Originally published on WattPad, the book was picked up by Montena in 2021 and is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats.

Mala Influencia follows Reese Russell, a wealthy girl enjoying luxury, until a stalker threatens her. Her father, Bruce Russell, hires Eros Douglas, a juvenile felon, as her bodyguard through a work-release program.

Spanish as a first language isn’t required to read this book. Still, the story sometimes shows inconsistencies that may challenge readers trying to follow the plot. At the beginning, possibly in a prologue, a boy the same age as Reese is mentioned. Later, the author suggests that Eros is twenty-one, which raises questions about the plausibility of the rest of the story.

If Eros is twenty-one, how is he in juvenile detention? In Spain, these centers usually house offenders aged fourteen to seventeen. Rarely, young adults up to twenty-five may serve sentences, but the author never clarifies this possibility.

Another issue is the leap from juvenile detention to a foster home. Juvenile detention follows a conviction and sentence. You can’t just leave. Simon, who hasn’t committed a crime, lives in detention. Where is the logic?

Why is escaping from there without consequences normal? Nothing about this is believable. Authors have creative license, but your story has to be plausible and not mad as a box of frogs.

Another area where research details could help is when Reese tries to find the morning-after pill, which should be taken within twenty-four to seventy-two hours. Explaining what Reese selected might help readers understand her certainty that she is not pregnant.

The inconsistencies and implausibilities keep rolling in this one. How can someone who spent his high school years in juvenile detention get a college football scholarship? Teenspirit has taken readers into unicorn land, where we are to accept the nonsensical rainbow poop. For example, Reese lands the lead role in the play without any rehearsals. Come on, let’s wave the magic wand and make all the weirdest, illogical things we can think of come true in the blink of an eye.

The book’s only redeeming quality is its ending, which offers a twist and some unexpected action.