The premise of this story deeply intrigued me, but unfortunately the slow pace did not hold my attention and I just couldn't keep going. I am only leaving feedback per Netgalley requirement.

3.5/5 (rounded up)

If I wasn’t listening to the audiobook, I think I would have dnf. I just couldn’t seem to get fully invested in the story. There were a few things that surprised me, but a lot I guessed correctly.

This was my first ever audiobook and I'm happy it was. I loved the relationship between the twins but Cassie was probably my favorite. The plot twist though? Yeah I'll best honest did NOT seeing that coming from a while away. I felt like I was going crazy reading this book. Didn't know who or what to believe the entire time.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy of the audiobook! I am leaving an honest review.

Wow! I did not realize this was a debut novel from this author when I requested an ARC. The mystery unfolds with perfect pacing, and I was hooked and intrigued from chapter one! I really enjoyed the voice of the narrator, and the way she made the sister voices distinguishable from one another. Definitely an author and a narrator I will seek out again!

Holy Bonkers. This one gave me whiplash from all the suspense and trying to figure out what was really going on. I never saw that twist coming and absolutely loved it! Great Debut!! Only thing I didn't like was the narrators accents. Tried to be too southern and threw me off.

I'll admit it. I love a great thrilling ride of a suspenseful story. A story of twins, Cassie and Lenora, that have a dark traumatic history that they have tried to leave in the past. That is, until a fifteen year old camper in their campground goes missing, and all of a sudden, they can't hide from what they've tried to leave behind. Full of twists and turns, love and betrayal, and mysteries unfolding as the pages quickly turn. Could not put it down!!!
Narrated by Imani Jade Powers, who was easy to listen to and the pace was on point.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

WHEN SHE WAS ME started out a little slow but just left me intrigued enough to continue. I did like the different POV's and alternating time-lines. But it was a little confusing at times and a bit repetitive. This was not an edge of your seat thriller. So don't expect that going into it. Overall, I found this to be a decent debut and would try another book by this new author.

Many Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my gifted ALC.

When She Was Me by Marlee Bush and narrated by Imani Jade Powers is a sinister tale of twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, isolated in a Tennessee campground after a shared trauma that has left Lenora with persistent nightmares and anxiety. They are hiding away from the questions of that night, until a family come to stay in the cabin next door... and their teenage daughter goes missing.

The disappearance shakes both women, the details of the crime being far, far too familiar for comfort. Both in their own minds, the sisters are desperate to uncover the truth before their past crashes into their present, hell-bent on destroying them both

The narration of the dual pov's was absolutely fantastic and this is truly a gripping audiobook and perfect for fans of thrillers

Marlee Bush creates a terrifying wildernss scenario, too far away from civilizantion for comfort, but the dichotomy is, that the twins cannot seek solace help from the local town for fear of the press and prying eyes. A very well thought out situation which set up a strong foundation for an excellent thriller. Brilliant

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, the author Marlee Bush and narrator Imani Jade Powers for this intriguing ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

What. The. Actual. This book was FULL of surprises and unexpected turns! I felt totally mislead until the very end of the book. I loved the isolated moody woodsy setting and the murdery storyline along with the fascinating characters! I really want to know more about Cassie and Lenore and their history.

I listened to the audiobook and loved listening to the narrator tell this story.

3.5 rounded up to a 4. There were a few times I wanted to DNF this book, but it got interesting and less confusing to me around the middle. The twists ended up being really good! I will read mor eby the auhor.

I was really hoping to click with this but I just didn't enjoy it. The writing felt really amateur and everyone was a special snowflake. This just didn't work for me and I had a really hard time with the style. I did not end up being able to finish it.

𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗲. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲."

Identical twin sisters Cassie and Lenora live in an isolated cabin deep in the woods. Running from a traumatic childhood event, they rely only on each other. Now, here they are reliving their past as it mirrors the present when a teenager goes missing.

Imani Jade Powers made this whodunit mystery thriller come alive . She did a fantastic job and
gave each character their own nuances as she voiced them. I'm not sure simply reading this book would have given me the same experience.

The story is very character driven and a bit of a slow burn as it grows, and the world building is developed, but the journey is worth it.

"𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂? "

I was completely emersed in the sister's codependency, both battling their own demons and dark secrets. The dread and anxiety ramp up as the past and present come together for a shocking conclusion.

Read if you enjoy:
♥︎twin trope
♥︎missing person
♥︎sibling bond
♥︎duel timelines
♥︎duel POV
♥︎ominous atmosphere
♥︎agoraphobia
♥︎isolated thriller

This was an amazing debut novel, and one you should add to your tbr if you love thrillers

Cassie and Lenora live in a cabin in Tennessee. A teenage girl comes to the cabins for a weekend getaway and goes missing. The twins piece together what happened while also dealing with their past.

