Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Author: Holly Baxter
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Satire / Women’s Lit
Ideal For: Fans of dabbling in addictive media critique, flawed antiheroes, and cringe-comedy with emotional depth
Ever wondered what happens when a respected journalist tumbles from highbrow reporting into the murky world of clickbait headlines? That’s the hilariously disturbing—and often embarrassingly relatable—basis of Holly Baxter’s debut novel Clickbait.
Equal parts cringe-inducing chaos and dark workplace satire, this book explores the high-stakes fall of Natasha, a thirty‑five‑year‑old journalist who ends up writing “churnalism” in a Manhattan tabloid after a career-altering ethical breach.
Why I Picked It Up
Promised as a mashup of Bridget Jones and Fleabag set inside a grimy clickbait mill, Clickbait seemed like a perfect blend of cringe comedy and cultural commentary. And yes, the premise delivers. Yet beneath the laugh-out-loud absurdity lies a tender character study of someone clawing for relevance and redemption.
Plot Summary (Spoiler‑Free)
Natasha’s once-promising career reporting out of London implodes after a scandalous revelation—she becomes the story. Demoted, divorced, and adrift, she retreats to a cheaper apartment in Rockaway Beach, Queens, using the savings from her now-canceled NYC dream pad. Soon, she lands at a clickbait factory—where she’s tasked with reworking sensationalist content just enough to dodge lawsuits. The mundanity is brutal.
Just as things seem bleakest, ex-boyfriend Zach moves in. While their strictly platonic living arrangement backs Natasha into emotional corners, her dip back into the journalistic abyss only deepens—a collision course into public humiliation. Cringe? Guaranteed. But so is laughter—and, unexpectedly, empathy.
Why It Works Well
1. A Debut That Doesn’t Hold Back
Holly Baxter dives headfirst into the nuts and bolts of the tabloid mill with merciless precision. Natasha’s assignments—highlighting apparently harmless celeb faux pas or bizarre viral stories—capture how intelligence degrades under churnalism. It’s darkly funny, with lines like how “journalists are trained to never become the news,” a rule Natasha spectacularly breaks and then lives to regret .
2. Natasha: Lovably Flawed, Heartbreakingly Human
Our protagonist is nothing if not ambitious… and disastrously self-destructive. She wakes up every morning aware of her mess: tarnished reputation, disintegrating marriage, questionable living situations, and binge-drinking habits. And yet, she’s so real. We’ve all woken up some mornings regretting last night. Some of us have also slept on the couch for months. Natasha’s journey—terrible decisions and all—feels painfully relatable.
3. Blend of Humour and Depth
Yes, you’ll cringe. You’ll laugh. You’ll scream “DON’T DO THAT!” at your page. Critics like Jessica Anya Blau describe Clickbait as one of those books you can’t put down because you “root for Natasha” even as she flagrantly sabotages herself. I couldn’t agree more—there’s a warmth hidden beneath her brash errors. Moments with her ex, laughing with colleagues, or hitting rock bottom are unexpectedly tender.
Where It Falters
1. Uneven Tone and Slow Pacing
As the book swings between sitcom-level farce and psychological meltdown, the tone sometimes wavers. The first half is quick and sharp; the second delves deeper into Natasha’s spiral—which, while compelling, slows things down. It’s effective character study, but occasional pacing lulls can feel heavy between the laughter.
2. Secondary Characters Underused
Clickbait’s inner workings are staged by a cast of characters—editors, interns, clients, and Zach, the ex who may or may not deserve a second chance. They’re entertaining, but after Natasha, few are given real depth. A tighter character arc for Zach or her colleagues might’ve elevated the emotional stakes.
3. The “Fixer” Ending Is Predictable
While Natasha does find some closure, the last act hits familiar redemption beats. You suspect resolution is coming—and it does. It’s satisfying, but lacks freshness. A more ambiguous or wilder finale could’ve matched the book’s chaotic spirit.
You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy…
- Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding – for its utterly relatable female antiheroics
- Fleabag (Fleabag Is Humour) – for cringe-funny, catastrophically self-sabotaging protagonists
- The Circle by Dave Eggers – for a satirical, critical view of modern media insanity
- Nothing Good Can Come from This by Kristi Coulter – for voice-driven experiences of downfall
Final Thoughts: Sharp, Funny, and Still Worth the Ride
Clickbait is far from perfect, but it’s beautifully imperfect in all the best ways. Holly Baxter offers up a debut that’s both a career satire and a personal reckoning. Natasha’s tumble into the darkest corners of journalism—and out again—is uncomfortable, redemptive, and unexpectedly lovely.
This is a book you’ll recommend to friends who want smart, funny, flawed characters—even if it doesn’t stick the landing completely. Cringe-worthy, yes. Insightful and empathetic? Definitely. Four stars feels right: it entertains, moves, and reflects, even if it doesn’t revolutionise the genre.
