The Followers

By: Bradeigh Godfrey

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens, Tim Lounibos

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Girl on the Train meets the world of social in this psychological thriller about influencer culture, parasocial relationships, and the secrets we keep from those we love the most.

Molly Sullivan is used to sharing intimate details of her life with millions of followers. A thirty-one-year-old single mom, she has built a career out of fearless posts about parenthood and dating. But when Molly shares a photo of her new fiancé, Scott, she is shocked by his negative reaction. For the sake of their relationship, Molly agrees to remove the post and keep Scott and his ten-year-old daughter out of her social media spotlight.

But it’s too late, someone has already recognized him. Liv Barrett is certain Scott’s the man who killed her sister and disappeared with her infant niece nine years ago. The police don’t believe her, so Liv takes matters into her own hands. After driving cross-country to Molly’s town, Liv uses her social media posts to orchestrate “accidental” meetings, slowly gaining Molly’s trust. Meanwhile, newlywed Molly begins to unpack boxes in her new home and discovers her husband has been lying about his past.

While Molly and Liv uncover secrets that have been buried deep for almost a decade, they have no idea that someone else saw the photo of Scott—someone who poses a threat more dangerous than either of them can imagine. Someone who is watching them from the shadows.

©2023 Dr. Bradeigh Godfrey (P)2023 Blackstone Publishers

wowwwww

This was such a treat! Captivating and keep me guessing the whole way thru... Finished in record time... would love to read the sequel🥰

Wow!

It wasn't what I was expecting and it was everything I was hoping for! Wow! Absolutely loved this psychological thriller!

A great thriller that keeps you guessing!

I truly loved this book. I see some felt that was a crime against women. I'm very sorry but I do not share that same feeling. It shows we all have flaws and secrets. Whether you over share or under share it all comes a similar place or dysfunction. I don't feel that either leading ladies where not strong in this book. Actually I feel very much the opposite. I look forward to the next book by Bradeigh Godfrey. I loved Imposter and I loved The Followers.

Highly recommend…

I loved The Followers! I binged the audiobook in one day…just couldn’t stop. Highly recommend.

MASTER-in-the-Making

Reading BG is akin to inviting a master-in-the-making to plant her personal brand of precious “PLOT” seeds in your psyche…

I could not stop! And not just in the typical, white-knuckle, curious kind of way. She has a way of leading readers toward some internal reflection, while simultaneously cultivating our full-blown OBSESSION!!!

It started with a BANG!! Then, once she set the stage, The Followers was FAST-paced, action-packed, AWESOME-NESS!

I loved IMPOSTER and did not fully trust that I would get into The Followers. Imposter was simply such a MAJOR HIT for me. But, The Followers did not disappoint.

Side note: Premise of a thriller surrounding an influencer is still very entertaining to me. And I very much enjoyed the behind the scenes bits. Would have liked a little more perspective on the true villain, but I’ll definitely be back to read more of what BG writes!!!!

#bookshell_f #bookstagram #goodbooks #ilovebooks #thriller #suspense

C+ at best

This was painful at parts bc it was so cheesy. Start was good. Narrator was fine. Parts of story were good but most were so predictable & gave off lifetime movie vibes.

Engaging and grabbed me

I got sucked into the story from the begging and found the twists enjoyable. I recommend it.

An Insult to Women

I don't know if I've ever been this angry after a book. I am APPALLED that it was written by a woman. There has been a disappointing trend of chick-lit being dressed up as thriller to make it more exciting. This book is not a thriller. The majority of this book focused on two hetero, mentally abusive relationships and had nothing to do with the "mystery."

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Even more disturbing is the author's decision to perpetuate the trope of women being weak, stupid creatures. Offensively tone deaf for the times women are living in. Both female characters bumble through the story, ignoring blatant signs of danger, and ultimately do not lift a single finger to save themselves. Damsel in distress style, they sit around and wait for the men to do it.

Liv is so weak, she can't even open her mouth and speak at a conveniently timed plot point. I know very few women in real life who can't summon the English language when the situation calls for it.

In this same scene, Molly allows her "husband" to physically assault her and drag her away despite repeated protests - in front of her children. This is after Molly finds out that she and Scott/Sam are not even legally married because he lied to her about his identity. Oh, and that he might have killed someone. Almost none of the book is dedicated to her being afraid of him (for her life or her daughter's). Finding out you may be sleeping with a murderer should not be a "you spend the night on the couch" scenario. Her main concern is not with safety but whether they can find a way to make their relationship work because she just loves him so much.

Liv's story line is worse. She comes into town looking for her sister's killer and her abducted niece. Gets sidetracked by a guy she just met. Sleeps with him almost immediately and agrees to accompany him to a remote, isolated location completely forgetting the perilous situation she's in. But hey. What's mortal danger when it comes to getting a man?

Surprise - he's the one who actually murdered her sister. He finds out who Liv is as soon as she gets to town, researches everything he can about her, seeks her out, and seduces her KNOWING THE WHOLE TIME HE KILLED HER SISTER. That is unforgivably messed up. When Liv finds out, does she turn him over to the police? Light him on fire? No. She pouts because he doesn't really love her.

But hey! It's ok! At the end of the book he shows up at the airport to meet Liv in a unbearably cliche moment. Liv can hardly believe her good luck! The man who killed her sister decides maybe they should give it the old college try after all. Now she can have her happy ending.

And that's the moral of the story, the main take away. Not being careful on social media, nothing about parenting. But that getting a man, no matter what he's done or how badly he's treated you, is the MOST IMPORTANT THING IN A WOMAN'S LIFE. The author should be ashamed.