What do you think?
Rate this book
Bad Influence
Two bored, obsessed teenagers break into – and secretly live in – influencers' houses. But when they choose the wrong home, their twisted experiment turns deadly.…
Alyssa wants to be seen. Less wants to be someone. She takes two buses to class, posts pictures of her lunch, and pretends it's all effortless. He hides his privilege beneath thrifted clothes and a sketchbook full of impossible designs. Together, they are inseparable – two outsiders constructing a version of themselves the world might finally applaud.
Then Alyssa stumbles upon the hidden world of phrogging – living unnoticed inside other people's homes. She and Less slip through Los Angeles' glossy influencers, producers, pop stars, all so busy performing their perfect lives they don't notice the shadows in their attics, the scratching in their walls.
An act of rebellion. A harmless thrill. A social experiment.
Until they choose the wrong house.
Until the influencer they idolise catches them in the act.
Until the cameras, already rolling, capture everything.
What begins as a reckless adventure becomes a nightmare of lies, power and the cost of visibility. Bad Influence is a breathtakingly tense, darkly funny thriller about the lives we curate, the secrets we hide, and the monsters made by the need to be seen.
____________
'Will Carver uses his unique voice to skewer the vacuous world of wannabe influencers and reality TV … a savage, scathing, compelling but deeply funny take-down of a fake, narcissistic world. Totally on point and enormous fun!' Trevor Wood
'A smart, stylish writer' Daily Mail
'Will Carver follows Kill Them With Kindness with another satirical look at the world we live in and he does it brilliantly … captures the zeitgeist of 21st century culture and I cannot wait to see where he goes next' Michael Wood
–––––
Praise for Will Carver
'One of the most exciting authors in Britain' Daily Express
'Incredibly dark and very funny' Harriet Tyce
'Unlike anything you'll read this year' Heat
'Impossibly original, stylish, sinister and heartfelt' Chris Whitaker
'Weirdly page-turning' Sunday Times
'Ambitious, dark and funny' Mike Gayle
'A highly original state-of-the-nation novel' Literary Review
'Arguably the most original crime novel published this year' Independent
'Mesmeric' Guardian
'Memorable for its unrepentant darkness…' Telegraph
'Perceptive and twisted in equal measure' CultureFly
'Unflinching, blunt and brutal' Sam Holland
'Equally enthralling and appalling' James Oswald
'One of the most compelling and original voices in crime fiction' Alex North
'Brilliantly original' Sam Holland
'Clever, compelling, funny'
Alyssa wants to be seen. Less wants to be someone. She takes two buses to class, posts pictures of her lunch, and pretends it's all effortless. He hides his privilege beneath thrifted clothes and a sketchbook full of impossible designs. Together, they are inseparable – two outsiders constructing a version of themselves the world might finally applaud.
Then Alyssa stumbles upon the hidden world of phrogging – living unnoticed inside other people's homes. She and Less slip through Los Angeles' glossy influencers, producers, pop stars, all so busy performing their perfect lives they don't notice the shadows in their attics, the scratching in their walls.
An act of rebellion. A harmless thrill. A social experiment.
Until they choose the wrong house.
Until the influencer they idolise catches them in the act.
Until the cameras, already rolling, capture everything.
What begins as a reckless adventure becomes a nightmare of lies, power and the cost of visibility. Bad Influence is a breathtakingly tense, darkly funny thriller about the lives we curate, the secrets we hide, and the monsters made by the need to be seen.
____________
'Will Carver uses his unique voice to skewer the vacuous world of wannabe influencers and reality TV … a savage, scathing, compelling but deeply funny take-down of a fake, narcissistic world. Totally on point and enormous fun!' Trevor Wood
'A smart, stylish writer' Daily Mail
'Will Carver follows Kill Them With Kindness with another satirical look at the world we live in and he does it brilliantly … captures the zeitgeist of 21st century culture and I cannot wait to see where he goes next' Michael Wood
–––––
Praise for Will Carver
'One of the most exciting authors in Britain' Daily Express
'Incredibly dark and very funny' Harriet Tyce
'Unlike anything you'll read this year' Heat
'Impossibly original, stylish, sinister and heartfelt' Chris Whitaker
'Weirdly page-turning' Sunday Times
'Ambitious, dark and funny' Mike Gayle
'A highly original state-of-the-nation novel' Literary Review
'Arguably the most original crime novel published this year' Independent
'Mesmeric' Guardian
'Memorable for its unrepentant darkness…' Telegraph
'Perceptive and twisted in equal measure' CultureFly
'Unflinching, blunt and brutal' Sam Holland
'Equally enthralling and appalling' James Oswald
'One of the most compelling and original voices in crime fiction' Alex North
'Brilliantly original' Sam Holland
'Clever, compelling, funny'
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 19, 2026
There’s a quote by T. S. Eliot that refers to being “distracted from distraction by distraction” and despite the many years that have passed since he penned this famous phrase, in no era is this more relevant to our society. So, in the spirit of Eliot, Will Carver , one of the most brilliantly versatile and unpredictable writers turns his astute gaze and acerbic wit onto the subject of social media in Bad Influence, and you just know that you will be in for a glorious mindf*ck as usual…
From the man who has brought us a colourful back catalogue of books railing against so many endemic evils in this world, and fighting the cause of those who rail against them in their own moral or immoral ways, it was only a matter of time before the vainglorious, shallow, self primping, and to a large extent, soullessly meaningless world of click bait, likes and shares came to Carver’s attention. As an aside I did have the ultimate earworm of Bros’ When Will I Be Famous (Google it kids) accompanying my reading for much of this book, as Carver immerses us in a world of shallow individuals who share their falsely enhanced lives and mind numbing routines in some kind of attempt to be noticed, worshipped and perhaps most tellingly to add validation to their existence. The book traverses the experience of a social media wannabe, another who is desperate to build their reach with a tinpot health hack that gave me the ick, and an established influencer who begins a descent into madness. It also brings into play the insidious world of reality shows and those who manipulate the hapless fools who take part, whilst setting the whole affair against the backdrop of ‘phrogging’ and its dangerous consequences. It’s all going on.
What I love about Carver’s books is the varying degrees of sympathy, antagonism, or just bone deep dislike that his characters and their actions raise in the reader. The young friends Alyssa and Less encompass all the bone crushing need for attention that defines a lot of kids’ social media habits. Alyssa in particular, despite being an all round good kid as her care for her family shows, has a determination to be ‘famous’ and ropes Less in to her crackpot plans. Less is more measured, and his loucheness and casual ennui (when there really is so much more to him) provides a wonderful foil to Alyssa’s exuberance. What begins as her mild infatuation with a social media eco-warrior then takes them on a strange journey indeed, right into the homes of this generation’s new gods- the successful influencers. I liked Alyssa and Less very much, and although my heart was in my mouth a lot with their actions, I think they perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the time, and how social media is deeply influential generally in the lives of young people, and the false reality it creates for them of what life is.
I have a great deal of sympathy for Carver that as someone who is evidently well versed in the fitness and nutrition industry themselves, probably had to watch a significant amount of these ‘healthy living’ charlatans to establish the contentious relationship between influencers Paige and Ariel vying for the body and soul of their audiences online, and the increasingly poisonous relationship between them. He does this with laser beam precision and well-informed commentary, but also delightfully peppered with the trademark Carver pithy observations. Paige, the more successful influencer, is, well, completely unhinged and I did very much enjoy her increasingly twisted and self gratifying actions to cling on to her influence. When her life is taken over virtually through a network of cameras controlled by two utterly ruthless reality TV producers, you know things are going to take a significant turn for the worse. And it so does. It’s marvellous.
As all the characters eventually collide in Carver’s anarchic playing out of events, the denouement is crazy. But rest assured, crazy in a maniacally good way. How many times do I write that about a book by this author?! As usual, I embraced the insanity, laughed at the madness of our modern existence that Carved so astutely mimics, and kept those pages a turning. Also an inspired layout of the book which totally mimics the protocols of social media scrolling- loved that too…
Carver is just consistently brilliant and Bad Influence is absolutely no exception.
Just get your hands on this one.
You can all stop scrolling now.
^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^
From the man who has brought us a colourful back catalogue of books railing against so many endemic evils in this world, and fighting the cause of those who rail against them in their own moral or immoral ways, it was only a matter of time before the vainglorious, shallow, self primping, and to a large extent, soullessly meaningless world of click bait, likes and shares came to Carver’s attention. As an aside I did have the ultimate earworm of Bros’ When Will I Be Famous (Google it kids) accompanying my reading for much of this book, as Carver immerses us in a world of shallow individuals who share their falsely enhanced lives and mind numbing routines in some kind of attempt to be noticed, worshipped and perhaps most tellingly to add validation to their existence. The book traverses the experience of a social media wannabe, another who is desperate to build their reach with a tinpot health hack that gave me the ick, and an established influencer who begins a descent into madness. It also brings into play the insidious world of reality shows and those who manipulate the hapless fools who take part, whilst setting the whole affair against the backdrop of ‘phrogging’ and its dangerous consequences. It’s all going on.
What I love about Carver’s books is the varying degrees of sympathy, antagonism, or just bone deep dislike that his characters and their actions raise in the reader. The young friends Alyssa and Less encompass all the bone crushing need for attention that defines a lot of kids’ social media habits. Alyssa in particular, despite being an all round good kid as her care for her family shows, has a determination to be ‘famous’ and ropes Less in to her crackpot plans. Less is more measured, and his loucheness and casual ennui (when there really is so much more to him) provides a wonderful foil to Alyssa’s exuberance. What begins as her mild infatuation with a social media eco-warrior then takes them on a strange journey indeed, right into the homes of this generation’s new gods- the successful influencers. I liked Alyssa and Less very much, and although my heart was in my mouth a lot with their actions, I think they perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the time, and how social media is deeply influential generally in the lives of young people, and the false reality it creates for them of what life is.
I have a great deal of sympathy for Carver that as someone who is evidently well versed in the fitness and nutrition industry themselves, probably had to watch a significant amount of these ‘healthy living’ charlatans to establish the contentious relationship between influencers Paige and Ariel vying for the body and soul of their audiences online, and the increasingly poisonous relationship between them. He does this with laser beam precision and well-informed commentary, but also delightfully peppered with the trademark Carver pithy observations. Paige, the more successful influencer, is, well, completely unhinged and I did very much enjoy her increasingly twisted and self gratifying actions to cling on to her influence. When her life is taken over virtually through a network of cameras controlled by two utterly ruthless reality TV producers, you know things are going to take a significant turn for the worse. And it so does. It’s marvellous.
As all the characters eventually collide in Carver’s anarchic playing out of events, the denouement is crazy. But rest assured, crazy in a maniacally good way. How many times do I write that about a book by this author?! As usual, I embraced the insanity, laughed at the madness of our modern existence that Carved so astutely mimics, and kept those pages a turning. Also an inspired layout of the book which totally mimics the protocols of social media scrolling- loved that too…
Carver is just consistently brilliant and Bad Influence is absolutely no exception.
Just get your hands on this one.
You can all stop scrolling now.
^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^
June 18, 2026
I read a review of another book recently that described it as "self indulgent millennial whining". The various, mainly GenZ protagonists of Bad Influence have turned their own self indulgent whining talents into influencing, wannabee influencing or medium level criminality. The level of self-centredness is off the charts!
For the first half of Bad Influence I was engaged in the plot but certainly not a fan of either of the 'anti-heroes'. However, if you find yourself feeling the same, do persist because, without spoilers, things soon pick up! Let's just say that what happens will make a great film set piece one day.
Not my favourite Carver so far, but good to have something that is so up-to-date. Many of us are technically the wrong target demographic. Get your teenagers to read it now they are banned from all the similar platforms so they can see it's not all 'wine and roses' (or Prime and Matcha)!
For the first half of Bad Influence I was engaged in the plot but certainly not a fan of either of the 'anti-heroes'. However, if you find yourself feeling the same, do persist because, without spoilers, things soon pick up! Let's just say that what happens will make a great film set piece one day.
Not my favourite Carver so far, but good to have something that is so up-to-date. Many of us are technically the wrong target demographic. Get your teenagers to read it now they are banned from all the similar platforms so they can see it's not all 'wine and roses' (or Prime and Matcha)!
June 16, 2026
Alyssa and Alessandro (or Less) are best friends, but their social situations are stark opposites. Less’s family are rich and his dream is to become a hat designer. Alyssa comes from a working-class family, who watch every cent in their bank account. She is inspired by influencers on social media, and is hoping to become one.
One day, by total accident, Alyssa discovers phrogging – entering into people’s houses and staying there without their consent and knowledge. She is immediately hooked, and persuades Less to join her on her escapades.
Soon, their jaunts turn more daring and dangerous…
What can I say?
Will Carver has done it AGAIN!
This time he has transported us into the ugly world of social media. He perfectly captured Alyssa who was so enamoured with the influencers that she’s put them on a pedestal, thinking they were sentient beings. However, we all have a darker side, even the so called “perfect” influencers. Once again, Will Carver tells us not to believe everything that we see.
Another theme is the instant gratification that comes with social media. People quickly become bored, so they scroll up and forget. Today’s news is tomorrow’s chip paper never sounded more true!
This book is deliciously dark and disturbing. I definitely recommend it.
One day, by total accident, Alyssa discovers phrogging – entering into people’s houses and staying there without their consent and knowledge. She is immediately hooked, and persuades Less to join her on her escapades.
Soon, their jaunts turn more daring and dangerous…
What can I say?
Will Carver has done it AGAIN!
This time he has transported us into the ugly world of social media. He perfectly captured Alyssa who was so enamoured with the influencers that she’s put them on a pedestal, thinking they were sentient beings. However, we all have a darker side, even the so called “perfect” influencers. Once again, Will Carver tells us not to believe everything that we see.
Another theme is the instant gratification that comes with social media. People quickly become bored, so they scroll up and forget. Today’s news is tomorrow’s chip paper never sounded more true!
This book is deliciously dark and disturbing. I definitely recommend it.
June 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Bad Influence was one of those books where you can’t help but feel bad for the main character because things just keep getting worse… and then somehow get even worse. It was a really interesting story, and what made it hit even harder was how relatable it felt to the world we’re living in today and the way social media and public opinion can spiral out of control.
I listened to this as an ARC audiobook, and the narrators did a great job bringing the story to life and keeping me engaged from start to finish. It wasn’t always an easy listen because of everything the characters go through, but it definitely kept me invested. A solid 4-star read for me.
Bad Influence was one of those books where you can’t help but feel bad for the main character because things just keep getting worse… and then somehow get even worse. It was a really interesting story, and what made it hit even harder was how relatable it felt to the world we’re living in today and the way social media and public opinion can spiral out of control.
I listened to this as an ARC audiobook, and the narrators did a great job bringing the story to life and keeping me engaged from start to finish. It wasn’t always an easy listen because of everything the characters go through, but it definitely kept me invested. A solid 4-star read for me.
June 18, 2026
Phrogging"?? It's not a term I was familiar with until I picked up this book. It's defined as "the act of a person secretly living in another person's home without their knowledge or consent, typically hiding in unused spaces like attics, basements, or guest rooms. The term, which is pronounced "frogging," comes from the idea of "leaping" from one occupied house to another to avoid detection." And that is what Alyssa (desperate for attention, poor) and her best friend Less (desperate for attention, wealthy) start doing. But not just in any people's houses. They choose the homes of top social media influencers who make it easy for everyone to know when they won't be home.
Carver's scathingly sharp commentary on the world of social media, and influencers in particular, makes for riveting reading. His characters are morally grey, and most have highly questionable motives for most of their actions. And to be honest, it's all like a colossal car wreck that you can't tear your eyes away from!
Told in alternate POV's the story unfolds as we hear from Alyssa and Less. Intertwined within their narratives are hashtags and social media handles where we hear from various others: influencers, celebrities, wannabes and the cacophony of voices that make up the online world.
It all combines to create the most deliciously awful tale of the lengths people are willing to go to just to be noticed, no matter the reason. And sometimes that length takes them so incredibly far from who they started out as, that they no longer recognise themselves when they look in the mirror.
Oh, and let's not forget the delightful little trolls who take their role as keyboard warriors extremely seriously.
Carver leaves no stone unturned as he goes on a relentless rampage of undisguised disdain for the realms of social media and reality TV and all who wish to dominate them.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. A bit of a slow build up while I wondered where it was heading, and in the beginning I took some time to figure out who was who. But once I did ... WOW!!
Yes, there's shock value!
Yes, you might have to stretch your imagination just a tad, but actually when you think about it, a lot of things that seem unbelievable actually do happen!! The world (and those who inhabit it) is just THAT crazy!
I absolutely LOVED it!!!
Thank you to THE Book Club for my ARC.
Carver's scathingly sharp commentary on the world of social media, and influencers in particular, makes for riveting reading. His characters are morally grey, and most have highly questionable motives for most of their actions. And to be honest, it's all like a colossal car wreck that you can't tear your eyes away from!
Told in alternate POV's the story unfolds as we hear from Alyssa and Less. Intertwined within their narratives are hashtags and social media handles where we hear from various others: influencers, celebrities, wannabes and the cacophony of voices that make up the online world.
It all combines to create the most deliciously awful tale of the lengths people are willing to go to just to be noticed, no matter the reason. And sometimes that length takes them so incredibly far from who they started out as, that they no longer recognise themselves when they look in the mirror.
Oh, and let's not forget the delightful little trolls who take their role as keyboard warriors extremely seriously.
Carver leaves no stone unturned as he goes on a relentless rampage of undisguised disdain for the realms of social media and reality TV and all who wish to dominate them.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. A bit of a slow build up while I wondered where it was heading, and in the beginning I took some time to figure out who was who. But once I did ... WOW!!
Yes, there's shock value!
Yes, you might have to stretch your imagination just a tad, but actually when you think about it, a lot of things that seem unbelievable actually do happen!! The world (and those who inhabit it) is just THAT crazy!
I absolutely LOVED it!!!
Thank you to THE Book Club for my ARC.
June 19, 2026
"None of this feels real. None of this feels like anything. I'm numb. A zombie. It's like I'm not even really here. So I need this, I need something that I know is real. I need something that can remind me how to feel."
Bad Influence, by @will_carver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Look at my page. I am not typically a thriller reader, but I saw this one and thought, y'know what? That actually sounds super interesting.
And look at me now. Sat staring at the wall, emotional and mental whiplash fully activated, possibly having an existential crisis. 🤣 Five stars. I'm serious.
Now, Bad Influence having a book tour is pretty ironic considering it is essentially a novel built around criticising the worst bits of social media: the desperate quest for fame, the lengths people will go to be seen, and the sick thrills people get from messing with lives.
I thought I'd figured it out. I liked the clever narrative style: the social media posts, articles, multiple POVs, and shifts in perspective. I thought I knew what I was in for.
I WAS NOT PREPARED.
The first twist hit like a truck, the second like a freight train — AND THEY JUST KEPT COMING.
I can't say anything else because I refuse to spoil it, but thriller readers, you need this. Not a thriller reader? Apparently, you need it too. No notes. I am not okay.
Bad Influence, by @will_carver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Look at my page. I am not typically a thriller reader, but I saw this one and thought, y'know what? That actually sounds super interesting.
And look at me now. Sat staring at the wall, emotional and mental whiplash fully activated, possibly having an existential crisis. 🤣 Five stars. I'm serious.
Now, Bad Influence having a book tour is pretty ironic considering it is essentially a novel built around criticising the worst bits of social media: the desperate quest for fame, the lengths people will go to be seen, and the sick thrills people get from messing with lives.
I thought I'd figured it out. I liked the clever narrative style: the social media posts, articles, multiple POVs, and shifts in perspective. I thought I knew what I was in for.
I WAS NOT PREPARED.
The first twist hit like a truck, the second like a freight train — AND THEY JUST KEPT COMING.
I can't say anything else because I refuse to spoil it, but thriller readers, you need this. Not a thriller reader? Apparently, you need it too. No notes. I am not okay.
June 18, 2026
Two bored, best friends Alyssa & Less couldn't be more different. Alyssa is from a working class family and isnt better off. Less on the other hand comes from a very privileged family and openly admits that. But they work great together. It does take a wee bit to get to know them.
Alyssa discoveres phrogging - pretty much breaking an entering while someone is home but without their knowledge. Ofcourse she has to get Less into it aswell. How much can they get away with?
Social media and influencing play a big part of this story aswell and social media posts feature. Showing that what we see isnt always the truth and what goes on behind the scenes. Its not all sunshine & making money. The dark side is very real in this book.
I enjoyed it, it did take me about 10% to get fulling into thw style of writing but once I did, it was full steam ahead. I really enjoyed the way Will portrayed social media Influencing.
Alyssa discoveres phrogging - pretty much breaking an entering while someone is home but without their knowledge. Ofcourse she has to get Less into it aswell. How much can they get away with?
Social media and influencing play a big part of this story aswell and social media posts feature. Showing that what we see isnt always the truth and what goes on behind the scenes. Its not all sunshine & making money. The dark side is very real in this book.
I enjoyed it, it did take me about 10% to get fulling into thw style of writing but once I did, it was full steam ahead. I really enjoyed the way Will portrayed social media Influencing.
June 19, 2026
Thought provoking, great book. It shows the dark side to social media. Phrogging freaks me out. I would die if I found someone hiding in my home!
June 13, 2026
Anyone who has ever read a Will Carver substack, or followed his social media posts will know that he is unafraid to voice his opinions on certain subjects. Rightly so. That sometimes acerbic, unflinching honest wit is what makes him so very Will Carver and what makes his writing so refreshingly original. Never the same story twice, even when set very clearly in the same world. For his latest novel, Bad Influence, he turns this razor sharp narrative towards the modern day plague of insanity that is social media, and the relatively modern phenomena of the 'Influencer'. A subject he has voiced opinion on before, one that dominates the headlines far too often, for disproportionately negative reasons, given the Carververse treatment. Who could resist that?
The story follows two friends, Alyssa and Less, short for Alessandro, who come from opposing worlds but who fit together like hand and glove. Alyssa wants to be able to emulate the success and pull of the people she idolises - the titles' 'influencers'. Less wants to make a career as a designer. It is almost as though either would do anything to achieve their dreams, and just how far that 'anythintg will take them really is the crux of the story. It's the strangest thing, the way in which Will Carver has developed these characters, given that I could never really like them, for reasons that become clear in the reading - very flawed in their own unique ways - but I was completely and utterly engaged in their fates, fascinated by their behaviour, and kind of mentally championing their cause, even though it was very, very, wrong. And that is perhaps the most telling aspect of the book. How well if reflects reality, that morbid fascination with car crash TV, where you know what you are witnessing is so very wrong that it becomes compellingly right.
I'll be honest, perhaps one of the most shocking elements of this books is how little anything that happened surprised me, and not because I am used to Will Carver's vision of the world. This book is set in L.A, and perhaps as far removed from the world of Nothing Important and Hinton Hollow as you could imagine. Glitz, glamour and affluence abound, there is also a seedy underside to proceedings that the author captures in unerringly honest, but depressingly plausible fashion. In the modern era of reality television and instafame, the lengths people will go to in order to achieve that level of acclaim and recognition is reflected in the lives of not just the two lead protagonists here, but in those who inhabit the world around them, be that the influencers, Paige and Rosie, or the TV Producers, Edie and Tammy, who seem to get off on creating the most out there programming, designed purely to shock. And yet, whilst I expected the unexpected, Will Carver still has that uncanny knack of being able to surprise and shock just that little bit more.
Then that ending. Worthy of the best of the Carververse mind melts. Not what I was expecting, but given the references throughout, the parallels between Alyssa and Lee's behaviour and another, very high profile LA story, I should maybe have been less surprised. And, as it is a Will Carver book, I should know better by now. The book is slower in pace in the first half whilst the lives and situations of each of the key players is established, but when the scene is properly set, and we get into the heart of the tale, the moment where you know that Alyssa and Less's actions are about to lead to a pivotal moment of reckoning, it picks up a pace, driven as much by shock as direct action.
If you are looking for a loving tribute to the wonderful world of the influencer, well, this is definitely not it. If you want to read a book about a madly modern phenomena - influencing and phrogging (I had no idea before this book either) - that is written with a pitch perfect cutting narrative, aping the very style of social media communication - #hashtageverything - and that acknowledges that the on screen perfection we all see masks what is often a world of paranoia, insecurity and carefully polished excrement, then this is the perfect book for you.
The story follows two friends, Alyssa and Less, short for Alessandro, who come from opposing worlds but who fit together like hand and glove. Alyssa wants to be able to emulate the success and pull of the people she idolises - the titles' 'influencers'. Less wants to make a career as a designer. It is almost as though either would do anything to achieve their dreams, and just how far that 'anythintg will take them really is the crux of the story. It's the strangest thing, the way in which Will Carver has developed these characters, given that I could never really like them, for reasons that become clear in the reading - very flawed in their own unique ways - but I was completely and utterly engaged in their fates, fascinated by their behaviour, and kind of mentally championing their cause, even though it was very, very, wrong. And that is perhaps the most telling aspect of the book. How well if reflects reality, that morbid fascination with car crash TV, where you know what you are witnessing is so very wrong that it becomes compellingly right.
I'll be honest, perhaps one of the most shocking elements of this books is how little anything that happened surprised me, and not because I am used to Will Carver's vision of the world. This book is set in L.A, and perhaps as far removed from the world of Nothing Important and Hinton Hollow as you could imagine. Glitz, glamour and affluence abound, there is also a seedy underside to proceedings that the author captures in unerringly honest, but depressingly plausible fashion. In the modern era of reality television and instafame, the lengths people will go to in order to achieve that level of acclaim and recognition is reflected in the lives of not just the two lead protagonists here, but in those who inhabit the world around them, be that the influencers, Paige and Rosie, or the TV Producers, Edie and Tammy, who seem to get off on creating the most out there programming, designed purely to shock. And yet, whilst I expected the unexpected, Will Carver still has that uncanny knack of being able to surprise and shock just that little bit more.
Then that ending. Worthy of the best of the Carververse mind melts. Not what I was expecting, but given the references throughout, the parallels between Alyssa and Lee's behaviour and another, very high profile LA story, I should maybe have been less surprised. And, as it is a Will Carver book, I should know better by now. The book is slower in pace in the first half whilst the lives and situations of each of the key players is established, but when the scene is properly set, and we get into the heart of the tale, the moment where you know that Alyssa and Less's actions are about to lead to a pivotal moment of reckoning, it picks up a pace, driven as much by shock as direct action.
If you are looking for a loving tribute to the wonderful world of the influencer, well, this is definitely not it. If you want to read a book about a madly modern phenomena - influencing and phrogging (I had no idea before this book either) - that is written with a pitch perfect cutting narrative, aping the very style of social media communication - #hashtageverything - and that acknowledges that the on screen perfection we all see masks what is often a world of paranoia, insecurity and carefully polished excrement, then this is the perfect book for you.
Review of advance copy
I am the biggest fan of this author - I have read and loved every one of his previous books- especially his January David series. So much so that I was over the moon to get my hands on this, his latest offering and, ignoring my carefully curated TBR list, I swiftly finished my current read (I'm not a monster) and dove straight in...
And I Blooming LOVED it!
We follow Alyssa and Less, who are pretty much chalk and cheese, as they negotiate life. Alyssa is from a poor background and lives with her mum and gran, looking after gran when mum is out working to try and keep the wolves from the door. Less - or Alessandro to give him his full name - is from a very privileged background but, unlike Alyssa, is emotionally neglected by his family.
But they are best friends and, like best friends should, they share things. One of the things that Alyssa wants to share with Less is her new found thing - phrogging - where she invades people's homes, having a nosey and even living there without their knowledge. It's easy to do these days with everyone's movements blasted all over their socials, including when their homes are empty...
Meanwhile, we also follow three internet "celebrities" Paige - an influencer, Rosie - an activist, and Arial - Rosie's nemesis... but I will leave you to get to know them as the author intends...
And then there's Edie and Tammy of Lincoln Lovell Productions. Gurus of reality TV that is really close to the knuckle and boy do they have an idea for their next venture...
Quite how all these characters come together is another thing I'm leaving for you to discover... suffice to say... hang onto your hat... it's going to be a wild ride...
And oh my days... as with his previous books, this author pulled the wool over my eyes, misdirected me, sent me down dead ends and... I have to say... I went totally willingly... He is the master of obfuscation (did you read Kill them with Kindness) and always goes above and beyond to dupe the reader without them realising it, and when they do, there is no bitterness, no feeling of being cheated, just pure unadulterated joy and appreciation for a job well done.
And the way the book is written, the use of posts and hashtags, of short punch chapters, with multiple viewpoints, switching regularly to keep the reader on their toes. Absolutely befitting the story being told and only enhancing it all the more.
Honestly... I could bang on and on about how much and why I loved this book. Suffice to say that it eventually left me wholly satisfied, albeit exhausted from all the punches it delivered towards the end. Ones I was only too happy to receive I hasten to add. I am also going to do what I have done with all this author's books and revisit it on Audiobook once it's published. And I really can't wait to do that...
And I Blooming LOVED it!
We follow Alyssa and Less, who are pretty much chalk and cheese, as they negotiate life. Alyssa is from a poor background and lives with her mum and gran, looking after gran when mum is out working to try and keep the wolves from the door. Less - or Alessandro to give him his full name - is from a very privileged background but, unlike Alyssa, is emotionally neglected by his family.
But they are best friends and, like best friends should, they share things. One of the things that Alyssa wants to share with Less is her new found thing - phrogging - where she invades people's homes, having a nosey and even living there without their knowledge. It's easy to do these days with everyone's movements blasted all over their socials, including when their homes are empty...
Meanwhile, we also follow three internet "celebrities" Paige - an influencer, Rosie - an activist, and Arial - Rosie's nemesis... but I will leave you to get to know them as the author intends...
And then there's Edie and Tammy of Lincoln Lovell Productions. Gurus of reality TV that is really close to the knuckle and boy do they have an idea for their next venture...
Quite how all these characters come together is another thing I'm leaving for you to discover... suffice to say... hang onto your hat... it's going to be a wild ride...
And oh my days... as with his previous books, this author pulled the wool over my eyes, misdirected me, sent me down dead ends and... I have to say... I went totally willingly... He is the master of obfuscation (did you read Kill them with Kindness) and always goes above and beyond to dupe the reader without them realising it, and when they do, there is no bitterness, no feeling of being cheated, just pure unadulterated joy and appreciation for a job well done.
And the way the book is written, the use of posts and hashtags, of short punch chapters, with multiple viewpoints, switching regularly to keep the reader on their toes. Absolutely befitting the story being told and only enhancing it all the more.
Honestly... I could bang on and on about how much and why I loved this book. Suffice to say that it eventually left me wholly satisfied, albeit exhausted from all the punches it delivered towards the end. Ones I was only too happy to receive I hasten to add. I am also going to do what I have done with all this author's books and revisit it on Audiobook once it's published. And I really can't wait to do that...
June 22, 2026
“Bad Influence” is basically #DontTryThisAtHome meets #InfluencerCore but make it deeply unsettling. It’s weird, sharp, a bit chaotic in the best way and has a slightly unhinged energy that Carver seems to specialise in.
The story follows two bored, slightly lost young people decide that normal life isn’t cutting it and stumble into this bizarre trend of secretly living inside other people’s homes. Naturally, they pick the absolute worst house to mess with and what starts as a reckless “experiment” turns into something much darker and messier.
#PlotTwistEnergy
I haven’t always seen eye to eye with Carver’s books. But this one? I was in. Fully. It’s creepy. Properly creepy. Not jump-scare creepy, more “I will never look at a quiet house or think of producers in the same way again” creepy. There are loads of unexpected turns that feel like the book is side-eyeing you the whole time. You think you know the vibe… you do not know the vibe.
#ItsAllContentNow
The writing is so good - sharp, observant and just a bit savage about online culture. You can tell Carver is having a field day poking at the hyper-curated world of influencers and the whole “please look at me” economy. As someone whose social media presence ends at “goodreads”, this has absolutely reaffirmed my life choice. I’ll stick to reading books about the chaos, thanks.
#AudiobookApproved
The audiobook works brilliantly. Georgie Sadler and Nezar Alderazi absolutely get the tone—when needed slightly heightened, a bit performative, which feels exactly right for a story about people constantly performing themselves. It’s very easy to imagine the influencers, the voices, the whole slightly surreal ecosystem. But they can also do quiet reflective (or quiet unhinged).
#FinalVerdict
Creepy, clever and weird. Would I expand my social media consumption after this? Absolutely not. Would I read more Carver like this? #100Percent
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, NetGalley and Will Carver for an advance listening copy of this book.
The story follows two bored, slightly lost young people decide that normal life isn’t cutting it and stumble into this bizarre trend of secretly living inside other people’s homes. Naturally, they pick the absolute worst house to mess with and what starts as a reckless “experiment” turns into something much darker and messier.
#PlotTwistEnergy
I haven’t always seen eye to eye with Carver’s books. But this one? I was in. Fully. It’s creepy. Properly creepy. Not jump-scare creepy, more “I will never look at a quiet house or think of producers in the same way again” creepy. There are loads of unexpected turns that feel like the book is side-eyeing you the whole time. You think you know the vibe… you do not know the vibe.
#ItsAllContentNow
The writing is so good - sharp, observant and just a bit savage about online culture. You can tell Carver is having a field day poking at the hyper-curated world of influencers and the whole “please look at me” economy. As someone whose social media presence ends at “goodreads”, this has absolutely reaffirmed my life choice. I’ll stick to reading books about the chaos, thanks.
#AudiobookApproved
The audiobook works brilliantly. Georgie Sadler and Nezar Alderazi absolutely get the tone—when needed slightly heightened, a bit performative, which feels exactly right for a story about people constantly performing themselves. It’s very easy to imagine the influencers, the voices, the whole slightly surreal ecosystem. But they can also do quiet reflective (or quiet unhinged).
#FinalVerdict
Creepy, clever and weird. Would I expand my social media consumption after this? Absolutely not. Would I read more Carver like this? #100Percent
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, NetGalley and Will Carver for an advance listening copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Bolinda Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
I was a bit confused by the quote from The Daily Express that’s highlighted in the book’s description. Referring to it as a story about “two bored, obsessed teenagers” doesn’t really fit because this isn’t a YA novel, and both main characters are in their early twenties. Why does that matter? Well, I read the audiobook, and I struggled with the casting of the narrators, so I was hyper-aware of the characters’ ages throughout.
Narrators Georgie Sadler and Nezar Alderazi both did a solid job overall, but they sounded much younger than I expected for our two protagonists. They came across as actual teenagers, which only added to my confusion about that promotional quote. It also shifted my perception of their motivations and decision-making. That said, the story itself was a lot of fun and the audio production was clean and well produced.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of, and honestly, I found myself wishing I had a physical copy to follow along with. The timeline jumps around a bit, and having the text in front of me would have made it easier to keep everyone and everything straight.
The fact that this complete train wreck of a situation is inspired by the real-life antics of phroggers is absolutely mind-boggling, but it also makes for incredibly entertaining reading. Every time I thought things couldn’t possibly get worse, they somehow did. I was hooked from start to finish, even if I occasionally had to rewind to make sure I hadn’t missed an important detail.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for an entertaining, fast-paced read. It blends the absurdity of stranger-than-fiction real events with sharp social commentary and a healthy dose of humor, making for a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
I was a bit confused by the quote from The Daily Express that’s highlighted in the book’s description. Referring to it as a story about “two bored, obsessed teenagers” doesn’t really fit because this isn’t a YA novel, and both main characters are in their early twenties. Why does that matter? Well, I read the audiobook, and I struggled with the casting of the narrators, so I was hyper-aware of the characters’ ages throughout.
Narrators Georgie Sadler and Nezar Alderazi both did a solid job overall, but they sounded much younger than I expected for our two protagonists. They came across as actual teenagers, which only added to my confusion about that promotional quote. It also shifted my perception of their motivations and decision-making. That said, the story itself was a lot of fun and the audio production was clean and well produced.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of, and honestly, I found myself wishing I had a physical copy to follow along with. The timeline jumps around a bit, and having the text in front of me would have made it easier to keep everyone and everything straight.
The fact that this complete train wreck of a situation is inspired by the real-life antics of phroggers is absolutely mind-boggling, but it also makes for incredibly entertaining reading. Every time I thought things couldn’t possibly get worse, they somehow did. I was hooked from start to finish, even if I occasionally had to rewind to make sure I hadn’t missed an important detail.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for an entertaining, fast-paced read. It blends the absurdity of stranger-than-fiction real events with sharp social commentary and a healthy dose of humor, making for a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
June 18, 2026
Will Carver's latest novel is set in the world of American reality television and social media, where everyone is chasing attention and validation.
Lyss (Alyssa), an aspiring influencer desperate to grow her following, forms an unlikely friendship with Less (Alessandro), a gay fashion design student who dreams of having his work recognised. Together, they discover the world of "phrogging", secretly living in or visiting celebrities’ homes without their knowledge as a way of experiencing how the other half lives.
Meanwhile, Edie and Tammy, wealthy reality TV executives, have grown bored with their privileged existence. In search of something out of the mundane, they begin pushing boundaries, caring little about the consequences for those caught in their wake.
As these storylines converge, Carver delivers a dark tale of deception, greed and manipulation, with the stakes becoming increasingly deadly.
In a departure from conventional storytelling, much of the narrative is filtered through the lens of social media, complete with hashtags, follower counts and online commentary. This approach reinforces the novel's themes and highlights society's growing fixation with digital validation.
The book held my interest throughout, and Carver's writing is as assured as ever. However, I struggled to connect with the characters, finding few of them particularly sympathetic or relatable. According to the author's notes, the novel is aimed at a generation that has grown up immersed in social media and reality television, so I may not be the ideal target audience. If anything, the story strengthened my resolve to keep that world at arm's length.
A well-written and thought-provoking novel that effectively explores the darker side of online culture, even if it wasn't entirely to my taste.
Lyss (Alyssa), an aspiring influencer desperate to grow her following, forms an unlikely friendship with Less (Alessandro), a gay fashion design student who dreams of having his work recognised. Together, they discover the world of "phrogging", secretly living in or visiting celebrities’ homes without their knowledge as a way of experiencing how the other half lives.
Meanwhile, Edie and Tammy, wealthy reality TV executives, have grown bored with their privileged existence. In search of something out of the mundane, they begin pushing boundaries, caring little about the consequences for those caught in their wake.
As these storylines converge, Carver delivers a dark tale of deception, greed and manipulation, with the stakes becoming increasingly deadly.
In a departure from conventional storytelling, much of the narrative is filtered through the lens of social media, complete with hashtags, follower counts and online commentary. This approach reinforces the novel's themes and highlights society's growing fixation with digital validation.
The book held my interest throughout, and Carver's writing is as assured as ever. However, I struggled to connect with the characters, finding few of them particularly sympathetic or relatable. According to the author's notes, the novel is aimed at a generation that has grown up immersed in social media and reality television, so I may not be the ideal target audience. If anything, the story strengthened my resolve to keep that world at arm's length.
A well-written and thought-provoking novel that effectively explores the darker side of online culture, even if it wasn't entirely to my taste.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Huge thanks to Random Book Tours for my spot on the Bad Influence tour, what a book!
Bad Influence is a novel which observes with pinpoint accuracy the pop psychology of the influencer culture.
Alyssa (21) grafts hard for everything in her life and spends her time supporting her mum caring for her elderly grandmother, whilst dreaming of being famous one day. Her best friend Less from school (Alessandro) couldn't be more different, born into a wealthier family he enjoys his privilege and his passion for fashion design but struggles to be accepted by his peers.
The novels plot is told from different point of views and interspersed with Instagram messages highlighting the vitriol that many people face from keyboard warriors who are intent on tearing people down based on their own insecurities and judgements against someone they don't know without fear of real repercussions.
The range of characters we are introduced to include Paige (fitness influencer), Ariel (health influencer), Rosie (animal and eco activist), Edie and Tammy (TV producers) and Jack a singer in a famous band, known for his infamous house parties, and they all have their part to play in the lives of Alyssa and Less, which adds good depth to the story.
The imposter syndrome seemed strong in Ariel who has been battling health issues for a long time and used her nutritional advice to try and help others and the online feud between her and Paige that starts was very reminiscent of things you see online.
One day Alyssa seizes upon an opportunity to go see her favourite influencer Paige in real-life, Paige has posted stories and Alyssa has managed to work out where Paige lives... Less initially gets swept along for the ride, after all Alyssa just wants a peek at how the other half lives, what's wrong with that? Turns out Alyssa doesn't just want a peek, she wants to step into Paige's shoes and the two best friends then find themselves in a dangerous situation.
From that point the twists just kept on coming and I was compelled to keep reading - be prepared for some late nights! This book highlights the insecurities and unrealistic expectations that many people have living with an "online persona", the image we project to the online community is one of just many masks that we wear in our life. It's a topical book with layers focusing on subjects of mental health, class and societal expectations and whilst the book is dark I had a few laugh aloud moments when bookstagrammers were referenced!
Read this book, you will NOT be disappointed!
Bad Influence is a novel which observes with pinpoint accuracy the pop psychology of the influencer culture.
Alyssa (21) grafts hard for everything in her life and spends her time supporting her mum caring for her elderly grandmother, whilst dreaming of being famous one day. Her best friend Less from school (Alessandro) couldn't be more different, born into a wealthier family he enjoys his privilege and his passion for fashion design but struggles to be accepted by his peers.
The novels plot is told from different point of views and interspersed with Instagram messages highlighting the vitriol that many people face from keyboard warriors who are intent on tearing people down based on their own insecurities and judgements against someone they don't know without fear of real repercussions.
The range of characters we are introduced to include Paige (fitness influencer), Ariel (health influencer), Rosie (animal and eco activist), Edie and Tammy (TV producers) and Jack a singer in a famous band, known for his infamous house parties, and they all have their part to play in the lives of Alyssa and Less, which adds good depth to the story.
The imposter syndrome seemed strong in Ariel who has been battling health issues for a long time and used her nutritional advice to try and help others and the online feud between her and Paige that starts was very reminiscent of things you see online.
One day Alyssa seizes upon an opportunity to go see her favourite influencer Paige in real-life, Paige has posted stories and Alyssa has managed to work out where Paige lives... Less initially gets swept along for the ride, after all Alyssa just wants a peek at how the other half lives, what's wrong with that? Turns out Alyssa doesn't just want a peek, she wants to step into Paige's shoes and the two best friends then find themselves in a dangerous situation.
From that point the twists just kept on coming and I was compelled to keep reading - be prepared for some late nights! This book highlights the insecurities and unrealistic expectations that many people have living with an "online persona", the image we project to the online community is one of just many masks that we wear in our life. It's a topical book with layers focusing on subjects of mental health, class and societal expectations and whilst the book is dark I had a few laugh aloud moments when bookstagrammers were referenced!
Read this book, you will NOT be disappointed!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Having just finished listening to Carver's first two January David books, and having read all his work from The Beresford onwards, Bad Influence starts off as a bit of fun, a bit of a lark. Not the usual Carver fare. Two bored twenty-something college students (more Gen Z than millennials - I'm a bit obsessed with generations) doing silly stuff together. Alyssa is poor, while best friend Less is from a wealthy family, but wants to stand on his own two feet as a milliner, designing hats for the rich and famous. Alyssa wants to be an influencer.
Then they decide - well it's Alyssa's idea really - to become 'phroggers', people who squat in other people's houses, while the owners are living there. They are never seen, but eat the food, sleep in the attic or basement, even in the walls, and watch TV etc while the householders are out. Alyssa and Less think it's amusing to move things around a bit, just to freak the owners out.
In the meantime, Paige of @TheFitnessPaige, is one of the top fitfam influencers. She is approached by reality TV producers Lincoln and Lowell to be filmed every day for an undisclosed sum of money, uploading the content to a server for a limited audience. They warn her that it could break her. She says it will be fine because she's strong (when not secretly eating cold pizza and ice cream, and throwing up).
So far so good, but not very Carver. Then in a shocking twist, everything changed. I gasped. It became very sinister and unsettling, involving online searches for shovels, duct tape and heavy duty bin bags from Amazon, with the inevitable 'how to bury a body'. Now we're talking!
In typical Carver fashion, the humour is very dark and might not appeal to everyone, but readers of my blog know that dark humour one of my favourite genres, and Will Carver is one of my favourite authors. He never stops surprising me.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
Then they decide - well it's Alyssa's idea really - to become 'phroggers', people who squat in other people's houses, while the owners are living there. They are never seen, but eat the food, sleep in the attic or basement, even in the walls, and watch TV etc while the householders are out. Alyssa and Less think it's amusing to move things around a bit, just to freak the owners out.
In the meantime, Paige of @TheFitnessPaige, is one of the top fitfam influencers. She is approached by reality TV producers Lincoln and Lowell to be filmed every day for an undisclosed sum of money, uploading the content to a server for a limited audience. They warn her that it could break her. She says it will be fine because she's strong (when not secretly eating cold pizza and ice cream, and throwing up).
So far so good, but not very Carver. Then in a shocking twist, everything changed. I gasped. It became very sinister and unsettling, involving online searches for shovels, duct tape and heavy duty bin bags from Amazon, with the inevitable 'how to bury a body'. Now we're talking!
In typical Carver fashion, the humour is very dark and might not appeal to everyone, but readers of my blog know that dark humour one of my favourite genres, and Will Carver is one of my favourite authors. He never stops surprising me.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Best friends Less and Lyssa do everything together - including trying out ‘phrogging’ - moving into someone else’s house without their knowledge. Lyssa is desperate to see how her favourite influencers live, by sneaking into their homes.
Until one day, they choose the wrong house. And things go wrong. Deadly wrong!
This was such a fresh and original take on influencer culture, celebrity, and the desire for fame and creating an impact on the world (whilst not knowing or really caring how/why!)
It was satirical and darkly humorous - kind of like The Bling Ring meets Black Mirror! The Bling Mirror?
There was a lot to think about - some of it was really funny, but some of it quite hard-hitting. It made me think about some of the genuinely awful things that have happened to reality tv stars and the shirked responsibilities of tv production companies. The producers in the book laugh at their wannabe stars with the contracts they give them, literally stating that they give up all their privacy and that their lives will be ruined.
I loved the way the book was written - as if we’re scrolling through our phones, seeing tailored ads and influencer content. And the exposed desperation of the main characters who feel trapped by their own success, constantly performing and staging, whilst feeling empty and alone in their real lives.
Just when I thought I had a handle on the story, the bombshells and twists started landing, and they were fantastic! Totally unexpected and wildly fun!
Until one day, they choose the wrong house. And things go wrong. Deadly wrong!
This was such a fresh and original take on influencer culture, celebrity, and the desire for fame and creating an impact on the world (whilst not knowing or really caring how/why!)
It was satirical and darkly humorous - kind of like The Bling Ring meets Black Mirror! The Bling Mirror?
There was a lot to think about - some of it was really funny, but some of it quite hard-hitting. It made me think about some of the genuinely awful things that have happened to reality tv stars and the shirked responsibilities of tv production companies. The producers in the book laugh at their wannabe stars with the contracts they give them, literally stating that they give up all their privacy and that their lives will be ruined.
I loved the way the book was written - as if we’re scrolling through our phones, seeing tailored ads and influencer content. And the exposed desperation of the main characters who feel trapped by their own success, constantly performing and staging, whilst feeling empty and alone in their real lives.
Just when I thought I had a handle on the story, the bombshells and twists started landing, and they were fantastic! Totally unexpected and wildly fun!
June 21, 2026
Bad Influence had such a great premise. I was immediately drawn to the exploration of social media culture, influencers, and the divide between the haves and the have-nots. The book does a great job highlighting how influence, power, and online fame can go to people’s heads, and how the image someone monetizes and presents online is often very different from the reality behind the screen.
I especially loved the first half of the book. The dynamic between the two friends was fascinating, and watching the rise and fall from grace unfold made for compelling reading. The themes of jealousy, ambition, and the cost of chasing online validation felt timely and relevant.
However, the second half didn’t work quite as well for me. It almost felt like I was reading a different story. While I understood what the author was trying to do with the influencer being manipulated into an impossible, no-win situation while the world watched, I found it less compelling than the friendship-driven drama that had hooked me at the beginning.
That said, the book raises some interesting questions about social media, influence, and the ways people are shaped by public perception. Even when I wasn’t fully invested in the direction the story took, I was still curious enough to keep reading.
Overall, an interesting and thought-provoking read with a fantastic premise, even if the second half didn’t quite live up to the strength of the first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
I especially loved the first half of the book. The dynamic between the two friends was fascinating, and watching the rise and fall from grace unfold made for compelling reading. The themes of jealousy, ambition, and the cost of chasing online validation felt timely and relevant.
However, the second half didn’t work quite as well for me. It almost felt like I was reading a different story. While I understood what the author was trying to do with the influencer being manipulated into an impossible, no-win situation while the world watched, I found it less compelling than the friendship-driven drama that had hooked me at the beginning.
That said, the book raises some interesting questions about social media, influence, and the ways people are shaped by public perception. Even when I wasn’t fully invested in the direction the story took, I was still curious enough to keep reading.
Overall, an interesting and thought-provoking read with a fantastic premise, even if the second half didn’t quite live up to the strength of the first.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
June 18, 2026
I know when I pick up a Will Carver book, it is going to be dark, unique and daring.
A great premise with influencers and phrogging. I first read about that last year. It's where someone lives in someone else's house undetected. I thought it was out there but I guess it really is a thing.
But this is much more than that because it gave me a lot to think about. The facade an influencer puts out into the world that is pushed as reality. What social media represents in today's world and how addicted some are. And even what can be manipulated.
Not sure any of the characters are likable or even the slightest bit relatable but just the same I needed to keep reading. It's that argument you are witnessing that you know you shouldn't be listening to but...
I'll admit it took me a moment to figure out where this was heading and to become invested but once it gripped me, it didn't lose me.
I won't say I totally agree with the author's contempt for all of social media, but it does go over the lines at time and this book gave me a lot to think about. I would make a great buddy read or book club book as I think the discussion could be spirited.
Georgie Sadler and Nezar Alderazi narrate the audiobook and really nail the tone of the characters and did a good job bringing it all to life. I loved all the computer noises for the posts and comments everyone left for the influencers.
A great premise with influencers and phrogging. I first read about that last year. It's where someone lives in someone else's house undetected. I thought it was out there but I guess it really is a thing.
But this is much more than that because it gave me a lot to think about. The facade an influencer puts out into the world that is pushed as reality. What social media represents in today's world and how addicted some are. And even what can be manipulated.
Not sure any of the characters are likable or even the slightest bit relatable but just the same I needed to keep reading. It's that argument you are witnessing that you know you shouldn't be listening to but...
I'll admit it took me a moment to figure out where this was heading and to become invested but once it gripped me, it didn't lose me.
I won't say I totally agree with the author's contempt for all of social media, but it does go over the lines at time and this book gave me a lot to think about. I would make a great buddy read or book club book as I think the discussion could be spirited.
Georgie Sadler and Nezar Alderazi narrate the audiobook and really nail the tone of the characters and did a good job bringing it all to life. I loved all the computer noises for the posts and comments everyone left for the influencers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The ideas that Will Carver continues to come up with for his novels never cease to amaze me. In his latest novel, Bad Influence, he explores a topic I have only come across since reading this book, and it is actually quite alarming to think about. It follows two bored teenagers who start breaking into celebrities’ homes, particularly influencers’, and secretly living there. It starts as a bit of fun, but soon becomes very addictive, until things take a sudden, sharp turn for the worse.
The thought that someone could secretly be living in your home is terrifying. There are people in society who post so much of their lives, especially personal lives, on social media that it attracts the wrong kind of attention. There are several influencers who Will Carver introduces us to in his book, and far from leading perfect, rosy lives that they portray on their channels, their lives appear to be far from that. This is especially the case with Paige, a fitness influencer, and although she has thousands of online followers, in her personal life, she is incredibly lonely. This did make me feel sorry for her, and it does make you realise that although some people give off a certain persona online, that may not be the reality.
Will Carver’s two main characters are Less and Alyssa, who both come from very different backgrounds, but they are best friends. I found their lives very intriguing, and despite the fact that Less’s family is incredibly wealthy, he too faces his own hardships, particularly his relationship with his mother. It is quite clear how dependent they are on each other, even though they do make some wrong decisions. Less definitely seems to be a bad influence on Alyssa.
Bad Influence is an addictive, chilling read that I raced through. Will Carver fans will absolutely love his latest offering.
The thought that someone could secretly be living in your home is terrifying. There are people in society who post so much of their lives, especially personal lives, on social media that it attracts the wrong kind of attention. There are several influencers who Will Carver introduces us to in his book, and far from leading perfect, rosy lives that they portray on their channels, their lives appear to be far from that. This is especially the case with Paige, a fitness influencer, and although she has thousands of online followers, in her personal life, she is incredibly lonely. This did make me feel sorry for her, and it does make you realise that although some people give off a certain persona online, that may not be the reality.
Will Carver’s two main characters are Less and Alyssa, who both come from very different backgrounds, but they are best friends. I found their lives very intriguing, and despite the fact that Less’s family is incredibly wealthy, he too faces his own hardships, particularly his relationship with his mother. It is quite clear how dependent they are on each other, even though they do make some wrong decisions. Less definitely seems to be a bad influence on Alyssa.
Bad Influence is an addictive, chilling read that I raced through. Will Carver fans will absolutely love his latest offering.
Read
June 18, 2026Bad Influence follows Alyssa and Less, two outsiders from different worlds who come together and become involved in the trend of phrogging, which constitutes them living in the homes of pop stars and influencers without them knowing. They enjoy the thrill of it all until one day, they are caught in the act.
What a unique premise this was! I don’t think I’ve read another book like this. I really enjoyed the sound effects in the audiobook and references to/inclusion of the social media world, which felt fitting and relatable. On the other hand, I struggled to connect to these characters and found that it was also a bit tricky for me to keep track of the amount of characters that were being introduced via audio. I frequently lost track of who the story was following or got them confused with one another (e.g., Rosie, Ariel and Paige, the influencers, or the producers), although I’m sure reading it physically and taking more time to wrap my head around them would easily resolve this.
This felt like an entertaining train wreck that sheds light on the dangers of influencer culture and highlights the reality of the personas that those with an online presence can manufacture. Would recommend to those that enjoy dark and unsettling reads!
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, Will Carver and NetGalley for an ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.
What a unique premise this was! I don’t think I’ve read another book like this. I really enjoyed the sound effects in the audiobook and references to/inclusion of the social media world, which felt fitting and relatable. On the other hand, I struggled to connect to these characters and found that it was also a bit tricky for me to keep track of the amount of characters that were being introduced via audio. I frequently lost track of who the story was following or got them confused with one another (e.g., Rosie, Ariel and Paige, the influencers, or the producers), although I’m sure reading it physically and taking more time to wrap my head around them would easily resolve this.
This felt like an entertaining train wreck that sheds light on the dangers of influencer culture and highlights the reality of the personas that those with an online presence can manufacture. Would recommend to those that enjoy dark and unsettling reads!
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, Will Carver and NetGalley for an ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 18, 2026
Bad Influence by Will Carver is one of those difficult to review books that you want to talk about, but can’t go into too much detail for fear of spoiling the story. It is a highly addictive, profound and thought provoking tale that had me on the edge of my seat throughout!
Will Carver has once again created a unique and thrilling read that is as unexpected as it is shocking. With the kind of twists and turns that builds the tension slowly, this is a book that is a timely reminder of the pitfalls of social media, highlighting the incredible lengths some people are willing to go to for clicks and ‘likes’.
Needless to say I loved Bad Influence and can’t praise it highly enough. Will Carver’s writing is wonderful, drawing you in from the outset, the sense of suspense building throughout. With chapters that keep the momentum going and a tension so palpable you can almost taste it, this is an excellent read that gets to the heart of humanity in a way that only the writing of Will Carver can.
Bad Influence is a satirical, darkly funny and thought provoking tale that really does keep you thoroughly entertained throughout. Highly recommended.
Will Carver has once again created a unique and thrilling read that is as unexpected as it is shocking. With the kind of twists and turns that builds the tension slowly, this is a book that is a timely reminder of the pitfalls of social media, highlighting the incredible lengths some people are willing to go to for clicks and ‘likes’.
Needless to say I loved Bad Influence and can’t praise it highly enough. Will Carver’s writing is wonderful, drawing you in from the outset, the sense of suspense building throughout. With chapters that keep the momentum going and a tension so palpable you can almost taste it, this is an excellent read that gets to the heart of humanity in a way that only the writing of Will Carver can.
Bad Influence is a satirical, darkly funny and thought provoking tale that really does keep you thoroughly entertained throughout. Highly recommended.
June 21, 2026
One of the most original books I’ve read in a long time. It’s twisty, dark, and very contemporary — the kind of story that gets under your skin because it feels so uncomfortably close to the world we’re living in.
The plot follows a rising influencer whose carefully curated online life begins to spiral, exposing the toxic mix of ambition, obsession, and public scrutiny that fuels social‑media fame. As the story unfolds, you see how the hunger for visibility pulls in friends, partners, and strangers, creating a chain of consequences that becomes increasingly dangerous. The way the author shows the destructive power of fame, and how quickly an online persona can turn into a trap, is genuinely chilling.
The book is packed with sharp twists and a creeping sense of dread, but what makes it stand out is how real it feels — a frighteningly believable look at the influencer ecosystem and the blurred line between performance and identity.
A bold, unsettling, brilliantly modern thriller. Absolutely deserving of five stars.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this highly recommended audiobook.
The plot follows a rising influencer whose carefully curated online life begins to spiral, exposing the toxic mix of ambition, obsession, and public scrutiny that fuels social‑media fame. As the story unfolds, you see how the hunger for visibility pulls in friends, partners, and strangers, creating a chain of consequences that becomes increasingly dangerous. The way the author shows the destructive power of fame, and how quickly an online persona can turn into a trap, is genuinely chilling.
The book is packed with sharp twists and a creeping sense of dread, but what makes it stand out is how real it feels — a frighteningly believable look at the influencer ecosystem and the blurred line between performance and identity.
A bold, unsettling, brilliantly modern thriller. Absolutely deserving of five stars.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this highly recommended audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the second Will Carver book I have read. I really enjoyed this book. It was very relevant to current times. I liked the structure of the book with very short and direct chapters that made it easy to read.
Alyssa and Less ( short for Alessandro) are best friends. Alyssa wants to live like one of the influencers she follows, she wants to be famous and she wants to be successful. Less wants to be a designer.
They are from very different backgrounds and had different upbringings - Alyssa lives with her mum and helps to look after her nan and money is tight while Less has led a privileged life.
An innocent favour of dropping off a parcel to a neighbour gives Alyssa an idea. When she drops the parcel to her neighbour she enters his house and has a good look around. When the neighbour comes back in she hides and gets an adrenaline buzz from this. It makes her think about ‘phrogging’ where you enter and at times stay hidden in someone’s house without their knowledge. Alyssa and Less decide to do this in an influencers house.
Alyssa and Less have clearly messed up in their choice of house to do this in and things start to go wrong.
This book at times felt like a reality TV show was at play.
A great read and one I would recommend.
Alyssa and Less ( short for Alessandro) are best friends. Alyssa wants to live like one of the influencers she follows, she wants to be famous and she wants to be successful. Less wants to be a designer.
They are from very different backgrounds and had different upbringings - Alyssa lives with her mum and helps to look after her nan and money is tight while Less has led a privileged life.
An innocent favour of dropping off a parcel to a neighbour gives Alyssa an idea. When she drops the parcel to her neighbour she enters his house and has a good look around. When the neighbour comes back in she hides and gets an adrenaline buzz from this. It makes her think about ‘phrogging’ where you enter and at times stay hidden in someone’s house without their knowledge. Alyssa and Less decide to do this in an influencers house.
Alyssa and Less have clearly messed up in their choice of house to do this in and things start to go wrong.
This book at times felt like a reality TV show was at play.
A great read and one I would recommend.
June 17, 2026
In this very dark comedy, we are inside the minds of influencers, wanna-be influencers, and the producing minds behind reality TV. Some want the money, others the fame and recognition. They pick fights to gain followers and exhaust themselves meeting demands to "feed the beast" of social media. At least Alyssa and Less have each other - best friends who egg each other on to be bolder or more outrageous. They start phrogging (making themselves comfortable in someone else's unoccupied residence) until they are caught on camera at the home of one of their influencer idols. It's a crazy ride from that point as the vacuous world of online status- and fortune-seekers spins out of control. The well-produced audiobook is worth a listen, whether you want to be entertained or horrified by the lives of these Gen Z'ers (I was both).
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BolindaAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #BadInfluence for review purposes. Publication date: 1 July 2026.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BolindaAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #BadInfluence for review purposes. Publication date: 1 July 2026.
June 14, 2026
This one is difficult to explain without giving too much away. The main hook is the craze of phrogging which I hadn’t heard of until this book.
Phrogging involves living in a strangers house without them knowing.
Best friends Alyssa and Less start phrogging and this is what really sets the series of events in motion.
I found the first part of the book quite slow and difficult to keep up with as it introduced a number of characters and there was a lot of sections written like social media posts.
Once the middle section started and it focussed on one character (fitfluencer Paige) it picked up and I found it easier to immerse myself into the story.
By the time the last part started I was hooked.
The books theme centres around fame and what people will do for it/to keep it. It feels fresh and spot on for the world at the minute.
It is a slow burn but definitely worth sticking with!
Thanks to TBC REVIEWS 2026 and Orenda books for the advanced copy.
Phrogging involves living in a strangers house without them knowing.
Best friends Alyssa and Less start phrogging and this is what really sets the series of events in motion.
I found the first part of the book quite slow and difficult to keep up with as it introduced a number of characters and there was a lot of sections written like social media posts.
Once the middle section started and it focussed on one character (fitfluencer Paige) it picked up and I found it easier to immerse myself into the story.
By the time the last part started I was hooked.
The books theme centres around fame and what people will do for it/to keep it. It feels fresh and spot on for the world at the minute.
It is a slow burn but definitely worth sticking with!
Thanks to TBC REVIEWS 2026 and Orenda books for the advanced copy.
June 18, 2026
I have read most of Will Carver’s books – many I’ve loved, others have simply fascinated me. His take on life, his merciless analysis of a world in which social media plays havoc with lives, and his incisive examination of how a world of instant gratification leaves emptiness behind, have always fascinated me.
Bad Influence fall firmly into the category of Will Carver books I love. Filled with delicious irony, pin-point accuracy about the lives of influencers (“How am I supposed to talk to a real person?) and scattered with so many twists and turns, this is a real masterpiece. It reminded me of my favourite of his books, Nothing Important Happened Today.
Again, he shows incredible insight into the human psyche and I found his observations fascinating and honest. I could relate to the very believable, well-fleshed out characters – both the naïve and the truly evil ones.
A truly fabulous, compelling read that will keep you up all night!
Bad Influence fall firmly into the category of Will Carver books I love. Filled with delicious irony, pin-point accuracy about the lives of influencers (“How am I supposed to talk to a real person?) and scattered with so many twists and turns, this is a real masterpiece. It reminded me of my favourite of his books, Nothing Important Happened Today.
Again, he shows incredible insight into the human psyche and I found his observations fascinating and honest. I could relate to the very believable, well-fleshed out characters – both the naïve and the truly evil ones.
A truly fabulous, compelling read that will keep you up all night!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bad influence by Will Carver is uniquely written story written as mostly in social media posts it delves into the lives of wannabe influences and people from reality tv and show their lives which are sometimes fake. And people that want to be them. The world that we perceive them to be is not always the truth. And two teenagers that want that life secretly break into the influencer’s houses and secretly live there. But one house they go, and visit turns out to be their last.
I really enjoyed the authors other work Kill them with kindness, so I was looking forward to reading this. I like the concept of this storyline and found this to be very thought provoking, and I would say people will be taking about this book for a while. But I found this a bit slow to begin with. Although it did enjoy this and found it engaging for me it lacked tension. 4 stars from me.
I really enjoyed the authors other work Kill them with kindness, so I was looking forward to reading this. I like the concept of this storyline and found this to be very thought provoking, and I would say people will be taking about this book for a while. But I found this a bit slow to begin with. Although it did enjoy this and found it engaging for me it lacked tension. 4 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!
WOW.
You don't want to know much, this is one where if the short, one sentence synopsis sounds up your alley (social media commentary, bored teens phrogging, things going very wrong) you should just pick it up and start. I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, and the production value is fantastic; in a book where mixed media, especially social media posts, drives a lot of the narrative, some extra sound effects bring those sections to life without feeling overwhelming or distracting.
The use of hashtags was so creative, the alternating POVs kept me engaged and guessing how they could possibly all be related to each other, and even though I was LOOKING for misdirection, I didn't predict where this story was headed at all.
Come for some searing social media commentary, stay for a deftly crafted plot and a masterful obfuscation.
WOW.
You don't want to know much, this is one where if the short, one sentence synopsis sounds up your alley (social media commentary, bored teens phrogging, things going very wrong) you should just pick it up and start. I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, and the production value is fantastic; in a book where mixed media, especially social media posts, drives a lot of the narrative, some extra sound effects bring those sections to life without feeling overwhelming or distracting.
The use of hashtags was so creative, the alternating POVs kept me engaged and guessing how they could possibly all be related to each other, and even though I was LOOKING for misdirection, I didn't predict where this story was headed at all.
Come for some searing social media commentary, stay for a deftly crafted plot and a masterful obfuscation.
June 17, 2026
Will Carver is one of my auto-buy authors, so I was thrilled to be approved for the audiobook of Bad Influence.
This was a sharp, satirical look at the world of influencers and social media. In true Carver style, it pokes fun at modern culture while also giving you plenty to think about.
While it wasn’t quite as immediately dark as some of the other books in the Carververse, it didn’t take long for things to take a turn. I was especially fascinated by the psychological depth of the characters, and I loved experiencing the story through their different perspectives.
The narration was excellent and really brought each character to life, adding even more impact to an already compelling story.
Another fantastic book from Will Carver. Many thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.
This was a sharp, satirical look at the world of influencers and social media. In true Carver style, it pokes fun at modern culture while also giving you plenty to think about.
While it wasn’t quite as immediately dark as some of the other books in the Carververse, it didn’t take long for things to take a turn. I was especially fascinated by the psychological depth of the characters, and I loved experiencing the story through their different perspectives.
The narration was excellent and really brought each character to life, adding even more impact to an already compelling story.
Another fantastic book from Will Carver. Many thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.
Review of advance copy
Bad influence is a cautionary tale of the modern online world. Focused on the world of influencers and celebrity the story follows 2 friends Less and Lyss as they try to keep themselves entertained and grab their 15 minutes of fame.
As expected for a psychological thriller there are twists and turns and the suspense is a real slow burn in places as you wait to find out how it will play out. It is really hard to review without spoilers but all I will say is it is worth the wait for the ending.
Part way through I felt it was dragging slightly and worried the ending would be predictable…I was wrong!!
A brilliant tale of the extremes of modern life. The dangers and temptations of online versus reality and the consequences of following those likes.
The ending was perfect…I wondered how it would end without a ln anti-climax but the ending was perfect.
As expected for a psychological thriller there are twists and turns and the suspense is a real slow burn in places as you wait to find out how it will play out. It is really hard to review without spoilers but all I will say is it is worth the wait for the ending.
Part way through I felt it was dragging slightly and worried the ending would be predictable…I was wrong!!
A brilliant tale of the extremes of modern life. The dangers and temptations of online versus reality and the consequences of following those likes.
The ending was perfect…I wondered how it would end without a ln anti-climax but the ending was perfect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews