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The Haters

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The bestselling author of The Party and The Drowning Woman returns with a twisted tale of fame, obsession, and the dark recesses of social media.

Camryn Lane is living her dream. After years of struggle and rejection, her first novel has finally been published. Her editor is happy; her teenage daughter is proud; and her boyfriend and friends are all excited for her. She’s on top of the world—until she receives a disturbing message from an unknown sender.

Rattled by the accusations she finds there, Camryn swallows the sick feeling in her stomach and resolves to put the missive out of her mind. But when she checks her ratings on a popular book site, she finds a scathing one-star review. The reviewer is so articulate and convincing that soon, Camryn’s book is flooded with bad reviews. Could the reviewer be the same person who sent the ugly email? And why do they want to ruin her?

As the online harassment creeps into Camryn’s personal life, she vows to find out who’s behind it. Is it really a disgruntled reader? Or could it be someone she knows? The troll’s actions are escalating, and when the abuse turns deadly, it will take everything Camryn has to unmask the enemy so intent on destroying her—and finally learn why she's being targeted.

342 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2024

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About the author

Robyn Harding

16 books4,315 followers
Robyn Harding is the bestselling author of several books and has written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her family and two cute but deadly rescue chihuahuas.

To learn more about Robyn's books visit: http://www.robynharding.com. Or follow her on Instagram: @rhardingwriter
or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynH...


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5 stars
653 (17%)
4 stars
1,626 (44%)
3 stars
1,056 (28%)
2 stars
264 (7%)
1 star
76 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 743 reviews
Profile Image for Jayme.
1,335 reviews3,378 followers
July 2, 2024
The New York Times Book Review has just branded debut author Camryn Lane as a “brave new voice in Fiction”and labeled her novel “Burnt Orchid”, as “chilling, heart wrenching and painfully authentic” (excerpts from the book are included, making this a book within a book)

And, just as Ms. Lane is about to do her first reading, while celebrating with friends and family, an email pings to the author account that her Publisher encouraged her to set up. It feels fortuitous, so she opens it as she is about to step on stage…

BIG MISTAKE

It’s an email from a reader named Ingrid Wandry, accusing her of exploiting the high school students that she counsels in her “day job”-even though the teens in her book are homeless and living on the streets.

After all, aren’t writers always told to “write what you know”?

SOON after-she notices a very articulate and convincing ONE STAR REVIEW on the popular book site- READEM.

The disgruntled reader is ANGRY, and she is getting a lot of attention for her review, which suggests that readers BOYCOTT the book. It appears to be Ingrid again-and soon the TROLL is making the attacks personal.

The site is flooded with one star reviews and the books average rating is steadily declining.

Camryn is rattled by the accusations she finds on the site, but her PR team counsels her to NOT engage.

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

As the attacks escalate from online harassment to threats in her personal life, she becomes reckless as she attempts to save her career, and discover the true identity of her accuser.

She doesn’t know who she can trust.

And, this distrust is now jeopardizing her relationships with her daughter, partner, and long time friends.

But, is the troll a random reader-or is it someone she knows? And, why has she been targeted?

Books about “One Star Reviews” are having a moment but this just may be the BEST one that I have read because the characters are well developed and the relationships felt authentic.

I felt Camryn’s anguish as she watched her “life long” dream of becoming an author, coming to end just as it was getting started-helpless to control her own narrative.

The denouement is CLEVER as it ties in Camryn’s book “Burnt Orchid” to her present day struggles, and as it alludes to the kind of book she might write next, if she can salvage her career.

Now, if I were a reviewer on READEM, “Burnt Orchid” would have only earned 3 stars ⭐️ from me-It was ALL TELL, and NO SHOW, and I didn’t find it engaging.

But, Robyn Harding is getting 4.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up for “The Haters”. I was entertained from the first page through the last.

Available NOW!!

A buddy read with Mary Beth! Did she love it or hate it? Be sure to watch for her review!

