Zoë Foster Blake’s latest book tour was promoted as the perfect girls’ night out, complete with frank conversations, celebrity guests, giveaways and plenty of comedy.
However, a number of attendees say the reality fell short, describing the evening as awkward, disappointing and poor value for money.
The 45-year-old author and skincare founder is travelling around Australia to promote her new novel, Group Chat, a story about the highs, lows and enduring importance of female friendship.
But some ticket holders have questioned whether the event justified its $80 price tag. One Perth attendee went so far as to describe the experience as ‘absolutely woeful’.
The guest said she had initially been wary of the cost but decided to attend before forming an opinion.
‘It was absolutely woeful,’ she wrote, referring to the Perth event, where journalist Monique Bowley interviewed Zoë alongside beauty and lifestyle creator Tracey Vo.
Attendees of Zoë Foster Blake’s latest book tour have reportedly been disappointed, with some describing the experience as awkward and underwhelming
According to the attendee, Monique was ‘absolutely painful’, appearing ‘hyper and very out of step with Zoe, who was a fair bit more reserved’.
She also claimed the discussion included ‘very few questions’ and ‘awkward audience input’, before attendees were moved into a queue for book signings and photographs after less than an hour.
The $80 ticket included a hat and three sample-sized products from Zoë’s skincare company, Go-To.
‘I left with a cute hat and goodie bag of go-to products (gotta cross promote!) at least,’ the attendee added.
Another guest, who said they attended the first Sydney event, offered a similarly lukewarm review.
Zoë was joined in Sydney by journalist Justine Cullen, a longtime friend and former colleague.
‘I went to the first Sydney event about a month ago and felt much the same,’ the attendee wrote.
They alleged that guests waited around an hour to get their books signed, while the onstage conversation came across as ‘pretty forced’.
The 45-year-old author and skincare entrepreneur is touring Australia to promote her novel Group Chat, but some guests have questioned whether the $80 event offered good value, with one Perth attendee calling it ‘absolutely woeful’
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‘A lot of in-jokes between Justine Cullen and [Zoë] that really didn’t translate to the audience,’ they said.
‘Happy with the hat, but couldn’t care less about the three tiny Go-To samples.’
The guest said their entire group of friends reached the same conclusion: the evening was not worth the $80 admission fee.
‘Honestly, I’d rather spend $80 on dinner with my actual friends and listen to them gripe about life in their 30s and 40s. At least we’d get a decent meal out of it,’ they joked.
The cost of entry attracted further criticism, with one commenter asking why the event was so expensive given Zoë’s success as a businesswoman.
Another attendee said they frequently went to literary events priced below $50, many of which included food and drinks.
‘This didn’t even include a welcome glass of sparkling,’ they complained.
The negative feedback contrasts sharply with the tour’s promotional campaign, which promised an evening celebrating the ‘chaos, splendour and undeniable magic of female friendships’.
One attendee alleged that guests waited an hour for book signings and said the discussion on stage felt ‘pretty forced’
Marketed as Bring Your Group Chat – A Night Out With Zoë Foster Blake, the tour was billed as featuring conversations as ‘candid, honest and unhinged’ as the messages shared between close friends.
The event has already visited Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with upcoming stops planned for Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Organisers said the shows were intended to appeal even to people who had not read the book, with discussions covering friendship, relationships, careers, menopause and children.
The tour takes its name and central inspiration from Zoë’s latest novel, Group Chat, which was published by Allen & Unwin in September.
The paperback is priced at $34.99, with copies available to buy and have signed at the events.
Described as ‘part Bridesmaids, part White Lotus, and part Mamma Mia’, the novel follows five women as they navigate life in their 40s.
Zoë has called the book a love letter to female friendship, as well as an examination of the ways women’s relationships with themselves and one another change during midlife.