When Hollywood actor Ethan accuses his wife Tori of slander, a live court case begins. Riley Grey is a true crime influencer who is reporting the ongoing trial. The case then ends up closer to home for Riley when an anonymous person claims that it will shed secrets about her missing sister Alice. As the trial heats up and dirty laundry airs, will Riley get answers and who will win the case of the century?

I really enjoyed this author’s first book The Clique so was excited to read this new one. This ended up being quite different to her first novel, however was still an entertaining, solid read. I liked the modern, original spin on the typical court thriller and found this interesting to read about. I enjoyed discovering all the secrets and lies and discovering the darker side of fame.

I enjoyed that there were two separate storylines that slowly came together and there were some great twists and turns. Although I didn’t completely connect with the characters, they were interesting to read about and I enjoyed trying to work out whose side I was on. This was another good book by this author overall and I will continue to seek new ones by her. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Who doesn’t love a juicy celebrity drama right. Slander is such an addictive legal thriller, you just have to read it. I loved The Clique by this author last year and was excited to see what she came up with next. This book was so fun, so dark and so bingeable. I spent my Sunday, sick in bed curled up with this one. So entertaining.

So we have the heart throb movie star Ethan, suing his wife, a singer named Tori, for slander. The court case is one big revelation after another. But that is not all. We also have true crime blogger Riley Grey in the mix. She is searching for her missing sister and is told to get to London for the trial where she will find out what happened to her.

It is crazy wild and so easy to get caught up in. The truth was shocking and I didn’t see it coming. You have to read this.

Thanks so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes in August 8th.

I couldn’t put “Slander” down — it’s a rollercoaster of a read from start to finish. Rhiannon Barnsley has truly outdone herself with this one. The story centres on Hollywood star Ethan Simmons, who sues his wife Tori for alleged infidelity and lies. The media frenzy that erupts around their high-profile divorce is utterly captivating, exposing the glittering façade of their perfect marriage and revealing the darker, dirtier secrets beneath.
What really hooked me was the perspective from Riley Grey, a true crime influencer desperate to find her missing sister, Alice. As the trial heats up, Riley’s investigation into the case becomes intertwined with her search for answers about her sister’s disappearance. I loved how the story seamlessly shifted between Ethan, Tori, and Riley, each bringing their own truths, motives, and secrets to the table. It kept me guessing, questioning who was telling the truth, and what the real story was behind the headlines.
Barnsley's writing style is sharp, fast-paced, and immersive. The courtroom scenes are tense, and the media coverage adds a layer of realism that makes me feel like I was right there in the chaos. The plot is twisty, full of surprises, and keeps you questioning everything, just like a good true crime story should. The characters are complex and relatable, each with their own vulnerabilities and motivations, which makes the story even more compelling.
I appreciated how the novel dives into themes of reputation, betrayal, and the blurry line between truth and lies. The hints of darker secrets, especially regarding Alice’s disappearance, kept me hooked, turning each page with eager anticipation for the next revelation. The ending was satisfying yet thought-provoking, leaving me pondering long after I closed the book.
“Slander” is a gritty, twisty, and exciting read that combines celebrity scandal with a gripping mystery. It is for everyone who loves thrillers with layered characters, shocking secrets, and a storyline that keeps you guessing. It’s a perfect blend of suspense, intrigue, and social commentary — I loved every minute of it!

I passed right on by this book, because the BOOK COVER did nothing to capture my interest but when I read that it was a twisty legal thriller, I took a chance and downloaded it, at the last minute…

Unfortunately, the TRIAL was just a small part of this book starting at 19% and done by 46%, so I would not classify it as the legal thriller that I was looking for!

Hollywood actor Ethan Simmons is suing his wife Tori for allegedly lying about his infidelity, and of course, the world is captivated by the defamation case. There might not be a jury but the couple will be tried in the Court of Public Opinion, Social Media-nonetheless.

Riley Grey, is a true crime influencer on TikTok, who lives in America and although her content often covers celebrities she wouldn’t usually fly to London. to cover a case like this in person, But, #thetruthisblackandwhite2011, has lured her there, by sending her an anonymous tip promising that THIS case holds the key to her sister’s disappearance.

The story unfolds from the alternating POV’s of Riley (#thetruthisalwaysgrey), Victoria “Tori” Simmons, and Ethan Simmons, with Social Media posts also sprinkled throughout.

