Actual Rating 1.5

Twin sisters Adelaide and Victoria have spent their lives intertwined as a pair. But when a visiting lord visits and decides to marry one of the sisters, they find themselves swept to America. But all isn't as it seems, and smiling faces and lavish houses hide more enemies than the sisters realize.

My biggest issue with this work is that it felt familiar, predictable, and didn't really add anything to the topics the book explored. The work includes many elements, tropes, and cliches that felt too familiar given the topic, which added to the book feeling familiar and making it feel bland. The plot had no surprises. The setting wasn't well incorporated either, leaving a flat backdrop.

The characters weren't strong. There was no development or depth included for them beyond what was absolutely necessary for the plot. The "romance" was also cliche and predictable, as well as insta-love, which gave that subplot no redeeming qualities. The protagonist was painfully dense, to the point where I couldn't be invested in her suffering because there was no way she should have been that oblivious.

This historical fiction is readable, but I can't recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for allowing me to listen to this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Posted to Goodreads: 4/9/2025

This gothic, suspense novel focuses on the relationship between the twins, Adelaide and Victoria. Although they look exactly alike, the two have very different personalities. Victoria loves to be the life of the party, but in a turn of events, Lord Stanley offers a marriage proposal to Adelaide, which their father does not refuse. The twins both head to New York, to make their way in society, but something has changed between them. This makes you wonder... just how far does a twin's love really go? Overall, this book had a great atmosphere and shows life in the early 1900s for women very well. I would check trigger warnings before reading this book because it does have some themes of abuse, loveless marriages, and mental health. I was given the chance to listen to this audio book through NetGalley, and hope it finds other gothic literature lovers.

My Sister’s Shadow by January Gilchrist is one of those books that has a really cool concept—twin sisters in the early 1900s, identical on the outside but completely different on the inside. Adelaide is the quiet, careful one, while Victoria is the bold, adventurous type. The story follows them as they leave England for New York, and it dives into all the tension and drama that comes with their clashing personalities.
the pacing was a bit off for me. The beginning took a while to get going, and it wasn’t until the second half that I really got pulled in. Some of the side characters felt kind of flat too, which made a few parts less impactful than they could’ve been. Overall 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The story starts in England in 1904 where identical twins Adelaide and Victoria are getting ready to attend an extravagant event where they just might meet their future husband. Victoria is more excited about the event as she longs for the high society life that a marriage into the right family can give her. The girls meet Lord Stanley from New York and as he tells them about his life in the big city, Victoria is already planning her life with him in the city. Victoria has high hopes for this man and that is all she can talk about when they return home. It is no surprise that the next day the girl's father tells them that Lord Stanley has ask for a hand in marriage. The surprise and shock is WHOSE hand he is asking for as it is Adelaide and not Victoria. She is furious and as she accompanies her sister to New York City so she can also experience the City, she starts to plot her revenge.

This book had great potential with the plot of mirror-twins navigating their lives together with dark, disastrous results. However, I found it disappointing in so many ways. The character development was poor - Victoria was a hateful shrew from the beginning, with no reason for Addy’s love for and connection to her. Addy whipped from a meek girl unable to speak to strangers to a passionate rebel charting her own path, and back again more times than I could count. The plot devices of drugging and forced commitment to an insane asylum have been done before. The one saving grace of this novel was the character of Winnifred - clever, confident, and loya

"My Sister's Shadow*" by January Gilchrist, narrated by Siobhan Waring, proved to be an unexpected delight that captivated my attention and kept me distracted from the daunting task of cleaning our house for sale. Throughout the listening experience, I found myself pausing frequently to truly absorb the profound events unfolding in the narrative, as it skillfully guides us through the complex struggles faced by women throughout history. The tale encourages deep reflection on our current lives and fosters an appreciation for the freedoms we often take for granted in the year 2025.

The story is set in the house of Harewood, in England, in the year 1904. It centers around mirror twins Adelaide and Victoria, who endure a stifling existence under the oppressive rule of their unforgiving father. Their lives are intricately woven together, but despite their identical appearances, they possess starkly different personalities. Adelaide is mild-mannered and compliant, while Victoria is spirited and rebellious, longing for excitement and opportunity.

This delicate balance is disrupted when the charismatic Lord Stanley pays a visit to their family, leading to a life-altering proposal to marry the more dutiful Adelaide. Caught in a web of family obligation and no way to escape, Adelaide is forced into the marriage, as her father prioritizes the prospect of marriage above the suitability of her suitor. This dilemma is complicated by the fact that Lord Stanley has plans to move to New York in just two months.

Victoria, harboring a fierce resentment towards her sister’s impending marriage, is driven by her own aspirations for a life of grandeur and high society in New York City. Her envy burns intensely as she fantasizes about the luxurious lifestyle of a lady, contrasting sharply with Adelaide’s desire for the simplicity of home, tending to the garden, and enjoying the company of the household staff. Victora ultimately made the decision to accompany her sister to New York, recognizing the importance of being there for her during a pivotal moment in her life.

Gilchrist weaves a gripping tale of betrayal, power dynamics, and the will to survive, filled with emotional turmoil and rich historical context. The story expertly holds the reader’s—or in this case, listener's—attention, ensuring a riveting exploration of familial bonds and individual desires that will resonate long after the final chapter.

Adelaide has always kept to the background, letting her twin sister, Victoria, take the spotlight. But when an earl living in New York offers for her, and not Victoria, she finds herself forced on a ship to be a wife in NYC society. Victoria comes along, but the more attention Adelaide gets, the angrier she gets. And the more she schemes.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't start off all that excitingly, but the tension grew as it went on and turned it into a page turner!

If you are looking for something with all the glitz of the Gilded Age, you will not find that. It is dark and Adelaide is very much secluded on the periphery. But it is an interesting foray into that era.

Siobhan Waring narrates the audiobook. I enjoyed the narration.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the tale of two sisters, identical twins. Adelaide is modest, submissive, quiet and pleasant her desire is to stay in her childhood home, Harewood Hall, for the rest of her life. Victoria wants to a thrilling life, she wants to travel the world exploring all corners, she wants romance; she demands to be the center of attention and is belligerent if she isn’t. The setting is England and New York City, 1904. The sisters’ lives are intertwined.
Lord Stanley talks of a life of luxury in New York, just the kind of life Victoria dreams of. Victoria expected him to request her hand in marriage, but it wasn’t Victoria he requested, his eyes were on Adelaide. Against her will Adelaide marries the Lord. Victoria is furious but manages to manipulate affairs to move to New York with Adelaide.
New York isn’t very welcoming. The servants treat the twins with disdain. There isn’t always adequate food, and Lord Stanley is rarely home. She must come to terms with the man she married. His persona when they first met was a façade. Things look better for Adelaide when she meets some women in the elite social circle. The women are independent and educated. They like Adelaide and take her under their wing, which infuriates Victoria. As Adelaide takes control of her own life, Victoria descends into darkness; she is consumed by jealousy and ambition. Victoria is dangerous.
Adelaide allowed her sister to run rough-shod over her. Victoria was cruel and dangerous from the beginning. I found it hard to understand why Adelaide allowed her sister to mistreat her. I disliked Lord Stanley.
This is a goth psychological tale.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Reviews I’ve read have indicated they feel this story starts out slowly, however I didn’t feel that way at all. I thought it was well paced and balanced. It is separated into three parts which I think really helps the story move along. That being said, I do wish there was a little more mystery surrounding the sister. I wish there had been some kind of twist or something to make it stand out. Other than that, I really enjoyed it and the narrator was fantastic.

I almost didn’t finish this book. I only did so because of the reviews praising the shocking ending, which I didn’t find shocking. The tone is more bleak than atmospheric. The book is not gothic, and there’s not really much suspense—just a woman in a distressful situation trying to get out of it. I don’t enjoy books like that, and this one is not for me. I liked the audiobook narrator.

What bothers me most is that women could not be forced to marry against their will. They could be economically exiled by their parents if they chose not to go through with an arranged marriage. Adelaide could have avoided her situation by getting a job.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

An interesting historical novel about two sisters. A great gothic setting and a well written book. I enjoyed listening to it, great narration.

This is a twisty gothic novel about twin sisters. One is rather naive and good natured whilst the other is more worldly and selfish. When a rich American chooses to wed the nice sister, jealousy ensues. A good solid read about the way things were for some women during that time period.

January Gilchrist's My Sister's Shadow is a mesmerizing historical fiction novel steeped in gothic suspense, family drama, and psychological intrigue. Set in 1904, the story follows twin sisters Adelaide and Victoria, who live in the grand Harewood Hall in England with their widowed father. While Adelaide is reserved and dutiful, Victoria is bold and adventurous, yearning for excitement and status. Their world shifts when Lord Stanley, a wealthy businessman, visits their home. Victoria is instantly captivated by his promises of luxury and adventure in New York, but to her shock, it is Adelaide whom he chooses to marry. Their father approves the match despite Adelaide's protests, and soon, all three find themselves navigating the glittering yet treacherous world of Gilded Age New York.

What unfolds is a gripping tale of betrayal, power, and survival. As Adelaide is thrust into an unfamiliar world of high society, she struggles to find her place while unraveling the unsettling truths about her husband and sister. Victoria, consumed by jealousy and ambition, becomes a formidable force, and the sisters' once-unbreakable bond fractures into something dark and dangerous. The novel masterfully explores the suffocating societal constraints placed on women, the psychological toll of manipulation, and the resilience it takes to break free.

Gilchrist's writing is immersive and richly detailed, drawing sharp contrasts between the rigid social structures of England and the cutthroat opulence of New York. The gothic undertones weave seamlessly into the narrative, heightening the tension and creating an atmosphere of unease.
While there are elements of romance, they take a backseat to the psychological and emotional struggles of the characters, making this a deeply layered and thought-provoking read.

The pacing is excellent-after a measured start, the story builds momentum, culminating in a stunning, unforgettable ending. Adelaide's transformation from an obedient, overlooked sister to a woman who seizes control of her fate is both heartbreaking and triumphant. Secondary characters, particularly Wiffy, add depth and warmth, providing much-needed moments of light amid the novel's darker themes.

My Sister's Shadow is a chilling, beautifully written novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction with gothic suspense. While those expecting a full-fledged supernatural element may find that aspect more subtle, the psychological unraveling and intense character dynamics more than make up for it. This is a story of love, betrayal, and resilience-one that lingers long after the final page.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, gothic suspense, and intricate family dramas.

*My Sister's Shadow* by January Gilchrist offers a haunting exploration of society in the Gilded Age, women's rights, and the eerie complexities of twinship. The novel begins with a Brontë-esque atmosphere—descriptive, moody, and steeped in tension, leaving you certain there's a deeper mystery lurking beneath the surface. As the story unfolds, it adopts a more contemporary narrative style, still gripping and darkly compelling. However, despite its captivating plot, there’s an elusive element that feels just out of reach, a piece of the puzzle that never quite fits. Nonetheless, this novel is a wickedly intriguing read, full of layers that leave you contemplating long after the final page.

The narration was not the greatest. I felt like the narrator had trouble creating men's destructive voices.

Not every book is for everybody, and unfortunately this one just wasn't for me until the end. The premise sounded very interesting, but I found the execution boring. I couldn't connect with the characters and found myself zoning out during the audio. And then I hit 70% and the story got interesting! While I'm glad I finished it, it was hard to get to the 70% mark.
3.5 stars because I did finish it, loved the ending, and would recommend it to someone who likes historical fiction and how women were treated in the early 1900s.

3-Star Review

This book is marketed as a thriller/mystery/romance/historical fiction, but it’s really just historical fiction with gothic elements and an instalove romance. Had it been labeled correctly, I’d have rated it higher.

Set in 1904 England and New York, it follows mirror twins Adelaide and Victoria—one dutiful, one rebellious—whose bond is tested when Adelaide is forced to marry Lord Stanley. As Adelaide finds her place in high society, Victoria’s jealousy turns dark.

The writing is nicely done, the narrator fantastic, and the story wraps up well. If you want a gothic historical fiction, you’ll enjoy this. But if you’re expecting a thriller or mystery, you may be disappointed.

Thank you, NetGalley & Spotify Books, for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Victoria and Adelaide are twins, identical in every way except their personalities. Victoria is tempestuous and longs to see the world, while Adelaide is content to stay at home. A dark, handsome stranger moves into their orbit and captures Victoria's heart and her lust for adventure, but it's Adelaide whom he marries. The bond between the sisters is broken, as Victoria gets more and more jealous of the glamorous life she believes her sister is living. a gothic tour de force

The audiobook and narrator were good but I did not like this book at all. It felt like a first draft with some interesting ideas, none of which were executed well. I suppose it could work for someone wanting a pretty straightforward historical fiction. It was just so bland, no atmosphere or surprising twists. The twin thing doesn't add anything. There's instalove romance without chemistry.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.