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The Followers
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26The Followers is a sharp debut that explores themes of peer pressure, girlhood, identity, social capital, and how schoolyard dynamics translate to social media.
Friendship with Lacey felt like a warm hand pressing very tightly against my throat. The difficulty breathing felt better than the chill of abandonment that overcame me every time she would, just for a second, relax the pressure.
Beautiful, manipulative Lacey is a lifestyle influencer turned bestselling author who preaches self-love and body confidence to her million followers.
But one of those followers is Teresa. She remembers Lacey as a prepubescent mean girl who kept the loyal members of her gang—Teresa included—on a short leash. Twenty years later, she watches Lacey from afar with the ghost of her younger self and a copy of Lacey's new self-help book for company—both determined to keep the past alive.
The Followers is a keenly observed and darkly funny exploration of coming of age in the social media era and how the children we were shape the adults we become.
'I could not put this book down: Maree Spratt's characters gripped me from the first sentence. The Followers is a sophisticated and serious satire, showing the machinations of the minds of young pre-teen girls with the depth they so deserve, but rarely get, in literature.' — Alice Pung
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ladies and gentlemen, it might only be May, but I am certain I have found one of my top reads for 2026. What a debut! This book was hands-down incredible—in a sophisticated, understated kind of way, and it completely wrecked me. I can really feel the love, time, and careful consideration that went into making this book (15 years!). Words cannot do this gem justice, but I will try to give it the respect and time it deserves.
“Things become the truth when you record them, and they disappear if you don’t”
The Followers is a poignant, contemplative, and deeply thought-provoking coming-of-age story exploring Teresa’s journey, told in a series of moments spanning 20 years, from girlhood to working adult. It is mostly set in the past, but we do get some well-placed moments in the present—and this mystery of ‘what even happened to cause the present state?’ drives the story forward. This story sharply examines how early-life experiences can shape the people we become, as well as the insidious role peer pressure, social capital, socioeconomic status, identity and body image, plays.
It’s been a while since I was in high school, not to mention primary school—but boy did this book successfully transport me all the way back. Many elements of the setting and schoolyard dynamics were viscerally familiar, but I do have the added advantage of going to school around a close-enough time to our protagonists. Additionally, perhaps the result of this book being completed over 15 years, or perhaps the fruit of meticulous research—but this book absolutely NAILED the details of each time period and phase in life. For instance: collecting marbles, going to the bathroom in groups, Bloody Mary tales, sleepovers, chain emails (pass it on or be cursed), the use of MSN and shift towards Facebook then Instagram & Reddit, references to music fitting the time (e.g. Complicated by Avril Lavigne), Cosmo magazines, COVID-19 pandemic…and so many more! It all felt very authentic, relatable, and made immersion effortless.
“everyone is the average of the five people they surround themselves with”
The characters are incredibly nuanced and compelling—you could easily write an entire essay dissecting the intricacies of Teresa or Lacey alone, but I will not for spoiler and brevity’s sake, and just say neither is near innocent nor truly evil. I enjoyed seeing how background, life experiences and people in their life clearly shaped each character, and I particularly celebrated the personal growth they each went through over the years. I did not think I would like Lacey after the first part, but the book had me completely invested in her growth and ultimately wishing well for her at the end. What also helped the immersion and authenticity of the book was how flawlessly the author adapted Teresa’s voice to her age—her narration as a Year 4 student, middle school student, and adult, all differed and each were spot-on. Further, the key relationship between Teresa and Lacey is incredibly complex and so darkly enthralling. In a way they are toxic for each other, but they also filled a void in the other’s life at times, have so much history together, and both have had an undeniable impact on the other’s trajectory. I really liked seeing how their dynamic shifted each time they met again after growing on their own.
I have been in a protracted book hangover since the night I stayed up until 5am binge reading the ending. The same way our protagonists have a love-hate relationship with each other, I both obsess over and am emotionally-destroyed by how events panned out in this book! To an extent, perhaps it always had to pan out this way, but I think the twist of the knife is how well it reflects the cruel reality of life: growing up is losing things. Maree Spratt got me so immersed and invested in the characters’ stories that there were better moments I wished with all-my-heart the characters could freeze in and live-among forever (and was inevitably heartbroken when the stark reminder came that this was and never is possible).
