No free lunches for influencers

All Expenses Paid is a zippy chiller inviting us into the glam world of two young female social media influencers, outsiders monetising their perfect lives with a constant flow of online product endorsement content to generate likes, comments and shares.

Essex girl Debbie dreams of emulating the success of Amelia, her mate and a more popular fellow influencer. But behind the apparent glitz, vulnerable Debbie grifts hard just to break even — until a surprise all-expenses paid invite from Yusef Farouqi pops into her inbox.

Yusef wants Debbie to big up his exclusive desert Mirage Royale hotel resort, an overseas gig that promises to change her fortunes. She asks if Amelia can join her on the AEP excursion and Yusef says yes. Although our two Gen Z heroines are reluctant to travel overseas away from their comfort zones, the cash generating opportunity is too good for either to refuse.

As you would expect, there are no free lunches in influencer land. Their dream excursion turns sour as unsavoury rich men run riot with their hands, fists and whips in an unnamed country. Fortunately, author Zoe Rosi stays well clear of any nasty gratuitous salaciousness, focusing instead on Debbie’s attempts to restore her dignity and sanity after her depressing loss of innocence.

Despite the fast pace of the prose, it’s all very downbeat, sadly a grim reflection of our times, and Zoe is to be commended for not taking the easy revenge route and giving us a safe, but predictable happy ending. Zoe’s ending is definitely an impressive 21st century take on a Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown moment!