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The Perfect Ones
A picture-perfect trip goes horribly wrong in this fast-paced exploration of friendship and the dark side of social media, perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Andrea Bartz.
Everyone wants to be them, but internet fame comes at a price…
Two days after arriving in Iceland for an influencer trip, Instagram celeb Alabama Wood goes missing. With no leads, the Icelandic police start their investigation by focusing on the two influencers seemingly closest to Alabama on the trip. Celeste Reed, Alabama’s best friend of ten years, and Hollie Goodwin, fitness guru and Alabama's unwilling idol.
Celeste and Alabama have grown apart recently because Celeste has been too distracted by her five-year-old’s behavioral issues and her husband’s refusal to admit that there’s a problem. What Celeste doesn’t tell them is how she has been coping with these worries and how it involves Alabama in ways no one would guess.
On the outside, Hollie appears to have everything—the husband, the body, and over one million Instagram followers. In reality, however, Hollie came to Iceland to escape the implosion of her life behind the screen. The only person who suspected something amiss behind Hollie’s precisely filtered pictures is Alabama.
As secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested, debut author Nicole Hackett asks: do we control our online image, or does it control us?
Everyone wants to be them, but internet fame comes at a price…
Two days after arriving in Iceland for an influencer trip, Instagram celeb Alabama Wood goes missing. With no leads, the Icelandic police start their investigation by focusing on the two influencers seemingly closest to Alabama on the trip. Celeste Reed, Alabama’s best friend of ten years, and Hollie Goodwin, fitness guru and Alabama's unwilling idol.
Celeste and Alabama have grown apart recently because Celeste has been too distracted by her five-year-old’s behavioral issues and her husband’s refusal to admit that there’s a problem. What Celeste doesn’t tell them is how she has been coping with these worries and how it involves Alabama in ways no one would guess.
On the outside, Hollie appears to have everything—the husband, the body, and over one million Instagram followers. In reality, however, Hollie came to Iceland to escape the implosion of her life behind the screen. The only person who suspected something amiss behind Hollie’s precisely filtered pictures is Alabama.
As secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested, debut author Nicole Hackett asks: do we control our online image, or does it control us?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2023
47 people are currently reading
8355 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Hackett
2 books61 followersNicole lives with her husband and two kids in a very old house in the farmlands of northern Maryland, where she works as a biochemical patent agent. In addition to being an author, she is one of those annoying people who run on vacation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
December 29, 2022
Hmm… the plot about famous influencers trapped in Iceland resort when one of them is mysteriously missing, presumed dead: picked my interest imminently.
But a few things failed me to enjoy this not so claustrophobic but mostly flat and dull reading experience.
Firstly, Alabama Wood’s disappearance storyline was not hooking you up. I didn’t care what happened to her and after reading Alabama, Celeste and Hollie’s POVs, I couldn’t connect with them.
Well: Hollie seems like having millions of followers by taking informative videos about grass wheat smoothies in her kitchen, estranged with her best friend who recently had a baby, questioning her marriage and possibility of becoming a mother. I didn’t find her voice relatable and I am still curious why those women act like more sales representatives than popular influencers.
Celeste’s story was a little relatable. She’s suspicious that her daughter Bella might be on the autism spectrum as her husband is denial about her condition. She accepts to go on a trip with her best friend Alabama who is so enthusiastic to fly to Iceland.
And Alabama sees her psychiatrist, rejecting to take her antidepressant. She seems like a little obsessed with Hollie’s life.
When the team of influencers win a trip to Iceland by PinkPursue- the sponsor company, they start scrutinizing each other like they’ve seen exotic insects. Things get escalated between them and now of them is missing.
I would enjoy this book more if it doesn’t start so slow and the characters could be more likable. It was still solid, easy to read mystery. It would be more interesting, gripping. But I still reach the finish line. At least conclusion was good.
Giving my three stars! I’m still interested to read the future works of the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
But a few things failed me to enjoy this not so claustrophobic but mostly flat and dull reading experience.
Firstly, Alabama Wood’s disappearance storyline was not hooking you up. I didn’t care what happened to her and after reading Alabama, Celeste and Hollie’s POVs, I couldn’t connect with them.
Well: Hollie seems like having millions of followers by taking informative videos about grass wheat smoothies in her kitchen, estranged with her best friend who recently had a baby, questioning her marriage and possibility of becoming a mother. I didn’t find her voice relatable and I am still curious why those women act like more sales representatives than popular influencers.
Celeste’s story was a little relatable. She’s suspicious that her daughter Bella might be on the autism spectrum as her husband is denial about her condition. She accepts to go on a trip with her best friend Alabama who is so enthusiastic to fly to Iceland.
And Alabama sees her psychiatrist, rejecting to take her antidepressant. She seems like a little obsessed with Hollie’s life.
When the team of influencers win a trip to Iceland by PinkPursue- the sponsor company, they start scrutinizing each other like they’ve seen exotic insects. Things get escalated between them and now of them is missing.
I would enjoy this book more if it doesn’t start so slow and the characters could be more likable. It was still solid, easy to read mystery. It would be more interesting, gripping. But I still reach the finish line. At least conclusion was good.
Giving my three stars! I’m still interested to read the future works of the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
May 2, 2023
3⭐
Publication date ~ May 2, 2023
Featuring ~ debut, multiple 3rd person POV, multiple timelines, 6 part story, social media influencers, infidelity, mental illness, miscarriage
Hollie, Celeste & Alabama are influencers off to Iceland for a week.
Usually I am big fan of multiple narrators and timelines, but in this case it was difficult to keep up with. Sometimes we were in the day of the accident, or the day after, or 3 months before, or a day before, or 6 weeks after....it might have been fine~ish, but how was I supposed to remember what a husband said 8 chapters ago to make the wife upset without a recap. But then I'd probably be complaining if I did get that recap because then it would have been repetitive. Also, since it was in the 3rd person each characters name was said in each chapter a gazillion times.
There's quite a bit of emphasis on their appearances and it's like they're in competition with each other ~ they have to look the best and have the most followers and likes. All characters are unlikable, jealously is high and one of them is making some crazy plans which really shows how unstable she is.
With all that said I liked this one well enough as a debut. The author made it seem like it'd be cool to visit Iceland. And it was helpful that each chapter told us who was talking, when it was and where we were.
Narration:
Patricia Santomasso, Jess Nahikian, Elise Arsenault ~ 9 hours 31 minutes ~ I was happy with all of their performances.
*Thanks to the author, Crooked Lane Books, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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Publication date ~ May 2, 2023
Featuring ~ debut, multiple 3rd person POV, multiple timelines, 6 part story, social media influencers, infidelity, mental illness, miscarriage
Hollie, Celeste & Alabama are influencers off to Iceland for a week.
Usually I am big fan of multiple narrators and timelines, but in this case it was difficult to keep up with. Sometimes we were in the day of the accident, or the day after, or 3 months before, or a day before, or 6 weeks after....it might have been fine~ish, but how was I supposed to remember what a husband said 8 chapters ago to make the wife upset without a recap. But then I'd probably be complaining if I did get that recap because then it would have been repetitive. Also, since it was in the 3rd person each characters name was said in each chapter a gazillion times.
There's quite a bit of emphasis on their appearances and it's like they're in competition with each other ~ they have to look the best and have the most followers and likes. All characters are unlikable, jealously is high and one of them is making some crazy plans which really shows how unstable she is.
With all that said I liked this one well enough as a debut. The author made it seem like it'd be cool to visit Iceland. And it was helpful that each chapter told us who was talking, when it was and where we were.
Narration:
Patricia Santomasso, Jess Nahikian, Elise Arsenault ~ 9 hours 31 minutes ~ I was happy with all of their performances.
*Thanks to the author, Crooked Lane Books, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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May 20, 2023
The Perfect Ones, not The Perfect Ones for me🙃
SUMMARY:
When a perfect trip to Iceland goes wrong. There are three of them (Alabama Wood, Hollie Goodwin, and Celeste Reed), but one person (Alabama Wood) goes missing only two days after their arrival for the influencer trip. Each of them seems to have everything you want in life, but they are all hiding a dark secret from each other. And what is the secret behind Alabama's disappearance? Who did that to her and why?.......
👁️ This story is told in third person POV alternate among (Hollie, Celeste and Alabama)
🕰️ There are Multiple Timelines in here.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🔊:
Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso, Jess Nahikian, Elise Arsenault 👩
Length of audio: 9h 31m (I thought it was 12 hours)
Before we get into my critical points, let's begin with something more positive. I appreciated all three of them; they did a pretty good job, and thank God their voices did not sound similar to each other.
The most I liked was the one who narrated Hollie; though her speed is slow, somehow her voice is soothing (she is the reason why I always waited for Hollie's POV), and the one who narrated Celeste, I think she got the most part in this audiobook; I have no problem with her because she sounds very normal. Meanwhile, the one who narrated Alabama—let's say I'm not a fan of this kind of voice; she sounds so formal to me that it made me feel like I was in the middle of hearing a business presentation.
For 272 pages, I would like to say 9h 31m is DAMN LONG!!!!!!! Usually with this length, it only took 7h 30~40+m. Listening to this, it felt like eternity. I lost count of how many times I sighed and shook my head.
MY THOUGHTS:
📌 I don't have any thoughts because it was SUPER CONFUSING!!!
WHY IT DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR ME:
☠️ I'm regretting so much for reading this book as an audiobook. Reason:
- I couldn't connect with everything in here because there were too many timelines, and the timelines kept going back and forth: 3 months before, the day before, the day after, two days after, the morning after, one year later, and many more! JESUS SAVE ME. My brain couldn't take it too many timelines, POVs, and places. I lost track eventually; I didn't know where or who I read anymore. And after I finished this book, I wasn't even sure what story I had just read.
☠️ The story started so slowly; the first half of this book was hopeless for me. Though it began with Alabama missing, but next, next, and very next chapter is a flashback about their lives, such as their marriage problems, kid problems, social media problems, and many other problems.
☠️ No one is a likeable character in here; I found myself disliking all of them, even their husbands. And thank God this book is told in third-person POV; if it is first-person POV, then 🪦
☠️ The main focus of this book is not on why, when, or how Alabama goes missing. But more about how they seemed to have a perfect life, how Hollie dealt with her unexpected pregnancy and her miscarriage, or Celeste's daughter's autism, or how Alabama suspected her husband cheating on her and her mental illness (such a mediocre and predictable plot).
☠️ To be honest, I do love the topics about influencers and social media, and I think the author did such a good job with her research and explanation of those things, BUT I still couldn't understand it.
NO COMMENT:
I have absolutely no comment about the ending or the twist. *SIGH*. This book made me speechless in many ways *SIGH*.
OVERALL:
I cannot recommend you read this book as an audiobook; if you still want to try it, then you're better off with an e-book or physical copy.
CREDIT:
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with this audibook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🐥
SUMMARY:
When a perfect trip to Iceland goes wrong. There are three of them (Alabama Wood, Hollie Goodwin, and Celeste Reed), but one person (Alabama Wood) goes missing only two days after their arrival for the influencer trip. Each of them seems to have everything you want in life, but they are all hiding a dark secret from each other. And what is the secret behind Alabama's disappearance? Who did that to her and why?.......
👁️ This story is told in third person POV alternate among (Hollie, Celeste and Alabama)
🕰️ There are Multiple Timelines in here.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🔊:
Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso, Jess Nahikian, Elise Arsenault 👩
Length of audio: 9h 31m (
Before we get into my critical points, let's begin with something more positive. I appreciated all three of them; they did a pretty good job, and thank God their voices did not sound similar to each other.
The most I liked was the one who narrated Hollie; though her speed is slow, somehow her voice is soothing (she is the reason why I always waited for Hollie's POV), and the one who narrated Celeste, I think she got the most part in this audiobook; I have no problem with her because she sounds very normal. Meanwhile, the one who narrated Alabama—let's say I'm not a fan of this kind of voice; she sounds so formal to me that it made me feel like I was in the middle of hearing a business presentation.
For 272 pages, I would like to say 9h 31m is DAMN LONG!!!!!!! Usually with this length, it only took 7h 30~40+m. Listening to this, it felt like eternity. I lost count of how many times I sighed and shook my head.
MY THOUGHTS:
📌 I don't have any thoughts because it was SUPER CONFUSING!!!
WHY IT DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR ME:
☠️ I'm regretting so much for reading this book as an audiobook. Reason:
- I couldn't connect with everything in here because there were too many timelines, and the timelines kept going back and forth: 3 months before, the day before, the day after, two days after, the morning after, one year later, and many more! JESUS SAVE ME. My brain couldn't take it too many timelines, POVs, and places. I lost track eventually; I didn't know where or who I read anymore. And after I finished this book, I wasn't even sure what story I had just read.
☠️ The story started so slowly; the first half of this book was hopeless for me. Though it began with Alabama missing, but next, next, and very next chapter is a flashback about their lives, such as their marriage problems, kid problems, social media problems, and many other problems.
☠️ No one is a likeable character in here; I found myself disliking all of them, even their husbands. And thank God this book is told in third-person POV; if it is first-person POV, then 🪦
☠️ The main focus of this book is not on why, when, or how Alabama goes missing. But more about how they seemed to have a perfect life, how Hollie dealt with her unexpected pregnancy and her miscarriage, or Celeste's daughter's autism, or how Alabama suspected her husband cheating on her and her mental illness (such a mediocre and predictable plot).
☠️ To be honest, I do love the topics about influencers and social media, and I think the author did such a good job with her research and explanation of those things, BUT I still couldn't understand it.
NO COMMENT:
I have absolutely no comment about the ending or the twist. *SIGH*. This book made me speechless in many ways *SIGH*.
OVERALL:
I cannot recommend you read this book as an audiobook; if you still want to try it, then you're better off with an e-book or physical copy.
CREDIT:
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with this audibook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🐥
April 9, 2023
Celeste, Alabama and Hollie are just three of the many Instagram influencers who have gone to Iceland for a promotional trip, and these three women are quite different, despite all of them being the “perfect” image of how to live your life.
Celeste and Alabama are friends with a tumultuous history, and they both completely admire Hollie - the perfect beauty who runs marathons and has loads of followers. Alabama actually admires Hollie a bit too much. Her need to win at the influencer game has her coming off a bit desperate when everyone gets to Iceland. She just wants to be friends with Hollie, but Hollie doesn’t want a needy new friend - in fact, Hollie just wants to be left alone.
All three of these women have things they are working through/struggling with, and those things come out with a slooooow build to the disappearance of Alabama. This entire book was quite slow, which isn’t normally something I enjoy. Not much else can be revealed without spoilers, but the spoilers weren’t really that exciting. The ending, however…
The whole time I was reading this, I was going to give it 3.5 stars, but I didn’t know how I’d round. Then I got to the ending, read the twist I should have seen coming but didn’t, and I decided to round up for that and this being a debut novel. The current Goodreads rating is 3.56, and I’d say that’s very fair. The atmosphere was great, the writing was great, but the story just didn’t hit. Still, it was an entertaining plot, and a good look at how social media can affect mental health.
(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Nicole Hackett, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released May 2, 2023.)
Celeste and Alabama are friends with a tumultuous history, and they both completely admire Hollie - the perfect beauty who runs marathons and has loads of followers. Alabama actually admires Hollie a bit too much. Her need to win at the influencer game has her coming off a bit desperate when everyone gets to Iceland. She just wants to be friends with Hollie, but Hollie doesn’t want a needy new friend - in fact, Hollie just wants to be left alone.
All three of these women have things they are working through/struggling with, and those things come out with a slooooow build to the disappearance of Alabama. This entire book was quite slow, which isn’t normally something I enjoy. Not much else can be revealed without spoilers, but the spoilers weren’t really that exciting. The ending, however…
The whole time I was reading this, I was going to give it 3.5 stars, but I didn’t know how I’d round. Then I got to the ending, read the twist I should have seen coming but didn’t, and I decided to round up for that and this being a debut novel. The current Goodreads rating is 3.56, and I’d say that’s very fair. The atmosphere was great, the writing was great, but the story just didn’t hit. Still, it was an entertaining plot, and a good look at how social media can affect mental health.
(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Nicole Hackett, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released May 2, 2023.)
October 10, 2022
An influencer trip to Alaska goes horribly awry when one of the group, Alabama Wood, goes missing. Who was she behind the perfect pose and expertly crafted online feeds? Did anyone really know her at all? And who of the group knew enough to save or condemn her from her fate?
I was initially entertained by this novel, with the insights to the influencer lifestyle that it provided access to. I find this a topic endlessly intriguing and longed to learn more about who these fictional influencers were, both online and off. This was achieved through the perspectives of three attending the vacation and through a shifting chronological layout. I found this took me a little while to adjust to but I found my footing and was invested in uncovering the truth, both about who they were and the mystery they were involved in.
This continued to remain of interesting but ultimately proved less thrilling than anticipated. It, instead, became a more sociologically-focused read, with its point of convergence remaining on mental health and emotional stability when validation was achieved through online engagement. This was of interest but the mystery that ran parallel to it became overtaken by this more reflective focus and the ending became one a little lack-lustre in its reveals because of this.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Nicole Hackett, and the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for this opportunity.
