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Out Of Touch
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.
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
10 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Elle Grand
1 book10 followersElle 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 24, 2025
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.
January 17, 2026
I'm always intrigued by the world of influencers. It's so hard to imagine a career where you make money by creating short videos about products or a lifestyle. This is why I chose the book Out of Touch by Elle Grand. It does a great job of showing the messy world that influencers inhabit.
Reading this book was like driving by a car accident. I didn't like what I was seeing, but I also couldn't look away. This was just an okay book for me. It's hard for me to enjoy a book when I don't like any of the characters. The only character that was remotely likable was Chloe's dad. I loved seeing his love for his daughter.
The pacing of the book was fast, and it held my interest. In the end, though, I didn't care what happened to the characters.
So many people have really liked this book, so it's worth checking out. It just wasn't a favorite of mine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elle Grand for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
Reading this book was like driving by a car accident. I didn't like what I was seeing, but I also couldn't look away. This was just an okay book for me. It's hard for me to enjoy a book when I don't like any of the characters. The only character that was remotely likable was Chloe's dad. I loved seeing his love for his daughter.
The pacing of the book was fast, and it held my interest. In the end, though, I didn't care what happened to the characters.
So many people have really liked this book, so it's worth checking out. It just wasn't a favorite of mine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elle Grand for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
January 30, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this ARC! What a whirlwind it was. I loved the how the themes of parasocial relationships and the dangers of social media were explored. I definitely found myself intrigued by all of the plot twists!
I will say, I had a hard time liking Chloé for a lot of the book, but it felt like a trainwreck I couldn’t stop watching.
3.5 stars rounded up 😊
(minor spoiler) I also thought the representation of binge eating disorder was well done. You don’t often see this in literature.
I will say, I had a hard time liking Chloé for a lot of the book, but it felt like a trainwreck I couldn’t stop watching.
3.5 stars rounded up 😊
(minor spoiler) I also thought the representation of binge eating disorder was well done. You don’t often see this in literature.
December 18, 2025
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!
December 24, 2025
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
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
January 2, 2026
Thank you Book Sirens and Elle Grand for this amazing ARC in exchange of my honest review.
This book was addictive and genuinely hard to put down, not because it was comforting, but because it kept making me angry in the most intentional way.
Chloe is an insufferable protagonist, and that is very much the point. I found myself literally shouting at the page, thinking girl do not do it, over and over again. She never knows when to stop, never knows when she has crossed the line, and the way she constantly justifies her actions is infuriating. And yet that frustration is exactly what makes this book work.
The writing is sharp and compelling, and the commentary on social media, influencers, and parasocial relationships is disturbingly on point. The novel does an excellent job of showing how self narration, validation, and moral shortcuts can twist someone’s sense of reality. Chloe’s voice is convincing, uncomfortable, and far too believable, which is why it is so hard to sit with her.
This is not an easy read emotionally. It is the kind of book that makes you uncomfortable on purpose, that traps you inside a mindset you do not agree with and forces you to watch things spiral. There is no neat catharsis and no satisfying moral relief, just the slow realization of how far someone will go when they refuse to truly look at themselves.
I am giving this 4 stars because it is well written, sharp, and completely succeeds at what it is trying to do. It made me mad, and it made me think, and honestly that is kind of the point.
This book was addictive and genuinely hard to put down, not because it was comforting, but because it kept making me angry in the most intentional way.
Chloe is an insufferable protagonist, and that is very much the point. I found myself literally shouting at the page, thinking girl do not do it, over and over again. She never knows when to stop, never knows when she has crossed the line, and the way she constantly justifies her actions is infuriating. And yet that frustration is exactly what makes this book work.
The writing is sharp and compelling, and the commentary on social media, influencers, and parasocial relationships is disturbingly on point. The novel does an excellent job of showing how self narration, validation, and moral shortcuts can twist someone’s sense of reality. Chloe’s voice is convincing, uncomfortable, and far too believable, which is why it is so hard to sit with her.
This is not an easy read emotionally. It is the kind of book that makes you uncomfortable on purpose, that traps you inside a mindset you do not agree with and forces you to watch things spiral. There is no neat catharsis and no satisfying moral relief, just the slow realization of how far someone will go when they refuse to truly look at themselves.
I am giving this 4 stars because it is well written, sharp, and completely succeeds at what it is trying to do. It made me mad, and it made me think, and honestly that is kind of the point.
January 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC.
When I saw the description of this book, it was an immediate 'Yes, please!' for me. I love books about influencers when they are done well - and this book nailed a lot of both how superficial and deep the influencer world and the decisions are that content creators make about what to post. I work in influencer marketing and there were a lot of things that made me smile in recognition. Some things are definitely heightened in this story, but also maybe not that much (;)) and if you've ever been invested in online drama, this is definitely a book for you.
I love stories where characters get drawn into new worlds and end up getting obsessed and slightly (or more than slightly) unhinged. Out Of Touch definitely delivered on that promise.
It was juicy from start to finish and our main character Chloé is not the most likeable - which was great! The author does an excellent job in portraying characters with edges, which means there was no single character I was 'rooting for'. Everyone makes questionable decisions and does things that hurt other people. Except for Chloé's dad, he was a ray of sunshine. Although I do wonder how off the rails Chloé would've gotten if she hadn't had him, I feel like we needed him in the story to humanise her and understand her better.
This was a deliciously dramatic read, would recommend. I kept wanting to know who would do something outrageous next, it was great.
When I saw the description of this book, it was an immediate 'Yes, please!' for me. I love books about influencers when they are done well - and this book nailed a lot of both how superficial and deep the influencer world and the decisions are that content creators make about what to post. I work in influencer marketing and there were a lot of things that made me smile in recognition. Some things are definitely heightened in this story, but also maybe not that much (;)) and if you've ever been invested in online drama, this is definitely a book for you.
I love stories where characters get drawn into new worlds and end up getting obsessed and slightly (or more than slightly) unhinged. Out Of Touch definitely delivered on that promise.
It was juicy from start to finish and our main character Chloé is not the most likeable - which was great! The author does an excellent job in portraying characters with edges, which means there was no single character I was 'rooting for'. Everyone makes questionable decisions and does things that hurt other people. Except for Chloé's dad, he was a ray of sunshine. Although I do wonder how off the rails Chloé would've gotten if she hadn't had him, I feel like we needed him in the story to humanise her and understand her better.
This was a deliciously dramatic read, would recommend. I kept wanting to know who would do something outrageous next, it was great.
December 21, 2025
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!
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!
January 6, 2026
My first book of 2026 is complete! And I enjoyed it so much I came running here to post!
💅 Out of Touch: thank you to @netgalley and the publisher and author @authorellegrand for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Let’s start with the first page. I LOVED that she included a playlist. So fun and I was immediately excited. I loved how you are immediately pulled in to the story and keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. It’s a wild ride where you simultaneously hate the main character but also stick around praying for redemption. I feel like if you liked Yellowface, you’ll love this.
The FMC is a regular girl, Chloe, living in Paris pursuing her passion of photography when a famous influencer Birdie moves in across the street. Initially Chloe just wants to be her friend but upon the rejection takes a hard turn left into a world of Instagram, influencing, and gossip pages. She creates an account @FauxEver and takes a surreptitious picture of Birdie which leads to scandal and backlash. Should she stop there? Or should she befriend Birdie, keep posting on @FauxEver anonymously, watch her followers skyrocket, and go viral? Which path do you think she picks?? This train wreck was epic and I could not look away. If you want a fun, slightly anxiety inducing read, this is a great one! Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💅 Out of Touch: thank you to @netgalley and the publisher and author @authorellegrand for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Let’s start with the first page. I LOVED that she included a playlist. So fun and I was immediately excited. I loved how you are immediately pulled in to the story and keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. It’s a wild ride where you simultaneously hate the main character but also stick around praying for redemption. I feel like if you liked Yellowface, you’ll love this.
The FMC is a regular girl, Chloe, living in Paris pursuing her passion of photography when a famous influencer Birdie moves in across the street. Initially Chloe just wants to be her friend but upon the rejection takes a hard turn left into a world of Instagram, influencing, and gossip pages. She creates an account @FauxEver and takes a surreptitious picture of Birdie which leads to scandal and backlash. Should she stop there? Or should she befriend Birdie, keep posting on @FauxEver anonymously, watch her followers skyrocket, and go viral? Which path do you think she picks?? This train wreck was epic and I could not look away. If you want a fun, slightly anxiety inducing read, this is a great one! Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 24, 2026
Once you get those sweet sweet dopamine hits, you can't stop! Chloe's photography and her Instagram account haven't exactly set the world on fire, so when she sees an opportunity to take down one of her favorite influencers after a disappointing encounter, she takes it, starting a new gossip account Fauxever and posting incriminating pics of Birdie Bay, a gorgeous icon who just happens to have moved in across the way. She manages to befriend Birdie and insinuate herself into the influencer-sphere, but is taken down when someone discovers her alter-IG account and is determined to take her down on Instagram first.
Such fun to read! And it goes beyond the superficial, showing how Chloe has been shaped by her mother's abandonment and how she still longs to feel seen and valued, so much so that she becomes her own worst enemy. I really felt for her!
Thanks to the author, via NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Such fun to read! And it goes beyond the superficial, showing how Chloe has been shaped by her mother's abandonment and how she still longs to feel seen and valued, so much so that she becomes her own worst enemy. I really felt for her!
