If you need a tabloid gossip fix - this book is for you! The context of the book was very believable - the court case of a celebrity marriage imploding. The read is fast and usually holds the reader’s attention. I really appreciated how social media and TikTok were incorporated as that is unfortunately so relevant for today’s time. I found the ending somewhat unsurprising and that left me with a bit of a “meh” feeling towards the book. Overall an entertaining read but one that will be easily forgotten. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Rhiannon Barnsley for the ARC in exchange for the review. I’m confident this book will be gobbled up by many! Rounded up to 3.5 stars

This novel captivated me entirely; it drew me in, seated me firmly within its narrative, and refused to release its hold—and I was more than willing to remain ensnared. Rhiannon is swiftly ascending my list of indispensable authors.

The narrative centers on two protagonists whose lives occupy the relentless glare of celebrity culture: Ethan, a television actor, and his wife Tori, a renowned pop star. Predictably, yet compellingly, the veneer of glamour deteriorates. One evening, under the influence of alcohol, Tori divulges a revelation with catastrophic consequences. The insinuation of Ethan’s infidelity is not merely scandalous—it is explicitly prohibited by the contractual terms that govern his public persona. (One cannot help but wonder—must integrity truly be contractually mandated for men? Perhaps that is best left unanswered.)

The ramifications are immediate and devastating: Ethan loses his career, his sponsorships, and virtually every facet of his carefully curated image. Confronted with ruin, he retaliates by challenging Tori in court, initiating a public and deeply personal battle.

Concurrently, the novel interweaves a seemingly disparate narrative thread: Riley, a podcaster, is consumed by the search for her sister, who vanished in London a year prior. The question of how Riley’s private tragedy intersects with the spectacle of Ethan and Tori’s imploding marriage propels the narrative with remarkable tension. The convergence of these storylines is both unexpected and deftly executed, compelling the reader to persist until every connection is revealed.

This work is exceptional in its construction. The plot is meticulously crafted, the pacing precise, and the revelations strategically delivered to sustain an atmosphere of inexorable suspense. Rhiannon demonstrates a masterful command of narrative architecture and reader engagement; she knew precisely where she intended to lead me—and I had no choice but to follow. The result is a novel executed with remarkable sophistication and acuity.

a thriller that reveals so many thrilling layers. this book took me in, sat me down and refused to let me leave. and i was happy to do so!Rhiannon is scooting up there to be a go-to author of mine.
our two main characters are those we see lots in the celebrity columns and dare i say it the side bar of doom(iykyk) we have TV star Ethan and his wife the pop star Tori.
but rightly or wrongly like with many of these characters things take a turn. drastically. when one night Tori reveals something when she is a bit drunk. this isn't good. not at all. Ethan, an affair? not in his contract it not!(god, do men really need contracts to be respectable...no wait dont answer that) but yeh, the result is losing his job, his deals, well basically everything. so Ethan bites back and fight back in the courtroom against Tori.
but alongside this there is something else weaving through. a pod caster Riley is missing someone. her sister. she went missing a year before in London. so what does she have to do with this story? why is her story included in this book? well read my friends, read on...
this book was brilliant. it was so smart. the plot was tight and i was gripped to it. Rhiannon new exactly where she was taking me, where she wanted to take me and i had no choice but to follow. she executed this to perfection.

This was a really quick read as once you start, you won't want to put it down.

A very contemporary court case focusing on defamation between an estranged Hollywood couple (think Depp/Heard) with the added intrigue of a missing woman.

Worth reading

This reads like a book full of social media posts/a gossip magazine.
While some will find it entertaining/suspenseful, this just didn't do it for me.
Thank you NetGally and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I am so glad I didn’t give up on this book. It seemed to start very slowly and I was just trying to get through it because I wanted to know the ending but each page was dragging. I was so close to a DNF BUT we pushed through and I am so glad I did.

I think in the current climate of celebrity gossip, Tik Tok and 24/7 news in the palms of our hands, this book will appeal to a wide range of people. The book itself reads as a gossip magazine a reminds me a lot of the Depp V Heard trial, the media was working around the clock and Tik Tok never tested.

It did have a bit of a gone girl vibe for a second there. This book spoke to the Hollywood drama/true crime podcast/channel fan in me in the end and I enjoyed it. I would say that I started enjoying it at about 20% of the way through which is a bit TOO far into a book but I’m glad I waited it out.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the gifted ARC of this addictive, up-all-night thriller by Rhiannon Barnsley.

Reading Slander felt like binge-watching a gripping true crime TV series—you know you should stop after one episode, but you just can’t. That was me: one more chapter, one more chapter… goodbye, sleep.

At its core, Slander is a high-stakes defamation trial between a Hollywood heartthrob and his pop star wife. Think celebrity scandal meets courtroom drama—with a twist of true crime. The tension builds rapidly and just when you think you've figured it out, another bombshell drops.

The first half, focused on the televised trial, is especially vivid—it plays out cinematically, practically begging for a TV adaptation.

It’s the perfect summer read: dramatic, fast-paced, and full of scandalous twists. You won’t be able to put it down !

This was such a good read with a very current premise. I think everyone if they were honest will say that they have watched a celebrity trial on TV or social media, whether that be a criminal trial like OJ Simpson or ones such as Depp V Heard or the Wagatha Christie trial.
I will happily hold my hands up and say I have watched all 3 of those and more besides and so this read was so interesting and I devoured it.

In the current climate of being able to watch celebrity trials live on tiktok, this felt very appropriate and accurate. I enjoyed it, it felt relateable enough to the trials ive watched to really believe what was happening and its just a quick, easy read! Granted if you arent into celeb gossip and scandals and such then it might not be your vibe but I love all that so I was hooked

Read like a celebrity gossip mag or review of celebrity real life shows and unfortunately a dnf for me. Just find celebrity related blurb tiresome and overall boring. Many might say I've missed out but no I don't think I have.

Slander by Rhiannon Barnsley is such a page-turner!

This book has everything: juicy celebrity secrets, a twisty courtroom battle, and a missing person mystery that'll keep you guessing.

I loved how it explored the dark side of fame and social media, making it so relatable and scary!

The blank chapters were so eerily good. Nice touch!!

I flipped back and forth between theories - what was truth and what was lie?!

The ending was definitely a 'chefs kiss' moment

This is a gripping intense thriller with amazing characters and a really good plot.

There is glamour and what makes this different from other genres is that the author has written a modern tale that has a feel of reality.

Riley is a podcaster and is trying to find her missing sister and there is also a Hollywood couple who are involved in a separation that ends in court.

I loved this book and it is a book that is perfect for your next holiday read.

I loved the twists and it is a pacy read that charges forward and I was hooked from the very start,,

the perfect one sit read...

With many thanks to Grace Edwards and Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
The Clique was a fabulous debut by Rhiannon Barnsley and her second book is equally as good. Every time I put this book down I wanted to pick it up again. It's gritty, nicely formatted with the social media content and the pace is on point. Tori and Ethan are embroiled in a court case, Riley is trying to find her missing sister and as their worlds collide it makes for a gripping and addictive read. Some good twists in this very engaging well written story and Ms Barnsley has firmly put herself on my go to author list. 4.5⭐️

The headline says courtroom thriller, but it is a lot more than that. A quick thrilling read with so many twists and turns:! A celebrity couple in the midst of a huge lawsuit and cheating scandal. Pretty normal right, But nothing is at it seems! I enjoyed this read although didn’t particularly like any of the characters.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

2 superstars meet and fall in love , the same 2 superstars fall out of love and end up in court with the court case of the century . Who is telling the truth and who will win the case. In the middle of this court case debacle is an American crime blogger whose sister has gone missing in London in very suspicious circumstances ,she has been secretly informed that her sisters disappearance is connected to the 2 superstars currently in court. This becomes a tangled web of lies and deception and the American will stop at nothing to find her missing sister.
This is a fast paced book and it’s hard to dislike any of the characters who tell their own version of their story.
4 stars

In an effort to keep the case of her missing sister in the public eye, Riley becomes a true-crime podcaster. A mystery follower lures her to London to cover a celebrity defamation trial by hinting the case will reveal what happened to her twin.
Hollywood actor Ethan is suing his British popstar wife Tori for slander after she whispered in the wrong ear that her husband was having an affair. With a morality clause in his contract, Ethan lost his staring role in a lucrative film franchise.
How can this possibly connect with the disappearance of Riley's twin?
A celebrity defamation trial a la Johnny and Amber, a true-crime podcast, a media frenzy and a missing woman - the complex plot is deftly handled.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Upon publication, I will post my review on my blog and on GoodReads.

Slander is an absolutely fabulous book. The two main characters of Ethan and Tori are really well written and the story moved along at a good pace.
5 stars from me!

Hollywood drama , social media drama and ego . This book has it all . Fast pace and gripping and a good twist towards the end . Good holiday read would recommend

Hollywood Scandal..
Hollywood scandal, egos, a media circus, secrets and lies in this courtroom drama with multiple layers. As golden couple, Ethan and Tori, go to battle the whole world is watching as their dirty laundry is aired. As the case intensifies and battle lines drawn what else will come out with the wash? Pacy, engaging and entertaining.

I have to admit, I hesitated at first about whether or not to read this book, simply because English is not my native language and I was afraid I wouldn’t understand all the legal terms and might miss parts of the story because of it. But the blurb intrigued me so much that I decided to take the leap — and what a good decision that turned out to be!

Yes, the story revolves around a court case, but it’s written in such a way that it’s easy to follow for everyone. The main focus is on the celebrity couple and how, with the help of their legal teams, they try to outsmart each other and prove they’re in the right. And of course, since they’re constantly trying to tear each other down, it’s hard to pick a side. You’re always doubting whether to believe Tori or Ethan, because with each secret that’s revealed, your loyalty is pulled back and forth between them.

The story also shines a light on how celebrities often lead double lives and can turn out to be very different people on- and off-camera. Some choose to present themselves differently because they value their privacy — which is absolutely their right — while others use that facade as the perfect cover to hide a darker side.

And then there’s Riley, desperately searching for her missing sister. An anonymous tip leads her to suspect that the answers might be found here too.

This is an incredibly gripping book that kept me turning the pages. The writing style is excellent, and the story is absolutely delicious. It perfectly reflects the power of (social) media.

The characters were all brilliantly developed, and I loved the twist at the end — though I personally wouldn’t have minded if it had hit even harder. :)

This was my first book by this author, but I can already say with full confidence that I’ll be adding all of her past and future work to my must-read list.
5 stars, without a doubt.

Thank you!