A solid beach read.

I read Bodies To Die For by Lori Brand in basically one sitting while relaxing on the beach. I liked the changing perspectives a lot - it really kept up the pace. I also wasn't totally sure where the plot would go, which is always a plus.

One major theme is that restrictive eating is bad, but there's a lot of mention of dieting, counting macros, and body fixation along the way. It wasn't triggering for me personally (I think in part because of the way it's written), but I appreciated the content warning at the beginning of the book and would recommend reading with care if these are tough issues for you.

I read this one before my eyes before being approved for the audio on NetGalley, but I sampled a few chapters of the audio and thought Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel were all well cast - I particularly liked the tone each of them brought to their characters. (Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the free ALC of the same!)

A fun and fresh take on a serial killer thriller paired with social commentary on the fitness and diet industry. The audio was very well done, with multiple narrators reading for the different POVs. Another strength of this story was that all of the suspects all had legitimate motives. This made it really fun to ride along as the truth unfolded.

Trigger warnings for those who are sensitive to discussions about calories, dieting, body image, etc.

⚠️⚠️ DISORDERED EATING, BODY DYSMORPHIA, AND RELATED CONDITIONS⚠️⚠️

I find the fitness competition world so interesting! I have never competed, but love watching those who do and to get a mystery with it, AMAZING! I am also a boxer and lover thrillers so this was a no brainer! I loved that this book focused on such a serious topic, I think it would make a great bookclub pick! The audio had moments when you could tell it was edited together, but it didn’t take away from the story.

At times, the book was tough to listen to as the characters picked themselves apart and criticized themselves

🏋🏻 Fitness Competitions
🏋🏻 Multiple POV’s
🏋🏻 Social Media Influence
🏋🏻 Twisty Mystery
🏋🏻 Short Chapters

OMG why did you have to make Andrew so real and make it all so detailed?!
I was cringing.
I loved the different perspectives and the fun ending. It was nice to have a little something wholesome after reading Andrew's parts.
The narration was perfect for all the roles! I was enthralled with the entire book even though I don't do fitness or fatness. I just roll with whatever my body wants whenever. I have the confidence of a mediocre man.

Gemma was a “before picture” until she transformed herself into a popular fitness influencer. In her successful new life she has a hot husband, corporate sponsorships, and is striving to win the Bikini Olympia to elevate her career to the next level. But the pressure is ON because “Fat Gemma” is always lurking, reminding New Gemma that she’s starving, her hot husband is a total knucklehead, and now her fellow Olympiad competitors and other fitness ladies are being murdered. Meanwhile… Ashley is a fat lady who is frustrated and fed up because living in the world is fucking exhausting for fat ladies. She caves to her trash mom’s pressure and goes in for a bariatric surgery consultation, where she meets Lydia - a radical Fat Activist who opens Ashley’s eyes and changes her life.

Overall I really liked this book! It was super fast-paced and wildly unhinged, and I loved the short chapters and constantly changing POVs — there was never a dull moment. It was so fun waiting to see exactly how Ashley and Gemma were going to collide - plus there’s a gross incel guy who is obsessed with Gemma lurking around and a wackadoo influencer wanna-be named Kylie and a bunch of other side characters all swirling around and adding their voices to the utter chaos.

I did have a few issues with the book that are impossible to talk about without spoilers, so I will just say this was entertaining AF and completely bananas and would be a great beach/pool/vacation read/listen! (3.5 rounded up)

Being an active member of the bookstagram community and the fitness IG this was definitely the perfect audiobook for me! I listened while walking or working out! This book had such relevant topics! Women are always striving to look their best no matter what it takes and there's always haters on the 'Gram! It was the perfect fitness thriller! Who is killing off bikini competitors? Read/listen to this book to find out! I enjoyed Gemma's story and could feel for her at the beginning of her chapters when her macros were listed(been there done that!) Thank you Blackstone Publishing, Netgalley, and Thrillerbookloversthepulse for the audio to listen and review!

This was such a twisted, fun, and wild ride!! I loved the audio for this. I did struggle with POV's at some points but overall this was such a great read! I suspected literally everyone!

Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for having me on this tour!

This was a thriller that I wasn’t expecting that I needed in my life. And I’m glad it graced me with its presence. I saw some of my trusted peeps post about it, and we spoke in group chats about recent books about recent books we read and Bodies to Die For has come up. Now I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t read full reviews because I wanted to go in blind. And so happy I did!

This was a unique thriller. Unlike any I’ve read before. Following the need to be fit and diet culture, possible surgery and diet pills and body competitions , to fighting diet culture and being body positive, this book shows the impact of both and offers perspectives. I loved the cast of characters and my suspects kept piling up like bodies, but was able to start ticking them off one by one, and bout lost my mind when the killer was revealed! It was an extremely fun read for a thriller! And this is a book y’all need to add to your summer reading!

𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝘿𝙞𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧
Lori Brand
Narrators: Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, Joe Hempel
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing (Audiobooks)
Release date: 11 June 2024

𝘉𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳 plunges readers into the high-stakes world of female bodybuilding, fitness influencing, and body image obsession.

The novel follows the lives of Gemma Jorgensen, a model, fitness influencer and bikini bodybuilder with a seemingly perfect life, and Ashley, a software engineer caught in the throes of body dissatisfaction and diet culture. Before their paths meet at the prestigious Bikini Olympia bodybuilding competition, a chain of ominous events occur. Is there a “fit girl” killer leaving a trail of bodies behind them? And, if so, have they marked their next victim?

Gemma’s transformation to a celebrated influencer is fraught with internal conflicts and external pressures, revealing the dichotomy between her online persona and her true self. Ashley’s journey is equally compelling, as she grapples with societal expectations. Her life takes a turn when she joins a group of radical Fat Activists, finding a new sense of purpose and belonging.

Lori Brand’s writing is sharp and incisive, with short chapters that maintain a snappy pace. Her use of alternating perspectives, mostly those of Gemma and Ashley, allow readers to empathize with both protagonists.

She brings authenticity to the narrative with her own background as a fitness instructor and former bodybuilder.

𝘉𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳 tackles the pervasive issues of society’s and social media’s influence on self-image, the insidious nature of diet culture, and the objectification of women’s bodies. Brand doesn’t shy away from exposing the harsh realities of the fitness industry and the psychological impact of striving for a barely attainable ideal.

Narrators, Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel, bring this murder mystery to life, offering listeners an absorbing experience as they navigate the twists and turns of the plot.

Thank you @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for the ALC.

I never thought I would be reading a thriller based around having the perfect body but here we are. Fitness influencers begin dropping like flies when someone seems to be on the warpath. Why is he targeting these women?

This book was excellent on audio! It wasn't too long, had short chapters that kept me intrigued and had me itching to find out what was happening. It was cleverly written with slight humour and that ending made the ride worthwhile! Kudos to Lori Brand for such a solid debut! I look forward to reading what she writes next.

Bodies to Die For sent me back to my high school days where all girls wanted was to be the best and most beautiful . The concept of using the fitness world was a fun and a new take on this crazy competition world we all live in . Highly recommend!

I’m always up for a thriller and throw in that it’s an audiobook and I’m in heaven.

This one reminds me of my working out days in my 20s. I was never a competitor or influencer but it was an everyday thing.

This is a new twist on the women behaving badly genre. Instead of rich women, this is in the fitness industry and influencers are competing to win a bikini competition. It’s not only a whodunnit but a little bit of a commentary on what is fit and what size is acceptable in today’s society.

It was a unique listen. All the women are super catty and super judgmental and I’m not sure I liked any of the characters but it made me nostalgic for my days at the gym.

The backstabbing and oneupmanship muddled the waters in me figuring out the mystery. I was guessing who and why until the very end.

Narrated by Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel, I was drawn into the fitness world and felt the tension. The multiple narrators made it easy to follow the story yet obviously not easy to pick out the killer.

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ⭐️
BODIES TO DIE FOR
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: thriller
📖 350 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 💪🏼😱👙🥊🚔🕵🏻‍♂️💀🏋🏼‍♀️🍰💣
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 6/12/2024

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱? 👍🏼

❤️𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲❤️

Thank you @loribrandwritesandlifts @blackstonepublishing for the #gifted copy!! @thrillerbookloversthepulse is reading & raving about this one for a reason!

Oo this was a thrilling one! Told from multiple POV, the narrative keeps you guessing with numerous suspects & motives. The online trolls & bullying add complexity to the suspect list, & the gripping opening chapter immediately pulls you in.

The story, centered around the world of bodybuilding, stands out with its unique plot. Themes of starting over, twists, sabotage, stalkers, & revenge make it an exciting & unpredictable journey.

There are definitely some trigger warnings to check out below 👇🏼.

⚠️ eating disorder, body dysmorphia, binge eating

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ body building
◽️ multiple POV
◽️ revenge & sabotage
◽️ twist after twist
◽️ lots of suspects

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Fitness influencer Gemma has it all online but struggles with the harsh realities of bikini bodybuilding & a hidden enemy. Software engineer Ashley is tired of societal pressures & joins a radical Fat Activist group, finding new purpose. Both women's paths are set to cross at the Olympia bodybuilding competition. As competitors start dying, it becomes clear that the body image battle is deadly. Their collision at the Olympia will determine their futures.

Listening to this thriller was quite an experience. The mix of elements like exercising, bodybuilding, eating disorders, and murder made for a gripping narrative. With every paragraph, I found myself pulled deeper into the story, feeling the intensity of each character's journey firsthand.

The exploration of body image issues hit close to home, as I could relate to the struggles portrayed in the audio. It was raw and unfiltered, shedding light on a topic often overlooked in mainstream media. Each paragraph delved into the psyche of the characters, revealing their inner turmoil and vulnerabilities.

And when the murder plotline emerged, I was hooked. The suspense built with each paragraph, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I tried to piece together the clues alongside the protagonist. Every twist and turn in the plot had me eagerly awaiting the next revelation, and the resolution was both satisfying and unexpected.

This experience was a rollercoaster of emotions and suspense. The characters felt real, their struggles palpable, and the storyline kept me engaged from beginning to end. It's a testament to the author's skill that they could seamlessly blend such disparate elements into a cohesive and compelling narrative.

I absolutely loved this book. The twists were insane. I was worried that this book would focus too much on working out, having the perfect body etc. But, it didn’t! It showed that being strong is the most important part. If you love your body and feel good that is what matters.

I LOVED this murder mystery thriller! This book was better than I expected! Perfect ending and awesome TWIST!

Someone is killing fitness influencers… and everyone is scared that they could be next. It’s fat versus fit in this dramatic thriller!

Perfect for fans of Megan Miranda! You will NOT regret checking this book out!

This is a thriller unlike any I’ve read. Gemma is a fitness influencer and body builder, but she didn’t always have the body she has now. When her industry rival was found dead, a whole whirlwind of secrets unravel. At the same time we have Ashley, a plus-size girl who is out to destroy the diet culture, but when she joins an activist group she realizes she may be in deeper than she bargained for. This story was full of suspense and had SO MANY realistic suspects, but at the same time it was also a social commentary on weight and what healthy should look like. I loved how the author blended the two and skillfully weaved together the many points of view. The narration by Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel and was hard to put the book down!

Read if you like:
-Psych thrillers
-Short chapters
-Underlying humor
-Body image themes

Thank you Blackstone for the gifted copy!!

This thriller debut is so unique and wild! I was hooked from page one and I couldn’t devour it fast enough. This gave insight on what fitness folks deal with on a daily based and let me tell you I don’t have that kind of will power, but it was so moving and inspirational. While there was bread crumbs sprinkled though, my mind was going in ten directions trying to figure out who the killer was and man would I have never figured it out.

I listened to the audiobook and there were times where I did not want to stop. I loved the narration but the POV for Ashley was difficult at times due to the speaking volume and the tone. But that didn’t take away from my enjoyment!

I can’t wait to see what Brand comes up with next and I have to thank her so much for getting me an eARC! I highly recommend this book but before you grab it make sure to check out the trigger warning.

****Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing, Lori Brand, and Kaye Publicity for my gifted copies!

Bodies To Die For is a fantastic thriller that dives deep into the complex nature of body shaming and body image. The opposite ends of the spectrum are handled well, from focusing on body positivity and body acceptance, to the extremes of the fit culture. And the mystery of who has committed murders, with the combined pressure of who may try to kill one of the main characters, creates a propulsive plot and compelling read.

I think the POVs were done extremely well, with the two main characters in first person, and additional multiple POVs in third. This is such a clever way to present the story.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which had multiple narrators and was done well. I listened at 2x speed for this audiobook (with my normal audiobook listening speed 1.75x - 2x speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced audiobook copy.

Bodies to Die For by Lori Brandi
Did I pick this audiobook to listen to based on the cover? Yes, yes I did. (I mean…how clever is allusion of the male and female bodies in their skimpy swimwear and how they connect to each other along with the stunning color combination?!) Did I also pick this audiobook to listen to based on the title? Also, a solid yes. Was I pleasantly surprised at the plot line and character interactions? Yep to that as well. The story is told from multiple points of view of people involved in the fitness world-from Gemma, a bikini fitness competitor, to Ashley, a plus sized women fighting against the fat shaming culture, to Andrew, am Instagram troller/stalker with unhealthy online relationships. Although I was able to see the twist coming, the premise of the thriller was intriguing and one I haven’t encountered before. There were three narrators for the audio with some voicing more than one character (that got a bit confusing and isn’t a preference for me.)
3.75 stars