Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of I'll Be You.

I've read books by this author before and they've always been either hit or miss but the premise of this was pretty interesting so I was pleased when my request was approved.

I'm a sucker for novels based around sibling relationships since I'm the oldest and I have a pretty good relationship with my younger sister.

I'll Be You is about identical twins who survived the travails as child B-list TV stars only to find themselves still struggling as adults.

The twins have stopped speaking after Sam's destructive behavior ripped their relationship apart. But, their parents ask Sam for help when Elli disappears to a retreat and they need assistance with Ellie's adopted daughter, Charlotte.

Soon, Sam realizes Elli's radio silence is not what it seems, nor is Charlotte who she is supposed to be. Sam soon realizes she must fall back into a role she was born to play; her sister, Elli.

I have friends who are twins, though fraternal so they never did the identity swap but I enjoyed Sam and Elli's bond as twins and sisters, how Sam struggled with her sobriety and finally got her act together after a terrible falling out with Elli.

I liked reading about how Elli becomes involved with the cult; her personality and personal life make her an easy target and when the narrative turns to Elli's POV, it was clear what was happening to her though she refused to admit how deep she was in.

There were some hard to suspend disbelief moments but I was able to let it go mostly because I liked Sam and Elli and hoped they would find their way back to each other again.

There is very little suspense minus the part about Charlotte's parentage; this isn't a mystery but more about the bond between sisters, admitting your fears and faults and taking steps to recover your identity and yourself.

This book was hard for me to rate. I didn’t dislike the story but I didn’t love the story. Overall it was a solid 3 stars

This story is about twins and goes back and forth in time from their childhood as child stars to their current very messy adult lives.

Overall it was good read. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a digital ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own

Janelle Brown upped her game with I'LL BE YOU. Don't get me wrong--I loved her other books, too. But this book is at a whole different level.

Brown takes the reader on a journey from two different twins' points of view, twisting and turning, showing us how their lives intersect and yank apart abruptly. The story centers around child actors, whose lives take on a whole new pathway as they become stars. But one of them loves it--Sam, and one of them doesn't--Ellie. Years later, separated and no longer speaking to one another, Ellie disappears, possibly to have joined a cult, and Sam, good sister that she is (and owing Ellie so much in helping her deal with her addictions), commits to finding out what happened to her.

Usually, I don't enjoy books that include a child as a main part of the plot, at least not thrillers--but this book is perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about it. The child was integral to the plot and yet never once truly in danger (not a spoiler), which I as a mother so appreciate.

This book gets five HUGE stars from me. Auto-buy! Can't wait for her next one.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Janelle Brown is an incredibly talented writer and continues to prove it in "I'll Be You".

So interesting to see how the lives of each twin was so different and how two people who look exactly alike could have nothing in common.

Reading Sam's point of view was great, but I found Eli to be more intriguing and was obsessed with learning more about her retreat and her daughter. Incredible twists and will definitely keep you on your toes!

Total 5 Stars!

I absolutely loved this book! It was extremely well written, totally engaging, a bit suspenseful, the plot points are all really well thought out and make sense, and although the subject matter isn't meant to be amusing, there are some clever turns of phrases that kept me amused. Both of the main characters, identical twin sisters and former television stars, have their issues--Sam is a recovering addict and Elli has been taken in by a cult--but they are quite likeable and I enjoyed each character's part of the book. The surprise at the end of part one is especially intriguing and the explanation for it in part two is believable and well done. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an e-ARC of this book. I highly recommend it!

I recommend. Keep me engaged and interested, thank you for the advance chance to read this. I’ve already told family and friends about it

This is my fourth read by Janelle Brown, and it did not disappoint! I'll Be You is centered around identical twins, Sam and Ellie. After finding fame and struggles as childhood actors, they continue to struggle as adults with others and each other. The story switches points of view between the sisters and also between the past and present. Sam struggles with addiction and Ellie finds herself deeply involved in a women's self-help group that isn't what it initially appeared to be. Without giving too much away, we watch the sisters try to find a way back to each other. I enjoyed the story and recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!