It changes from different POVs and time periods, so be sure to pay attention. While I was invested in the sisters, I felt the timeline was a little slow.

Thank you to Marlee Bush, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When She Was Me by Marlee Bush delivers a gripping narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end. From the moment you step into the secluded world of Cabin Two with twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, you're drawn into their mysterious past and the secrets they harbor. The slow burn of the story sets the stage for a shocking twist that completely changes the game, and from there, it's impossible to put down.

Bush expertly crafts an atmosphere of tension and suspense, using the isolated Tennessee campground setting to heighten the sense of claustrophobia and unease. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the story takes an unexpected turn that will leave you reeling. Around the 60% mark, the pace picks up, and the intensity escalates, making it unputdownable as you race to uncover the truth alongside Cassie and Lenora.

What truly sets this book apart is its exploration of the complex bond between the sisters and the haunting memories they share. As they grapple with the disappearance of a teenage girl and confront the demons of their own pasts, the line between truth and deception blurs, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final page. Bush masterfully weaves together suspense, emotion, and psychological insight to create a truly unforgettable read. Whether you're a fan of mystery, thriller, or family drama, this book has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this thrilling ride! The audio was so well done and I would fully recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Marlee Bush for an arc of When She Was Me in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an atmospheric read.
The camp-ground setting in the woods was done perfectly. 🌲
The characters and their personalities were all crafted with such attention to detail. 👯
The writing style kept me guessing right until the end and the final twist shocked me.
The thoughts and actions of the sisters can be a bit confusing but then it all makes sense!
This audiobook was narrated by Imani Jade Powers and she was brilliant!
I was shocked this was a debut!
Marlee Bush is very talented! I will definitely read her next book!
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Set to publish 5/7/24.

“When she was me” follows the lives of two identical twins, Cassie and Lenora. Cassie is convinced that they were once the same person in the womb, split apart by ruthless fate, whereas Lenora always thinks they were separated by Cassie’s ability to shine whilst she stays hidden in the shadows.

They are currently living in a mini home in the middle of no where, surrounded by woods and far away from any other people. They have been bonded for life by childhood traumas. Cassie channels her traumas into working on a video channel where she talks about the victims of killers, bringing the focus onto the life of the victim, Whereas Lenora is barely coping and spends her life locked behind closed doors, too anxious to spend time outside or around other people.

When a new family show up in the cabin next door for a weekend getaway, their 15y/o daughter Tilly goes missing in the dead of night. The only other person outside that night was Lenora, but the problem is she can’t remember what happened as she was sleepwalking.

I fully immersed myself into this story right from the beginning. I found the contrasting personalities of the twins combined with their undying loyalty to each other to be so interesting. I really enjoyed each chapter switching between their POVs as well as occasional glimpses from the past.

The lack of people present when Tilly went missing made for a short list of suspects, which made the mystery even more interesting. With so little to go on except for gut feeling and suspicion, I wasn’t at all sure where this one was headed.

I thought Cassie’s job was an intriguing addition to the plot, blurring the lines when work crosses with real life events playing out in person and the similarities are too much to swallow.

I loved the narration of this audiobook! Imani Jade Powers Did a fantastic job!

I definitely recommend this book! Thank you to Marlee Bush, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC!

Publish date: May 7th

This book was not for me. It wasn't that the writing was bad, I just didn't connect with the plot. I found myself zoning out while reading and having to go back so I didn't miss anything, I also wasn't impressed by the twist and the whole thing was very lackluster in my opinion. Again, the writing was good, the story itself just didn't hold my attention.

As for the narrator, she did a great job. I liked her voice a lot and would listen to more books narrated by her.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me! I didn't find myself enjoying the writing style right now, but I may try to come back in the future and continue, because I just love the premise of this story.

4⭐️

This was such an atmospheric read. The setting of an isolated camping ground in the woods were done to perfection. The characters and their quirks were all done with such attention to detail. The writing style kept me guessing right until the end. Although a debut, Marlee Bush is up there with other seasoned writers, no doubt.

The mystery and suspense of it sets in very slowly and the thoughts of the sisters tend to be repetitive and run in circles. Other than that, this debut was a grand undertaking and I will definitely pick up future projects by the author.

The audiobook was narrated by Imani Jade Powers and the narrator was brilliant as per usual. The modulations and switching between the POVs of both sisters were immaculate. I was able to follow along throughout and the audiobook enhanced the reading experience infinitely.

I received an ARC of the Audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for providing an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

When She Was Me provided just enough intrigue to keep me hoping for more. However, in the end, the mystery wasn’t that mysterious, nor the suspense as suspenseful as I’d hoped. It was still enough to keep me reading to the end. Good for when you’re in the mood for a light beach read with a bit of mystery and some twin energy.

Imani Jade Powers did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Marlee Bush, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.