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We’ve all had our share of bad work situations—whether we were forced to put up with a demanding boss or obnoxious coworkers or we were just overworked and underpaid. And in Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks, an ambitious young woman takes a job that turns into a whole new terrible lifestyle.
The story finds New Yorker Harper Cruz leaving the publishing industry behind and moving to Nashville after accepting a job with beloved influencer Charlotte Green. Harper hasn’t heard of Charlotte before—and the job sounds too good to be true—but Harper is desperate. After arriving in Nashville and starting her job, she finds that Charlotte isn’t just an influencer; she’s a brand, an attitude, and maybe even a cult. But while the environment at The Greenhouse originally seems fun and inspiring, Harper soon finds that the real Charlotte doesn’t exactly match her brand.
Before she even unpacks her bags, Harper finds herself in over her head at The Greenhouse. There are tight deadlines and high expectations—and while Harper’s made-up job title sounds impressive, she has no idea what it means or what she’s supposed to be doing. And the chaos and confusion of it all definitely makes for a wild and fast-paced read.
More than just a story about a dream job gone wrong, though, it also offers a look behind the scenes at the cutthroat world of influencers and internet stardom. While her millions of followers see Charlotte as a self-help genius who manages to do it all as a loving wife, a doting mom, and a self-made girl boss, Harper sees a completely different side. Everything at The Greenhouse is about appearances and messaging. Everything is posted and shared and recorded in just the right light. But the carefully curated Instagram Reels don’t show the unrealistic expectations of a demanding boss, who constantly pits her employees against each other and takes credit for their work.
Knowing that the author once worked for a well-known influencer (who later suffered a well-documented fall from grace) only makes the novel feel extra scandalous. But it also serves as a clever cautionary tale for those who tend to believe everything they see on social media.
If you’ve ever found yourself working in a toxic environment, you’ll relate to Harper’s experiences in Under the Influence. And if you’ve ever gotten caught up in the fabulous lifestyles of internet celebrities, you’ll get caught up in the dishiness of it all. It’s an eye-opening and entertaining The Devil Wears Prada for the influencer age.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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