There are few books that I read that my experience goes downhill as I read and such was the case with this one. The synopsis had me intrigued and the first few chapters were great as the reader gets to know the characters, but from the time on the boat and on this book just kept not working for me and getting worse. And by the end I may have scoffed or rolled my eyes as I just didn't love the amount of drama.

Good beach read.

From the slow first half, to the unlikable characters, to the unbelievable plot...to the grotesque motivations driving the story, I was left with an eye-rolling, audible groan inducing waste of time.

I found the plot simultaneously predictable and unbelievable, the pacing was weird with the twists and wrap up all being compressed into the last 5% of the book. The male characters, in particular, were one dimensional.

Wow. The ending of The Girl in the Mirror completely took me by surprise. I was captivated by this book. The absolutely appalling Father's will, the oddness between the twins and their genetic make-up, the very unusual family relationships, they all kept me wondering and intrigued by this weird family. I just finished and I cannot stop thinking, what did I just read?

Identical twins Summer and Iris have always had that special twin bond, but even more so since their cells split just before they would have been co-joined twins. They are mirror images of each other, and no one can tell them apart. Summer has always been in Iris’s eyes the better twin - the prettier, the nicer twin; Iris has always been labeled as the more difficult one. After their millionaire father passes away, they discover that his will stipulates that the first legitimate grandchild will inherit the entirety of his fortune. At this point his children include the twins and their younger brother, as well as his current wife’s 4 children. This doesn’t bother Summer, as she seems to have it all anyway - a successful husband and toddler stepchild, beautiful clothes, exciting lifestyle. Iris, however is consumed with how to get that inheritance, and with her recent failed marriage, that’s not likely to happen. When Summer and Iris are forced to sail their dad’s yacht from Thailand to the coast of Africa, things take an ugly turn. How far will one twin go to try and get what the other twin has, and at what cost to her soul? Lots of twists in this one, especially towards the end. Those who enjoy twisty psychological thrillers should enjoy this book. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Iris and Summer are identical twins born into a wealthy dynasty. Their philandering father also has three children by a second wife. Upon his death they discover he’s pitted them against each other to inherit.
I love books like this about evil twins! This debut should definitely be a bestseller. This had so many twists and turns; it was an amazingly entertaining thriller. I highly recommend this book.

What a twisty ride - just went I thought I had it all figured out.

Although all the characters were deplorable I couldn’t put it down. What I thought was going to be a very predictable read turned out to really surprise me in the end.

Wow! Mix family drama, sibling rivalry and greed with some truly evil characters and you end up with The Girl In the Mirror. A well-written story with a few twists along the way. The ending truly made me say "What!?" I doubt I was the only reader surprised.

Slightly fantastical tale about identical twin sisters competing to get married and have the first child in order to inherit their late dad's fortune. It starts out on a sailboat leaving from Thailand to the Seychelles and finishes in Australia, their home town. Without giving too much away, one twin dies at sea and the surviving twin pretends to be the one who went overboard. Silly story but keeps you reading with nicely sized chapters and a few plot twists along the way.

Ooh time goes by and if i don't write the review right away...sigh. I'm trying to be better. The best i can do right now is give a star count...

The Girl in the Mirror takes the idea of twins swapping places to the extreme, and then takes it just a little bit further, really pushing the limits of what the mind can conceive as it explores the story of Summer and Iris, a set of mirror twins. By the last few pages of the book, it's almost impossible to determine what's true and what isn't, who's who and who isn't. And yet, somehow, it still fails to surprise. It tries a bit too hard to throw in multiple twists and it ultimately weakens the book overall. However, it is well-written, and is a fast-paced quick read. The book shows a lot of promise, it just doesn't quite deliver.

What a great vacation read -- a thriller that gets your heart pumping and fully immerses you in the story!

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!
This was by far one of the most exciting and fun and SUPER-TWISTY books I have ever read. I read this a bit of time ago, and it is STILL STUCK with me! Usually with mystery/thriller-y/twisty reads like this one, I never remember much of them even shortly after I finish reading them, but boy oh boy (or should I say GIRL OH GIRL!) this one is STILL percolating in my brain all this time later. I never realized how fun and exciting a twins-trope could be until I read this book! I cannot reccomend this book enough. I absolutely LOVE and adore (and don't often find) when a book is so twisty and rollercoastery that there are several (and i mean SEVERAL) moments where you read and think "oh yeah, this is how it ends" and then BA-BAM! something more gets added or happens. It's like one giant never-ending "Yes and....." LOVE THIS BOOK

I enjoyed reading this book and loved the plot. It was a great thrilling read that I brought on vacation!

Thank you for Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC. This book was full of twists and turns that you don't see coming right until the end. A fun read for sure! If you want to read a book with suspense and escapism, check this one out! 3.5 stars!

These are the type of books that I desire to read. Finding great ones by new to me authors is such a joy! Great book!

Wow. Really enjoyed this book. First time reading Rose Carlyle, and will need to read more. Lots of plot surprises, some I saw coming, and some I didn't. Great characters too. #TheGirlintheMirror #NetGalley

Kelly Verheyden
Job: Manager, Kensington-Normal Heights Library, San Diego Public Library
She recommends: “The Girl in the Mirror” by
Rose Carlyle (William Morrow-HarperCollins,
2020; 296 pages)

Iris and Summer are mirror twins, which means they are mirror images of each other. Iris is the insecure twin, always jealous of Summer’s charmed life and perfect husband Adam. Iris’ marriage has ended, so
when Summer calls asking if she will sail with her from Thailand to the Seychelles, Iris agrees. During the journey, Summer is washed overboard, and when Iris finally arrives at port, how does she explain her
sister’s death? She doesn’t — she decides to become Summer. Can she fool Summer’s husband? Will she be able to get pregnant and inherit the millions her father left to his first grandchild? This multilayered psychological thriller will leave you guessing. Debut author Rose Carlyle has sailed across the Indian Ocean with her family. The authenticity of the sailing adds depth to the first half of the novel, and numerous plot twists create tension in the second half. This book is a quick and exciting read.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Issue: Sunday, January 16, 2022

If I am being honest, I am fifty-fifty on this book. I loved the writing style and the pace of the narrative. However, I wanted more from the characters. My reaction to this book could be because I have read so many similar to in within the past months. I would definitely try another book by the author.

I loved it! A tale of what money can do to people and what money can do to family. It really brought up the worst in some of the characters. I loved the sailing bits, and then part two and three became total mind roller coasters. A dark horse of a thriller!

This is a great thriller that kept me guessing up until the end! My favorite part of the novel was the ending!