Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In a world where social media dominates teenage life, “Influenced” by Sarah Darer Littman and Cindy L. Otis is a timely and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of parasocial relationships and influencer culture. Told primarily from the perspective of Lainey before shifting into both Lainey and Bliss’s perspectives after a specific twist, the book follows Lainey’s deep admiration—bordering on obsession—for teen influencer Bliss, a confident, seemingly perfect content creator with CP. However, as the story unfolds, shocking truths emerge, forcing both Lainey and Bliss to confront their own struggles and reevaluate their identities.

At the heart of the novel is Lainey, a girl struggling with anxiety, loneliness, and her parents’ recent divorce. With her twin brother moving across the country to live with their dad, Lainey finds solace in the online world, particularly in Bliss, who seems like the perfect friend—supportive, fearless, and always there. But when Bliss suddenly disappears from social media, Lainey becomes convinced that something is wrong and takes matters into her own hands by traveling to New York City to “save” her. This decision sets off a series of events that reveal the stark difference between Bliss’s influencer persona and her real life.

The book alternates between Lainey’s perspective and Bliss’s journal entries, offering insight into both characters. Bliss, who has cerebral palsy, is dealing with immense pressure from her parents, who have come to rely on her influencer income to support the family. The story highlights the darker side of online fame—the loss of privacy, the unrealistic expectations, and the toll it takes on mental health. At times, Bliss feels like a prisoner in her own life, and Lainey’s well-intentioned but misguided intervention only makes things worse.

What makes “Influenced” especially compelling is its nuanced exploration of parasocial relationships—one-sided connections where fans feel an intimate bond with influencers who don’t even know they exist. Lainey’s unhealthy reliance on Bliss as a coping mechanism for her own problems is painfully relatable, as is Bliss’s struggle with losing control over her own life. The book doesn’t villainize either character but instead presents a balanced look at how social media can blur the lines between reality and fantasy.

Despite the serious themes, the book maintains an engaging and accessible tone, with moments of humor and self-discovery. Lainey’s character development is particularly satisfying as she learns to manage her anxiety through therapy and starts forming healthier relationships in the real world. The ending is both hopeful and realistic, as both girls begin to move forward, learning from their experiences.

With its insightful commentary on influencer culture, mental health, and online relationships, “Influenced” is an eye-opening and relevant read for today’s digital generation. It’s a must-have for classrooms and libraries, offering an important conversation starter for teens navigating the ever-evolving world of social media.

I loved this book! The writing style is so engaging and I felt swept up in the plot from the first chapter. Also, there are so many important contemporary themes addressed in a way that really stuck with me after reading. Highly recommend!

The characters felt real, and even though some parts were a bit on the nose, I was invested the whole way through.

This is about a socially awkward teen who is going through a challenging time that believes she is friends with an online social media influencer. I think this provides some good insight on what it's like to not only be an influencer but to also be in a para social relationship.

***Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of INFLUENCED by Sarah Darer Littman in exchange for my honest review. ***

Lainey, a socially awkward teenager believes she’s developed a friendship with teen influencer Elizabeth “Bliss”, a disabled girl with CP. Lainey decides that she needs to travel to NYC to “save” Bliss from herself leading Elizabeth to feel as if she’s being held hostage.

I had a lot of empathy for Bliss, whose influencer business has grown out of control, causing her parents to rely on her producing content to support their family. Though she doesn’t want to continue she feels pressured by her parents to accept sponsorship.

Though Lainey’s predicament was not entirely if her own making and she clearly had issues other than her obsession with Bliss, she was much less sympathetic.

Sarah Darer Littman has written another topical story of teenage emotional issues. Classrooms and libraries should stock several copies.