Not to judge a book by its cover or anything but this one? LOVE. Is ABSOLUTELY the sort of thing I’d instinctively reach for in a book shop.
I really loved the idea behind this book and thought that basing it around a reality dating TV show was a really fun and unique idea, one I’ve not come across before. I particularly loved Maggies chapters and how they showed a more sordid and less glamorous side and this definitely gave the book some extra grit.
There were maybe too many characters for me, some felt a bit unnecessary and it got a bit complicated along the way. That being said, the dynamics between some of the characters were really clever and I enjoyed how the story developed as a result.

Solid book that was paced well. The characters were not the most lovable but the dual timeline kept things interesting. 3.5 stars and I would recommend this book to lovers of reality tv. Kept me guessing until the end, perhaps wrapped up a tad too neatly and a bit rushed but overall a good story

This was such a fun read and I loved the combination of thriller and romance! Will definitely keep an eye out for future books by Catriona. Love the green cover too, very brat!

People Pleaser shines a light on the darker side of influencer and celebrity life, and the world of reality TV.

Maggie, an influencer who becomes an overnight success after being on a TV dating show called Love Shack, is tragically found dead. Her sister Emma, along with some help, takes it upon herself to find out what happened to Maggie. The story is told from different perspectives, including flashbacks from Maggie.

I had thought the book would have a bit of a faster pace for a murder mystery, but it was interesting to read something that weaved in the darker side of fame.

With thanks to NetGalley and Cornerstone for the ARC.

A brilliantly written whodunit murder mystery. The plot opens, as Maggie Lathrop lies dying. She is America’s A list influencer having won a reality dating show where contestants are put together by the audience.

Maggie’s sister Emma is naturally distraught and decides to investigate her sister’s murder when the police decide to classify it as a cold case. As she searches the multimillion-dollar mansion she shared with her husband Theo, we are treated to the ugly side of reality shows and fame where everything is not as it seems, including the sets.

Emma’s friends Jill and Amanda carry the story as Amanda is looking for her ex writing partner who has disappeared and Jill who plays the long-suffering sidekick. The different perspectives keep you hooked and it’s refreshing to hear the voice of Maggie as she navigates fame and fortune and the price, she ultimately pays.

This is a real page-turner that spans three years. If you’re a fan of Love Island or other reality shows, then this is a book for you. I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

What a way to enter the literary world kicking and screaming. Stewart’s Debut novels offers a defiant, dark thriller with wickedly clever undertones and sharp social commentary about power, fame, the court of public opinion and influencer culture. And damn, talk about an opening line.

Maggie was an intriguing character - there’s something deeply unsettling about knowing one of your main narrators is setting the stage for our death, showing us the past, behind the scenes in ‘reality tv’, her life leading up to the end. The dramatic irony almost painful at times. What’s worse is, we love her, and watch as she loses her personality that we’ve come to care for, her thoughts full of reality TV, PR boxes and likes. I thought I hated this for a moment, furious she became a vaguely sexist stereotype but in a way this was also genius, because Maggie herself lost her way in the pursuit of fame.

But her end is the start of the story for our other characters. She shares narration duties with her sister’s Emma, Emma’s best friend Jill, and Jill’s tv mogul boss, Amanda. Mingling their lives in the months after Maggies death, navigating grief and the investigation, it starts slowly before kicking it up a notch and bringing the intensity. Each of them bringing a slightly different view to the tragedies, the chaos and the optics of the entire situation and their lives slowly start to click together as we see the ties between them explained and watch them all get drawn into an investigation- three women, their lives affected by one horrific event in such different ways. Did the ending feel a little obvious? I guessed the answers, and everything ended a little quietly but the journey there was so much fun.

"I still have this suspicion that everyone hates me. Which I know is paranoid. Except maybe it's not paranoid?"

A nervous energy lingered throughout this story, the cold inevitability of watching Maggie so full of life while parallel we watch three new companions desperately try to solve her murder as everything starts to distort and every turn just hints at something dark being around the corner.

