The Unfluencer

by Mia Heintzelman

Whitney Graves didn't build Ellswood's most respected gallery by playing it safe. She's spent years cultivating the perfect reputation—and keeping her heart firmly out of frame. What her gallery needs is a masterpiece to cement her legacy. So when whispers surface about a highly coveted private collection, she's determined to claim it. She just didn't expect Warner Easton, six-foot-infinity stunner, enigmatic billionaire, reclusive widower, and the estate representative.

Warner isn't just another powerful man with deep pockets. He's rebuilding his life, and parting with his late wife's art is another step toward healing. So when a local gallery's brochure is hand-delivered along with an invitation to an upcoming exhibit, it feels like a sign. A fresh start. A chance to meet the captivating woman featured inside . . . not so much the scandalous "Restroom Rendezvous" that makes the next day's headlines.

Now no other gallery will touch him. And Whit may be his only option.

Soon, Warner asks her to venture to his remote Caribbean island to assess the collection. There's just one isolation changes everything. Alone in paradise with an unfairly beautiful man as guarded as she is, Whit finds herself entangled in more than brushstrokes and contracts. As secrets surface and an unexpected art thief closes in, what begins as a high-stakes acquisition turns dangerous. And if they're not careful, surviving may be the least of their worries—a second chance at love could leave their hearts in ruins.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fiction

286 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2026

About the author

The Wedding Crush releases on June 11th everywhere books are sold!

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Reviews

[eve]

If I had to describe this in few words, I would say fun, but forgettable. Honestly, I enjoyed it while I was listening to it, but I did not think about it when I wasn't, nor can I remember anything in particular about it. That's not to say anything about the book itself, I truly do think it is fine, great even. It just didn't truly connect with me. Maybe it wasn't the right time, I don't know. I don't have much more to say, honestly. I just want to mention the narration, because it was great, and really captivating.

Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & Dreamscape Media for the ALC; all opinions are my own.

[Sixella MK]

September 2026 Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookTome Edition): “The Unfluencer” by Mia Heintzelman

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

An influential art gallery owner..
A billionaire widower..
One remote Caribbean Island..
Secrets revealed behind the canvas..

From the author of the “Love and Games” series, the “Fortemani Family” series, and “The Divorcetanté” comes the second installment in the series by Mia Heintzelman! Heintzelman’s signature Contemporary world-building and stories of business-savvy heroines and sisterhood not only continues to be memorable and iconic, but the author also incorporates a slight action-packed element that pays homage to Action Film Romances such as the 2022 film “The Lost City”! Curious to immerse yourself in some tension-filled romance with a dash of mystery? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on September 8, 2026!

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

- Tropes: Contemporary Romance, Billionaire Romance, Mystery Elements, Coworkers-to-Lovers, Art Gallery Owner FMC x Billionaire Widower MMC, Remote Caribbean Island Getaway, Sisterhood Narrative, Women’s Health Awareness, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn Romance, High Society, Wager Subplot, Secrets Revealed, and Twists & Turns.

- Trigger Warnings: (Full Descriptions Can Be Found in the Book).

[Kayla]

Badass gallery owner and curator Whitney Graves has been creating incredible shows and shirking her grandmother's snark for years. She created her legacy. Now she wants to immortalize it. While searching for her "golden unicorn" artist, she hears whispers of a secret collection looking for a gallery home. But it turns out to be the art of Warner Easton's (tech billionaire, recluse, widow) late wife, who starred in a reality show.
Whitney basically conjured this man out of a dream (or a New Year's resolution), and when he FINALLY showed up to her gallery for her currently featured sculpture artist, the tension was maddening. Did they both end up in a snug bathroom trying to hide from the same man? Yes. Did the tabloids have a field day with their exit? Also, yes. But they didn't even kiss!
When the other gallery then cancelled their meeting with Warner do to the tabloid coverage, Warner's bestie bet him that he couldn't do casual hookups and challenges go to take Whitney to his private island to view and valuate the paintings. Meanwhile, Whitney's friends bet she couldn't last the weekend without sexing him up! She was to focus on love and art!
Chaotic flights, kisses, and storms abound when they get to the island, and after a near brush with death, Whitney and Warner can't resist falling in love or into each other!
This was a fun lil adventure rom com with lovely declarations and beautiful banter!

[Bossmanaries Smith]

A delightful mature romance that gives readers plenty of time to enjoy the relationship as it develops. We get some familiar tropes—yearning, a rich lover, miscommunication, and forced proximity—but they never distract from the story.

The dual narration is a wonderful choice, bringing the characters’ chemistry, laughs, and drama to life. Hearts are touched, trust is strengthened, and clothes are thrown across rooms. What more could a romance lover ask for?

All in all, Unfluencer is a fun, steamy, and entertaining romance that will leave romance fans smiling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

#TheUnfluencer #NetGalley.

[Rochelle Bryant Morgan]

This was a cute read/listen. Sexy, mature rom-com slow burn. Narrators were good and held my attention. Especially Sean Crisden 😝


Thank you Netgalley for the alc

[Rosi Colmenares]

This was fun, but very bland. I was left expecting something more. A good palette cleanser.

[Lalaa #ThisBlackGirlReads]

The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman was such a lovely read. I hadn't read the first book in the series, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this one was to follow on its own.

What I enjoyed most was the relationship. I appreciated that both characters had their own lives, careers, friendships, and things happening outside of their romance. It made their relationship feel much more authentic because their entire worlds didn't suddenly revolve around each other. There were definitely a few moments that felt a little out there, but overall, this was a sweet, enjoyable story that had me fully rooting for their love.

A charming romance with characters I genuinely wanted to see find their happy ending.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K]

Quick Summary: A feisty-wit, Pride and Prejudice-esque romance

My Review: The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman is book #2 in The Divatantes series. It is categorized as "Multicultural Interest | Romance." TODAY (9/8/26) is its release day! 🎉

About the Book: "Whitney Graves...needs...a masterpiece to cement her legacy.

...when whispers surface about a highly coveted private collection, she’s determined to claim it. She just didn’t expect Warner Easton, six-foot-infinity stunner, enigmatic billionaire, reclusive widower, and the estate representative."

In My Own Words: A widower trying to find his way following the complicated loss of his wife has an adventures-in-art-and-love relationship with a gallery owner who is ready for love.

About the Characters: Whitney and Warner are the main characters in this installment of The Divatantes.

🖼️ - Whitney -> Sassy, determined, give-as-you-get diva-tude, service-oriented, compassionate

💰 - Warner -> Serious, playful tease when unguarded, learning how to grieve in a healthy way, able to admit errors, finding himself in the after of loss

About the Couple Chemistry/Connection: Whitney and Warner struck sparks off each other. The friction that existed before they were a "we" made for high octane level intensity. Once they green-lighted what they were feeling, it was seriously on.

About the Conflict: The conflict arc featured the death of a partner, underhanded harassment, bereavement woes, societal expectations, family dysfunction, dating in the 21st century, espionage, and violent intent.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Elizabeth Kay and Sean Crisden. I found their delivery to be highly entertaining. They brought just the right amount of humor, wit, sexy-sass, attitude, and emotion that the story needed. I was not disappointed.

My Favorites (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

👓 - At First Sight
✈️ - Turbulence
🥂 - The Anniversary Nod
👑 - Get Ya Girl
💖 - This Good Luv
💌 - Hidden Messages From the Heart

My Final Say: The Unfluencer was a lot of fun to read. It was giving off a contemporary energy; think P & P with a twist for today, if you will. The modern-day slang inclusion made it feel youthful, even though the leads were adults. The main characters, as well as the supporting cast of characters, kept things fresh, funny, and way cool.

Other: Readers who enjoy contracts-and-connections, insta enemies to lovers, and life after loss romances may like this story.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🌶️
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review. I look forward to continuing with this series.

[JojosCozyBookNook]

⭐️ 3.5 stars

I enjoyed The Unfluencer overall! 💚 I really liked Whitney and Warner both individually and together, and I especially loved their inner dialogue. It was funny, vulnerable, and relatable, and I enjoyed getting to hear them wrestle with their feelings for each other. 🥹

One of my favorite parts of the book was actually the friendships. 🫶🏾 I loved Whitney’s friendship with the other Divatantes and the banter between them, but also how they genuinely showed up for and supported one another. I felt the same way about Warner and his best friend. He gave Warner plenty of grief 😂, but underneath all of it was someone who wanted his friend to put himself back out there and find happiness again after losing his wife.

I also really appreciated Whitney as a character. 💕 I loved that she didn’t want finding a man or getting married to become the center of her life at the expense of her own dreams. I also appreciated Warner being in therapy and the way the story touched on his grief and what it meant for him to open himself up to love again.

My biggest issue was that I wanted more time with a lot of what the story introduced. 😩 There were moments that could have benefited from more buildup and development, particularly with the romance. The ten-day bet, for example, felt like the perfect opportunity to build more tension between Whitney and Warner, but I didn’t feel like we got enough of that buildup. Even the conflict toward the end happened and resolved more quickly than I expected. There were a couple of moments where I found myself thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” 😭

I felt similarly about Whitney’s relationship with her grandmother. I understood how Whitney’s upbringing shaped her views on relationships and money, and I loved seeing some reconciliation between them, especially her grandmother showing up for Whitney in the end. 🥹 I just would have loved to explore that relationship more.

So this wasn’t a case of me wanting the story to hurry up. It was actually the opposite: I liked what was there enough that I wanted the book to slow down and give some of those moments more room to breathe. 📖

As for the audiobook, I loved the narration! 🎧 The narrators did a great job bringing Whitney and Warner to life and made the internal dialogue, humor, and emotional moments even more enjoyable to listen to.

Overall, I liked The Unfluencer and would recommend it. 💚 I just wish it had been a little longer so the romance and some of the emotional beats could have been developed more fully.

[Lia Anshar]

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman is such a lovely story, and the audiobook experience made it even better! The story follows Whitney Graves, who’s built the most respected gallery in town and isn’t about to let anything, especially not a relationship, get in the way of her dreams. She’s chasing this incredible, one of a kind art collection to really cement her legacy, and that’s exactly how she crosses paths with Warner Easton: the tall, mysterious, billionaire widower who holds all the cards. He’s still putting his life back together after losing his wife, and letting go of her art feels like a big, brave step toward starting over. So when Whitney’s gallery brochure lands in his hands, it truly feels like fate. Before long, he’s inviting her all the way to his remote Caribbean island to assess the collection, and suddenly they’re stuck in paradise together. Two people who are both used to keeping their hearts locked up tight, slowly realizing they might not want to anymore.

What I loved most was just how real both Whitney and Warner feel, especially when we get inside their heads. Their inner dialogue is so funny but also vulnerable, all those messy, quiet feelings they don’t always say out loud. I admired Whitney so much for refusing to put her own goals on hold for love. But honestly, Warner completely stole the show for me. His journey felt so much deeper and drew me in right away. I actually found myself looking forward to his POV more than anything else. And this is definitely a slow-burn romance that works perfectly. Their connection unfolds gently and every little moment feels earned.

The narrators deserve all the love! They made both characters feel so alive, making every joke, sweet and bitter moment hit much harder. Still, there’s a tiny flaw. The side plot felt wrapped up too quickly. It felt there just to add drama rather than give impact to the story, but I still enjoyed it perfectly.

Overall, this is a good slow-burn romance, and I would absolutely recommend it, especially in audio form! It’s such a great story about opening your heart again, holding fast to your dreams, and learning that sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. If you’re into slow-burn romance, a deeply compelling hero who heals as he falls, and gorgeous island vibes, this one’s worth picking up!

[January]

The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman (Sept. 2026) [reading in August]
Divatantes #2
9h narrated by A.M. Elizabeth Kay and Sean Crisden, 300 pages

Genre: African-American Romance

Movie Rating Equivalent: R/NC-17 for sexual content

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️¾🏝🖼

Featuring: Fictional Town in Georgia, Titled Chapters, Friendships, January, Summer, New Year's Goals, Media, Widower, Looking For Urkel, Art Gallery, Tech Billionaire, Dating App, Island Vacation, Psychological Reactance, Paternal Abandonment, Art Collection, Gallerist, Dual POVs, Grief Counseling, Public Opinion, Guilt, Fear of Commitment, Drama, Suspense, Romance Novels, R&B Songs, Grandmother, Approval, Gossip, Social Media

High-Society Socialites, Social Media Drama, and a Dose of Danger!

​We met Ebony and her Divatantes in The Divorcetante, and now they are back in The Unfluencer—with Whitney taking the spotlight this time around.

​Right from the first chapter, this is a massive improvement over book one. The audio features much better expressive narration with impressive vocal range, the writing has a far tighter narrative flow, and the plot kicks off with the goal of a vacation trip—so you know I was immediately down for the ride. While the female narrator still outshines the male narrator, his performance had clear diction despite the deep bass in his voice.

​This story is everything I hoped the first book would have been! I connected with Whitney and Warren much more than Ebony and Lincoln as main characters, and the overall premise was far more engaging—even if the plot got a little murky right in the middle.
​Overall, it was a solid read that nicely set up the next installment. (I'm guessing the series is heading toward a four-book run focused on Priscilla and Chance for Book 3, and I'm already even more interested in Priscilla's story than I was in Whitney's!)

​Recommend to others: If you enjoy high-society former debutantes taking control of their own lives amidst celebrity-level public scrutiny, a hint of spice, and a splash of suspense, this story is for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Divatantes
1. The Divorcetante (2025)
2. The Unfluencer (2026)

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman, this is the latest action Romance in The Dividend series I listened to the audiobook narrated by A.M. Elizabeth K and Sean Kristen. I thought they both did a fabulous job covering Whitney and Lawrence budding romance not to mention the trouble they face from the intruder. Warren is a widow and his late wife left behind art pieces that a lot of art dealers wanna get their hands on it and one of them is Whitney Graves. She owns a small art boutique and she knows her chances aren’t the best but invites him to a showing that she is surprised to see him attend things only get awkward when they both find themselves in the same bathroom in front of all her guest and this includes a gossip influencer. this is initially what causes their wires to be crossed but he eventually invites her to his island retreat especially after both their business and homes have been broken into them fleeing to the island doesn’t get them out of trouble because whoever is trying to stop them will eventually be there as well. this author is very talented because when they were in the bathroom the sexual tension started and you can feel it especially with the great narration what I didn’t like is them hooking up long before they decide to be together. I mean animals given to base wants and desires not rational thinking adults and I just thought this really ruined the book because if they’re having sex why is he tongue-tied when trying to tell her how he truely feels and why does she have her walls up you mean it’s easier to get into your intimate parts then for you to admit you care for somebody there’s something skewed about that and it really ruined the book for me. I did think the narration was great there was some funny parts in the book and she’s definitely a talented writer I just after they started hooking up I really just wanted the book to be over. for those this doesn’t bother I’m sure this will be a great book for them and if so it really is worth the read I myself just I’m not a fan of sex and books in general and people hooking up and still deciding whether or not they want to be with that person that seems ridiculous but again this is my opinion. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Holley Desigio]

received an audiobook copy of "The Unfluencer" from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Whitney Graves is a art gallery owner looking for the golden goose- a piece that will draw everyone to her small gallery and put in on the map. She and her friends make a wish every year, and when she makes a wish for her dream man, it seems a lot like the real world Warner Easton. The only problem? He's married. They run in the same circles, but have never meet themselves, so her friends bring up some articles to show him how perfect he is for her. She decides to ignore the pull she feels towards the article she reads about him, but the next day, reports come out that his wife Sherry is dead. A year later, Warner is trying to sell Sherry's paintings. but Whitney is unsure about Warner moving on so fast, and Warner thinks Whitney is too judgemental, and is a social climber like the rest of the town. But they are attracted to each other, and when Warner's friend bets him that he can't do a casual relationship, Warner decides to see if Whitney really is the social climber he thinks he is. At the same time, Whitney's friends bet her that she can't get him to fall in love with her, and that if she tries to fall in love, a real try at a relationship, they will pay for a girls trip. These opposing motivations set off a complicated relationship between the two. But as they get to know each other, the messy truth of Whitney's life and Warner's marriage come to light, and they must decide if they are truly ready to deal with the media around a public relationship. She doesn't want to be connected to money and influence, he wants calm and quiet after the media storm after his wife's death. Touching on friendship, grief, love, and social status, the book is a good mix of fun and heart. I don't usually enjoy the whole "bet that becomes real" trope but because both Whitney and Warner have outside motivations for starting their relationship, it feels less gross than in other stories. The set up of the romance felt like it was most of the book, with most of it being tension of the characters unsure if they should be together or not, with one kiss before the 50% mark, which might be the only drawback.

[Simone G]

Whitney has a fun group of friends, a career she loves that she fought to have, and she isn’t looking for love to complete her feeling of having it all.

I really liked that premise and I wish it would’ve stayed truer to her. Having someone decenter men and love and have them just kind of drift into your life is a story I would gravitate more towards. This was very insta lovey and the romance/chemistry wasn’t there for me.

I liked her friend group though and that they seemed to be central and constant for her. Everyone in this book is either laughing or suppressing a laugh which I had mixed feelings about but it does add a jovial feel throughout the book.

I found a lot of the dialogue to be rather corny. I didn’t love how everyone was always jumping to conclusions about everything. The recaps of conversations instead of them playing out on page. The miscommunication was rough but that’s a me thing, I just do not care for the trope and that’s kind of the basis of the roadblock/conflict of this book. The twist with the break in and everything towards the end seemed out of place and oddly paced.

