I received this book from the author for an honest review.

First, to be fair, a couple of warnings. This is satire, if you lack a sense of humor this is not the book for you. My second warning is that if you are not up-to-date on texting and abbreviations, you might need to sit this one out – or use Google frequently.

As mentioned, this book is a satire of many things. Our obsession with the internet, lack of motivation, parental relationships, and jobs are all fair game in this story. Matt is a young man unhappy with his life. He lives in his mother’s basement, which is almost like an apartment, with no steady employment. He loves viral videos and has tried his hand at making some. The one thing Matt feels that he knows about is conspiracy theory. As a “Super Smart Conspiracy Dude“, Matt believes that he should be able to use his expertise to earn a living. While online, he finds a job ad for taking online surveys with free VR glasses. This seems perfect to him. Since he is over 18, he decides that he will apply for this job without consulting his mother. He filled out the application providing all his personal information without even knowing the company name. His application is accepted and he begins taking surveys immediately. After he completes hours of surveys online, he tries to stop. The online system challenges him to continue. Matt decides he can continue. After a few more hours, he needs to eat. The system informs him that his VR glasses, pizza, and Mountain Dew will be arriving shortly. The doorbell rings – all the things promised arrive.

Matt decides that he wants to continue working at these surveys. He is hooked once they start asking him questions about various conspiracies. Using his glasses, he is allowed to see a large gate and once he earns enough credits, he is allowed to go in. After signing a Nondisclosure Agreement, just click agree, he enters. This eager guy doesn’t bother to read the NDA, he just agrees to it. By now warning bells should be clamoring in your head. What is this kid thinking? Matt sets off for adventure, taking us along for the ride. He has a couple of boring jobs and decides he wants to do more. He is given the opportunity but what is the cost? Isn’t his mother concerned with him being online with this new job? How exactly does he get paid?

Timothy S. Boucher is a very clever person. He creates a character that is all too reminiscent of many youth today. This world that Matt lives in has various ‘topias populated by persons that are most interested in that ‘topia. While all the ‘topias aren’t named, we are told that there is a Shoppertopia. If this place existed, I know of some people that would be living there full time! There are many clever touches in this book. There’s a scene where Matt eats the locally produced meat – that isn’t really meat at all. Sounds a little like the Impossible burgers, right? While working your job, you can switch yourself to autopilot and play games until your work day is over. Who would love to do this from time to time? This book takes an amusing look at some of the day to day silliness we all find ourselves enduring.

My opinion of the book: This book is funny, clever and often hits close to home. I was thrown off by the dialogue including texting abbreviations at first and this made me feel really old! I adjusted though and only had to pause occasionally to ponder a new abbreviation. The characters are shallow, we don’t know much about them but in this story it works well. It is a very fast paced and entertaining book. People who text, game, and like online conspiracies should really have fun with this one! I am most impressed with how Timothy S. Boucher took so many different threads of modern life and managed to weave them into a very uniquely entertaining book. Great fun to read!

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻

I might have mentioned, this book really made me feel old (old AF as Matt would say). I keep up with tech and society so after my initial shock of all the texting lingo, I really did have a good time reading it. The main character reminds me so much of many of my kids’ friends. Back in the old days, the beginning of the internet, people were taken advantage of constantly. The anonymity of the internet brought out a new type of criminal. Many users didn’t really think things through and their gullibility was their downfall. Now we have conspiracy theories and viral videos that people love. After Covid, so many people retreated to their homes and now do almost everything online. I don’t know whether the author plans any other ‘topia books but if so, I think they would have great promise.

My youngest daughter doesn’t like to read. As a book lover, I feel like I failed in some way. She has read a few books and each time she does, I always am curious to see what captured her attention. I realize that she needs a book to meet an interest or experience that she has or would like to have. After I read this book, I called my daughter and read a chapter to her. When I finished, she was laughing and said I think you’ve actually found something I might read. She related to the language and circumstances!

Lately I have been reviewing so many deep, dark books. I love being immersed in these but balance is important. This book was so different that it was like a breath of fresh air! I am so glad that Timothy S. Boucher reached out and offered me the opportunity to read his book! We all fall into the trap of reading everything by our favorite author or look for books in our favorite genre. I find myself in this trap sometimes and I doubt I would have found this clever book. Bear this in mind when you look for your next read. Step away from your favorite genre or author and discover someone new. It could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship!