Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

This cautionary tale about social media fame, a collaboration between veteran YA author Littman and former CIA analyst Otis, showcases a parasocial relationship between an influencer and her overly attached fan. Elizabeth goes viral when a stranger posts a video of her wheelchair malfunctioning; then she pivots to become Bliss, a TikTok persona that takes over the 15-year-old’s life. Lainey’s twin brother, Aiden, moves to California with their dad, and without him, she feels like a loser; when Bliss answers her DMs, she finally has a friend who listens. Their interwoven stories beg the question: Who is to blame for the IRL consequences of online lies? The gaslighting of both girls is almost too much to bear. Lainey’s social anxiety will resonate with teens scrolling TikTok instead of lying awake at night, minds racing. Elizabeth’s exhaustion is palpable, as is the responsibility of becoming a breadwinner, and her cerebral palsy is treated matter-of-factly, essential to her experience but not her whole personality. The time line can be hard to follow, but the focus on mental health toward the end will resonate with teens.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Two 10th graders become entangled in a social media relationship. Lainey Johnston is reeling from too many changes: Her parents recently divorced; her twin brother, Aidan, is leaving Connecticut to live with their dad in California; her stepmother is pregnant; and her friends are seemingly growing apart from her. Lainey’s anxiety compounds her feelings of being overwhelmed. Fortunately, she finds a supportive friend and confidante online—Elizabeth “Bliss” Batrowny, a TikTok influencer from New York with cerebral palsy. Optimistic and witty, Bliss is confident enough to pursue what she wants, like her school musical’s lead role, Cinderella. But behind the scenes, as her follower numbers skyrocket and paying sponsors come knocking, Bliss feels trapped by objectifying, prying fans, and her financially struggling parents’ strict management of her content. Her experiences vividly illustrate how social media can perpetuate ableist tropes, such as casting disabled people as inspirations or charity cases. When Bliss cracks under the pressure, Lainey rushes to her aid—and everything changes. Lainey’s and Bliss’ alternating first-person perspectives weave between past and present, building uneasily to a shocking, tension-filled twist. Though somewhat heavy-handed at times, their respective narratives highlight numerous critical issues, including the pitfalls of social media influencing, the psychology of parasocial relationships, disability and financial concerns, and the complicated aftermath of divorce. Lainey and Bliss are white, and there’s racial diversity among the secondary characters. A gripping cautionary tale. (authors’ note)(Fiction. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.