Kat and Jude Bird are twins. An accident leaves Kat without a memory and Jude without her best friend and counterpart. Jude is determined to bring Kat back to normal BUT – it’s a fresh slate.
This debut, YA thriller has all of the dark, twists and turns that you want in a thriller. Kat begins to question what is the truth and why would her sister lie? Also, this is a hard book to review without giving away too many spoilers. That being said, if you like a cult drama, dual timelines, a dark 80’s vibe, family mystery, trust and mental health issues, twists and surprises then this is the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio who provided me with the audio copy of this book.

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Mirror twins Kat and Jude Bird are trying to get back to normal after a car accident left Kat with amnesia. As time passes though, Kat starts to question if Jude is telling her the truth. As she begins digging, she’s left with even more questions including who can you trust if not your own twin?

The premise of this story has everything I want in a thriller. Mystery, cults, unreliable and complex characters, and mind games. I was initially incredibly invested but I just lost interest midway through the audio and had to force myself to continue the story. Towards the end, the story picks up but not enough to save the story. There is just one too many timelines/alternate storylines that switching via an audiobook was hard to keep track of. In addition, I never felt fully connected to any of our characters.

This is such a unique story, and it has a great concept, it just needed a bit of cleaning up. I would have preferred the entire story to be cult related, as that was the most interesting pieces of the story. It lacked a strong sense of ‘horror’ and while it’s a mystery, it was a little too slow paced for me to count it as a thriller. I honestly can’t put my finger on what exactly was missing but I just need more of something.

Where You End is out now. Huge thank you to Henry Holt and Macmillan Audio for my copy in exchange for an honest review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.

This is definitely a unique story. I found it confusing and hard to understand what was going on. Creepy, dark and twisted and somewhat intriguing this story fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book was not what I expected, it definitely took me on twists and turns and I kept guessing what was true or not. I really enjoyed the story and how it all came together. The cultish elements were very interesting and also the twin sister dynamic is always fascinating.

I was excited to begin this audio book but by the end I was so bored. It started out with so much promise but it was too strange. I didn't emotionally connect with the writing or the characters. It took awhile for me to get into & at times I found it confusing.

This one just wasn't for me.

Review: 2.5 stars

"Where You End" by Abbott Kahler presents an intriguing premise but falls short in execution, resulting in a story that struggles to engage and lacks emotional resonance. The concept of a twin manipulating her sister's memories promises suspense and mystery, yet the narrative fails to deliver a compelling connection with the characters.

The slow pacing and lack of emotional depth make it challenging for me to invest in the story. The cult aspect, a potentially gripping element, feels underdeveloped, leaving me yearning for more substance. Additionally, the use of twin language, instead of enhancing the narrative, falls short and detracts from the overall experience.

The 80s setting and eerie atmosphere contribute positively to the story, offering glimpses of potential.

The unresolved romance between Kat and Sab, after being a significant focus, leaves me feeling unfulfilled. The abrupt ending adds to the sense of an incomplete narrative, with loose ends and unanswered questions that don't evoke a sense of anticipation but rather a feeling of dissatisfaction.

In summary, "Where You End" struggles to captivate, with a slow plot, underdeveloped elements, and an ending that leaves me wanting more in an unsatisfying way.

Step into a world of mystery and deception in this captivating tale of identity and betrayal. When Kat Bird awakens from a coma, her only link to the past is her twin sister, Jude. Yet, as Kat unravels the truth, she discovers that Jude is weaving a complex web of lies to reshape their history. The narrative explores questions of identity, the consequences of trust, and the shadows that lurk in the aftermath of tragedy. As Kat attempts to decipher reality from fiction, she faces not only the mysterious figures trailing her but also the unraveling of a carefully crafted facade. A compelling story that delves into the intricacies of sisterhood, trust, and the high stakes of survival.

There's a lot to love in Where You End. A slightly dystopian mystery. A rare form of twinship. A rare form of amnesia. Super creepy damaging childhood. In order to tell you what put me off somewhat I'd have to give spoilers, so I won't. But I'll sum it up with it not ringing true for me, so I did not connect well with it. It checks a lot of boxes though, so I think most readers/listeners will really enjoy it. Narration was great.

Where is End is a wild story of mirror twins told through the past and their abusive childhood and adolescent years in a cult mixed with current day snippets where Cat is recovering from an accident that caused severe memory loss. It's evident right away that Cat's sister Jude is lying about something in their past but the what and why come out slowly as we learn more about their past. Slowly is the operative word because I almost gave up on the story before it got interesting. We spend a little too long with Cat post accident trying to figure out what's going on but once the story picks up, it's hard to put down.

The audio is well done with a slight difference in tone of narration when it switched between Jude and Cat that helped me remember who was narrating each section.

I was excited to read this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations. It was still a solid three-star book, but I felt like it could have been so much more.

The story revolves around twin sisters, Kat and Jude. The book opens with Kat waking up from a coma after some unspecified accident. She has no memory of her former life and only has her twin to help her recover old memories.

However, it quickly becomes apparent that perhaps Jude isn't being as honest as she should be about the sisters' past. That leads Kat to search for answers elsewhere.

There is a lot of psychological drama in this book, and that part is excellent. There are even some nice action scenes that help pick up the sometimes slower pace of the book. But the middle of the book was a little weak. I understand why it had to happen, but it wasn't as strong as the beginning or even the end.

So, yeah, the middle fell a little flat for me. I also had a few issues with the ending, which I won't address due to spoilers. Still, overall, it was a solid read, especially if you enjoy reading thrillers about cults and escaping one's past.

As for the audio aspect, the narrator was excellent. No qualms there at all.

Kat and Jude are "Mirror twins" supposedly a phenomenon where the embryo splits later in the process than normal. This gives them a closer bond than "normal" twins. One night they are both in a tragic car accident, but only Kat is left injured. Jude walks away without any severe injuries, meanwhile Kat is left with no memory of her past, other than her twin, Jude. Jude takes the role of caring for Kat as she recovers, going so far as to tell her about her past, and who she was as a person... however, is Jude always truthful, or is she keeping the real truth to herself?

- There are dark overtones in the story throughout
- There is a strong element of Cult activity/abuse
- Family mystery and intrigue, as well as family dilemmas and mistrust.
- Mental health issues.
- Discordant memories, and descriptions of self
- A lot of twists and surprises throughout the narrative

First, can we just all agree that the cover art for this book is incredible?

I often pick up books solely based on the cover art, and that was certainly the case with this one. After reading the synopsis, I was even more intrigued by the bizarre premise for the book.

Part cult drama and part psychological suspense, this book was a slow burn. It’s sometimes unfortunate that such a diverse range of books are categorized as “thrillers.” For me, this book was less “thrilling” and more of a creeping suspense. The pacing lulled a bit in the middle, but the ending turned out to be a bit more action-packed and thrilling.

Overall, a solid fiction debut and an interesting read for those looking for something weird and creepy. 3.5 stars ⭐️

The highlights:
👯‍♀️ cerebral, bizarre premise
👯‍♀️ dual timelines
👯‍♀️ brilliant characters
👯‍♀️ cult drama
👯‍♀️ literary prose
👯‍♀️ great narration

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio copy.

Where You End is an onion that you peel away layer, after layer, after layer in hopes to make it to the center, but it only seems to grow in size. The draw of this kind of story hinges on the reveal, or reveals, as you work your way through it. It’s like assembling a puzzle without knowing the picture…. If that sounds like your jam, keep reading.

For starters, I am one of those readers who will shamelessly pick up a book (in this case audiobook) without knowing anything about it. I liked the cover and GoodReads had it shelved as a mystery/psychological thriller and that was enough for me. After listening to the book I read the GoodReads synopsis and friends, it read like that blabber mouth plot spoiling friend that ruins all the books and movies… This is what you need to know:

When Kat wakes up from a coma, she discovers nearly all memories of her past life have vanished. All she remembers is Jude is her twin sister, and now is her only hope of filling in the blanks and reclaiming her identity. But as the months progress, things are not adding up, and Kat fears Jude may be lying about their past. When Kat begins pulling at the threads, Jude’s elaborate tapestry begins to unravel and the two face dangers far beyond anything Kat could have ever imagined.

Boom. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. If that sounds good, then pick up this fucking book and buckle up for a story filled with intrigue, revenge, betrayal, & challenging morality… You won’t be disappointed.

The audiobook was fantastic. Megan Tusing and Samantha Desz were so well matched for Kat and Jude. Kat’s voice was delicate and innocent, Jude’s voice was smoky and bold… both perfectly matching what I as the reader should envision for each character. This is my first time listening to both, and I’m for sure seeking out other books they’ve narrated.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy.

*identical "mirror" twins
*mysterious accident resulting in coma + memory loss
*cult
*animal costumes
*secrets and lies

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book but unfortunately it ended up not being for me. I think it was a little too *weird* for me so if you like thrillers that are a little strange and confusing, this one may be for you. I did enjoy the dual narration, so I recommend audiobook if you decide to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for providing me an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Where You End is a story of mirror twin sisters. One lost memories and the other tries to rewrite the past for both of them. Jude and Kate have a traumatic and turbulent past and after the accident, Jude tirelessly helps her sister to come back to life, but demons of the past eventually hunt them.
I loved the dynamics between the sisters. Along with Kate, who lost her memory, we get to uncover the secrets one by one, until the big reveal.

For once, I wasn't there for a shock value, and that was a good thing because the plot twist didn't do much for me, but the mysterious atmosphere and the uncertainty and anxiety of not knowing what was going on were prevalent. Also, I think that the audiobook version did me so much more than simple text because the narrators added to the characters' personalities. Each sister had her own voice.

(As ISBN canno't be found, this is my GR review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6181544026 )

First, I want to point out that the audiobook had a fantastic production. Great sound, great voices, easily comprehended and well-paced. However, I won’t be able to review this novel on my social media accounts because of my low rating on the story.

I felt like all of the tropes used had an unoriginal storyline that made the entire book extremely predictable. Also, I was never able to connect with or feel any emotion towards the characters. The story was very fast paced with exciting events happening in every chapter, but the events were predictable and cliché to me personally.

Although this was a miss for me, I am extremely interested in the author’s future work and their non-fiction backlog.

I will not be posting any bad reviews, and I will be leaving my rating blank on Goodreads.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be an early reader.

This is a tough review to write because I enjoyed so many elements of this story. I found the topic of mirror twins fascinating, their mother Verona is such an intriguing character, memory loss due to trauma is also a subject that I find interesting. They just didn't quite come together and make a cohesive story for me. I was left with a lot of confusion and unanswered questions. I listened to the audiobook, which is very well done, but maybe I would've followed it better had I read a physical copy. Sometimes that happens.

This was such a roller coaster ride, and to top it all off, the cultish part of the book was just so so creepy. It makes cults even more grossly mysterious, in a terrifying way. I enjoyed the beginning of all this, especially reading the dynamics of Kat and Jude, then the book turned when the cult things started happening, and then wow - the book just punched it way up with the ending. I absolutely enjoyed this book. And the cover art? Brilliant - it definitely gave off that spooky vibe that you will get when reading through what the twins went through.

This storyline was unique, and the more you get into it, the more action packed it was with such a drive to see what and how the twins would come out at the end. The only part for me was the middle, with the cult and commune, it was just so radically odd that I couldn't truly put my finger on or comprehend the whole thing. But all in all, the book redeemed itself beautifully at the end.

Pub Date: January 16, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Book is discussed on the Books, Cats & Snacks Podcast, Episode 102

An intriguing concept involving mirror twins and amnesia but fell flat to me in development. Overall, the pacing slowed down quite a bit in the middle, particularly with trying to keep up with such an unhinged ending. I did enjoy the dual timelines in the storyline, as well as some different narration. This story needs trigger warnings

This was a slower one for me. I struggled to get through. It felt more drama vs thriller.
The writing was fine but I wasn’t shocked from the story. I found myself getting bored and not as into it as I thought I would be.