I’ll probably never not pick up a book about influencers going off the rails. Give me cultish girlboss energy, a curated-but-crumbling aesthetic, and a protagonist who doesn’t know they’re in over their head? I’m in. And Under the Influence delivers on that front.
That said… I wanted more.
The premise is juicy. An ambitious woman gets swept into the orbit of an impossibly cool influencer-slash-CEO, only to realize (shocker) that things behind the scenes are not quite as polished as the grid suggests. You know the drill. Think: millennial The Devil Wears Prada, but if Miranda Priestly posted morning routines and hawked matcha on Instagram.
What I did really like was how it explored the pull of influencer culture, not just the curated lives, but the fantasy of being chosen. Of being special. It’s easy to see how someone like Harper could fall under that spell, and honestly, who among us wouldn’t be at least a little tempted by an apartment upgrade and a seat at the cool-girl table?
But the story? Predictable. Some of the reveals felt obvious, and while it was entertaining, it never fully shocked me or made me feel like I couldn’t put it down. Even the parts that were supposed to feel outrageous felt… slightly expected. The stakes were more like “yikes” than “oh no.”
Still, if you’re on a kick like I am of reading all the books about toxic influencers, manipulative mentorships, and the behind-the-scenes messiness of #girlboss culture, this one is worth a spot on your list. It won’t change your life, but it’ll keep you entertained while you scroll past a TikTok ad for an overpriced productivity planner.
Who should read it?
Anyone who loved The Devil Wears Prada but wants a slightly messier, more millennial spin. Also: if you’ve ever side-eyed an influencer apology video, this one’s for you.
Discover more from itsm3g
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.