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A naïve teenager is thrown into the high-stakes, back-stabbing world of reality television in this gossipy, satirical romp, perfect for fans of reality TV. After a disastrous date results in her arrest, sixteen-year-old Lily Rhode is horrified to discover her mugshot is leaked on a gossip website. Lily is the niece of Whitney Paley, a Hollywood housewife and star of reality show Platinum Triangle, a soap-opera-style docu-series in the vein of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Hills, revolving around several glamorous families living in the Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Holmby Hills neighborhoods of Los Angeles. When Lily's mom kicks her out of their trailer home in the Valley, Whitney (Lily's mom's estranged sister) invites her to live with her, her movie-star husband, Patrick, and their daughter, Hailey. Lily is set up in the pool house and thrust into the company of reality-star offspring -- kids who are born with silver spoon emojis on their feed. Lily's cousin Hailey and the other teens have lived their entire lives on camera and are masters of deception, with Hailey leading the pack. As Lily learns from the Paleys how to navigate her newfound fame, she finds herself ensnared in the unfolding storylines. What Lily doesn't know is that she's just a pawn being used on the show to make the Paleys look sympathetic to viewers while distracting from on-set sexual misconduct rumors surrounding super hero dad Patrick Paley . . . Is Lily safe under Patrick's roof? Or will Lily be Patrick's downfall? If she isn't destroyed by Hailey first. When Lily catches the eye of Hailey's designated leading man Joel Strom -- it's war!… (more)
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In Raziel Reid's novel "Followers," readers are plunged into the intoxicating world of reality television, where fame, deceit, and ambition collide with riveting intensity. With deft prose and an unflinching
The story revolves around sixteen-year-old Lily Rhode, an unwitting teenager whose world turns upside down after a disastrous date leads to her arrest and an unforgiving mugshot plastered across a gossip website. The twist? Lily is the niece of Whitney Paley, a prominent figure in the world of reality TV, whose life unfolds in front of cameras for the docu-series "Platinum Triangle." Set amidst the opulent neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Holmby Hills, the show mirrors the captivating allure of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and "The Hills."
As the novel unravels, Lily's tumultuous journey takes her from a trailer home to the luxurious abode of her estranged aunt, thrusting her into a world of glittering facades and hidden agendas. Reid adeptly captures the zeitgeist of our obsession with reality TV, painting a vivid portrait of characters whose lives are an intricate dance between authenticity and performance. Lily's cousin, Hailey, stands at the helm of this complex dynamic, a master of manipulation in a world where every move is choreographed.
Reid's narrative prowess lies in his ability to juxtapose glamour and darkness, fame and vulnerability. The author delves into the underbelly of the entertainment industry, revealing whispers of on-set misconduct and the lengths to which the Paley family goes to maintain their public image. Amidst the glamour, the characters are far from immune to the wounds inflicted by the ever-watchful lens, reminding readers that reality TV's glossy veneer often conceals personal struggles and heartaches.
The exploration of themes such as identity, ambition, and the dichotomy between authenticity and performance infuses "Followers" with depth and substance. Reid's writing is both captivating and evocative, guiding readers through the labyrinth of familial relationships, rivalries, and the pursuit of personal truth. As Lily's path crosses with the enigmatic Joel Strom, a leading figure in Hailey's scripted romance, the stage is set for a tumultuous clash of desires and secrets.
"Followers" is a tapestry of emotions that examines the boundaries of fame and the cost of chasing the spotlight. As readers journey through Lily's transformation, they're invited to reflect on the price individuals are willing to pay for public adulation and the consequences of constructing a life based on manufactured narratives.
Raziel Reid's "Followers" is a spellbinding narrative that navigates the labyrinth of reality television with an unerring hand. Through Lily's eyes, readers confront the paradoxes of fame, revealing how even in the midst of glittering extravagance, the pursuit of authenticity remains a powerful and complex journey. With a cast of multidimensional characters and a storyline that balances riveting drama with profound introspection, "Followers" is a captivating exploration of ambition, identity, and the relentless pursuit of the limelight's promise.
I had a hard time with this book in the beginning. It isn't really for my demographic, and the emoji's,