Thanks to the author, via NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 27, 2025
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!
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!
December 1, 2025
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.
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.
January 6, 2026
I absolutely devoured this! The writing was well-paced, and I really enjoyed many of the themes throughout.
The whole story felt reminiscent of Gossip Girl, which I LOVED.
While I was able to predict some of the plot points, the twist genuinely caught me off guard.
Many of the characters are unlikeable, yet I couldn’t help rooting for Chloe. She’s deeply flawed, but still somehow relatable.
The humor genuinely made me laugh out loud, and the entire story felt like a satirical skit in the best way.
Can’t wait to see what Elle Grand comes out with next!!
The whole story felt reminiscent of Gossip Girl, which I LOVED.
While I was able to predict some of the plot points, the twist genuinely caught me off guard.
Many of the characters are unlikeable, yet I couldn’t help rooting for Chloe. She’s deeply flawed, but still somehow relatable.
The humor genuinely made me laugh out loud, and the entire story felt like a satirical skit in the best way.
Can’t wait to see what Elle Grand comes out with next!!
December 1, 2025
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 :)
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 :)
November 26, 2025
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.
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.
December 1, 2025
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.
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.
November 25, 2025
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.
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.
December 1, 2025
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
Thank you net gallery for the book arc
January 13, 2026
" And then I think, maybe the grass seems greener because it's fake. "
Firstly I gotta mention the characters. They're all their own version of fu**ed up. I was totally here for it. I guess thats what the internet does to us?!
Chloe our FMC had me swinging between wanting her to have a taste of her own medicine, to eagerly anticipating what crazy move she was going to pull next to finally having a great sense of empathy towards her because of her past & her eagerness to make it in the photography world. In my mind when a character has you this committed you just know the kudos has to go to the author.
If like me you're a bookstagrammer or you have another niche on the world wide Web surely you'll agree with me that at some point you'll have felt like Chloe. Small fish in a big fish world, barely getting noticed yet surrounded by the hundreds of people that are getting all those likes, all those follows & all those comments. What is it that makes us feel that way, why can't we be happy with our little communities & paving our own way across the wires. Does anyone truly have the answer?!
Hell it made forna fantastic storyline thats for sure.
I appreciated that the big finale wasn't just a huge firework right at the end like you'd expect, & we were gently being fed tidbits from about half way, a great way to keep the reader hanging on.
Also I loved just how much depth there was to the story, how much information there was crammed into a smaller book yet it wasn't overwhelming. There was so much insight into social media & influencers.
Ooh another thing I definitely appreciated was the behind the scenes, the realisation of social media & how addictive it can become & the effects it can have not only on an individual but to those around them. I.E Daniel, Chloes boyfriend.
Omg honestly so so many amazing things about this book & I'm thrilled to have read it.
Thank you to Elle Grand for reaching out & gifting me a digital copy of your book.
Firstly I gotta mention the characters. They're all their own version of fu**ed up. I was totally here for it. I guess thats what the internet does to us?!
Chloe our FMC had me swinging between wanting her to have a taste of her own medicine, to eagerly anticipating what crazy move she was going to pull next to finally having a great sense of empathy towards her because of her past & her eagerness to make it in the photography world. In my mind when a character has you this committed you just know the kudos has to go to the author.
If like me you're a bookstagrammer or you have another niche on the world wide Web surely you'll agree with me that at some point you'll have felt like Chloe. Small fish in a big fish world, barely getting noticed yet surrounded by the hundreds of people that are getting all those likes, all those follows & all those comments. What is it that makes us feel that way, why can't we be happy with our little communities & paving our own way across the wires. Does anyone truly have the answer?!
Hell it made forna fantastic storyline thats for sure.
I appreciated that the big finale wasn't just a huge firework right at the end like you'd expect, & we were gently being fed tidbits from about half way, a great way to keep the reader hanging on.
Also I loved just how much depth there was to the story, how much information there was crammed into a smaller book yet it wasn't overwhelming. There was so much insight into social media & influencers.
Ooh another thing I definitely appreciated was the behind the scenes, the realisation of social media & how addictive it can become & the effects it can have not only on an individual but to those around them. I.E Daniel, Chloes boyfriend.
Omg honestly so so many amazing things about this book & I'm thrilled to have read it.
Thank you to Elle Grand for reaching out & gifting me a digital copy of your book.
November 25, 2025
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!
January 1, 2026
I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this one and I mean that in the most intriguing way.
I went in really curious because the blurb sounded right up my alley, but I struggled a lot with the FMC at the beginning. I found her difficult to like, and for a good chunk of the book I was more frustrated with her choices than rooting for her. That said, by the end, something shifted. I unexpectedly found myself hoping she would get her happy ending, despite everything, especially when she admits, “There’s a darkness in me that frightens me, and I’m afraid of what I might do next.”
The writing itself is beautiful and very compelling. The story does a great job of pulling you in, keeping you curious, and making you wonder what scandal or twist will come next and it does deliver on that front. It also explores the cost of online attention in a way that feels very real, like when she reflects, “Sometimes I wish I’d never tasted any of it, the followers, the attention, the opportunities. Because once you’ve had them, there’s no going back.”
There’s a strong undercurrent of self awareness and consequence running through the book too. Lines like “Hurting people doesn’t just break them; it ripples outward, touching everyone nearby” and “But that’s the thing about survival, it drags you toward your own darkness” really capture how messy and morally complicated this story is.
Overall, this wasn’t a book I loved, but it was one that kept me hooked and made me feel things even when those feelings were complicated. As the book itself says, “Life keeps moving. People hurry by, laugh, live,” and this story does a good job of showing how small one person’s scandal can be in the grand scheme of things, even when it feels world ending to them.
I went in really curious because the blurb sounded right up my alley, but I struggled a lot with the FMC at the beginning. I found her difficult to like, and for a good chunk of the book I was more frustrated with her choices than rooting for her. That said, by the end, something shifted. I unexpectedly found myself hoping she would get her happy ending, despite everything, especially when she admits, “There’s a darkness in me that frightens me, and I’m afraid of what I might do next.”
The writing itself is beautiful and very compelling. The story does a great job of pulling you in, keeping you curious, and making you wonder what scandal or twist will come next and it does deliver on that front. It also explores the cost of online attention in a way that feels very real, like when she reflects, “Sometimes I wish I’d never tasted any of it, the followers, the attention, the opportunities. Because once you’ve had them, there’s no going back.”
There’s a strong undercurrent of self awareness and consequence running through the book too. Lines like “Hurting people doesn’t just break them; it ripples outward, touching everyone nearby” and “But that’s the thing about survival, it drags you toward your own darkness” really capture how messy and morally complicated this story is.
Overall, this wasn’t a book I loved, but it was one that kept me hooked and made me feel things even when those feelings were complicated. As the book itself says, “Life keeps moving. People hurry by, laugh, live,” and this story does a good job of showing how small one person’s scandal can be in the grand scheme of things, even when it feels world ending to them.
November 26, 2025
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!)
Xoxo..gossip girl
(Many thanks to NetGalley for the eArc!)
January 2, 2026
That was a roller coaster. I was not expecting that twist! Some of it was a bit full on (I kept wanting to say babe, just chill and give it a minute, cause you’re giving them ammunition), but there would be no plot without the push and pull of it all. It was cute, easy read. I liked it.
Thanks to NetGalley for eARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for eARC.
Read
January 29, 2026Chloé Warner, who moved to France years ago and now lives with her boyfriend Daniel, is deeply engaged in social media, especially the world of influencer Birdie Bay. When Birdie unexpectedly becomes her neighbor, Chloé is drawn into a friendship that quickly blurs boundaries.
This novel examines the impact of influencer culture on morality and identity. Though it appears light at first, the story unfolds with surprising twists and a depth that lingers long after the final page, offering a thoughtful reflection on today’s society.
This novel examines the impact of influencer culture on morality and identity. Though it appears light at first, the story unfolds with surprising twists and a depth that lingers long after the final page, offering a thoughtful reflection on today’s society.
December 20, 2025
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.
It seems to be quick and very easy read though.
December 28, 2025
Would lean more toward 4.5. Another review made a comparison to Yellowface which is apt. This was an intriguing read that had good pacing, making it a good Saturday morning coffee shop special. Didn’t love the end, but appreciated some bit of closure that it offered. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this read & review.
December 28, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the copy of the book to read and review. It was good. I did not like the main character but I liked the story. It was different than what I normally read. It is fun to try something new.
January 12, 2026
Chloe is a photographer living in Paris, sees her favorite instagram influencer doing something shady and decides to expose her. The blow up from the post is far bigger than she expected. When she is given a taste of the influencer life, she jumps into it and loses herself. Down the downward spiral, and people coming after her constantly she becomes a shell she once was. You’ll wait for her to make another impulsive decision, or to take back her power. A great read that shows everything on the internet is fake and carefully curated.
November 20, 2025
Ty netgalley for the ARC! Absolutely loved this one
January 10, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was interested in this story because it provides a peek into the lives of online influencers. I’m very skeptical of how someone makes a living by posting product reviews and doubt if I’d buy something just because someone did a video about it. And honestly, they are way over the top and “literally obsessed” about way too many things. They storyline was very compelling and did confirm my feelings that these influencers are superficial and not very trustworthy. Good read and gives a peek behind the curtain.
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