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maggi__'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bella613's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really liked this one!
Great writing and interesting characters. The author does a good job moving between timelines and the narrator is amazing. A lot of other reviewers mention that it's slow for a thriller but I listened to the audiobook on 4x so that definitely wasn't a problem for me. It felt like it was simple enough to be a super fast read but complex enough to keep me interested.
Great writing and interesting characters. The author does a good job moving between timelines and the narrator is amazing. A lot of other reviewers mention that it's slow for a thriller but I listened to the audiobook on 4x so that definitely wasn't a problem for me. It felt like it was simple enough to be a super fast read but complex enough to keep me interested.
marym2215's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Twin sisters Cassie and Lenora have been inseparable since one fateful night years ago. As the only permanent residents of Cabin Two at an isolated Tennessee campground, they’ve been able to hide from their past by creating a refuge away from inquisitive minds and investigative questions. But, their serene existence is shattered when a teenage girl, Tilly, from a neighboring cabin goes missing, dredging up long-buried memories. As the mystery of what happened to Tilly starts to mirror their own dark past, each sister beings to suspect the other of hiding crucial secrets. In the vast wilderness but with nowhere to escape to, Cassie and Lenora must uncover the truth of what happened and confront the sinister reality lurking in their history before it’s too late.
I was fully prepared to give this story three stars until I got to the last 10% of the book. There were many aspects of this novel that I really enjoyed. The writing is haunting and beautiful, the story is intriguing, and the author’s ability to flow between the past and the present is seamless. The ending has a twist that I most definitely did not see coming and felt was very well done, hence the extra star. The only reason I struggled with this book was because I personally felt like the pacing was far too slow. While I really did like the plot, setting, and characters, I have a very difficult time remaining interested when I feel that the pacing could be faster. So, with that personal preference aside, I would highly recommend this book if you want an intriguing story with a well written twist at the end.
Thank you to Poisoned Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of When She Was Me in return for my honest review.
I was fully prepared to give this story three stars until I got to the last 10% of the book. There were many aspects of this novel that I really enjoyed. The writing is haunting and beautiful, the story is intriguing, and the author’s ability to flow between the past and the present is seamless. The ending has a twist that I most definitely did not see coming and felt was very well done, hence the extra star. The only reason I struggled with this book was because I personally felt like the pacing was far too slow. While I really did like the plot, setting, and characters, I have a very difficult time remaining interested when I feel that the pacing could be faster. So, with that personal preference aside, I would highly recommend this book if you want an intriguing story with a well written twist at the end.
Thank you to Poisoned Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of When She Was Me in return for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying
korenajo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s not a bad read but I prefer fast-paced thrillers so this one was a bit challenging for me to finished. But I keep on reading because I wanted to know the answer to a bunch of questions that I had while I was reading this.
The pacing was slow and some parts felt repetitive like how Lenora and Cassie keep fighting back and forth throughout the story.
I felt confused sometimes about where this story is going and who to trust but it all made sense in the last few chapters where all the pieces comes together and the secrets are all out in the open.
The plot twist was totally unexpected and my mind was blown because it's a very smart twist that I didn't think of.
Overall, for a debut novel it wasn’t bad, I like the creepy secluded atmosphere of living at a cabin in the middle of the wood PLUS the plot twist was totally mind blowing!
I’ll give this author another try if the author releases another book in the future.
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Bullying
lisalovesmissmarple's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! This one had my head spinning. This is the story of two twin sisters, many murders, fires, and undying love. Sounds unpredictable? You would be correct. Told from the pov of both sisters, and also past and present, this one kept me guessing. I couldn’t figure out which sister I could trust, or if I couldn’t trust either one. And I never saw the ending coming. Great debut novel by Marlee Bush. 4⭐️ Thank you @marleebushwriter, @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for this eARC
battysbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tinabonita's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
witchy_woo_13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Big thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing a copy of this book! It kept me deliciously confused until the big reveal. The web of mystery had me pushing through, trying to untangle it. With unreliable narrators, it was hard to know who to trust. Is Lenora so mentally unwell that she could commit murder? Is Cassie just as bad as her sister? Whose story are we glimpsing in the past—the twins'? Nothing is as it seems, and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Highly recommend giving it a go!