“That’s the sign of a good friend, right? They have enough dirt on you to blackmail you but you know that they never would”
Your honour, it hurts. Middle school Lacey and Teresa are messed up but will forever be my roman empire.
Thank you so much to Maree Spratt for writing this incredible book, and to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read this ARC via NetGalley. This was truly special and I will definitely be ordering the paperback. For lovers of coming-of-age stories and books like Bridge to Terabithia—this one is for you.
“Things become the truth when you record them, and they disappear if you don’t”
The Followers is a poignant, contemplative, and deeply thought-provoking coming-of-age story exploring Teresa’s journey, told in a series of moments spanning 20 years, from girlhood to working adult. It is mostly set in the past, but we do get some well-placed moments in the present—and this mystery of ‘what even happened to cause the present state?’ drives the story forward. This story sharply examines how early-life experiences can shape the people we become, as well as the insidious role peer pressure, social capital, socioeconomic status, identity and body image, plays.
It’s been a while since I was in high school, not to mention primary school—but boy did this book successfully transport me all the way back. Many elements of the setting and schoolyard dynamics were viscerally familiar, but I do have the added advantage of going to school around a close-enough time to our protagonists. Additionally, perhaps the result of this book being completed over 15 years, or perhaps the fruit of meticulous research—but this book absolutely NAILED the details of each time period and phase in life. For instance: collecting marbles, going to the bathroom in groups, Bloody Mary tales, sleepovers, chain emails (pass it on or be cursed), the use of MSN and shift towards Facebook then Instagram & Reddit, references to music fitting the time (e.g. Complicated by Avril Lavigne), Cosmo magazines, COVID-19 pandemic…and so many more! It all felt very authentic, relatable, and made immersion effortless.
“everyone is the average of the five people they surround themselves with”
The characters are incredibly nuanced and compelling—you could easily write an entire essay dissecting the intricacies of Teresa or Lacey alone, but I will not for spoiler and brevity’s sake, and just say neither is near innocent nor truly evil. I enjoyed seeing how background, life experiences and people in their life clearly shaped each character, and I particularly celebrated the personal growth they each went through over the years. I did not think I would like Lacey after the first part, but the book had me completely invested in her growth and ultimately wishing well for her at the end. What also helped the immersion and authenticity of the book was how flawlessly the author adapted Teresa’s voice to her age—her narration as a Year 4 student, middle school student, and adult, all differed and each were spot-on. Further, the key relationship between Teresa and Lacey is incredibly complex and so darkly enthralling. In a way they are toxic for each other, but they also filled a void in the other’s life at times, have so much history together, and both have had an undeniable impact on the other’s trajectory. I really liked seeing how their dynamic shifted each time they met again after growing on their own.
I have been in a protracted book hangover since the night I stayed up until 5am binge reading the ending. The same way our protagonists have a love-hate relationship with each other, I both obsess over and am emotionally-destroyed by how events panned out in this book! To an extent, perhaps it always had to pan out this way, but I think the twist of the knife is how well it reflects the cruel reality of life: growing up is losing things. Maree Spratt got me so immersed and invested in the characters’ stories that there were better moments I wished with all-my-heart the characters could freeze in and live-among forever (and was inevitably heartbroken when the stark reminder came that this was and never is possible).
“That’s the sign of a good friend, right? They have enough dirt on you to blackmail you but you know that they never would”
Your honour, it hurts. Middle school Lacey and Teresa are messed up but will forever be my roman empire.
Thank you so much to Maree Spratt for writing this incredible book, and to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read this ARC via NetGalley. This was truly special and I will definitely be ordering the paperback. For lovers of coming-of-age stories and books like Bridge to Terabithia—this one is for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
@LaceyLoves is a social media influencer, she’s has just released her first book Glow Up Already in it she preaches about having a positive body imagine, all bodies are beautiful and being the person you were meant to be to her followers.
2002. Teresa Young and Lacey were friends in primary school, and she can’t resist following her and reading her posts. Lacey was the group leader, she played marbles at break times, and was well on her way to being a mean girl. Lacey deliberately invited a vulnerable girl to her birthday party and what she and the others did to her that night still haunts Teresa to this day.
