Alisha Rai’s Girl Gone Viral Book Review
Girl Gone Viral is my first novel I’ve read by Alisha Rai (it’s the second book in the Modern Love series). I’ve wanted to read it, but there was just something deterring me. I think it was the cover. I’m just not a huge fan of all the illustrated covers these days, so even though you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, I did.
I know, I know. But I’m not too proud to admit that I was wrong. I may have judged the colors of the cover, but I would up really enjoying this story. It’s always important to think about how dating is not only important to the present, but to the near future.
The attraction and the kindness between Jas and Kat just jumps off the page. Keep reading for my full Girl Gone Viral book review.
The romance in this story completely swept me off my feet. I loved how caring and patient Jas was as the two of them took their time to reveal their true feelings for each other. And since this is the first book in the series that I have read, I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the future.
But let’s get into it! Keep reading for my full Girl Gone Viral review. We’ll be talking about Katrina King and her real life golfing experience. And if you’d like to check out more of my romance review you can click here.
What is Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai About?
In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a reclusive investor goes viral, shoving her into the world’s spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’s been pining for…
OMG! Wouldn’t it be adorable if he’s her soulmate???
I don’t see any wedding rings
Breaking: #CafeBae and #CuteCafeGirl went to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME!!!
One minute, Katrina King’s enjoying an innocent conversation with a random guy at a coffee shop; the next, a stranger has live-tweeted the entire encounter with a romantic meet-cute spin and #CafeBae has the world swooning. Going viral isn’t easy for anyone, but Katrina has painstakingly built a private world for herself, far from her traumatic past. Besides, everyone has it all wrong…that #CafeBae bro? He isn’t the man she’s hungry for.
He’s got a to die for.
With the internet on the hunt for the identity of #CuteCafeGirl, Jas Singh, bodyguard and possessor of the most beautiful eyebrows Katrina’s ever seen, offers his family’s farm as a refuge. Alone with her unrequited crush feels like a recipe for hopeless longing, but Katrina craves the escape. She’s resigned to being just friends with Jas–until they share a single electrifying kiss. Now she can’t help but wonder if her crush may not be so unrequited after all… (from Amazon.com)
My Thoughts
Girl Gone Viral is part of (and the first book of) the Modern Love series by Alisha Rai, and I think that writing about modern love is a good idea. Dating websites and apps have become such an important part of the dating scene these days and people really are finding true love in places that they never expected.
In Girl Gone Viral, Katrina isn’t exactly leaning into social media. She’s trying to avoid it. She’s a young woman with a complicated past who inadvertently goes viral after a stranger from her favorite coffee shop posts about her online. It’s a total invasion of privacy but the internet doesn’t care.
It’s a nightmare for Kat, but also for her bodyguard Jas. The idea of people finding out her identity immediately puts her on edge. All she wants is a quiet life where she can take care of animals and cook for her employees and friends. So Jas suggests that the two of them head up North to stay at his family’s farm. They’ll be safe from the public and Kat can take some time to unwind on her own.
Now, you might have some questions. Why does Kat need a bodyguard? How long has she had her panic disorder? What’s the deal with Jas and his farm? Well, don’t worry. All of that is revealed in time. I’ll be honest that the description of this book really confused me but just keep reading because the story and Kat’s past are explained little by little.
Working on Mental Health Issues
I liked that this story focused on mental health for both Kat and Jas, but in different ways.. They were both going through some pretty tough things and it was very sweet how they were able to help each other. This is a bit of a slow burn romance because with Kat being the boss and Jas being her employee, both are reluctant to tell the other how they really feel.
But just be patient. This story is so sweet and as Kat and Jas opened up to each other, I grew to like them more and more. I may have squealed from the cuteness a couple of times while I was reading.
I highly recommend if you like contemporary romances with realistic characters. I mean, having a bodyguard isn’t exactly realistic. But Kat’s feelings and family history are complicated, and I think a lot of readers will be able to relate.
Alisha Rai’s Writing Style
I really enjoyed how this story was told from both Katrina and Jas’s perspective. That’s always helpful in a romance novel because then you get to see each of the characters true feelings. Getting to know their innermost thoughts really helps with character development.
In this case I found it very sweet how both Kat and Jas were attracted to each other, but didn’t know how to make a move on each other. It’s a tricky situation since she is his employer, and the first met when she was married to his original boss.
The Supporting Characters
Katrina has her house, but she also has roommates. It’s not that she needs the money. It’s more for the fact that they keep her company.
Rhiannon is Kat’s best friend who she works on a dating app with (Kat is an investor), while Jia is a younger member of Rhiannon’s family who is also a social media influencer.
Meanwhile, there is a guest house on the property which is where Jas lives when he’s not on the clock. Rhiannon is a super supportive friend, as is Jia. Jia really pulled through and helped Kat out when she was going through a particular tough time after the whole going viral debacle.
One of the funniest things about the girls relationship is their group chat.
The Love Story
Jas and Katrina have a longstanding relationship, considering that he’s been her body guard for so many years. That makes it difficult for them to open up to each other and tell each other how they really feel. I loved how the events in this book really gave them a chance to open up and get to know each other better.
I think that’s something we can all relate to.
In Conclusion
Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai is a good book to read if you enjoy romances with a complicated relationship but a happy ending.
Katrina King is a great main character because she is kind, thoughtful, and takes her work seriously. I wasn’t sure if I would like her at first because she seemed so secretive and I didn’t understand why. But as the story unfolded and more about her past life was revealed, I felt sympathy for her.
Some of my favorite scenes were when she was cooking for her staff or taking care of her animals. I really liked her character because she was so kind and nurturing to the people (and pets) that she loved.
Jas at first seemed like a brooding body guard, but he also had much more to him than I expected. It was a lot of fun to read about his family’s farm and some of the scenes with his family and Katrina were so cute. I was really happy that Jas was able to work through some of his personal issues with his family in the end.
Thank you for reading my Girl Gone Viral book review. It was definitely enjoyable and I will be reading the rest of the series to find out more about the characters. While this story focused on Kat and Jas, the other books in the series are about Rhiannon and Jia, who both seem like wonderful characters.
But wait, There’s more!
If you enjoyed today’s Girl Gone Viral book review, you can read more of my romance reviews here. And if you’ve read the rest of the series, lee me know how it is in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
