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Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks
5.0

Ever peeked at an Instagram #girlboss and thought, "What's fresh hell is it like to clean her toilets- I mean, to work for her?" Noelle Crooks' "Under The Influence" drops you into that "green" smoothie-laden world in her debut, and it was all I wanted it to give me and more.

Broke and in need of a fresh start, Harper's a New Yorker who applies for a job with enigmatic influencer Charlotte Green, and faster than you can say "mandatory dance party," she's off to Nashville to join The Greenhouse. Initially, it's all sunshine and group bonding, but as Harper digs deeper into Charlotte's world, she uncovers the dark side of living a #girlboss life and answering to a She-E-O.

Crooks weaves a darkly comedic tale of the allure of the glamorous and the harsh realities behind the motivational memes. The characters are vivid, the writing sharp, and Harper's humor keeps you invested in her journey.

In short, "Under The Influence" is a hilarious and thought-provoking look at the not-so-Instagrammable side of the #girlboss lifestyle. If you've ever wondered what happens when the filter comes off and want some influencer tea (given that Noelle used to work for a very popular influencer, think "girl, get a grip"). It's a rollercoaster through the world of influencers, perfect for anyone who's a sucker for seeing the chaos behind the Instagram curtain like me.