2022. Teresa is now a mum and an English Teacher, she watches Lacey from afar, she doesn’t know how she feels about her ex-best friend and looks back at the time they spent together.
I received a copy of The Followers by Maree Spratt from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. This narrative took me back to school, it explores what it's like being a preteen girl, going through puberty, wanting to be a member of the in crowd and cool group, peer pressure, feeling like you don't fit in and being insecure.
Disguised as being your friend and ally, they can almost smell your uncertainty, fear and doubts. All done with a smile and for your own good, if a friend can point out your flaws and help you, do you really want someone who doesn’t care about you to do it? I’m so glad I no longer care what others thing about me, raise your daughters to be kind, not to pick on others and four stars for Ms Spratt’s debut novel.
The message is deep within the pages of this book, it might not be obvious from the start and I recommend to keep reading and you will get it.
2002. Teresa Young and Lacey were friends in primary school, and she can’t resist following her and reading her posts. Lacey was the group leader, she played marbles at break times, and was well on her way to being a mean girl. Lacey deliberately invited a vulnerable girl to her birthday party and what she and the others did to her that night still haunts Teresa to this day.
2022. Teresa is now a mum and an English Teacher, she watches Lacey from afar, she doesn’t know how she feels about her ex-best friend and looks back at the time they spent together.
I received a copy of The Followers by Maree Spratt from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. This narrative took me back to school, it explores what it's like being a preteen girl, going through puberty, wanting to be a member of the in crowd and cool group, peer pressure, feeling like you don't fit in and being insecure.
Disguised as being your friend and ally, they can almost smell your uncertainty, fear and doubts. All done with a smile and for your own good, if a friend can point out your flaws and help you, do you really want someone who doesn’t care about you to do it? I’m so glad I no longer care what others thing about me, raise your daughters to be kind, not to pick on others and four stars for Ms Spratt’s debut novel.
The message is deep within the pages of this book, it might not be obvious from the start and I recommend to keep reading and you will get it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I judged The Followers by its cover. The cover and title suggest a satirical look at social media and the duplicity of it. Really, it is 90% about the characters' childhoods and teenage years, and how Lacey, the Instagram influencer at the centre of it all, came to be her.
If I had gone into this novel with a different idea, ready for a look at growing up in early 2000s Brisbane, with all the Dolly sealed sections, personalised keychains, MSN messenger and Nutbush dances that entailed, I am sure I would have enjoyed it more.
The most enticing parts of the novel were the looks at Lacey's social media in the current day. The incisive satire into influencer culture was really well-done and I found myself wanting more. These snippets were unfortunately few and far between, and failed to provide a good anchor for the rest of the story. It loses steam significantly after the characters are involved in a significant incident, the different 'followers' diverging paths and Lacey being sidelined.
This was an easy, quick read. I did find myself resonating and enjoying some of the particular throwbacks to my own time growing up in Australia in the 2000s, but this wasn't quite enough to make the book memorable.
Unfortunately, I judged The Followers by its cover. The cover and title suggest a satirical look at social media and the duplicity of it. Really, it is 90% about the characters' childhoods and teenage years, and how Lacey, the Instagram influencer at the centre of it all, came to be her.
If I had gone into this novel with a different idea, ready for a look at growing up in early 2000s Brisbane, with all the Dolly sealed sections, personalised keychains, MSN messenger and Nutbush dances that entailed, I am sure I would have enjoyed it more.
The most enticing parts of the novel were the looks at Lacey's social media in the current day. The incisive satire into influencer culture was really well-done and I found myself wanting more. These snippets were unfortunately few and far between, and failed to provide a good anchor for the rest of the story. It loses steam significantly after the characters are involved in a significant incident, the different 'followers' diverging paths and Lacey being sidelined.
This was an easy, quick read. I did find myself resonating and enjoying some of the particular throwbacks to my own time growing up in Australia in the 2000s, but this wasn't quite enough to make the book memorable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one was a tricky one. It wasn’t quite what I expected - I went in expecting a confict between the influencer and follower as adults - but instead it was a revisit to their experiences together throughout childhood and adolescence. At times it was quite an uncomfortable read - I think it took me back to my own experiences which was quite a heavy and unpleasant - but all in all a quick read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to release. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to release. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews