The Club: A Reese's Book Club Pick

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Emmy and Dan decide early on that when the kids are big and when they say no, this Insta-family thing has to stop. There's a wonderful scene where Emmy asks Coco to say something at an interview and she doesn't want to. And Emmy goes on to think should she give in to Coco? But also being a parent is about making your child do things they don't want to—eat what they don't want, wear a diaper etc. I loved how Lloyd wrote about dilemmas of a career in the limelight and parenting as a career vs the trials of parenting. The husband-and-wife writing team known as Ellery Lloyd follows up their smart and savvy debut thriller, PEOPLE LIKE HER, with THE CLUB, an all-expenses-paid, eye-opening trip into the world of celebrity clubs. This thriller also opened the other dark side of social media - the one where nameless and faceless individuals are provided with a visible and much followed target to hurl their abuse and pain at. Some of these were mere keyboard warriors but sometimes they were not. Sometimes they wanted some of the seemingly effortless success that Emmy had created. Sometimes they wanted so much more from her. The story follows the fictional Home Group, a producer of exclusive celebrity clubs found across the world. This gives celebrities the chance to party hard without fear of the media or social media watching their every move. If rich terrible people behaving appallingly is your jam then The Club is the book for you!' – Marian Keyes

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. I liked this book because I'm familiar with people who are Social Media-Famous. I cannot even imagine how much more than a full time job this would be, and how challenging it would be. Fame comes with a cost, and all of these characters pay for it in some way. They own luxurious suites, and the most fascinating of it all is Island Home, a costly project that the group’s CEO pushed beyond limits. There is a temper in the air as the budget exceeds, and there’re numerous delays. Will the owners succeed in ensuring the club’s smooth running? The Club is a wholly addictive thriller, a clever blend of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and murder.Lastly, and then I'll be done with my rant on this horrible book, the prologue is unnecessary and pointless because we can just figure out on our own that there is a stalker coming. And speaking of the stalker, at least the parts I read, her parts are unnecessary as well. The book can go through from Emmy and Dan's point of view and still have readers understand there's a stalker without their point of view.

In People Like Her, we are introduced to a UK family: Emmy, Dan, Coco, and Bear. However, Emmy has an unusual job--she is a social media personality! She has a large following and plays into her fans, crafting a polished story to be portrayed and offering placating support. One fan is not that happy with Emmy which puts her entire family in danger. How will this story end? Ellery Lloyd is the pseudonym used by a husband and wife, Collette Lyons and Paul Viltos. Paul is the writer of two previous novels named Every Day is Like Sunday and Welcome to the Working Week. He’s the English Literature with Creative writing program director at Surrey University. The second half is much better than the first and some things you learn pull you up sharply and make you reevaluate what you think you know. There are some excellent, dramatic and almost surreal scenes towards the end and a couple of those are doozies! I like the end-justice served. The Home Group is a collection of ultra-exclusive private members' clubs and a global phenomenon. So the opening of its most ambitious project yet – Island Home, a forgotten island transformed into the height of luxury – is billed as the celebrity event of the decade. If you are interested, Ellery Lloyd does have a new book coming out March 31, 2022 called The Club.The ambition of Island Home, combined with Ned’s reputation for perfectionism, has led to numerous delays in the club’s opening, and tensions are at an all-time high by the time the three-day launch party arrives. Everything must be perfect, and it requires a whole team of people to ensure that the launch is a success. The Home Group is a collection of ultra-exclusive private members’ clubs and a global phenomenon, and the opening of its most ambitious project yet – Island Home, a forgotten island transformed into the height of luxury – is billed as the celebrity event of the decade. Surprisingly one of the more creepy thrillers I have read this year, People Like Her really leans into the paranoias of being a parent. It also has some really interesting conversations involving the ethicality of being an "Instamum" and the cons to constantly documenting your children online.

But success comes at a cost and the Home Group, especially its CEO Ned Groom, are dealing with plenty of crises behind the scenes and lots of secrets. I really dug People Like Her, but this one was just crap. The premise here is about – you guessed it – a club . . . I am a voyeur to the nth degree and absolutely get off on reality trash any time I’m not reading. I will confess that my Peeping Tom status remains pretty stilted when it comes to the intertubes – mainly because I find the majority of users who think they are big shit to be absolutely insufferable with only an unhealthy addiction to social media to show for it, along with some fairly shady behaviors such as like swapping or just being gross humans by following to unfollow. (I do, however, watch those gals put makeup on ALL. THE. TIME. over on the YouTube . . . even though I still don’t know how to do it myself.) Her husband is tired of her behavior of exploiting their family, but since he relies on Emmy’s income before his next book is published, he has no say. When Emmy’s advice negatively affects a follower known as Grace, her mother decides to take matters into her hands, and Emmy has to pay the price for her fame and popularity.Problem #2 is that because Emmy wants to be loved by everyone and says whatever is necessary to increase her influence lifestyle (without thinking of repercussions), someone has a vendetta against her. This person will do whatever it takes to make Emmy pay for the injustices she carelessly causes. On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. As most people use social media to try and show how their life is perfect and amazing, Emmy uses it to show her real daily life. She’s a mother who shows how difficult it can be for mothers to raise young children. Polly; Emmy's friend who isn't an Insta presence but is an old friend, bridesmaid, supportive person etc was a wonderful character. She had too little space. I really wanted a bit more of Polly. At the end, she was reduced to 'the person who screams at Emmy the bad effects of social media'. I wish she had more purpose.