Give me a thriller featuring influencers and I will scoop it right up. Syndey, the ultimate IT girl and a few friends are invited to an exclusive and secluded retreat in the Catskills to create content. While it starts out promising, a snow storm traps them in, the Wi-fi cuts out, and the deaths/murders start piling up. I believe this is a debut thriller form Tanya Grant and it is a great one. Fast pasted, kept me turning the pages, and unending twists. Will be recommending to my thriller loving friends.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of Made You Look. A group of influencers posting content at a secluded retreat gets snowed in with no cell service and a possible murderer on the loose - what's not to love for a mystery reader? The beginning of this book was captivating, with its portrayal of toxic relationships and the revelation of secrets each guest was hiding. However, around the halfway mark, this book lost its stride. The story was very muddled, and the pacing made me lose interest, so I considered DNFing. Although I did finish this book, I agree with other reviewers that Made You Look can be forgettable, especially for readers whose main genre is mystery/thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to review Made You Look. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I put this one down at 22%

It starts off really intense with a breast, cancer surgery, and a near death experience. Very extreme.

Then we have no less than six characters that were introduced to through multiple point of views. One of my biggest pet peeves with thrillers in particular is making too many characters.

I also really did not like how every single chapter had to start with fundamentally understanding how an influencers job works. I don’t think the reader cares that deeply about how the influencer is making their money or how they’re taking photos. I think the average person understands how that all works and it’s just unnecessary. I understand that they are likely going to do several things before taking photos. I don’t need to know all the intricate details like they’re shaking champagne bottles before taking the photo for extra drama fuzz, and counting down. This is all such filler to me.

They’re just seem to be so much fluff in this like I know that they’re gonna check into the hotel and there was so much telling over showing too?

I also really did not like the characters, especially someone looking down on someone else for going to a thrift store and I know that that was probably intentional for us to not like the character based on that but that irked me to a different level.

None of these characters are likable for the most part, which makes it really hard to root for them.

It’s overly emphasized that they are the first people that will be staying at this resort and that it’s a big deal and that they are taking photos and I cannot sit through hundreds of pages of that I will get into a book lump. It felt like trying to watch reality tv with only recaps and b roll and filler.

The first 20% I was really hoping would be more focused on them heading to this influencer retreat and it was just really depressing:
-There’s a break up.
-There’s a dog that has to say goodbye. It isn’t dying but still.

There’s just so much that was seemingly unnecessarily sad for a thriller, and it didn’t really seem to add to the plot and mind you I only made it to 20%, but I still don’t understand how those things would add to apply besides give a character dimension which, if you’re going to do that, you do not need to pull from really really dark spots.

This covers cool I like the pink font, but I did not enjoy this one unfortunately.

There were no characters to root for yet way too many characters at the same time. There was too much repetition about the fact that they are in fact, influencers, and a little details of things that they’re doing which I do not fundamentally care for. I was really hoping that this would be slightly over the top with a bit more humor and not to be taken too seriously as it’s a thriller about influencers, but instead it took a super dark turn without giving any proper conflict or buildup and in the first 20% I feel like I should be getting some of that.

Thank you for this ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for providing the copy of Made You Look by Tanya Grant. I love locked room mysteries, and the characters are influencers, so I couldn't resist this book. It was kind of a slow starter, but it was worth the wait when the nonstop action started. I loved the claustrophobic setting and how this luxurious retreat was not as elegant as they all expected. I also loved seeing and hearing about the dark side of influencers’ lives, which is usually a standard part of books like this! I didn’t get to know all of the characters well, but the ones who were well-defined were great. If you love surprise reveals, this is the perfect book for you. 4 stars

This is my honest review for NetGalley.

This one was a slow burn for sure. The beginning took a while to build up, and some parts felt pretty predictable… BUT once the plot finally kicked in, I was entertained! It had its moments and kept me curious enough to stick around. Would recommend to a new reader interested in Thrillers

I loved this book. I'm a sucker for a locked room mystery and this did it for me. Also I love snow storms (grew up in new england) so this was right up there for me. I will say character development was good as well and I loved that I kept having to guess who the killer was because I never ended up guessing right.

Saying this is forgettable is as nicely as I can put it. This was such a slog to get through. There were too many characters and a lot of them were filler with no depth

I hate to say it but this book ended up being a forgettable one for me. While I mostly enjoyed it at the time of reading, it didn't feel revolutionary to me. The characters were unlikable and could've been easily interchanged with the characters of most other books that had similar plots to this one.

The pacing in this book felt uneven to me as well. I felt myself getting a bit lost throughout it due to the lack of interest. The pacing was struggling to keep me zoned in. These characters also felt really shallow to me. I didn't feel like I could relate, which isn't always an issue, but I also found myself not really caring about any of them. And the bigger issue was that this book felt as though it had already been written before. There wasn't a uniqueness to this story that I would've liked to see.

My review sounds pretty harsh, I realize. Flaws aside, as I stated earlier, I still did mostly enjoy reading this. It was a nice way to pass the time, it just didn't give me a "WOW" factor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Holy guacamole, this was intense! When there’s a killer among friends and everyone is shallow, vain and social media absorbed, it’s harder to figure out who it is. I don’t know how many times I suspected different people before they finally revealed the killer. And while I wasn’t completely surprised, I was definitely a little surprised. This person’s motive was obvious, but so many others had a good motive as well. If you like a book that will keep you on edge and keep you second guessing yourself, this is an excellent choice. Red it at night as it’s definitely chilling and so much better in a slightly spooky setting. I received an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Made You Look by Tanya Grant had an intriguing premise and moments of clever insight, but overall, it didn’t quite land for me. While I appreciated the attempt to blend romance, humor, and a dash of suspense, the story never fully pulled me in the way I hoped.

The pacing felt uneven at times; some parts dragged while others moved too quickly to feel believable. The characters had potential, but I struggled to connect with them on a deeper level. There were witty moments and glimpses of charm, but they were often overshadowed by plot points that felt a bit forced or underdeveloped.

That said, I can see how others might enjoy it for a light, casual read. It just didn’t leave a lasting impression for me.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Made You Look by Tanya Grant
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Psychological Thriller
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: November 18, 2025

📍 Catskills, NY
Remote Mountain Resort
Unexpected Snowstorm
Secrets, Lies + Scandals
Unreliable Narrator
Psychological Thriller

I'm a sucker for an unreliable narrator, and while I caught on towards the end, I still was in the dark when it came to the killer's motivations! The pacing was a uneven until the climax (around 80%), but I enjoyed the slow descent into distrust, the use of social media stories and the addition of the follower's POV to keep you on your toes, and the drama that just kept coming.

If you're looking for a slow burn psychological thriller and you love ALL the drama, Made You Look should be next on your TBR!

Thank you so much Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy!

ARC review:

Thank you Berkeley Publicity, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity.


The synopsis made the book sound like a it would be an edge of your seat, page turner. Unfortunately, in my opinion it was a miss. I hate giving bad reviews but I have to be honest.

I get influencers getting together for a retreat- we see this often on social media. So, likely a great set up for a scene/environment. That part made sense.

The characters and plot line lacked and made the story seem like it was smashed together. It didn’t flow. The beginning is supposed to hook you- for me I need to be hooked within the first several chapters or I’ll move on. Instead right from the start it was sad and thought provoking. Young women surviving breast cancer. But then we go to others who are popping champagne. Only stating this because cancer is a TW for some people.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the relentless pace—there’s hardly a moment to catch your breath as the suspense keeps building. The writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you deeper into the characters’ messy lives and their hidden motives. Grant has a knack for creating tension, and the way she unravels the story keeps you on edge, flipping pages to see how it all connects.

The characters are flawed, complex, and sometimes downright unlikable—but that only made the story more intriguing. Just when you think you’ve figured everything out, the book throws in another curveball, making it impossible to put down.

If you enjoy domestic thrillers with plenty of surprises, unreliable characters, and dark twists, Made You Look delivers. Perfect for fans of authors like Lisa Jewell or B.A. Paris.

I absolutely loved Made You Look by Tanya Grant! This debut thriller had me hooked from the first page, delivering a chilling and addictive story about a group of influencers trapped in a deadly Catskills retreat. The setup—a snowstorm cutting off Sydney Kent, the ultimate It Girl, and her entourage from their social media lifeline—sets the perfect stage for tension and terror. ❄️📴

The dynamic between Sydney, her best friend Lucy, rival Caitlyn, boyfriend Jeff, stylist Nash, and manager Brent is electric, dripping with jealousy, secrets, and hidden agendas. Grant nails the influencer culture, capturing the desperation for likes and the toxic competition for the spotlight. When the killer strikes, the isolation amps up the suspense, and I was on edge trying to figure out who was behind it. The twist revealing the murderer’s identity was a total gut-punch—I didn’t see it coming! 🤯

What I loved most was how the book peeled back the glamorous facade of influencer life to expose raw, messy human flaws. The short, snappy chapters kept the pace relentless, and the way secrets unraveled—like Caitlyn’s social media scheming and Lucy’s struggles in Sydney’s shadow—made every character feel complex and suspicious. 🔍

If you’re into fast-paced thrillers like One of Us Is Lying or stories that dive into the dark side of fame, this is a must-read. Made You Look is a wild, twisty ride that kept me guessing until the end. I can’t wait for more from Tanya Grant! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story has a very interesting premise that I was excited to read, however, the writing attend this story. I couldn't get into it. It was clunky and awkward. Just not for me.

This was an interesting thriller. It took me about 25%yo get into it but I did end up enjoying it quite a bit.

What intrigued me the most about this book is the cover and synopsis. I really wanted to read it as it looked like it was right up my alley.

The plot was great and it has so much potential. This is probably the best thing about the book.

The writing was so-so, it didn’t really land for me and the chapters felt flat and not super cohesive. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and there were some cheesy moments in this book that made me roll my eyes.

It did, however, gave me a glance into the influencer world and what they deal with on a daily basis and how they have to be this perfect person and how much pressure they’re always under.

Overall, it was an ok read but I’m not sure if I’d recommend it.

This was an OK read, but I felt that it was rather slow and not a lot actually happened. It centers on Sydney, an influencer, and her friends/employees, who are spending a long weekend in the middle of nowhere at a brand new resort that hasn't opened yet. Much of the book is focused on the dynamics between these characters, most who were unlikable (though I think they were supposed to be).

The author did a great job at creating the vibe around their surroundings- I could clearly picture the various aspects of the secluded resort and the wilderness around it. While the dynamics between the characters was also clear, it read more like a drama and I wasn't that interested in those; rather I was waiting for the twists and turns. There really weren't many twists in the book and it took a while for them to start showing up. I think it read more like a domestic drama than like a mystery/thriller. The ending caused me to suspend my disbelief a bit, but it mostly worked.

Overall, while this was a decent read I didn't love it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to read this one based on the synopsis. A big disappointment. Firstly, would not classify this as a thriller. Really lacked any thriller elements. Felt more like a drawn out drama to me. The characters were terrible and I could not connect with any of them. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but it never did! And the final twist was SO bad.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was super intrigued 40% in but all of the characters started getting confusing and it seemed pretty far fetched, even tho i’m sure the influencer culture can be toxic. There was just a lot that felt unnecessary. It’s not a bad book, just wasn’t for me.