Member Reviews
I love this book so much! And it’s my first book by Marlee Bush which will make me read her other books.
I was immediately interested in this book as I don’t think I had ever read a mystery/thriller featuring twins. I was excited to read about how they ended up in this random cabin in the woods and what made them want to hide away from the world.. The story jumps back and forth between POV's and timelines and slowly builds up to an end result that I did not see coming. I did enjoy this book but did find that I was often feeling like it was going to long, it could have been shortened some and still had the same end result. Great book for a debut author and I look forward to reading more from them in the future.
While ai enjoyed this story, I did feel that it dragged in some places. I am more of a reader of fast paced thrillers, but it was nice for a change for things to be dragged out and build the suspense.
When She Was Me by Marlee Bush
I went into this book blind having had it in my tbr pile for awhile. Twins Cassie and Lenora and their ‘different’ life and lifestyle quickly got my attention. It was told from Cassie’s view, Lenora’s view and a ‘then’ view. This is where things got confusing for me. I was constantly trying to figure out which one was really the bad twin. In the end it finally tied up the pieces for me but it was a bit hard getting there. I never saw the ending coming.
This was great! It's very well written and sucks you in and the twists are good! I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Marlee Bush, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I had such a great time reading this! The pacing, the plot, the reveals and the clues were all so good.
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 was a solid mystery. Nothing groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it.
"When She Was Me" by Marley Bush is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the final pages. The story explores identity and deception through the lives of two women whose paths unexpectedly intertwine. Bush's narrative skillfully navigates between past and present, unraveling secrets and building suspense with each chapter. While some plot elements felt familiar, the character development and tense atmosphere held my attention throughout. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book, allowing me to delve into its compelling twists and turns.
This was a miss for me. I found myself constantly putting it down. I didn't understand one the characters choices. I barely got through their thoughts. Mostly because I would sometimes get confused as to who's POV it was, which is something that doesn't really happen to me. Honestly if it wasn't a Netgalley arc I would have DNFed it.
Ever since that night, twin sisters Cassie and Lenora have been inseparable. Hidden away in Cabin Two, their own little refuge.
Until a teenage girl camping at the neighboring cabin goes missing, and the memories come rushing back. A crime that feels all too familiar.
Cassie and Lenora have to piece together the pieces to try and work out what went wrong.
I found this book a slow start. Which I think was just me finding it hard to get into and finding connection to the characters. However, as things started to go wrong I got more and more hooked. I kept trying to work out the ending and who committed the crime and how it all linked, but I will say - I was surprised.
It had an interesting jump between characters to give up a variety of perspectives and I quite enjoyed it!
The story of the two sisters in a cabin sucked me in immediately. The use of time jumps and multiple POVs kept me guessing what exactly was happening, but in the end I was left wanting more. I think this was a good debut and I would read more from this author!
She was me. I was her. We were the same. I can not believe this was a debut. So well written. I was enchanted from the beginning and completely enraptured in the story. I felt like I was a part of everything!
This had many aspects I love in a mystery and the twists took me by surprise. I did feel like it dragged on in many parts and I didn't like that but if it were cut shorter here and there, it would have been great
Cassie and Lenora are twin sisters living in the woods trying to escape their past. When something happens that not only shows their undying dedication to each other but also some mistrust.
This book has multiple POVs and dual timelines. The main characters were very complex and interesting. Their sister bond was so strong and felt like a whole character itself. I enjoyed the setting and the writing.
I did kind of figure out the twist early but I still liked it. But was surprised by some of the ending still. I did feel like it was just a touch slow here and there but overall this was a fantastic debut novel!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of this book!
"When She was Me" centers on twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, who become embroiled in the mystery surrounding the death of a teenage girl near their home.
Personally, this thriller didn’t quite resonate with me. I found certain parts confusing and the pacing a bit slow. It wasn’t a bad debut at all; in fact, it showed promise for a new author. However, it didn’t capture my full attention, and I often found myself getting distracted while reading. Despite this, I would be open to exploring more from this author in the future.
This is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Its blend of suspense, character depth, and an eerie, atmospheric setting creates an unforgettable story that will leave readers questioning the nature of truth and the shadows lurking in their own pasts.
Twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, inseparable since a mysterious night years ago, have made Cabin Two their refuge, avoiding the scrutiny of the outside world. Their secluded life allows them a fragile peace, almost enough to forget the haunting memories of their past. Almost.
The tranquility shatters when a teenage girl camping at a neighboring cabin goes missing, bringing buried memories and suspicions to the surface. As the crime unfolds, Cassie and Lenora find themselves recognizing unsettling similarities to their own past. The narrative masterfully builds tension, revealing that even so-called 'happy families' can harbor dark secrets.
Trapped in the claustrophobic wilderness, the sisters must unravel the truth of what happened years ago and confront the sinister realities of their own lives. The setting highlights the story's suspense, with the dense, isolating woods serving as a perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama.
The character development is compelling, with each sister suspecting the other of knowing more than she admits. This tension between them adds to the plot, making their journey to uncover the truth both emotionally and psychologically intense. The twists and turns are perfect, keeping us on the edge of our seats until the very end.
Highly recommend this one!
Thanks to #NetGalley for my advance copy of this book.
A well written twisty book, with an ending you won't see coning.
Great story, relatable characters, and an ending you'll never guess correctly.
4 stars from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC
Thank you to NetGalley, Marlee Bush and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This one was a little more of a slow burn than I was looking for and I still feel like I have questions I needed answered to feel satisfied with this one. I did enjoy the characters and that ending came out of nowhere and shocked me. It was great!
A creepy tale based dep in a wooded campground. Two sisters both with their own unnerving qualities. this gave me all the "someone's watching" vibes.
First off—Marlee Bush’s dry wit on social media is what made me want to read this book. I had high hopes. Well. This book exceeded all expectations. This twisty story is the perfect summer read (omg reading it while tucked away in a cabin would be amazing).
The story contained some of my favorite tropes (✔️sleepwalking. ✔️dysfunctional sisters. ✔️cabin in the woods.)And of course tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
When She Was Me is Ms. Bush’s debut, and I for one cannot wait to see what she writes next!
Five shiny stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️