You Will Never Be Me - by Jesse Q Sutanto (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When cracks start forming in an influencer's curated life, she finds out that jealousy is just as viral as a video in this riveting suspense novel by bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

Influencer Meredith Lee didn't teach Aspen Palmer how to blossom on social media just to be ditched as soon as Aspen became big. So can anyone really blame Mer for doing a little stalking? Nothing serious, more like Stalking Lite. Then, Mer gets lucky; she finds one of Aspen's kids' iPads and swipes it. Now, she has access to everything: the family calendar and Aspen's social media accounts. Would anyone else be able to resist tweaking things a little here and there, showing up in Aspen's place for meetings with potential sponsors? Mer's only taking back what she deserves--what should have been hers.

Meanwhile, Aspen doesn't understand why her perfectly filtered life is falling apart. Sponsors are dropping her, fellow influencers are ghosting her, and even her own husband seems to find her repulsive. If she doesn't find out who's behind everything, she might just lose it all. What everyone seems to forget is that Aspen didn't become one of TikTok's biggest momfluencers by being naive. When Meredith suddenly goes missing, Aspen's world is upended and mysterious threats begin to arrive--but she won't let anything get in the way of her perfect life again.

Review Quotes

"Once best friends, the two momfluencers in this searing black comedy compete so greedily for sponsors and popularity that they destroy their relationship -- and may stop at nothing to stay on top. Read this instead of doomscrolling."--People

"A juicy, electric thriller about a pair of warring momfluencers--just imagine the drama--You Will Never Be Me is the kind of read-in-one-sitting story tailor-made for a summer weekend... Hilariously wicked, this is a book social media addicts will relish."--Elle

"A juicy, modern thriller!"--Woman's World

"Having established her credentials in YA fiction and gentle, albeit often manic comedy, Sutanto spins on a dime to show Meredith and Aspen dishing on each other with sublime and incandescent hatred... Social media mavens will nod in recognition; everyone else will come away relieved that this could never happen to them."--Kirkus, starred review

"You Will Never Be Me's truly twisty, unexpected plot will hook readers, even those who don't find either of its main characters particularly likable--it hardly matters, as both are absolutely fascinating. The eventual confrontation between Meredith and Aspen is shocking and brilliantly executed, the crowning achievement of this truly unforgettable read."--BookPage, starred review

"Sutanto has devilish fun with her premise, lacquering the story's well-executed twists with a satirical sheen that pokes wicked fun at internet celebrity. The result is a near-perfect beach read."--Publishers Weekly

"Sutanto expertly traps willing readers into an over-the-top chaotic vacuum with surprisingly satiating results."--Booklist

"If there is one author who can do it all, it's Jesse Q. Sutanto. That's why You Will Never Be Me was an absolute must-read of mine."--Culturess

"You Will Never Be Me is a suspenseful and all-consuming psychological thriller that will draw you into its obsessive, toxic relationship. It combines social insights with smart and sharp humour to excellent effect."--The Nerd Daily

"Highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers and anyone curious about the world of social media influencers."--Mystery & Suspense Magazine

"If you are looking for a suspense thriller that you can devour in a day or two, then You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the book for you."--The Suburban

"You Will Never Be Me is an ultra twisty, unpredictable, and devilishly fun thrill ride, exploring the dark side of influencer culture. Prepare to be shocked and wildly entertained by this gripping and addictive thriller. Jesse Sutanto is a true talent!"--Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Home is Where the Bodies Are

"If you've ever scrolled and judged, you must read the stunning suspense novel, You Will Never Be Me, a deliciously dark tale of two influencers turned best friends turned enemies willing to pay any price to keep the perfect life projected on social media. Heavy is the head that wears the mom-fluencer crown, and you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to see whose heads will roll in this deliciously twisted book."--Vanessa Lillie, USA Today bestselling author of Blood Sisters

"Prepare to put everything else on hold, because this is one wildly twisty, ridiculously entertaining thrill ride of a book that you won't be able to put down. You Will Never Be Me is both a deep dive into the world of influencers, and a careful examination of how female friendships can irreparably fracture over time. Readers will love (and love to hate) Aspen and Meredith, and jaws will drop as the story unfolds and secrets are revealed. This is Jesse Q. Sutanto at her masterful, devious best."--Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, bestselling author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here

"You Will Never Be Me is Jesse Q. Sutanto at her most bingeable and demonic yet. No one writes toxic female friendships as blisteringly as Sutanto and I guzzled You Will Never Be Me in a few delicious sittings and was positively hungover when I was finished, sad that the devious, delirious thrill ride was over. The heir apparent to Patricia Highsmith, Jesse Q. Sutanto is one of the boldest and most unapologetic, unflinching voices in crime fiction today. You Will Never Be Me is an utterly unputdownable triumph, a skewering, yet somehow sympathetic peek behind the lives of momfluencer culture and the impossible expectations society heaps upon women. A standing ovation!"--May Cobb, author of The Hunting Wives

"This book is the cure to the seemingly picture perfect influencer culture that's unavoidable in contemporary life. If you're a mom who has ever wondered how women on the internet do it all, then you'll love this thrilling and cathartic read."--Tasha Coryell, author of Love Letters to a Serial Killer

"With You Will Never Be Me, Jesse Sutanto has proven she is a real force when it comes to writing gripping suspense novels. This book is not only an 'up all night' page turner, but a biting social commentary on social media, influencer culture and why we should never believe everything we see online. The twists are unrelenting with several gasp-out-loud moments and Jesse perfectly balances these with pitch black comedy. In short, it's thrilling, funny and gloriously dark. I loved it."--Katy Brent, author of How to Kill Men and Get Away With It

"This book gripped me from the first page and never let up. Incredibly smart, entertaining, twisty, and darkly humorous. It shines a light on the pressures of motherhood, influencer culture, and the lengths some may go to for their children...and their follower count. I absolutely loved it."--Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well

About the Author

Jesse Q. Sutanto is the author of the bestselling Aunties series, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, and I'm Not Done With You Yet. Her young adult titles include The Obsession; Well, That Was Unexpected; and Didn't See That Coming, and her children's fantasy series is Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit. She has a master's degree from Oxford University and a bachelor's from the University of California, Berkeley. She currently lives in Jakarta with her husband and two young daughters.