Listen to a sample
The Goldens
- Author
- Lauren Wilson
- Narrator
- Cassandra Harwood
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 3 July 2025
- Run Time
- 9 hours 24 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
Not available in your country
We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.
What to expect
A dark, intoxicating and unputdownable thriller, simmering with atmosphere
‘One of the best debuts I’ve ever read’ Laura Steven
‘A thoroughly insidious thriller’ Bea Fitzgerald
‘Sprinkled with the glamorous, the glittering and the gothic’ H. F. Askwith
Chloe has always dreamed of becoming a bestselling writer. Then she meets enigmatic influencer Clara Holland, and at last, Chloe has something to write about. They bond instantly, and Chloe moves into Clara’s mansion. But as Clara’s fame skyrockets, she starts behaving strangely, hosting increasingly wild parties, complete with bonfire rituals and moonlit river baptisms.
Clara opens up her home to other girls desperate to live like her. The media call it a cult, and soon Chloe begins to hear unsettling rumours from Clara's past. After one spectacular party, a girl goes missing and the rumours take on a sinister new meaning. If Chloe can’t escape Clara’s influence, she may be next …
THE GOLDENS is about to become your newest obsession.
Critics Review
-
‘One of the best debuts I’ve ever read – The Goldens is the influencer-starts-a-murder-cult story I never knew I needed. Dark, seductive and ruthlessly compelling, this is a cuttingly deep exploration of tender girlhood and toxic obsession … but I would still follow Clara Holland to the ends of the earth. Nobody is ready for this book’ Laura Steven, author of Our Infinite Fates
‘The Goldens is a thoroughly insidious thriller, set in a glittering, decadent world that will lure you in just as surely as the cast’s characters fall to the influence of their intoxicating, charismatic leader’ Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
‘With creeping dread building to a nerve-shredding finale, The Goldens is sprinkled with the glamorous, the glittering and the gothic’ H. F. Askwith, author of A Dark Inheritance
'Deliciously dark and incredibly cool … An unputdownable novel' The Bookseller
‘A hedonistic exploration of when fascination becomes obsession, The Goldens is a deftly plotted tale of toxic friendships, wild revelry and the tipping point of social-media darling to cult leader. If Serena van der Woodsen had the personality of Rebecca de Winter and decided to start a teen cult, The Goldens would be the result’ Rachel Greenlaw, author of Compass and Blade
‘An unputdownable book fuelled by ride or die, toxic friendships and an irresistibly coquettish cult led by a social media influencer. The Goldens is feverish, sultry and tense – trust me, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever read’ Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb
‘Lauren Wilson has delivered a sparkling debut – hidden inside this glittery party favour is a razor blade’ Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town
‘An outrageously good thriller’ The Sun
‘A seductive tale of effervescent glamor, toxic friendship and the fragile line between devotion and worship – irresistible’ Kate Alice Marshall, author of Rules for Vanishing
‘A dark, compelling thriller with a hint of Saltburn’ Metro
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Lauren Wilson
- Narrator
- Cassandra Harwood
- Duration
- 9 hours 24 minutes
- Release Date
- 3 July 2025
- ISBN
- 9780008687557
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Thrillers / suspense, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Girls and women, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Romance and love stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories
Synopsis
A dark, intoxicating and unputdownable thriller, simmering with atmosphere ‘One of the best debuts I’ve ever read’ Laura Steven ‘A thoroughly insidious thriller’ Bea Fitzgerald ‘Sprinkled with the glamorous, the glittering and the gothic’ H. F. Askwith Chloe has always dreamed of becoming a bestselling writer. Then she meets enigmatic influencer Clara Holland, and at last, Chloe has something to write about. They bond instantly, and Chloe moves into Clara’s mansion. But as Clara’s fame skyrockets, she starts behaving strangely, hosting increasingly wild parties, complete with bonfire rituals and moonlit river baptisms. Clara opens up her home to other girls desperate to live like her. The media call it a cult, and soon Chloe begins to hear unsettling rumours from Clara's past. After one spectacular party, a girl goes missing and the rumours take on a sinister new meaning. If Chloe can’t escape Clara’s influence, she may be next … THE GOLDENS is about to become your newest obsession.
About xigxag and the x-book®
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
Our x-book® format is the only fully integrated listen-and-read experience available. See the text on screen as you listen, look up words, take notes, search within the book, and share quotes. It is especially useful for accessibility, language learning, and getting more from non-fiction. Look for the purple x-book® ribbon on the cover, or filter your search by "x-book" to find them.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.