Thank You to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Profile Image for Sydney Books.
353 reviews17.6k followers
June 25, 2024
This was SO GOOD! I love Robyn Harding’s writing style so much, I couldn’t help but fly through this in just a few sittings. Such a “just one more chapter” kind of book, I didn’t want to put it down. Also, I just about drove myself crazy trying to figure out what was going on, much like our MC, I couldn’t trust ANYBODY. 😂TRUST ME you are not gonna want to miss out on this super binge-able and twisty thriller!!
July 13, 2024
3.5⭐️

Forty-four-year-old Camryn Lane has just published her debut novel “ Burnt Orchid” – a commendable achievement after years of unsuccessful attempts, all the while navigating her personal life and responsibilities and her career as a high school counselor. But her joy is short-lived after she receives a caustic email from an unknown sender which is soon followed by a harshly worded one-start review on a popular book review site, which is just the beginning of a disturbing chain of events – a deluge of negative reviews, online trolling and harassment. As the situation escalates, her personal relationships begin to suffer, aspersions are cast on her professional ethics and integrity and she soon realizes that she stands to lose everything she worked so hard to achieve. The narrative follows Camryn as she searches for the person targeting her.

This was my first Robyn Harding novel and I was excited to read it. I loved the premise of the The Haters and thought it was well-crafted. The suspenseful mystery with plenty of twists and surprises made for an engaging read. The narrative is presented in short chapters from Camryn’s first person POV with segments from Camryn’s book interspersed throughout the novel. The author’s depiction of how online trolling and bullying affect the mental health of those who are targeted was realistic and relevant. I could sympathize with Camryn’s plight, but given her age and maturity, I was surprised by some of the choices she made. The final reveal was surprising and though I didn’t find the motive entirely convincing, I’m always happy when my theories are proved wrong and I did like how the author chose to end the novel.

I liked the idea of chapters from Camryn’s book interspersed throughout the narrative but also felt that this messed with the pacing of the primary plot and rendered the novel a tad too long. The chapters from Burnt Orchid were intense, but I failed to see the purpose of including so many chapters into the text of the narrative and found one particular aspect in this regard at the end more than a bit contrived. I'm not a fan of adult fiction (in this genre) wherein teenage drama outweighs other aspects of the story. This is a personal preference, but it detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. However, I did appreciate the sensitive themes that the author has addressed.

I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Megan Tusing and Jess Nahikian, who did a commendable job of breathing life into the story.

It does feel weird giving a (relatively) lower rating to a book that so many of my GR friends have enjoyed, but I assure you I'm not a "hater." I didn’t dislike this one in its entirety, but also didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d expected!

Connect with me!InstagramMy BlogThe StoryGraph
Profile Image for Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme).
514 reviews347 followers
August 4, 2024
Camryn Lane is living her dream. After years of struggle and rejection, her first novel has finally been published. Her editor is happy; her teenage daughter is proud; and her boyfriend and friends are all excited for her. She’s on top of the world—until she receives a disturbing message from an unknown sender.

Rattled by the accusations she finds there, Camryn swallows the sick feeling in her stomach and resolves to put the missive out of her mind. But when she checks her ratings on a popular book site, she finds a scathing one-star review. The reviewer is so articulate and convincing that soon, Camryn’s book is flooded with bad reviews. Could the reviewer be the same person who sent the ugly email? And why do they want to ruin her?

As the online harassment creeps into Camryn’s personal life, she vows to find out who’s behind it. Is it really a disgruntled reader? Or could it be someone she knows? The troll’s actions are escalating, and when the abuse turns deadly, it will take everything Camryn has to unmask the enemy so intent on destroying her—and finally learn why she's being targeted.

Propulsive and all-encompassing, The Haters easily pulled me into Cameron’s dark world. With plenty of gasp-worthy scenes and constantly ratcheting suspense, I simply flew through the pages from beginning to end. That’s not to say that this psychological thriller was what I expected. No, it was far more poignant and unsettling than anything I’ve yet read by Harding. Especially given the serious pulled-from-the-headlines topics and themes.

The storyline was pure gold for this thriller lover. A complex, deftly woven tale of metafiction that included not only Camryn’s rapidly imploding world, but also excerpts from her new eye-catching novel. Gritty and disturbing, Orchid’s path felt a step away from the other piece to the novel. At the same time, when the two finally came together it was a true work of genius. Far more elevated and thought-provoking than most thrillers that I’ve read, it will certainly keep me thinking long after closing the cover.

The very basis of the plot also grabbed me and didn’t let go. Between the often difficult teenage world of high school and the scary idea of becoming an author with all it entails, both were written with cleverness and clarity. Genuine yet also filled with foreboding, they both came to life on the page. With it was a palpable tension and baked in deep seated fear. In all honesty, it made me look at social media with fresh, clear, wide-open eyes.

As for the characters, they were mesmerizing in all of their dynamic, true-to-life glory. From the vividly drawn bully to the anxiety-ridden new author, I was drawn into their stories as my pulse shot through the roof. With it, however, came a near constant desire to shake Camryn good and hard. I can’t say much more without providing a spoiler or two, but just know that her decisions weren’t always what I would do. Still, she captured my attention as only the best personas can manage.

The one minor flaw that bothered me just a tad was the conclusion. When all was said and done, I wish there had been some more repercussions for all of those who had done wrong. Instead, the finale felt just the teeniest bit anticlimactic. Did it ruin my love for this novel? Not in the slightest. But it did irk me just the same.

Needless to say, this book will easily be living rent free in my head for quite some time. Packed full of dark truths and even darker manipulations, this binge-worthy page-turner was a slam dunk success. Already one of my auto-buy authors, Harding has now proven herself to me on a whole new level. So if you happen to have been living under a rock recently, add this book to your TBR and pre-order it now. After all, I reveled in giving a serious side-eye to each and every character until the final timely reveal. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Robyn Harding and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: July 2, 2024

Trigger warning: threatening messages, trolling, mention of: sexual assault, bullying, drug dealing, getting doxed, drug overdose
Profile Image for Chantal.
811 reviews702 followers
July 3, 2024
Reading this book is a rare treat—it's not often you can't guess who the villain is! The plot hits close to home for readers and especially writers. Imagine dealing with a bad review, a stalker, and the chaos of social media. I absolutely loved it. It's fast-paced and gripping from start to finish!
Profile Image for Holly  B (slower pace!).
890 reviews2,463 followers
July 4, 2024
My fifth novel from this author!

She is one that I can count on to keep the pages moving! This time we have a story about an author who finally gets her first novel published. Camryn Lane is on top of the world UNTIL.... Dun,dun,dun... the reviews start rolling in. 😐

I've read some pretty brutal one star reviews (IRL) and I did actually feel bad for Camryn. She decides to take steps to investigate why readers seem to be jumping on this bandwagon taking her overall rating sinking by the day.

There is plenty of juicy book drama, finger pointing and a peek at just how social media can wreak havoc and do damage to anyone (yikes), this one may keep you engaged and guessing just who was behind the social curtain!

Thanks to NG for my ARC and this one came out July 2, 2024
Profile Image for Rachel Hanes.
596 reviews572 followers
July 9, 2024
Hey Robyn Harding, you can add me to your Anti-Haters club! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Because trust me when I say there was nothing to hate about this book- except for the fact that my anxiety was a little high and I was on the edge of my seat, because EVERYONE was a suspicious and suspected hater in this story!

Camryn Lane, a high school counselor, finally publishes her first novel. It’s a dream come true for Camryn, and all her friends and family are happy for her it seems. The public is even loving this debut novel “Burnt Orchid”, until she receives the nasty one star review. Prior to this nasty one-star review from an I.W., Camryn received a nasty email from an Ingrid Wandry, telling her that she stole her students stories and wrote a book. Camryn knows this is nonsense, but the public is going along with all the negative reviews and misinformation about Camryn Lane.

Instead of celebrating the success of her debut novel, Camryn is being harassed and stalked online. All her personal relationships are being ruined. How will she ever find this Ingrid Wandry and make this harassment stop?

After her personal life is falling apart, Camryn starts to wonder if there is anyone in her circle that she can even trust? Was her best friend happy for her that she finally became a successful author? Or her much younger boyfriend? Or even her own family members? Camryn soon starts to isolate herself, and realizes that she doesn’t have anyone to support her.
Is she really crazy and manipulative like everyone is painting her out to be? Or can she bring the haters down?

This book added a nice little extra touch with excerpts from Camryn’s novel “Burnt Orchid” throughout the story. This story also showed the personal effects of trauma perfectly, as it is very hard not to react to the haters out there. I highly recommend reading this book!!
(4.5 stars 🌟)
Profile Image for Kaceey.
1,288 reviews4,052 followers
August 17, 2024
3.5🌟
With her first book just released, Camryn Lane can now officially call herself a published author. But of course in the online world there are throngs of haters out there. And there’s one particular reviewer who seems focused on destroying Camryn’s dreams.

What can Camryn possibly do to stop them before the hatred and bad reviews go viral? Or is it already too late. And equally important, who’s behind this campaign of hate?

Sounds awesome right?!

🎧: So here’s the big question? Was it the storyline? Or the format I chose to read it with? For the first time I chose the audio version for one of RH’s books. And well…it just didn’t go according to plan!🏻‍♀️
I found the narrators a bit too frantic for my taste, making it difficult to connect with the characters.

I love this author’s works (I am not a hater🙋🏼‍♀️) I am already watching for her next book, which I will absolutely be reading in digital format!
Profile Image for NZLisaM.
467 reviews513 followers
July 3, 2024
Stay away from The Haters, Camryn!

4.5.


It all started with an email through Camryn Lane’s author website – hateful words regarding her newly-published first novel, Burnt Orchid, and worst still, a personal attack on her character. Then, there’s the multiple one-star reviews, and while taking part in an authors panel at a book festival a stranger accuses Camryn of abusing her position as a high school counsellor to gain material for Burnt Orchid. Camryn knows that every author receives negative feedback, and that you need to have a thick skin, but Camryn just wants everyone to love her book as much as she does. All she needs to do is engage with The Haters, and they will listen to, and see, her side, right?

I kept begging Camryn to stay off the internet, and ignore The Haters, but it wouldn't have been much of a thriller if she had of listened to me, would it? The Haters sure was highly entertaining. To be honest, Camryn was a disaster. She was immature, paranoid, oblivious, obsessed, and self-centered, but this plot wouldn’t have worked with a more secure character. Her sarcastic sense of humor and absurd behaviour did crack me up through. My enjoyment of this novel came from waiting to see just how much deeper Cameron was going to dig the hole she was in, and eagerly awaiting to see who, and why, was behind everything.

Camryn was the sole first-person narrator, which kept the tension high, and like Cameron I was side-eying everyone wondering if they were trustworthy. There were also excerpts from Cameron’s novel, Burnt Orchid, and I relished the parallels between her fictional work and the situation she found herself in because of The Haters. As light and fun as I found most of the novel, the ruthless attack and sabotage by on and offline trolls of Camryn’s character and safety was not funny in the slightest, neither were the personal stories other characters shared with Camryn regarding their own experiences with disparaging remarks, harassment, stalking, death threats, and verbal abuse. The Haters definitely had a serious side, and my heart broke for these authors. My heart also broke for the students Camryn counselled who were being mercilessly bullied.

Robyn Harding has impressed me once again. Her domestic drama psychological suspense thrillers are always so unique!
Profile Image for Jayne.
749 reviews448 followers
July 9, 2024


I did not hate "The Haters".

I loved it!!!!!!!!
😍👍🩷💙🩵💜❤️🥰

Kudos to author Robyn Harding for penning ANOTHER high-octane, riveting, and unputdownable domestic thriller.

This dark tale of fame, obsession, family dynamics, ambition, and social media trolling sizzled and soared.

From Chapter One, I was hooked.

Characterizations were ultra-compelling, alarmingly relevant, and on-point.

The despair, angst, frustration, anger, and futility experienced by the protagonist was palpable.

I listened to the audiobook read by Megan Tusing and Jess Nahikian.

A special shoutout to Megan Tusing, the book's primary narrator, for her Oscar-worthy performance.

"The Haters" was pacy, twisty, unpredictable, suspenseful, and brilliantly narrated -- making it impossible to remove my headphones.

No hate from this devoted and loyal Robyn Harding fan.

"The Haters" gets all the stars.....and MORE!!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Suz.
1,350 reviews724 followers
May 29, 2024
I loved this book! Flying through it at an alarmingly fast rate, this was a propelling, engaging and exciting thriller. I own some of this author’s books which I have not yet read and will rectify this asap. I can say with certainty this is the only physical book I have read lately which I read into the night and stayed up too late to devour ‘just a few more’ pages, I don’t usually do this.

A wonderful example of who and how, and a protagonist that goes against the grain ducking and weaving to try and fix her situation in a way that others would give up on or rely on others to solve. My mind was in a whirlwind trying to piece it together, and all the components thrown in the air at us made for excellent second guessing. It was chaotic, it created confusion and was relatable in a strange way.

Camryn (love the spelling) is a highly skilled debut writer. Her novel is captivating containing a beguiling main character and has begun to gain immediate traction. Alarmingly for Camryn, the book she has slaved over has been slammed by a low review setting in motion a hugely trolled situation, leading to imminent physical danger, with personal details leaked.

Personal relationships come into question, the ex-husband and his wife, her younger boyfriend, writers group friends and work colleagues. Her best friends are lovely, but there is always a cloud over them, as well.

I loved the inclusion of the instantly unlikeable student who Camryn persistently tries to help in her professional role. The psychological trauma that students go through at the hands of others, and the evil some teenagers so easily perpetrate is chilling. Then Camyrn’s ability to stay professional at school through all this was impressive, against the backdrop of her personal life falling apart so quickly.

The intricacies of teenage relationships and social hierarchies mixed in with the folly that is social media, and the dangers of this is clever and intricate. Additionally, the interspersed chapters of Camyrn’s book are a clever tool, and the last line? Priceless. Camryn is a feisty and unforgiving woman, a strong holding together a thoroughly engrossing read.

With my thanks to Better Reading magazine for my advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Lindsay L.
757 reviews1,458 followers
August 13, 2024
4 stars!

Book review drama!

Camryn Lane has just published her first novel and it’s a hit! Positive reviews fuel her excitement until she stumbles across a very negative, accusatory and personal 1 star review. Several more 1 star reviews start piling up shortly after with devastating personal accusations. Told to stay off social media by her publishing team, she can’t help but worry and wonder who is behind such hateful personal criticisms.

I had an immediate interest in the main character and storyline. The plot is addictive and current, showcasing just how overwhelming social media can be. I usually enjoy novels revolving around the book/publishing world, and this was no exception. The author perspective was done very well, pulling the reader into the fast paced, cut throat publishing industry. The social media scandal was relevant and eye-opening.

The main characters novel has chapters scattered through the book. I liked these breaks from the storyline, but I wasn’t as invested in what happened in that book as I was in the main plot.

I liked the main character, but I didn’t enjoy any of the secondary characters and felt they were quite surface level. I appreciate what they brought to the storyline as far as adding layers to the plot, but I wasn’t as invested in their side stories as I should have been.

I predicted a large plot twist from early on in the book which was disappointing when revealed at the end, however, I still remained entertained throughout.

Overall, an entertaining and current read that kept me flipping the pages!
Profile Image for L.A..
600 reviews242 followers
July 5, 2024
Unbelievably good!!! I've had plenty of time on the beach🌴 to read, but no time to write a review!! I love Robyn Harding books and this one is no exception. A scary defining moment with the dark side of social media. When Camryn Lane struggles with rejections, her debut book is finally published. Burnt Orchid is sure to be a hit!!
Then....a sudden twist in fate...a one star review slams her book then many more to follow. One email comes to her for threats her book circulating is about her students she had in high school as she serves as their counselor. The train wreck escalates into real life threats. It is disturbing! I felt sorry for her as she tried to recover from online harassment. This is bullying at its worst. The final twist is awesome!!
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for JanB.
1,245 reviews3,674 followers
August 5, 2024
Camryn, a high school counselor, has written her debut and almost immediately is accused by online trolls of exploiting the teens she works with. The anonymous threats and the accusations from the social media snowball to the point she is fearful of her life and the life of her teenage daughter.

The present day story is interspersed with snippets of her debut novel.

The theme of reviewers who leave less than flattering reviews and the impact of social media is nothing new, and I feared it would be the same old, same old…

No fear…this was as fresh as could be and the story line kept me on my toes and listening as fast as I could. Camryn’s personal relationships play an important part of the narrative and provide context.

A mean girl theme is not my favorite but the author has crafted an engaging tale with relatable sympathetic characters.

This story let me get into the head of the MC and feel complete sympathy for her. I could feel her frustration and helplessness as the media mob went after her.

Recommended!

The audiobook was expertly Narrated by Megan Tusing & Jess Nahikian





Profile Image for Debra.
2,797 reviews35.9k followers
August 25, 2024
Gripping, thrilling, and hard to put down, The Haters was another page turner by Robyn Harding! The Haters depicts the online hate and harassment that school counselor, Camryn Lane receives after her debut book is published. The Haters also has a book within a book as readers get excerpts from Camryn's debut book "Burnt Orchid".

Camryn knows that not every book is for every person. That her book will not be for everyone, but she is shocked and left reeling after reviewer, Ingrid Wandry, leaves her a very bad review. Accusations are made, more online hate and bad reviews come in as Camryn goes from being excited to being a wreck.

As Camryn tries to listen to her publishers, she is also desperate to find out why she is being targeted. She wants to clear up the personal accusations and those in her life begin to worry about her, her obsession with the reviews, and her actions. Will they stand by her, or will they distance themselves from the mess her life is becoming??????

I thought Robyn Harding did a great job showing all the emotions that Camryn was experiencing as she receives emails, text messages, bad reviews, etc. I thought Camryn's reactions felt authentic while questioning some of her actions. As things become more tense and personal, I began to come up with my suspect list and theories.

This book is overflowing with tension, a sense of danger, unease, and moments of dread. It was also wonderfully written, perfectly paced and shocking. The Haters might begin with a bad review, but so many other things are at play in this book. This kept me on my toes turning the pages, fully invested in wanting to know how far things were going to go in this addictive book. Things get a little OTT in some parts, but I didn't mind as I was enjoying the wild ride of a book that Robyn Harding wrote.

Gripping, tension filled, shocking and well thought out!

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Profile Image for James.
Author 20 books4,104 followers
April 9, 2024
The Haters by Robyn Harding is a new thriller focused on one reviewer tanking an author's career because (s)he has a personal vendetta against the family. What we don't know is why... and as the plot unfolds, readers grow increasingly supportive of the author who truly is trying to do all the right things. Perhaps because I'm an author myself, I identify fully with the protagonist. In complete agreement that we need thick skin, but in a world where one's livelihood may depend on income from their work, there needs to be a line when a reviewer's opinion crosses line. Here, Harding depicts such a drama that pits the author against the reviewer... and while there is some error on the author's side, a much larger reason lurks behind the scenes... one that easily draws readers into a web of chaos and confusion. I really enjoyed this book. My primary constructive feedback is that when things finally come to a conclusion, the author's life is still left in ruins, and it would have been nice to have a bigger payoff for those who were wronged. Maybe I'm too much of an equality / fairness guy... that said, I'll emphasize that the writing was great, the characters were convincing, and I always enjoy this author's books.
Profile Image for Hannah McKinnon.
Author 8 books1,697 followers
January 19, 2024
Blimey! That was a wild ride. THE HATERS by Robyn Harding had me hooked (and terrified) from the opening page. No wonder, because this psychological thriller about the dangers of how we handle social media is clever, propulsive, full of truly gasp-worthy moments, and will have you thinking twice before posting anything online again. All the love—and zero hate—for this twisted, suspenseful tale. THE HATERS is my favourite Harding novel yet.
Profile Image for Chelsea | thrillerbookbabe.
596 reviews879 followers
April 19, 2024

This book was EVERYTHING! Thank you so much to Grand Central Publishing and Robyn Harding for my copy of this book! It’s about Camryn, a newly published author who is finally having her dreams come true. Everything is going great, until she gets a disturbing message from an unknown person. She tries to forget about it, but then she gets a scathing one star review on her book, and soon her book is flooded with bad reviews. Then the online trolling starts to creep in to her her personal life, and crosses the line from an angry reader to someone out to get her. Is this person someone she knows? She begins to be targeted more and more, and now she realizes that this vendetta is deeper than she first believed.

Thoughts: I loved this book! Robyn Harding is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. The way she writes is dynamic and interesting and leads the reader down a path of this fun thriller. This book is written for readers, and anyone who is in the bookstagram or author space will love this book. The idea of an internet troll being able to destroy someone’s life is so relevant and so truly terrifying.

There were so many interesting and suspicious characters in this book, and so many ways this story could go. I loved the chapters of Burnt Orchid in between the other chapters, and would LOVE to actually get to read that full book. The things happening to Camryn were not scary, but just creepy enough to make me feel really uneasy. The ending was what I guessed, but I didn’t know all the details and how Harding would weave everything together. I can’t recommend this enough- 5 stars!
Profile Image for Cindy (leavemetomybooks).
1,260 reviews787 followers
July 17, 2024
I realize that giving a low rating to a book about an author who gets a low rating on her book and then her entire life spirals out of control is… not a great look, but I really struggled to get through this and ended up skimming the last third. I think I just disliked Camryn too much to care? Also, the book within a book was a fun idea, but Burned Orchid or whatever it was called was very much not a good book, and I found it distracting - I definitely would have given that one a one star/DNF. 😬

Anyway — Loads of other reviewers have LOVED this, and I was kind of an outlier on The Drowning Woman as well, so I think Harding may just not be for me?

* thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the NetGalley review copy. The Haters publishes July 2, 2024.
Profile Image for Katie B.
1,467 reviews3,119 followers
August 16, 2024
4.25 stars

I’m always game for a good thriller and The Haters delivered for the most part. While it did suffer from a character making dumb decisions, it held my interest with some twists and turns along the way. I might be in the minority this opinion but it was a stronger read than the author’s previous book, The Drowning Woman.

Camryn Lane’s first novel had just been published and she’s riding the high. Well, that is until she receives a rather disturbing message from an unknown sender. She tries to ignore it but then a scathing 1 star review for her book appears on a popular site for readers. And that leads to the masses turning on her and the book is bombarded with negative reviews. As the online harassment continues, Camryn is determined to find out who is intent on destroying her life.

I think the book community will get a kick out of this one as it explores the relationship between readers and authors and the toxicity of social media. I often was frustrated with Camryn and how she handled things but at least could understand where she was coming from. A decent popcorn thriller with an above average ending.

Recommend reading if you are a big fan of this genre.
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,403 reviews690 followers
July 6, 2024
I was so excited to get an early copy of The Haters by one of my favourite thriller writers, Robyn Harding. Thank you so much Simon and Schuster Australia, it went straight to the top of my TBR. And it was wonderful!!

Camryn Lane has just published her first book and is on top of the world. It is getting a great reception and she is about to do her launch when the online abuse begins. Soon she has more 1 star reviews than anything else and it is all she can think about. She starts to make some questionable decisions and her life starts to spiral out of control. She isn’t sure who she can trust and her relationships start to suffer. Who is doing this to her and why??

I was hooked!! a book about books and a writer, I am all in for that. I really felt for Camryn but at times I was yelling at her to stop doing what she was doing. We get parts of the book, Burnt Orchid, throughout the story. Robyn Harding always has the best twists, and this was a doozy!! Did not see it coming until it was right in my face. So clever.

Out on July 3rd, you know you want to read it.
Profile Image for Maren’s Reads.
805 reviews1,269 followers
July 28, 2024
Books about books, and particular meta fiction, are so intriguing to me. Add in the dark side of social media and complex familial relationships and you have yourself a really fun book. I will say I struggled to connect with the characters and felt the plot dragged a bit in the last third, however, all in all still an entertaining read.

🎧 While the audiobook is certainly well narrated, I wonder if it prevented me from connecting to the characters. I would recommend the physical book or an immersive read.

Read if you like:
• meta fiction
• books about books
• the world of social media
• family dramas

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for the gifted copies.
Profile Image for Sherri Thacker.
1,473 reviews323 followers
July 30, 2024
My 4th book by this author and she never disappoints! I felt like I was racing until the end to see how it all played out. As much as social media is in our lives, this makes you think twice about leaving a book review, or putting anything on social media! I give this all the stars for keeping me engaged the whole way through! Can’t wait to see what Robyn has next up her sleeve!
June 24, 2024
I've always enjoyed Robyn Harding's books and this one is no exception. The protagonist, Camryn Lane, is a debut author--her dream of having a book published has just come true and her friends are throwing a party for her on publication day. But her joy is diminished when an email sent to her author account calls her book 'mindless garbage' and accuses her of using the things she's learned as a high school counselor to write this story. Her book titled Burnt Orchid IS about young teens with problems but in Camryn's mind, it's all fiction and not based on any of her students or their problems. Later she is appalled to see 1-star reviews on a book review site called ReadMe which say similar nasty things.

'Haters are part of the deal when you put yourself in the public eye,' her friend Janine, a popular TV newscaster, informs her. But things quickly begin to spiral out of hand and Camryn decides to find the person who started it all--with disastrous results.

Meanwhile, things in her personal life aren't going well either--with her job, with her teenage daughter Liza, with her boyfriend Theo, or even with her long-time friends. Camryn begins to wonder whom she can trust. Her dream has been shattered and she's learned there is a dark side to this business she'd been entirely unaware of till now.

Interspersed with what is happening to Camryn are chapters from her book, Burnt Orchid. Camryn as a person is not always likable but you can't help but feel sorry for her. Part of the problem is she really has no one she can rely on so she charges ahead on her own and makes some serious mistakes. Likewise her daughter is mixed up in things she keeps secret and Camryn's friends are not always shown at their best, their most loyal. This all makes for very tense, page-turning reading. A good bet to take along on your summer vacation!

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Delaney.
435 reviews339 followers
June 29, 2024
The stress and anxiety I felt while reading this book is so real. Perhaps because I am very involved in social media, thrillers which center around social media hate trains really make me feel paranoid. It just feels so realistic.

I truly hope anyone who reads this book and also quickly jumps onto every hateful bandwagon they see online, would take a second to THINK before doing so. This story is not farfetched, this is completely believable as a real life possible situation.

This book is a great read. I highly recommend picking it up.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,320 reviews
May 21, 2024
If I ever thought of being an author, Camryn's situation in The Haters has presented a cautionary tale that has me feeling glad just to be a reviewer. Although I would never do to anyone what people were doing to Camryn. If I were to become an author, I could deal with a bad review, but not with having my life upended.

This story felt almost too realistic, considering all the ugly and hateful reviews that authors have been receiving lately. It was very suspenseful and hard to put down! I felt so stressed out for Camryn the entire time and wish I could have been there to support her (and tell her not to do stuff that would make things even worse). I also liked the parts from the book Camryn wrote, and they felt almost as real as the story itself. I was invested in what was happening for Orchid, even though she was a fictional character created by a fictional character.

Add The Haters to your TBR this July and prepare to get nothing else done!

(Trigger warnings below)

Movie casting suggestions:
Adrian: Scott Porter

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TW: Cyberbullying, stalking, the book within the novel talks about teenagers selling drugs and sex
Profile Image for emilybookedup.
464 reviews6,495 followers
June 26, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4 for GR! i liked this and it was an easy binge, but overall wanted a bit more given how good THE DROWNING WOMAN was (sorry for comparing 😩)

this is similar to THE LAST WORD by Taylor Adams if you liked that, but has the motherhood play. it actually felt like a good blend of THE LAST WORD x GONE TONIGHT by Sarah Pekkanen and i enjoyed both of those books!

i liked the ending of this and didn’t see it coming, but overall wanted more going on in the middle and another crazy twist or two halfway to keep things going strong. it was a very easy binge and i love the authors writing style. but overall wanted a bit more “thriller” here - just a personal preference since i’m not a mother and it had a lot of family/motherhood aspects!

if you’re not super into thrillers, this could be a good one to pick up - it’s not too dark or scary or intense!

thanks the GCP for the early copy - this hits bookstores soon and was an enjoyable poolside binge.

Profile Image for Amy.
2,201 reviews1,944 followers
June 5, 2024
As soon as I saw this was about an author receiving a one star review I was in. If you’re all involved in the bookish community you’ve seen authors get review bombed before and it’s craziness so naturally I was curious how the author would use this as a plot point. She put her own unique spin on it, this was less thriller and more character driven domestic suspense but I liked it. Just don’t expect super exciting and tense pacing, more of a steady build up with lots of sly reveals and secrets. I actually felt sorry for Camryn throughout most of the book, all of the events taking place made her rightfully distrusting of everyone in her life and her loneliness was apparent. The author included sections from Camryn’s book, Burnt Orchid and I’m always down for a book within a book bit of cleverness. The ending did get a little over the top but it was fun so I didn’t truly mind. Overall a fun read and a great option for poolside reading this summer
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