The Goldens is a glitzy, unsettling debut that blends influencer culture with cult-like obsession in a way that’s darkly addictive but still comes up a little short. The story follows Chloe, a small-town aspiring writer who falls under the spell of Clara Hollander, a glamorous social media star. What begins as champagne-soaked parties and ghostwriting Instagram captions turns into something more sinister when a girl goes missing at Clara’s estate on New Year’s Eve.

The setup is compelling, especially when Chloe moves into Clara’s home and starts helping her craft a memoir. Those scenes blur friendship, power, and performative intimacy in a fascinating way. But the pacing drags in the first half, and some twists feel obvious. Still, Lauren Wilson nails the dreamlike, claustrophobic vibe of toxic female friendships in the digital age. If you’re into Gossip Girl with a murdery twist, this one’s worth a read.

Thank you for the opportunity to review. I absolutely devoured this audiobook and I will be purchasing a copy for my shelf!
The characters build was perfect and I felt as if I was there, a Golden.
I can’t wait to recommend to the book club!!

When reading The Goldens, I decided I wanted to going in blind to truly capture what the authors intent was for the telling of this story and I am glad I did I felt it a bit more impactful. I will say that although I did go in blind I did know the book was about a cult and that really drew me in and intrigued me. I have only read a handful of books related to cults in the past which were thrillers as well and I do have to say this book did the cult trope a bit different. Typically I find that cults revolve around religious ideologies in most cases and that was not the case for this one. It was told in the POV of a member and her observation of the leader and her escalating demands. In the book we explore as her feelings begin to be tested and her friendships are questioned. Of course this book is also centered around a murder and that was delivered. I did find the book a bit more on a slower pace for what I typically like in a thriller especially in the beginning but it did pick up more towards the end. The plot twists were a bit predictable yet it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book. The ending for me felt a bit rushed and I would have liked a little more at the end to conclude the book and for that it didn’t take away lower my rating to a 3.75 along with the pacing. Overall it was a fun thriller and if you are looking for a thriller with a cult subplot this may be a fun one to check out.

Thank you for NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advance audiobook of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!

Let’s start with the good: This book held my attention through the first 40%. It’s not super fast-paced, but that’s often the case with psychological, dark academia-type thrillers. Then around the 80% mark, I was hooked again and couldn’t put it down. I love the “it’s not over til it’s over” kind of ending, where even the final sentence changes everything — and in that sense, this one delivered.

HOWEVER. The middle dragged. A lot. There was plenty that could (and probably should) have been cut to keep up the pace. And while the final line packed a punch, the ending overall was too straightforward. None of the clues were red herrings and there weren’t any real twists. This isn’t how I want the last fifth of any thriller feel!

Audio: The narration was solid and tbh kind of saved the experience for me. I don’t think I’d have finished the book if not for speeding it up and listening while doing things around the house.

You know that moment in college when you’re lonely, mildly feral from homesickness, and you find one charismatic hot girl’s monogrammed scarf lying mysteriously on a library chair... and your first instinct is to keep it? That’s how this starts. This book walks up in a floor-length coat, hands you a glass of champagne, and whispers, "You belong here. Don’t you want to be chosen?"

Chloe Hughes arrives at Dern University with big dreams and zero social capital. Her roommates are mean, her accent all of a sudden feels too northern, and she’s barely hanging on. Then she meets Clara Holland. Clara is a socialite, influencer, maybe a writer, maybe a myth, and definitely someone who weaponizes charm like it’s designer perfume. When Clara looks at Chloe and says "You matter," it’s game over.

Soon Chloe’s living in Clara’s crumbling estate with a curated group of girls called the Goldens, and suddenly this is less “college experience” and more “glamorous indoctrination with better skincare.” There are garden writing sessions, lavish parties, and moonlit ceremonies by the river that feel… spiritual? Or cursed. It’s hard to say. Everyone is gorgeous and terrified and no one asks questions until a girl goes missing. On New Year’s Eve.

Clara’s grip on the group is hypnotic. She’s not the loudest voice in the room, but she’s always the center of gravity. Chloe falls fast, not because she’s naive, but because she wants it. Belonging, purpose, admiration. The book doesn’t just play with toxic friendship, it strips it down to its glitter-covered bones and says, "Look what you’ll ignore to stay close to power." It’s tense, addictive, and filled with that specific, sharp ache of teenage longing.

Narrated by Cassandra Harwood, the audiobook leans into that unease beautifully. Her performance nails the tone, especially Chloe’s mix of awe and dread as she slowly realizes she’s in too deep. It’s elegant, atmospheric, and immersive enough to make you side-eye your Instagram feed.

Does the second act lose some steam? A bit. The middle gets repetitive, and some of the side characters blur together like champagne hangover flashbacks. But the vibes stay strong and the ending still manages to punch even if you see it coming.

This one’s for fans of “Bunny,” “The Girls,” or that friend you once followed into a sketchy rave in a warehouse and didn’t see again until sunrise. It’s messy, darkly hypnotic, and just grounded enough to make you question every charismatic girl you’ve ever met.

The plot faceplants a little, but the vibe and slow descent into cult chaos? Absolute chef’s kiss. 3.5 stars.

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early access to the audiobook. You handed me influencer horror and I drank it up like cult champagne.

This was wild!

We begin with a girl named Chloe who had to claw her way into a college with grit and determination. When she finally arrives there, however, the girls in her flat are NOT nice and pick on her terribly. She has all but given up when she meets a like-minded girl and they instantly bond. Her name is Olivia.
While in the library one day, she finds a beautiful scarf with HER INITIALS on it! She is utterly shocked! And so she begins wearing around the school grounds, thinking that someone might be looking for it. When she finally sees Clara, wearing something else with the same inscription, she immediately knows it MUST be hers!
She gives it back to her, and realizes that this girl is the one who is famous on the internet!

And somehow, they bond, immediately...

And so it begins... Chloe is whirled into the glamour and glitz of Chloe's world, and doesn't see what's going on right in front of her...

And, the story that follows is sweet, scary, incredible, and... heartbreaking....

4 1/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!

#TheGoldens by @LaurenWilson and narrated nicely by @CassandraHarwood.

*** THIS ONE HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! PLEASE LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON JULY 15, 2025!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

The Goldens is a gripping thriller that dives into the world of social media influencers and the complexities of women's experiences. The main character, Clara Holland, represents the darker side of charm and charisma, while Chloe's transformation from an obsessed fan to someone who starts to question everything she believed is portrayed with real emotion. Despite a few small flaws, this book is truly captivating and hard to put down, making it a stellar debut.

Eighteen-year-old Chloe Hughes is starting her first year at Dern University, feeling alone and out of place. Things take an exciting turn when she meets Clara Holland, a stunning social media influencer and model from a rich family. They quickly become close friends, and Chloe moves into Clara’s beautiful home, Deneside Manor.

Together, they throw amazing gatherings—writing sessions in a lovely garden, glamorous themed parties, and even mesmerizing nighttime ceremonies by the river. As they enjoy this new lifestyle, Clara starts to attract more young women, and the media begins to call it a cult. Everything seems perfect at first, but then Chloe hears unsettling rumors about Clara's past. Things start to take a darker turn after a grand New Year’s Eve party when one of the girls goes missing. Now, Chloe must make a tough choice: stay with Clara and risk danger or find a way to escape.

The audiobook, which runs for about 9½ hours, does an excellent job of building tension and atmosphere. The way the narrator uses their voice really brings the story to life, making it an engaging listen. If you enjoy suspenseful and eerie stories that focus on character emotions, this audiobook is definitely worth checking out!

Thank you, @Flatiron_Books for my free #FlatironPartner copy of this book. And thank you, @macmillan.audio for my free audiobook. #MacAudio2025

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Goldens by Lauren Wilson
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 295
Genre: Coming of Age Fiction
Audiobook Narrator: Cassandra Harwood
Duration: 9 hours 25 minutes
Release Date: July 14, 2025
🥳#HappyPubWeek!🎉

Chloe Hughes has just started attending Dern University. She immediately clashes with her new roommates and is feeling isolated and alone when she has a chance encounter with social media star Clara Holland. Clara instantly charms her and pulls her into her decadent world of parties and popularity. Before she knows it, Chloe’s entire life is consumed with Clara and her controlling nature. Soon, she discovers a very dark side to Clara but by then it’s too hard to get away from her.

So, I thought this was a psychological thriller. It was only after I finished this book that I saw that Amazon had it listed under Coming of Age Fiction. And I’m not a fan of YA fiction, mostly because those characters tend to be so immature, making uninformed, irrational decisions, and these characters were exactly like that, which annoyed the heck out of me. It was interesting enough and if you enjoy YA, you’ll probably like this book but it wasn’t for me.

Cassandra Harwood and her lovely British accent made listening to the audiobook quite enjoyable though.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (really more like a tad under 4 stars, but I rounded up!)

I really enjoyed The Goldens overall. It did feel a bit slow at times, and I found myself wanting things to move along faster in a few spots, but even with that, I was always curious to see where it would go next. I generally find cult(ish) plots to be interesting and this one delivered! I also enjoyed the narrator and was able to get into the novel with her voice/storytelling.

Chloe is leaving home for the first time to go to university to fulfill her dreams of becoming a writer. After an unfortunate run in with her new roommates on her first day Chloe is feeling more out of place than ever. One day she meets influencer and socialite Clara Holland. The two quickly become friends. Chloe even ends up moving into Clara's family home with her. She is living the flashy life in a huge home with big parties. Soon Clara begins to open her home to more girls and the situation becomes more intense. The media has taken an interest and after a girl goes missing more rumors begin to circulate about Clara and her Goldens.

This book was a wild ride! I'm fairly fascinated by stories about cults so this was right up my alley. Chloe is mostly a relatable character, especially in the beginning. This is a story about toxic friendships and what people are willing to disregard to stay in certain circles. The story was fast paced and I could not stop listening. The narration by Cassandra Harwood was excellent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC of The Goldens!

The Goldens is one of those books that reels you in with its over-the-top aesthetic—there are glittering parties, influencer vibes, the thrill of being chosen as a "Golden"—and then slowly drags you into something much darker. I was hooked from the first chapter. The narration was SPOT ON, and I literally could not put my headphones down.

Chloe is an average college freshman trying to find her place as an aspiring author… until she meets Clara Holland, the ultimate “it girl.” Clara is beautiful, magnetic, and rich beyond belief. Clara eventually takes Chloe under her wing, and Chloe is sucked in DEEP. As Chloe gets pulled deeper into Clara’s curated, all-consuming world, things start to shift—from aspirational and intoxicating to culty and downright creepy.

The tension builds in that deliciously slow way that makes you want to yell at the main character but also completely get why she’s falling for the fantasy. It gave me serious Bunny and Julie Chan is Dead vibes.

Back to the audio - can we talk about Cassandra Harwood? I've mentioned in my reviews before that I'm an absolute sucker for accents and, well Cassandra effing NAILED it. Her performance brought Chloe’s perspective to life and kept me on edge in the best way. If you're in need of a new adult psychological thriller with obsession, toxic friendships, or influencer culture gone wrong, The Goldens is going to be your cup of tea (or Chloe's Caramel Latte).

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I enjoyed the underlying theme of everyone (in their book especially women) just wanting to feel like they belong. I loved how the author built layers into the main characters Chloe and Clara and how their relationship evolved over the course of the novel. Overall, a ln interesting read with a great plot twist at the end.

This book has "The Maidens" or "The Secret History" vibes, but through a social media influencer lens. The main character, Chloe gets pulled into the glamorous orbit of influencer, Clara. As things become more and more cultish, Chloe must decide how far she is willing to go. I enjoyed this book. I like a good spiraling out of control narrative. I give this one 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook for review.

One part gossip girl, one part cult thriller, The Goldens was 100% an incredible ride. Just when I thought we’d made it to the finish line that ending came in with a right hook and a deep sense of impending dread. This is one I’d suggest anyone keep on their radar!

The Goldens by Lauren Wilson is a cultish college mystery that initially intrigued me with its premise, but the story unfolded at a sluggish pace and often felt drawn out. Cassandra Harwood’s narration injected much-needed energy into the book, bringing the characters and atmosphere to life.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC.

I was able to score an ARC audio of this book and I enjoyed it, though there were times I wanted to punch Chloe in the face 😂. I did find the plot predictable (except the last chapter). It was not mind blowing but solidly a good, quick read.

I enjoyed The Goldens and would definitely recommend it to a friend who’s into suspenseful, slow-burn thrillers. The premise pulled me in, and the setting had a great atmosphere. That said, the story dragged in parts, and I found myself getting a bit frustrated with the main character’s naivety at times—it made some of her choices feel unrealistic or forced.

Narration Note: The narrator did a solid job overall. The pacing was steady, and her voice suited the main character well. It was easy to follow, and I appreciated how she added subtle emotion without overdoing it.

All in all, a decent listen that kept me engaged, even if I wished for a slightly tighter plot and a more self-aware protagonist.

I loved the twists and turns in this story! I liked the slow burning nature of this and seeing how each character changes as the story goes on. I also liked the narrator.

A strange dark academia thriller tided into college fun and fitting it. Gave a feeling of a sorority thriller. Entertaining for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC! While Influence wasn’t a standout thriller for me, it was still an entertaining listen with a compelling enough plot to keep me engaged. The story follows college student Chloe as she’s drawn into the orbit of rising influencer Clara, whose cult-like following quickly raises red flags—though Chloe’s blind trust was frustrating at times. The audiobook narration, however, was a real highlight: the narrator’s tone, pacing, and delivery elevated the experience and kept me listening even when the story dragged a bit in the middle. Though the plot felt familiar and leaned more YA than I expected, the audio production made it worth finishing. If you’re into dark academia, cult-y influencers, or want something easy to listen to with a solid performance, the audiobook is the way to go.
4 star audio
3 star book/plot