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A book about identical twin sisters switching places? Been done a thousand times, right? I thought so until I got into this one. The author takes that idea and gives it a completely original twist! I really felt like I was reading a completely original story even though certain elements have been used many times over.

I really enjoyed following Sam on her journey. Meeting Elli and hearing her voice deeper into the novel. That twist with Charlotte completely surprised me and from that point on, I read deep into the night to see where this would go. I wished I got to see a little more of what awaited Dr Cindy! That jerk.

A gripping story about sisterhood and self discovery, forgiveness and acceptance. I really enjoyed it. This one is going on my “you gotta read this!” recommendation list.

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I continue to be impressed with her work. She creates such deep and realistic characters that you begin to feel like you know them personally.

Sam was my favorite twin. She was honest with herself, flawed and funny. Despite messing her life up as a teen/ early adult, like so many child stars (and regular people to be fair), she was not beyond redemption and I kept rooting for her to get/keep herself together. Especially because this time, it's her sister that seems to be in danger and Sam is the only one who sees it. Maybe it's twin intuition... maybe their mom is turning the same blind eye as always. But Elli has come to Sam's rescue so many times, and now she needs help.

Sam has to navigate though a world she hasn't been a part of for a long time, interpret her sister's cryptic text and find out if she does in fact need saving. No problem right? Did I mention her mom asked her to take of her niece too? A niece she only now heard about.

This was fun and enjoyable. I would have loved a little more from the ending. I would also classify this as more mystery than thriller.

I will keep this out of my review as I don't write spoilers, but them simply walking out of the cult was a little anticlimactic. IMHO, Someone should have gotten hit in the head with a pipe.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advanced review copy! I devoured this in 2 days!

My review will be on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookstagram @Books_beaches_and_tea

OH MY GOD. Ok - Pretty Little Thing was my first Janelle Brown book. I'll Be You is my second and holy crap I couldn't put it down. First off - this needs to become a limited TV series starring the Olsen twins. Just putting that out there. EVERY SINGLE TWIST, and I mean EVERY TWIST, was beyond from each prediction I thought would be the next plot. Janelle Brown seriously shocked me with every turn. I want to re-read this as if for the first time to be honest.

JANELLE BROWN DOES IT AGAIN! I am addicted to everything Janelle Brown writes. Immediately put it on my TBR and let me read because I am in love with her writing and stories. I cannot get enough.

An atypical Hollywood child-star gone bad tale of redemption and rescue. Taking a familiar trope of the way Hollywood spits out hits and churns through vulnerable people, we see how two sisters swim through the sordid world of child stars. I often wondered how the parents of these child stars end up out of the picture, and this book offers plausible explanations.
Still, I'll Be You, is more than a tale of what happens in the after life of childhood television star fame. It is a tale of finding your way back.

Hmm I am sure most twins have said. … ...I’ll be you and you be me!
I have worked in education for more than 30 years~ every teacher I know can tell you a story about twins!!
I actually thought this was going to be ‘take’ on the “The Olsen Twins” ~ Mary Kay and Ashley Olsen.
I am sure many readers remember when they both played the same role in the sitcom “Full House. Then later got to play twins in “Two of a Kind”.
This totally got my attention at first. However, to me the whole cult thing has been overdone so I wasn’t as vested in the later part of the story.
This is my third Janell Brown~ I loved "Pretty Girls" but wasn’t a big fan of “Watch Me Disappear.
I went into this with a 50% assurance that I would like it. Hmm not as great as I had hoped ~ didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either.

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 26, 2022

I'll be you is the story of identical twins who have drifted apart over the years. They were child actors so there is Hollywood, drug and alcohol abuse and then a cult. Sam is the wild child and Elli is the one who follows all the rules and aims for a "normal" life in adulthood.

Their parents who don't feel that they can depend on Sam end up calling her when Elli goes to a retreat and doesn't come back home after the weekend.

Told in different times and from both girls POV's, the mystery of what happened to Elli was a compelling and kept me reading! Highly recommend, now I have to check out Janelle Brown's other books.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Usually, books about siblings don’t excite me- I have strong only child syndrome. Yet, Brown’s book was pretty captivating. Sam and Elli are former child actors: one is a mess, one is responsible... until they aren’t. This book has switching identities, some faux gossip, and a NXIVM- like cult thrown in for good measure. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

I just finished reading the book "I'll be You", by Janelle Brown. I would like to thank NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying that twins fasinate me. It must be awesome to have your carbon copy in this world with whom you can secretly commnicate, and at times, change places. Not alot of people can do that. Oh the fun you would have, but then again your identity is forever linked and it must be hard to maintain a separate identity.
That is generally what this book is about. Two twins trying to find their own identity while also supporting each other. Trying to accept differences and similarities between each other, and ultimately, helping each other through difficult times while accepting these similarities and differences.
This book also touches on cults and how they prey on innocent women who are feeling lost and alone.
The twins are former TV stars whose adult life isn't what they hoped it would be and when one of the sisters "disappears" the other is left to pick up the pieces and find out what happened.
I enjoyed the book. It was full of drama and intrigue which the author played out very well. The characters were likeable and rootable and I wanted them both to be happy and healthy. The intrigue and suspense focussed around the sister's past dynamic and their present issues. It was well written and easy to read and follow.
I like that the story was written from both sister's perspectives. I also like that the story didn't deviate into unecessary story telling or sub-plots. It stayed on task throughout. The author did an excellent job of creating a fascinating back story which made the sisters more appealing and interesting.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. It was dramatic, exciting, and full of interesting characters and events. Well Done to the author.
Happy Reading.

This was a very well-written and certainly an entertaining book. I’ve maybe read a book, or two by Ms. Brown before, but none have left the impression of this work.

Sam and Elli two halves of a whole, twin child actors, who as adults went their separate ways finding the realities of life difficult to wade through. Sam falling victim to addiction and Elli unable to have a child becoming involved in a self-help group (cult). Each takes desperate measures that lead to serious trouble only solved by finding their way back to each other.

Ms. Brown has written some vivid well-described characters. Not just Elli and Sam, but their mother, Dr. Medina and even Charlotte stand up from the pages of the book. Each has her own background so real you can easily see them carrying on as they did.

Thank you Net Galley and Janelle Brown for a great read.

Twins Sam and Elli have had an usual upbringing as child actors. But Elli was always the reluctant one. When labor laws insisted that the twins trade off working hours, Sam decides to switch places with her twin, working a double shift because she’s so enthused by the job. Achieving success on a television show has left them rudderless as adults. Sam is in recovery and Elli is married to a real estate lawyer trying to live the semblance of a normal life. But when Elli ups and leaves her young daughter with her parents, they call Sam to help with the childcare. At first, they all believe Elli has left to go on a healing retreat of sorts, but Sam digs deeper and finds that all is not so copasetic in her twin’s life. This is a book about sisterhood, family and healing and the price one may ultimately pay when the wrong path in life is taken. My only jolting moment in this novel was that I was thrown by the POV switch midway through the novel as I’d grown fond of Sam. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

I love a story that involves a cult, and I really loved some parts of this book, but felt like it was just a little bit too long. Sam and Elli are identical twins who become child TV stars a la Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen - Sam excitedly, Elli reluctantly. Elli left Hollywood and focused on being a wife and a mother; Sam tries to make it in Hollywood alone but is also struggling with addiction. Sam gets a call from their mother asking Sam to come home to help take care of the daughter that Elli has left with her parents while she takes a few days to herself. But Sam starts to worry after her sister doesn't come home, and sets off to untangle the mystery of where her sister has gone. There are lots of twists and turns along the way.

This has to be the MOST extreme plot of twins switching places that I have ever read! I was enthralled. Nearly every aspect of this storyline surprised me. The more reliable twin becoming a member of GenFem only causes more rifts in an already tumultuous, estranged relationship between the now grown twin-sister, childhood actresses. Substance abuse and secrets aplenty! Great book!