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Double Identity
Identical Twins and Secret Lives...with Deceit, Murder, and Revenge! A passionate star-crossed romance between charismatic French vintner Cecile Cardin and elusive billionaire art collector Paul Allenwerth leads to the birth of beautiful twins Gillian and Julianne, who are separated at the age of three during a mysterious divorce, and raised in completely different environments: Julianne absorbs the artsy bohemian life of a small French winery, and Gillian lives in lonely luxury in New York City. Cecile and Paul take their shocking secrets to their graves...but they also leave their daughters with great wealth, an empire to run, and a strongbox that reveals a legacy they could never have imagined. As Julianne and Gillian learn of their parents' past, and a family history steeped in unimaginable courage and tragedy, they must come to terms with the gifts and challenges that their parents have bequeathed to them, while making their way as independent women in the changing world of the 1970s. Only one twin will have the perfect life...but both will skyrocket through incredible journeys. Double Identity is a richly characterized, inventive thrill ride with plenty of suspense and romance!
502 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 5, 2017
Double Identity by Jaye C Blakemore
Started 25/7/17 finished 26/7/2017
A book with two Half’s, one good one bad.
Great storyline, started very well, except for a paragraph on page 24 being repeated on page 27. Well written characters. It was quite exciting at times, and gave me a few shocks! I loved the characters especially of Gillian and Julianne. The unfolding story of Paul Allenwerth and Cecile Cardin was excellent. The cooking of Francois was very descriptive you could almost taste it. Julianne and François made a lovely couple. The goodies were super goodies and the baddies were nasty baddies. I thought the writing style was excellent.
Warning Big Spoilers below:
I felt that the book should have finished around page 259. If I had read up to page 318 I would have given 5 stars without hesitation. Up until then the book is very good. From then on it goes downwards into unrealistic territory. Everything was thrown into the story. The ghosts in the cellar sub plot was a bit over the top and unnecessary. The S and M section with Michel was weird in the context of this book. How many times could Robert get into the property guarded by security? He was always a threat. Gillian and Juliana went to ridiculous lengths to stop Robert getting an extra two and a half million dollars. The prenuptial was for two and a half million, and Robert had agreed to settling for five million. Gillian sold one property to stop Robert getting into it, so why didn’t she sell the other property? The ending was unsatisfactory, I felt sorry for the two young boys left with no decent way to grieve their new step mother and then being stuck with a second step mother. Benny and David also left with no justice for Chloe or peace with being able to bury her. Robert was found guilty of murdering Gillian so why couldn’t he be found guilty of murdering Chloe?
Telling Robert at the end made a dramatic but totally unrealistic ending, he would have been screaming for his lawyers before she had left the prison. He was innocent of murdering Gillian. The differences between Gillian and Julianne were too great to do the twin thing. Julianne was 20 lbs lighter than Gillian due to illness and grief. Julianne was sun weathered being in France and outside all day, Gillian was pale being inside all day. The accents would have been different, separated at three years old, one lived in France and the other in America. The hair would have been different colours due to the bleaching of the sun. That’s without going into the two different personalities. Anyone who had met either Gillian or Julianne would have been able to know which twin was which. All Robert had to do was tell his lawyers “That woman is Gillian.”
What was going to happen to Michel CEO in New York, was Gillian going to leave him in charge? Even though he had upset all the staff by not giving them a bonus. Asking Sophie to do Dominix discipline when she said that she was uncomfortable doing it, just to keep him as a husband!? Discipline or divorce. He had been seeing another woman for 19 years, his “maitresse de discipline.” Though, he told his wife that he Never had sex with That woman. Michel may have never wanted sex but what about Paulette? she was in love with him, 19 years of sexual acts but never completing it?? Michel, a CEO in New York, letting himself be caught naked in the act just so he could return to Better Offices in France was ridiculous.
The time line was fluid.
It was the author’s first book, I think the editor should have cut sections out of the book. Having some beta readers and a decent editor may have solved errors. I think the author is capable of far better books than this one. The first half was excellent. The second half let down by poor editing. That’s why I have marked this book to 2 stars.
Started 25/7/17 finished 26/7/2017
A book with two Half’s, one good one bad.
Great storyline, started very well, except for a paragraph on page 24 being repeated on page 27. Well written characters. It was quite exciting at times, and gave me a few shocks! I loved the characters especially of Gillian and Julianne. The unfolding story of Paul Allenwerth and Cecile Cardin was excellent. The cooking of Francois was very descriptive you could almost taste it. Julianne and François made a lovely couple. The goodies were super goodies and the baddies were nasty baddies. I thought the writing style was excellent.
Warning Big Spoilers below:
I felt that the book should have finished around page 259. If I had read up to page 318 I would have given 5 stars without hesitation. Up until then the book is very good. From then on it goes downwards into unrealistic territory. Everything was thrown into the story. The ghosts in the cellar sub plot was a bit over the top and unnecessary. The S and M section with Michel was weird in the context of this book. How many times could Robert get into the property guarded by security? He was always a threat. Gillian and Juliana went to ridiculous lengths to stop Robert getting an extra two and a half million dollars. The prenuptial was for two and a half million, and Robert had agreed to settling for five million. Gillian sold one property to stop Robert getting into it, so why didn’t she sell the other property? The ending was unsatisfactory, I felt sorry for the two young boys left with no decent way to grieve their new step mother and then being stuck with a second step mother. Benny and David also left with no justice for Chloe or peace with being able to bury her. Robert was found guilty of murdering Gillian so why couldn’t he be found guilty of murdering Chloe?
Telling Robert at the end made a dramatic but totally unrealistic ending, he would have been screaming for his lawyers before she had left the prison. He was innocent of murdering Gillian. The differences between Gillian and Julianne were too great to do the twin thing. Julianne was 20 lbs lighter than Gillian due to illness and grief. Julianne was sun weathered being in France and outside all day, Gillian was pale being inside all day. The accents would have been different, separated at three years old, one lived in France and the other in America. The hair would have been different colours due to the bleaching of the sun. That’s without going into the two different personalities. Anyone who had met either Gillian or Julianne would have been able to know which twin was which. All Robert had to do was tell his lawyers “That woman is Gillian.”
What was going to happen to Michel CEO in New York, was Gillian going to leave him in charge? Even though he had upset all the staff by not giving them a bonus. Asking Sophie to do Dominix discipline when she said that she was uncomfortable doing it, just to keep him as a husband!? Discipline or divorce. He had been seeing another woman for 19 years, his “maitresse de discipline.” Though, he told his wife that he Never had sex with That woman. Michel may have never wanted sex but what about Paulette? she was in love with him, 19 years of sexual acts but never completing it?? Michel, a CEO in New York, letting himself be caught naked in the act just so he could return to Better Offices in France was ridiculous.
The time line was fluid.
It was the author’s first book, I think the editor should have cut sections out of the book. Having some beta readers and a decent editor may have solved errors. I think the author is capable of far better books than this one. The first half was excellent. The second half let down by poor editing. That’s why I have marked this book to 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2017
Out of the two sisters; I prefer Gillian Allenwerth-Hamilton. I like her assertive but empathetic ways. It's nice switching between the different worlds of the two sisters. I thought the ghost aspect was quite intriguing; and can't believe how deceptive people can be. There are one or two surprises in this novel. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2015
Whenever I review a book, I always like to start with the positives. Double Identity by Jaye C. Blakemore is a well planned, carefully constructed romance story with strong historical links to World War Two.
The plot—when I managed to ignore the glaring and often painfully obvious spelling, grammar, formatting and punctuation errors—was interesting and much deeper than one finds in most modern romance books. I became emotionally invested in the characters and it was only for this, and the obligation which I felt to review it, that I managed to finish the book.
The two leading ladies—twins who have led separate and entirely different lives—come together after the deaths of both of their parents. It is a sad reflection of reality that all too often a great tragedy is required to prompt people to engage with those who should be closest to them. Few things can be more crushing than losing both your parents within a relatively short space of time. This book captures that feeling well, and uses it to highlight the love these sisters share, regardless of having lived almost all of their lives apart.
There are several interesting twists to the plot. The first, the catalyst for the main story, is the discovery of a trove of secrets kept by their parents after the death of their father. These secrets carry the potential to change both sisters’ lives and allow them to look back on their parents in an entirely different light.
Coming together in the hopes of fully understanding these secrets, while simultaneously dealing with their own personal problems—diminishing health, and an unfaithful husband to name but two—the sisters become closer than ever.
A difficulty I found with this book was the similarity between the twins’ names; Gillian and Julianne. Despite the difference in initial, they are remarkably similar sounding—-a cruel thing for a parent to do to identical twins—especially when read aloud. Adding to this confusion is the change in point-of-view characters between chapters, with each sister telling her own side of the story.
Sadly, the text was riddled with glaring and often painfully obvious spelling, grammar, formatting and punctuation errors. Ordinarily I would not be put off by such things, but that they were so frequent and repeated the same mistakes, made parts of this book especially difficult to enjoy.
The proliferation of em dashes was distracting more than anything else and bordered dangerously close to frustrating. Rather than serving the text to illustrate a change of thought, or show added emphasis, it seemed in parts that the authour had not fully grasped the range of punctuation available to her. The sentences, broken up as they were, struggled to flow. This became especially apparent when read aloud. Here is an example, copied directly from the text of chapter nineteen:
I could hardly wait to tell Juli, but I hoped that Francois was looking after her today; it was my first day back in the office—and I had tons of work to get through before I could even consider leaving. The office felt so strange with my father gone. He had been a presence and I could not begin to fill his shoes—but I could get a smaller pair—and make the company my own…which it now technically was…but that didn’t quite feel accurate just yet. But until it did, I would fake it until it felt it.
Overall I feel that, with another round of thorough editing and beta readings, this book could well have scored a 4-star rating. The plot has everything this story needs, it is only let down by technical difficulties.
The plot—when I managed to ignore the glaring and often painfully obvious spelling, grammar, formatting and punctuation errors—was interesting and much deeper than one finds in most modern romance books. I became emotionally invested in the characters and it was only for this, and the obligation which I felt to review it, that I managed to finish the book.
The two leading ladies—twins who have led separate and entirely different lives—come together after the deaths of both of their parents. It is a sad reflection of reality that all too often a great tragedy is required to prompt people to engage with those who should be closest to them. Few things can be more crushing than losing both your parents within a relatively short space of time. This book captures that feeling well, and uses it to highlight the love these sisters share, regardless of having lived almost all of their lives apart.
There are several interesting twists to the plot. The first, the catalyst for the main story, is the discovery of a trove of secrets kept by their parents after the death of their father. These secrets carry the potential to change both sisters’ lives and allow them to look back on their parents in an entirely different light.
Coming together in the hopes of fully understanding these secrets, while simultaneously dealing with their own personal problems—diminishing health, and an unfaithful husband to name but two—the sisters become closer than ever.
A difficulty I found with this book was the similarity between the twins’ names; Gillian and Julianne. Despite the difference in initial, they are remarkably similar sounding—-a cruel thing for a parent to do to identical twins—especially when read aloud. Adding to this confusion is the change in point-of-view characters between chapters, with each sister telling her own side of the story.
Sadly, the text was riddled with glaring and often painfully obvious spelling, grammar, formatting and punctuation errors. Ordinarily I would not be put off by such things, but that they were so frequent and repeated the same mistakes, made parts of this book especially difficult to enjoy.
