Tara is a twenty-year old who has been raised by her foster Mom in a very small life.  She spends her day helping her foster Mother with the business, including her nefarious trips into the city.  But Tara has a dream to live a bigger life and to find a family...and sh'e's found that with an online family, The Feelys.  The Feelys are popular vloggers with their own online channel.  To Tara, they feel like  a real family.  When The Feelys post a position for an intern she scrambles to apply for the opportunity of her dreams.  But can she break away from her current situation and find her own happiness?

In What It Seems it quickly comes apparent that a better title could not have been chosen.  Because within the story, nothing really is What it Seems, including Tara itself.  I really could not read this book fast enough.  And although parts of the story may have been difficult to believe (but of course it is a thriller, after all), the story was so engaging and the main character so likeable that it didn't matter.  

I've been a fan of books by Emily Bleeker, having previously read When I'm Gone, Wreckage, The Waiting Room, and Working Fire.  Naturally I was thrilled with the latest book release and was not disappointed.

I enjoyed this quick read and found it to be an interesting premise. The main character's inner voice got a little tiresome after awhile though. Overall, it was a quick, fast-paced read and was an enjoyable one.

3.5 stars rounded up. 
TW: child abuse/torture, one brief scene of animal abuse, one brief scene of attempted sexual harassment

This is the story of Tara, a 12-year-old in a 20-year-old's body. For eight years she has been the victim of an abusive, sadistic, controlling adopted mother who has forced her to shoplift to help put food on the table. Tara hasn't attended school since she was hit by a car at the age of 8 and then adopted by "Mother." She doesn't watch television, play games or leave her room except to eat meals.

While in her room, Tara's door is deadbolted from the outside and it's her "job" to list all of her stolen items on eBay. But while she has a computer, she's not allowed to use it except for her job. Mother ensures her keystrokes are monitored.

When Tara misbehaves, Mother's wrath is swift and nearly deadly. She is beaten, locked in her closet for days and food and water are withheld. Tara lives a most horrific life, except when she removes the keystroke machine and watches Youtube videos. Her favorite is AllTheFeels with the Feely family.

The Feelys are like a real family to Tara, who longs to be loved like the three kids in the family's daily vlogs. When an opportunity arises to intern with the family, Tara finds the strength to disobey Mother to interview for the job.

Here's where the story begins to fall apart some and you'll need some suspension of disbelief when Tara finds herself with the Feelys. It's hard to imagine this super-popular vlogging family wanting to employ a self-described "stinky" young pregnant woman--Mother forces Tara to wear a pregnancy prosthetic to hide her stolen goods in, which Tara wears to the interview with the Feelys--and invite her into their home, despite her grand plans for the family's Youtube content.

I nearly put the book down at the 40 percent point because the story changed so dramatically, but I trudged along and I'm glad I did. What it Seems wound up being a pretty good read (although the ending was a little too feel-good...forgive the pun). I subtracted a star because of the suspension of disbelief factor and the too tidy ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly... not good at all.
It sounded very interesting: "A page-turning novel of suspense about the perfect family, and the perfect lies". Definitely not a page-turner for me.

The protagonist (Tara) gives me the chills and comes across as a very unreliable and childish person. Imaginable when you know her secret, but still. And why on earth would a family hire her as an assistent for their Youtube-channel, when she is obviously hiding something and is talking like a 12-year old shy girl. It irritated me. Nothing was realistic. 2 stars for the fact that I finished it, but the story didn't do it for me.

Avoid, avoid, avoid, if you have triggers to severe child abuse. 

I have never written a review like this one before and I hope to never have to again. As a reader/reviewer, I have read many genres and subjects that I don't particularly care for, and I have no problem with that. I don't consider myself a squeamish or judgmental reader. However, the focus on not only severe, but horrific child abuse in What It Seems had me cringing from the beginning. And to what purpose? The rest of the story line was unfulfilling and the characters tepid at best. So what was the point, truly?

As a reviewer for NetGalley and publishing houses, I felt obligated to finish the book to try to find any redeeming qualities, but I found none. If the author feels this is entertaining, I'll be skipping future reads.

