This book kept me fully engaged never really sure what exactly was happening. The end surprised me. I do think at times it got a little confusing but overall a good read!

Woah! Whatt way to kick of Spooky Season!

Twins are lowkey weird, tbh.

Excellent!

This book fulfills Tennessee in a self reading challenge of a book taking place in every US State or territory (11/56).

"Ever since that night, twin sisters Cassie and Lenora have been inseparable. As the sole permanent residents of Cabin Two, their refuge on an isolated Tennessee campground, they manage to stay away from prying eyes, probing questions, and true crime junkies. Just the two of them, Cassie and Lenora against the world. The peace and quiet is almost enough to make them forget what happened all those years ago. Almost."

Marlee Bush’s "When She Was Me" is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, but falls short of being a standout in the genre. With an intriguing premise and a setting that enhances the story’s tension, this three-star read offers a mix of suspense, character study, and a somewhat contrived conclusion.

The novel follows twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, who live in seclusion at a Tennessee campground. The peace they’ve carved out for themselves is disrupted when a teenage girl goes missing from a neighboring cabin, dredging up memories and suspicions from their shared past. The narrative delves into the sisters' complex relationship and their attempts to piece together the truth before it’s too late.

Bush excels in creating an atmospheric and fast-paced story. The isolated, claustrophobic wilderness setting amplifies the sense of dread and unease that permeates the novel. The dual timelines and shifting points of view in each chapter keep the reader engaged, as the suspense builds and the secrets of the past slowly unravel.

However, the characterization leaves much to be desired. Lenora, with her trauma and obsessive tendencies, is difficult to sympathize with, while Cassie is only marginally more relatable. This lack of connection with the main characters can make it challenging for readers to fully invest in their story.

One of the novel’s strengths is the author’s ability to cast doubt and suspicion effectively. Bush keeps readers guessing about what really happened all those years ago and who might be responsible for the current crime. This element of uncertainty is well-maintained throughout the book, adding to its suspenseful nature.

Unfortunately, the ending feels somewhat disappointing. The resolution comes off as too "Scooby-Doo," with a neatly tied-up explanation that doesn’t quite match the organic buildup of suspense throughout the story. Instead of allowing the pieces to fall into place naturally, the conclusion is delivered in a way that feels overly orchestrated and less satisfying.

Despite its flaws, "When She Was Me" is still an entertaining read. It captures the reader’s attention with its eerie atmosphere and keeps them engaged with its twists and turns. While it may not be a standout in the psychological thriller genre, it offers enough intrigue and suspense to make it worth a read for fans of the genre.

There is no way to guess the twist with this one. It was totally different than what I expected. Many readers found this to be a slow read; but, I actually disagree and really enjoyed it.

Okay, I had to DNF this at around 50%, which is so sad because it’s an eARC kindly gifted by NetGalley/the author, and I hate requesting books and not finishing them.

The vibes in this are spot on, super spooky, and it really made me feel uneasy, more than anything I’ve read. But I found myself slipping into a reading slump and kept grabbing my phone instead of focusing on the book, which I never do if the book grabs me.

I really liked the premise: two twins stranded in a cabin in the forest because of their past, and then a murder happens... could it be related? But at 50% in, literally nothing has happened. We don’t know anything about their past; they just keep hinting but don’t reveal anything. I can already tell the plot twist is going to be the twins swapping places at some point, past or present, which would be kinda... predictable.

Cassie and Lenora have been inseparable ever since “that” night. As permanent residents of Cabin Two, they law low and stay below the radar. The solace that they experience almost allows them to forget what happened all those years ago, almost.

When a teenager goes missing at a neighboring cabin, the memories of that night come rushing back. As the crime becomes more recognizable, the twins know better than anyone that “happy” families can be anything but.

Cassie and Lenora must piece together the truth of what happened, and the truth lurking in their own pasts before it’s too late.

This was an interesting debut thriller with the twin trope front and center. Twins always fascinate me, and this book was no different, though notably Cassie and Lenora had very contrasting personalities. I found the pacing to be on the slow side, which was a struggle for me because I prefer my thrillers to have a faster pace. I did enjoy the past and present timeline, and how they came together in the end. I always enjoy it when books do this well, and that was the case here. In the end, I did find this book to be predictable, the twist wasn’t very twisty. I do think that this book was creepy, but not spooky and I did enjoy the setting. Books set in wooded areas are always favorites of mine. For a debut, I think that this was great, and I’m excited to see what the author comes out with next.

3.5 stars rounded to 4