I loved the theme of finding your power and. protecting yourself. Social media has become a huge theme in a lot of our lives and seeing influencers all the time is the norm. That being said the main character has finally gotten her own power back of her social media presence but notices her step mom starting the same cycle with her sister. Basically its the story of how she helped find herself and help her sister. I give this a solid 3.75 stars I loved where the author was going with it but I do feel like with so many characters and Povs it just got to be a lot.

This story offers a fascinating look at how family blogging and social media use impacts children as they grow up throughout their adult lives. The story of Anuri and her distance from her parents was interesting, and the writing was beautiful and thought-provoking.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication! My review will appear on my blog on 5/23/24. I will also feature the review on Instagram that same day and post my review to Goodreads, The Storygraph, Fable, and retail sites.

Review:

I read "Someday, Maybe" by Onyi Nwabineli last year and found it deeply moving. I was super excited when I saw she had a new book out this year, and I couldn't wait to dive in. Much like she beautifully and deftly covered suicide and grief in her first book, this time around, Nwabineli covers the topic of mommy influencers who use their children for fame and fortune with great depth and a keen eye. I found this to be a powerful and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, identity, race, and the struggle for autonomy. Anuri's journey from a childhood shaped by manipulation and exploitation to her courageous stand against it is both thought-provoking and a little infuriating.

The book focuses on Anuri, a young Black woman living in London who struggles with anxiety, depression, and alcoholism (to name a few). From the time she was a baby, Ophelia, her white stepmother, documented Anuri's life on social media through pictures and blog posts that eventually turned into lucrative sponsorship deals and other business opportunities for Ophelia. Even today, people still recognize Anuri and treat her as if they know her. It's tough to live a normal life when people impose on your privacy almost everywhere you go. It's no wonder that Anuri struggles the way she does.

But now Anuri worries about her five-year-old half-sister Noelle. Ophelia has started using Noelle in her Instagram and blog posts - monetizing Noelle's likeness much like she used Anuri. Anuri has started recognizing personality quirks that she knows all too well in Noelle, and Anuri knows that she has to stop Ophelia before she ruins Noelle's life the way she ruined hers.

In this book, Nwabineli skillfully explores the themes of consent and agency, particularly in the context of social media influencers who exploit their children for personal gain. Anuri's story sheds light on the dark side of influencer culture and how it can potentially harm children who have no say in what their parents post about them or how their parents portray them online. As readers, we are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about the lengths people will go to maintain their image and status, even at the expense of their family members.

Another aspect that I found compelling was the exploration of race and privilege through the characters of Anuri and her stepmother, Ophelia. Anuri's experiences as a Black woman navigating a world shaped for her by her white stepmother were very thought-provoking. It was also heartbreaking to read some of the things she experienced as an adult that were shaped by the things her stepmother had subjected her to. This is something I'd never really thought about before, but it's definitely something I'll be thinking about for a while now.

Throughout the novel, Anuri's journey to reclaim her identity and confront her past is a rollercoaster of emotions, and asks important questions like how far is too far and how much of our lives do we really own when we are children? Where do our parent's rights stop and ours begin, and is there a statute of limitations on how long they can monetize our childhood? Nwabineli's writing is engaging and evocative, drawing the reader in with each new revelation. Through Anuri's journey, we are reminded of the importance of speaking our truth and standing up for what is right, even when it feels like everyone is working against us.

Overall, I found this to be a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will stay with me for a while. It raises some fundamental questions and will make you rethink everything you know about mommy influencers. This book is a reminder of the power of resilience, the importance of reclaiming our narratives, and the enduring hope that comes from standing up for what is right. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a captivating and insightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley, HTP Hive, and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House for the advance reader copy of Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli. This was the first novel I had read by Nwabineli, but it won’t be my last. I enjoyed the storytelling, character development, and relationships explored. This one was so nuanced – telling tales of influencers/momagers/kids in the spotlight, grief, family dynamics, found family, race/culture, alcohol abuse, finding your own way, and so much more. It’s told through multiple POVs and timelines and written beautifully. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for an engaging story that will tug on your heartstrings and make you think!

Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

The book's blurb describes it as a tale with “biting wit and heartfelt introspection” and it couldn't be more accurate. Although I've never experienced social media fame, don't share a Nigerian cultural background, don't reside in London, and am quite a few years beyond my own quarter-life crisis, I found a profound connection with Anuri Chinasa. Her struggles resonated with me deeply, being unique yet universal simultaneously. The book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter and outrage to disbelief and optimism. I give this five enthusiastic stars!

This book concept/plot was very unique and intriguing. The author weaved self discovery, social media and childhood fame together with beautiful detailed writing.
I felt this book had good character development and I was invested in how this storyline was going to play out for her sister.
This book did contain multiple POVs and past/present elements which at times could be a little confusing.

Thank you Netgally + publisher for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

A thought-provoking book that is both timely and important! This is not what I was expecting, and I was so utterly surprised by how impressive the commentary is on social media and public online spaces. I highly recommend this one.

"Allow Me to Introduce Myself" is like having a heart-to-heart chat with a close friend. Nwabineli's storytelling is so genuine and charming, you'll feel like you're right there with her, sharing in her experiences. From moments of laughter to those of introspection, this book is a delightful journey of self-discovery and connection. It's the perfect read for anyone looking for a warm and uplifting escape.

Whew this is just a look into a terrible era that we live in smh ! The step momma and her daddy really upset me in the worst way possible 😒 ! Beautifully done,I really enjoyed this book despite my anger towards the terrible parenting 😫 I feel so bad for those girls! But trouble does not last always ❤️

I read this author's first novel, Someday Maybe, when it came out and really enjoyed it- beautiful writing and lovely story. I struggled with this book though. I think it might have been the switching back and forth of the timeline and the different POVs of the characters that hindered me from enjoying it. I was really excited to read a book covering the topic of family bloggers/a child influencer but this one didn't quite hit right for me. While I didn't love it, I am sure it will work for a lot of people.

This was a highly anticipated follow up to Someday, Maybe.

The topic is very compelling and worth addressing- the impact of an influencer’s lifestyle on their children and the fact that young children can’t consent to having their lives documented online. In this case, there’s the added element of Anuri being Nigerian and her white stepmother being the influencer who gains attention for marrying a widowed Nigerian man and raising his daughter.

While I sympathize with Anuri’s plights, some of her demands as an adult coming out of a life online, one in particular that I won’t spoil, didn’t seem reasonable. Being upset about being online against your will is certainly valid but some of the scenarios described sounded more like what you’d expect with the child of a major celebrity or even a reality star versus an influencer. For example, pictures of a drunk Anuri leaving a nightclub end up in tabloids. Regardless of her stepmom’s follower count and paid sponsorships, I didn’t buy that paparazzi would care about her partying.

Nwabineli’s writing still shines and I liked the way Anuri’s friends supported her as well as the conclusion. But, unfortunately this didn’t hit the same bar for me as Someday, Maybe.

Ratings
Quality of Writing 4.5/5
Pacing 3/5
Plot Development 2/5
Character Development 4/5
Overall Enjoyability 3.5/5

Special thanks to NetGalley Graydon House Books and HTP Books! I heard about this title on Sarah's Bookshelves Live and it felt so timely and relevant. Anuri, our MC has grew up in the spotlight as the main feature on her stepmother's social media channels. Now Anuri is 25 and feeling those effects from her childhood. Now Anuri's younger sister Noelle might be going down the same path as Ophelia (Anuri's step mother is featuring her on her social media). This book is emotionally engaging and follows a family with dysfunctional relationships. It is extremely timely in the age of mom influensters and the question of children participating without being able to give true consent.

Anuri grew up beloved by millions as the central star in stepmother Ophelia’s social media empire. Now 25 and struggling with alcoholism, Anuri doesn’t know who she is beyond the cameras that documented her every moment. Although Anuri is estranged from her family now, her much younger sister Noelle still resides at home. When Ophelia begins to feature Noelle in her daily videos, Anuri must find the strength to reclaim her sister’s story — and her own. This family drama asks sharp, intelligent questions about the role of children in social media during the era of “mumfluencers”. Excellent, nuanced family drama.

This was unlike anything else I've ever read as it's so relevant to today's social media driven culture. It follows our fmc Anuri and her family through her childhood being the stepdaughter of a social media influencer and basically healing from the trauma of being submerged in the spotlight without consent. It's emotionally riveting and follows such a complex family with dysfunctional relationships. It's truly a beautiful, dramatic story.

I thought this was a really great premise and although the flow of the plot experienced some hiccups, I enjoyed this book.

What a cool premise for a book, and the book itself lived up to the hype!

The plot moved quickly, in many ways it felt like the pace of the manic social media it was discussing, except much more insightful.

THIS BOOK IS UTTERLY FANTASTIC, WITTY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING and a MUST READ for all of us in the social media generation! I’m marking this book down as one that I won’t shut up about til the end of time! This author has me as a forever fan!

⭐️ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF comes out MAY 28TH⭐️

5.0⭐️

Special thanks to NetGalley Graydon House Books and HTP Books for the review copy in exchange for my honest review💜

This sharp and powerful voice will cut deep and keep you thinking. In this coming of age novel, you will explore deep grief and healing with the main character. I could not put this book down, get this in your TBR pile immediatly!

In our world of social media and influencers and earning online, I found this to be very enlightening indeed!

Meet Anuri, a young woman with a traumatic beginning - a mother who died in childbirth, and father who had to deal with depression as a result, ultimately deciding to move from Nigeria to the UK with his baby girl in tow.
In the UK, he had his sister Nneoma, but he hadn’t considered the difficulties of trying to raise a child as a single parent, while navigating a new country and culture.
In comes Ophelia and she’s a Godsend to both father and daughter, or is she?

An innocent suggestion to chronicle the life and activities of a young child online, in such a way that family near and far would be able to follow and feel connected, ends up morphing into a gargantuan cash-making “influencer” project. Through all this, guess who’s caught in the middle…unwillingly too?

This is truly a great read and good for thought in our era where children end up publicized on social media by parents and other adults in their lives. There are ramifications, both positive and negative, in the life of a growing child. Perhaps the adults should keep those in mind?

I’m giving this a 4/5 rating only because I found myself wondering how certain characters added to the story. Some areas seemed superfluous.

I’m grateful to Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book's structure and purpose were different from others I usually read and I was enthralled from the beginning! This story touched heavily on our parents' decisions and social media's influence on our lives. I'd recommend this book for people looking for a contemporary read about family dynamics and findings one's true self.