Ellie and Sam are twins who were child actors on Nickelodeon shows but who have since moved in completely different directions. While Ellie has pursued marriage and a business as a floral arranger, Sam tried to stay in the business. Each has her own burden to bear: Ellie wants desperately to have a child and Sam has been an addict since she was a teen.

Now in their 30s, the sisters barely speak. When Ellie leaves her adopted daughter with their parents, Sam knows something instinctively that something is wrong. But because she has long been the irresponsible twin, her instincts are dismissed. It's up to her to find Ellie before it's too late.

I really enjoyed this book (love twins, love child actors, love thrillers) and I recommend to others who enjoy the same elements.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the free ARC of I'll Be You by Janelle Brown in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out on April 26th, 2022.

Rating 5 star
Genre Thriller

This book was enthralling, from start to finish-a cult themed mystery. The story is told from each sister's perspective which makes it all the more interesting. The whole time I couldn't decided who I was rooting for, both characters were so intricate and layered. But I couldn't stop reading!

This review will post on our Instagram and Goodreads on the publication date!

Excellent book. The plot resolves around two twin sisters. Sam and Eleanor are former child TV stars who have drifted apart as adults and chosen very different lifestyles. Eleanor has married and wants nothing more than a large family. Sam, the more outgoing of the two, misses her acting career and has spiraled into alcoholism and drug abuse. After several attempts on Eleanor's part to rehabilitate Sam, she finally cuts ties with her after a major betrayal. But now Elli is missing and has left behind her adopted 2-year-old girl in her grandmother's care and Sam, one year of sobriety under her belt, gets a frantic call not only to help with child care but eventually to track down Elinor who has seemingly disappeared, perhaps into a cult-like female support group called GenFem, whose most committed members shave their head, wear sack-cloth dresses, and are in residence in some kind of isolated compound in the desert. .

I felt both sisters (who are each given a POV at various parts in the story) were well-drawn and distinct. Each had their own challenges and the plot had some interesting twists I didn't see coming. but at no time was I pulled out of the story, but instead was immersed in the narrative. This is a well-written, thoughtful examination of the strong bonds between twins who look alike but are quite different in their approach to life, their desires, their attitude toward having children, and their life goals. I also thought the gradual build-up of the female empowerment group was well done. I was touched by the final outcome of the story which seemed very true and honest.

Janelle Brown has done it again. I love all of her books and this may be my newest favorite! She has such an addictive writing style you can’t help but fly through the pages to figure it out!

This book was a lot of fun and I had trouble putting it down. Centered on identical twins Sam and Elli, it goes back and forth between when they were teenagers and current time. Sam and Elli are currently estranged until their dad calls Sam and asks her to help out with Elli's daughter that Sam didn't even know she had. Turns out Elli went away on what she said was a spa retreat and hasn't returned, causing concern to her family. The flashbacks did a great job of building out the characters and giving the reader a backstory that explains their current relationship and actions.

Both characters were flawed and believable, though I connected with Sam more than Elli. The book managed to move at a fast pace while also really getting inside the character's heads, which was really well done. It was sad at parts, and I was frustrated with the characters at other parts, but it was engaging throughout. My only small nit was that it all seemed to be tied up just a little too tidily at the end- it verged on unrealistic.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and would definitely read more books by this author. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You can’t go wrong with twins, Hollywood and all the twists and turns you can think of! This was a great book and I enjoyed the author’s writing style and character development. The reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because I felt the book was just too long and could have been shortened with the same amount of goodness. Overall, a great read though.

The premise of twins switching lives and the strong bond of identical twins was very interesting. Also I haven’t read much about cults and the intrigue was gripping

I always enjoy Janelle Brown books and this was no exception. It was fast-paced story told from alternating viewpoints of Sam and her twin sister Elli. I really enjoyed the concept of identical twins and how they can become two completely different people but still somehow stay connected in the end. Without giving away too much, this story was about sisters who have drifted apart who ultimately save each other when it really matters. I didn’t necessarily like either of the characters very much, but I think that’s the point. Both sisters are flawed in the own way it’s about how they overcome their flaws, that makes them human. Definitely a solid 4-star book.

Who can resist a story about twins; twice the fun, double the trouble. Sam and Elli are identical twins who become child semi-stars but their differences send them in separate directions by the age of 18. One becomes an addict while the other strives to be the perfect wife and mother. Cue the oblivious parents of these girls who ignore what they are up to, yet judge them for their actions. This story moves between the present and the past. You discover how they ended up where they are today, and then see the repercussions of those decisions. When the story begins, Elli has disappeared, and Sam is asked to help take care of Elli's child. The suspense builds over where Elli has gone, although Sam seems to be the only one concerned. No matter what has occurred and how far apart their lives have moved, you can't break the bonds of twins. Sam will right old wrongs to find and rescue her sister while keeping her sister's daughter safe. Lots of twists in this page turning story. This is my second Janelle Brown novel. I enjoy her style of writing and will continue to catch up on the books I've missed.
My thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'll Be You by Janelle Brown is my new favorite book. I love a book that has a storyline with twists and turns, dips and curves. I love a book that keeps me guessing and won't let me put it down. Has anyone propped a book on the windowsill while washing the dishes so you can keep reading? I'll Be You made me glad all my kids are grown because they would have received no attention from me while reading this book. The storyline is simple enough. Twin sisters struggle with life after being child stars. How cliche! Well, if you are a Janelle Brown fan, then you know she doesn't do cliche. So who can Sam and Ellie blame their struggles on? A mom that ignored the obvious, opposite personalities despite being twins, the pressure to succeed at such a young age? In the end it doesn't really matter. Both girls make their own choices on what path to follow and the consequences that come with those decisions. Like I said, Brown is a master at dropping the bottom out in the middle of a story and she literally does that in I'll Be You. First, we read Sam's story. Then to confuse us, Brown starts over in the middle of the book and tells us Ellie's story. But it all makes sense! It meshes together and becomes one fantastic story. After reading all of Janelle Brown's other book, I know better than to think I have the story figured out. I just let the story take me on a roller coaster. Good thing I like rollar coasters! I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five Def my favorite of her books

There is nothing like the bond of sisters. This made me miss the close relationships I had with my own. Elli and Sam being twins is an even closer bond. Even when their lives go in opposite directions they still know in their hearts how much they love each other. Sam being the “less responsible” of the two ends up helping her sister when she is deep in the clutches of a group bent on brainwashing and draining it’s members of their money. The whole story flows with heart and the ending doesn’t disappoint!

Excellent story! Totally engrossing!. Looking forward to reading more by this author! Could not put this down!

With this book, Janelle Brown takes us into a world where there is an imaginary fantasy that we are all trying to be someone else.

She starts with identical twins to make the point that it's easy to fool the eye and make people believe what they think is true. One of the twins, Sam at 13 years old, said to her sister, Elli, "You be me, an I'll be you." Their mother signed them up to be childhood actresses with them taking turns on the set. It was nearly impossible to tell who was who. Sam said, "I lived for that moment of stepping into someone else's skin."

Later when they stopped acting and resumed another life, psychological problems surfaced. Sam in Los Angeles turned to alcohol and drugs and Elli in Santa Barbara found a self-help, cult-like group. They both were desperate to discover who they really were. Those that signed up for the cult wanted to be strong, beautiful women and were willing to pay thousands of dollars to get there. The story also shows how much we look back on our lives wishing it could have been different rather than accepting where we are now. Sam wondered, "What if there was a "better me, more focused, less wild, in total control?"

I enjoyed the story. It's one that is quick to digest just like her previous book: "Pretty Things." Once you start, it's easy to feel like you're somewhere in the story and you have to rush to find out more. It shows how easy it is for people to control others with mind-twisting acts. Many are desperate to be perfect TV personalities and will do whatever it takes to get here. The book was somewhat predictable and parts were a tad out there but overall, it was a terrific all-nighter for women.

My thanks to Janelle Brown, Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read this copy with an expected release date of April 26, 2022.

I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown is told from two points of view – those of twins. Are they one and the same? If not, do they overlap somewhere? The questions raised from the twins’ perspectives are done in a manner that engages the reader from the first to the last page. They also influence the development of the plot: the twin whose life spiraled out of control vs. the twin always in control until the latter becomes involved with a cult-like leadership group and the former must become the responsible sister. Brown does an excellent job of depicting the twins, their mother, and the leadership group leader. Although I read an advance copy of I’ll Be You, my opinion that this is a book not to be missed is solely my own.

This book is definitely a page turner. I could hardly put it down and consequently read it quickly. I enjoyed the storyline/ plot. As a teacher, I have had many sets of twins in my career. Each set had its own “twin dynamic”. These girls had their own dynamic and it led them through many ups and downs. This is one if my fav authors.

Lot of twists and turns and then more twists and turns..
Twins, Hollywood, a cult. a mystery... what more can you want from a book?

