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The Image of You
“Absolutely gripping, this is revenge lit at its best. Provocative and compelling. I was left breathless at the final twist.” —Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Remains, on Two Dead Wives
Can you ever trust anyone you meet online?
Anna and Zoe are twins. Identical in appearance, absolutely opposite in personality, they share a bond so close that nothing—and no one—can tear them apart.
Until Anna meets her perfect man.
Anna thinks Nick is the man of her dreams.
Zoe thinks Nick is a liar.
Zoe wants to protect her twin…at any cost. But will Anna pay the ultimate price?
Can you ever trust anyone you meet online?
Anna and Zoe are twins. Identical in appearance, absolutely opposite in personality, they share a bond so close that nothing—and no one—can tear them apart.
Until Anna meets her perfect man.
Anna thinks Nick is the man of her dreams.
Zoe thinks Nick is a liar.
Zoe wants to protect her twin…at any cost. But will Anna pay the ultimate price?
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2017
619 people are currently reading
12383 people want to read
About the author
Adele Parks
57 books3,360 followersAdele Parks MBE is one of the most-loved and biggest-selling women's fiction writers in the UK. She has sold over 4 million books and her work has been translated into 30 different languages.
She has published 21 novels, all of which have been London Times bestsellers.
Adele has written 19 contemporary novels and 2 historical ones, Spare Brides and If You Go Away, which are set during and after WW1. Her latest novels, Both of You, Just My Luck, Lies Lies Lies, I Invited Her In, The Image of You and The Stranger in My Home are twisty, domestic noirs. Adele likes to scrutinize our concepts of family, our theories on love, parenting and fidelity.
During her career Adele has lived in Italy, Botswana and London. Now she lives happily in Surrey, UK with her husband, son and cat.
If you want to stay in touch you can find Adele on Twitter @AdeleParks, Instagram @Adele_Parks or Facebook @OfficialAdeleParks. You can sign up to her newsletter at eepurl.com/cI0l and there’s lots more info about Adele and her books on www.adeleparks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews
March 25, 2019
Book Reviewed by Linda on www.whisperingstories.com
Adele Parks your books just keep getting better and better!
Image of You starts slowly with a lovely romance for Anna, plenty of emotion, empathy, and love. Then we meet Anna’s twin sister Zoe the yin to Anna’s Yang as stated by the author, and the story takes off with plenty of deceit, lies, and drama all holding us in suspense and keeping us intrigue until the final page.
The book has been brilliantly written. It is a good page-turner with no predictability to how it would end! The mood was both light and dark, with plenty of highs and lows.
The descriptions of all the character’s were superb, dear Anna, she was so kind and would do anything for anyone and all she did was fall in love. Zoe had a dark manipulative way, she even cast a spell on Nick, who was a confident, almost arrogant man about town, who fell in love. I loved the unusual plot with its extraordinary twists.
This book totally and utterly drew me in and kept me hooked the whole way through. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to all who love domestic thrillers. I now look forward to reading more of Adele Parks books in the future.
Adele Parks your books just keep getting better and better!
Image of You starts slowly with a lovely romance for Anna, plenty of emotion, empathy, and love. Then we meet Anna’s twin sister Zoe the yin to Anna’s Yang as stated by the author, and the story takes off with plenty of deceit, lies, and drama all holding us in suspense and keeping us intrigue until the final page.
The book has been brilliantly written. It is a good page-turner with no predictability to how it would end! The mood was both light and dark, with plenty of highs and lows.
The descriptions of all the character’s were superb, dear Anna, she was so kind and would do anything for anyone and all she did was fall in love. Zoe had a dark manipulative way, she even cast a spell on Nick, who was a confident, almost arrogant man about town, who fell in love. I loved the unusual plot with its extraordinary twists.
This book totally and utterly drew me in and kept me hooked the whole way through. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to all who love domestic thrillers. I now look forward to reading more of Adele Parks books in the future.
September 26, 2021
This is my first Adele Parks book and I loved it! What a brilliant book - didn’t get much time to read it in the first few days but I’ve devoured it really quickly!
What an amazing and unusual twist - don’t want to say more as I don’t want to spoil it but WOW I never saw that coming!!
Will deffo be on the hunt for her books moving forward! Fully recommend x
What an amazing and unusual twist - don’t want to say more as I don’t want to spoil it but WOW I never saw that coming!!
Will deffo be on the hunt for her books moving forward! Fully recommend x
July 27, 2021
Popsugar Challenge 2021 - A book from your TBR list chosen at random
It is always refreshing to read a book in this genre that has a thirty something year old protagonist.
Anna and Zoe are identical twin sisters, from A to Zee they are opposite in every way but their looks. Anna is thoughtful, considerate, kind. Zoe is selfish, spiteful and gets off on self destruction.
But all is not as it seems.
There's few twists in this which I did see coming however it didn't affect my overall reading experience. I was really invested in all the characters here.
Thought the mental health issues were unrealistic in overcoming but I get it, its a book, fiction, and it needed a fast ending.
Fours stars.
It is always refreshing to read a book in this genre that has a thirty something year old protagonist.
Anna and Zoe are identical twin sisters, from A to Zee they are opposite in every way but their looks. Anna is thoughtful, considerate, kind. Zoe is selfish, spiteful and gets off on self destruction.
But all is not as it seems.
There's few twists in this which I did see coming however it didn't affect my overall reading experience. I was really invested in all the characters here.
Thought the mental health issues were unrealistic in overcoming but I get it, its a book, fiction, and it needed a fast ending.
Fours stars.
July 10, 2024
1. It’s too easy, too early to guess the twist
2. The logistics of the crime needed some work—the crime itself is already asking the reader to take on a lot already, but it would have easily been more convincing if only a few of the details had been better thought-out/explained
3. The resolution is a bit annoying, because this is not how mental illness works.
However.
I do like this author’s writing—she has a real knack for getting you inside a character’s head and drawing you inexorably towards places you wouldn’t personally want to go, but the POV makes the decision seem completely reasonable for them. I’ve read three of Adele Griffin’s books by this point, and with each one, multiple POVs have been clearly and vividly presented with worlds, attitudes, and uncomfortable scenarios that are easy to get lost in. The plots are riveting, too; she’s like a more restrained,well-written, upmarket Frieda McFadden, with similar sensationalist popcorn entertainment value.
I rather enjoyed the little surprise at the end as well. I didn’t expect it (probably should have if I’d thought about it more), but I’m happy with where the story went.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Lucy Paterson’s vocal performances for the various characters were spot on.
2. The logistics of the crime needed some work—the crime itself is already asking the reader to take on a lot already, but it would have easily been more convincing if only a few of the details had been better thought-out/explained
3. The resolution is a bit annoying, because this is not how mental illness works.
However.
I do like this author’s writing—she has a real knack for getting you inside a character’s head and drawing you inexorably towards places you wouldn’t personally want to go, but the POV makes the decision seem completely reasonable for them. I’ve read three of Adele Griffin’s books by this point, and with each one, multiple POVs have been clearly and vividly presented with worlds, attitudes, and uncomfortable scenarios that are easy to get lost in. The plots are riveting, too; she’s like a more restrained,well-written, upmarket Frieda McFadden, with similar sensationalist popcorn entertainment value.
I rather enjoyed the little surprise at the end as well. I didn’t expect it (probably should have if I’d thought about it more), but I’m happy with where the story went.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Lucy Paterson’s vocal performances for the various characters were spot on.
September 25, 2024
I dare you to guess this book's final jolting reveal.
MY REVEAL:
I've been catching up on Adele Parks books I missed.
This 2017 twin sister drama was originally a DNF for me at 20%.
(Too provocative!)
I was glad I gave it another chance.
It was the book's end-of-the-book GOL (Gasp Out Loud) twist that elevated my rating.
Although I prefer spice-free, "closed-door" romances and thrillers, author Adele Parks never ceases to wow me.
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Lucy Paterson.
Now on Prime Video (2024).
April 18, 2024
Well, that was a nice surprise. Shout out to The Hive at HTP books for the gifted opportunity. This psychological suspense story is about to hit theaters May 10th, with that being said, I’d read this bad boy before it hits the big screen! So glad I was able to read the book first as I am always the opposite.
Girl meets boy. Anna and Nick. Anna is the reserved quiet type, watching out for what she says. She is longing for a nice boyfriend who would eventually become her husband. She has no problem addressing these feelings to Nick. Nick on the other hand is a piece of work. His goals are to keep it casual. Sort of like a smash-n-dash 🤣. Ya know, a hit-it-n-quit-it kinda dude.
Meet Zoe, Anna’s twin sister. They could not be more opposite. Zoe isn’t keen on Anna’s new beau. What is really going on here with Nick and what’s the motive for the twins?
That's all the breadcrumbs I am leaving here. The reader will have to read The Image of you to find out! If domestic thrillers are your jam, pick this bad boy up.
Thank you so much Harlequin Trade Publishing and Brianna at The Hive for inviting me to buddy read. It was my pleasure to read and review The Image of You by Adele Parks. 3.5 ⭐️
#imageofyoureadalong
Girl meets boy. Anna and Nick. Anna is the reserved quiet type, watching out for what she says. She is longing for a nice boyfriend who would eventually become her husband. She has no problem addressing these feelings to Nick. Nick on the other hand is a piece of work. His goals are to keep it casual. Sort of like a smash-n-dash 🤣. Ya know, a hit-it-n-quit-it kinda dude.
Meet Zoe, Anna’s twin sister. They could not be more opposite. Zoe isn’t keen on Anna’s new beau. What is really going on here with Nick and what’s the motive for the twins?
That's all the breadcrumbs I am leaving here. The reader will have to read The Image of you to find out! If domestic thrillers are your jam, pick this bad boy up.
Thank you so much Harlequin Trade Publishing and Brianna at The Hive for inviting me to buddy read. It was my pleasure to read and review The Image of You by Adele Parks. 3.5 ⭐️
#imageofyoureadalong
July 13, 2025
2.5
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
Anna and Zoe are identical twins but chalk and cheese in terms of personality. Anna is Little Miss Sunshine (but actually a bit wet in my opinion), romantic and hopeful whereas Zoe is brash and daring. Then Anna meets Nick and he sweeps her off her feet, he’s perfect. However, Zoe has seen Anna betrayed before and so she sets out to prove he’s a liar.
I don’t think Adele and I are meant to be best buds. To be honest, I only got this book when I couldn’t find anything I’d not read before in The Works in the three books for £7.50 and I should’ve left it on the shelf.
It’s SO easy to figure out very early on and there are 461 pages to wade through to be proved right. 461. I ask you!!! What is it with authors these days thinking they have to give us a length??? Just give me a decent well executed plot. Don’t care if it’s 200 pages, I just want to enjoy it.
It’s very spicy in places and I actually go eeuuuwww one point. The characters are meh, the twins parents for example are just odd and feel one dimensional.
It’s not especially well written either and gets duller by the minute. I skim read the last part just to get it over and done with because basically not a lot happens except plenty of eye rolling.
Own copy. Anyone want it??? 😂
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
Anna and Zoe are identical twins but chalk and cheese in terms of personality. Anna is Little Miss Sunshine (but actually a bit wet in my opinion), romantic and hopeful whereas Zoe is brash and daring. Then Anna meets Nick and he sweeps her off her feet, he’s perfect. However, Zoe has seen Anna betrayed before and so she sets out to prove he’s a liar.
I don’t think Adele and I are meant to be best buds. To be honest, I only got this book when I couldn’t find anything I’d not read before in The Works in the three books for £7.50 and I should’ve left it on the shelf.
It’s SO easy to figure out very early on and there are 461 pages to wade through to be proved right. 461. I ask you!!! What is it with authors these days thinking they have to give us a length??? Just give me a decent well executed plot. Don’t care if it’s 200 pages, I just want to enjoy it.
It’s very spicy in places and I actually go eeuuuwww one point. The characters are meh, the twins parents for example are just odd and feel one dimensional.
It’s not especially well written either and gets duller by the minute. I skim read the last part just to get it over and done with because basically not a lot happens except plenty of eye rolling.
Own copy. Anyone want it??? 😂
July 20, 2018
Anna hatte bisher wenig Glück mit Männern. Da sie nicht mehr an die klassische Liebe auf den ersten Blick glaubt, macht sie sich im Internet auf die Suche. Über eine Singleseite lernt sie den attraktiven und erfolgreichen Nick kennen. Nick jedoch ist nicht wirklich auf der Suche nach etwas Ernstem, doch auch er scheint sich in Anna zu verlieben. Doch Zoe, Annas Zwillingsschwester, traut dem scheinbar perfekten Nick nicht über den Weg. Sie will Anna zuliebe Nicks Treue testen, doch die Dinge laufen aus dem Ruder und Zoe und Nick beginnen eine Affäre hinter dem Rücken ihrer Schwester.
Zwar steht auf dem Cover geschrieben, dass es sich bei “Bei deinem Leben” um einen Roman handelt, auf der Verlagsseite wird das Buch jedoch unter den Thrillern und Krimis aufgeführt. Ich würde sagen, dass das Buch zum größten Teil tatsächlich ein Roman ist, jedoch gerade zum Ende hin eindeutige Thrillerelemente liefert.
Wir beginnen zunächst mit den Ereignissen aus der Sicht von Anna, wechseln jedoch bald regelmäßig zwischen ihr und Nick. Im Laufe der Story kommt auch Zoes Sicht der Dinge hinzu. Obwohl Anna und Zoe Zwillingsschwestern sind, sind beide grundverschieden. Während Anna recht ruhig, besonnen und nett ist, ist Zoe das genaue Gegenteil – offensiv, extrovertiert und sehr darauf bedacht ihre körperlichen Vorzüge zu betonen. Die Unterschiede wurden recht gut herausgearbeitet, wenngleich ein wenig zu sehr bedacht darauf, immer die extremen Gegenteile zu zeigen.
Die Kennenlerngeschichte von Anna und Nick war sehr glatt und eigentlich zu schön, um wahr zu sein. Nick schien mir wirklich kein sehr tiefgründiger Charakter zu sein und ich wurde nicht richtig warm mit ihm. Auch seine Entscheidungen im Laufe des Buches waren mehr als oft einfach nur dumm und unreflektiert. Er rannte quasi sehenden Auges in sein Unglück, so dass sich mein Mitleid in Grenzen gehalten hat.
Insgesamt hat mir das Buch echt gut gefallen, auch wenn prinzipiell in den ersten zwei Dritteln kaum etwas mit Thrill passierte. Trotzdem war es einfach sehr interessant wie sich die Dinge entwickelten und wie sich die ganze Geschichte langsam, aber beharrlich, hochschaukelte. Ich kann mir vorstellen, dass die Wendung am Ende für viele recht überraschend kommt, vor allem wenn man noch nie ein Buch mit ähnlicher Thematik gelesen hat. Für mich war eine (zwar vorhersehbare) aber gute, und vor allem auch nötige Wendung, um dem Ganzen den gewissen Pfiff zu geben. Für mich ist “Bei deinem Leben” sicherlich nicht das letzte Buch von Adele Parks. Die Autorin hat bereits einiges geschrieben und ich hoffe, dass noch mehr Bücher von ihr ins Deutsche übersetzt werden in Zukunft.
Zwar steht auf dem Cover geschrieben, dass es sich bei “Bei deinem Leben” um einen Roman handelt, auf der Verlagsseite wird das Buch jedoch unter den Thrillern und Krimis aufgeführt. Ich würde sagen, dass das Buch zum größten Teil tatsächlich ein Roman ist, jedoch gerade zum Ende hin eindeutige Thrillerelemente liefert.
Wir beginnen zunächst mit den Ereignissen aus der Sicht von Anna, wechseln jedoch bald regelmäßig zwischen ihr und Nick. Im Laufe der Story kommt auch Zoes Sicht der Dinge hinzu. Obwohl Anna und Zoe Zwillingsschwestern sind, sind beide grundverschieden. Während Anna recht ruhig, besonnen und nett ist, ist Zoe das genaue Gegenteil – offensiv, extrovertiert und sehr darauf bedacht ihre körperlichen Vorzüge zu betonen. Die Unterschiede wurden recht gut herausgearbeitet, wenngleich ein wenig zu sehr bedacht darauf, immer die extremen Gegenteile zu zeigen.
Die Kennenlerngeschichte von Anna und Nick war sehr glatt und eigentlich zu schön, um wahr zu sein. Nick schien mir wirklich kein sehr tiefgründiger Charakter zu sein und ich wurde nicht richtig warm mit ihm. Auch seine Entscheidungen im Laufe des Buches waren mehr als oft einfach nur dumm und unreflektiert. Er rannte quasi sehenden Auges in sein Unglück, so dass sich mein Mitleid in Grenzen gehalten hat.
Insgesamt hat mir das Buch echt gut gefallen, auch wenn prinzipiell in den ersten zwei Dritteln kaum etwas mit Thrill passierte. Trotzdem war es einfach sehr interessant wie sich die Dinge entwickelten und wie sich die ganze Geschichte langsam, aber beharrlich, hochschaukelte. Ich kann mir vorstellen, dass die Wendung am Ende für viele recht überraschend kommt, vor allem wenn man noch nie ein Buch mit ähnlicher Thematik gelesen hat. Für mich war eine (zwar vorhersehbare) aber gute, und vor allem auch nötige Wendung, um dem Ganzen den gewissen Pfiff zu geben. Für mich ist “Bei deinem Leben” sicherlich nicht das letzte Buch von Adele Parks. Die Autorin hat bereits einiges geschrieben und ich hoffe, dass noch mehr Bücher von ihr ins Deutsche übersetzt werden in Zukunft.
June 8, 2018
This was a very disappointing book. Not one character was likeable or believable. Not one I would recommend.
November 19, 2020
Anna and Zoe are twins. Identical in appearances but polar opposites in personality. Their bond is so special that nothing can tear them apart. Until, Anna meets Nick. Anna thinks Nick is perfect but Zoe believes him to be a liar and sets out to prove it.
We see Anna and Nick meeting and their ensuing relationship. Then we have the complication of Zoe thrown in.
I did like the characters in this. Anna, Zoe and Nick are very strong characters and for the most part, likeable. There were times when I get frustrated with them, some of the secrets they keep from each other are pointless and so minuscule, at times they come across extremely childlike. This aside, I did enjoy reading their story and the developments in their lives.
We see Anna and Nick meeting and their ensuing relationship. Then we have the complication of Zoe thrown in.
I did like the characters in this. Anna, Zoe and Nick are very strong characters and for the most part, likeable. There were times when I get frustrated with them, some of the secrets they keep from each other are pointless and so minuscule, at times they come across extremely childlike. This aside, I did enjoy reading their story and the developments in their lives.
April 17, 2024
4⭐️. 1.5🌶️
I went into this book not knowing much about the story and also it is the first time I read a book from this author. The beginning of the book really hooked me and I thought that is was going to be a sweet romance but too soon Anna and Nick were to get married. And then things started to happen.
Then the story took a turn that I never saw coming and it was just wow for me. At that point I didn’t know what to feel anymore towards these characters. But the plot twist did blew my mind🤯.
I never in my life had been so mad and upset about the cheating trope in a book. I wanted to slapped both of these characters. One thing I do want to complain about is that there was so much filling in this book that could have been edited. I really don’t know why we get Nick’s mom POV, to me it felt irrelevant.
I still don’t know in what category or genre but this book. But the story was good and unexpected.
By the way the movie for this book is coming out soon I’m really curious about it.
*Thanks to The Hive on Instagram and to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I went into this book not knowing much about the story and also it is the first time I read a book from this author. The beginning of the book really hooked me and I thought that is was going to be a sweet romance but too soon Anna and Nick were to get married. And then things started to happen.
Then the story took a turn that I never saw coming and it was just wow for me. At that point I didn’t know what to feel anymore towards these characters. But the plot twist did blew my mind🤯.
I never in my life had been so mad and upset about the cheating trope in a book. I wanted to slapped both of these characters. One thing I do want to complain about is that there was so much filling in this book that could have been edited. I really don’t know why we get Nick’s mom POV, to me it felt irrelevant.
I still don’t know in what category or genre but this book. But the story was good and unexpected.
By the way the movie for this book is coming out soon I’m really curious about it.
*Thanks to The Hive on Instagram and to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2018
It’s always good to read Adele Parks books when you want to escape life and The Image of You was no different.
It all starts with Anna joining a dating website to find the man of her dreams. This romantic and lovely woman in her early thirties has come to accept that she will never find him if she waits for their eyes to meet across a crowded room. Anna has recently moved to London and as you’d expect she’s had her heart-broken but she’s also across the Atlantic from her family, her parents and her twin sister Zoe. The girl’s names designed to bookend the alphabet also have entirely different personalities. Zoe isn’t sweet and romantic, she’s a woman who parties hard, is flirty and unpredictable. Zoe is however on hand to make sure that Anna’s profile is designed to meet someone suitable, not someone who will hurt her.
Anna meets Nick, a high-flying banker who joined the site to worm his way into places other than a girl’s heart. Nick isn’t looking for love, he’s looking for fun. But he meets up with Anna and finds that sometimes a wholesome woman is better than his normal type.
So far so simple. Girl meets boy. Boy likes girl but only time will tell whether he is going to be the womanising cheat that Anna is keen to avoid. And then Zoe visits London and we find out what she makes of the relationship.
This was a compulsive read and so even though I guessed which direction the story was going in, I was still doubting myself until all was revealed. The twin’s characters whilst overtly stereotypical at the outset became more nuanced the further through the book you read so although Anna was way too sweet and perfect for my taste and Zoe far too wild, there was a proper back-story to explain their extremes. I think it is impossible for someone who isn’t an identical twin to be fascinated by this closest of all the genetic relationships, after all they are closer to each other in this respect than they are to their parents, or children if they have them. This alone makes the story a great premise and as it progresses this relationship is the one at the heart.
I also enjoyed the realistic portrayal of internet dating. The different aims of the people who use it in this consumer society is demonstrated in the early scenes which doesn’t forget the assumptions made by others about those who choose this method to find a partner.
Ultimately this is a book about relationships, not just romantic but between siblings, parents and workmates. Nick’s scenes with his mates and his colleagues all had an authenticity about them which are often rare in women’s fiction.
The Image of You kept me turning the pages, of course to find out how it all ends, that’s a given, but the author kept me interested in these people who I maybe would avoid in ‘real life’ but who fascinated with throughout the book.
It all starts with Anna joining a dating website to find the man of her dreams. This romantic and lovely woman in her early thirties has come to accept that she will never find him if she waits for their eyes to meet across a crowded room. Anna has recently moved to London and as you’d expect she’s had her heart-broken but she’s also across the Atlantic from her family, her parents and her twin sister Zoe. The girl’s names designed to bookend the alphabet also have entirely different personalities. Zoe isn’t sweet and romantic, she’s a woman who parties hard, is flirty and unpredictable. Zoe is however on hand to make sure that Anna’s profile is designed to meet someone suitable, not someone who will hurt her.
Anna meets Nick, a high-flying banker who joined the site to worm his way into places other than a girl’s heart. Nick isn’t looking for love, he’s looking for fun. But he meets up with Anna and finds that sometimes a wholesome woman is better than his normal type.
So far so simple. Girl meets boy. Boy likes girl but only time will tell whether he is going to be the womanising cheat that Anna is keen to avoid. And then Zoe visits London and we find out what she makes of the relationship.
This was a compulsive read and so even though I guessed which direction the story was going in, I was still doubting myself until all was revealed. The twin’s characters whilst overtly stereotypical at the outset became more nuanced the further through the book you read so although Anna was way too sweet and perfect for my taste and Zoe far too wild, there was a proper back-story to explain their extremes. I think it is impossible for someone who isn’t an identical twin to be fascinated by this closest of all the genetic relationships, after all they are closer to each other in this respect than they are to their parents, or children if they have them. This alone makes the story a great premise and as it progresses this relationship is the one at the heart.
I also enjoyed the realistic portrayal of internet dating. The different aims of the people who use it in this consumer society is demonstrated in the early scenes which doesn’t forget the assumptions made by others about those who choose this method to find a partner.
Ultimately this is a book about relationships, not just romantic but between siblings, parents and workmates. Nick’s scenes with his mates and his colleagues all had an authenticity about them which are often rare in women’s fiction.
The Image of You kept me turning the pages, of course to find out how it all ends, that’s a given, but the author kept me interested in these people who I maybe would avoid in ‘real life’ but who fascinated with throughout the book.
March 21, 2018
It's been a long time since I read anything by Adele Parks and I was a little surprised to find that she's moved into the psychological thriller genre. The Image of You is most certainly domestic noir; it's a study in sibling relationships, in rivalry and love, with a twist.
Anna is the quiet unassuming twin, living in the UK and dreaming of finding her ideal man. Creating an online profile on a dating website is not something that she's all that comfortable with, and when her twin sister Zoe insists that she must be a little imaginative in her profile, Anna is uneasy.
Zoe and Anna are twins, and whilst they may look alike, their personalities, character and lifestyles are the complete opposite. Anna runs everything past Zoe, even though she knows that Zoe's opinions and influences are not always the best.
When Anna meets Nick, she falls completely and utterly head over heels in love. He is everything that she ever dreamed of. Handsome, rich, successful and kind, just the type of guy that she needs in her life. Zoe, on the other hand, is suspicious. She doesn't believe that anyone can be as perfect as Nick and is determined to protect her sister, and make sure that she isn't hurt.
When Zoe and Nick finally meet, the story takes a dark and uneasy turn. Zoe's manipulative behaviour, and Nick's weaknesses slowly and surely take their toll and the reader is left wondering just what the hell is going on.
Adele Parks has written a clever and well thought out story that starts out as a domestic drama and turns into an intense and dramatic tale of mental illness, bereavement and dishonestly. There are secrets and lies along with shocks and twists that keep the reader gripped. Her character creation is excellent, with Anna and Zoe being especially well done. The female characters certainly take the edge in this one.
Whilst I'll admit that I did guess the twist in The Image of You, before the reveal, it wasn't an issue as I was eager to find out how the author would present it to the reader. I wasn't disappointed, and the actual detail was extremely well done, and not what I expected at all.
With an intriguing hook, this is a gripping and quite compelling story that explores the intensity of relationships and the effect of grief.
Anna is the quiet unassuming twin, living in the UK and dreaming of finding her ideal man. Creating an online profile on a dating website is not something that she's all that comfortable with, and when her twin sister Zoe insists that she must be a little imaginative in her profile, Anna is uneasy.
Zoe and Anna are twins, and whilst they may look alike, their personalities, character and lifestyles are the complete opposite. Anna runs everything past Zoe, even though she knows that Zoe's opinions and influences are not always the best.
When Anna meets Nick, she falls completely and utterly head over heels in love. He is everything that she ever dreamed of. Handsome, rich, successful and kind, just the type of guy that she needs in her life. Zoe, on the other hand, is suspicious. She doesn't believe that anyone can be as perfect as Nick and is determined to protect her sister, and make sure that she isn't hurt.
When Zoe and Nick finally meet, the story takes a dark and uneasy turn. Zoe's manipulative behaviour, and Nick's weaknesses slowly and surely take their toll and the reader is left wondering just what the hell is going on.
Adele Parks has written a clever and well thought out story that starts out as a domestic drama and turns into an intense and dramatic tale of mental illness, bereavement and dishonestly. There are secrets and lies along with shocks and twists that keep the reader gripped. Her character creation is excellent, with Anna and Zoe being especially well done. The female characters certainly take the edge in this one.
Whilst I'll admit that I did guess the twist in The Image of You, before the reveal, it wasn't an issue as I was eager to find out how the author would present it to the reader. I wasn't disappointed, and the actual detail was extremely well done, and not what I expected at all.
With an intriguing hook, this is a gripping and quite compelling story that explores the intensity of relationships and the effect of grief.
March 14, 2023
I guessed the twist almost immediately which kind of took the intrigue out of this novel. There's big swathes of the book where nothing really happens so it could have been a third shorter than it was. I also didn't like any of the characters but that's not a deal breaker for me if they're well written but they're a little cartoonish in this. The duality of the twins nature was particularly polarised and I understand why but it just felt clumsy. The male character, the main one, was just a twat and I didn't care at all what happened to him at any stage. The twins parents were also completely one dimensional and odd.
The writing isn't terrible in terms of the plot and it did keep me reading so it was engaging to a point. At the end though I was mainly reading to see if I was right rather than because I cared. It was a bit meh.
The writing isn't terrible in terms of the plot and it did keep me reading so it was engaging to a point. At the end though I was mainly reading to see if I was right rather than because I cared. It was a bit meh.
October 2, 2017
The nail varnish yessss!
Even though I sussed "wot was the plot" lol! pretty early on I still turned the pages avidly because Park's ending could have twisted several ways ...a good read but I was left thinking "am I brilliant at unravelling or is the story transparent? And does it matter?