I was initially entertained by this novel, with the insights to the influencer lifestyle that it provided access to. I find this a topic endlessly intriguing and longed to learn more about who these fictional influencers were, both online and off. This was achieved through the perspectives of three attending the vacation and through a shifting chronological layout. I found this took me a little while to adjust to but I found my footing and was invested in uncovering the truth, both about who they were and the mystery they were involved in.
This continued to remain of interesting but ultimately proved less thrilling than anticipated. It, instead, became a more sociologically-focused read, with its point of convergence remaining on mental health and emotional stability when validation was achieved through online engagement. This was of interest but the mystery that ran parallel to it became overtaken by this more reflective focus and the ending became one a little lack-lustre in its reveals because of this.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Nicole Hackett, and the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for this opportunity.
May 22, 2023
I am so disappointed with this book. It is not a thriller, it is not a mystery, I don't know what it is!
I read through it hoping and hoping something would happen, but nothing did.
Ending, what ending? There is no ending.
What was this all for (as Creed would say)... I feel cheated out of my time.
All the characters (except one) were so indistinguishable, so same-y... the setup, the location, they had such potential, but, still - nothing. At all.
Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!
I read through it hoping and hoping something would happen, but nothing did.
Ending, what ending? There is no ending.
What was this all for (as Creed would say)... I feel cheated out of my time.
All the characters (except one) were so indistinguishable, so same-y... the setup, the location, they had such potential, but, still - nothing. At all.
Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!
May 7, 2023
I enjoyed this fast-paced and quick read. The plot, although not very believable, was engaging and entertaining.
The story is about a group of Instagram influencers who get to take a promotional trip to Iceland, sponsored by a fashion company. One woman in the group, Alabama, goes missing. The fallout from this situation causes two of the other influencers, Holly and Celeste, who knew Alabama to seriously question themselves and to regret their recent conflicts with her.
I thought this book would be a detective story or police procedural about solving the mystery of what happened to Alabama, but no, the police barely carried out an investigation and the remaining influencers are sent back to the US. My main complaint about the book is that it’s very unrealistic that the disappearance of a popular Instagrammer from the US would just be shrugged off by Icelandic authorities and that Alabama’s family would not be mounting an international search.
The narrative mostly follows the emotional toll that the events in Iceland took on Holly and Celeste. I thought the descriptions of their mental health struggles were believable and insightful.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for providing me with a free audio advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story is about a group of Instagram influencers who get to take a promotional trip to Iceland, sponsored by a fashion company. One woman in the group, Alabama, goes missing. The fallout from this situation causes two of the other influencers, Holly and Celeste, who knew Alabama to seriously question themselves and to regret their recent conflicts with her.
I thought this book would be a detective story or police procedural about solving the mystery of what happened to Alabama, but no, the police barely carried out an investigation and the remaining influencers are sent back to the US. My main complaint about the book is that it’s very unrealistic that the disappearance of a popular Instagrammer from the US would just be shrugged off by Icelandic authorities and that Alabama’s family would not be mounting an international search.
The narrative mostly follows the emotional toll that the events in Iceland took on Holly and Celeste. I thought the descriptions of their mental health struggles were believable and insightful.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for providing me with a free audio advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 5, 2022
The Perfect Ones by Nicole Hackett
First off, the cover is gorgeous. I will read a book for the cover alone not even knowing what the book is about. I loved the setting Iceland, it’s definitely on my list to visit. I loved the premise of the book. Influencers and how perfect their lives appear versus reality. That’s certainly very relevant in today’s day and age. However, I literally did not like any of the characters, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like the book. That means the author did a fantastic job. This was a very well written book, very engaging.
Many thanks to Nicole Hackett, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Book for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
First off, the cover is gorgeous. I will read a book for the cover alone not even knowing what the book is about. I loved the setting Iceland, it’s definitely on my list to visit. I loved the premise of the book. Influencers and how perfect their lives appear versus reality. That’s certainly very relevant in today’s day and age. However, I literally did not like any of the characters, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like the book. That means the author did a fantastic job. This was a very well written book, very engaging.
Many thanks to Nicole Hackett, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Book for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2023
I wanted to really enjoy this one but it was not for me. I usually love influencer plots but this one didn’t work for me. The plot was underwhelming and all unlikeable characters. The slow plot was not very twisty but the ending was good.
All 3 narrators did a really good job so that keep my attention.
Overall, I wish there was a more thrilling plot and some relatable characters.
All 3 narrators did a really good job so that keep my attention.
Overall, I wish there was a more thrilling plot and some relatable characters.
January 16, 2023
Instagram famous and obsessed, influencers Celeste, Alabama, and Hollie have everything that other people seeking Instagram fame would want. But during a promotional trip to Iceland, Alabama goes missing; what viewers see online doesn’t mirror reality behind the camera, the perfect pictures. These women are slowly falling apart at the seams, in both their private and public lives; they slowly begin to feel the tension rising between them. You’d never think it looking at their profiles online but these women’s lives are far from perfect. Could they truly be capable of harming one another?
This is a fast-paced story that explores the darker side of social media and internet fame. Told from alternating perspectives and timelines, the story grips you from the start. As a debut author, Hackett has knocked this one out of the park. I’m sure this won’t be the only book we will be seeing from her. I enjoyed this book. Its characters are well-built with many layers to them. The dialogue between them comes across authentic and purely entertaining. I would say the story is more about friendships, social media, and the issues that lie within – less than a thriller. At least it felt that way reading it.
Gripping and completely compelling you’ll be glued to the pages. What really happened to Alabama?
I received an ARC of this book and leave this review of my own accord. #NetGalley #ThePerfectOnes #NicoleHackett
This is a fast-paced story that explores the darker side of social media and internet fame. Told from alternating perspectives and timelines, the story grips you from the start. As a debut author, Hackett has knocked this one out of the park. I’m sure this won’t be the only book we will be seeing from her. I enjoyed this book. Its characters are well-built with many layers to them. The dialogue between them comes across authentic and purely entertaining. I would say the story is more about friendships, social media, and the issues that lie within – less than a thriller. At least it felt that way reading it.
Gripping and completely compelling you’ll be glued to the pages. What really happened to Alabama?
I received an ARC of this book and leave this review of my own accord. #NetGalley #ThePerfectOnes #NicoleHackett
September 7, 2023
Could not have written a better book myself!
April 18, 2023
When social media influencers get together for a work trip in Iceland it can be back stabbingly devastating with one of them ending up missing and other’s lives exploding in their faces. These women who seemingly innocently promote wellness and products to those desperately looking for miracle cures unfortunately can eat each other alive! The Perfect Ones is by far perfect and throughout this incredibly thrilling story the discoveries of their imperfections are shocking and juicy. The best type of an exciting plot.
Celeste Reed has a bit of a following, but nothing compared to the rest of the women. She is much more plain and other responsibilities take precedent over posting. She reluctantly decides at the last minute to go on this trip, even though she and her husband have been arguing about whether their young daughter needs some sort of intervention. She has been acting out recently. Celeste’s intuition says yes, her husband is not on board.
Alabama Wood is all about her Instagram number of followers and other influencers. She is Celeste’s best friend and has been for many years. Alabama cannot believe her luck! Not only is she excited about this trip, but she can’t believe icon influencer Hollie Goodwin will be on this trip! In her mind, she knows once she meets Hollie, they will become fast best friends. She knows her life will change after this trip with Hollie in her corner. But what no one knows is Alabama has been having some mental issues and has been on medication. She seemed to settle down, but unbeknownst to her husband and doctor, has stopped taking her medication.
Hollie Goodwin is a very famous fitness influencer. Although this year has been pretty tough on her. She has been through a tremendous amount of turmoil. Hollie’s weight has increased a bit this year. She has been able to hide it so no one can tell, and she is happy at least the weather is cold in Iceland so hopefully she can continue to mask her weight gain. Hollie realizes Alabama is a bit obsessed with her, something at this stage in her life she certainly does not need.
So, when Alabama suddenly goes missing and the police are unable to find any clues as to her disappearance, the women are shocked. Or are they really?
As the story moves from the day of the disappearance to the next day, and three months prior to and three months after the disappearance, we continuously begin to learn the buried secrets of these high profiled women. With one shocking revelation after another, not even the reader can fully decide who was involved. Or why.
The Perfect Ones is a heart pounding story you won’t want to put down until you find out what really happened. It makes you think that the next time you perhaps flip to Instragram and envy someone’s perfect story, know that it perhaps may not be the full truth. No one is truly as flawless as you think. Some perhaps could possibly hold deadly secrets.
Thank you #NetGalley #CrookedLandBooks #NicoleHackett #ThePerfectOnes for the advanced copy.
Celeste Reed has a bit of a following, but nothing compared to the rest of the women. She is much more plain and other responsibilities take precedent over posting. She reluctantly decides at the last minute to go on this trip, even though she and her husband have been arguing about whether their young daughter needs some sort of intervention. She has been acting out recently. Celeste’s intuition says yes, her husband is not on board.
Alabama Wood is all about her Instagram number of followers and other influencers. She is Celeste’s best friend and has been for many years. Alabama cannot believe her luck! Not only is she excited about this trip, but she can’t believe icon influencer Hollie Goodwin will be on this trip! In her mind, she knows once she meets Hollie, they will become fast best friends. She knows her life will change after this trip with Hollie in her corner. But what no one knows is Alabama has been having some mental issues and has been on medication. She seemed to settle down, but unbeknownst to her husband and doctor, has stopped taking her medication.
Hollie Goodwin is a very famous fitness influencer. Although this year has been pretty tough on her. She has been through a tremendous amount of turmoil. Hollie’s weight has increased a bit this year. She has been able to hide it so no one can tell, and she is happy at least the weather is cold in Iceland so hopefully she can continue to mask her weight gain. Hollie realizes Alabama is a bit obsessed with her, something at this stage in her life she certainly does not need.
So, when Alabama suddenly goes missing and the police are unable to find any clues as to her disappearance, the women are shocked. Or are they really?
As the story moves from the day of the disappearance to the next day, and three months prior to and three months after the disappearance, we continuously begin to learn the buried secrets of these high profiled women. With one shocking revelation after another, not even the reader can fully decide who was involved. Or why.
The Perfect Ones is a heart pounding story you won’t want to put down until you find out what really happened. It makes you think that the next time you perhaps flip to Instragram and envy someone’s perfect story, know that it perhaps may not be the full truth. No one is truly as flawless as you think. Some perhaps could possibly hold deadly secrets.
Thank you #NetGalley #CrookedLandBooks #NicoleHackett #ThePerfectOnes for the advanced copy.
January 24, 2023
(Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC).
A group of social media influencers embarks on an all-expenses-paid trip to Iceland. But once they arrive, things are anything but picturesque.
The term "thriller" should be very loosely used when describing The Perfect Ones. This could maybe be categorized as a domestic suspense, but even that is a stretch. The twists were all wholly predictable (think Gone Girl meets Where'd You Go, Bernadette?) and every character was unlikable. Celeste maybe had some redeeming qualities, but even she could not carry the drab and disappointing plot. I mean how a group of social media influencers can make Iceland sound like a Hellscape is beyond me! But also the entire premise and how every woman treated one another was just absolutely absurd. I'll continue my biggest grievances under a spoiler tag...
Anyways, that was just the tip of the iceberg (enjoy the Iceland pun). Overall I mentally checked out by the 70% mark and speed-read the remaining pages. This one was just not for me. For a laundry list of reasons.
A group of social media influencers embarks on an all-expenses-paid trip to Iceland. But once they arrive, things are anything but picturesque.
The term "thriller" should be very loosely used when describing The Perfect Ones. This could maybe be categorized as a domestic suspense, but even that is a stretch. The twists were all wholly predictable (think Gone Girl meets Where'd You Go, Bernadette?) and every character was unlikable. Celeste maybe had some redeeming qualities, but even she could not carry the drab and disappointing plot. I mean how a group of social media influencers can make Iceland sound like a Hellscape is beyond me! But also the entire premise and how every woman treated one another was just absolutely absurd. I'll continue my biggest grievances under a spoiler tag...
Anyways, that was just the tip of the iceberg (enjoy the Iceland pun). Overall I mentally checked out by the 70% mark and speed-read the remaining pages. This one was just not for me. For a laundry list of reasons.
April 29, 2023
I always love a novel about social media influencers and The Perfect Ones had that and so much more. A mystery, multiple narrators, travel, real life issues.
So why am I struggling to give this more 3 stars?
While the premise was awesome and there were a lot of pieces that could’ve made this book great, it fell a little flat for me. I wasn’t connected to the characters, didn’t emphasize with them all that much (though I did connect with Celeste in many ways), and though it’s a short novel, it almost felt like there was too much going on not directly related to the plot which made my interest wander.
The mystery with Alabama intrigued me and I wished the focus had been more on that and the trip to Iceland. The extra plot lines with Holly and Celeste were pretty much unnecessary in my opinion and detracted from the main storyline.
The writing was good and again, this has the makings of a great book. Honestly, it would convert SUPER well to a mini series.
I listened to the audio and appreciated that there were multiple narrators. They were all good and entertaining.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the copy.
So why am I struggling to give this more 3 stars?
While the premise was awesome and there were a lot of pieces that could’ve made this book great, it fell a little flat for me. I wasn’t connected to the characters, didn’t emphasize with them all that much (though I did connect with Celeste in many ways), and though it’s a short novel, it almost felt like there was too much going on not directly related to the plot which made my interest wander.
The mystery with Alabama intrigued me and I wished the focus had been more on that and the trip to Iceland. The extra plot lines with Holly and Celeste were pretty much unnecessary in my opinion and detracted from the main storyline.
The writing was good and again, this has the makings of a great book. Honestly, it would convert SUPER well to a mini series.
I listened to the audio and appreciated that there were multiple narrators. They were all good and entertaining.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the copy.
April 8, 2023
I love influencer horror stories but this one just didn't hit the mark for me. We were dumped right into the incident, which I usually appreciate, but knowing that and then learning so many people grew tedious. I got to a point where I just wasn't really interested. It's also more about kids than I thought but not in the juicy mommy blogger way.
It just didn't work for me but the writing was fine and I'd definitely check out more from the author.
It just didn't work for me but the writing was fine and I'd definitely check out more from the author.
June 2, 2023
I had really high hopes for this one, but it just fell completely flat for me. It’s a short book, but it felt like it took forever to read. None of the characters were likeable or relatable. And the point of the story? I’m not quite sure. And finally, I can’t stand ambiguous endings. The only redemption was the setting and writing style (minus the pacing). Here’s to hoping it’s a better read for others.
Aardvark: May 2023
Aardvark: May 2023
May 21, 2023
DNF. UGH. I absolutely hate not finishing a book, but I got half way thru this one and couldn’t do it anymore. Y’all know I hate giving bad reviews, but man. The writing wasn’t my favorite.
The story itself is very interesting, but the fact that this was multiple POVs and even though, the beginning of the chapter told you whose view it was, the author still wrote the persons name a million times in the sentence.
Example: he led Celeste up to their room, for a second Celeste felt like a teen, then he strapped the goggles to Celeste’s head turning off the light disorienting Celeste.
WE GET IT. I just couldn’t do it anymore that’s the only reason I had to stop reading. Probably going to read a Goodreads spoiler to see how this book ends, cause the actual plot was good.
The story itself is very interesting, but the fact that this was multiple POVs and even though, the beginning of the chapter told you whose view it was, the author still wrote the persons name a million times in the sentence.
Example: he led Celeste up to their room, for a second Celeste felt like a teen, then he strapped the goggles to Celeste’s head turning off the light disorienting Celeste.
WE GET IT. I just couldn’t do it anymore that’s the only reason I had to stop reading. Probably going to read a Goodreads spoiler to see how this book ends, cause the actual plot was good.
October 25, 2022
I was sold as soon as I saw the book was centred around a group of influencers. I was expecting juicy drama and bold characters - sadly I didn’t get either of those things.
The main reason I didn’t connect with this book is because I felt like the characters behaviour wasn’t consistent throughout, and sometimes felt unnatural. Over all I think this book just didn���t align with how I see influencers, so I felt disconnected from the start.
I was also a bit put off by the over descriptive sentences. I don’t mind over descriptive writing in general, but it has to add something extra to the story. I feel like a lot of the words in this book could’ve been cut out without impacting the story.
There was a small oversight/plot hole that I couldn’t get over and it bugged me throughout the book - I won’t add it here because I don’t want to include spoilers but if you’ve read it I’m sure you’ll know what I’m talking about!
I would try another book from this author because I appreciate the idea behind it but this one was sadly not for me!
The main reason I didn’t connect with this book is because I felt like the characters behaviour wasn’t consistent throughout, and sometimes felt unnatural. Over all I think this book just didn���t align with how I see influencers, so I felt disconnected from the start.
I was also a bit put off by the over descriptive sentences. I don’t mind over descriptive writing in general, but it has to add something extra to the story. I feel like a lot of the words in this book could’ve been cut out without impacting the story.
There was a small oversight/plot hole that I couldn’t get over and it bugged me throughout the book - I won’t add it here because I don’t want to include spoilers but if you’ve read it I’m sure you’ll know what I’m talking about!
I would try another book from this author because I appreciate the idea behind it but this one was sadly not for me!
May 13, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy of The Perfect Ones. I’m not sure why I am so intrigued with ‘Influencers’ but I am, so I was really excited to read this book. It was interesting that Iceland wasn’t featured more and while we followed a couple of influencers, we didn't really get to know much about the lifestyle.
I didn’t mind the multiple POVs, but the multiple timelines were really hard to follow because the timelines were so specific and there were so many. It was distracting how every chapter listed when and where it took place as well as who it was about. I ended up ignoring that text because I could easily tell what happened in Iceland vs what was at home. The story is really about Alabama’s disappearance, but the bulk of the book seemed to be about the characters’ home lives. In the end it made sense, but I was mainly interested in the main story. I think the idea of the story was better than the execution for me. I wasn’t a fan of the end and thought part six was a disappointment. I think this book was not really for me.
I didn’t mind the multiple POVs, but the multiple timelines were really hard to follow because the timelines were so specific and there were so many. It was distracting how every chapter listed when and where it took place as well as who it was about. I ended up ignoring that text because I could easily tell what happened in Iceland vs what was at home. The story is really about Alabama’s disappearance, but the bulk of the book seemed to be about the characters’ home lives. In the end it made sense, but I was mainly interested in the main story. I think the idea of the story was better than the execution for me. I wasn’t a fan of the end and thought part six was a disappointment. I think this book was not really for me.
November 21, 2022
Several social media influencers are sent on a sponsored trip to Iceland, it takes a turn for the worse when one of them named, Alabama Wood, goes missing. Two of the girls on the trip, Hollie and Celeste, are the main suspects of the investigation since they were the closest to Alabama. Did one of these girls have something to do with her disappearance?
There were many secrets and lies that each one of these characters was holding. Not one of the characters were really likable. It really shows that social media is not all it claims to be and behind the scenes they did all struggle in some way personally. This was a quick and easy read. I do think many thriller fans will enjoy Nicole Hackett's debut, THE PERFECT ONES!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
There were many secrets and lies that each one of these characters was holding. Not one of the characters were really likable. It really shows that social media is not all it claims to be and behind the scenes they did all struggle in some way personally. This was a quick and easy read. I do think many thriller fans will enjoy Nicole Hackett's debut, THE PERFECT ONES!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
September 19, 2022
Super fun thriller! My favorite books are always vacations gone wrong (not sure what that says about me...) In The Perfect Ones,
a group of instagram influencers are brought to Iceland for a trip to promote products. We meet good hearted Celeste and her overbearing and obsessive friend Alabama. While Celeste still questions her commitment to instagram influencing Alabama is gung ho and committed to befriend the top influencer attending the trip, Hollie Goodwin. Hollie herself has some demons to contend with and we see the world through all three of the women's eyes.
Before long, Alabama is missing and it's hard to determine what happen or where she went. Was she murdered? If you like vacation gone wrong, books focusing on pop culture, or just want an icy thriller set in Reykjavik, then The Perfect Ones if for you!
#CrookedLaneBooks #ThePerfectOnes
a group of instagram influencers are brought to Iceland for a trip to promote products. We meet good hearted Celeste and her overbearing and obsessive friend Alabama. While Celeste still questions her commitment to instagram influencing Alabama is gung ho and committed to befriend the top influencer attending the trip, Hollie Goodwin. Hollie herself has some demons to contend with and we see the world through all three of the women's eyes.
Before long, Alabama is missing and it's hard to determine what happen or where she went. Was she murdered? If you like vacation gone wrong, books focusing on pop culture, or just want an icy thriller set in Reykjavik, then The Perfect Ones if for you!
#CrookedLaneBooks #ThePerfectOnes
January 5, 2023
Twisty, and unputdownable, with its Iceland setting that shimmers off the page. The hook is immediately compelling: influencers meet for a sponsored trip, and one of them goes missing... Stellar writing, and I was invested in the characters, and the secrets and lies between them. Definitely a must-read!
December 19, 2022
I really enjoyed the book. It was a perfect murder/mystery. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone. I will definitely be buying a copy of this book very soon. Thank you to crooked lane books and to netgalley for letting me read and review this book.
October 13, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
An influencer trip to Iceland gets derailed when low-status influencer Alabama Wood goes missing late into the night. As the questions pile up, the story delves deeper into the psyches of three influencers: Alabama, Celeste, and Hollie.
Everytime you think you figured out what's going on (I admit, I assumed I had it figured out before 10% complete, and then many times after that) you find out you're super wrong.
I have to confess that I have minimal admiration for any of the three women who star in this story. You have infidelity, the willingness to kill, and extreme instability of the mind.
Driven by the inner workings of the mind, this story takes you into the deeper and darker decisions of three very different personalities.
An influencer trip to Iceland gets derailed when low-status influencer Alabama Wood goes missing late into the night. As the questions pile up, the story delves deeper into the psyches of three influencers: Alabama, Celeste, and Hollie.
Everytime you think you figured out what's going on (I admit, I assumed I had it figured out before 10% complete, and then many times after that) you find out you're super wrong.
I have to confess that I have minimal admiration for any of the three women who star in this story. You have infidelity, the willingness to kill, and extreme instability of the mind.
Driven by the inner workings of the mind, this story takes you into the deeper and darker decisions of three very different personalities.
April 23, 2023
The Perfect Ones by Nicole Hackett. Thanks to @tlcbooktours for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A group of influencers take a promotional trip to Iceland. The influencers, including Alabama Wood, use the opportunity to network and grow their following; until she goes missing.
My favorite part of this book was the characters and their desire for popularity within the influencer world. This book was a quick and fast mystery. Besides drama from before the influencer event, there is not a lot of action. It is more of a mystery; and you will want to know what happened. The ending was not my favorite but it was an entertaining read.
“Alabama Wood was gone, he’d come to tell them. How shocking. Unless, of course, you already knew.”
The Perfect Ones comes out 5/2.
A group of influencers take a promotional trip to Iceland. The influencers, including Alabama Wood, use the opportunity to network and grow their following; until she goes missing.
My favorite part of this book was the characters and their desire for popularity within the influencer world. This book was a quick and fast mystery. Besides drama from before the influencer event, there is not a lot of action. It is more of a mystery; and you will want to know what happened. The ending was not my favorite but it was an entertaining read.
“Alabama Wood was gone, he’d come to tell them. How shocking. Unless, of course, you already knew.”
The Perfect Ones comes out 5/2.
April 15, 2023
“‘Really, I’m fine,’ she said, knowing that she wasn’t. Maybe she had never been fine this whole time.’”
This book wasn’t what I expected at all. I was expecting a murdery, vacation gone wrong thriller with influencers. What I got was a million times better. THE PERFECT ONES is a deep, psychological thriller with complex, interesting characters and feelings. So many feelings. I fucking loved it.
THE PERFECT ONES follows three influencers. Hollie is a fitness influencer from Dallas, Alabama and Celeste are best friend fashion influencers from Chicago. These three women plus a few more are invited on a sponsored trip to Iceland. The story skips back and forth in time and povs, from before the trip and during, and eventually after.
This story is well written and thoughtful and honestly just damn good. This doesn’t read like a debut at all and I am on the edge of my seat waiting to read what Hackett writes next.
This book wasn’t what I expected at all. I was expecting a murdery, vacation gone wrong thriller with influencers. What I got was a million times better. THE PERFECT ONES is a deep, psychological thriller with complex, interesting characters and feelings. So many feelings. I fucking loved it.
THE PERFECT ONES follows three influencers. Hollie is a fitness influencer from Dallas, Alabama and Celeste are best friend fashion influencers from Chicago. These three women plus a few more are invited on a sponsored trip to Iceland. The story skips back and forth in time and povs, from before the trip and during, and eventually after.
This story is well written and thoughtful and honestly just damn good. This doesn’t read like a debut at all and I am on the edge of my seat waiting to read what Hackett writes next.
December 17, 2022
══ ≪ ARC REVIEW ≫ ══
- Rating: 4★
- Genre: mystery, thriller, fiction
Everyone wants to be them, but internet fame comes at a price.
A picture-perfect trip goes horribly wrong in this fast-paced exploration of friendship and the dark side of social media.
Simply unputdownable & captivating. 'The Perfect Ones' by Nicole Hackett is full of surprises, conspiracies & dark secrets.
A murder mystery that targets the influencers, who go on an exclusive trip.Things start going downhill unexpectedly and you are in for one hell of a ride. Enjoyed it and liked it. Don't forget to check the trigger warnings.
Pub date: May 2, 2023
Thank you Netgally for the ARC!
- Rating: 4★
- Genre: mystery, thriller, fiction
Everyone wants to be them, but internet fame comes at a price.
A picture-perfect trip goes horribly wrong in this fast-paced exploration of friendship and the dark side of social media.
Simply unputdownable & captivating. 'The Perfect Ones' by Nicole Hackett is full of surprises, conspiracies & dark secrets.
A murder mystery that targets the influencers, who go on an exclusive trip.Things start going downhill unexpectedly and you are in for one hell of a ride. Enjoyed it and liked it. Don't forget to check the trigger warnings.
Pub date: May 2, 2023
Thank you Netgally for the ARC!
October 6, 2022
This story perfectly depicts everything that I imagine goes on in an IG influencer’s head. The comparison game is unreal with the explosion of social media.
I don’t want to give any spoilers, but if you find yourself on IG frequently, randomly scrolling all the photos of people who’s worlds appear so much better than your own, then definitely read this book.
This was a great read! Thank you NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books & Nicole Hackett for the chance to read this gem early!!
(5 Stars for the cover of this book as well! Absolutely love the pink/teal combo!)
I don’t want to give any spoilers, but if you find yourself on IG frequently, randomly scrolling all the photos of people who’s worlds appear so much better than your own, then definitely read this book.
This was a great read! Thank you NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books & Nicole Hackett for the chance to read this gem early!!
(5 Stars for the cover of this book as well! Absolutely love the pink/teal combo!)
April 4, 2023
This book was amazing !!!! I was not excepting the MULTIPLE twists in the middle and the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone !
May 1, 2023
Thank you to @crookedlanebooks for my finished copy! I love a good debut and especially when it is a thriller.
I am gonna keep this one short and sweet because I think this one is going to be polarizing. The concept: famous influencers trapped on a resort in Iceland and one goes missing?! Sign me up right?! All of the characters are annoying (most likely on purpose) and extremely vapid (also on purpose?) so I truthfully did not care what happened to any of them. They could have all fallen to their icy death and I would have been fine with it. I feel like there were bigger issues that the author tried to add into the story that maybe took away from the feeling of “claustrophobia” I think this needed.
I liked the Autism rep and I appreciated her trying to add the struggles a parent goes through in trying to get diagnosed. I also loved the cover. It is gorgeous and very eye catching. I will say since I wasn’t all that vested-the ending totally caught me off guard and I thought it was done very well. I loved the “cliff hanger” and felt that helped bump up the “star” value so to speak.
I am gonna keep this one short and sweet because I think this one is going to be polarizing. The concept: famous influencers trapped on a resort in Iceland and one goes missing?! Sign me up right?! All of the characters are annoying (most likely on purpose) and extremely vapid (also on purpose?) so I truthfully did not care what happened to any of them. They could have all fallen to their icy death and I would have been fine with it. I feel like there were bigger issues that the author tried to add into the story that maybe took away from the feeling of “claustrophobia” I think this needed.
I liked the Autism rep and I appreciated her trying to add the struggles a parent goes through in trying to get diagnosed. I also loved the cover. It is gorgeous and very eye catching. I will say since I wasn’t all that vested-the ending totally caught me off guard and I thought it was done very well. I loved the “cliff hanger” and felt that helped bump up the “star” value so to speak.
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