The way this book tried to process and delve into modern influencer culture was brilliant. The dreadful juxtaposition of brutal murder and people worried about their PR offering an atmosphere that made me want to uncomfortably laugh at its absurdity and hiding their own sexuality, wants, feelings in exchange for likes. The loss of personality, the monetisation of every aspect of your life, the pretending and consuming and how easy it can be to be consumed yourself by the pressure cooker of modern media — it definitely made you think about the strange phenomenon of fame for fames sake and how we consume media.

I think we’ll be seeing much more of Catriona Stewart in the future.

A really interesting premise - a reality star/influencer is murdered and her sister tries to uncover the truth. However this book really dragged at times and I didn’t understand why we needed Jill and Amanda’s point of view (especially Amanda) since neither really added anything to the main crime. The culprit was also easy to spot fairly quickly too with a resolution that seemed sudden and rushed, there was no real tension.

There’s some real insightful commentary and sharp writing about reality shows and women being people pleasers, but everything felt a bit rushed or just superficially touched upon. Even the Maggie chapters were wasted, while we got to see a bit of why she made the decisions she did in the show, post-show her 180 was rushed. I think for me more present day Emma with post show Maggie was needed.

Overall an enjoyable crime that is a fresh concept, but not one I’d read again but I would try this author’s next book.

Thanks to Random House UK/Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed most of this, loving the reality tv aspect. I never anticipated the ending or many of the twists through out.

I really, really loved this. A very modern and dark tale of love, influencers, the underbelly of Hollywood, #metoo, and romance shows. I love all aspects of that and this book did not disappoint.

I found the way this story was told really interesting, seeing how the "show" played out from Maggie's perspective, so we discover things at a similar pace as Emma does. I sort of guessed "whodunnit" but it still was a shock when it was revealed. I can't wait to read more from Stewart. Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this book, i'll be recommending it!

The blurb:

When Kansas sweetheart Maggie Lathrop is crowned the winner of America’s most popular dating show, her life is transformed overnight. Suddenly, Maggie has it all: a gorgeous husband, an immaculate Los Angeles mansion, and an entourage of glamorous friends. Despite picture-perfect appearances, the world Maggie has created is shattered after she’s found murdered in a desolate warehouse. As her sister, Emma, attempts to uncover the truth about Maggie’s life, a deadlier side to Hollywood is revealed. Because being beautiful can have the ugliest consequences. . .

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this murder-mystery style crime thriller. The story is told through several pov, and goes back and forth between now and prior to Maggie’s murder.

I enjoyed the character’s- finding out more about each as the story evolved. I had several suspicions about who might have done it throughout the book.

I love the title and the idea around Maggie’s lifestyle and career and how this was could’ve been linked to her murder.

A really interesting concept. Really well written 4⭐️ from me. I am interested to read more from this author. Thank you again Catriona Stewart and Random House Uk, Cornerstone for the advanced copy.

I LOVE reality tv so was excited by this combined with a murder mystery and this book did not disappoint. I guessed the big reveal early on but still found it satisfied and this meant that it was well set up throughout the book rather than rushed at the end.

I found myself wanting to keep reading this book. I just needed to know what happened. Enough information was told to keep you interested but not enough for you to guess.

It was a good book, not my favourite but it was well written. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. Emma was a little irritating as a character. Amanda’s POV was a little random and I thought her link to the other characters was a little weak.

I will say I was shocked at the end at the big reveal. I didn’t guess it at all.

I would recommend this book.

I liked the premise of this novel, a mystery exploring the dark side of Hollywood. However, I am not a fan of reality television and could not engage with the narrative.

This is a fast-paced mystery that dives into the dark side of reality TV. When former *LoveShack* star Maggie Lathrop is found murdered, her sister Emma is determined to uncover the truth, only to realize Maggie’s perfect life was anything but.

Full of secrets, twists and BTS drama, this book is both a gripping thriller and a sharp look at the cost of fame. If you love suspense with a reality TV twist, this one’s for you!

When Maggie is uncerimoniously murdered, it's up to her sister Emma to pick up where the LAPD left off when they called it a cold case.

People Pleaser rotates between Emma, Jill, Amanda and Maggie (past perspective) as we unravel any threads that can give Emma even a smidge of closure. I really liked the weave of the story telling between the four women in this behind-closed-doors look at the reality behind reality TV and the lives of those in the industry. All of the characters are well thought out and not overbearing in their characterisation or tropes.

Though all the women are deeply troubled in their own ways, you really root for them to get better. And seeing their relationships flourish, even through strife, is really heartwarming. As we uncover who killed Maggie, there's a sense of peace and justice.

I was fascinated by the concept of this book and really enjoyed reading it - the format really worked. I did guess whodunnit quite early on from clues the author planted, but it was a satisfying read nonetheless. I would have liked a bit more insight on reality tv as a whole, but that’s just personal preference and I think this will be really popular.

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart is an engaging and relatable read, though it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. The book explores the struggles of navigating relationships, identity, and self-worth, all through the lens of a protagonist who’s spent her life trying to please everyone but herself.

Stewart’s writing is sharp and insightful, and the humour she weaves throughout lightens some of the heavier themes. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery is honest and moving, and there are moments that feel painfully real. However, the pacing felt uneven at times, and a few plot points could have been developed further to pack a stronger emotional punch.

That said, People Pleaser is an enjoyable read with plenty of heart, and it will resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled to find their voice in a world full of expectations. A solid 3.5 stars for its wit, charm, and moments of raw truth.

Maggie, a reality TV star is found murdered, but the police close the case, so her sister Emma and friend Jill start their own investigation, with the help of Jill's demanding boss, Amanda. It is an entertaining read, told in chapters by the various characters including flashbacks to Maggie's time on Love Shack, a reality dating show where she became famous.
It's mostly a murder mystery, with lots of diversions and plot twists. I did guess who the murderer was quite early, but still enjoyed the rest of the book - I could have been wrong!
Recommended

Really enjoyed reading People Pleaser! The pacing, the multiple POVs, the murder, everything was super well thought out. I wish the character of Maggie was slightly less cliche, but I get it's part of the plot. Read this in less than a day, and will be keeping an eye on Catriona Stewart to be able to read her future novels!

People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart is a gripping exploration of fame, secrets, and the dark side of reality TV. The story begins with the tragic murder of Maggie Lathrop, a young woman who seemingly had it all. After winning the reality TV show LoveShack, Maggie's life appeared to be a fairy tale—beautiful, wealthy, and married to one of America’s most eligible bachelors. But when she is found dead in an LA warehouse, her shocking murder leaves her millions of adoring fans in disbelief.

The FBI is stumped, and with no clear leads, Maggie’s sister, Emma, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind her sister’s death. As Emma digs deeper into Maggie’s life, she starts to unravel the cracks beneath Maggie’s TikTok-perfect persona. What appeared to be a perfect life is quickly revealed to be far more complex, and Emma soon discovers that someone is desperate to keep Maggie’s secrets buried.

Stewart masterfully immerses readers in the world of reality television, where image and authenticity are often at odds. The book delves into the pressure of living under the constant scrutiny of the public eye and the lengths some will go to protect their secrets. The characters are well-developed, and Emma’s determination to uncover the truth keeps the tension high throughout the story. As the mystery unfolds, readers are led through a maze of lies, deceit, and unexpected twists, making it a true page-turner.

For fans of reality TV, this book provides a fascinating look at the darker side of fame, showing the struggles and sacrifices behind the glossy image presented on screen. The suspense builds steadily, and just when you think you know the truth, Stewart delivers an unexpected conclusion that will leave you questioning everything.

People Pleaser is a compelling mystery that expertly combines elements of suspense with a keen social commentary on fame and its consequences. Whether you’re a fan of reality TV or simply enjoy a well-crafted mystery, this book will keep you hooked from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read.

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