Description
Description
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.
About the Author
About the Author
Lauren Wilson is the author of The Goldens and Tell Your Friends. She has a degree in journalism and an MA in creative writing, both from Northumbria University. She previously worked as a freelance radio reporter and for Mslexia, a magazine committed to championing women's writing.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"A perfectly plotted cat-and-mouse thriller set against a backdrop of growing concern over child influencers and exploitative parents, a context well-represented in the psychological thriller realm."
--CrimeReads
--Publishers Weekly
"A former child influencer contends with an obsessive and dangerous fan. . . Compelling and consistently engaging. . . The book truly shines in its exploration of fraught family dynamics. . . offering a thought-provoking look at the ethics of child-centered content creation."
--Kirkus Praise for The Goldens:
"One of the best debuts I've ever read. . . Dark, seductive and ruthlessly compelling, this is a cuttingly deep exploration of tender girlhood and toxic obsession."
--Laura Steven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Our Infinite Fates "A seductive tale of effervescent glamor, toxic friendship, and the fragile line between devotion and worship--irresistible."
--Kate Alice Marshall, bestselling author of A Killing Cold "An unputdownable book fueled by ride or die, toxic friendships and an irresistibly coquettish cult led by a social media influencer. The Goldens is feverish, sultry and tense - trust me, it's unlike anything you've ever read."
--Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar
Pub date:
2026-06-02
Length:
272 pages
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