I found “The Goldens” to be quite a captivating story, quickly sucking me in and keeping me guessing. It was told in such a way that almost made me feel like I was on the receiving end of some good gossip, chatting with a bestie who was really spilling the tea, some of it shocking and too crazy to seem true. The writing is detail rich, conjuring up some very vivid imagery. I definitely enjoyed it.

I had high hopes for this one but unfortunately it fell flat… it was like joining a sorority but instead of mean girls the leaders a psycho.
It felt really really slow and then bank all the action was in the last like 20%.
I didn’t audio so maybe it read better than it listened?

Chloe dreams of becoming a best selling author and Clara is an influencer. When the two meet it seems unlikely that a friendship would come of it, yet it does. Chloe is drawn to Clara like a moth to a flame. No matter what Clara does she can’t stay away from Clara. This book has a cult theme- it was decent but not earth shattering. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC audiobook

I'm such a sucker for influencers with cult-like followings. This delivered! The ending felt a little rushed but even so, the journey was atmospheric and delightful.

Clara is rich, pretty, and popular. She has everything. So why would she want to be friends with Chloe the loner? Nonetheless she does and soon invited Chloe to live with her. But Chloe and the Internet can't give Clara what she really wants: love. So Clara tries to find the next best thing-blind devotion. Clara takes girls who are easily malleable and isolated them, making them beholden to her. She starts her own cult, and heaven help anyone who stands in her way.
This novel seems more like general fiction than thriller to me and the deaths seem glaringly obvious, particularly with the backstory we are immediately given. That being said this is an interesting tale about toxic relationships and how they can cross the line. Also, the sheer hubris at the end was jaw dropping.

thank you to NetGalley, the author Lauren Wilson, and Macmillan audio for this audiobook

The Goldens by Lauren Wilson is a dark and atmospheric story about obsession, influence, and toxic friendship. The audiobook does a great job capturing the glitz of Clara’s world filled with decadent parties, glamorous lifestyles, and the cult-like allure of her circle, while slowly peeling back the sinister undertones. I enjoyed the premise and the eerie vibes, but the pacing felt uneven, and I wished for more punch in the suspense. Still, it’s an intriguing listen if you like messy ambition, blurred loyalties, and stories about being drawn too close to the flame.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

The Goldens is Lauren Wilson's debut thriller. I would also classify it as a coming-of-age or young adult. Chloe is at her dream school studying writing when she meets Clara, a mysterious influencer who bonds almost instantly with Chloe. Chloe is new to the area, her roommates seem like bullies, and she's only made one other friend through her writing program. When Clara gives Chloe a glimpse into her glamorous life, Chloe goes all in, even moving into Clara's mansion with her. As Clara's fame grows, Chloe's popularity as her right-hand soars. Clara opens her doors to more girls and soon she has everyone following her rules, dressing as she wants them to dress, or else they have to leave. Is this world meant for Chloe or should she get out while she can?

I listened to this audio book and wanted to never stop driving so I could get to the end! Cassandra Harwood did a wonderful job with her narration of this book. I would recommend this to adult readers if you like a good influencer story with some mystery. I was definitely waiting to see what happened next throughout the entire story!

Special thanks to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Goldens is a dazzling yet chilling story that perfectly captures the lure of influence, glamour, and the darkness that can hide beneath it all. Lauren Wilson pulls you into Clara’s intoxicating world, where beauty and danger blur together. The tension builds with every page, making it impossible to look away. Sharp, unsettling, and addictive—this book is an absolute must-read.

The Goldens is a wonderfully illustrated story of peer influence, parasocial relationships with social media influencers, the vulnerability of young adult women, and how predators aren’t always in the form we’ve come to expect.
Throughout the book we get the main character, Chloe’s perspective as she is drawn into the world a social media influencer at her university, not realizing how deep she’s in until it’s too late, and not everything you see on social media is the truth.
Most of the read is pretty strong. Lauren Wilson expertly explores topics central to young university life; the desire to fit in, loneliness, ambition, and blends it well with thought provoking details about the seduction of influencer lifestyle. There’s a gradual build where we can see just how Chloe was attracted to Clara’s life and nothing seems amiss. Where things turn darker however, is where I got lost. Things become progressively more improbable, as well as predictable, and it was a struggle to maintain interest as the book dragged on. While I’m able to suspend disbelief to a fairly high extent, the level of cult activity a 19 year old is meant to be pulling off was a bit incredulous.
I listened to the audio, and the narrator Cassandra Harwood delivered a fantastic narration. Most of my maintained interest in listening was due to her excellent conveyance of Chloe’s persistence to what she wants in the face of her unease.
While I think the ending wasn’t necessarily for me, I did enjoy the observation into the psychological effects of social media culture and Internet fame.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me an ALC via NetGalley!
Publication date 7/15/25

I've never read a book about a teenage/young adult cult leader and I was really engaged in this story!

The Goldens by Lauren Wilson is a compelling and atmospheric psychological thriller that explores the dark allure of social media fame and toxic friendships. The story follows Chloe, a university student who becomes captivated by Clara Holland, a charismatic influencer whose glamorous lifestyle gradually reveals sinister cult-like undertones. Wilson skillfully portrays complex characters and the manipulative dynamics of influence, weaving a narrative that mixes glamour with menace. The book offers a chilling look at obsession, the craving for validation, and the dangers lurking beneath a sparkling surface. Though the pacing may feel uneven at times, the audiobook performance enhances the immersive experience, making it a gripping listen for its thought-provoking and unsettling exploration of contemporary social issues. It is highly recommended for fans of suspenseful, modern thrillers with a psychological edge.

THE GOLDENS caught my eye because my last name is Golden, and when I read the blurb I discovered there are two main characters named Clara and Olivia. My full name being Claire Olivia Golden, this was funny/unsettling enough that I would've read it even if the blurb didn't look interesting. But it sounded amazing, and it was! A solid thriller that kept me interested from beginning to end.

What I liked most was the complicated relationship between the female characters and the sapphic romance that develops (even though it's incredibly toxic). Just like our main character Chloe, I could not look away from Clara or the world that she creates, even when questionable things start happening. The pace was sometimes slower than I would've liked (it doesn't really pick up until 40% in) but I appreciated how it gave more time to the relationship between Chloe and Clara. If you like books about cults then you will likely enjoy THE GOLDENS.

I believe THE GOLDENS is published as adult fiction, but it's reasonably appropriate for YA as well. I would rate it PG-13.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC (audiobook) in exchange for an honest review.

This book read a little on the young side for me. It wasn't quite what I expected, however, I still enjoyed it. The narrator brought the characters to life.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Definitely an interesting plot - new author for me. We have some cult-y action in this one with a mystery infused. The first half of this felt a little slow for me. Read this one to get sucked into the lives of the rich and glamorous. A quick and entertaining read. Thank you to the publisher for this eARC for my honest opinion.

Not sure my final thoughts on this one. It felt very slow off the start, and I couldn't quite connect with any of the characters. The main character felt so desperate and naive, and I disliked her immediately. The mystery and suspense built well, but overall, it didn't quite wow me.

Narrator was great for this audio book, and fit the tone of the story.

This was an easy listen with moody vibes, but the story didn’t go as deep or as dramatic as I hoped. The Goldens follows Chloe, a writer who moves into the home of a rising influencer, Clara Holland. There’s talk of cult rumors, wild parties, moonlit baptisms, and one girl who goes missing—but most of the story sticks to the surface.

If you're expecting dark twists, messy secrets, or anything psychologically intense, you won’t really find that here. It reads more like Gossip Girl without the gossip: lots of designer clothes, luxury decor, and aesthetic details, but not much drama or tension beneath the shine. The plot moves from point A to point B without any shocking turns or big reveals. The story unfolded as I expected, which might be exactly what someone with high anxiety might look for in a mystery/thriller.

That said, I think this would be a great pick for YA thriller beginners or anyone who wants something low-stakes with a spooky vibe. It’s dark, but not disturbing. The audiobook narrator also does a great job—her pacing, tone, and delivery kept me engaged, even if the story didn’t have much depth. If you’re looking for a slow-burn mystery with cult-ish energy, rich-girl glam, and an easy-to-follow plot, The Goldens could be your next fall listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to The Goldens in audiobook format. I appreciate the access in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite land for me. While the premise had potential, the overall storyline felt far-fetched and lacked the realism I typically look for in a compelling thriller. I found myself struggling to stay engaged as the plot unfolded. The characters’ decisions often felt implausible, and the twists didn’t build in a way that felt earned or grounded.

I always try to finish what I start, especially with advanced copies, but this one was a challenge. Still, I commend the narrator for their performance, at times, the narration was the strongest part of the experience.

While this book didn’t work for me personally, I know every story finds its audience. I hope others connect with it more than I did.

Dear The Goldens,
I think h read too many influencer cult books to really enjoy you. The fact that Chloe "accidentally" found herself at the founding of a cult just made me scratch my head. It was just too implausible for me. Not only that, but I found Chloe too naive and innocent to be real. I enjoyed you for your entertainment value, but you were a middle of the road read for me.

This book was a great mystery/thriller. It was so hard to put down and kept me on my toes. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ALC of this book. The narrator does a great job, pacing is great. I am so curious what comes next!!