Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for an e-ARC of this novel. Here re my thoughts on the book!

Twins Cassie and Lenora suffered some traumatic experiences as teens. Since then, they felt it was them against the world and live together in a cabin in a forest. Guests visit the other cabins and that is about all the social interaction the girls get. One of the guests, Tilly mysteriously disappears, and the twins are trying to figure out where she is and what happened. But can they trust each other?

The premise of this was unique and original. The twists and turns had me really second guessing what happened. I figured out a portion of the ending before I got there but even then, there was still a couple twists still in store. The twins were very different which allowed for an engaging read, and I think most readers will lean towards liking one of them as they try to solve this mystery.

I liked that their past was revealed as the novel continued and it wasn’t all told up front. The twins’ lying also provided that fun unreliable narrator piece and it was written very well! I never knew who to trust!!

I mostly listened to this one on Spotify, the narrator, Imani Jade Powers had a lovely voice that I enjoyed listening to. The subtle difference between Cassie and Lenora sometimes confused me especially if I stopped mid-chapter, but it’s a beautiful voice!

I should've wrote this review immediately after reading since it was unfortunately unmemorable for me. I know it was a good story, I love an atmospheric summer thriller that keeps me on my toes, but other than that it kind of blurs together. Lately I feel like books and movies are just repeating themselves from other stories so they just aren't exciting anymore.

This book was just okay for me. It was really slow, and the ending redeemed it a little bit. I would enjoy reading another book by this author

This was quite the debut novel! I think the take on identical twins was very unique! There were just too many storylines going on at the same time and it made things more confusing than they needed to be. I kept feeling lost, but not in a good way. I think with the multiple povs, I might have done better with an audiobook for this one.

Cassie and Lenora have a complex bond. There’s love, but also resentment at how they ended up trapped with each other. The shifting perspectives and timelines kept me engaged, though the pacing felt a little slow at times. However, the payoff was worth it, with some really good twists that I didn’t see coming.

I really liked the author’s writing style but I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief when it came to some of the forensic plot holes towards the end. Without spoiling anything, certain aspects of the resolution didn’t quite hold up in a real-world sense, which took me out of the story a bit.

That said, this is a strong debut that’s more psychological than action-packed, which I personally enjoyed. If you like character-driven thrillers with a dark, unsettling atmosphere, this one is worth picking up.

When She Was Me by Marlee Bush is an incredible debut novel that grabbed my attention from the first page and held it all the way to the end. The story is compelling and emotionally gripping, weaving together different points of view and timelines that make the narrative feel rich and layered.

The story revolves around a woman, Jessa, who becomes entangled in a mysterious and life-altering situation involving a case of mistaken identity. The book explores themes of self-discovery, trauma, and the impact of the past on one’s future. Bush does a great job switching between timelines,

The writing creates a realistic portrayal of the difficulties of overcoming personal trauma while still trying to move forward in life.

Marlee Bush’s debut novel, When She Was Me, is a haunting psychological thriller that explores themes of trauma, sibling bonds, and buried secrets. Published on May 7, 2024, the book introduces readers to twin sisters Cassie and Lenora, whose secluded lives in a remote Tennessee cabin are disrupted when a teenage girl camping nearby mysteriously disappears.

Bush crafts an atmospheric and suspenseful narrative, skillfully blending past and present timelines. The story alternates between the perspectives of Cassie and Lenora, creating a layered mystery filled with unreliable narrators. The sisters’ shared trauma and their decision to isolate themselves from society add emotional depth to the plot while heightening the tension as their secrets begin to unravel.

The setting plays a crucial role in the story’s eerie tone. The isolated campground surrounded by dense woods mirrors the sisters’ emotional solitude and amplifies the sense of danger. Bush’s vivid descriptions immerse readers in the claustrophobic wilderness, making the environment feel almost like a character in itself.

Character development is one of the novel’s strengths. Cassie and Lenora are complex protagonists whose motivations and actions keep readers guessing. Their bond is both tender and fraught with suspicion, as each suspects the other may know more about the disappearance than they admit. This dynamic adds layers to the narrative and keeps readers engaged.

Bush’s writing style has received mixed feedback. While some readers appreciated her stream-of-consciousness approach for its raw emotional impact, others found it less accessible. Despite this, her ability to deliver unexpected twists and maintain suspense throughout has been widely praised.

The novel explores themes such as grief, guilt, and the lasting effects of trauma, making it more than just a straightforward thriller. The inclusion of unreliable narrators adds intrigue, as readers are constantly questioning what is real versus what is perceived.

In conclusion, When She Was Me is an impressive debut that showcases Marlee Bush’s talent for crafting atmospheric settings and emotionally charged mysteries. Fans of psychological thrillers will find much to enjoy in this compelling tale of secrets, sibling bonds, and survival. While the writing style may not appeal to everyone, Bush’s storytelling prowess makes this a standout first novel.

This one was a fun and engaging read. It really did keep me on edge & not wanting to put it down. There was a little section where I started to feel like it was lagging, but overall it was good!! The twist was shocking and I was guessing til the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This author is one to watch! I don't know why I haven't seen more about this book or this author, but this book is such a great read!

Told in alternating points of view between two twins, Lenora and Cassie, who are living a life of solitude in a remote cabin at a tiny little campground. They are running from their past and the trauma that Lenora can't shake from a tragic event when they were teenagers. Their campground has two other cabins, and when their landlord suddenly dies, Sarah buys the property and is good with keeping the arrangement they'd had previously. Soon, a family books the other cabin and that's when things start to unravel.

I can't write more without spoilers, but here is what I can say-this book kept me guessing until close to the end. I did NOT see the end coming and wasn't even close to figuring this one out. I liked the characters in this story and how imperfect they all were. I especially loved the sisterly bond in this story. Loved this book and how twisted it was! This is a must-read.

This was a very interesting read and had me hooked for most of it- there were just some parts that had me confused or didn’t feel right. Overall, a good one that will have you wondering throughout “what is going on”.

It's hard to believe this was a debut novel, what a great job!!! This was such a great thriller full of twists & turns. Definitely read!!!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* What a crazy read for sure! Would recommendfor sure

Multiple povs
Multiple timelines
Had my heart pounding
Wild ride

Pick this one up in any format!

In Marlee Bush’s gripping psychological thriller, “When She Was Me,” the unsettling world of adult identical twin sisters, Cassie and Lenora, unfolds amidst the isolation of a remote camping park, where only two other cabins break the silence. Things take a dark turn when the teenage daughter of a tenant is discovered murdered—suddenly, accusations seep into the air, trust crumbles, and lifelong promises fall apart.

Cassie, haunted by recollections from their childhood traumas, strives to shield her agoraphobic sister Lenora, who confines herself to the cabin, constantly peering out from the window as the mysterious events of their tiny universe unfold before her.

With flashbacks to their turbulent adolescence—filled with angst, trauma, vivid dreams, and haunting memories—“When She Was Me” often blurs the lines between past and present, complicating the sisters' already tangled lives.

Though the novel spans a lengthy 400 pages and can feel slow or repetitive at times, don’t let that deter you! Stick with it; and you’ll uncover a diabolical twisted-sister of a murder myster that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I absolutely loved this psychological ride!

A big thank you to NetGalley, author Marlee Bush, and publisher Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an Advanced Reader’s Copy Electronic Edition to review!
https://www.goodreads.com/joyreadergirl1

This creepy, character-driven thriller explores the complexities of toxic familial relationships—especially between sisters. It raises thought-provoking questions about loyalty, secrecy, and the weight of shared DNA. How far would you go to protect someone you love, even when their actions become dangerous?

I loved how the characters were deeply unreliable yet remained unwaveringly devoted to each other. The tension builds well throughout the story, creating an unsettling atmosphere- especially with the cabin in the woods setting. This book offers a compelling lens into the matters of mental health and crime, exploring whether those affected these heavy topics can/do still see themselves as normal—or even good.

However, the pacing felt too slow at times, and the narrative meandered more than I would have liked. The major reveal came too late in the book for my liking, but I really enjoyed the rug pull moment where I was left questioning everything I thought I knew to be true.

That said, if you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with an eerie vibe and complex family dynamics, this one is worth checking out!

This book gave me a creepy vibe. Two sisters who ran away to live in the woods because they saw something terrible happen. The plot was kind of a who-dun-it one and you thought you knew at one point, and then something would happen. I definitely wasn't expecting the twist at the end and it made for a good one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author Marlee Bush for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me guessing the entire time. At time it seemed chaotic and messy, and it was hard to tell if it was supposed to be that way for the sake of the story or if I was because of the experience level of the author (and I mean that in the nicest way possible). The story was intriguing enough for me to HAVE to finish it to find out what was really going on.

What can I say? It was 100% the cover of When She Was Me that made me want to read this debut from Marlee Bush!

The fabrication of an unsettling plot with unreliable characters instantly created a world of mistrust! With three perspectives (from both twin sisters and an undetermined third), two timelines, and a setting that was isolated yet felt exposed, this was one dark thriller!

Although I figured out a major twist at the 75% mark, I enjoyed the guessing game this third perspective created! The last reveal makes this setting even creepier, which I loved discovering!

Imani Jade Powers did a great job with this audiobook narration! I really appreciated the differences in tone between main characters Cassie and Lenora, as well as the many other female characters within this story; it made it easy to differentiate which point of view was happening at any given time! I went back and forth on whether two narrators would have been better, but in the end I decided only having one helped link the twins together, as well as helped play on the books title!

I'm looking forward to reading Bush's forthcoming book, Whispers Of Dead Girls, set to publish this May!

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary copies to read and review.

When She Was Me is an intense psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The twists and character development make it a gripping read you won’t want to put down.

I appreciate the author trying to put red herrings and trying to pull off a big twist. Sadly, it was unbelievable and was kind of cheat-y to the reader. I do still remember the things that happened in the book, so for one, it's memorable.

Still, I will look out for this author's new releases!

***Thank you to Poisoned Pen Media for providing an e-arc of this book via NetGalley (no obligation to post a review).***