This was an easy, engrossing read. I especially enjoyed the flashbacks that showed how the sisters grew up.

The writing was really good, and I could picture the people and the action. This felt like it would make a great movie - I could just see all of the action in my head.

The only negative for me was the last 25%. It felt like it was getting darker, and darker, and then all of a sudden everything was resolved. It felt too easy - ;like a movie of the week ending. It didn't feel like it fit the book to me.

Overall, this was an entertaining read and I will read more by this author.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

Thank You So Much Random House for the opportunity to read Browns newest gripping novel!

Janelle Brown newset novel I'll Be You is a crafted story that will hook readers from page one and entertain and engage them through the absolute final page.
I soaked this book up and loved every twist and turn. Great characters and incredible setting.
I thought this was sharp and complicated and deliciously fun
I love being surprised and at times shocked with the plot twists and that is all I am about to say, except I did not have anything figured out
A twisty plot with a shocking, never-saw-that-coming ending—this brilliant novel has it all! I read it in one day in one sitting, mesmerized, and I loved every moment.
Absolutely my most favorite eARC I've read this year!
Stunning, brilliant, intriguing, beautiful story!
And A Five Star Read All Day Long

I will cross post to all my platforms closer to pub date!

Wow, wow...just WOW!
This was my first Janelle Brown read and I was almost immediately sucked right into the story! I will definitely be looking for more of her books.
An original story of sisters, family, a cult - you read that right, a cult(!) and redemption. How far would you go to save a loved one? That's what Sam has to decide when her sister disappears leaving her young daughter in the care of their aging mother. Sam and Elli may have looks that are identical but their personalities and lives couldn't be more different. With twists you won't see coming, this read takes you on a worthwhile journey. With characters that are fully imagined even if only briefly introduced, this was such a great read!

Two pods in a pea, shared minds, feelings, deep sisterhood connection! The book shook my entire my world more than I imagined! We hear Sam and Ellie’s story: two struggling souls, two have it all lost it all women who are estranged and tries too hard find their places in the world individually.
Those two girls; shared the same womb, identical faces, same family, same child star glorious fame which crumbles into pieces… They chose different methods to deal with their life after recognition and fame: Sam chose drugs to numb her pain and Ellie chose domestic life, a regular job at flower shop, trying to conceive a child to form her own family.

Sam tries to gather her crumbling life, working at a coffee shop, attending AA meetings, missing her estranged twin she’s parted ways because of a big fight which caused damaging wounds in their relationship that would never heal.

But a phone call she gets from her father telling her her reasonable, responsible ( perfect twin ) sister is gone AWOL almost a week, not answering her phone which is strange! Her sister seems having a perfect life with real estate lawyer Chuck, a story Spanish- Revival house just blocks away Santa Barbara Beach as Sam lives in near empty Hollywood studio apartment, sleeping on a futon, serving coffees to make her ends meet.

What happened to her perfect sister? Actually, she’s divorced and she seems like adopted a two years old girl called Charlotte! Now her mother needs help to take care of her till her sister returns back! Some many things happened throughout the time they stopped talking.

She returns back to family house located in Santa Barbara. Turning back and facing her parents open up old wounds from her past: we move backwards to see more about childhood dynamics of sisters: Sam always wants to be an actress and shining in front of the camera as Ellie is reluctant and looking forward to have a normal teenage life. But the show they acted for Nickelodeon TV brings more fame they can handle. The sisters start switching places to deceive the producers so Ellie can have her normal life back and Sam can shine more! But that means Sam is also under more pressure and she needs more edibles to ease the tension. That’s how the sisters start drifting apart.

In the present time Sam tries to reach to her sister but Ellie doesn’t return her messages. Her investigation at her empty house makes her suspect that her sister just joined a cult which prevents her to connect with outside world.

Sam is so adamant to find the traces of the place where her sister is held but this also means she has to find out her sister’s traumatic secrets which will haunt their lives forever!

This is such a great mystery, thought provoking, sentimental, effective, riveting psychological thriller about sisterhood, turmoil of sudden fame, addiction, self recovery, self discovery, grief, estrangement, denial, manipulation.

Both sisters’ POVs are perfectly told. It was so easy to understand both of them’s perspectives and relate with their brokenness, predicaments, their sides of story.

This is the first time a powerful mystery story also made me cry because the emotional depth of the characters are reflected outstandingly!

I think this already became my favorite book of the author which earned tearful, sad, realistic, striking, heartfelt five stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.