The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas is an engaging suspense-filled mystery/thriller book. I enjoyed the storyline, the multiple POVs and the several twists. I didn't see the ending coming and the twist at the end was brilliant. I received the ARC from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks via Netgalley. This is my honest review.

3 Stars

I really enjoyed this book overall. It kept me engaged, and while I was able to guess some of the twists early on, there were a few major ones that took me completely by surprise. The pacing was great, and the plot was well-crafted, with just the right amount of suspense to keep me turning pages.

Note: Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with this ARC.

A fast-paced, absorbing mystery that seamlessly blends family secrets, tragedy, murder, and the complicated ties between sisters. The story unfolds mainly through Tasha’s eyes, but we also get perspectives from her sister Alice, their mother Jeannette, and even brief glimpses from the baby sister who vanished years ago.

The pacing was one of the novel’s strongest elements—it kept me hooked from start to finish. This is the kind of book that refuses to be set aside; DNF (Did Not Finish) won’t even cross your mind. At its heart, the story revolves around two major mysteries: the disappearance of baby Holly and the murder of Alice’s husband, Kyle. Are these events linked or simply two tragedies colliding? You’ll have to keep reading to find out.

Though the mystery kept me intrigued, the novel leaned heavily into the family drama. The tension between Jeannette and her daughters felt raw and believable, with each character struggling under the weight of their own unspoken emotions and hidden pasts. While this added depth to the story, it did sometimes push the mystery into the background.

The ending, did in fact shock me. The thriller aspect managed to keep some of its edge even toward the conclusion, especially when one of the major revelations was revealed rather suddenly. The opening scene in Venice was one of the book’s highlights—tense, immersive, and cinematic, with Tasha desperately fleeing a knife-wielding pursuer through the city’s winding streets. I only wish the novel had spent more time in that high-stakes atmosphere before shifting to the slower-paced police investigation back home.

Overall, this book was a 4 star read for me.

This was the first novel by Claire Douglas that I have read and I was not disappointed. Two sister's do a life swap for a week until it goes horribly wrong...

I wish the suspenseful parts were more intense. I think some character development would have helped to get the reader more involved.

Great book! There were some good twists that kept you guessing. It read well with the chapters being from different characters.

This story masterfully intertwines themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexity of family dynamics, keeping readers hooked from the first page to the last.

The novel centers on the protagonist, who becomes increasingly entangled in her sister's mysterious and sinister secrets. The characters are layered and nuanced, each one making you question their motives and reliability. Douglas does an excellent job creating tension, with unexpected twists and red herrings sprinkled throughout, ensuring that readers stay on edge.

What makes this book particularly compelling is its exploration of sibling relationships and how the bonds of family can be both a source of strength and vulnerability. The pacing is swift without sacrificing depth, and the alternating perspectives keep the narrative fresh and engaging.

While the ending ties up most of the loose ends, some readers might find it slightly rushed or wish for deeper closure on certain subplots. However, the journey itself is so gripping that it more than compensates for these minor shortcomings.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that delve into the darker sides of family and trust, The Wrong Sister is a must-read. Claire Douglas continues to prove why she’s a powerhouse in the genre.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Tasha and her husband have twins and need to romantically reconnect. So her sister and brother in law offer to let them stay at their place for a week while they watch the twins.

Romance is in the air. Until they get a frantic phone call and life as they know it will never be the same.

So many twists and turns. Family drama. Betrayal. And lest we forget…murder.

This book had it all and I loved it

This was such a good book. I would have to say 4 stars for sure! It was a quick read only took about 2 days. I have only read on other by this author and I loved it too. So please join Alice and Tasha on their journey you will enjoy it.

The storyline explores family relationships, especially the bonds between sisters. There are elements of psychological suspense throughout and I came away feeling that the author wants readers to ask two questions. Do you ever really know those closest to you and how far would you go to keep a sisters secret even if it harmed others.? Amazing writing and characters that you want to know more about. Definitely a must read.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I had so much fun with this book. Claire Douglas is becoming one of my favorite authors!

This was a great thriller! It kept me guessing throughout the entire book. It kept my attention through the whole thing and I didn’t guess the ending!

3.5/5 ⭐️
📱: The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas
(Publication Date: August 5, 2025–US)

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this a lot and I FLEW through it… it was exactly what I want out of a thriller—nothing more, nothing less. But that’s also why I’ve taken some stars away from it. I’m not sure how memorable it will be a week from now 😅

I will admit, I couldn’t guess that ending! As I read it, I was SHOOK because…. What?! No way 🤯 This was my first Claire Douglas novel, but it certainly won’t be my last! There’s still one part that I’m not sure was conclusively wrapped up, or maybe I just didn’t register it when it was? Idk. It wasn’t a huge part of the story and I can’t really say much else without giving anything away, but just a heads up that there might be some little things left unresolved if you over analyze/think about it too much like me hahahaha

🏷️: #thewrongsister #clairedouglas #mystery #thriller #netgalley #arc #fiction #readmorebooks #bookstagram #readersgonnaread #bookreview

This book was okay. It was very slow, it took me almost a month to read it. There were some plot holes that definitely needed to be taken care of. This story was all over the place. The twists got me for sure- my jaw dropped for one of them. I didn’t love the ending, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Thank you to NetGalley for this digital ARC.

<b>Summary</b>
Alice and Tasha are different in more ways than they are alike, but as sisters they have a close connection and love one another dearly. That’s why, when Alice notices that Tasha and her husband, Aaron, could use some alone time to reconnect with one another, she offers up her apartment in Venice that her and her husband frequent.

To make things even easier, Alice and her husband, Kyle, would stay at Tasha and Aaron’s home and look after their twin girls. Essentially, a little life swap.

But, as soon as Tasha and Aaron’s vacation begins, it ends. They receive a phone call that Alice and Kyle were attacked in the night. And to make things worse, when they arrive home, they locate a note that says, “it was supposed to be you”.
Were they the intended targets? Does that mean the perpetrator will return to finish the job?

Review
This was a slow burning book that I’m not sure ever got up to the speed I would’ve hoped for. I never got the “can’t put this down” feeling with this one. There was a lack of suspense / urgency.

The characters felt underdeveloped, like they were all just based on cliches. It made them predictable, and boring.

I wouldn’t consider this much of a thriller, more of a family drama with some crime. It was an interesting read but needed some more oomph to be truly interesting. It’s an easy read and worth picking up if family drama is your thing, but I’d steer clear if you’re looking for fast paced thriller vibes.

Thank you to Claire Douglas and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read all of Douglas’ books and this is by far one of her most suspenseful! The full story is not revealed until the very end! Gtreat chatcwter development and great story! Thanks for the advanced read!

I've read a couple of Claire Douglas's books and have a few more on my TBR, so I was thrilled to receive this one through NetGalley. I loved the multiple viewpoints and the intriguing side notes at the start of each section. The story kept me guessing the entire time, and the ending was nothing like I expected—in the best way. I was definitely surprised.

I love a thriller and this was wild. I didn’t call the twists and was engaged from the start. It felt like a quick read which I absolutely love in thrillers.

The power of good writing and a well-structured plot. It stands as a testament to the author's talent and dedication to their craft, providing readers with an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience. Whether you're a casual reader or a literature enthusiast, this book is sure to leave you with a sense of fulfillment and a desire to explore more of the author's works. So, for anyone looking to delve into a captivating story, I wholeheartedly recommend picking up this gem—it may just become one of your favorites, too.

Twisty, turny, thrilller. This book follows two stories a long ago kidnapping and murder. There is a lot of family dynamics throughout the story that are very relatable to anyone. I truly did not see that ending coming. All throughout the read your trying to figure out who the attacker was. The way it is written keeps you turning pages with the cliffhanger chapters. I think I audibly gasped when it was revealed who the aunt was 🤯

The only reason I rated this as a 4 star not a 5 is sometimes the it felt the book could be a bit slow but is definitely a good read and I will recommend it.

This was my first book by Clare Douglas and I’m pretty surprised since my library is mostly thrillers. How have I not heard of this author?!?! So I thank Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. for the ARC and the introduction to a new author.