An implausible but compulsively readable novel. Lucy doesn't know what to make of her daughter Eden when, after almost drowning, she announces that she's Eli, her twin who died in utero-a vanishing twin. Lucy's got a lot going on in her life (there's marital problems with her husband James). Is she an unreliable narrator? How is her mental health? How about Eden/Eli's? And what about Eden's BFF Charlie, who knows some secrets. This leaves many things unresolved. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Over to others.

Short Synopsis:
I’m sure you’ve heard of vanishing twin syndrome - where one twin disappears or is absorbed in utero. This book is that. But make it creepy. And you can trust nobody.

My Thoughts:
The concept of this book was fantastic. I haven’t ever heard a good excuse about vanishing twin syndrome, so this was fun to explore that. But also it ended up being a bit too much for me. Too much death - especially in kids.

The last couple chapters and epilogue were great though. If you’re a fan of The Push, you’ll probably enjoy this one too.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, and thank you to BiblioLifestyle and William Morrow for the gifted finished copy.

After Lucy's daughter, Eden, survives a drowning incident, she wakes up in the hospital insisting that her name is Eli. Fourteen years ago, Lucy and her husband, James, found out they were having twins, but one of the twins vanished and was absorbed by the other twin, known as vanishing twin syndrome. Lucy is shocked when Eden starts calling herself Eli, the name that Lucy had reserved for the unborn twin. Lucy knows that something is wrong with Eden, who seems to be someone else entirely. Her stubborn teenage daughter is now laidback and even-tempered. Could Eden really be the twin who disappeared?

"My Name is Eden" will pull you in from the first page and keep you guessing until the final shocking conclusion. The story alternates between the POVs of Lucy (both past and present) and Eden's best friend, Charlie, giving a little more insight into Eden's personality before and after the drowning accident. I was immediately drawn to this book based on its creepy premise, and the first half of the book had me hooked. The second half was not as strong, but I still wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. Most of the story was wrapped up nicely in the epilogue, but I still had many questions and wanted to know what really happened to Eden in that pond. Overall, a strong debut from Eleanor Barker-White, who personally experienced vanishing twin syndrome, and I look forward to reading her future novels.

An unsettling story of motherhood and trauma. When, in the opening pages, Eden drowns only to survive and reemerge as her own vanishing twin, you know things are going to be weird, As a fan of Ashley Audrain, I love a good dark motherhood tale and this fit the bill. The unreliable narrator keeps the reader on her toes and the atmosphere is creepy throughout. I've yet to see the vanishing twin phenomenon used in a novel and I appreciated how Barker-White used the idea. While My Name was Eden wasn't a standout, it was a solid read that made for a good reading experience.

This book kept me intrigued from the very first chapter. But as intriguing as I was I also was a little frustrated. I wanted some more answers.

It starts off with Lucy (suffering from lost twin syndrome) and her finding her daughter Eden almost lifeless in their pond at their home. When they return Eden isn’t herself and insists she is her unborn twin Eli.

Lucy feels like she’s losing her mind. But is she? That’s my question. I get Eli. And I get the tiniest bit of Charlie. But why so much Charlie? Did she know more. Is Lucy’s past more than we know? Why was Eden in the water?

The twist at the end was so good I loved. Overall I did enjoy the book and definitely recommend. It will keep you turning pages for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for being able to review this book early for my honest opinion.

Told mainly from twin mom Lucy’s POV, this thriller is fast paced, gripping, and overall a must read for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. Eli creeped me out so much! Her mother drove me nuts at times, but I was so invested in this story I really could not put my Kindle down.

Definitely some good WTF moments in this one, and the ending was well worth all the build up. I will definitely be on the look out for more from this author!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for my e-copy of this novel to read and honestly review.

My Name Was Eden is an outstanding debut. I couldn't stop thinking about it for days. Highly recommend!

The longer I think about it, the more holes I find in the plot. It was definitely intriguing and unputdownable, but it left so many questions unanswered. Why did Eden go into the water? What has she told Charlie? Why was Lucy hiding things? Just too many holes to be satisfying.

This story is about Lucy, a mom dealing with her daughter Eden's close call with drowning. The plot takes a twist when Eden, who seems okay physically, starts calling herself Eli, the name Lucy saved for Eden's unborn twin. The story explores motherhood, identity, and the mysteries of twins.

The tale begins with Lucy's relief when Eden comes home after the drowning incident. But things get strange when Eden becomes Eli. Lucy feels something isn't right, even though the doctor and Lucy's husband say Eden is fine. The story dives into the complexities of being a mom, dealing with loss, and facing the unknown.

Lucy's emotional struggle is at the heart of the story. Readers feel her pain as she tries to understand what's happening. Eden turning into Eli adds a mysterious element, making us question reality and how trauma affects people.

The characters in the story grow and change, showing the deep love between a mother and child. Lucy's journey is emotional, and the readers connect with her. Eden/Eli's character adds a mysterious touch, making us think about identity and how trauma affects the mind.

The author mixes past and present, revealing the mystery of the vanished twin bit by bit. The pacing is just right, letting us feel the characters' emotions while keeping the story moving. Loss and resilience are big themes, and the author handles them with care, showing how grief and trauma impact families.

The setting adds to the story, making Lucy's home feel like a confined space that matches her emotional struggle. The author's descriptions make the surroundings come alive, immersing us in Lucy's world.

Dialogues are important for understanding the characters. Lucy's thoughts let us into her mind, and the conversations with other characters build their relationships. The author balances inner thoughts and external talks, making the story engaging.

As we reach the end, there's a sense of anticipation. The resolution is touching and makes us think. The author navigates the line between a thrilling mystery and an emotional drama, leaving us with thoughts even after finishing the story.

In short, this tale about a mom's journey and the secrets of twins is a touching look at identity, strength, and a mom's enduring love. With its heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters, the book takes us on a journey into the mysteries of the mind and the ties that bind us.

I just reviewed My Name Was Eden by Eleanor Barker-White. #MyNameWasEden #NetGalley

So very dark and twisty with a dollop of the supernatural on the inside. It’s creepy and you are kept wondering what is going to happen next. Our main character is Lucy and although her own story unfolds as Eden/Eli’s story is told, we never fully know her and are left with some assumptions about what drives her relationships which is great because this is not a lazy book. It kept me on my toes.

When I say I could not put this one down! This book was captivating and unique from the first page. I had never heard of "Vanishing Twin Syndrome" and found this to be a very insightful look into the disease despite the fictional setting.

I found this book to be well-paced and I thought the alternating perspectives and timelines to be attention-getting. I particularly loved Charlie's chapters and wish we got more of her perspective! I could not BELIEVE the way this one ended - my jaw was on the floor for the last fifteen pages or so. Even I found myself second-guessing who I could trust and the writing made me anxious in the best way. I thought the ending was a bit rushed but other than that, no complaints!

This was a book that started with a ton of potential. A child drowns, is brought back to life and then takes up a new name...of their twin who died in the womb. This was set up to be a wild and creepy tale, but instead, this was full of annoying, gaslighting characters who I just couldn't care about.

I think some people might like this, and this style of writing, but it's not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

I have to admit that the premise to this book was too much for me to resist. Imagine your daughter drowning, being brought back to life, and now claiming that they're the vanishing twin that was lost in the womb. How creepy is that?

That's what happens to Lucy. Her temperamental teenage daughter, Eden, now claims she is her twin Eli. Eli, the son Lucy has never forgotten. Eden the once aggravating and sloppy daughter is now the calm and courteous son she has always wanted but at what price?

I wanted a creepy story and I didn't get that. This is another book that starts strong and then loses it's way by the half way mark. I could not stand Lucy at all. She's a pathetic, whiny, paranoid mess of a woman. I never understood the whole Eden / Eli thing and it is never explained. The chapters from Eden's bff's point of view, Charlie, were like nails on a chalkboard. Add a heaping of gaslighting and a sprinkle of infidelity and you've got yourself a bubbling pot of shit stew. 2 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my complimentary copy.

This book deserves a standing ovation and I am SO here for it.

My Name Was Eden

I cant even tell you what I thought I was going to read compared to what I actually did read but I can tell you, this book is one that I will never be able to stop talking about and it deserves every bit of the hype it is about to get..

Here we go...

My Name Was Eden, had me addicted to each turn of the page. I was squealing in delight as each secret was revealed . I was completely consumed and transported straight into the book. The characters came alive before my eyes and I felt every emotion they felt. The narration was executed with perfection and the plot twist was not only incredible but believable too! When everything came together I was left in sheer disbelief with my jaw on the floor.

How the heck is this a debut?

5 stars 5 stars 5 stars!

Teaser :

One twin vanished. The other twin remained. Until now...

When her daughter Eden came home from the hospital, Lucy was profoundly relieved. Eden had survived a drowning incident and had no apparent brain damage, no serious injuries, not even a scratch on her. Lucy fervently welcomed having a second chance at being the good mother she should have been before her teenager’s accident.

Until Eden tells her that Eden isn’t her name. Until she starts calling herself Eli. The name Lucy had reserved for Eden’s unborn twin.

Don’t worry, says the doctor. Eden is completely fine, says her husband. Of course I’m fine, Eden says, with that strange new smile of hers. I didn’t die. I’m here.

But Lucy knows something’s very wrong with Eden. She’s not her maddening, complicated teenage girl anymore—this straight-backed, even tempered, steady-eyed child in her house is someone else entirely. Eden, it seems, is the twin who disappeared…

Lucy's daughter almost drowns. When she wakes up, she insists that she is not Eden but Eli, her unborn twin. Has the twin that vanished in utero taken over Eden's body, is Eden having a mental health breakdown from almost drowning, or is Lucy's own grief over Eli's death influencing Eden's current mental state?
The premise for My Name is Eden by Eleanor Barker-White is creepy and intriguing but unfortunately, the plot falls flat. The story is all over the place and hard to follow. The characters are not developed well and are all unlikeable. The story was as struggle for me to finish and the ending was disappointing and unclear. I was not a fan of this story but you may be.
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for this ARC. My feelings after reading this book are complicated. There were many things I liked about it, and a few that I didn't like so much. For much of the book, there is a creepy feel that I really enjoy in this genre. It has an interesting plot. Some of the dialogue was a bit cringe. It felt like there were definitely some things left unanswered. On the other hand, it was not a predictable read and there are constant turns. I would like to see what this writer does in future projects.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. When Lucy's daughter is home from the hospital, she is completely different. She is unsure of the changes in her teenager. This was a good read.

I received a free copy of, My Name Was Eden, by, Eleanor Barker-White, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Imagine your child goes into the hospital as herself and comes out as her unborn twin. Creepy. Wow this book, is different, creepy and imaginative.

My Name was Eden
Eleanor Barker-White
Pub Date: February 27, 2024
William Morrow
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When her daughter Eden came home from the hospital, Lucy was profoundly relieved. Eden had survived a drowning incident and had no apparent brain damage, no serious injuries, not even a scratch on her. Lucy fervently welcomed having a second chance at being the good mother she should have been before her teenager’s accident.

Until Eden tells her that Eden isn’t her name. Until she starts calling herself Eli. The name Lucy had reserved for Eden’s unborn twin.
What a premise to base a book on! Others really enjoyed this book, but it just didn't keep me interested.
3 stars

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley

Lucy was pregnant with twins, but only Eden was born. There was a drowning incident as Eden was coming home from school one day. When she came home from the hospital after that Lucy was relieved that there was no brain damage, or serious injuries. She was not very close to her daughter before the incident and she was hoping it would change once she got her home.

She was closer to Eden after this, but then Eden tells her that her name is now Eli. Eli was the name they reserved for her twin that was not born. This is where is starts getting strange, her husband thinks it she is still Eden, as well as the doctors. But Eden insists that Lucy call her Eli. Lucy does start doing this when they are alone in order to have that closeness she always wanted.

Lucy realizes something is not right because Eden has totally changed her personality. She now eats food that she never liked before. So, who is her daughter really?? And what happened to Eden??

This book really grabbed me and kept me guessing till the end! Very good story!