BOTH parties are willing to air their dirty laundry in public, (#scandalous) but right in the middle of this high profile trial-one of these protagonists will disappear, and in a VERY CLEVER artistic choice from the author, I turned the page and the NAME was listed but the PAGE was blank. (Loved that) ❤️

The book morphs into a police procedural, as we read to figure out what has happened to BOTH missing persons, but the last 25% became too OTT for my taste, further weakened by poor dialogue.

It wasn’t the legal thriller that I was hoping for but, if you are looking for a (mostly) entertaining Popcorn 🍿 thriller, with lots of twists-this may end up being a better fit for you than it was for me.

Available August 8, 2025

Thank You to One More Chapter for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

thank you net galley for this arc. so this is Tori and Ethan story about a deformation trial of celebrities. and a missing sister .

The narrative glitters with modern detail: viral hashtags, influencer obsession, courtroom twists. And beneath it all, the question pulses: when the spotlight hits, whose truth survives?

ARC review
Publication date 8 August 2025.

"Slander" by Rhiannon Barnsley is a fast paced thriller full of twists.

I received an e-ARC from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

This book is such a pace turner and I read it all in one sitting.
What initially seemed like a simple defamation court case ended up to be much more complex.
There are multiple POVs and so many unexpected twists.

The book starts with some articles about Tori and Ethan's relationship, wedding and divorce.
Then we get into the defamation trial.
Part of the book is from Riley's POV. She is a podcaster that covers the trial.
But she is also looking for her missing sister.

I like the way the book is structured and that the ending is not predictable.
If you are looking for a fast, entertaining read and you like Hollywood drama, this book is for you.

Riley is looking for her sister Alice even as Tori and Ethan are tearing one another apart in court. Oh the perils of social media! The fight between Tori and Ethan after she claimed he cheated reminded me of another real court case involving an actor and a model that got very graphic. No spoilers as to how it connects to Riley's quest. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A popcorn read.

If you need a tabloid gossip fix - this book is for you! The context of the book was very believable - the court case of a celebrity marriage imploding. The read is fast and usually holds the reader’s attention. I really appreciated how social media and TikTok were incorporated as that is unfortunately so relevant for today’s time. I found the ending somewhat unsurprising and that left me with a bit of a “meh” feeling towards the book. Overall an entertaining read but one that will be easily forgotten. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Rhiannon Barnsley for the ARC in exchange for the review. I’m confident this book will be gobbled up by many! Rounded up to 3.5 stars

This novel captivated me entirely; it drew me in, seated me firmly within its narrative, and refused to release its hold—and I was more than willing to remain ensnared. Rhiannon is swiftly ascending my list of indispensable authors.

The narrative centers on two protagonists whose lives occupy the relentless glare of celebrity culture: Ethan, a television actor, and his wife Tori, a renowned pop star. Predictably, yet compellingly, the veneer of glamour deteriorates. One evening, under the influence of alcohol, Tori divulges a revelation with catastrophic consequences. The insinuation of Ethan’s infidelity is not merely scandalous—it is explicitly prohibited by the contractual terms that govern his public persona. (One cannot help but wonder—must integrity truly be contractually mandated for men? Perhaps that is best left unanswered.)

The ramifications are immediate and devastating: Ethan loses his career, his sponsorships, and virtually every facet of his carefully curated image. Confronted with ruin, he retaliates by challenging Tori in court, initiating a public and deeply personal battle.

Concurrently, the novel interweaves a seemingly disparate narrative thread: Riley, a podcaster, is consumed by the search for her sister, who vanished in London a year prior. The question of how Riley’s private tragedy intersects with the spectacle of Ethan and Tori’s imploding marriage propels the narrative with remarkable tension. The convergence of these storylines is both unexpected and deftly executed, compelling the reader to persist until every connection is revealed.

This work is exceptional in its construction. The plot is meticulously crafted, the pacing precise, and the revelations strategically delivered to sustain an atmosphere of inexorable suspense. Rhiannon demonstrates a masterful command of narrative architecture and reader engagement; she knew precisely where she intended to lead me—and I had no choice but to follow. The result is a novel executed with remarkable sophistication and acuity.

a thriller that reveals so many thrilling layers. this book took me in, sat me down and refused to let me leave. and i was happy to do so!Rhiannon is scooting up there to be a go-to author of mine.
our two main characters are those we see lots in the celebrity columns and dare i say it the side bar of doom(iykyk) we have TV star Ethan and his wife the pop star Tori.
but rightly or wrongly like with many of these characters things take a turn. drastically. when one night Tori reveals something when she is a bit drunk. this isn't good. not at all. Ethan, an affair? not in his contract it not!(god, do men really need contracts to be respectable...no wait dont answer that) but yeh, the result is losing his job, his deals, well basically everything. so Ethan bites back and fight back in the courtroom against Tori.
but alongside this there is something else weaving through. a pod caster Riley is missing someone. her sister. she went missing a year before in London. so what does she have to do with this story? why is her story included in this book? well read my friends, read on...
this book was brilliant. it was so smart. the plot was tight and i was gripped to it. Rhiannon new exactly where she was taking me, where she wanted to take me and i had no choice but to follow. she executed this to perfection.

This was a really quick read as once you start, you won't want to put it down.

A very contemporary court case focusing on defamation between an estranged Hollywood couple (think Depp/Heard) with the added intrigue of a missing woman.

Worth reading

This reads like a book full of social media posts/a gossip magazine.
While some will find it entertaining/suspenseful, this just didn't do it for me.
Thank you NetGally and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I am so glad I didn’t give up on this book. It seemed to start very slowly and I was just trying to get through it because I wanted to know the ending but each page was dragging. I was so close to a DNF BUT we pushed through and I am so glad I did.

I think in the current climate of celebrity gossip, Tik Tok and 24/7 news in the palms of our hands, this book will appeal to a wide range of people. The book itself reads as a gossip magazine a reminds me a lot of the Depp V Heard trial, the media was working around the clock and Tik Tok never tested.

It did have a bit of a gone girl vibe for a second there. This book spoke to the Hollywood drama/true crime podcast/channel fan in me in the end and I enjoyed it. I would say that I started enjoying it at about 20% of the way through which is a bit TOO far into a book but I’m glad I waited it out.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the gifted ARC of this addictive, up-all-night thriller by Rhiannon Barnsley.

Reading Slander felt like binge-watching a gripping true crime TV series—you know you should stop after one episode, but you just can’t. That was me: one more chapter, one more chapter… goodbye, sleep.

At its core, Slander is a high-stakes defamation trial between a Hollywood heartthrob and his pop star wife. Think celebrity scandal meets courtroom drama—with a twist of true crime. The tension builds rapidly and just when you think you've figured it out, another bombshell drops.

The first half, focused on the televised trial, is especially vivid—it plays out cinematically, practically begging for a TV adaptation.

It’s the perfect summer read: dramatic, fast-paced, and full of scandalous twists. You won’t be able to put it down !

This was such a good read with a very current premise. I think everyone if they were honest will say that they have watched a celebrity trial on TV or social media, whether that be a criminal trial like OJ Simpson or ones such as Depp V Heard or the Wagatha Christie trial.
I will happily hold my hands up and say I have watched all 3 of those and more besides and so this read was so interesting and I devoured it.

In the current climate of being able to watch celebrity trials live on tiktok, this felt very appropriate and accurate. I enjoyed it, it felt relateable enough to the trials ive watched to really believe what was happening and its just a quick, easy read! Granted if you arent into celeb gossip and scandals and such then it might not be your vibe but I love all that so I was hooked

Read like a celebrity gossip mag or review of celebrity real life shows and unfortunately a dnf for me. Just find celebrity related blurb tiresome and overall boring. Many might say I've missed out but no I don't think I have.

Slander by Rhiannon Barnsley is such a page-turner!

This book has everything: juicy celebrity secrets, a twisty courtroom battle, and a missing person mystery that'll keep you guessing.

I loved how it explored the dark side of fame and social media, making it so relatable and scary!

The blank chapters were so eerily good. Nice touch!!

I flipped back and forth between theories - what was truth and what was lie?!

The ending was definitely a 'chefs kiss' moment

This is a gripping intense thriller with amazing characters and a really good plot.

There is glamour and what makes this different from other genres is that the author has written a modern tale that has a feel of reality.

Riley is a podcaster and is trying to find her missing sister and there is also a Hollywood couple who are involved in a separation that ends in court.

I loved this book and it is a book that is perfect for your next holiday read.

I loved the twists and it is a pacy read that charges forward and I was hooked from the very start,,

the perfect one sit read...