Hang onto your hats for this wild ride of a book!!! This is one of the best thrillers that I have read so far this year and one that you will have a hard time putting down. Skye's mother was a drug addict and Skye was taken away from her when she was very young and shifted from foster home to foster home. Skye ran away from the last place she was living and was living on the streets. Rich student Tiffany Larkin came across her on the street, befriends her and takes her home to live with her and her parents for a few days. From this point, there are many twists and turns which makes this such a fantastic read. This story is told in a then and now format with Skye as a narrator and Nathan, a widowed father of two teen-age daughters as the other narrator.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC of this page-turner that kept me awake long past my bedtime in exchange for an honest review.

The Influencer by Miranda Rijks is a topical story about internet superstar Skye, a former homeless teenager who inadvertently discovers a talent for pleasing a mass audience when she puts a video online that goes viral. From that first video she turns her talents and personality into a lucrative career.
Nathan Edwards is a widower planning to marry again while bringing up his daughters from his first marriage with hid fiancee Marie. Nathan runs a charity for the homeless named after his late wife which interests Skye because of her background and she offers to help publicise and raise money for the charity. Being a fair bit older than Skye he initially doesn't realise what an Influencer is,let alone the benefits of having Skye onboard but he's soon put straight about how much of a celebrity she is and how much she can benefit his charity in many different ways.
Very quickly Nathan becomes wary of how close Skye appears to want to be to him and his family and begins to worry about her influence on his family and her motivation.
The book is told in 2 timelines, the present ,as the ultra-successful Skye and Nathan meet, and the past, the story of how she rose from "the streets" to the dizzy heights of internet sensation.
Mostly it's an involving and entertaining story but I wasn't overly convinced by Skye's motives and found the ending more than a bit unbelievable., I also guessed the biggest twist a long way before it was revealed. That said it's not a bad way to spend a few hours but it does seem to lose its way towards the end and stretch credulity more than a bit. A decent enough quick read but a bit of a missed opportunity as it all gets a bit silly in the last few chapters.

Nathan has been a widower for close to 18 months, looking after his teenage daughters, with the help of Marie, the Au pair. Nathan runs a shelter fo the homeless in his dead wife's memory and is soon set to marry Marie.
Enter Skye, the sensational & popular social media influencer, who wants to support Nathan's charity as she too was homeless when she was growing up.

Everyone around Nathan is happy about this proposal as it will being in more donations and enable them to work for more homeless people, his daughters are stars at school because of their association with Skye. Marie has her reservations about Skye and Nathan too finds Skye getting too close to the girls and ingraining herself in their lives.

Skye has her own secrets that she has managed to keep under wraps till her mother turns up one day.

A rivetting story which talks about the true and ugly side of the Social media today and also gives a glimpse how youngsters are easily influenced by their 'idols' and how blindly they are ready to follow them.
Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator books for the ARC

The Influencer by Miranda Rijks is another unputdownable read from an author who certainly knows how to craft a twisty and addictive psychological thriller. I have thoroughly enjoyed Ms Rijks's previous novels, and this latest proved to be no exception. Set aside some time for this one because once started, you will not want to put it down.

Nathan takes pride in the charity that he has launched as a tribute to his deceased wife's memory. When popular influencer Skye Walker expresses interest in attaching her name to the organization, the opportunity is too good to pass up. But as Skye begins to make her true intentions clear, Nathan feels that his life is spiralling out of control. And as Skye infiltrates both his personal and professional lives, he wonders if he and his family are safe from this mysterious woman who has suddenly appeared to disturb the status quo.

Told from the shifting viewpoints of Nathan and Skye, and alternating between Skye's past and present, this one kept me firmly on the edge of my seat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC of this title.

Skye Walker grew up homeless and on the streets. That’s all changed since becoming a successful influencer!

Now she has the following, the money, and anything she could ever wish for.

She sets out to help charities as a way of giving back to the community, but this latest one isn’t going exactly according to her plan.

Loved the premise of this book and particularly liked how this author alternated between Now and Then through a series of flashbacks and also told through multiple points of view. While there was a twist, if you’re a mystery reader like me, you’ll see it coming, too, but it was executed very well! Overall an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Skye Walker is a social media influencer phenom. She has made her career off her back story of being homeless and helping people realize they can lead a better life. Nathan runs a charity that helps the homeless that he created when his wife passed. Nathan is shocked when Skye wants to work for him. It’s almost too good to be true and in this case, things are definitely not what they seem. When Skye gets more involved in Nathan’s life than he thinks necessary, he must figure out what is really going on behind her influencer facade.
The Influencer by Miranda Rijks was a fast paced, engaging read. Although I figured out the twist very early on in the book, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. While there weren’t many likable characters, it was fascinating to see how an influencer can effect so many people and situations. The Influencer left me wanting more and I can hope for a sequel!

I have read most books from this author and usually thoroughly enjoy them all but sadly I couldn't get on with this one and I couldn't finish it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I am super thrilled to have found this amazing book with a plot that was wickedly intriguing. For someone like me who is still learning my way around social media, this book was also an eye-opener and not in a good way.

44-year old widower, Nathan, runs Sacha's Sanctuary, a charity for the homeless, in memory of his late wife. When social media influencer, Skye decides she wants to support his work, despite his own misgivings about her, Nathan agrees, as it would benefit the charity and help many people. Skye breezes into his life with all the subtleness of a steamroller, thereby upending his peace and causing cracks in his personal life.

Skye is a character that you would love to hate. Her single-minded determination to get what she wants is impressive on the outset; not so much when you realise she has a sinister motive. The author describes Skye perfectly - wily and manipulative like a wild cat. The story is told from Nathan's and Skye's POVs and Skye's flashbacks from ten years ago. I loved the plot twists in the book. The writing was crisp leaving not a dull moment in between. Compared to Nathan who seemed kind of wishy-washy, I loved the tenacious Skye, bad though she may be.

I would have loved to have more of Marie in the book, as she was an astute and strong character, but her storyline was cut short abruptly.

Overall,a fast-paced story with a brilliant narrative and interesting characters, this was one heart-thumping read that I greatly enjoyed.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Published: April 25, 2021
Inkubator Books
I received a copy of this book for free and leave my review voluntarily.

Miranda Rijks is possibly the most fascinating woman alive. She studied handwriting analysis and published a self-help book shortly after. She writes about what she knows and infused everything she creates with tidbits of her personal history. She enjoyed creating works of fiction about the things that fascinate her the most, and after surviving a rare form of cancer, she embraces her life and enjoys every moment.

“But at the same time, I feel as if I’ve just walked straight into the sticky fibres of a glittery web.”

Nathan is a widower with two teenage daughters who is about to marry the second love of his life. He founded a charity in his beloved wife's name and has dedicated his life to building a better world for those who struggle. Skye is a social media superstar. She is the hottest influencer, and when she shows interest in working with Sacha’s Sanctuary, everyone starts talking about how great it will be until it isn’t.

Holy. Buckets. This was a ride from start to finish. I loved how this story was told. The character development and buildup was so brilliantly done. Something I enjoy about Miranda’s writing style is the story gets more intense the closer you get to the end.

The characters in this novel were excellent. Everything unfolds so dramatically, and the twists are insane. I loved the aspect of using social media influencers as the center of this story. Especially compared to the charity aspect with Nathan’s angle.

While I had ideas about how the twist would play out, I was only partially correct. You will never see the ending coming. Wowza. Miranda knows how to slap you in the face then kick you in the shins.

Everything about this story was well played and carefully controlled. This book would make an excellent mini-series. It is so twisted and dark, yet dressed up and masked as anything but.

Get ready to have your face ripped off cause plan B is deadly.

I think this is the first book I’ve read where I equally enjoyed both the present story being told as well as the flashback chapters. Always love this author and The Influencer is another great psychological thriller! Can’t wait for her next book.

3.5 stars
The Influencer by Miranda Rijks is a tightly written psychological suspense novel in which Fatal Attraction meets today’s Social Media Manipulator. Early on, the reader is hooked by a fatal plane crash, suspicious but unexplained. Subsequently, in “then” and “now” timelines, the lovely young family of Nathan, Isla and Chloe are introduced, along with Skye, the Influencer. The story is largely character driven, as the reader learns about Skye’s past and observes Skye as she inveigles herself in the lives of Nathan and his children. There is underlying uneasiness and suspicion among all the cast and, as a reader, I was entertained by the way the story unfolded, although unsurprised most of the way. There is, however, an exciting denouement and a great twist to end the tale.
I liked the author’s direct, down-to-earth narrative style and she shows a flair for layering the story and inserting clever details of the character’s thoughts and motives. I would definitely read more books by this author.

Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the e-ARC of The Influencer in exchange for an honest review.

Greats: This was quite a ride. The story flowed smoothly, the misdirection was well done and the narrative flips and time jumps were well placed.

Not-as-greats: The villainy was a little far fetched, the penultimate happening raises some questions, and some characters could have been utilized better.

Overall, The Influencer had me glued to the story, this was a well-executed thriller.

When internet celebrity, Skye, swoops in and announces that she will be to promoting Sacha's Sanctuary, the charity he established in the name of his late wife, Nathan is quickly overwhelmed. His two teenage daughters idolize the woman, and her endorsement is bringing in huge donations, so he goes along with her plans. After all, his whole goal is to help the homeless and that's what they're doing. Skye lacks boundaries and is causing all kinds of chaos in his home life, but maybe it's all worth it? The book alternates between the present and Skye's past as a homeless teenager and it's a fast paced, fun thriller that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

I just LOVE this authors books! Every single book I have read has left me feeling OMG....WOW another 5 Star book!! Hang on tight totally amazing.
Highly Recommend

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of The Influencer in exchange for my honest review.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I finished this in one day. From the beginning, I knew something was off about Skye. Everyone changes as they grow up, but Skye is different. The toggle between the present and past does give me a good background to the characters. This is a fine example of you can't believe everything you read on social media. Skye is the only well-rounded character. Nathan, even as the main character, the storyline lacks a certain flair. His character is more decorative than add to the story.

Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The bad guy is a touch over the top and the ending is a little abrupt, but, all in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this fast-paced and occasionally suspenseful read.

I always know ahead of time that if I am starting a book by Miranda Rijks that I am getting nothing done that day. This book was no exception, I could not put it down. Excellent psychological thriller about a social influencer that worms her way into a mans family and insists on becoming a part of it. When Skye contacts Nathan about helping his charity that benefits the homeless, he is happy for the help, even though he has never heard of her. Nathan’s daughters are a totally different story, they love Skye and all she represents as a social media influencer. As Skye becomes closer to the family, it becomes more apparent just how unhinged she really is. Full of twists and turns, this book is impossible to put down.

The book was pretty good, the premise was interesting, the writing was a little flat for me. I guessed the twist but not the ending. the ending was the best part of the book, but even that didn't fully make sense

Morally gray characters especially the homeless-to-the-influencer.

A plot based on what it takes to become a powerful social media influencer and what it's like behind the glamourous happy perfect smiles and updates.

The writing is engaging and the characters are there to make you dislike them more the more you read about them. And there, the fun starts for such stories.

The first half is a bit slow but we all need it for the crazy turn towards the second half.

The plot gets pretty unpredictable and get ready for some shady news towards the end. That ending sounds like another story is coming up!

The suspense of Skye was kept well till the last few chapters which I appreciate.

Oh, and the mind games.

Be ready for it.

Thank you author and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

Wonderful! So wicked, twisted and enjoyable. Skye is a narcissistic psychopath influencer that I adore because psychopaths can be very likable. There are some plot holes and this is not going to win a Pulitzer prize but is si good. My second book by this author and I'm going for more. The author writes such good villains that you feel Bad for them and Even rule for them too. The ending was great. Didn't like Nathan's character such a bland protagonist and I wish he had a different ending since I didn't like him. Maybe that's why I liked the ending so much. So twisted!