Warner and his friend were great. Good and fun dynamic. This book really put an emphasis on friendship that I enjoyed. I loved that he saw a therapist even if at times he kinda didn’t believe in it, it seemed. But he stuck with it. I think some of the reactions he had were rather childish for his age and status but I digress. His narrator though, was phenomenal. Loved.

I did appreciate the grandmother’s opposition storyline. It added depth to Whitney’s character and motivation. I liked that she didn’t buckle. Family is often this big struggle with people and that they can’t go against the grain on. Seeing her stand her ground and come out not only ahead, but really, with it all was so satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[VelvetReads]

Whitney Graves is a respected art gallery owner. Warner Easton is a reclusive billionaire, navigating grief in the public eye. When Whitney gets wind of an exclusive art collection by Warner’s late wife, she is determined to get her hands on it for her gallery. What neither Whitney or Warner expect is a heart stopping moment that leaves them both confused, but wanting more. Anchored by assumptions of one another, both parties approach their next steps with caution. When Warner invites Whitney to the Caribbean to see the art collection in person, they have their own reasons for moving forward with the trip. While in isolation, the pair navigate their complicated feelings before being faced with a lurking threat.

Thoughts: This was such a cute book! Whitney and Warner are both hesitant to explore what could be there for their own reasons but they have undeniable chemistry. While I didn’t love some of the commentary in the beginning (super judgmental) I enjoyed their banter and the power struggle they had with each other. I also love that the author also included a bit of a health scare for Whitney, which touched on a fear that I’m sure so many of us have. It was raw and real and helped us visualize what she aimed to accomplish with her gallery and foundation. I wasn’t expecting the suspense and mystery portion towards the end, but I do enjoy when more is going on than just the lovey dovey stuff. The narrators did an amazing job voicing these characters and bringing them to life!

Great read for lovers of romantic comedies with messy and flawed characters. I enjoyed this one and appreciate the ALC from NetGalley. The Unfluencer will be officially released on September 8th!

[Shamoya Reads]

Thank you to Dreamscape Media through Netgalley for the advanced copy, and also to Mia for the eARC

Since this book was announced it was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I met Whitney the FMC in book 1 (the divorcetante) and she was my favorite side character in that book.
This story follows the FMC Whitney, while with her group of other divatantes, the topic of what would be the perfect man for her came up. Whitney doesn't see herself ever being in love and is fine being independent, single and fabulous. She doesn't want her entire life to be about a man and doesn't think she needs one. To appease her girlfriends, she describes her ideal man and come to find out he matches a handsome tech billionaire by the name of Warner Easton. Warner is newly widowed and trying to deal with his wife's sudden passing through Therapy. The public has formed their own opinion/judgements on who he is or isn't, how long he should grief, resulting in him being more of a recluse.

This is a cute romcom, and I love getting the sarcastic humor from both characters. I love the high society drama, messiness and I felt like I was watching one of the real housewives show. Both characters fighting the chemistry the pull between them, but still finding love in the middle of chaos. The friend group and how they love and support each other. The added plot twist and mystery I definitely didn't see coming. I will say I wanted more of the couple together, getting to know more about each other, dating etc. Their love story felt rush after the buildup. Both narrators did a really good job narrating and capturing the dialogue between all the characters. Overall, I enjoyed this one and can't wait to read about another divatante.

[Crystal]

ARC & ALC Review
📚 Book Title: The Unfluencer
✍🏽Author: Mia Heintzelman
🎙️Narrator: A.M. Elizabeth Kay & Sean Crisden
📕 Format: 📱&🎧
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🕑Quick Take:
We catch up with the Divatantes—Ebony, Priscilla, Tatiana, Chanel, and Whitney. Whitney Graves, first introduced in Book One, The Divorcétante, is Ebony's friend. She owns the Artery gallery, is successful, but struggles with love. When asked about her ideal man, she describes Warner Easton, an elusive tech billionaire and recent widower of a reality TV star. He's looking for a gallery to showcase his late wife's secret art collection, with the Artery as a candidate. Both have preconceived notions: she sees him as cold, he views her as a social-climbing debutante. Will they let their initial impressions prevent their attraction?

✨ Tropes:
- Forced Proximity
- Slow Burn
- Love After Loss
- Tech Billionare MMC & Gallery Owner FMC
- Romantic Comedy

🎭 Narration:
A.M. Elizabeth Kay and Sean Crisden did a phenomenal job narrating this novel.

⚠️ Heads Up:
- Grief & Loss
- Strained Parental Relationships

💭Final Thoughts:
The Unfluencer is a charming, funny, and sexy read. It was great to catch up with the Divatantes. I enjoyed the tension, banter, and the side characters, especially Clive and Cord—they really steal the show. Whitney and Warner often misunderstand each other; I loved that they actually took the time to get to know one another, showing their maturity. Some parts made me laugh so hard I was crying. 😆 I actually stayed up late to finish this book. It was a fantastic read!

Thanks, Mia Heintzelman and @Dreamscape Media, for the ARC and ALC.

[Adjwoa]

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Whitney and Warner in The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman! This is book two in The Divatantes series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone.

Whitney, an art gallery owner, has worked hard to build a life and career entirely on her own terms, leaving very little room for love. Warner is a widower who is processing his grief and finally ready to move forward with his life. Their paths cross when Whitney discovers that the highly sought-after private art collection she’s after belongs to Warner’s late wife.

What follows is a charming, hilarious, and surprisingly action-packed adventure. Whitney is determined to secure the collection and, along the way, finds herself opening her heart to more than just casual flings. Meanwhile, Warner is trying to find the perfect home for his late wife’s art without falling for the gallery owner who has caught his eye.

This book gave me moments where I literally LOL’d, moments where I was completely caught up in the action, and a bit of suspense that I wasn’t expecting but enjoyed. I especially loved the Indiana Jones references and the nod to Haiti.

I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed the narrators. They brought so much personality to Whitney and Warner’s story.

If you’re looking for a fun, cozy read with romance, humor, a little suspense, and an unexpected adventure, I’d definitely recommend this book.

[Rachel]

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ALC
Pub date: September 8, 2026

2.75 ⭐️

This one has SUCH potential for me!! There were so many hints of what could have been (action, tension, friendships) that were just never fully developed. I read this as a stand-alone and it worked fine, but I wonder if I would’ve felt more of a connection to the friend group if I’d read book 1 first.

Read this book for:
🖼️ wealthy MCs
🖼️ high society & tabloid headlines
🖼️ one tech widower and one art curator sworn off love
🖼️ a tiny bit of action and a Scooby Doo moment
🖼️ two days on an island
🖼️ she basically manifests him into existence
🖼️ some off-screen scandal brought to light

Why not 5 ⭐️?
🌴 the missed potential
(1) At one point she makes a bet with her friends about abstaining from sex for 10 days to really get to know him before diving in. That bet quickly goes down the drain. I’m not saying the spicy scenes (🌶️🌶️) were bad, but I felt a bit cheated out of the tension-filled celibacy I was promised. I think the way it was done really cheapened the relationship and made it lust-based, which made it harder to believe the eventual “I love yous”
(2) the FMC loves action romances and there is a plane malfunction, attempted break ins, and an unmasking moment, but there could have been SO much more in those moments to really bring the MCs together
🌴 he also made a dumb bet that was the reason for a very rushed third-act break up
🌴too many eye-roll moments for me

[Leese]

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook for review via NetGalley!

I have one question after finishing this book: where’s the rest of it!? 😭 The plot, the characters, and the writing were perfectly set up to make an amazing book but I swear I looked up after just two seconds of reading and somehow was already halfway through the story. Even if this were a novella, there definitely could’ve been much more time spent with Whitney and Warner getting to know each other. Honestly, anyone who hates the insta love trope is not going to have a good time with this book.

If I ignore how quickly this book sped by, I can happily say I enjoyed my time reading. I was very intrigued by the plot, really liked how Whitney and Warner were when they were together (and not making quick judgments about each other) and the banter across all the characters had me laughing out loud. For that reason, I’d still recommend reading this book if you don’t mind a lighthearted, quick Black love centered read.

The audiobook also enhanced my reading experience. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how high pitched the female narrator’s voice was but the male narrator’s voice was so smooth and intriguing that it was worth powering through. I eventually adjusted to her voice also, so it was still a decent listening experience during Whitney’s chapters. I recommend the audio if you’re able to listen!

[abbiealwaysreads]

I would relisten to this book for the narration of A.M. Elizabeth Kay and Sean Crisden alone! The storytelling and beautiful voices were so enjoyable throughout the story!

Beyond that, it’s an enjoyable love story between two characters who are so easy to root for! Whitney is a black woman who works to uplift black artists and their work. She’s fierce, dedicated, and has the best group of friends. When she decides she doesn’t want to pursue love and gives a “hypothetical” of her ideal man, her friends tell her he actually exists…

Warner is a billionaire tech mogul who was amicably separating from his wife when she unfortunately passed away in a car accident. When he sees a beautiful woman a year later, he’s shocked to find out he’s interested in her. But when he realizes she owns a gallery looking to display his late wife’s work, things get complicated.

Following this duo through break ins, heists, hidden info, and more, the love story of a couple with top tier chemistry unfolds in such a fun way. As a reader, I couldn’t help but cheer for their happiness as they worked their way to each other. While there were moments that they made me frustrated, I was still thrilled to see these two find love. A great audiobook if you want some chemistry, humor, and twists in a love story!

[Reggie Virus]

I really liked Whitney and Warner both individually and together. Her friend group I also enjoyed. The banter between them, how they showed up for and supported one another, it was nice to see and read. Whitney not wanting a man or getting married to become the center of her life at the expense of her own dreams also made me love this story more. She knew what she wanted and was doing it. I loved Warner being in therapy and the way the story touched on his grief and what it meant for him to open himself up to love again and what he was thinking.

I do wish I had more buildup between her and Warner. I need some more development and romance. More dates and the conversation that happened after the flash drive.

As for the audiobook, I loved the narration!
The narrators did a great job bringing Whitney and Warner to life and made the internal dialogue, humor, and emotional moments even more enjoyable to listen to. I was laughing out loud.

Overall, I liked The Unfluencer and would recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Anna DiCiurcio]

This was the first book I have read by Mia Heintzelman and I really enjoyed it. I was given the advanced listener copy of this book and I did like both narrator’s!

This story follows Whitney who owns her own art gallery in a very influential part of Georgia. She grew up in high society, but hates it. She first hears about Warner when his wife Sherry, a well known Lux lady (this books version of a real house wife) dies in a car accident. A year later she is attempting to be the gallery to display Sherry’s unknown art collection. She thinks he is a cold billionaire with no care for anyone and he thinks she’s a vapid social climber.

The first part of this book is a lot of miscommunication that really could have been settled if the two characters talked. Also, the dialog in this book was about 85-90% inner dialog. There was not a lot of actual conversation in the book, which I didn’t love. I don’t like hearing about what was discussed second hand, I like to be apart of the conversation.

All in all I did enjoy this book and it was a quick and light hearted read.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Mia Heintzelman for letting me listen to this book!

[CeCe novelnlit]

Audiobook read/ALC

Overall: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Plot: 3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨💫
Characters: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ending: 3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨💫
Spice: 1.5 🌶️🌶️

Narration: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This is a cozy rom-com that reminds you that love manifestation is real and the opportunity to fall is just waiting for you to take that chance.

When art gallery owner, Whitney Graves finally moves love and relationship to the top of her life’s to do list, she is conflicted by being attracted to the reclusive, billionaire widow. But will love go out the window or land at the pair’s doorstep when there’s a must have unseen art collection owned by the recluse himself?!?!

Warner and Whitney have some cute banter and great chemistry. Pacing felt off at times, and the spice was just a little peppery. Overall, this was an enjoyable romance that had a bit of mystery, mess, and mayhem. If you want the cozy romance without too much heat, then this makes for a good listen that could easily be finished in 1-2 settings.

Thanks NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

[Sauniell]

Thank you to Mia Heintzelman, Honey Blossom Press, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Unfluencer is the second book in the Divatantes series and features Whitney, a gallery owner who refuses to fall in line with the expected high society attitude toward careers and marriage. Whitney’s ambitions to exhibit an exclusive collection in her gallery leads her to Warner, a recently widowed billionaire whose handsome face has previously caught her eye. Warner’s desire to respectfully showcase his late wife’s art brings them together in a relationship that starts with preconceived notions of fame and high society but leads them into a romance filled with unexpected adventure. Both Whitney’s and Warner’s past experiences have shaped how they approach the possibilities of a romantic relationship. While they can be judgmental and frustrating at times, it’s clear that they both really want love and love each other. The story is slow to start but becomes very fast paced halfway through especially as the mystery and adventure start to unfold.

I enjoyed the narration overall however I was not the biggest fan of female narrator’s choice of inflection for Whitney’s voice during certain parts. When leaning into emotions, the pitch would elevate in the middle and end of a sentence in a way that didn’t always make sense. Especially given that she didn’t do it consistently or when voicing the other characters.

The Unfluencer is a great addition to the series and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Haerlee]

There’s a lot to enjoy about this book, and I love how the cover nods to the dress worn during the FMC and MMC’s meet-cute. That said, while I’m a big fan of movies like *Romancing the Stone*, *Jewel of the Nile*, and *The Lost City*, this story didn’t quite reach the same level of that canon for me. It’s a slow burn, and though we got some hilarious inner thoughts from both leads, their actual interactions didn’t fully sell me on their chemistry—he was still grieving his wife, and she came from a cold upbringing where emotions weren’t encouraged. When they finally did sleep together, I wasn’t entirely convinced it was as all-consuming as they claimed. Still, I enjoyed the premise—romance, adventure, mystery—and returning to the Divorcétante circle. I like this group of friends and plan to follow each one as they find love. This book works best as a quick, go-with-the-flow escape; I finished it in an evening, helped along by the breezy dual narration.

I have rounded the scoring up; it is a 3+ experience for me.

[Bookishwith_mariee]

Thank you for trusting me with this advanced copy! The Unfluencer by Mia Heintzelman had me in my FEELINGS! 😩 Warner is a billionaire and a certified lover boy at heart, but he’s carrying grief, guilt, and the weight of being judged by people who don’t know the full story. Meanwhile, Whitney has spent her life refusing to become the woman her mother and grandmother planned for her because keeping up with the Joneses was never going to pay her bills or bring her peace!

The attraction between Warner and Whit was there from the very beginning, but those two were determined to stand around being guarded, awkward, and unsure while I yelled, “Y’ALL LIKE EACH OTHER PLEASE ACT ACCORDINGLY!” 😂 Once they were forced to spend time together, feelings got exposed, truths started coming out, and baby…I was LOCKED IN!

I loved how beautifully everything unfolded without revealing too much too soon. The story was emotional, romantic, and so well written, and the narrators absolutely understood the assignment! A beautiful five-star audiobook that I’m already dying to talk about with everybody!

[Nìk]

Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC!

The story follows Whitney Graves, an art gallery owner trying to find the piece that will finally put her gallery on the map. After making her annual wish for her dream man, her friends point her toward Warner Easton, a seemingly perfect match who, unfortunately, is married.

Warner’s wife unexpectedly dies & the two eventually find themselves orbiting each other.

This one started out giving slow-burn rom com, and I was perfectly happy to sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Whitney was goin in on Warner & I was cracking up. They both are skeptical af bout each other but once they finally give in…. MAGNETS lol

However, this didn’t feel like an age gap romance. Yes, Warner flirted like an old man but don’t go expecting that plot line to be evident.

I also really enjoyed the narrators. They brought every chaotic, awkward, and messy moment to life, which made the story even more fun to listen to.

This was such a light, fun read, but I definitely wasn’t prepared for the plot twist.

3.5 ⭐️

[RoRolovesreading]

The Unfluencer is the second book in the Divatantes series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Whitney is a successful art gallery owner who has never been in love. After her friends encourage her to find "the one," she becomes intrigued by Warren, a wealthy tech billionaire and recent widower. When the two meet, a series of misunderstandings, assumptions, and public scandals keep pushing them together and apart.

The story takes an unexpected turn when Warren invites Whitney to his private island, where readers are treated to dramatic events including a near-plane crash, a storm, a power outage, and even an attempted armed robbery. Amid all the chaos, Mia and Warren quickly fall in love in the two days on the island. Back home, another misunderstanding separates them before they ultimately find their way back to each other.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I'm not a fan of the miscommunication or insta-love tropes, and I found it difficult to believe these characters were in their late 30’s or mid 40’s. The robbery subplot also felt far-fetched and existed mainly to move the romance forward.

That said, readers who enjoy over-the-top romantic drama, instant attraction, and miscommunication-driven plots may have better luck with this book than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Anastasia Slaughter]

Thank you, Honey Blossom Press and NetGalley for the ALC!

This book follows Whitney, an art curator who is not looking for love. However, when she receives a strange test result from her doctor, she panics and quickly realizes there’s a lack of love in her. This begins a potential romance with widower, Warner.

I really enjoyed Warner as an FMC and his character arc. Seeing him deal with his grief and the growth he exhibits at the end of the book in comparison to the beginning was something I enjoyed.

There were a few times where the characters made decisions or said things that felt immature for their ages or just out of left field. I understand those choices were made to move the plot forward, but there were already intriguing conflicts to build from. It left a lot of the dialogue feeling unnecessary.

All in all, I had a good time listening, and I’m going back to read the first book in the Divatantes series!