The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle was a fast-paced story that left me in awe. It was SO GOOD.

Though twins Iris and Summer are almost identical, Iris is considered “weird” and lives in her sister’s shadow. Summer has everything, including a sexy, handsome husband named Adam, and a cute stepson. When she begs Summer to come to Thailand to help sail their yacht to Seychelles, Iris can’t refuse. She’s always been an expert sailor.

But one night, Summer goes missing. Viewing camera footage, Iris sees that Summer has gone overboard. She seizes the opportunity to step into Summer’s shoes and pretend to her her popular, successful sister. Adam believes Iris is really Summer, but privately, he isn’t what Iris imagined. Plus, she has Adam’s family and his son to contend with. And how will she fool her own mother? And brother? What if someone figures out she isn’t Summer, but Iris?

Take a look:

Twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam.

Called to Thailand to help her sister sail the family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. When she makes it to land, Iris allows herself to be swept up by Adam, who assumes that she is Summer.

Iris recklessly goes along with his mistake. Not only does she finally have the golden life she’s always envied, with her sister gone, she’s one step closer to the hundred-million-dollar inheritance left by her manipulative father. All Iris has to do is be the first of his seven children to produce an heir.

Iris’s “new” life lurches between glamorous dream and paranoid nightmare. On the edge of being exposed, how far will she go to ensure no one discovers the truth?

And just what happened to Summer on the yacht?

I loved the setting of the yacht for part of the story, I felt so paranoid about nervous about how Iris was going to pull it off. I was so into this book I read it within a 24 hour period. It was exactly what you want a suspense novel to be with twists and turns and confusion and surprises including an ending that left me saying, “WHAT!”

This doesn’t come out until October, but you can pre-order it now. You don’t want to miss this!

Wow! What would you do when you love someone so much? The twists were unexpected and jaw dropping. Definitely a must read for anyone that enjoys suspense.

Oh. My. God. What. Just. Happened? This had me up way too late last night. I don’t know where to begin! Iris is such a complicated person. Sad how she was always second to her twin Summer. But things seem to be going her way UNTIL THE FRIGGIN END!!! Twisty twisty twisty. Did not see that coming. Dang. One of those books that you want to finish so fast and then wish there was more. I absolutely loved this!

This book kept me guessing right up until the end! Fantastic read! I would definitely recommend this book to fans of thrillers!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read, especially once I got going. The ending definitely surprised me- I thought I had guessed what would happen and then at the very end of the book there was a unexpected twist. The author did a great job of building the suspense and revealing some new character traits as the story progressed. I finished the book in a little over a day, so I'd consider that high praise. There is only one criticism I have about the book. To me, the ending felt rushed. The dialogue seemed to become less natural and just kind of awkward. I think a few more pages to flesh out the ending would have helped. But I really did like this book and I will recommend it to my suspense-loving friends. I'm looking forward to finding more books by this author.

This was a fast, fun, soapy read. The whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking I could imagine it as a Netflix series or something like that, with the gorgeous characters, tropical locations, and tense situations. From the very beginning, I knew Iris was getting herself into a questionable situation, and so I was much more suspicious of what was going on. I also kept wondering how Iris could keep making such dumb decisions. But I kept on reading and didn't want to put the book down. The last third of the book got a bit far-fetched, however, and the ending kind of left me unsatisfied. I did not like the last little bit. I will say I enjoyed reading the book, however, and would recommend it!

I was prepared to say that this book was a “typical, decent. beach read”, but I admit I didn’t see the twist coming, so kudos to the author for that. I felt slightly alienated at times, because I know nothing of sailing or its terminology. However, I did enjoy the psychological aspect of Summer and Iris’s relationship. I will recommend to patrons who are looking for a fast -paced mystery, because it certainly is that.

This book was so much fun! It reminded me of the juicy family soap operas that used to be so popular on tv, but this time it was about a wealthy Australian family. The writing was crisp, the locations were exotic and the pace was fast in this thriller. From the first page I was intrigued by the story of two girls, mirror twins, and how this twinness affected their lives. And, that ending—fantastic! This would make a great selection for a book club.

My copy of the book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

This book held so much primes...it was an entertaining read (murder mystery/ twins) but there were several trigger warnings (rape/insest...) that made the book have a bad aftertaste...

Just finished reading The Girl in the Mirror and I am blown away! Identical twins. Summer and Iris are mirror images of each other. Only their brother can tell them apart. Iris believes Summer is the perfect twin and she is the misfit. The story started out slowly as we watch the sisters grow up with Iris always playing second fiddle to the sister who she perceives everyone loves more. Summer's character as seen through Iris's eyes was very wooden - all perfect, all good, could do no wrong. She tries so hard to be like Summer, but never quite succeeds. Even as adults Summer has the perfect husband, perfect life, and Iris has a failed marriage. Envy of Summer has ruled Iris's life from the very beginning and when Summer suddenly disappears while at sea, Iris has a chance to become the sister she always envied. Will she take it? Or will she rise to become a better person? I thought I had this all figured out early on but boy was I wrong! The ending was a complete shock that I didn't see coming. A quick, easy read, I couldn't put it down.

This was a hard book to put down...a fabulous psychological suspense/thriller. Carlyle skillfully and immediately brings the reader right into Iris' internal world. Carlyle's external settings, particularly placing the reader on the vast ocean in a 60 foot sloop will pull anyone familiar with sailing right in.

The plot keeps the reader constantly guessing with twists and turns surrounding the relationship between twin sisters, their history and motivations...plot points abound in this story just when you think you have everything figured out. Even so, you always get the feeling there's an elusive undercurrent of hidden agendas you can't quite grasp. You'll be fooled if toward the end you have a sense of the 'what'--- the 'how' hangs unanswered until the very last. Due to be released in October 20, 2020 you definitely want this on your list if you love psychological thrillers you can't put down!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summer and Iris, twin sisters, and their five other siblings were left a legacy from their sadistic father. The conditions of an enormous inheritance leaves much turmoil and causes a multitude of decisions that end in death and betrayal.

Yes!! I loved this book. In the acknowledgements the author says she hopes this book could inspire a longing to sail and learn to sail in any non sailor.. .. Umm... No, heck no. I will not be taking up sailing after finishing this CRAZY twin book. Starts with a slow burn but before long I was on a roller coaster ride for sure when reading this messed up tale of babies, greed, family drama, and disturbing behavior. I do not want to reveal too much, please go into this one blindly. You will not regret reading this thriller--I highly recommend to anyone who likes their fiction twisty and fantastic..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

QUICK TAKE: super soapy thriller about a family fighting over an inheritance and the twin sisters who will do whatever it takes to win the money. This was is a freakin' blast, dark and soapy, and just when you think you have it figured out, BAM! you do not. If this isn't on your radar yet, it needs to be.

I'm exhausted! I absolutely couldn't put this book down and stayed up all night to finish. Wow! I didn't see those twists coming! A great escape from the world and a thoroughly engrossing thriller!

Wow! Splendid work done by Rose Carlyle. "The Girl in the Mirror" was indeed a thrilling roller coaster ride experience of shocking waves. A brilliant psychological thriller that had me wondering how will this end? Two twin sisters sailing away together on the Indian Oceans. A few dysfunctional families in the mix of a will worth one hundred million dollars. "The Girl in the Mirror" brings you it all from "boating yachts, murder, true identities, weird wild sex, real pregnancies and fake pregnancies. You won't know who to trust., who will betray you or who the loyal ones are.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery thriller about a jealous twin sister and mistaken identities. While the story was fast paced, we get to see the main character Iris fully fleshed out from birth, childhood and adulthood and how being a twin affected her all her life. Summer always had it all according to Iris, and now she finally gets to experience that life. The author did a great job of making you both hate and love Iris all at once.
Unfortunately, I was able to guess the twist early on in the story. I don't know if it will be obvious to others or if I guessed it because I read many mysteries, but I was still able to enjoy it.
Fun, quick read for people who enjoy suspense.

Summer Rose and Iris are mirror twins; their anatomy mirrors each other with one's heart beating to the left side of the chest and the other to the right. This is the only way to tell them apart. Their brother seems to be able to tell the difference but is that really true? When their heartless father passes away he leaves his entire massive fortune to the first of his children who can produce an heir. Summer appears to have the perfect life and is sure to inherit, but what about Iris? However, there is a twist, Daddy was married three times and fathered a number of children and so the race is on to find a spouse, get pregnant and give birth to a child in order to lay claim to the fortune.
What lengths will the twins and extended family members go to to secure their future? Is murder out of the question? Just when you think you have the plot twists figured out, author Carlyle turns the tables once again and you're left wondering which twin is which?

3 1/2 stars The story started off slow, but about halfway through it picked up and I had trouble putting it down. The story is reminiscent of Gone Girl. Somewhat predictable although I felt like it just ended without tying up a big piece (at least for me). Still thought it was a great read!

THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR
BY ROSE CARLYLE

What is it that twins often do?
Iris and Summer are identical twin's except that Iris's organs are inside on the opposite part of her body. Iris gets a call from Summer asking Iris to sail the family yacht back to Summer's husband's Country. When Iris shows up she is told that not Adam but Summer and Iris are going sail the yacht to meet Adam. During one night on their journey something dreadful happens. From there begins a plot with several twisty turns throughout the plot. Their father has set up all of his children with his several wives to compete against each other to deliver the first Carmichael heir. Whomever gives birth first to the first born Carmichael heir collects one-hundred million dollars.

With a competition like that you can imagine the back stabbing that takes place between most of their father;s children. These people will do anything for money. Summer is pregnant with her husband Adam's child. She is in the early stages of her pregnancy. Summer is supposed to have everything but does she really? Is Iris jealous of her twin Summer? Can they pilot the yacht to its destination?

This was a fast paced mystery and psychological thriller that was a fast read that I mostly enjoyed. I was able to read this suspenseful novel in one sitting. I would say this one falls in the category of once you pick it up you don't want to put it down. So be forewarned that once you start this you need to clear your schedule because you will not get the things on your to do list once engrossed in this novel. Iris and Adam are both well developed characters.

The ending was one that I seriously had to suspend my belief as to how it played out. Maybe it could happen in Australia maybe not. I took off one star off my rating since I didn't buy it and it just didn't seem likely. Also the plot was pretty taut and kept me engaged except the very ending. The ending just didn't seem credible to me and it wrapped up a well told story a little too fast. Except for that this was an interesting mystery and psychological thriller.

You might like the ending and disagree with me so don't let me stop you from reading a well told story all in all. I would read more from this author. This was the first novel I have sampled by this author.

Publication Date: October 20, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, Rose Carlyle and HarperCollins--William Morrow Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

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