Double Lives by Mary Monroe is an intriguing exploration of secrets, betrayal, and the complexity of living with two identities. From the very beginning, Monroe pulls you into a world where nothing is as simple as it seems. The story revolves around a protagonist whose dual existence creates constant tension and moral dilemmas that make you question what you would do in their shoes.

What I appreciated most about this book is how Monroe delves into the internal struggle of the main character. It’s a raw look at how difficult it can be to balance the life you show the world with the truths you keep hidden. The protagonist is far from perfect, but you still find yourself empathizing with them as they face difficult decisions and tough choices.

The pacing was just right, with enough twists to keep me hooked, but not so many that it felt forced. Monroe really takes her time to build up the tension, making the story’s turns feel earned and satisfying. I also found myself thinking a lot about the themes of loyalty and identity. The way Monroe explores the blurred lines between right and wrong really adds depth to the narrative.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, light read, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re into stories that make you think deeply about people’s choices and how they shape who we are, Double Lives is definitely worth picking up. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking novel that kept me thinking long after I finished reading.

I received an ARC of Double Lives by Mary Monroe through NetGalley. Having read many of her books, with The Upper Room being my favorite, I was excited to dive into this new novel. It did not disappoint! Double Lives is set in Depression-era Alabama and follows the tumultuous lives of identical twin sisters, Leona and Fiona Dunbar. Since childhood, the twins have been switching places to get in and out of trouble, fooling everyone around them, including their domineering mother, Mavis. As adults, their lives take a dramatic turn when they decide to switch places one last time, leading to unexpected consequences that test their bond and alter their futures. PThe story begins with Leona and Fiona's childhood antics, where they frequently swap identities to escape punishments and enjoy each other's lives. Leona, the outspoken and rebellious twin, often takes the fall for Fiona, the seemingly demure and churchgoing sister. As they grow older, their lives become more complicated. Fiona feels trapped in a passionless marriage, while Leona is heartbroken over losing her true love. They decide to switch places again, with Leona stepping into Fiona's role as a wife and Fiona embracing the freedom of single life. The switch leads to a series of events that reveal hidden desires and long-buried secrets. Leona finds herself unexpectedly enjoying the stability of married life and developing feelings for Fiona's husband. Meanwhile, Fiona indulges in her newfound independence and reconnects with Leona's ex-lover. As their masquerade unravels, the twins must confront the fallout of their actions and the impact on their small town.
The characters in Double Lives are richly developed and incredibly engaging. Leona and Fiona's complex relationship is at the heart of the story, showcasing their deep bond and the lengths they go to protect each other. Leona's rebellious spirit and Fiona's hidden wild side create a dynamic and compelling narrative. The supporting characters, including their mother Mavis and Fiona's husband, add depth and tension to the plot.
I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Mary Monroe has a talent for creating vivid, memorable personalities that stay with you long after you've finished reading. The twins' journey of self-discovery and the exploration of their identities were particularly captivating. This novel is a testament to Monroe's storytelling prowess and her ability to weave intricate tales of family, love, and resilience.
Overall, Double Lives is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who enjoys a good family drama. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from Mary Monroe in the future. #netgalley #doublelives

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
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This book does a great job showcasing the relationship between the twins. Their quirky antics are fun, even if they sometimes feel a bit strange or confusing. While I’m not a twin and can’t comment on how realistic their thoughts are, it’s a work of fiction, so I’m more focused on the entertainment value. The twins definitely steal the show and make the story enjoyable.

Overall, this book is a fun blend of humor and intrigue. It’s a solid pick for anyone who loves character-driven stories with a hint of mystery and mischief.

This was a very cute story line. This was a plot that I haven't read yet before and I loved it.

Some of the writing got to me and I wasn't a fan of it. hence the 3 starts.

What an intriguing premise - identical sisters swapping lives and fooling people, including into adulthood! This historical fiction book was great from start to finish, enjoyed seeing the sisters’ bond and their shenanigans with long lasting impact.

A riveting tale of deception, desire, and sisterhood. There are shocking twists and unforgettable characters in this story by Mary Monroe who is a master storyteller.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Although this is the 4th book in the Lexington Series it is a standalone. This story takes place years before the other books. Fiona and Leona are identical twins who since they were little switched places with one another.
But as they got older switching places became more dangerous. Leona was considered the wild child while Fiona was the goody two shoes. When in fact that was far from the truth. I felt bad for Leona and how she let her sister take advantage of her and suffered the consequences of her sister's behavior. But Fiona did try to warn her about her best friend. If you've read any of the other three books or any of the author's other books then you know this story is filled with messiness and whew chile moments. These country folks are too much! The only thing is I wished it was tied into the Wiggins storyline. Or maybe it will be in another book?

Um, I'm all good with switching places but this book took it too far for me. Not a read I enjoyed or will recommend to others.

Good read from start to finish. The story was well written and the plot was interesting. Nothing was left to the imagination.

I loved this book the plot was engaging and very believable, twins living each other's lives. Set in the South during the Depression era identical twins Leona and Fiona Dunbar have been getting in—and out—of trouble by pretending to be each other. They even change places when So when Fiona feels stifled in her marriage, and Leona is heartbroken over losing her one true love, Chaos ensues and secrets are revealed. Unfortunately it was quite emotional to read about racism and segregation that was rampant in the 1930's. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Double Lives by Mary Monroe

The cover drew me in, the synopsis intrigued me, I had high hopes and then I started to read… and was jarred by the voice of the beginning storyteller and wondered if this was the book for me. I persevered and finished the first chapter. I then did what I often do and read the last chapter to see if what I read would justify reading the middle. Undecided, I read a chapter from the middle and then decided that though this book would probably resonate with and be loved by some, it was not for me…or perhaps not for me right now. So, I closed the book and am moving on. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3 Stars

I truly don't know how to rate this book. If you are like me, you love reading a book or watching a movie with twins. Who doesn't love Mary-Kate, Ashley, Tia, Timera, Dylan, and Cole Sprouse? One trope that all identical Twin MCs engage at one time or another is the great switching of roles. "The Great Switch" trope is what initially attracted me to this book. This is my first book by Mary Monroe, and boy, did it take me for a ride. Ms Monre writes viscerally real characters that genuinely explore all aspects of their humanity and engage in all manner of foolishness. I think that this book would be a great book club pick because there is just so so so sooooo sooooooooooooo soooooooooo much to untangle. I found the pacing excellent initially, but then it began to lag in the middle and picked up momentum towards the end. Because I have read many books concerning the plot of twins switching, I correctly predicted how the book would end. That being said, I still enjoyed how the book concluded and found some aspects of the end of the book shocking. Thank you so much to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the digital arc!!
My final rating is 4.00 stars.

I'm a twin, so I love books about twins—Double Lives was so much fun! Leona and Fiona were charming, interesting, and fun to journey with, and Mary Monroe did not disappoint when it came to her research and expertise of the period she wrote in! While this book had more unexpected twists than I was expecting, I throughly enjoyed the pacing of the story, and the ways the conflicts within were resolved. I felt like Leona and Fiona were so alive and vibrant and I could read another book with them!

Thank you to Kensington Books, Dafina, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

This book did not disappoint. I was on the edge of my seat from the start. I don't know if I could trick people the way Fiona and Leona did but the ending... Wow. I wonder if Fiona's husband truly had feelings for Leona all along for them to end up the way they did.

Mary Monroe has done it again! She never fails to write an amazing book! Fiona and Leona are twins who switch places when one doesn't want to deal with something. This relationship is VERY one sided with one twin always reaping the benefits while the other suffers. In true Mary Monroe fashion payback is received by the deserving party. I hope she continues to write great books!

I took another trip back to Lexington, Alabama where identical twin sisters, Leona and Fiona Dunbar live. The twins are so identical that they can seamlessly switch lives, fooling everyone around them even their own mother. Leona, the more outgoing, sociable twin seems to have trouble and scandal follow her every move to the disappointment of their mother Mavis. To Mavis’ pleasure, Fiona appears quiet and reserve and stay away from the drama that Leona draws.

Their unbreakable bond allows them to navigate life’s challenges together, even when it means Leona taking the fall for Fiona. But when Fiona feels stifled in her passionless marriage and Leona faces heartbreak, they decide to switch places once again. The results are both scandalous and liberating.

Leona discovers unexpected security as a wife and homebody, while Fiona revels in newfound freedom. As they indulge their secret desires, their deepest secrets come to light. The masquerade ignites appetites they never expected, and their small town is rocked by the fallout.

Mary Monroe weaves a thought-provoking tale of moral uncertainty, vividly rendered characters, and unexpected twists. I love visiting the residents of this town in several of Monroe’s novels. Double Lives revealed the selfish intent of one sister and the committed devotion of the other. I wanted the sisters to realize the lopsided bond of love that they had for each other. Their seemingly harmless shenanigans held heavy consequences. A very unique tale that I being a twin myself, thoroughly enjoyed.

I don't even know how to rate this, to be honest! I always grab a Mary Monroe book because her characters make me shake my head. They are simultaneously the dumbest and the most entertaining people ever. Mary is an author whose writing is very simple (some say sophomoric) but whose stories are so deeply complex. I felt the beginning of this novel was a little slow and heavy on the detail but we understand why the detail is needed later in the story. DID NOT EXPECT THE ENDING

Identical twins Fiona and Leona find it amusing and convenient to switch identities as it suits them, but could their harmless switching lead to serious trouble?

This 320-page historical fiction is a great example of why Mary Monroe is one of my favorite authors. Her unique writing style and engaging plots are always a guarantee that I will be drawn in for a thrilling read. The author masterfully developed Fiona and Leona’s story throughout and lastly climaxed in a plot twist that I did not see coming.

Double Lives is a work of historical fiction that spans from 1901 to 1938 in a small, segregated country town in Alabama. Readers will be introduced to identical twins Fiona and Leona Dunbar who find it amusing in ‘fooling folks’ by switching their identities. The narrative alternates between Fiona and Leona’s perspectives. The author’s signature style of creating characters that are intriguing and memorable resulting in this entertaining, and original plot. I found myself unable to put the book down, eager to see how the story would unfold.

The bond between the sisters is like no other. I found it disturbing the sacrifices Leona made for Fiona. It was even more unsettling that Fiona allowed her sister to take on a negative image while benefiting from their switching. In my opinion, Fiona was selfish, while Leona was naive and always ended up being the protector or scapegoat. This unfair dynamic between the sisters made me angry. Leona was also naive when it came to her friendship with Bonnie Sue. Bonnie Sue got on my nerves and was very much obsessed with Leona, but Leona could not see it.

Who wouldn’t want to trade places to get out of trouble or to get out of their current circumstances? Mary Monroe has written another captivating five-star book that tells the story of the Dunbar sisters’ masquerade, which ignites into something they may not be able to switch back from. I highly recommend it.

Mary Monroe has once again proven why she is a favorite author of mine with her latest novel. From the very beginning, I found myself completely engrossed in the story and on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next.

The character of Leona quickly became my favorite, despite her naivety, while I found myself disliking Fiona for her selfishness. As the story unfolded, I appreciated the depth of each character and their complexities, especially as we learned more about why Leona's mother treated her the way she did.

While some of the characters' actions could have been avoided if their mother wa less judgmental and harsh, the plot twists and turns kept me hooked until the very end. I found myself unable to put this book down and finished it much quicker than I would have liked.

Overall, Mary Monroe has once again delivered a gripping and compelling novel that kept me captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging read. Awesome job, as always, Mary Monroe!

GENERAL INFO

Double Lives- a standalone

Year Pub/Re Pub: 3-26-24, Read 3-28-24

Format: eBook, 320 pages

Setting: Lexington, AL (1901-1938) The Depression Era

Genre: AA interests, historical, romance

Tropes: racism, sexism, slavery, secret pregnancy, colorism

TW: attempted SA, r*pe, murder, cheating

 HEA/HFN ending: HEA for Leona

Epilogue Included:  yes, 1 year later

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Two twin sisters Fiona and Leona make a childhood prank of switching identities into adulthood. Over time the stakes get higher and the consequences more severe. It leads to cheating, obsession, and even murder.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Representation: POC, LGBTQIIA+, Veterans, disabled

Flashbacks: The most important one was Mama talking to Leona as Fiona . Mama explained why she was so hard on Leona

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : yes, both sisters were jealous of each other which caused them to switch so often

Amount of Sex In The Book: enough

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Fiona Dunbar: posed as the fragile, good, and virtuous twin, but caused trouble all the time for Leona

Leona Dunbar: the wild, "loose" twin. She always took the blame for Fiona's bad behavior and their mother was always hard on her.

"Mama" Mavis Dunbar: the twins mother, a housekeeper. Husband Clyde died when the twins were 6 years old

Jubal: Fiona's husband. A good, "God fearing" man who works as an auto mechanic with his own shop.

Lamar: Fiona and Jubal's son. He doesn't gives them any problems, graduates high school, and goes into the military.

Bonnie Sue- a childhood friend to both Leona and Fiona but after all her family died of sickness, she becomes very close to Leona-even moves in with her. Married a railroad porter Clayton + had 3 sons

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: both Fiona and Leona had plenty but the stand outs were Ernest Lee, Jubal, Wally, and Boaz

AUTHOR OVERVIEW

 Mary Monroe-I read her God Don't Like Ugly series years ago, gave both 4/5

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 5/5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES
I am in a daze at the sacrifices Leona made for Fiona. From faking a pregnancy to going to jail, Leona was obsessed with her sister. She had Bonnie Sue tendencies towards Fiona , and could never say no to her. Karma caught up with them though, and Leona did get her HEA but man was it a whirlwind of secrets and lies!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC 🩷! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.