing hooked me right away, and I stayed fully engaged the entire time. This is absolutely one of those stories where you might not like any of the characters, but you also cannot stop watching the trainwreck unfold. It captures parasocial behavior so well, letting you sit in the backseat and watch it spiral in real time.

And listen… I’ll admit I’m sometimes guilty of clicking on those anonymous “expose” accounts when a celebrity or influencer gets dragged. But the way this book tackles the ethics of exposing people? Surprisingly thought provoking. It definitely made me check myself a little.

Overall, this was a really interesting read (and I think a debut?), full of tension, chaos, and commentary. Solid 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Oola · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an online copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Out of Touch is a scathing depiction of influencer culture, betrayal, and parasocial relationships shown through the eyes of Chloe, a young photographer obsessed with the wellness influencer Birdie Bay, who has recently moved in across the street from her. Soon, Chloe is absorbed into the world of influencers, but at the cost of her personal relationships, passion for photography, and dignity.

This book is definitely an interesting take on the shifting loyalties of social media. The non-stop toxicity and vitriol of an influencer's life are conveyed very well in the writing, and I was really engaged in the plot for most of the book. That being said, I didn’t really feel as though I empathized with many of the characters, and Chloe’s character development felt a little bit stilted.

I think this would be a great read for anyone interested in social dynamics or the psychology of a borderline obsessive online presence.

[Y · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 24%. Unfortunately, this book is not for me. I think the writing shows many inconsistencies, for example the protagonist on one page derisively noting about another character, "perks of never having to worry about money, I think, biting my tongue just in time", just to tell us a couple of pages later in the same chapter that her dad has been bankrolling her living in Paris so she can pursue her photography career dreams. Secondly, both he writing and the storyline (so far) seemed very clunky to me, with for example the antagonistic "bestie" of the influencer suddenly appearing center stage and being constantly around, only after the protagonist has had a few pages to get close to the influencer first.
It seems to be quick and very easy read though.

[Ezzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ Thank you very much to NetGalley for the arc !!

I found this book brilliant, it absolutely filled my urge to read a flawed narrator. It really made me want to grab Chloé through the pages and slap some sense into her. I've been craving a similar book to Yellowface ever since I read it and this is the closest I've come to it which is such an awesome feat. I finished it in one day I genuinely could not put it down -- I HAD to know what would happen in the next chapter. Grand captivates you with a plot that you can't believe is written down. Pick this up if you think the voice in your head couldn't get any worse, and realise it definitely could be.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book!! It’s such an interesting topic I think we all battle in this age of influencers. How we are jealous by the way they live, wanting that taste of the what they get on a daily basis, but also really emphasizing that parasocial relationship that happens making fans feel like they are owed something from this person.

I hated the main character not in the way where you DNF a book but in a way that I was gripping my phone so tight, eyes glued to the page hoping she would finally take accountability for her actions!

A fun quick read! Highly suggest! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for giving me this ARC for an honest review!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun piece of social commentary on social media and what it means to be an influencer.

Chloe meets an influencer, Birdie, who does not always practice what she preaches. This leaves Chloe feeling conflicted towards Birdie, but as she ends up developing a friendship with her, she sees even more sides of her and the true side of being a social media star.

This was a fun and twisty piece. I haven’t read anything like this before and enjoyed it!

[Louise Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe is a creation for the ages. You will lover her and hate her, criticise her and understand her, all in a roller coaster of reveals and interactions. This story is a perfect example of a modern dramatic thriller, with the clever use of social media and how it has come to rule so many people’s lives. The author has a knack for engaging and offering immersive detail without belabouring the point and this makes for a fast paced plot.

[Elle Grand · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels surreal to finally say this book is out there. Two years of obsession, rewrites, existential dread, and way too much caffeine have led to this moment. I feel weird giving my own book five stars, but as I say in the dedication, it’s for the ones who made their own doors when none would open.

Out of Touch is sharp, chaotic, and a little bit unhinged. It’s about the dark side of social media—the parts we scroll past but secretly recognize. It’s full of fun, cringe, and unlikeable characters you’ll probably love to hate. At its core, though, it’s my messy love letter to anyone who’s ever felt lost in the noise, who’s ever wondered how much of themselves they’ve given to the internet.

So here’s to the version of me who thought this story might never make it out of the drafts folder. This 5-star is for her.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 50% I absolutely loved, fast paced, unhinged and funny.
I couldn’t tell what was coming next, a scandal? A party? A murder??
Thennn we fell off a bit. I felt perhaps the big reveal happened a little early before we really had a chance to get going and we spent a long time maudlin and thinking about the morals of social media when the first half had been so fun.
Still an enjoyable read but kind of wish the second half was as crazy and fun as the first.

Thanks to netgalley for this ARC