Did not finish this book. I wasn't able to get into this one at all. Thank you for this free copy. I will still be willing to read more from this author.

This book. hooked me from the very beginning. The relationship between the girls was so complex. I did figure out the big twist, but I still enjoyed it. It was definitely a "slow build" but about 40% in, things really started happening! I'd recommend this one for sure.

I loved this thriller. The relationships with the twin sisters, the structure of the novel and how it unfolded, the cult, it was engrossing and I enjoyed all of the twists and turns!

Twins Samantha and Eleanor were surprised when a talent scout spotted them on the beach, and they soon became minor performers in a children’s’ show on television. While Sam loved the camera and performing, Elli did not, and when the show ended production, Elli was delighted at the chance to be a normal teenager. Soon the girls had another opportunity to perform on another TV show, and as Elli’s acting talent declined, Sam took over for Elli, acting both roles. The girls grew apart, with Sam’s substance abuse and Elli’s failing marriage chipping away at their bond. With Elli’s involvement in a women’s group designed for personal growth that required extreme loyalty, Sam is determined to figure out where Elli has been, and why she left her newly adopted daughter behind.

I have read several of Janelle Brown’s books, and this one did not disappoint. Sam and Elli have taken very different paths, and yet they have that unbreakable bond that keeps them together, protecting and helping one another. Sam’s substance abuse and Elli’s involvement with GenFem drive a wedge between the girls, and I enjoyed reading about their journey, together and separately. I’ll Be You is an interesting story of love, loss, and the many ways in which we reinvent ourselves as we mature.

“‘You be me, and I’ll be you,’ I whispered. She looked back at me, wide eyes blinking under dense mascara. ‘We can do that?’”

Our story begins when Sam receives the news that her twin sister is missing and that she needs to quickly travel back to her parents’ home to help care for her two-year-old niece. Sam, a recovering addict, returns to the family that she abandoned to find her sister and to reevaluate the paths that led to their estrangement.

This is a book that will grip you from its first line and will tighten its clutches a little more each time you turn the page. You will become acquainted with each of the sisters to the extent that you will feel as if you know them personally. You will sympathize and empathize with them. At times, your heart will ache for them. You will be glued to your seat until they’ve told their stories, and still, you won’t want to leave them.

Janelle Brown is an author who never disappoints. She consistently pens stories that will entertain her audience while making them think and making them feel. With this psychological offering, she weaves a tale of best-laid plans gone awry, addiction, family drama, and the power of sisterhood. This one is simply stunning from start to finish.

When I picked up I’ll Be You, I had no idea if I would love it or hate it. I recently read The Atmospherians which also centered around the cult concept, and I couldn’t really get into it. While cults are in theory really fascinating and intriguing, I had no idea what to expect here. Another reason I’ll Be You caught my attention was that it centers on identical twin sisters. I absolutely loved all things Mary-Kate & Ashley growing up, so I thoroughly enjoyed the references to them in the book.

The sisters, Sam and Elli, were B-list child actors at best who each handled fame in their own way. While I think it would be so much fun and amazing to be a twin, I could definitely understand their individual struggle to figure out who they were without the other, especially when you come as a pair. Elli was shy and introverted, wanting to be a normal kid with normal friends at a regular school, while Sam was driven by the fame and attention of acting, constantly being someone else to please others. Sam ends up in the stereotypical downward spiral with drugs and alcohol, while Elli moves back to their hometown to create the seemingly perfect life of marriage and owning a business.

The story kicks off with Sam receiving a call from her parents to come back and help them care for Elli’s foster child while Elli is away at a wellness retreat even though the sisters hadn’t spoken in a decade. From there, the story of their estrangement begins to unfold. The story was a bit slow at times, but there were some intense twists, and I was shocked by how relatable it was – especially how Elli ended up immersed in a cult!

Who doesn’t want to better themselves? I recently scheduled one of those free coaching calls which ended in a sales pitch for their personal development program and if I signed up that day I could get in at the “low” price of $10K. Of course, I did not move forward with it, but I did recognize a lot of similarities in Elli’s story including some of the same lines used to justify the cost and I could easily see how Elli got wrapped up in it.

The story was told in two parts – one from Sam’s perspective and one from Elli’s. This was effective to demonstrate each of their inner thoughts and make them both relatable and likable. I both understood Elli’s desire for normalcy and motherhood as much as Sam’s need for the spotlight and attention. This made I’ll Be You an enjoyable read and a great look at the bonds of sisterhood.

The only thing I have to say I kept laughing at was how many times Sam managed to get Charlotte in and out of a car seat. As a mom to a toddler myself, I couldn’t help shaking my head and laughing at how impossible it would be to not only get in and out of the car so many times in such a short span of time, but also the lengthy car rides that Sam consistently took Charlotte on only to turn back around after five minutes out of the car. It might’ve been the least probable thing in the entire book!

I really enjoyed Pretty Things so I was so excited to read this. This was a gripping, character-driven novel (rather than a thriller). I thought the pace was just right, had a twist that caught me by surprise, and I was invested in the mess of a pickle the sisters found themselves in. Also, I was head over heels in love with the little two-year old, Charlotte and she added plenty of smiles. The book centers on twins who spent a lot of pivotal moments in their lives pretending to be each other (hence the title). I’m an only child and I always wanted to have a twin (or even just a sibling!) These girls (Sam & Elli) are child stars who gave me Mary Kate and Ashley vibes. They play the part of the role of a single child on a popular television show. Sam loves being in the spotlight, and starts secretly taking over the more introverted Elli’s half of the work. I wouldn’t say this book is really a mystery or a thriller. More of a literary family drama type tale. I really enjoyed the way Janelle Brown writes. Her characters are intriguing and always have interesting back stories and motivations.

I received a reviewer copy of I'll Be You by Janelle Brown from the publisher Random House from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

CW: Substance Abuse, Cults, Abandonment.

What It’s About: Sam and Elli used to be child stars, that was in the past and it led to them coming undone. Sam loved acting, Elli did not. Sam fell into substance abuse, Elli fell into the American Dream, awesome husband, a flower shop, and a home for the kids she desperately wants. A year ago, Sam and Elli had a fight and haven't spoken since. Now, Sam is a year sober and is called back to help with Elli's daughter after Elli has fallen off the map.

What I Loved: I loved it. I thought this book was fantastic, there were so many layers to it. We follow Sam and Elli, two complex characters and we want desperately to unwind what is going on. How did their childhood fame unfold? What led to their estrangement? What motivated Sam to commit to sobriety? Where did Elli go? What is going on with Elli? This book was propulsive and smart, I loved the character development, the plot was fantastic. Janelle Brown has used character development to make her plot propulsive, it was so well done. An awesome literary mystery.

What I didn’t like so much: Honestly, I liked everything, if anything I wanted more details. I don't want to say about what cause I don't want to give away too much. But there were some threads I wish were better tied up.

Who Should Read It: People who love books about twins and cults and former child stars. People who love character driven novels that make the plot propulsive.

Summary: A propulsive literary mystery centered on former childhood actors who are twins.

Although I’ll Be You didn’t end up being the suspense thriller I expected, it was a satisfying and interesting read in other ways. I would categorize it as a character-driven family drama with several unexpected twists. Not having read many books with the twin trope, that was what initially attracted me to this book. The shared connection – so close through their teen years then each choosing a different path - made for an interesting storyline. Normally, I don’t choose to read about cults and since I didn’t catch that theme from the pre-publication info, I was surprised when it played such a major part altho I would have been satisfied with a bit less. Overall, the characters were what grabbed and sustained my interest through to the satisfying ending.

FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love books about twins and this didn’t disappoint. Twin sisters who become child actors. One wild twin, one not looking for the limelight. Throw in a cult and my interest was peaked.
This is the first book I’ve read by Janelle Brown and it won’t be my last. I loved the alternating chapters told from told both sisters and the back and forth timeline between childhood and adult hood.
This will be a great summer read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

3.5 Stars

I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown is a thriller that has an interesting premise. Twin child stars that have both had their share of heartbreak wind up in a set of strange circumstances that ultimately lead to the disappearance of one of them. It is an intriguing story that will keep you guessing, although it is a bit slow paced.

The book is told from the perspectives of twin sisters, Sam and Elli, and alternates between past and present. While the girls aren’t likeable characters, they are well-described interesting and flawed. It is easier Typically, I need to relate to a character to enjoy a story, but the prospect that these characters would redeem themselves in the end is really engaging.

