Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC of Tell Your Friends in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Flatiron Books: Pine and Cedar / Macmillan Audio
Published: June 2, 2026
Summary:
A former child star and an envious fan collide in this cat-and-mouse psychological thriller about obsession, self-invention, and the dark side of internet fame.
University was meant to be Crystal’s way out. Growing up, there was nothing in her life that couldn’t be turned into content for her mother’s popular (and profitable) family vlog channel, At Home with the Shaws—including the tragic death of her older sister when they were kids. When she arrives on campus, her mother demands she keep filming her every experience for her subscribers—but Crystal has just one story in mind, one that will blow them all away.
At Home with the Shaws is Crystal’s prison, but it is Alyssa’s escape. An aspiring journalist from a deeply troubled family, she jumps at the chance to help Crystal with an exciting project. When she realizes her new friend’s goal is to expose her family and put an end to the channel, Alyssa becomes desperate to find a way to stop the Shaws’ carefully curated image from shattering.
As the two girls discover unsettling truths about themselves and each other, and shocking new information about the Shaws comes to light, Crystal realizes what’s really at stake. If she doesn’t figure out whom she can trust, her freedom will cost her much more than just her fame.
My thoughts:
Lauren Wilson is quickly becoming my go-to for YA thrillers – something I don’t often gravitate towards, but her books are too good to not pick up! I’m now 2 for 2 with enjoying her books and will absolutely be picking up anything else she writes!
This latest one delves into the dark side of the influencer culture, a trope I find endlessly fascinating. The story might be on the unhinged side, but the further you get into it, the more you find you cannot look away. With one character desperately wanting out of the media frenzy spotlight her family has her so embedded in and another, a friend, who wants a better family and will do anything to get it.
Filled with secrets, family drama and toxicity across all relationships, this book will keep you on edge wondering where it is heading next…and that epilogue? Pure gold!
Audio thoughts:
This was narrated by Lily Lefkow-Green, a new-to-me narrator. She did an amazing job giving the main characters their own unique voices. It was a great listen!!
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