Genre: psychological fiction
Publication date: April 22, 2025
Estimated page count: 333
CW: Bullying, depression
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/4nWxTA5
How do you compete on national television while being targeted from the shadows? That’s the central conflict of The Standout, a psychological thriller by Laurel Osterkamp that blends drama, danger, and emotional depth.
Robin’s dream of career success takes a dark turn when she enters The Standout, a ballet-fashion competition show. An anonymous message warns her to end her engagement. Then comes RottenRobin.com—a website dedicated to her downfall. The competitive world of reality TV quickly becomes a maze of secrets, betrayal, and psychological warfare. Robin’s only sources of support are her brother and a wary new friend named Zelda—both of whom have demons of their own. As the show progresses, Robin finds herself caught between public humiliation and private panic, unsure whether her greatest threat lies outside of her—or within.
Laurel Osterkamp is an award-winning author of character-driven fiction, blending slow-burn suspense with smart emotional arcs. With novels like The Next Breath, Beautiful Little Furies, and The Side Project, she’s established herself as a fresh voice in modern women’s fiction. Laurel’s background in theater and education adds nuance to her storytelling, while her MFA in writing gives her an edge in craft. Her work has received praise for its rich character development, emotional depth, and unflinching look at the personal cost of reinvention. A Minneapolis native and mother of two, she writes full-time while teaching ESL. Visit her website or follow along on Instagram for book updates and writing inspiration.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3K59vh2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27281023-the-standout
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