❀ AN INTRIGUING THRILLER

The flashbacks to the sisters’ childhoods and what eventually led then to having a falling out have some shocking elements to them and adds to the dramatic conclusion. It is a strange relationship that is definitely influenced by their childhood stardom. Parts of the story seemed to drag on, but I was kept intrigued to find out how things were going to play out.

❀ SIBLINGS THEME

I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown is a thriller that will surprise you, although it has some pacing issues. It is a perfect read if you enjoy stories about siblings and cults. I look forward to finding out what the author has in store for us next.

I am such a huge Janelle Brown fan, and this book solidified it for me. The deep dive into the intricacies of sisterhood, motherhood and addiction was impressively rich in a story that was still full of suspense. The plot was undeniably propulsive, but I loved I’ll Be You even more for how deeply real Sam and Elli are, as well as their complicated relationship with their mother. If you’re a fan of thoughtful thrillers with completely fleshed out characters, you are going to love this one.

Ellie and Sam were twin child stars but despite looking the same, they didn't turn out the same. Ellie moved on from her Hollywood life (which she never liked) and became a responsible adult, but Sam grew up to have an issue with drugs.

This book goes back and forth between the twins' childhood and present life. I liked this way of telling the story because I feel like as a reader, I needed to know the backstory to understand where the twins and their families were in the present day. Overall, I thought this was a unique story with a strong ending.

There are so troubling parts of the book, including cults, abuse, and alcohol use, so if you have a trigger to any of those topics, I would go in easy.

Another beautiful book by a very talented author. I read it in one sitting. Absolutely brilliant! I recommend it.

I'll Be You has such an intriguing premise, and to be honest, I love anything involving a cult. The problem is that this book is sooooooooo slow and that's especially problematic when there are so many leaps of logic that need to be made. Someone abandons their daughter they've only had a few months for a few days that turns into weeks and no action is taken? Bizarre. No thanks.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll Be You by Janelle Brown is a suspense novel about identical twin sisters who were child actors. When Elli disappears, Sam is forced to be the responsible twin. She goes back home to help her parents care for Elli's newly adopted daughter. Sam starts to investigate where her sister has gone and realizes that she may be a part of a cult. Can Sam convince Elli to leave the cult? What has Elli gotten herself involved with? This book was a quick read, but I'm not sure I would call it "suspenseful." I did enjoy it, as I've enjoyed Janelle Brown's previous books as well. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I’ll Be You kept me reading way past my bedtime! The story starts slowly, learning about twins Sam and Elli and how they sometimes tricked people by playing each other. Then we see how being childhood actresses messed with their lives and ultimately set them up for failure as adults. But being twins has it’s advantages when you are trying to figure out where your look alike could have disappeared to. Some great twists and turns. Loved it!

I really enjoyed the eARC I received from Net Galley. Twists and turns, and a well-paced story which kept my attention, with an ending that didn't leave me hanging. I have already recommended this to a handful of friends..

"I'll Be You" is a gripping story about twins, now adults, who were child actors. Sam and Elli have very different temperaments and Elli did not want to act. She did it for Sam for a long time. Sam is an addict with a habit of relapsing after rehab. Elli and Sam have been estranged for about a year and Sam has been sober for about a year, when their mother asks her to come help out with Elli's two year old adopted daughter. Elli is away at a retreat. Sam didn't know Elli adopted a child. As the novel unfolds, we are exposed to Sam's ongoing struggles with sobriety, the story of her life and the twins' relationship and choices over the years. Their mother spends her time seeking enlightenment and it seems that Elli may be taking after her. Elli sees Sam, the naturally talented actress, as sucking all the air out of a room. Sam sees Elli through a haze of drugs and alcohol as wanting things very different from her, all of it boring. While there are things that require investigation and research and resolution, this is not a thriller, a psychological thriller although it is suspenseful some of the time and there are surprises. I have never read other books by Janelle Brown. I thought this was well worth a read. 3.5 stars rounded up.

There are three parts to this novel and the last two were much better. The voice and story of Elli, one of a pair of identical twins was much more interesting. Sam, the other twin, is in and out of rehab, comes to help out her parents with Elli's child while Elli is away at a feminist retreat. There is much more to these women and this retreat. The story lags at first but not to the point that you don't care what happens.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley