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Secret sister
Two sisters, two very different the next edge-of-your-seat thriller by Sophie McKenzie, bestselling author of
Girl Missing
Asha has spent her life on an island community built on the principle of truth. But she discovers she has been lied to about something huge – a secret sister called Willow.
Willow has always believed her twin sister died years ago. So when she receives a message in the middle of the night from a girl claiming to be Asha, she doesn’t know what to think.
Can they piece together the truth about their pasts and find their way back to each other?
Asha has spent her life on an island community built on the principle of truth. But she discovers she has been lied to about something huge – a secret sister called Willow.
Willow has always believed her twin sister died years ago. So when she receives a message in the middle of the night from a girl claiming to be Asha, she doesn’t know what to think.
Can they piece together the truth about their pasts and find their way back to each other?
288 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2023
23 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Sophie McKenzie
83 books1,485 followersHey there! Welcome to my Goodreads page where you can keep up with all my stories - both the ones that are already published and the works in progress!!
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 11, 2024
3.5* I honestly like this book because it was so easy and quick to read. Great thriller/mystery book, it had plot twists I didn’t see coming. Only bad thing is the ending, it just felt like something was missing.
December 24, 2023
4-4.5 stars
ahhhhh
I read this in 1 evening.
This book is so good!! Even though it is kind of childlike in style and plot, it had me so invested.
Willow is a girl who's twin and mother died at birth in a car crash, she lives a pretty normal life with her father and step mum. Asha is a girl who was "adopted" when she was reduced from a car crash. This woman took her to an island of the mainland where she grew up. The people on the island are pretty much a cult, nobody is allowed to have internet and everyone believes what the leader , Lydia says.
But, when Asha is helping her friend Silus escape the island, she finds a photo and realises that she has a twin sister that she did not know about. Lydia, however, will not let her leave.
ahhhhh
I read this in 1 evening.
This book is so good!! Even though it is kind of childlike in style and plot, it had me so invested.
Willow is a girl who's twin and mother died at birth in a car crash, she lives a pretty normal life with her father and step mum. Asha is a girl who was "adopted" when she was reduced from a car crash. This woman took her to an island of the mainland where she grew up. The people on the island are pretty much a cult, nobody is allowed to have internet and everyone believes what the leader , Lydia says.
But, when Asha is helping her friend Silus escape the island, she finds a photo and realises that she has a twin sister that she did not know about. Lydia, however, will not let her leave.
January 15, 2024
A very good, easy read to start the year.
I didn’t love it that much for the first half because I thought it was quite make believe/childish with the island and the mainland and even everyone’s names were quite mystical. Although it was a really easy to read book which was good and made sure I hit my 2 week goal! I did find the last 100 or so pages more interesting and was happy with the ending <3
I didn’t love it that much for the first half because I thought it was quite make believe/childish with the island and the mainland and even everyone’s names were quite mystical. Although it was a really easy to read book which was good and made sure I hit my 2 week goal! I did find the last 100 or so pages more interesting and was happy with the ending <3
March 29, 2025
At the beginning there was this reallyyy long chapter and nothing was even happening in it so it took me like 2 days to read it -just that one chapter- but the ending was good and had a rly good twist :-o
December 7, 2024
really interesting and good but it's not a favourite
Really easy to read and nice and short
Really easy to read and nice and short
April 19, 2025
2/5 stars! This book was very bland. If you're looking for a quick, easy read to up your reading goal for the year, this works. It just wasn't original and I left feeling bored.
July 16, 2023
Strong YA adventure novel focusing on separated twins and the struggles they face in being reunited. Believed dead, Asha lives in an island commune while Willow struggles with the death of her mother and twin when they were both toddlers.
When one day Silas approaches Willow with the horrifying truth everyone’s world becomes undone.
Nicely sustained, the tension is developed through a duel narrative from each sister’s perspective. Both stories are equally compelling and contribute to a fine piece of YA adventure.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this e-arc
When one day Silas approaches Willow with the horrifying truth everyone’s world becomes undone.
