An intriguing and fast paced read from start to finish. This is not your run of the mill “twin story”. Told in three voices, Green does the unreliable narrator quite well. A tale of deception and double crossings, this was a very good read!

The Good Twin is a thriller novel that takes a twist on the typical ‘twins separated at birth’ trope. It’s intriguing and will keep you on your toes as you read. Mallory and Charly couldn’t have come from more different lives if they tried, there are really only two things they have in common; their looks and their love of art. They didn’t know about each other for most of their lives, and the way they end up finding out is quite unique, even among the twin tales we’ve been told.
The Good Twin is a fun and fast paced thriller. You could easily finish it in a day or two, as it tells its story and doesn’t drag on any. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the novels focusing on the twins separate at birth thing, but this one actually ended up being pretty different from the rest, which I actually feel like is really saying something.
Mallory grew up with her mother (biological, for those that are curious). She never had much, and even now she’s waiting tables to pay her way through art school. She doesn’t have much of a family, as she never knew her father (or his side of the family at all), and her mother died just a few years ago (leaving her with no extended family on that side either). In short, she’s never had any money, and doesn’t have any family now.
Charly grew up with two wonderful and rich parents. She never found herself wanting, and on the whole was pretty okay with the fact that she was adopted. She’d never even felt compelled to look up her birth parents. Unfortunately things have been harder on her as of late; she’s running a new gallery, which takes quite a bit of work, and it’s starting to take a toll on her marriage.
Both of their lives change when Mallory hears about the woman that looks just like her. From there things spiral quickly out of control, with characters running through their lives manipulating their interactions and perspectives of each other. It isn’t exactly easy to form a relationship with your long lost sister when everyone and their mother is trying to prevent it (okay, slight exaggeration there).
This novel consistently flip flips back and forth, leaving you wondering which one is the ‘good twin’ mentioned in the cover, and which one is the implied ‘bad twin.’ Your perspectives, ideas, and assumptions will all be challenged during the course of this novel, and you’ll likely be very surprised by the ending.
I did feel that there were a few points that broke the immersion of this otherwise enjoyable read. One of the characters (I won’t say who, other than that they’re the antagonist) didn’t feel fully fleshed out, despite how much focus was given to them for the course of the novel. Other than having money as a motive they just felt too traditionally ‘villainous’ to fit into the real world.
I love reading a mystery or thriller and not being able to guess the ending; likewise though I want to be able to look back through the novel and see all the points leading up to the big reveal. While I didn’t guess the ending to the novel here (bonus points for that) I wasn’t able to see some of the points leading up to it, even though there should have been one or two fairly big points and indications (especially considering the perspective the story was being told from).
I love that Marti Green was able to take something so overdone and make something new from it. That is not an easy task, and I feel that they should get the appropriate credit for this feat. I haven’t read any of Marti Green’s other works, but it certainly looks like I’ve got a few interesting ones to pick from, should I choose to continue reading her work (which I think I will).

Mallory never knew she had a twin and when she does find out, it seems they have led two VERY different lives. Charly has everything while Mallory has had to work hard to get everything. When Ben comes to Mallory with a proposal to benefit them both, she heads down a dangerous road.

Honestly, you guys, this read like a Lifetime movie on crack! And I do NOT mean that in a bad way. I happen to have a soft spot for Lifetime movies - guilty pleasure level high! You really have to suspend a LOT of reality in this book. It runs fast, short chapters and is a bit over the top. The biggest reveal/twist was very easy to predict but yet I still found myself clapping my hands when it happened. Then it goes even further, culminating in a too neatly tied bow for my taste.

Placed in NYC and even parts in my neighborhood, Astoria, placed perfect visuals in my head. I think this is perfect for those who want that easy read and a book they can fly through. The decisions that are made and the swiftness in which they are made are jaw dropping. Again, the best way for me to describe it is to compare it to a Lifetime movie. Those who read a lot of thrillers will find this easily predictable. I do think it's quite the enjoyable read though. I liked the different perspectives and I did thoroughly enjoy one certain end for a character quite well 😉.

I loved this book and read it in one go. The writing is fast paced and the plot intriguing around the bond between the twin sisters. The ending was unexpected and kept me enthralled. I’ll definitely read more from this author in the future.

I read a review from someone who said this was a really good read. Curious, I checked it out, thinking I would read just a few pages. Well, 4 hours later, I just finished it and wow was this one good. I am always fascinated with twin stories, and this one was fantastic.

