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Chloe Cates Is Missing
The disappearance of a young internet celebrity ignites a firestorm of speculation on social media, and to find her a detective will have to extinguish the blaze. Chloe Cates is missing. The 13-year-old star of the hit web series, “CC and Me,” has disappeared, and nobody knows where she’s gone ― least of all ruthless momager Jennifer Scarborough, who has spent much of her daughter’s young life crafting a child celebrity persona that is finally beginning to pay off. And in Chloe’s absence, the faux-fairytale world that supported that persona begins to fracture, revealing secrets capable of reducing the highly-dysfunctional Scarborough family to rubble. Anxious to find her daughter and preserve the life she’s worked so hard to build, Jennifer turns to social media for help, but the hearsay, false claims, and salacious suspicions only multiply. As the search becomes as sensational as Chloe’s series, Missing Persons detective Emilina Stone steps in, only to realize she has a connection to this case herself. Will she be able to stay objective and cut through the rumors to find the truth before it’s too late? Told from multiple points of view including Jennifer, Emilina, and pages from Chloe’s lost diary, Chloe Cates Is Missing is a suspenseful novel of a child pushed to the brink, and of the troubled family that desperately needs her back.
312 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2022
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October 20, 2021
14 clicks
Jennifer Scarborough missed her $1000 bonus by a mere 14 clicks.
AGAIN
How far would Jennifer Cates (influencer name) go to make a post on her blog, “CC and Me” go viral? She certainly has no qualms about exploiting her 13 year old daughter, Chloe Cates (real name-Abigail Scarborough) for money. She doesn’t care if the things that are captured on “live feed” embarrass her daughter. AT ALL !!
At what age, can a person decide that they no longer want to be a “social media celebrity”? How far would Chloe Cates go to escape the life her Mother won’t allow her to relinquish?
Is Chloe Cates missing? Or is this all a ruse for more clicks?
Detective Emilia Stone from the Children and Family Services Unit, in Albany, will have to piece together the evidence from Chloe’s journal entries and from what she knows about Jennifer from the past, when Jennifer was Jen Groff- her middle school best friend.
I requested this one because I am always drawn to stories which are told through multiple formats such as diaries, journals, Pod Casts and the like. But these journal entries give much of the book a YA feel, and I have outgrown my enjoyment of that.
If you haven’t, and you enjoy reality series about families or wives who enjoy the spotlight or Moms who push their children to be in Dance, or Cheer or perhaps to be Beauty Pageant contestants, you may enjoy the DRAMA that this book offers! Unfortunately for me, those things don’t interest me so I wasn’t a great fit for this book.
Available January 18, 2022
Thank You to Scarlett Publishing for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Jennifer Scarborough missed her $1000 bonus by a mere 14 clicks.
AGAIN
How far would Jennifer Cates (influencer name) go to make a post on her blog, “CC and Me” go viral? She certainly has no qualms about exploiting her 13 year old daughter, Chloe Cates (real name-Abigail Scarborough) for money. She doesn’t care if the things that are captured on “live feed” embarrass her daughter. AT ALL !!
At what age, can a person decide that they no longer want to be a “social media celebrity”? How far would Chloe Cates go to escape the life her Mother won’t allow her to relinquish?
Is Chloe Cates missing? Or is this all a ruse for more clicks?
Detective Emilia Stone from the Children and Family Services Unit, in Albany, will have to piece together the evidence from Chloe’s journal entries and from what she knows about Jennifer from the past, when Jennifer was Jen Groff- her middle school best friend.
I requested this one because I am always drawn to stories which are told through multiple formats such as diaries, journals, Pod Casts and the like. But these journal entries give much of the book a YA feel, and I have outgrown my enjoyment of that.
If you haven’t, and you enjoy reality series about families or wives who enjoy the spotlight or Moms who push their children to be in Dance, or Cheer or perhaps to be Beauty Pageant contestants, you may enjoy the DRAMA that this book offers! Unfortunately for me, those things don’t interest me so I wasn’t a great fit for this book.
Available January 18, 2022
Thank You to Scarlett Publishing for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
March 3, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
This is a captivating and intriguing story about a thirteen-year-old social media superstar who turns up missing. Abby Scarborough, known online as Chloe Cates, is the star of the viral vlog "CC Spectacular". She's managed by "momager" Jennifer who likes everything to be filled with sparkles and magic. When her parents discover she is missing, they contact the police and Detective Emilina Stone is brought in to investigate. There's quite a history between Emilina and Jennifer and everyone involved with the case has secrets they are trying very hard to keep hidden.
At times, this book reads as if it is a YA novel. It's told from multiple points of view, one is Abby/Chloe's diary entries. The way those are incorporated are awkward at times, because they reveal things that the police don't seem to find out until later. You'd think that they would read the entire journal right away in order to try to figure things out, but it doesn't seem like that from the way the narrative is structured.
Other than that, I really liked the book and the many things it has to say about social media, influencers, and the effects of fame on different people. I was pretty heartbroken for Abby every time Jennifer would correct the police for not referring to her as "Chloe". And as the storyline unfolded and the horrific manipulation that took place in this young girl's life was truly abusive if you look at it. The ultimate resolution of this novel is partially shocking but also wholly believable because of the conditioning that this girl had to endure.
There are some unbelievable situations here (I seriously doubt that the police would ever let two suspects hang out in the same room together while being questioned), and some of the social media references are already a bit dated as it changes so quickly. However if you can overlook those, this is a fast-paced tale that kept me completely invested to find out exactly what happened to Chloe Cates. I had a suspicion in the beginning about what was going on that I'm very happy was not fulfilled, because I had read another book a number of years ago with that particular premise and I really hated it.
Overall, if you can tolerate a YA feel to the book, I do recommend this one as a captivating mystery shrouded in the message about the high price of fame.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a captivating and intriguing story about a thirteen-year-old social media superstar who turns up missing. Abby Scarborough, known online as Chloe Cates, is the star of the viral vlog "CC Spectacular". She's managed by "momager" Jennifer who likes everything to be filled with sparkles and magic. When her parents discover she is missing, they contact the police and Detective Emilina Stone is brought in to investigate. There's quite a history between Emilina and Jennifer and everyone involved with the case has secrets they are trying very hard to keep hidden.
At times, this book reads as if it is a YA novel. It's told from multiple points of view, one is Abby/Chloe's diary entries. The way those are incorporated are awkward at times, because they reveal things that the police don't seem to find out until later. You'd think that they would read the entire journal right away in order to try to figure things out, but it doesn't seem like that from the way the narrative is structured.
Other than that, I really liked the book and the many things it has to say about social media, influencers, and the effects of fame on different people. I was pretty heartbroken for Abby every time Jennifer would correct the police for not referring to her as "Chloe". And as the storyline unfolded and the horrific manipulation that took place in this young girl's life was truly abusive if you look at it. The ultimate resolution of this novel is partially shocking but also wholly believable because of the conditioning that this girl had to endure.
There are some unbelievable situations here (I seriously doubt that the police would ever let two suspects hang out in the same room together while being questioned), and some of the social media references are already a bit dated as it changes so quickly. However if you can overlook those, this is a fast-paced tale that kept me completely invested to find out exactly what happened to Chloe Cates. I had a suspicion in the beginning about what was going on that I'm very happy was not fulfilled, because I had read another book a number of years ago with that particular premise and I really hated it.
Overall, if you can tolerate a YA feel to the book, I do recommend this one as a captivating mystery shrouded in the message about the high price of fame.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 16, 2023
Chloe Cates is Missing by Mandy McHugh is a 2022 Scarlet publication.
Chloe Cates is the thirteen- year-old internet blog star of CC and Me- created by her mother, Jennifer. Her charmed life is all an illusion, though. Chloe’s real name is Abby- she has no friends, is homeschooled, and her every move is choreographed for her mother’s blog- and she’s absolutely miserable.
When 'Chloe' goes missing, Jennifer tries to spin it- keep it all under control- but when a body is found on the edge of their property the secrets, manipulations, and lies begin to unravel…
This is a thought-provoking and chilling thriller that could also double as a cautionary tale. The revelations are well-timed, and the twists are dark and disturbing.
Though the reader will need to suspend belief here and there, and the characterizations are perhaps a bit too exaggerated, I thought the depiction of the underbelly of internet fame- especially with kids as influencers, was handled well- and is probably more accurate than we would like to think.
Overall, I didn’t catch a lot of hype around this one- so I’d say it is a bit underrated. It’s a good, solid, absorbing, fast and compact little thriller. I really liked it!
4 stars!
Chloe Cates is the thirteen- year-old internet blog star of CC and Me- created by her mother, Jennifer. Her charmed life is all an illusion, though. Chloe’s real name is Abby- she has no friends, is homeschooled, and her every move is choreographed for her mother’s blog- and she’s absolutely miserable.
When 'Chloe' goes missing, Jennifer tries to spin it- keep it all under control- but when a body is found on the edge of their property the secrets, manipulations, and lies begin to unravel…
This is a thought-provoking and chilling thriller that could also double as a cautionary tale. The revelations are well-timed, and the twists are dark and disturbing.
Though the reader will need to suspend belief here and there, and the characterizations are perhaps a bit too exaggerated, I thought the depiction of the underbelly of internet fame- especially with kids as influencers, was handled well- and is probably more accurate than we would like to think.
Overall, I didn’t catch a lot of hype around this one- so I’d say it is a bit underrated. It’s a good, solid, absorbing, fast and compact little thriller. I really liked it!
4 stars!
January 17, 2022
Very interesting premise to this book - young internet star Chloe Cates (*not her real name - Mom was inspired by Gremlins star Phoebe Cates) has gone missing, likely kidnapped. During the frantic search to find her, we learn more about Abigail’s (*her real name!) life through her secret personal social media account and her ongoing diary. Was she kidnapped by a crazed fan who watched her over-the-top cute online content? Or was it someone closer to home?
I liked the premise and the writing is zippy and interesting, but ultimately reading so many diary entries by a child was not as interesting to me as it could have been. I think the problem with a book like this is that while alternating narratives between the adult and the missing child is a good idea, it’s sometimes hard for an adult reader to relate that closely to the child narrator. While I felt sorry for Abby, I just could not really get fully into the headspace and the concerns of a 13-year-old YouTube star. I wonder if this technique might have found a more connected audience if it was done as a full-on YA book. The switch between the police procedural type tone and the child narrator got a little jarring for me.
Overall a talented writer, but a premise and narrator that ultimately did not draw me in as an adult. I’d try another book by this author, though.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC.
I liked the premise and the writing is zippy and interesting, but ultimately reading so many diary entries by a child was not as interesting to me as it could have been. I think the problem with a book like this is that while alternating narratives between the adult and the missing child is a good idea, it’s sometimes hard for an adult reader to relate that closely to the child narrator. While I felt sorry for Abby, I just could not really get fully into the headspace and the concerns of a 13-year-old YouTube star. I wonder if this technique might have found a more connected audience if it was done as a full-on YA book. The switch between the police procedural type tone and the child narrator got a little jarring for me.
Overall a talented writer, but a premise and narrator that ultimately did not draw me in as an adult. I’d try another book by this author, though.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC.
November 8, 2021
My first 2022 release and it was a winner. I read this on a wet and miserable Sunday afternoon, unable to put it down. I really felt for this young girl and all the things that she had to endure due her mother’s actions. An absolute page turner that will get people talking.
13 year old Chloe Cates has been an internet star since she was 4 years old. Her mother, Jennifer started her blog “CC AND ME” and became obsessed by likes and attention. Jen will do anything for the fame, even at the expense of her daughter. But then Chloe disappears and her world comes crashing down. In steps Emilina from the missing persons unit and we discover her link to Jens past. Such a dysfunctional family.
A great thriller with a lot to get angry about, especially in her parents actions. Really enjoyable and a great start to my 2022 releases.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Grab it January 18th.
13 year old Chloe Cates has been an internet star since she was 4 years old. Her mother, Jennifer started her blog “CC AND ME” and became obsessed by likes and attention. Jen will do anything for the fame, even at the expense of her daughter. But then Chloe disappears and her world comes crashing down. In steps Emilina from the missing persons unit and we discover her link to Jens past. Such a dysfunctional family.
A great thriller with a lot to get angry about, especially in her parents actions. Really enjoyable and a great start to my 2022 releases.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Grab it January 18th.
January 1, 2022
Jennifer Scarborough is on the verge of losing the social media brand she has built around her daughter Abby. The CC and Me web series is not getting the clicks they need to stay at the top of their game. Then on the morning of a big promotion for Bow!Tastic, Abby is not in her bed. Where is she? At first Big Brother JJ, Dad Jackson, and Mom seem to be holding together as a family unit -- supporting each other in their time of need. It does not take long for the conflicts to surface and the finger-pointing begins. To make things more complicated, the investigator Emilina Stone was once Jennifer's best friend, but things ended badly. So, we the narrative comes to us from the viewpoints of Emilina, Jackson, and Jennifer with an added bonus -- Abby's diary entries. How much does the past affect the present? What does an adult do when trauma from childhood resurfaces? Is participating in a web series comparable to being on an elite sports team? How old should you be to have veto power over what your parents post on social media? This book will make you think about these questions and more.
Thank you to Scarlet and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Scarlet and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up.
Meet the Scarborough family - mother Jennifer, father Jackson, son JJ (15 years old) and daughter Abigail - aka Chloe Cates (13 years old). This was one messed up family! Since she was very young Abby, in the persona of Chloe Cates, has been an internet star strictly managed by her mother. I got a bit confused with their ‘brand’ was it CC and Me or Chloe Cates Spectacular? Never mind - either way Chloe had to perform like a seal. There was lots of pink, glitter and bows involved, enough to make me shudder. And as if that weren’t enough Chloe doesn’t even get to socialise at school as she is home schooled so she has, literally, no friends.
After an embarrassing incident at a live show where Chloe got her period for the first time, her mother made her go back on stage and finish the show. She later capitalised on the publicity that surrounded the incident. Chloe was mortified and tried to quit the whole business but mum wasn’t having a bar of it.
One morning Jennifer is yelling for Chloe, they’re going to be late for some other event but Chloe is not in her room and her bedroom window is open. Has she been kidnapped? Or did she run away? So we have a missing child, soon after we have a murdered child who may or may not be linked to Chloe. We have the lead detective, Emilia Stone who has a rather dark and secret history with Jennifer and we have the toxic brew of dangerous internet exposure.
An amber alert is issued but Jennifer can’t help herself from seeing Chole’s disappearance as another way of raising her profile! What sort of monster is this mother? Oh it gets worse, much worse. Jackson is no help as he just goes along with whatever Jennifer wants. Everything is pitched as to how it affects Jennifer as if she is victim of everything that befalls anyone in her family. Well, the biggest victim in this sorry tale is the truth. Unreliable narrators abound. Most of the characters were quite loathsome, I didn’t even like Chloe that much. JJ was about the best of them.
I kind of guessed the ending eventually and I was happy to see the back of this family. I’m still not sure if I enjoyed this book or not so I’m giving it 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley and Penzler Publishers for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Meet the Scarborough family - mother Jennifer, father Jackson, son JJ (15 years old) and daughter Abigail - aka Chloe Cates (13 years old). This was one messed up family! Since she was very young Abby, in the persona of Chloe Cates, has been an internet star strictly managed by her mother. I got a bit confused with their ‘brand’ was it CC and Me or Chloe Cates Spectacular? Never mind - either way Chloe had to perform like a seal. There was lots of pink, glitter and bows involved, enough to make me shudder. And as if that weren’t enough Chloe doesn’t even get to socialise at school as she is home schooled so she has, literally, no friends.
After an embarrassing incident at a live show where Chloe got her period for the first time, her mother made her go back on stage and finish the show. She later capitalised on the publicity that surrounded the incident. Chloe was mortified and tried to quit the whole business but mum wasn’t having a bar of it.
One morning Jennifer is yelling for Chloe, they’re going to be late for some other event but Chloe is not in her room and her bedroom window is open. Has she been kidnapped? Or did she run away? So we have a missing child, soon after we have a murdered child who may or may not be linked to Chloe. We have the lead detective, Emilia Stone who has a rather dark and secret history with Jennifer and we have the toxic brew of dangerous internet exposure.
An amber alert is issued but Jennifer can’t help herself from seeing Chole’s disappearance as another way of raising her profile! What sort of monster is this mother? Oh it gets worse, much worse. Jackson is no help as he just goes along with whatever Jennifer wants. Everything is pitched as to how it affects Jennifer as if she is victim of everything that befalls anyone in her family. Well, the biggest victim in this sorry tale is the truth. Unreliable narrators abound. Most of the characters were quite loathsome, I didn’t even like Chloe that much. JJ was about the best of them.
I kind of guessed the ending eventually and I was happy to see the back of this family. I’m still not sure if I enjoyed this book or not so I’m giving it 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley and Penzler Publishers for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
January 17, 2022
First time author Mandy McHugh’s recently published Chloe Cates Is Missing, is a thriller mystery told from multiple perspectives. Chloe Cates is a teenage social media sensation who is missing, believed abducted. Her mother Jennifer tries social media to assist in finding her and Emilina Stone, a Missing Persons detective is put on the case. As the investigation unfolds, many discoveries are made, including Emilina’s own history and connection to the case. With its engaging plot, plenty of tension and all the characters’ secrets laid bare, this is an enjoyably, engrossing tale. With its final dramatic chapters and their spell binding revelations, comes the multi-twist finale, making it a four-star don’t miss suspense read. With much thanks to Penzler Publishers, and the author, for an uncorrected advanced copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given, unencumbered by external influence.
December 28, 2021
What did I just read?! It’s been awhile since I found a book I enjoyed so much!Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, I’d turn the page and be dead wrong! I loved the unpredictability and the complex relationships between the characters.
Thirteen year old You-Tube sensation Chloe Cates is missing. Her crazy mother Jennifer, who is the ultimate stage mother, as well as the rest of her family are worried sick. At this point you think you know where it’s going. You’d be wrong.
Enter Detective Emilina Stone who is almost as shocked as the reader to realize the connection she has to this crazy case.
As the search for Chloe intensifies, so does the craziness of the relationships between these characters. Secrets are revealed. People are thrown under the bus multiple times. The ending was the ultimate twist.
I had a lot of fun reading this.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Thirteen year old You-Tube sensation Chloe Cates is missing. Her crazy mother Jennifer, who is the ultimate stage mother, as well as the rest of her family are worried sick. At this point you think you know where it’s going. You’d be wrong.
Enter Detective Emilina Stone who is almost as shocked as the reader to realize the connection she has to this crazy case.
As the search for Chloe intensifies, so does the craziness of the relationships between these characters. Secrets are revealed. People are thrown under the bus multiple times. The ending was the ultimate twist.
I had a lot of fun reading this.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
July 25, 2021
This book is about the thirteen-year-old star of a popular YouTube channel and mommy blog who goes missing—and the twisted secrets that come into the light as a result. I loved this book SO MUCH and can’t wait for everyone to be able to read it so we can all scream about it together. Here’s my official blurb: It’s a mommy blog gone terribly wrong in this captivating debut from Mandy McHugh. CHLOE CATES IS MISSING has everything I want in a domestic thriller: propulsive storytelling, razor-sharp prose, disturbing behavior, explosive secrets, and a uniquely dysfunctional family. Settle in for this stunner; once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop.
October 15, 2023
CHLOE CATES IS MISSING IS A KILLER DEBUT!
This mom is a total psycho! Social media-obsessed! Child/family services- take her away, please. What a highly entertaining audiobook and a wild debut by Mandy McHugh. She definitely showcases a highly dysfunctional family from mom, dad, daughter, and brother and supporting characters. Very realistic, every mom, dad, teen, and pre-teen in this world needs to read this book. A cautionary tale about the addictive social media craze world.
I hope my niece (with her five-year-old celebrity daughter) reads this one and my other niece. This book is right on and the author does not miss a beat. My niece has 5.6M followers on TikTok and I am afraid her life, daughter, and family may be headed down this slippery slope where their life is controlled by their phone, videos, hits, likes, sponsors, etc.
To be honest, I dislike all social media and think it ruins lives and is addictive. I feel sorry for celebrities. This novel even though fictional is a wake-up call. Dangerous for our younger generation as we see all too well in this book which brilliantly unravels a seemingly perfect family's ugly secrets.
Back to the book. Read it! Out now. I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Hillary Huber (superb), Jesse Vilinsky, Eileen Stevens, and Alex Boyles by Blackstone Publishing. Not a lot of likable characters (mom horrible, dad spineless, daughter, brat, and son ok).
I loved Detective Emilina Stone and she is really the only one with a heart. Told from multiple POV with journal entries from CC (Abby). I liked the past story and how it came together with the present.
Now some parts are more like a YA book (which I will admit, I had to skip over these parts with the teen, Abby/Chloe because it had too much drama and this girl's voice was grinding on my nerves). I think the book is more suited for a younger crowd and YA and moms. Thank goodness I had two sons and raised three stepsons. I could not handle a drama-filled life of a girl!
Also, be sure and read The Quiet People by one of my favorite authors, Paul Cleave. If you read both, you will see the secrets/lies of a celebrity blogger and successful crime writer and the lengths they go for money and to maintain their status. Full of secrets, lies, and control.
An author to watch. She will definitely be on my radar and cannot wait to see what comes next from this talented new author!
Oh, my - I have listened to so many audiobook thrillers recently, they are all running together. I am dizzy. Been up the last two nights reading/listening all night. After the thriller I am currently reading, my next book will be a nice southern historical fiction. I need something more relaxing so I am not up all night and need to take a break from these highly dysfunctional crazy wild intense books.😍
How about you guys? Do you ever take breaks in between thrillers?
Blog Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks | @JudithDCollins
My Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Pub Date: Feb 15, 2022
This mom is a total psycho! Social media-obsessed! Child/family services- take her away, please. What a highly entertaining audiobook and a wild debut by Mandy McHugh. She definitely showcases a highly dysfunctional family from mom, dad, daughter, and brother and supporting characters. Very realistic, every mom, dad, teen, and pre-teen in this world needs to read this book. A cautionary tale about the addictive social media craze world.
I hope my niece (with her five-year-old celebrity daughter) reads this one and my other niece. This book is right on and the author does not miss a beat. My niece has 5.6M followers on TikTok and I am afraid her life, daughter, and family may be headed down this slippery slope where their life is controlled by their phone, videos, hits, likes, sponsors, etc.
To be honest, I dislike all social media and think it ruins lives and is addictive. I feel sorry for celebrities. This novel even though fictional is a wake-up call. Dangerous for our younger generation as we see all too well in this book which brilliantly unravels a seemingly perfect family's ugly secrets.
Back to the book. Read it! Out now. I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Hillary Huber (superb), Jesse Vilinsky, Eileen Stevens, and Alex Boyles by Blackstone Publishing. Not a lot of likable characters (mom horrible, dad spineless, daughter, brat, and son ok).
I loved Detective Emilina Stone and she is really the only one with a heart. Told from multiple POV with journal entries from CC (Abby). I liked the past story and how it came together with the present.
Now some parts are more like a YA book (which I will admit, I had to skip over these parts with the teen, Abby/Chloe because it had too much drama and this girl's voice was grinding on my nerves). I think the book is more suited for a younger crowd and YA and moms. Thank goodness I had two sons and raised three stepsons. I could not handle a drama-filled life of a girl!
Also, be sure and read The Quiet People by one of my favorite authors, Paul Cleave. If you read both, you will see the secrets/lies of a celebrity blogger and successful crime writer and the lengths they go for money and to maintain their status. Full of secrets, lies, and control.
An author to watch. She will definitely be on my radar and cannot wait to see what comes next from this talented new author!
Oh, my - I have listened to so many audiobook thrillers recently, they are all running together. I am dizzy. Been up the last two nights reading/listening all night. After the thriller I am currently reading, my next book will be a nice southern historical fiction. I need something more relaxing so I am not up all night and need to take a break from these highly dysfunctional crazy wild intense books.😍
How about you guys? Do you ever take breaks in between thrillers?
Blog Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks | @JudithDCollins
My Rating: 4 Stars
Format: Audiobook
Pub Date: Feb 15, 2022
September 7, 2022
A missing 13 year old YouTube star. A momager who has been crafting her daughter’s internet persona. And a detective trying to piece together the clues amidst a firestorm of media.
Wow! What a great debut book! I love when an author is capable of effectively giving characters their own individual voices. This is a twisty and surprising plot that created multiple "bad" characters that you, as the reader, dislike but don't hate. Can't wait for the next book by Mandy McHugh! Rating of 5 stars.
Wow! What a great debut book! I love when an author is capable of effectively giving characters their own individual voices. This is a twisty and surprising plot that created multiple "bad" characters that you, as the reader, dislike but don't hate. Can't wait for the next book by Mandy McHugh! Rating of 5 stars.
November 12, 2022
A debut?! What?! Loved it. Unputdownable!
#ChloeCatesIsMissing (available now) is a debut that had me hooked from the beginning. I did NOT want to put this one down. The dysfunctional Scarborough family is full of betrayal, secrets and lies and if you know my reading taste then it will come as no shocker that I loved the ending. You’ll just have to read it to know it! 🤓
#ChloeCatesIsMissing (available now) is a debut that had me hooked from the beginning. I did NOT want to put this one down. The dysfunctional Scarborough family is full of betrayal, secrets and lies and if you know my reading taste then it will come as no shocker that I loved the ending. You’ll just have to read it to know it! 🤓
October 13, 2021
CC and Me is a successful Mommy blog featuring Jennifer and her adorable daughter, Chloe Cates. Life behind the glitter is far removed from what is posted however, beginning with Chloe herself. Chloe's real name is Abbie and she hates her online persona, her mother's aggressive approach to her daughter's fame, and the normal teenage existence she is missing out on. The whole world may become privy to these cracks forming inside of the family when Chloe goes missing and Jennifer is thrust even further into the spotlight than she could have ever imagined.
I am always interested in a book that focuses on modern-day fame or an influencer's lifestyle. I find much voyeuristic fun from books like these, that expose this world for the reader. This book begun by doing exactly that and what was uncovered was far from pretty.
This story is told from a multitude of perspectives and timelines. I appreciated how these different voices all revealed secrets about the others and aided in the reader uncovering secrets from both the present and the past. It was quickly realised that there were more than just Chloe Cates location to find out and the many mysteries were simultaneously focused on and worked through making this an intense and engaging read, all the way throughout.
The ending had me reeling! I did have my suspicions about the final twist, but the back-and-froth dialogue between the characters before this had me second and third-guessing myself, which proved, again, how cleverly McHugh manipulates her readers. This is definitely a writer I already trust to pen an scintillating thriller and an author I will be reading from again, in any genre.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Mandy McHughes, and the publisher, Scarlet, for this opportunity.
I am always interested in a book that focuses on modern-day fame or an influencer's lifestyle. I find much voyeuristic fun from books like these, that expose this world for the reader. This book begun by doing exactly that and what was uncovered was far from pretty.
This story is told from a multitude of perspectives and timelines. I appreciated how these different voices all revealed secrets about the others and aided in the reader uncovering secrets from both the present and the past. It was quickly realised that there were more than just Chloe Cates location to find out and the many mysteries were simultaneously focused on and worked through making this an intense and engaging read, all the way throughout.
The ending had me reeling! I did have my suspicions about the final twist, but the back-and-froth dialogue between the characters before this had me second and third-guessing myself, which proved, again, how cleverly McHugh manipulates her readers. This is definitely a writer I already trust to pen an scintillating thriller and an author I will be reading from again, in any genre.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Mandy McHughes, and the publisher, Scarlet, for this opportunity.
June 3, 2022
3⭐
NARRATION = 📣While it had separate narrators for each POV…it was a tad screechy😀
NARRATED BY🎙️Hillary Huber, Jesse Vilinsky, Eileen Stevens, & Alex Boyles
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
●Psychological/Domestic Thriller ●Police Procedural ●Social Media/Blog ●Hilocopter Mom and then some…
If nothing else this is a lesson in not letting social media rule your life. Because damn, this bitch…
I totally saw where this was going…but I didn’t have the details of how it was going to get there. The thing is though, the details that were revealed, didn’t necessarily add up. While not a total deal-breaker…it was fairly close.
Total Score 5.93/10 ● Opening-6.5 ● Characters-5 ● Plot-6.5 ● Atmosphere-6 ● Writing Style-6 ● Ending-6.5 ● Overall Enjoyment-5
NARRATION = 📣While it had separate narrators for each POV…it was a tad screechy😀
NARRATED BY🎙️Hillary Huber, Jesse Vilinsky, Eileen Stevens, & Alex Boyles
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
●Psychological/Domestic Thriller ●Police Procedural ●Social Media/Blog ●Hilocopter Mom and then some…
If nothing else this is a lesson in not letting social media rule your life. Because damn, this bitch…
I totally saw where this was going…but I didn’t have the details of how it was going to get there. The thing is though, the details that were revealed, didn’t necessarily add up. While not a total deal-breaker…it was fairly close.
Total Score 5.93/10 ● Opening-6.5 ● Characters-5 ● Plot-6.5 ● Atmosphere-6 ● Writing Style-6 ● Ending-6.5 ● Overall Enjoyment-5
November 12, 2021
Chloe Cates is missing....Or is she?
Jennifer Scarborough (AKA Jennifer Cates) has no problem exploiting her daughter on YouTube for internet fame. Abigail Scarborough (AKA Chloe Cates) wants out of the spotlight but, alas, her mother needs her to gain fame and fortune. And, at thirteen years old, there's unfortunately not a lot Chloe can do to about her controlling and domineering mother. But when Chloe suddenly does missing, everything chances for the Scarborough family.
But is Chloe really missing? Is this just a publicity stunt put on by her mother to garner more media attention and fame? Or has Chloe finally had enough of the spotlight and run away from it all?
This book makes you question the lengths a person will go to for fame, how psychologically damaging it can be for a child with fame-hungry parents and the after effects on a child star who has had to suffer this kind of manipulation and psychological abuse from his/her parents.
It's also a story that will make you angry because this stuff happens all the time and it's heartbreaking. (IE: Dance Moms, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Macauley Culkin just to name a few examples).
While I was reading this, it reminded me of another book- Darling Rose Gold -as the situation in this book strongly resembled Munchausen by Proxy. It definitely gives you a lot to think about.
If I could say one negative, this does read more like a YA novel. I didn't mind that as I'm a fan YA literature, but for those who don't care for the genre and want more of an adult mystery/thriller, I wanted to point that out. Otherwise, a great book with a great message and one that I recommend to fans of the mystery genre.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer Scarborough (AKA Jennifer Cates) has no problem exploiting her daughter on YouTube for internet fame. Abigail Scarborough (AKA Chloe Cates) wants out of the spotlight but, alas, her mother needs her to gain fame and fortune. And, at thirteen years old, there's unfortunately not a lot Chloe can do to about her controlling and domineering mother. But when Chloe suddenly does missing, everything chances for the Scarborough family.
But is Chloe really missing? Is this just a publicity stunt put on by her mother to garner more media attention and fame? Or has Chloe finally had enough of the spotlight and run away from it all?
This book makes you question the lengths a person will go to for fame, how psychologically damaging it can be for a child with fame-hungry parents and the after effects on a child star who has had to suffer this kind of manipulation and psychological abuse from his/her parents.
It's also a story that will make you angry because this stuff happens all the time and it's heartbreaking. (IE: Dance Moms, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Macauley Culkin just to name a few examples).
While I was reading this, it reminded me of another book- Darling Rose Gold -as the situation in this book strongly resembled Munchausen by Proxy. It definitely gives you a lot to think about.
If I could say one negative, this does read more like a YA novel. I didn't mind that as I'm a fan YA literature, but for those who don't care for the genre and want more of an adult mystery/thriller, I wanted to point that out. Otherwise, a great book with a great message and one that I recommend to fans of the mystery genre.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2021
This was a cracking, unputdownable book, and yet at times it shed a dark shadow of the power of social media and all that it entails.
Jen comes across as a crazy social media obsessed mother who will put her family's story on the internet no matter the cost.
Her childhood friend Emilina is given the task of finding Jen's celebrity daughter and what transpires of their history was so disturbing, yet I couldn't stop reading.
My one flaw with the book was Jen's 'fake swear words', like "fork me off", this really grated on me, especially when other characters' swearing wasn't censored. If McHugh didn't want to use those words for this character, couldn't she have just used a different phrase altogether?
All in all though, McHugh has written a fantastic thriller. She will go far!
Jen comes across as a crazy social media obsessed mother who will put her family's story on the internet no matter the cost.
Her childhood friend Emilina is given the task of finding Jen's celebrity daughter and what transpires of their history was so disturbing, yet I couldn't stop reading.
My one flaw with the book was Jen's 'fake swear words', like "fork me off", this really grated on me, especially when other characters' swearing wasn't censored. If McHugh didn't want to use those words for this character, couldn't she have just used a different phrase altogether?
All in all though, McHugh has written a fantastic thriller. She will go far!
February 3, 2022
Social media storylines always intrigue me and add in kids and social media and I’m even more interested. It’s such a hard thing to navigate as a parent and me and my husband are constantly having discussions about our kids sm usage, but I do know after reading this one I really wouldn’t want any of my kids being sm famous 🥴
From the synopsis: The disappearance of a young internet celebrity ignites a firestorm of speculation on social media, and to find her a detective will have to extinguish the blaze.
This was one messed up and dysfunctional family and I truly felt bad for Chloe. Her mom in particular makes momager Kris Jenner look like mother of the year, so if you’re into unlikable characters this will fit the bill. There’s tons of secrets, lies and betrayals and this was pretty fast paced and gripping. Overall a super solid thriller that I liked!
From the synopsis: The disappearance of a young internet celebrity ignites a firestorm of speculation on social media, and to find her a detective will have to extinguish the blaze.
This was one messed up and dysfunctional family and I truly felt bad for Chloe. Her mom in particular makes momager Kris Jenner look like mother of the year, so if you’re into unlikable characters this will fit the bill. There’s tons of secrets, lies and betrayals and this was pretty fast paced and gripping. Overall a super solid thriller that I liked!
December 27, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley & Scarlet for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
3.5 stars
Emilina is the only likable character in Chloe Cates is Missing . She's the most complex, realistic person and the only one who seems to contain shades of grey. Most of the other characters are fairly one-dimensional and only exhibit good or bad - well, mostly bad in this book. Emilina survived a terrible experience as a teenager and probably made the wrong choice in the moment (and moving forward), but she's done something with her life to atone for these choices. It certainly doesn't mean she's not culpable but does show her to be an actual human capable of expressing feelings like empathy and guilt. I enjoyed her chapters the most; she is intelligent and capable, and I found her emotional turmoil compelling while she wrestled with the memories this case forces her to relive.
"A person's character can wax and wane, but it's as indestructible as the moon. Once a mean girl, always a mean girl."
Jennifer, on the other hand, is a piece of work. Sure, she had a rough childhood, but she seems to have very little awareness of the concept of cause and effect: if you keep letting people who bully you into your life, you will continue to be bullied. Jennifer always justifies her actions and only views others (even within her own family) as objects to further her own desires. The most unbelievable aspect of her character is that she doesn't see herself for who she truly is. Generally, those who act at this level of manipulative psychopathy are aware of what they are doing. Instead, Jennifer seems convinced she's the victim. Since we get chapters from her perspective, we know she's not just playing the victim, and she isn't cold and calculated, which one would expect from someone who plans such terrible actions from a young age. Jennifer is wildly emotional, believes everyone is plotting against her and that others force her into using them for her own gain. It's doubtful she would get away with anything in this emotional state.
Jackson is certainly no mastermind. After years with Jennifer, he's mostly pathetic with a serious victim mentality. The excuse 'my wife made me do it' isn't acceptable for anything . His useless attempts to help make everything worse, and he's so spineless he ends up hurting way more than he helps. I'm fairly apathetic where he's concerned, with a few spikes of disgust for his behaviour.
The blog stuff felt unrealistic and dated. No one seriously trying to stay relevant would ignore TikTok, and it's impossible they wouldn't be on YouTube if they had been around for so long - they wouldn't have such an impressive following without it. The whole thing felt pathetic, not to mention traumatising, to let one child attend school while you homeschool the other one so you can force her into social media fame. It screams out for child protective services to get involved.
Though juvenile at times, the story is well-written and has enough twists and misdirects to keep it exciting, and I found it hard to put down. While I had a pretty good idea of where things were going, the path was unique and gripping. I enjoyed this read full of unlikable and inexcusably terrible people - I'm just glad Emilina was around to add balance and clarity.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
3.5 stars
Emilina is the only likable character in Chloe Cates is Missing . She's the most complex, realistic person and the only one who seems to contain shades of grey. Most of the other characters are fairly one-dimensional and only exhibit good or bad - well, mostly bad in this book. Emilina survived a terrible experience as a teenager and probably made the wrong choice in the moment (and moving forward), but she's done something with her life to atone for these choices. It certainly doesn't mean she's not culpable but does show her to be an actual human capable of expressing feelings like empathy and guilt. I enjoyed her chapters the most; she is intelligent and capable, and I found her emotional turmoil compelling while she wrestled with the memories this case forces her to relive.
"A person's character can wax and wane, but it's as indestructible as the moon. Once a mean girl, always a mean girl."
Jennifer, on the other hand, is a piece of work. Sure, she had a rough childhood, but she seems to have very little awareness of the concept of cause and effect: if you keep letting people who bully you into your life, you will continue to be bullied. Jennifer always justifies her actions and only views others (even within her own family) as objects to further her own desires. The most unbelievable aspect of her character is that she doesn't see herself for who she truly is. Generally, those who act at this level of manipulative psychopathy are aware of what they are doing. Instead, Jennifer seems convinced she's the victim. Since we get chapters from her perspective, we know she's not just playing the victim, and she isn't cold and calculated, which one would expect from someone who plans such terrible actions from a young age. Jennifer is wildly emotional, believes everyone is plotting against her and that others force her into using them for her own gain. It's doubtful she would get away with anything in this emotional state.
Jackson is certainly no mastermind. After years with Jennifer, he's mostly pathetic with a serious victim mentality. The excuse 'my wife made me do it' isn't acceptable for anything . His useless attempts to help make everything worse, and he's so spineless he ends up hurting way more than he helps. I'm fairly apathetic where he's concerned, with a few spikes of disgust for his behaviour.
The blog stuff felt unrealistic and dated. No one seriously trying to stay relevant would ignore TikTok, and it's impossible they wouldn't be on YouTube if they had been around for so long - they wouldn't have such an impressive following without it. The whole thing felt pathetic, not to mention traumatising, to let one child attend school while you homeschool the other one so you can force her into social media fame. It screams out for child protective services to get involved.
Though juvenile at times, the story is well-written and has enough twists and misdirects to keep it exciting, and I found it hard to put down. While I had a pretty good idea of where things were going, the path was unique and gripping. I enjoyed this read full of unlikable and inexcusably terrible people - I'm just glad Emilina was around to add balance and clarity.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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January 14, 2022
We all know that social media is often misused. Too many people get hooked on it and spend all of their time on the popular sites. Chloe Cates is Missing is a look at one blogger who spent too much time on social media and her family is suffering due to her obsession. Should a mother show pictures of her teenage daughter if the daughter asks her not to? This book is about how an obsession to social media makes life even more precarious for a dysfunctional family.
This story is told by three main characters:
Jennifer, Chloe's mom is the manager of Chloe's you tube show and also the final decision maker on every aspect of Chloe's life. She is obsessed with making Chloe an internet influencer who makes money from advertisers. She doesn't care how much she embarrasses her daughter, she is only worried about her daughter becoming popular on the internet and taking her along. She has a husband and a son but her main concern is her daughter and their you tube channel 'Chloe and Me." Everything that she does for her daughter - she controls every aspect of Chloe's life. She has spent much of her daughter’s young life crafting a child celebrity persona that is finally beginning to pay off. But now Chloe is missing and Jennifer is desperate to find her-not because Chloe is her daughter but because her disappearance could cause the end of the you tube channel. She's thrilled when their story becomes a trending story on the internet.
Chloe is a 13 year old girl who is fed up with her mother's obsession. She wants to have friends, a boyfriend and a normal life. So she disappears - but is she really gone or is this just a way to gain more popularity for her show? Most of what we know about Chloe comes from her diary that gives us a look at her life before her disappearance.
Emilina is the police detective who is in charge of the investigation. She is shocked when she realizes that Jennifer is a former toxic best friend from her younger days. There is no love lost between them and Jennifer doesn't make the search any easier by making it all about she and Emilina and not about her missing daughter.
This was a fast paced story that had me quickly turning pages. I had a clue about part of the ending but not the big secret at the end. This is one messed up family and Jennifer is one of the cruelest mothers that I've read in a long time. To say the rest of the family is dysfunctional is putting it mildly. This is a book about obsession with fame and how this obsession affects other members of a family.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
This story is told by three main characters:
Jennifer, Chloe's mom is the manager of Chloe's you tube show and also the final decision maker on every aspect of Chloe's life. She is obsessed with making Chloe an internet influencer who makes money from advertisers. She doesn't care how much she embarrasses her daughter, she is only worried about her daughter becoming popular on the internet and taking her along. She has a husband and a son but her main concern is her daughter and their you tube channel 'Chloe and Me." Everything that she does for her daughter - she controls every aspect of Chloe's life. She has spent much of her daughter’s young life crafting a child celebrity persona that is finally beginning to pay off. But now Chloe is missing and Jennifer is desperate to find her-not because Chloe is her daughter but because her disappearance could cause the end of the you tube channel. She's thrilled when their story becomes a trending story on the internet.
Chloe is a 13 year old girl who is fed up with her mother's obsession. She wants to have friends, a boyfriend and a normal life. So she disappears - but is she really gone or is this just a way to gain more popularity for her show? Most of what we know about Chloe comes from her diary that gives us a look at her life before her disappearance.
Emilina is the police detective who is in charge of the investigation. She is shocked when she realizes that Jennifer is a former toxic best friend from her younger days. There is no love lost between them and Jennifer doesn't make the search any easier by making it all about she and Emilina and not about her missing daughter.
This was a fast paced story that had me quickly turning pages. I had a clue about part of the ending but not the big secret at the end. This is one messed up family and Jennifer is one of the cruelest mothers that I've read in a long time. To say the rest of the family is dysfunctional is putting it mildly. This is a book about obsession with fame and how this obsession affects other members of a family.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2022
✨ "The question, then, isn't which one will lie. The question is which one will do it better."
I usually love books that explore influencer culture and social media toxicity and whatnot but this didn't do it for me at all. What a disappointment after all the rave reviews on Bookstagram (many of which gave the impression of a mind-blowing, twisty read but NOPE).
The characters were all so darn annoying with no redeeming qualities so naturally I couldn't care less about what happened to any of them. I had mixed feelings about the detective for most of the book, but thought her character arc was a great one.
On the bright side, this was a quick read that I finished in a day. I think it had a lot of potential but the last 30% was just a mess. Not surprised about the 'twist' either, which was so obvious from a mile away.
2.5⭐
I usually love books that explore influencer culture and social media toxicity and whatnot but this didn't do it for me at all. What a disappointment after all the rave reviews on Bookstagram (many of which gave the impression of a mind-blowing, twisty read but NOPE).
The characters were all so darn annoying with no redeeming qualities so naturally I couldn't care less about what happened to any of them. I had mixed feelings about the detective for most of the book, but thought her character arc was a great one.
On the bright side, this was a quick read that I finished in a day. I think it had a lot of potential but the last 30% was just a mess. Not surprised about the 'twist' either, which was so obvious from a mile away.
2.5⭐
January 23, 2022
4 stars (audible release date 1/18/22 Print release date 2/15/22)
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a very good mystery/thriller that will keep you riveted until the end. The whole story takes place in less than 24 hours, and the tension is palpable. The story is told in short chapters through four main characters' point of view. There are plenty of unreliable narrators whose lies pile up one after another, and the author slowly doles out twists and turns with each chapter. The ending was both satisfying and frustrating in that it leaves the ultimate conclusion to the reader's imagination.
Chloe Cates is the popular 13 year old virtual star of a blog entitled "CC and Me". Chloe is the "CC" and her mother Jennifer is the "me". Chloe's ruthless mother is the driving force behind the popular series, constantly pushing the teenager for more. Not only does the series garner money through sponsorships that supports the family's lifestyle, the series and the fabricated life it portrays is Jennifer's entire identity. When Jennifer discovers Chloe missing, she calls the police and the media, turning the disappearance into a spectacle. To make it worse, investigating detective Emilina Stone is assigned to the case. Jennifer and Emilina have a complicated past that could come back to hurt both women if they aren't careful.
As the investigation intensifies, the families secrets start spilling out, causing a media frenzy. Suddenly Jennifer sees her carefully curated life splintering apart, and a desperate Jennifer will do anything to try to clutch it back. Jennifer's husband, Jackson, sees the damage that Jennifer's ambitions cause their family, but feels helpless to stop it. He's got secrets of his own, and as the hours pass, his entire life will be laid bare.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend you read it. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Scarlet. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a very good mystery/thriller that will keep you riveted until the end. The whole story takes place in less than 24 hours, and the tension is palpable. The story is told in short chapters through four main characters' point of view. There are plenty of unreliable narrators whose lies pile up one after another, and the author slowly doles out twists and turns with each chapter. The ending was both satisfying and frustrating in that it leaves the ultimate conclusion to the reader's imagination.
Chloe Cates is the popular 13 year old virtual star of a blog entitled "CC and Me". Chloe is the "CC" and her mother Jennifer is the "me". Chloe's ruthless mother is the driving force behind the popular series, constantly pushing the teenager for more. Not only does the series garner money through sponsorships that supports the family's lifestyle, the series and the fabricated life it portrays is Jennifer's entire identity. When Jennifer discovers Chloe missing, she calls the police and the media, turning the disappearance into a spectacle. To make it worse, investigating detective Emilina Stone is assigned to the case. Jennifer and Emilina have a complicated past that could come back to hurt both women if they aren't careful.
As the investigation intensifies, the families secrets start spilling out, causing a media frenzy. Suddenly Jennifer sees her carefully curated life splintering apart, and a desperate Jennifer will do anything to try to clutch it back. Jennifer's husband, Jackson, sees the damage that Jennifer's ambitions cause their family, but feels helpless to stop it. He's got secrets of his own, and as the hours pass, his entire life will be laid bare.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend you read it. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Scarlet. All opinions are my own.
November 29, 2021
I tore through this book! Thirteen-year-old social media star Chloe Cates is missing, and her family is falling apart. We see Chloe’s disappearance (and the lead-up to it) through the eyes of Chloe’s overbearing mother, Jennifer, who views her daughter as a prop for her blog; Chloe’s father, a doormat who begrudgingly goes along with Jennifer’s demands; a detective whose past is entangled with the family’s secrets; and Chloe herself through her diary. CHLOE CATES gives us a glimpse into stardom and the dysfunctional reality beneath the surface. The Scarborough (“Cates”) family—Jennifer in particular—is totally riveting. (Think Dance Moms or Real Housewives—it’s hard to look away.) Fast paced and twisty, this was such a fun read!
December 8, 2024
Chloe Cates Is Missing was an interesting story but ultimately I wanted more.
The premise was good but sadly I just didn't connect with the characters.
Unreliable narrators and characters you honestly don't know if you like them, hate them or you just feel sorry for them.
The story is told from multiple points of views.
And some is told from a diary entry. (Chloe Cates)
The pacing in my opinion felt slow.... Oh so slow for my liking.
And the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all, I guess I wanted more from the ending. And that's my bad. High expectations I guess!
I wish I could have enjoyed this more, I really tried but I wouldn't consider this a thriller at all.
Thank You Publisher for this eARC!
The premise was good but sadly I just didn't connect with the characters.
Unreliable narrators and characters you honestly don't know if you like them, hate them or you just feel sorry for them.
The story is told from multiple points of views.
And some is told from a diary entry. (Chloe Cates)
The pacing in my opinion felt slow.... Oh so slow for my liking.
And the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all, I guess I wanted more from the ending. And that's my bad. High expectations I guess!
I wish I could have enjoyed this more, I really tried but I wouldn't consider this a thriller at all.
Thank You Publisher for this eARC!
October 1, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Chloe Cates Is Missing.
Seriously, I'm getting tired of thrillers featuring podcasters and influencers, but I was intrigued by the premise and excited when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
When a rising influencer named Chloe Cates goes missing, detective Emilina Stone is brought in to lead the investigation. But, she and Chloe's mother, Jennifer, have history together. And a seeecrettttt.
Over two decades ago, they used to be best friends. And something bad happened that included a dead body.
As the clues lead Emilina around in circles, and Jennifer and her fractured family fight amongst themselves, Emilina must learn how to reconcile the ghosts of her past to solve the mystery of Chloe Cates.
I'll admit this was a juicy read full of salacious dirt on Jennifer and her husband, Jackson; the secret Emilina and Jennifer share, JJ and his sister, Abigail (aka Chloe Cates) and how they all intertwine. At times, it got to be a little too much, you know what I mean, but I went along for the ride.
The backbiting and callousness of teen girls was real and true; it reminded me of my own friendships with my BFFs. I'm happy to say my relationships with my friends were nothing like Emilina and Jennifer's but I understand the psychology behind it.
There were difficult to suspend disbelief moments, such as where Chloe was found hiding.
I can't imagine a parent leaving their child for any amount of time in such a cold, isolated space and I couldn't suspend disbelief for that wacky scenario.
I figured out the twists; I read a lot of these books so it wasn't hard but I did enjoy how the author kept me guessing.
The characters were mostly unlikable, except for Emilina; she was a better developed character with complexities and flaws most people could identify with; guilt, redemption, fear of becoming a mother and parent, salvation and hope.
For decades, Emilina has carried a devastating stone of guilt and sorrow on her shoulders and seeks redemption in her tireless work to find missing girls and bring them home to their families.
I did like the ending though I saw it coming.
It's not necessarily a HEA but that's real life.
Seriously, I'm getting tired of thrillers featuring podcasters and influencers, but I was intrigued by the premise and excited when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
When a rising influencer named Chloe Cates goes missing, detective Emilina Stone is brought in to lead the investigation. But, she and Chloe's mother, Jennifer, have history together. And a seeecrettttt.
Over two decades ago, they used to be best friends. And something bad happened that included a dead body.
As the clues lead Emilina around in circles, and Jennifer and her fractured family fight amongst themselves, Emilina must learn how to reconcile the ghosts of her past to solve the mystery of Chloe Cates.
I'll admit this was a juicy read full of salacious dirt on Jennifer and her husband, Jackson; the secret Emilina and Jennifer share, JJ and his sister, Abigail (aka Chloe Cates) and how they all intertwine. At times, it got to be a little too much, you know what I mean, but I went along for the ride.
The backbiting and callousness of teen girls was real and true; it reminded me of my own friendships with my BFFs. I'm happy to say my relationships with my friends were nothing like Emilina and Jennifer's but I understand the psychology behind it.
There were difficult to suspend disbelief moments, such as where Chloe was found hiding.
I can't imagine a parent leaving their child for any amount of time in such a cold, isolated space and I couldn't suspend disbelief for that wacky scenario.
I figured out the twists; I read a lot of these books so it wasn't hard but I did enjoy how the author kept me guessing.
The characters were mostly unlikable, except for Emilina; she was a better developed character with complexities and flaws most people could identify with; guilt, redemption, fear of becoming a mother and parent, salvation and hope.
For decades, Emilina has carried a devastating stone of guilt and sorrow on her shoulders and seeks redemption in her tireless work to find missing girls and bring them home to their families.
I did like the ending though I saw it coming.
It's not necessarily a HEA but that's real life.
September 16, 2021
Abby is tired of being make-believe. Everything about her alter ego media stardom Chloe Cates is fake. All for clicks, which equal money and fame. What started out as a mommy and me blog ten years ago with her mother Jen has now run it's course. But only one of the mother-daughter duo wishes to end the celebrity climb up the ladder. And you better hold onto those ladder rungs because this book will knock you off your feet.
Early on it looks as if another ladder has been used for the unthinkable. Abby's window is left wide open on a chilly spring morning and she's nowhere to be found. Even her phone has been left by her bed. Clues start turning up. The glittery surface was all for show when blood shines underneath the tarnished surface. The official search for Abby begins.
Chloe Cates Is Missing by Mandy McHugh offers a deeper reflection of loneliness and what lengths someone will go to fill those aching holes they desperately need to fill. Abby's mother turned her into Chloe Cates, selling her daughter's carefully curated persona for years, craving more clicks. More likes. More shares. And most of all, the unadulterated attention Jen craves. All the while, Jen slips deeper into a fake world surrounded by fame. But it's all a game to Jen, and she's holding all the pieces on the board.
When Abby pulls her head up, she realizes she has nothing real in this world for herself. No friends, no adventures, no school, no real life experiences to draw inspiration from. And those things are going to cost Abby everything. This book is richly layered, filled with decadent secrets, and devious intentions. A suburb thriller.
Thank you NetGalley, Penzier Publishers, and Scarlet for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Early on it looks as if another ladder has been used for the unthinkable. Abby's window is left wide open on a chilly spring morning and she's nowhere to be found. Even her phone has been left by her bed. Clues start turning up. The glittery surface was all for show when blood shines underneath the tarnished surface. The official search for Abby begins.
Chloe Cates Is Missing by Mandy McHugh offers a deeper reflection of loneliness and what lengths someone will go to fill those aching holes they desperately need to fill. Abby's mother turned her into Chloe Cates, selling her daughter's carefully curated persona for years, craving more clicks. More likes. More shares. And most of all, the unadulterated attention Jen craves. All the while, Jen slips deeper into a fake world surrounded by fame. But it's all a game to Jen, and she's holding all the pieces on the board.
When Abby pulls her head up, she realizes she has nothing real in this world for herself. No friends, no adventures, no school, no real life experiences to draw inspiration from. And those things are going to cost Abby everything. This book is richly layered, filled with decadent secrets, and devious intentions. A suburb thriller.
Thank you NetGalley, Penzier Publishers, and Scarlet for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2021
Chloe Cates Is Missing, has easily become my favorite book of the year. I absolutely loved this story! Mandy McHugh, knocked this one out of the park! This book has made for Netflix, written all over it.
Told from multiple points of view, you will easily become consumed with this book.
Chloe Cates is 13 years old and a YouTube Starlet. She records a series called " CC and Me" . Now Chloe is missing. Secrets begin to surface, and turbulence begins to stir. Where is Chloe?
Jennifer, the typical "momager" needs to find Chloe. She has worked to hard to build Chloe into what she is today. Where else to turn but social media? I mean it made Chloe a star right? But social media isnt all its cracked up to be and there is a lot of rumors circulating. Soon, the search for Chloe is just as popular as Chloe's YouTube series. This grabs the attention of Detective Stone but much to her surprise Detective Stone has a connection to the case.
Will you be able to figure out what happened to Chloe? You are going to have to pick up your copy on January 18, 2022 to find out!
Told from multiple points of view, you will easily become consumed with this book.
Chloe Cates is 13 years old and a YouTube Starlet. She records a series called " CC and Me" . Now Chloe is missing. Secrets begin to surface, and turbulence begins to stir. Where is Chloe?
Jennifer, the typical "momager" needs to find Chloe. She has worked to hard to build Chloe into what she is today. Where else to turn but social media? I mean it made Chloe a star right? But social media isnt all its cracked up to be and there is a lot of rumors circulating. Soon, the search for Chloe is just as popular as Chloe's YouTube series. This grabs the attention of Detective Stone but much to her surprise Detective Stone has a connection to the case.
Will you be able to figure out what happened to Chloe? You are going to have to pick up your copy on January 18, 2022 to find out!
November 8, 2021
Thank you to @scarlettpress and @acmchughwriter for my advance copy!
What a 🤬 up family! That’s what kept running through my brain at least while reading this lol Its like Dance Mom’s on crack! Told from multiple POVs (both parents, Emilina the detective) and journal entries from Chloe we get to piece together this crazy story! Mandy really hit this one out of the park! I still cannot believe this is a debut?! Like what?!
I could not put this one down! I had to know what was going on and who was at fault. There are quite a bit of twists in this one. Some of them I saw, and some I didn’t. They literally go to the LAST PAGE! I really enjoyed the journal entries and the slang used in them. I am old-so it made me feel hip and with it LOL plus it set the tone between all the characters. I have my fingers crossed that there could be a sequel and even messaged Mandy about it so we will see what happens! I just loved this one! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What a 🤬 up family! That’s what kept running through my brain at least while reading this lol Its like Dance Mom’s on crack! Told from multiple POVs (both parents, Emilina the detective) and journal entries from Chloe we get to piece together this crazy story! Mandy really hit this one out of the park! I still cannot believe this is a debut?! Like what?!
I could not put this one down! I had to know what was going on and who was at fault. There are quite a bit of twists in this one. Some of them I saw, and some I didn’t. They literally go to the LAST PAGE! I really enjoyed the journal entries and the slang used in them. I am old-so it made me feel hip and with it LOL plus it set the tone between all the characters. I have my fingers crossed that there could be a sequel and even messaged Mandy about it so we will see what happens! I just loved this one! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
December 15, 2021
Well to start off with I thought I am not going to enjoy this but then it got so much better. This is a book that you cannot just read, you have to concentrate with all the timelines and memories. Wow what a mother, I thought some of the mums on the school run were bad, this takes it to a whole different level. Really wish the dad would have protected Chloe/Abby more.
This is definitely worth a read and raises a lot of questions.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
This is definitely worth a read and raises a lot of questions.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
October 11, 2021
Full of disturbing secrets, a supremely dysfunctional family and an unapologetically unlikeable protagonist, McHugh raises important questions around what parents should be allowed to post about their children on social media. Scratch the shiny surface of this perfect family and you’ll see the dark secrets lurking beneath the glitter. A smart and textured thriller.
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