The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms
The first book I read by Kelly Harms was The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, which I read last year and really enjoyed. The story, writing and voice, was right up my alley. No surprise there that I couldn’t wait to read the author’s new release – unfortunately it didn’t quite deliver.
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As one of the most popular influencers on social media, Mia Bell has lived her life online for years. With her celebrity dog and gorgeous fiancé, she is planning the ultimate virtual wedding – expensive, elaborate, and entirely paid for by sponsors. But off-camera, her world is far from picture perfect. After being jilted by her fiancé and faking her nuptials to please her sponsors, Mia finally has had enough. She heaves her phone off a cliff, ready to live – and maybe find love – offline for a change.
Mia’s sudden absence doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by techie loner Paige Miller, who hacks Mia’s account and begins impersonating the internet celebrity. Paige has her reasons. Her half sister, Jessica, idolizes Mia and desperately needs something to believe in. If taking over Mia’s online persona is Paige’s only means of connecting to her sister, so be it.
Creating a like-worthy life is more fun than Paige expected. But when she grows too bold and is caught in the act, a fiasco ensues that could forever change Mia, Paige, and the people who love them. Because somewhere amid the chaos is an invaluable lesson – one that only real life can teach.
The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms
MY THOUGHTS
It’s a bit ironic, but although I’m pretty active on Bookstagram myself, I realized that I don’t necessarily enjoy reading about social media and social media influencers. Maybe because the topic is not new and exciting anymore, honestly I’ve heard it all. But whatever the reason, the story just couldn’t pull me in as much as I hoped it would.
Both POV’s, Mia and Paige’s pretty much focused on social media. Mia was an influencer, and Paige someone who worked behind the scenes at a company exactly like Instagram. But I must admit the author did her research, because most everything she described in the book in regards to influencers sounds about right.
Besides the social media aspect, I also had a really hard time connecting with either Mia or Paige. If I’m honest I didn’t really care about either of them, and that’s never a good place to be. In the end I got to a point where I enjoyed the book enough to finish it, but I struggled at times.
Again, this has nothing to do with the author or her writing style. The writing was on par with The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, which I enjoyed. And the audiobook was well done as well. Can’t really complain about either. It was the plot and the main characters that just didn’t sync with me.
Overall, the book was a mix of light hearted contemporary fiction with some deeper topics like clinical depression, anxiety and attempted suicide. As well as loneliness, and the darker side of social media – addiction and obsession with likes and social media fame.
| last thoughts |
So, even though the book wasn’t the right one for me, that doesn’t mean that someone else might not enjoy it. Especially in regards to social media influencers – a topic that might be fascinating to someone else.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
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The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms
I feel like if you’re going to write a book about this topic, it has to really stand out. It is done so often that it kind of loses its excitement. The only one lately that has truly fit that bill for me is The F List.
I agree!!! I really enjoyed The F List, and a book about social media has to be different from what I already know. Give me something I can be entertained by.
Its always so disappointing when a read turns out like this here, I don’t have much interest in reading about social media influencers, the appeal isn’t what it used to be if this had been written even five years previous.
Great review!
YES that’s it!! 5-10 years ago it would have been fascinating to me too, but not anymore. It’s a trendy topic, but for someone like me who has been on IG for multiple years, it’s old news.
The blurb sounds very interesting, but I’m also not a huge fan of books about social influencers, even though I find the subject really fascinating. I recently read «One to Watch» and didn’t really like it that much.
I agree!!! I’m currently listening to One to Watch, and feel the same. The plot is certainly different, but it’s not something I can identify with, since I don’t watch reality TV shows. And when It comes to social influencers, there is barely anything I don’t already know. But I bet the topic might be fascinating for people that aren’t as involved with social media.