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Esther is Now Following You

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

You have one new follower.

Esther first sees Ted walking in a park in London. They lock eyes and for a fraction of a second, she feels something she’s never felt before.

She starts by reading up about his life in Canada and his work as an actor. Then she watches every interview with him online. It isn’t long before she’s joined Ted’s fan site online where her and the ‘Tedettes’ stalk his every move.

When Ted gets a new celebrity girlfriend, Esther decides that things have gone far enough. She leaves her husband, takes all their savings, and buys a one-way ticket to Canada.

After all, Ted might not know it yet, but they are meant to be together – he just needs a little bit of persuading.

Esther is Now Following You is an irresistible debut novel about obsession and celebrity fandom.

'I really REALLY felt for Esther. This is such a great book. People will LOVE it!’ Marian Keyes

'I loved this book. A wild ride of a read, funny yet poignant, it is a gripping page turner.' Liz Nugent

© Tanya Sweeney 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

‘It was SUCH a pleasure to read Esther. Tanya’s voice is so funny and moving. Esther’s story shows how trauma and loss can lead to fixation and mental illness. There’s such a sad story at the heart of the book but it’s told with great verve and lightness of touch. I really REALLY felt for her – and also for Johnny. The dialogue is chef’s kiss! This is such a great book - it’s hard to believe it's a first novel - it’s done with great confidence and conviction. People will LOVE it!’
Marian Keyes, No.1 Sunday Times bestseller
I loved this book. Messy Essie is a wonderful character. A wild ride of a read, funny yet poignant, it is a gripping page turner.
Liz Nugent, No.1 Bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond
'Light and dark all at once – sharply observed, full of heart, and easily the funniest book I’ve read this year, I adored it and was rooting for Esther right to the end.'
Andrea Mara, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of No One Saw a Thing
Esther is a fantastically nuanced character - Tanya Sweeney has such an eye for detail, the characters leap from the page, bright and alive. Humorous, chilling, and sometimes an uncomfortable read but you’re never not in Esther’s desperate, awkward corner that she has backed herself into. A sharp and addictive insight into the mind of a grieving woman, who fills her emptiness with obsession. I thoroughly recommend.
Cecelia Ahern
A sex, drugs and rock'n'roll spin on Bridget Jones. This is car-crash reading at times — uncomfortable and cringe, but completely compelling.
Irish Independent
Oh, I adored this book so much I read it in a day. Bittersweetly funny, wildly entertaining and tugs at your heartstrings, Esther is a wonderful character at the heart of an exceptional book. Esther, I'm now following you!
Sarah Pinborough
Sharp, funny and written with a whole lot of heart.
Mary Watson, author of Irish Times bestseller The Cleaner
Billed as Fleabag meets Baby Reindeer, this darkly funny page-turner follows Esther's increasingly unhinged obsession with a celebrity actor. The debut takes aim at fandom, parasocial relationships and the fine line between devotion and delusion.
i Paper
'Tanya Sweeney is a brilliant writer. She really has it all. A smart, funny, emotional new voice with the added bonus of perfect, snappy, zingy prose. Esther is Now Following You is funny and sad, dark and light, poignant and cringeworthy all at once. I honestly couldn't put it down. It had me laughing out loud at points, cringing behind my fingers at others, and had me close to tears. A brilliant book about growing up, wising up and realising what - and who - is important in life.'
Edel Coffey, No.1 Irish Times bestselling author of Breaking Point
A hugely impressive and compulsive debut, crackling with humour, real heart and piercing insight - and starring a heroine (or anti-heroine?) you won't soon forget. I devoured it in one glorious gulp.
Catherine Ryan Howard, internationally bestselling author of Burn After Reading

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