Published By: Simon and Schuster Children’s UK
Pages: 336
Released On: 13/08/2026
Margot is That Girl – she’s built her online audience from scratch and though her life looks perfect on screen, her influencing supports her family’s dying B&B.
Theo is seen as a nepo baby – but photography is his ticket to escaping his billionaire father’s control, and the damage he has done to the local community – including Margot’s family.
When they are both chosen to represent a luxury hotel chain on a global tour, they instantly clash. But as they travel together – from the markets of Hong Kong to the Austrian slopes – they realise that their online personas might be just that.
Who is the real person behind the screen? And what would happen if they switch off and just lived in the moment?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s UK for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have a copy of Jacqueline’s book The Last Wish List but haven’t read it yet so I was going into this blind.
It sounded fun but I was a little apprehensive. Maybe it’s because I’m an old lady (where social media is concerned) and I don’t really understand the “influencer culture”, the type who earn thousands from one post and who strangers will by anything and everything they post about. I’m not saying it’s wrong, just that it’s not a world I know much about, so wondered if I’d feel any connection to this story. But I did. And given that this is aimed at young adults, I think they will really love that side of it.
It follows Margot and Theo in alternating chapters. I like it when books are written like that. It gives each protagonist their own focus but it helps blend both stories.
I feel the enemies-to-lovers trope is a bit overdone and it isn’t always my favourite. And at first I was a little dubious about it, but I think Jacqueline has got it just right. It’s cliché and corny but in the best way. It’s a young adult book so it can’t be overly explicit but she’s been clever with it and the romance feels believable. Even though I wasn’t sure about it at first, I ending up wanting more because the romance doesn’t come in until quite late and I ended up really liking it so I wanted more of it.
I read a lot of kids books and YA books and I think more adults should read books aimed at younger readers. I have read some fabulous ones over the years and this was very good. It didn’t quite hit the emotional depth my 33-year-old self wanted but it feels very real. It’s fun, light, quick and easy to read, familiar characters, subtle but fun romance, strong messages, and it’s glamorous. It’s got everything you might want from a book, and you will definitely lose yourself in it on a warm summer’s evening.
We also get to travel the world alongside these characters which was fun.
I enjoyed it from the start but it definitely got better as it went along and by halfway through I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.
Books By Your Bedside 