This was a decent thriller with some good twists, but it didn’t completely hook me. The tension between the sisters was intriguing, and the setting added a nice sense of isolation, but the story felt a little slow in places. It had potential, but I wasn’t blown away by the ending. Not bad, just not as gripping as I hoped.

I really struggled to finish this book. It took me the better part of the year and I normally finish books within a day or two. I think the plot was too slow for me with too many characters in focus. I would read another book by Marlee in the future though.

Identical twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, live in a cabin at a campground that is mostly deserted. Lenora has agoraphobia from a trauma and never leaves the cabin. A new owner takes over after the death of their landlord, and rents out one of the cabins to a family. When the teenage daughter ends up disappearing, Cassie and Lenora are terrified. Their safety they have built around themselves begins to disappear.

The sisters are very odd, but I was wrapped up in the story. I wish the pacing had been a bit faster. For me it seemed to slow. I did enjoy the timeline going between past and present. But I just felt there wasn't a lot happening times. I did enjoy it though, and ending was great.

"Trapped in the isolating, claustrophobic wilderness, Cassie and Lenora must piece together the truth of what happened—and the sinister truth lurking in their own pasts—before it's too late."

This book tells of twin sisters, Cassie and Lenora, living at a nearly deserted campground, and all the craziness of their past when a teenage girl ends up going missing nearby. This book was creepy, thrilling in a slow burn kinda way, and tense all the way from start to finish. There were twists and turns, and I believe this was a FABULOUS debut novel for Ms. Bush. Will definitely be looking forward to more in the future.

An intriguing tale that explores the complexities of identity and personal history. The writing is engaging with a good storyline, a few twists, and not many suspects. I liked the twins and thought they brought depth to the story.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Twisty thriller that weaves past with present. Identical twin sisters Cassie and Lenora a secluded campground in Tennessee. This was one I throughly enjoyed.

This book was so good, I had trouble putting it down! The relationship between Lenora and Cassie is complicated, but at the core they are EVERYTHING to each other.... No one else matters. As I was reading, I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I was so wrong. The emotion, fear, strength, and determination that was represented in this book was just the right amount. Then we you add in jealousy, rage, confusion, and torment it just completes the story. Loved it!

I almost DNF’d several times and the only reason I didn’t is because this is an ARC.
Each time I thought something was about to happen, I said “Oh… that’s all?”. The only thing I enjoyed about this book is the ending and it wasn’t worth sticking around for.

Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press, Marlee Bush, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and honestly review this book.

impressive thriller that is surprisingly eventful and effective. a super fun vibe by a rising star in the field.

This was a fun twisty thriller but a little forgettable. This book goes between the two sisters POVs as they live at an old camp ground and keep to themselves because of something that happened in the past. When a teenager from the camp goes missing the two girls try to find out what happened. This was a fun thriller but it did get a little slow in the middle. The ending was unique and twisty and the characters were well done this was a debut from this author and I would definitely pick up another book from this author in the future! I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

When She Was Me is the debut novel from Marlee Bush, but you would never know it.

It follows identical twins staying at a cabin in the woods - and of course something sinister occurs.

If you're typically a fan of thrillers you are sure to love this one.

As a debut this was great! As much as I hated Sarah's character, she made the plot thicken and move the story line along great! This is for sure a book you will sit down and enjoy and eat up. It was so fun to think of theories of where the story will go and then it continued to take unexpected turns! Will for sure be recommending!

I loved the setting for this book: an isolated campground in Tennessee. The surrounding woods, the nighttime sounds, and the missing young camper was a recipe for a great time. Unfortunately, I wanted this mystery thriller to lean more mystery than thriller, or at least provide a 50/50 split, but it is definitely more firmly in the thriller category. The synopsis also advertises more isolation than what seems to be on page, specifically when it comes to Cassie's very popular true crime YouTube channel. For me, it contradicts how "they manage to stay away from prying eyes, probing questions, and true crime junkies" (quote pulled from blurb).

I have elected to DNF this book at 32%, as it is clear this book will not work for me. However, I can see myself recommending the title to those who love a thriller with many popular, classic tropes. I have marked it as 3 stars to provide a neutral rating, as I chose not to continue my reading of it.

Identical twins, Cassie and Lenora, live in a cabin at a campsite after their parent’s deaths. The owner of the campsite suddenly dies and a new woman takes over. After a family arrives to stay in another cabin, the only child of the family, a teenager, goes missing and strange things begin to happen that no one can seem to explain.

The dynamic between the twins is intriguing and kept me wanting to find out what happens. The story, however, is a very slow burn. I found myself getting confused at times and losing track of if the characters perspective was a past memory or the present. There are also a lot of details that get rehashed over and over.

Being an identical twin myself, I’m drawn to reading stories featuring twins. I thought this story did a great job with the twin character arc in this psychological thriller. Cassie, a true crime podcaster lives with her sister, Lenora, a ghost writer in a remote resort cabin. Told in a dual, first person point-of-view, the present envelopes both ladies with paranoia as the teen from next door goes missing and opens the locked door to their horrible past. Due to Cassie and Lenora both being an unreliable narrator, the air of mystery never dissipated throughout the story. I thought this was a great debut from the author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC.

I ended up listening to the audiobook for this once it was released as I was so interested in the story but couldn't get through physically reading much of it. I liked the story line but the authors writing style made it a slow read physically. I did however enjoy the book when listened to. I love the story of the two twins and why they live the way they do. There's a lot of jumping back and forth between pov's and timelines but it's needed and adds to the intriguing ending of the book. A 3.5 star book.

Wow!!!! I've never read one of Marlee Bushes book before but I don't know where I have been but she is freaking awesome and knows how to write a book.. I was drawn from the very first chapter.. I've said this before but I really was hooked on this book I finished it in one day...

Psychological Thriller: Twin Sisters’ Dark Past

When She Was Me is a psychological thriller centred around twin sisters Cassie and Lenora. The story unfolds in an isolated campground in Tennessee, where the sisters live alone, attempting to escape their troubled past. The narrative takes a dark turn when a teenage girl camping nearby goes missing, which triggers a flood of repressed memories for the twins. The book skillfully blends past and present, leading readers through a suspenseful and atmospheric journey as the sisters confront their dark history and unravel the mystery of the missing girl.

When She Was Me is a captivating psychological thriller that excels in creating a tense, atmospheric setting and complex characters. The dual narrative adds depth to the story, making it a compelling read. While some readers noted pacing issues, the overall reception has been positive, marking it as a strong debut for Marlee Bush. Fans of psychological thrillers and stories about complex family dynamics will find this book particularly engaging.

In conclusion, When She Was Me is a must-read for anyone looking for a psychological thriller that delves deep into the human psyche and explores the dark side of familial bonds.

Marlee Bush's When She Was Me is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of twin sisterhood and the dark secrets that can lurk within a seemingly idyllic family.

The story follows twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, who live a secluded life in a remote campground. When a new owner takes over, their peaceful existence is disrupted, forcing them to confront their troubled past and the mysterious disappearance of a young girl. As the sisters' bond is tested, the reader is drawn into a web of lies, deceit, and unreliable narration.

What I Loved:

Compelling Characters: Cassie and Lenora are complex and well-developed protagonists. Their contrasting personalities and shared trauma create a fascinating dynamic.
Suspenseful Plot: Bush masterfully builds tension and keeps the reader guessing throughout the novel. The twists and turns are both unexpected and satisfying.
Psychological Depth: The book explores themes of identity, memory, and the blurred lines between reality and perception.
Atmospheric Setting: The secluded campground setting adds a sense of isolation and foreboding to the narrative.
While the pace may be slow at times, When She Was Me is a thought-provoking and thrilling read that will stay with you long after you finish the final page. Fans of psychological thrillers and dark family dramas will appreciate this haunting tale.

This one kept me on the edge of the seat and turning the pages. I recommend for a good autumn vibes read!