After her mother's death, Felicity inherits a blueberry farm in rural Ohio that she is not entirely sure what to do with. Struggling to come to terms with the loss, she continues to call her mother's phone, until one day she discovers that it has been allocated to teenaged Alex.

On the surface, the two women may not seem to have much in common, but when, Felicity works out a mutually beneficial deal for the two of them, an unexpected bond develops between them.

Even more unexpectedly, the relationship extends to the wider community in a way that Felicity and Alex had not foreseen.

This is a charming story about coming to terms with grief, found family, and unexpected ties. Worth checking out, it gets 3.5 stars.

This was fine. I enjoyed a lot of it, but found the Revenge Inc plot mildly ridiculous. A mostly sweet read.

I loved how we watched two characters grow for the other which leads to growth for themselves.
We get themes of grief, fear, sacrifice, self-love, and so much more!

New favorite Author unlocked!!!!! I'm in my Lucy Score, Claire Kingsley era and this author gave off some of their vibes. The townspeople weren't very friendly, which added a fun and interesting layer to the story. Watching Felicity face her fears and actually start living life again had me tearing up multiple times. I loved this book and this author. She is going on my always read list!!!

This is such a heart touching read! I had an emotional roller-coaster reading this book. I love how broken and realistic the characters are. You get to go through the journey of them building on themselves. If you like slice of life boos this is a good soft read that you will devour in a sit or two!!!!

this book made me cry happy tears and laugh.
a cute small town romance + care of a teenager, a well-written book. I enjoyed all the ups and downs of life within it.

Juno was def star of the show🐶💖

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.

This was such a sweet read! We watch two characters at their worst points grow for the other which leads to growth for themselves. The characters were realistically flawed in ways, I think, a lot of books shy away from, they felt like real people.
We get themes of grief, fear, sacrifice, self-love, and so much more!
It gave heavy Gilmore Girl vibes which I am a sucker for! It was a perfect soft read when you just need something light.

I feel like this had the potential to be really good but it just never got there. In the beginning it reminded me a bit of the book The Music of Bees| which I really enjoyed.

Minor spoiler alert: I hate books where animals get hurt, especially when it's just done gratuitously to move the story along/be a catalyst for the characters to realize what's important, etc. Luckily Juno survives, but can't there be another way to get the point across?

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My first impression of Such a Bad Influence is that the characters and plot are wholly original. There are no cliches in this book. With an authentic, yet funny voice, the narrative quickly became something I couldn’t stop reading. It’s unlike any book I’ve read before. Its themes are quite deep and profound, but it’s told with such levity.

It also has a significant romance which I wasn’t expecting based on the description. A very nice surprise as Wade and Felicity are quite the duo. He’s definitely one of the better written male love interests I’ve encountered in recent books.

This book is easily a five star read. It’s original and funny without trying too hard. The book equivalent of the girl at school who doesn’t care what other’s think about her because she’s too focused on being happy.

Thank you to Lake Union and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘Such a Bad Influence’ was a fun, drama-filled ride that kept me turning pages! Grace Demyan really leans into the messiness of relationships—friendships, family, and everything in between—and I appreciated how unapologetically bold some of the characters were. There’s a chaotic energy to the story that makes it hard to look away, kind of like watching a reality show you secretly love (which I very much do).

I wouldn’t say I loved every character or decision made (which honestly felt intentional), but there’s something refreshing about a book that lets its characters be flawed and real. The pacing was quick, the dialogue sharp, and it definitely delivered on the entertainment factor.

Overall, a solid read when you’re in the mood for something juicy and a little unhinged—in the best way!

This book was such a surprising little gem. It’s quirky, emotional, and full of heart — the kind of story that sneaks up on you and suddenly you’re fully invested in a blueberry farm, a revenge business, and two beautifully messy characters.

Felicity, the lonely blueberry farmer still grieving her mom, and Alex, a tough, sarcastic teen who’s been through the worst of the foster system, are complete opposites — but somehow, they just click. Their growing friendship was my favorite part. It felt real and earned, full of awkward moments, arguments, and love that neither of them really knew how to express. The voicemail connection? So clever and strangely moving.

The revenge-for-hire plot added humor and chaos (in the best way), but it never overshadowed the emotional depth. It’s about grief, found family, survival, and figuring out how to keep going even when life hasn’t been kind. I teared up a few times, laughed out loud a couple more, and stayed up late finishing it.

Why not 5 stars? A few pacing issues here and there, and I wish some side characters had been fleshed out more — but overall, I really loved this. It’s heartfelt without being too sappy, funny without being shallow. A story about two people who needed each other more than they knew, wrapped in blueberries and a little bit of chaos.

Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a unique, offbeat, and emotional read. 💙

Whoa! Where has this book been hiding?! I read it in a single day and can’t recommend this novel enough. The characters are amazing, the plot is exciting and fun, and I loved the heavy themes of grief and love and kindness. Overall, a great 5 star read.

This was a quick and cute read! I liked the characters, the small-town drama and the evolution of Alex and Felicity’s friendship throughout the book.

This surprised me by being rather more than the usual lighthearted small town romance. It had more depth and nuance . Well written too, an excellent read.

I liked this book! It's such a lovely book, you won't regret reading it.
I highly recommend reading it.

I really enjoyed this! I loved seeing how Felicity’s and Alex’s relationship progressed throughout the book and I enjoyed the romance subplot and how it wasn’t too in your face. Overall, it was a good read with lots of humor!

Such a Bad Influence by debut author Grace Demyan, published by Lake Union Publishing is a diamont I stumbled upon. I read the blurb and was intrigued.
I started reading and very soon I was unable to put the book down. I read the whole story, cover to cover in one single sitting, breathlessly craving more.
It was a pleasure to read how Felicity came out of her shell and grew a backbone. A plaesure to read how Alex for the first time in a long time having family who really cared about her. And familky isn't always about blood.
A wonderful story, excellent written and beautifully told that's hands down my fav read in 2025 so far.
I recommend this gem of a story that deserves all the stars.

The characters in this book are just amazing. They are both real and unreal and will collectively break your heart. The idea behind the plot is an unusual one - a dead parent’s phone number leads to a connection to a stranger - but it works without taking a beat and develops into the most satisfying life transition story you will read. I loved the town and the idea of revenge turning a profit. I also liked that the author didn’t make everything perfect - not everything went as planned and not everyone got what they wanted, and that’s okay. It’s a lovely, lovely book.