Well wow this was such a terrific story it had everything, the mystery of the Jessica’s, a cult (which is always a winner for me) and a whole lot more going on and I just loved the book. It’s my first book by Catherine McKenzie and I really was blown away at what good a story we have here and how extremely well written it was. It’s a difficult book to describe because there is quite a lot going on and to be honest I saw the mention of cult in the overview and didn’t read anything else I just went into it blind and I’m so glad I did because it was different to what I was expecting and in such a good way.
There are a lot of shocks and surprises in the story, with a unique plot full of deception, secrets and a backstory about life in the Land of Todd it was a really compulsive read and a book I would highly recommend as I couldn’t put it down !!
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wild ride. This story threw it out of the park! It was fast paced, so may twists and turns, villain's and hero's, misguided but well intentioned people, drama, sex, love, betrayal it had it all and an ending that I never saw coming, Wow!

The story of identity theft that is carried out perfectly was absorbing at first, ho-hum at other parts and then ended with a nicely tied bow that drew everything together. Catherine McKenzie presents the story of a young woman who has already escaped a cult and then meets another young woman with her same name and birthdate in the airport bar and her life is upended again. Jessica Williams has lost her job and is taking a much needed vacation to Mexico when she meets Jessica number two at the airport. Engaging in a conversation of getting to know one another and what they have in common, Jessica is not at all privy to the knowledge that she has been deceived by a real con artist, one who empties her bank accounts of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The game is afoot when Jessica decides to trap her nemesis and get her revenge. The book reminded me of the movie “Catch Me If You Can” with Leonardo DiCaprio that was released in 2013 and was based on a real story. However, the book was more realistic with fewerHollywood stunts and seemed more real than the movie. It was difficult in the book to tell who was chasing whom at times since both the con artist and her victim were determined to stop the other one in their quest. I thought that parts of the book were very fast paced and highly entertaining. Then, there were the slow parts that I could have skipped and still understood the story. There were a lot of details given about Jessica’s former life in the cult that were not all necessary. There were also some events that were just too coincidental for me, things falling into place just too quickly to be believable. Nevertheless, in general, this book kept me reading to the satisfying conclusion, so I give it 3.5 stars. Most of the twists seemed probable and realistic, but there were not any jaw-dropping moments for me. My favorite character was actually Liam, the private detective who freed Jessica from the cult and who is smart and always there when he is needed. I liked the interplay between Jessica and her recruits whom she gathers to help her trap Jessica #2. The theme of revenge sought and achieved is an old one, but this one was told in a way that was different, so it did keep me reading. Fans of McKenzie and psychological suspense will enjoy this book, but it was much more psychological than suspense.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I’m a sucker for any story that mentions the word “cult”, and this did not disappoint.
Jessica has escaped, and is trying to move on. Through a series of events, Jessica ends up being duped by someone with the same name, and she needs to track her down and reclaim her life.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free, electronic Advanced Readers Copy of this book received in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading a Catherine McKenzie novel, but it won’t be my last. I read the last 3/4 of this book in one sitting, it was that enthralling.

This story is the tale of the Jessicas... how multiple Jessica Williams, with the same birthdate, enter each other’s orbit and the saga that ensues. There are “good’ and “bad” Jessica’s and you don’t find out until towards the end who actually is good. I also enjoyed the cult storyline.. during the first half of the book I couldn’t figure out how it related to the bigger story, but, wow.. what a twist and a very satisfying ending!

This book was a breath of fresh air and so entertaining! I can’t wait to read more from Catherine McKenzie.

YOU CAN’T CATCH ME by Catherine McKenzie is a riveting novel of psychological suspense that kept me guessing right up until the shocking conclusion. With twists and turns I never saw coming, I couldn’t put this book down. Twelve years ago, Jessica Williams was able to escape a cult her parents had joined with the help of a private detective that made it his mission to rescue other vulnerable teens like her. All these years later, she has reintegrated into regular society and does everything in her power to keep her past hidden. When she falls victim to an elaborate identify theft scheme by someone who claims to have her same name, Jessica vows to beat Jessica Two at her own game. What follows is a gripping cat-and-mouse story that had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. The characters were expertly portrayed and the descriptions of the settings drew me right in. I was thoroughly entertained by this fast-paced and unique story of secrets, lies and revenge and I highly recommend it! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Cults, identity theft, mystery, puzzles, deception... this book had it all! Another great read by Catherine McKenzie. Fast pace and kept my interest. I will be on the lookout for more from her. Thanks netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Catherine McKenzie is the queen of an unexpected ending. There were some slow parts to this book but overall I truly enjoyed it. The characters were likeable and the cult aspect was very intriguing. The ending pulled everything together in an unexpected way.

Jessica Williams was raised in a cult and experienced a life far removed from society. She was eventually saved by Liam and was able to forge a life for herself outside the confines of what she knew before. She chooses to plagiarize an article for work and is able to get a settlement although it has damaged her life in many ways. She is concerned that her life will come to light.

In the midst of the mess, she meets another Jessica Williams with the same date of birth that takes her settlement. She seeks to get her funds returned and to get retribution after the police will do nothing. She gets help from Liam to find any other Jessicas out there that could potentially become victims as well. I found this book to be inventive and intriguing. I have read books from this author before and have never been disappointed. Thanks for the ARC, Net Galley.

This one just didn't do it for me. I liked the cult story but the identity story was way off for me. I am appreciative for the ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher.

I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to some of my friends. It was a quick read and kept me entertained but I didn't find it to be as twisty as I typically like for books like this. I really really loved McKenzie's chick lit type books that she wrote in the beginning and I think I keep hoping she'll return to those. I have continued to enjoy McKenzie's books in the 3 to 5 star range so I will continue to read her books.

This definitely held my attention and I finished it in one day, despite in the end being a little far fetched. But that's okay! I'm suspending my disbelief on this one because I did enjoy the story.

A fun, twisty story about a former cult member who falls victim to identity theft after making a career-ending mistake. Dazzling, intriguing, and just good old-fashioned fun! This wildly entertaining thriller is chock full of impressive twists and a plot you'll get utterly caught up in.

Jessica Williams high tails it to Mexico but meets another Jessica Williams at the airport before her flight leaves. The second Jessica is a hustler who extracts vital information from her and swindles her out of the bulk of her money. But Jessica one isn’t about to roll over and take it. Thus ensues a cleverly plotted cat-and-mouse story in which our protagonist must determine how far she’ll go to get revenge.

A quick, fun read that will entertain and engross you. I highly recommend!

Twelve years ago Jessica Williams escaped from a cult she was involved in. All she wanted to do was leave that portion of her life behind her, but that was easier said than done. The day Jessica crosses paths with a woman at an airport bar of the exact name and birth date as hers is the day her life will alter forever.

You Can’t Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie was a book with many twists and turns that kept the reader turning the pages. I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t love it because I felt a few times the story was a little slow and it dragged a bit for me. In saying that I feel a bit of it was me and not entirely the book, so please don’t allow my opinion to put you off from reading this book. I look forward to reading more by this author. Recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

I have REALLY been struggling with what to write for this review, and I finished the book a while ago. But I guess that I was disappointed by it. I literally rolled my eyes when they played twenty questions because I found it almost annoying that someone would fall for that game/ploy. And I just didn’t really connect with the characters or storyline, and honestly had to force myself to continue reading. Writing this kills me, because the author is a must-read writer for me. Hopefully the next book will ROCK! 🙏🏻

You Can't Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie was a grabbed you from the first paragraph kind of story! I love McKenzie's writing! It literally jumps off the page as if viewing a movie. Very descriptive in scenery, food, smells, colors, people.....you can "see" the body language she describes. All the characters in this story weren't real life like, but in a story like this they needed to be the tough gritty people they were..it helped make the story! And the plot? That ending! Blew me away!!
One of my dear 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author and publisher for an ARC of book. All opinions my own.

I love when I read the first few words of a book and already know I'm going to love it. Everything this author writes is so good, she has such talent! Everything about this novel is interesting - Jessica's upbringing, all the Jessica's, the outcome.. everything!! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I absolutely loved the big twist. I look forward to reading more from Catherine McKenzie!

This is a great well thought out twisty story. I read this book in one sitting. I was totally hooked and did not see the ending coming. I thought that the whole idea was really clever.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book told the story of Jessica Williams. She grew up in a cult and is struggling with her past, while also trying to track down a woman with her name and birthday who has essentially stolen her identity and all of her money. Throughout the story, Jessica tracks down several other victims of the identity thief and together they make a plan to take her down.

I am giving this book three stars because the plot was interesting and the writing was decent. However, I was left disappointed overall. The characters were flat, and no one was really likable. The book felt like two different stories - both interesting, but put together, it felt convoluted. It also felt incredibly unrealistic toward the end, and though I appreciate a good twist, this did not feel believable in the least.

I do think my patrons who enjoy a quick and easy mystery will enjoy this, and for that reason I would consider purchasing for my library. However, I did not love it and would probably not recommend it when doing reader advisory.

Intrigue, a cult and swindles.


Jessica Williams escaped from a cult years ago, and has become an investigative reporter. When she loses all her savings to someone she meets at an airport she is determined to find out who did it and get her money back.
Jessica narrates her story in a light and chatty style, keeping the pace up. Most of the book is focused on her search for the person who stole her money and the people she meets along the way, but she also flashes back to her life within the cult.
I enjoyed this book (until the ending). I wasn’t particularly involved with any of the characters, but it all moved at a good pace and was perfect for a light read. However the ending was very disappointing. The last few pages aimed at explaining what had been going on, but for me just opened up more questions and made me doubt some of the events that I’d accepted whilst reading.
There are questions at the end for Book Clubs; there certainly is plenty of material in this book to make for lively discussions.
3*s from me as what started as a great idea ended very disappointingly, and there was never enough depth in any of the storylines to really get me involved and interested.