My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The pages flew by...Bleeker is a very skilled suspense writer.  
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Tara was 8 when she went to live with her foster mother, locked in a room at all times she finds her happiness in a Vlog on YouTube. Tara has never known what it was like to be with an actual real family. Tara has always been isolated, but she did what she could to live each day in the life of her controlling foster mother.

What It Seems by Emily Bleeker is a tense and taut thriller that kept me fully engaged and turning the pages with a growing sense of unease.  This is the first novel that I have read from this author, but I am certainly looking for more to add to my always growing TBR list.

Tara was adopted by her foster mother when she was eight years old.  Never having a clear understanding of why her birth family abandoned her, Tara is a damaged young woman who has found herself the victim of emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of 'Mother'.  Her only outlet is watching YouTube videos of seemingly happy families.  When the opportunity of an internship arises with her favourite blogging family, the Feelys, Tara, now calling herself Angela, finds it within herself to escape the clutches of Mother, and lands not only the job, but a place within the family that she has come to love.  But not everything is as perfect as it appears from the outside, and Tara must find a way to not only reconcile herself with this surprising dose of reality, but to also break free from a mother who does not want to let her go.

This was a fast-paced read that kept me sufficiently and satisfyingly unsettled throughout,

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Adopted by a foster mother at the age of 8, Tara hasn't been allowed to see a lot of the outside world, with the exception being when her mother takes her out on shoplifting trips, disguised as a pregnant woman.
When the opportunity arises, Tara escapes and accepts a job position of her dreams, working as an intern with a famous YouTube family. But as she gets to know them, she realises they're not what they seemed on the screen. But then again, nor is she who she told them she was.

The story, following Tara's first-hand point of view, was instantly gripping and intriguing. The premise was really original, and I quickly found myself madly turning the pages.
The story did slow down halfway through, but it soon picked up again, and I was rushing through it to find out what was going to happen. 
However, I was undecided about the rating. For the most part, the book was unputdownable, but I found it a little unbelievable and at times predictable.
Nevertheless, it was an entertaining page-turner, so in the end, I decided to settle on 4 stars.
It was my first book from this author, but it sure won't be my last.
If you're into something original, then this is the book for you.

I love Emily Bleeker! Her stories are so captivating from the very first page! This novel was no different! It’s more on the suspenseful, creepy side which I loved!! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an early reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!

At age 8, Tara is adopted. Now 22, Tara has suffered many years of abuse and torment from her Mother.   Her only respite comes from watching a perfect family on YouTube.  Tara wishes she had a family just like them.  

When the opportunity to become an intern for this perfect family presents it self, Tara sees it as her perfect way out.  

Can she leave Mother and live happily ever after?   If she leaves, will Mother track her down?  

I found this book to be fast paced, hard to put down, and heartwrenching at times.   

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.  

#WhatItSeems #NetGalley

This was a interesting shocking psychological thriller that at times was very difficult to read.  I have read her prior works and always enjoy her books . 
My feeling is the author should have a warning in the beginning advising of the extensive abuse as many women would read this book . That being said I had to skip many parts of it but got through it . I did not care for the main charcter and especially the trauma she suffered. was unbearable to read about . The author writes with a good fast pace and if your not shocked by graphic violence you would probably enjoy this book more then I.  It is recommend for all who enjoy psychological thrillers.  It will definitely keep you reading into the night. 

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.. 


My review opinions are my own . .

This was an unsettling and creepy read. As the story went on, it seemed less thrillery and more modern contemporary. I didn’t really like this book. I almost DNF ed it.

What it seems is a compulsive, suspenseful story of what seems to be a “perfect family”. This is my first read from Emily Bleeker and i loved her every word. The story flow is awesome. I felt odd to be excited and thrilled after reading this dark and intense novel! All credits to the author. The story gets heavy at some places.. but I didn’t loose any interest nor felt bored! Gripping psychological thriller. Gonna watch out for Emily! 
Thank you NetGalley, Emily Bleeker and Lake Union publishing for an ARC! This review is my own and is not influenced in any way.

An odd story, but compulsively readable! The story reminded me of B.A. Paris in terms of it being told in first person, with the main character being manipulated by someone else. That is apparent from the first chapter.  The story is told by Angela/Tara who was adopted by a cruel foster mother when she was 8. She is now 20 and obsessed with a semi-popular family on YouTube. She ultimately applies to be their intern, which takes her life in a completely different turn. Where this book fails is that multiple aspects of the story are far-fetched and unrealistic. Like if she has unsupervised access to the internet, it seems unlikely that she wouldn’t do any Google searches for her name/family, etc. Overall, a very quick and intriguing read that kept me turning pages. 

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this ARC.

I found it difficult to continue reading this book.  I have read other books by Emily Bleeker and enjoyed them, but I could not find a character to like in this story.  Warning:  this book deals with abuse, both physical and emotional.  I tried to suspend belief and get carried away  by the story, but just couldn't do it.  This book and the main character reminded me of a recent read, The Trophy Wife, about a similar situation.  I will look forward to this author's next book.   Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

An addictive novel about family, secrets, lies, betrayals, and deception.

Meet Angela. Angela is raised by a woman known as Miss Lila, whom she calls "mother". Angela was abandoned by her birth parents at the age of 8 and rescued by Miss Lila who took her in and raised Angela as her own. One of Miss Lila's rules was that Angela now had to go by the name Tara. Not only did Angela now have a new name, but she also had a new birthday. 

We learn that Miss Lila is vindictive, mean, abusive, and cruel. She would mistreat "Tara" often, punishing Tara for being bad by locking her in her room, withholding food, etc for different periods of time for different reasons. 

When Tara has the chance of a lifetime to not only escape her current situation but also to live with one of the families she follows on social media, Tara is thrilled to begin a new chapter in her life. I loved reading about the secrets of this new family Tara finds herself immersed with. They have their own share of secrets and deception. I also loved reading about her relationship with Henry and seeing it evolve and grow.

With an ending that left me wanting more I absolutely loved this book!

You can never trust the "reality" people present online. This was a good story but there were no real surprises. From the very beginning you know pretty much how the whole thing will unfold. I just wanted to shake Angela to make her see the truth. I did like Henry and felt like he was trapped from the very beginning. At the end I just felt sad for everyone involved.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I really wanted to like this book but I just could not relate to or like any of the characters and could not finish it.

From the author of: THE WAITING ROOM and WHEN I’M GONE comes WHAT IT SEEMS. Another great read by Emily Bleeker.

This book starts out strong and keeps going throughout. I was not sure if I was going to like this because of the theme but it is definitely a good one. 

Angela is only a small child when she becomes a foster for MOTHER. She is put through so much pain and sheer torture that I wondered how she endured it all. From the very beginning MOTHER started playing mind games with Angela who she renamed Tara. She had to have total control over this girl and make her do what she wanted and she didn’t care how it was done. She was a true evil woman and Angela/Tara was terrified of her. She knew she had belonged to a wonderful family before the accident but after is when it all fell apart. She could not remember much and MOTHER would not let her forget that she was not wanted by anyone except her anymore.

At the age of 20, Angela had a fascination with the Freely family who was a You Tube sensation and soon became a part of their life. She was living a lie but didn’t know how to tell anyone. Her whole life was based on the only things she knew, stealing, shoplifting for items to sell online. She got involved with the Freely family and dreamed of being one of them. To her they were the perfect family. So full of love and caring.

Things are not always as they seem. Angela finds out some things that may turn her life around. She may be happy again. Or will she? Can she run from her past. From the twelve years she’s been taught by the best. Been taught how to steal, lie and hid. Taught by her MOTHER? Will she ever find the happiness she longs for. The love she desperately needs? Will her life ever be normal again? 

This book as some characters you will hate. Deeply hate. But it has some that you will love and you will root for. I loved Angela. I felt for her. I cried for her. I cringed when she was hurt so badly. When she was forced to lie to save herself. This book will make you feel some things that you won’t soon forget. It’s so full of emotion. It’s a sad one for sure. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, #Lake Union, #Emily Bleeker for the ARC in exchange for my complete and honest review.

I give this one 4 stars and do highly recommend it. Just have plenty of tissues handy.