Book synopsis
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?
Paige White and Hannah ‘Zanna’ Zagalo used to be inseparable. After their fates intertwined at university, Zanna’s rise to influencer fame beckoned and she invited aspiring journalist Paige to join the ride, to create a glamorous online persona for the Life of Zanna account that others could only drool over. Together, they lived on luxury brand deals, moving into a swanky apartment and showcasing the #softlife. But after Zanna is brutally murdered, Paige continues posting – a ghostwriter emerging from behind the scenes.
Five years on, with a lavish lifestyle to maintain and bills piling up, Paige is invited to take part in a documentary about Zanna’s murder – which she can’t afford to turn down. Then, a strange email arrives that just reads:
‘I know what you did.’
As the cameras turn on Zanna’s family and friends, old rumours start to resurface. Is there more to Zanna’s murder than they know? And is someone hiding a secret?
My review
Life of Zanna is a wild ride! Two university students, Zanna and Paige, meet and become fast friends. They decide to start a blog together, but it’s published under Zanna’s name featuring her stunning photographs, with Paige working behind the scenes as the ghostwriter. This book kept me really hooked right from the beginning.
Zanna is murdered, and the narrative splits between the past and the present, unveiling the mystery of what actually happened. Paige, resurfacing from her grief and confusion, decides to keep the blog going under Zanna’s name. After all, she had always been the ghostwriter, working behind the scenes to craft each engaging post.
The story serves as a poignant reminder that what we see on Instagram or from influencers isn’t always the true reality. Despite the seemingly perfect images and posts, there’s often a complex, hidden life behind the scenes. Zanna’s best friend Paige is portrayed as fiercely loyal, willing to do anything for her friend, a trait that sometimes leads to her downfall.
The novel does an excellent job of exposing the hidden truths of social media fame and the complexities of friendship and loyalty. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author. The mixture of thrilling suspense and deep emotional connections between characters makes this book an unforgettable read.
I really loved it and I never would have predicted the ending to it! I would love to read more like this.
Disclaimer – thank you to the Publisher and Author for sending me a gifted copy of this book for my honest review