Sam and Ellie were identical twins who became childhood stars in the blink of an eye. They did everything together. But, as they grew older, so did their wants. They both had different views of how they wanted their lives to be. Sam was the party girl who’s in and out of rehab. Ellie is the homebody with the good head on her shoulders. When Ellie disappears, Sam does everything in her power to find her.
But it’s not at all what Sam thinks and she finds out that Ellie has secrets of her own.

This had me hooked from page one. It had me reeling to know more. I loved the dynamic between Sam and Ellie. It goes to show you that twin sisters have an unbreakable bond and would go to the end of the earth to protect each other. Such a great read!

I was a bit nervous going into I'll Be You, as I've read many books with the twin trope that haven't really made me buy in to the trope. This book changed my mind. It was propulsive, out there yet believable, and kept me guessing the whole way through. I was so invested in both sisters and wanted to see them reunited more than anything. No spoilers, but I loved it!

What's it about (in a nutshell):
I'll Be You by Janelle Brown is a psychological thriller about the disappearance of Ellie and her twin sister's quest to find her. It is a look at the power of the bond between twins and when that bond goes too far.

What I Enjoyed:
The writing gripped me starting at page one and kept me enthralled throughout the entire tale. I loved Brown's writing style. There is a casual deliciousness about it, like being privy to a secret about a friend. I just couldn't put it down even if I tried.

The twists and turns took me by surprise – each and every one. I always love to be shocked, and this story did that on more than one occasion. There is so much to this story. It is hard to tell which threads lead to the truth and which ones take the reader down a rabbit hole. I especially loved that the story didn't utilize all the twin-inspired twists that I have seen in many other stories.

The characters are exceptionally well developed, and the differences are so apparent that it felt like I could even tell them apart on the page - that I didn't need the visuals to be able to do it. They are twins, but they are very much their own individuals.

Lastly, I enjoyed exploring what it means to be a twin, the powerful bonds, and how that bond can lead each down a wrong path. It is hard to think badly of either of them because there is no doubt that their choices, good and bad, were born out of the desire to give the other one what she needed and wanted.

Characters:

Samantha is the twin who loves to be in the limelight. She is bold and independent but has a drug and alcohol addiction that has been hard for her to kick. When she suspects her sister's disappearance is more dangerous than she first thought, she puts that boldness to use and risks everything to get her sister back.

Ellie is the quieter twin. All she ever wanted was to live a normal life, but once she has it, she realizes that she is missing something, and her quest to find that something puts her in a lot of danger.

What I Wish:
I can't imagine wishing anything to be different in this story. In every way, it was an excellent, enjoyable read for me.

To Read or Not to Read:
If you are looking for a psychological thriller that will hold you in its grip from page 1 and surprise you as you go around each corner, I'll Be You needs to be the next book you pick up.

This is not just a mystery but also a story about sisters and families. The mystery is good. All of the exposition though tends to slow things down. Would have been better if the same info could have been given with fewer words.

Twin sisters who grow up acting on television, sometimes pretending to be each other, have grown apart and their lives have taken very different paths. Sam who really wanted the fame, a recovering drug addict with her life out of control and her sister Elli, who wanted a slower paced life not in the limelight come to blows and don't speak. Until things fall apart and they need each other to put things back together again. I liked the story and the way that it's told half in each sisters own voice. I have come to really enjoy Janelle Brown's writing and look forward to her next novel.

Janelle Brown is carving her own path in the thriller world, she writes novels that stand apart from other more gimmicky popcorn thrillers. I'll Be You is another wonderful book under her belt. This one blends a story of twin sister, their lives both together and apart, both in the past and the present. The paths these two sisters have forged leads to some poor choices, life mishaps, and then: one gigantically horrible mistake. While each sister is guilty of her own misdeeds, they aren't what you would expect.

I enjoyed getting to read about these sisters and see how they were there for each other, whether they were together or apart. I found their relationship to be very realistic; that is to say, it was far from idyllic or perfect. The first half of the book did start to lull just a bit for me, but the second half I couldn't read fast enough. I appreciated the honestly, the rawness and the thrilling elements of this book. I want to call it a literary thriller, because it goes much deeper than you would expect for the genre. I highly recommend this book and others by Brown.

Identical twins Sam and Elli are former child stars who have grown apart through the years. Elli is a florist living close to the beach with her lawyer husband. Sam is a recovering addict still hoping for a Hollywood career. The sisters haven’t spoken in over a year when Sam receives a call from her mom that Elli is taking an extended rest at a spa in Ojai and requesting a visit from Sam to help care for Elli’s adopted two-year-old daughter. Sam is stunned to learn about the adoption as well as her sister’s recent marital woes.

Sam arrives to help care for her niece while navigating sober living, an awkward relationship with her parents (most of all her mom), and concern for her sister who has failed to call and check on her daughter. As Sam looks into Elli’s life in the days leading up to her disappearance, she also considers the past, giving readers insight into their childhood and family dynamic, and Elli’s investigation soon becomes a rescue mission as shocking secrets unfold.

While the relationships should be the focus of this story, I honestly felt like the over the top storyline overshadowed them and I didn’t become as invested as most readers (based on other early reviews I read after finishing the book myself). I’m a huge fan of Janelle Brown’s storytelling, this one just didn’t have the impact of her previous books for me.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’ll Be You is scheduled for release on April 26, 2022.

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
Genre: Psychological Suspense
Author: @

✨Quick Synopsis✨
Elli and Sam. Sam and Elli. Identical twins who were B list childhood movie stars who use to be close, but in recent have drifted apart. When one sister has joined a cult can the other sister who is struggling with life help her twin escape this lifestyle??

💭My Thoughts💭
Woah! 🤯 What a psychological deep dive into two of the most fascinating topics: cults and identical twins. For me books about cults are always so captivating, but then add in the dynamics of identical twins and you have yourself one fastastic character study. The book starts off at thriller speed, but quickly becomes more of a slow burn mystery with Brown developing the intricacies of the two different twins and developing the different levels of cult living. Even though it is more slow burn, this book is very unputdownable! The characters and plot a so well written and well researched that Brown will have you gripped from the very beginning. With cult books becoming the new trendy subgenre of books, this is definitely one you want to add to your #tbr piles!!

I’LL BE YOU, the story of two former tv star twins that took drastically different paths in adulthood has all the pieces it needs to be moving into thriller central: a former alcoholic that comes back home to help for a niece she doesn’t know, a sister who’s fallen into the hands of a cult and a childhood secret just waiting to bubble out into the open. Unfortunately for me the story was unfolding a little on the slow side, every red herring was very obvious and the reactions a bit predictable.

If you liked THIS MIGHT HURT however, you’ll definitely liked this book.

I received a copy of this e book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author.

This latest cult-adjacent thriller had me intrigued. The story of two wildly different twin sisters and former child stars, and where they end up in their 30s. It had a interesting premise and I’m always up for some cult/like drama.

It took me about 50% of the way into the book to really get into things and then I breezed through the second half very quickly. There’s unexpected twists, which I always like, but the narrative and characters did fall flat for me. Overall this was just okay for me, unfortunately

3.5 stars
Hollywood meets psychological thriller.
I definitely had to suspend my disbelief because the entire story was overly dramatic, but that’s also what hooked me in.

The ending was a lot and lost me a bit, but this was a bingeable read.

Elli and Sam are identical twins. As children they were thrust into the world of Hollywood, sharing roles in various children's-themed T.V. shows. Sam was right at home being in front of the camera, while Ellie…not so much. Over time, being a loving sister, Sam assumed Elli’s roles as well. And no one was the wiser.🤫 Thus began the tale “I’ll Be You.”

Growing into adulthood, the sisters eventually drift apart. Sam’s life imploding, as Ellie seemingly settles into marriage and motherhood.

After Elli leaves for a weekend and doesn’t return Sam knows instinctually that something is wrong. Oddly, no one else around them seems to take notice. Is Ellie simply taking a break from her mundane life? Or is her disappearance something far more ominous?

A thoroughly engaging read. I was a bit hesitant going in as I’ve read numerous “twin” themed books lately. But from the first page it felt different and I was immediately swept away by the storyline and the superb writing talent of Janelle Brown. Definitely looking forward to more from this author. Luckily for me I have two of her previous books sitting on my shelf just waiting for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group

I'll be you was an entertaining, engrossing book about twins. I finished the book very fast as it was so dramatic and fast to read. I am also a sucker for any cult based book. I'll be you about twins who are miles apart from each other. Sam is the fun extrovert who wanted to be an actor; Eli is the silent introvert who doesn't like the lime light and just wants to fit it.

Sam and Eli were former child artists and when Eli decided to stop acting, Sam lost her job as well. People wanted twins, not just one half of a twin. Sam battled with addiction and finally after a huge fight, Sam and Eli were estranged. Out of the blue, Sam gets a call from her parents to come babysit Eli's daughter, Charlotte.

Sam comes back to her childhood home and finds out that Eli is divorced. Eli is gone for self help retreat and the days just keep flying by. Eli never comes back and Sam becomes extremely concerned. The rest of the story is about how Sam uncovers the cult, GemFem that Eli is attached to. The story had so many secrets and it explained the intricacies of Twin relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the drama and it was a fun book to read.

I'll Be You is a book full of twists and turns that keeps the pages turning.

Sam and Elli are identical twins that have not spoke in over a year.

One goes missing and one tries against all to try and find her.

Sam and Elli each have their own story and both are given the chance to tell it.

Sisters have a unique bond and identical twins one would think would have even a stronger bond.

But do they?

I don't want to give anything away but suffice to say I cheered them both on, I cried with them and I cringed at them several times.

Janelle Brown is a great story teller that draws you and keeps you reading until the surprising conclusion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Random house for fast paced read.

This is a story about twins. It is classified as Thriller/Suspense but to me, it seemed more like just a story about the very complicated relationship between twins, Elli and Sam. And there is some mystery.

On the surface, they have a relationship that would be stereotypical of twins, especially as children. They shared the same room, dressed the same, traded identities and even had their own unique language.

The trouble starts when they are “discovered” and become child stars. Sam loved the acting, the glamour, the fame. Elli just wants to be out of the spotlight, have friends and go to regular high school.

This is where their relationship starts to fall apart. One sacrifices for the other, one spins out of control. Throw in a bit of the need control and passive-aggressive behaviour. Add some secrets and addiction. They find it hard to be together yet are not able to stay apart. But then comes estrangement.

The story is told from both perspectives, Elli's and Sam's. But there is no clear Good Twin or Evil Twin. Very complicated relationship.

This story intrigues me on a personal level. Close family members are twins, adult twins. Their relationship is interesting. I can't help but make comparisons between what I’m reading and what I have observed.

I'm satisfied with the ending, as far as the relationship between Elli and Sam. But, the moral aspect of one of their actions leaves me feeling a little unsettled. For that reason, I would rate the book 3.5 stars. But, no half stars so I have rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy of this book.

This was disappointing because the premise was so good and I was hopeful. I liked the dual timelines of Elli and Sam but felt like I could identify more with Sam because her life and choices are so messy and she is trying to start over/be happy. Of course, they both have secrets and obviously these deeper secrets have what kept. Elli seems like the perfect twin, but her the husband moves out and things spiral from there.

IMO, this is not really a thriller but a women driven suspense book with a lot of action. The first quarter or so if this book was great, the middle portion was so-so and a little drab; and I felt the end was anti-climatic, abrupt and mediocre. JMO. It could have wrapped the story better than it did. Hope her next book will be better than this one.

Overall, just ok but not memorable. Still recommended if you like Brown's past books. Thanks to Netgalley, Janelle Brown and Random House Publishing Group Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 4/26/22

Janelle Brown has written several successful novels, among them Watch Me Disappear and Pretty Things, both of which I read and reviewed; I rated both five stars. So I was greatly looking forward to I’ll Be You, anticipating the same sort of page turner I associate with this writer. Sadly, that’s not what I found. Though it has some nice moments, the pacing doesn’t measure up, and the whole thing is burdened with trite story elements and devices.

Nevertheless, my thanks go to Random House and Net Galley for the review copy. This book will be available to the public April 26, 2022.

The premise: Samantha and Elli are twins, and they grow up in Southern California as child actors, with the sort of rabid fan base that makes it hard to go out in public. Sam loves acting, but Elli doesn’t, and as they grow up, Elli leaves it all behind, attends college, then marries a successful career man and buys a home in the ‘burbs. They can’t have children of their own, but adopt Charlotte, who is now two.

Samantha discovers the horrible truth, that her skills were good enough when she was a child actor; twins are popular in the industry, because child labor laws prohibit any child from working more than half a day. Identical twins can each work a half day, and so filming can take place all day. Once she is grown and looking for a single, adult career, however, she finds roles hard to come by. The drug habit she’s developed as an adolescent burgeons into something larger, more horrible, and she’s been in and out of clinics ever since, sometimes on her sister’s dime.

Now Elli has taken off and left Charlotte with their mother, who is having trouble keeping up. Mom calls Sam, figuring that helping care for Charlotte is the very least that Sam owes their family. And Sam comes. Soon it becomes clear to Sam that Elli isn’t just off on a weekend retreat, but has been absorbed into a cult; in order to save her sister, she has to (yeah, this again) pretend to be her. Meanwhile, Mom is no help whatsoever, caught in a combination of denial and family roles, in which Elli is the good daughter, and Sam isn’t.

So we have here just about every overused element I’ve seen in the last ten years. We have the alcoholic addict that wants to drink but mustn’t, needs to use, but must resist. Over. And over. And then we have Bad Mama, a very popular mechanism of late. Mothers can rarely be good guys in today’s novels, and they’re (we’re,) such low-hanging fruit. As if that isn’t sufficient, we also have the twins-changing-roles trope, slightly modified. Even the name—Elli—can anybody out there write a novel, oh please, in which the protagonist is not Allie, or Alex, or Ellie, or some other variant on this same, eternal name?

I made it through the first forty percent or so withholding judgment, because I figured this author is one that can pull it out of the water and make it shine. But I realize this book is not up to snuff when I see how frequently I am setting it aside to read my other galleys. When I read the other two of Brown’s novels mentioned above, I started them, stuck with them to the exclusion of other books, finished them fast, and reviewed them. This time I would often consider opening it, and then decide on another book instead. Finally, I resolved to finish it, and so I did, but as you can see, I wasn’t impressed.

Brown is a capable novelist, and I’m not giving up on her. Anybody can have a dud someplace in their career. But as for this book, I advise you to read it cheap or free, if you read it at all.

This was SO MUCH FUN! I could not put this one down. I loved the Southern California setting, the child actor storyline, and the cult aspects. The author kept me guessing and turning pages, trying to figure out what was going to happen. I enjoyed the multiple POVs from the twin sisters. The ending was satisfying. LOVED this one!!

Thank you to Random House for the early copy of I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown. This book is about female twins and covers childhood and adulthood, some via flashback. I enjoyed the book. The sisters, Sam and Ellie, were very well depicted and I rooted for both of them. It’s hard to know how much to say without giving spoilers. The pace was good and I couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend it.

With a compelling premise, this story about a missing twin started off strongly. I read the first half in one weekend, eager to figure out what was happening. However, the second half wasn't as nearly as interesting, and I had to stop myself from skimming through repetitive information. The ending was fun, though!