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Mirror Image
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Expected 1 Nov 26Award-winning author Lauren E. Rico’s intense psychological thriller plumbs the depths of trauma and identity in an emotional story about twin sisters set against the murky backdrop of the Everglades.
Dr. Jennifer Flores swore she’d never return to Miami—not after her mentor nearly destroyed her career and reputation to save his own. But when he asks the successful psychiatrist to consult on a high-profile case, she reluctantly agrees. This case echoes Jenn’s own twin-related trauma, and no one is better suited for the job.
Separated at birth, identical twins Mary Langston and Samantha Kinski met by chance in college five years ago. Today, they were found deep in the Florida Everglades, one barely alive and the other deceased. Jenn’s evaluation of survivor Mary’s mental status reveals more of the sisters’ extraordinary backstory. They experienced two vastly different While adopted Mary thrived in the lap of luxury, Sam faltered in the brutal foster system.
As Jenn digs deeper into the twins’ turbulent bond, a dark picture emerges. Psychological manipulation. Family secrets. Mistaken identity. And as she gets closer to uncovering the truth, she finally confronts her own devastating loss.
Dr. Jennifer Flores swore she’d never return to Miami—not after her mentor nearly destroyed her career and reputation to save his own. But when he asks the successful psychiatrist to consult on a high-profile case, she reluctantly agrees. This case echoes Jenn’s own twin-related trauma, and no one is better suited for the job.
Separated at birth, identical twins Mary Langston and Samantha Kinski met by chance in college five years ago. Today, they were found deep in the Florida Everglades, one barely alive and the other deceased. Jenn’s evaluation of survivor Mary’s mental status reveals more of the sisters’ extraordinary backstory. They experienced two vastly different While adopted Mary thrived in the lap of luxury, Sam faltered in the brutal foster system.
As Jenn digs deeper into the twins’ turbulent bond, a dark picture emerges. Psychological manipulation. Family secrets. Mistaken identity. And as she gets closer to uncovering the truth, she finally confronts her own devastating loss.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 1, 2026
About the author
Lauren E. Rico
15 books588 followersLibrarian Note: Also writes under the pen name L.E. Rico.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image is one of those psychological thrillers that slips under your skin from the first chapter, not because it’s loud or showy, but because it understands how identity, memory, and trauma can tangle together in ways that feel both intimate and unsettling. Lauren E. Rico builds her story on the fragile symmetry of twinhood, and the result is a slow‑burn, atmospheric unraveling that feels as humid and murky as the Everglades themselves.
Dr. Jennifer Flores is a compelling centre point — a woman who has spent years outrunning the wreckage of her past, only to be pulled back to Miami by the very mentor who once betrayed her. Her reluctance, her professionalism, and the quiet ache of her own twin‑related loss give the novel a steady emotional pulse. When she’s asked to evaluate Mary Langston, the surviving twin found in the swamp beside her dead sister, the case becomes less a consultation and more a mirror she’s forced to look into.
The twins’ story is the book’s dark heart. Rico draws a sharp, painful contrast between Mary’s privileged upbringing and Sam’s brutal path through the foster system, and the gulf between them becomes a kind of gravitational pull — love, resentment, longing, and identity all folding into one another. As Jenn pieces together their history, the novel leans into themes of psychological manipulation, fractured loyalty, and the dangerous ways family secrets can shape a life.
What elevates the story is how personal it becomes for Jenn. The deeper she goes, the more the case presses against her own buried grief, until the professional distance she tries to maintain begins to blur. The Everglades setting adds a wonderful sense of menace — a place where things sink, rot, and disappear, and where truth feels just as hard to retrieve.
Moody, layered, and emotionally charged, Mirror Image is a thoughtful psychological thriller that explores what happens when the past refuses to stay buried and when the person you’re most afraid to face is the one who looks back at you from the glass.
With thanks to Lauren E Rico, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Dr. Jennifer Flores is a compelling centre point — a woman who has spent years outrunning the wreckage of her past, only to be pulled back to Miami by the very mentor who once betrayed her. Her reluctance, her professionalism, and the quiet ache of her own twin‑related loss give the novel a steady emotional pulse. When she’s asked to evaluate Mary Langston, the surviving twin found in the swamp beside her dead sister, the case becomes less a consultation and more a mirror she’s forced to look into.
The twins’ story is the book’s dark heart. Rico draws a sharp, painful contrast between Mary’s privileged upbringing and Sam’s brutal path through the foster system, and the gulf between them becomes a kind of gravitational pull — love, resentment, longing, and identity all folding into one another. As Jenn pieces together their history, the novel leans into themes of psychological manipulation, fractured loyalty, and the dangerous ways family secrets can shape a life.
What elevates the story is how personal it becomes for Jenn. The deeper she goes, the more the case presses against her own buried grief, until the professional distance she tries to maintain begins to blur. The Everglades setting adds a wonderful sense of menace — a place where things sink, rot, and disappear, and where truth feels just as hard to retrieve.
Moody, layered, and emotionally charged, Mirror Image is a thoughtful psychological thriller that explores what happens when the past refuses to stay buried and when the person you’re most afraid to face is the one who looks back at you from the glass.
With thanks to Lauren E Rico, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you can suspend your disbelief for this story about twins separated at birth who discover each other’s existence upon enrolling at the same small college on the same day, in the same registration line, then you’ll have no problems reading this book. Otherwise, not so much. It’s told in multiple narratives and timeframes for both Mary and a consulting psychiatrist, Dr. Jenn Flores.
It’s been a few years since Mary and her long-lost twin, Samantha, became a viral news story, and they are once again thrust into the spotlight because they’ve been found barely alive in the Everglades. Mary barely survived, but Sam did not, and now Dr. Flores has been brought in to consult and help Mary remember what happened out there. Not only is she skilled as a psychiatrist, but she also lost a twin sister, and she believes Mary will be open to her assistance more than anyone else’s because of that.
But the bulk of the story is the background of Mary and Sam’s relationship and how it evolved over time, leading up to the incident in the Everglades. They hit it off as soon as they met, even though they were raised quite differently. Mary was adopted by a wealthy family with all the associated perks, while Sam was in foster care and group homes all the way until college. Sam isn’t good at hiding how resentful she is, especially when Mary’s parents make it clear that they don’t feel the same way about Sam as Mary does.
It’s not a mystery or thriller, even though it’s being marketed as such, which is irritating. It’s a very slow-burning story, and if you’re not super into siblings and twins and dysfunctional family relationships, etc., there’s not much else to keep you invested. But if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll appreciate how deeply emotional and bittersweet this story is.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
It’s been a few years since Mary and her long-lost twin, Samantha, became a viral news story, and they are once again thrust into the spotlight because they’ve been found barely alive in the Everglades. Mary barely survived, but Sam did not, and now Dr. Flores has been brought in to consult and help Mary remember what happened out there. Not only is she skilled as a psychiatrist, but she also lost a twin sister, and she believes Mary will be open to her assistance more than anyone else’s because of that.
But the bulk of the story is the background of Mary and Sam’s relationship and how it evolved over time, leading up to the incident in the Everglades. They hit it off as soon as they met, even though they were raised quite differently. Mary was adopted by a wealthy family with all the associated perks, while Sam was in foster care and group homes all the way until college. Sam isn’t good at hiding how resentful she is, especially when Mary’s parents make it clear that they don’t feel the same way about Sam as Mary does.
It’s not a mystery or thriller, even though it’s being marketed as such, which is irritating. It’s a very slow-burning story, and if you’re not super into siblings and twins and dysfunctional family relationships, etc., there’s not much else to keep you invested. But if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll appreciate how deeply emotional and bittersweet this story is.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
June 8, 2026
3.75 stars rounded up - what in The Parent Trap?
Mirror Image follows twin sisters who discover one another later in life, setting off a chain of family secrets and revelations. They even go to camp.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. The premise hooked me immediately, and even when I thought I had figured out one of the twists, the story ended up going in a different direction than I expected.
My biggest struggle was believability and pacing. I found myself having to suspend disbelief throughout the book, especially when it came to how quickly the twins connected and how fast some of the major family revelations unfolded.
That said, I was entertained from start to finish. I kept turning the pages, I cared about finding out what happened, and the story surprised me more than once.
Overall, this wasn’t a perfect thriller for me, but it was a unique and engaging read that kept my attention the entire time.
Mirror Image follows twin sisters who discover one another later in life, setting off a chain of family secrets and revelations. They even go to camp.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. The premise hooked me immediately, and even when I thought I had figured out one of the twists, the story ended up going in a different direction than I expected.
My biggest struggle was believability and pacing. I found myself having to suspend disbelief throughout the book, especially when it came to how quickly the twins connected and how fast some of the major family revelations unfolded.
That said, I was entertained from start to finish. I kept turning the pages, I cared about finding out what happened, and the story surprised me more than once.
Overall, this wasn’t a perfect thriller for me, but it was a unique and engaging read that kept my attention the entire time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
The twins Mary and Sam were separated at birth and reunited at university.
Years later, following an accident in the Everglades, Dr Jennifer Flores is tasked with treating Mary, the surviving twin.
Jenn hasn’t been back to Florida for a long time, and now she’s going to have to face the people who drove her away from there, whilst trying to treat her patient and uncover what she’s hiding.
Across two timelines, we gradually piece together the events and the somewhat unhinged relationship that develops between the sisters. Beneath the surface, of course, there are many more incidents that are slowly revealed.
A twisted and emotional psychological thriller that is well worth reading
The twins Mary and Sam were separated at birth and reunited at university.
Years later, following an accident in the Everglades, Dr Jennifer Flores is tasked with treating Mary, the surviving twin.
Jenn hasn’t been back to Florida for a long time, and now she’s going to have to face the people who drove her away from there, whilst trying to treat her patient and uncover what she’s hiding.
Across two timelines, we gradually piece together the events and the somewhat unhinged relationship that develops between the sisters. Beneath the surface, of course, there are many more incidents that are slowly revealed.
A twisted and emotional psychological thriller that is well worth reading
June 28, 2026
📖 Mirror Image by Lauren E. Rico
⭐️⭐️
This book covers a wide range of topics that may be triggering for some readers, so I’d definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up. It explores themes such as family, love, friendship, mental health, and much more.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. While there were a few unexpected twists that kept things interesting, I never really managed to connect with the story the way I had hoped. The narrative switches between three different timelines, which I found quite confusing. If it had only been two, I probably would have found it much easier to follow.
That being said, the writing itself was well done, it simply came down to personal preference. Sadly, I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story.
⭐️⭐️
This book covers a wide range of topics that may be triggering for some readers, so I’d definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up. It explores themes such as family, love, friendship, mental health, and much more.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. While there were a few unexpected twists that kept things interesting, I never really managed to connect with the story the way I had hoped. The narrative switches between three different timelines, which I found quite confusing. If it had only been two, I probably would have found it much easier to follow.
That being said, the writing itself was well done, it simply came down to personal preference. Sadly, I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story.
Read
July 5, 2026*I received an ARC for a review
Keep pulling the string- Mary and Sam learn, while going through the ID registration line at their college, that they are twins who had been separated at birth and didn't know about each other.
Mary grew up with parents who are very well, not having to worry about money. Whereas Sam struggled her entire life going from foster home to foster home.
But Mary and Sam aren't the only Twins you will learn about in this book. There is Jenn, who is brought in to help Mary and she is a twin as well.
There are so many twists and turns in this book you won't want to put this book down. Pre-order this book now!
Keep pulling the string- Mary and Sam learn, while going through the ID registration line at their college, that they are twins who had been separated at birth and didn't know about each other.
Mary grew up with parents who are very well, not having to worry about money. Whereas Sam struggled her entire life going from foster home to foster home.
But Mary and Sam aren't the only Twins you will learn about in this book. There is Jenn, who is brought in to help Mary and she is a twin as well.
There are so many twists and turns in this book you won't want to put this book down. Pre-order this book now!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the eARC.
This is an excellent book, featuring2 sets of twins, past and present, and the traumas they endured for different reasons. One is a renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Flores, who's called on to help a traumatized girl, who has lost her sister.
This is a complex psychological thriller, featuring a scary and unscrupulous doctor Jennifer comes up against (again) and a great twist at the end.
It's really good, hard to put down and very well written, I loved it!
This is an excellent book, featuring2 sets of twins, past and present, and the traumas they endured for different reasons. One is a renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Flores, who's called on to help a traumatized girl, who has lost her sister.
This is a complex psychological thriller, featuring a scary and unscrupulous doctor Jennifer comes up against (again) and a great twist at the end.
It's really good, hard to put down and very well written, I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fantastic emotional thriller with a setting as murky and atmospheric as the story itself. The story revolves around identical twins reunited as teens, and explores concepts such as nature vs. nurture, identity, grief and trauma. Author Rico does an excellent job of describing the vast, complex emotional landscape of identity, and the primeval bond between twins. Good pacing and great characterization. Loved how the setting of the wilderness and the Everglades mirrored the inner landscape of the twins. Highly recommend! #mirrorimage #laurenerico #netgalley #goodreads
July 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel.
3.5 rounded up. I really enjoy Lauren E. Rico’s writing. There is an additional layer that takes the story deeper than you’d think. This one is more a traditional thriller than the other I read from her. There were several areas where I had to suspend disbelief which is what lowered my rating a little but overall still a great read.
June 1, 2026
This book reveals numerous things. Dr. Jennifer Flores has to return to Miami years after a tragic event nearly ruined her career. Mary and Sam are identical twins separated from birth. They reunited while in college. After a tragic event, Jenn has to dig deeper into the twins. The book reveals the dark secrets and the bond between Mary and Sam.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I could not put this book down!
I was drawn in by the multiple POVs as well as the multiple timelines. Thw author kept me captivated and guessing the entire time. The way it all played out at the end, with the twist was amazing.
5/5 stars!!!
I was drawn in by the multiple POVs as well as the multiple timelines. Thw author kept me captivated and guessing the entire time. The way it all played out at the end, with the twist was amazing.
5/5 stars!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Picked this as a read now option on netgalley because I was in a reading slump and wow. I ate this up. Run to netgalley and read this nowwwwww!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The prologue is in no rush. It drops you into a stretch of Everglades called the Nightmare; humid, thick with canopy, strangely quiet for all the wildlife.
Then Rico pulls you in close. Jenn, a psychiatrist, is asked back to the place she did her residency to consult on a case. The patient, Mary, has recently lost her twin sister. Jenn lost a twin of her own years earlier, which makes her an obvious fit and a complicated one. The book alternates between Jenn and Mary across past and present. Multiple voices and timelines usually feel like work to me. Not here.
The deeper we get into Jenn and Mary's histories, the more complicated the picture becomes. New information rarely settles a question so much as replaces it with another one. I stayed curious about where it was headed, even when the growing number of coincidences started to strain credibility. How much that bothers you will probably come down to preference. By the end I wasn't convinced by every turn, but I read the whole thing in essentially one sitting.
#MirrorImage #NetGalley
Lauren E. Rico
Mirror Image
Then Rico pulls you in close. Jenn, a psychiatrist, is asked back to the place she did her residency to consult on a case. The patient, Mary, has recently lost her twin sister. Jenn lost a twin of her own years earlier, which makes her an obvious fit and a complicated one. The book alternates between Jenn and Mary across past and present. Multiple voices and timelines usually feel like work to me. Not here.
The deeper we get into Jenn and Mary's histories, the more complicated the picture becomes. New information rarely settles a question so much as replaces it with another one. I stayed curious about where it was headed, even when the growing number of coincidences started to strain credibility. How much that bothers you will probably come down to preference. By the end I wasn't convinced by every turn, but I read the whole thing in essentially one sitting.
#MirrorImage #NetGalley
Lauren E. Rico
Mirror Image
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews