Publisher's Weekly Review
In Worley's tense debut thriller, 10 teen social media influencers agree to ditch their phones to film a reality show on a secluded tropical island, only to realize they're stranded with a killer on the loose. Upon her arrival, wellness enthusiast Kira encounters her frenemy McKayleigh, whom she met at a reality dance competition and who is a founding member of the hugely successful TikTok creator group Bounce House. While former Bounce House member Logan is livid to see McKayleigh, documentarian Max is eager to film what he assumes will be rivalry-fueled chaos among the other influencers, who were all given smart watches to communicate with the show's crew. The vibes turn sinister, however, when the production team fails to arrive and an unknown sponsor informs the group via their watches that they must reveal past secrets or risk media exposure. When one of the attendees turns up dead, the teens turn on one another in a race to escape the island. Somewhat formulaic chapters are buoyed by lighting-quick pacing and savvy twists, and through four shifting perspectives, Worley notably considers social media fame's impact on both the content creator and their following. Most characters read as white. Ages 13--up. Agent: Claire Friedman, InkWell Management. (Oct.)
Kirkus Review
Ten influencers come together for IRL, a reality show set in a tropical paradise--but not all of them will leave the island alive. The show features content creators from age 18 to their early 20s. Kira promotes fitness. Max films documentary exposés for his YouTube channel. Corinne is a gamer on Twitch. Aaron is a former child star who's struggling to stay relevant. Elody posts photos of herself in swimwear. Cole pulls problematic pranks. Storyteller Logan does comedic bits. Zane heads a TikTok collective, the Bounce House, with McKayleigh and Graham. Left to their own devices on a Caribbean island--and stripped of their electronic devices--the young people quickly become embroiled in drama. Everyone has a secret they're trying to hide, and no one wants to end up canceled. Then, after a night of drinking, one of the influencers winds up dead. Was it just an accident? Or was it something more sinister? Mysteries unravel and secrets spill in this Gen Z thriller. The isolated setting of a private island contributes to the eerie mood, which is punctuated by dramatic reveals as the influencers fall from their pedestals. The story is told from the points of view of Kira, Max, Elody, and Logan. Character development is light; if readers can tell the 10 influencers apart, they'll appreciate the plot's twists and turns. Most characters are cued white; Corinne is Black. A chilling thriller that explores the consequences of getting #canceled. (Thriller. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The show is called In Real Life, and if you think that's a little on the nose, well, so do its stars. They're 10 social-media influencers, and they've come to a remote Caribbean island to unplug in the name of reality TV. The set seems primed for drama: all three founders of popular TikTok house The Bounce House are there, but so is Logan, the girl who recently, and unhappily, parted ways with them. Then there's Kira, a fitness influencer who has drama of her own with one of The Bounce House crew. Max, the son of filmmakers, brought his own camera, while Elody, an Instagram model, is just there to stir things up. Then the production crew doesn't show--and the first body turns up. When messages threatening to reveal everyone's darkest secrets to the world appear alongside another body, it becomes clear there's a murderer in their midst. Part dizzyingly fast-paced thriller, part wickedly incisive social commentary, there's never a dull moment in this well-characterized debut. Hole up, unplug, and stay alert.
