There’s a hierarchy to fame – from the Real Celebs who sell their skills as actors and singers, to the Professionally Pretty (the garnish to any occasion), from the Hashtag Hustlers, who range from influencers to the social media savvy, to the Hopeless Hangers-On. Everyone has their place in the ecosystem, and knowing your place in that hierarchy is half the ‘fame game’ won.

For three young women in Joburg, the new age of Internet celebrity presents them with obstacles, opportunities, opulence and a chance at fame, fortune and fierce fashion. There’s Lin, the high end influencer; Lebo, the former child star; and Mbali, South Africa’s reigning queen of gossip. As Lin, Lebo and Mbali jostle to take their places in the fame hierarchy, their ambitions, aspirations, and agendas collide.

When The Filter Fades

[The] perfect combination of genuinely endearing characters, a compelling storyline & a narrative style that makes you feel like you are talking to a best friend.

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Reviews for When The Filter Fades:

  • Where do I even START?! Look, if you’re looking for a fun, devastatingly entertaining read, I HIGHLY recommend this rollercoaster read! In this one we fellow the POV from 3 different women … The lives of these women collide, and it sparks a lot of drama, spitefulness, gossip making for a rollercoaster read! When I tell you I was page turning like crazy trying to find out what happens next! You’ll have to read it to find out!

    Katleho, Goodreads

  • The book is deceptive in the sense that it comes across as a light, poolside read but is really an in-depth commentary on South African society. We get an inside look on the unattainable beauty standards being thrust upon young women in the world of entertainment and appearance versus reality - hence the title: When The Filter Fades ... Whether you’re a creator or a consumer of this content, we all fall somewhere on the dicey ecosystem.

    Thembi, Goodreads

  • *gives a bouquet of flowers to Janine Jellars* She deserves her flowers for writing such a fun yet deeply compelling book. Her style of writing is so refreshing and charming to me. I honestly felt as though I knew these female characters personally, and I also felt like I was one of the commenters on the sfunukwazi website *giggles*. She painted an on-the-nose picture of celebrity/influencer culture and the entertainment industry in South Africa so well that it made me question my role as a consumer of such media … I kept turning pages to see what would happen next.

    Tenele, Goodreads

  • Janine Jellars wrote a South African novel that ticks all the boxes. And I for one am so excited for this world she created. Exceptionally well-written and good characters, some of whom I fell in love with. And I do hope she continues to expand on this universe, as I really want a prequel and a sequel for my favourite character.

    Jocelyn, Goodreads

  • I finished it in an afternoon. That's how delicious this book is. It's witty, smart... and dramatic – I had to shut it closed a few times because of tension or plot points that shocked me. It's a fun book for anyone to read, but there's an added bonus for people who've worked in the media or entertainment industries, or at is at the very least familiar with those worlds. When I read **that** sex scene, I found myself exclaiming "JANINE JELLARS!" at one point. And that's because it's a well-written sex scene, thank goodness! Brew a pot of tea or mix a cocktail, kick up your feet and give this book the attention it deserves. Who said you need to leave the house to have a good time?

    Pearl, Goodreads

  • WOW! This is easily one of the best books I've ever read. Its ability to critique the mindset and the inner workings of contemporary media from three contrasting yet synchronous perspectives is nothing short of brilliant. As a journalist and filmmaker, I could relate to these characters on an ever-deeper level. What this book does so wonderfully, is makes you question the nature of morality and how big of a part our morals play into how we move through the media space. This book is so freaking juicy that you will not want to put it down.

    MacKenzie, Goodreads