“Bodies to die for” is a psychological thriller that enters the minds of two FMC, Gemma and Ashley, and centres around the toxicity inside the fitness world, the pressure on women to achieve and maintain unrealistic body types and all the drama surrounding this world.

This is an excellent debut book, and you can tell the author is writing from first hand experience from her many years in the fitness and model industry. The plot is so relevant and true our everyday lives.

Gemma is preparing for a bikini competition, Ashley is an IT Specialist launching a body positive campaign with plus sized women. Their lives unknowingly interconnect when they find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery with a killer who is targeting fitness influencers.

“ Perfect for fans of You Shouldn’t Have Come Here and None of This Is True, Bodies to Die For is a brilliant psychological thriller that will have readers wondering whether the perfect body really is worth dying for ...”

Thank you to Black Stone Publishing, Lori Brand and NetGalley for the EARC!

Publish date June 11th 2024

Thank you so much to the author & Blackstone Pub for gifting me an ARC!
——

This psychological thriller (or should I say fitness thriller?) centers around two FMC, each with different intents and purposes but are actually connected in ways unbeknownst to them. 𝐆𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚 has worked very hard to lose weight and is now preparing for her annual bikini competition by adopting a very rigorous fitness routine and diet. In the process, Gemma has to deal with intrusive thoughts, a very toxic fitness industry and a host of people impeding her success. 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 is a highly intelligent IT specialist who is comfortable in her body but has been let down all her life by people fat-shaming her. She finds a new purpose when she joins a body positivity campaign of plus sized women activists who are about to launch nationwide protests, including the bikini competition that Gemma is attending. However things get a little complicated for both Gemma and Ashley in different ways, as there’s a murderer on the lose, targeting fitness influencers.

I don’t know how Lori did it, encompassing an entertaining, nail-biting debut thriller involving important elements of body positivity, being comfortable in your own skin and the toxic labels of the fitness industry so prevalent in today’s world…but a phenomenal job she did indeed. 𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑻𝒐 𝑫𝒊𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓 was my FAVORITE April book and a strong contender to my top 2024 books. What I appreciated most with this book was that Lori penned the entire story with the mindset of women uplifting other women, and at no point in the book does the tone get fitness preachy. The ending was 💋chef’s kiss💋 and will go down among my absolute favorites of some badass female empowerment! I can’t wait to read Lori’s future books!

A thriller turn at weight and the weight obsessed.

Gemma is the best before and after. Once obese, she is now a bikini model. She's a paid influencer that helps promote her brand and her body, but all the while "Fat Gemma" is in the back of her mind, and she's hungry.

Ashley is frustrated at all attempt at losing weight. She soon meets Lydia and joins a activism group against diet culture.

This is unique thriller on a very interesting topic. It's insightful, it's interesting and it's easily relatable for anyone who has ever been on a diet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

In the recesses of her mind, Gemma is always “Fat Gemma”, even though she now has rock-hard abs and is an up-and-coming fitness trainer who represents REIGN fitness company and competes in body-building competitions. Yes, she is often over-extended and exhausted, and her coach pushes her too hard, but it’s all worth it…right? Ashley is a talented software engineer with her own consulting business. But she is very plus-sized in a world that tells her every day that she is too large, takes up too much space and needs to lose weight. Ashley finally finds acceptance in an elite and secret group of warrior-women who push back against diet and fitness culture. But Ashley isn’t sure what she has gotten herself into, when people in the diet and fitness world start getting killed and the leader of the group, Lydia, is acting in a suspicious manner. Gemma and Ashley’s opposing worlds are about to collide, and they better figure out who they can really trust, because things are about to get deadly.

This fascinating novel is more than a thriller. Throughout the story, the author deftly explores important issues such as societal judgment and condemnation of body size; the toxicity of diet and fitness culture; and the exploitation of vulnerable people by charismatic and influential leaders on both sides of the issue. The treatment of the fitness versus ‘fat acceptance’ culture is very even-handed and important to the understanding of the characters and storyline. While it tackles important social issues, the core of the story is still a whodunnit with several plausible culprits. It is a quick and enjoyable read – recommended for thriller readers who enjoy short chapters, a quick pace and multiple POV. Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the copy to read.

Lori Brand’s gripping debut thriller pulls back the curtain on the dark side of the world of female bikini fitness competitions. A cutthroat and ugly underbelly lurks just under the sparkly veneer of sequins, spray tans, and 5-inch heels. Where competitors flash dazzling practiced smiles while they stab each other in the back. Sounds like hyperbole… until someone starts killing the competitors one by one.

Meanwhile, Ashley is on the other side of the never-ending conversation about women’s bodies. She’s overweight and unhappy about it when she gets sucked into the fat activism movement. But what starts as body positivity, empowerment, and railing against diet culture soon takes a sinister turn, and Ashley may be in deeper than she bargained for.

This book was already on my list of highly anticipated summer thrillers, so I cracked the spine the second the ARC hit my shelf and proceeded to devour it in record time! Twisty, turny, and totally bingeable, I couldn’t get enough of this clever thriller! Multiple POVs, short chapters, and snappy prose had me racing through the pages! This behind-the-scenes look at body building competitions is dished up with drama, suspense, murder, and deliciously catty infighting among fitness influencers. Skillfully interwoven along the way is timely and pointed social commentary about the unrelenting toxic messaging around women’s bodies. I highly recommend this thoroughly entertaining and insightful read!

This was an intense psychological thriller which has two FMC fighting against each other. Gemma who use to be overweight and is now competing in a bikini body building competition but struggles to keep Fat Gemma out of her head. Gemma is a social media diva with a huge following and sharing with others how to get fit.

Ashley is overweight and struggling with self acceptance until she meets Lydia. Lydia has her join her group and use her skills to fight against the fitness industry. Lydia has a plan of her own.

This book was unique in that it sheds light on diet, fitness industry, social media and what society deems is acceptable. It really plays up how quick we are to judge others by what we see on the outside.

Someone is killing off the competition one by one. I couldn't figure out who the killer was.

I really enjoyed this book for the multiple points of views, drama, cat fights, and the fast pace and that it was completely unique and unpredictable. I can't recommend this one enough.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Bodies to Die For by Lori Brand is a multi-POV contemporary thriller exploring the world of fat acceptance, body shaming, and the world of bodybuilding and fitness. When Ashley meets Lydia, a leader of an organization for fat acceptance, she starts assisting in bringing down multiple fitness experts who are known to the public. Meanwhile, bodybuilder Gemma is struggling in her crumbling marriage and fighting off her desire to eat like she used to when she was fat. When Ashley starts commenting on Gemma’s Instagram posts, the two’s stories intertwine more and more.

What I thought Lori Brand did really well was be open about how people discuss fatness and express their fatphobia in a variety of ways. From Craig and his brand REIGN being designed to exclusively be worn by thin women to how different POVs express their personal opinions towards anyone who isn’t thin to Ashley’s mother stating she’s worried about Ashley’s health, it shines a very bright light on how we discuss other people’s bodies. Brand also takes us into the POV of a young man who harasses young women and is obsessed with Gemma in a very uncomfortable way and sexualizes her workout videos. It’s not comfortable, but it is honest.

Another thing I liked was how Ashley and Gemma both go on journeys of strength over fitness/thinness. I think that’s a great journey for anyone to go on, whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual strength and I liked seeing how that was presented in Bodies to Die For because Ashley and Gemma have both been fat and are in different places in their lives.

The look into bodybuilding is something I think people who are curious about the community and competitions will find enlightening. The extreme nutritional choices to achieve a specific kind of body for the competition (many of Gemma’s POV chapters open with her calorie, carb, and fat counts) get a decent amount of spotlight as does how much fitness experts on social media rely on sponsorships and clients and algorithms.

Content warning for potentially triggering content regarding eating disorders, depictions of fatphobia, and sexualization of women in fitness spaces.

I would recommend this to readers looking a thriller exploring aspects of social media, fans of the bodybuilding world looking for a thriller also speaking for body positivity, and those looking for a multi-POV thriller that does get you up close with some of the darker parts of social media.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Calorie Burning Stars !

This is a suspense thriller with an important message !

" Is the perfect Body really worth dying for ?"

"I get closer and closer. Colder and Colder.She pops the lollipop out of her mouth. Her red lips form a perfect O. Then blood spews out like a fire hose..."

This book definitely had me thinking and had a different twist for a suspense novel based on woman's body building in the diet culture world. This book will not be for everyone and I must strongly warn my followers about some trigger warnings around body image, fat shaming and the diet culture.

Read this book if you like:
* Multiple POV's
* Unstable Characters
* Scandalous Characters
* Great narrative
* Social Media and Hackers
* Mystery & Murder
*Short Chapters

Bodies to Die For is a fast paced read that centers around fitness and bikini bodybuilding where Gemma has transformed her body from Fat Gemma into a work of art and has a huge following on social media and is a fitness trainer , but quickly we learn this industry is full of corruption and danger . People are dying all around us and it leaves Gemma wondering if she is next ?

The author did an exemplary job of depicting the rawness and ugly side to bodybuilding competition and makes you step back and question why is there so much Vanity in this world ?? I think Lori's writing was very well done and she really stuck to the narrative and had a lot of twists and laughable moments along with a few eye rolls making this book also humorous at times!

I would definitely read more from this author , I still can't believe this is a debut novel !!

Thank you so much Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing and Lori Brand for this fun Digital ARC!

Respectfully Another Read by Angie

In my rubbernecking internet drama I've occasionally peeked with fascination into the body positive/fat acceptance sides of social media so it was fun to see this topic tackled in fiction form! I think the modern thriller is the perfect genre for tackling very of-the-moment phenomena while dialing up the drama to 11, and Bodies To Die For did that pretty well. Any sort of in-group based on defensive attitudes certainly has the potential to get super culty and this book teased out that possibility to a pretty believable conclusion. I'd be so interested to hear the perspectives of people in both of these communities after reading this.

Where this book failed for me was the ending twist with the two main characters, which was far, far, FAR too coincidental to be believable, and to me didn't even feel necessary. I would have liked to have seen the MCs come together for internal rather than external reasons so that character development could really hit, you know?

Anyway - Lori Brand, do you also watch Michelle McDaniel's YouTube channel?!

My thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This review has been posted on Goodreads and Instagram

Brief Summary-
This psychological thriller centers around Gemma who was once “over weight” and now is now competing in a bikini competition. You follow Gemma as she gets ready for her completion but she can’t get “fat Gemma” out of head and she thinks “Fat Gemma” is going to ruin her chances to win. But when all the other fit models are being murder around her, Gemma fears she might be next.

What To Expect-
🔆Multiple POVs
🔆Unhinged Ladies Behaving Badly

Content Warnings
🔆Eating Disorders
🔆Fat Shaming
🔆Binging & Purging
🔆Stalking


My Thoughts-
This was an interesting thriller. I dont think I ever heard or read a book centered around female body builders. So it was fun to read, I think I enjoyed it because of course it was filled with drama. Just picture a bunch of girls that dont like each other in one room competing…. Then add some murder to the mix and you have yourself a fun little page turner. I was definitely guessing whodunnit till the very last chapter. I kept going back in forth with a few suspect. But everyone in this book had a motive. I think so parts fell flat for me but still and enjoyable read.

I would recommend this book to the right audience.

Playlist-
🔆Psycho- Taylor Acorn
🔆All American Bitch- Olivia Rodrigo
🔆Nightmares- Halsey
🔆Gives You Hell- All American Rejects
🔆Ignorance- Paramore
🔆Good 4 u- Selena Gomez
🔆Vigilante Shit- Taylor Swift
🔆Wishing You Hell-Taylor Acorn
🔆Get Well Soon- Ariana Grande
🔆Bejeweled- Taylor Swift
🔆Brave- Sara Bareilies

I was really excited to read this book and I wanted to love but it fell a little short for me.
Thank you netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

From morbidly obese to bikini fitness competitor, Gemma appears to be the ultimate weight loss success story. Her biggest rival at her next competition turns up dead… Is she guilty? Love this novel so much, so many twists. I was hooked from the very beginning.

✨arc review✨

Friends, I wanted to wait until closer to Pub Day to post this, but I got too excited. Mark your calendars for June 11th!

Congrats to Lori Brand (@loribrandwritesandlifts) on an awesome debut! As a person who has spent years in the fitness and nutrition world, I connected with this book immediately. I didn’t know what to expect from two of my favorite things (fitness and thrillers) combining, and I ended up loving it.

Bodies to Die For felt like the messiness of reality TV + the over-the-top satirical elements of Heathers + some thought-provoking themes about the fitness world and the gross aspects of social media. Brand doesn’t hold back in any of the perspectives presented in this book, and I found it refreshing. I was thoroughly entertained while at times zoning out thinking about it all.

Having spent time at a variety of points on the health and fitness spectrum, I understand you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You’re judged no matter where you fall, especially if you’re broadcasting your journey on the internet. I’m curious to see how this book is received by the reading community. I hope people are able to see it and embrace it for exactly what it is. I’m putting all my supportive vibes out into the world that other readers connect with Brand’s ultimately positive message.

Overall, I loved this fast-paced whodunnit! I know no book is perfect, but it was perfect for me. I connected with the messaging, the voice, and the familiarity of each character. Even if fitness influencer murders and body positivity gangs don’t sound like your cup of tea, I think everyone can relate to this book in some way.

⭐️RATING⭐️: I loved it! (5⭐️)

After reading all the rave reviews about this one, I was so excited to read it. I loved the first third of the book it was so addictive and gripping, but then it just started falling flat for me unfortunately. It was still really interesting and definitely an original storyline.

What an amazing debut from Lori Brand! I honestly inhaled this in almost one sitting and needed to know how it was all going to unfold. I absolutely loved how the author's real-life experience was part of this twisty thriller with multiple POVs, navigating the world of body building competitions and the societal pressures of the "ideal" body. A wild ride of obsession and murder. I can't wait to see what this author does next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an early copy.

It started off well but fell a bit flat for me, unfortunately. The first third of the novel is very entertaining and gripping. And it was unhinged in a very pleasant way from the beginning to the end. However, I did not appreciate the male characters and what they brought to the story. Some of the female characters were very interesting and enough for the story to be captivating. Ashley was probably my favorite. And some elements of the story disconnected me from the murder plot. Aside from that, it was an interesting read, and definitely one that was unique.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn't for me. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

3.5 rounded up to a 4. I really liked the premise of this book-- I thought that it was a very original plot, and liked how the multi-POV worked out. I think I would've liked it a little bit more if it had just stuck with the Ashley/Gemma POVs, which were the most engaging and felt like they were giving me the most throughout the whole book. I thought I had an idea of what the ending would be when I started it, but there were way more layers than I thought there would be, which was a pleasant surprise. I've read a couple thrillers recently that didn't really do it for me, but felt like this one kept me engaged the whole time, and I was very invested to see who the killer was.

My only complaints were that sometimes the writing was a tad too choppy, and I felt like the extra POVs didn't always contribute much.

I definitely would recommend this book to others!

I really enjoyed the psychological thriller feel to this book. It had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the psychological thriller. The characters were everything that I wanted and thought the characters were everything that I wanted. I thought this had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the use of social media. Lori Brand has a great writing style and can't wait for more.

Wow. This was an insightful, twisty, addicting ride! The author showed the dangerous sides of being obsessed with weight and the mental gymnastics you endure when you aren't satisfied with the way the world views your body. I really loved this! I will be buying the physical copy for my bookshelf when this comes out!