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The Other Twin
Her sister stole her future. Now she’s coming to take it back.
Twins, separated at birth. One privileged, one forgotten. Only one knows the truth—and only one will survive.
Bella has it the dream house, the successful business, the perfect boyfriend. But while she builds her charmed life, her twin sister Jade struggles to make rent just a few miles away. To Jade, who has watched her sister’s fairy tale existence from the shadows, Bella is living a life she stole. A life that should have been shared. A life Jade intends to claim.
As Jade methodically infiltrates her sister’s perfect world, cracks begin to appear. Strange incidents multiply. Relationships fracture. But how do you defend yourself from a threat you don’t even know exists?
When the sisters’ deadly game of cat and mouse spirals out of control, both women must ask themselves a chilling how far will you go to protect the life you believe you deserve? And what happens when the person trying to destroy you shares your own face?
A deliciously dark psychological thriller about twin sisters, stolen lives, and the dangerous games we play to claim what we think we’re owed. Perfect for fans of K.L. Slater and Gillian Flynn.
Twins, separated at birth. One privileged, one forgotten. Only one knows the truth—and only one will survive.
Bella has it the dream house, the successful business, the perfect boyfriend. But while she builds her charmed life, her twin sister Jade struggles to make rent just a few miles away. To Jade, who has watched her sister’s fairy tale existence from the shadows, Bella is living a life she stole. A life that should have been shared. A life Jade intends to claim.
As Jade methodically infiltrates her sister’s perfect world, cracks begin to appear. Strange incidents multiply. Relationships fracture. But how do you defend yourself from a threat you don’t even know exists?
When the sisters’ deadly game of cat and mouse spirals out of control, both women must ask themselves a chilling how far will you go to protect the life you believe you deserve? And what happens when the person trying to destroy you shares your own face?
A deliciously dark psychological thriller about twin sisters, stolen lives, and the dangerous games we play to claim what we think we’re owed. Perfect for fans of K.L. Slater and Gillian Flynn.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2026
About the author
Shalini Boland
53 books3,599 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
July 18, 2026
Very close to a full 4 star.
August 12, 2026
I saw the ending coming from a mile away.
This story could have delved into the intricacies of nature vs. nurture, but the author apparently doesn't have the maturity to explore true psychological implications.
The foreshadowing led me to believe that Nicola was the evil twin, but she wasn't, not really. Jade sure was though. But Jade and Bella were a lot alike, weren't they? The lying, cheating, making risky financial decisions? None of this was examined in a meaningful way.
The narrative dragged on forever. Every plot point was predictable and not remotely suspenseful. There was so much filler, I was bored almost immediately and skimmed numerous chapters.
This is hands down the worst book Shalini Boland has written.
This story could have delved into the intricacies of nature vs. nurture, but the author apparently doesn't have the maturity to explore true psychological implications.
The foreshadowing led me to believe that Nicola was the evil twin, but she wasn't, not really. Jade sure was though. But Jade and Bella were a lot alike, weren't they? The lying, cheating, making risky financial decisions? None of this was examined in a meaningful way.
The narrative dragged on forever. Every plot point was predictable and not remotely suspenseful. There was so much filler, I was bored almost immediately and skimmed numerous chapters.
This is hands down the worst book Shalini Boland has written.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twins, separated at birth. One privileged, one forgotten. Only one knows the truth - and only one will survive.
Bella has the dream house, the successful business, the perfect boyfriend. But while she builds her charmed life, her twin sister Jade struggles to make the rent just a few miles away. To Jad who has watched her sister's fairy tale existence from the shadows, Bella is living a life she stole. A life that should have been shared. a life Jade intends to claim. As Jade methodically infiltrates her sister's perfect world, cracks begin to appear. Strange incidents multiply. Relationships fracture. But how can you defend yourself from a threat you don't know exists.
The pace is perfectly set in this dark but well-written story. Once I picked this book up, I could not put it down again. This is an explosive game of cat and mouse that shows the terrifying lengths some people will go to get what they think they deserve in life. I liked the way the story unfolded. The story is told from Jade and Bella's perspectives. This is another thoroughly enjoyable read.
Published 15th July 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK #ThomasandMercer and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheOtherTwin in exchange for an honest review.
Bella has the dream house, the successful business, the perfect boyfriend. But while she builds her charmed life, her twin sister Jade struggles to make the rent just a few miles away. To Jad who has watched her sister's fairy tale existence from the shadows, Bella is living a life she stole. A life that should have been shared. a life Jade intends to claim. As Jade methodically infiltrates her sister's perfect world, cracks begin to appear. Strange incidents multiply. Relationships fracture. But how can you defend yourself from a threat you don't know exists.
The pace is perfectly set in this dark but well-written story. Once I picked this book up, I could not put it down again. This is an explosive game of cat and mouse that shows the terrifying lengths some people will go to get what they think they deserve in life. I liked the way the story unfolded. The story is told from Jade and Bella's perspectives. This is another thoroughly enjoyable read.
Published 15th July 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK #ThomasandMercer and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheOtherTwin in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2026
Her sister stole her future. Now she’s coming to take it back.
Twins, separated at birth. One privileged, one forgotten. Only one knows the truth—and only one will survive.
Bella has it all: the dream house, the successful business, the perfect boyfriend. But while she builds her charmed life, her twin sister Jade struggles to make rent just a few miles away. To Jade, who has watched her sister’s fairy tale existence from the shadows, Bella is living a life she stole. A life that should have been shared. A life Jade intends to claim.
As Jade methodically infiltrates her sister’s perfect world, cracks begin to appear. Strange incidents multiply. Relationships fracture. But how do you defend yourself from a threat you don’t even know exists?
When the sisters’ deadly game of cat and mouse spirals out of control, both women must ask themselves a chilling question: how far will you go to protect the life you believe you deserve? And what happens when the person trying to destroy you shares your own face?
Twins, separated at birth. One privileged, one forgotten. Only one knows the truth—and only one will survive.
Bella has it all: the dream house, the successful business, the perfect boyfriend. But while she builds her charmed life, her twin sister Jade struggles to make rent just a few miles away. To Jade, who has watched her sister’s fairy tale existence from the shadows, Bella is living a life she stole. A life that should have been shared. A life Jade intends to claim.
As Jade methodically infiltrates her sister’s perfect world, cracks begin to appear. Strange incidents multiply. Relationships fracture. But how do you defend yourself from a threat you don’t even know exists?
When the sisters’ deadly game of cat and mouse spirals out of control, both women must ask themselves a chilling question: how far will you go to protect the life you believe you deserve? And what happens when the person trying to destroy you shares your own face?
August 1, 2026
Very clever and very well done 👍🏽 This was not only great storytelling, but intriguingly entertaining. Not only did it hold my interest it infuriated me at times! The characters were very well developed and one just pissed me off to no end. However, like the old saying goes , You can’t play a player lol 😝
Looking for a good read that will hold you from beginning to end, then stop right here. This one will pull you in deep and take you on a bittersweet ride, and for that I say….thank you very much!
Looking for a good read that will hold you from beginning to end, then stop right here. This one will pull you in deep and take you on a bittersweet ride, and for that I say….thank you very much!
July 17, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, for ARC.
Unfortunately, I DNF'D the book, can't stand when someone is jealous of other person life and trying to take that life because they think they are better or they are entitled to have that lufe too. Okay, fair enough, it's your twin/ your mum's twin. But still, it is just annoying the hell out of me. You back from work, making nose to walk your mum, because you feel bit saucer about that "you saw her, in the car with ritch guy". And you had to work. And making demands to make tea and toast (let's not forget she (mum) was working too, and you live in HER flat).
Im sorry, but I got too annoyed and couldn't get into the book.
Unfortunately, I DNF'D the book, can't stand when someone is jealous of other person life and trying to take that life because they think they are better or they are entitled to have that lufe too. Okay, fair enough, it's your twin/ your mum's twin. But still, it is just annoying the hell out of me. You back from work, making nose to walk your mum, because you feel bit saucer about that "you saw her, in the car with ritch guy". And you had to work. And making demands to make tea and toast (let's not forget she (mum) was working too, and you live in HER flat).
Im sorry, but I got too annoyed and couldn't get into the book.
July 19, 2026
OMG what an outstanding story that was, be prepared to be shocked with what this story entails. Absolutely brilliant, well written and captivating from the very first page.
Whenever I read one of Shalini books, I always know to expect the unexpected, with a few twists and shocks along the way, and this newest book of her was no exception. Some readers may not like this story as it goes against the grain as to what one expects of twin sisters. But I think that is why I really liked it so much, because it was just so very cleverly done.
In the story, you follow the paths of the individual two twin sisters, getting to know them, where there individual life’s have taken them, the trials they have both been through despite it seeming that on the surface one twin has it all and the other one has nothing.
I absolutely loved how the story ended, I expected something like that but it ended being so much more and I was like, omg that is brilliant. Karma really is a B*tch, love it. The saying is true, be careful what you wish for, as it might just come backwards on you.
Whenever I read one of Shalini books, I always know to expect the unexpected, with a few twists and shocks along the way, and this newest book of her was no exception. Some readers may not like this story as it goes against the grain as to what one expects of twin sisters. But I think that is why I really liked it so much, because it was just so very cleverly done.
In the story, you follow the paths of the individual two twin sisters, getting to know them, where there individual life’s have taken them, the trials they have both been through despite it seeming that on the surface one twin has it all and the other one has nothing.
I absolutely loved how the story ended, I expected something like that but it ended being so much more and I was like, omg that is brilliant. Karma really is a B*tch, love it. The saying is true, be careful what you wish for, as it might just come backwards on you.
August 25, 2026
The story revolves around Bella and Jade, identical twins who were separated at birth and raised in completely different circumstances.
Bella has what appears to be a perfect life: a beautiful home, a successful family business, loving parents and a seemingly ideal boyfriend. She has grown up surrounded by security and privilege.
Jade, by contrast, has struggled financially and emotionally. She works in a pub, has little money and lives with her mother. She has spent much of her life believing that she has been denied the opportunities that others take for granted.
The crucial discovery comes when Jade unexpectedly sees a woman who looks remarkably like her mother. Her mother initially denies knowing the woman, but eventually reveals a long-hidden family secret: she has an identical twin sister.
Jade then discovers that this aunt has a daughter—and that daughter is Bella, Jade’s identical twin.
At first, Jade is fascinated by Bella. She wonders what it would have been like to grow up together and imagines that perhaps she can finally have the life she feels she was deprived of.
But fascination gradually turns into resentment and obsession.
Jade sees Bella’s comfortable life as something that should have been hers too. She begins watching Bella and studying her life. Eventually, she decides not merely to meet her sister, but to take over the life she believes Bella has unfairly inherited.
She begins infiltrating Bella’s world. As this happens, Bella’s seemingly perfect existence starts to unravel. Strange incidents occur, relationships become strained, and Bella becomes increasingly frightened without understanding who is responsible.
The particularly disturbing element is that the person threatening Bella looks exactly like her.
The novel then becomes a tense psychological cat-and-mouse game between the two sisters, exploring jealousy, entitlement, identity and the question of how far someone might go to obtain the life they believe they deserve.
The ending contains significant twists, Reviews indicate that the final revelations change the reader’s understanding of the sisters and their family history, with the ending providing a particularly strong piece of poetic justice.
In short: The Other Twin is essentially a story of two identical women who should have shared a childhood but instead grow up worlds apart—until one decides that the other’s life belongs to her. It is a fast-paced psychological thriller rather than a conventional mystery. Read it on Kindle and the beginning and the end I found interesting. I would give the book 4 stars.
Dr. Javed Rasheed
Bella has what appears to be a perfect life: a beautiful home, a successful family business, loving parents and a seemingly ideal boyfriend. She has grown up surrounded by security and privilege.
Jade, by contrast, has struggled financially and emotionally. She works in a pub, has little money and lives with her mother. She has spent much of her life believing that she has been denied the opportunities that others take for granted.
The crucial discovery comes when Jade unexpectedly sees a woman who looks remarkably like her mother. Her mother initially denies knowing the woman, but eventually reveals a long-hidden family secret: she has an identical twin sister.
Jade then discovers that this aunt has a daughter—and that daughter is Bella, Jade’s identical twin.
At first, Jade is fascinated by Bella. She wonders what it would have been like to grow up together and imagines that perhaps she can finally have the life she feels she was deprived of.
But fascination gradually turns into resentment and obsession.
Jade sees Bella’s comfortable life as something that should have been hers too. She begins watching Bella and studying her life. Eventually, she decides not merely to meet her sister, but to take over the life she believes Bella has unfairly inherited.
She begins infiltrating Bella’s world. As this happens, Bella’s seemingly perfect existence starts to unravel. Strange incidents occur, relationships become strained, and Bella becomes increasingly frightened without understanding who is responsible.
The particularly disturbing element is that the person threatening Bella looks exactly like her.
The novel then becomes a tense psychological cat-and-mouse game between the two sisters, exploring jealousy, entitlement, identity and the question of how far someone might go to obtain the life they believe they deserve.
The ending contains significant twists, Reviews indicate that the final revelations change the reader’s understanding of the sisters and their family history, with the ending providing a particularly strong piece of poetic justice.
In short: The Other Twin is essentially a story of two identical women who should have shared a childhood but instead grow up worlds apart—until one decides that the other’s life belongs to her. It is a fast-paced psychological thriller rather than a conventional mystery. Read it on Kindle and the beginning and the end I found interesting. I would give the book 4 stars.
Dr. Javed Rasheed
October 11, 2026
I’ve been reading Shalini Boland for years, and I’ve always considered her a seriously underrated thriller author. I rarely hear her name mentioned in the book clubs I’m part of, which has always surprised me because I’ve genuinely enjoyed her work. Unfortunately, The Other Twin was a complete letdown.
The story revolves around identical twins who have lived separate lives, unaware of each other’s existence. But when one discovers the truth, what could have been a fascinating reunion takes a much darker turn, with jealousy, resentment, and a dangerous obsession setting the stage for a psychological thriller.
Now, I see readers complain all the time about thrillers being too far-fetched. As a true crime enthusiast and someone who has actually worked in law enforcement, I’m usually the first to argue that truth really is stranger than fiction. People do some absolutely unbelievable things in real life. So I’m generally willing to give an author plenty of creative freedom.
But THIS? 🙄🙄🙄
SPOILERS AHEAD!
You’re telling me this woman discovers she has an IDENTICAL TWIN, and instead of being curious, excited, or even remotely interested in getting to know her, she contacts her about a job? Her twin, who has absolutely no idea who she is, tells her she’s not qualified for the position, and somehow THAT becomes the motivation for wanting to murder her and steal her life?
I’m sorry, WHAT?! 🙄🙄🙄
And the supposed rude interaction? I didn’t even find it particularly rude! She was told she wasn’t qualified for a job. That’s it. That’s the great injustice that apparently justifies plotting to kill your own identical twin.
I understand that not every set of twins has some magical, unbreakable bond, and I’m certainly not suggesting identical twins are incapable of hurting one another. But the complete lack of curiosity, the ridiculously flimsy motivation, and the leap firm a 2 minute phone interaction to murder were just too much for me.
There’s a difference between an outrageous plot that somehow works and one that requires me to abandon every ounce of common sense. Unfortunately, this fell into the latter category.
The story revolves around identical twins who have lived separate lives, unaware of each other’s existence. But when one discovers the truth, what could have been a fascinating reunion takes a much darker turn, with jealousy, resentment, and a dangerous obsession setting the stage for a psychological thriller.
Now, I see readers complain all the time about thrillers being too far-fetched. As a true crime enthusiast and someone who has actually worked in law enforcement, I’m usually the first to argue that truth really is stranger than fiction. People do some absolutely unbelievable things in real life. So I’m generally willing to give an author plenty of creative freedom.
But THIS? 🙄🙄🙄
SPOILERS AHEAD!
You’re telling me this woman discovers she has an IDENTICAL TWIN, and instead of being curious, excited, or even remotely interested in getting to know her, she contacts her about a job? Her twin, who has absolutely no idea who she is, tells her she’s not qualified for the position, and somehow THAT becomes the motivation for wanting to murder her and steal her life?
I’m sorry, WHAT?! 🙄🙄🙄
And the supposed rude interaction? I didn’t even find it particularly rude! She was told she wasn’t qualified for a job. That’s it. That’s the great injustice that apparently justifies plotting to kill your own identical twin.
I understand that not every set of twins has some magical, unbreakable bond, and I’m certainly not suggesting identical twins are incapable of hurting one another. But the complete lack of curiosity, the ridiculously flimsy motivation, and the leap firm a 2 minute phone interaction to murder were just too much for me.
There’s a difference between an outrageous plot that somehow works and one that requires me to abandon every ounce of common sense. Unfortunately, this fell into the latter category.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2026
UK based fan favourite psychological thriller author Shalini Boland has just released another winning book.
The Other Twin is a suspense, compelling and twisty read.
Identical twins Jade and Bella don’t know each other……….. yet!
Separated at birth and living totally opposite lives until one day the truth comes out.
Jade lives life paycheck to paycheck, boards with her mother in a one bedroom flat and owes too much money.
Bella lives a privileged life.
A high profile career in the family business, a luxurious apartment, wealth and a hot boyfriend.
Then Jade sees Bella and has questions and a plan is formed.
A dangerous web of secrets is exposed until the ultimate cat and mouse showdown.
This was so clever and addictive.
I quite enjoy a Shalini thriller, always entertaining, shocking, fun and very twisty.
My initial guess thoughts were off but just before reveal I clicked and was very impressed with my detective work.
A victorious formula that continues to wow her reading audience, myself included.
The Other Twin is a suspense, compelling and twisty read.
Identical twins Jade and Bella don’t know each other……….. yet!
Separated at birth and living totally opposite lives until one day the truth comes out.
Jade lives life paycheck to paycheck, boards with her mother in a one bedroom flat and owes too much money.
Bella lives a privileged life.
A high profile career in the family business, a luxurious apartment, wealth and a hot boyfriend.
Then Jade sees Bella and has questions and a plan is formed.
A dangerous web of secrets is exposed until the ultimate cat and mouse showdown.
This was so clever and addictive.
I quite enjoy a Shalini thriller, always entertaining, shocking, fun and very twisty.
My initial guess thoughts were off but just before reveal I clicked and was very impressed with my detective work.
A victorious formula that continues to wow her reading audience, myself included.
July 19, 2026
I got to this ARC (thank you NetGalley) a little later than planned since it was published on July 15, but it ended up being a quick, fast-moving mystery.
The story follows twin sisters who were separated at birth and raised in vastly different circumstances. One grows up with wealth and privilege while the other struggles, and when the less fortunate sister discovers the truth about their lives, she’s consumed by anger and jealousy over the unfairness of it all.
I enjoyed the premise, and the story kept me turning the pages. However, I didn’t find either sister particularly likable, and I was never quite sure who I was supposed to be rooting for. While the ending was satisfying enough, I couldn’t help feeling like the novel had the potential to be much more suspenseful and thrilling than it ultimately was.
The story follows twin sisters who were separated at birth and raised in vastly different circumstances. One grows up with wealth and privilege while the other struggles, and when the less fortunate sister discovers the truth about their lives, she’s consumed by anger and jealousy over the unfairness of it all.
I enjoyed the premise, and the story kept me turning the pages. However, I didn’t find either sister particularly likable, and I was never quite sure who I was supposed to be rooting for. While the ending was satisfying enough, I couldn’t help feeling like the novel had the potential to be much more suspenseful and thrilling than it ultimately was.
August 9, 2026
Sorry, I really did not like this book, it got more and more ridiculous as the plot went on
July 21, 2026
DNF at 37%
Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I gave it over a third of the book, hoping it would eventually pull me in, but I never found myself connecting with the characters or feeling that “I need to know what happens next” excitement that keeps me turning the pages. While the premise intrigued me, the writing, pacing, and multiple points of view didn’t quite work for me, and I ultimately decided to DNF at 37%.
I know every book finds its readers, but this one simply wasn’t the right fit for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: 7/14/2026
Sadly, this one just wasn’t for me. I gave it over a third of the book, hoping it would eventually pull me in, but I never found myself connecting with the characters or feeling that “I need to know what happens next” excitement that keeps me turning the pages. While the premise intrigued me, the writing, pacing, and multiple points of view didn’t quite work for me, and I ultimately decided to DNF at 37%.
I know every book finds its readers, but this one simply wasn’t the right fit for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: 7/14/2026
July 19, 2026
An unknown twin sister is discovered by Jade. Turn’s out Jade’s mother has a twin sister. They split at a young age going into separate foster homes. They never reconnected until her sister needed a favor that changed their lives forever. Jade needed to find the truth about her mother which led down a dangerous path.
…
Bella lives a rich easy life while Jade is piling on the debt. Jade has seen her other side and it looks better than her current life. Now she’s questioning her life wondering who she’d be if she had lived a different way. Jade didn’t get good grades in school nor did she get a degree. Her career choices are limited. She needs to find ways to turn her life around and become more productive.
…
Boland brought the twin story back from its typical storyline of switching places into something extraordinary. I applaud Boland for creating this concept. While I appreciate the effort to create a unique experience the story didn’t move at a pace that warranted my undivided attention.
…
The Other Twin is about Bella being targeted for the sole purpose of being wealthy while Jade’s slumming it up in debt. Jade craves her lifestyle and claims it’s unjust that her life wasn’t this good so she concocts a plan to bring her life down to Jade’s level. Come to find out the grass is not always greener on the other side.
…
Bella lives a rich easy life while Jade is piling on the debt. Jade has seen her other side and it looks better than her current life. Now she’s questioning her life wondering who she’d be if she had lived a different way. Jade didn’t get good grades in school nor did she get a degree. Her career choices are limited. She needs to find ways to turn her life around and become more productive.
…
Boland brought the twin story back from its typical storyline of switching places into something extraordinary. I applaud Boland for creating this concept. While I appreciate the effort to create a unique experience the story didn’t move at a pace that warranted my undivided attention.
…
The Other Twin is about Bella being targeted for the sole purpose of being wealthy while Jade’s slumming it up in debt. Jade craves her lifestyle and claims it’s unjust that her life wasn’t this good so she concocts a plan to bring her life down to Jade’s level. Come to find out the grass is not always greener on the other side.
September 8, 2026
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for gifting me a copy! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a quick, bingeable thriller that escalated pretty quickly once things started falling into place. I liked the idea of realizing that maybe the life you’ve been living isn’t quite what you thought it was and that maybe you got gypped out of something along the way.
There were some good twists and turns that I both did and didn’t see coming, which I appreciated. It kept things unpredictable enough to keep me interested without feeling overly complicated.
Overall, this felt like your standard solid thriller. Nothing especially remarkable or groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it for what it was. There was actually quite a bit packed into such a short book, and it made for a fast, entertaining read.
This was a quick, bingeable thriller that escalated pretty quickly once things started falling into place. I liked the idea of realizing that maybe the life you’ve been living isn’t quite what you thought it was and that maybe you got gypped out of something along the way.
There were some good twists and turns that I both did and didn’t see coming, which I appreciated. It kept things unpredictable enough to keep me interested without feeling overly complicated.
Overall, this felt like your standard solid thriller. Nothing especially remarkable or groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it for what it was. There was actually quite a bit packed into such a short book, and it made for a fast, entertaining read.
August 28, 2026
An enjoyable read with. Told from the POV of the main characters and flashbacks that lead us to the storyline. Lots of twists and turns that just kept you guessing all the
Way through ! Ending with a great twist !!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Way through ! Ending with a great twist !!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 13, 2026
2 ⭐️ - This one felt a tad predictable to me! We follow the POVs of twins who don’t really know the other exists until well they do! And one is willing to go to extreme lengths to have the life of her twin but obviously chaos ensues! Parts of it had more interested than others but if you’re an avid thriller reader I think you can guess what is going to happen.
July 24, 2026
This author always writes fast paced thrillers. I was immediately hooked on the premise of this one and it delivered. I found the chapters short and easy to fly through.
July 17, 2026
the ending redeemed itself but this book gave me anxiety
September 11, 2026
BOOK REVIEW — THE OTHER TWIN
Title: The Other Twin by Shalini Boland
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Star Rating: 4
Vibe Check: came for the long-lost twin drama, stayed for stolen lives, psychological manipulation, and the uncomfortable realization that having your exact face is apparently a very useful weapon.
Twins separated at birth.
One has everything.
One has nothing.
And one of them believes the other stole the life she was supposed to have.
That is already a recipe for disaster.
Bella has the dream house, successful business, perfect boyfriend, and seemingly perfect life.
Jade is struggling to survive just a few miles away.
But Jade knows the truth.
Or at least, she believes she does.
And she wants Bella's life.
Not just pieces of it.
All of it.
So she starts infiltrating her sister's world.
And slowly, the perfect life begins cracking.
I really enjoyed the psychological element of this.
There is something inherently creepy about someone watching your life from the outside and deciding that they deserve it more than you do.
And when that person is your twin?
Even worse.
Because how do you protect yourself from someone who looks exactly like you?
The identity element gives the story a really interesting edge.
You aren't just dealing with a stranger trying to destroy you.
You're dealing with someone who shares your face and knows exactly where to push.
I also liked the contrast between the sisters.
Their lives have gone in completely different directions, but their shared history keeps pulling them toward each other.
Tropes included: separated twins, stolen identity, psychological thriller, obsession, sibling rivalry, secret pasts, cat-and-mouse games, revenge, and unreliable perceptions.
Did they deliver?
Yes.
This was a deliciously dark psychological setup, and I enjoyed watching the tension build.
There were a few moments where I wanted the pacing to move faster, but overall it kept me interested.
Petty Complaint: Having a twin is already complicated enough.
I do not need mine showing up and deciding she wants my house, my boyfriend, my career, and apparently my entire personality.
No thank you.
Overall, The Other Twin is a dark psychological thriller with a great central premise and plenty of tension surrounding identity, jealousy, resentment, and revenge.
Four stars.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, especially if you love psychological thrillers involving family secrets, obsession, stolen identities, and people who are absolutely not coping well.
Title: The Other Twin by Shalini Boland
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Star Rating: 4
Vibe Check: came for the long-lost twin drama, stayed for stolen lives, psychological manipulation, and the uncomfortable realization that having your exact face is apparently a very useful weapon.
Twins separated at birth.
One has everything.
One has nothing.
And one of them believes the other stole the life she was supposed to have.
That is already a recipe for disaster.
Bella has the dream house, successful business, perfect boyfriend, and seemingly perfect life.
Jade is struggling to survive just a few miles away.
But Jade knows the truth.
Or at least, she believes she does.
And she wants Bella's life.
Not just pieces of it.
All of it.
So she starts infiltrating her sister's world.
And slowly, the perfect life begins cracking.
I really enjoyed the psychological element of this.
There is something inherently creepy about someone watching your life from the outside and deciding that they deserve it more than you do.
And when that person is your twin?
Even worse.
Because how do you protect yourself from someone who looks exactly like you?
The identity element gives the story a really interesting edge.
You aren't just dealing with a stranger trying to destroy you.
You're dealing with someone who shares your face and knows exactly where to push.
I also liked the contrast between the sisters.
Their lives have gone in completely different directions, but their shared history keeps pulling them toward each other.
Tropes included: separated twins, stolen identity, psychological thriller, obsession, sibling rivalry, secret pasts, cat-and-mouse games, revenge, and unreliable perceptions.
Did they deliver?
Yes.
This was a deliciously dark psychological setup, and I enjoyed watching the tension build.
There were a few moments where I wanted the pacing to move faster, but overall it kept me interested.
Petty Complaint: Having a twin is already complicated enough.
I do not need mine showing up and deciding she wants my house, my boyfriend, my career, and apparently my entire personality.
No thank you.
Overall, The Other Twin is a dark psychological thriller with a great central premise and plenty of tension surrounding identity, jealousy, resentment, and revenge.
Four stars.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, especially if you love psychological thrillers involving family secrets, obsession, stolen identities, and people who are absolutely not coping well.
September 21, 2026
Great Concept, Unhinged Execution
The Other Twin by Shalini Boland has overall fantastic reviews, but after finishing it, I am honestly struggling to see why. This was a classic case of a great premise completely ruined by questionable, unbelievable execution.
The story follows Jade, a struggling bartender with a spending habit, who makes the shocking discovery that she has a twin sister, Bella, who was separated from her at birth. Unlike Jade, Bella seemingly has it all: money, a blooming business, loving parents, and a great boyfriend.
While the setup is classic thriller material, my issues began immediately with how the narrative was handled. We spend most of our time in Jade's head, and her reaction to finding out about Bella is utterly unhinged. She initially tries to reinvent herself to get her own life together, which is a reasonable decision but, surprisingly, fails. So what is her logical next step? To secretly insert herself into her sister's life and actively destroy it just to "level the playing field" (her words not mine)! From there, Bella’s perspective fades into the background, and Jade ultimately decides to take over her sister’s entire existence. It’s completely absurd and lacks any grounding in reality.
Beyond the nonsensical character motivations, the pacing and structure were a mess. The book alternates between long stretches where nothing happens and sudden, jarring time jumps of weeks or months with zero context. Subplots are introduced with build-up, only to fall completely flat and disappear without resolution.
Without giving away spoilers, the ending is rushed to put it mildly and outright unrealistic to put it bluntly.
This book could have been a solid psychological thriller, but the irrational decisions, dropped storylines, and sloppy pacing completely ruined it for me. Given all the rave reviews, maybe it’s just a "me" problem—but if you prefer thrillers with believable character logic and smooth pacing, you might want to skip this one!
The Other Twin by Shalini Boland has overall fantastic reviews, but after finishing it, I am honestly struggling to see why. This was a classic case of a great premise completely ruined by questionable, unbelievable execution.
The story follows Jade, a struggling bartender with a spending habit, who makes the shocking discovery that she has a twin sister, Bella, who was separated from her at birth. Unlike Jade, Bella seemingly has it all: money, a blooming business, loving parents, and a great boyfriend.
While the setup is classic thriller material, my issues began immediately with how the narrative was handled. We spend most of our time in Jade's head, and her reaction to finding out about Bella is utterly unhinged. She initially tries to reinvent herself to get her own life together, which is a reasonable decision but, surprisingly, fails. So what is her logical next step? To secretly insert herself into her sister's life and actively destroy it just to "level the playing field" (her words not mine)! From there, Bella’s perspective fades into the background, and Jade ultimately decides to take over her sister’s entire existence. It’s completely absurd and lacks any grounding in reality.
Beyond the nonsensical character motivations, the pacing and structure were a mess. The book alternates between long stretches where nothing happens and sudden, jarring time jumps of weeks or months with zero context. Subplots are introduced with build-up, only to fall completely flat and disappear without resolution.
Without giving away spoilers, the ending is rushed to put it mildly and outright unrealistic to put it bluntly.
This book could have been a solid psychological thriller, but the irrational decisions, dropped storylines, and sloppy pacing completely ruined it for me. Given all the rave reviews, maybe it’s just a "me" problem—but if you prefer thrillers with believable character logic and smooth pacing, you might want to skip this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Drowning in debt and desperate for a fresh start, Jade discovers Bella, the twin she never knew existed. But Bella’s perfect, privileged life sparks a dangerous obsession, leading Jade down a path of deception, revenge, and identity theft.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
Katie Villa narrates a lot of Shalini Boland’s audiobooks - she’s new to me and I actually didn’t realize how many books Boland has written.
She’s a very good narrator with the ability to perform a range of accents. Her performance kept me immersed and definitely added more personality and depth to the sisters.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
So although the twin separated at birth premise isn’t especially original, I enjoyed the descent into unhinged territory - it certainly didn’t go where I thought it would.
There’s a long, slow build-up, taking its time to get to the thriller part (around 40%), but once it gets going, things unravel fast.
It’s a small cast with alternating POVs from Jade and Bella. I liked knowing more than they did, judging their decisions and often disliking one or both! It’s all pretty far-fetched, but this isn’t your next gritty or deeply emotional read. Think British melodrama with twists and tea (literal and figurative).
The epilogue gave me whiplash, and I had to go back to check I hadn’t missed anything! But I actually really enjoyed the ending and was genuinely surprised by how everything was resolved.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This would make such a fun holiday / vacation read - it’s one of those books you can pick up, throw in a beach bag and enjoy whilst sipping a cheeky spritzer 🏖️🍹
Thank you Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Katie Villa
📖 Release 07•15•26 | 238 pages | 7h 41m
Drowning in debt and desperate for a fresh start, Jade discovers Bella, the twin she never knew existed. But Bella’s perfect, privileged life sparks a dangerous obsession, leading Jade down a path of deception, revenge, and identity theft.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
Katie Villa narrates a lot of Shalini Boland’s audiobooks - she’s new to me and I actually didn’t realize how many books Boland has written.
She’s a very good narrator with the ability to perform a range of accents. Her performance kept me immersed and definitely added more personality and depth to the sisters.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
So although the twin separated at birth premise isn’t especially original, I enjoyed the descent into unhinged territory - it certainly didn’t go where I thought it would.
There’s a long, slow build-up, taking its time to get to the thriller part (around 40%), but once it gets going, things unravel fast.
It’s a small cast with alternating POVs from Jade and Bella. I liked knowing more than they did, judging their decisions and often disliking one or both! It’s all pretty far-fetched, but this isn’t your next gritty or deeply emotional read. Think British melodrama with twists and tea (literal and figurative).
The epilogue gave me whiplash, and I had to go back to check I hadn’t missed anything! But I actually really enjoyed the ending and was genuinely surprised by how everything was resolved.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This would make such a fun holiday / vacation read - it’s one of those books you can pick up, throw in a beach bag and enjoy whilst sipping a cheeky spritzer 🏖️🍹
Thank you Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Katie Villa
📖 Release 07•15•26 | 238 pages | 7h 41m
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such an enjoyable read. Its nicely paced and easy to get through. I do wish we'd of got more of Bellas side of the story and known more about her life. I feel really bad for Zac and I feel like hes so sweet and would probably help Jade after everything. From the start theres so many questions and thoughts your mind races through because you just cant figure out what exactly is happening with all the possibilities. I liked getting Nicola and Penni's backstory, it helped with the story and figuring out how they got here. Bella and Jade are very similar but at the same time have led very different lives; they both feel out of place which could stem from birth and their opposite personalities are mirrored by their mothers which could suggest the argument of their personality differences being nature or nurture. Jade's feelings develop very quickly out of nowhere and she jumps to these plans very suddenly which adds to the tense thriller aspect as how it could escelate this quick. I like the contrast of Jade starting to feel like shes getting it all together while Bella feels like everything's falling apart and they have no idea about whats going on in the others lives they just see the outside. There's alot of unexpected twists especially towards the end where you cant tell if its all actually happening and Jade really needed to do more research. I like the hints we get along the way and the suspicions we get from people around them. Even in the last pages theres still space for a twist. I liked the ending and how it worked out for the characters involved. I wish we'd of got a little more from Reece on what he thought towards the end and maybe some more from Nicola and Penni as they both have a wariness to them.
July 15, 2026
Jade and Bella are twins, separated at birth and living completely different lives, Jade lives with her mum struggling to make ends meet at the end of each week while Bella has it all; the dream house, a successful business and a rich boyfriend and neither of the girls knows that the other exists until Jade spots a woman that looks exactly like her own mother, who then has to reveal the secret she’s been keeping for nearly thirty years. But Jade isn’t happy with just knowing the truth, she believes she’s entitled to the life that Bella has and she’s going to claim it for herself…
The Other Twin is the latest domestic thriller by Boland, told from the perspectives of both Jade and Bella in alternate chapters, we learn of how these girls were kept in the dark the whole of their lives by their mums Nicola and Penni. Jade has always felt something was missing from her life but she never expected it to be anything as huge as a twin sister! Once she learns of Bella’s existence her emotions go into overdrive and deciding that she’s been cheated out of an easier life she is determined to do anything to make Bella’s life hers, which leads her down a rabbit hole of reckless behaviour. This is a fast paced, dark and compelling read with many twists and turns that will stop you in your tracks as you uncover each one, each twist more shocking than the last and, just when you think the author can’t surprise you any more than she has, she throws in that final curveball that brings the story to a very satisfactory ending. Another fabulous read from one of my go to authors whose stories always have me gripped.
I’d like to thank the author, Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
The Other Twin is the latest domestic thriller by Boland, told from the perspectives of both Jade and Bella in alternate chapters, we learn of how these girls were kept in the dark the whole of their lives by their mums Nicola and Penni. Jade has always felt something was missing from her life but she never expected it to be anything as huge as a twin sister! Once she learns of Bella’s existence her emotions go into overdrive and deciding that she’s been cheated out of an easier life she is determined to do anything to make Bella’s life hers, which leads her down a rabbit hole of reckless behaviour. This is a fast paced, dark and compelling read with many twists and turns that will stop you in your tracks as you uncover each one, each twist more shocking than the last and, just when you think the author can’t surprise you any more than she has, she throws in that final curveball that brings the story to a very satisfactory ending. Another fabulous read from one of my go to authors whose stories always have me gripped.
I’d like to thank the author, Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Other Twin, is a psychological thriller by Shalini Boland. This is a quick read that deals with identity theft and revenge that asks the question: How do you defend yourself from a predator who shares your own face?
The story centres on a twist of fate where identical twins are separated at birth. Bella is the sister who lives a privileged life complete with a dream house, a thriving business, and the seemingly perfect boyfriend. Her sister Jade lives just a few miles away, she exists in an extreme world to Bella, constantly struggling to make rent and watching her sister’s advantaged existence from afar through with bitter resentment.
Jade feels that Bella isn’t just lucky, but a thief. She believes Bella stole a future that should have been shared, and she decides it is finally time to claim what she deserves. Jade begins to slip into her sister’s perfect world like a poison. The suspense builds as Bella’s life begins to breakdown. Strange incidents occur at her business and cracks appear in her home life. How can she protect herself from a lethal threat when she doesn’t know it exists.
This is a quick read, fast paced with a creeping feeling of dread and the calculated scheming of a woman determined to erase her sister’s existence. Jade doesn’t just want her sisters wealth but Bella’s identity. This was an entertaining read that pushes my belief to the limits.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The story centres on a twist of fate where identical twins are separated at birth. Bella is the sister who lives a privileged life complete with a dream house, a thriving business, and the seemingly perfect boyfriend. Her sister Jade lives just a few miles away, she exists in an extreme world to Bella, constantly struggling to make rent and watching her sister’s advantaged existence from afar through with bitter resentment.
Jade feels that Bella isn’t just lucky, but a thief. She believes Bella stole a future that should have been shared, and she decides it is finally time to claim what she deserves. Jade begins to slip into her sister’s perfect world like a poison. The suspense builds as Bella’s life begins to breakdown. Strange incidents occur at her business and cracks appear in her home life. How can she protect herself from a lethal threat when she doesn’t know it exists.
This is a quick read, fast paced with a creeping feeling of dread and the calculated scheming of a woman determined to erase her sister’s existence. Jade doesn’t just want her sisters wealth but Bella’s identity. This was an entertaining read that pushes my belief to the limits.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Other Twin is a dark, addictive psychological thriller that takes the classic twin‑swap premise and sharpens it into something far more unsettling. From the first chapter, there’s a simmering sense of injustice—one twin raised in privilege, the other left to struggle just miles away—and that imbalance becomes the spark for a slow, methodical unraveling.
Bella’s life looks perfect from the outside: the house, the business, the boyfriend, the glossy sheen of someone who’s always had a safety net. But Jade has watched that life from the shadows, convinced it was stolen from her, convinced she deserves it more. Her decision to infiltrate Bella’s world is chilling precisely because it’s so calculated, so patient, so intimate.
As Jade edges closer, the cracks begin to show. Strange incidents, shifting loyalties, a creeping paranoia that Bella can’t quite name. The tension builds beautifully as the reader sees both sides of the game—one sister desperate to claim the life she believes is hers, the other oblivious to the danger wearing her own face.
When their cat‑and‑mouse spiral finally explodes, the story becomes a sharp exploration of identity, entitlement, and the terrifying lengths people will go to protect the version of their life they believe they deserve.
Dark, twisty, and deliciously tense, The Other Twin is a gripping read for fans of K.L. Slater and Gillian Flynn—full of psychological bite and the kind of dread that keeps you turning pages long into the night.
With thanks to Shaliani Boland, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Bella’s life looks perfect from the outside: the house, the business, the boyfriend, the glossy sheen of someone who’s always had a safety net. But Jade has watched that life from the shadows, convinced it was stolen from her, convinced she deserves it more. Her decision to infiltrate Bella’s world is chilling precisely because it’s so calculated, so patient, so intimate.
As Jade edges closer, the cracks begin to show. Strange incidents, shifting loyalties, a creeping paranoia that Bella can’t quite name. The tension builds beautifully as the reader sees both sides of the game—one sister desperate to claim the life she believes is hers, the other oblivious to the danger wearing her own face.
When their cat‑and‑mouse spiral finally explodes, the story becomes a sharp exploration of identity, entitlement, and the terrifying lengths people will go to protect the version of their life they believe they deserve.
Dark, twisty, and deliciously tense, The Other Twin is a gripping read for fans of K.L. Slater and Gillian Flynn—full of psychological bite and the kind of dread that keeps you turning pages long into the night.
With thanks to Shaliani Boland, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Shalini Boland, and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC.
This book unfortunately didn't have a lot of twists for me, but I adore Shalini Boland's storytelling. With elements of Single White Female, when Jade learns of a secret twin, she's determined to work her way into her life. Jade grew up poor, uneducated, and working in bars to make ends meet while living with her mother. Bella was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a loving family who recently handed over the massive real estate company that has allowed them to afford the best in life. The problem is both sisters are keeping secrets, and it's a race to the end for who will come out on top.
Wow! I took about 15-20% to get into this book, but then I couldn't put it down. I didn't care for the backstory and flashbacks as much as I liked the higher stakes that both Bella and Jade were dealing with. I wasn't surprised by really any of the twists, but I still couldn't put it down. I still felt anxiety for what would happen next, and I couldn't decide who I was rooting for. Do I go for Jade, who has gotten the short end of her stick her whole life, or do I hope that Bella comes out on top the way she always has. Secrets, secrets, and secrets make this story feel like I'm watching a tv thriller evolve. I'm a huge fan of Shalini Boland, and I will continue to pick up her books. I'm only giving this book 4 stars due to the slow start and the fact that I figured out the twists too early, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!
#NetGalley #TheOtherTwin
This book unfortunately didn't have a lot of twists for me, but I adore Shalini Boland's storytelling. With elements of Single White Female, when Jade learns of a secret twin, she's determined to work her way into her life. Jade grew up poor, uneducated, and working in bars to make ends meet while living with her mother. Bella was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a loving family who recently handed over the massive real estate company that has allowed them to afford the best in life. The problem is both sisters are keeping secrets, and it's a race to the end for who will come out on top.
Wow! I took about 15-20% to get into this book, but then I couldn't put it down. I didn't care for the backstory and flashbacks as much as I liked the higher stakes that both Bella and Jade were dealing with. I wasn't surprised by really any of the twists, but I still couldn't put it down. I still felt anxiety for what would happen next, and I couldn't decide who I was rooting for. Do I go for Jade, who has gotten the short end of her stick her whole life, or do I hope that Bella comes out on top the way she always has. Secrets, secrets, and secrets make this story feel like I'm watching a tv thriller evolve. I'm a huge fan of Shalini Boland, and I will continue to pick up her books. I'm only giving this book 4 stars due to the slow start and the fact that I figured out the twists too early, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!
#NetGalley #TheOtherTwin
August 26, 2026

I usually really enjoy Shalini Boland's books. I like her writing, they're easy to get into, and I know there is almost always a clever twist coming. The Other Twin delivers on that front too, and there is some rather satisfying karma at the end.
But this one wasn't my favourite.
The basic premise irritated me because I just didn't find the behaviour of the sisters particularly believable. One twin can't have children and asks her sister to be her surrogate. Her sister becomes pregnant with twins, but decides she wants to keep one of the babies herself.
And the response? Her twin is so furious that she can't have both babies that she cuts her sister out of her life completely. They make sure she is financially provided for, but otherwise sever ties.
I struggled with that. I can absolutely understand the hurt, anger and sense of betrayal, but permanently cutting off your twin sister, and therefore one of the twin babies, felt extreme and rather too convenient for the plot.
Then the sister moves to the same general area, yet somehow their lives barely cross until the girls are older. Again, I found myself thinking, Really?
Perhaps that was ultimately my problem with this book. I could see the machinery required to make the plot work rather than simply believing in the story.
The main character also grated on me, although, to be fair, there aren't exactly many people here competing for Human Being of the Year. They're a fairly despicable bunch.
Not one of my favourite Shalini Boland books.
I usually really enjoy Shalini Boland's books. I like her writing, they're easy to get into, and I know there is almost always a clever twist coming. The Other Twin delivers on that front too, and there is some rather satisfying karma at the end.
But this one wasn't my favourite.
The basic premise irritated me because I just didn't find the behaviour of the sisters particularly believable. One twin can't have children and asks her sister to be her surrogate. Her sister becomes pregnant with twins, but decides she wants to keep one of the babies herself.
And the response? Her twin is so furious that she can't have both babies that she cuts her sister out of her life completely. They make sure she is financially provided for, but otherwise sever ties.
I struggled with that. I can absolutely understand the hurt, anger and sense of betrayal, but permanently cutting off your twin sister, and therefore one of the twin babies, felt extreme and rather too convenient for the plot.
Then the sister moves to the same general area, yet somehow their lives barely cross until the girls are older. Again, I found myself thinking, Really?
Perhaps that was ultimately my problem with this book. I could see the machinery required to make the plot work rather than simply believing in the story.
The main character also grated on me, although, to be fair, there aren't exactly many people here competing for Human Being of the Year. They're a fairly despicable bunch.
Not one of my favourite Shalini Boland books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was so excited to see a new release coming by an author that I've read and enjoyed so much over the last couple of years.
This book was slightly different to my previous reads, in that it was a slower paced read which built in layers and tension the more the story developed.
Although not my usual fast paced read, I was no less gripped by this and I was completely invested in both Bella and Jade's stories.
I loved that we followed this through a dual pov, seeing both Jade's and Bella's lives in real time. But we also see Bella's life through Jade's eyes for most of the book and this is where we learn more about the past and the contrast between the two girls' lifestyles.
Jade definitely made some dubious decisions and although I could see why she was choosing this path, it didn't really make me sympathise with her.
As much as I did sympathise with Bella, I don't think that she was without her flaws either, but at least her decisions felt more acceptable in a way.
I definitely had a feeling that things might go horribly wrong in the end for Jade, but I definitely didn't see the final twists coming.
I especially loved the setting - living close to Southampton myself, all the locations were very recognisable and I was smiling the whole way through Jade's shopping trip to West Quay, having been in that exact location just the day before.
This was a clever storyline and a brilliant quick read another easy 5* for me.
This book was slightly different to my previous reads, in that it was a slower paced read which built in layers and tension the more the story developed.
Although not my usual fast paced read, I was no less gripped by this and I was completely invested in both Bella and Jade's stories.
I loved that we followed this through a dual pov, seeing both Jade's and Bella's lives in real time. But we also see Bella's life through Jade's eyes for most of the book and this is where we learn more about the past and the contrast between the two girls' lifestyles.
Jade definitely made some dubious decisions and although I could see why she was choosing this path, it didn't really make me sympathise with her.
As much as I did sympathise with Bella, I don't think that she was without her flaws either, but at least her decisions felt more acceptable in a way.
I definitely had a feeling that things might go horribly wrong in the end for Jade, but I definitely didn't see the final twists coming.
I especially loved the setting - living close to Southampton myself, all the locations were very recognisable and I was smiling the whole way through Jade's shopping trip to West Quay, having been in that exact location just the day before.
This was a clever storyline and a brilliant quick read another easy 5* for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jade lives with her mother, sleeps on the couch, works in a pub, the same one as her mother, barely makes ends meet and wishes for a better life. One day, she sees her mother with a man she doesn't recognize, dressed up and in a fancy vehicle, but when she questions her mother later, her mother denies it's her. Then Jade sees her another time, and this time she follows her to find out that there's a girl that looks just like her also. She questions her mother more to find that she has a twin sister and that her mother also has a twin sister. Instead, of just trying to meet her sister and get to know her, Jade schemes to replace her twin sister and to have the life her twin sister has because her sister has had all the luxuries of life. Jade goes to extremes to take over and become her twin sister. While Bella's life looks grand from the outside, she too is also having struggles in her life, all is not perfect.
I thought this was a good solid thriller, The story is told from two points of view, Jade and her twin sister Bella and I did rather like how it all ended up, let's just say this is a story of irony. I found the story interesting and entertaining and I will be looking to read more books by the author.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing/Thomas and Mercer for the complimentary copy of the story.
I thought this was a good solid thriller, The story is told from two points of view, Jade and her twin sister Bella and I did rather like how it all ended up, let's just say this is a story of irony. I found the story interesting and entertaining and I will be looking to read more books by the author.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing/Thomas and Mercer for the complimentary copy of the story.
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