Nicely sustained, the tension is developed through a duel narrative from each sister’s perspective. Both stories are equally compelling and contribute to a fine piece of YA adventure.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this e-arc
July 17, 2023
To start with I want to say thank you to both NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me the opportunity to read this book before it has even hit the bookshop shelves!
First off I just wanna say Sophie McKenzie is a great author I’ve loved every other book she has in the Missing series.
However, that being said for some reason I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. Whether that be because it’s her sixth book in the series and they are starting to seem repetitive or for some other reason, I can put my finger on why.
That being said, something I always enjoyed about Sophie’s writing is the way she writes her characters. In this next instalment of the Missing series, we get to meet both Willow and Asha. Twin sisters in which one thought the other was dead and the other not even knowing they had a sister let alone a twin.
The whole set up of how this situation came about is really interesting and from the off set screamed “Cult” to me.
Even though I only give this three starts I still recommend giving this a read!
First off I just wanna say Sophie McKenzie is a great author I’ve loved every other book she has in the Missing series.
However, that being said for some reason I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. Whether that be because it’s her sixth book in the series and they are starting to seem repetitive or for some other reason, I can put my finger on why.
That being said, something I always enjoyed about Sophie’s writing is the way she writes her characters. In this next instalment of the Missing series, we get to meet both Willow and Asha. Twin sisters in which one thought the other was dead and the other not even knowing they had a sister let alone a twin.
The whole set up of how this situation came about is really interesting and from the off set screamed “Cult” to me.
Even though I only give this three starts I still recommend giving this a read!
August 10, 2023
Intriguing setup, but a pretty bland execution. I was fascinated by the twins separate-as-toddlers premise, and the rather unexpected take of one of them being raised in a secretive religious cult that doesn't believe in modern tech (convenient, but plausible). But overall it felt much too simplistic for a YA novel. Towards the end, the nonstop coincidences, and everything that could go wrong going wrong one after the other, got tiresome.
(Review copy from NetGalley)
#SecretSister #NetGalley
(Review copy from NetGalley)
#SecretSister #NetGalley
February 25, 2024
Sophie Mckenzie has done it again with Secret Sister. She has written another compelling page turner that you won't be able to put down. With characters you fall in love with and a story that will warm your heart but also shock you.
June 30, 2023
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Children's UK and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Twin sisters, one believed to be dead and the other unaware of having a twin. Then one day Asha discovers a secret about having a twin and finds a way to contact Willow. The connection has to be secret, but to meet and be together the girls have to go through a lot to survive.
This was intense and I loved it, I was utterly hooked into this story. The pacing was remarkable and the tone of the book was amazing. From the dark storyline, to the hidden secrets unveiled, to the connection the girls form, to the drama and scary events that unfurl. This was un-put-down-able. I just loved it so much and was totally hooked instantly.
I really loved the discovery of Asha and Willow being twins, neither had been aware of each other’s existence. Both going about their lives, but then after Asha’s discovery and Willow being contacted everything changed instantly. Neither could forget each other and neither wanted give up trying to get to find each other. I loved that sheer determination both girls had. They both thought and acted so different and went about finding each other in such different ways and I loved it.
All the events unfolding in the (I’m gonna say it) “cult” were so dark and really scary in so many places. Lydia has everything down perfectly, every little thing she had a perfect plan for it, she controlled and eradicated whatever and whoever she need too. Wow she was an incredible well written character and I hated her the instant we meet her. She was really created so wonderfully, she was rooted in evil. I loved it but hated her, so good.
The girls had to go through so so much together and it was all so sad. It was scary and it was also a rollercoaster as nothing went how they dreamt or expected things would go and they had a lot to overcome before they could find a normalcy between themselves. But I really did love reading all about the go there, their connection, all the things they had to go through together which helped them learn more about each other. Their relationship together seemed so natural and was paced together with so much care and I appreciated that it wasn’t rushed or led to make it feel unnatural.
I adored this book so much, it was so intricately written, with so much care, each part of it was craftily created. Not one thing would I have changed about it. The characters were all utterly perfect with your mix of characters in the real world that intermingle naturally and then your meek almost submissive people that all play an important role on the island. The defiant teen that wants out of the strange commune, that helps set the path for events to unfold. Honestly I just adored this book so much.
I highly recommend this, it was so intense and so enthralling, I literally kept wanting to know more and more. I also loved that we saw the story through both girls perspective as each one had a different life and a different view of everything that was happening and I loved seeing everything from both girls minds. It was so wonderful and gave so much extra to the story as we saw what both girls lives were already like before the connection.
Twin sisters, one believed to be dead and the other unaware of having a twin. Then one day Asha discovers a secret about having a twin and finds a way to contact Willow. The connection has to be secret, but to meet and be together the girls have to go through a lot to survive.
This was intense and I loved it, I was utterly hooked into this story. The pacing was remarkable and the tone of the book was amazing. From the dark storyline, to the hidden secrets unveiled, to the connection the girls form, to the drama and scary events that unfurl. This was un-put-down-able. I just loved it so much and was totally hooked instantly.
I really loved the discovery of Asha and Willow being twins, neither had been aware of each other’s existence. Both going about their lives, but then after Asha’s discovery and Willow being contacted everything changed instantly. Neither could forget each other and neither wanted give up trying to get to find each other. I loved that sheer determination both girls had. They both thought and acted so different and went about finding each other in such different ways and I loved it.
All the events unfolding in the (I’m gonna say it) “cult” were so dark and really scary in so many places. Lydia has everything down perfectly, every little thing she had a perfect plan for it, she controlled and eradicated whatever and whoever she need too. Wow she was an incredible well written character and I hated her the instant we meet her. She was really created so wonderfully, she was rooted in evil. I loved it but hated her, so good.
The girls had to go through so so much together and it was all so sad. It was scary and it was also a rollercoaster as nothing went how they dreamt or expected things would go and they had a lot to overcome before they could find a normalcy between themselves. But I really did love reading all about the go there, their connection, all the things they had to go through together which helped them learn more about each other. Their relationship together seemed so natural and was paced together with so much care and I appreciated that it wasn’t rushed or led to make it feel unnatural.
I adored this book so much, it was so intricately written, with so much care, each part of it was craftily created. Not one thing would I have changed about it. The characters were all utterly perfect with your mix of characters in the real world that intermingle naturally and then your meek almost submissive people that all play an important role on the island. The defiant teen that wants out of the strange commune, that helps set the path for events to unfold. Honestly I just adored this book so much.
I highly recommend this, it was so intense and so enthralling, I literally kept wanting to know more and more. I also loved that we saw the story through both girls perspective as each one had a different life and a different view of everything that was happening and I loved seeing everything from both girls minds. It was so wonderful and gave so much extra to the story as we saw what both girls lives were already like before the connection.
August 7, 2023
YA, mystery/thriller, long-lost twin sisters, dual pov
Asha has lived in a remote island community founded on trust for as long as she can remember. When she discovers she has a secret sister called Willow, her life as she knows it comes crashing down.
Willow has always believed her twin Asha died when they were infants, but a late-night message from a girl claiming to be Asha leaves her questioning everything.
Secret Sister is a new instalment in the Girl, Missing series that works perfectly as a standalone, but I do want to acknowledge that I haven’t read the previous books, so I can’t comment on this book regarding the others.
One thing that has always bugged me when reading YA is that young characters often don’t quite feel true to their age. Sometimes that is throw-away lines about the latest social media trend or slang that you can tell were written by someone with little perspective and knowledge on that age group; other times, it’s a child demonstrating rationality or understanding of the context that they realistically would not have. Not only does this break my emersion in the story and make me like the book less, but I also just find it really cringey and sometimes will have to DNF it. What I loved about this book was that I never once felt like I wasn’t completely in the mind of 14-year-old Willow and Asha. Secret Sister addresses some tricky topics, and because of that, I probably would’ve given it a pass if I found a couple of moments where the age felt a little off, but I was incredibly impressed with just how well these topics were addressed while still remaining true to their age. Sophie never shies away from exploring the ethics of what Rose did through Willow and Asha’s point of view and their differing emotions and opinions on the situation, but it stays true to both their individual experiences and their age.
The book also starts in the midst of things which I haven’t enjoyed in previous books, but this works well with the pacing and adds to the intrigue, in my opinion. I would recommend this to younger readers looking for an intriguing and easily digestible mystery or thriller. I would also recommend it for older fans of YA mysteries/thrillers told through a well-written young teen point of view.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Asha has lived in a remote island community founded on trust for as long as she can remember. When she discovers she has a secret sister called Willow, her life as she knows it comes crashing down.
Willow has always believed her twin Asha died when they were infants, but a late-night message from a girl claiming to be Asha leaves her questioning everything.
Secret Sister is a new instalment in the Girl, Missing series that works perfectly as a standalone, but I do want to acknowledge that I haven’t read the previous books, so I can’t comment on this book regarding the others.
One thing that has always bugged me when reading YA is that young characters often don’t quite feel true to their age. Sometimes that is throw-away lines about the latest social media trend or slang that you can tell were written by someone with little perspective and knowledge on that age group; other times, it’s a child demonstrating rationality or understanding of the context that they realistically would not have. Not only does this break my emersion in the story and make me like the book less, but I also just find it really cringey and sometimes will have to DNF it. What I loved about this book was that I never once felt like I wasn’t completely in the mind of 14-year-old Willow and Asha. Secret Sister addresses some tricky topics, and because of that, I probably would’ve given it a pass if I found a couple of moments where the age felt a little off, but I was incredibly impressed with just how well these topics were addressed while still remaining true to their age. Sophie never shies away from exploring the ethics of what Rose did through Willow and Asha’s point of view and their differing emotions and opinions on the situation, but it stays true to both their individual experiences and their age.
The book also starts in the midst of things which I haven’t enjoyed in previous books, but this works well with the pacing and adds to the intrigue, in my opinion. I would recommend this to younger readers looking for an intriguing and easily digestible mystery or thriller. I would also recommend it for older fans of YA mysteries/thrillers told through a well-written young teen point of view.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 27, 2025
I loved the connection to Girl missing with Willow and Asha being Jam and Lauren’s niece it made me squeal.It took me a while to figure out but I think the twins mum was Jam’s sister alongside the other aunts who all have J names(Jasmine,Juniper,Jade) even though I don’t recall Jam having any siblings,maybe they are step siblings if his dad had another family idk correct me if I’m wrong.
Anyway,Asha and Willow fighting over Rose was right or Wrong really set that principle that they are completely different people yet still loving sisters.I really did like Ellen’s character too she was bold and brave and gutsy which is what we needed from the baby who was kidnapped and saved by her aunt it just fitted.
The writing style wasn’t very detailed however the similes were very nice giving you a good idea of what was happening.I do wish the book was split into more even chapter because one would be three pages and another like twenty or thirty making it slightly annoying to read.
Overall though it was a heartwarming read and a nice flashback to the girl missing universe.
Anyway,Asha and Willow fighting over Rose was right or Wrong really set that principle that they are completely different people yet still loving sisters.I really did like Ellen’s character too she was bold and brave and gutsy which is what we needed from the baby who was kidnapped and saved by her aunt it just fitted.
The writing style wasn’t very detailed however the similes were very nice giving you a good idea of what was happening.I do wish the book was split into more even chapter because one would be three pages and another like twenty or thirty making it slightly annoying to read.
Overall though it was a heartwarming read and a nice flashback to the girl missing universe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
This book was so faced paced and filled with loads of twists and turns which I really enjoyed as you didn’t have any idea how the story was going go which I enjoyed reading. Some of the characters I really didn’t like as they were so rude and obnoxious and they made me feel weird as they way the spoke to the characters was so annoying. The others characters I did like as you got to see how there relationship with each other worked and how well there characters were told. All the characters had there own interests and personalities. The ending of the book I really enjoyed as I wasn’t expecting it to end like that at all but I was smiling so much reading the ending. I have loved every book in this series but I honestly think it should end with this book as I don’t know how many times you can write about the same thing without it getting boring and repetitive xxx
April 11, 2024
I’ve read this as it’s been shortlisted for the young teen fiction award and it’s something my school’s student book club are going to be following and reading! I really enjoyed it and will definitely be recommending it to those students who are reluctant readers - the plot was compelling (if at times a little far fetched), but I suppose the craziness of the story is all part of its charm. It’s a very simple read and definitely focuses on plot over figurative and descriptive world building but that’s no criticism, it just means I have a clearer idea of the kind of student who would love this!
August 26, 2025
Secret Sister was an easy to follow, gripping read that I demolished in one sitting.
Twin sisters separated?
An island cult?
And plenty of secrets and lies?
I'm hooked!
You can tell the target audience is YA, but I was invested from the get-go!
I love a dual pov, and I enjoyed both Willow's and Asha's perspective. Both views were compelling to read and contribute to a great thrilling read.
Another great read from McKenzie. I can't wait for her next!
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Twin sisters separated?
An island cult?
And plenty of secrets and lies?
I'm hooked!
You can tell the target audience is YA, but I was invested from the get-go!
I love a dual pov, and I enjoyed both Willow's and Asha's perspective. Both views were compelling to read and contribute to a great thrilling read.
Another great read from McKenzie. I can't wait for her next!
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2023
This was a super easy, fast read. YA. Thriller. Suspense. I will say chapter two in this story is super long, but once you get past that chapter, it's all short chapters. The story is told through two sisters, Willow and Asha. Twins. But separated. One assumed dead after a tragic accident, which involved losing their mother. They soon become aware of each other and attempt to make contact, but they have a few people who will stop at nothing to avoid them meeting. Including killing them. Gripping. Tense. Race against time towards the end. But a happy ending for all. A well-deserved four stars from me.
December 14, 2025
Very quick and easy to read just like every other book Sophie McKenzie has written, I really enjoyed the cross over with the girl missing family! Overall this book was fun and easy to read, probably could have been about 50 pages shorter but other than that, it’s exactly what you’d expect from this authors books!
July 15, 2023
Another great book from Sophie McKenzie! She was one of my favourite authors when I was younger and is still writing great fiction for this age group. I loved the premise of this book - two sisters separated who eventually find each other
February 7, 2024
Sophie McKenzie was one of my fave authors as a child. I always read her new books as an adult. I do find her books scary even as an adult, so I think I'd have struggled to read this at 13. Although I remember reading girl missing at 13!
August 20, 2024
4.5 rounded up. Honestly a very good read! I was discouraged in the beginning because it had a low rating, but I really liked it. I read this on an airplane and it occupied me for most of the flight. Will definitely recommend to my friends!!
August 28, 2025
3 Stars. I really enjoyed this book and I think it was a simple read. However the plot was too short for my liking and I think the author had the chance to make a very good book out of it. On the other hand I did really enjoy the suspense and build up to the plot twists hidden in plain sight.
January 26, 2024
Was in the romance section but isn't a romance book so minus a star but i love the gripping and suspense!! Omg
April 17, 2024
Enjoyed it, some similarities to girl missing series, therefore felt repetitive but otherwise a good read.
June 14, 2024
Good plot very different than my normal reads
Read
August 15, 2024A heartwarming, adventurous book of two separated twin sisters who do whatever they need to to find each other.
October 7, 2024
3.25 ⭐
December 17, 2024
i really liked the split perspectives and the whole concept! very unique!
February 27, 2025
I usually ADORE her books but this one just wasnt it, there isnt much of a “story” or “plot” and overall really expected yk?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews