I thought this was such a clever premise and loved seeing the story evolve from the perspective of the two male teenage twins. This firmly grounded the book in the YA genre, but I enjoyed it even though my Y years are well behind me. Yes, some of it is pretty far fetched but I think the fact that we are seeing events from a younger perspective makes more sense - they react so instinctively and without the layer of analysis an adult perspective might bring,

If We Tell You has a great premise, and a decent execution. While multiple perspectives normally bug the heck out of me, I actually really liked how it was done here. A classic frustration for mystery and thriller readers is feeling like the characters are making poor decisions purely to further the plot. Dahlin utilized the twins' perspectives to have them talk out their options — and, yes, make the sensible choices — to not only avoid that frustration, but to keep the action going. (As you might suspect, the sensible choices don't always help the twins, but at least they tried!)

Where the story loses me is in the uneven pacing and volume of under-developed characters. I kept having to pause to try and figure out why a certain character was in a scene or where we were in the timeline. Between that and the slower stretches of plot, I DNF'd this about 30% of the way through. I'm sure many other readers will be more invested, but it just wasn't a complete pageturner for me.

Likeable characters, interesting premise. Twins are always fascinating to read about, but the plot lacked some action, some suspense.

A perfect read for teenagers just starting to explore the thriller genre, in search for a character-driven plot and a simple storyline.

I liked this YA novel and thought the plot was very unique and different. I found the main characters to be like able and the story to be fast paced.

Sending only as feedback for the publisher- I attempted to read this book but the formatting of the file made it very difficult to follow/read for me. I plan to borrow from the library when possible and will not post a review on Goodreads as it wouldn’t be complete and would be an unfair review. Thank you!

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a fun, fast-paced popcorn book. It reminded me of Spy Kids at times. I could see this being made into a movie or TV show, probably for Disney.

I liked the twins well enough, even though I didn't really think they had very distinct personalities/narrations. The ending isn't a total cliffhanger, but it gave me the feeling there's more to come. This story was entertaining enough that a sequel wouldn't be an absolute must read for me, but it would be on my radar.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

This was actually quite good. It is YA in the sense that the characters are twin 15 year olds, so it is told through their viewpoint. The plot itself is pretty intriguing. Perhaps it's a bit easy to deduce what is ultimately happening, but that takes nothing away from the story. It was fun and interesting to watch this unfold and refreshing to see a viewpoint/characters I wouldn't normally read. I think teens would absolutely love this book, and this old fart did too!!

I really don’t like rating a book so low, knowing the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing something and getting it published. But this one just wasn’t good. Not all that much actually happened and the events that did were either confusing or so unrealistic that it was hard to buy into the plot (even for a YA novel). I also didn’t care for the main characters of Cameron or Lewis- here they are on the run and I just couldn’t bring myself to root for them. The novel is split up into both of their perspectives, and for twins that are supposedly so different, I found myself forgetting whose perspective I was in too often. The one thing I did like about this book were the secondary characters, it’s honestly what saved it for me. I kept reading wanting to know what ultimately was going on with the twins parents, but I also found that unsatisfying. Ultimately not one I would buy for the library or recommend, it would definitely be a DNF for too many readers.

I’m rating this as an adult reading YA….because that’s what I am, but I think this was pretty nice suspense for a YA reader…though I did want to drink every time Molly was mentioned. Which, if you were me, was also an older YA thing to do, but hopefully your kids are better behaved than I was.

Cameron and Lewis Larson (why do most YA characters have the most vanilla last names? Is this required? Let’s see some nice Polish names or something. This is a melting pot, dammit. Oh, correction. This actually starts in Canada. Well, then, in, carry on, I guess. I don’t know.) are identical twins living with their parents enjoying a backyard barbecue with neighbors and friends. Suddenly two gunmen rush in and grab the boys. Their parents kill the strangers and in the confusion before the police arrive their parents make a run for it, but not before sending the boys off, together, but without them, handing them previously packed go bags with clothing, money and passports. So, you know, they’ve had a day.

They follow their parents instructions to Edinburgh where they meet up with a friend of their mother’s. Since twins will be memorable they pretend to be just one person, taking turns going out to try to figure out what’s happening and where their parents are. Of course there is time for a little romance because they are only CHILDREN ON THE RUN FOR THEIR LIVES.

Like I said, I think kids will like it, and unlike most YA I read, this one works for guys.

3.5/4⭐️ The ending was not what I was expecting but it still wrapped up nicely! Even left room for a potential sequel.

~ Twin brothers are on the run after an incident involving their parents. Unable to trust anyone but each other they follow clues to find out what happened and why. But will they like what they find? ~

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*

Two twins who saw their parents commit a murder hide out and gather clues before going to the police.

I was just confused reading this one. The reader is just thrown headfirst into the complex situation without much context. It gets easier to follow about halfway through, but that is a long time for the reader to be confused. I do appreciate how the author was able to create different characterizations for the twins, but overall this one was just meh for me.

The first few chapters were confusing for me, but as the plot went on, I was able to guess what was happening. Dahlin expertly portrays the bond between the twins, highlighting their reliance on each other and the strength of their connection. The alternating perspectives as they navigate their investigation add depth to their characters, revealing their individual strengths and vulnerabilities. Three Stars

Hmm. I don't know what too feel about this one. I kinda liked it but I wasn't entirely hooked, if you know what I mean.

Cameron and Lewis are both likeable. They're twins but they couldn't be more different. The few chapters were confusing for me but as the plot went on, I was able to guess what's happening. It was a bit of a slow-burn and I skipped through a couple of chapters because sometimes, the conversations were repetitive and dull.

Not bad. Just not something I'll think about for days.

A great suspense story about twin brothers trying to discover the truth about their parents while running from their past. It felt a little slow at first but ended up picking up more towards the middle and had some crazy twists I didn't see coming. It was definitely fun but not super memorable for ,e/ Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

Nicola Dahlin's „If We Tell You“ is a gripping, suspenseful coming-of-age thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story follows fifteen-year-old twin brothers, Cameron and Lewis Larsen, who are thrust into a world of fear and uncertainty after their parents kill two strangers to protect them. The twins are sent to Edinburgh, where they must navigate a web of secrets and danger while posing as a single person named Will.

What I Loved:

- Engaging Plot: The narrative is packed with twists and turns, involving mobsters, MI6, art heists, and underground tunnels. The intricate backstory keeps you guessing and eager to uncover the truth.
- Character Development: The alternating first-person narration between the twins adds depth to their characters. Lewis' nervousness and Cameron's more confident yet vulnerable demeanor create a compelling dynamic.
- Diverse Cast: The inclusion of diverse characters, such as the hijab-wearing Aisha and bisexual Lewis, adds richness to the story and reflects a broader spectrum of experiences.

Minor Drawbacks:

- Overstuffed Storyline: At times, the plot can feel a bit crowded with too many elements, which might overwhelm some readers.
- Abrupt Ending: The ending leaves many questions unanswered, clearly setting the stage for a sequel but potentially frustrating those looking for a more conclusive resolution.

Overall, „If We Tell You“ is a thrilling read with likable characters and a complex, engaging plot. It's perfect for fans of suspenseful, character-driven stories. I eagerly await the next installment to see where Dahlin takes Cameron and Lewis next.

Thank you Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nicola Dahlin's "If We Tell You" is a gripping, suspense-filled novel that brings together the elements of a coming-of-age story with a deadly twist of mystery and intrigue. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the secrets alongside the protagonists. The book is told through 2 perspectives, Cameron and Lewis, identical twins identical twins living an ordinary suburban life until a horrifying incident shatters their world. Their parents kill two uninvited guests at a neighborhood barbecue and subsequently vanish, leaving the twins with a set of cryptic instructions. Forced to fend for themselves, Cameron and Lewis embark on a perilous journey to Edinburgh, seeking refuge in a small hotel. To avoid detection, they pretend to be a single person, alternating their appearances each day. As they delve deeper into their parents' enigmatic past, the twins realize they are being followed. With mounting tension and danger at every turn, Cameron and Lewis must uncover the truth about their parents while keeping their own secret hidden. I think this book would work really well with reluctant readers who enjoy thrillers (like spy books), especially those who may enjoy a book with two male protagonists.

Dahlin expertly portrays the bond between the twins, highlighting their reliance on each other and the strength of their connection. The alternating perspectives as they navigate their investigation add depth to their characters, revealing their individual strengths and vulnerabilities. For example, you can see how Lewis struggles with his anxiety while Cameron struggles with how he feels inadequate compared to his brother. The twins' growth and self-discovery are central themes, making this not just a mystery but also a coming-of-age story. I actually enjoyed their growth as characters/individuals more than the actual mystery within the book. Even as the two were pretending to be the same person, their perspectives and personalities were quite distinct throughout.

The book explores themes of trust, identity, and the unbreakable bond between siblings. Cameron and Lewis's journey is as much about solving the mystery of their parents as it is about understanding themselves and their unique relationship. Throughout the book, there are a lot of hints scattered throughout to help you, the reader, try to figure out what exactly is going on, just like Cameron and Lewis. Dahlin masterfully maintains a high level of suspense, with each chapter revealing new clues and raising the stakes, though the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning of the book. However, things really started picking up in the second half of the book as more and more information is revealed and new characters are brought in. I definitely wasn’t expecting some of the major twists towards the end of the story. I was not expecting a mafia book going in, though it was very interesting to learn more about this particular plot point.

Overall, "If We Tell You" is a compelling read where Nicola Dahlin's skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters make this a book that is hard to put down. For fans of suspenseful, character-driven mysteries, "If We Tell You" is a must-read. The ending wrapped everything up nicely while also potentially setting up for a sequel in the future. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Dahlin.