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Influenced
When the perfect life on Instagram turns out to be a lie…
Hanna Moreno has her eyes on the sweet life, but being an unemployed psychologist won't get her there. Her former friend Rowan—glamorous Instagram star—has money and leisure spare. Once bound by a tragic accident, the two women have lost touch. At least, until Hannah forces herself into Rowan's beautiful world.
When a party takes a shocking turn, history starts to repeat itself. Now, the Cambridge police are closing in, and the reunited friendship starts to unravel. Suspected of murder, Hannah and Rowan have to choose: do they keep each others' secrets, or do they try to save themselves?
"Influenced is the sort of book where you end up staying up until the middle of the night because you can't let it go. Hannah is a character you fall in love with... and then stay on the edge of your seat as her life spirals out of control. A must read for psychological suspense lovers." -- New York Times and Washington Post Bestseller Mike Omer
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 31, 2021
An intense psychological thriller, Influenced is the first novel by Eva Robinson and it’s a riveting read cover to cover! She really knocked it out of the park with her first thriller! It hooks your from the beginning and it’s impossible to put down.
Social media—you never truly know what’s going on being the perfect images or strategically thought out captions...
The plot twist will hit you at full speed and have you feeling until the last page.
Rating: 4.5/5
Social media—you never truly know what’s going on being the perfect images or strategically thought out captions...
The plot twist will hit you at full speed and have you feeling until the last page.
Rating: 4.5/5
May 10, 2021
Rating: 4.5stars
Publishing date: 5/14/2021
Hannah, a school psychologist, after quitting her job at the beginning of the book, turns to social media as an escape from her own world that revolves around her daughter, with sleepless nights and constant ant problems. She follows a high school classmate on Instagram and realizes how influential Rowan is on social media and how she wishes she too could make a living off of being an Influencer on Instagram. She reconnects with her Rowan. However, reconnecting with her old high school friend isn't all that she hoped when she becomes a murder suspect…
This murder mystery/psychological thriller was such a great read! It is very fast pace and it grabs your attention right from the start. The author starts with a scene of someone being pushed over a ledge and you don't know who is being killed and who is doing the killing. Throughout the book you end up pointing fingers at every character which shows just how well written this book is that the author gives only subtle hints to the twist. The chapters were broken into different point of views from each of the characters which helped us get varying information from each of them.
I also really enjoyed the plot. 1. it really touched on the downside of social media; the evil that can be social media when it comes to internet bullying, self-esteem issues and the influence that these "influencers" can have on people's lives in the good and the bad. 2. the touch on collage admission issues - both interesting concepts that I have not read in my usual thrillers/murder mysteries.
This one really kept me up all night with its twists and turns - I JUST HAD to know what was going to happen!
Such a great read and highly recommended!
Thank you to the author, publishing company and NetGalley for this electronic review copy in exchange for my honest review!
Publishing date: 5/14/2021
Hannah, a school psychologist, after quitting her job at the beginning of the book, turns to social media as an escape from her own world that revolves around her daughter, with sleepless nights and constant ant problems. She follows a high school classmate on Instagram and realizes how influential Rowan is on social media and how she wishes she too could make a living off of being an Influencer on Instagram. She reconnects with her Rowan. However, reconnecting with her old high school friend isn't all that she hoped when she becomes a murder suspect…
This murder mystery/psychological thriller was such a great read! It is very fast pace and it grabs your attention right from the start. The author starts with a scene of someone being pushed over a ledge and you don't know who is being killed and who is doing the killing. Throughout the book you end up pointing fingers at every character which shows just how well written this book is that the author gives only subtle hints to the twist. The chapters were broken into different point of views from each of the characters which helped us get varying information from each of them.
I also really enjoyed the plot. 1. it really touched on the downside of social media; the evil that can be social media when it comes to internet bullying, self-esteem issues and the influence that these "influencers" can have on people's lives in the good and the bad. 2. the touch on collage admission issues - both interesting concepts that I have not read in my usual thrillers/murder mysteries.
This one really kept me up all night with its twists and turns - I JUST HAD to know what was going to happen!
Such a great read and highly recommended!
Thank you to the author, publishing company and NetGalley for this electronic review copy in exchange for my honest review!
April 2, 2021
The twist at the end was incredible. I definitely related to Hannah especially since I currently have a 4 year old and a newborn baby. Sleep deprivation can totally make you feel like you’re losing your mind. Michael and Ciara are my favorite characters. I hope the author decides to write another book that stars both of these characters.
April 19, 2021
What a ride!!
Psychological thrillers are such a great read to me because it leaves me on the edge of my seat not trusting, and questioning everyone. The book starts off with someone’s murder and then it flash back to the beginning of the story leaving us wondering who is it. It’s told in multiple POVs which I appreciated, because I felt like I was able to grasp a bit more of the story. The twists and turns left me shell shocked and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with social media mixed in, then check this book out.
Psychological thrillers are such a great read to me because it leaves me on the edge of my seat not trusting, and questioning everyone. The book starts off with someone’s murder and then it flash back to the beginning of the story leaving us wondering who is it. It’s told in multiple POVs which I appreciated, because I felt like I was able to grasp a bit more of the story. The twists and turns left me shell shocked and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with social media mixed in, then check this book out.
March 31, 2021
Influenced by Eva Robinson
This story is a psychological thriller, it started off with a death scene, but we as the reader did not know whose death scene that was. Then we flow into the introduction of the characters in the book, first up was Hannah, a child psychologist in private school for the wealthy. At the beginning of this book, I did not like Hannah, had trouble with her situation, but that is part of
the story, but by the end I was rooting for her. Second up was Rowan an Instagram Influencer who detailed her life in pictures and quotes. She came from a privileged life and I did not care for her either at the beginning of the story, but by the end of the story I was rooting for her.
This story is rooted in the privileged arena of college placements and Ivy league schools. It kept me trying to figure out who was the culprit in the conspiracy and the who actual murderer was. Story was intriguing to the end, got excited when the final showdown was happening and who was going to survived it. The Detectives in the story are Michael and Ciara, they are a newly
minted team, you get some background on them in the story as well, I think this first book is a set up for future books with this crime team.
I really liked this story, as a longtime crime/mystery/thriller fan, I was excited when Eva stepped Into this genre as I have read her other books under another pen name and I like her writing style. Book was well written, story was engaging and has me looking for more books from her.
Disclaimer: I received this story as free ARC for an honest review
This story is a psychological thriller, it started off with a death scene, but we as the reader did not know whose death scene that was. Then we flow into the introduction of the characters in the book, first up was Hannah, a child psychologist in private school for the wealthy. At the beginning of this book, I did not like Hannah, had trouble with her situation, but that is part of
the story, but by the end I was rooting for her. Second up was Rowan an Instagram Influencer who detailed her life in pictures and quotes. She came from a privileged life and I did not care for her either at the beginning of the story, but by the end of the story I was rooting for her.
This story is rooted in the privileged arena of college placements and Ivy league schools. It kept me trying to figure out who was the culprit in the conspiracy and the who actual murderer was. Story was intriguing to the end, got excited when the final showdown was happening and who was going to survived it. The Detectives in the story are Michael and Ciara, they are a newly
minted team, you get some background on them in the story as well, I think this first book is a set up for future books with this crime team.
I really liked this story, as a longtime crime/mystery/thriller fan, I was excited when Eva stepped Into this genre as I have read her other books under another pen name and I like her writing style. Book was well written, story was engaging and has me looking for more books from her.
Disclaimer: I received this story as free ARC for an honest review
April 13, 2021
Publishing date: May 14th, 2021
CW: murder, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, manipulation
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Hannah is a school psychologist, but she feels like she's losing her mind. After quitting her job, she makes a point of finding and reconnecting with an old high school classmate, Rowan, who now makes her money as an influencer on instagram. Hannah is determined to provide for her 2 year old daughter, Nora. But when Hannah is in the wrong place at the wrong time, the police begin to look at her as a murder suspect...
This book was fast-paced, told from the perspective of multiple characters, and contained layers of information that all tied together to tell a whirlwind of a story. There were no lulls at any point, and all of the buildup provided a surprising ending. I really enjoyed this book!
CW: murder, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, manipulation
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Hannah is a school psychologist, but she feels like she's losing her mind. After quitting her job, she makes a point of finding and reconnecting with an old high school classmate, Rowan, who now makes her money as an influencer on instagram. Hannah is determined to provide for her 2 year old daughter, Nora. But when Hannah is in the wrong place at the wrong time, the police begin to look at her as a murder suspect...
This book was fast-paced, told from the perspective of multiple characters, and contained layers of information that all tied together to tell a whirlwind of a story. There were no lulls at any point, and all of the buildup provided a surprising ending. I really enjoyed this book!
April 20, 2021
Hannah reached the end of her rope at her job as a school counselor/psychologist and walked out. Now she is in need of a new job, and some sleep wouldn’t hurt either. In search of something, anything, she runs across the Instagram of a former classmate and decides that perhaps becoming an influencer will change her path and fortune. However, one thing Hannah did not count on is the fact that just because the grass looks greener on the other side, does not mean that it is necessarily the case, especially in the world of social media where filters and contrived poses are the norm, not the exception. Soon Hannah is drawn into a whole new world and discovers that what she thought she wanted may not be the case. Before long she finds herself involved in a shocking event that changes things forever.
This is a great read! You will find yourself running thru a myriad of feelings for Hannah as she attempts to work her way though this maze called life. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
This is a great read! You will find yourself running thru a myriad of feelings for Hannah as she attempts to work her way though this maze called life. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
April 10, 2021
True rating: 4.5/5
Who doesn't love a book that is filled with lies and deceptions? All Hannah wants is to be liked, to be popular, to be instagram famous like Rowan. But as Hannah quickly finds out, there is more than meets the eye when your life is constantly in the spotlight. Has Rowan finally snapped? Is Hannah having a psychological breakdown? The twists and turns in this book are ones that are going to keep you on the edge of your seat. Rowan and Hannah are toxic for each other...or so it seems. I LOVED the plot twist at the end. I also loved watching Ciara and Michael's partnership develop and would have loved to see more of the investigation side to it all.
Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Who doesn't love a book that is filled with lies and deceptions? All Hannah wants is to be liked, to be popular, to be instagram famous like Rowan. But as Hannah quickly finds out, there is more than meets the eye when your life is constantly in the spotlight. Has Rowan finally snapped? Is Hannah having a psychological breakdown? The twists and turns in this book are ones that are going to keep you on the edge of your seat. Rowan and Hannah are toxic for each other...or so it seems. I LOVED the plot twist at the end. I also loved watching Ciara and Michael's partnership develop and would have loved to see more of the investigation side to it all.
Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2021
A psych thriller that will definitely keep you guessing! Great world building and well thought out characters. Hannah’s role as an overworked school counselor topped with being a sleep deprived single mom and completely overwhelmed was believable. Rowan’s role as an Instagram influencer made sense with the pressure and scrutiny she was under so her slow descent into madness seemed realistic. I was so confused for most of this book because I just couldn’t figure it out. But once the pieces clicked into place it all made perfect sense. That plot twist was the least furtherest from my mind. Overall it was a pretty good book to get lost in.
July 15, 2021
This was an interesting read. The twist at the end might be, not predictable exactly. But, some might see it coming.
None of the characters are likable. I hope Hannah wasn't supposed to be?
Hannah is the mother to a toddler who co-parents with too good to be true Luke. She never sleeps and, as a result her behavior is increasingly odd. We find out later that she is being drugged. She quits her job on a whim one day after the pressure is too much.
She reconnects with vapid, self centered influencer Rowan about a decade after they went to high school together. She intentionally "bumps into her" near her apartment and starts dressing like her, going to parties with her, etc.
Rowan is being bullied online. Her IG page has a lot of followers and, it comes with the territory
She's also still in love with her ex.
You get multiple pov's: Hannah, Rowan, and the two cops handling the murder of a friend of Rowans.
How it all ties together (and the underlying message) is very timely.
It was a slow build. But the increasing suspense and end make up for it. 3.5 stars
None of the characters are likable. I hope Hannah wasn't supposed to be?
Hannah is the mother to a toddler who co-parents with too good to be true Luke. She never sleeps and, as a result her behavior is increasingly odd. We find out later that she is being drugged. She quits her job on a whim one day after the pressure is too much.
She reconnects with vapid, self centered influencer Rowan about a decade after they went to high school together. She intentionally "bumps into her" near her apartment and starts dressing like her, going to parties with her, etc.
Rowan is being bullied online. Her IG page has a lot of followers and, it comes with the territory
She's also still in love with her ex.
You get multiple pov's: Hannah, Rowan, and the two cops handling the murder of a friend of Rowans.
How it all ties together (and the underlying message) is very timely.
It was a slow build. But the increasing suspense and end make up for it. 3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2021
How far does an online Influencer’s power reach?
How do you decide which is more important...your friend’s secret or your own needs?
Eva Robinson has woven a twisted story, Influenced, that burrows into your own psyche and digs deep. Deep enough that you make the connection to your own life.
An intense tale that whips you back and forth, never clearly understanding where you are headed, but desperately needing to find out.
An intriguing journey that often hits close to home, but brings us back from the edge, just to find another toss you back into the mix.
Exhilarating!
How do you decide which is more important...your friend’s secret or your own needs?
Eva Robinson has woven a twisted story, Influenced, that burrows into your own psyche and digs deep. Deep enough that you make the connection to your own life.
An intense tale that whips you back and forth, never clearly understanding where you are headed, but desperately needing to find out.
An intriguing journey that often hits close to home, but brings us back from the edge, just to find another toss you back into the mix.
Exhilarating!
May 14, 2021
I could not put this down! Grabbing me from the very first page I found myself hooked and actually read this is in one sitting. Gripping and stressful it was a real eye opener to see how much social media can influence people and their situations and lives. A fantastic psychological thriller as to how different our actual lives are to what is shown on social media, how fragile life can be, the secrets, the lies, the intertwining of lives and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, shouting at my kindle!! OMG I loved it!
May 17, 2021
A great story filled with twists and turns and an ending that I did not see coming! The characters were well developed and the story moved at a good pace.
#Influenced #NetGalley
#Influenced #NetGalley
April 5, 2021
Hannah is a school psychologist and mother. She reconnects with a former high school friend Rowan who is a very famous Instagram star. Their friendship blossoms quickly and Hannah even soon starts to dress and look like her. While attending a party for a project they are working on someone is found dead. They are both suspects in the murder. Who did it? Was it one of them or someone else at the party? Maybe even someone close to them?
I thought this was a great thriller. I enjoyed the fact that it was quickly paced, since I am not a fan of slow-burn novels. I liked all the clues the author gave us to try to identify the killer. The conclusion left me satisfied and was totally believable. I do highly recommend this one to any thriller fans.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I thought this was a great thriller. I enjoyed the fact that it was quickly paced, since I am not a fan of slow-burn novels. I liked all the clues the author gave us to try to identify the killer. The conclusion left me satisfied and was totally believable. I do highly recommend this one to any thriller fans.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 19, 2021
When I saw that this book was dedicated to Mike Omer I thought, “Okay this has gotta be good”.
Then I read the first chapter and my next thought was, “Woah, okay wtf is going on!?”
Two very strong starts. But then as I got a few chapters in I wasn’t so sure. There were quite a few perspectives and it seemed to be centered all around image. Everyone wanted a different life and image - that it they could have just had a life like someone else everything would’ve been better. Hannah wanted to be Rowan. Rowan wanted to be Arabella. Arabella was so sure someone was out to get her. And then she ended up dead.
Next we were introduced to the two detectives of the story: Michael and Ciara. Now things were starting to get interesting. Hannah was losing time, Rowan was convinced someone was following her and all the while everyone was projecting to be someone they weren’t. The elite would do anything to get what they wanted. Ethics went out the window and all narrators seemed unreliable (love this trope by the way), but I still wasn’t sure where this was going or even if I liked the image-oriented plot.
Then, with about 100 or so pages left in the book it was clear there was much more going on than a couple of unreliable narrators. A couple of twists, a psychopath and more than one dark past turned this from okay to really good. I felt the ending came together nicely and that everything got wrapped up. My one complaint was that I had wanted more of Michael and Ciara throughout the story. And then I saw that there will be more to come for them and could not be more excited!
Wonderfully done Eva Robinson, and I’ve already signed up to hear about the next!
Then I read the first chapter and my next thought was, “Woah, okay wtf is going on!?”
Two very strong starts. But then as I got a few chapters in I wasn’t so sure. There were quite a few perspectives and it seemed to be centered all around image. Everyone wanted a different life and image - that it they could have just had a life like someone else everything would’ve been better. Hannah wanted to be Rowan. Rowan wanted to be Arabella. Arabella was so sure someone was out to get her. And then she ended up dead.
Next we were introduced to the two detectives of the story: Michael and Ciara. Now things were starting to get interesting. Hannah was losing time, Rowan was convinced someone was following her and all the while everyone was projecting to be someone they weren’t. The elite would do anything to get what they wanted. Ethics went out the window and all narrators seemed unreliable (love this trope by the way), but I still wasn’t sure where this was going or even if I liked the image-oriented plot.
Then, with about 100 or so pages left in the book it was clear there was much more going on than a couple of unreliable narrators. A couple of twists, a psychopath and more than one dark past turned this from okay to really good. I felt the ending came together nicely and that everything got wrapped up. My one complaint was that I had wanted more of Michael and Ciara throughout the story. And then I saw that there will be more to come for them and could not be more excited!
Wonderfully done Eva Robinson, and I’ve already signed up to hear about the next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2021
Annie is a single mom to two year old precocious Nora. As a school psychologist, Annie experiences tremendous pressure from parents - pushing her over the edge, Annie quits.
She's been losing a lot of sleep, not just from Nora kicking her head at 3 am. Annie feels like she's losing it - lack of sleep causing her to become obsessed about minor details - something I have experienced many times as a single mom to my own intense toddler.
Rowan is an Instagram star- she has spent years building her brand, with the help of her agent. But Rowan can't stop obsessing over all the negative comments. Alcohol and drug abuse certainly don't help. Rowan desperately wants to be smart, to be more than an image. More like her PhD candidate friend, Annabella.
When Annabella dies in the ER, Michael and Ciara are assigned the suspicious death.
Fast paced, excellent writing, intriguing characters suck you in.
Great read.
She's been losing a lot of sleep, not just from Nora kicking her head at 3 am. Annie feels like she's losing it - lack of sleep causing her to become obsessed about minor details - something I have experienced many times as a single mom to my own intense toddler.
Rowan is an Instagram star- she has spent years building her brand, with the help of her agent. But Rowan can't stop obsessing over all the negative comments. Alcohol and drug abuse certainly don't help. Rowan desperately wants to be smart, to be more than an image. More like her PhD candidate friend, Annabella.
When Annabella dies in the ER, Michael and Ciara are assigned the suspicious death.
Fast paced, excellent writing, intriguing characters suck you in.
Great read.
April 12, 2021
INFLUENCED EVA ROBINSON
I received an advanced copy on influenced in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first Murder-mystery solo I have read by Eva Robinson, and my expectations were high having read many other books by her in a different category. To say the least, I was not disappointed in her style, or plot, or the shocking finish. My only problem was at the beginning of the book it induced Heart Palpitations a with murder attempt from the victims perspective at the moment it was happening, and switched back and forth between characters until you settled into familiarity with the story and could better follow the growing list of players. I am not embarrassed to say, I jotted down a cheat sheet (the first time ever) and then settled back for a tense-breath catching story.
Murders by both Spy inspired methods, and innovative ways; dot this book with only hints of why, or who you think may have done it. Hanna's personal events of losing a job and wondering if her sanity is slipping and why. This is how the main character starts her entry, and descends into what leads you to believe is a Woman-Mother-Phycologist ready to crack at any time. Also she needs work now that she quit at her School, and finds her envy of an old friends online lifestyle, and how she (Rowan) may help her generate income and to find employment becomes almost all consuming. Wrapped in this is an ever expanding collection of Characters including her Baby Nora, and Baby Father Luke, and New Friend Stella, all while the list of victims continues to grow.
Also leading the investigation of this Nightmare of Macabe is Detective's Ciara and Michael who have a whole story wrapped around them as they unravel both themselves and their pasts and the try to keep up with the body count, and clues that seem solid, but may be planted to redirect guilt. She kept a perfect tension right up to the end when we find out who is the actual killer, and who is the person directing the killings, and why. I would have never guessed who, and that's the difference between a good read, and a great Book!
April 25, 2021
This was a very different thriller than I was expecting. I read many books in this genre and tend to find that many of them follow the same format, but this one was not like that. It is told from the POV of several characters whereas, in the beginning, it seemed like it was just going to be told from Hannah's POV. I can find this both annoying and confusing in most books but it worked very well here.
This book does a great job of portraying the downside of social media and how people put so much of their own self-esteem into what strangers on the internet think of them. It really shows the side of how social media can be extremely damaging in how Rowan gets trolled so badly but also how she too doesn't show her real self to the world. Everything is filtered and shown through a lens that is not the whole truth. Her pictures are beautiful, outfits trendy, makeup perfect...but when we see the real Rowan she is a mess; her apartment is filthy, she drinks too much, she has stains all over her clothes.
I found all of the characters individually very interesting but felt like I needed more. I guess a downside of having the story told from so many POV was that we never get a full picture of what each character is like, apart from Hannah whose story we see the most. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though. It just means the characters were interesting enough that I wanted more and I believe a lot of them would make great spin-off books; particularly Michael and Ciara. They were so interesting as detectives and there seems to be so much more to them than we know. (Please write a spin-off of these two Eva!)
The story itself was particularly interesting given the recent college admissions scandal. It was something different from the usual run of the mill murder mysteries.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by the author.
(Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are 100% my own).
This book does a great job of portraying the downside of social media and how people put so much of their own self-esteem into what strangers on the internet think of them. It really shows the side of how social media can be extremely damaging in how Rowan gets trolled so badly but also how she too doesn't show her real self to the world. Everything is filtered and shown through a lens that is not the whole truth. Her pictures are beautiful, outfits trendy, makeup perfect...but when we see the real Rowan she is a mess; her apartment is filthy, she drinks too much, she has stains all over her clothes.
I found all of the characters individually very interesting but felt like I needed more. I guess a downside of having the story told from so many POV was that we never get a full picture of what each character is like, apart from Hannah whose story we see the most. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though. It just means the characters were interesting enough that I wanted more and I believe a lot of them would make great spin-off books; particularly Michael and Ciara. They were so interesting as detectives and there seems to be so much more to them than we know. (Please write a spin-off of these two Eva!)
The story itself was particularly interesting given the recent college admissions scandal. It was something different from the usual run of the mill murder mysteries.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by the author.
(Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are 100% my own).
May 11, 2021
Influenced is another murderous frenemy thriller. But there is a great twist, the reader doesn’t know which friend is evil and which one is good! The book begins with a bang of a flashforward chapter!
“A sharp blow splintered the back of her head. Pain shot through her skull. [...] Her friend wanted to kill her. [...] A single thought rang out. I don’t want to die.”
Hannah is the sleep-deprived single parent of baby Nora. Nora is the result of a drunken hook-up with her best friend Luke. After friend zoning him, Hannah is having some regrets. After all, Luke is a caring father, a fantastic friend, and handsome as all get out.
One day at work as a prep school’s school psychologist, Hannah panics and quits her job. Unable to find work, bored at home, and still sleep deprived, Hannah begins to look up old school chums on social media. Has that ever ended well in any thriller? The answer is no. I’m going to stop my synopsis there to avoid spoiling the twists ahead. This a very fast-paced read and this summary only covers the first ten percent of the plot.
Ultimately, Influenced is about accepting your own life and not envying someone else’s life. Hannah wants the easy money raised by social influencer, Rowan. Rowan wants the life of Arabella, who is working on a Harvard PhD and is respected for her brains. Somehow, I doubt that Arabella is envying Hannah’s unemployed, sleep-deprived life. Or maybe she is from another dimension. For you see, Arabella is dead after being poisoned.
The twists just keep coming in Influenced. And the ending is amazing. I highly recommend the book. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.
Thanks to author and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
“A sharp blow splintered the back of her head. Pain shot through her skull. [...] Her friend wanted to kill her. [...] A single thought rang out. I don’t want to die.”
Hannah is the sleep-deprived single parent of baby Nora. Nora is the result of a drunken hook-up with her best friend Luke. After friend zoning him, Hannah is having some regrets. After all, Luke is a caring father, a fantastic friend, and handsome as all get out.
One day at work as a prep school’s school psychologist, Hannah panics and quits her job. Unable to find work, bored at home, and still sleep deprived, Hannah begins to look up old school chums on social media. Has that ever ended well in any thriller? The answer is no. I’m going to stop my synopsis there to avoid spoiling the twists ahead. This a very fast-paced read and this summary only covers the first ten percent of the plot.
Ultimately, Influenced is about accepting your own life and not envying someone else’s life. Hannah wants the easy money raised by social influencer, Rowan. Rowan wants the life of Arabella, who is working on a Harvard PhD and is respected for her brains. Somehow, I doubt that Arabella is envying Hannah’s unemployed, sleep-deprived life. Or maybe she is from another dimension. For you see, Arabella is dead after being poisoned.
The twists just keep coming in Influenced. And the ending is amazing. I highly recommend the book. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.
Thanks to author and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2021
DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very well written story that pulled me in from the first page. I actually read it in one sitting.
In the first chapter someone is pushed over a second story railing and seems to have fallen to their death. Then we're taken back roughly three weeks prior and introduced to various characters. After the second chapter I was tempted to quit because I didn't want to read a book where the mother of a two year old would be killed, leaving her daughter without a mother. This is relevant because I already cared about these fictional characters at that point. As each new character was introduced, I found myself caring even more. I was sucked into the world of these characters. I loved the way the story unfolded, layer after layer. I couldn't figure out what the mystery was at first and the reveal of who was behind everything surprised me. That doesn't happen often. I loved the way the character's idiosyncrasies were revealed. There was time lost, forgetting, getting caught up in social media, depression, anxiety, a little OCD, PTSD and paranoia among other things. The very real fears that a majority of parents experience as well as the feelings of failure so many parents go through was there. These things added to the realness of the characters. The author put so many real world elements in the story it felt real.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book when it comes out. A definite 5 star read.
This was a very well written story that pulled me in from the first page. I actually read it in one sitting.
In the first chapter someone is pushed over a second story railing and seems to have fallen to their death. Then we're taken back roughly three weeks prior and introduced to various characters. After the second chapter I was tempted to quit because I didn't want to read a book where the mother of a two year old would be killed, leaving her daughter without a mother. This is relevant because I already cared about these fictional characters at that point. As each new character was introduced, I found myself caring even more. I was sucked into the world of these characters. I loved the way the story unfolded, layer after layer. I couldn't figure out what the mystery was at first and the reveal of who was behind everything surprised me. That doesn't happen often. I loved the way the character's idiosyncrasies were revealed. There was time lost, forgetting, getting caught up in social media, depression, anxiety, a little OCD, PTSD and paranoia among other things. The very real fears that a majority of parents experience as well as the feelings of failure so many parents go through was there. These things added to the realness of the characters. The author put so many real world elements in the story it felt real.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book when it comes out. A definite 5 star read.
April 10, 2021
A twisty, psychological thriller laid out on the backdrop of internet influencers and what some would do for fame. Right away, we know the story is going to end with a murder. We are given hints and clues, but the identity of the murderer or the victim are unknown until the very end. The story is told from multiple POVs, Hannah, the single mom, and school psychologist, Rowen, the well off, internet influencer, and the two detectives who are working a case of the death of someone close to Rowan’s circle. Rowan and Hannah went to school together, and as Hannah’s world seems to be crumbling around her, she decides she wants to try to expand her internet presence to gain notoriety and possibly help boost her career. She knows Rowan lives in that world, so she manipulates her way back into Rowan’s life in an attempt to making that happen. But Rowen’s life is far from perfect, despite how she tries to make it look online. Constantly overwhelmed with the critics and naysayers that constantly commenting on her posts, she suffers from severe anxiety and depression. When Hannah comes back into her life, she sees the psychologist as someone who can help her improve her image, and help her do better things with her fame. But people are dying around them, first a psychology student that Rowan is friends with, and then later, another acquaintance dies at a party, and it quickly becomes clear that Rowan may be the next target. Hannah, meanwhile, struggles with lack of sleep because of her young daughter, and the anxiety she feels surrounding her career and livelihood. She always seems to be muddled or dazed, seems to be losing her grip, her ability to get things done. The daughter’s father, and also her best friend, someone she didn’t think she was romantically interested in after their brief fling, seems to be always there supporting her, keeping her afloat.
The parts of the story we get from the detectives POV is interesting - they seems to fill in some of the story gaps, and add a color to the investigation, their lives and perspectives giving a different view to the events that occur. As the pieces are pulled together, their stories even seem to intertwine to some degree, pushing the outcome in a slightly different direction. It’s an intriguing story, and it keeps you guessing, the climax coming at you quickly and intensely, with a bit of a twist that you almost don’t see coming.
The parts of the story we get from the detectives POV is interesting - they seems to fill in some of the story gaps, and add a color to the investigation, their lives and perspectives giving a different view to the events that occur. As the pieces are pulled together, their stories even seem to intertwine to some degree, pushing the outcome in a slightly different direction. It’s an intriguing story, and it keeps you guessing, the climax coming at you quickly and intensely, with a bit of a twist that you almost don’t see coming.
July 16, 2021
Wow this book wrapped itself around you and took off from the beginning as the pages flew the reader is left continually trying to solve this whodunit. A psychologist shouldn't be losing her mind, but Hannah is anyway. She needs a new job and lots of sleep—fast. Desperate for a change of fortunes, she contrives a meeting with her former classmate. As a student at Harvard, Rowan became famous on Instagram by chronicling a glamorous life.
The two women soon form an obsessive friendship, and Hannah is drawn into a privileged new world. But when a garden party takes a shocking turn, Hannah and Rowan find themselves suspected of murder. The Cambridge police start closing in, uncovering their dark secrets one by one. Now, the friends are unravelling—and by the time the truth comes out, one of them will be dead. Gripping and stressful it was a real eye opener to see how much social media can influence people and their situations and lives. A fantastic psychological thriller as to how different our actual lives are to what is shown on social media, how fragile life can be, the secrets, the lies, the intertwining of lives and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, and flipping through the pages. This one is worth the read. Defintely recommend and give 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgally, the author and publisher for the ARC for a review.
The two women soon form an obsessive friendship, and Hannah is drawn into a privileged new world. But when a garden party takes a shocking turn, Hannah and Rowan find themselves suspected of murder. The Cambridge police start closing in, uncovering their dark secrets one by one. Now, the friends are unravelling—and by the time the truth comes out, one of them will be dead. Gripping and stressful it was a real eye opener to see how much social media can influence people and their situations and lives. A fantastic psychological thriller as to how different our actual lives are to what is shown on social media, how fragile life can be, the secrets, the lies, the intertwining of lives and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, and flipping through the pages. This one is worth the read. Defintely recommend and give 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgally, the author and publisher for the ARC for a review.
September 8, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. This author is new to me but I was very impressed (one might even say influenced) by the story, enthralled from the start and guessing until almost the end. The book starts with a murder from the POV of the unidentified victim, then jumps back in time to relay the story of what led to that point. It was fascinating because I was never quite sure who was the victim. POV changed often but was easy to follow and never confusing.
The writing was good, with one particular line that made me crack up. Rowan refers to someone: “He’s like the margarine sandwich of humans.” The dialogue was authentic, mostly, and texting was realistic, with just the kind of errors you’d expect from someone rushing or distracted.
In regard to dialogue, I must point out that Nora, Hannah’s daughter, was both annoying and unrealistic. She was always yelling things, and though she sometimes used big words, she seldom used verbs. My impression was that this was the dialogue of a person unfamiliar with the real-life language of toddlers. She was demanding and bratty and spoke like an adult trying to sound like a child. Other than that, descriptions were lifelike and characters were relatable. Overall, the story and the writing were excellent. I definitely recommend this book.
The writing was good, with one particular line that made me crack up. Rowan refers to someone: “He’s like the margarine sandwich of humans.” The dialogue was authentic, mostly, and texting was realistic, with just the kind of errors you’d expect from someone rushing or distracted.
In regard to dialogue, I must point out that Nora, Hannah’s daughter, was both annoying and unrealistic. She was always yelling things, and though she sometimes used big words, she seldom used verbs. My impression was that this was the dialogue of a person unfamiliar with the real-life language of toddlers. She was demanding and bratty and spoke like an adult trying to sound like a child. Other than that, descriptions were lifelike and characters were relatable. Overall, the story and the writing were excellent. I definitely recommend this book.
April 18, 2021
Influenced is about Hannah and Rowan, two very different women that think each other's life is better than theirs. Soon after reconnecting, both Hannah and Rowan find themselves as suspects of murdering another woman that knew too much. A story about learning that other people's lives are not always as perfect as they seem and social.
Unfortunately, I was not as into this book as I previously thought I would be. I really wanted to get this ARC as I thought the story had a lot of potencial, but as soon as I started reading I realized it didn't really come across as I thought it would. For me, the story was very slow paced and I wanted it go get to the important parts already. A lot of the book felt too forced and like the characters were saying the same thing over and over again for no reason. It feels like nothing happens for more than half the book and then the story begins and even then nothing really shocking happens. Or at least I did not feel anything with the supposed twists and I realized who it was earlier. It had everything to be a good book, the premise is interesting, but the way it is told just leaves something to desire.
**This is an ARC. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this title. All opinions are honest and my own.*
Unfortunately, I was not as into this book as I previously thought I would be. I really wanted to get this ARC as I thought the story had a lot of potencial, but as soon as I started reading I realized it didn't really come across as I thought it would. For me, the story was very slow paced and I wanted it go get to the important parts already. A lot of the book felt too forced and like the characters were saying the same thing over and over again for no reason. It feels like nothing happens for more than half the book and then the story begins and even then nothing really shocking happens. Or at least I did not feel anything with the supposed twists and I realized who it was earlier. It had everything to be a good book, the premise is interesting, but the way it is told just leaves something to desire.
**This is an ARC. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this title. All opinions are honest and my own.*
April 10, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBuzz for this eARC.
If you want a dark and twisty psychological thriller about social media gone wrong, then this is the book for you! I was sucked in almost immediately as we meet Hannah, a school psychologist and single mother on the verge of a complete and total breakdown. Hoping to turn her life around, she tracks down an old high school classmate, Rowan, who has now become a social media influencer. Hannah can't help but get sucked into her world and the darkness that surrounds her. As Hannah grows closer to Rowan, the pair find themselves in the sight of two detectives, as murder suspects!
This story was told from the alternating perspectives of Hannah, Rowan, another friend, and two police detectives and the alternating perspectives really worked! I wouldn't say that the characters were likeable, exactly, but I certainly was invested in finding out how their stories worked out. This was a phenomenal thriller from Eva Robinson and I'll be eager to see what's next!
If you want a dark and twisty psychological thriller about social media gone wrong, then this is the book for you! I was sucked in almost immediately as we meet Hannah, a school psychologist and single mother on the verge of a complete and total breakdown. Hoping to turn her life around, she tracks down an old high school classmate, Rowan, who has now become a social media influencer. Hannah can't help but get sucked into her world and the darkness that surrounds her. As Hannah grows closer to Rowan, the pair find themselves in the sight of two detectives, as murder suspects!
This story was told from the alternating perspectives of Hannah, Rowan, another friend, and two police detectives and the alternating perspectives really worked! I wouldn't say that the characters were likeable, exactly, but I certainly was invested in finding out how their stories worked out. This was a phenomenal thriller from Eva Robinson and I'll be eager to see what's next!
April 1, 2021
Finished reading INFLUENCED very late last night. Definitely a mind grabber. I love a great thriller and was not disappointed.
The beginning chapter started the spin. Couldn't help but try to guess the identity of victim and the attacker which is the nature of a true thriller fan. Each character was fleshed out perfectly. As with all your characters, in all the books I've read (too many to count), I connected with some and disliked others.
But OH! the spin, nothing stays the same and I love it. I did a pick and choose so many times. My friends and foes changed as the pages turned.
Don't want to be a spoiler so will stop here. Can't wait until it is out there so I can read everyone's take.
I am a big fan of James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell thrillers and I welcome you to my thriller list. Thank you for the chance to read it first
The beginning chapter started the spin. Couldn't help but try to guess the identity of victim and the attacker which is the nature of a true thriller fan. Each character was fleshed out perfectly. As with all your characters, in all the books I've read (too many to count), I connected with some and disliked others.
But OH! the spin, nothing stays the same and I love it. I did a pick and choose so many times. My friends and foes changed as the pages turned.
Don't want to be a spoiler so will stop here. Can't wait until it is out there so I can read everyone's take.
I am a big fan of James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell thrillers and I welcome you to my thriller list. Thank you for the chance to read it first
May 25, 2021
Were we meant to like any of the characters? They are all pretty unlikeable, including Hannah who I'm guessing is the heroine of the story (it's told from several different view points which I did like). I'm guessing it's taken inspiration from Instagrammers like Caroline Calloway and the ilk and I can't stand those type of accounts either so I was never going to love this, I have nothing in common with them nor do I want to.
I feel like the law enforcement characters, were just a bit generic so I didn't click with them either despite they clearly having issues of their own.
It is well written although I felt it was drawn out then the end happened all too suddenly. I suspected who the main bad person was but it felt like there could have been a better build up to the big reveal, it just felt a bit rushed.
I feel like the law enforcement characters, were just a bit generic so I didn't click with them either despite they clearly having issues of their own.
It is well written although I felt it was drawn out then the end happened all too suddenly. I suspected who the main bad person was but it felt like there could have been a better build up to the big reveal, it just felt a bit rushed.
July 26, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Influenced by Eva Robinson.
After Hannah quits her job as a psychologist, she is in search of a more glamorous way to make money for herself and her daughter. Her mind quickly goes to an old classmate, Rowan, who has found exactly that, through online influencing. Desperate to leech onto Rowan's success, Hannah quickly finds her and does what she can to break into the world.
But Rowan's life is not all beauty and ease. There has been a recent murder attached to Rowan's life, and now a new crime has occurred at a party attended by Hannah and Rowan. Exactly how attached are these two friends?
This started out well, but the further I went, the less interest I had. I can see where the author was going with the twisty direction of it, but it just didn't land. The characters were flat, not very likable, and overall it was a tepid plot.
After Hannah quits her job as a psychologist, she is in search of a more glamorous way to make money for herself and her daughter. Her mind quickly goes to an old classmate, Rowan, who has found exactly that, through online influencing. Desperate to leech onto Rowan's success, Hannah quickly finds her and does what she can to break into the world.
But Rowan's life is not all beauty and ease. There has been a recent murder attached to Rowan's life, and now a new crime has occurred at a party attended by Hannah and Rowan. Exactly how attached are these two friends?
This started out well, but the further I went, the less interest I had. I can see where the author was going with the twisty direction of it, but it just didn't land. The characters were flat, not very likable, and overall it was a tepid plot.
April 2, 2021
WOW what a read!!! Reading from all the characters POV not only gave the story a completely rounded feel where you know what’s happening from all angles, but it makes them all MC’s and that’s when you know all bets are off and nobody is safe. Influenced had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.. it made me jumpy because I was constantly blaming (the wrong) people for things and waiting for someone to jump out. It was completely unpredictable and the revel just blow my mind!!. The detective duo ended up being my favourite charter and there is such amazing backstory there, I hope we get to see more of them. Fast pasted.. action packed.. beautiful written thriller that I can’t recommend enough. It’s one to get the blood pumping and the brain whizzing.
April 3, 2021
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a thriller that had me enthralled enough to finish in one go, but Influenced was that and more. The tale artfully followed a cast of characters that were both relatable and yet enigmas, keeping me on my toes as I focused on one before jumping to the next to figure out who held the blame. The twist was done SO well, as I’m typically the person who calls out the twists chapters ahead of their reveal, but not this time. Hoping to read more about the detectives in this novel, as they were just as interesting as the characters involved in the crimes themselves. And cannot wait to see more thrillers from Eva Robinson in general!
Disclaimer: received free ARC in exchange for honest review.
Disclaimer: received free ARC in exchange for honest review.
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