Isla Baek is 8 years old when she finds Marlow Fin in a storm outside of the family cabin. Unable to find someone who knows the abandoned child, the Baek family takes Marlow in.

What follows is the story of two sisters—Marlow, a stunning beauty whose enigmatic nature and dangerous outbursts leave everyone on edge, and Isla, who wants nothing more than a happy, stable life with a loving sister.

Told in alternating timelines, this story covers the past in flashbacks narrated by Isla, while the present-day story is in the form of a TV interview where Marlow is coming clean about her past, and the tragedies and heartbreak left in her wake.

I felt that the book started off slow, and a clear plot isn’t revealed until a bombshell midway through Marlow’s interview.

The first few chapters rely heavily on adjectives for every item mentioned. There are “glassy lapis eyes” and “spiral-black vinyl floors” punctuating every other sentence.

After a bit, it settles into a story that feels like it’s missing a plot. The writing is sharper, but you begin to wonder if it’s just the story of an adopted child with a missing past and troubled present.

About a third of the way in, you start to get some context from the present-day interview that alludes to tragedies and accidents that may not have been accidental. At that point, it was easier for me to stay engaged with the story.

There are several dramatic moments that stopped me in my tracks, but one was a particularly good misdirection with a moderately satisfying resolution.

The story isn’t a romp, but it’s also not oppressively dark and heavy. I’d consider it a moderately light read for a thriller, and would recommend it to someone looking for a balance between cozy mysteries and Gone Girl.

Looking for a family drama full of secrets and unexpected twists and turns, then Becoming Marlow Finn is the book for you. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my ARC.

What a gripping story. The beginning was a little slow for me but picked up mid way through but it had plenty of twists and turns.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader copy

Thanks to @netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy of "Becoming Marlow Fin."

This book is phenomenal! Be prepared to read it in one sitting because you won't be able to put it down.

I was hooked after the first chapter and needed to know all about Marlow. Then the interview format with Marlow worked so well as she vowed to talk about the big mystery. And the flashbacks from Isla's and Marlow's childhood to present kept me glued to the page.

Here's to a great 2024 for @ellenstiel.

This was the such a good book! The were so many twists and turns in this book that it left me guessing from start to finish. Everything I thought I knew where the story was going there would be a new twist. It was very well written. I would definitely recommend it and I will definitely look for more books by Ellen Won Steil!

Wow.. family drama thriller with more twists and turns than you could anticipate. I enjoyed the writing style and the interview was a fun added bonus. I also enjoy a well put together time jump and this one did it! We were all over in time but it wasn’t chaotic, it was easy to follow and get back into the story of that timeline.

The beginning was a tad slow, but quickly picked up and was a quick read with a nice length to each chapter.

I found myself to be a bit confused at the end. It ended pretty quick and felt a bit rushed with the details. It left me with a feeling of, hmm? A lot of it felt implied rather than laid out and explained to us.

I could have done without the crude language that presents throughout the book and the few explicit sex scenes.

Overall, this had me gripping my seat and swiping pages to find out what was happening next!

Becoming Marlow Fin was a bit confusing for me. I had a hard time following the alternating narratives. I usually enjoy that style of writing -- but It did all come together at the end though and was a good ending. Overall I did enjoy this book. I didn't see the ending coming and I enjoy a good twist. Thank you NetGalley and Ellen Won Steil for the Advance Copy in exchange for honest review.

Ellen Won Steil is a genius! I am a fan and her new book Becoming Marlow Fin is a total mind f@#k. I am in shock and need to reread this brilliant family thriller immediately. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. Isla, Marlow and Sawyer will in my mind for a very long time.

Fascinating characters, well-done multiple timelines, and enough twists to keep me guessing. I genuinely felt like I was discovering Marlow’s past as she was and experienced the emotions as well. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and would read her future books. Thank you for the opportunity to read in advance!

After reading the reviews, I had high expectations for this book, however, it failed to grip me. The writing style was good and the characters were interesting but the plot was ridiculously far-fetched and unbelievable. I was left rather dissatisfied.

Loved this book! It went back and forth in time, which sometimes can annoy me, but not this book, that just made it more compelling. Some chapters were interviews of super model/actress Marlow. Plenty of twists and turns. One of the best books I’ve read this year. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book incredible book.

Interesting characters, story and plot. Enjoyed the read and a perfect escape for a cold winter afternoon or a nice afternoon at the beach. Thanks

Becoming Marlow Fin has all the trappings that generally appeal to me, including being slightly reminiscent of Daisy Jones/Evelyn Hugo in its interview style, but with the added element of true crime. It's an easy read in that there's nothing too complex about the language, but I was hoping for something a bit more elevated. Had the writing been slightly more sophisticated, I'd have loved this book. But regardless, I think it will appeal widely to the BookTok crew.

Marlow Fin was found abandoned as a 6 year old in a storm. The Baek family adopts her and from that humble beginning a true star is born. Now Marlow is willing to grant her first ever personal interview about her life and perhaps give some hints to what happened to her missing sister Isla.

Through a series of media snippets, interviews and flashbacks it is clear that Marlow is not who she originally seemed to be. The question however is, what happened to her only advocate, her sister Isla. I sure didn't love Marlow but grandmother Moni was a character for the ages. Grab this novel and see if you can unravel the mystery ! #Lakeunionpublishing #BecomingMarlowFin #ellenwonsteil

Families are complicated, some more than others. Super model Marlow Fin sits down for her only interview regarding the events surrounding a specific evening that changed her and her family’s lives forever. A night were Marlow’s sister, Isla was last seen, and a pool of her blood was found in a shed and on Marlow’s clothing. Could Marlow have killed the one person whom she swore she loved more than anyone?

Becoming Marlow Fin is an intricate tale of the Baeks, Patrick, Stella, their 8-year-old daughter, Isla, and grandmother, Moni, the Baeks seemed like every other working-class family on the block. But on their last day of vacation at their cabin, when the Baeks find 6-year-old abandoned Marlow in the woods, their entire world and house of cards start to crumble. As the years pass Marlow’s slight oddities as well as her beauty come more to light. Now at the top of her game, Marlow is a person of interest in her sister’s disappearance and possible murder.

Ellen Won Steil has crafted an intricate story that spans decades and several characters to unfold a fabulous story of how far a couple will go to become a family and what happens with the people and lies they leave behind. There is a lot of time jumping in the story and I wished it were a little less herky-jerky in that regard, but Steil wraps up all the loose ends nicely and the reader can easily follow.

This is a book worth reading. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced reader copy. This is an uncompensated review.

Marlow Fin is a famous actress and model who was found in the woods as a young child with no memory of where she came from. This is the story of Marlow and the family who found her. It is captivating, profoundly atmospheric, intense and unexpected. A powerhouse of a novel.

I did not know what I was getting into with this book. But it was amazing! The best way that I can describe this book is Evelyn Hugo but if it was written by Riley Sager. Which is incredibly high praise, given that Evelyn Hugo is one of my favorite books and Riley Sager is one of the my favorite authors. This was truly an amazing read. For starters, I loved the multiple points of view. I loved getting Isla’s point of view parallel to Marlow’s interview. I found myself adoring Isla and the Marlow we saw through her eyes. I am still conflicted on my opinion of Marlow as seen in her interview, but the contrast between the two certainly added a lot to the story. The multiple points of view was an incredibly well done way of writing the story. Also well done was the thread of tension and growing feeling of dread we got throughout the entire book. It pulled me through the book, and made me quite paranoid. Though it might not be paranoia because it was well warranted. As the book went on, more and more drama and secrets were revealed, and the plot got darker and darker. While I could predict some twists, it didn’t make the plot any less riveting or dramatic. And the ending was nothing short of brilliant, and so satisfying. Overall, this was a truly fantastic read and I cannot recommend it enough!

Wow! Just finished Becoming Marlow Fin and it knocked my socks off! Who is Marlow Fin? A terrified lost little girl found in the woods one stormy night along the shore of Lake Superior? The beautiful and glamorous model and actress who has graced fashion covers worldwide? Loving sister to Isla? Devoted granddaughter to Moni? Troubled “it” girl hounded by paparazzi and about to give the interview of her lifetime? She is all of these things and more. What’s behind her beautiful unforgettable eyes?
This is a thriller and a family drama with some roller coaster twists and turns. Marlow is young girl found one night outside during a terrible storm at the Baek’s lake cabin. She is traumatized, isn’t speaking and can’t remember anything before being discovered by Isla, the Baek’s daughter. The Baeks seem the picture perfect Korean American family with parents Patrick and Stella, and Moni, Isla’s beloved Korean grandma. When no trace of family or parents of Marlow can be found the Baeks adopt her and she becomes part of their family. But things aren’t what they seem…there is an undercurrent of anger and tension within the family. Patrick and Stella seem at odds concerning Marlow. Can Stella be loving mom to both Isla and Marlow? As Marlow grows into a beautiful young woman and a wildly successful supermodel and actress, Isla takes a backseat to her famous sister.
Despite the girls’ close childhood relationship tensions grow within the family. Something is clearly off and Isla gets caught up in a maelstrom her sister seems to have swirling around her.
The story is told thru Isla’s reflections and Marlow’s perspective in a sensationalized interview format. I thought this worked wonderfully. The tension build and builds until the very last page. I literally devoured the book to find out whether Marlow would come clean in the end and the family secrets revelaed!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this Advanced Reader Copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐅𝐈𝐍
𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐥
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 07/23/2024

I’m going to stick with the questions for this book due to the fact it’s not releasing for another 10 months. It will be worth the wait for any months or days of waiting on this book. It’s so so so good 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟S̤̈T̤̈Ä̤R̤̈S̤̈

1. What was your favorite part of the book? * the interview chapters. I devoured them.

2. How quickly did you guess the twist? * I thought I had it figured out 34667 times. Wrong on all guesses. Stumped me to the end. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

3. Discuss the point of view and whether it worked for this book. * the different POVs past and present along with the interview were absolutely what made me stay up until 1132 pm. Such a page-turner

4. Which characters in the book did you like best? * Sawyer and Oliver. Hands down a tie. I loved them both

5. Did you find the author’s writing style easy to read or hard to read? Why? How long did it take you to get into the book? *super easy and unputdownable to read. Why? See question 3 for the answer. It took maybe 8 pages to know I was finishing it today ❤️

#ellenwonsteil #netgalleyreader#netgalleyreviewer #parkrowbooks #amazonpublishing #bookstagram #bookworm #instabook #booknerd #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookblogger #thrillerreads #pageturner #twistybooks #psychologicalthriller

Isla Baek found an abandon 6 year old girl Narlow in the woods near her family holiday cabin. Marlow didn't have any memory of how she got there and suffered from PTSD for months. Baek family soon adopted her, but her childhood was far from happy. Until her big break in her teens when Marlow found herself in the centre of fashion industry, becoming successful, world famous model.

But now her sister Isla is missing, and everyone thinks Marlow murdered her. In an exclusive tell-all interview, Marlow is finally going to reveal her dark secrets.


This book is absolutely brilliant. I just couldn't put it down. I loved the mysterious, dark atmosphere  and build-up of suspense. It is so cleverly constructed,  I didn't know till the very end if the crime was even ever committed.
Gripping, compelling, and unputdownable. It's definitely my kind of book. It's going to be a big title in 2024!