by: A.V. Geiger
Publication Date: 6/6/2017
Wow just wow.
I don't think I've ever read a book where I've wanted to read just the next chapter as bad as I do now. I mean, I want to read the whole next book...but I'm DYING to read the first chapter.
Follow Me Back follows Tessa, a teenager with severe agoraphobia. Something happened to her over the summer and while it doesn't get brought up until the end, she mentions several times that this is the reason she now has to see a therapist to work on eventually stepping outside of her house. While she's locked away she ends up writing a story on WattPad called #EricThornObsessed which eventually trends so much that she gains thousands of followers.
A lot more transpires as the book progresses and there are several good points brought up. For example, do social media fans sometimes take it too far? And would followers like singers/song writers if they didn't have the attractive body or face to go with the package? And when is "following" taken too far?
Follow Me Back is a serious discussion about mental illness and stalking gone too far, packaged nicely as a thriller disguised as a contemporary. This is a truly thought-provoking novel and will stay with the reader long after they finish.
Here's the breakdown:
The characters are mostly average. You have the typical never there, or never emotionally there mother with no other parent, or guardian to speak of. Tessa is definitely the above-average character in the book. She suffers from a mental illness and tries to stay kind and strong at every corner, even as she deals with cyber bullying, relationship problems with her mom and boyfriend, and of course her agoraphobia. Eric Thorn, is your mostly typical rock star-turned-model-turned-teen-idol. He mentions how he doesn't want to be just loved for his looks, but wants to be loved for his music. Yet the only song he ever mentions working on is mostly one based off of a joke. And other then Tessa's therapist and her boyfriend, and Eric's manager there aren't really a lot of other characters that the author really goes into depth about.
The format kind of reminds me of Illuminae, with the different formats. There are texts, and interviews, and tweets. The writing style may not be perfect, but the fact that the story grips you until the very end...clearly the author must be doing something right.
Overall, I can't give it lower than a 4/5 stars since it truly had me speeding through it and then thinking about what was going to happen next. Can't wait until the next book comes out!
** I received Follow Me Back in exchange from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, this does not effect my opinions and all opinions are my own.
Please comment below if you've read any exciting thrillers lately.
Also, check out my review on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1987030259
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