Even though I sussed "wot was the plot" lol! pretty early on I still turned the pages avidly because Park's ending could have twisted several ways ...a good read but I was left thinking "am I brilliant at unravelling or is the story transparent? And does it matter?
January 31, 2024
Dull, boring, spotted the ‘twist’ a mile off. Skim read the second half of the book waiting for things to happen. They didn’t. Stereotypical characters who I couldn’t have cared less about, cliched plot & I only finished it because it was a book club pick. I won’t be returning to Adele Parks in the near future
September 22, 2021
Twins Anna and Zoe are identical in looks, but opposites in personality. Zoe has always been very protective of Anna, and when Anna meets Nick, Zoe doesn't believe he's good enough. She believes he's going to break Anna's heart - and she's going to be the one to prove it.
Wow! This book just did not stop, twist after twist, the huge one leaving me absolutely shocked - yet making perfect sense when thinking back through it! Adele has a way of making her stories so shocking and twisty that you don't want to put them down. Another fantastic book by Adele!
Wow! This book just did not stop, twist after twist, the huge one leaving me absolutely shocked - yet making perfect sense when thinking back through it! Adele has a way of making her stories so shocking and twisty that you don't want to put them down. Another fantastic book by Adele!
January 20, 2019
So many eye rolls ...
I never can guess the twist in the tale, so when I spotted this one - so obvious after just a few chapters, I was intrigued and of course just had to finish. Huge disappointment. Don’t bother - was not worth it
I never can guess the twist in the tale, so when I spotted this one - so obvious after just a few chapters, I was intrigued and of course just had to finish. Huge disappointment. Don’t bother - was not worth it
August 6, 2018
Nick has been using dating sights for years to get his own wicked way. He has no interest in relationships but doesnt declare this on his profile.
His life is one big funfair. He's loving life.
Then along comes Anna. And there is something about her, he can't explain it. None of his friends believe it, but he's actually fallen in love.
Nicks life changes in blink of an eye, he and Anna fall deeper and palan their lives together. Anna is beautiful and sweet, Nick feels ovewhelmed that someone as perfect as her feels this way about him. They meet eachotehrs friends and family, Anna has a twin sister who shes nervous to introduce Nick to... but she needn't have worried. Right?? They got on like a house in fire!!?
The story is told from various perspectives, Nicks, Annas' Zoe her twins', nicks motheramd Annas' mother.
At times i felt it was all building up to something...which it did, but having those particular perspectives didn't really add to the story in my opinion.
The ending was strange, i felt adter the 'big reveal' of the twist that there was going to be some kind of double twist... that never happened. Or else i dint think so?! There is an epilogue that did confuse me a little.. but i think i wanted it to be more than it was so im making things up and doubting the words iv read!!🙊
A good quick read nevertheless.
His life is one big funfair. He's loving life.
Then along comes Anna. And there is something about her, he can't explain it. None of his friends believe it, but he's actually fallen in love.
Nicks life changes in blink of an eye, he and Anna fall deeper and palan their lives together. Anna is beautiful and sweet, Nick feels ovewhelmed that someone as perfect as her feels this way about him. They meet eachotehrs friends and family, Anna has a twin sister who shes nervous to introduce Nick to... but she needn't have worried. Right?? They got on like a house in fire!!?
The story is told from various perspectives, Nicks, Annas' Zoe her twins', nicks motheramd Annas' mother.
At times i felt it was all building up to something...which it did, but having those particular perspectives didn't really add to the story in my opinion.
The ending was strange, i felt adter the 'big reveal' of the twist that there was going to be some kind of double twist... that never happened. Or else i dint think so?! There is an epilogue that did confuse me a little.. but i think i wanted it to be more than it was so im making things up and doubting the words iv read!!🙊
A good quick read nevertheless.
June 13, 2021
*Shocking Twist*
This book started off about twins Anna & Zoe. Both very different, Anna almost like the girl next door who works for a charity and is a wholesome character.
Zoe very different and unapologetic for her brashness, confrontational behaviour, she is a model, drinks and drugs so very opposite.
Anna wants to meet a man and wants the fairytale & after a lot of heartache guided by Zoe she tries online dating. She meets Nick and all seems like it’s going well then in after a short while he proposes. Then she says she wants him to meet her twin who is the complete opposite and it comes as a surprise to him as Anna had failed to mention she had a twin.
The venue is set but Anna is delayed with work. He says they should put it off then Anna says he should meet her twin on his own. He sees Zoe and the attraction is instant………
Why are Zoe and Anna never together at the same time, Nick is in for a shock that he does not see coming and Anna is holding an even greater secret……..
This book started off about twins Anna & Zoe. Both very different, Anna almost like the girl next door who works for a charity and is a wholesome character.
Zoe very different and unapologetic for her brashness, confrontational behaviour, she is a model, drinks and drugs so very opposite.
Anna wants to meet a man and wants the fairytale & after a lot of heartache guided by Zoe she tries online dating. She meets Nick and all seems like it’s going well then in after a short while he proposes. Then she says she wants him to meet her twin who is the complete opposite and it comes as a surprise to him as Anna had failed to mention she had a twin.
The venue is set but Anna is delayed with work. He says they should put it off then Anna says he should meet her twin on his own. He sees Zoe and the attraction is instant………
Why are Zoe and Anna never together at the same time, Nick is in for a shock that he does not see coming and Anna is holding an even greater secret……..
April 14, 2024
This book had me sucked in and captivated by the storyline. The second half just flew by!! Anna and Zoe are twins. They look identical but have many different personality traits that are totally different. Anna is more shy reserved, quiet type. Zoe is more outgoing, life of party, wild girl. Anna meets Nick and they start dating. Nick comes from a wild past and seems really shady. As they get to know once another something just seems off. I really enjoyed this story. Go in blind- I typically do with every book I read. This one I could see how many of the surprises could be innocently spoiled so just be cautious reading reviews. I’d just jump in and be along for this twisty wild ride! Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 25, 2021
Mediocre reading
Unfortunately I suspected the “twist” about a third of the way in and continued reading purely to see if I was right. The ending…. Not for me this one, sorry
Unfortunately I suspected the “twist” about a third of the way in and continued reading purely to see if I was right. The ending…. Not for me this one, sorry
January 28, 2024
What an ending !!!! Did not expect it in any way. 👌
April 29, 2024
I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw the movie trailer with Sasha Pieterse in it, playing a twin nevertheless. My middle school heart who used to devour the Pretty Little Liars book jumped out of my chest. In another universe, unruled by Marlene E King, this is the story of Alison and Courtney for adults. Maybe I was biased going to this one. Because of the similarities, I felt I’d like this one.
I loved this thriller. It was addictive, well written with a twist I didn’t see coming. Maybe this is a one you read with your (thrilled and exhilarated) heart instead of your head because some plot holes may come to light. Without spoilers, like 95% of it makes sense but some things are a head scratcher. Sometimes it’s good to suspend disbelief for the sake of the plot and a clear cut ending. If you like well-written thrillers about twins and a fast paced book, I would recommend this one before it comes out on the big screen.
I loved this thriller. It was addictive, well written with a twist I didn’t see coming. Maybe this is a one you read with your (thrilled and exhilarated) heart instead of your head because some plot holes may come to light. Without spoilers, like 95% of it makes sense but some things are a head scratcher. Sometimes it’s good to suspend disbelief for the sake of the plot and a clear cut ending. If you like well-written thrillers about twins and a fast paced book, I would recommend this one before it comes out on the big screen.
September 11, 2024
I always enjoy Adele Parks' books - she is the queen of domestic drama and The Image of You is no exception to her creative gifts. Identical twins Anna and Zoe are entirely different personalities and, when Anna falls for Nick, Zoe does not believe he is the right choice for her so soon diabolical mayhem ensues. This story provides unreliable narrators, constant twists and turns and no clue as to where the plot was headed so I was completely addicted until the fantastic finale. On a side note I realize that Adele Parks is British but I have noticed that in all of her books she uses the word "whilst" quite often and I am surprised her editor has not noticed this tradition. However, this certainly did not affect my enjoyment of the book, which was wildly entertaining and surprising. 4.5 stars.
Read
April 14, 2025ik weet het niet
July 26, 2025
why did i read this?
June 5, 2024
Blindingly obvious plot twist and a lot of cringe.
Twins Anna and Zoe are polar opposites. Anna is a hopeless romantic who longs for wedded bliss and a family, works at a drop-in centre for the homeless, elderly and mentally ill, and is intellectual and good. Zoe is a debaucherous and cynical model; manipulative, cold, and unfeeling, but fiercely protective of her somewhat naive sister. When Anna falls in love with rich, attractive banker, Nick, and decides he is Mr. Right, Zoe senses trouble, and becomes involved in a complicated game of love, lust and trust.
This book was not for me. The characters were stereotypical and implausible. There are pages and pages of gender stereotypes, men taking advantage of women, cringey sex scenes, and long monologues.
Gender stereotypes giving me the ick
Conventionally beautiful women aim to please conventionally attractive, cheating scumbag with either hot, steamy sex and debauchery, or wifely duties and wedding planning. Literally…two different female stereotypes designed to please men. Every sentence was a reinforced gender role. And why is everyone rich and conventionally beautiful, except for the plain and sensible friends and family?
The twist was obvious from chapter 5:
It went on and on and on...
I'd be lying if I said I actually read every single word in this book. So much of it was taken up with long, dreary monologues that I skimmed through. I didn’t like Zoe. I think she was supposed to come across as feminist and tough, but she just seemed to hate women. I didn’t like Anna’s boring wedding planning. I didn’t like Nick’s justifications of his affair and how pathetic and weak he was. And the repetitive sex scenes were all exactly the same:
The sex scenes weren't for me:
Not to kink shame but this kind of book is just not to my taste. I did not find any of the sex scenes hot or sexy or appealing, I just found them really cringey and repetitive.
The moral question:
This book wants to ask the question:
The ending was abrupt:
Final thoughts:
I just found it sad, rather than scandalous and exciting. I didn't enjoy reading about the rich stereotypical banker dude bro torn between a caricature of “hot sexy boobs chick” and “wife material but boring in bed.”
Twins Anna and Zoe are polar opposites. Anna is a hopeless romantic who longs for wedded bliss and a family, works at a drop-in centre for the homeless, elderly and mentally ill, and is intellectual and good. Zoe is a debaucherous and cynical model; manipulative, cold, and unfeeling, but fiercely protective of her somewhat naive sister. When Anna falls in love with rich, attractive banker, Nick, and decides he is Mr. Right, Zoe senses trouble, and becomes involved in a complicated game of love, lust and trust.
This book was not for me. The characters were stereotypical and implausible. There are pages and pages of gender stereotypes, men taking advantage of women, cringey sex scenes, and long monologues.
Gender stereotypes giving me the ick
Conventionally beautiful women aim to please conventionally attractive, cheating scumbag with either hot, steamy sex and debauchery, or wifely duties and wedding planning. Literally…two different female stereotypes designed to please men. Every sentence was a reinforced gender role. And why is everyone rich and conventionally beautiful, except for the plain and sensible friends and family?
The twist was obvious from chapter 5:
It went on and on and on...
I'd be lying if I said I actually read every single word in this book. So much of it was taken up with long, dreary monologues that I skimmed through. I didn’t like Zoe. I think she was supposed to come across as feminist and tough, but she just seemed to hate women. I didn’t like Anna’s boring wedding planning. I didn’t like Nick’s justifications of his affair and how pathetic and weak he was. And the repetitive sex scenes were all exactly the same:
The sex scenes weren't for me:
Not to kink shame but this kind of book is just not to my taste. I did not find any of the sex scenes hot or sexy or appealing, I just found them really cringey and repetitive.
Blindly, he followed her instructions and sheepishly pushed the door of the bathroom open. She was wiping herself. He could smell her urine. Sweet, yet vinegary. Contradictory. He should have felt repelled but he was drawn in. He swooped down on to his knees and started to kiss between her thighs. She moaned, allowed it. She placed her cut hand on his head. He looked up to see if he was pleasing her. He wanted to please her. She treated him to one of her slow, private smiles.
The moral question:
This book wants to ask the question:
The ending was abrupt:
Final thoughts:
I just found it sad, rather than scandalous and exciting. I didn't enjoy reading about the rich stereotypical banker dude bro torn between a caricature of “hot sexy boobs chick” and “wife material but boring in bed.”
August 8, 2018
Bei deinem Leben
von Adele Parks
HarperCollins Germany
Ich bedanke mich herzlich beim HarperCollins Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar, meine Meinung wurde dadurch nicht beeinflusst.
Cover:
Das Cover wirkt auf mich düster und bedrückend durch dieses Treppenhaus und gehört eindeutig in das Genre Krimi/Thriller als welches das Buch auch auf der Verlagsseite geführt wird.
Rezension:
Anna ist auf der Suche nach der Liebe und findet im Internet Nick. Die beiden beginnen eine Beziehung, doch Annas Zwillingsschwester Zoe traut Nick nicht über den Weg und will seine Treue testen. Kurz darauf haben die beiden eine Affäre.
Das Buch ist eher ein Roman als ein Thriller, obwohl es zum Ende hin einige Thrillerelemente aufweist. Zum Beginn erzählt nur Anna in dem Buch doch im späteren Verlauf wechselt die Erzählweise auch zu Nick und Zoe. Die Unterschiede zwischen den Zwillingen wurden sehr gut heraus gearbeitet, wie Tag und Nacht, daher vielleicht auch etwas zu extrem. Nick ist nicht ein so tiefgründiger Charakter und es liegt am Leser selbst ob man mit ihm warm wird oder nicht. Seine Entscheidungen sind weder durchdacht noch sonderlich klug so dass es kommt wie es kommen musste. In den ersten 2/3 des Buches fehlen die Thrillerelemente und kommen erst ziemlich spät zum tragen. Dennoch ist das Lesen interessant, da sich die Entwicklung langsam durch das ganze Buch hinweg nach oben schraubte bis zur der vielleicht überraschenden Wendung am Ende. Eine gut verwobene Story, die leicht lesbar ist und durch das Ende überzeugen kann. 4/5 Sterne
von Adele Parks
HarperCollins Germany
Ich bedanke mich herzlich beim HarperCollins Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar, meine Meinung wurde dadurch nicht beeinflusst.
Cover:
Das Cover wirkt auf mich düster und bedrückend durch dieses Treppenhaus und gehört eindeutig in das Genre Krimi/Thriller als welches das Buch auch auf der Verlagsseite geführt wird.
Rezension:
Anna ist auf der Suche nach der Liebe und findet im Internet Nick. Die beiden beginnen eine Beziehung, doch Annas Zwillingsschwester Zoe traut Nick nicht über den Weg und will seine Treue testen. Kurz darauf haben die beiden eine Affäre.
Das Buch ist eher ein Roman als ein Thriller, obwohl es zum Ende hin einige Thrillerelemente aufweist. Zum Beginn erzählt nur Anna in dem Buch doch im späteren Verlauf wechselt die Erzählweise auch zu Nick und Zoe. Die Unterschiede zwischen den Zwillingen wurden sehr gut heraus gearbeitet, wie Tag und Nacht, daher vielleicht auch etwas zu extrem. Nick ist nicht ein so tiefgründiger Charakter und es liegt am Leser selbst ob man mit ihm warm wird oder nicht. Seine Entscheidungen sind weder durchdacht noch sonderlich klug so dass es kommt wie es kommen musste. In den ersten 2/3 des Buches fehlen die Thrillerelemente und kommen erst ziemlich spät zum tragen. Dennoch ist das Lesen interessant, da sich die Entwicklung langsam durch das ganze Buch hinweg nach oben schraubte bis zur der vielleicht überraschenden Wendung am Ende. Eine gut verwobene Story, die leicht lesbar ist und durch das Ende überzeugen kann. 4/5 Sterne
March 30, 2018
I didn't really have high expectations for this but boy, what are a read. An highly enjoyable read that was very cleverly written.
This book follows twins Anna and Zoe. Identical in appearance, utterly different in personality, they share a bond so close that nothing - or no one - can rip them apart. Until Anna meets charismatic Nick. Anna is trusting, romantic and hopeful; she thinks Nick is perfect. Zoe is daring, dangerous and extreme; she thinks Nick is a liar. Zoe has seen Anna betrayed by men before. She'll stop at nothing to discover if Nick is as good as he seems.
I was hooked on this book right from the very first page! The twists and turns just kept on coming and I found myself enjoying it more and more every chapter. Extremely well-written and I found it very hard to put down!
This one featured great characters! I found myself sympathizing with all the main characters at one point or another throughout the story.
Although I guessed a couple of aspects of the story early, the twist at the end was something I didn't see coming! Brilliant! A rollercoaster of a read that I highly recommend!
This book follows twins Anna and Zoe. Identical in appearance, utterly different in personality, they share a bond so close that nothing - or no one - can rip them apart. Until Anna meets charismatic Nick. Anna is trusting, romantic and hopeful; she thinks Nick is perfect. Zoe is daring, dangerous and extreme; she thinks Nick is a liar. Zoe has seen Anna betrayed by men before. She'll stop at nothing to discover if Nick is as good as he seems.
I was hooked on this book right from the very first page! The twists and turns just kept on coming and I found myself enjoying it more and more every chapter. Extremely well-written and I found it very hard to put down!
This one featured great characters! I found myself sympathizing with all the main characters at one point or another throughout the story.
Although I guessed a couple of aspects of the story early, the twist at the end was something I didn't see coming! Brilliant! A rollercoaster of a read that I highly recommend!
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