The Goldens, Lauren Wilson
The Goldens, Lauren Wilson
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The Goldens
A Novel

Author: Lauren Wilson

Narrator: Cassandra Harwood

Unabridged: 9 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/15/2025

Synopsis

A delicious, intoxicating debut thriller about a young woman who is swept into a glamorous world of fascinating influencers, glittering parties—and possibly murder.

Chloe has always dreamed of becoming a bestselling writer. Then she meets Clara Holland, a prominent influencer, socialite, and model. Clara is enigmatic, dazzling, gorgeous. And at last, ordinary Chloe has something to write about.

Bonding instantly, Chloe moves into Clara’s grand family estate. They spend long afternoons together, writing Clara’s memoir, polishing social media posts, and planning sumptuous, decadent parties: fairy lights in the orangery, themed cocktails, sequined backdrops, roaring bonfires. But as Clara opens her home to more girls who want to live like her and inspire one another, the media calls them a cult.

As life becomes more claustrophobic, Chloe begins to hear unsettling rumors about Clara. When a girl goes missing after a spectacular New Year’s Eve party, the rumors take on a sinister new meaning. If she can’t escape Clara’s influence, everything Chloe holds dear may be in danger.

Dark, gut-wrenching, and simmering with danger and atmosphere, The Goldens is about to be your newest obsession.

A Macmillan Audio production from Pine & Cedar Books.

About Lauren Wilson

Lauren Wilson has a degree in Journalism and an MA in Creative Writing, both from Northumbria University. She has previously worked as a freelance radio reporter, set up her own content writing and social media management business, and she currently works for Mslexia, a magazine committed to championing women’s writing. The Goldens is her first novel.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Barbara on July 22, 2025

2.5 stars. I’m not the target audience for “The Goldens” by Lauren A. Wilson, but I can still appreciate what the author set out to do. This is a story about a Queen Bee-type character who uses her beauty, wealth, and charisma to draw young university women into her orbit — and keep them there. Wilso......more

Goodreads review by Melany on July 06, 2025

I enjoyed the FMC, though at times I did want to shake her and shout at her. I did not enjoy Clara, though, which this book centers around. It was an interesting enough read to finish, but the first half felt like an uphill trudge. I listened to the audiobook, which I think helped, I dont know if I......more

Goodreads review by Karen | karentalksbooks on June 27, 2025

Lauren Wilson delves into the dynamic of parasocial relationships in this psychological thriller! I find cults fascinating, and to see it happen from the influencer perspective was an interesting twist. It's easy to fall prey to the rich and glamorous, especially when you think you know them based on......more

Goodreads review by Lauren on February 27, 2025

How typical that the one time I really would want to have a real juicy conversation with someone about a book is the time that it’s an unreleased book not out for 6 months that I happened to get my hands on from my connected connections in the book industry. Sigh. This was very very readable. Bloody......more

Goodreads review by milliereadsalot on June 19, 2025

This gave me vaguely Gossip Girl vibes, mixed with You and a little bit of dark academia. It was a very heady read, which I think is entirely the point, given the plot of this book - it was really addictive and dreamlike, along with just a tad of claustrophobia. I felt engaged throughout, and that e......more

Quotes

“One of the best debuts I’ve ever read – The Goldens is the influencer-starts-a-murder-cult story I never knew I needed. Dark, seductive and ruthlessly compelling, this is a cuttingly deep exploration of tender girlhood and toxic obsession . . . but I would still follow Clara Holland to the ends of the earth. Nobody is ready for this book.”
—Laura Steven, award-winning author of Our Infinite Fates

“An unputdownable book fueled by ride or die, toxic friendships and an irresistibly coquettish cult led by a social media influencer. The Goldens is feverish, sultry and tense – trust me, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever read.”
—Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb

“Lauren Wilson has delivered a sparkling debut - hidden inside this glittery party favor is a razor blade.”
—Hayley Scrivenor, #1 internationally bestselling author of Girl Falling

“The Goldens is a thoroughly insidious thriller, set in a glittering, decadent world that will lure you in just as surely as the cast’s characters fall to the influence of their intoxicating, charismatic leader.”
—Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen

“A hedonistic exploration of when fascination becomes obsession, The Goldens is a deftly plotted tale of toxic friendships, wild revelry and the tipping point of social-media darling to cult leader. A real page-turner, I devoured it. If Serena van der Woodsen had the personality of Rebecca de Winter and decided to start a teen cult, The Goldens would be the result.”
—Rachel Greenlaw, author of Compass and Blade

“A mesmerizing dive into the power girls hold over each other. I was spellbound by the beauty and decadence of Clara’s world, even as darkness encroached – and while Clara’s cult may be deadly, I highly recommend becoming one of this book’s loyal followers.”
—Olivia Worley, author of People to Follow

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