I enjoy psychological thrillers. In fact, it’s one of my favorite genres. Green’s latest is one of the best I’ve read this year. The book is full of twists and turns and an abundance of suspense, which made it difficult to put down (though I had to work at some point!). I enjoyed the fact that things are told from the perspective of each twin, as that gives the reader the full story. Each twin is well developed in their own right, and I appreciated the author showing us the backstory on both Mallory and Charly. The pace and plotting were perfect for active engagement. Just when I thought I had things figured out, I realized I was wrong … and that’s always a good thing with a book in this genre. I would have preferred it a bit more if there hadn’t been an epilogue. That wrapped things up a bit too neatly. Leaving that part out would have left the reader hanging with a bit of mystery, but in a positive way. Regardless, fans of psychological thrillers will want to add this one to their list.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

THE GOOD TWIN: REVIEW
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I decided to read this book because of its cover, what do they say don’t judge a book by its cover. The story wasn’t bad, but the characters were not relatable or likeable in any way.
Mallory Holcolm is a waitress who lives in a run down place when she learns that she was an identical twin sister named Charly her whole world changes. While their mother kept Mallory because she was two minutes older, she gave Charly up for adoption, she was adopted by very rich parents. She decides to meet her sister but when she arrives at her house Charly’s husband Ben is at home and he is more than happy to meet her. Ben tricks Mallory into thinking that Charly doesn’t want to see her. He offers to split Charly’s money if she agrees to kill Charly and act like her. Feeling like those ‘two minutes’ defined their lives and that Charly doesn’t deserve the money she had, Mallory decides to go through with it. But will Charly really die or will she find a way to escape?
Spoilers under here;
Mallory Holcolm is a character that you will either love or hate. And I hated her. She was unrelatable in a whole new level. Her argument about killing her sister was that she didn’t deserve the money she had. But she constantly talked about not caring about money and how money didn’t dictate her life, when it came down to taking all of Charly’s money and house she was okay with it and it wasn’t a problem anymore.
She decided to get her twin sister killed and be an imposter, but when Charly really killed Ben she talked about how she was a horrible person for killing someone when she was going to do the same thing a few months ago.
The novel had no sense of continuity it felt like lots of time was passing by in the chapters without ever addressing it. Lots of characters were cut off and then came back in the end of the story. Mallory talked about never falling in love and wanting to study art and be someone, but in the end she goes back to a man-Jake-she hardly knows and moves in with him and has a kid. Really? How long did she even know Jake? She goes away without a backward glance and Jake just accepts her?
There was a lot of internal monologue but not enough talking between the characters. And there was lots of going backward and forward, we saw the same things, times happen in both Charly and Mallory’s viewpoints.
I thought I would love Charly but when her chapter came I found myself skimming, she was a dry character there was nothing interesting about her.
Embarrassingly the most interesting character was Ben and he got annoying towards the end when he was constantly talking about getting even more money and how naive Mallory was. I didn’t like the way he died if Charly hadn’t killed him it would have been a better punishment for him.
The most interesting chapter was the bonding chapter between the twins or the first time they were born other than that everything was downhill.
In general I didn’t really enjoy the novel, I think it could have been better but potential was wasted. But this is just my opinion. Thanks for reading my review.

I read this book in a matter of two days and though I have some small issues with it, I cannot deny it is compulsively readable. Often I stay away from twin stories, because I feel the whole switcheroo business is a little old. That being said, I was drawn to this book when I read the summary and am glad I had a chance to read it. The writing is taut, the pace fast and the characters intriguing, though not one is likable. There were a few instance in the way the twins behaved which strained my credulity, but I can't really explain that here because I don't want to spoil it. These little issues aside, I enjoyed all the twists and double-crossing and though I guessed at the ending, I was never bored. Some readers might not like unreliable narrators, however I do, and they are done quite well here. I also liked that the story was told in three parts, even if the ending was a little rushed for me. I would recommend this as a summer read, because it is pure entertainment and a fast read.

Thanks to Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of The Good Twin in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance readers copy of The Good Twin, for my honest review.

This was a fast paced and suspenseful read, and it held my attention until the end. I didn't like the main character much though.

Twins, one with a great life and the other twin not as fortunate. 2 minutes can completely change your life. What would you do to have everything you want?

If you are looking for a fast past summer psychological suspense, check out ole Mallory and Ben. I give this book 3/5 🌟.

May be considered spoilers.
Thank you net galley for an early copy of THE GOOD TWIN.
The idea of a identical twin stealing the life of her sister is not new, heck Bette Davis did it twice A Stolen Life and Dead Ringer, I know these were movies but this read more like a movie not a bad movie but a movie never the less. I did enjoy it I just wish it dove more into each sister's history.

Right off- Ben is rotten. Really rotten. And you have to wonder about Mallory when she agrees to his plan with regard to her previously unknown twin Charley. It's hard to review this sort of novel because of spoilers but suffice it to say, this one has a fairly basic plot but enough twists and turns to make it an entertaining read. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This would be perfect for an airplane trip.

I love a good thriller and this book is full of deception, lies, and suspense. This book certainly defines a suspense thriller and the fascination and excitement to keep reading just so you can discover what happens is non-stop. There are certainly unpredictable, mysterious, and unlikable characters but they make this story fantastic. In fact, I may not like any of the characters but the character building and simplicity of the some the characters intrigued me enough that I could not put this book down. I can certainly see this book being transformed into a movie or some type of entertainment. It is hard to discuss this book without giving anything away so the best discussion I can have is that everyone needs to read this book! It is truly a book that is hard to put down. I love that this book is from three different points of views and certainly adds a different perspective to each character and adds another twist as you read! I enjoyed the epilogue at the end that leaves you pondering just like the rest of the book did! Great job Marti Green!

The Good Twin by Marti Green is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As well, a special thanks to Rebecca at Mindbuck Media for approaching me with a request to read and add my review to my blog.

My Synopsis:
Two identical twin girls. Mallory, kept by her mother, grows up poor. She is single, works as a waitress, but aspires to be an artist. Charly, given up for adoption, grows up in a wealthy family. She is married to Ben, owns her own art gallery, and has everything she could want. Neither is aware of the others existence. When Mallory discovers she has a twin sister, she is ecstatic. She always wanted a family. When she meets Charly’s husband, her hopes are dashed. Apparently her rich, uppity sister wants nothing to do with her. But Ben has a plan to make sure that Mallory gets what she wants…although he has his own motives. Mallory decides to go along with Ben’s plan, and that may be the worst decision of her life.

The book asks the questions. How far would you go for money? How far would you go for family?

My Opinions:
Told from both Mallory’s and Charly’s viewpoint, the story is one of greed, of family, of values. As far as I’m concerned, none of the main characters show any integrity or morals. I have a real problem with books where I cannot sympathize to some degree with the protagonist. I almost stopped reading at about 40% because I was so disgusted with Mallory. At 50% it turned around, and I felt great relief. Unfortunately, the direction changed again, and again, until I was left more annoyed than happy with the characters.

However, the writing style was good, the book is a fast read, and there are enough twists and turns to keep any reader interested. The plot more than made up for the characters being sleazy. Once I got to that 50% mark, it was almost impossible to put down.

3.75 stars

I would definitely like to read something else by this author.

Mallory and Charly, identical twins, who have never met. They grew up on opposite sides of the track. One was adopted and raised with unbelievable wealth, while the other grew up in poverty, with their birth mother. One day, through a twist of fate, one is mistaken for the other, and it is recommended to her that she go to her sister's gallery to see the woman she was mistaken for. She does, but doesn't go it to meet her twin. What would you do, if you suddenly found out that you had an identical twin sister? This story explores this question, as well as so many other questions in this psychological thriller with many twists in the story line. I liked it for the first half. This is when the story was told through the eyes of Mallory, the twin who grew up in poverty, and was working hard as a waitress when she was mistaken for her wealthy twin sister. Here most of the story is laid out for you, and you are given a good look at how Mallory comes to make the decisions she has, as the plot unfolds. We next here the story from Ben, Charly's husband, who has fallen out of love with his wife, and then finally, we hear from Charly herself. Each stage of the story gives you a little bit better of a view of what really happened. However, with each layer, the story gets a bit less believable, until the end where it was so hard to suspend my disbelief. Green writes an interesting tale, and you probably cannot guess what will happen. I certainly did not predict most of the story. I would have liked to be more able to read the story, not just with interest, but while throwing myself into it 150%. Regardless, it was a fun book to read with some originality that I applaud.

I was excited to have the opportunity to obtain an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley.

“From the age of five, I knew I was adopted. ’Chosen,’ my parents told me. The word was supposed to make me feel special, to take the sting away from the knowledge that, in order to be chosen, I had to first be given away. My parents loved me fiercely; I never doubted that. Yet, I grew up with the painful awareness that first, before I was loved, I was rejected. I suspect that’s why I’d always held back from forming close attachments with schoolmates. Part of me feared I’d be turned away again if someone got to know the true me—the unlovable me.”

After her boyfriend is killed during active duty and her mother kicks her out of the house, seventeen-year-old Sasha resolves to raise her unborn baby on her own. But instead of a single bouncing bundle of joy, Sasha gives birth to identical twins. Unable to afford one baby, let alone two, she gives the child who was born second up for adoption.

One child is brought up in poverty with a single parent who resents her, while the other is raised in the lap of luxury. An opportunity arrives for the one who grew up wanting to have her heart’s desire. All she has to do is to be party to a felony and step into the designer shoes of the sister she never knew.

THE GOOD TWIN is told using the first person points of view of Mallory and Charley, the twins. Charly’s husband’s point of view is given in third person. THE GOOD TWIN is a fast-paced read. The perspectives and motivations of the three main characters are well-shown. As the story progresses, a number of twists and turns keep the reader guessing. The story examines how money has the potential to corrupt and the importance of family. THE GOOD TWIN makes for an entertaining read.

Thank you to Mind Buck Media For the free Netgalley copy, in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

This was a good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I breezed through it, was such a fun and intriguing read. I loved all the back stabbing, and crisscrossing, and the greed! This book was full of drama and I soaked it up. I wanted to see How things go for Ben and Mallory. I definitely didn't want Mallory to be caught up in this vindictive plan. I was blind-sided quite a few times in this book, as well as the little tiny plot twists scattered through the book, I definitely had the feeling that no one was as they seemed, a book full of unreliable narrators. Which I just love.

This book is told in three parts, and alternating perspectives. Which was really done well. The writing was fluid, it grabs you, It made me want to know everything, and I had a hard time waiting. Luckily this is a rather short book, and once you get immersed in it, the answers come quickly. 

My only complaint is sometimes the writing came across as generic/cheesy I know that sounds kind of harsh, but there is just something about the way the author had the narrators talking and behaving sometimes. I can't exactly pinpoint it. Or really even articulate it. Maybe I just felt like their reactions were completely unrealistic?

This book keeps you in suspense. However, I had a love/hate relationship with the main character. I had a hard time rooting for any one character. But the author devised a good plot that keeps you guessing. Enjoyable read!

It's been a while, honestly, since I've picked up a thriller mystery. But the cover on this one captured my attention and I am glad it did.

Now I want to be straight with you from the beginning. This story isn't anything wildly unique. It's a mystery about two twins who, originally, don't know each other exist and a very disgruntled husband in the middle of it all.

But this book is entertaining. The Good Twin has writing which is fluid and really well paced. You don't feel out of breath as everything happens, but I also didn't feel it getting stale as the story went along.

I will give you a heads up. I personally found the first half of the book predictable-feeling. By that I mean, it felt predictable and pretty standard as far as thrillers go but there are some twists if you stick to it. Maybe the twists will appear predictable if you are a seasoned thriller reader, but for myself I was pleasantly surprised.

And it's not just the story that has some twists. The writing layout changes in a way I wasn't anticipating and I truly think it added to the twists in the story. Now don't worry, it's nothing too crazy, and it is so well that I applaud the author's decision.

While overall I found the characters a little flat, as I find typical of thrillers, if you love morally-grey characters I definitely recommend you check this one out. All three MCs have their own questions and values surrounding what is "right", what is deserved and what is owed to themselves and others involved.

All-in-all this was an entertaining read that I blew through really quickly.

Two minutes is all it takes to change the course of someone's life.

I definitely enjoyed this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat. I picked it up to read for 10 minutes before bed, and guess what happened? Yep, I ended up finishing the book two hours later.

Mallory is either a hit or miss character. She draws you in with her sad tale. The further you get into it, the more you realize nothing is as it seems. I didn't like Ben at all; there was nothing redeeming about him. Charly was an interesting character as well. An awful picture is painted about her, but just like Mallory, the further you get into it, the more you know. I would have really liked to see stronger characters. In many ways, they just fell flat for me.

The three characters told a suspenseful tale of twins and marriage. There were lies and deception at every turn, there was not a clear villain and no clear hero. You never know what is lurking behind closed doors.

Overall, this was a good thriller. I enjoyed certain aspects more than others, but it was definitely a page-turner. I had to see what happened next!

Serviceably compelling, Marti Noxon’s “The Good Twin” fits neatly within the wave of multi-perspective psychological thrillers following in the wake of “Gone Girl”. The premise - twins separated at birth, and the ramifications of this discovery a few decades later - makes for some interesting twists and turns, and holds the reader’s attention. But the characters remain relatively flat, so it is hard to feel attached to them or understand their unhinged behavior. The final third of the book contains several WTF moments that don’t make sense based on the previous plot. Definitely entertaining, but don’t look for too much depth here.