The proliferation of em dashes was distracting more than anything else and bordered dangerously close to frustrating. Rather than serving the text to illustrate a change of thought, or show added emphasis, it seemed in parts that the authour had not fully grasped the range of punctuation available to her. The sentences, broken up as they were, struggled to flow. This became especially apparent when read aloud. Here is an example, copied directly from the text of chapter nineteen:
I could hardly wait to tell Juli, but I hoped that Francois was looking after her today; it was my first day back in the office—and I had tons of work to get through before I could even consider leaving. The office felt so strange with my father gone. He had been a presence and I could not begin to fill his shoes—but I could get a smaller pair—and make the company my own…which it now technically was…but that didn’t quite feel accurate just yet. But until it did, I would fake it until it felt it.
Overall I feel that, with another round of thorough editing and beta readings, this book could well have scored a 4-star rating. The plot has everything this story needs, it is only let down by technical difficulties.
February 13, 2016
It’s the height of the 1970s and twin sisters Gillian and Julianne Allenwerth are brought together by the loss of their father. A remote and secretive man, Paul Allenwerth harbored many secrets until his death, as did his late wife, Cecile Cardin, a legendary wine-maker. As the sisters begin to unveil the secrets of their family, and embrace their familial legacy, they face personal troubles and triumphs, culminating in an exciting and touching climax.
I found myself getting into this book right away. I found the narration, which shifted by chapter between the two sisters, to be a comfortable way to enter their world. Their view of other characters, and watching how those views changed throughout the story, kept me turning pages. Character flaws were real, tangible and the “bad guys” were consistently, and resiliently, bad. I loved how Ms. Blakemore found ways to differentiate the twin as well. Gillian and Julianne are certainly individuals, with different personalities, taste in clothes, food, men… but the author didn’t go with tropes to accomplish this. She drew from character, and every aspect of their behavior, taste and such occurred naturally. Even the surprises (I won’t get specific and spoil it, but one gentleman had a proclivity that surprised me when it made its appearance) seemed natural and smoothly led me into the next part of the story.
Descriptions of interiors, in New York, Paris, Rheims and beyond, were colorful and evocative. I could see the fabrics, smell the scents of orange water, rose water, champagne and old wine barrels, office plants and dusty furniture covers. It was all there, adding so much to the way each sequence enveloped me as I read. And the descriptions of French food and delicious meals made me hungry… I’m getting a bit peckish recalling them now. ;)
Wine is an important part of the Allenwerth saga, and the great details supplied about fine wine, how it’s created, especially the non-grape aspects, was very interesting. The descriptions of other plants and elements that go into wine-making, including orange water and rose petals, make you look at and taste wine differently, and understand the importance of their mother’s legacy. In many ways, DOUBLE IDENTITY in its entirety is like a fine wine. Carefully crafted, with unique notes and flavors, it comes together in a delicious and palate-pleasing way, leaving you refreshed and wanting more.
DOUBLE IDENTITY reminded me very much of those classic “Movie of the Week” films that were big during the 70s and 80s. If I could choose a style of book to compare this to, I would have to say Danielle Steel’s saga-type novels. (Though, full disclosure, I’ve never actually read her novels… I’m basing my conclusion on what the film versions of these books were like.) Family drama, scandals, illness, romance, mystery, a little supernatural touch, and the promise of happiness… they are all here!
I found myself getting into this book right away. I found the narration, which shifted by chapter between the two sisters, to be a comfortable way to enter their world. Their view of other characters, and watching how those views changed throughout the story, kept me turning pages. Character flaws were real, tangible and the “bad guys” were consistently, and resiliently, bad. I loved how Ms. Blakemore found ways to differentiate the twin as well. Gillian and Julianne are certainly individuals, with different personalities, taste in clothes, food, men… but the author didn’t go with tropes to accomplish this. She drew from character, and every aspect of their behavior, taste and such occurred naturally. Even the surprises (I won’t get specific and spoil it, but one gentleman had a proclivity that surprised me when it made its appearance) seemed natural and smoothly led me into the next part of the story.
Descriptions of interiors, in New York, Paris, Rheims and beyond, were colorful and evocative. I could see the fabrics, smell the scents of orange water, rose water, champagne and old wine barrels, office plants and dusty furniture covers. It was all there, adding so much to the way each sequence enveloped me as I read. And the descriptions of French food and delicious meals made me hungry… I’m getting a bit peckish recalling them now. ;)
Wine is an important part of the Allenwerth saga, and the great details supplied about fine wine, how it’s created, especially the non-grape aspects, was very interesting. The descriptions of other plants and elements that go into wine-making, including orange water and rose petals, make you look at and taste wine differently, and understand the importance of their mother’s legacy. In many ways, DOUBLE IDENTITY in its entirety is like a fine wine. Carefully crafted, with unique notes and flavors, it comes together in a delicious and palate-pleasing way, leaving you refreshed and wanting more.
DOUBLE IDENTITY reminded me very much of those classic “Movie of the Week” films that were big during the 70s and 80s. If I could choose a style of book to compare this to, I would have to say Danielle Steel’s saga-type novels. (Though, full disclosure, I’ve never actually read her novels… I’m basing my conclusion on what the film versions of these books were like.) Family drama, scandals, illness, romance, mystery, a little supernatural touch, and the promise of happiness… they are all here!
August 14, 2015
Double Identity is the debut novel of Jaye C Blakemore. The story explores the life of twin sisters, Gillian and Julianne Allenwerth. A mysterious rift between their parents saw the girls separated when young. While Julianne remained with her mother in France living a relatively unglamorous life, Gillian was taken by her father and groomed for the corporate world. She married a self-absorbed gold digger and lived the highlife of the rich.
When Paul Allenworth dies he leaves Gillian a strongbox full of family secrets and mystery which serves as the catalyst in this intriguing tale.
What I liked about the book:
I enjoyed reading about Gillian’s life and found the ‘corporate talk’ when describing her father’s empire surprisingly interesting. I did not actually like Gillian that much and found her to be spoilt and entitled which of course she was. But, there was also a sadness to her – with all her wealth she had been unable to find a loving partner (being seduced by looks and charm instead of looking for a man of good character), and being generally lonely and removed from those around her.
I like that the book is written from both Gillian and Julianne’s POV as it enabled me to get to know each of them well.
The book is filled with mystery and intrigue and had quite a few twists and turns.
What I didn’t enjoy that much:
I did not like the strange turn the book took with the hauntings. It was as if I was plucked out of a contemporary mystery romance into a supernatural book – it didn’t fit, and for me, felt out of place in the story.
The ending was unexpected and I found myself wondering about it for days afterwards, not because of the way it unfolded (I liked that!), but because of the whole “with her spirit in you” thing. Creepy, strange and weird.
Final thoughts:
Setting aside the above niggles, I enjoyed this book. It was well written and held my interest up to the end. I read it very quickly, but then took some time to digest the twists and turns before I wrote the review. I look forward to reading more of this new author’s work.
STAR RATING: 4 Stars
Will also be posted on my blog:
https://jackiegmills.wordpress.com/
When Paul Allenworth dies he leaves Gillian a strongbox full of family secrets and mystery which serves as the catalyst in this intriguing tale.
What I liked about the book:
I enjoyed reading about Gillian’s life and found the ‘corporate talk’ when describing her father’s empire surprisingly interesting. I did not actually like Gillian that much and found her to be spoilt and entitled which of course she was. But, there was also a sadness to her – with all her wealth she had been unable to find a loving partner (being seduced by looks and charm instead of looking for a man of good character), and being generally lonely and removed from those around her.
I like that the book is written from both Gillian and Julianne’s POV as it enabled me to get to know each of them well.
The book is filled with mystery and intrigue and had quite a few twists and turns.
What I didn’t enjoy that much:
I did not like the strange turn the book took with the hauntings. It was as if I was plucked out of a contemporary mystery romance into a supernatural book – it didn’t fit, and for me, felt out of place in the story.
The ending was unexpected and I found myself wondering about it for days afterwards, not because of the way it unfolded (I liked that!), but because of the whole “with her spirit in you” thing. Creepy, strange and weird.
Final thoughts:
Setting aside the above niggles, I enjoyed this book. It was well written and held my interest up to the end. I read it very quickly, but then took some time to digest the twists and turns before I wrote the review. I look forward to reading more of this new author’s work.
STAR RATING: 4 Stars
Will also be posted on my blog:
https://jackiegmills.wordpress.com/
August 2, 2015
This novel is nothing like I had ever read. Double Identity has multiple genres in one package. This is a first read for me to read something that the author truly did not consider the consequences that could have occurred by such a mix and yet did a fantastic job putting together something so compelling. This is a must read but only read when you are off work the next day so you can read, read, read.
I especially enjoyed the dual dialogue of this compelling story being told by both sisters. The author Jaye C Blakemore did another bold move telling a story, told by both twins Julianne and Jillian, in order to understand you do have to read the chapter names. I love the name of the twins much like the story so many things in common and yet different.
Throughout the entire novel, I was kept on my toes, guessing and thinking I knew what was going to happen next and yet was pleasantly surprised at the twists and turns.
The author did toss a lot of the French culture and at first it caught me off guard with French language, but she managed to save herself by immediately explaining in English.
My favorite part of the book that once again I did not see coming…. This author had enough confidence on ending the book with two pages, yes two pages. The entire book she pulls you into the story and makes you feel as though you had been there and building such an extremely strong storyline I was able to visualize mentally what she was telling.
Now back to the last chapter, you will not see that one coming. The last chapter of this great read got right to the point said what she had to say and left me awe stricken.
This is the type of novel you see on the NY Times best sellers and yet it was her first from what I have been able to find on her.
I especially enjoyed the dual dialogue of this compelling story being told by both sisters. The author Jaye C Blakemore did another bold move telling a story, told by both twins Julianne and Jillian, in order to understand you do have to read the chapter names. I love the name of the twins much like the story so many things in common and yet different.
Throughout the entire novel, I was kept on my toes, guessing and thinking I knew what was going to happen next and yet was pleasantly surprised at the twists and turns.
The author did toss a lot of the French culture and at first it caught me off guard with French language, but she managed to save herself by immediately explaining in English.
My favorite part of the book that once again I did not see coming…. This author had enough confidence on ending the book with two pages, yes two pages. The entire book she pulls you into the story and makes you feel as though you had been there and building such an extremely strong storyline I was able to visualize mentally what she was telling.
Now back to the last chapter, you will not see that one coming. The last chapter of this great read got right to the point said what she had to say and left me awe stricken.
This is the type of novel you see on the NY Times best sellers and yet it was her first from what I have been able to find on her.
April 8, 2015
Your story is compelling and vibrant. You have brought your characters to life in such a manner that I feel as though I know them personally. You have a wonderful narrative voice that is powerful yet gentle, and I enjoy your writing style. It is always easy to tell when an author spends time with their writing. It is obvious that you have done a significant amount of planning and preparation in crafting your work. Throughout your story you do a nice job of keeping the reader engaged which is very important for the readership you seem to be reaching out to. You do a nice job of slowly making your way through your story with details and a certain voice that allows your reader to really interact with the characters (who are nicely developed and easy to identify with). So many authors rush through their stories without really developing them. To me, characterization, and the development of the relationship with ones fellows, is one of the most important elements of a memoir. Without good characterization a story is flat and lifeless. This is not the case with your work - you have crafted an excellent piece here. I especially enjoyed the French aspect, you’re writing has the ability to make one feel the spirit of the French lifestyle.
June 25, 2015
Blakemore blends romance very finely into the story – it doesn’t have all those uncomfortable and uninteresting tropes that romantic stories follow. She has a talent for centering the story on a focal point but somehow building up a very vivid scene around it, so to speak. There are layers of story taking place that are enjoyable and subtle, and that’s the kind of talented writing I really like.
She’s very good at making these two women – very different, but somehow similar – incredibly complex and human. It’s not just a “what if” story of intrigue and romance, but it places these two very real women in a situation and builds a really good story out of it. I think she’s coming out with another book and I’m putting it on my to-buy list. I like Blakemore’s work. This may be one of the genuine first times I’ve actually enjoyed the romance a writer has brought into the story.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a good intrigue and enjoys a little romance in there, too. ‘Cause, wow, good writing and great story, just everything a writer needs to hook readers in. Blakemore’s got a lot of talent, if she can make someone like me enjoy a novel with romance in it!
She’s very good at making these two women – very different, but somehow similar – incredibly complex and human. It’s not just a “what if” story of intrigue and romance, but it places these two very real women in a situation and builds a really good story out of it. I think she’s coming out with another book and I’m putting it on my to-buy list. I like Blakemore’s work. This may be one of the genuine first times I’ve actually enjoyed the romance a writer has brought into the story.
I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a good intrigue and enjoys a little romance in there, too. ‘Cause, wow, good writing and great story, just everything a writer needs to hook readers in. Blakemore’s got a lot of talent, if she can make someone like me enjoy a novel with romance in it!
August 2, 2015
Double Identity takes place in the 1970’s and spans from New York City to Paris, France. The story is told from two perspectives, the main characters, Julianne and Gillian. The characters in this novel are all very developed and had many dimensions. The plot is one that grabs the reader from the very beginning. There were so many plot twists I never knew what to expect. I was intrigued from the beginning to the end. Also, the author uses subtitles with each chapter so the reader knows whose point of view they are experiencing. I enjoyed reading this book. It was heartbreaking and thrilling at the same time. I cried and laughed with these characters. There were moments when I actually felt like I was in New York City or in the vineyards of Paris, France. The author’s descriptive imagery was truly amazing. This is a book that I could read over and over again.
October 21, 2015
DOUBLE IDENTITY is a one-sitting book, or at least you'll try to read it in one sitting (it is 318 pages long!). You won't want to put this one down. From page one, I was captivated!
Two twin girls, Julianne and Gillian, are separated at age three and eventually inherit a family fortune, along with a host of family secrets. Though twins, they have grown up differently and thus apply themselves differently to the world, and to the fortunes, and misfortunes, which await each.
Jaye C. Blakemore captures the times brilliantly—the 1970s. Her verse pulled me into the page and kept me there. Characterization is tremendous. I've read a lot of books lately, and this plot is truly unique. It's one of the best books I've read in recent years.
Two twin girls, Julianne and Gillian, are separated at age three and eventually inherit a family fortune, along with a host of family secrets. Though twins, they have grown up differently and thus apply themselves differently to the world, and to the fortunes, and misfortunes, which await each.
Jaye C. Blakemore captures the times brilliantly—the 1970s. Her verse pulled me into the page and kept me there. Characterization is tremendous. I've read a lot of books lately, and this plot is truly unique. It's one of the best books I've read in recent years.
January 15, 2016
I’ve just finished this book and what can I say: I still feel as if I were inside the story.
Blakemore shows great talent in crafting scenes and characters and I especially liked how well she wove romance, intrigue and two incredibly complex women together. Another thing that we all too often take for granted and only notice when we don’t have it, is her beautiful writing style.
I’d definitely recommend this book to readers who like exactly this kind of mixture.
Blakemore shows great talent in crafting scenes and characters and I especially liked how well she wove romance, intrigue and two incredibly complex women together. Another thing that we all too often take for granted and only notice when we don’t have it, is her beautiful writing style.
I’d definitely recommend this book to readers who like exactly this kind of mixture.
August 1, 2015
The book story line was wonderful, I enjoyed how the twins are so different and yet the same. I had seen several hash tags on twitter and once I read I was better able to understand how one book could be covered under so many genres. This book is outstanding, with a few spelling errors that I did not allow to stand in my way that it was the story I was after. I just hope there is a sequel.
February 17, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this story with the main characters being twins, growing up basically apart, reconnecting as adults. Their paths are full of happiness, sadness, danger, mystery, not to mention good food and wine. A few unexpected turns made this book a real page turner. Looking forward to more from this author!!
March 19, 2016
Double Identity is an intriguing book about two sisters and their dad's secret life. It is a great read and hope you like it as much as I did.
January 24, 2016
One of the tightest well written first novels I'v ever read.
April 13, 2017
A book about intrigue, love and loyalty
I loved this book. It's a very surprising story, mainly about a young billionaires heiress, Gillian Allenswerth, that discovery after her father's death some family secrets that could put in danger the firm she inherited from him. After her father died, she realises that her husband, Robert Hamilton, only married her in order to get her money, undertaking malicious deeds to accomplish his goal.
The book is written from the point of view of Gillian and her twin sister Julianne, who spent her life in France, while Gillian was raised by their father in New York. It is a very intriguing story and the events unfold in a surprising manner. The story captured me from the beginning to the end. It's written in a very ingenious manner, the characters are very well developed so it's almost as if the reader really gets to know them. The plot is very engaging, never losing tension all through the book.
The author shows lots of imagination in the development of the story. All in all, it's a very enjoyable read.
I loved this book. It's a very surprising story, mainly about a young billionaires heiress, Gillian Allenswerth, that discovery after her father's death some family secrets that could put in danger the firm she inherited from him. After her father died, she realises that her husband, Robert Hamilton, only married her in order to get her money, undertaking malicious deeds to accomplish his goal.
The book is written from the point of view of Gillian and her twin sister Julianne, who spent her life in France, while Gillian was raised by their father in New York. It is a very intriguing story and the events unfold in a surprising manner. The story captured me from the beginning to the end. It's written in a very ingenious manner, the characters are very well developed so it's almost as if the reader really gets to know them. The plot is very engaging, never losing tension all through the book.
The author shows lots of imagination in the development of the story. All in all, it's a very enjoyable read.
April 23, 2017
The book actually deserves a 3.5 star. Double Identity is full of plot twists and surprises, so it cannot be called boring at any point. The setting is historical and therefore interesting, the narrative is full of exquisite food descriptions that make you really hungry by the end, and characterisation is strong.
But the book is really long, and the story moves at an irregular pace - now calm, now full of action. Tied to this, time seems not to have been conveyed well - Robert has been under surveillance for 2 weeks but it only feels like 2 days. Sometimes months seem to pass in a few pages and sometimes a few hours aren't over in a few chapters.
Language-wise, present and past tenses seemed to slip away at times, leading to a few random present tense sentences every few chapters amid the usual narrative of past tense. Clearly, an editorial gaffe.
***spoilers ahead***
The presence of ghosts was what makes me bump off 1 star of the rating - I am not fond of the use of supernatural in a plot. I thought the ghosts were wholly unnecessary and the story could have worked as much without the various spirits.
At a personal level, I think it would have been better to just contrive Robert to suffer a fatal accident than the entire Allenworth personal and professional clan to have played underhand games to keep him at bay. After all, he's just a leech - a cocaine addicted leech at that.
But the book is really long, and the story moves at an irregular pace - now calm, now full of action. Tied to this, time seems not to have been conveyed well - Robert has been under surveillance for 2 weeks but it only feels like 2 days. Sometimes months seem to pass in a few pages and sometimes a few hours aren't over in a few chapters.
Language-wise, present and past tenses seemed to slip away at times, leading to a few random present tense sentences every few chapters amid the usual narrative of past tense. Clearly, an editorial gaffe.
***spoilers ahead***
The presence of ghosts was what makes me bump off 1 star of the rating - I am not fond of the use of supernatural in a plot. I thought the ghosts were wholly unnecessary and the story could have worked as much without the various spirits.
At a personal level, I think it would have been better to just contrive Robert to suffer a fatal accident than the entire Allenworth personal and professional clan to have played underhand games to keep him at bay. After all, he's just a leech - a cocaine addicted leech at that.
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